Animal vibes from WITT international‏

Direct link is:

http://www.witt-international.co.uk/products/alessa-w-jersey-printed-dress/_/A-E39926_16

Jasper Garvida SS13 Collection

Think 1960’s, Mary Quant and Vidal Sassoon – this is one groovy collection.

Titled ‘L’Unite de Temps et L’Espace’ (Unity of Time and Space), Garvida reflects on this revolutionary period when women experienced the sense of empowerment and dressed accordingly. 

Garvida keeps some of his pieces true to the plain simple 60’s shift style but with bold geometric patterns to create the unity of time and space.

For the evening, this unity is shown as light and shade in the form of tiny round mirrored pieces radiating a 60’s disco vibe.

On others the play of shadow and light is from the shiny and matt satin damask prints.

Texture and glamour are also added by the lace overlays and of course Garvida’s signature sequins.

The main colour palette is monochrome black and white again representing light and shade.....

 .....with accents of neutral beige and cream.

Garvida’s love of animal print is there in a bold and abstract monochrome leopard print.

The key feature which definitely couldn’t be ignored on the day of the catwalk show was the oversized shell like discs adorning one dress and skirt....

 – especially as they jangled noisily with every move the models made.  Definitely not to be worn for a clandestine rendezvous!

Jewellery  by Sarah Angold compliment Garvida’s collection with bangles and necklaces made of laser cut acrylic layers, some 3 dimensional like ruffles, others laid flat  inspired by graphic shapes and both playing on the light.  www.sarahangold.com

Shoes by Kat Maconie carry on the geometric architectural shape to the footwear with great angular platform and heels

www.katmacomie.com

 Check  www.jaspergarvida.com/stockists/  for details on where to buy.

Hairstylists used on the models? Vidal Sassoon of course.

Photography by Christopher Dadey

www.christopherdadey.com

 

Fresh Summertime Florals from Antoni&Alison

www.antoniandalison.co.uk

The Antoni & Alison Shop is at
43 Rosebery Avenue London EC1R 4SH
Telephone: 020 7833 2141

The Autumn/Winter Shift Dress- Get the French Chic Look

The shift dress has a simple straight silhouette which suits the more boyish frame or the apple shaped women who carry most of their weight around their waist. 

French women go for a quality capsule wardrobe and so make sure most items will mix and match. The shift dress  is a great staple piece because of its versatility –it can be worn on its own or over a jumper, blouse and tee shirt which can be in a tonal colour or a more contrasting colour for the more fashionable colour blocking trend.  The camel fitted shift dress from Elegance is a blend of 60% new wool and 40% angora. Price £249.00. Here worn with a black polo neck top in 100% silk jersey £119 and black leather bag £249.

All from www.elegance.co.uk 

M&S mini beret headband

Give a nod to the French look with the black M&S wool mini beret headband. Price £18 www.marksandspencer.com

Laura Ashley cape

Instead of a cumbersome coat, team with a cape. A cape is a good alternative to a coat for the transitional months, plus its simple tailoring complements the simple shift dress.  This Laura Ashley camel cape has a stylish black trim. Fabric: 75% wool 25% polyester Price £105 www.lauraashley.com  

Then add long leather gloves plus your bangles and bracelets and rings on the outside to give some drama. 

Most shift dresses have high necks so may make the larger bust look boxy.  One solution is to wear a mid length necklace (but not so long that it is dangling over your bust) or scarf to create a v shape and break up the area.

Lilly Pulitzer and the Shift Dress

The shift dress first became popular in the 1920s with the flapper girls and then made a colourful revival in the 1960s. This was mainly due to Lilly Pulitzer who started to wear brightly coloured and patterned shift dresses to hide the juice stains when working at her juice stand in Florida. Customers loved her dresses and being the entrepreneur, she had some made and started to sell them alongside her stand. Plus it helped having a friend like Jackie Kennedy who also loved the style and Lilly’s dresses began to bloom.

Now the shift dress is again alive and well.

Lilly Pulitzer's Stephanie shift dress

 Most dress styles look too busy in bright colours and loud patterns, but not the shift dress. The simple style of the shift dress allows more flexibility on colour and design. This Stephanie Shift dress uses a mix of blues and if you want to tone it down then wear with neutral accessories whilst keeping jewellery simple and to a minimum.  The approx length is 37 inches from shoulder to hem.  Price is $168 www.lillypulitzer.com

La Redoute

Mixing masculine cuts with feminine styles is a great look, so keep jackets loosely fitted to complement the style of the shift dress, such as this masculine straight cut grey boyfriend jacket from Ellos at www.laredoute.co.uk . Price £45 Length 72cm Fabric 74% polyester, 23% viscose and 3% elastane.  Also available in fawn for those with a warmer complexion.

Dune's Judder shoe

Team with flats or dress up with Dune’s feminine Judder teal blue satin pointed toe courts. Price £80 www.dune.co.uk .