Fashion news – Page 7

Isabel Marant for H&M

Published on October 25, 2013January 11, 2026 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

I don’t often go in for designer/high-street collaborations as I find them a little disappointing, but this time I am so excited I may even consider joining the inevitable dawn queues next month. I am of course talking about the hotly anticipated Isabel Marant for H&M collection, which hits stores on November 14^th. Last night the crowds gathered at the disco-themed launch party in Paris and, as to be expected from fashionistas’ favourite Marant, the glamorous event was suitably star studded, with Audrey Tatou, January Jones, Bond girl Olga Kurylenko and Freida Pinto all in attendance.

The event was peppered with discoballs and burger vans creating a street party vibe

The accompanying campaign is also a roll call of fashions finest, featuring famous faces Alek Wek, Daria Werbowy, Lou Doillon, Devon Aoki and Milla Jovovich.

Isabel Marant for H&M – jacket £199.99, trousers, £69.99, t-shirt £24.99, mid-heel pumps £99.99

Isabel Marant for H&M featuring Alek Wek in wool cardigan £79.99, leather trousers, £179.99, top £59.99, boots £149.99

Isabel Marant for H&M featuring Milla Jovovich in dress £69.99 and boots £149.99

Isabel Marant for H&M featuring Lou Doillon in trousers £59.99, peasant blouse £59.99, boots £149.99

So to the collection itself, which incorporates Marant’s ethnic-meets-rock-chick design ethos and features her now infamous classics – cropped jackets, oversized knits, printed chiffon pieces and skinny leather trousers. Marant is a designer who understands what women want and is renowned for creating a look that is chic and on-trend, yet with an insouciant Parisian bohemian edge. She is the lady that put wedge trainers on the fashion map, who wowed with fringed knee-high boots and who ensured that a flippy skater skirt teamed with an embellished boho jacket is the cool girl’s ultimate go-to look.

The collection is a flood of must-have hits. The embellished textured jacket is a clear winner, as are the cropped leather biker pants in rich burgundy and the silk peasant blouse; the fabulous oversized chunky-knit cardigan and the cute little printed skater skirt. Tassled scarves, studded courts and a fringed boot complete the collection. It may sound like I’m gushing, but there isn’t a piece in there that I wouldn’t want to own.

From top: Fluffy wool cardigan, £79.99; embroidered jacket, £199.99; mid-heel pumps, £99.99; fringed boots, £149.99; scarf, £24.99; sequinned trousers, £149.99; silk skirt, £39.99; silk trousers, £59.99; wool cardigan, £79.99; sweatshirt, £34.99 – all Isabel Marant for H&M

For those, like me, who would love to infuse their wardrobe with Marant’s popular vision of chic, but are sadly hampered by the higher price tags of the main collection, put the date in your diary and sharpen your elbows. This is going to be one hell of a fashion fracas.

Isabel Marant For H&M hits shelves on November 14^th. Available in selected stores and online at www.hm.com

Oasis launches ‘Loved by Mollie’

Published on October 23, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

This week saw the launch of Oasis’ first ever celebrity partnership, with The Saturdays bombshell Mollie King fronting an edited collection of her favourite pieces for AW13. Entitled ‘Loved by Mollie’, the 45-piece selection includes leather pencil skirts, oversized pastel coats and a sprinkling of printed pieces.

Mollie, a long-time fan of Oasis, has been chosen for her ‘gorgeous girl-next-door looks and style know-how’ and takes on a stylist/model role for the high-street brand. A favourite of fashion mag best-dressed pages and a regular on the catwalk FROW, the gorgeous blonde is a natural fit for Oasis’ chic feminine style. Make like Mollie did at the launch and pair a plum leather skirt with a printed sweater in the same hue. Or go top-to-toe print with a floral jacquard top and skirt (this season matching is the new clashing).

Mollie King arriving at the launch party in ‘Loved by Mollie’ for Oasis (very Burberry AW13)

Animal print jumper, £42, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Plum leather skirt, £85, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Floral jacquard top, £45, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Floral jacquard skirt, £48, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Pastel wool coat, £110, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

This wasn’t the only announcement of the evening, as it was revealed that Mollie has been snapped up by top model agency Next – which also represents style icons Rita Ora, Alexa Chung and Lana del Rey. Sarah Leon, head of Next Models, says of their new signing ‘you can just tell when somebody, like Rita Ora and Mollie, has that super star quality’. With great taste and a clear passion for clothing, expect plenty more fashionable pairings from Mollie in the future.

The Loved by Mollie King collection ranges from £28-£350 and is available in 17 flagship stores and online at www.oasis-stores.com

Best of British

Published on October 10, 2013October 14, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today sees the launch of Marks and Spencer’s hotly anticipated and much lauded Best of British range. Available online and in select UK stores, the collection combines heritage and modern styling with a focus on strong tailoring and premium fabrics. And the best thing about it is that it’s all made in the UK. Whether it be tweed tailoring from Yorkshire, cashmere knitwear from Hawick in Scotland or leather brogues from Northamptonshire, this British institution is returning to its roots and championing manufacturers from our own soil.

Made in Britain – a map of UK manufacturers

Inspiration and illustrations at yesterday’s press launch

Best of British Womenswear AW13

Best of British leather and cashmere accessories AW13

Best of British womenswear comprises of a 34 piece collection featuring quality classics with a fashion twist. This gorgeous pale pink Alpaca wool coat is a must-have for this season and will provide an instant AW13 wardrobe update. I love it! If your taste is more refined, then opt for an androgynous tailored trouser suit in pure wool tweed. Contrast piping and sleek trims add a quirky touch to the refined structured silhouettes.

Alpaca wool coat, £299

Best of British AW13 campaign shots

Wool blend check coat, £299

Pure merino wool jacket, £99, trousers, £129, jumper, £99, leather brogues, £165

The menswear collection is modelled by Oliver Cheshire – boyfriend of pop princess Pixie Lott – whose cheekbones could cut glass. With inspiration taken from the store’s archive in Leeds, standout pieces include the gorgeous double-breasted tweed coat, and the tweed and leather sports jacket with natty buckle detailing. Suits are individually cut by hand from heavy flannel or Donegal tweed and button holes and linings are hand stitched for a superior finish.

Oliver Cheshire (and his cheekbones) modelling the collection

Tweed coat, £599

Tweed and leather sports jacket, £299

Leather tote bag, £249

There was a time that most clothing sold in this country was produced in the UK, and that wasn’t limited to one-off designer pieces. With one of our oldest high-street stores championing British mills and manufacturing once again, let’s hope this sees a growth in return to UK production. We know the prices won’t be as competitive as mass-produced goods in India – pieces from the Best of British collection are a long-term investment rather than an impulse purchase – but you can be assured that working conditions are safe, quality is high and the carbon footprint of your garment is low. I’d say that’s a fair price to pay for a well cut suit.

The collection in-store at Marks and Spencer Marble Arch, London

Best of British launches online and in 5 key stores today. Prices range from £25 for a belt to £799 for a suit. Shop online at http://www.marksandspencer.com

Gogo crazy

Published on September 26, 2013September 26, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

I have recently been introduced to a jewellery brand that I had never heard of (I know, call me a stylist huh?). I love it so much that I have decided to share. The brand is called Gogo Philip and markets itself as a vintage bijoux jewellery label, but I think the tagline ‘sophisticated pieces with a street edge’ would also sum it up nicely. Produced by Georgi Philip Pecenikov in his parents’ factory in Milan (jewellery making is clearly in the genes) the brand is beloved by fashion favourites Rihanna, Jessie J and Rita Ora, and has been featured in Vogue, Elle, I-D and many more.

Jessie J meets the Queen in Gogo Philip earrings – if it’s good enough for royalty…

Oh my! Another Jessie J shot featuring a Gogo Philip necklace

Rita Ora rocks the same necklace on stage

After producing pieces for American Apparel for several years, Georgi was spurred to launch his own label in 2008 and has since been stocked in Topshop Oxford Street as well as ASOS.com, Yoox and Selfridges. Last month he opened his first stand-alone store in East London’s Cheshire Street and this month he has revamped his online venture, adding new collections and sprucing up the design – great for those who prefer to shop from the comfort of their sofa.

Gold-plated F13 classic chain necklace, £17, Gogo Philip

What drew me in most (aside from the gorgeous designs) was the affordable prices. Gold plated chunky choker necklaces start at £17 and would look amazing worn with a minimalist 90s-inspired white shift dress. Or opt for the unique clean lines of the leather insert gold-plated earrings, as seen below.

Gold-plated leather insert earrings, £29, Gogo Philip

Gold-plated black leather classic chain necklace, £50, Gogo Philip

Some pieces admittedly cost more – up to £120 for this stunning lock necklace – but the quality and design give the illusion of a far higher price tag.

Gold-plated handbag lock F12 necklace, £120, Gogo Philip

Add a choker to a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, don a necklace with your favourite LBD, or make like Rihanna and Leigh-Anne from Little Mix and pile it on with your sportswear. Either way this is a one-stop-shop to statement accessorizing. Now, aren’t you pleased I shared?

Rihanna blings up her sportswear with a Gogo Philip necklace

Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne piles on the Gogo Philip chains

For the store head to Gogo Philip, 68 Cheshire St, London, E2 6EH. T: 020 7613 2198. Or shop online at http://www.gogophilip.com

Main holding image: Rihanna wearing Gogo Philip jewellery for GQ magazine

Debenhams celebrates 200 years

Published on September 25, 2013January 11, 2026 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

If you have been inspired by the gowns featured on the Emmys red carpet, then you may be interested in today’s post. High-street stalwart Debenhams is celebrating its 200^th birthday this year (yes, that’s double century!) and to mark the occasion is releasing an exclusive limited edition Designers at Debenhams collection. The pieces hit store in October, however the pre-order waiting list is now open, so if you’re dreaming of donning a shimmery maxi-dress this Xmas then you’d best get on that list.

Printed maxi-dress, £150, Butterfly by Matthew Williamson for Debenhams

Long time Debenhams collaborators John Rocha and Jasper Conran have both designed pieces for the collection alongside boho-lover Matthew Williamson and K-Mid favourite Jenny Packham. Speaking of our future queen (and if it’s full on glam that you’re craving) then this sequinned showstopper from Julien Macdonald may tickle your fancy. It is also remarkably similar to a recent dress worn by Kate to her first post-baby event.

Sequinned dress, £199, Star by Julien Macdonald for Debenhams

The collection comprises of eight garments – four evening dresses and four coats – and a selection of homeware and leather accessories. Prices range from £12.50 for plates to £299 for the stunning scarlet Jenny Packham floor-length gown – guaranteed to make you feel like a princess.

Red satin gown, £299, No.1 Jenny Packham dress for Debenhams

However, if you require something a little more practical then perhaps this white faux-fur trimmed fit-and-flare coat will suit (I did say a little more practical). This rouses my Slavic roots and channels an inner Anna Karenina – cue image of self skating round a deserted frozen lake in snowy Russia.

White faux-fur trimmed coat, J by Jasper Conran for Debenhams

Keira Knightley in Anna Karenina

Keira Knightley in Anna Karenina costume for Vogue Oct 2012 (Image: Vogue)

If late 19^th Century literature isn’t your thing, then opt instead for this on-trend furry cocoon coat from H! By Henry Holland or this chic Hepburn-esque lace A-line dress by Rocha. John Rocha.

Boucle coat, H! by Henry Holland for Debenhams

Lace midi-dress, £150, Rocha. John Rocha for Debenhams

To join the list, email 200yearcollection@debenhams.com and be sure to get your orders in early. A modern day Cinderella doesn’t need a fairy godmother when she has a waiting list and email to hand…

Limited Edition Collection from Designers at Debenhams launches in October, but you can pre-order now by emailing 200yearcollection@debenhams.com. www.debenhams.com

Main holding image: Lace midi-dress, £150, Rocha. John Rocha for Debenhams