THE WEEK IN FASHION: JULY 29th to AUGUST 3rd

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

via @jimshi809

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.

Dylan Jones ‏@DylanJonesGQ22h

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

Dylan Jones ‏@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.