WHISTLES SUMMER 12 LOOKBOOK

Totally classy, totally gorgeous.

I think there's still a High Summer campaign to come out, but for the time being this SS12 lookbook from Whistles is ticking all the right boxes for me. Whaddya reckon?

Serious brow/red lip envy going on in that last shot. Swoon!

UNITED COLOURS OF BENETTON

Here's a secret. Although I never shop there, I am actually a really big fan of Benetton.

When I was around 7 or 8 my most favourite jumper in the WHOLE WORLD was a bright yellow Benetton jumper with a pale blue seahorse and pink bubbles on the front. I swear, I used to wear that thing everywhere. In fact, every childhood birthday from the age of 6 was marked with a brand-new, garish Benetton jumper and I absolutely could NOT get enough of them.

While I was growing up and not particularly interested in fashion, only the singing Gap adverts and controversial Benetton ads under the direction of Oliviero Toscani really stuck out in my mind. Since his resignation in 2005 it's been a long time since I've seen any ad campaign that's had as much impact as 'Unhate.'

But yeah, Benetton rocks. Aaaanyway...

While the SS12 lookbook doesn't set out to shock or provoke, it is still remarkably pleasing to the eye, focusing on muliti-coloured basics and sticking to the the rulebook they pretty much created back in the 90s.

Loving that last Asian model SO much!

It's weird, I can only assume that Benetton must have a huge following in its native Italy or elsewhere in Europe because in the UK it's presence is virtually nil. The shop in Silverburn is always totally deserted which is a real shame because these are quality, fashion-forward essentials. The whole candy-coloured denim, bold prints and nude & neon trends are ones Benetton could easily get on board with, and yet I only rarely see the brand advertised in magazines.

Come on Benetton, time for an overhaul. Get your finger out!

MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF SS12

...also known as the reason I'm getting excited about summer!

Back in September this was really the only show that got me pumped for sugary-sweet pastels, cartoon prints and quirky girliness for summer. Shame on me, I'd sort of forgotten how fierce a collection it actually is!

The show was the ultimate in performance-femininity - the models strutted down the catwalk to a mashup of Hole hits (sadly missing in the video below), and sashayed round Courtney Love lookalikes applying lipstick and jerking around in 90s-style babydoll dresses. The hair and makeup were so extreme that towards the end the girls looked less like models and more like living dolls.

Strangely, the collection itself is oddly similar to MK's SS11 offering (that show even started with part of a recorded interview with Courtney Love) but rather than use the girly, feminine aesthetic to channel feelings of anger and hostility, it instead exudes a genuine sweetness - a real charm and warmth. There are reports that some front-rowers found it all so moving it brought them to tears.

I also love it because it reminds me of some of my favourite bloggers like Tavi and Marlena.

Watch the vid and enjoy!






x

D&G SS12

Last week in Milan, Dolce and Gabbana ("can you please spell Gabbana?") showed their last ever collection for D&G - their younger line described by The Guardian's Jess Cartner-Morely as being "aimed at a woman with the taste of a cheerleader and the bank balance of a CEO," in order to concentrate more on the mainline brand. Sad times :( I've always admired D&G's sexy sense of playfulness, epitomised best in recent years by their AW10 collection - mind the one with the wooly, fair isle print body suits and furry boots? Brilliant!

But what a way to go! This collection takes my recent penchant for Lady Gaga in Versace to dizzying new heights. Needless to say I am absolutely loving the bold, colourful prints, silk scarfs and gold jewellery, but what I love MOST is that the collection manages to go from tacky-chic to boho-chic to glamorous-chic in about ten moves. Impressive:

Tacky Chic

Boho Chic

Glamorous Chic

My favourite look is obviously tacky chic - what else did you expect?

If, next summer, busy, clashing, silky prints are all over the high street I'll be rejoicing! What do you guys think? Is this look actually wearable?

Anyway, catchye D&G, it's been fun.

TOPMAN DESIGN SS12

Normally around this time I'd usually do a review of Topshop Unique's SS12 collection, but to be honest I wasn't really moved by it. I definitely didn't hate it like I  did last season's effort, but nor did I really love it either. So rather than try and hash something together about a collection I don't really care about, I thought I'd talk about one I DID.

Topman Design, the slightly lesser known, less cool brother of Topshop Unique has never really been on my radar. Menswear is really not my forte, but even to a layman like me, this collection absolutely reeks of an uber cool, 60s paisley, trippy, Moroccan/Indian, slightly modish vibe.

The Beatles in India

Indian Paisley print

Some of Topman Design's Paisley influences - pics from The Guardian

Paisley pattern also reminds me of the 90s (doesn't everything though) and by combining it with grungy knitwear, man bags and silky pyjama bottoms, Topman Design have totally reinvented this lush print. I'm predicting a massive resurgence of Paisley for next year. YAY!

IMPRESSIVE, no? I can see indie boys all over the country jumping on this look next year.

Think the middle four and very last looks are my favourites, but I love them all it's impossible to choose really! The contrast of wool and silk throughout is making me salivate - total texture freak, and although this is a menswear line, I will definitely be taking inspiration from the prints and texturisation.

I really hope Topman Design continue along this road to becoming a stand-alone menswear collective in the same vein as Topshop Unique, because seriously, they deserve the recognition.

On the whole, a massive thumbs up from me, but what do you guys reckon?