Carven Spring/Summer 2011.

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It is hard to believe that it is only three seasons since Guilliaume Henry relaunched Carven after its couture heyday in the middle of the twentieth century. Henry has since become known for creating classic, beautifully tailored items for a reasonable price. After creating the perfect camel coat for Autumn/Winter 2010, for Spring Henry created silk nude suits, chic blazers, evening gowns, digitally printed dresses and a shocking lilac suit. What is so attractive about the Carven label is the versatility of each piece, these items could be worn in a variety of ways and on a day to day basis, although the final look of a striking black evening dress would not look out of place on the red carpet. Each look was accessorised with a pair of plain court shoes with a bow at the back which resembled bunny ears, adding a twist to each look. Henry showed his abilities as a couturier, by creating a few extrovert pieces alongside the more versatile. Describing his third collection as 'Bourgeois, but with a nasty side', Guilliaume Henry created a gorgeous, understated collection showing promise for seasons to come.

Christopher Kane Spring Summer 2011

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I fell in love with Christopher Kane after seeing the images of his Central St Martins MA Collection in 2006 containing neon bright dresses belted with car seat belts. The Scottish designer brought back neon brights this season, four years after his debut collection. For Spring Summer 2011, Christopher Kane certainly channelled the late nineties, producing a collection of midi length dresses teamed with believe it or not platform flip flops similar to those spotted in Dawsons Creek. I love the peacock and polka dot prints on these dresses, the midi length of everything and the neon laser cut pieces. The mixture of lace, florals, leather, suits and diamond knit cardigans in neon brights would not be seen anywhere else other than at Christopher Kane and oddly it worked.

Also token yay for Jessica Stams appearance at Kane and later Giles!

Margaret Howell Spring Summer 2011

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Margaret Howell created a collection which would not look out of place on a French schoolgirl who grew up and moved to London. Sticking to her usual palette of nude, blue and white Howell made a wearable collection that is sure to send London hipsters wild. Personal favourites include the toggled cropped duffle, tan penny loafers, nude silk blouses and the beach stripe dresses which remind me simultaneously of deckchairs and my Grandpa's old pyjamas. What I most admire about Howell is her ability to make clothes for the English, she has created coats for the Summer as yes, it rains here ALL THE TIME. The collection inspired by the forties is ageless and feels ideal for the cool Spring days ahead of us.

Charles Anastase Spring Summer 2011

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Charles Anastase found a more sophisticated direction for his signature gamine look this season creating a ‘light and happy’ collection of mid length dresses in muted hues. After Autumn Winter’s deconstruction experiment, Anastase returned to his wearable formula of peter pan collar coats, sheer polka dots, ruffled necklines and stacked wedges. For Spring Summer Jane Birkin and Charlotte Gainsbourg serve as the designers muses, explaining the pared down vibe of the collection. It is easy to imagine Jane breezing round Paris in one of the mid length dresses straw basket in hand. Possibly due to his Birkin inspiration, Anastase moved away from the dramatic ruffled pieces of previous collections creating versatile pieces, adding his signature quirky geek glasses and pastel sheer tights. Each model wore a blunt bobbed wig very reminiscent of Abbey Lee Kershaw’s iconic bob and the current style of Charles’ muse Valentine Fillol Cordier.

Highlights from the collection included

- The divine sheer dress with flowers on it, simultaneously romantic and sexy.

- A sheer polka dot bodysuit

- Silver jacquard pegged trousers which would look perfect on a summer evening.

- Ruffle necked blouses.

- Orange stacked wedges that the models were unable to walk in.

Front Row

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Alexa front row at Mulberry in a polka dot dress with Florence Welch.

So unbelievably jealous right now!

Alexa for Madewell.

refinery29

We are giant fans of you and Madewell. What drew you to doing a collab with them?
"It was a brand I really like, and after we had our first meeting, I could tell we were all sort of on the same page about what we could do together, and I could see how it would work. Plus, I got the sense I would have free reign as they were interested in me doing what I wanted, and I found that very appealing."

Alexa Chung's Madewell collaboration was launched online on September 8th and in store two days later and has already mostly sold out. Featuring velvet hot pants, silk shirts, peter pan collar dresses and polka dots aplenty, Alexa along with Madewell the sister store to J Crew created a collection which is both stylish and wearable. The campaign images featuring Alexa wondering around idyllic fields in the countryside, show the wearability of the collection, which consists of the items Alexa felt were missing from her own wardrobe. After falling in love with the collection when it was previewed at New York Fashion Week this February, I couldn't resist but to purchase the Tennessee Dress and Billie Velvet Shorts. If my bank balance was in a less drastic state I would have also treated myself to the Annie Polka Dot blouse (VERY upset I don't currently own this), the high waisted jeans, the Margot silk skirt and the perfect camel coat featured in the collection. Alexa ensured she did what Kate Moss did in her first Topshop collection creating items which would be wearable and go well in anyones wardrobe, I just hope the quality of the pieces match the prices!

Now to hope Alexa is not to busy to create a sequel, as I clearly should start saving now.

Token Chung at the Chanel Soho Reopening last week, she has been flawless recently.

tfs

Lanvin for H&M.

The most exciting fashion news to hit the high street in YEARS emerged over the last few days as rumours of a Lanvin/H&M collaboration emerged. When this was confirmed this morning via a youtube video, a number of fashionistas worldwide began to buy camping equipment, as this will be insane.

The adorable Alber Elbaz is a rarity in that he creates clothes for women in sumptuous fabrics that are both artistic and wearable. Alber is well known for the fact he only allows models to walk in his show in outfits that make them look beautiful, whereby you can 'see their faces, not just the clothes.' Alber has completely reformed Lanvin since he became artistic director in 2001, turning the label from a dying house to one of the most successful and stylish to date. One can only hope the collection will contain beautifully draped dresses, chic coats and a version of the luxury t-shirt with Alber's drawings on that I have been dreaming of for years. With the recent lacklustre high street collaborations, Lanvin will bring back some much needed luxury to H&M with quality clothes for (hopefully) reasonable prices.