Thought You Knew Fashion? Think Again

2014 is the year of experimentation in fashion. Whilst classic styles were once again present on the catwalks, new creative directions have shone throughout the collections of designers around the world. Cue the Burberry trench, a classic style since it's conception in the 1850s, which was presented for AW14 with shearling adornments and brush strokes to give it a new lease of life, courtesy of creative director Christopher Bailey.

Burberry Prorsum AW14 Show

In an industry that craves newness and refreshed originality, taking a new creative stance is a gamble as the brand risks losing their signature style and the elements that made them attractive in the first place.

However, it would appear to be a risk worth taking. Imran Amed, Editor-in-Chief of fashion news site Business of Fashion, commented on the necessity for a strong creative direction: "BOSS is the perfect example of a large, global fashion brand that nobody really pays much attention to because it's had nothing new or interesting to say, particularly in womenswear, which has mostly existed in the shadows of the company's core menswear tailoring business." He recognises that having exciting creative demonstrating itself in brands' products is more important than having a high-profile creative director who may not produce anything particularly new.

Below are my top 3 picks of brands that have taken a new creative direction this year and, for want of a better expression, nailed it.

1. Coach

Hailed the 'Master of Reinvention' by a recent Business of Fashion article, Coach's new direction for SS15 has surprised and delighted critics. With new creative director Stuart Vevers, the brand's focus is to transform itself into a global lifestyle brand, going beyond its previously strong accessories offering to showcase ready-to-wear and footwear as part of its improved offering.

2. Chanel

Chanel's AW14 campaign is sporty, modern and not what I would usually attribute to Chanel's classic luxury values. The AW14 show itself was set in a supermarket which seems foreign to the brand, but worked perfectly with the collection's fun style. Karl Lagerfeld's input shines in this collection.

3. Burberry

Though mentioned above, Burberry has truly reinvented its classic styles and I was wowed by the AW14 Prorsum Collection. With each product hand-painted, Christopher has made the collection deliciously charming whilst appealing to those customers who favour the bespoke value, as no two products will be the same.

Many of my colleagues agree that fashion has been taking itself less seriously this year. The industry itself is still an extremely important business but the days of re-releasing a classic item in a new hue seem to have diminished for those brands that seek to wow via re-invention and newness. I'm totally on-board with the idea but am intrigued as to how brands such as Moschino will continue to outdo themselves for AW15 after debuting the Barbie-and-McDonald's-inspired collections for AW14 and SS15 respectively.

Reinvention is the current industry climate, but what happens when there's no room for reinvention left? Additionally, are we to believe that each brand's motto should be 'reinvent yourself or fail?' Perhaps it is only a necessity for those brands that need a sales boost, but that is hardly the case for the likes of Chanel. It will be interesting to see how the AW15 collections shape up.

- A.T.

Summer In The City

Unlike most of my friends and colleagues, I'm staying in London this Summer and sadly not jetting off anywhere tropical. With beach and holiday style edits ubiquitous across fashion magazines and websites, I felt I needed to create some summer-in-the-city style inspiration. This Summer it's all about embracing a fusion of tropicalia and chic European city style.

1. In the office

1.  V-wrap back shell top, £34, Topshop

2. Wide leg ditsy print trousers, £17.99, New Look

3. Leather sandals, £420, Chloe

4. Trilogy leather shopper, £1340, Lanvin

5. Smoke and mirrors idiom bangle, £28, Kate Spade

2. Weekend brunch

1. Handmade acertate retro sunglasses, £35, ASOS

2. Strappy v-neck cami, £18, Topshop

3. A-line double crepe skirt, £278, Carven

4. Monogramme quilted leather shoulder bag, £1290, Saint Laurent

5. Sandals, £19.99, H&M

3. Evening cocktails

1. Cross back jumpsuit, £40, Topshop

2. Harlow clutch, £405, Michael Kors

3. Fancay tan sandals, £79, Dune

4. Cookies and cream nail polish, £9, Ciate

This Summer I'm focusing on bringing holiday style to my wardrobe and soaking up the sun in London. When the sun is out, who doesn't love a British Summer?

- A.T.

A Choo of Your Own

Jimmy Choo is the latest brand to offer a bespoke service on its products, joining the likes of Fendi, Burberry and Prada who currently offer a made-to-measure service on some of their most iconic products.

Burberry initiated its 'Burberry Bespoke' offering in 2011, allowing customers to essentially design their own classic Burberry trench coat right down to the cut, lining, length and collars. Whilst the bespoke trenches are at the higher end of the brand's price range, they allow affluent customers to have their own take on a product that has been a part of the brand for decades and add to the aspirational value that most luxury brands hold sacred.

As of this month, British label Jimmy Choo is now offering a bespoke service on some of its most popular shoe styles. Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo's creative director, has selected her favourite styles for the service - the Nouk, Lance, Xenie and Tite models. Previously only available to the likes of red-carpet customers, this move to offer personalisation on Jimmy Choo shoes is a wise move in an industry landscape that is increasingly shaped by the demand for innovation in marketing and design, requiring designers to build on their previous offerings.

Customers can choose from a variety of colours and materials, with an option to have each pair stamped with a monogram of choice.

The Jimmy Choo personalisation service started on May 9 in the Sloane Street store, will be offered in Paris boutiques from May 19 and will roll out globally throughout the rest of May.

How long until we can design our own Manolos?

- A.T.

Happy Feet (At Last!)

What do you get when you cross comfort with fashion? As well as thousands of smiling fashionistas, cue retailers and designers alike diving head-first into the latest trend of slip-on pumps.

First I noticed Steve Madden's offering, then came along ASOS and Kurt Geiger. Just to assure the fashion crowd that this trend was being taken seriously, Jimmy Choo has now jumped on the bandwagon and released some oh-so-mouth-watering pumps that I do wish I could stretch my pay packet to.

Now I'm seeing slip-ons everywhere and had to invest in a pair of my own. A big fan of the Givenchy floral pumps, and a stickler for finding high street versions of designer items, I invested in some Dockland Plimsolls from ASOS, £20.

What I love the most is seeing people pushing the boundaries with how they wear their slip-ons. I've seen them with sports-luxe trousers, pleated midi skirts and eclectic maxi dresses; I've also seen a few colleagues proudly scuffling around the office in theirs. I too share their smug expression, not just because of the great pattern on my slip-ons, but because they feel so nice on my feet - I see slip-ons as a chance for feet rehab. I'm always a fan of a good heel but when it comes to a choice between the two, if fashion says so, then I vote slip-ons.

(Pictures from Google Images)

How do you wear yours?

- A.T.

Taking a break

Due to me embarking on a two month internship and moving from my sister's couch to friend's couch to boyfriend's spare room and so on, I'm going to take the next couple of months out from my blog, as I won't be able to devote the time each evening. See you in a couple of months!

- A.T.

Hump Day Treat

The Rise of the Fashion Sweatshirt

For the fashion boff in me, this article proved very interesting (yes, I'm linking you up to Business of Fashion again). It's about the rise of sweatshirts being worn in day-to-day fashion -- but think further than the image of the plain sweater you own that just popped into your head. Designers and editors alike agree that the best sweatshirts are those that have something about them, whether it be a quirky design or interesting embellishment. 

I adore the Kenzo jumper below, and actually stumbled across an ASOS equivalent for those of you interested. In fact, ASOS have got a whole feature on fashion sweatshirts right now - entitled "The Souped-Up Sweatshirt". They're bang on the pulse of what's on trend, as per usual. As BoF says, all hail the "statement sweatshirt." Love the phrase. Love the sweatshirts. Love anything 'statement'.

- A.T.

What Goes Around Comes Around: 1960s Trend Revival

Fashion is always retro, but always on the basis of the abolition of the passé (the past): the spectral death and resurrection of forms. Its proper actuality (its 'up-to-dateness', its 'relevance') is not a reference to the present, but an immediate and total recycling.

JEAN BAUDRILLARD, Symbolic Exchange and Death

Jean Baudrillard hit the nail on the head. Fashion is total recycling. How many times have you worn a trend and your mother, for example, has said 'that used to be in fashion when I was young'? Think about it. Many times. 

In reality, some trends are meant to stay in the past - I look back at the trouser-skirts I wore in the 90s and shudder - but I'm very open to trying out recycled trends. I prefer not to call them 'recycled' though, I think 'revival', or 'reawakening', or 'revitalisation' are more accurate. I could go on and on. With this revitalisation of trends happening more or less every year, there's bound to be one that we all love in particular. And this is what the current 1960s trend revival is for me. I've got 1960s fever; a longing to be part of the sixties scene. 

What's not to love? The 1960s trend revival encompasses more than just a knee length swing skirt or an a-line hem, it means bright colours, bold prints, cat-eye shades, and looking oh-so-fabulous all at the same time. I don't care if it's been done before - revivals happen for a reason, and this one is so that we can all enjoy what those youth of the sixties did: fabulous shapes, prints and colours. 

I've scoured the internet and compiled lists of my three favourite elements to 1960s fashion - all items are available right now, either online or in store. Most of these items are on my current wishlist (emphasis on wish).

1. Topshop, £70
2. Alice & Olivia, £180
3. Motel, £35
4. Miss Selfridge, £25
5. Forever 21, £10
6. Miss Selfridge, £35

1. ASOS, £35
2. Topshop, £55
3. Next, £28
4. Mango, £64.99
5. Michael Kors, £120
6. Zara, £59.99

1. MSGM, £290

2. Topshop, £20

3. ASOS, 18

4. Louis Vuitton, £750

5. Louis Vuitton, £2,150

6. ASOS, £52

7. M Missoni, £350

Want to channel the 1960s vibe? I hope I've convinced you. If not, take a look at this webpage focused on the 1960s in fashion to see key designers, looks and styles. Feel free to share any comments/ queries about the products and the trend itself.

- A.T.

Hump Day Treat

Brace yourself for AW13

If you've so much as put one foot inside a shopping centre or wandered down your local high street lately, you'll have seen one thing: an abundance of sale signs in the majority of clothing shops. Sadly, it's time to toss out the summer garments and make space for the new AW13 season. Personally, it's my favourite season in terms of fashion. I enjoy dressing for Autumn more than Summer as I feel there's more space to be sartorially savvy.

Business of Fashion have compiled their 'Top 10 Campaigns of the Season' list but I think they're missing one major player for this season: Mulberry. Starring the ubiquitous Cara Delevigne and a height-of-Autumn woodland setting, photographer Tim Walker brings the wilderness indoors and captures the beauty and ethos of the new collection perfectly, making the campaign one of my favourites for AW13.

I was wowed by their LFW catwalk show and wish I could fill up my wardrobe with their AW13 collection. It'ss got all my favourite Autumn-y things thrown into the mix: neutral-to-dark hues, animal prints, and lots of leather. Check out behind-the-scenes from the shooting of the campaign here.

- A.T.