The New Term Du Jour: "Girly Goth"

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After Giambattista Valli showed his Giamba collection in Milan last week, a new term was coined by the fashion industry: The Girly Goth. Yes, this multi-billion dollar industry has the right to add terms to our lexicon and continues to do so to provide us all with a sense of renewal, innovation, and inspiration. Some are calling it "Instagram Lolita" because of its cutesy appeal, but Girly Goth indicates a certain edge that was prominent in his collection.

What does Girly Goth mean, you ask?

A Girly Goth is precisely what it sounds like. It's a girl inclined to wear gothic garb such as dark colours and eccentric weapon-like accessories. The Girly Goth will add a feminine touch to her look to mask herself as an innocent gamine with a hidden dark side. Some would deem the term an oxymoron, but in fashion speak, anything is possible because there are no limits to style. When everything has been done before, the only way to innovate is by combining multiple trends to create something original.

Let me take you through this year's Giamba collection. It started off with some feminine floral mini dresses that projected 90s vibes worn with knee high buckled black boots. The shoes were the statement goth piece in all of the looks ranging from black platforms to black suede boots. These adorable mini dresses were worn over black mesh tights that one might chance upon at a burlesque club. Though there was fur, this fluffy look was juxtaposed with cinched 50 shades of grey black leather belts. Every look had a spritz of attitude regardless of the bright colours like yellow, pink, and blue that infiltrated the collection.

What do you think of the Girly Goth look? Do you identify? Will it become the new trend we've all been searching for?

Ponder It,

XOXO,

Bella

London Fashion Week: In Review

After moving from the luxe looks of New York City, we switched on over to the hipster scene in London. A city best known for its eccentric style and deviation from fashion rules, London featured some of the most eye-catching designer collections this season. From Christopher Bailey at Burberry Prorsum to Vivienne Westwood, London Fashion Week takes on many forms that makes it undefinable. The one thing we can agree on is that London is consistently filled with surprises on the catwalk. This year, a dominant trend in London was nature. Designers like Erdem and Antonio Berardi featured bold floral prints to lift us up during the sombre fall months. Florals for Fall? Now, that's something you don't see every day. These designers prove that seasonal dressing is overrated and that it's all about the personality. Here are five of my favourite collections from London Fashion Week that reflected my own personality.

ANTONIO BERARDI

Antonio Berardi livened up the Fall scene with bold floral prints in bright yellow on tailored dresses with skirts filled with pleats to start off his show. The collection drew in the ultra feminine British woman who aims to impress with striking colours and head-to-toe prints. One of dominant colour trends was lilac, an unusual hue for Fall that made us question our impression of seasonal colour palettes. Pink was another colour that made a dramatic appearance in a bright shade of Barbie. It appeared on classic knee-length dresses and pant suits only suitable for the fashionably inclined. The collection then took a turn for the cobalt with abstract prints on dresses and pants alike. The best part? The designer integrated the latest fashion fad: dresses over pants. Whether or not the look will sell remains to be seen, but in London, anything goes. This collection may have appeared simple at first glance, but the second half of the show proved that this man knows how to manipulate his fabrics. His final dresses were architectural and almost, origami-like, making every look stand out on its own as a statement outfit.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 10

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ISSA

This debut collection by Jamie O'Hare transformed Issa into a boho-chic selection of fringed dresses, geometric prints, and sheer panels in unusual places. It targeted the sexy bohemian woman aiming to have a little fun on the streets and assert her style savvy. The show began with some classic black and white and instantly drew me in with an edgy printed jumpsuit. Was it original? Maybe not. But it caught my eye and invited me in for more. The third look already predicted the prominence of fringe in this collection not suited for the faint of heart. There were several classic LBD's with cutouts and transparency made for a woman who owns the room. For the lady who wants to make a bigger statement? There were a wide variety of jumpsuits to choose from. The designer mixed prints with expert ease and even brought in the colour du jour: bright red (a popular Red Carpet choice). Another print that made it onto this runway was stripes. Whether on flowy dresses or loose blouses, stripes appeared in different forms, but with similar colour tones. The designer ended the show with some sparkly minis, taking the collection from daytime office chic to ladies night. I'm already picturing Poppy Delevingne in one of those black fringe dresses and look forward to seeing how she'll give it her own flavour.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 11

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DAVID KOMA

David Koma is always a show I look forward to at London Fashion Week. He consistently keep his collection sophisticated, yet edgy, with leather patches and strong colours. This season, he incorporated zippers and belts that defined the waist, making it all about the metal additions. He managed to keep the collection feminine with flared skirts in the ever-popular leather. Though he kept the collection basic with classic black and even some nude, there were other colours such as orange and cobalt that made an appearance, keeping it fresh and bold. The designer gave his collection some added sex appeal with mesh netting and cutouts at the waistline. Though he maintained the structured appeal of his label, he also increased its sensuality with slits and minis. It was a new take for David Koma, but I was nonetheless impressed and attracted to a number of pieces in the collection.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 2

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HOLLY FULTON

This Holly Fulton collection had a vintage feel that triggered the nostalgia we're all feeling in the current generation. It began with a luxurious white fur coat, reminiscent of a day when this was what we wore in the winter time and parkas did not exist. There was a strong feminine aura in this collection dominated by skirts and slip dresses. A floral theme was also present in this collection but in the cuts and shapes of the pretty pastel blouses on the runway. Pink, green, and red were the colours that appeared most throughout the show on furs and leathers. Though it was very girly, the collection had a good girl gone bad edge and perhaps even a sprinkle of Cher Horowitz in it. Every look was different but had one thing in common: a strong character.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 11

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TOPSHOP UNIQUE

Topshop is one of my favourite British brands and this collection reminded me why. With bulky fur coats, hints of leather, and its signature plaid print, this collection had so many interesting pieces to make it a memorable one. It was for the effortlessly cool downtown London chick (think Cara Delevingne) stopping cars on the streets with her bold style choices. Once again, nature took on a form in this collection on dresses and blouses in earth tones like tan and dark green. The party girl came out with slinky mini dresses, particularly of the furry variety for the modern lady. The collection's 70s undertones were evident throughout with matching suits flared pants, but with a glam twist. It was the epitome of London and that's exactly what it was aiming for.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 11

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Which of London's collections was your favourite? 

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

Couture Week: A Whimsical Romance

As we enter Paris Couture Week, we're taken into a fantastical realm with a collection of dresses fit for a princess from a fairytale romance. As it ends slightly too quickly, we feel like we've reached the end of a tale as old as time and occasionally, we may shed a tear. The soft music pulls us into this world that has brought our vivid imaginations to life due to the creativity of some of our favourite designers. In many ways, Couture is better than Ready-to-Wear because it takes us back to the origins of fashion when that was all that existed and women dressed extravagantly every day. This year, we were taken back in time with Valentino, transported into a natural paradise with Chanel, caught in a maze of beautiful colours with Dior, immersed inside a world of romance with Giambattista Valli, and sprinkled with sparkle at Elie Saab. What did they all have in common? We could pictures ourselves in every outfit standing before our Prince Charming as he accosts us in his horse-drawn carriage. 
Let's review, shall we?

VALENTINO

From the braided updos to the frilly necklines, Valentino took us to another era, one more akin to Downton Abbey or The Knight's Templar. As usual, this collection was all about the elegance of the past with brocade prints, long hemlines, and peasant blouses. It was ladylike in an old-fashioned way that we wish still existed. Some velvet gowns stood out, particularly one in a rich red hue with a cape that added to its regal quality. Some subtle shades of beige were integrated to the collection, bringing us back to 19th century England, back when lovely maidens would frolic in the fields. A few romantic patterns were introduced as well on some of the final dresses, including flowers, clouds, and words from a love letter to Romeo. Evidently, these two designers were in a very nostalgic mood, longing for the golden days of romance before dating apps and hook-up culture ever existed.

My Favourite Look: 46

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CHANEL

Is there really a Couture show we look forward to more than Chanel? Probably not. We can always expect extravagance from Karl, something unusual that we never imagined possible. He dives into his imagination every year and stuns his audience with an awe-inspiring show. This year, that something was a garden of Eden of sorts with paper flowers in bright spring colours at the center of the runway. The show began with a young man in a straw hat watering this lovely garden as models in wide rim hats began to appear in bold shades of blue, yellow, and pink Chanel tweed. There were some beanies as well, but not the beanies we are accustomed to seeing on the streets of winter. These beanies were in pretty pale pink with a net to shield the eyes. What followed was a series of monochrome looks that took us back to the days of Coco, the woman who invented the LBD as we know it today. What was new? Some cropped blazers and blouses were a predominant look as well as an abundance of floral appliques, a popular style choice this season. Ruffles and sparkle were added to this feminine mix, making this collection the ultimate woman's dream. And of course, the show ended with a drool worthy wedding gown. Are you as smitten as I am?

Favourite Look: 38

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CHRISTIAN DIOR

This year, the Christian Dior collection consisted of the perfect combination of sexy, with thigh high patent leather boots in a variety of colours from blood red to mustard yellow, and ladylike, with A-line skirts taking us back to the New Look of yore. The vibrant prints came in a wilder form than usual with stripes and florals taking center stage as well as abstract head-to-toe whimsical looks in shades of orange, blue, and yellow. Regardless of the abundance of geometric prints, this collection kept the classic Dior silhouette intact with the full skirts of the 50's and the mini dresses of 60's splattered throughout the show. Bright shades of yellow, orange, and green emboldened this runway alive with artistic fervor. Let's not forget to mention the elaborate embroidery on many of these looks that teased the eyes and awakened all of our senses. Raf Simons may have taken a risk with this collection, but it was definitely a step in a more modern direction.

Favourite Look: 54

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ELIE SAAB

Whether you're a celebrity or a commoner (as I am), Elie Saab is every woman's Red Carpet dream. After all, who doesn't love beading and sparkle? Like at Chanel, we saw some bold floral prints, but this time, on sheer beige dresses. We were taken to an enchanted forest where you could feel the romance in the air, particularly with some of the final looks resembled water colour paintings, creating the illusion of a flower garden. As always, there were many dresses we'd love to see on celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett at this year's Oscars. Lucky for us, the event is coming up in a few weeks and I can already envision a number of these pastel dresses making an appearance. With glamorous retro waves, some silver and some gold, as well as a few feathers, any of these looks would make for bold choices that can't go wrong. As usual, Elie Saab knows how to make women dream.

Favourite Look: 17

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GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

One of my own personal favourites, Giambattista Valli, never fails to impress. This season, he kept his feminine touch throughout the collection with his traditional pale pink, yellow, off-white, and black combo, while adding a little touch of darkness. With black hair nets, black bows, and sheer black skirts over black pants, this collection felt more like a dark fantasy in an enchanted forest of mystery. The full skirts, floral appliques, and flamboyant tulle, kept it girly and romantic as per Giambattista Valli's style. Even the soft french voice seduced us as we watched each model walk the runway in embroidered dresses with sheer paneling and frilly details. This designer proved that skirts over pants is the new normal and our traditional perception of the princess dress can be reshaped to suit our modern imagination. Pink fur, anyone? 

Favourite Look: 9

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These are some of my top picks for Paris Couture Week this year. Which shows were your favourites?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella