If Victoria Beckham were to have a beauty motto, we'd have to assume it would be "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." But the designer, who is known for her tried-and-true hair and makeup, shook things up this weekend while judging the International Woolmark Prize Grand Final in London. Going for glam, Victoria swept her hair into a high, big-time bun with lots of volume at her crown. It's a different look than her usual stick-straight and down hairstyle, so what's your take on Victoria's updo?
Nicole Kidman, spotted at the Stoker UK premiere, redefined what it is to wear something right off the runway — having donned a L'Wren Scott Fall '13 creation that made its LFW debut only hours before. The Yves-Klein-blue formfitting sheath lent a more opulent flair to Kidman's standard sophisticated dress code, not just because of the color, but thanks to the gold sequined — and polka-dotted — high-neck collar.
The Australian actress kept the same runway styling intact by pairing the look with oversize gold hoop Stroiloro earrings, a slightly messy updo, and woven gold pointy-toe pumps. Yes, she may have swapped out the peep-toe silhouette for something more covered-up and traded the gold cuff for a menswear-inspired watch, but the overall gilded statement was preserved. While we're impressed with just how quickly this dress made it from runway to red carpet, it also supplies us with even more proof of Kidman's loyalty to L'Wren Scott, as she has (thus far) worn her designs to numerous premieres and events, including the recent Producers Guild Awards.
It's the kind of craftsmanship that you would typically only expect of couture that came down the runway for Christopher Kane's Fall 2013 collection. It's what Kane does best — looks that surprise, entertain, draw you in, and differentiate this lineup. The Fall 2013 collection is jam-packed with thoughtful, playful, and whimsical details that feel artistic and bold but wearable. Sharp outerwear with bold pops of blue and luxe fur finishes were just the primer for the urban-feeling camo prints and tough-girl kilts and leather that unfolded next. But that wasn't even the half of it — Kane's vision seemed to be on overdrive as look after look launched something new and distinct from the one that came before it. The urban warrior was followed with a textured story, where dresses were sculpted in swirls and patterns, then something more like floral appliqué, until the show culminated in a confection so full and brimming with delicate, full-bodied embellishment that the garment itself seemed to be living.
Inspired by the Spanish Golden Age, Peter Pilotto's Fall 2013 collection was filled with a bright color palette, modern silhouettes, and, of course, designers Christopher De Vos and Peter Pilotto's flair for creating some of the most unique and covetable prints around. The duo looked to El Greco, transposing the famous Spanish Renaissance artist's vibrant use of colors onto a number of sleek, formfitting sheath dresses, fit-and-flare minis, and tailored separates. Embroidered cropped bolero jackets emphasized the duo's inspiration point, while puffer coats were updated with magnetic colorful patterns. Meanwhile, printed trousers and oversize boxy coats injected a modern tilt into the designers' lineup, furthered by the flat patent oxfords they were paired with. The brand's celebrity fans, like Emma Watson, Miranda Kerr, and Kerry Washington, are sure to have a ball with some of these pieces on their next red carpet circuit.
Considering the front-row and the runway lineup, Unique Topshop's Fall '13 show is where the cool girls hang out. With the Tate Modern as its backdrop and Olivia Palermo, Kate Bosworth, and Demi Lovato as front-row fixtures, the stage was primed for covet-worthy wares to take their rightful place on the catwalk. And so be it: Cara Delevingne opened in a midriff-baring sweater top and lacquered A-line skirt. Most notable, though, was the integration (and application) of sequin and sparkle as an embellishment altogether ungirlie. High shine was key, but the assumed glitziness was subdued by way of sharp tailoring, luxe fur add-ons, and masculine outerwear counterparts. Even the most feminine dusty-pink sequined skirt seemed like fair game for the tougher downtown girl. Of course, after seeing Jourdan Dunn close out the show in a deep-burgundy-hued sequin jumpsuit, we're pretty sure that's the one Fall piece our wardrobe needs most. See the best looks to hit the Unique Topshop Fall '13 runway now.
Mary Katrantzou is not one to skimp on the experimental details, and her Fall 2013 collection was no exception. While some looks were more wearable than others — we can definitely see some of the more avant-garde pieces on the Met Gala red carpet — all of them were classically Katrantzou, bubbling with scenic photo prints, origami-style pleats, and strong, structured shoulders. Color-heavy, fitted pieces were tempered with slouchier silhouettes, and Katrantzou was careful to include black-on-black looks (like an asymmetrical sweater and leather pencil skirt) among the group of printed brights. Shoes were kept on the simple side, with an eclectic mix of ankle booties and strappy heels, and the models' hair was kept sleek and minimal (with short, blunt bangs) in order to showcase the beautiful looks. The somewhat darker palette of grays, blacks, and golds was a lovely departure from the neon hues in the designer's Spring collection, though the selection of striking, unconventional pieces remained the same. Click through to see Katrantzou's Fall '13 runway show now.
Judging from her clever takes on shape and prints, there's no doubt that Mary Katrantzou is one of London's most exciting young designers to watch. And after Sunday's dreamy, transportive Fall 2013 collection, Katrantzou has certainly further solidified that spot. This season, the designer bucked expectation and offered up pieces that were largely void of the in-your-face hues and geometric patterns that have become her calling card. Instead, she worked with a smoky palette of grays, blues, and deep rusts, that — thanks to structured satin sculpted with origami folds, billowing chiffon, and intricate tree-branch prints — resulted in a collection that was as powerful and moody as storm clouds gathering on a gray Winter day.
L'Wren Scott took inspiration for her Fall 2013 collection from the work of Gustav Klimt, who made many of his most famous paintings sparkle with the addition of gold leaf. That explains the swirls of gold fabric on Scott's coats and dresses and on a dramatic cape toward the end of the show. It also explains the exuberant use of sequins and gold accents like buttons and bow ties, and rich jewel tones like teal, burgundy, and cobalt blue.
What's black and white and red all over? Justin Thornton and Leah Bregazzi's Fall 2013 collection for Preen fits that description, but the offering's story is about more than color. The duo got a lot of mileage out of their focused color palette and used fused prints like leopard and tartan to pleasing effect. Contrasting piping on off-center shirt collars looked modern, while the sleek cut of other pieces, like slim suits and a halter dress with a plunging neckline, telegraphed a confident strength. The show ended with a selection of pieces festooned with crisscrossing stripes of jeweled embellishment. After all, a little bling never hurt anyone.
A darker take on the bounty of the English countryside informed Emma Hill's Fall 2013 collection for Mulberry. Floral prints, like a spray of multicolored flowers on black fabric, bloomed all over the offering, as did variations on the classic English check in multiple sizes. Butterflies, another visual motif, kept the nature theme going, but a dark color palette of oxblood, midnight blue, and emerald provided an interesting tension.
But to keep things from getting too dark, the brand stationed a flower sculpture on the side of its runway and cast Max the dog to model a check coat and another coat in a butterfly print.
