Fashion

Spotlight On: Stella McCartney

As one of the world’s finest female fashion designers, Stella McCartney’s sharp yet feminine pieces are instantly recognisable for their timeless chic appeal.

“Stella’s style has been influential because she is her customer” – Tom Ford

About Stella McCartney

There aren’t many students who would have world renowned super models Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmin Le Bon take to the runway to model their collection…. at graduation.

After graduating from world renowned Central St Martin’s College of Art and Design in 1995, Stella McCartney had that well publicised debut collection quickly bought up by London boutique Tokio.

In 1997, established and esteemed French fashion house Chloé hired McCartney as their new Creative Director (despite criticism from celebrated German designer and former Chloé  Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld).

After four and a half successful years at Chloé, where she achieved both commercial and critical success – bringing a more feminine and romantic feel to the brand,which still resonates with Chloé pieces today – McCartney entered a joint venture with luxury powerhouse the PPR Luxury Group (formerly Gucci Group).

Since her debut collection under the Stella McCartney brand in Paris, October 2001, it has become one of the most talked about companies in fashion today.

Stella McCartney has continued to create an array of luxurious garments; beautiful scented perfumes; and not to mention the launch of her Stella McCartney Kids collection in late 2010 (…what could only be described as positively adorable).

A Cut Above

At Stella McCartney tailoring is always a matter of priority. McCartney has become renowned for her precision cuts, with her distinctly feminine yet sharp trousers and tuxedo jackets coveted by women of all ages. 

While studying fashion, McCartney turned her attention to the craft of tailoring, honing her skills for world renowned Savile Row tailor Edward Sexton.

It was this time spent on Savile Row, learning and observing the philosophy of the ‘perfect cut’, that has now positioned McCartney as one of the world’s finest designers – creating timeless pieces perfect for the modern day woman.

The Fall 2012 Collection

Focused on merging city & country, and day & night; Stella McCartney pieces perfectly encapsulate how women want to dress.

Of the collection, McCartney said: “The Stella woman is about balance”. 

Working mainly with a dark colour palette and an emphasis on vivid midnight blue, McCartney’s Fall 2012 collection played with the aesthetic of masculine and feminine; rough and soft. Fabrics with a tough sensibility – i.e. traditional English tweed –were made softer and more feminine; while iconic masculine pieces, such as the oxford shirt, were refined and reinterpreted.  

With an unmistakable sporty feel (understandable considering McCartney has just revealed the official British Olympic team uniforms), the collection also placed an emphasis on chic comfort and understated elegance.

McCartney’s signature emphasis on tailoring was dressed up with beautiful botanical embroideries. Graphic white and black prints appeared strikingly against the brilliant blue.

Coats and tuxedo jackets appeared slightly oversized with unexpected detailing, such as asymmetrical zips, contrast panels, and oversized proportions. Trousers slouched from the hips, while shoulders were emphasized and waistlines highlighted. Luxe texture was also a feature, with chunky knit separates and dresses making an incredibly chic impression…

What do you think of Stella McCartney’s Fall 2012 collection? xx

Photos from style.com

Espresso News

ESPRESSO SHOT OF NEWS

Uptown Twirl Espresso News Returns For 2012 With 5 Fabulous Fashion Shots!

1. Mila Kunis – The Newest Dior Beauty

Mila Kunis has become the new face of Christian Dior. The exquisite beauty stars in the Spring / Summer 2012 campaign which was shot by Mikael Jansson (pictured above). With her glowing natural beauty, Kunis can be seen in chic black looks and holding the newest ‘Miss Dior’ handbag.

2. Ashley Greene Hearts DKNY

Posing amid the gorgeous Manhattan skyline, a gorgeous Ashley Greene strikes a pose as the face of DKNY (pictured above). Beautiful neutral tones shine across her clothing, accessories and eye make-up for fresh radiance.

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3. Emma Watson’s Lancôme Beauty

Emma Watson’s stunning Lancôme Cosmetics Ad has been revealed (pictured below). With her glowing clear complexion, Watson is exquisite in red lipstick and nail polish from the French label’s two new collections – ‘Rouge in Love’ (the lipstick collection) and ‘Vernis in Love’ (the nail polish collection). The lipsticks will be available in 24 shades and come in a metallic case that can also be used as a mirror.

With Watson as the face of both lines, Lancôme hopes to ignite a love of lipstick amongst a younger generation of women. Youcef Nabi, president of Lancôme International, has said: “The idea is to make this young generation — that has been a gloss fan — come back to using lipsticks.”

4. Emma Watson’s Iconic Crop

In other news, Emma Watson’s gorgeous pixie hair style has been named the most influential cut of 2011. The Wall Street Journal mentioned her darling crop in their Fashion Highlights from 2011 and even went so far as to recognise it may have instigated a major shift in hairstyle trends. Hair stylists around the world have been inundated with requests for her style and according to numerous reports, searches for Watson’s hair have even outnumbered those for Jennifer Anniston’s iconic locks.

5. Paul Smith Celebrates The London Olympics

Paul Smith has designed a collection of seven stamps in celebration of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Inspired by his friend, Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish, the stamps showcase Smith’s signature bright colour palette and distinct graphics. They are available from Paul Smith stores worldwide.

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Happy Thursday! xx