SS12 Trend Report: Shine On

As London Fashion Week came to an end, and all eyes turned to Milan, it seems that SS12 is set to be a pretty eclectic one. Embedded between summer's signature feminine pastel shades and printed floral trousers, my eye has been drawn towards something a little different for SS12. 

Step forth - high shine textiles. From plastic and PVC to metallic lurex and patent leather - whichever form our new shiny friend may come, it's here to make a statement. Sleek, modern and a vibrant contrast to next summer's prim outlook, this shiny happy textile has been spotted all over the New York and London catwalks.

Metallic outfits were seen at Hervé Léger by Max Azria and Chado Ralph Rucci, whilst Giles' silver swan-themed collection was enthused with metallic dresses that were just as magical as the setting itself. And it didn't stop there, Antonio Berardi gave voluminous dresses a futuristic feel with patent shoulder pieces, whilst I was beyond mesmerised by Richard Nicholl's patent t-shirts, giving a fresh appeal to the trend.

 

 Hervé Léger by Max Azria SS1

 Chado Ralph Rucci SS12

Giles SS12

Richard Nicholl SS12

At Christopher Kane, beautiful leather-look dresses sauntered down the runway complete with an enchanting shimmering finish, whilst over at Felder Felder, identical twins, Annette and Daniela Felder, went all out with their ice cool metallic leather skirts and glitzy skater dresses. Simone Rocha was another one to embrace this new penchant for all things shiny, showcasing plastic encased lace dresses built to withstand summer downpours.

Christopher Kane SS12

Felder Felder SS12


Simone Rocha SS12

I'm definitely not one to deny the universal appeal of flowers and pastels; they are of course a time-honoured summertime staple. But I'm more than enjoying this edgy take on feminine dressing; from muted foils to shiny patent, summer's pretty colour palette is set for a glossy makeover.

Images via: Style.Com

House of Holland's Pastel Punks SS12

Despite the pouring rain and muddy shoes, last Saturday was a very good day as I was lucky enough to attend House of Holland's Spring/Summer '12 catwalk show at The Dairy. Displaying an oversized leopard print and parma violet colour theme, the invitation itself left me feeling optimistic, giving a little hint as to what we can expect from the new Pastel Punks collection.

First garnering attention back in 2007 with his bold ‘80s inspired t-shirts modelled by best friend and muse Agyness Deyn, Holland has continued to deliver vibrant, youthful clothing season after season. I have to admit, I have never been fully convinced by the Lancashire-born designer's tongue-and-cheek creations, but hands up, his last two collections have convinced me otherwise!


For Autumn/Winter '11 the adventurous designer showcased colourful tweeds and vibrant crochet-inspired dresses that completely won me over considering that most of my days are currently spent ooo-ing and arr-ing over Henry's beautiful crochet scarf. (Someone please buy it for me...no?)

This season's crochet scarf

And now for Spring/Summer '12 it gets even better. The crowded room at The Dairy was abuzz with the usual fashion elite that HOH shows tend to draw in - Nicola Roberts, Pixie Geldof (celebrating her 21st in a bright orange top and bone print skirt), Laura Bailey, Ellie Golding and of course, how could we forget Lorraine Kelly?

With a sudden flurry of lightbulbs, that I can only assume blinded the FROW, the ska soundtrack boomed from the speakers and out sauntered the models in next season's treats. Look one was enough to convince me it was going to be a goody as the collection lived up to its name with beautiful sorbet shades of perfect peach, baby blue and candy floss pink. I can't say I was too fond of the bleach-splattered denim and metallic mesh knits, but snake skin trims found on collars, braces and belts were the perfect finishing touch to pretty pastel outfits.

Of course, Holland injected a dose of time-honoured style into the new collection with his trademark tartan pieces updated with Spring/Summer's candy-inspired colour palette. The best was quite clearly saved for last with stunning pink-to-peach and blue-to-purple graduated dresses. In feminine shapes each look was punctuated with an oversized leopard print, whilst cheeky cut-outs in just the right places gave a good old Henry Holland-style nudge-nudge, wink-wink. 

Always one to have fun and experiment each season, Mr. Holland has completely surpassed himself with his latest offering: a jumble of texture, pattern and ice cream-hued colour that has left me wanting to hibernate from now until spring.

Images via: Style.Com

Lana Del Rey

Thanks to BethLoves for introducing me to 24-year-old songstress, Lana Del Rey.

NYFW Highlights

The curtain closed on New York Fashion Week last Thursday as Marc Jacobs hosted the big finale, drawing a theatrical line underneath the Spring/Summer 2012 previews from across the pond. Vintage glamour was a predominant influence at the closing show with 1920s tailored separates and pointed toe shoes, whilst Michelle Smith looked to the '60s with geometric prints and retro-style shift dresses at Milly.

From Ralph Lauren to Calvin Klein, the rest of the world's most influential and best-loved designers showcased their new looks, with next year seeing romantic shapes in a wide array of colours from pastel pinks at Jill Stuart to Jason Wu's acid yellows.

Fairy tale-inspired dresses at Rodarte

Clashing checks and grown-up glamour at Marc Jacobs

'60s Geometric prints at Milly

Orgnaza and sorbet pastels at Jill Stuart

Bright acid pops in weightless fabrics at Jason Wu

Crimped hair and sheer laying on Mulberry's mini-runway

Nirrimi Hakanson Photography

I recently stumbled across the works of 18-year-old Nirrimi Hakanson, and I have to say I was quite taken aback by how beautiful and otherwordly some of her work is. Australian-born Nirrimi has been photographing anything and everything since she was 13, and clearly her hard work has paid off. At just 16 she was commissioned to photograph an entire magazine, whilst late last year she was called upon by Diesel to masterfully shoot their winter campaign, Be Stupid - the results and task itself both way beyond her 18 years.

Here's just a few examples from the young whipper-snapper's For Love portfolio...

Images via: Tumblr

You can have a little look at the rest of her work HERE

Hello Mr. Campbell

The Jeffrey Campbell brand has developed, warped and grown so much over the past decade that it's sometimes hard to believe it all started out in Jeffrey's garage back in 2000. Ten years on and the brand has come a long way designing edgy footwear inspired by runways, vintage classics and well-dressed women across the globe. For Autumn/Winter ’11 the new collection remains true to the much loved JC style, proudly boasting a rainbow of designs from impressive wedges to ’60s-inspired lace-up platforms.

Like what you see? You can purchase these beauts and few more other styles over at Urban Outfitters Europe.