One of the greatest things about fashion is that it isn’t about simply fulfilling a functional purpose, even though some people (cough, cough; my boyfriend) seem to not understand this at all.
After all, to some, fashion is just that, a utility that serves us as we go about the world. It isn’t about adornment, it has nothing to do with being afflicted with an unfortunate case of sparkle obsession or an inability to solely exist in monochrome.
Sure, I like a well cut pair of black pants as much as the next girl, but how beautiful is the world with a little whimsy in glorious colour? And to be frank, when I look at the things I have kept in boxes that I take down from tops of cupboards and plunder once in a while to mix in with my new purchases, I can see something surprising: it is all the extraordinary clothes that I keep — the items adorned with beautiful detailing and interesting cuts in gorgeous fabrics.
These have become the prized items I’m keeping for my daughter, not that amazing pair of black pants. I suppose that is because I know she will always be able to find a perfect pair of black pants but will she be able to find a pale pink silk satin wiggle dress? Will she equally squeal with delight upon discovering a white shirt or a sequin bomber jacket?
Time will tell but I’m betting on the latter. Fashion has seemingly rejected austerity measures and it has paid off in a big way. Gucci, whose collections have gone from restrainedly sexy under Frida Giannini to eccentric and deliciously bonkers under Alessandro Michele, has been hitting record sales. I’ve compiled some of the lust worthy pieces worth buying now and keeping for posterity.
Yellow is back in a big way and I love it re-imagined in a delicate slip. Co-ordinate with orange and shades of brown for a modern version of outerwear as innerwear '70s nostalgic.
Wearing: Gucci bag, Marysia slip, Prada jacket and sandals
Of course a feathered pyjama suit is practical – the silk feels heavenly on and you don’t need to get dressed again in the morning
Wearing: Prada pajama set, Kate Sylvester faux fur coat, Dior slides
A floral dress has become a staple item – not only worn with sandals in summer, you can now wear it over leather tights, thigh high boots, or with slippers for a casual weekend look.
Wearing: Dress by Alice McCall, jacket by Christopher Esber, slippers by Alexander Wang, bag by Bvlgari, sunglasses by Miu Miu
Mix your prints and animal skins for a deliciously eccentric blend.
Wearing: Bracelets by Hermes, Bag by Bvlgari, Slippers by Alexander Wang from Farfetch, dress by Alice McCall
Photography by Alice Wesley-Smith
Styling by Tanja Gacic
Hair and make-up by Claire Thomson for Oribe
Model: Eilika from Chic Model Management
This story originally appeared on vogue.com.au here!
This season , take a cue from the Royal British Navy and inject navy blues and crisp whites into your autumn. "Why"- you may ask?- "I am perfectly happy with my black and white instead thank you." Well, would it interest you to know that dark blues represent knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness? That it is associated with trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence and intelligence? Or perhaps that French Vogue has dubbed navy the new black this season? Maybe you could be enticed by knowing that Celine, Dries Van Noten and Chloe sent out models in head to toe navy on their autumn 13/14 catwalks and they looked incredibly feminine and powerful at the same time?
Look, I'm not here to argue with you. Black is black and will always be black. And head to toe white has been THE combo for the last few seasons - I know you know that. But this season, black just might need to step aside a teeny weeny bit for navy, ok? Because navy looks heavenly with white, nudes, chestnuts, blacks and ochres. Because navy just looks so beautiful on coats, skirts and cosy sweaters. Ok, so I'm arguing, but let me tell you : navy feels oh so good! How do I know? Because I have been wearing it a LOT. Henceforth, to close my argument I present to you my favorite pieces ...
Create some relaxed elegance with a modern neoprene skirt mixed with the softest cashmere ( Toni Maticevski skirt, Banjo & Matilda cashmere sweater, Tiffany & Co bracelet, Amber Sceats ring, Christian Louboutin pumps )
Make like a Navy Admiral in head to toe white ( H&M jacket and belt, Toni Maticevski skirt, Gianvito Rossi pumps, Alexander Wang clutch)
Mix fluffy angora and mohair navy with smooth maroon leather and nudes for a new spin on autumn (Viktoria + Woods sweater, Eska Alikai skirt, Christian Louboutin pumps, Celine chain necklace,Pink Lou Lou necklace)
Mix luxe details with easy separates for a perfect mix of high + low ( Toni Maticevski top, Topshop shorts, Rag + Bone fedora )
Go luxe with a perfectly cut navy coat - even when you are just playing sailor ( coat by Bassike, push up bra and matching knickers Undressed by Marlies / Dekkers, ankle stockings by Levante, Casadei pumps )
