SO TOTALLY: alexander mcqueen

Thursday, 21 October 2010

Flash Forward: The Mullet

Scouring all the runway shows across our top fashion capitals, we are able to start pulling together possible trends for the seasons ahead. Of course these collections are not a dictation of what will be, but they are nevertheless a good inclination of what could be...So with the spring/summer 2011 collections having just been unveiled, we can look forward to this season with a keen eye and start building ideas of what we can expect to see leading future trends.

The mullet dress is one that is longer at the back and shorter at the front - and it is a key cut for SS11. This summer we have graced the maxi and new longer length skirts, but it seems our love for the mini has made its way back for the seasons ahead.

Full & Flared:

In a sensual sheer pale beige, Lanvin presented a delicately pleated, billowing silk mullet skirt. It has a fabulous sense of movement and fluidity. Alexander McQueen took a fuller approach layering pleats. This created a structured form that flared from the hip, a stunning silhouette, almost creating a frame for the legs.

Frills Galore

Alexander McQueen bought a Gothic romance to the runway through a dip-dyed chiffon and excessively frilled full-length mullet. Similarly, Julien MacDonald offered a tailed mullet of frilled chiffon in an electric blue floral print.

Soft & Simple

Frankie Morello and Antonio Berardi kept the cut smooth and the dress elegantly light and fluid, no fuss with frills or pleating. Chiffon seems to be quite a popular choice across all the runway shows for SS11, mainly for its texture and transparency.

Square Cut

For those not favouring the billowing chiffon tails, feminine frills or pleats, there is the straight square-cut mullet dress, much like the ones featured in the Albino and Osman SS11 collections. Is it exactly as it sounds - extremely angular, cut-and-sew of a longer back to a shorter front.

Mini Mullet

Unique presented a mullet dress dramatically shorter than what would be expected. With a 60s shift dress vibe, this mullet cut was perfectly rounded with the longest point touching the back of the knees and the shortest reaching daring heights.

Longer Length

Quite opposite to the mini mullet, and more resemblant of the maxi, is the dropped-cut mullet. Still with a distinct shorter front and longer back, this design has its short length reaching the knees, and long length brushing the ankles. Osmans take on this style was quite rigid and structured, while Unique followed the seasons trend of sheer, lucid materials and opted for delicate peach silk.

Already leading by example, Topshop have this stunningly elegant 'bandeau tail dress' in store for £60.

...and this square cut mullet for £55.

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

McQueen Memorial

It was one of those moments in time you will always remember. Of when and how you heard the news. The death of Alexander McQueen.

Whether or not you are a fond follower of the fashion world like myself, his creations couldn't have gone amiss. Each encapsulated a uniqueness and edge that many designers seem too narrow-minded and conscious to attempt with any amount of matched vigour and passion. McQueen was able to translate his visions through his garments, that when showed on the runway, became much more than your ordinary parade. He would put on a show in which he would create a world that expressed the nature of the collection, down to the very characters that modelled them. Without doubt, an Alexander McQueen show was the one to watch with each being so unique, controversial and unpredictable.

On Monday 20th September, while I was busying about Somerset House, some took a brake from London Fashion Week to remember this fashion visionary. Located at St Paul's Cathedral, 1200 adorned in black took their seats to pay their respects to the late Alexander McQueen who took this own life in February of this year.

"He taught us that the runway was a place where dreams become reality" - Anna Wintour

"He was an artist who just happened to be working with clothing" - Suzy Menkes, fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune

In honour of McQueen's Scottish heritage and love for tartan plaid, bagpipers led the mourners back onto the steps of the cathedral once the service had ended. A truly royal and touching farewell for such a great name.

Anna Wintour, one of the most powerful women in fashion, arriving in an Alexander McQueen coat embroidered in gold blossom flowers.

English model, Kate Moss, attended wearing a black leather skirt and blazer - simple and classic.

Not perhaps your ordinary pick for a memorial, but the late designer sure had his impact on those who attended.

Also sporting an Alexander McQueen ensemble was one of his dearest friends, Sarah Jessica Parker.

"He was one of a kind. The service was bitter-sweet. Perfect." - Sarah Jessica Parker.