Insert Lace. Versace SS13

The Versace woman is looking much more relaxed this season in the sense that everything isn't so tight anymore. These clothes certainly don't have to be tight to be sexy - Donatella played a devious game of peek-a-boo with dresses and separates that were part silk, part lace. At times that lace had the biggest part.

Lace's understudy was bold colours in tie die, always accompanied by dramatic slits and straps. The final dresses had a strong dose of fierce drama with their tassels, embellishments, and belts wrapped around the waist in unconventional ways.

All of this probably sounds terrible. But the Versace woman pulls it off. Here's how.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images vogue.co.uk

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

60+ Belts At Versace Haute Couture AW12

The AW12 Haute Couture collections were kicked off by Versace. Donatella kept her over-branded AW12-style dresses to a minimal and focused on something new: belts. Obviously there's nothing new about belts, but that coat is made up of over 60 little belts (I counted).

Here are my favourite outfits. Some were just the belts, some started with belts and ended in romantic shreds of silk chiffon. And when there weren't belts, the desses had strategically shredded shreds - all contributing to one of my favourite Versace offerings to date. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And to top it all off, a good dose of Donatella Versace. We love.

Image vogue.it

 

GOLD GOLD GOLD!

US VOGUE was kind enough to put a preview of one of their June issue editorials on their website. Country Strong features supermodel Karlie Kloss and some of the best male US Olympic athletes in what I think should go down as another VOGUE classic.

Styled by fashion director Tonne Goodman and photographed by Annie Leibovitz, here's the shoot that inspired my very awesome new header.

 

Karlie Kloss wearing Victoria Beckham, with Jonathan Horton (gymnastics).

Kloss wears a Vera Wang dress and Jitrois corset belt, with Jonathan Horton.

Kloss wears an Oscar de la Renta dress, with Ashton Eaton (track & field).

Kloss wears a dress and heels by Lanvin and cuff by Jody Candrian, with Ashton Eaton.

Kloss in a Stella McCartney dress with cover star Ryan Lochte (swimming).

Kloss in an Haider Ackermann top and skirt, with Ryan Lochte.

Kloss wears Atelier Versace with the Bryan brothers (tennis).

Kloss wears an Alexander McQueen mask, dress and platform sandals, with the Bryan brothers.

Kloss wears an Oscar de la Renta dress, Kelacala Q for Accessory Artists cuff and Manolo Blahnik pumps, with Dwyane Wade (basketball).

Kloss in a Bottega Veneta dress, with Dwyane Wade.