Plastic Is Fantastic (Especially for Rain)

"Rain, come at me, because this year, I will be fashionably prepared. You may think you can rain on my parade by frizzing up my hair and soaking up my sandal-adorned feet, but you are greatly mistaken. The fashion world has officially made plastic happen."

via Pinterest

If I were to have a conversation with the rain, that is more or less what it would be like. You may be thinking, "Plastic? Hell no. That cannot be fashionable." Perhaps several years/seasons/seconds ago I may have said the same. Today, I sing a different tune. Thanks to Christopher Kane, my hair shall be left undamaged because of a certain plastic headscarf shown on the runways this year. Will my purse get wait? No it won't. It will be full-on plastic as seen at Loewe's Spring 2016 show. As a result, my belongings will not risk a drop of water. Also, who needs an umbrella when you've got plastic hats at Gary Graham?

Spring may have officially arrived, but that doesn't guarantee endless days of sunshine (unfortunately). In fact, it's known to rain a lot in the springtime (at least in Canada). While this may be good for nature, it's much more unpleasant for us humans, forced to carry a burdensome umbrella that will flip upwards if attacked too harshly by the heavy waters falling from the sky. While your classic trench is always on trend, it loses part of its function without the protective hood to shield your hair from water damage. Nature can sometimes be unkind and that's why we need to find a way to keep our look intact without losing our fashion sense in the process. While the initial response may be one of distaste (what has the fashion world done now), it's undeniable that this trend is quite practical. While your classic rain mac used to be the only option, the Spring 2016 runways introduced  much more chic innovations to make rain dancing so much more fun.

Are you ready to embrace this trend? I don't know about you, but I may find myself dancing in the rain some day soon, an activity I never thought I'd do.

Ponder it,

Bella

London, London, London: It's Review Time Again

I absolutely love London. You know why? When it comes to fashion, it doesn't follow any rigid rules, but rather, contradicts them, with unusual colour combinations and a lot of rock n' roll glamour. While New York reintroduced the bomber jacket, London reinvented the puffer with shearling collars at shows like Burberry and Topshop Unique. While New York was more about classic femininity with midi length skirts in sheer romantic fabrics, London was all about the mini skirt at shows like Felder Felder and J.W Anderson, two labels who gave the look their own unique twist. While New York designers offered many conservative work-appropriate looks, London was more about embracing the colder weather with head scarves at Mary Katrantzou and plastic rain protectors at Christopher Kane which were emblematic of the rainy city the Brits call home. Some of my favourite shows combined that rock n' roll sex appeal that is quintessentially London with an abundance of fluff that was very Kate Moss. Needless to say, I was smitten.

Are you ready to review?

DAKS

Let's begin our discussion with Daks. While watching this show, three words came to mind instantly: dark, sexy, and mysterious. The collection consisted primarily of head-to-toe black looks, but it was anything but plain. A variety of textures were introduced such as the age-old favourite fringe, sheer panelling (for the ladylike amongst us), lace (for a sexy boudoir-inspired look), and velour (for a hint of melodrama). All of this proved that black is for everyone, no matter your personal taste. Though the first look was a long flowy dress, the masculine-inspired pantsuits that followed made this show ooze of sophistication and attitude. Also, my new favourite accessory made an appearance on a variety of looks: the black fedora. Call it goth meets glamour or Sherlock Holmes meets Hercule Poirot, this collection was infused with mystery and left me wanting more. Some of the best looks included a tuxedo jacket I only hope someone will be gutsy enough to wear to the Oscars, a black feathered skirt that took the 1920s flapper to a whole other level, and a ruffled dress with a bow that strongly appealed to my girly side. Needless to say, I'll need an order of every piece from this collection. Please and thank you.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 3

via vogue.com

JULIEN MACDONALD

Are you ready for a glamorous night on the town with a glass of champagne and a man on your arm? Well first, you need to take a look at Julien Macdonald's latest Fall 2016 collection. The designer took everything that is sexy and put it together in a variety of looks only suitable for the model of duty or a woman with infinite confidence (proven by none other than British model, Jourdan Dunn, who owned look 55 at the Brit Awards). Of course, it wouldn't be a party girl collection without a lot of glitter and sparkle, some high slits, and deep Vs that even a true disco diva would have to be quite daring to wear. The primary colour tones were silver and black, but what really struck my attention was the pop of red that almost seemed out of place, yet so consistent with the theme of the collection. If you're daring enough to try one of these looks at your next big event, I urge you to go for a long slinky number with major cutouts. As for me, I'm smitten with the little white dress that closed the show fit for a ballerina and sex kitten all at once.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 55

via vogue.com

DAVID KOMA

Every year, I like to talk about David Koma because he seems to know exactly what women yearn to wear, or maybe just me. This season, the collection was all about structured lines and muted tones like pale grey and white.The designer maintained his signature architectural theme on many of his looks with asymmetrical hems and strategic cutouts at the shoulders. The collection veered into darker territory halfway through the show with head-to-toe black looks combined with metallic accents and the ever-so-edgy cobalt blue. Some specks of red were introduced on a few sportswear inspired dresses and mixed print dresses. By the end, the handiwork was blatant and sexy with bits of metal scattered in unusual places to create works of art you would have only expect to see at the Tate.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 19

via vogue.com

MULBERRY

Mulberry hasn't presented a show at London Fashion Week in a number of years and now that it has finally made a comeback, I could not be more pleased. Coats were definitely the style statement at the show in fall-ready colours like maroon and navy blue with a few striking capes dispersed in between. One of the most remarkable colour combinations in the collection was khaki and maroon, two colours I would have never imagined at the same dinner table, but a combo I can't stop thinking about. The collection eased quickly into edgy streetwear with blouses and dress pants that had just the right amount of attitude and leather accents that still managed to radiate femininity. Bold furs and strong colours like red and yellow gave every look a unique touch while capturing everything that I love about London. When it comes to fashion, this city is fearless and that's exactly what Johnny Coca demonstrated at Mulberry this week with just enough sex appeal to make it rock n' roll. Did I mention, I'm dying for a pair of those platform shoes?

FAVOURITE LOOK: 9

via vogue.com

TOPSHOP UNIQUE

Of course, I always save the best for last. As usual, my obsession with Topshop and Topshop Unique remains untouchable because nothing says London more than this cult favourite brand. Though I could not get enough of the shearling coats, printed mini dresses, and leather accents, my favourite part about this show would have to be the magenta lipstick. Nothing says "I'm a woman with an attitude" like a bold lip colour that adds some extra personality to your outfit. This 80s-inspired beauty look did just that. On another note, half the collection consisted of oversized pieces, such as sweaters, pants, and bulky coats full of fluff that I just wanted to throw on to keep warm in the winter while also looking drop-dead-glamourous. This collection was exactly what London is about: breaking every rule in favour of bigger and bolder prints, a bit of transparency, and a few ill-fitted pieces that somehow still manage to look sexy.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 5

via vogue.com

While I shed a tear for London and wish I were there, it's now time to move on to Milan. But first, let me know which shows were your favourite in this rock n' roll city.

Ponder it,

Bella

Things Fashion Girls Hate: Rain

You wake up in the morning and flip through the newspaper absentmindedly eyeing the headlines. You stop at the weather. The forecast? Rain on Monday. Thundershowers on Tuesday. 40 per cent chance of rain on Wednesday. You can't bear the continue. And the only thing that crosses your mind is that you're probably never going to get to wear those brand new white jeans. It's not a good day for you.

One of the things we all seem to forget in the winter is that spring is often a series of rain showers. We tend to associate the new season with flowers blooming and grass growing, but why do we always forget the rain part? Selective memory? Other than washing away the snow, rain seems to have no positive properties.

It ruins our hair.
It imposes rain boots on us. Every day.
It forbids us from wearing those light colored jeans we've been looking forward to all year.

In fact, it's a bit of a dictator.

So, how do you fight a dictator? How do we conquer rain?

This seems like an impossible feat due to the fact that mother nature cannot be controlled BUT we can still stay fashionable in the worst weather conditions. Isn't that the sign of a true fashionista? Are you ready to accept the 30 day challenge?

Here are some suggestions:

1) A polka dot umbrella (or floral if you want to be ironic)

So cute, right?
via Flickr

2) Leopard print billy boots (because fashion girls like a wild print)

Obvi with a dab of pink.
via Fashionfractions.com

3) A Burberry Trench (or an H&M knockoff...whatever floats your wallet)

How chic is she?
via The Blond Salad

4) Rainproof Handbag

Yes, that's Chanel. And it's plastic.
via thebaglady.tv

5) A Vintage Head Scarf

A la Audrey Hepburn
via nocopynes.com

So, don't fret. Fight the rain. Don't give up because Mother Nature is probably just on her period.

Bella