Suitable Occasions

Behind the scenes at SA ELLE's March 2013 Suit Yourself story shot by Ulrich Knoblauch.
Fashion editor: Poppy Evans. Photograph by Daniël Geldenhuys. Click to see the full story. 

The trouser suit is back. And there's one for everyone. 

Gucci Got Robbed

An unexpected visitor at Gucci flagship store in Sloane Street, London,

Who robed Gucci? And how did they do it? 

Colour + Ruffles = Gucci SS13

It's Milan time!

I love that Frida Giannini loves to play with colour. And this season she went monotone in a variety of spring shades, one of which is bound to work for you.

Considder ruffles an official SS13 trend. They add an interesting flare to what otherwise would have been a completely minimal piece. And if you're not one for the monotone, go for the Eastern inspired prints. This show had something elegant, something Gucci, for just about everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images vogue.it and americanvogue.com

Dark Campaigns

Even though I'm beginning to wonder if the UK ELLE distributers have forgotten about South Africa, I am intensely enjoying the September issue of UK VOGE. One of the many great things about a September issue is that it's a directory for just about every AW campaign worth knowing about. I flipped through the issue last night and picked my favourite ones for the season.

Except for one or two exceptions, each campaign brings out the darker side of the new season in a creative makes-your-eyes-happy kind of way. So here they are. What's your favourite?

 

Gucci

 

Versace

 

Paul Smith

 

Givenchy

 

Stella McCartney

 

Diane Von Furstenberg

 

Etro

 

DSquared²

 

Mulberry

 

Jitrois

 

H&M

 

Maje

From The Fairest Of Them All

After the premiere last night, hype is building for the new Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart blockbuster, Snow White and the Huntsman. What does this have to do with fashion, you ask? Well, not only are our leading ladies on the covers of the world's leading fashion magazines, but the mood of the film picks up exactly where some of the AW 12 shows left off...

The darkness that consumes the promos immediately made me think of Gucci, and Kristen's armour points right to Balmain. So here they are: three outfits from each show. Take them as inspiration for what to wear when you watch the movie. (or what Kristen and Charlize might wear at the premieres)

Gucci AW12

Balmain AW12

 

Left: Charlize on the May cover of UK VOGUE. Right: Kristen on the June cover of UK ELLE.

And here they are at last night's premiere. Charlize looks incredible in Dior Haute Coture and Kristen looks, um, like that in Marchesa. I'm thinking she should have gone with a Balmain dress and me as a stylist.

Milan Collections AW12

The ladies on the Milan runways were dressed to the nines. So here are my nine Milan favourites. And let's not forget to acknowledge the hands that dressed them.

Dim the lights, wear your Gucci.

Frida Giannini

 

Let's go to school in Milano. Maybe we'll learn what Dsquared means.

Dan and Dean Caten

Versus would have pattern be your new style mantra. They're onto something...

Donatella Versace and Christopher Kane

The painting jumps onto your Dolce and Gabbana dress.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana

Wrap it up in Missoni.

Angela Missoni

Show your pleated side in Fendi.

Karl Lagerfeld

Show some skin in Roberto Cavalli. (just not your own)

Roberto Cavalli

Raf's final embrace at Jil Sander. Applause.

Raf Simons

Prada is more than another label. It's a cult now.

Miuccia Prada

 

 

 

 

 

Dim The Lights, Hit The Old Glamour… Gucci AW12

This season, designers have been coming off their pastel-pretty clouds (that was SS12) and descended into a more dark, decadent kind of romance. Although Frida Giannini didn’t ride the pretty cloud last season, she has definitely gone for the AW12 dark romance.

The Gucci girls were powerful, sexy, and vintage. The equestrian feel of the cape, that laced up sheer blouse, and the rider boots brought a historical context in the show alive. No doubt an item from this collection will be represent a strong kick of olden day glamour in your closet. So, here are the best looks. Pick your favourite.  

Images: americanvogue.com