Fashion week goes online

Vogue has just made fashion history with its first ever Online Fashion Week. I'm really curious to see how this is going to pan out, but Vogue has promised a really exciting showcase of online activities that is sure to keep you glued to your screens. Hundreds of retailers have come on board to offer exclusive and limited edition collections, stunning competitions and never-seen-before content. I'm definitely not going to miss out on the special online events, prizes, discounts and free gifts. 


All these activities are going to take place on Vogue's OFW blog in which there will be live-blogging 24-hours-day for five full days. The line up of designers include Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Mulberry, Stella McCartney, Prada, Burberry, Miu Miu and Christain Louboutin. High street brands such as Topshop, Reiss, Gap and Urban Outfitters have also been roped in. 


The idea of taking Fashion Week online is simply brilliant, since people from around the globe can now participate in the event without feeling left out. I've listed a few of OFW highlights throughout the week (all timings are in local Singapore time):


Mon, 5 Dec, 9:00pm

Advice From The Top

Top industry figures reflect on their career successes and offer advice on how you can get started in the industry.

Tues, 6 Dec, 9:30pm

HANDBAG HALF HOUR: Anya Hindmarch on Twitter

Handbag designer Anya Hindmarch will be taking part in a Twitter takeover - answering all of your questions via @BritishVogue.

Wed, 7 Dec, 11:00pm

Online Fashion 100

Leon Bailey-Green will be unveiling his annual Online Fashion 100 exclusively on VOGUE.COM during Online Fashion Week. The list names the 100 most influential figures in the digital fashion industry. Come back at 3pm on Wednesday 7th December to see it here.

Ready your phones, computers and iPads because you don't want to miss this extravaganza. Online Fashion Week kicks off in a few hours - 9.36am today! Click here to visit the OFW blog.



♥,
Fal

The showdown of designer collaborations

Two upcoming big designer collaborations that are launched/ will be launching soon.

First up is Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's. The range, called Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse, features tuxedo dresses, blazers, leather leggings and of course, the iconic tweed, which is so Chanel. Prices start from USD$50 and goes up to USD$170, but I'm pretty sure most of us would be willing to pay to get a piece of Mr. Lagerfeld's designs. Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse was launched on 31 August 2011.

Next on the list is Missoni for Target. The Italian luxury home and fashion brand's collection will feature Missoni's classic zig-zags, stripes and abstract florals on items ranging from apparels to bicycles, shower curtains, dinnerware and stationery. Yes, you can expect more than 400 over items designed by Missoni in this collection, with prices ranging from USD$3 to USD$600. The collection is expected to hit all Target stores on 13 September 2011.

Who wins the showdown: Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse wins hands down. Most designs are chic and the tuxedo dresses are to die-for. Target is not new to designer collaborations, but most of the previous ones were a flop, and I'm skeptical that Target will be able to deliver on this one. 

♥,
Fal

Made well for Alexa

I chanced upon Alexa Chung's second collection for Madewell whilst paving a digital path through the myriad of open tabs and windows on my desktop. This American brand (owned by the J.Crew company) has been surprisingly low-key; I've heard of Madewell but never felt compelled to explore their online store. A quick browse and I was pleasantly surprised as the clothes are simple and practical yet chic and stylish. Much like British It girl, Alexa Chung's own understated chic that has made her the style icon that she is today.

Alexa stars in the Madewell Fall 2011 ad campaign which featured the Fall collaboration in a Southwest backdrop for a road trip feel. The collection is slated to arrive in stores and on madewell.com on September 22. I found some images of the ad campaign that features Alexa herself.





Here's a preview of some of the items in Alexa Chung for Madewell which I snapped from madewell.com.










I have to say that the collection from this preview, just screams Alexa. My personal favourites are 02, 04 and 05 for their laidback feel. Alexa's inspiration for the collection was girls in bands who "lived their looks". I am assuming then, that the collection is grungy yet girly with a hint of attitude. The thing is, Alexa Chung is such a unique and stylish individual that whatever she has on her oh-so-petite frame contains that perfect mix of attitude, grunge and girly, that I am quite certain not everyone else can pull off.

That being said, is it made well for Alexa? Or Alexa for Madewell? I am not entirely convinced that the collection is one that girls of all shapes and sizes can experience and enjoy although I am certain that everyone will love it. Take the last item, for example, the velvet dress with the white peter pan collar. Discounting the fact that this dress is not made for our (ridiculous and hellish) local weather conditions, how many people can actually wear this dress without looking like they just stepped out of Sunday school at the neighbourhood cathedral?

As always, fashion isn't just about wearing what's trendy and cool or wearing what a favourite style icon is wearing. (Case in point: Alexa Chung's velvet dress.) Instead, fashion is about making yourself look good, so as Fal would also very much agree, wear what suits you and we guarantee, you'll always look awesome.


♥,
Fir

New Designer Collaborations

If you thought that the first half of 2011 was a little subdued with no hyped up designer and high street label collaborations or long queues outside high street stores, you might want to gear up for the second half of 2011 which is going to be a lot more exciting.

If you haven't already heard, Versace is going to be designing for H&M! The collection which is slated to be the quintessential Versace collection, think studded leather and colourful prints, is going to hit the stores in November. If we're lucky enough, our first H&M might just be open then, and we can get our hands on some of these very juicy looking dresses...

Word has been going around that Galliano will be doing a collection for Topshop. And while the whole fashion world is still speculating on whether this is true, I'm hearing that this is set to be the biggest collaboration ever, overshadowing H&M's tie up with Lanvin, Lagerfeld and McCartney. So is it going to be another Kate Moss-esque range, but ten times more drool worthy? I can't wait to find out.

♥,

Fal