Going, Going, Gone: Living in the fashionista fast lane

“When I shop the world gets better, the world is better; and then it’s not anymore and I have to do it again.”

Rebecca Bloomwood, Confessions of a Shopaholic

Fashion student Angela Wales is Australia’s non-fictional answer to Rebecca Bloomwood- but without the creditors. Her bedroom walls are lined with brightly coloured, cardboard shopping totes emblazoned with names that will make any fashion-conscious girl salivate. She proudly takes me on a tour and amidst my wonder, nay jealousy, I vaguely hear her utter the magic words Marc (Jacobs), Wayne (Cooper) and Alannah (Hill).

If only, I remark to her.

With a twisted smirk, she pulls me in the direction of a flowered gift box. She lifts the lid and I am further reduced to incoherent stutters.

Inside are hundreds of clothing tags and, amazingly,  all contain the words ‘SALE’ or ‘REDUCED’.

“All it takes is a little research and a little luck,” she shrugs.

“In my experience, most designers don’t publicise the fact that they’re having sales for their seconds, samples or last-seasons, but there is some promotion and talk that pops up every now and then.”

“But the number one rule is that you have to be super fast.”

I ask her how many ‘secret’ sales she has been to this year.

“About twenty proper sales [which are] the one’s where you can actually find a bargain. But I’ve been to heaps of other places where they say they are going to have a sale and when you get there, there’s only one rack or nothing at all.”

So I ask her, pretty please, whether I could tag along on one of her designer journeys. For educational purposes- on the effectiveness of bargain-bin sales- of course.

* * *

Day One sees us up at Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, going to look at Cactus Jam, host to some of the best home- grown fashion. She shows me a flier from RMIT University, declaring an ‘everything is $99.00′ sale. I mention to her that I’d never heard of a Cactus Jam sale before.

“I was surpised as well trust me,” she says, “but we’ll see I guess, there’s probably only rubbish there.”

We find a carpark spot right in front. A good omen perhaps? Moreover, there’s a large SALE sign stretched across the glass window. An even better indication.

However, what I found once I had a good look around was the antithesis of  ‘sale’. Among the racks and shelves I searched in vain for a hint of a red, or of a slashed barcode. And I found nothing. I inquired as to what the sale sign out front indicated to and was given a prompt “that’s always up there”. I then ventured to inquire into the mysterious advertisement in the flier and was given a blank stare by the shop assistant.

“I’ll give you a better sale,” Angela says to me, as we exit.

Cactus Jam

Day Two sees me on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, credit card on the ready for the ‘Bettina Liano’ mass clearance sale. This one, Angela tells me, is the “real deal”; a friend of hers picked up a pair of  ‘O-Jeans’ for half price three days earlier. She urged me to look up the sale on popular site Missy Confidential.

I confess, the sale began on 18th September, however I was not available until the 23rd September (the sale is advertised as finishing on 4th October). Nonetheless, I assumed that there would be enough stock to satisfy two-weeks of fashionistas.

Again, I was left disappointed. Not because there wasn’t a sale happening. Rather, because it had happened. The large sign posted across the glass entrance dramatically informed me that the sale had ended early due to the large influx of customers.  Everything had been sold in five days.

Bettina Liano, temporary clearance outlet

In an attempt to produce evidence that she does find some amazing sales, Angela takes me back to Brunswick street a few days later, to an aptly-titled warehouse ‘Clear-It’. She insists I have something to write about.

“This is the place to find anything Alannah Hill,” she emphasises, “There are truly, truly always sales happening here.”

“I can’t say its a secret sales location, because everyone knows about it, but it’s aweome.”

I soon deduce that this is an Alannah Hill factory outlet. Almost everything is half price, accessories included. And oh, oh the dresses. Beautiful cocktail dresses line the middle racks made from luxurious silk-blends and chiffon. One in particular, Valentino himself would described as breathtaking. Consisting of Alannah’s signature beaded, strapless bodice, embroided with taupe, gold, silver, black and dusty purple gems and beads, it ends in a sweeping purple/taupe silk chiffon skirt, with vertically ruffled panels to the knees. The price? $585.00 reduced to $265.00.

'Clear- It', 195 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne.

The lesson I have learned seems to be thus: patience is a virtue and, with true perseverance, you will ultimately prevail. It seems very much the motto Angela lives by.

“If you want to find something, you have to look with eyes wide open.”

“You win some you lose some, but the point is, some are there.”

Australia’s Next Top Stylist

In celebration of the opening of its flagship store in Chadstone, Sportsgirl has hosted the inaugural ‘Search for a Sportsgirl Superstylist’ Event. The event, which was advertised in stores and online, received more than four hundred and fifteen entries from across Australia. From these entries, five girls- Clare Byrne, Lauren Dietze, Hayley Hughes, Kate Stein and Lisa Twomey- were selected to showcase their skills in front of a select VIP audience on 9th September, 2009.

The task was relatively simple: the girls received ten frantic minutes to race around the store, collecting clothes and accessories to style two models and send them down a catwalk.

Contestant Hayley Hughes described the moment as a ‘supermarket’ dash.

“My game plane was to hit the accessories first, whilst everyone else ran to the clothes. We had to push past the audience. I just charged at them, apparently,” she said.

“What I was trying to do, [was create] fun and cute with a little bit of sex appeal.”

Image from fashionhayleyhome.blogspot

The crowd and judges. Image from fashionhayleyhome.blogspot

Designs on the catwalk. Image from fashionhayleyhome.blogspot

The four judges, including Australian designer Kym Ellery and Grazia magazine’s Anouk Colantoni, selected one winner in the style-off, Lisa Twomey.

Her winning creations showed an eclectic 80s-inspired look, heavily laced with Russian influences, and described by judges as highly ‘editorial’. Her entry photographs, too, demonstrated a strong sense of personal design aesthetic and creativity; a menagerie of print and textures, pulled together into a high-waisted, form-fitted look.

“All outfits in these photos have been made and designed by me with the intention of expressing my day to day dilemma of what to wear! What is appropriate? What is too outrageous? What isn’t exciting enough? And what is fashionable? With inspirations from Alice in Wonderland, music music music, dancing, books, artists, animals, the seasons, the weather, my grandmother and Ziggy Stardust lets see how we go…come have adventures and celebrate spring!” she stated in an interview with Sportsgirl.

Winner Lisa Twomey. Image from fashionhayleyhome.blogspot

Her prize? A fashion spread in the upcoming issue of Sportsgirl magazine.

Below are the creations of the five finalists.

Kate Stein:

Combined structural jackets with playful, yet simple separates. The use of layers of bangles and necklaces is very much a ‘Sportsgirl’ look and a hot trend this summer.

Image from Sportsgirl.com

Lauren Dietze:

Belly-bearing, casual and cool, epitomising this season’s obsession with the cropped tops.

Image from Sportsgirl.com

Clare Byrne:

Simple, chic and clean lines. Both are highly tailored looks, with a hint of rebellion in the accessories.

Image from Sportsgirl.com

Runner- up Hayley Hughes:

Image from Sportsgirl.com

And, finally, winner Lisa Twomey’s creations:

Image from Sportsgirl.com

DIY Fashionista

Hot off the press, the latest economic figures have revealed that Australia’s economy has grown faster than that of any other developed country in the past financial year.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released figures that show the gross domestic product rose 0.6 per cent from the previous three months. In comparison, the median estimated growth for other developed nations was just 0.2 per cent. However despite this positive outlook it appears that many are still returning to the days of old, when all clothing was couture and the concept of ready-to-wear was laughable.

It has been labelled the ‘unfortunate effects of the recession’ by many on the fashion inside. And it is designer clothing and accessories that must suffer, while the lipstick effect selfishly grips onto the purses of Australian women. Consequently, the internet has been flood by a plethora of websites and blogs dedicated to re-creating what we can no longer have in times of saving pennies; those lustful objects of desire that must stand aside when the rent comes calling.

However, fear not. Some needle-savvy bloggers have banded together to stand against the denial of designer fashion by creating do-it-yourself versions of the unaffordable.

As you will no doubt observe, not all require stitching.

1. Balmain Runway Look:

Continuing my love affair with Christopher’s work, the only problem I have with Balmain is its extraordinarily exorbitant prices. It seems that feeling is mutual across all boards. So, Valerie from Bleach Black and Senior Men’s Apparel Designer for Element Skateboards, created a DIY version of the hottest runway look this season (courtesy of Refinary 29).

Materials

*all italised comments are my own

- Thrift Store Blazer: $6.00 (alternatives available at Savers for $17.95)

- Buttons: Approx. $25.00 (assortment of buttons available at Spotlight for approximately the price)

- Braided Trim: $18.00 (also available at Spotlight for $10.95)

- Needle/Thread: $5.00 (available: anywhere)

- Already-owned Element jeans (for super -cheap jeans try k-mart, alternatively Dotti and Valley Girl also have mid-rinse jeans available for less than $50.00)

- Bleach: $4.00 (available from Coles for same price)

- Thrift store pumps: $7 (this may require considerable time spent at Savers. However same-style shoes are also available at Rubi shoes for $49.00)

- Assorted studs: $10.00 (Spotlight)

- Hole Punch Tool: Approx. $25 (Spotlight, Lincraft, Riot Art Supplies)

Method:

Denim:

I used about 40 rubber bands and scissors. Begin by grabbing chunks of the denim and wrapping with the rubber bands. Grab both large and small chunks of denim, so that the end effect is random. Repeat until your jeans are largely covered with rubber bands. Place banded jeans in your bathtub, pouring bleach on the jeans so that they are completely soaked. Wait about 5-10 minutes. Color should start to change. Rinse with cool water. Cut rubber bands. Effect should be subtle. Wash and dry. Effect should be more noticeable. For stronger contrast, repeat by pouring bleach directly onto dry jeans (no rubber bands) in the darkest spots. Wait about 5 minutes. Rinse, wash, and dry.

Blazer:

I used about approximately 5 yards of braided cording, approximately 60 small silver military buttons, scissors, straight pins, needle, and thread. Use sharp scissors to cut the ends of the cording, folding under half an inch of excess on each end. Secure with straight pins, and begin to sew. Remove the pins as you sew to avoid the cording from buckling. This takes a long time–but it’s easy TV work. After the braiding is complete, affix your military buttons onto the ends of the military cording.

Shoes:

Per shoe, I used 4 large tree spikes, 5 medium tree spikes, and 6 small tree spikes. I punched the hole using my crop-a-dile eyelet setter/hole puncher. I punched 3 rows of holes, spaced half an inch apart: 6 holes on row #1: 5 holes on row #2, 3 holes on row #3 (closest to toes). The tree spikes are easy to affix, as they are a male/ female screw-set, which can be easily applied with hands.

2. Marc Jacobs Inspired Hardware Cuff:

There is a saying that ‘it’s all in the accessories’. And this cuff sure lives up to that in all its hardware glory. DIY Chic Steals shows us how to make this piece (courtesy of Fashion Indie) using art shop supplies:

Materials

(visit spotlight and Riot art supplies for everything on the list)

- large piece of stiff black felt (22cm x 28cm)

- black thread

- decorative thread or staples in gold

- 1 decorative button

- heavy-duty gold snaps (2 sets)

- gold soutache braided trim

- 1 heavy-duty jacket zipper (black with gold teeth)

- gold safety pins (1 large, 15 small)

- clear, flexible plastic (like from a vinyl tabletop cover)

- snap setting pliers/hammer+die for the snaps

- stapler

- needle

- felt or fabric glue

Method:

1. Cut the felt into 2 abstract, oblong flower “petals” 2 flower “petals”. To make the triangle-shaped petals, cut the plastic into 2 diamond shapes.Cut the zipper into 3 lengths, each piece measuring 10″ long. Fold each length in the center to make a rounded petal shape; secure the inside with 2 gold staples (or hand-sew stitches in decorative thread).

2. From the felt, cut out the base of your flower parts: a circle measuring approximately 1.25″ in diameter. Then cut a 2″ wide strip that is long enough to go around your wrist plus a 3/4″ for overlap for the snaps. Use snap-setting pliers (like Dritz), or hammer and die to set 2 snaps (and their counterparts) into the ends. Because they are strong, we chose shanked snaps; alternatively, you could use sew-on snaps.

3. Using a needle and thread, hand-sew your parts onto the felt base. Start with a felt petal, then a zipper petal, then a plastic petal in a corkscrew design; repeat, attaching each new petal on top of the previous one. Wind the braided trim in and out of the petals in a figure-8 pattern, securing in the center with a few stitches. Then hide all of your stitching with a button sewn into the center. Pin safety pins haphazardly around the edge of one of the felt petals; thread 10 smaller pins onto the larger pin and attach. Complete the look by adding yet more staples or decorative thread.

4. Glue felt base to the center of the cuff. Secure further by sewing around edge of the circle base with decorative thread.

***I plan to create the Marc Jacobs cuff on the school holidays (which is the only time I will have free time) and will post photos of my masterpiece!

Disclaimer: post header image from Cut Out and Keep.

Pretty Palettes

Fashion is only the attempt to realize art in living forms…

-Sir Francis Bacon

Designers continuously turn to art and, in turn, to artists when in need of inspiration to assist in the creation of their collections. Some of the frontrunners of this are, of course, Galliano, who has cited Andy Warhol, Giovanni Boldini and Salvador Dali as his muses and Yves Saint Laurent, in his famous homage to Pablo Picasso in 2002.

Left, Salvador Dali's 'The Persistance of Memory' and Galliano's F/W 2003 collection

The latest trend creating waves on the catwalk is not so much the work of one designer; rather it appears that a number have taken it upon themselves to resurrect the fundamentals of the impressionist movement through highly beautiful watercolour prints.

The technique, in art, usually employs the use of light, bright colours to bring about the natural effect of lights and shadows, often focussing on the play of light on reflective surfaces as seen in the magnificent works of Monet and Cezanne.

Claude Monet 'Impression, Soleil Levant' 1872

Left: Frederick Childe Hassam, 'Isle of Shoal Garden' circa 1895; Right: Auguste Renoir, 'By the Sea' 1883

A primary element of impressionistic art is the use of short and thick brush strokes of paint, usually done by painting on already wet paint, with a slight blending of colours. Impressionism, very much like the manifesto of fashion design itself,  is a way of perceiving the world subjectively; it is, as Manet once said, ‘ what I [paint] I see, and not what others like to see’. Perhaps left to one’s interpretation, if you will.

And so designers have embraced fabrics of seeming impasto, hinting at the unfinished and lacking in complete detail, so that we may read into their pretty palettes what we will.  The fabrics represent the essence of something- their work, their aspirations, their hopes- swirled and splattered around like paint on a canvas. The end result? We, metaphorically, wear these creations of  ‘art’. Fabulous.

Dolce and Gabbana s/s 2008

Emanuel Ungaro Spring RTW 2009

Erdem Spring RTW 2009

Josh Goot Spring RTW 2009

Above, Ungaro used twirls and splashes of florals for his cocktail dresses in typical Ungaro-style, though some were sporting the latest cut: short-front hemlines with floor-skimming backs. Similarly, Erdem Moralioglu opted for a line-up of pastel-tinted watercolour dresses bordering on the verge of floral, with Monet’s Water Lilies dancing before our eyes with every flutter of fabric.

Below are some alternative, inexpensive options to unleash your inner Renoir. Admittedly, the Supre skirt is a little to art deco/ cubisitic with borderline Tamara de Lempicka-ish to belong on this post. However, given that there are quite graphic trends coming through this season, I thought I might make an exception.

From left, clockwise: Dotti ruffle cocktail dress, $69.95; Valley Girl watercolour print top, $29.95; Temt skirt with zip front, $34.95; Dotti splat tie die skirt, $49.95; and, Supre printed fitted skirt, $20.00

Disclaimer: The first two header images are from Dolce and Gabbana’s spring/summer 2008 campaign and from the Haper’s Bazaar Stella McCartney photoshoot. All catwalk photos are courtesy of Style.com. The reference to Salvador Dali and Galliano is courtesy of the members of The Fashion Spot. All images of paintings are from galleries of public collections on the internet. And finally, the priced items just above are from their respective websites.

A little disco, a little royal Eurotrash, a lot of sangfroid

You have a better life if you wear impressive clothes.

- Vivienne Westwood

Prada S/S 2009

Clearly, Vivienne Westwood knows a thing or to about living an indulgent, over-the-top, cooler-than-the-rest-of-us lifestyle. And so did Queen Elizabeth I.

Because gold and silver are the colours of royalty no doubt. And royals do have more fun.

So thankfully The Metallics have graced us with their presence this season and, because it is a generally accepted fact that you can’t tell royalty what the heck to do (except if you are Tony Blair apparently), they have decided to stay with us until summertime. We can again thank Christopher Decarnin for this pleasure.

Though we are amidst an economic downturn, international top designers refused to allow the doom and gloom affect their collections. Lamé, glitter and sequins shimmied across the runways and was seen on everything from skirts to accessories, creating a pretty sheen to the six months ahead.

Sequins remained at the forefront of all the razzle-dazzle; confident, pretty but with edge. Hemlines have, for the most part, continued to remain micro-high, meaning that all that light reflection will be doing wonders for the rest of oneself.

What is also apparent is that designers have continued their romance with the 1980s, albeit veering towards a more demure, deconstructed cut.  In contrast, the ultra-mini skirts and dresses are no longer the loose-fitting thigh-highs we welcomed earlier this year.  Rather the cut is fitted and minimalistic, leaving opportunity for embellishments to shine.

Versace Fall 2009 RTW; Spangled dress $34.95, from Valley Girl; Vest $99.95, from Sportsgirl; Stripe sequined mini $79.95, from Bardot

Alessandro Dell' Acqua Fall 2009 RTW; Sequined mini 149.99, Sportsgirl; Cue Collection 2009

Balmain Fall 2009 RTW; Sequined panel dress, $149.99, and spliced metal vest, $89.95, from Sportsgirl

Emilio Pucci Fall 2009 RTW; Nina Ricci Fall 2009 RTW; Sequined detail top $24.95, from Temt

Balenciaga Fall 2009 RTW; Sequined crop $149.95, Sportsgirl

Herve Leger by Max Azria Fall 2009 RTW; Draped Skirt, $69.95, from Bardot

Balenciaga Fall 2009 RTW; Louis Vuitton Fall 2009 RTW; Sequined dress $34.95, from Valley Girl

Burberry Spring Campain 2009; Metallics trench $169.95, from Portmans

Dries van noten

An almost exact print skirt is available at Forever New for $89.95

Should you feel overwhelmed by the frank display of metallic lustre in some of the above style options, there are myriad alternatives peppered with metallic accents that are still on trend.

Left: Gold metallics dress, $119.99, and sequined platforms, $109.99; Centre left: Metallics silk jacquard maxi dress, $199.99; Centre right: Embellished silk kaftan, $149.99, all from Forever New; Right: Stud Frill Cami $99.95, from Sportsgirl

Accessories

Perhaps you have also noticed that glomesh bags have made a surprise return to fashion? If you, like me, cannot convince your beloved grandmother to part with hers (in constant use since 1981) there is one available in almost every chain store in Australia.

Alternatively, you can ditch the glomesh and don some beautiful pieces of jewellery.

New Carly Glomesh bag $49.95, from Sportsgirl; Ribbon Jewel loafers $199.00, from Jigsaw

Leaf wrap hoop, $14.95, and Rose pinky ring, $9.95, from Sportsgirl

Disclaimer: All runway shots courtesy of Style.com and priced items from respective websites.

Je suis une femme: Structuralism

Sharp tailoring is the new silhouette. And fashion writers are struggling to explain the sudden appeal of the once abhorred ‘shoulder-padded jacket’.

No, I fear I am incorrect. The appropriate name for the phenomenon this millennia is ‘strong-shouldered’.

Joan Collins

Whatever the name may be, the very thought of it brings to mind Joan Collins circa 1985.

Designers must be having a theatrical 1980s ‘moment’. Bless.

The 1980s will forever be remembered for over-indulge Nance in generally sound economic times. This was the era when fashion epitomised female identity in the workplace and, by

Yves Saint Laurent Suits 1980s

consequence, the size of the shoulders in jackets considerably grew. Thus as pointy heels today scream ‘power bitch’, the tailored suit became a symbol of feminism or ‘power
dressing’ in the corporate boardroom.

This style was not only influenced by designers, most notably Yves Saint Laurent, but through the popularity of television dramas such as ‘Dallas’.

Kate Betts, from Time magazine, says the emergence of these sharply tailored jacket

s on the runways this season is the result of giving women confidence at a time of economic uncertainty. Like the Little Black Dress, tailored jackets and blazers are wardrobe staples and serve a variety of needs for a variety of occasions.

Christian Dior's 'New Look'

For most of us it remains true that the terror of 1980s fashion is unknown to us. Yes, we have heard our mothers speak of those heathen (pre-Alexander Wang) times, but we haven’t experienced them.

Elsa Schiaparelli suit Fall/ Winter 1938-39

Luckily for us, recent runway collections and, indeed, what is available at the shops is far more refined then anything seen in Dynasty. Fashion hasalmost transported itself a few decades to the period of fashion between and including the World Wars. It is here we see are more simplistic elegance in tailoring with carefully created, beautifully structured silhouettes.

Shoulder pads originally became popular for women through the designs of Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s, who attempted to extend the shoulder line using wool or sawdust in order to create a more  flattering female form. However, it was when Christian Dior presented his now-dubbed ‘New Look’ collection in 1947 that our modern concept of structuralism emerged. He presented his signature fashion look of a fitted jacket with a nipped in waist and full calf length skirt.

So are we now supposed to be in love? Quite simply, yes. Why? Because the 80s are back. Because, according to stylists for Westfield.com, a ‘fierce’ jacket with a strong shoulder and a nipped waist gives you curves and downsizes your middle. Because no one cares for the pretty and sweet when the

return of the androgynous suit is so big.”Couture is architecture in movement,” Pierre Balmain once said. And so is a strong-shouldered jacket.

Far left, Hussein Chalayan Fall RTW 2009, and Gucci Fall RTW 2009.

Far left and left, Giorgio Armani Fall RTW 2009, right, Givenchy Fall RTW 2009 and far right, Donna Karan Fall RTW 2009

Far left, left and right, Marc Jacobs Fall RTW 2009 and far right, Alexander McQueen Fall RTW 2009

Left, Alexander McQueen Fall RTW 2009, centre and right, Louis Vuitton Fall RTW 2009

And finally, Christopher Decarnin brings you this….

Disclaimer: All shots courtesy of style.com and video via Youtube courtesy of Le Figaro.

If anyone requests, I have a range of chain stores alternatives.

*Je suis une femme: I am woman

Fight Club: The Fashion-Forward vs. The Chic

Lady Gaga works Minnie Mouse

MTV has declared that the upcoming Video Music Awards will be a ‘battle of fashion-forward divas’.  In the centre ring, we find perennial winner Beyoncé pitted against relative newbies Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, the latter who shares Beyonce’s record nine nominations.

However, the real battle does not lie in the music. Nor is it between Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

No, the real clash will occur on the red carpet between the ‘fashion-forward’ and the crusaders of simplicity and elegance; for it currently seems, music lovers no longer favour the beautiful over the bold. We like musicians for their music, not for their sense (or lack of) style.

So we find musicians like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Britney Spears and The Black Eyed Peas dominating the top-end of the billboard charts, while the better-dressed above-mentioned Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson and post-Xtina Christina Aguilera hover in the middle and lower ends of the scale.

And it seems the wackier the outfit, the popular the artist.

This year, Lady Gaga was the only mainstream artist to make the Rolling Stone 2009 ‘Hot List’ and indeed must surely carry the honour of being the number one advocate of the avant-garde costume. Her style includes a consistent disinterest in wearing pants or skirts and donning her signature ‘hair bow’ to complement her outfits. Katy Perry comes in at a close second, favouring dice and cuddly animals in places others would normally accessorise with a simple chain necklace.

Both have had spent a combined total of fifteen weeks on top of the singles charts in 2008 and 2009. The Black Eyed Peas have been number one on the singles charts (and continue to be so) this year since 18 May.

Nonetheless it appears that their success stops there, not only in the column inches dedicated to the best dressed but also in the eyes of fans. Bloggers across the internet, while accepting and enjoying the ‘fashion-forward’ clique’s music, hesitate at applauding or emulating their style sense.

As one blogger put it:

‘[Lady Gaga] belongs on the thread about fashion faux pas as the poster girl…her dress sense is laughable.’

Fight Club:

Lady Gaga aka Lara Croft

Katy Perry plays the game

Britney Spears on her Circus Tour

VS.

Taylor Swift

Kelly Clarkson

LBD: Recession Staple

Coco Chanel

As my first post I thought I should pay homage to the classic wardrobe essential: The Little Black Dress (LBD). Oo la la since 1926, thanks to the modernist methods of Coco, it has made a historic comeback on the runways this season.

And so it should. It is undoubtedly a true icon of fashion.

In these recession-clad times, it is no surprise that millions of women all around the world turn to a black dress in order to tranform their wardrobe. But the question remains: what makes the LBD so good?

Perhaps its the fact that no other clothing item can be worn at so many dissimilar events? From parties to concerts to cocktail balls, it is truly a versatile piece of fabric. One need not buy a new dress for every occassion, when they can save and simply buy new shoes or a necklace. It is not an exaggerated generalisation to state that when a woman walks into a store, with no image in mind of what dress she is looking for, she will automatically gravitate to the rack of black dresses.

Or perhaps it is the universally acknowledged truth that black is the most slimming of all colours on a woman?

Whatever the reason, although the LBD is no longer considered avant garde, it is constantly being re-invented by designers with new fabrics and cuts and is now considered by many as a staple item in every woman’s wardrobe.  Although fashions change season to season, the LBD will always represent the epitome of chic.

Therefore it was no surprise that designers resurrected the LBD  in the very recent Ready-To-Wear Fall/ Winter 09/10 shows overseas. In fact, I think almost every designer showcased at least one black dress. Here are most notable…

Herve Leger for Max Azria RTW F/W 09/10

Giorgio Armani RTW F/W 09/10

Balmain RTW F/W 09/10

Giorgio Armani RTW F/W 09/10

Costume National RTW F/W 09/10

Calvin Klein RTW F/W 09/10

Badgley Mishka RTW F/W 09/10

Balenciaga RTW F/W 09/10

Bottega Veneta RTW F/W 09/10

Lanvin RTW F/W 09/10

If anyone has seen The Devil Wears Prada, you probably would have learnt from that the general population of women around the world cannot afford the sky-high prices of the above images. What you also may have learnt, however, is that, eventually, everything  filters through to department stores and chain stores.

Frill singlet dress from Supre, $35.00

A very prada-esque lace back cap-sleeve dress for $35.00 from Supre.

The deep v-neck cut was also seen in a number of shows, particularly Herve Leger…

Sleeveless dress from Valley Girl, $39.95

Also channeling Herve Leger, the famous wrap-panel dress being adorned by celebs worldwide, seen here in black….

Scoop back dress from Sportsgirl, $69.95

Sleeveless panel dress from Valley Girl, $39.95

If your looking for a cocktail dress…

Cocktail dress from Sportsgirl, $129.95

Sequined bow-back dress from Bardot, $119.95:

Sequined dress, again from Bardot for $109.95:

And finally, just a few more black dresses you may wish to look at…

One-shouldered chain party dress from Portmans, $149.95

Valley Girl sequined party dress, $29.95

If you want to emulate Costume National (see above), here is a similar version from Portmans for $99.95.

Open-back floaty dress, $69.95, from Bardot.

Disclaimer: I did not personally take any photos (I wish!). All the catwalk shots are from the very nice people at Style.com and all priced items are from the respective websites.