Latest Fashion
Alexander McQueen's new creative director Sarah Burton gives her first interview.
And she's got some pretty big shoes to fill.
Read all the latest fashionable happenings in our round-up of fashion news.
Alexander McQueenThursday 30th SeptemberAs the anticipation builds toward Sarah Burton's first show as creative director of Alexander McQueen, Sarah has given her first interview about how she plans to take the line forward. And it sounds like we can expect the brand to retain Lee McQueen's ambitious design edge, with a slightly lighter outlook on life.
Speaking to WWD, Sarah said: "I don’t think it has to have as much angst in it. I think it will become softer. There’s always got to be some darkness, because otherwise you don’t appreciate what’s light. I’ve had a training in darkness, but I don’t feel that it’s necessarily a personal thing to me. I’m a bit lighter." Sarah worked alongside Lee for 14 years and she says she intends to keep the clothes from the line standing out from the rest of the fasion pack: "The thing I learnt very early on with Lee is that nothing was ever impossible." It sounds like we should forget the days of outrageous Alexander McQueen shows though. In that area, Sarah says it was all Lee: "In that way, I can’t try and pretend to be Lee."
Cat DeeleyFriday 17th September
London Fashion Week kicks off today and we'll be bringing you all the action from the front row and the catwalks (follow us on Twitter @SkyShowbizUK for the latest). But before the clothes came the opening night parties and this year Lily Allen and Cat Deeley were the hostesses with the most(-est). Lily flung open the doors to her new store (partnered by her sister Sarah Owen) Lucy In Disguise for a cocktail party among the gorgeous vintage clothes. Attended by the likes of Daisy Lowe, La Roux and Rachel Stevens, we managed to catch up with some of the celebrities and find out their fashion secrets (stay posted for our Fashion Week videos). Next it was on to Cat's Links Of London soiree at The Ivy Club, where Daisy hopped over to DJ. Cat is the new face of the jewellery brand and was looking stunning in a floor-length purple gown.
Meanwhile, Cheryl Cole has added another string to her bow by collaborating on a range of rings for jewellery brand De Grisogono. The X Factor judge performed at a party held by the brand at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year and has now been called in to design a collection of rings. We wonder whether Cheryl will follow in former chief-WagVictoria Beckham's footsteps and branch into designing her own line? Next stop - world domination.
Karl Lagerfeld and Vanessa ParadisWednesday 15th September
Karl Lagerfeld might be better known for his stunning designs for Chanel and his signature label, but his latest exhibition is all about his photography skills. Karl began photography 20 years ago because he was apparently disappointed in the quality of press photographs of his clothing creations. The exhibition, entitled 'Pacours de travail' is a retrospective journey of fashion and culture and is running at Maison Europeenne de la Photographie from 15th September to 31st October. The launch party was last night at the exhibition in Paris and his long-time muse Vanessa Paradis was on hand to add a touch of glamour to the proceedings.
Meanwhile, if you know any badly-dressed youngsters, fear not. Help is on hand in the form of Stella McCartney's new children's wear range, set to launch on 3rd November nationwide. This follows the sell-out success of her collaboration with Gap. Prices will range from £16 to £125 - with sizes 0 to 12 years. Cue hundreds of youngsters with better threads than us. Great.
Natalie ImbrugliaFriday 10th September
Natalie Imbruglia has done acting, she's done singing and now she's turning her hand to the world of fashion. The 35-year-old has collaborated with fashion label Banjo & Matilda to create a gorgeous line of knitwear. Money from every sweater sold will be donated to the Campaign to End Fistula. And with such beautiful campaign shots starring Natalie herself, we're sure they'll fly off the rails.
Meanwhile, as we patiently wait for Lanvin's H&M line to hit stores next month, we've been given another reason to save our pennies. Valentino will join forces with Gap to create a womenswear capsule collection by creative designers Maria Grazia Chiui and Pier Paolo Piccioli. The launch of the range will coincide with Gap's new Milan flagship opening and will then be available in the brand's Colette Paris store and two branches in London. Maria and Pier said: "We are very pleased that Gap thought of us as a partner for this intimate project, as it brings together the iconic world of Valentino and Gap's fashion essentials. In this way, Valentino and Gap synthesize the current trend of combining luxury with basics."Lastly, if you're a fan of rummaging in car boot sales, how about this for a treat? Westfield London will be holding a Car Boot Fair from the 21st to 26th September in the Atrium at the shopping centre. House of Fraser has confirmed that they will be selling the newly relaunched iconic 60s fashion brand BIBA from their car boot and Mary’s Living & Giving car will be selling Vintage Chanel. Sounds a bit better than traipsing out to the middle of nowhere to look round a field of junk (most probably in the rain) to us.
Jameela Jamil wears a French Connection dressTuesday 7th September
The Glammy Awards took place last night to kick off High Street Fashion Week. Hosted by Jameela Jamil, the event saw nine High Street retailers honoured with awards, including a surprise award for best value for money (H&M scooped this one). All awards were voted for by shoppers.
The full list of winners is as follows: A/W 10 Looks: French ConnectionPerfect Plus Size - Best for size 14+: DebenhamsEco-Warrior - Best for ethical green living: People TreeFinishing Touch - Best Accessory: OfficeFabulous 40 - Best for women over 40: BHSBoy Wonder - Best Menswear: Moss BrosDream Dressing Room - Best dressing room and level of service: John LewisPower Window - Most inspirational window: SelfridgesBest Value for money: H&MJameela said: “I’m a huge fan of the High Street and have been so excited to see who comes out on top in The Glammys. The entries have been really strong from all the retailers, showing the brilliant versatility of High Street fashion!“ Jameela's chic black sling replaces the standard issue white bandage: a girl after our own hearts.
Monday 6th September
Edun founders and married couple Ali Hewson and Bono are the stars of Lois Vuitton's latest campaign. The gorgeous ad, shot by Annie Leibovitz, is part of the brand's Core Values campaign, and the couple wear clothes from the ethical Edun label, accessorised with a collaborative Louis Vuitton bag.
Ali Hewson and BonoAll proceeds from the sale of the bag, (which features a Monogram charm hand-crafted by Made In Kenya) along with Ali and Bono's fee for the shoot, will go to Technoserve in Africa for the Conservative Cotton Initiative and to the Chernobyl Children International.
Meanwhile, speaking to Elle magazine, Kate Hudson has revealed that she has a bit of an obsession with Hermes' famous scarves. She said: “I have nearly 200 and I buy them all over some new, some from eBay, some from weird little places. I have a cabinet that I lay them out in. I love them, they’re so beautifully made.” Kate also told Elle that when it comes to picking clothes, comfort comes before style: "My personal style has never changed. I love comfortable clothes and a lot of accessories. I don’t like clothes that constrict me. It’s like, would you like to put some clothes on? No, I wouldn’t!"
Victoria BeckhamThursday 2nd September
The nominations for this year's British Fashion Awards have been announced - and Victoria Beckham has been nominated for designer of the year. She faces stiff competition from the likes of Burberry, Pringle of Scotland and Mulberry, but to be named on the shortlist is high praise indeed. This is the former Spice Girl's first nomination - proving she's now part of the high fashion clique. Other notable nominations include David Gandy for model of the year (it's unusual to include male models in the category) - he'll be up against Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Lara Stone. The big night will take place on 7th December.
Meanwhile, the arrival of 3D brings many possibilities - one of them being the chance to see Miranda Kerr's flawless body in all its glory on the pages of Vogue Italia. The latest issue comes complete with a pair of 3D glasses so you can see Miranda's topless shoot popping out of the page at you. Shot by Steven Meisel, the shots make up a beautiful autumn spread. See more from the shoot at www.vogue.it.
Chanel shadesWednesday 1st SeptemberLily Allen's fashion career is well underway as her pop-up shop opened to the public today in Selfridges. Lucy In Disguise will be in the Wonder Room until the 15th September, before their Covent Garden store opens on the 18th September. The store will feature plenty of vintage plunder to rent and buy, and Lily's been posting some pics of the treasures we can expect to find. Lily says the pop-up shop is just a taster of things to come, tweeting: "Our own shop in Covent Garden will be open for business on the 18th where there will be a much larger range of stock." Some retro chain Chanel sunglasses anyone? Or a one-of-a-kind sequin frock? Get your credit cards ready.
The wall display in-store Meanwhile, the fashion rumour mill has whirled into action with reports that Lanvin will be the next designer to collaborate with H&M for a diffusion line. The high street retailer posted a series of teaser ads about the line on YouTube, leaving fashion fans guessing as to who will be behind their next big collaboration, but now Womens Wear Daily (WWD) have reported that it will be Lanvin behind the next line. Following in the footsteps of greats like Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Comme des Garcon, we're expecting to see some signature statement shoulders and sophisticated party dresses hitting stores (and our wardrobes) in time for Christmas.
Lastly, just a week after Gap and Banana Republic went online, Zara are launching an online shop of their own. We will finally be able to click-to-buy when Zara launches its e-tailer tomorrow. With H&M set to follow later this month, soon we'll never have to leave the house again. But then how will we show off our gorgeous new clothes?
