ALEXIS BARRELL'S SS14 COLLECTION: THE HOT NEW DESIGNER TO LOOK OUT FOR

Alexis Barrell was born in South Africa, where she was heavily surrounded by nature. She observed birds and plants, and now has bought her experiences over with her to London, where she currently lives.

Each collection is a story from a different journey and the SS14 collection is extremely exciting, drawing inspiration from the American surf culture, with a twist on Hawaiian shirts and 60's swim shorts. She took a trip to California to get inspiration for this collection and everything about the show, from the blue/green background to the catwalk filled with water, helped us envision a day on a beach in Malibu. Alexis herself drove down the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible to fully capture the essence of California life.

(Via Fashion156)



Held at Saint Martin's Lane Hotel in an intimate setting as usual, the models graced the water-based catwalk looking flawless. Because of the location, it's a great opportunity to see the pieces close up and really look at the clothes. The show entitled 'True Romance'

Vintage custom surfboard detailing is also evident, but Alexis looks at previous collections to draw similarities, such as her signature silks and heavy creeps. This means when you wear the pieces, they feel as relaxed as beachwear but have a sophisticated edge to them.

The make-up was minimal, helping us to imagine being at Venice Beach with only a natural tan providing us with colour. Slight touches of bronze and highlighter were used, and wet hair on the models helped create the feel of 'surfer chic'.

(Via Fashion156)

Sharp cuts and slim lines featured leather hoodies, oversized silk neon tee's and men's shirts also bought forward the feel of 90's surf culture. When creating printed chiffon peasant dresses and crop tops, Alexis drew inspiration from the 60's, revisiting the San Francisco Bay Area to create this Alexis didn't forget elegant evening wear, as she used silk and neoprene to create stylish, sleek attire. To finish these, she added a heavy wetsuit zipper down the back, staying true to the theme of the collection. This added feature also helped to give the pieces a sexy vibe, ensuring all of the evening wear was sophisticated but still California inspired.

(Via Fashion156)

WHAT'S HOT ON THE RUNWAY FOR SS14 NYFW?

New York Fashion Week is easily one of the most highly anticipated fashion events each year, with everyone eager to see their favourite designers showcase their latest collections. Here's some of our favourites from the SS14 collections, which incorporate some of the trends we've been expecting to make a comeback!

Let's start with Prabal Gurung, who's line was built on the idea of the 'idealized woman'. These pieces are crisp, with stunningly embroidered gowns and the theme of transparency running through-out. The designer made some edgy risks with these clothes but they paid of, making him one of the most talked about designers at NYFW.

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

BCBGMAXAZRIA was also eager to take risks with their collection for Spring/Summer 2014. They used an unusual mix of light summer materials, combined with harsher folds and edges. Feminine versus masculine was also a big theme with BCBGMAXAZRIA, as they contrasted formal and informal looks, using tuxedo's and kitchen apron's. There was also a huge element of sexiness as bustiers were introduced.

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

The word to best describe Diane von Furstenberg's SS14 pieces would be 'matching'. The theme of the collection seems to be for each piece to have a similar top/skirt/pants to go with it. Tribal is also a clear theme, with vibrant prints and colour schemes used by the designer this year.

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

DELPOZO was inspired by a painting for this collection. "Gypsy Woman With Tambourine" by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot was the piece of art that was used to create lots of feminine frills, stunning ballgowns and voluminous skirts.

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

Yigal Azrouel used a minimalistic range of colours, like black, white and gray. On suits, the tailoring was precise and structured, with everything looking crisp and trendy. Other pieces were cut and sliced into a patchwork of textures, varying from cotton to mesh or leather.

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

Victoria Beckham decided to go for ruffled mermaid hems on shirts, short dresses and sleeveless blouses. The collection is mostly black and white, with occasional splashes of colour. There were pieces with a lot of textured panelling, incorporated in sheer and roughly woven clothes.

(Via Telegraph.com)

(Via Grazia)

(Via Grazia)

Jill Stuart's collection this year is classic and chic. She combines naughty and nice to create cute motif dresses and butterfly sleeved tops, paired with matching knickers. The collection is mostly black and white, with each piece being very feminine, with 70's inspiration.

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

(Via NewYorkFashionWeek)

For the Menswear collections, Public School NYC has really stood out. Continuing to fuse streetwear aesthetic with high-end menswear, even though the brand has been around for a while already, it really does seem like things are finally falling into place. The new Spring 2014 collection is well rounded, true to the general direction of the brand, modern and clean, yet for the most part easy to wear.

(Via HighSnobiety)

(Via HighSnobiety)

(Via HighSnobiety)

We can't wait for more! It's an exciting time in fashion, where we can see into the creative minds of these fabulous designers who create remarkable pieces year after year!

SASS & BIDE HEAD TO NEW YORK FASHION WEEK THIS YEAR

(Via Vogue.com)

The Australian fashion label Sass & Bide has decided to take their fashion week show to New York this year, moving it from London to the Big Apple. Designers Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton say they want to start focusing more of their attention on the US market. In order to do this, they will showcase their new collection in the Spring/Summer 2014 show, entitled ‘Freetown.' They want to spend more time and energy working in the states, as they are in the process of opening their first store there!

Sarah says "We open our first international flagship boutique in Soho later this year which is a long-held dream of ours." She explains, "Our focus is very much on the US market right now, so making the decision to show in New York felt right."

(Via News.com)

Previously, Sass & Bide have always been on the list for LFW but this year, it looks like there's a first for everything as the duo fly out to NYFW to prepare for their first show there. They still insist that London remains their heartland and are confident that they will be back.

In order to get a buzz going for their 'Freetown' collection, the design duo have rounded up a pretty impressive team to work for them during their NYFW show. The help of stylist Vanessa Traina, who has names like Balenciaga and Erdem on her resume and fantastic make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury has been enlisted. Casting for models will be done by Babara Nicoli and Leila Ananna, who have previously picked out models for the Gucci, Versace and Burberry catwalks.

To anyone with a love for fashion, this will definitely be an exciting show to look out for this season. We expect exciting styles, patterns, designs and colours from the epic Australian label designers!

(Via Style.com)