Downton - a breath of aristocratic, divinely superior air!

Fashion is always moving.

Change is a perquisite in the fashion industry and, for the fashion conscious, this fast-paced environment can be frustrating (and tiring!) to manage.

One thing can be safely assumed though – to be fashion forward you almost always need to look to the past. 

Series three of Downton Abbey has aired in the UK and from the glimpses I have seen, it is hard not to be totally taken with the incredible thought and detail that has been put into the wardrobe for this series.

Set in the post-war early 1920s, the residents (ie the wealthy ones) of Downton leave nothing to chance when looking their absolute best as they go about their daily lives of entertaining, walking the grounds and being dressed or groomed by their array of household staff – all while facing the threat of financial ruin! 

Shirley MacLain makes an appearance as Cora's crass yet superbly elegant American mother.

So Lady Mary finally gets her way?  One thing is for sure, her wedding dress is nothing short of demure, understated and unbelievably chic.

Always dapper, Lord Grantham never fails to impress. I love a straight man who cries fowl at not having his gay personal dresser/assistant/butler/stylist by his side at all times. Kudos!

And let's not forget Lady Grantham - ever beautiful in her delicately crafted couture gowns and sublimely radiant hats. One can only dream!

Poor Lady Edith - unlucky in love, unlucky in life. I don't want to give too much away but her luck does not seem to improve this season. But to her credit, the exquisite pieces that she is fortunate to grace are nothing short of sumptuous. Intricate hand stitched embroidery, delicately sheer and expensive fabrics, and long, flowing dresses - Lady Edith, you are one lucky girl (besides the whole spinster thing).

Lady Mary - self involved, spolit and frankly, a bitch. I love her. She exudes radiance and style, and this season is no different. Be ready to marvel at her amazingly lavish and expensive outfits, from dresses, to jewellery, to headwear - Lady Mary is a dream as she glides the halls of Downton. Shame about the personality :(

Is there marriage on the cards for Lady Edith after all? The tables may be turning. And yes, you could say she looks simply beautiful in her dress for the big day. But, I am afraid to say, once again, Ladies Mary and Sybil absolutely steal the show. Their soft lavender and blue dresses, cleverly adorned with sheer, embroidered lacework, are nothing short of stunning. Loving the lace gloves too. 

So British, So Chic - Downton Abbey is a must for lovers of fashion. Check it out.

See in Australia on Channel 7.

PS - need I say more about the season 3 boys of Downton (Branson is looking Irishly good, Thomas is looking bitchingly good, and the new butler Jimmy, good, good, good)

   

PPS - watch out for the always eager Thomas fall for the dreamy new butler boy - gurrrrl!

brandmaker (SC!)

Victoria Beckham - hotness

Love this

MEN'S WEEK - Milan 2013 - Marvellous Moschino

Talk about bang!

In 2013, the Moschino man is set to make his mark - and it is going to be smack-you-in-the-face-and-grab-your-attention good.

The Moschino SS offering is rebellious and hypnotising - and definitely pushes the boundaries of style to their very limits. Love it or hate it (I personally love it) - the Moschino runway is a sensory force du jour!!

I really like the look above. Punchy colours with sub-tropical highlights, preppy shorts and the dramatic faux V neck make for a powerful look. Designed to garner attention, the look, overstated with contrasting colours and brought to life with the lemon-yellow belt, is visual feast. For me, the hat is a bit much - perhaps I am being a little conservative?! 

Who hasn't wanted to dress in the discarded wrappers of various household products at some point? (*cricket noises) Well, Moschino is helping to make that dream become a reality. Some would find the flamboyancy of it all leaning a little to much on the novelty side, but I love it. It's unconventional and free-spirited - and yes, even a little sexy. (I do love that fresh linen laundry smell after all!)

Somehow I think the model above (and below come to think of it)
would look good in anything... 

In fashion stakes, I am actually very much liking what's going on here. The accented collars and cuffs I love as they breathe a little personality into otherwise conventional (conventional as in silhouette conventional!) looks. The tartan pattern across the waist above is a great contrast to the placid tones and traditional patterns on the shirt and pant and give the look a more hipster feel. Can't say I like the shoes but I can see why they're there. I think the fabric of the shoe is wrong and would have perhaps preferred lace-ups like the ones below (except in a blue and pink colour combination to highlight the tones throughout the look).

The look above and the ones below are borderline outrageous and I love them. In your face and daring, the colours are loud and obnoxious. The hat works better on these looks that the first as they help to give the full length look an even greater distinction, and fits with the overall pimpster vibe. I LOVE the colour of the pants above - cut just above the ankle, matched with the canary socks and grass-green shoes, they're just fabulous.

The look below is just über cool. Seventies, peace-loving, orgy-attending, street-strutting, free-spirited cool. Unafraid of individuality, the Moschino man below is out to score in life - and with that deep yellow vest, aggressively-orange pants and sly smile - score he will!

I want those trainers. So cool.

Moschino has certainly turned a few heads with this collection and I dare say anybody wearing any pieces from the collection will turn heads too. Like one big, exciting, secretly enjoyable and addictive bag of Skittles - the 2013 SS Moschino collection is definitely not for the faint of heart!

Visit www.moschino.it  OR  www.moschinoboutique.com

brandmaker (SC!)

MEN'S WEEK - Milan 2013 - And yes, I mean MEN

You have to love the Italian designers...

Or in the very, very least... their models!

Enjoy... Milan SS 2013 is hotttt!

Versace

Versace

Hello! @ Versace

Hey gurrrrrrrl! @ Versace

Versace

D&G

Dsquared2

Vivienne Westwood - mmmm!

Emporio Armani

Armani

Armani

Backstage at Emporio Armani - hallelujah!

Clothes... What clothes? (I am actually loving the Armani!)

No need to thank me!

brandmaker (SC!)

New Chanel No 5 ad w/ Brad Pitt

Yay or nay?

Hmmmm.....

brandmaker (SC!)

New Prada Levitate Shoes

I like...

MEN'S WEEK - Milan SS 2013 - Fabulous Ferragamo

WOW! Ferragamo has made a splash this year. 

I always love menswear - but Ferragamo's Spring Summer collection this year is just fabulous.

Bright, fresh and altogether conspicuous, the Ferragamo man is set to shine in 2013.

Known for its delicious array of exquisitely crafted shoes, the Salvatore Ferragamo brand is completely desirable and fast becoming the leader in high-end luxury and style.

This year's men's collection is awash with flamboyant colour and print, and deserves a special mention in dare and individuality. 

Adoring the look above. The crisp white v-neck pullover with the splash of sherbet yellow, complemented with the tie and shades of grey in the shirt and pant, are engagingly fresh. Smart casual has been taken to a whole new dimension with Ferragamo's collection this year - especially with the laid back trainers punctuating each piece. The look has been replicated in differing degrees throughout the collection, with varying levels of colour explosion and a play on cuts and lines. I just love it. 

Si Si! Not only are the models (Arthur Gosse below - *wink,wink*) supremely handsome, but the clothes are just as dapper (in a extraverted, look at me sort of way). The casual chic, the contrasting trim, the pop of bright punchy colours - everything works to make each piece feel summery fresh and magnetised. You can't help but smile.  

Kissed with an artist's brush, the look above is just heavenly. I want it and I want it NOW! The refreshing blue, the yellow laces on the trainers, the brush strokes accentuating the shoulders and oh so manly chest, accessorised with that fabulous bag - I WANT! (I have a sneaky feeling that shades of sky blue and sunny lemon yellow are going to feature in the coming Spring Summer seasons!)

Grey wash, yellow pop and blue highlight - perfetto! (Adrien Sahores - très très sexy!)

Summer lovin' has come around again and I have fallen head over heels. 

Salvatore Ferragamo has injected more than a little enthusiasm into menswear for this year's Spring Summer collection and leads the pack in capturing the seasons of fun, light and freedom. 

www.ferragamo.com

brandmaker (SC!)