17 February, 2009

You know the eighties are back good and proper when…

…Maria Cornejo is the toast of NYFW and Pam Hogg is the hot ticket for LFW. “What next,” spluttered my PR pal over tea and finger sandwiches in Liberty yesterday afternoon, “the return of Bodymap?” Um, actually yes. Bodymap’s Stevie Stewart has cooked up a collection with Pippa Brooks (AKA Madame) called Goldstein Attire. Not quite the graphic knits and jerseys of back-in-the-day Bodymap (above) but the spirit of the eighties is certainly there. Watch this space.

…Harem pants, leggings and jumpsuits are selling like hot cupcakes not only in American Apparel but M&S and Next.

…Marc Jacobs’ AW09 collection ‘melded together the power-dressed party posse in their brocade, power shoulders and puffball skirts with the Blitz kids in their laquered hair, brothel creepers and fishnet,’ according to Grazia Daily.

…Minder has been reimagined for the noughties complete with Glaswegian band Attic Lights’ re-recording of ’I Could Be So Good For You’. (Oh dear.)

…River Island unveiled its We Love The Eighties collection last week which is unleashed on the public in March.

All we need now is for Sara Stockbridge to rematerialise. Oh, here she is!

[Bodymap pic: Rock Pop Fashion]

Disneyrollergirl 6 Comments Brands, Designers, Trends

17 February, 2009

Matt Irwin in da house

One of my favorite photographers, Matt Irwin is having an exhibition opening on Friday and by Googling it I just found out he has a blog as well. And it’s not one of those irksome vanity blogs with only a couple of posts a month, it’s full of Vogue shoot outtakes, music snippets (New Order – woo hoo!) and random commentary. (Actually, February’s content is a bit sparse – must have been a jetsetty month – but January is chock-full.)

Disneyrollergirl 2 Comments Bloggers, Photography

16 February, 2009

Roberto’s ‘up yours’ to the recession

Politically correct or no, I’m loving all the latest reports of credit crunch defying antics. From Balmain’s now infamous sell-out £1000 jeans to Christian Louboutin’s Lesage-embroidered tart’s shoes… it means I can live vicariously through those who aren’t suffering as much as me. Personally, I’m still trying to spend a wee bit to keep the economy afloat. What I do is on the days that I’m working from home I have Heinz tomato soup (not the organic one though – too expensive) or beans on toast for lunch, so the tenner-a-day lunch budget saved goes on a Wagamama/Busaba/Harvey Nicks lunch on the days I’m out and about. (Back in the days when I had an office job I was laughed at for my lavish takeaway lunches but I’m sorry, I don’t do sandwiches – too depressing – plus I need a hot meal and lunchtime is the highlight of my day!)

Anyway I digress. Roberto Cavalli has collaborated with Mastercard on a super-swanky credit card. Here’s the blurb:
‘Created for those who thrive upon excellence, elegance and quality, “The Cavalli Card” promises cardholders a host of premium benefits – each specifically tailored to their needs and lifestyle. Dedicated VIP services at every Cavalli boutique across the world; access to special sales, both in Cavalli retail outlets and online; exclusive invitations to prestigious events, fashion shows and trunk shows: these are just some of the many “deluxe” services offered to the carholders.’

Sigh. See anything wrong with this picture? My problem isn’t the at-odds-with-the-times flashiness but with the brand itself. I’d love all those benefits, just not with Cavalli. However if Acne, APC, Margaret Howell or Chloe decided to do the same, I’d sign up straight away.

Disneyrollergirl 7 Comments Brands, Designers, Retail concepts Balmain, Roberto Cavalli

14 February, 2009

I heart men in scarves

Men in silk scarves. Should be a no-no, right? And yet, these guys look perfectly relaxed and appropriate and not camp in the least (well, apart from the one with the Warhol-style coiff but even he looks great). Let’s break it down.

No 1 has just the right nonchalance to pull off a half-done knot and the rest of the outfit is understated thus letting the scarf do the talking.

No 2 has this whole studied-unstudied thing going on with the crumpled but tucked-in shirt, the rolled up sleeves and the subtle colour-matching of glasses to scarf. I think the word here is ‘comfortable’. He makes it look so easy!

No 3 is doing what I would have thought was impossible and making a silk square and a hoodie look uncontrived. How? Maybe it’s the attitude…?

I really like no 4 but that scarf arrangement would drive me nuts. How do you put a jacket or coat over it without constant readjustments? It looks bloody good though…

This last look is something very similar to what my D would do and maybe me too. It’s all about classic pieces. Individually, the jumper, coat, trousers and shoes, and indeed the scarf are quiet components but put together they just have a certain style that you can’t put your finger on.