Fashion Week Favourites: Acne's Fluro Jumper
Lilisfashion.com, Vogue.com, Getty, Style.com

As you know one of my favourite things to do during the fashion week month is looking at what everyone is wearing and finding popular, if ephemeral, trends. Last week I posted about the Reed Krakoff bags at New York Fashion week but today it's all about a jumper.

If I am not mistaken it was Kanye West who was first spotted wearing the Acne fluro knit during London Fashion Week. I must say he did look great in it and wore it pretty much how I would have (sans golden chains, of course). The other spottings of people in the jumper also happened during LFW. Funnily enough, after Kanye having his moment a few months ago in a Céline womenswear chemise this time women took to the menswear Acne knit.

Even though I absolutely loved the head-to-toe 'hospital green' look I can't figure out whether these people already had a wardrobe full of pieces in this colour or if they went and bought them to wear a sort of 'underliner total look'. In any case, I would say that apart from neutral colours, this is probably the most chic bold one to do a monochrome outfit with.

Are you a fan?

The Best Music Tracks from London Fashion Week

Courtesy of Burberry, Style.com

*Listen to the songs by clicking on the different iPods.

Even though London Fashion Week is over and we're onto Milan I feel like it always takes me another week to properly digest everything I've seen at the shoes. Including the music. If you talked to my flatmate he could tell you I have been repeatedly streaming the same part of the Burberry show just to listen to "this song I loved". I could not, for the life of me, figure out who was it by. The same happened with another two tracks – one from Acne and one from Roksanda Ilincic. Thank God for mobile phone apps that can recognise songs! They have saved me a whole lot of effort.
Needless to say, I bought the songs off iTunes as soon as I made sure that I had got them right. My absolute favourite, 'Numb' by Marina & The Diamonds, just gives me goose bumps. I guess it's a combination of how good the song is and the memory of the velvets and rich colours from the Burberry Prorsum show.
'Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)' by The Shangri-Las, from the Roksanda Ilincic finale, really makes me want to dance and brings back the luxe sportswear and exquisite coats from the collection.
And from the Acne finale,  'Blue Monday 1988' by New Order, which even creative director Johnny Johansson could not resist shaking it to as he took a bow.

London Fashion Week: Acne FW12
Style.com

Yesterday night I attended the Acne FW12 show in London. I had brimming with excitement because not only it was the only show I was seeing on Sunday but it was also the first time I got to see Acne live on the catwalk.
I was firstly impressed by the size of the venue, a massive warehous-y space with chunky cement columns. It seemed like the intimate shows they used to hold in London are no longer possible because the brand's become super popular and everyone wants to be there – everyone from Emmanuelle Alt and Yasmin Sewell to Taylor Tomasi Hill and Garance Doré were there.

The collection, which the models walked down to an intoxicating electronic beat, didn't disappoint. I have always regarded Acne as mainly a shape-focused brand much in the line of a young and more commercial Margiela. But this time it looked like it was just as much about colour and fabrics. The collection kept me wondering over and over again which material was this or that. Especially with the leathers, I just couldn't figure out it it was real or pleather. My absolute favourite pieces were the fluffy emerald pencil skirt and the daring orange coat.

The shoes were my other highlight. There were more models that I can account for –military suede ankle boots, strappy sandals, utilitarian flats... And all to die for!

[Style.com]

I think it would be fair to say that this last badge of cruise collections has been the best one since the so-called midseason became a fashionable thing for brands to do. As I mentioned before, I was particularly impressed with Erdem's simple concept and exquisite cuts and details and I rather enjoyed Chanel even though it was more of the same.

Even though there are still some more to come I will risk saying that we have seen the three best collections already.

The first is The Row. Being such a young brand they are already venturing into Cruise and doing it so well! A big part of the line seemed to focus around breton stripes, which is a pretty simple but genius idea. I would assume the Olsens picked breton stripes because they signify both nautical attire and Gabrielle Chanel and there is no better combination for a perfect Cruise look.

Acne has did PreFall for the first time last year and now joins the Cruise club too. I was pleasantly surprised with their collection concept, which spoke resort but was also quite urban. I especially loved the way dresses, skirts and camisoles were layered over or under each other.

By this, his third collection for Theory, Olivier Theyskens has managed to make of it a cult brand. I was happy to see a lot more colour and then usual black and white the designer usually delivers on the runway. My favourites were the various blazers, interestingly cut in different materials and paired up with sheer silk or blocky maxi skirts. I was also in awe of the shoes, huge wedges topped by metallic colours and pointy ends.

It seems like Miu Miu set the trend to take inspiration from comic books to dress for the new season. But it's not only them that have found a modern and sexy approach to it. Looking through what online shopping has to offer for SS11 it seems only evident that leather is king, whether on shoes, skirts or dresses, and that a big part of the clothes are looking to find a sexy way around comfy clothes. With big superhero films coming up in the next few months I wanted to have a look at what fashionable heroines should be wearing for Spring.

Clockwise from top right: Dion Lee pleated chiffon dress, Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, Miu Miu skirt, Versace cutout sandals, Christian Louboutin peep toe shoes,  Acne wedge boots, Chloé leather dress, Antonio Berardi dress, Camilla Skovgaard platform sandals.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Net-a-Porter, Vogue.fr, rantchick.com, popculture4fun.com]

What she wore: Yasmin Sewell

Last August Vogue made public that fashion consultant extraordinaire, Yasmin Sewell, was leaving her role as chief creative consultant of Liberty of London. In only three years, Sewell managed to reinvent the way Liberty's thought about fashion. She introduced a lot of new designers and brands bringing in new clientele while keeping the store's usuals coming back. But not only that, it was thanks to her that the store made their first profit in the last ten years. And so Sewell felt her work, Liberty's "fashion Renaissance", was complete and it was time to move it. Even though most of Yasmin's clients are kept confidential she reassured us (her fans!) that there will still be "publicised collaborations and ventures in the future". Don't miss her interview of the Telegraph.

We saw less of Sewells during this past fashion month. I don't know if street style photographers were not as interested because of her change of role (which would be outrageous) or if she simply attended less shows than usual. Whatever it may be she still looked spectacular when we did see her. My favourite part of hr style is how she always juxtaposes very tough elements like the Burberry Prorsum boots with extremely feminine, fragile garments like the sheer Meadham Kirchhoff dress. I also love the fact that she keeps her signature haircut immaculately coiffed and how she always wears different sunglasses.

Left to right and top to bottom: Meadham Kirchhoff SS10 dress, Burberry Prorsum shearling ankle boots, Isabel Marant stilettos, Acne suit jacket, Balenciaga heels, Burberry Prorsum convertible coat-jacket.

I'm off.

[Pictures: philltaylorblog.blogspot.com, seoulfsn.com, meadhamkirchhoff.com, Net-a-Porter, Acnestudios.com, Bluefly.com]

the week in news: 12.07.10

I haven't done a news post in a while because I could never find more than two seemingly important events happening on the same week enough to fill some blog space. Thankfully, this week was different. We had a store opening, an editor turned model and my generation's reality show wrap-up. Take a look.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Zimbio.com, RDuJour.com, Fashionologie.com, Style.com, JustJared.buzznet.com, HypeBeast.com, Vogue.co.uk, Telegraph.co.uk]

Acne Studio opening in London

We have been waiting for this moment for years —Acne is opening their first London store on July 15th! Even though their super cool new spaces in Harrods and Liberty's are pretty amazing there is nothing like a whole space of black and white checked floors and sky-high jeans shelves. The brand new London Acne Studio (they don't call them shops) will dwell inside number 13 of the very fashion-oriented Dover Street, off Piccadilly. The space will host all Acne concepts, from the mainline collection to the funkier Pop, the essential Denim and Miniature.
I haven't personally walked pass the store address yet but I had a look at it on Google maps and it looks like a promising fit for the Swedish brand.
I assume we can expect a very stylish opening party with Acne-d up celebrities like (maybe) Kylie Minogue, Lilly Allen and the ever-stylish Yasmin Sewell. Apart, of course, from all the brand's Swedish creative team and the genius minds behind the Acne Paper.

I'm not too sure about what season(s) the new Acne Studio will have the first few days, being in the middle of July and all. Most likely the Pre-Fall collection and, hopefully, some remains on the summer one. In any case, I had a look at the SS10 items on sale. There is a lot of amazing stuff and sockingly good prices. Below you can see my favourites —essentially, anything fringed, dyed, or any of the stunning silk pieces including Swarovsky crystals. Click here to go to their website.

I'm off.

[Pictures: shop.AcneStudios.com, maps.Google.co.uk]

safari 2.1

Safari has become one of those summer trends that never ever leaves but rather acquires different twists to try and reinvent itself. So I started thinking of taking a more literal approach to the trend. Instead of wearing beiges, nudes and khakis why should we not go for a more 'animal' option? I started thinking of my favourite animals —zebras, giraffes and lions. Unfortunately, no one really makes giraffe prints or lion wigs so I eventually settled for zebra and snakeskin prints. And the first thing that came to mind mind was the amazing stripped maxi dress from Acne. For their SS10 line they have done a lot of black and white stripes and this graphic version of snakeskin that are perfect for my trend.

But I needed to find something else with a bit more colour. That's why I found Kinder Aggugini —an Italian Punk trained at St. Martin's with huge names on his CV such as Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein or Costume National. The most fascinating part of his career to me was his job as head designer of Versace following Gianni's death. His SS10 collection has an amazing mélange of 18th-Century fashion with a strong stroke of Punk (kind of a nod to Westwood by means of layering) and excellent tailoring skills. He is now on my list of designers to watch. [Check out his website, collections and buy here]

I'm off.

[Sources: Aggugini.com, MatchesFashion.com, Africancraftsandproducts.com, shop.AcneStudios.com, photography.NationalGeographic.com]

never beat the Law(s)

Everywhere you read today, the news about Sienna Miller wearing her old wedding ring again are there. It seems the former British style iconic couple is back together for good. And to celebrate it they have gifted us with these pictures of their very stylish selves shopping around L.A. This time, though, Jude Law can feel as an equal to Sienna in terms of chicness. Red carpet events, roll on.

I couldn't find out exactly where are Sienna's wedges from but they go in a very Alaïa direction, no? I like the fact that she is always very casual about everything she wears while Jude would wear a suit anywhere, anytime. He wore it with cuffed trousers and one of his want-to-show-off-my-chest-hair tees and a cool pair of Havaianas (my personal favourite for the summer).

Acne round-neck tee @ Acnestudios.com, Dior Homme suit @ BrownsFashion.com, green Havaianas flip flops @ JohnLewis.com, Azzedine Alaïa perforated shoes @ Matchesfashion.com, Azzedine Alaïa snake and mesh sandals @ MatchesFashion.com

I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com]

let the sunshine in

On Wednesday night I attended the opening of the musical Hair in London. I came intrigued and left excited, astonished and utterly inspired. It seems shocking how the hippies, a sociological movement that happened so many years ago can feel so current and still inspire fashion nowadays. The Broadway cast, which showed the reason why the show is still so popular, strolled around stage in the most fun combination of flared and patched-up denim, tasseled suede and tie-dye colours.

Clockwise from top left: Chloé SS10 poncho, Vanessa Bruno Athé denim dungarees, Sass & Bide crochet vest, Chloé SS10 patched-up double denim, Jimmy Choo tasseled suede bag, Citizens of Humanity sleeveless denim jacket, Proenza Shouler sandals, Catherine Malandrino fringed dress, Halston Heritage slouchy bag, Acne fringed suede jacket, Lover cotton shirt.

[Pictures: Style.com, Net-a-Porter, Hairthemusical.co.uk]

I left the show as happy as can be and waiting for the moment to get home and put together a collage like the above that, to be fair, doesn't so much justice to the theatrical experience. I encourage you to get yourself tickets for the show asap and, in the meantime, to enjoy the soundtrack. I will be surprised if you can stop singing "Let the sunshine in" for even a minute. I know my flatmate can't.

I'm off.

happy birthday to moi

Every year the world celebrates the date of my birth my marking the 21st of March as the kick-off of the Spring. I'm not sure about other parts of the world but here in London it still feels too grey to get into the SS10 mood (as much as my beige Lanvin's scream to get them out). However, I have been present-hunting for weeks and these are part of the (hundreds?) of the splendid pieces I have found in my touring of my three favourite spots to shop —Browns, Liberty's and Matches.

Left to right and top to bottom: Dries Van Noten linen jacket @ Browns, Burberry Prorsum biker jacket @ Liberty's, 3.1 Phillip Lim plaid jumper @ Matches, Comme des Garçons appliquéd blazer @ Browns, Acne check shirt @ Matches, Christopher Kane atomic tee @ Matches, Liberty of London check shirt, E Tautz striped jumper @ Macthes, Burkman Bros patterned shorts @ Liberty's, Comme des Garçons trousers @ Browns, Linda Farrow for Dries Van Noten sunglasses @ Liberty's, Balenciaga graphic tee @ Matches, Dries Van Noten printed scarf @ Browns, Lanvin straw hat @ Browns, Bottega Veneta suede derby shoes @ Browns.

[Pictures: BrownsFashion.com, LibertyofLondon.co.uk, MatchesFashion.com]

Feel free to drop me an email asking for my address. No one will blame you for wanting to thank me for my amazing contribution to fashion by means of a piece of designer-wear. ...I jest, of course, or do I?

I'm off.

soVIP 3rd birthday

Such day as today, three years ago, I made my first post on soVIPzone. It feels like an age ago when I first wrote about Anna Wintour and the Oscars and accompanied the text with rather poorly edited images. A lot has changed since then —a new layout, more diversity in content and, most importantly, my new contributor and friend Giulia. And so, to celebrate my three years as a blogger I am giving you, the people who keep visiting and supporting soVIPzone, a look inside our rooms and wardrobes. Our very own fashion shrines where inspiration comes and goes and where all that you read here is written.

My room in Bermondsey —you can see Tower Bridge and the Gherkin from my bedroom window— is still a long way from being finished (please don't judge my shoe disorganisation) but everything from my inspiration wall to the order of my blazers and my trousers follow very strict arrangements. Also, I took a picture of my favourite daily shoes (clockwise from the grey suede ones: Cos, Lanvin, Acne, Cos, All Saints and Zara) and of my massive collection of blazers that takes up half of my wardrobe (each hanger has at least two and has anything from H&M and Zara to Hugo Boss and vintage pieces).

Giulia's room in Marylebone is the perfect space to dress up —high ceilings and plenty of white space. It gives her select assortment of statement jewellery an understated touch while it makes her jumbo Chanel, her Miu Miu array and her vintage Alaïa totally pop out even just on their hangers. Contrary to me, her shoes are perfectly organised in boxes —where you'll find anything from Zara and Stella McCartney to Louboutins and Dolce & Gabbana. It's her home-made portion of Heaven!

Thanks once more for keep checking back, leaving your comments and, generally, showing some love.

All the best,

Iñaki & Giulia x

[Picture credits: soVIPzone, excuse the bad technique!]

3 simple rules

1. Accessorise elegantly and without excess.

soVIPchoice: Lanvin bowtie (I'm wearing it in maroon)

2. Check the label of your bubbly.

3. Find the chicest shoewear, even if it hurts.

soVIPchoice: Acne brogues (I'm wearing them in grey)

[Picture credits: AcneStudios.com, LuisaViaRoma.com]

Happy New Year 2010 from soVIPzone! x

I'm off.

it's the shoe that counts

Don't ask me why but I have this fixation with women's shoes, specially when they're high. I think it has something to do with the way they (I should probably say you) walk when they're up on the "scaffolding" and how their legs appear to be never-ending. I had a look at Net-a-Porter and Matches and picked out my favourite ones in the muted colours that will work with a variety of outfits. Do you have a favourite?

[Picture credits: Net-a-porter.com, MatchesFashion.com]

I'm off.

dancing through the night

Net-A-Porter's 2010 resort press preview was all about sparkles, sequins and party dresses. Inside a really minimalistic white room with a geometrical fire place were displayed all the precious clutches, extravagant pieces of jewellery, shiny high-heels and amazing clothes. I didn't had any doubt about N-a-P's buyers' sense of style, but there were some pieces that were really mind-blowing!

Because of my lace obsession of the moment, I immediately fell in love with Stella Mcartney's black lace dress, which is the perfect chic cocktail dress for any occasion.

Another dress that cought my attention was the pyton printed silk dress from Acne. The shape and the fabric were just très jolie. It is the perfect playful evening dress for every party girl that wants to have fun.

Oh the jewellery! I am a big big fan because, like other accessories, they add that personal touch of style to every look! Isharya's gold cuff is the perfect buy —you can wear it with any look you want. It iss the perfect touch to a simple every day outfit with a pair of flared jeans, a white t-shirt and a Chanel-looking jacket; or to an evening black one-shoulder dress.

Already in my wish-list for next summer are the Lanvin's hilarious strawberry earring. They are perfection! Funny, colourful and edgy looking. For something a little more classic, the Missoni pendent earrings are also a great accessory for the upcoming season.

YSL's purple"Tribute" suede sadals were divine, just like any YSL shoe. They make a woman feel confident and sexy. And this new colour will look fabulous on a spring day.Are you searching for the ideal christmas gift for your fashionista friends? Well, Miss McCartney has the answer —seven days, seven pairs of knickers. Each drawer contains a pair of knickers with the day of the week embroidered in pastel colours. They come in black and white and they are almost sold out, so hurry!

[Photography: Giulia]

xo Giuls

PS. Check out a very Christmassy Iñaki @ MyFashionDiary