central saint martins, Cheryl Cole, Estelle, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Jil Sander, karl lagerfeld, Kings of Leon, Protégé Project
In British, Canadian, Fashion, Fashion Heat, Good Look, London, One to Watch, RTW, Rouse, Trend, Trend Report, designer on April 23, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Jean-Pierre Braganza is not a newbie. He’s been designing since 2002, but I’m hoping to see a burst of mainstream recognition going foward. This British-Canadian Central Saint Martins graduate worked as a designer for Roland Mouret before being selected by Karl Lagerfeld for the Protégé Project, then debuted his eponymous collection in 2004. He creates both men’s and womenswear, and there’s a slew of celebrity fans including Kings of Leon, Estelle and Cheryl Cole.
Jean-Pierre shines when he nourishes his talent for psychadelic prints. I do however, feel he should leave the modernism to Jil Sander and concentrate on his gift for knits and draping. Maybe he’s still trying to find his comfort zone. But if he cultivates what he’s best at, he’s bound to flourish.
Argentina, balenciaga, Cheryl Cole, France, House of Stéphane Rolland, Paris Haute Couture Week, prêt-a-porter, Stéphane Rolland, West Indies
In Fashion on January 25, 2010 at 4:52 pm
The fashion world has a new star: former Balenciaga Creative Director Stéphane Rolland’s been on the radar for some time now. But it’s his recent soire gowns that adorned Cheryl Cole’s petite frame that has fashion lovers salvating.
The man of culture was born in France, lived in Argentina and the West Indies, and has been around for a minute. After his stint at Balenciaga, he launched his eponymous Prêt-à-Porter in 2004 then did some costume design before moving on to Haute Couture at the age of 30. Now, the label has become a full-fledged House of Stéphane Rolland. And we’ll have the chance to see his spring/summer 2010 collection at Paris Haute Couture this week.
Haute Couture is, without question, a gift to fashion. The metriculous attention to detail and construction brings about the faily tales that make young hopefuls love fashion so much. But we sure hope he’s made the right decidion during such troubling times.
Alexander Wang, body-con dress, Cheryl Cole, Emilio De La Moren, Helmut Lang, Hervé Léger, hussein chalayan, Maxmara, Preen
In Fashion, Fashion Heat, Good Look, Trend, Trend Report, designer, dress on December 8, 2009 at 8:53 pm
The Body-con dress is the best thing invented since God invented us – “us” meaning women. I once wrote a personal blog post regarding “skinny bitches in Hervé Léger,” but admittedly, I’m closer to slim than I am to blimp. But my ode to the body-con dress is because of my love for short and skin-tight. I adore having my body being hugged by velvety supple fabric; I want a dress that will literally mould to my shape accentuating my curves, flaunting what I have while I have it. But beware, there’s a thin line between sultry and skank.
Maxmara for Hervé Léger was a genius idea. In early `08, once Cheryl Cole flaunted a tri-colour haltered Hervé Léger the best way she knew how, the body-con dress became a fashion frenzy, and a train of celebrities followed suit. One-by-one those girls pumped out Hervé in different colours and cuts, but the medal goes to the women with the hour-glass figures. They were the true definition of a Hervé Léger muse, and that’s the way it should be. To our benefit, other designers including Alexander Wang, Preen and Emilio De La Morena all have their own striking interpretations of body-con. I could easily fill a page of the best body-con dresses on the market.
The body-con dress must be tight and short, with holes and slits in all the right places (think shoulders and waistlines). Make sure you carry the dress with a punk mentality. It’s not for the faint-hearted and ultra girly, the body-con dress is for women who like edge. Those who aren’t afraid to command the room they walk into. The body-con dress screams sexy and dangerous, but not loose. To optimize the look, opt for stiletto ankle booties with a vintage leather biker jacket.
Aldo, Ashley Cole, British Vogue, Browns Fashion, Cheryl Cole, Diane von Furstenberg, Girls Aloud, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, White Aisle, Zagliani
In Fashion, Good Look on November 2, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Cheryl Cole is not known on the northern hemisphere of the planet (at least not enough to have an impact), but in the UK she’s beyond media darling. She’s somewhat of a quasi-God to the slebrity-obsessed and fashion press a like.
She is beautiful, that’s for sure. And her story is relatable. She grew up on the rough side of England on an estate ( over there, the estates are not-so-good). She won a reality TV competition landing a spot in group Girls Aloud (basically, a contemporary, modernized version of Spice Girls). Surprisingly, the group hasn’t crossed over as their predecessors did. But her life is a fairy tale – with a lot of loopholes. She married mega-rich Soccer Pro Ashley Cole (He plays for Chelsea), and over a short course of time her look has gone from chav, to WAG, to a woman all her own. However, she still has a bit of that Chav mentality complementing her history of bar fights and potty mouth square offs with other celebrities. But as they say, you can take the ghetto out the hood, but you can’t take the hood out the ghetto. Regardless of her raucous ways, she’s graced countless magazine covers and has been placed at the top of almost all of UK’s best dressed lists. While I do definitely question all the hype, I have to salute the fact that she made the cover of British Vogue.
I’ve never seen Ms. Cole look as good as she did within those pages. And I don’t think I ever will again. I do believe it’s a good idea for her to revel in her fame while it’s around. Her style counsel is steering her in the right direction; I sure hope that she’ll settle into her look and become a true fashion icon.
Get The Look
The Top – Chale Pussy-Bow Blouse by Diane von Furstenberg. $261 (CAD).
I do prefer a long-sleeve with sequin leggings – especially with sequin leggings. I also prefer if the blouse covers the bum and it doesn’t look like this one does, but chances are you may have a coat on top anyway.
The Pant - Dégradé Sequin Leggings by Stella McCartney. $837.20 (USD).
Apparently they’re sold out. You’ve got to be kidding me. These are the most gorgeous sequin leggings I’ve ever seen. The dégradé effect adds elegance and in a way, it tells you how to wear them. Start light as a top and make sure the shoes are dark – but not brown or black, please.
The Shoe - Taupe Moos pump by Aldo. $90(USD).
The Accessories:
The Broach – I found this Cream Pearl and Crystal Cluster Brooch for $14.99 (USD) by White Aisle.
The bracelet – Silver-tone Swarovski Crystal-Embellished Bracelet by Roberto Cavalli. $1,415 (USD).
The Bag - Lace Detail Bag by Zagliani. 3,565 (GBP). Available at Browns Fashion.
