Milan Fashion Week: My Picks

By Jennifer Ennis

Milan Fashion Week is almost over meaning we are three quarters of the way through Fashion Season (and the best is yet to come with Paris about to start!). Each week brought very different themes - New York went for wearable classics, London took a few more fashion risks and Milan went for stunning timeless pieces with a main emphasis on evening wear.

Here are my favourites...

1) Moschino Cheap & Chic
Moschino Cheap & Chic injected some fun in to their AW collection with a lavish party in the firm's new hotel in Vaile Monte Grappa. Titled 'Maison Moschino', guests were treated to champagne and canapes in an extended tent in the hotel's reception while models circled around wearing the collection and pretending to be fellow 'hotel guests' in different characters complete with bags and luggage! The collection itself was incredibly strong and a firm favourite of mine. I would wear pretty much all of it! I particulary loved the party dresses, over sized coats, laced up boots and skinny trousers.

Blumarine
Designer Anna Molinari's new collection is for the powerful, seductive woman who doesn't have to try. Clothes were figure hugging including minidresses and calf boots in fabrics like leather and suede. Molinari's zebra patterned prints and accessories stood out for me as did her leather trenches. She used a number of other animal prints including crocodile and python to create a collection that was stunning, eye catching, completely wearable and explains just why Blumarine's sales have been rocketing in recent months.

Alberta Ferretti
We move from sexy Blumarine to the beautiful Alberta Ferretti. This season, Ferretti stuck with her signature fabrics of chiffon and satin for a collection that was incredibly pleasing on the eye. Dresses were sophisticated in soft nude and black colours. There was a good mix of lengths from short to mid length to the stunning red-carpet long gowns that are sure to be making appearances this season. The crystal sparkles just added to the simplicity and beauty of the collection showing that Ferretti's unique and classic forumla is a winning one.

Emilio Pucci
Designer Peter Dundas is gathering a firm following among the younger fashionistas this weather with everyone from Fergie from Black Eyed Peas to Kristen Stewart wearing his minidresses to big events. His new collection featured a good number of said minidresses but there was also a longer hippier feel to it. Classic bright colours were darkened to blacks, blues, golds and purples. There was a large bohemian element to the dresses and tailoring was given a slightly more masculine feel. The prints were still very pretty and it was a very strong and desirable collection.

Now the countdown begins to Paris and my beloved Balmain, Stella McCartney, Chanel, Isabel Marant, Givenchy, Elie Saab, YSL, Lanvin (I could keep going here, it is by far my favourite week) and the creative mastermind that was the wonderful Alexander McQueen. It is going to be a brilliant week and I cannot wait!

All images from style.com

New 'It' Model: Ruby Aldridge

By Jennifer Ennis

Originally from California, Ruby Aldridge is no stranger to modelling and has already shot some great campaigns. However she was more of a 'Cobrasnake' girl than high fashion - but what a difference a season makes!

Her first runway appearance at Marc Jacobs in New York was suprising and delightful - and she hasn't stopped since! Ruby is clearly suitable for runway shows with her lean figure, piercing dark eyes, excellent bone structure, distinctive walk and has proved to be very versatile.

It was great to see her in London at House Of Holland, Erdem (pictured, left) and Julian Macdonald (pictured, middle) to name a select few and even better to see her in Milan where she walked for giants Versace (pictured, right), Gucci and Alberta Ferretti among others. Fingers crossed now for Paris!

Keep an eye on this girl. I predict big things...

All images from style.com

Front Row Fashion: Ashley Greene

By Jennifer Ennis

First up, I have to say I like this girl. She's very naturally pretty and has a sweet, down to earth nature to her. She has bagged many a good looking gentleman including Chace Crawford and Jared Followill and it doesn't appear to have gone to her head. I can't speak too much about her acting as I have only seen her in Twilight and New Moon but as a celebrity, I warm to her.

However... when it comes to dressing to suit your shape, she has a long way to go. Her face and hair always look good so that helps her dodgy fashion choices but it is a shame as when she gets it right, she can look amazing! That is why I was slightly suprised to see her at Milan Fashion Week this week with front row appearances at Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. Out of a rating of three outfits I would have to give her 0.5!

On Saturday, she attended Giorgio Armani wearing a dress from the Resort 2010 collection and pink shoes. The dress swamped her figure and shortened her height. It was not very flattering despite her gorgeous loose hair and pink lipstick. Then for Gucci that night, she changed in to a Moschino number that is my winning look on her but it is more a case of 'best of a bad bunch'. The shape was simple and more youthful on her. Again, hair and make up were gorgeous.
She attended Dolce & Gabbana today wearing a complete runway look (dress and boots). This had the potential to be a great outfit but for some reason, it didn't quite work for her. The boots were gorgeous and emphasised her fab pins however.

I feel Ashley is still finding her fashion style and I definately am not giving up on her just yet. The potential is there and who knows, maybe by attending more fashion events, some style tips might rub off on this pretty girl...

All images from Zimbio and The Fashion Spot.

Milan Fashion Week: Gucci

By Jennifer Ennis

Gucci's Creative Director Frida Giannini described her AW 2010 collection as 'tailoring borrowed from a boyfriend's closet' and that it was. The tailoring was rigid, coats were over-sized (a common trend appearing this season) and dresses were a longer mid-length.

This collection reminded me of Michael Kors's latest in New York a couple of weeks ago, but not as good. Sure it had glamour and a sense of luxury but it definately wasn't as breath-taking and admirable. Having said that, there was a lot of nice looks such as the body-con dresses, the top to toe colour at the opening of the show, the fitted trousers that slightly flare at the bottom, the lace leggings, the suede thigh boots, the sunglasses, the cocktail dresses and the razor cuts that appear throughout the collection.

Front row included stylist Rachel Zoe and Twilight star, Ashley Greene for a collection that was very wearable and sophisticated, but also uneventful.

All images from style.com

New Beauty Faves

By Jennifer Ennis

YSL's Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare Brush

One of my favourite singers and a great beauty, Jessie Baylin, posted this on Twitter and I, being the ridiculous beauty addict that I am, went off investigating (even though I really don't need ANOTHER primer! Look out for a Top 5 feature soon). After reading up, I was impressed and intrigued.

This product is aimed at tired skin and is a make-up secret used backstage at fashion shows to give the models amazing, flawless skin. It contains a number of active ingredients, light refecting pigments, seweed derived sugar and wheat proteins which help restore your skin's beauty that may be lost through lack of sleep or stress.
So off I trotted to Debenhams and bought it for €48 (I also bought the Pore Refining Brush which is too drying for me. It is more suited to oily skin types). The price is probably the most I have ever paid for a single beauty item so I had high hopes and it works!

I don't use this daily, in fact I only use it the odd morning after a late night and I need a bit of help to look alive! It is a light formula with a light smell. Like the Perfect Touch Foundation, I am not too keen on the brush. I prefer to squeeze a bit on to the back of my hand and use that as a palette. It feels nice on your skin and dries quickly. When I applied it, my skin instantly felt better and looked great. My faults with this product are the packaging and price but the cream itself does exactly what it is supposed to.

Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage


This concealer has a cult following, has won many Top Product awards and is a firm favourite of many make-up artists so I had been dying to try it for ages. It is quite pricey so I had to look around online and eventually found a good offer.

I went for SC-3 which is for medium skin tones. It comes with two different shades - one to match the skin colour, one to match the skin undertone and combined they give the perfect colour. The coverage is remarkable. I'm lucky to have quite clear skin but on the day I got this, I was sporting a bugger on my chin. I wore this concealer out that night and my chin looked flawless in the photos! The coverage is very thick but also non-drying. It has good lasting power also.

I have a slight problem with the packaging as I don't find it very hygenic (putting the brush/your finger back on the product after applying) but it can be half solved by cleaning your concealer brush daily and using a different finger every time you apply to different areas. For that reason I would prefer Benefit's Erase Paste but I use this for special occasions and I find the results brilliant. It is a great product.

Shiseido Eyelash Curler


I have very subtle eyelashes so mascara has always been my BFF. However after a quick chat with the sister who always has perfectly curled lashes, I discovered that it is not only a good mascara I need but only some help from an eyelash curler.

After using a drugstore brand one for a while which was starting to lose its spark, I decided to treat myself to a good one having learned how crucial they now are for me! After reading multiple reviews, I decided it was between Shu Uemura or Shiseido. In the end I went for Shiseido which I bought (including a refill) in Brown Thomas for €18. I tried it as soon as I got home and IMMEDIATELY noticed the difference! It was incredibly easy to use, never hurt and the results were long lasting. Now I use it for two seconds on each eye every day before applying my beloved BareMinerals mascara (see below) and my eyeslashes look better than ever.

BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara


I'm a huge BareMinerals fan, and their latest mascara is easily my favourite ever. Free of synthetic dyes, parabens etc, this doesn’t clump and lasts all day. The brush is really slim and gives the most natural eyelashes I have ever had. It totally opens up my eyes and gives great curl and definition. I wear one coat during the day for a natural look and two at night for added volume. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this product! It is the only mascara I will use now.

All images from Sephora.com

Bright Young Thing: Marlon Teixeira

By Jennifer Ennis

This guy just deserves to be brought to everyone's attention!
I discovered him during the FW 2010 Dolce & Gabbana menswear show in Milan in January and he made me stop in my tracks. Born in Brazil in September 1991 (Yes that makes him 18 years old. Does that physique look 18? No. Is it therefore wrong to admire his beauty? No), Marlon got his modelling break through his grandfather and his career continues to go from strength to strength.

He has campaigns for Dior Homme (shot by Karl Lagerfield), Armani Jeans, Diesel Intimate, Sergio K and Vila Romana to name a few under his belt and is one of the faces of Armani Exchange and Iceberg this season. He has also shot a tonne of high fashion editorials and walked for the likes of DSquared2, Emporio Armani, Frankie Morello, Roberto Cavalli and Hermes.

Seen as a 'hunky' model and described as funny, sweet and quiet (until you get to know him), Marlon's first love is not modelling but surfing. He hopes to take modelling as far as he can, and then become a professional surfer. For now I say, let's hope that day stays far far away...

All images from GQ.com, Armani Exchange and Dior Homme.

Elle Style Awards

By Jennifer Ennis

After non-stop tweeting from Editor Lorraine Candy and co-presenter, designer Henry Holland, the Elle Style Awards took place on Monday with one of the strongest style affairs I have seen! My favourite looks were Alexa Chung in Chanel, Naomi Campbell in the late Alexander McQueen, Rosie Huntington Whitely in Christian Dior and Olivia Palermo in Matthew Williamson.

All images from elle.co.uk

London Fashion Week

By Jennifer Ennis

As I just started this blog in the middle of Milan Fashion Week and after London, I am just going to include my favourite looks from LFW but there will be more detail for Milan and Paris.
London on a whole was strong. It was a lot riskier than New York.

Matthew Williamson

Always a favourite of mine and he never disappoints. His collection consisted of his usual beautiful prints but with an edgier twist. The colours were stunning as always.



Burberry Prorsum

An obvious choice but it really was a beautiful collection. It is near impossible to choose a favourite coat but this one definately caught my eye.



Christopher Kane

As a huge fan of this man, I was slightly disappointed with his last collection but this one is very seductive, pretty and wearable. He is back on form!



Mary Katrantzou

I definately needed to inject some colour in to my choices! This was a very bright, pretty and feminine collection and this blouse and skirt are a gorgeous combination.



PPQ

PPQ streamed their show live on a Saturday night (worth staying in for) and I loved the colours, fabrics and fits. The shoes were a bit ridiculous and a number of models wobbled a bit but this coat is to die for.



J. Mendel

Fur is everywhere and this is definately one of my favourite ways to wear it. The dress and boots are beautiful.




All images from style.com

My Top 5: New York Fashion Week

By Jennifer Ennis
Written for http://www.whatshewears.ie

It is not even summer, but the fashion world is already thinking of winter! The Autumn/Winter 2010 season kicked off in New York last week with a strong minimal, practical and wearable theme.

A possible sign of the times, it seems designers didn’t take too many risks and instead focused on consumer buys that could be worn straight after the show. With over 100 shows, it was tough to narrow it down, but here are my Top 5 from NYFW which stood out.

1) Michael Kors
Luxury man Kors described his collection as ‘the quintessential American sportswear wardrobe’ and how indulgent and beautiful it was. Consisting of chunky cashmere, gorgeous suede, flannel suits, fur hoods and beautiful knits in camel, brown, green and grey, Kors’s collection was very aspiring, timeless and wearable. Watching the show (which streamed online), one had definitely stepped in to a life of luxury and money, especially with a front row boasting of Donald Trump and Michael Douglas!

2) Diesel Black Gold
The first show with new creative director, Sophie Kakosalak was largely over-subscribed with everyone wanting to get a first look. Kakosalak kept the label’s ‘rock star’ feel with mostly leather and denim fabrics and added some glamour with one shoulder party dresses, studded booties and a velvet jumpsuit. The collection had a grunge and just naturally cool feel to it with great jeans, plaid shirts, a simple setting and an impressive model casting.

3) Diane von Furstenberg
This season, Diane injected a strong hint of masculinity to her forever feminine look, while stating in the show’s notes ‘I always wanted to live a man’s life in a woman’s body’.

DVF’s strongest show in a while featured embellishment, heavy metals, blazers and chunky knits contrasting with beautiful prints, gorgeous blouses, party dresses and full length frocks. It also boosted an original front row including writer Salmon Rushdie and was set in a fun and fashionable party surrounding.

4) Marchesa
Celebrity-favourite Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig used Irish born dancer Lola Montez as inspiration this season. As per usual, the evening dresses were laced, embellished, beautifully sculpted and with great attention to detail. The Courtesan collection featured many short, structured dresses and a number of floor-length beauties that will no doubt be making an appearance on the red carpet this season.

5) Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger’s show was a moment in history as the last show to be held in Bryant Park (Fashion Week moves to the Lincoln Center next season), but also the first season which featured contributions from designer, Peter Som. And what a success it was!

The ‘Preppy with A Pop’ collection gave an updated, fresher look on the signature all-American Hilfiger pieces. Blazers were given a fun twist and footwear was laced and/or over the knee. This new younger approach was also echoed in the front row too with the Gossip Girl boys, Hayden Panettiere and Ashley Olsen.

Best of the Rest at New York Fashion Week
Other shows that deserve a mention include Oscar de le Renta’s beautiful and sophisticated affair, Marc Jacobs ‘cardboard box’ setting and Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen’s low-key The Row line which is gathering a firm following.

Alice & Olivia’s gorgeous dresses, Rodarte’s beautiful prints, and Jeremy Scott’s usual splash of colour and crazy were also on my radar.

With London now underway, and Milan and Paris on the horizon, Autumn/Winter 2010 is shaping up to be a good one!