Alexa Chung joins the fashion pack in Paris for Chanel couture
Always one of the most hotly anticipated shows of couture week, yesterday Karl Lagerfeld sent his latest collection down, or should that be around, the catwalk.
For this show Mr Lagerfeld, who has been known to construct giant merry-go-rounds and huge Chanel jackets in the centre of his circular runways had a selection of towering 50 foot, steel grey tubular bells craned in to the Grand Palais in Paris.
The tubular theme was then reflected in the clothes, a masterclass in volume and cut, showcasing the considerable talents of Karl Lagerfeld and his skilled atalier. The message was clearly volume: oversized shoulders and hips; ultra cinched waists which created exaggerated silhouettes; tubular lines and cocoon shaped coats and dresses. The colour palatte was typically Chanel, black white and grey, which meant focus lay squarely on shape.
If this show is anything to go by, the pudding bowl bob reigns supreme as fashion's hottest haircut. As with YSL's a/w 2008 show, every model had a blunt fringed, bowl cut, which looked utlra modern, almost futuristic. And for shoes - it looks like the return of the 1980s pointy toe court will be the biggest news next spring.
Of course Lagerfeld drew a stella crowd to his front row. International fashion muse Daphne Guinness, supermodel Claudia Schiffer and our very own Alexa Chung - a girl who's fashion credentials are soaring almost daily - were all front and centre for the show. And while Claudia donned a classic Chanel suit and Daphne sported her trademark couture look, trust Alexa to inject a dose of London street-chic to the proceedings in her black mini smock and leather Belstaff biker jacket.
We wonder if following Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, Alexa is next on Mr Lagerfeld's list of Brit-'It' girl muses?
By Laurelle Gilbert
Posted: 2 July 2008
You heard it hear first: London's legendary denim boutique run by jean genie Donna Ida is launching online.
From next month the treasures of Donna Ida in Knightsbridge will be available to buy online. The website will stock 20 premium and designer denim labels including Stella McCartney's new jeans - which are hitting stores right now. The site will also feature a 'Denim Dilema' section which will offer advice on which fit is right for which shape.
Until now the store has been a mecca for denim fans in London and for anyone visiting the capital wanting to find the perfect pair of jeans. Now you can get the Donna Ida experience anywhere in the world.
'We have built up such a great fan base of customers in store, a lot of whom travel and want to refer us to their friends and want to keep up with the latest trends while they are out of the country' Donna told us.
But will the online experience be the same as the service Donna provides in store? 'Our new website provides answers to all denim dilemmas and features a denim diary updated regularly to keep customers abreast of street trends and customer preferences. Plus now [you] can shop with us 24 hours a day even if they cant get to the store.'
The new www.donnaida.com goes live on September 1st.
By Laurelle Gilbert
Posted: 20th August 2008
