NYFW Ready-to-Wear Fall 2012: Oscar de la Renta

The New York Fashion Week is over and now the London Fashion Week have started. However, let's take a look back at some of the scintillating collections from the NYFW RTW Fall 2012 collections.

The red carpet expert Oscar de la Renta weaves magic yet again throwing the unexpected at us. His collection had red carpet worthy gowns of course, with the award season kicking in soon, but the collection had short, youthful playful dresses which was a refreshing change for Oscar. The models had satin headbands with diamanté centre wearing  full skirted dresses in jewel prints. The bijoux prints was an interesting addition to the girly frocks in baby pinks and powder blues.

Pic- Oscar de la Renta NYFW 2012
(www.style.com)

Pic- Jewel print dresses by Oscar de la Renta
(www.style.com)

Pic- Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012 NYFW
(www.style.com)

Printed!

This spring, there is going to be a blow out of flowers and its going to be colourful! High street brand Topshop has collaborated with the London Fashion week sweetheart Mary Katrantzou. The Greek born designer is going to bring her signature prints inspired by crystal flower broaches, Qing Long dynasty flower motif from China and porcelain bowls to the high street making it affordable to the mass. The capsule collection is to be launched today to the public and is priced between approx £50 to £350. Fashionistas Alexa Chung, Poppy Delevigne and Keira Knighley are all going gaga over Mary Katrantzou.

Pic (L to R)- Alexa Chung, Poppy Develigne (Mary Katrantzou for Topshop) and Keira Knightley in Mary Katrantzou

If you still feel the print is too much and not really your style, take cue from fashion stalwarts like Anna Wintour herself. She is known for her signature printed outfits apart from her pageboy bob haircut and personality ;). 

Pic (L to R)- Anna Wintour and Anna Wintour in Carolina Harrera

Apart from the drool worthy dresses, which is on my wishlist now, the collection also has printed leggings and trousers which I'm lusting over. If you are daring enough, pair prints with prints. Or if you like the muted, toned down look, take inspiration from the Swedish blogger Elin Kling. Printed pants, muted t-shirt and a classic black blazer is just the right amount of print for me. She finished off the look with classic black Prada courts and aviators. Perfect!

Pic (L to R)- Topshop leggings (£40), Topshop tee (£50); Topshop trouser (£130), blouse (£80); Kling in Isabel Marant, Prada shoes and Acne blazer.

Pic (L to R)- Topshop bodycon dress (£180), Topshop porcelain bowl dress (£350) and Topshop silk tunic (£150)

What's 'in' this fall for men? Rag & Bone

The Rag and Bone show at the NYFW had an array of Devilish looking models strutting down in English folksy outfits which was a fine balance between elegant and rugged. Rag & Bone prides itself with it's Complex Layering skills and it was demonstrated all over the collection.

Pic- David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Pic- Rag &Bone Fall 2012 at NYFW
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Shearling-collared long coats worn over skilfully layered vests and sweaters gave a mysterious wanderer vibe. I absolutely dig the mean-devil look with the floor sweeping topcoats in rich fabrics.

Pic- Rag &Bone Fall 2012 at NYFW
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Ikat prints was a sheer light-hearted contrast to the rugged topcoats.

What's 'in' this fall for men? Ermenegildo Zegna

Back in January in the Milan Fall fashion show, Ermenegildo Zegna, the coveted designer of the elite white collared league, showed its collection aptly named "winter's tale". The sharp suited Zegna men took a relaxed yet luxe turn this fall. The collection didn't disappoint the boardroom fans with checked and chevronned suits. However, the Zegna men wore, knitted turtle necks, fustian capes, luxe quilted leather trench and Spazzolini alpaca agnona topcoats. This was indeed interesting, unexpected and refreshing although the collection leaned towards Z Zegna rather than Ermenegildo. I personally love the lush fabrics and mismatched blazer-pants suit.

Pic- Ermenegildo Zegna Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

What's 'in' this fall for men? Richard Chai

Richard Chai's Fall collection this year was inspired by photographer Bruce Davidson's subway photo a fragile man. His collection showed crafted outerwear in dull understated colours. The combination of the blunt Lyrex stripes with gawky cropped pants to me is fashion genius. Just when the collection ventured into the much more traditional chesterfield coat, Chai's imaginative mind wanders around. Notice the nylon windbreaker on the right worn under a checked suit. The awkward combinations on unlikely styles like the suit is so kitsch yet so unique and interesting.

Pic- Richard Chai
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Pic- Richard Chai Love Fall 2012 at NYFW
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

In this collection, the heavy duty outerwear was cinched at the waist with belts. This was interesting because last time I checked cinching the waist was more of a Women's fashion move. However it wasn't surprising considering Chai describes this collection as 'Handsome Feminity'.

What's 'in' this fall for men? Burberry

The New York Fashion week has commenced and the fashion fanatics are on their toes to get a glimpse of what the trend will be this year. I am cramped with tons of pictures and trend reports to post on my blog. I have however managed to select a few favourites of this fall's men's fashion.

Pic- Christopher Bailey for Burberry
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The sartorial expert Burberry's Fall show back in Jan was a world of two worlds. The sophisticated gentleman, which is more of Burberry's style forte and a more relaxed man. Christopher also played around with the trend of this season 'Dressed up Military'. 

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The collection had structured sophisticated suits with classic topcoats. The sophisticated look was toned down with funky polka dots.

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Suit pants were paired with crisp shirts and neckties which was skilfully layered with scooped-neck sweater. Christopher Bailey's quirky side was illustrated through the animal embroidery on the sweater, giving it a pagan vibe.

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The relaxed scooped-neck comes in harmony with the elegant suit. Christopher played with colours through the accessories.

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The Dressed up Military is in play here. Military inspired jackets and bomber jackets collide with structured suits in the weird world of Christopher Bailey.

Pic- In the streets
(www.thesartorialist.com)

The dressed up military is quick to pick up in the streets, camouflaged shirt layered under a coat and camouflaged necktie with a grey suit and a military green parka on top is sheer genius. Love.

Royal sense of style

I just love the sartorial choices of Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. The former was always inclined towards risqué and the later towards the modern and stylish to the T but always safe. Diana was the epitome of fashion in her days and Kate seem to be trudging the style icon path but ever so carefully. Their choices of outfits might be seemingly different to the naked eye at the first glance but they are quite similar in their choices.

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana, Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen
(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

Both the ladies went for the military inspired outfits and both chose classic matching courts and clutches to finish the look.

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton
(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

The ladies went the red route for their respective events. Diana chose an edgier exaggerated shoulder gown while Kate did justice to her style sensibilities by choosing a (what looks like an Issa) softer flowy gown.

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton
(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

The ladies paired their trouser with white ruffled blouses and blazers. Kate went for the more relaxed look in denims and added a belt to break the up the look. Both chose court shoes to go with their outfits.

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen
(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

For their events, the ladies wore velvet gowns. Major brownie points to them for carrying off such a rich fabric and texture. Kate is carrying a Mascaro clutch.

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton in Reiss
(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

White dresses and red accessories were the choice for these ladies. Kate looks so refreshing in the Reiss dress which falls dangerously an inch shorter on her thighs than her normal length of hemline.

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton in a Milliner Jane Corbett fascinator
(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

Diana looked sophisticated in her blue tulip hemmed coat and the matching fasinator. The aubergine coloured coat and matching fascinator on Kate looked absolutely stunning.

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton in Temperly London

(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

The royals looked spot on trend with lace gowns at their respective events. While Diana went for the white on white lace gown, Kate chose a contrast lace down cinched at the waist making her look statuesque. Love. 

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen (middle) and Amanda Wakely

(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

Flowy chiffon gowns were the choice of outfit for both Diana and Kate. Both kept their accessories to a minimum for the gowns' maximum impact. 

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham (both)

(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

Sequinned or one shouldered gowns, these iconic ladies did not disappoint with their sartorial choices at their respective events. Diana's all sequinned gown can work on the red carpet even today. Kate kept her accessories simple with a clutch with the sequinned Jenny Packham and Links of London earrings with the one shouldered gown. 

Pic (L to R)- Princess Diana and Kate Middleton 

(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

The similarity of this picture is just uncanny ;)

What to wear this Valentine's?

You may be a Valentine's Day non-believer, but fear not, this post will not talk about mushy things to do on the day in topic. Any given day, going on a date always comes with a series of phone calls and skype dates with girlfriends to pool in to the style-brain-storming to decide the perfect ensemble. An outfit reflects one's mood and personality so it is very important to wear the right one (which obviously is Greek to my boyfriend/any man)! So for this Valentine's Day or any date night, here's a few safe yet stylish outfit samples to make it easy for you.

Pic (L to R)- Tinker,Tailor, Sodier Spy's Gary Oldman's wife is such a pretty picture in red at the Oscar Nominee Luncheon, Sonam Kapoor in Prabal Gurung. Love. 
(www.marieclaire.co.uk/www.vogue.in)

Red is a cliché colour for Valentine's Day but I for one absolutely lust over this colour. It is vibrant and cheery and can never go wrong.

Pic (L to R)- Kate Middleton in Diane von Furstenberg, Primark dress.
(www.graziadaily.co.uk/www.marieclaire.co.uk) 

The Duchess of Cambridge's impeccable style sense is such an inspiration to us mortal beings. The Primark dress is a girly, easy going dress which can be dressed up with a pair of heels or dressed down for the day with flats.

Pic (L to R)- Rooney Mara in Thierry Mugler jacket at the Oscar Nominee Luncheon, Olivia Palermo in Manolo Blahniks at a NYFW party.
(www.marieclaire.co.uk)

If dresses are not your cup of tea, then pants can equally work for a date. Olivia Palermo nails the pants look wearing a pair of glitter pants keeping the top and jacket plain in monotone with a yellow clutch for a pop of colour.

Pic (L to R)- Asin and Rachel Roy
(www.vogue.in/www.marieclaire.co.uk)

Lace always channels lust, surrealism and girly. Rachel did the lust look pairing a dress in pale pink with a lacy slip under it. She wore snakeskin courts and a black bag to finish the look. Asin looked lovely in a lace dress with Peter-Pan collar.



                                
Pic (L to R)- Sonakshi Sinha in Alexander McQueen and Dia Mirza

These lovely ladies do the effortless colour white, one with red lips for a more sexy look and the other with neutral make-up for a toned down appeal.

The leather jacket

Whether its punk rock look by Balmain or disheveled vintage look by ever so discrete Giorgio Brato, the leather jacket is worn by both men and women alike to ad that edge and attitude to any outfit. Although its worn extensively in autumn or spring seasons, a friend suggested that if you buy a size larger, you leave enough room to layer it up with hoodies or cardigans for the colder climes. I thought it was a brilliant suggestion. How would you wear your leather?

Pic courtesy www.marieclaire.co.uk - Sarah Jessica Parker at amfAR benefit gala 2012 in New York in Theyskens' Theory jacket over an Oscar de la Renta dress.

Taming the wild!

If you're faint hearted like me but love the Animal Print, subtlety is the mantra. We can still wear the print without looking like the Cat! To work animal print is risky and only a lucky few can carry it off with panache. But for those like me who are scared to bring our wild side out, we needn't shun the print any more. We can hint our wild side using accessories like an animal print belt, ballerina flats or even tortoise shell sunglasses. My friends tell their very own wild stories through the pictures below.

An animal print bikini peeking out of a hot pink maxi is a perfect way to show the animal in us.

A printed scarf is just the right amount of animal. Wear brown brogues to balance out the look.

A bag with animal print flap is the subtlest and safest way to wear the print and look lush at the same time.

The Denim Jacket

I'm fortunate I have extremely stylish friends! They might have style sense that are unique in each way, but one thing they own in common is the Denim Jacket. The versatile nature of this outfit have resulted in interesting renditions of ensembles using the same. It can be worn with cute little tea-dresses, maxis or with pants. Embrace androgyny with a denim shirt stolen from your boyfriend's closet and wear it with a vest or a dress. Whatever you do with it, the denim jacket makes for the perfect cover-up for spring.

PS- Take cue from my gorgeous friends :)