So in the blink of eye Milan Fashion Week came and went last week. There was a particularly high frequency of big shows crammed into the weekend thanks to a certain Mrs Wintour, whose every whim must, of course, be obeyed. Since the US Vogue editor in chief chose to limit her stay in the Italian fashion capital for just three days, accordingly the schedule was rejigged. If ever you needed proof of her influence, this was it. So what did the powerhouses have to show Anna this season? Here’s a synopsis of the headlines.

Sticking to what they do best – sexy tailoring - Dolce and Gabanna opened with about a million variations of the black suit jacket, and closed with about a million more models parading in said jackets and very little else. The show was beautifully styled – signature leopard print was mismatched with snowy polka dots on a navy pencil skirt, and the sharp tailoring was balanced with lots of womanly dresses in floral print and lace.

The mainstay of Alberta Feretti’s collection were ornate, textured, marble-coloured dresses , plus the occasional injection of sharp and shadowy separates.

The girls at Giorgio Armani were vampire-pale with Japanese horror film hair, while the clothes were largely pitch black velvet (yep, that fabric again) and cut on the bias, with the occasional flash of colour, like this wonderfully playful bubblegum fur coat.

Frida Giannini continued her experiments in svelte boyish separates at Gucci but pants were longer and less slim on the hem. That’s not the first indication seen this season that we could be seeing the beginning of the end of the skinny jean – which would be colossal news if it actually came to pass, obviously. Great lacy cocktail dresses too.

Prada was just a bit too sensible for me this season, all practical and fit for people with curves – there was a distinct focus on the bust. Bring back the entirely impractical crystal chandelier dresses I say.

Versace lurched from the downright ugly – royal blue polo neck with flared chaps anyone? – to the out-rightly awesome i.e. super shiny wonderwoman cocktail dresses.

We got the usual lesson in perfectly crafted minimalism from Jil Sander.  My favourite piece was an adorable tailored onesie.

And finally, you can’t seriously expect anyone to believe that is actually a DRESS, can you Emilio Pucci? It really is obscenely short. And this is coming from a girl who heard the old ‘you’re not seriously going out wearing that are you?’ refrain plenty of times in her youth.

Oh right, you’ve lopped off one arm and made it see-through? Yes, that’s much more sensible, it’d make a lovely First Holy Communion dress.

Got any loves/loathes from this lot? Hit me up in the comments box…

Heres whats going on there…

The bands:

Kaputt

kaputt Family Tree out on Too Pure on 12 May 2008

kaputt | MySpace Music Videos

Islington Boys Club

The Palpitations

Tears in the Rain

The Palpitations | MySpace Music Videos

A beautiful cake stall will be set up in the venue…get ready to be amazed with A Most Curious Party Yum Yum!

A mind blowing performance from the beautiful Burlesque dancer, Missy Macabre.

A Handmade Jewellery Stall by Little Monarch

And Facepainting by Alexis Dolman.

Along with amazing Djs…

OFFS-TC-RCL.ES 

NADINE SHAH

MICKEY SPIDER

We will also be holding a raffle with goodies up for grabs, Toni & Guy products, Paper chase stuff & Theatre tickets from Greenwich Theatre (big thank you to those lovely companies)

Can’t wait to see you all there! xx

Ballad Of…love Dawn’s zine of her favorite things! We think you will too..so check out her Etsy shop and her website.

Lots of Hand Made Love <3

x

I ‘reviewed’ todd lynn’s FW10 collection just over a week back when he showcased his latest pieces of ‘art’. If you look back you can tell by my words that i was more than impressed by the collection, and i thought what better way to take this another step further and talk about lynn’s impressionable pieces with the man himself. so if you wish to learn about what todd lynn thinks about janet jackson been front at his show, what the future holds for fashion or what he is currently listening to on his ipod, then KEEP READING!

TODD LYNN – INTERVIEW – - by jamie day

How do you feel your AW10 collection went down this fashion week?

Everything went to plan for the show. Reaction seems good from the press and the buyers.

What was your main inspiration for AW10?

The main inspiration was about the environment. How no matter what mankind has done to destroy the environment, the world will exist with or without the human race. The world has existed for millions and millions of years and it will continue to do so. Evolution will continue. So it’s positive in one way, but maybe not so positive for mankind.

Were you excited about the concept of having your show streamed live?

Ya. I think it’s great that everyone has the opportunity to see the show even if it’s via the internet. It’ll be great when we have hologram televisions and we can watch everything life-size right before our eyes.

I sensed a feel of post-modernism, somewhat space-age to it, what 5 words would you use to sum up the AW10 collection?

I like to work using the past and mixing it up with something futuristic. I think that modern is about hanging in the balance.
Hard, dark, sharp, structure, animalistic.

Janet Jackson on the front row, did she share any kind words with you?

Janet is a fan of my work and I was very happy that she made the trip to be supportive. We kept it a secret and just had her come in through the back stage. I saw her just before the show and right after.  She said she loved  the collection. It’s nice to hear kind words after the show, but you never really know what people think until days after. And when they buy!

Have you started on your SS11 collection yet and can you share any information about what we can expect to see, or what your inspirations are for it?

I have started SS11 but always keep it a secret. You’ll have to tune in in September to see it! Besides…. If I told you I have to kill you!

Favourite colour?

I love earthy type colours. Greys, Taupes, Black of course…..

Favourite designer?

I have always loved designers who were experts in structure. Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, Pierre Cardin and Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Currently playing on your ipod?

Marina and the Diamonds, Florence and the Machine, The Big Pink, Kasabian, The Invasion Of…, so many it’s hard to keep track.

1 fashion do? 1 fashion don’t?

Fashion do – Mix it up. Have fun when getting dressed. Always wear something polished with something a bit tattered, like a suit with a ripped T-shirt.
Fashion don’t – don’t wear cheap copies – If you are trying to impress the fashion crowd, they’ll know it’s a copy. Be ‘’inspired’ if you can’t afford the real thing, and keep it real.

For more updates and interviews visit Jamie’s blog here.

x

Enjoy & check out more of his work here.

xx

Next winter you will be wrapped up in fur (real or faux is up to you) and shearling…

Photos: style.com and londonfashionweek.co.uk

First off, a confession. There’s no easy way to tell you this dear Ballad Of… readers, but I can’t hide it any longer: the truth is, you’re not my only blog. You may have noticed I’ve been a bit distant the last couple of weeks, and the reason for that is, I’m just going to be honest with you, I’ve been away at London Fashion Week, writing for another website. Well, two in fact. There, I’ve said it. I’m sorry. But now I’m back and I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.

So to make up for lost time, I thought we could spend some quality time this week crystallising everything I saw at LFW into some pretty little trend boards for Autumn/Winter 2010, before trying to play catch up on Milan and Paris. First up, the textures and fabrics you WILL be wearing next winter… 

Photos: Style.com and londonfashionweek.co.uk

As we all prepare to dive down into the rabbit hole with the release of Tim Burton’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ fast approaching, I take a look at how the film and its characters can inspire and update your wardrobe. Unbeknown to herself, Alice has become a quite the style icon with designers everywhere using the film as a muse for their inspiration. Whether its bow headbands, or t-shirts with the film characters imprinted upon them to customised jewellery inspired by the wonderland, the world is definitely going crazy as people want their own piece of her fantasy world. Selfridges in London have transformed their wonder room especially for the occasion as windows and the room itself have become an Alice inspired wonderland.

Alice is infamous for her adorable bow headband. I have recently purchased a couple myself and I love them.  Versatile for either daytime or on a night, why not add one to your wardrobe to instantly update any look and add that girly touch.

Although it may not match the colour worn by Alice, I personally love this floppy, bow headband by Freedom. This brand have created an abundance of headbands, all in different shapes, textures and colours to suit the little girl within us all. The cream tone is perfect to match with the spring’s neutral colour pallet. Freedom @ Topshop, £12.

Benoit have released some inspirational headwear for this season and I adore all of it! This black bow headband in particular is a near perfect match to that worn by Alice herself! Benoit available at Liberty’s of London, £95.

Zoe and Morgan are renowned for their amazing range of jewellery which can instantly add that finishing touch to any look. They have released the following pieces of jewellery which may have even have been inspired by the dear white rabbit! The necklace is priced at £120 and the earrings at £95. Both are available from their online store. Also check out the Disney couture range of jewellery themed around the movie!

However if you prefer you can always keep time like the white rabbit himself with this Marc by Marc Jacobs, Gold Turn Lock Pendant. Hopefully it may aid you to keep track of the time, unlike the unlucky white rabbit….…The necklace is £175, Marc by Marc Jacobs…

Hearts seem to be everywhere this season whether they are imprinted onto fabrics, hanging on the end of necklaces or in the form of bags, like this one from Vivienne Westwood. If you are feeling adventurous why not get the shoes to match? I’m sure the Queen of Hearts would envy you herself with these bold pieces that add that ‘pop’ of colour into your wardrobe.

Bag £199 and Shoes £88 both at Vivienne Westwood

OPI have produced a limited edition collection of nail varnish to mark the release of the film. ‘Thanks so Muchness’, ‘Absolutely Alice’, ‘Off with her Red’ and ‘Mad as a Hatter’ are a mix of glitter and bold colours and recently one an ‘In Style’ best beauty buy award! My favourite has to be ‘Mad as a Hatter’, a crazy combination of various coloured glitters all crammed into one!

Add a cheeky grin to your wardrobe with this Cheshire Cat inspired t-shirt from Junk Food. The brand has released a range of t-shirts inspired by characters from the movie, although this cat grin has to be my favourite. I remember first watching the film as a child and been quite scared of the cheeky cat.…….. Since then he has become one of my favourite characters! These t-shirts are selling like hot cakes so you have to be quick to get your hands on one!

If like me you have a VERY sweet tooth then stop by Harvey Nichols where they have stocked up on Alice inspired confectionary. The quirky array of whimsical goodies, from Fancy Nancy, Dermaquette, Curious Chocolate and Food is Art, includes a hand-painted white rabbit, a solid milk chocolate teapot and giant key covered in gold, as well as edible mock turtles, chess pieces and woodland cutlery. Even better, prices start from just £3.25. I ADORE these tempting cookies by Fancy Nancy!!!!!

Written by Sarah Greenwood.

See her blog at http://pinklipstickgirl.blogspot.com/

xx