Corrie Nielsen SS13 Collection - Florilegium

Titled ‘Florilegium’ and inspired by flora and fauna, Corrie Nielsen’s SS13 collection shows her designer talents are in full bloom and thriving.  

 

Although the literal meaning is ‘the gathering of flowers’ Florilegium refers to the medieval botanical books that recorded and accurately illustrated flowers.

Through her signature sculpted and elaborate tailoring, Nielsen recreates petals, sepals, stamens and anthers in the form of ruffles, peplums and large loose tie-necks.

Here, metallic silk is shaped around the entire body as a giant all-encompassing peony rose.

Sleeves varied from the wide bulbous to slit like pods keeping the arms held securely to the side.

The colour palette is delicate with light shades of vanilla, ivory and blush pinks.

Her main inspiration was that of Kew Gardens. Not just the plants but also the glass house architecture as she flips Kew’s Victorian Palm House inside out with folds of leaves wrapping around a transparent glass like bodice.

Nielsen was also inspired by computer graphics artist Makoto Mutayama’s botanical blueprints where he sketches the inner cavity of a flower and then creates in 3D digital.

Couture headwear continued the floral theme with milliner Emma Yeo showcasing her SS13 ‘Lucidus Lilum’ collection. Each headpiece was inspired by the petal of the Japanese Mountain Lily (Lilium Auratum) and was constructed to emulate the lucidity and purity of botanical linear illustrations.

Fabrics used are translucent frosted plastics (to illustrate shadows and highlights), taffeta and Yeo’s signature laser cut wood bonded with soft blush pink and dusty grey silks.

www.emmayeo.com

For the finale, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is played out in the avant-garde dip dye wedding dress. Large sculpted petals in a gradient of grey are rib boned at the waist and followed by a trailing swathe of finely layered ivory silk.

Emma Yeo’s headpiece is softened with large dip dyed grey taffeta petals embellished with a light scattering of Swarovski crystals mimicking dewdrops.

Most wearable pieces were:

 

The least wearable was the black book shaped dress but maybe it was just to represent the closing chapter of Nielsen’s floral story. 

For information on where to buy any of the collection pieces email info@corrienielsen.com

Photographs by Christopher Dadey

www.christopherdadey.com

 

Omar Mansoor's Royal Ascot 2012 Collection brings Glamour to the Grandstand

London based couturier Omar Mansoor has designed a capsule collection especially for the Royal Ascot Grandstand.
As the dress code tightens its reigns for the Grandstand enclosure, this collection offers a chic and glamorous look whilst adhering to the new rules.

Necklines in the Grandstand: Strapless or sheer strap dresses and tops are not permitted. Even if you wear a jacket at all times, the dress still has to comply with the dress code. Here Omar keeps to the dress code with spaghetti straps The collection is in classic black and white monochrome which is always a winner at the racers. 

Skirt length code in the Grandstand: You can wear short dresses but you are encouraged to dress as befits a formal occasion. Here Omar shortens the length on the above handkerchief hemline so you can show off your shapely pins, but still long enough for that lady like look.

Prints and patterns bring drama to the collection with a mix of spots and circles. 

Other dress code rules for the Grandstand are: .

Midriffs: Definitely no bare midriffs and again that means no midriffs revealed under sheer fabrics

Trousers: You can wear trousers, but they must be full length so no shorts or cropped pants. They do not have to be worn with a jacket and the jacket does not have to be in the same fabric or colour. Tops worn with the trousers have to adhere to the neckline rule.

Headgear: A hat, headpiece or fascinator must be worn at all times.

The milinery pieces in the images were designed and created by Angela Searle of Gingerbread Millinery 

The above silver dress has straps wide enough for the Royal Enclosure (straps have to be at least one inch wide), but on this model it is a little too short as the shortest a dress can be is just above the knee. As models usually have super long legs, the skirt length on us mere mortals may be longer and so acceptable.. 

 

Photography: Colin Chau

follow Omar on twitter @omarmansoor

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.

Bejewelled Headpieces for Royal Ascot

We all know the key piece that will transform your gorgeous dress in to a glamorous outfit fit for Royal Ascot is what's on top of your head.
Biba Fox, the designer of bespoke jewellery, not only takes commission on rings, necklaces, bracelets etc, but can also design headpieces for weddings, gala nights and of course Royal Ascot.
Just email her on biba@bibafox.com to discuss ideas for next year's hat.

Here's a few of her past headpieces with a flirty 1920's feel :

Passionate Pink is always a hot colour for Royal Ascot and looks striking with the bold black feather. The crystals are of course Swarovski.

Silver plated woven wire with Swarovski crystals - inspiration butterflies. This will set off a monochrome outfit just nicely.

Make them green with envy with this smaller headpiece.The attention is drawn to the green enameled wire lacing detail embellished with sparkling Swarovski crystals.  
Price starts from £85
visit her website for more details: www.bibafox.com