Monthly Archives: September 2011

PARIS FASHION WEEK: Join The FROW


It’s the final fashion week of the Spring 12 season and everyone is still looking fabulous. Join them by imitating more of our favourite FROWers.

PARISIAN STYLE JOURNO
The word chic is tattooed on her every internal organ. She lives and breathes style and will not let trends get in the way of her signature romantic look. Saying that she loves to nod to what’s happening now but like most French women she knows what will and won’t work so doesn’t force the issue. Her FROW uniform: Her forever style is pretty dresses but this season instead of dainty Mary-Jane’s she has opted for some vintage-look boots to tick off the retro feel for autumn 11.
UK CELEB STYLIST
Soapstars and superstars have her on speed-dial because she knows how to grab attention, something which she does daily with her own wardrobe choices. Her French and Italian counterparts are not sure what to make of her hapharzardly pulled-together combinations of high street hot buys and designer desirables but she knows whatever she pulls over her head in the morning will have the fashion paps salivating as she saunters in late to the shows. Her FROW uniform: She hates the word uniform. She is a free spirit who will not conform but she is loving mixing up her dressed-down parka with her dressed-up streamlined dresses.
NEW YORK INVESTOR
The world of New York finance still excites her but since she discovered fashion this business analyst has taken a few fledgling designer wannabes under her gym-honed wing. Now those wannabes are the toast of the international catwalks and she is hoping to repeat the process. Her look may seem tame in the fabulous world of fashion but it is downright daring when she’s out and about in Manhattan. Her FROW uniform: If it doesn’t cost it doesn’t work. She loves quality and elegance so it’s investment coats and shoes all the way. Nicola Wood Editor, MyRedoute Magazine

TREND: SIXTIES SCENE

We are loving the catwalks obsession with the swinging Sixties as block brights, A-line minis and shift dresses are so easy to wear. In our new Style Me TV video stylist Lizanne Davies talks us through the look and shows us how to pay homage to Prada’s retro vision in a gorgeous block detail shift dress. Will you dare to wear with over-the-knee boots like Lizanne suggests? We will.

MORE SWINGING SIXTIES MUST-HAVES:

Perfect In Print

Autumn 11 is all about pattern and print, which is just one of the reasons we love this dress. And the others? Well, its empire-line cut is flattering on all bodyshapes, the floaty cap sleeves hide our upper arms if we haven’t been tricep dipping recently and the black panelling draws eyes inwards. All-in-all you’ll be hard pressed to find a printed frock that will make you feel better about yourself.

Nip/Tuck Closet: How to work this season’s knits to absolute perfection


Summer has officially come to an end (did we ever have one?) but before digging out those woollen coats and scarves, take some time to embrace light-knit layering. It’s a tried-and-true way to ensure comfort at this time of year and can look catwalk-perfect as long as you remember the rules of dressing for your body-shape. Here is our quick and easy guide to help you through.

BEST FOR PEARS
Pullover knits are flattering for a pear’s enviable slender upper torso. Try finding one with a wide-neck as it will help to define your shapely shoulders and slim neck. Team with a cute skirt which skims the hips to provide an overall balanced outfit for those autumnal days.
BEST FOR BOYISH
 A knit cardigan is right on trend with autumn’s androgynous look and what’s more you can manipulate the cut to give the illusion of fabulous curves. Fastening a few button holes near your mid-section will help to give you an instant waist. Cardigans look great with a simple button down (in vein of the ‘borrowing from the boys’ trend) or for an ultra-feminine twist, why not pop a cute camisole underneath?
BEST FOR CURVY
 You’ve got a gorgeous little waist so be sure to show this off when layering. We suggest opting for a long-knit cardigan, which can be worn in several different ways. Try leaving unbuttoned and team with a cute dress or if the weather is just a bit too chilly button the knit up and belt at the waist to highlight that beautiful hourglass figure.

HOW TO: Stylist Lizanne Davies reveals the chicest ways to tie a trench

Every stylish woman has to have a classic trench in her wardrobe. It will take you anywhere, dressed up or down – if worn right. Whether you end up looking like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s or crumpled detective Columbo depends on how you style it. If you would prefer to work the film star look over the sweaty private detective style then we suggest you follow our stylist’s tips on tying a trench. So easy and so chic.

London Fashion Week: Get The Look

The fashion parade hits London and I am feeling inspired by the great and the good hitting the FROW of our very own fashion capital. Which one do you fancy channelling today?

CHIC BOUTIQUE BUYER
Her loyal customers look to her for the steer on the season because she brings the catwalks to their county. She has perfected her look of poised elegance over the years and although she keeps her style barometer pointed permanently at classic she knows her customers want her diluted take on the trends. Her FROW uniform: Luxurious camel long-length jacket, tailored trousers and classic courts.

SUPERFASHION BLOGGER
She’s having a total ‘mare juggling her fashion week schedule with her usual uptake of freebie treats and treatments. The best way to handle checking out this season’s newest runway looks and testing out the new non-surgical facelift for her many followers is to make a massive fashion sacrifice – steer clear of tricksy spike stilettos and stick with pavement-friendly wedges and block heels instead. Her FROW uniform: This morning she’s teaming her oh-so-now cable knit jumper and Vanessa Bruno trouser with wedge boots but catch her post a few fash-packed appointments and no doubt she’ll have worked a few designer freebies into her look.

GLOSSY MAGAZINE EDITOR
The world and his Labradoodle had sent her pre-fashion week gifts of shoes, bags and coats in the hope she might be fashion papped wearing one of his designs but this editor knows better. Her look is carefully constructed to strike fear into the heart of the rest of the FROW with one withering glance from behind her ever-present sunglasses. She is beyond trends and super-expensive. Her FROW uniform: Fur real or faux is a must.

ALSO ON OUR RADAR THIS WEEK: OMG how much are you all loving our Facebook competition and the new Colours of Autumn collection? Which outfit look do you want to win? What will you spend your winnings on? Bonne Chance!

Nicola Wood

Editor, MyRedoute Magazine

New Colours of Autumn Collection …Out Now

Have you seen the new TV adverts? Did you like what you saw? Well, here we thought we would take a moment to introduce you to the rest of the new Colours of Autumn collection. We heart it, a lot.






 

Autumn needs a good cardigan and this is an excellent one. It ticks off the season’s rich spicy palette and it will easily work across various trends. We love it over shorts but if you’re a little shy wear this softly draping knit over a swirling print shirt dress or team it with a sheer blouse and some Forties inspired wide-legged trousers. It is the perfect finishing touch.

Bold geometrics in luxuriously rich colours were a hit on the runways of Erdem, Giles and Etro. This top references the trend perfectly and looks gorgeously grown up with these tonal flares. Feeling bold? Team it with a clashing printed skirt and coloured tights instead.

If you don’t have a trench in your wardrobe get this one. Now. A classic trench is a failsafe that will dress up jeans and make a formal dress look cool. We love the pocket and cuff details on this beige beauty as it gives it a modern twist.

This season we are enjoying the return of the pussybow as it makes us feel all elegant and ladylike. Combined with the bracelet cuffed, sheer sleeves on this simple shift, the pussybow has exactly that effect.

The A-line silhouette of this coat reminds us of Jane Fonda’s swing coat in Barefoot in the Park. Not seen it? Rent it now as the autumn 11 catwalks were very much influenced by her whole look through the film and her coat was the star.

This is the season of the blouse. Whether you are working dressed up Forties Glamour or Boho Seventies, you need a feminine blouse to complete your look. And this one comes with the detail of the moment – the pussybow. What’s not to love?

As Seen On TV…Now You Can Get The Look


La Redoute’s new TV ad campaign hits the screens this week with its bang on trend Colours of Autumn collection. Lights. Camera. Action. Chic French women skip around town looking stylish in the season’s hottest must-buys. The Sixties-inspired shift? Got it. Coloured jeans? Yup, they’re there. The swirling printed dress? Chic French model #2 has it covered. The military knit? Chic French Model #3 knows how to work it. Inspired? You should be because we are offering you the chance to win the look of your choice from the TV ad campaign plus a £500 spending spree at La Redoute.
So what do you have to do? Well, simply become a Facebook fan of ours and enter the competition by telling us why you deserve this autumnal treat. Be quick though as the competition closes on September 25th, 2011.

Nicola Wood
My Redoute Editor

We Love…Knee-high Boots

Seventies inspiration was still found aplenty on the autumn 11 catwalks but unlike disco fever, which ruled for summer, this season was very much about that cool, urban New York daywear vibe. These brown suedette knee high boots are so in tune with what we saw at Gucci, Hermes and Valentino – and at a steal of £49 – it would be almost incomprehensable to leave them out of your autumn wardrobe. For more gorgeous boots click here.