iekeliene stange at viktor and rolf

hintmag

it shouldn't work but it does

fantastic coat.

fantastic bag.

that it all.

stylesightings

On Yer Bike!

I never thought I'd see the day I'd consider cycling stylish. But let's face it, pissing Irish rain + the worst public transport in Western Europe = a change of heart. Hence, I'm hearting majorly on these new GRAN(NY)TURISMO bikes (€695) from BT2. They're retro enough to appeal to my vintage side with the benefit of anti-rust colours (loving the aquamarine), a fully enclosed chain guard (no greasy ankles there!) and...wait for it...a basket! Agyness Deyn has already been spotted on one around London and its only a matter of time before Alexa Chung matches one to her Marc Jacobs cardi. What's more - the aul 'high nelly' is a bit of an Irish institution. A bit like the travelling equivalent of knitting and drinking tea. We likey!

Style Secret - Swiss Guipure

I don't get slackjaw too often; unless you vintage ER reruns with Dr Ross or rare Tyson Beckford sightings (LFW: Central Saint Martins - swoooooon!) Suffice to say, Co. Tyrone's own Sharon Wauchob left me fairly speechless with her edgy PFW presentation at the Garage Turenne. As I wrote my notes, I couldn't quite put my finger on the luminous fluid fishnet used in her avant-garde dresses. Backstage, she let me in on the secret - Swiss guipure. Soft and pliable, the clever fabric helped anchor the edgy collection with a softness. Draped over architectural edges, Wachoub was able to create a killer visual impact that ranks her with Haider Ackermann and Bruno Pieters in my fashion week favourites.

Image: Siammuse.com

sharon tate in valley of the dolls

If you haven't already , you really must watch Valley of the Dolls, it's unintentionally hilarious and great for a dressed up night in with a group of mates. You should equip yourself with a bottle and a homemade bingo board so that you can cross off a box everytime you hear "Sparkle Neely, Sparkle!"

I read the Jacqueline Susann novel a couple of summers back during a lazy week in Devon with my best friend and recommend it; nothing life changing, but perfectly trashy all the same.

Watch the trailer below and you should get an idea of how fantastically camp the film is. Dionne Warwick's theme tune is perfectly self pitying and the interiors and costumes don't hurt, either.

sharon-tate.org

Haider Ackermann - the One to Watch

Apologies for the size zero posting but I've barely recovered from PFW. Regardless, I had to share the news of my latest style crush - Haider Ackermann. The Columbian-born designer and former Galliano intern turned out a most immaculate collections at Les Beaux Arts de Paris. The balance of hardware-embellished feature pieces and fluid separates made me gush. Exquisitely draped gowns played peek-a-boo with thigh-high slits, an exposed arm or a flash of back; while jackets and tops bedded with floral metal rivets made 'rock chic' effortlessly elegant. What's more, the dude plays to my favourite trend - masculine/feminine. Hard military shoulders flirted with languid draped tops, zippered gilets butched up floor-length skirts all to the strains of Leonard Cohen. I think it might be love. Just maybe...

Image: Style.com

hats off

For every fad, there comes a backlash.

The irony is that often this backlash will, in itself become a fad, but let's leave that thought for now.

As a little backlash against the fedora fad of 2007/08 comes a preference for some "proper" headwear. Think Mary poppins and men in boater hats.

My choice of headwear this summer is going to be the boater, I curse the day I didn't go ahead and buy one from a fantastic little second hand shop in Ross-on-Wye after trying it on twice.

The hats featured in Jalouse March 2009 are pleasingly squished in appearance, they're very much in the style of Mary Poppins. They make me want to create a shamelessly crafty version for myself; some quality street wrappers glued here? A bunch of flowers stuck there?

chloesevigny.info, the fashion spot