Drenched in Colour

Better than being drenched in rain...

Pics from Mary Katrantzou, Alexander McQueen, Theyallhateus, Tumblr. 

Yet to Venture into Spring/Summer 2012 Trends?

You may need to ask yourself…

AM I KATE, KATE OR KATE?

With summer around the corner, (I wouldn't look outside for confirmation of that) there is only one S in SS12 left for you to embrace Spring/Summer trends. It’s time for our legs to be encapsulated in colured denim and printed trousers, our torsos to be threaded in pastels, and all of this to be topped off with lace and neon accents with an aquatic twist, yes?

Hmmmm…

Take that pink hair dye out of your hand, and step away from the cake like pastel puff dress. Not everyone is going to ooze Alexa Chung cool and in pyjama pants, or even look dressed for that matter. That’s why I have developed: The Three Tier Kate Judging System.(Still working on the name). If you don’t know how much to embrace a current trend, it’s time to ask yourself…

Am I Kate Middleton, Kate Bosworth or Kate Moss?

While Kate Middleton might be happy to dip her toe in the trend pool, Kate Bosworth is probably swimming in the pool at her hotel before she pops off to a music festival.

So, how might our respective Kates work these SS trends?

Pastels

On the girlier end of pastel wear, a lady-like, lace, Louis Vuitton dress would suit Middleton's style. Well cut tailored trousers, as previously rocked by Moss, keep pastels looking smart. I can imagine Bosworth throwing on these mint skinnies with her Isabel Marant runners and a grey marl jumper for a casual look (that happens to nail the coloured denim trend too). You can pick up a similar pair from Topshop.

Neon

If you only want to dip your feet into the neon trend, try a mannish brogue in highlighter yellow. Ms. Moss could pull on this Christian Louboutin pair (exclusive to Net-a-Porter) with her skinnies and blazer. If it's just your fingers you're willing to dip, try Neon Nailpolish from American Apparel to add a neon pop to your outfit. Ok, so maybe the Dutchess of Cambridge wouldn’t sport a neon satchel in her namesake…but she probably should. This satchel from the Cambrige Satchel Company is to die for and it can be embossed with your initials too. 

Pyjama Trousers

The pyjama trend may seem daunting, but can looking super smart with a crisp white shirt, super elegant with an evening jacket or cool and casual with a cardigan. Mossy would probably opt for an elegant pair by her pal Stella McCartney. I can see Kate Bosworth in this paisley pair by J.W.Anderson (although maybe not now that Alexa has nailed them!). Kate Middleton has worked a Zara dress before...time to work the Zara PJ's Kate?! 

The Kates have shown us - There is a wearable way to work every trend. Here's to a neon trimmed, pyjama trousered, pastel filled summer...just maybe not all at the same time.

Pics from Louis Vuitton, The Huffington Post, Weheartit, Theyallhateus, Net-a-porter, American Apparel, Elle, Cambridge Satchel Company.

Casual Girls

Just hanging out in a casual, laid back kinda way. No biggie. 

Pics from Outtakes, BCBG, Tumblr.

Prints...

 Pics from Hermes, Acne, Tommy Ton, Theyallhateus, Tumblr. 

He who seeks beauty will find it- Bill Cunningham

"The wider world perceives fashion sometimes as a frivolity that should be done away with in the face of social upheavals and problems that are enormous. The point is, in fact, that it’s the armor to survive the reality of everyday life."

I watched Bill Cunnigham New York last week and to say it is inspiring is an understatement. Long before fashionable people sauntered around waiting to be snapped by The Sartorialist, they waited for Bill. "We all get dressed for Bill", Anna Wintour claims. However Bill isn’t "interested in celebrities with their free dresses”. "The best fashion show is definitely on the street," he says. "Always has been. Always will be."

It’s more than heartening to see someone with such pure talent seem un-jaded, although completely aware, and still living off his passion into his 80’s, “fashion is my food” he tell us. (I can kind of imagine Kate Moss saying that but with a completely different sentiment.) Here's Bill on his 29th Schwinn bike, the previous 28 were stolen.

In a business where his morals must have been tested many a time, he declares “Money’s the cheapest thing. Freedom is the most expensive.” I won’t say much more except, go to see this documentary at Better Fashion Week if you’re in Dublin on the 29^th April. I’m sure Bill would approve of their ethics. 

www.betterfashionweek.com

Pics by Bill Cunningham- Bike pic from Tumblr

99 Pink Balloons

Helena, Charlotte, Kate, Lindsey, Karen, Lara and the Chanel showroom in Japan. 

  Pics Tim Walker, Chanel, Tumblr. 

Smoke & Mirrors

Check out the film by Jamie and Keith that was shown at the Thread 3 launch last week. The music by ClubFutureFuture makes it all the more powerful. 

I love the current trend for using coloured flares in shoots. It’s such a beautiful way of adding extra depth and tone. 

It's used really nicely in this Surface to Air film with Kim Gordon too.

Set designer Eoin Dillon who has some AMAZING shots in Thread 3 uses it to create a bit of magic....

Here's a few more to fill you with...smoke I guess.

LOVE these pictures. It might just be smoke and mirrors, but it has me fooled. 

Videos from Thread and Surface To Air. Pictures from Thread, Surface To Air and Tumblr.