Tuesday 28 December 2010

Best of British : Alexa through the ages


Well, when we mean 'through the ages' we mean more like 'down the decade'. From the age of 16 Alexa Chung has evolved from the original urban outfitter to the nation's style sweetheart. As she  received the  2010 style award at The British Fashion Awards this month, Haute-fly has a little look at her  fashion fix's over the past ten years...


Being scouted by Storm Model agency in her late teens, Alexa had a little bit of a kiss kiss with then popular Australian soap star/ pop star Holly Valance in the video Down Boy!. Music videos with Westlife and The Streets quickly pursued. Although whilst frontman Mike Skinner might have preferred Reebok Classics, Chung's video feature for their single could well be in led to a platform in presenting and her first flutters with fashion....


2006 saw Alexa presenting on T4's Pop World, taking over from the subtle mockery and dry sarcasm of Miquita Oliver. The 12 month contract saw her being serenaded by smooth singer  John Legend, flashing her TOPSHOP panties to Robbie Williams (pre- America and Ayda Fields ) and talking beer barrels, balloons and birthdays with Amy Winehouse.




With the disbandment of the show in 2007, modeling projects with Oxfam, Antipoduim and Vivienne Westwood's Red Label were all taken by the then 24 year old Ms Chung. London based Australian brand Antipoduim was quite fitting as one of Alexa's first assignments, as the brand is known for its versatility and wear-ability and collection of  contemporary shirts, shirt dresses and mini skirts. The mantra of 'its not what you wear, but how you wear it' can be said to be stitched into Chung's current contemporary effortless style.



Frock me! now being seen as a fashion icon in her own right due to column inches and effortless cool style, Alexa teamed up with fresh fashion designer Henry Holland  ( who in his debut collection urged you to  'flick your bean' at fellow northern gal Agyness Dean in Katherine E. Hamnett style tee's) in a two part series. The first dedicated itself to AW08 trends such as vintage and sportswear and SS10 trends such as underwear as outerwear, military and festival fashion.After  features such as 'lex in the city' and 'closet confidential' the show finally frocked off in May this year.



Saturday 11 December 2010

Party Picks





As the Christmas countdown fast approaches and your diary is brimming with dates, Haute-fly has brought you a little hot list of party  picks for the festive season. You may choose to be bias like Matthew Williamson and stick with the classic one shouldered dress, or take on a new look with Giles Deacon who is being playful with fringing and metallics in his latest collaboration with the high street store. Alternatively you can be playful and pretty like  Bora Aksu and Julien McDonald in light lace and griege or be the Queen of the night with the reinvented LBD by Hannah Marshall. 

River Island's choice is chiffon and crepe shift dresses whereas TOPSHOP embellishes in sequins and late 70s glamour, yet it is Zara who take homage from Betty Jackson, Victoria Beckham and the 'Queen of Darkness' Marshall in leather dress tunics and tailored tulip skirts. With just over 12 days left till Christmas, what dress will you choose to wear to cocktails? 



Sunday 5 December 2010

Bare Necessities






 In brief, underwear as outwear has been keeping abreast of the fashion times since the camisole and conical corset. This season high street stores seem to asking you to express yourself in a long list of lingerie style offerings. River Island in jersey lace bodies, black suspender bustiers and beige body-con dresses and TOPSHOP with a suede body con dress a la Nasir Mazhar and an alternative 'knitted' nude bodice.  This season are you going to make a statement in spanx?

Saturday 4 December 2010

Metallica




As everyone starts to put up their decorations, designers such as Bora Aksu and DAKS reveal how you can bring pops of colour into your Christmas party-wear.  With lace and leather dominating the AW10 look books, splices of metallic will make sure you don't fade to black this season...

Friday 3 December 2010

Shearly not!




As train cancellations continue and airports stay closed, those of you who wanted to fly away can safely stay grounded, swathed in shearling. This seasons must buy is the faux fur shearling overcoat. Designers from Burberry Prorsum to Giles Deacon played with this fashion piece from high collars to cropped tailoring. This cute and dynamic clothing is a staple fixture for AW10 and will prevent this winter from taking your breath away...

Thursday 2 December 2010

Wrap Me Ups




As the cold snap continues, the snow patrol can still be casual and cool. High street stores from TOPSHOP and River Island to All Saints and ASOS have all stockpiled for the AW10 seasonal snowfall. Both Menswear and Womenswear seem to be celebrating a retro revival, with cable and collar jumpers adorned with both Aztec and antler  patterns. The central menswear look dominating the high street is the long sleeve knit jumpers, accessorized with faux fur trim overcoats, distressed workman boots, boyfriend jeans and the all important snood. These statement knits are the perfect wrap me ups and maybe all that you want for Christmas...

Wednesday 1 December 2010

Christmas Stockings




It's the first of December, so join Haute-fly in celebrating the calender countdown.  If you haven't given too much thought to what you want in your AW10 Christmas stocking, we suggest you pulls yours socks up and start browsing for ideas.  From frilly socks at Prada to cable knit courtesy of  TOPSHOP, it is Henry Holland who is the man of the hosiery house this season. The Mancunian designer has created a selection of Christmas crackers with Pretty Polly  from the 'ball and chain' knee sock to the 'super suspenders'. As leggings are laid well and truly to rest, in these bitter temperatures do you have the bared legged cheek to join the thigh high club? Walk off the calories in this selection of priceless pins...

Saturday 27 November 2010

Classic Camel




From Chloe to Farhi, the autumnal colour of the AW10 season is camel. From crisp tailoring to classic capes, this minimalist look is chic, wearable fashion at it's best. Italian designer DAKS showcases how this colour is instantly wearable, whilst French fashion house Nicole Farhi dedicates a European chic twist with the robe coat. Once worn by the wealthy, this look is easily affordable and been translated to the trends on the high street.

ASOS hooded military camel coat

TOPSHOP ultimate camel cape  

Friday 26 November 2010

After Dark





As winter sets in, there is a sense of mourning in Christopher Kane's AW10 collection. This strong and fierce capsule collection is both delicate and daring as well as patent and paisley. The Femme Fetale muse wears lashings of lace, sheer tops and embellished patent skirts.Welcome to the pretty yet provocative style which is leather and lace. Kane collaborated with Donatella Versace to create a hard, punky and aggressive aesthetic: part juvenile delinquent part beautiful fresh flower... or 'perverted petals' if you wish. This tough war flower is no shrinking violet and shows the true conviction of Kane's brand identity... he won't be wilting this winter...

Walking in a Winter Wonderland



TOPSHOP  gave a very unique look for this AW10 with a protective, functional feel. The likes of Alexa and Pixie were nestled in the front row and were reigned in (quite literally) by uniform blue hues, tweed and chunky cable knit socks. The highly creative in-house designers showcased the true talent of the 30 members of the team. Vegetable tan dyes and natural faux fur enabled the muses to metamorphose and let the audience run wild! Part prim and proper, the underwear as outerwear still kept this look naughty by nature.

TopShop Unique Clothing Online Store  

Selfridges Signing




Lucky lads and ladies were treated to the appearance of  great British designer Matthew Williamson at the Selfridges store yesterday evening, from 6-7pm, signing his new self titled book from Colin McDowell. Three years after celebrating the brand's 10 year anniversary, fashion historian McDowell has penned a fitting portrayal of the "nomad designer" from his Mancunian roots to Mayfair. The signing complements the display at Somerset House and celebrates the journey of  the brand's fashion forward pieces, from the debut collection  Electric Angels to the latest SS11 collection which effortlessly returned to the DNA of the designer. From sketches and scrapbooks to mood boards and muses ( Moss and Miller) this is on the wish lists for all of us girls this Christmas. Haute-Fly's is in the post...

Matthew Williamson at Somerset House

Matthew Williamson Book  

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Love2Love Lanvin




Amidst the forthcoming snow, student protests and spending cuts Lanvin artistic director Alber Elbaz has brought us all a little bit of happiness in the shape of a high fashion line at a high street price tag. Every guy, gal and grandmother hot footed to H&M flagship stores nationwide hot on the heels of this rare fashion collaboration. Elbaz spoke of the collection, 
" I was inspired  by women I know and want to know... the collection has happy colours, prints and patterns... it is a happy collection for happy people!"
Midday yesterday only a solitary cap was left to purchase. A fitting tribute to the brand which once originated from Jeanne Lanvin's milliners boutique.  Hats off to Elbaz and his affordable high street dream.

Sunday 17 October 2010

Sunny Afternoon









Haute-fly was first introduced to Charles Anastace by the ever-stylish Alexa Chung. The fashion journalist sat smiling on the front row of the SS11 show, ( no doubt in admiration for those gorgeous mustard heels) as we were all taken into Anastace's summer selection of simple looks. Beautifully delicate fabrics and a natural cosmetic palette created a captivating show. From pastels to patchwork and metallics to mustard hues, it all sprung from a sunny afternoon's tipple in Anastace's new abode in London.

Vivienne Westwood






Haute-fly stumbled across this little jem on our research travels. Enjoy x

Queen of Ethical Cool





Haute-fly has much admiration for Dame Viv. To us she is not only the Queen of  style and punk but contemporarily the Queen of ethical cool. She preens her red beehive and lulls us all with her Derbyshire drawl, " choose well... wear a towel or your boyfriend's boxershorts, it's all about improvising."  The SS11 collection revealed the archetypal VW cut, with face paint streaks to provide spotlight and a theatrical theme.  From culottes to high-waisted tailoring and gingham playsuits; it was effortless and eccentric rolled all into one. Dame, you have done it once again. dayum.