The Chanel and Dior AW14 couture collections were so different from each other although they both referenced the past to inform the future. The other thing they had in common was youthful hair and makeup. Chanel’s wayward ‘eighties boy band’ hairpieces (above and below) stole my attention from the clothes, giving the outfits an energetic attitude alongside equally youth-centric Sharpie-pen eyeliner flicks. (Full disclosure: I had a major backcombing habit in my teens.) (more…)
As we all know, a decade doesn’t really hit its stride until it reaches its mid point, which is kind of where we’re at now – summer 2014. In fact, it feels to me like we’re only now properly embracing the 21st century, ready to leave the security of the past century behind and boldly go forth. If you want a crystal clear sign, then look at the death of the hipster. Ruling the fashion landscape since the early 2000s, the combo of vintage pastiche, emerging technology and ironic, ugly-on-purpose styling defined the first decade of the millennium with one foot in the past and one foot in the future. Now, having exhausted every ironic retro reference, we’re ready to go full speed into the 2000s. (more…)
“Women are the future of watches, there’s huge potential in women’s watches that is only half exploited today.” So said Jean-Claude Biver, head of LVMH’s watch unit earlier this year. He must be rubbing his hands this month as the summer influx of middle-Eastern customers arrive to shop up a storm at our luxury department stores.
Just arrived at Harrods in time for the so-called ‘Ramadan rush‘ is the Dior VIII Montaigne collection. (more…)
What to do when Dior calls and asks if you’d like to interpret its fall 2014 collection Disneyrollergirl-stylee? First you grab your creative collaborator, (thank you photographer Emma Miranda Moore), then you descend on the Dior showroom, making a beeline for all those epic accessories – that knitted neck-warmer, those Mise En Dior tribal earrings, the moonscape scarf, bejewelled necklaces and the newest version of my favourite Grand Bal Plisse Soleil watch. Plus of course, a few select clothing choices to go with.
The fall 2014 collection is Dior’s equivalent to pre-fall but there are killer pieces amongst the commercial numbers. The silk leopard-spot coat is as couture-fabulous as you’d expect in its cut and print but its extravagant volume is even more striking when worn as casually as a dressing gown (subtext: ‘I woke up like this’). Ditto the silk slip dress with its integrated baby blue cardigan; the most relaxed evening dress you ever saw or the ultimate in decadent nightwear? You decide. And in yet another attempt to deconstruct Dior a little, we have Raf’s ultimate ode to his beloved youth culture, the MA1 as a 3-way coat that unzips at the waist to become a jacket and skirt of New Look-esque proportions. Be assured, this is not your mother’s Dior…
Silk twill scarf with orchid moonscape (above), £230, Dior
Silk twill scarf with orchid moonscape, £230; Dior Vernis nail lacquer in Palais Royal, £18.50; fragrance, Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet eau de toilette, £55 (for 50ml), all Dior
Wool and silk sleeveless dress, £2,700; Dior VIII Grand Bal Plisse Soleil 36mm watch in stainless steel, diamonds and mother-of-pearl, £16,000; Mise En Dior tribal earring with red resin pearls and palladium finish, £290, all Dior
Silk jumpsuit, £3,700; Diorigin bracelet in metal with gold finish adorned with smoky crystals and orange pony, from £2,000; Dior Addict FluidStick in Pandore, £26, all Dior
Mise En Dior tribal earring with red resin pearls and palladium finish, £290, Dior
Leopard-print silk coat, £2,900; Diorigin necklace with blue and grey crystal stones (worn as a bracelet), £1,800; both Dior
Leather Perfecto jacket, £4,700; Lady Dior panther printed pony effect calfskin bag, £3,400; Mise En Dior tribal earring with green resin pearls and palladium finish, £290, all Dior
Khaki and orange nylon coat, £4,000; wool and silk sleeveless dress, £2,700; Diorigin astrakhan cuff, £2,250; Mise En Dior tribal earring with green resin pearls and palladium finish, £290; fragrance, Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet eau de toilette, £55 (for 50ml), all Dior
Wool and silk short sweater, £1,150; black wool pants £790, Diorigin necklace with blue and grey crystal stones, £1,800; Mise En Dior tribal earring with red resin pearls and palladium finish, £290, all Dior
Wool and silk short sweater, £1,150; black wool pants £790; Diorigin necklace with blue and grey crystal stones, £1,800; Mise En Dior tribal earring with red resin pearls and palladium finish, £290, all Dior
Khaki and orange nylon coat, £4,000; wool knit collar, £270; Mise En Dior tribal earring with red resin pearls and palladium finish, £290, all Dior
Top image: Leopard-print silk coat, £2,900; silk dress, from £2,000; Diorigin necklace with blue and grey crystal stones (worn as a bracelet), £1,800; Mise En Dior tribal earring with green resin pearls and palladium finish, £290, all Dior
All fall 2014 items available from DIOR, 31 Sloane Street, SW1 – Dior.com – 0207 172 0172; Beauty stockists: Dior.com – 0207 216 0216
