Collage Sunday, 09.05.10

**UPDATE: I apologise for the odd format of images in this post and all those before it. They were created according to the old layout.

This post today comes a little late, I know. I spent my Sunday watching films and drinking coffee with Ella Fitzgerald singing in the background. And about an hour ago I decided that I am going to make Sunday collage day. At the end of each week I'll post a SS10 inspiration mood-board so that you can start your week in style. Enjoy!

I'm off.

PS. How awesome did Anna look back in the day? (3 square pics on the top left)

[Pictures: Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Style in the City, The Sartorialist, RDuJour, Vanessa Jackman, Mr. Newton, Nowness]

Australia Fashion Week SS10

Australia Fashion Week wrapped up yesterday after five days of runway shows that proved to be as worthy of mention and praise as any of the other more renowned fashion weeks. The collections felt fresh and young and, overall, of very concise vision. I have gone through the shows that caught my eye the most and I have made a selection of my favourite talent from the island's fashion event.

Dion Lee showed a very clear vision through the juxtaposition of soft elements such as chiffon and silk and hard tailored elements. His pleated and knotted dresses would make perfect competition against Christopher Kane's gingham. See the video here.

To me, this collection was was bright as Céline and in the same way. It hit all the right notes by providing wardrobe classics updated by means of texture and colour. My favourite? The road prints on skirts and shirts and the genius take on the trench dress (even better than Burberry's).

Dhini felt like right out of London Fashion Week. It had that focused point of view, simplicity and exquisite detailing that are abundant in London. Special mention deserve the beautiful sleeve-less blouses and the prints, specially on tights.

I loved Lisa Ho's line because it made me think of what Dries Van Noten (which is to say a lot) would be like had he been born by the Australian coast. The designer drapes printed dresses with great skill so that the print is the protagonist and the draping only helps to make it more interesting. See the video here.

I'm off.

[Pictures: au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/Marie-Claire]

get inspired

It's 1st of May and the sun is shining. If you haven't yet started taking Spring attire seriously, now is the time! Stock up on plenty of nudes, khakis and beiges and play around with colour blocking. Think primary colours and bold combinations. Now, shop!

I'm off.

[Pictures: none of the above are property of soVIPzone. E-mail us at sovipzone@hotmail.com if you'd like to request credits]

it's all in the skirt

It took me a while to realise why these pictures of Lauren Conrad seemed different. All the usual black and her jumbo Chanel were still there, her golden locks done up casually. It was the skirt. A burgundy satin skirt with two flaps on the sides as if a massive bow had been tied around her waist and left to rest upon her legs. It worked well with Lauren's style but it added a bit of an edge, which she really needed.

Skirts monopolise the best part of the spring as they are the perfect compromise between wearing a dress and having to cover the shoulders. In need of finding ways of creating something new and flirty yet lacking flamboyance designers and high street have found the best compromise in restrained but fun detailing. Pleats and drapery reign over SS10 with slightly uneven hemlines and that sinuous movement that a skirt should always have. Others have opted for layers of ruffles (the summer staple) or more generic A-line minis in neutral hues or covered in feathers.

1. Balenciaga @ Browns, 2. Top Shop, 3. Carven @ Net-a-Porter, 4. Theory @Net-a-Porter, 5. Adam @ Net-a-Porter, 6. Top Shop, 7. Diane Von Furstemberg @Net-a-Porter, 8. Oasis, 9. Erdem @ Browns, 10. Oasis, 11. New Look

What kind of skirts are you wearing this Spring?
I'm off.

[Pictures: As credited above, Celebrity-Gossip.net]

copycat

Every season millions of people rejoice when the high street 'draws inspiration' from the catwalk. Endless blogs reflect this phenomenon in the shape of 'get the look for less' posts for those fashion followers that can't afford the real deal. Personally, traditional inspiration is completely respectable. However, when the lines are crossed and patterns are blatantly copied this fact becomes a simple case of copyright infringement. For SS10, Zara has once again crossed that line adopting many of the popular designs of the season as theirs (copies of Phoebe Philo's line are specially hurtful). Can you put the pieces back together?

If you have a look at the Zara website, be it the lookbook or the catalogue, cases like the above are endless. How do you think this affects the industry? Are you one of the million of copy adepts?

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, Zara.com]

they read soVIPzone

I'm always glad to be able to help out those in need with some fashion advice. It looks like Kate Bosworth, Anna Wintour and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld have been reading soVIPzone, notebook in hand. Kate took our approval of her all-nude Calvin Klein ensemble as a heads-up to keep wearing neutral colours and looking chic. Anna saw in our wear summer post an opportunity to get a little bit of the holiday she hardly gets. And Julia couldn't but give into my khaki/military/parka obsession and mixed a nude dress with her own version.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, Net-a-Porter.com, Style.com]

Fear not, I'll continue to try and sort out their fashion dilemmas. So keep checking back.

I'm off.

Philo-logy

Philo- (also phil- before a vowel or h)
combining form
denoting a liking for a specified thing
Logy- combining form
(usu. as -ology) denoting a subject of study or interest

It looks like we won't have to coin a new word after all. Philology just about covers the still young but promising cult surrounding all things Phoebe Philo. While her FW10 line for Céline walked its Parisian runway a crowd of acolytes wore camel trousers, crisp white shirts and, most importantly, khaki jackets from her SS10 debut collection. It was this last item, the khaki parka, that had captivated Philo's followers and was seen all around in Paris as religiously reported by Tommy Ton.

Clockwise from left: Céline SS10 runway show, Tala from MyFashDiary for Net-a-Porter's Fashion Relief, Céline spotting at Les Tuileries, Céline's parka profile, Paris Fashion Week spotting by Tommy Ton, parka's front.

[Pictures: Style.com, Farfetch.com, Tommy Ton for Style.com]

This jacket has everything that is to be loved about a jacket. Its timelessness is undeniable not only in terms of cut but of colour too. Something that doesn't deprive the parka from being a garment du jour. The front is straight-lined and sober but the back is flirty and curvaceous and unexpected. This is why every woman, be it the established editor or the stylish blogger, wants one. Get yours here. I'll sit an wait for Philo's mens line? If only... [sigh].

I'm off.

wear Summer, day and night

I have never been too fond of graphic prints on clothing. I always found them a bit tacky and I got easily tired of them. S/S10 has changed this for me thanks to the creations from the hands of Prada, Maison Martin Margiela and Christopher Kane (from his Cruise 2010). Their palm tree, beach landscape and sunset prints together with the general 60's vibe of the season are the perfect way to spice up short/t-shirt summer combinations. I am currently trying to get myself a Kane sunset tee, which one would you go for?

Clockwise from left: Maison Martin Margiela palm tee @ Net-a-Porter, Maison Martin Margiela ladscape tee @ Browns, Prada beach scene dress, Maison Martin Margiela palm tree dress, Prada yellow beach dress.

Clockwise from left: Christopher Kane sunset tee @ Net-a-Porter, Prada palm tree shorts, Christopher Kane sunset trousers, Christopher Kane sunset dress, Maison Martin Margiela degradé jeans @ Browns.

[Pictures: as credited, Style.com]

I'm off.

MGMT & DVN

Ben Goldwasser, half of the band MGMT, slips into two of my favourite SS10 Dries Van Noten pieces for BlackBook's May issue. Moments like this give me joy because they prove that sartorial classic pieces with god cuts are the true essence of menswear cool. Now, I need my bank to grant me a few thousand extra pounds to stock up on Dries prints, cropped trousers and patterned shoes.

[Pictures: JustJared, GQ.com]

I'm off.

PS. MGMT just come on Radio 1. Spooky.

The Prada dress

Whenever I come back home to Madrid I always make sure I stock up on magazines so I can enjoy the peace while catching up with all the editorials I otherwise don't have time to have a closer look at. Does anyone else think that the bejewelled Prada dress on the cover of British Vogue was rather pointless after it had been featured by Carine back in February? I do. As as I thought that using the same dress on one of the editorials of April's Vogue Paris was simply unoriginal. I did like Cindy Crawford wearing it for Harper's Bazaar Russia. I love the fact that they've played with water but I'd appreciate it if someone would put anything other than white under it. Are you a fan of the dress?

I'll keep an eye out for more Prada SS10 spottings, I'm sure they will come.

I'm off.

P2

One of my favourite collections from last London Fashion Week was Peter Pilotto's. The designers proved that classic tailoring can be contemporary and blended together with graphic prints. I had never noticed Pilotto as much until then. Today, as I was having a look at what Opening Ceremony has to offer for this season, I came across this beautiful dresses for summer. They're a new take on the typical cocktail dress, which is harmoniously combined with the tunic. For SS10, Pilotto went for a more citrus palette that makes the dresses rather versatile as they work just as well with a pair of sandals for a summer lunch as they do with a pair of pumps for an estival soiree.

Below, my four picks from Pilotto's FW10 collection. An amazing combination of a very eye-catching colour palette, an excellent patchwork and draping expertise and a freshness that mixes together day and evening wear.

[Pictures: OpeningCeremony.us, Style.com]

I'm off.

peaches from Monaco

This short post is the product of a bit of a long story and a few random stops on websites. This morning I was having a look at what the buyers from Net-a-Porter had chosen from the Versace SS10 collection. I was quite excited because, even though I have never been a fan of Donatella's creative decisions, I have very much liked the turn the brand has started taking in the last few seasons. SS10 went a little back to Gianni's 80's, which was refreshingly retro, if you know what I mean. This time, there was more of a pastel feel to the colours and gold was substituted with silver —trying to get away from the traditional Versace tackiness Donatella has us used to.

In the middle of doing this I made my daily stop at RDuJour to see what glamourous content they had come up with for today. As it turned out, an interview Barbara Walters had with Princess Caroline of Monaco around 1985. I was happy to see them embracing the 80's with (Caroline) an all-white ensemble and (Barbara) in pastel peach. This last outfit made me think straight away of Versace's peach colour for this summer, of which Net-a-Porter happens to be selling a few pieces. End of the story.

Click here to see the second part of the interview.

[Sources: Style.com, Net-a-Porter.com, RDuJour.com]

I'm off.

15 essentials for SS10

Every season, together with the must-have bags and shoes, lists are made about the key silhouettes, colours, textures and garments that a woman must add to add the required savviness to her wardrobe. We have chosen our soVIP essentials for SS10 with a selection of our all-time favourite designers, the most acclaimed of the season and a couple new additions.

1. David Delfín's hospital green, 2. Marni's head scarves, 3. Chloé's denim patchwork, 4. Céline's structure, 5. Rag & Bone's jersey harems, 6. Isabel Marant's cropped tweed, 7. Prada's palm landscapes, 8. Dries Van Noten's printed wraps, 9. Prada's bejewelled-ness, 10. Stella McCartney's denim, 11. Givenchy's stripes, 12. Altuzarra's suede and lace, 13. Preen's fuzziness, 14. Christopher Kane's gingham, 15. Alexander Wang's leather and jersey.

[Pictures: Style.com]

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.

couleur face-off

Just by glancing at Kate Bosworth one knows she is very much clued in when it comes to trends. Her outfit of soft lines and muted colours paired up with neutral-coloured shoes and bag epitomises the look of the season for SS10. Looking at any shops it seems evident that these colour palette will take over the upcoming season but let's not forget the other significant trend of the season —military khaki. Which one will you be sporting for SS10?

Below, clockwise from left: Chloé cotton suit, Chloé silk-crepe blouse, Marc Jacobs satin top, Jason Wu chiffon skirt, Vanessa Bruno Athé shorts, Elizabeth and James embellished skirt, Missoni wrap top. All from Net-a-Porter.

Below, clockwise from left: Splendid jersey top, Balmain tank top, Elizabeth and James silk shirt, Balmain cargo shorts, Stella McCartney camouflage shorts, Alexander Wang asymmetric skirt. All from Net-a-Porter.

[Pictures: JustJared, Net-a-Porter]

I'm off.

Fashion for Relief

Net-a-Porter Fashion for Relief collection do their bit to help Haiti by collecting money from keen fashionistas willing to spend some money to get their wardrobe ready for spring while helping others. soVIPzone's friend, MyFashDiary, was amongst the chosen bloggers to make her pick and be featured in Net-a-Porter's Fashion for Relief photoshoot. See the video here and go to MyFashDiary to see Tala's picks. These are ours.

Clockwise from top left: Linda Farrow sunglasses, Roksanda Ilincic dress, Céline poacher jacket, Sergio Rossi shoes. All available at Net-a-Porter here.

I'm off.

clog face-off

I am still unsure about Chanel's clogs for the upcoming SS10, they are a very high and tacky literal version of the Swedish originals. Plus, I very much question their precticality. Marni (FW10), on the other hand, created a very cool and contemporary version of a clog better suited for a fashionista. They added a wedge in wood or rubber and a back strap for a better walking performance. In any case, they won't ever be the most popular shoes but I can see Aurora Sansone and Viviana Volpicella getting Marni's version dusty at the Tuileries. Would you wear clogs at all?

[Pictures: Style.com]

I'm off.

"rebirth of nature"

Nicola Formichetti is on a roll. His latest editorial for the very young yet professional Vogue Hommes Japan features key SS10 pieces from Givenchy, Chanel, Dunhill, Dior Homme, Giorgio Armani and Calvin Klein. What genius!

Photographer: Josh Olins

Fashion editor: Nicola Formichetti

[Pictures: Coute que Coute]

I'm off.

all rise

The other day Giulia and I decided it was time to go have a look at shoes for the new season (we looked for shoes for me too, but I won't bore you with my menswear finds). She gasped and omg-ed at many but these three below were our favourites. Key season shoes to culminate your outfits.

Fendi tulle platform sandals @ Net-a-Porter

Marni suede peep-toe ankle boots @ Net-a-Porter

Christian Louboutin suede and leather sandals @Net-a-Porter

I'm off.

green with a red soul

Last night I watched the first episode of Kell on Earth —which I recommend to anyone that truly loves the fashion industry— where Kelly Cutrone, amongst other things, organises David Delfín's SS10 fashion show at NYFW. This made me realise I have never spoken of David Delfín in soVIPzone. It might be that I take certain Spanish designers for granted because they were always there while I first started to learn about fashion. In any case he is someone to have in mind. He has been taking Spanish fashion forward for the last ten years and his SS10 collection deserves a mention because the colour palette was superb and the shoes (in collaboration with Christian Louboutin) awe-striking.

After having a new look at the collection my brain rapidly started looking for ways for me to get a hold of any of the pieces (I am inquiring about the shoes —not sure if they'll be going into production). Luckily, my birthday coincides with the beginning of the SS10 season and with the Easter break so I migh be flying back from Madrid with a couple of "hospital green" (as coined by Style.com) items in my suitcase. I would particularly die if a pair of green patent leather shoes were among those items.

[Picture credits: YoDona.com, Tacoon.com]

See the rest of the shoes here. Do you love them or what?

I'm off.