CREATIVE RECREATION
Singapore: Chanel Cruise is a relaxed affair, a chance for Karl Lagerfeld to play with sportif styling, early '20s Deauville, tomboy silhouettes and poolside ensembles. Lagerfeld contrasted cricket whites, tribal-knit sweatpants and wide-leg jeans with lashings of pearls, crystal shoulder pieces and delicate embroidery. Dotted in between casual and couture were classic Coco highlights including neat bouclé tailoring, two-tone pumps
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Stylesight’s Graphics Team highlights the key print and pattern trends from recent runway shows and provides inspiration for Women's F/W 13 apparel.
Bold black and white graphics transcended the runways, along with statement-making jumbo florals and monochrome texture prints. William Morris' furnishing textiles provided another source of inspiration for designers, with orante motifs repeated in half drop repeats. Stenciled arabesque motifs also flourished on
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On the heels of petitePARADE, AlexandAlexa.com has sponsored the first ever Global Kids Fashion Week in London. Held in Convent Garden on March 18-20, the two-day event included FW 13 runway shows from designers like Chloe, Paul Smith Junior and Little Marc Jacobs, as well as and a mix of activities for children and fundraising efforts for the event's official
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Stocking boot uppers emerge on F/W 13 Paris runways. Thigh-high ultraviolet silk is piercing and luxurious while neutral taupe leather is minimalist and chic. Referencing the 1940s, black satin displays pastel embroidered motifs and transparent peep toes give nod to Film Noir styling. All looks climb over the knee for a seamless finish, hiding under skirt hemlines. – Savannah Todd
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Glitz is taking a gritty turn on the runways, with bedazzled legwear outfitting punk- and grunge-inspired ensembles. Capturing the D.I.Y. spirit of the era, sheer tights and trouser socks are sporting an edgy jumble of rhinestones, studs and sequins. Foil applications and Lurex fibers offer smoother, subtler shine; and coarse, heavy-gauge yarns further dim the sparkle. – Nivara Xaykao
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WRAP ARTIST
Paris: Goga Ashkenazi’s work for Vionnet follows the formula of the house founder without sacrificing modern updates, which for F/W 13 meant futurism by way of the Eighties. Wrapping, folding and contrast linings were the primary techniques, resulting in black folded front jackets with peekaboo swatches of mint, wrap skirts with dimensional flaps and even fur sheath dresses patchworked
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INFALLIBLE INSTINCT
Paris: Fashion editors began trying to decipher Miuccia Prada's brilliantly confounding Miu Miu collection as soon as the last model left the runway. Was it Hansel and Gretel meets utilitarian chic, or Pippi Longstocking plus sport? The designer herself refused to name a specific inspiration, stating, "I didn't have time to analyze it. It's just instinct and what you
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Marc Jacobs’ boudoir-inspired collection for Louis Vuitton F/W 13 was a sensuous combination of menswear patterns and silhouettes offset by feminine details. Here, the masculine lines of a woolen plaid coat were softened by densely packed sequins at the hem — creating an alluring ombré effect. — Marissa Stuart
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BOUDIOR SECRETS
Paris: Following last season’s boldly geometric mod presentation, Marc Jacobs decided to take a far quieter approach at Louis Vuitton with looks reminiscent of the boudoir-influenced pieces he showed for his own collection in New York. Low-key glamour and a secretive nature dominated in Paris, the models clad in silky camisole dresses, pajama sets and velvet dressing gowns, some
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Paris designers imagine a kind of futuristic folklore, where Pop fairytales like Disney characters and film stills mash-up with ethnic motifs and religious symbols. Trend-right items such as luxe sweatshirts and oversized coats keep it all wearable and desirable. – Sharon Graubard
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BOHO & BAROQUE
Paris: The F/W 13 Paul & Joe collection started out all breezy bohemian, with silk pajama pants, unstructured oversize blazers, cozy cardigans and printed silk blouses, and graduated into flamboyant baroque with gold jacquard tailoring, lace shirts and fabulous frock coats. There was a feeling of Mick and Marianne in both ends of the spectrum: Her over-the-knee suede boots
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A REFINED RIDE
Paris: The Hermès collection today was a picture of insouciant elegance, implementing military touches and hints of the house's equestrian heritage in a subtle, unfussy way. Layers of leather, cashmere and fur made for a deliciously luxurious show, but designer Christophe Lemaire handled these materials with a modern eye and a light touch. Single-ply leather fashioned into gaucho
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Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative directors of the House of Valentino, created a floral China pattern from white ermine fur appliqués against black latticework, decorating a chic short-sleeved coat for Fall 2013. The design-duo was inspired by Vermeer's Girl With A Pearl Earring. –Deirdre Pérez
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COUTURE COMMUNION
Paris: Sarah Burton scaled back her F/W 13 presentation for Alexander McQueen to only ten ensembles, but never has the gifted designer done so much with so little room to maneuver. Unrelentingly ornate, the collection was full-scale Queen Elizabeth grandeur with a bit of papal pomp-and-circumstance thrown in for good measure. Burton’s communion gowns came trimmed in ostrich feathers
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TASTEFUL HOMAGE
Paris: Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli served up a classical inspiration for their F/W 13 collection, looking at Vemeer’s famous Girl With a Pearl Earring and funneling it onto the runway. More general, moody homages to Flemish art could also be recognized in gorgeous floral embroidery on brushed mohair princess coats, Delft china patterns and an
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