Heatons AW16

I had kind of wondered what had happened to Heatons. They fell off the press radar for a while there and stopped having shows at the start of the new season for over a year. And then I got an invite to the AW16 showcase from a brand new PR company and with a very different vibe. I guess the company saw the way that Dunnes had rebranded, grown and evolved into something more relevant and on the pulse of things and decided to do the same because everything about the new season is more luxe than ever before.

Heatons have been doing beautiful, affordable homeware for years now and while the clothing collections had cute highlights, the overall vibe was a little dowdy and not so fashion forward. With AW16, they've clearly sought to change that and they've done a damn good job. The overall aesthetic remains a little understated in a way that embraces the older, existing clientele but sprinkles the collection with on-trend statement pieces, pretty party dresses and edgier garments to create something a little more diverse and interesting.

A boho theme runs vaguely throughout much of the collection through pretty details like embroidery, tassels and fringing but the rich palette of burnt oranges, taupes, beiges and browns makes things wearable, Autumn appropriate and a little less costumey than some iterations that we've been seeing on the highstreet. Similarly, 60s tailoring and outerwear and 70s silhouettes and fabric choices are prevalent, as key trends next season, but are adapted in a wearable, non-alienating way that makes the garments easy to integrate into existing wardrobes. Another strand running through the collection is more youthful and streetwear inspired - with pieces like a very solid bomber in two shades and a sporty striped sweaterdress - and, again, while these are very on-trend, they are also perfectly suited to be adopted into the wardrobes of many different individuals.

Heatons have done a really good job with this season in creating something very on the button but also very luxe-feeling and user-friendly that will please new audiences while still embracing loyal customers. It is a savvy, clever, elegant collection and I already have my eye on personal highlights such as the bomber, cape, grey belted coat and the pyjama sets, which are so cute that I would totally adopt them as daytime blouses.

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(Catwalk images by me, campaign images courtesy of Heatons)

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House of Holland Pre SS16

I've always been fond of  pre/resort collection. Not only does it aid in sating my need for new shows to gasp and gush over but it also always seems like the time designers take the most risks, try new things. It's not one of the main collections of the year, so they have less to lose. As a result, you get some of their most exciting work.

I love what House of Holland do normally. But I also very much know what to expect. Or I thought I did. And then we get Pre SS16 which pushes beyond print and colour (though they're present, of course) and incorporates more textures, silhouettes and fabrics options. While remaining cohesive. Collected. Damn slick.

Btw, denim ain't going nowhere. In fact, it's only going to be more exciting this time next year, by all accounts. Holland shows us that. 

The take is characteristically fun and whimsical with coloured faux fur trims, tassels, patches and lots and lots of colour. But lengths and proportions are so goddamned chic that everything is made more polished and given a touch of timelessness. Americana with sixties primness and nineties wackiness.

It's youthful without being childish. Fresh without being unwearable. Utterly cool without trying too hard. 

Sign me up, I'm sold.

 

(Images via vogue.co.uk)

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Zara's Campaign Films.

Go to Zara's site now. Do it. You won't be disappointed. 

The AW '12 films for the Woman, Man, TRF and Kids sections are gorgeous, cinematic things of beauty. 

Here are some screenshots from the Woman film. It's got the nostalgia factor that's been everywhere since a certain music video last summer but is charming enough to be saved from being too band-wagony. Think impossibly cool, chic and young France of the 60s and the movies of that era.

And, yes, I was too lazy to edit. Problem?

Eat your heart out, Bret.

So, Mam bought me this t-shirt with a Dalmatian on it a few days back and I'm seriously weirdly picky about t-shirts; I'm quite choosy about graphics, refuse to wear anything cheesy and usually avoid anything other than band tees and abstract designs. Don't get me started on t-shirts with text on them! (There are few things that make me shudder more than clothing with crap like "I love shoes and boys" or "Love" written on them. BARF.) Anyhoo, as a result of this tee-wariness I had no idea how to dress it but, as it was a gift from Mammy, I didn't want to be rude and decided to give it a chance. I pretended it was a jumper or t-shirt à la Bret of Flight of the Conchords.

This inspiration led me down a kind of kooky and vintage inspired road for the day. I treated the shirt as a jumper and put a collared shirt underneath and then put a Chanel-like jacket on top. With the elegant jacket and block heels, this look takes its inspiration from the fashion twist on the sixties that was all over catwalks for a while where the more preppy and elegant styles of the era were given a chintzy and kooky makeover. The headband was a total shout-out to Blair Waldorf. xoxo

Skirt - Topshop - T-shirt - Penney's - Collared shirt (beneath) - Penney's - Jacket - Penney's - Shoes - Topshop - Headband - Aldo - Tights - Dunnes - Earrings - Aldo - Bracelet - Vintage (from Granny x)

More sparkly nail polish.

Makeup from Catrice - Don't really know the brand but the packaging is sooo pretty...

...and I can never turn down ANYTHING labelled 'Baroque'

Also there's pretty patterns on the ACTUAL lipstick!

Even more sparkles.

Such pretty colours!

Eyeshadow is very subtle but pretty!

Gives a very fresh, pretty look.

The lipstick but toned down a tad - otherwise it would be a little too gothy for this look.