Victoria Beckham wears Giles to the London Olympics closing ceremony
Getty, Style.com

I actually never thought I would be devoting a full post to Olympic-related fashion news, let alone writing about them past midnight. But I am.

The London 2012 closing ceremony took place tonight – it was technically yesterday? – and pretty much the whole world was watching. And tweeting. I, for one, was alone at home but I did not feel bored for a single moment. Except, perhaps, when George Michael performed that godawful song no one knew.

The fact of the matter is that the Spice Girls reunited for an incredible, if slightly brief, performance at the Olympic stadium. I do believe that a big percentage of viewers had tuned in only for them. I wasn't one of them. I tuned in for Victoria Beckham. Not only she has turned out to be the most successful of the 5 but also the sexiest and chicest. For her performance she rocked a customised Giles gown from the FW12 collection. I was pretty excited because it was one of my top 5 collections from the last London Fashion Week. I love the fact that it took the 'black mini dress' concept that Victoria (Adams) was famous for and transformed it into a fashion-forward ravishing choice.


Check out the Giles FW12 collection here and click below on read more to see more pictures of Victoria's fierceness from the closing ceremony.

Zenia Sevastyanova covers the new Dazed & Confused in Giles FW12
Models.com

Any of you who read me often will know that I have never been a big fan of Dazed & Confused. But you will also know that despite this I can give them credit when they do something extraordinary, which according to Know Wear's archive has only happened twice since I started blogging. But the time has come again.

For their July issue, Dazed features model Zenia Sevastyanova on the cover shot by the brilliant Kacper Kasprzyk and styled by the amazing Robbie Spencer. The inside story, which also features Katryn Kruger, Cora Emmanuel, Mackenzie Drazan, Madison Headrick and Maria Bradley, is just as great as what you'd expect from the cover. But I must admit my favourite shots and styling are those of Zenia in a Giles' FW12 look. It was one of my favourite collection's from the last London Fashion Week and it's great so see it being styled in such a fantastic way!

Click here to see my post on Giles FW12 collection including a video of the finale and backstage detail shots.

Giles FW12: Anna Karenina on Fire
Know Wear, Style.com

I am taking my time posting about the FW12 collections I saw in London because I don't like rushing all the posts in a short week. This also gives me more time to think about the things that I liked.
It was amazing to me to see the evolution of Giles' brand from young and playful to ultra sophisticated. To me the whole vibe of the FW12 collection was very Anna Karenina – someone please make Keira Knightley wear one of these to the premiere! – or even the decadence and downfall of the Tzars. My favourite part were the white chiffon dresses, which had a burn effect the designer had created by using layers and Swarovski crystals. Some of these numbers also included feathers in the same colour palette that, when in movement, did actually look like they were on fire. There was something ominously beautiful about the whole collection – as if a princess had run away from her castle in flames.
I was most impressed by the craftsmanship. From the effects on the chiffon to the similar ones on the satin blazers (can I have a menswear version?) to the thorn crown detailing on an mustard evening dress the collection was like an exquisite exercise of arts & crafts.

Click below on read more to see more detail shots.

the week in news: 24.05.10

This past week has been full of fashion news. From the appointment of new designers, to star-studded store openings and sale profit announcements (Burberry's profits rose $131.5 million). I already talked about Christophe Lemaire's new role as Hermès creative director yesterday but he wasn't the biggest news, by far. Earlier this week, the Gucci group announced that Sarah Burton has been chosen as the new creative director for Alexander McQueen. After months of speculations of weather a big name would take over the brand it has been decided that Burton, whose experience as head of women's wear design since 2000 and who put together the presentation of the FW10 collection after Lee's death, is the right choice. I have a good feeling about this.

Also this week, Giles Deacon was announced as Ungaro's new creative mind. After Estrella Arch's monumental failure in collaborating with Lindsay Lohan for two seasons, the Spanish designer was let go to leave room for Giles. Surprisingly, Lohan is supposed to still 'collaborate' in Ungaro's line. I just hope Deacon can play mind tricks with her and trow ALL her ideas in the bin.
A little less news-worthy was the opening of the Louis Vuitton Maison in London's New Bond Street. I never think of LV as an essential part of the industry but I suppose it is in terms of sales. For whichever reason, the opening of their biggest British home congregated an endless list of celebrities all wearing Marc Jacobs' creations for FW10. I really loved Marc's idea for this last collection but I still feel iffy about the execution. Just by looking at most guests (who don't have the average person's body shape) it was evident that the 30's inspired dresses are not flattering in the least. Luckily, Kristen, Alexa, Gwyneth and Gemma were there to prove being the exception to the rule.
I'm off.

[Pictures: nytimes.com, Telegraph.co.uk, Style.com, JustJared.buzznet.com, Zimbio.com]