Latex Meets High Fashion

Latex Meets High Fashion:
Atsuko Kudo

Whilst doing some research for my Photography class on the wonderful showSTUDIO.com, I happened to come across a show called Restricted Love: a fashion show containing some rather fabulous latex lingerie creations by designer Atsuko Kudo. Now, the first few thoughts many of us have when the word latex flashes before our eyes are fetish, BDSM and Fifty Shades - and although many of the 'garments' do fit into this category, there are some surprisingly high fashion and seriously stylish looks that even I would go for (if I lost around 10lbs, but that's beside the point).

"Continuing her mission to merge latex-wear with high fashion, Atsuko Kudo took part in the Lingerie London show in aid of the Seven Bar Foundation. To compliment the delicate mood of the collection, which drew inspiration from the retro visions of Hong Kong in Wong Kar-wai’s ‘In the Mood For Love’, SHOWstudio captured the evening using vintage-feel apps such as Instagram, 8mm and Cinemagram."

If you were to go ahead and purchase any of the above shown looks, your purse would be around £850 lighter but with celebrities such as Dita Von Teese and Lady Gaga already huge fans of the designers work, it's no wonder then that prices are starting to climb for an Atsuko Kudo piece. Fancy checking out more collections? Just click here and check out the website!

Photo Credit: Atsuko Kudo website & showSTUDIO.com

A Display Fit For A Princess

Harrods Christmas Display;
Fit For A Princess

Nothing pleases me more than fashion and fairy tales  so when the two collide together to grace the window's of Harrods annual Christmas display, I can't help but get all giddy with delight. Everyone knows that when it comes to this festive time of year, retailers in London as well as other fashion capitols around the world start to reveal some of the most magnificent window displays we've ever seen. Harrods is one of said retailers and this year it's set to be magical by the help of some well known designers in the fashion industry.

The concept? For top designers - including Oscar de la Renta, Valentino & Versace - to redesign a dress for each Disney princess and have them displayed as of November 1st. It gets better: there's even a 7,000 sq ft Disney Princess pop-up store on the 4th floor which is open to the public as of now! I was actually thinking of taking a trip down to London for the Christmas markets this year, but now that i've heard about Harrods Disney Princess display, I definitely have to. 

There are ten designs to be put on show, however I've chosen my top five to show you here. If you want to see them all, just pop on over to Pinterest by clicking HERE.

Sleeping Beauty by Elie Saab - My Favourite

Ariel by Marchesa - Close favourite.

Cinderella by Versace - Again, a close favourite.

Rapunzel by Jenny Packham

Tiana by Ralph Russo

Photo Credit: www.vogue.co.uk

Pudsey Meets Fashion

Children In Need 2012:
Pudsey's Fashionable Make Over

With Children In Need kicking off on soon on November 16th and being such an annual event all over the UK, it's no wonder that the fashion industry have felt the need to help raise money for such a good cause. How are they contributing I hear you ask? By customising Pudsey bear and giving him a makeover to be then auctioned off to a lucky bidder. Quite simple, but a good idea.

Images have been floating around Twitter and similar social media websites, so I thought I would collect some of said images and show you which ones I think are particularly stylish. It's sad times when you feel a little envious of a stuffed teddy bear *sigh...

Louis Vuitton

Vogue - hmm, wonder what gave that one away..

Balenciaga

Giles

Prada, or as I like to call it: The Bryan Boy

What do you think of these customised Pudsey's? Would you bid for them? I think my favourite has to be the Giles Deacon Pudsey - I'm a sucker for anything black and slightly gothic looking!

Photo Credit: Images found via various Twitter accounts.

Fashion Haul: To The Moon & Back

Fashion Haul:
To The Moon & Back

To say that I had a touch of writer's block would perhaps be the understatement of the year. This seems to be the norm after Fashion Month and it doesn't make me feel particularly happy or professional, so in an attempt to inspire myself I took to the internet and had a little browse around this weeks headlining news. One such headline that intrigued me, was that a man named Felix Baumgartner jumped from space and risked his life for both science and his need for a blood-pumping adrenaline rush. Can't say I would have risked my blood boiling and lungs exploding for an adrenaline rush - I get my kicks from shopping and grabbing a good deal - but each to their own as they say.

Anyway, this headline later inspired me when I was having a little look on ASOS. I came across the t-shirt, leather trousers and bracelets and decided to add the Ash wedge sneakers in as I already own those and they will be my choice of footwear when my outfit arrives in the post later this week.

1. To The Moon & Back T-shirt - ASOS - £16

2. Skinny Leather Look Trousers - ASOS - £30

3. 2 Pack Gold Chain Bracelets - ASOS - £8

4. Nappa & Suede Wedge Sneakers - Ash @ Flannels Fashion - £185

You can click on the links underneath the image if you, like me, are in need of a little retail therapy. 

It seems that I go through little phases of wanting print, colour and texture in my wardrobe and then flips to the opposite side of things where I want nothing more than to dress in an entirely black ensemble. Maybe it's because Halloween is just around the corner and I'm starting to feel more in touch with my inner goth. Who knows. Hmm, perhaps a Halloween themed post is next on the cards...

Photo Credit: Images sourced from ASOS and put together on Polyvore - Follow me there by searching 'vitadimoda'

GUEST POST: From Mad Max to The Midas Touch - Haute Couture Shoe Trends 2012

From Mad Max to The Midas Touch:

Haute Couture Shoe Trends 2012

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with idea, the way we live, what is happening." ~ Coco Chanel

Haute Couture is the supreme sophistication of everything elegant. Each year design houses take us on a journey by visually telling a story. Fashion is an adventure ride that travels through time and space at speeds sometimes beyond comprehension. With extreme attention to detail, the 2012 Fall Haute Couture fashion shows of Paris, Milan and New York visited the ancient world of the Romans, the fantasy-land of princesses, the dark future of alien integration and the dystopic society of Mad Max, all the while receiving the Midas Touch. This year's runway found many trends from our favorites designers: crystal embellishments, tailored pants, elegant gowns, tuxedo jackets, chunky metallic accents, sheer chiffon, reserved color palettes and gold...an abundance of gold accents. These elements can be found in the shoes of 2012 Haute Couture.

Golden Glamour

Everything is coming up gold this autumn. From Alexandre Vauthier's clear plastic and gold embroidered boots that seem to be fashioned from the Château de Versailles, to Chanel's heavy metal-adorned leather pumps, this year's gold is delicate and beefy giving new meaning to "lead-footed." When taking it to the streets, add gold metal accents to everything from your hair to the buckles on your boots.

Feminine/Masculine Juxtaposition

Androgyny and juxtaposition were Jean Paul Gaultier's inspiration at the fall Paris show. While coupling leather with sheer chiffon, he added top hats and tailored jackets as an homage to 19th century poet Alfred de Musset's "Confession of a Child of the Century." Valentino designers Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri took to dark romance and seduction by balancing the hard with the soft, while being influenced by the "vamp" appeal of the 18th century. These ensembles travel down to the shoes by mixing fabrics and metals, adding soft gold to biker boots and garnishing crystals to chunky boots. Look for monochromatic color from head to toes.  

Caged Gladiator Pumps

Speaking of Gaultier's autumn 2012 fashion, emotions could be drawn from the pale blue, thigh-high leather cage shoes (worn so eloquently with flapper-inspired dresses). Cries of desire and intrigue can be heard when these platform-style shoes appear. They are beautiful in their color and design. Varieties of this caged gladiator-style shoe can start to be seen in the stores and on women (and men) across the globe.

Fiercely Futuristic

Take one look at Iris Van Herpen's visionary collection gliding down the catwalks of the Paris Fashion Week and you'll be lured into a futuristic world of smooth surfaces and alien teeth. It's  creamy, bloodthirsty and wild; and we love it. Outrageous styles are reaching more unique heights with every runway exhibit. Van Harpen's fierce talent and original eye are more than prepped for a big reception.

Chunky Metal Accents

When you think of thick metal, certain kinds of architecture might come to mind. This is exactly what Chanel's creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, showed by way of shoe design when working in his "new vintage" collection. Chanel was not the only house to feature chunky metal accents, the raw metal trend continued with other Haute Couture designers. 

*Written by Cherie Gorden

Paris Fashion Week SS'13: Days 8 & 9

Paris Fashion Week:
Days 8 & 9

We've eventually come to the end of SS'13 Fashion Month and it has done so with a bang: shows from the wonderful Sarah Burton/Alexander McQueen, my all time favourite and inspiration Elie Saab and of course: Chanel, Valentino, JCDC, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton and Paco Robanne all showed on the final two days this week of PFW. Oh and while I'm posting this on the night of the Cosmopolitan Blogger Awards, I'd just like to say congratulations to my category winner, Lulu Trixabelle and runner up It's A LDN Thing!

Day 8

 Chanel

Stripped down to one and only element: Karl Lagerfeld took the classic Chanel aesthetic and simplified it with large, gobstopper sized pearls, clean white cuts and a little decoration in the form of some cross-stitched-esque and applique florals. My favourite looks were the simple, clean cut pieces with oversized pearls on both the clothes and the bracelets/necklaces. Some silhouettes verged on clinical - look at the white dress with oversized pearls shown above - as though they were simply a piece of cloth wrapped around the body, but in a way I still liked them as they would make for a very interesting editorial shoot. The actual show set was extremely noteworthy, as the runway was lined on either side by giant wind turnbines which could make you think that Chanel was going to take a slightly more ecological route for Spring 2013. Karl mentioned the set after the show stating: "It's more about the mood of the times, not something you translate...It's all about the wind, it's in the air". Oh and there was even a bag which was basically a hula hoop with a large pocket. Anything goes when it comes to Karl Lagerfeld though. He likes to keep us on our toes.

 JCDC

JCDC is one of those designers whom I truly have an appreciation for, purely because of his raw, creative talent and ability to have me excited about how fun fashion can be after looking at any of his collections. Spring/Summer 2013 is no different. In fact, I think he managed to shock me, but in a way that I was completely unprepared for - he gave us garments that I could actually see myself wearing. Normally, a JCDC collection to me is all for a bit of fun. To appreciate but only from afar. At his show on Tuesday however, I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of garments that I mentally wrote down on my SS'13 wishlist: the green palm tree print skirts, dresses and trouser suits, as well as the grey/beige coloured dress with large sleeves, leather side panels and belted waist. I could even see myself trying out his clear coats with almost bionic metallic detailing up the front. I don't know how I could have been more pleased if I'm honest.

Alexander McQueen

I don't think I have to tell you what the theme for SS'13 was in the mind of Sarah Burton: bee's, bee keepers and all things honeycomb. Personally I think it was a fantastic take on Spring/Summer, and definitely different from shows that we've seen this past month - which is a breath of fresh air to be quite frank. Peplum waists were back through coat tails and slightly strange framed pieces. Harness', leather and honeycomb patterns were a heavy feature in the collection, with florals taking on a brighter and quite obvious role in the finale gowns. The shoes were as ever, impeccable: the platforms were filled with tiny jewels in yellow/gold and red, with other designs taking on a netted look in black. The headgear, while undeniably interesting and amazing alongside the garments on the runway, is ultimately a show piece: Susie Bubble couldn't pull something like that off on the street. Although it would be interesting to see how someone might style that bad boy. 

Day 9

Elie Saab

My love: Elie Saab. The man who introduced me to fashion when I came across his collections on Fashion TV - you've heard this story before on here, so I won't bore you with it again. For Spring 2013, Elie Saab took on a rather minimalist approach, using bright pops of colour to make a statement. Colourful tailoring opened the show with trouser suits, nipped in blazers with a fanned peplum detailing on the front to help define the start and stop of each separate and some rather gorgeous bags to match. Then came the print: colourful ink-blot patterns mixed in with streaks of black to break things up a little and to define the waist, then flowed into lace-y pieces in black and white. The finale gowns were as ever the best part of the show. Amazingly intricate bead work with floating skirts and the odd thigh-high slit added some much needed sex appeal and red carpet sparkle. Although the collection didn't necessarily have the wow factor that we saw from the designer in February's A/W'12 shows, it was still one of beauty and I absolutely adored it.

Now that Fashion Month is over, which collection stole your heart across the four cities?

Photo Credit: www.vogue.co.uk - edited on polyvore

Paris Fashion Week SS'13: Days 6 & 7

Paris Fashion Week:

Days 6 & 7

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Day 6:

Costume National

What I loved the most about the SS'13 collection from Costume National were the striking cuts and use of very minimalist placement print on a select few garments. The mainly monochromatic collection was livened up a little with an injection of hot pink and fuchsia alongside a more subdued royal blue in contrast. Crop tops and A-symmetrical dresses with side trails were the show stoppers for me as I just thought they added quite a fun and playful feel to the collection. And those shoes - mamma mia. I absolutely loved their simplicity and single twisting strap detail. I will definitely be adding those to my SS'13 wishlist

John Galliano

Industrial oriental was the theme behind John Galliano's SS'13 collection, with a lot of heavy draping being the key feature among many of the looks. What should have appeared very parachute or tent-like actually came across quite tasteful and interesting in a way that surprised me. I loved the graphic prints and use of bold colours to make the garments pop, as well as the use of more sheer fabrics to create softer tones. Probably not the most wearable for me personally, but never the less, a rather stunning collection as a whole. 

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Day 7:

Giambattista Valli

With Giambattista Valli officially on the Couture register and a new official outlet for his more creative juices,  it's no wonder that the SS'13 RTW collection is a little more subdued and simplistic in comparison to the collections seen previously at the label. Beautifully delicate and sweet sheer dresses with applique florals were shown alongside head to toe white ensambles, followed by some metallic gold and finished with a smoking hot injection of juicy red: it was a collection of grace, beauty and just enough edge to bring it all together in one neat little package. The best part? Those metallic heels with severely pointed toe. I can't imagine they would be great for the feet after a while, but they're stunning never the less. 

Saint Laurent

As you all know Hedi Slimane took over as Creative Director at YSL earlier this year and had the well known label spread across tabloids and fashion blogs alike with his decision to change the labels name to Saint Laurent (I still wrote YSL on my show notes) and to keep his first collection for the label hidden from the press. Naturally, by the time Paris Fashion Week rolled around, fashionista's everywhere were in a frenzy over what the Spring 2013 collection would look like and couldn't wait to see it stroll down the runway. I can't speak for everyone out there, but I was massively disappointed with the collection. Apart from a few leather pieces here and there and that sparkly sequined jacket, the collection was a flop in my eyes and just looked like a promotional tactic for a Fall Rachel Zoe collection. Hedi Slimane did know he was designing for Spring/Summer, right? Where did all the capes, leather and dark colour palette come from then? Does he not realise that this kind of attire is only acceptable in Spring/Summer if it's in the UK or North Pole? I apologize if I sound a little harsh, but that's because those are the only feelings I have towards this collection. And clearly the designer knew that he would face some criticism when it was announced that he wouldn't be answering any questions backstage after the show! Perhaps it's the fact that i'm still a little bitter over the name change - don't fix something if it isn't broke - but I feel as though Hedi Slimane has a lot of work to do if I am going to change my mind on his appointment to the label.

What are your thoughts on the Saint Laurent collection? 

Photo Credit: www.vogue.co.uk - edited on Polyvore

Daniel Wellington: Classic Southampton Lady

Daniel Wellington: 

'Classic Southampton Lady'

"The story behind Daniel Wellington begins with a trip half way around the globe where Filip Tysander, the founder of Daniel Wellington, met an intriguing gentleman from the British Isles. The man had the inspiring ability to be gentlemanly but still relaxed and unpretentious. He had an impeccable style, and loved to wear his Rolexes on old weathered Nato straps, which he’d kept from his years in the British army. His name? Well, Daniel Wellington, of course."

Although Daniel Wellington designs are typically 'Preppy' - something that I can firmly say I am not - I can't help but fall in love with these watches. I can't decide if it's the large watch face, interchangeable Nato straps, rose gold touches (my favourite colour of gold) or the fact that they named one after Glasgow that makes me love them more. The designs are simple yet versatile in that they can be worn to any event: whether that be black tie, shopping trip with the girls, or even a date night with your significant other - these watches are going to look chic, stylish and best of all, effortless. The only downside? The price. With a starting price of $175 and the highest being $197, these watches are definitely an investment piece, but one that will prove a great buy. As I mentioned previously, the straps on these watches are easily changeable due to their simple Nato straps: the strap simply slides through below the watch face and takes all of 0.1 nano seconds to do. That isn't a legitimate time frame obviously, but it's close enough. So with 45 different options to choose from when changing your watch strap (prices ranging from $35 - $65), it does give you the option to coordinate your watch to any outfit, without forking out hundreds of pounds to do so. One more thing about the straps: there are 13 notches on the strap in order to tighten the watch to your wrist as required - more than enough to fit the smallest of wrists, whilst simultaneously fitting loose enough for slightly larger frames. There is nothing worse than receiving a brand new watch that you have been eagerly waiting on for days, only to realise that you have to take it to a jewellers to get it to fit properly. Thankfully, this isn't the case with a DW design.

Another little feature that appealed to me from Daniel Wellington watches was their names. Each watch is named 'Classic', followed by the name of a town or city in the British Isles and finished with 'Lady' - for Women's watches only. Obviously. I don't think men would appreciate their watch being named a lady for some reason. As I mentioned earlier, there is indeed one named the 'Classic Glasgow Lady', however when I browsed through the collection, I ended up settling on the 'Classic Southampton Lady' which is shown above. I felt that the mix of pink, white and navy stripes would allow me to wear the watch with more outfits and colour combinations than any of the others, even though it pained me not to choose the Classic Glasgow Lady!

All in all, I can say that Daniel Wellington watches are without a doubt well worth the slightly higher price tag and if you can save/spare/borrow the cash to buy one, then you definitely should. Even ask for one for your next birthday or Christmas present because I can tell you with confidence that you won't be disappointed. I actually want you guys to have one that much, I've managed to get you all a little extra discount on your next purchase at www.danielwellington.com, so if you fancy saving 15% - that's about $26? - from today until Octover 17th then just go to the website, add a watch (or two - you know, his and hers) to your shopping basket and enter the promo code: vitadimoda at checkout!

Photo Credit: www.danielwellington.com

Paris Fashion Week SS'13: Days 3, 4 & 5

Paris Fashion Week:
Days 3, 4 & 5

What is there to say about PFW days 3, 4 & 5 other than "wow"? Not only because we saw some of the most amazing collections from the fashion capital, but because we might have saw some of the worst from designers that we expected more from. A designer who has unfortunately fallen into this category is one of my all time favourites: Rick Owens. Before Fashion Week begins, I write down each show that I feel I want to take a look at the most and then ultimately write about; it keeps me organised and usually those end up being the shows that I do stick to and don't normally venture away from. Rick Owens was on said list for Thursdays shows, however after seeing his collection and the direction in which he took it for SS'13, I will not be featuring him in this post. If you know anything about Rick Owens, you'll know that he is known for his exquisite and absolutely amazing leather pieces; well, all I can say is that his Spring 2013 collection could not have ventured further from this if it tried. There were a few black and leather pieces towards the end, but not enough to satisfy me. Just click here and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Day 3

Balenciaga 

Sporty yet sassy: that is how the Balenciaga girl will be feeling next season, with an array of flirty A-symmetric cut skirts and boxy cropped tops in leather and mixed knits. What I really love about the looks is just how sexy they are, but in a non-obvious way; the knitted jumper with blue printed skirt, or the boxy crop top and high-waisted frilly skirt with super sexy thigh-high slit - It's almost like taking a pair of stilettos and wearing them with track pants or something. My favourite piece is the mini circle skirt with dipped hem and contrasting trim. It's simple and casual, yet dressy and formal at the same time. I just love how versatile it could be. 

Balmain

I don't have to see the rest of Paris Fashion Week to know that I've found my ultimate SS'13 favourite from Fashion Month. Balmain is, without a doubt, my favourite label and Oliver Rousteing definitely knows how to produce collections that tug on my heart strings and have me instantly lusting after; even with the Balmain menswear label, I find myself loving every piece and thinking how I would love to see it on my fiance! It's an all round appreciation that I have and the SS'13 collection just reinforces that with a bang. For Spring 2013, the Balmain girl will be channeling her inner 90's gangster, with huge shoulder pads (YES!), high-waisted skinny & over-sized trousers, checker board patterns and leather, leather, leather. As soon as I saw the shoulder pads, I immediately thought of a French blazer from the 60's that I bought from a vintage store in Glasgow two years ago and how it would look perfect next season. It hasn't seen the light of day in a while, and I always love a good revival, so I'm excited to style it for the new season. I don't think it's possible to choose a favourite look from this collection, as I absolutely adore every single piece. Can I have one of everything please? 

Nina Ricci

Just how stunning was that rose petal shower at Nina Ricci? Paris at Midnight seemed to be the inspirational key feature for SS'13 with luxuriously silky sheen fabrics, movement via fringing and a colour palette to die for; navy, black, pink, blue and grey. There was something for everyone - from a sexy skinny leg trouser suit, to a fun and flirty deep V cocktail dress with fringing. There was even a little S&M referencing through harness belts almost entirely sheer belted coats. I just loved how sultry and romantic the collection felt through the fabrics, colours and cuts - it really is a beautiful collection and one that I have a feeling will be a hit with buyers for Spring 2013.

Day 4

Dior

At Milan we waited with baited breath for the return of Jil Sander at her self named label, and for Paris, the same can be said for Dior as Raf Simons shows his debut collection for the design house. Dior is widely known for it's sophisticated and classic aesthetic, so it could be said that Raf Simons had a lot on his shoulders when designing for SS'13. I think he did a wonderful job however keeping the classic aesthetic, whilst mixing in some of the most popular trends for next season - space-age being one - in an appropriate way for the Dior woman. That high sheen blue fabric used for his skirts and mini dresses looks as though there is a high voltage running through the garment and is actually rather beautiful. It's definitely something that I could see myself wearing - especially with those metallic point-toe courts.Towards the end of the collection we began to see the classic and well known Dior silhouette in the form of long sleeve dresses with full rose-printed skirts. I liked that Raf Simons kept the two-tone sheen in those garments, as it really does give it something extra.

Day 5

Viktor & Rolf

Was there anything not to love in the Viktor & Rolf SS'13 collection? Metallic pleat panels, rose printed motifs, varsity jackets paired with floor length evening gowns and one stunning draped body suit. It was a collection that I just adored and didn't want to end. The play of monochrome with a little injection of shine-y silver and that A-symmetric floor length gown (3rd from the right) just had me at hello. It's such simple concepts, but entirely timeless and impressive at the same time.

A.F.Vandervorst

There was a definite gangster-esque feeling at the A.F.Vandervorst SS'13 collection made felt through the rather amazing waist belts and double breasted, belted coats. One single fastening, with four layers of unfastened belts felt a little holster like and as though a gun should be attached in some way. I loved that they were metallic gold and gunmetal because it added a little attraction to some otherwise simple looks. What was the most interesting about the collection though, was the use of gold in both the fabrics as well as the styling - gold body paint? A little strange, but it does kind of make you think of an alien race and in turn, the space-age trend that has swept Fashion Month like a storm. I don't think I'll be trying out the painted top with white trouser combo but you never know, Lady Gaga might be a fan!

Which is your favourite collection?

Photo Credit: www.vogue.co.uk - edited on Polyvore.

Guest Post: Seasonal Footwear

Seasonal Footwear 

To fill in the gaps between Paris Fashion Week reviews, I thought some guest posts would be a fantastic way to keep you all engaged and provide a reason for you to come back for a little visit. Today's guest post is a little snippet of some new season footwear and the kinds of trends that not only I, but a few of you will be indulging in this Fall.

Too much of a dichotomy can sometimes be made between summer and winter fashion and what to stock your wardrobe with. This need not be the case. As the seasons transition, especially this year with the weather being so unpredictable, it’s a fascinating time to be investigating new trends. This is one of the few times a year in which you are free from the style restrictions of the rest of the year and you can begin to dress elegantly without having to compensate for extreme hot or cold weather. Currently, there are plenty of unique designs in shops, giving a bit of a twist to what people are wearing. One does not even have to look very far for good quality and reasonable prices. 

Current Styles 

Here are a few ideas for styles to get excited about this season, look out for them in collections by a range of top design houses; Patent shoes are something that have been missed throughout the summer; an elegant and sexy style that is perfect when the evenings are getting darker and cooler. A beautiful way to wear patent is in Mary Jane form with a bit of a heel. Coupled with a mid length evening dress this will create the perfect combination of class and femininity. For a look with more attitude try some patent boots; knee length ones are brave but if done right, bursting with style.  

Whether patent or not, brogues work beautifully and are a lovely addition to anyone’s wardrobe at this time of year. It’s time to stop thinking about the beach and start focusing on work or your studies for the last little bit of the year until party season begins again in the winter. To compliment this, some edgy yet comfortable Dune shoes are a must to get you back in the professional mood. Brogues do just this. Given a feminine twist they are smart enough for the office and versatile enough for an evening out. 

Studded boots - whether ankle length or knee length - are deliciously appropriate for autumn. We all miss our boots throughout the summer so finding a bold pair as soon as the time is right is essential at this time of year. Studs can be done in multiple ways. Small, shiny, and girlie for those who do not commonly feel confident wearing this sort of style, or you can go as chunky and spiky as you like, giving your outfit a real punk edge. They are an unusual addition to get you and your boots noticed. 

*Sponsored post*

Paris Fashion Week SS'13: Days 1 & 2

Paris Fashion Week SS'13:
Days 1 & 2

After receiving the feedback regarding review types, I decided to format my PFW reviews in paired days: I liked the idea of the posts containing shows from a couple of days as a catch up and it means that I can also focus of my studies a little better as well - Wednesday and today contained my first few classes and I now have more work to do than I can get my head around. Worry not, Vita di Moda will still be updated on a regular basis and won't be falling off on the side lines any time soon.

Day 1

Cedric Charlier

I can't decide which aspect of Cedric Charlier's SS'13 collection I loved more: the casual yet chic minimalism or the pops of bright coral. The collection was just to die for with sleek deep V gowns in black and coral mixed with sportier shapes and white perforated pull over jumpers and boxy white coats and dresses. It was easy on the eye but in no way boring. As soon as I saw the collection I just couldn't wait to show it to you and let you all know what I thought about it. The few printed pieces in the collection really stood out due to their limited appearances, however for someone like myself who enjoys mainly basic pieces with only a few prints thrown in here and there, this was a welcomed thing.

Anthony Vaccarello

Anthony Vaccarello gave us tailored pant suits for AW'12, but for SS'13 the designer has taken a load off his shoulders and gone softer with draped fabrics and rather interesting wrap skirts and dresses. I loved the slight galaxy feel that came with his sparkled black fabrics used in his dresses and the petrol blue and gold print on his pant suit shown above. It was details such as those which took the collection from laid back and almost passive, to "hold on a second, I need to take a closer look". My favourite piece? The draped black finale gown with super sexy hip-high slit. If only I had some beyonce legs to pull it off.

Day 2

Dries Van Noten

For Spring 2013, Dries Van Noten has just taken nature and a lumberjack and made them join forces: plaid, checked and floral - they're all there, intertwined with one another in a way that should technically appear, well, ugly to say the least. Some of it is though, don't get me wrong and I'm not going to sugar coat that, but there are a handful of looks where I might just be converted into a believer of the patterns coming together in a positive way. I don't really think this collection is one that needs much explanation - just look at it and take your own interpretation from it.

Gareth Pugh

Ah Gareth Pugh: the Prince of Darkness, a designer who will forever be able to pull on my heart strings. You all know by now that if you put anything leather in front of me, then I'm game. I just loved how simplistic, yet strange and gothic the whole collection was with the black, grey, white and extreme injection of red to liven it all up and appear a little less day of the living dead. The black leather head-to-toe garment with veil was just so striking, it was hard to look away and miss what was to come next. If I'm honest, I would probably wear said look without the head piece and veil. Does that make me weird? The draping of fabrics, reptile textures and fringing/ruffling on the last few looks all contributed to the collection as a whole and gave it a very commercial and wearable feel. I just loved it.

Which was your favourite show from the first two days of PFW?

Photo Credt: www.vogue.co.uk - edited on Polyvore