SS11 Press Days: Nicole Farhi

A good few weeks ago I popped down to the Nicole Farhi showroom near Carnaby Street for their SS11 press day. Having loved both the props and collections last season I was really looking forward to going back. First off I spied a cool bust in the menswear section (pictured below), and also spotted one of my favourite young actors Louis Garrel in Farhi's mood board ( in the top right hand corner of the mood board, below). Garrel is of The Dreamers and Ma Mere fame and is exceedingly hot...

In terms of the clothing, the mainline Nicole Farhi collection is superb, with stunning watercolour floral prints (pictured below) in iridescent fuchsias and light 'n' luxe fabrics.

I was really happy to see Farhi experimenting a lot more this season combining her more traditional and chic mainline collection - perhaps better known for its cruise and nautical themed wear - with modern innovation in sophisticated fabrics, experimenting heavily with cut and texture. Stand out pieces include the stunning pleated coral dress (pictured below, centre).

Other favourite garments were the rubber dress in white (below, left) and the silk and paper geometric print dress (above, right).

Lots of beautiful detailing caught my eye such as the rope detail red suede dress and '80s style power jacket (both pictured above, right). With plenty of sparkly evening dresses to choose from as well this is Farhi at her best.

Keeping the theme going throughout I love the nautical details dotted around the menswear section with the shoes (above, right) displayed casually on rope and a boat suspended buoys and all, from the showroom ceiling.

SS11 Press Days: Hobbs

A brand I cannot gush about enough is Hobbs, whose NW3 range I am particularly obsessed with and have been for the past three seasons. A couple of Wednesdays ago I was running really late so only had about ten minutes to look at the new collection before work, which thankfully proved to be just enough time. Once again Hobbs have triumphed on all counts creating three stunning ranges, solidifying them as one of my favourite high-street brands of 2010. From the mainline collection (above) I love the late '60s/ early '70s Jackie O vibe coming through in the hourglass silhouettes, oversized sunglasses and monochrome chic (which also slightly reminds me of Grace Kelly). Simple elegance at its best. In terms of accessories wedge heels and structured handbags are de rigueur, with more playful illustrations and colours than I've seen previously.

As always, Hobbs Limited Edition for SS11 is beautifully tailored, with an array of rich colours and textures. I particularly like the orange military-style silk dress (below, centre, right) and the monochrome ruffle detail shift (pictured below, far right).

For NW3 -named after the north London postcode - it was business as usual. I am in love with the busy patterns and rich pastel shades and really like the geometric print dress (below, right). I also like how the collection has been presented, with key outfits displayed separately in front of backdrops of the corresponding print. It was a really nice touch, but served to get me thinking about the endless pattern clash possibilities.

Love the cute navy blouse with ribbon waist tie detail (below, left) and can't wait to try on the autumnal looking printed silk maxi (below, right).

Whilst I love the dresses in the images below, even more do I love the yellow velvet futon. I need to track one down...

Lots of mid-low heels were teamed with the immaculately styled mannequins. I particularly like the suede ballet pumps (below, left) and I love the structured lime mock-croc handbag (pictured centre).

SS11 Press Days: River Island

 Last week I went to the River Island womenswear press day and once again was really impressed by the variety of vintage inspired pieces on display. Referencing everything '70s I spied ditsy florals, elegant crochet and lace, once again in the season's hottest colour - white. I absolutely love the decadent lace-trim brocade looking coat (above, centre), although the photograph doesn't really do it the justice it deserves.

Great prints and bright, playful accessories dominated, with my favourite print being on the matching strapless crop top and shorts (above, left).

I love the ruffle detail beige overcoat (pictured above, right) and especially like the stacked sandals and shoes with crochet and plait detailing.

Lastly, all of the bags on display won me over, as the quality was surprisingly great and I really like the vintage vibe that was peppered throughout.

SS11 Press Days: Urban Outfitters

A couple of days ago I attended the Urban Outfitters press day located on the top floor of their sprawling Oxford Street HQ. Similarly to last season, I loved everything about the way a select few pieces from their SS11 fanfare were presented with little vintage inspired pieces from brands such as Wild and Wolf (pictured above, centre) really typifying the mood. Naturally I love the navy cable-knit cardigan, and whilst its pictured (above, right) with a rucksack I rather like the look of teaming it with leather braces so shall be trying knitwear and braces at home over the next few days.

Love the chic loosely 70's inspired swimwear, especially the strapless number on the left.

In terms of accessories I spied lots of raffia in the form of the gorgeous beige and brown satchel-type bag (below, left) and the chic buckle detail wallets (pictured below, right).

With lots of Victorian lace, crochet, flapper-esque feathered headdresses and beatnik accessories Urban Outfitters triumphs once again as the one-stop-shop for all things beautiful.

SS11 Press Days: Mint Velvet

Two days ago myself and a fellow blogger descended upon the Mint Velvet press day held in the Music Room. A big fan of Mint Velvet, back in September I attended a blogging event hosted by the brand and was left eager to see the new SS11 collection, with my particular focus being on how the design team would carry the brand into its second year. When I was first introduced to the brand, just after its launch (many editorial fashion roles ago), I wasn't overly sold - in terms of sartorial opportunities for myself - purely because I perceived the brand to be aimed at a sophisticated and successful woman, which at 24, frankly I don't feel - yet. How wrong could my ill-advised perception have been?!

Clearly with every fashion brand the choices we make as consumers are a matter of personal taste, but with a brand such as Mint Velvet, the wrong assumptions can be made, unless you are a) more open minded - initially - than me or b) take the time out to go a retailer and feel the luxury of the garments first hand, as this certainly tipped the scales in my case. The point I'm making is that Mint Velvet is a fantastic British brand that does indeed produce fantastically chic and sophisticated items (think respectable necklines and hem lengths), that successfully appeal to women of all ages, shapes and sizes based on the sheer quality, superior design and subtle sexiness of the garments, which are always bang-on-trend.

Take for example all of these leather looks, in particular the cute waistcoat (pictured above, left) and the really chic tan leather shift dress with the most intricate detailing I've seen at the SS11 press days so far (above, right)!

Also available in the softest and best cut harem pants I've ever come across, I am head over heels in love with the grey silk dress (above, right). Everything from the cut (great volume on top and gathered in tight at the waist - good for busty ladies and those looking to give the illusion of a fuller bust), ditsy print (in the most beautiful charcoal shade) and soft luxurious texture make this garment a great all-rounder in my book.

Lastly I loved Mint Velvet's take on a sport luxe overcoat in a metallic grey, which was perfectly complimented by 3/4 length sleeves, drawstring belts and zips a plenty.

SS11 Press Days: Oasis

At the Oasis press day late 60's and early 70's fashion was the order of the forthcoming season, with a variety of A-line dresses (as seen above), dominating proceedings. Presented in a small showroom at the very top of Oasis House, I absolutely loved the way that the collection was both presented and styled. With old school sweet jars, vintage typewriters and sewing kits strewn about, the word vintage emanated from the outset as I perused.

As you'll already know I'm a huge fan of navy so I'm delighted to see several blue dresses in varying shades represented. Whilst it was more of a royal blue, I particularly adore the crochet number (below, far right).

Whilst elegant pieces and a sophisticated atmosphere ruled the day, I really liked the slightly kookier, in my mind Dirty Dancing take on the era of fashion in question, with lots of red accents.

Lastly, the illustrations painted directly onto the walls outside the presentation space were immense and provided the perfect surroundings for the two rather beautifully dressed mannequins (below), whom were wearing high gloss digital printed silk dresses – the latter of which, made me swoon.

SS11 Press Days: Jaeger

One of my favourite press days of the season so far is that of Jaeger, who I genuinely feel are getting better and better with each season, deftly balancing their need to keep their stalwart customer base, whilst attracting a new generation of consumers. As soon as I entered the showroom space up on the second floor I spied Jaeger Boutique commissioned illustrations by one of my all-time favourite illustrators, Julie Verhoeven (pictured below). 

With a great range of slightly preppy, playful separates and gorgeous dresses I have many favourite pieces, including the hot pink scalloped edge skirt (below, right).

On the mainline Jaeger London side of things I love all of the beige, which is something I never thought I'd say, as for me its one of the dullest colours around, but as I'm getting older the more I'm understanding its chic properties. I particularly like the loose knit sweater top and navy asymmetric dress (below, right). With sophisticated cuts, sleek digital prints, crochet dresses noless and an array of luxe fabrics, this collection is a winner, so is a good place to invest next SS.

I also loved the strong tailoring present across the evening jackets (below, right and above x2).

Menswear was chic, classic and pretty much exactly what I expected, in the best possible way.

SS11 Press Days: Four Marketing

A good couple of weeks ago I went to the Four Marketing press day and have held back on writing about it for a while as its so far been one of my favourites of the season, due to their rich client list and great showroom and general friendly atmosphere.

The Missoni SS11 collection is by far one of the best I've seen from them in recent years, ever-so-slightly pairing down the thickness of their summer knits and streamlining both the direction and quantity of pieces (although, that maybe should be credited to the Four Marketing merchandising team...) The collection is bright, light and features several stand out pieces including the stunning white silk pleated number (above), which for me is a modern take on the dress Marilyn Monroe wore in the iconic steam grate scene in The Seven Year Itch.

Another great stand-out item is the subtle pastel body-con dress beautifully modelled above - great cut, and really flattering. I also really like the cute knitted shorts (pictured below).

With holiday/ beach being a major theme for Missoni (as you'd expect from such an iconic Mediterranean brand) accessories were at the fore, particularly a plethora of printed beach bags.

A new brand with an inspired name by Natalie Wood is Australia's Something Else, who for SS11 have produced a great collection of relaxed separates. Based on a barren, desolate landscape the SS11 offering, 'Middle of Nowhere' is all about layering whilst being highly textural and light. Boasting a smoky colour palette of natural dusty tones set against stark black, stand out garments include the slogan t-shirt and cleverly constructed knitwear (pictured below).

The final brand I was eager to see is that of Galliano who didn't disappoint. Whilst the majority of Galiano pieces I'd never wear - as opposed to his collections for Dior, which I adore season after season - I really like the bodice dress below and for some reason think it'll be really popular celeb-wise next season.

The two pieces below caught my eye in a very European way...

What was great to see was Galliano recreating his trademark newspaper print, where having the opportunity for the first time to have a really close read and inspection, I gleamed that the stories within are actually about Galliano himself, which for me is a very nice touch if not a little bit eccentric, which I like more.

As a great lover of yellow, I absolutely adore this light-weight Galliano coat, although being a perfectionist I feel it's a bit too mustard, however I think it's great and has definitely made it onto my lust-list. Funnily enough comparing the collection in the showroom and the look book, a distinct Japanese flavour comes across in the styling (of the latter), with garments layered and distressed as much as possible, reflecting Galliano's personal aesthetic to a tee.

Other brands I saw again and loved were Tween, a great young, smart menswear label (who had a great rustic pastel colour palette for SS11) and Money (below), which is a streetwear brand, who take their brand name quite literally using money (namely genuine dollar bills, although this season I spied a mocked-up £1 note) to decorate their garments and accessories.