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.

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? 

TOPSHOP Christmas Crackers

River Island's Party Picks

Zara's Christmas treats

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?

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...

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...

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...

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...