The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 5

21. Voguepedia
Designers, models, editors and even bloggers; as of now they are all listed in Vogue’s online encyclopedia Voguepedia. Websites can stop making their own database and we can start looking everyone up over here. Vogue is actually doing some more database-work; every single issue since the beginning of Vogue has been put online and will soon be available (for those who pay for it). Imagine looking through all these classic pages, wow!

22. Kanye West failure
Well, it wasn’t necessarily a highlight of 2011, but it truly was something we won’t soon forget. Kanye’s first fashion show! We bet he still has nightmare about it. We’re curious if Kanye’s going to give it another try next season, but the fact remains that his designer debut failed to impress.

23. Versace for H&M
The Versace for H&M collection was, like other designer for H&M collections, a big hit. We fell in love with the black leather with gold details and are planning to wear those palmtree prints during the whole summer. The collection might not have sold out as soon as the other designercollections, but it definitely was one of the most remarkable ones.

24. Graphic Prints
A simple floral doesn’t do it anymore these days. If you want to score as a designer you come up with your very own digital prints. Like the gorgeous creations of Proenza Schouler or the vivid designs of Mary Katrantzou. The latest prints are so very alive, it’s like watching a 3D fashion show.

25. Team Vogue NL
After months of rumours it was finallyconfirmed; in 2012 a Dutch version of Vogue will be launched. With those three ladies of the Dutch Glamour on board we believe it is going to be a huge success. So that’s something great to look forward to for the next year. Now let’s go & celebrate!

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 4

With just a few days left of 2011, we continue our hit list of this year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new clothing lines and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Missoni for Target, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

16. Best Dressed Babies
Rachel Zoe and Victoria Beckham both had their babies this year. Now you wouldn’t normally name this in a Best Of List. Yet since the two little ones (Skyler and Harper) are already the best dressed babies on the planet, we just had to. Harper’s outfits are closely watched by international fashion editors and Skyler already gets custom made Gucci items delivered. It all seems too crazy for words, right? But since Rachel Zoe and Victoria Beckham keep on expanding their fashion empires and are becoming more and more influential this is real serious business.

17. Sixties
In one year we went from seventies to sixties, only to end back in the twenties. And though we’re heading back to the style of The Great Gatbsy, those sixties influences will sure be around for a while. The short skirts, the straight dresses, the knee length boots and not to forget those cute Peter Pan collars.

18. New Kids Collections
Lanvin, Versace and Marni all announced their first kids collections this year. An interesting development, next to many new diffusion lines that are being launched. Is this what people want to spend their money on? At least we know the above named fashion ladies will make the investment for their toddlers.

19. Doutzen turns actress
Models turned actresses, you hear it all the time. Yet Doutzen’s case it actually turned out pretty well. The Dutch beauty was cast in the very first Dutch 3D movie and has had nothing but good critics so far. Let’s hope she won’t swap fashion for film for good.

20. Polka Dots
If someone had told you one year ago polka dots would become a big trend again, you probably wouldn’t have believed them. But it turns out Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs were quite convincing with their fall/winter collection. Everyone wanted to get their hands on that Stella dress and the Jacobs skirt was an incredibly popular streetstyle item. Every high street store copied the trend, now let’s see how long it lasts…

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 3

With New Year’s Eve ’round the corner we take some time to look back on another great fashion year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new collections and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Missoni for Target, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

Here are highlights 11 to 15 of this year:

11. The end of D&G
With their spring/summer collection for 2012 Domenice Dolce and Stefano Gabbana ended their D&G fashion line (what a loss!). The two very talented Italian designer will from now on focus on their main line, Dolce & Gabbana. We wish them the best of luck!

12. Androgyne & transsexual models
Transsexual model Lea T and male model  Andrej Pejic (who looks like a woman, but is still a man) have become a big hit in the fashionworld over the past two years. Both of them walk fashion shows and appear on magazine covers. Andrej Pejic even became the face (or eh.. body) of a push-up bra created by Dutch department store Hema. Also, Dutch transsexual model Valentijn de Hingh is doing very well. She is now nominated for an ELLE style award.

13. Prada’s Bananas
If we had to name a success collection of 2011 it would, without a doubt, be Prada’s spring/summer collection. Prada’s bananas became an instant hit (who whould have thought that?!) and her bold stripes and bright colors were copied by fashion brands all over the world. The collection was even featured on more than 77 covers. Props for Miuccia!

14. Designer Collaborations
After the great success of the H&M designercollections more high street brands are collaborating with luxury fashion houses. This year’s Missoni for Target, Jean Paul Gaultier for La Perla, Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s and Carine Roitfeld and Terry Richardson for Colette were a big hit!

15. Jeweltones
Ruby, Amethyst, Citrine and Emerald; jewel tones were THE trend for fall/winter 2011/2012. Again, Gucci had the highest scores on this trend.

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 2

With New Year’s eve ’round the corner we take some time to look back on another great fashion year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new collections and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

Here are highlights 6 to 10 of this year:

6. More & more fashion documentaries
Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Dior, Viktor & Rolf, Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent. Turns out every major fashion label is now producing it’s own documentary. And since we can’t get enough of those movies we’re also super excited about the Bill Cunningham and upcoming Diana Vreeland docs.

7. Kate Moss marries in Galliano
After all the bad press Galliano got in the beginning of 2011 Kate Moss supported him (big time) by wearing one of his creations on her big day. In a gorgeous Galliano gown she got married to her love Jamie Hince.

8. Saskia & Daphne
We couldn’t be more proud of Dutchies Daphne Groeneveld and Saskia de Brauw. They were the newcomers of 2010 and the stars of 2011! Both girls were featured in multiple ad grand campaigns and editorials and reached a supermodel status.

9. R.I.P. Amy Winehouse
She may not have had her own fashion line (besides her work for Fred Perry), but she truly inspired the fashion world with her outspoken looks (big hair & thick eyeliner). Not only did we loose a great singer when Amy died, we also lost a extraordinary style icon.

10. Seventies Chic
2011 was all about the seventies revival; flared pants, floppy hats, large sunglasses, hippie chic headbands and platform heels. We sure loved every bit of it!

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 1

With New Year’s eve approaching we take some time to look back on another great fashion year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new collections and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

Here are the first five highlights of this year:

1. Galliano in Trouble
It came as quite a shock. After designer John Galliano was ‘caught’ on tape making several anti-semitic remarks he was fired by Dior. Although many believe Dior and the media were too hard on Galliano, the fact remains that his reputation was seriously damaged. Dior still hasn’t found a new head of designer (though rumors of Raf Simons taking over the job are getting more severe) and Galliano still isn’t back on track either.

2. Colorblocking
The colorblock trend started with Gucci and quickly became one of the most popular spring/summer looks of this year. Mixing bright colors together in one look definitely was all the rage in 2011.

3. Kate marries in Sarah Burton
It was one of the most talked about topics for months; Kate Middleton’s bridal gown.
The queen to be ended up getting married in a classic Sarah Burton dress, which immediately received everyone’s approval. (Ph: McQueen dress by Sarah Burton)

4. Carine Roitfeld’s New Activities
Who thought Carine was just going to sit around after leaving Vogue has it all wrong. This busy bee has been handling some great great styling projects for Barneys and Chanel, to name a few…

5. Welcome Emmanuelle Alt!
As the new editor in chief of Vogue Paris Emmanuelle is doing pretty well. She kicked off her new job by putting Gisele Bundchen on the cover. Wow!

The Best of All goodiebags – Amsterdam Fashion Week

The goodiebags we received this week were not very impressive, most of them were rather disappointing! We did receive better bags during earlier editions of AIFW. This time  there were a lot of spam items and the real goodies were lacking.

Apart from the Velour goodiebag and the Hunkemöller box we simple couldn’t give any goodiebag a high rate (too bad we didn’t get a goodiebag, or even een preview – at Supertrash this time).

To show you what a real goodiebag could look like, we gathered the best items of this Amsterdam Fashion Week in one ideal goodiebag.

It contains:

– Stylish toothbrush from Jordan

– Bodywash

– Hunkemoller garter

– Glasses from Bas Kosters

– Lounge music

– a bottle of water

– Rituals tea

– Vouchers of Hunkemoller ( 30 euro) and Specsavers/Spijkers & Spijkers (50 euro)

– T-shirt Velour

– Hand lotion Aveda

– Maybelline 24h lipstick

– Opi nailpolish

– Eyeshadow

But we dream of perfume, fashionable jewelry, a nice scarf, skincare-samples, champagne, perfumed candles ….

The best of London Fashion Week FW2010

After a period in which British brands preferred showing abroad they’ve now come back to London. The city’s fashion week celebrated it’s 25^th anniversary last year and is again a popular fashion town. Some of the best British labels have returned to the London catwalks, including Burberry, Pringle, Matthew Williamson, Antonio Berardi, Jonathan Saunders and Clements Ribeiro. Luckily for London, cause Burberry and Williamson were surely two of our London Fashion Week highlights.

Christopher Kane
With the fall collection Christopher Kane presented he is bound to win another Collection of the Year award. The designer used black lace and leather embroidered (by hand!) with floral patterns. A crazy combination, at first sight, but after a few looks we started to like it. The skirts and dresses meant for young women were short like always, but never looked sleazy. Kane worked some Priscilla Presley looks into his collection as well. ‘From the time before Elvis got her hands on her’, he said. Even though Christopher Kane and his sister Tammy are only running the label for four years they’ve already achieved a lot. And we’re sure there’s much more to come. Now let’s just hope he won’t be taking too many extra design job like the ones for Versus and Topshop, cause he already has his hands full right now.

Burberry
Another successful British designer who is fully booked is Christopher Bailey, creative director for Burberry. Bailey oversees some 60 different men’s and women’s collections each year, including the Prorsum, Brit, London and Sport labels, plus children’s wear, denim, underwear, fragrances, home-wear and all the accessories. Plus he’s responsible for the design of the Burberry shops. But that doesn’t influence the great collections he delivers. His work even tends to get better. The womenswear collection for next fall was a highlight of the London Fashion Week. Not only was it the first show to be watched live in 3D, people could even buy the designs as they came down the runway by simply clicking the ‘Click to buy’ button. And there sure was a lot to love, the coats being the public’s favourite. They came by with military accents and in aviator style, shear ling lined with double collars. So the Burberry show was trendsetting in two ways: (1) The military coats will be a success next year (2) Other labels will soon broadcast their shows in 3D and will let their customers buy their clothes straight from the show as well. Just wait and see.

Matthew Williamson
A show we would have loved to see in 3D was that of Matthew Williamson. Although the man is known for designing bright young things for, well.., bright young things his fall collection seemed a little more grown up. Of course there were the multicolored mini-dresses but Williamson also experimented with a more mature look. We liked it. Romantic ruffles and drapery were seen on his sophisticated dresses. He used beautiful colors from icy grey and blue to warm shades of fuchsia, peach, orange and red. Colorful prints and sparkles gave the collection it’s Williamson-twist. We loved the designs, the colors and the more grown up look. The dresses we’re maybe a bit too dull for his on-and-off girlfriend Lady Gaga, but they are still perfect for his other young customers, like Sienna Miller and Jade Jagger.

The best of New York Fashion Week FW2010

New York doesn’t always have the best brands showing their new collections. Still some labels left a big impression on us at the latest New York Fashion Week during which the fall/winter collections for 2010/2011 were shown.

Marc Jacobs
One of the highlights certainly was Marc Jacobs’ fashion show. Not only did the designer create a buzz around his show by starting a contest on Twitter only three weeks before the show. The beginning of the show was also very spectacular, with the 56 models all standing in a box on the stag  wrapped in brown paper. The show started on time, ’cause there were no celebrities invited and we loved the fact that Somewhere over the rainbow was played. The song brought back good memories while Marc Jacobs brought back old trends. He showed many items of his nearly two-decade repertoire. He stressed the fact that he didn’t want his clothes to look new. They were fashionable but were ‘not trying too hard to be so’. The clothes looked conservative, pure and simple and had a vintage vibe going on. The waists were raised and the A-line was back. And we just let us carry away by the music, the romantic clothes and the serene atmosphere. We loved it!

Rodarte
Another NY show that breathed serenity was Rodarte. The models appeared in beige, nude and floral printed designs, while candles were burning and dripping in the background. The models’ glow in the dark heels represented dripping candles as well. It all fit perfectly with Kate and Laura Mulleavy’s idea of sleepwalking.  The clothes had a suitable dreamlike quality. Rodarte’s craftsmanship was better than ever, the patchworks looked cheerful, and the knits seemed very wearable. Especially the ending was magical when four models in long white dresses stood in the center of the catwalk.

Calvin Klein
From the romantic atmosphere at Rodarte we go to a modern looking Calvin Klein show. And thus we switch from Rodarte’s candlelight to bright techno light moving to the beat of Calvin Klein’s music. Calvin Klein’s show was memorable for it’s diverse models; eighties supermodels like Stella Tennant and Kirsten McMenamy walked alongside young, upcoming models. There were a lot of coats, many designs had round shoulders and we saw some interesting textures. The clothes were also very streamlined, they had sterile shapes and didn’t have a lot going on. And since everyone is so fond of the minimalistic look at the moment, continuing his simplistic and sober style was a smart idea of head designer Francisco Costa.

Michael Kors
A last highlight of the New York fashion week for us was the show of Michael Kors. It was actually quite the opposite of Calvin Klein’s sober collection. Michael Kors’ designs represented luxury and wealth. He showed us how glamorous sportswear can look. His materials looked exquisite, his camel clothes made us green with envy and his enormous fur coats had our full attention. The collection was loaded with must-haves for the rich and famous and Kors proved a winter collection can be very very sexy.

So these four different brands amazed us, made us smile and frown and let us think twice about fashion. The four collections were very diverse and yet equally likeable. It shows fashion is never about just one vision; it can be interpreted in a thousand different ways.