Globe Trotter - Channel your inner adventurer . Embrace the outdoors with chunky knits, faux-fur edging and vibrant patterns.

Channel your inner adventurer . Embrace the outdoors with chunky knits, faux-fur edging and vibrant patterns.

 

Mix cultures and fabrics for this Winter’s warmest trend. Think layered swathes of intricate knits, geometric shapes and a myriad of exotic accessories. 

  As Orson Wells once said “There are only two emotions in a plane:  boredom and terror.” But this kind of travelling doesn’t involve flights, though a trip to Oxford Street may be in order. It’s time to embrace the carefree, comfortable and cultural. Release your inner Nomad. Taking inspiration from North Africa, central Asia, the Middle East and South America, this season is the time to embrace the fusion of western and eastern influences.   

  This boho-esque look is often visited in Spring/Summer, but layering with snug soft fabrics, is so apt for the bitter Winter months. Try Mathew Williamson’s wool brushstroke  print scarf to keep the winter blues away.

   The catwalks of Missoni, John Galliano, Rodarte and many more were awashed with the heavy layering of luxurious fabrics; cashmere, alpaca and camel hair. Anna Sui and Kenzo offered a bevy of colorful prints, slouchy silhouettes and elegant draping. They brought together a fusion of western and eastern influences with luxurious silks and woven knits.

   Playing with patterns and textures is an integral part of this relaxed silhouette. Think bright blue, deep red, burnt yellow, and warm neutrals, and make a stand against the all too obvious winter palette of black and gray. Ethnic prints, tie-dye, fringing, beads and feathers juxtaposed beautifully with geometric shapes make for a thoroughly modern look.

  The life of a traveler can be hard on one’s feet, but keep your precious toes warm and protected from the cold British rain in Carvela’s Shelly faux-fur hiking boot.

  If you really want to commit to the look, why not make like Phileas Fogg and travel the world in 80 days? With roundtheworldflights.com you can book trips with 4 – 11 destinations for a truly tremendous trip. 

   To avoid looking like you bought far too many souvenirs back, be selective about what you mix. If you are not so daring try DKNY’s colour block knit cardigan

with some tight fitting jeans and a bright print top and swap your Uggs for a pair of Minnetonkas. Or release the inner Janis Joplin in you, and put your Sandro jacket with a fur hat and put a ring on each finger. You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good.

 Images from Harpar's Bazaar

Wild West for Vogue Paris

 Abbey Lee Kershaw, Crystal Renn and Eniko Mihalik go west for the latest issue of Vogue Paris. Terry Richardson presents the three models as outlaws of the wild west. Julie von Boehm dresses the bad girls in sequins and lace. An amazing shoot I am sure you will agree.

MARC JACOBS SPRING/SUMMER 2011 CATWALK REPORT

MARC JACOBS’ Spring/Summer collection was a love letter to 70’s New York; big hair, tiny shorts and lashings of hedonism.

  

   The models glided around a giant wall of curved burnt gold, whilst Vivaldi’s “Summer” in G minor floated on the air, a surprising and provocative choice of music, given the collection. The Lexington Armory was alive with the spirit of the liberated Seventies.  Newcomer Luisa Bianchin, was the first model to emerge from the cylindrical structure, with a mass of red frizz resting on her shoulders. Wearing an Eastern-inflected coat in a terracotta orange print, with belled sleeves and bow belt over a calf length violet skirt and a corsage in her hair, she set the tone for the vibrant show.

   Think Saturday Night Fever, Jerry Hall and Bianca Jagger.  Jacobs’ captures the spirit of the decade of disco. Heavily influenced by Yves Saint Laurent, he cited the New York Dolls and Antonio Lopez as inspirations. Essentially, this collection is a celebration of everything that made him fall in love with the industry.

  Jacobs’ put the fun back into fashion with a handful of key larger-than-life pieces, overgrown corsages appeared in the hair, on the shoulder, at the waist and at the throat. Touches such as the enormous straw hats with the rims turned back, a la Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, made the collection playful yet glamorous.   

  In homage to YSL, the catwalk was awash with suits. From a cropped butterscotch satin jacket and matching hot pants, to a sorbet pink satin suit with flared trousers, Jacobs’ presented a delicious selection of tailoring. 

   Focus was on the legs, with tiny hot pants and floaty dresses with slits high enough to show the models co-ordinating knickers. The shoulders also made a play for this season’s erogenous zone, with flesh-baring halter-necks, bandeaux and one-shouldered style dresses and jumpsuits.

    The big trend that shone through is...BIG. The whole collection is over-the-top and lavish. Puffed sleeves, wide-legged trousers and voluminous calf length skirts gave the show a histrionic and nostalgic feel. Electric orange, rich plumb and a multitude of eastern spices made up the luxuriant colour palate, a stark contrast to his Autumn/Winter collection of muted and serene neutrals.  

   As ever, Jacob’s accessories did not disappoint. The models floated on glitter-dusted platform sandals, and clutched in their hands structured, envelope flap handbags in maroons, mustards and mauves.

       The hair was so voluminous, Farah Fawcett herself would be proud. Models sported shoulder-length frizz, or more cropped neater curls, both of which would look at home in Studio 54. NARS presented a smoky emerald eye and lips were stained with a selection of berry shades in Volga Pure Matte Lipstick. Bleached eyebrows accentuated the dark eyes for a theatrical appearance.

      Jacobs’ takes the Seventies vibe that has been infiltrating the catwalks for the last few seasons and makes it sexy. With sensuous chiffon, billowing skirts and vivid colours, this collection offers a delectable array of fun yet wearable pieces. Dust off your Bowie and your Bee Gee records, the Seventies are back...Marc my words.