1.BIG hair, as seen at Marc Jacobs (below)
Basically,for those of you who were not born naturally with this hair,you need to crimp it,then brush it out.
It is difficult to work this look here though (once again,for those of you born with hair like this,it isn't a problem!) because of the humidity, which unless you can counteract with lots of product (at the risk of damaging your hair) and magical fingers,it can go very wrong.Plus, I guess for those who aren't used to wearing your hair like this,it must be uncomfortable because of the heat.
Hair was accessorised with barettes-in sync with the horicultural themes on the runways,which means big (or small!) flowers.
Make sure your barette is a statement piece.Do NOT go for the flimsy, cheap material rubbish.Try and find something in a material that has shape and retains it,with metal or glossy finishes.It's fun to create your own,too-and there are plenty of craft stores here for that.
2.Colourful make-up.
Diane Von Furstenberg. Derek Lam Etro
Colour is easy to overdo,so keep it simple.If you are going for colour on the eyes,keep it neutral on the lips,and vice-versa.
Brows should be structured yet reasonably thick (thin eyebrows went out of fashion waaay back when,people).Think fresh,dewy skin(achieved by a great tinted moisturiser), with a bold, striking mouth or eyelid.
Even though the skin looks moisturised and fresh etc,the make-up in itself is matte,even chalky in texture.So that means no gloss,or sparkly bits in the lipstick.
An easy way to work this beauty trend is by a simple coloured eyeliner on the upper lid,with just some mascara to finish the look.
Another major colour trend is red lipstick.
Gucci
And do NOT be afraid of wearing it during the day.
Finally,nails:Long and Oval is the shape and they should be, bien sûr,painted in colour.
MADO sells amazing varnish from all the major designer labels-nails get ruined by cheap chemicals,so invest a little more in good quality.
Chanel Le Vernis in Orange Fizz.
I have covered Women S/S 2011,with the fashion and beauty trends, and how to wear them.
Moving on to Menswear:
Think of a very rich man on vacation,somewhere glamorous and exotic like Indo-China.
He explores the area in safari wear,plays golf or tennis on his estate or in his hotel, lunches on his yacht, has dinner in the best restaurants available with his friends,or perhaps dines with them in their estates,wearing something cooler and more relaxed than a formal suit.All of his clothes would be practical,utilitarian,but extremely elegant.
Imagine that,and you basically have the essence of Menswear S/S 2011.
All of the trends had one standout theme: The looser,more relaxed silhouette.This is the new shape,just as the long,three-quarter length is the new shape for women.
Gucci Jean Paul Gaultier
I should note that it's very,very rare that I see a man here wearing something on trend,fashionable,wearing fashion for fashion's sake.They stick to work wear ( dress like you're 18,not 48!),beach wear( I don't understand how they think that board shorts and flip flops are to be worn everywhere), some going for super baggy rapper styles (please,no more!), others for super tight jeans and billowing tops like Grease gone bad (make it stop!).A common trend among Mauritian men?Race to the crotch.I do NOT want to see your bums,or your boxers!For crying out loud that wasn't even fashionable to begin with!It does not look sexy,or cool,or whatever.
If there was a sort of sentence that could sum up the main vibe from the runways,it would have to be:
Easy-luxury Outing.
This was the general theme,in my opinion-from safari,to stripes,that echo a Yacht life feel,to the soft tailoring and perhaps a hint of floral which gave a sort of "picnic on the estate flavour", others that showcased a sportier vibe,to even biking-but not the pure leather,tough guy sort of attitude-the more refined,heritage side of biker.If I had to separate the individual trends (safari,sporty,biker,nautical,checks,stripes etc) you would be reading this article above the time period necessary.
I love the safari look.It can be so easily worn here!Omit the rope and the hat if you want to work the whole look because you will look like Indiana Jones.This is masculine,sexy,elegant and en vogue.Better that than board shorts and Billabong T-Shirt with flip flops,right?Beats anything,in fact.
I must stress on the boots.They really are essential to the look,and is the shoe for men right now.So wearable,too.A checked shirt, a pair of dark blue jeans,those boots, and you are good to go without looking like a cowboy.
Make sure the boots are elegant-that means no glittery bits,no neon. Timelessness is important!
It's rare to see a man wearing a striped T-Shirt,minimalist with the two colours being black and white.So here's why you should work this:Stripes are very much nautical chic,although they represent so much more than that-Sophie Dahl's piece on the subject in May's Vogue UK is a must read.What they add is the element of clean freshness-think sea air,or the smell of a meadow-with luxury,because they are not "out there" in any way.
This is the time to swap your board shorts (reserved for the beach!!It's not supposed to be an American Gigolo moment!) for a pair of beige/khaki tailored loose shorts (below the knee) or trousers, paired with a striped T-shirt and clean-cut shoes.So instead of looking like you came out of the sea and arrived at the centre of town, you will look like you came off your yacht.With the same relaxed feel you want to achieve.The ladies will love you for it (at least,anyone with a minimum amount of fashion sense will)
Below are some of the runways looks,all with the luxury outing feel.
Burberry Prorsum-Heritage Biker Emporio Armani
With these images in mind,especially the one in the middle,note that you will look much better carrying a bag like the one above instead of a rucksack, or stuffing all your pockets.
D&G-Picnic on the estate (first two images) Dolce and Gabbana ( can be applied to Yacht life too)
Yasuhiro Mihara-Safari 3.1 Phillip Lim-Urban Safari
Michael Kors-yacht life (easy luxury) Salvatore Ferregamo
I loved the Salvatore Ferregamo show so much I'll throw more images in.It's just pure, timeless elegance.
All Salvatore Ferregamo
Salvatore Ferregamo Balenciaga Prada-all echoing the Sport trend.
Prada-Sport
The new evening attire-a relaxed,looser version of the suit-but still elegant.
Gianfranco Ferre Dolce and Gabbana
The next part of the article is on models that have really broken through, and who are on the Lara-Karlie-Anja-Kasia route.
Starting with the women (in random order):
1.My personal favourite is Arizona Muse.This girl really is beautiful-not cute (which is the polar opposite of beautiful-it has none of its glamorous quality) and no doubt will make it big.She can echo any era.The perfect blank canvas,a la Karen Elson.Plus,she's a mom!
2.Aymeline Valade
This French beauty has cheekbones that could cut,well,anything.She is the face of Alexander Wang,and has walked the Balenciaga show in Paris amongst others.
3.Fei Fei Sun
This Chinese rising star has walked for Marc Jacobs,Alexander Wang, Givenchy,Valentio,Lanvin amongst others.
4.Daphne Groeneveld
The Dutch native is part of the bee-stung lip generation of models (Lindsey Wixson and co.)
Has walked for Christian Dior,Valentino and others.
5.Melodie Monrose
La Francaise has appeared in an all-black editorial for Italian Vogue,with superstars such as Chanel Iman,as well as walking in numerous shows.This basically shoots her up from newcomer to the upper class of rising stars.
6.Julia Saner
She won Elite Model Look Contest 2009.Now the Swiss star is the face of Valentino,and has walked for the likes of Christian Dior and Elie Saab.
7.Theres Alexandersson
The Swedish beauty,who wanted to finish school before modeling, has walked for Alexander McQueen,Calvin Klein,Chloe and Lanvin amongst others.
8.Sui He
The Chinese stunner opened for Ralph Lauren,becoming the first Asian to do so.
9.Emily Baker
From New Zealand. She joins Aymeline as the gang of models known for their incredible cheek bones.She has a very ethereal look,and has walked for Prada (which cements her position as a rising star), Versace and others.
10.Marique Schimmel.
The Dutch beauty has walked for Valentino,Chloe,Giambattista Valli amongst others.
As for the men:
1.Andrej Pejic-from Bosnia.
I'm not sure if I have to include him in the list of rising stars,as he is probably a cemented star by now,fame wise.Professionally however,this category does apply-at least for now.
You probably all know him as the model who walked for BOTH the men and the women's collection for l'enfant terrible,Jean Paul Gaultier.His androgynous look and beautiful hair have found their way to many a magazine.
2.David Chiang-Taiwan
Another one famous for his androgynous looks,he has walked for Missoni,Dior Homme and Diesel amongst others.
3.Charlie France-U.K
Has walked for Burberry, Louis Vuitton,Versace amongst others.
4.Patrick Kafka-Austria.
Has walked for Dolce and Gabbana,Roberto Cavalli,Giorgio Armani amongst others.
5.Arthur Daniyarov-Russia.
Has walked for Versace,Jil Sander,Prada and Lanvin amongst others.
6.Will Defiel-America
He has the "jock" thing going on for him-the typical good looking guy.Has walked for Calvin Klein and Alexander McQueen.
7.Paolo Roldan-Philippines
Muse for Givenchy,this rising star has walked for Phillip Lim amongst others.
BTW,if you thought that it was mainly female models who go completely nude for the camera,that perspective will change if you go through this guy's portfolio.
8.Nate Gill-America
Face of Tommy Hilfiger, has walked for D&G,Etro,Versace amongst others.
9.Nicolas Ripoll-Argentina
Has walked for all the key players-Versace,Prada,Dolce and Gabbana, and Dior amongst others.
10.Mark Cox-Dutch
Has walked for Dolce and Gabbana,Versace,Burberry amongst others.
And that's it for this week's article.
Part 3 is up next,which will concentrate mainly of Trans-seasonal dressing.
xoxoxxo
Alex
