Tights, Hell Yes.

May 16, 2016May 16, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

No21 AW16

Tights are present in women’s wardrobse on the daily basis – but I distinctly sense that for a few seasons they were absent on the runways, or, at least, were ignored as a potential spotlight-stealer. They were just, somewhere there, hidden under layered skirts and thick teddy bear culottes. But autumn, a season which is ahead of us, is filled with tights, not in a matter of simple necessity – but rather as an accessory which holds the whole outfit together, oozing with flirty elegance and feminine attitude. Prada and Chanel were the first to send “cool” tights down the runway – the former will soon hit the stores with woolen, harlequin rhombus’, while the latter took tips from Carine Roitfeld (the most conscious wearer of tights, knowing they are her chic, chic, chic signature), revaming the traditional mesh into sensual lace. Later on, big and small names took a spin on the “new” trend. From messy look at Alexander Wang, to romantic grunge at No21, you are about choose from #STRICT tagged tights or even much more non-chalant, rhinestone- embroidered stockings. Hosiery is a major thing in Molly Goddard’s autumn-winter 2016 collection, where the young British designer wrapped her models’ legs in unconventional organza for her look-book.

But for these designers, we would still keep tights in a box of “basics” this season. But tights were, and are, the essentials. So, why should we underrate them?

Alexander Wang AW16

No21 tights, from the designer’s Instagram (@dellacqua).

Prada AW16

Prada AW16 in Summer issue of Dazed & Confused

Molly Goddard AW16

Prada campaign by Steven Meisel, circa 2000

Meadham Kirchhoff and granny’s crotchet fantasy

Chanel pre-fall 2016

Marc Jacobs’ Platforms

April 13, 2016April 9, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Platform boots by Master John, 1973

Autumn-winter 2016 season was all about the height, as the designers had their heads in the clouds, from Demna Gvasalia’s Balenciaga platforms to Maison Margiela‘s stompers. But it was Marc Jacobs, who has stunned everybody with his soft-goth, high-drama collection, and the unbelievably high platforms. Presented in black, pastel purple, velvet pink and white, they already seem to be the cult piece of the season. Marc proved that he is the showman of New York, saying that he was inspired with the exaggerated glamour of drag-queens. But there was something of Winona Ryder’s character in Beetlejuice, and a dark-lolita attitude. Although it was Vivienne Westwood, who made platform boots legit back in the days, Jacobs also makes a sharp cut. Or rather, a STEP.

Cats, cats, CATS!

March 29, 2016March 29, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

La Mania AW16

Some love cats, some hate cats. To be honest, I’m somewhere in between, as I have a dog, and I can openly call him my friend. But “cats” in fashion is a totally different story. They are always associated with cuteness, which often goes in a pair with commercial success. An animal-loving lady with some cash will surely give in for another kitty on a cardigan or a bag. Throughout the latest seasons, we’ve seen kittens and wild cats everywhere, from Miu Miu‘s resort 2016 cowboy boots to knitwear at N21‘s pre-fall collection. At Loewe, Jonathan Anderson presented a “curated like an art exhibition” show, and shocked every editor with his eclectic resin cat necklaces. The biggest cat-lover of the industry, Grace Coddington, was impressed. Next, we had another big cat moments at Stella McCartney and Gucci – the first was absolutely adorable with Lineisy Montero holding a really grumpy, yet sweet kitty; the latter felt like an ode to a nutty granny with a cat-filled flat. But in fact, it was Joanna Przetakiewicz, a Polish designer behind La Mania, who put the most effort in making a cat motif important this season. A result of 90-hour long handwork is an embellished panther detailing on a velvet cape – priceless.

Meow!

Gucci pre-fall 2016

Miu Miu vintage flats

Miu Miu resort 2016

N21 pre-fall 2016

Loewe AW16

Stella McCartney pre-fall 2016

Loewe AW16

Stella McCartney pre-fall 2016

This Girl. Maryam Nassir Zadeh AW16

March 26, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Maryam Nassir Zadeh is New York’s favourite among stylish, sophisticated and down-to-earth women. Her boutique, with aesthetically curated brands, and her eponymous, namesake label, are known for an affordable, yet profound approach towards fashion you want to wear everyday. For autumn-winter 2016, Maryam is expanding her line, by continuing the denim obsession – a cool, off-beat pencil skirt, as well as patched 501-style pairs of jeans are about to storm the streets. The Woody Allen women, surrounded with calm neutrals, meets a lifey acid green shade of the pussy-cat bow dress; there is also the strong fur game, from cute teddy-bear jacket to a more “investment” coat in a deep, blue colour. When those clothes are going to arrive to the Lower East Side store, a lot of them will sell quick – for now, we can just try to recreate these looks thanks to Zadeh’s masterful styling tips…

Photography by Ana Kraš, aka @teget

It’s Friday and That’s Ashish!

March 25, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Diana Ross and her I will survive song; neon-shaded afros; a lot of dazzle and glitter. And you’ve got Ashish‘ austumn-winter 2016 collection, which is your Friday night outfit inspiration! Sending out a line of diverse models, Ashish Gupta has presented the most fun collection of the season, making us all forget the daily-life problems. That’s why we have Fridays, and these great evenings – to loose ourselves to dance. Possibly, in one of these gold smoking suites or red cocktail dresses, please!