Mend that Trend!

We all know it's time to swap that cotton bohemian shift dress for a little something warmer when flowers start turning brown - is this a sign sent from god the nature that we should trade that chiffon swab with a wool something?

In the Lion city (or in any part of Asia) where yours truly resides, the flowers smile all time of the year and the sun never goes away. Wait. We've got monsoon season, haven't we? Say hello to sturdy boots.

Then again, it's never an excuse not to dress up for Fall/Winter, whether you're haute or not. Blue's clue : Here are 3 trends for Fall/Winter 2008 that might just be the trick for you to get started on the season - rain or shine!

Spotted: Clear and nearly structural goods made a crystal trait on the runways this season - Minimalism. Designers made use of materials to their statement clear with thick and felt-like fabrics seen on Calvin Klein and Jil Sander. Karl Lagerfeld and YSL showed a slight favour on androgyny with their cuts on lady tuxes and men's pants - both elongated and trimmed to near perfection. Movements in these collections aren't as limited, as much space are given to the women who adores such power dressing.

Tip: Now is a chance to play dress up with accessories that will bring out your personality to an x-factor, but make sure it's nothing too over the top! A balance of accessories should bring the boredom to its very low while evoking an understated chic look.

thestyledarling's way:

(Clockwise) Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Eyeliner in Noir, 3.1 Philip Lim shoulder brown shift dress, Charcoal grey tights, Forever 21 Black Open-toe Ankle boots, Chloé Cyndi Tote.

Spotted: Who says one must be claded in shades of the Adam's family during Winter? As supported by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, Marni and Jason Wu - where the colour palette shows of the ethereal side of Fall/Winter this season. However, fabrics aren't compromised, though with the use of pastel colours : Furs and thick wools are seen on the cover-ups on Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu.

Tip: As the designers had gone light-hearted this season, we get to celebrate too - with the joy of wearing flirty chiffons and silks in dresses and blouses of all kinds, especially in weather like this? Our body will thank us.

thestyledarling's way:

(Clockwise) Christensen and Sigersen Asymmetrical chiffon blouse, Calvin Klein september tank dress (layered), Topshop scarf belt, Tie-dyed chiffon scarf, Delias stud earrings, Dove Grey shadow, Bottega Venetta rose box clutch, Christian Louboutin C'est Moi - Pearl Grey ankle boots.

Spotted: Celebrate the flirtatious detailing seen this season! Girls just wanna have fun - so does Luella Bartley of Luella and Alice Temperely of Temperely of London. Paulo Andersson brought back the Chloé girl and she was seen pretty equipped with all her prettiness. Ruffles aren't just for Victorian gimmicks, they dominate the runways this fall with a slight playfulness in them without going all-out-Lolita on us.

Tip: Don't want to play school girl all over again? Mixing up tough elements (like studs on belts and leather jackets) and colours will bring down the girly effect on a trend like this. Though dresses might be primitive here, go for tops and blouses that has similar detailing to bring the look down a casual notch!

thestyledarling's way:

(Clockwise) Topshop chiffon ruffled black party dress, Intermix sahara leather belt, Grey tights, J Crew pink elastic bow headband, Dior Diorshow mascara in Noir, Marc by Marc Jacobs white crop jacket, Harliequm oxford shoes by Topshop, Chloé Saskia studded bag

That's all! 

Don't forget! To keep an eye for trends like these while shopping for the perfect Fall outfit! 

XOXO,
TSD.


Image source: style.com

Chloé is back.

" This girl - she returns to her roots." - Paulo Melim Andersson

On a set of wooden floored planks, and what seem to be like a faux old-looking curtain backdrop, the set whispered a certain seclusion to me, yet yelled a meaning of another - "The set was inspired by the past, in Paris, where people would have secret meetings in old french apartments. It was an atmosphere to be inspired of and that's where I imagine the Chloé girl returning home. " says Andersson, creative designer of Chloé.

Paulo Melim Andersson

I've always loved Chloé (despite me having the same name as the fashion house, i'm not at all bias) and when we talk about the Chloé girl, she speaks of the same level of ethereal efferscence every collection, despite having different designers dabbing into her world of rush innocence and soft beauty.

Collection

If you have been a Chloé zealot like I am, shown in this collection might make you smile from ear to ear - The Chloé girl is back to roots again after a whirlpool of changes when Andersson first took over in Fall 2007. Seen on the runway this fall/winter season were clothes that depicted dark florescent elements that were designed with a sophisticated spin. While seeing pretty bright young things on a Chloé runway may seem usual, Paulo Andersson took this belief and changed it for the better - florals and appliques withered from Spring to Fall with colours of Winter's favourites such as Indigo and Navy Blue, Bone White, Dusty Silver and Black instead of the usual neutral palette Phoebe Philo had accustomed.

He kept the flow going by using Chiffon - not to present how useful this material might be for the coming winter season, but by making use the soft material to create a said soft silhouette of a girl for this particular collection. Maybe the use of chiffon wasn't such a wise thing to consider for this season, Andersson made sure he added hints of fur and designed sharp pointe shoes equipped with killer slick-thin heels and an ankled detailing, making sure the shoes were a die-for just like previous Chloé collections.

Dresses with tie-top detailing are in beautifully printed chiffon of designs, skirts and coats - both definitive clothing in this collection, are always embroidered precisely with yarn and gem translating sophistication and precision. Fear not! There aren't any short sleeves made (or we'll freeze to death), but what seemed to be missing were trousers - a distinctive mark made in every other Chloé collection to date. Is that a frown I see in your face?

Clothes and Accessory detailing.

Perhaps Paulo Andersson had dreams of the return of the Chloé girl , he then again must have imagined her bound to her apartment for quite sometime - for all the warmth she will need for fall and winter! But considering his past 2 collections for the latter, this one would be the one to celebrate for.


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For all you Beauty Junkies :
Here is the look for Chloé Fall/Winter'08/09

The look at Chloé

The Look:
Throw away the harsh liners, and pops of colours. Celebrate the lips of the Chloé girl as she transcends back to her old root - a minimalistic approach towards a dark floratic fall with soft waves.

Skin/Face/Cheeks : Prepped and groomed, the Chloé girl has clear porcelain skin to go with her unique girly style. There isn't a necessary 8-step that needs to be followed, but learn to keep skin moisturized and dewy with tinted moisturizer. Layer a thin amount of 2-way cake for minimal coverage. Don't pile it up! Cheeks are left untouched. If you have a natural glow, just go with the flow.

Eyes: Brows are plucked akin to your/a natural shape. Fill them up just a little with a brow shadow (same tone of course, if needed) and then complete with brow gel to keep them in place for the windy winter.

Lips: The lips are the primary focus of this look! We're seeing a kind of dark burgundy wine lip here that is very matte. After moisturising the lips with lip conditioner, take it off and pat the lips with a compact powder. This will ensure a long-lasting stay for the lipcolour. Lastly, lined the lips to complete the look, and pat with a tissue for any shine.

Hair: Part your fringe at the center. Not with a comb, but with your own fingers. It doesn't matter if the line isn't straight or not. Spray the hair with hair essence, and dry it out lighty with a dryer. Tie the hair low and in the center, near to your neck with a loose tie. Allow any strands to fall off. Or simply use a brush.

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Till Then!

XOXO,
TSD


Image source: style.com, flickr.com

On TOP(SHOP) of Manhattan.

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TOPSHOP hops right into America : Soho NYC!

Billionaire and British mogul Philip Green is such a son of a gun.

That said, I'm sure all Americans would love him for bringing in mega high-street fashion mecca TOPSHOP right to the Big apple! Mikaela, my model/friend-who-lives-in-nyc was literally jumping on the phone just a second ago to buzz me in with news! All *hail* to Green!

Enough to keep the tongues of editors wagging, Sir Philip Green (CEO of The Arcadia group) does indeed have plans to cogitate his most-talked-about fashion empire internationally (think Hongkong, India and China!) - and his first stop is Manhattan.

Is it me or does plans like these give Sweden's H&M and Spanish's ZARA a run for their money?

A digital contemplation of exterior of the store.

What about the size?

Of course we aren't talking about the four-level, 90,000-square-foot Oxford Circus flagship store!

We are talking and, gushing about the proposed 60,000 -90,000 New York store! Expect in-house designs by Unique; a label created by the group of creatives @ TOPSHOP London + top-to-toe collections that evoke screaming of trends straight from the runway and also, collections from up-and-coming British designers like Emma Cook, Marios Schwab and Jonathan Saunders.

Here's a plus : Style Advisors. And the exclusive full flege collection by Kate Moss - one the most watched fashion icons in the world.

A sneak peek of Kate Moss's A/W'08 collection :

Also, back in London, the compassionate people at TOPSHOP created a New Generation programme in efforts to help young designers get a head start.

Green however, thinks best for both coasts : He hopes to do the same for emergent American designers to set a seed in the fashion plantation as an introduction to the New Gen sponsorship. Expect no less, from this fashion giant, really - whose aim is to get a head start.

The TOPSHOP flagship store is set to open at 478 Broadway in Soho.


American Shoppers, guard your lions! The British is coming!



UPDATE: Pssst! My fashion-spy in NYC told me that the flagship store has delayed its opening! We were speculating a launch in late September, but it looks like chic-and-cheap dresses won't be available till November. I guess the British are just prone to being fashionably late. Haute or not?

And for you all anxious fashion-hungry-mobs out there, no fret! Visit http://www.topshopnyc.com for your quick fix! You can thank me later :)

XOXO,
TSD.

Image source: flickr & topshop