Valentino Fall 2014–After last season’s Opera inspired outing, Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli looked to 60s Italian pop art for the house’s fall-winter 2014 collection. Opening the new season with jackets and separates featuring multi-colored dots, it was clear that autumn was about interjecting bold prints into a wardrobe of princess perfect dresses and gowns. Diamond cuts, brocade butterflies and roses serve as the other patterns and textures of the season. The silhouette remains consistent with Chiuri and Piccioli’s vision for the Valentino woman–a floor-length gown with long sleeves in lightweight silk, sometimes worn underneath a cape or an embroidered coat.
When we think of Britain, we think of London and all of its amazing fashions from top brands like Burberry Prorsum, Topshop UK and Mulberry, especially after the recent Fashion Week presentations previewed last month. We also think about the entertainling films and televsion shows such as the fantasy of the “Harry Potter” series or the mystery of Sherlock Holmes or the science fiction of “Doctor Who”. But Britain has a lot more to offer besides its style and entertainment. Tourism brand Visit Britain has recently launched a new campaign which helps to show all the sights and sounds of the country with its "Sounds of GREAT Britain" initiative. Set to the tunes of the BRIT nominated band Rudimental with the song, "Feel the Love", the interactive videos show off many of England's iconic landmarks ranging from the modern to the classic.
You can go shopping at luxury British retailer Harrods, hear the roar of the Dartmouth Steam Train, have a visit with the Queen's Guard or even take in the coastline as the sun sets in a "choose your own adventure" type project where more sounds and visuals are added as the video goes on. Take a look for yourself in the video featured below. And if you want to find out more about the places shown in the project, visit the LoveWall on VisitBritain.com where you can share the places on Facebook, Twitter and Weibo with your friends. What do you heart? Choose from the sport, countryside, food and drink, music, shopping or film and tv sections.
Chanel Fall 2014–Set against a backdrop of a supermarket complete with a fruits, canned goods and a liquor aisle, the fall-winter 2014 collection from Chanel takes on luxury consumerism in an age of casual style. Continuing where the spring couture show left off, Karl Lagerfeld presented another high fashion take on the sneaker shoe. This time the models hit the catwalk in colorful sneakers adorned with tweed as well as versions in knee-high lengths. Handbags also bring a luxurious spin to grocery store items. Mini shopping baskets featuring locks with Chanel logos and chains changeover to quilted bags packaged like meat you would find in the frozen section. As for the clothes, there is a balance of luxury and a sporty vibe. Tops feature cinched waists paired with slouchy trousers in metallic fabric or tweed.
Saint Laurent Fall 2014–Following a season of grunge and then one with eighties rocker influence, Saint Laurent’s Hedi Slimane looked to the sixties mod movement for the brand’s fall-winter 2014 collection presented during Paris Fashion Week this Monday. Of the era’s signatures, there are A-line skirts, mini shift dresses as well as a modern take on the swing coat in moody plaids. Outerwear is cut slim for the most part while the Saint Laurent girl wears either a Mary Jane or knee-high boot on her feet. As with the spring, shimmer is an important feature of the lineup whether with metallic silver boots or shiny paillette embroidered dresses.
Elie Saab Fall 2014–After a season of botanical garden splendor, the theme for Elie Saab’s fall-winter 2014 collection is dark opulence. Inspired by the work of American painter Mark Rothko, who is well-known for his abstract expressionist pieces, the autumn season focuses on sleek and sexy shapes intertwined with the house’s signature femininity. Dresses and gowns cling to the female form in sumptuous fabrics including velvet, crepe and silk chiffon as well as cashmere and mink. The Saab woman dazzles not only with her sequin adorned evening wear, but also with her accessories. Fine jewelry pieces featuring precious gems and handbags in rich jewel tones add a glamorous touch to the upcoming fall.
