Muse on a Wire: March 2010

Thursday 25 March 2010

The Nude Report

It's my favourite new obsession and the colour of the year, loved perhaps because it makes us feel young and reminds us of days when we didn't have to wear clothes.

Recognised for its versatility, nude is being embraced by designers for another season and it continues to be dazzling on the catwalk and the red carpet. Every week it makes fashion headlines.

Kelly Ripa appeared on David Letterman's show on the 8th in this pretty nude dress and shoes.

On the 11th, Sarah Jessica Parker wore a similar lace shift dress in a blush shade.

Oscar winner and Dior muse, Martion Cotillard, wore a nude Dior blouse when she was inducted into France's National Order of Arts and Letters in a ceremony on the 15th.

On the 16th, Jennifer Aniston wore this gorgeous Donna Karan nude dress to the New York premiere of The Bounty Hunter.

Earlier that day in London, Kate Moss wore a nude vest/tank top to the launch party for Stella McCartney's line for Gap Kids.

The next day, Dakota Fanning wore this amazing embroidered Elie Saab nude cocktail dress to the New York premiere of The Runaways.

Our love affair with the nude shades is not a one-night stand.

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Saturday 20 March 2010

The perfect Spring Dress - of course it's from Vivienne Westwood!

She calls it her Sunday Cloud Dress yet, in this dress there’s not a cloud in the sky that could put a shadow over your day.

Vivienne Westwood Sunday Cloud Dress by museonawire featuring Chanel bags

Items in this set:
Sunday Cloud Dress by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, 450 GBP
Pebble Dot Denim, $15
Reinhard Plank Day Sandal, $210
Chanel Veau Velours Clutch, $195
White Silk Crest Scarf, Givenchy, 80 GBP

In Praise of the Parka

Fashion born of necessity? Perhaps. It’s that awkward time of year when it’s too warm to wear a woolly coat but too chilly to got out with just a cardi. Who wants to wear their tired old winter coat anymore anyway? A cotton parka is the perfect cover-up for right now. They were all over the catwalk at the SS10 shows proving they're not just for boot camp anymore. Aquascutum put them over maxi skirts and dresses.

Emma Cook’s frilly dresses are the perfect contrast for her charcoal parka.

Future Classics’ parka concealed a racy catsuit.

I was sceptical at first but when I tried one on with a girly dress I was sold. I’ll be wearing my army green cotton parka over jeans, dresses, leggings and minis.
Here are a few ways to wear the old-is-new-again military parka.

How to make a parka work for you by museonawire featuring Alexander McQueen

Items in this set:
Cream Ditsy Printed Lace Dress, 39 GBP
Stripe Ra Ra Dress, 35 GBP
Parka cotton coat, $340
Drawstring Parka Jacket, $135
Cotton Washed Parka, $125

The Sailor Dress is Here to Stay!

Sonia Rykiel has revived the Sailor Dress. This buzz over this dress is humming all over the planet. It's official, the Nautical/Sailor look is here to stay.

Sonia Rykiel Sailor Dress by museonawire featuring Azzedine Alaia shoes

Items in this set:
Sonia By Sonia Rykiel Sailor Stripe Knit Dress, $355
Sonia by Sonia Rykiel | Sonia By Sonia Rykiel Sailor Stripe Knit Dress..., 350 EUR
Azzedine alaia shoes, 900 GBP
Betsey Johnson 'Pirate' Stretch Ring, $40
stock.xchng - window ship (stock photo by ruilousao)

It's safe to say the Nautical style is a classic now rather than a trend.

The luxury brands have a lot to offer on the nautical theme…

Nautical on the Catwalk by museonawire featuring L.A.M.B. shoes

Items in this set:
Naomi Harper Blue Knitted Sailor Dress, 260 GBP
Markus Lupfer Hello Sailor mini T-shirt dress, $170
Blue Stripe Sweater, 190 GBP
KIND BTV-FJ RED/WHITE WOOL -, 235 GBP
L.A.M.B. Zed Sandal - Nude, $300

But the highstreet could teach them a thing or two…

Nautical on the Highstreet by museonawire featuring TopShop

Items in this set:
Sailor Dress by Annie Greenabelle**, $110
Striped Hook And Eye Cardigan, $60
Smocked Side Top, $17
Striped Skirt - Skirts - New Look, 25 GBP
Harajuku Lovers Label Wedge - Navy, $60

And finally, because every outfit looks better with a hat...
this adorable nautical navy straw hat can be found at Hatastic's shop on Folksy.com

Tattoo You - Jean Paul Gaultier designs for Target

Being on the other side of the world, it skipped my radar that Jean Paul Gaultier released a range for Target in the US earlier this month. I am enamoured of the whole collection especially the leggings, dress and top printed with stunning Japanese tattoo images.

Tattoo You by museonawire featuring Isabella Fiore bags

Items in this set:
Winged Cross Tee, $9.90
DSQUARED - ONE PIECE TATTOO PRINT BATHING SUIT, 390 EUR
Diane von Furstenberg Egypt Tattoo Beach Tote, $75
Isabella Fiore 'Free Spirit' Audra Hobo Handbag, $60
Resin Tattoo Cuff, $230

Tattoo inspired clothing and accessories are a bit of graphic fun. This Disaya necklace is a good example of the adorable tattoo slogan necklaces available now.

Wednesday 17 March 2010

The Wonders of the Waterfall Waistcoat

This time of year we all want to get out our Spring clothes and shed the heavy winter garments that have been weighing us down. Unfortunately there's still a chill in the air. Thankfully though, there are a few key pieces that will rescue us. Tonight, I'm focusing on the versatile waterfall waistcoat. There are so many ways to wear it and if, like me, you're still carrying around a bit of winter insulation, they do a great job at concealment.

A stylish new waistcoat can breathe new life into an ordinary t-shirt and when you layer more than one, a long sleeve under a short sleeve or 2 tank tops - a tight one under a loose embellished one, you get a bang-on-trend multi-dimensional look. Team with a cozy snood or scarf and skinny jeans or leggings, throw on a lightweight cotton parka and you'll be laughing in the face of stubborn Old Man Winter.

The Wonders of the Waterfall Waistcoat by museonawire featuring TopShop

Items in this set:
Map Print Silk Smock Dress, £60
Waterflower Floral Smock Dress, £45
Smocked-back cotton-jersey dress, £40
Sheer Cowl Tank Heather Grey, 795 SEK
BEADED TANK TOP, 170 GBP

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Spring is in the Air!

I can smell it in the breeze, Winter has packed its bags and is walking out the door. What an unruly master he's been this year! Finally, the crocuses and daffodils have danced up into our world. Everything's feeling the change and I can't wait a minute longer to shed the wool and adorn myself in Spring colours. This time of year always reminds me of the shopping trips my mother and I took to find the perfect Easter outfit. A new frock, shoes, hat, gloves, patent shoes, tights, and a slip all had to be sourced. I still am driven by the "new dress for Easter" urge. There are so many pretty frocks on the racks right now and Topshop has once again taken all my Easter dress funds. I went for the off-the-shoulder 'Flute' dress in lilac and the crocheted cardigan along with the cream punch-out belt. I've got tights, taupe platforms and nude flats at the ready but the grey boots I've ordered from River Island (similar to the ones below), slouchy knee socks and a long cardigan will dress it down for more casual days.

EASTER IDEAS by museonawire featuring TopShop

Items in this set:
Flute One Shoulder Dress, £45
Petite Rose Smock Dress, £45
Sunflower Embroidered Dress, £40
Petite Crochet Cropped Cardi, £35
Printed Lace Floral Tights, £15

Don't you think flats look better with a bit of bling? Shoe clips are ingenious little things that can make a pair of £5 ballet flats look like they stepped off the catwalk. If you can, make your own, there are a million possibilities. You can use two matching brooches or "Anywhere Clips" by Tarina Tarantino, clip earrings, silk flowers and bows, so many things! You'll need to modify them with special clips to make them secure and comfortable. Clips can be found here (USA) for $1 each:
http://www.beadstudio.com/catalog.php?p=9578

and here (UK) where you can get 100 for £9.66!
http://www.lightfindings.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=3_42&products_id=346

Here are some ideas to get you going...

Shoe Clips by museonawire featuring Michael Kors shoes

Have a wonderful time finding your perfect Easter dress!

Thursday 11 March 2010

Paris Fashion Week FW AW 2010-2011 - ALL the shows!!!

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How quickly they come and go. Another Fashion Week, this time in Paris and featuring 30+ major designers' offerings for the Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 season, has ended. There were some truly outstanding and original pieces exhibiting high art in its purest form. There was a gripping performance piece by Riktor & Rolf. Karl Lagerfeld's stage was set with a lifesize iceberg, melting under the model's faux-fur covered feet, soaking the hems of luscious winter coats. There was a requiem show for the unforgettable Alexander McQueen that left viewers breathless.

I’m still going through the pics choosing my faves. Meanwhile, I thought you all might appreciate as much as I would having all the links for all the shows in one place.

This page may take a few moments to load, so please be patient. Below are summary photos of all the Paris Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 Fashion Shows and imbedded videos of runway films.

Designers are listed in alphabetical order:

ANNE VALERIE HASH