Chanel FW12: Karl does boho chic, backpacks & the 'Boy' bag gets an upgrade
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Ever since this Chanel Couture collection I have kept thinking how much cooler Chanel shows would be if Karl Largerfeld took it upon himself to Chanel-ify every-day casual clothes. I simply can't think of anything more luxurious to wear than a Chanel jean or a v-neck jumper.
The beginning of the FW12 collection was a little on the boring side, which made what was to come even more exciting. For the first time there were lots of vibrant colours on the catwalk. Lagerfeld presented his take on a super luxurious boho chic look that people like Mary-Kate Olsen would die for. I found the full-length tweed coats paired with capri snake pants extremely chic but also very relaxed. The same goes for the looks where trousers were worn with camisoles or unfitted dresses.
I loved the mix of colour the most –the scarves were beautiful– but also the lack of pretension. My other favourites were, of course, some of the accessories. The 'Boy' bag, which has become quite a hit over the last few months, got an upgrade for FW12 with bright yellow, green and aubergine velvet. The mini quilted backpacks were also a highlight and I know they'll, too, be a hit.

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Ralph travels to the Orient

Ralph Lauren is one of those fashion designers, together with Michael Kors and, possibly, Donna Karan, who always follows a straight line in terms of style. Many could argue that his collections are predictable but I like to make a marked difference between that and creating classic styles. Ralph does the latter and he does it really well. Not one, apart from the other aforementioned designers, epitomise the East-coast look as well as him. We have seen more or less strong nods to the far West, horse racing and colonialism in the past but none as evident and formidable as this one. For FW11 Ralph has travelled to the Orient of the 20's. Instead of the usual tweeds and sandy colours we saw mostly black in jacquard, wool, velvet and sequins. The flapper inspiration was mixed with the oriental motifs of necklaces and earrings, which also introduces the intense reds and jade greens that brought most of the colour to the collection. Alongside this, there was a minor art deco influence made evident mostly on belts and brooches.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com]

Best dressed of the weekend: BAFTAs

I was originally planning a bigger BAFTAs edition of the 'Best dressed of the week post' but most attendees didn't try very hard. Emma Watson, in Valentino, looked slightly off with a very old hair style that didn't do her any good. Emma Stone, in that Lanvin Karlie wore, was on the right track but there was a something missing. And everyone else, except Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann, looked either too plain, too slutty or too dressed. Apart from these three ladies below, that is.

Julianne Moore made up from her bad GG look by looking ravishing in a cobalt blue velvet Tom Ford (?). The wavy tied-back hair and the red lips and light makeup were as perfect as the subtle diamond jewellery. Just wait for her Oscars look.

Hailee Steinfeld has been on endless blogs over the last few weeks. Her previous Miu Miu and Prada looks have proved that she knows how to be fashion-forward while staying age-appropriate. Her Miu Miu choice for the BAFTAs was a great evening choice both as a dress and as jewellery, as it needed none. I'd love Hailee to be in a film with Elle Fanning. Think of those press tours...

I was completely oblivious of the fact that Jessica Alba was attending this year's ceremony. She donned one of my favourite SS11 Versace Atelier gowns (from that post where I said how much I'd love Christina Hendricks to wear it that I then had to take down because the pictures had been leaked) and, being completely objective, she outshone all the Brits. Her choice of hair and jewellery perfectly complemented the gown and, well, it's Jessica Alba, she'd look good in a bin bag.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Celebrity-Gossip.net, JustJared.buzznet.com]

strokes of grandeur

Nicholas Ghesquière has made it again. After consistently pushing the boundaries of the known during the past few seasons he has made of the last Balenciaga collection a fashion feast where subtle genius seems like too much for the eye to take. There are no more futuristic shafts of sci-fi colours or armour-like silhouettes. Instead, Ghesquière strolls between exquisitely wearable prêt-a-porter and indulgent fashion-forward. Skirts, blouses and dresses in chiffon, silk and velvet are combined with elegant hues like bottle green, black and grey with seductive nude details. My favourite? The blue and green high-neck dress with velvet polka dot and draped skirt.

I'm off.

the importance of being BLAZERED

Every year this time around I have to go through the same dilemma —how to look good avoiding the cold. Owning coats in several shapes and hues would be the obvious answer to this but not the practical one. Even if you live in a place where winter fancies staying for a while, spending good money on coats is not such a smart choice provided that Spring sends them to exile for six months. Why not, then, investing in a clever collection of blazers? They are warm enough worn over knitted wool cardigans, work fabulously for dressy night events and are chic as hell over a t-shirt in the warmer seasons. Trusting what I believe to be my good eye when it comes to blazers I have selected a range of colours, fabrics and styles from street-style webs, style.com and celebrity sites. Have a look.

the modern

Let me begin with the trendiest —Tartan. If the royal family has trusted in this characteristic checked pattern for decades why not use is as a twist to a classic ensemble? You can find a big variety of background and check colours.

I have spoken of statement coats before but, what about statement blazers? If you wish to select something rather unique yet timeless this is it. The key is to find a classic cut in a bold colour or unexpected print or material.

Very much in fashion this season is velvet. Like the blazers above velvet ones add a touch of distinction to your outfit and will never become demodé. Also, the particular features of velvet make your jacket look different depending on the light and colour combinations.

Just like it happens with any other garment silhouettes the blazer's is constantly updated. Its latest version is cropped, it makes it younger and slightly more casual. They are one of the best choices when looking for a versatile piece.

One of the most popular manners to wear blazers is to mix them up with jeans —kind of a casual chic. Find contemporary shapes and fabrics that work nicely with your denim and that do not call out for much attention but that are still noticeable.

the classics

If the fit is what worries you the most the best solution is to get a bespoke blazer. You are meant to dazzle the beholders in anything that has been made specifically for you according not only your exact measures but to your instructions.

Double-chested jackets come and go trend-wise but are always there amongst the classics. They make you look fantastically fit if you are skinny and enhance your shape if you are fit already. Plus, all those buttons are so easy to play around with to make the jacket more interesting.

Sartorial seemed to be something reserved to the experienced, older gentleman until Mr. Chuck Bass came around. Now it is synonym for classic edginess for any age, and I am a huge fan. Make anything Sartorial by introducing vintage pieces to your twisted classic tailoring.

[Picture credits: The Sartorialist, Face Hunter, Style.com, Men.Style.com, JustJared]

I'm off.

bluuuue VELVET, and grey and brown and red...

When in search for that touch that will transform your outfit into the ultimate winter ensemble velvet is the key. Specially amongst men collections blazers and trousers can be found velvety both in traditional colours and in more fashionable hues. This might not be a fabric easily found when reaching into your wardrobes, but it proves itself most versatile and suggestive when it comes to texture. Velvet introduces light and different shades of a colour into an outfit, making it easier to put together hues of the same palette avoiding looking uninteresting. Let's have a look at the best proposals from the most relevant runway shows.

Since Frida Giannini entered Gucci the house has seen itself influenced by the designer's colourful soul which was instantly injected into the dark brand's past, not making it any less chic. This is why, once more, I have to crown Gucci one of the best collections of the season. In addition, just as it happened with the womenswear line, there is a sort of boho and hippy vibe which includes playful patterns to make it all even more eye-catchy.

Velvet, however, seems to require high levels of confidence. This is why I have collected some more traditional and classic velvet options as well as the daring new ones. There is a velvet choice for every kind of man. Black and brown are always a safe pick for the traditional men, but go velvet for a bit of an edgy feel. J. Lindeberg, Hermès and Giorgio Armani offer full suits and separate pieces in both colours so you can choose. It is YSL, nonetheless, that offers the most beautifully tailored blazer in black.

Now, for those of you reading and realizing you should spring life into your wardrobe, look closely. There is no need to go overboard with colouring. You can start by trying velvet on a weekend to get the hang of it. Grey (Giorgio Armani), brown (Junya Watanabe) or dark green (Rykiel Homme) are perfect hues that will match anything from your winter closet. Find other items from within the same palette and you're on business. Blue velvet (Dolce & Gabbana) might be harder in the winter but is a very stylish option when mixed with grey.

Olive green and different shades of "mustardy" beige seem to be the most original and stylish pick when trying to bring colour into darker combinations of clothes. If you are past confidence issues and black and brown are a little "blah", this is your colour range. Again, YSL produced perfection in the shape of a blazer. Junya Watanabe's innovative collection included trousers and blazer in some of this colours throughout the entire runway show, which makes it a good designer to resort to. D&G's brown velvet suit is perfect for elegance and edginess in the appropriate dose.

Lastly, for the brave he-fashionista, a range of bold bright hues that will surely make you the centre of any party. Have it bright green (3.1 Phillip Lim), pearl grey (Kris Van Assche), fuchsia (Dries Van Noten), or simply mix it up clearing your mind of any fashion preconceptions (Yunja Watanabe).

Has anyone seen the light after reading about the suggestive powers of velvet?

[Pictures credit: Men.Style.com]

I'm off.

the CHARM behind the curtain

They used to be the person behind the velvet curtain, those stepping out of it for a second so short one wondered whether they had actually been seen. Designers have always been something of a slightly mysterious nature, an aspect that kept the on-lookers ever-interested and amused. I confess myself a gossip blog addict, not a day goes by without my religiously checking them out to posses the most updated celebrity knowledge. This is why I cannot decide whether I'd like to see more of the personal life of designers, their hook-ups à la Marc Jacobs or their most Tom Ford-ish nude derrières. However, I do know I would never in my life choose not to glance at my dearest geniuses' outfits. Geniuses such as il signore Stefano Pilati, YSL's source of never-ending innovative chicness in and out of the runway.

Learn from the master.

What's your favourite behind-the-curtain icon?

[Pictures credit: Style.com, The New York Times, The Daily Mirror]

I'm off.