A tale of two contrasts

What a difference styling and direction makes.

While we’re certainly happy for our wardrobes to contain their fair share of dark tones, it’s hard not to prefer the bright prints that abound in model Carola Remer’s pictorial for Vogue Germany’s January 2012 issue over the dark tones of her nudity laden photo shoot for the same magazine’s December 2011 issue.

No, we’re not likely to take to the streets any time soon decked out head to toe in Hermes scarves. But we’re equally unlikely to hit the streets topless.

You can see all the photos from Carola Remer‘s photo shoot for Vogue Germany’s December 2011 edition by clicking on the thumbnails above.

Written by Daniel P Dykes.

Late one Oxford night Daniel P Dykes set about creating a fashion publication that would go someway to being an arbiter on fashion as it appeals to the emerging power generations: those who don’t remember a world without the Internet and for whom work plays second fiddle to pleasure. And so Fashionising.com was born as a publication for those who were focussed not just on fashion’s trends, but on society’s too, and how those trends could all go to heighten the art of living. Hence, Daniel sees a future where, for those young at heart, both fashion and style are grounded in traditional quality, but with a youthful, sensualised edge. Daniel is Fashionising.com’s Editor in Chief and Chairman.

Written 16.12.2011.

The accidental Geisha

Peter Coulson found Kelly Rihanna in a mundane suburban setting, a flower amidst a supermarket desert – and he turned her into a Geisha.

Wearing a range of authentic kimonos from Vintage Emporium, the styling of the photo series takes Kelly from head-to-toe Geisha girl in china doll makeup, ornate accessories and intricate hair, through to natural looks that demonstrate how oriental fashion can translate into everyday wearability.

Despite being – as model stories often go – plucked from obscurity, Kelly Rihanna plays her blushing Geisha role with a natural ease. With hair by Deanne Leigh, styling and hair accessories by Annette Sanfilippo, and makeup by Joanna Blair, you can view all of Peter Coulson’s shoot of Kelly Rihanna at the gallery above.

For more of Peter’s work head to peter-coulson.com.au.

Written by Tania Brauk?mper.

Some people’s wardrobes are about a small selection of pieces that all fit within one aesthetic – Tania Braukamper isn’t such a person. With a wardrobe that spans three different rooms, her approach to fashion is a mixture of current-season key pieces mixed with vintage finds she’s sourced on innumerous shopping trips around the world’s more cultured capitals. Despite a disparate approach to shopping, Tania is adamant that the key to mixing vintage with new season is to stick to key looks and colours that work for oneself. And it’s a theory that she works into her writing for Fashionising.com, where she serves as the publication’s Editor.

Written 16.12.2011.

Wedding Hair Accessories by Jannie Baltzer

Nov 21, 2011 by Lauren

Even though I now prefer simple, unembellished wedding dresses, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being crazy about vintage-inspired wedding hair accessories – especially after discovering this gorgeous collection by Jenny Baltzer. This Copenhagen-based designer gets her inspiration from my favorite eras, specifically 1920s Hollywood glamour and the early 1900?s French bohemianism. These details are translated using Edwardian lace, Presiosa pearls, and other luxurious materials. These wedding accessories don’t come cheap, but they create the most dreamlike finish to a wedding look that it’s almost worth the splurge. Check out my favorite designs below.

Bebe Bridal Collection to be Launched March 2012

Dec 16, 2011 by Lauren

It’s hard to beat a pretty wedding dress that’s conveniently available at a mall and sold at great price points. I imagine that many brides must be excited for the bebe bridal collection, which will be launched next year! Project Runway alumnus Rami Kashou will be designing a full collection of wedding dresses perfect for the elegant, modern bride. bebe will also be offering bridesmaids dresses, veils, shoes, and fascinators, among other accessories. The best part is that it’s all incredibly affordable, with prices going no higher than $2,500. Expect the bridal collection to be available at select bebe stores and online on March 2012.

Source

Wearing the news

A unique answer to the question of what is sustainable fashion: this shoot by Peter Coulson doesn’t just involve the usual mix of clothing and skin, it also recycles newspapers, magazines and coke cans into wearable art.

Styled by Christina Chloe, models Paige and Elita wear collars, cuffs, lapels and bows constructed from recycled materials. It may not be your first choice for what to do with yesterday’s paper, but oddly enough it works.

With makeup by Yvonne Borland and hair by Rob Mason, you can view more of Peter Coulson’s shoot at the gallery above.

Written by Tania Brauk?mper.

Some people’s wardrobes are about a small selection of pieces that all fit within one aesthetic – Tania Braukamper isn’t such a person. With a wardrobe that spans three different rooms, her approach to fashion is a mixture of current-season key pieces mixed with vintage finds she’s sourced on innumerous shopping trips around the world’s more cultured capitals. Despite a disparate approach to shopping, Tania is adamant that the key to mixing vintage with new season is to stick to key looks and colours that work for oneself. And it’s a theory that she works into her writing for Fashionising.com, where she serves as the publication’s Editor.

Written 28.11.2011.

Lola on film: weekend watch

A video always adds something to a shoot: movements, flickers of emotion that the still frames might not catch – or that the photographer might choose to leave out. In the film accompanyment to James Broadhurst’s shoot of Lola Van Vorst, Lola pouts, poses and smokes her way through a few minutes of captivating footage as filmed by Erin Collette.

If you haven’t seen the full shoot you can check it out at the thumbnails above.

Head to James’ portfolio for more of his work.

Written by Tania Brauk?mper.

Some people’s wardrobes are about a small selection of pieces that all fit within one aesthetic – Tania Braukamper isn’t such a person. With a wardrobe that spans three different rooms, her approach to fashion is a mixture of current-season key pieces mixed with vintage finds she’s sourced on innumerous shopping trips around the world’s more cultured capitals. Despite a disparate approach to shopping, Tania is adamant that the key to mixing vintage with new season is to stick to key looks and colours that work for oneself. And it’s a theory that she works into her writing for Fashionising.com, where she serves as the publication’s Editor.

Written 17.12.2011.

Pippa Middleton’s Bridesmaids Dress Now For Sale

Nov 24, 2011 by Lauren

Remember Pippa Middleton’s Alexander McQueen bridesmaids dress and how it almost stole the show at her younger sister’s Royal Wedding? A modified version of the draped neck, crepe-silk gown is now available on Net-a-Porter’s UK site for 1,995 British pounds (approximately $3,100). Featuring cap sleeves and a fitted silhouette, this gown is gorgeous enough to be worn as a wedding dress, though I think it’s a waste that a dress this lovely will only be worn once in a lifetime.

Karlie Kloss and a perfect take on oriental revival

The word breathtaking springs to mind, though for what exactly I’m not even sure. The oriental gardens teeming with a vast array of plant and animal life? The rich hues of makeup that turn Karlie Kloss‘ eyes and lips into exotic jewels, or perhaps the oriental-inspired hair that’s been immaculately twisted into circular shapes and embellished with lush flowers? Truth is it’s impossible to single out just one element of this shoot by Alexi Lubomirski: the ‘breathtaking’ label is what’s applied when all of those things and more come together into one beautiful picture, like an artwork that draws your eye from place to place as you grasp each detail in turn.

But while there’s much to admire for enjoyment’s sake, there’s also much to take away. The opulent styling in this Vogue Germany editorial is a perfect melding of 1920s fashion and oriental inspirations. It seems proof that the former era’s fascination with the latter culture is the bigger revival than the culture alone. If the early half of the 20th century was engaged in creating luxurious interpretations of all things exotic, then we’re now engaged in revisiting their interpretations. As fashion trends go, it’s a dream within a dream as hazy and alluring as the mists that weave their way through the Oriental gardens Karlie inhabits.

Relaxed cuts – like loose silk pyjamas, or luxurious knits layered over blouses – give the styling that masculine ease of the twenties and thirties. But where the femininity is undeniable is in the accessories: layers of pearls, strings of full-bloom roses, precious jewels and oriental bows all give each outfit a plush vintage feel without becoming costume.

For more of Alexi Lubomirski’s beautiful photography, with its vintage softness around the edges, click on the gallery above.

Written by Tania Brauk?mper.

Some people’s wardrobes are about a small selection of pieces that all fit within one aesthetic – Tania Braukamper isn’t such a person. With a wardrobe that spans three different rooms, her approach to fashion is a mixture of current-season key pieces mixed with vintage finds she’s sourced on innumerous shopping trips around the world’s more cultured capitals. Despite a disparate approach to shopping, Tania is adamant that the key to mixing vintage with new season is to stick to key looks and colours that work for oneself. And it’s a theory that she works into her writing for Fashionising.com, where she serves as the publication’s Editor.

Written 18.11.2011.

How to: Dolce & Gabbana’s holiday French twist

On the Milan runway, Dolce & Gabbana successfully married the socially incompatible pair of food and fashion. But backstage, there was another party. A party where pasta, chilli, cheese and clothes weren’t invited, but an entry was guaranteed for Sophia Loren and other Italian women with equally seductive hair.

We’re talking about the hair inspiration at Dolce and Gabbana’s spring 2012 runway show. As seen on the runway, the loosely tousled curls were pulled back together in an effortless French twist. But, just like all other catwalk shows, watching perfectly groomed hair on a model is one thing, and interpreting it in your daily regime is a completely different story.

This hair look translates for a glamorous woman who’s on a holiday. The kind of style you’d pull together while you’re sunbaking on a Mediterranean island. We are anticipating this look to be a winner during 2012’s sultry summer.

At the Dolce and Gabbana spring 2012 show, hair tongs were used to create more elaborate waves. Here, following the Redken team’s instructions, you can recreate the look with a more natural and fast-paced approach.

Follow the step-by-step how to guide after the break. If you’d like to make sure that you don’t miss any of the other looks in this year’s hair trends guide, you can subscribe to our newsletter or RSS feed.

The Sophia Loren-inspired French Twist at Dolce & Gabbana. Image: Imaxtree.

“(The hair) looks a bit as if the woman was dancing all night,” says Redken’s Creative Consultant, Guido. Guiding you through the look, Guido shares with us his top tips to achieve this “effortless gorgeous” hairdo at home.

To build volume in your locks, massage a thickening lotion all through damp hair (at Dolce & Gabbana the hair team used Redken’s Thickening Lotion 06 – All Over Body Builder). The key is to maintain a natural movement, so avoid using a brush when your hair is still wet. Let the hair naturally dry. If your hair still lacks beach-like texture, apply a texturizing cream to the roots, especially around the crown. Guido suggests Redken’s Soft Texturizing Cream-Wax. The hair should be completely dry by this stage, don’t proceed to the next step if it isn’t. Dry hair is essential for styling this look.

Backstage with the hair team at Dolce & Gabbana SS12. Image: Imaxtree.

Backbrush (not back comb – very important to know the difference) the hair to add more texture and rough volume to the roots of the hair. Start from the nape of the neck and work upwards. Once your hair has the volume and texture, finger comb the hair back, away from the face, and pull hair back into a French twist. Secure with bobby pins. Blow-dry the fringe in an upward motion to create a quiff bouffant, and then pull it back and secure with bobby pins. Don’t pull back the hair too tightly; make sure to keep the hair loose around the face. You need to maintain the naturalness of the look here. Finish it off with some hairspray, if needed.

The completed tousled French twist. Image courtesy Redken.

There’s really no better inspiration than Dolce & Gabbana’s spring 2012 collection. The key is to emphasise the female form with a ‘60s sex kitten twist. With this hairstyle, you can’t go wrong with clothes that accentuate curves, draw in the waist (or indeed, give a bare hint of it) and extend the legs. Flicked out eyeliner is another perfect pairing for this La Dolce Vita holiday hairstyle.

For more inspiration from the Dolce & Gabbana spring 2012 runway, follow that link for a full gallery.

Our thanks to Redken for sharing their tips from backstage.

Written by Shitika Anand.

Shitika Anand is a freelance journalist, based in Sydney, who is addicted to coffee, vintage boutiques, bright-glitzy earrings and British stand-up comedy. Her bank account weeps every time she walks out of a shoe shop, but her shoe rack throws a ‘welcome home’ party for the new member. Her undying love for words is obvious when she narrates her entire life story to a stranger on the train. Which is partly the reason she’s resorted to writing. When not blogging, she can be found in a corner of her nearest bookshop, hiding under a monstrous pile of international fashion magazines. You can read more of her work on her personal site, Sweet Dreams in my world.

Written 18.11.2011.

What H&M has for men next year

It seems that even fast fashion can’t help itself.

Despite the fact that winter 2011 is yet to begin and that the fast fashion retail model depends on getting you excited about what’s in store now not at a distant point in the future, H&M have already revealed their interpretation of men’s spring 2012 fashion.

So what’s does the retailer have in store for guys for the season?

Plenty that feels familiar and plenty that is heavily influenced by the year’s emerging menswear trends.

Thus you’ll find relaxed cuts sitting alongside slim ones. The quality of the casual tailoring certainly doesn’t look like anything to write home about, but visually it presents good overtones of the 1920s fashion revival we’re expecting. Even further down the relaxed-fashion ladder you’ll find plenty of early season outerwear, with cropped parkas a strong look for the season. The strongest visuals, however, lie in two key areas: a much needed continuation of this season’s burned colour trend and a heavy injection of tailored shorts extending into short suits. Tailored shorts and short suits are a much needed element of a chap’s wardrobe for scorching days of high-summer, and few fast-fashion brands approach them from the right angle. H&M certainly have.

You can see a preview of H&M men’s spring 2012 collection by clicking on the thumbnails above and browsing through the gallery.

Written by Daniel P Dykes.

Late one Oxford night Daniel P Dykes set about creating a fashion publication that would go someway to being an arbiter on fashion as it appeals to the emerging power generations: those who don’t remember a world without the Internet and for whom work plays second fiddle to pleasure. And so Fashionising.com was born as a publication for those who were focussed not just on fashion’s trends, but on society’s too, and how those trends could all go to heighten the art of living. Hence, Daniel sees a future where, for those young at heart, both fashion and style are grounded in traditional quality, but with a youthful, sensualised edge. Daniel is Fashionising.com’s Editor in Chief and Chairman.

Written 18.11.2011.