Monday, December 31, 2012

2012's Best Fashion Moments

Tis the season for lists! I can honestly say I've spent hours on my computer reading the lists people have compiled for this year. From best books to funniest moments, its interesting to see if you agree or disagree. But to me I can't stop thinking about what a year its been for fashion. With massive trends hitting the runways and streets, the world has seen an array of fashion taken to a new level. Now this isn't to say its been a perfect year (way over the peplum). But lets take a look at 10 moments I think are worth noting and remembering for the year:

Gold Rush at 2012 London Olympics Closing Ceremony
The 2012 summer Olympics were a HUGE success for London. With all eyes on England, there were some major fashion trends that came straight from the country. But during the closing ceremony I could not wait to see the most well known models walk through the stadium in gorgeous, gold ensembles designed by British designers. 
What they wore: 
Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell were both in Alexander McQueen; Lily Donaldson wore Vivienne Westwood; Lily Cole wore Erdem; Stella Tennant wore a Christopher Kane suit; Karen Elson wore Burberry; Georgia May Jagger wore Victoria Beckham; Jourdan Dunn wore Jonathan Saunders; David Gaudy wore Paul Smith
Click HERE to view their September issue spread in British Vogue
 
Diane Kruger at the Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival is my favorite event of the year (next to the Met Gala) to see what the rich & famous bring to the table in regards to fashion. Diane Kruger, the german actress, has always been one of my fashion inspirations but she took it to the next level during the film festival in 2012. In the picture above she wore a beautiful Giambattista Valli dress but throughout the week she wore show-stopping ensembles down the red carpet including big names like Chanel, Balmain, Dior, Versus, and Vivienne Westwood. 
To see more of my favorite looks from the Cannes Film Festival this year click HERE

Burberry's Autumn/Winter 2012 Runway Show in February
My obsession with Burberry in general is probably unhealthy but when I was watching the show during London Fashion Week (online of course) I was stunned by the show in its entirety. Christopher Bailey is simply a genius between the clothes and the creativity for the actual show. He merged the worlds of country and city and created a magnificent line. About 15 minutes into the show a "thunderstorm" was created and the finale started with all the models carrying umbrellas as it flurried fake rain (while playing one of my favorite songs the Cinematic Orchestra - To Build a Home)!  
Click HERE to see the full show from my post on February 20th!
  
Raf Simons Named as the Next Couturier for Christian Dior
After 13 months of no official creative director, Raf Simons was finally given the title in April this year. Previously Simons was the creative director for Jill Sander where he brought minimalism and futuristic elements to the clothing. When giving him his new title the hope was to continue the elegance of Dior but to give it his modernistic twist. During Paris Fashion Week in September he did better than expected revolutionizing the brand for the better. 

Cara Delevingne Winning Model of the Year at the BFA's
If you read my blog you should know by now the obsession I have with Cara. It started with her Burberry Campaign ad for Spring 2012 with Eddie Redmayne. Ever since I have loved following her crazy life through pictures and shows. However, after she won model of the year during the British Fashion Awards I realized the impact she has had on the modeling/fashion world as a whole. With her crazy personality and her openness to sharing her personal life she has shown another side to modeling. Not only do you see pictures of her eating McDonalds but you get to see the fun side of being a supermodel which isn't the image the world has seen the past couple years. So thank you Cara for making me want to be just like you (good luck to me)!

Stella McCartney's London Fashion Week Performance
When I heard that there was a mini dance performance at Stella McCartney's Presentation Dinner I was beyond jealous I wasn't there to see it in person. But when watching it online it was a joy to see people like Shalom Harlow, Amber Valletta, and Yasmin Le Bon dancing on tables and chairs in front of fashion's finest. It was a dinner to show off McCartney's evening capsule collection and it was definitely one that will be remembered for years to come.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen Winning Womenswear Designer of the Year at the CFDA's
Being a 90's kid I grew up watching Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen on TV and in films. So the moment I found out they won Womenswear Designer of the Year award at the CFDA's I couldn't be happier. Seeing them grow and develop their brands has been a joy to follow and considering the honor this award is in the fashion world this is definitely a year they will remember. Now on Forbes Top 30 Under 30 they are considered the top competitors in the world for fashion and arts. (and now I'm in the mood to watch Getting There... yes, its on netflix!)

Angelina Jolie at the Oscars in Versace 
No it wasn't the dress the necessarily got the attention... it was all about the leg. It was the most tweeted about topic the night of the Oscars in February, it even received its own twitter name @AngiesRightLeg. The high slit in the dress made this beautiful black velvet gown by Versace very memorable. I do also believe this started a trend, I started seeing a lot more high waisted skirts with long slits along one of the legs. So Angelina, even though you got quite the banter about the leg, you sure did look gorgeous with just the right amount of sex appeal.

This year certainly has been crazy but it makes me all the more excited to see what is to come in 2013. Although there were certainly many more fabulous fashion moments this year  these are some of the few I will definitely remember for years to come! Happy New Years Eve everybody, enjoy your last moments in 2012 before rushing into the new year!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

What's Trending for Pre-Fall 2013?

So I pretty much have been M.I.A this past month. Basically sickness and exams took over my life but that doesn't mean I haven't been looking into these new collections. 
Overall, these collections have been a great follow-up to Spring 2013. With a lot of moody palettes and awesome prints there has been a lot of personality to them. 
While looking through the collections I did notice a handful of designers used the conservative pencil skirt. I have always been a fan of the pencil skirt when it is worn in the right way (the tight short pencil skirt isn't so attractive for work ladies). With the length hitting below the knee, it is perfect for colder weather when approaching fall/winter. Also you can see in the Prabal Gurung, the high waist to shin length skirt really elongates the figure. I'd have to say the conservative skirt suit has never looked so appealing till now.
 Tory Burch 
 J. Mendel 
Bottega Veneta 
 Gucci
 Prabal Gurung (One of my favorite pre-fall 13 collections!)
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