Label Du Jour: Erdem

Hello fashionistas, got a shiny new feature for the blog today! (Warning: image heavy.)

The Label Du Jour is ... drum roll please:

Erdem

 

I am absolutely obsessed with this brand, as you'll know if you read our intro post! 

Erdem is a ready-to-wear label run by designer Erdem Moralioglu, who was born in Canada, studied in London, and has even worked with Diane Von Furstenburg in New York. His rise to fame started around 2005 when he won the second Fashion Fringe, and soon afterwards his clothes began to appear on the red carpet, worn by women such as Michelle Obama, Claudia Schiffer and Sarah Brown.

Personally, it was't until 2008 that I finally clocked Erdem on my style radar: after seeing the pictures of Keira Knightley at the Edge of Love premiere in a gorgeous purple cocktail dress, I was in love:

 

According to the man himself, his design signatures are "colour, optimism and oddities", which I think sums up his brand perfectly: all bright colours, striking prints and structured silhouettes. The reason I love the line so much is that while every piece is very quirky and individual, they are always absolutely wearable.

 

I've been eagerly awaiting his AW 10/11 collection, and he hasn't disappointed at all! His new pieces have that unforgettable Erdem style, with flashes of new-season inspiration. My favourite look is this stunning wool cape paired with these grungey lace-up ankle boots and socks ... just waiting for that lottery win so I can get my hands on them ...

I'll leave you with some more looks from Erdem's AW 10/11 show, as well as a taste of things to come:

(sources: erdem.co.uk, londonfashionweek.co.uk, elleuk.com, vogue.com)

Love Sanchia (@wakeorsleep) xxx

AW 10/11 Trend Focus: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. (& other coat trends!)

Seen on the catwalks for labels including Emilio Pucci, Diane Von Furstenberg, Micheal Kors, Stella McCartney and Burberry, capes are one of the outerwear shapes to be seen in this AW.

Aviator Jackets are also big news this winter. It's definately worth investing in a quality leather version which will last well and will look even better the older it gets!

Other trends we've been seeing is detailing on coats. Such as exposed zips, fur collars (Burberry) and knitted collars (Prada). Grab a camel coloured version (as seen on Prada & Zac Posen) to combine two of this autumns biggest trends.

So hot off the catwalk....

 (All photos from Elle.com)

Burberry

Prada

Prada

Zac Posen

 And on the High Street...

(L to R)

1. Love the pom poms on the FCUK jacket, their jackets are always great quality too!
2. Big fan of the military style of this ASOS cape.
3. This Aviator Jacket is 100% leather outer and as well as the zip detailing being bang on trend, it also means you can remove the sleeves to transform it into a gilet for the slightly warmer winter days!
4. This ASOS cape is a really thick knitwear piece which will keep you warm all winter - a great alternative to a heavy winter coat. Designers including Stella McCartney have been sending thick knitwear onto the catwalks this AW.

Sorry for the image heavy post! So, what style coat will you be investing in this winter?  

Love Millie xxx

AW 10/11 Trend Focus: Lace

by Sanchia

"Ah, Lace. So we meet again ..."

Word on the catwalk: lace will be HUGE next season! I thought I'd write this post because I (brace yourself) hate lace with a passion, and since it's still firmly on the fashion radar, I thought it was about time I embraced it. 

Ugh.

We first started seeing lace way, waaaay back in AW 08/09, when Miuccia Prada decided that it would be interesting to see if she could base an entire collection on a material that she (at the time) just couldn't stand. 

 

But I've got to admit, the collection was more than just "interesting" – it was feminine, luxurious and seductive, and yet prim and stiff at the same time; it reminded me of forbidden love in a gothic novel. Back then the trend didn't really filter through past the couture houses ... but it resurfaced for SS 2010, and it hasn't stopped there! The L-word is a huge feature in some of the biggest new season collections: Valentino, Burberry Prorsum (damn you, Christopher Bailey!), Givenchy and Christopher Kane, to name but a few. 

I think it's got to the point now where I just cannot dig my heels in and ignore it any longer! So I've been doing a little internet shopping to see how I can try the trend by adding just a couple of key pieces here and there ...

Although I do need a new sweater, out of the above I think I'd go for the Topshop ankle socks! Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am absolutely obsessed with socks and tights (if you are too, check out this post by Sarah Williams), so no doubt I'll fall in love with them (and lace in general) on sight.

Oh gosh. The brogues. Are beautiful. Sadly they're white, and I don't know how long they'll last on a wet English street. While I love the peep-toe boots so much more, I think I'll regret them too the moment it rains, which I imagine is going to happen pretty often come November! But having said that, both pairs are very reasonably priced, so I may just eat my words and pick up one or the other (or both?) very soon. ;) (Ooh, before I forget, the TFNC dress is £17 reduced from £40 in the ASOS sale, so pick it up now or you'll miss out!)

The hoodie dress is staring at me. I'm hiding my debit card, just in case. (But just so you know, it's £65 reduced from £180, also in the ASOS sale. See my previous post for evidence of my ASOS addiction if you're a fellow sufferer!) I included the Warehouse blouse because the lace detail is very subtle, which makes it perfect for someone like me who wants to try the trend but isn't overly keen on it – and I can reference the white shirt mini-trend while I'm at it!

If you have any recommendations for ways I can try the lace trend, please let me know! And I'd love to know if and how you're going to reference it next season.

Love Sanchia (@wakeorsleep) xxx

P.S. Kudos if you managed to read that whole post! :) Have a free virtual hug: O

AW 10/11 Trend Focus: Pouch Bags

They've been spotted on the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Alexandra Richards and Fearne Cotton recently. Pouch bags are one of the hottest bag trends this AW. They're the perfect bag for festivals, but you can also get more formal and embelished versions for going out!

Coral pouch/duffle bag from ASOS.com £25

Red ASOS pouch bag £25

Beige embelished bag, Miss Selfridge £28

And finally this amazing Temperley London Zebra Print Bag £345

Do you have a pouch bag? Will you be buying one? I'm definately going to have to invest in one!

Love Millie xxx

P.s. If you get a minute please vote (maybe for me?!?) in the http://www.laurenlovesshops.blogspot.com/ Summer nail art competition.

AW 10/11 Trend Focus: Brogues

By Millie

So brogues are staying in this autumn winter. I'm a big brogue fan although I only have two pairs at the moment! (A brown Kate Kanzier pair and a black Topshop pair) however I'm lusting after some of these lovelies this A/W! (plus they're all £50 or less!)

What to wear brogues with? Brogues can look great with anything from tea dresses (with some frilly socks!) to rolled up chinos or jeans.

Here's Emma Watson wearing her two tone brogues and some brogues from Alexa Chungs AW2010 collection for Madewells.

(photo by Nick Wolf)

Do you own any brogues? How do you wear yours?

Love Millie xxx