Greeting fashion fans, news is back again after little break for attending some Olympic events which included seeing Team GB win a gold and two bronze at the rowing last Friday. The FashEd has been having fun at the beach volleyball, boxing and swimming- lucky thing. Even though it's August, there's still plenty of fashion news to report this week...
Ryan Lochte is undoubtedly the breakout star hottie of this Olympics with many, including myself, religiously tuning in to watch his races in the hope that we'll get a wink or some other kind of high jinks at the end. The team at US Vogue anticipated Lochte mania so made him star of their June Olympic cover, alongside Hope Solo (a FashEd favourite) and Serena Williams. However, it seems the public weren't quite so into the idea as the edition has been the worst seller of the year so far, ouch for Ryan. Although, I like The Cut blog's assessment that it was probably more to do with Serena and Hope's dodgy nude swimsuits than the star swimmer. Plus, US Vogue went one better than any UK glossy by choosing actual Olympic athletes to grace their cover. Mr Lochte can also take consolation from the fact that US Vogue's bestselling star has been Adele on the March issue- she was British Vogue's worst selling cover girl last year.
American Vogue's worst selling June cover (image from nymag.com)
One of the big fashion events in August is the unveiling of the look magazines have gone for on their August covers. This week, it's a battle of the blonde music stars in pink with Lady Gaga on US Vogue and Gwen Stefani for US Harper's Bazaar. Given that was relatively scarce on the catwalks, it's an interesting coincidence that both titles have gone for a similar look. Stefani's editorial, photographed by Terry Richardson, gives further leverage to the top knot trend (is that still a trend, or just a thing now?) while Gaga looks like a kind of cartoon mermaid.
Gwen Stefani in Alexander McQueen and top knot in Harper's Bazaar (image from harpersbazaar.com)
Gwen in Alexis Mabille custom hat (image from harpersbazaar.com)
Lion haired Gaga in custom Marc Jacobs on US Vogue's September issue (image from nymag.com)
And it may not have been released yet but Dazed and Confused's upcoming Azealia Banks cover has already caused controversy. It is seen to be so troublesome in fact that in some countries it won't get a place on the newsstands at all. The Dazed and Confused team tweeted:
Just been told our upcoming @AZEALIABANKS cover has been banned from 7 countries so far. Thank God for the Internet, huh?
Thank the lord indeed for the internet as if reports are to believed, Ms. Banks is pictured blowing up a bright pink (continuing the above theme) condom- the accompanying caption reads 'Azealia Banks blows up'. Obviously we haven't seen the cover- we have to wait til Monday- but surely the powers that be could have pretended Banks was just attempting a bubblegum blowing world record?
Naughty, moi? Another Azealia Banks cover (image from style.mtv.com)
SHOPPING NEWS #1: Browns, the independent London boutique responsible for launching the careers of the likes of McQueen and Galliano, and Farfetch.com, the site which brings together designer pieces from boutiques across the world, are two FEAL favourites. As of this week, we can now shop Browns on Farfetch.com after a new partnership was announced which also includes Miami's The Webster. It's another milestone in the increasing importance of the being strategic about your online retail, as Francois Henri Pinault of PPR discussed in an interview about his digital strategy with Business of Fashion. He talks about making the online experience more luxurious by adding the option for fittings appointments to the e-tail sites of his brands, which include Gucci, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent.
AUGUST 23rd: Louise Gray's collection for Topshop will be available online and in selected stores. There are six pieces of clothing to go alongside the beauty range which promises to be mega fun if Gray's bright and beautiful catwalk shows are anything to go by. I love what Louise has to say about the collection: "My mainline collections have always been about pushing optimism, colour and fun and I wanted to bring that to the Topshop collection as well. I want the Topshop girl to stay out all night in it!".
Sequins galore! Louise Gray x Topshop (image from vogue.co.uk)
AUGUST 17th-19th: I'll race you to the Sunspel Sample Sale, taking place from 10-7 at the Truman Brewery with up to 80% off their brilliantly designed, made in Britain basics, something for boys and girls alike.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK #1: We're all getting more and more interested in where and how what we wear is made. Now, purveyors of excellent sunnies RETROSUPERFUTURE have made a slightly science-y video showing us how their glasses are made. If you're into that sort of thing, it's quite mesmerising.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK #2: Solange Knowles was this week announced at the new face J. Crew's younger sister Madewell- a match made in fashion heaven. The brand had to chose well if they were to match last year's collab with Alexa Chung. Here's a backstage video of Beyonce's little sister shooting the new campaign. I'm so happy I'm going to New York later in the year so I get some of this stuff for myself
FINALLY, most our favourite celebs are in hiding (Kristen Stewart) or cavorting on beaches, so we're looking elsewhere for our fix of stylish people to ogle. Step forward Olympic athletes: it's the rhythmic gymnasts vs. the sychronised swimmers- any favourites?
Rhythmic gymnastics, Australia (image from telegraph.co.uk)
Rhythmic gymnastics, China (image from telegraph.co.uk
Rhythmic gymnastics, South Korea (image from telegraph.co.uk)
Rhythmic gymnastics, Uzbekistan (image from telegraph.co.uk)
Russian synchronised swimmers (image from zimbio.com)
British sychronised swimmers (image from olympic.org)
Sychronised swimmers from Ukraine (image from theweek.co.uk)
American synchronised swimmers (image from people.com)
If Nike were ever worried about not getting a look in at these games, given that Adidas is the Official Kit Sponsor, then they can breath a neon tinted sigh of relief because almost every single track and field athlete (many of them are sponsored by Nike) has had a super bright pair of Volts on their tootsies, hallucinating us via the speedy swish of yellow and distinctive black ticks on the bottom of our screen. And now I think I speak for us all when I say I need a pair of my own, even if I'm not going to be breaking any records in them.
Olympic trainers- Nike have very similar available to buy here (image: sneakernews.com)
The Nike neon shoe phenomenon was brewing long before the Olympics. It's not like a Nike trainer has ever been a fashion no-no, the brand has long excelled when it comes to making trainers cool but in recent months the neon versions of styles from the Flex, Fly and Free ranges have been popping up more and more on the feet of stylish girls and fashion editors. Alexandra Shulman, Vogue Editor in Chief more often seen in kitten heels, wore her pink pair back in June. Thankfully, Nike are giving us the chance to get our hands on our very own very special pair of Volts. As part of the Nike x Liberty AW12 collab, the Volt will be available (spikes and all) with the slight update of a Liberty Mirabelle print faded over the luminous yellow. They're rather special. If you don't spend much time on the track then there are loads more equally fluoro fab trainers both in the Liberty collection and in the Nike mainline.
You've all heard about Bicester Village, right? The place where loads of big designer names have outlet shops where you can pick up proper (I mean stuff you see on the catwalks, not naff logo t-shirts) designer pieces at a fraction of the usual price. What I hadn't quite grasped until I visited Bicester on Monday is how relevant the stock is- I had been expecting to find things to buy now and stow away for next Summer, basically I thought everything might be a bit behind the usual retail calendar. It may be August and time for holidays but the savviest shoppers are beginning to put together their Autumn wardrobes. I've been thinking about mine since February, such is the life of a Fashion Journalist. So contrary to expectations, the shops of Bicester have plenty of stock which feels just right for now- there were military coats, boots galore, graphic kaleidoscope prints, puffa jackets and many more of the key catwalk pieces for the coming season. It's a little bit like a giant sample sale but more civilised, with fewer elbows, items discounted at a time when you still want to wear them and a few lovely restaurants a stone's throw away to dive into between browses.
I have a bit of a thing for shoes so I seemed to zone in one them during my Bicester visit. I could have bought up the entire Rupert Sanderson shop which was stocked with pieces I remember seeing at their press day in March. There were lots of the brand's signature elegant heels but also a good smattering of bang-on-trend pieces like the red and black houndstooth boots. Add to that tassel slippers in lots of colours and the kind of winter boots which will last years, but with those thoughtful design details like the ankle cuff on this riding style.
Rupert Sanderson boots: Were £788 Now £310 at Bicester Village
Rupert Sanderson tassel slippers: Were £525 Now £350
Rupert Sanderson riding boots: Were £725 Now £480
Another Bicester must-visit is the Marni shop which is full of clothes and accessories which are properly on brand and definitely don't feel like end-of-line rejects. My favourite spy was these bright spotty heels. What with the Vuitton/ Kusama collab and their appearance in lots of key Resort collections, I would say dots are one of the safest graphics to invest in right now. There were also lots of pieces which played into the AW12 trend for chunky gem embellishment, as seen on the Marni catwalk of course. It doesn't get more bling than the clutch I found, but there were plenty more items which would have ensnared a magpie or two.
Spotty heels in Marni, Bicester Village: Were £370 Now £127.50
Marni clutch at Bicester: Was £765 Now £470
It's not just high-end designer at Bicester. I would definitely recommend you go into stores you might not usually think of. On my last trip, I bought two pairs of shoes in Hobbs which I get compliments on all the time and in Jigsaw there were lots of good jumpers and cardigans as well as great penny loafers which I would have bought had they had my size. And if you have a breton top addiction like myself then stock up in Aubin and Wills, the chicer older sibling of Jack Wills (which also has a Bicester outlet if you're that way inclined).
So, if you are starting to think about building up your Autumn/ Winter wardrobe or fancy escaping Olympic London for a day (or even an evening- it's open until 9pm) then you get yourself to Bicester Village.
P.S There's an upgraded train service which now takes you from London Marylebone to Bicester North in 42 minutes- easy peasy.
Anna Piaggi, one of fashion's most unique individuals died today at her home in Milan. She was 81. It seems only right to celebrate her contribution as an editor, an inspirer, an enthusiast and innovator. One of Anna's greatest friends and collaborators was Karl Lagerfeld. In 1986, they collaborated on a "Fashion Journal" which includes wonderful sketches of Anna by Karl, dressed in a vast array of outfits from extensive collection which included everything from 20s Poiret cloaks to warrior tunics from Benin. The drawings and paintings are accompanied by Anna's commentary, this includes such gems as "White feather pompon as his ornament; tall pilgrims staff. The occasion: an after- dinner promenade in the dark, at the time of night when glow worms appear". It's the stuff of fashion dreams, detail and bravery- however much any of us "love" fashion, can we attest to keeping our wardrobes a dreamland which we live out each day?
The book begins with introductions by Lagerfeld and Piaggi to one another. I have photographed (our office scanner is broken this afternoon, I'm afraid) Lagerfeld's summation of Anna as it seems the most perfect and potent way to describe an utterly original woman...
Anna, dressed as a Belle Epoque Amazon, with Lagerfeld in 1977
(image from Jacques de Bascher archive)
Last night, Sanya Richards Ross of Team USA won Gold in the 400m, yay for her! However, what she maybe doesn't know yet is that she and team mate Dee Dee Trotter (who took the Bronze) have been jointly awarded FEAL's Gold Medal for fusing fashion and the Olympics- they've won the Fashlympics. Sanya and Dee Dee put to serious shame those of us who skulk through our workouts in bare faces and old t-shirts through their utterly genius combination of regulation kit and personal style. They're like the girls at school who somehow manage to make their uniform look good. Obviously, not many people broadcast their exercise routines live to millions around the world so really we can understand why they put in the effort.
Sanya had the now ubiquitous patriotic nail art and both wore the equally everywhere fluoro trainers (of which more later in the week). But there was plenty more too. Dee Dee went one step better than nails and decorated her face with a sequinned stars and stripes motif which not only sparkled up the race track but meant that she looked appropriately fancy when she took to the podium to receive her medal rather than being the sweaty mess we have quite understandably become used to in the past week. You may remember how many comments were elicited by Lizzie Armitstead's pearl earrings which she wore to complete the 140km cycling road race last weekend, Sanya went one better and plumped for the interlocked Cs of Chanel for her ear adornment. Finally, and most impressive of all was Sanya's Azealia Banks-esque mermaid hair which she wore very long and loose. I'm no scientist, but surely she could have run a second or two faster had she not had that mane flowing behind her? This suggests that she was very happy to put personal style before her aerodynamics and feeling so confident she could win that no hair minimising measures were required.
So, any girls out there who think that doing exercise means sacrificing looking good, may I present Sanya and Dee Dee, Gold and Bronze medallists AND Fashlympic champions....
Sanya's Chanel earrings (image from fashionista.com)
Hair like a mermaid, run like the wind (image from en.rian.ru)
Sanya Richards Ross does the Olympic nail art thing (image from theroar.com.au)
Dee Dee Trotter goes one better with her brilliant stars and stripes make-up (image from Zimbio.com)
The Fashion Editor at Large blog is the independent work of Melanie Rickey, the views are my own. The Fashion Junior at Large is Bethan Holt. PORTRAIT: Neil Haynes
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