FASHION: reed krakoff

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

All the need-to-know fashion news is right here for you to enjoy in one handy place. Your catch-up starts here.

Vanity Fair's Best Dressed list, the world's arbiter of who's putting on the right clothes every time they step out of the door, was published this week. Actress Kerry Washington gained the top spot, with Duchess Kate coming in at number three. Notable absences included Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron. I love that this list seems a well-considered edit of how those in the public eye are working with designers and stylists, rather than a simple re-iteration of whose most famous right now. There's no Rihanna or Cara Delevingne but Carmen dell'Orefice is at number four while the Chinese President's wife Peng Liyuan makes her debut at no.38.

Kerry Washington in lovely Miu Miu at this
year's Oscars (image via huffingtonpost.co.uk)

Speculation has been rife for sometime about Tamara Mellon's next move following her departure from Jimmy Choo. She'd been teasing with tweets of fittings and meetings. On Monday she unveiled her new eponymous brand to fashion press in New York. The range comprises everything from shoes and handbags to ponyskin coats and cashmere t-shirts. The point of difference? A move away from the schedule of fashion weeks and showing six months before going to retails. It's about e-commerce, immediate satisfaction and monthly drops.

AT THE TAMARA MELLON PRESENTATION...

The Tamara Mellon logo (via @VVFriedman)

via @jimshi809

Bad news for Topshop this week after Rihanna won her "passing off" case against the retailer. The legal battle was the result of some t-shirts printed with Rihanna's face which Topshop was selling. The singer claimed that it looked like she was endorsing the product when she not. I suppose it was an extra sensitive topic given RiRi's collaboration with Topshop rival River Island. To understand why Rihanna managed to win, read this.

The offending Topshop Rihanna emblazoned t-shirt (via telegraph.co.uk)

Following the news that Reed Krakoff is leaving Coach, it has been revealed that he will also be buying back his own label via a group led by the designer himself meaning that all ties with Coach are cut. Apparently the financial implications of remaining under the ownership of his former employers was too great. The moves paves the way for a new beginning for both parties; Stuart Vevers is set to join Coach from Loewe while Krakoff will concentrate on his own line. We can't wait.

Reed Krakoff gorgeousness in US Harper's Bazaar (via harpersbazaar.com)

GQ's September cover stars are One Direction. Cheekily, the cover line of the issues bearing the angelic face of Harry Styles bear the caption "He's Up All Night to Get Lucky". Sadly, One Direction fans haven't taken too well to this insinuation and have been showing the GQ team exactly what they think through angry tweets and, it seems, actual stalking as documented by GQ editor Dylan Jones this week... Not even Mayfair is safe.

‏@DylanJonesGQ22h

Am currently being followed by a dozen suspicious-looking One Direction fans. In Jermyn Street, too! #staringatthepavement

‏@DylanJonesGQ22h

One of the Directioners appears to be holding a chainsaw!

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Harry Style on GQ (via spin.com)

Kate Phelan is back at Vogue with a chic and refreshing Daria Werbowy September issue cover. This issue would usually show a recognisable catwalk look, a signifier of the new season. Instead this feels different. Daria could feasibly have just turned up in the studio in her (Balenciaga) biker jacket, wearing a fluffy jumper and assorted jewellery and had her snap taken in 2 minutes. That's the illusion anyway. It's unbelievably natural and seems less high fashion, more personal style. I can't wait to see what Kate does next.

Make sure you read Henry Conway's delightful defence of the much discussed male legwear phenomenon that is red trousers. My favourite line... "I know they make me look like a total rah, but they are soft and beautiful and befitting of my Queen Sloane status".

A lot of red (and some) trousers on Lookatmyfuckingredtrousers.blogspot.co.uk

Talking of red, if you're after a modern classic designer investment then make sure you head to Harrods' pop-up Valentino rockstud boutique which opens today on the 2nd floor. Stock includes the exclusive cristal tote (below, £5,110) as well as lots of options on the stud- strewn shoes and sandals, all in classic Valentino red of course.

Cristal tote, Valentino at Harrods (via vogue.co.uk)

Rockstud rouge shoes £675 at Harrods (via vogue.co.uk)

What happens when Alexander Wang invites everyone to a mystery event which turns out to be a mahoosive giveaway? This video...

Emma Cook has made a delightful video with handmade animation to showcase her dinosaur and flowers themed Autumn/ Winter collection. "The dinosaurs were toys belonging to my son, I thought they looked very cool" Emma told me. Emma made the film in collaboration with Oscar Gränse. It's a whimsical and wonderful start to the weekend.

EMMA COOK AUTUMN / WINTER 2013 from EMMA COOK on Vimeo.

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

New York is over for another season, save a few presentations taking place today. Here at FEAL, we're gearing up for the first day of London Fashion Week tomorrow. In the mean time, here are some of our favourites looks from the final few days in NY.

RODARTE

The Mulleavy sisters adopted the mid-century silhouette which has been prevalent for SS12. There were plenty of thick wools and knits alongside pretty prints and delicate frilled evening gowns. The show's first section had a Little House of the Prairie feel, but this gradually toughened up to include shearling and leather on more structured silhouettes. The show ended with two hand print full length chiffon dresses which are as beautiful as they are unnerving.

RODARTE FRONT ROW...

Tavi with roses in her hair

Dakota Fanning, who apparently put on dark
glasses a la Wintour to watch the show.

Beautiful loose up- dos backstage

MARC BY MARC JACOBS

Marc by Marc Jacobs was trussed up geek chic, with the addition of f**k of studded bags, satin prom dresses, thick black frame glasses and...

...big, bright red lips

Xiao Wen gets her lips done...

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ

The Rodriguez show was mostly an experiment in colour block dresses in hot tangerine, oxblood and sage green. However, my personal favourite look is this two tone drop waist coat- the collar bone exposing v-neck is very chic, either bare or with a polo neck. Plus, I'm developing something of an obsession with mid-calf boots.

REED KRAKOFF

This show began in black and ended in a series of creamy white looks, via orange and maroon. The play with layers and slightly varying tones ups the appeal here. Light, bright runway looks are lovely but whether they translate to the pavement is another question.

PROENZA SCHOULER

Another show inspired by Asian art and embroidery (also see Jason Wu), specifically the fabrics which the designers picked up on a trip to Nepal. Highlights include the quilted bird jackets and panelled skirts and dresses. Amongst those eastern influences were big, cosy leather coats which have winter in NYC written all over them.