100 Years of Fashion

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years :)

As my first post of 2015 and I am going to share with you all the most amazing book that I received from my Aunt as a Christmas present.

It starts from the early 1900s documenting the century which showed the largest transformation of women's fashion. I LOVE the cover of Audrey Hepburn, unfortunately I can't find where it says the photographer of this image.

I cannot imagine wearing a corset like this every day but in the beginning of the twentieth century the ideal body shape was achieved by wearing a corset which pushed your boobs forward, your bum backwards and gave you a tiny waist. 

Evening dress by Premet 1925

Madeleine Vionnet Evening Dresses 1938

I love these dresses by Vionnet mainly because they could be walk down the runway today and nobody would question that they were created over 70 years ago.

Elsa Schiaparelli  Lobster Dress 1937

The best thing about this book is that it shows you such a massive range of designers and how they influenced trends at the time. Schiaparelli created the Lobster Dress in collaboration with surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Their goal was to show that there is no difference between art and fashion except that fashion should be worn.

Dinner Dress by Christian Dior

Evening Gowns by Jacques Fath

Evening Gown by Dior 1952

The 'New Look' section of the book was all about the change of utilitarian, practical styles forced on the world as a result of WW2 to the trend termed the 'New Look' which was all about abundance, wealth and expensive fabric. Started by Christian Dior, his lavish use of costly materials shocked the those who were still used the rationing. The trend enticed those who longed for the return of feminine clothing; this started what turned the 50s into the so called Golden Age of Couture. This is one of my favourite eras of fashion, only just beaten by the 60s. I love the glamour the evening gowns, the intricate beading and the weeks of time and effort put into one gown.

Twiggy 1966

In the late 50s teenagers were first recognized as a social group who didn't want dress the same as their mothers. Teen angst films such as 'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955) and music idols like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly began to influence fashion, consequently turned the 60s into a 'Youthquake'.

Mary Quant 1964

Mary Quant, is in my opinion, one of the most innovative designers ever. She was a figurehead of the mod movement in the 60s and is one of the designers who claimed to have invented the mini skirt. Whether she invented it or not, she definitely turned it into a wardrobe essential. She made make up fun and exciting, developing lines of glittery nail varnish. Lingerie became sexy and outgoing rather than stuffy and traditional as it was before. Without Mary Quant there would've been no shift dresses, go-go boots, psychedelic prints or mini skirts, all of which were must have items in the 60s.

Hotpants, UK 1975

Yves Saint Laurent, Trousers suit 1967 Safari suit 1969

Janis Joplin at Woodstock 1969

Vivienne Westwood 1977 (aka one of the coolest people who's ever lived)

Madonna 1984

Elizabeth Hurley in Versace 1994

Chanel 1995

Alexander McQueen 1999

WOw I can't believe I wrote so much but seriously this book is amazing and I had to share just part of its awesomeness!

Lots of love,

Tiana x

Susie Bubble: We’re past the point of coming up with new silhouettes – so it’s about finer details, innovation in textiles, rejuvenating old techniques.’

Susanna Lau is one of my favourite British fashion bloggers, known around the world for her unique style of voice and dress sense that she shares with hundreds of thousands of people a month on her blog Style Bubble. 

Yesterday, a friend and I went talk a talk she was doing in collaboration with the Dazed group and the McQ shop on Dover street. As two 17 year old girls wearing trainers and hoodies, we felt quite out of place in this world of high fashion, champagne and pointy heels.  I'm not quite part of that world (not yet anyways) but find I it so interested observing the people; how they dress so perfectly and move so elegantly. They're fun, exciting and daring!

Although I almost passed out during the talk from the heat and having to stand, I thoroughly enjoyed what Susie Bubble had to say. She talked about her views on the changing fashion industry, how the 4 main capitals aren't necessarily the only places where new exciting fashion is being created. Now there are new players in the fashion game such as Nikita and Tina Sutradhar, two sisters from Dubai who virtually came from nowhere and won a special mention at the LVMH prize. 

She went on to give us an inside scoop about the book that she's in the process of writing. Bubble has been travelling all over the world from Sydney to Antwerp, interviewing young designers, manufacturers and other creative talents that she admires. 

The night ended with free drinks, a brilliant DJ set by Mischa Mafia and a free copy of Dazed magazine, what more could I ask for?

19 Reasons why you should love Isabella Blow

Isabella Blow was a fashion editor, a style icon and a muse for several designers. Starting off as Anna Wintour's assistant, she eventually became editor of Tatler magazine. Blow is credited for discovering talented designers such as Philip Treacy and Alexander McQueen when she bought his Central Saint Martins graduates collection for £5000 per outfit! Isabella Blow was most known for her flamboyant outfits, which were nearly always accompanied with an exquisite Philip Treacy hat.
1. She wore hats like this

2. She discovered Philip Treacy 

3. And Alexander McQueen!!!

4. This editorial

Yes that's Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow

5. She discovered Stella Tennant 

6. Because she walked in the Alexander McQueen AW94 show

7. Because she demanded that all her assistants wore bright lipstick

8. Because no one will ever compare to her street style looks

9. Without her, this probably never would've happened

10. Because she was friends with Andy Warhol

11. And she did a strip tease at his funeral

12. Because she wore a lobster hat Schiaparelli style way before Lady Gaga

13. She was the definition of individuality

14. Because she had a hat shaped as her name

15. Because Alexander McQueen dedicated his SS08 collection to her

16. She wore hats like this

17. And this

18. Because she had the weirdest but best sense of humour

“What I really like are girls in short clothes, very see-through, very sexy, where the man always wants to fuck her. I think it's because I was supposed to be a boy.”- Isabella Blow

19. Because she hated being called eccentric

“Her humour and eye was eccentric, but her brain really wasn’t,” said Nicky Haslam.

If these reasons don't make you love Isabella Blow then you must be a crazy person!

Lots of love,

Tiana x

Spring Trends

It's almost spring and it still hasn't snowed... I remember when people were spreading the implausible idea that we were going to have 100 days of snow and now its the end of Winter and we didn't even get 1 day of snow in London.
Since spring is almost upon us, I thought I'd do a quick recap of the trends that we saw on the runway in September and some affordable alternatives to the designer clothes. Please don't take this list as a complete guide on what you have to wear in the next few months; think of it more as a few points of inspiration rather than me or the runway telling you what you must wear.

1. Pop art
This is a great way to get some really bright, bold colours into your wardrobe, even Anna Wintour is trying out the look

Prada, Celine, Chanel, Prabal Gurung

T-shirt from Zazzle £13.95, Skirt Asos £19.50

2. Pink
For a perfectly ladylike look, pink is definitely the colour you need to wear.

Burberry Prorsum, Mui Mui, Balmain

3. Metallic 
In metallic, even the simplest of clothes look glamourous.

Proenza Schouler, Rochas, Altuzurra

Blouse Topshop £38, Skirt River Island £95, Leather Boots Topshop £65

3. Floral
It definitely would not be Spring without Floral being one of the trends. 

Dolce and Gabanna, Alberta Ferreti, Balmain

Blue Dress Asos , Black and White Dress Missguided £24.99

4. Embellishments
Add beads, sparkle and lace for some extra glam in your outfit.

Oscar de la Renta, V era Wang. Burberry Prorsum

Black shorts Topshop £50, Embellished Skirt Romwe $35.99

5. Graphic prints
Black and white prints are a big statement but for even more of a wow factor add some colour like in Alexander McQueen.

Edun, Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen

Patterned coat Zara £69.99, Wide leg pants Forever 21 $17.80, Neon crop top Lashes of London £15

6. Sheer
This is the perfect way to show off some skin but still stay covered up. 

Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim

White panelled dress Zara £12.99, Black midi skirt Asos £35, Black skater dress Romwe $42.99

7. Crop tops
Time to hit the gym and get those abs ready for summer of crop tops. 

Narsisco Rodriguez, House of Holland, Diane von Furstenberg

Blue  crocheted top Forever 21 $17.80, Black sheer top Forever 21 $13.80, Pink Top Topshop £32

8. Pastels
The great thing about pastels is that the colour choices are endless so there's something for everyone.

Alexander Wang, Rebecca Taylor, Prabal Gurung

Jumper Asos £20.00, Mohair Coat Zara £129.00, Asymmetric blue skirt Missguided £12.99