SS13 FASHION FANTASIES: RODARTE'S FRINGE LEATHERS

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

A fantasy shopping list for SS13 would be, quite frankly, inaccurate if it didn't include an oversized, fringed biker jacket worthy of Steve McQueen. The kind which you could throw on over a wrap mini skirt and look like a very fashionable version of a woman sauntering out of a mid-America motel to meet her rough and ready lover. These are not the tight, thin, barely roadworthy leather jackets of yesteryear (think Victoria Beckham circa the birth of Brooklyn), but substantial garments which engulf, protect, only get better with age and would make a Hell's Angel proud.  

Rodarte turn teenage boy fantasies like Warhammer to fashion girl dreams.

In the case of the Mulleavy sisters at Rodarte, it was "fantasy role playing games" rather than weathered biker boys which formed the inspiration for their sublimely embossed, louche big bikers which could easily have been part of Game of Thrones' Ned's costume repertoire. The awesome coats were complimented by gowns worthy of a medieval banquet and sharp skirts and dresses which had a hint of  the Dungeons and Dragons armour to them. Kate and Laura's collection might have referenced that geeky subculture of World of Warcraft and Warhammer, but its appeal is to a whole different kind of geek. The Fashion Collector, or the Super Fan. The girls and women who have money to spend and very specific ideas about how they will be wearing the new season. I, and probably many of you reading this, fall somewhere on that particular spectrum of geekiness. And if you're anything like me, then you have fully digested the SS13 collections and are ready to gobble them up. For the record, when I say gooble up, I mean I know the one or two things that I want to spend serious money on and the other key pieces which I'll be looking for more affordable "interpretations" of.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

M'oda Operandi is here to help us gobble, with their Rodarte trunk show which is going on until Monday. The 'pretailer'- I love that term-has 13 looks from September's show which we can buy from right now, with delivery as early as March. You may want to splash your entire SS13 piggy bank now with 10,531 euros on a spectacular embroidered gown  or 4,361euros on one of those epic fringed bikers. For the slightly more restrained amongst us, there are beautifully printed tops for 957euros. Basically, we can get our guaranteed fashion thrills early. This must be how it feels to get first dibs on a new World of Warcraft extension game.

Catwalk images via Vogue.com

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK AW12: HIGHLIGHTS FROM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY RODARTE! PROENZA SCHOULER!

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.

Backstage at Proenza Schouler...

Acid trip meets Hindu make-up at Jeremy Scott

hi-top wedges

Jeremy Scott in the new novelty jumper- Bart print.

All catwalk images from catwalking.com. All other images from our favourite NYFW tweeters