Feet need sex appeal too

Shoes are a necessitie - fabulous shoes are a basic human right. More than we should, we all throw on a pair of trainers on the way to work or an old, squashed pair of kitten heels on a night out. Obviously excluding myself - many people commit this atrocious act.

Back in the 70's and 80's, hookers developed an eccentric style which added to their essential sex appeal, and in turn their profits. Well here's  a reality check. Prostitutes dress better than you. Designers have started to realise that and are creating a hybrid of this style and artistic mentions. Below are a few styles I sketched from well known designers, who really understand the aesthetic of women's feet.

Goddess of love - the worlds new G.U.Y?

A worldwide rush of excitement is in the air, as earlier this morning Lady Gaga surprised us all when she released teasers of her new video for the latest single G.U.Y. I thought it would be interesting to try and predict what this video would me made up of. Take the concept... Aphrodite surrounded by her servants or lovers? I think not... Look a little more in depth and you will realise that Gaga is actually posing as Aphrodite (the goddess of love) surrounded by her offspring (Himeros and Eros). 

I found that the initial concept for the video has a slight connotation with this thesis by William Blake Richmond (1953) then again, this is a fashion blog and not a history blog.

Looking at some of the outfit Gaga presents in these teasers, we see two swimsuits... A black, PVC, panel cut swimsuit and also a metallic gold, ribbed, fibre flaked swimsuit... Both of which bear string resemblance to this old outfit, which I sure you don't remember...

That's right, she's bringing out the old guns again. Will this mean another hit, or will people sense that's she's desperate to make it back again with another outlandish yet stylish video? One thing for sure is that she will be taking influence from Donatella this time. Of course I love this woman, and Donatella just as much, but I'm sure your career outside Versace still exists.

Here are a few photos to refresh your memory when it comes to Versace and their sleek, panel tops and dresses, and again with the sketches Donatella thought up way back in the day, for all of those who think the Gaga-tella trend is brand new.

Alice Auaa - Breaking boundaries...

 Always the centre of the underground, artistic, fashion scene. Alice Auaa once again comes back with a collection that is not only more daring and a little more scary than the last, but is of Louise theatrical, cutting edge and everything Haute Couture is supposed to be. In an almost Tim Burton-esque atmosphere, the outfits are like the show, anything but tame.

Not known at a level in the UK or USA as it is in Japan, and probably because of the market. In the West we a lot more in favour of the 'normal' and 'edgey' pieces, where in Japan the more extreme, the more fashionable. Not a lot is known about the brand, apart from being very well regarded within Harijuku fashion markets. Well I think they should break the UK, and quick!

The collection screams dark and eary scene, with element of torture and death, but at least this provokes some sort of story and empathy on the consumer. Everything has been made to wow, and it really does. My favorite piece is the metal orbital, I do however feel it would look better on the first outfit, with the model and long hair of the fourth image up.

The majority of the garments seem to take a dark spin on the Victorian era. A lot of oversized and draped rippled bust blouses are used, a lot of high collars and pouffes on the arm. This of course is a compliment to the gothic past of England.

In my eyes a great collection, but is the UK ready for the dark and dismal?

Photo credit: JapaneseSTREETS

Les Hommes becoming Moi Hommes

Being relatively new to the high end, menswear design sector, LES HOMMES seem to be in good grasp of what we all want to see in the new season. However they seem to have taken it a little further, and with a twist you wouldn't usually see.

The brand was founded not song long ago, by (at the time, university students) Tome Notte & Bart Vandebosch. The pair both ended up studying fashion at a high level, however Notte studied Economic Science before landing into fashion, opposed to Vandebosch, who had a ore-existing artistic background. The pair graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. 

Both designers are very charismatic, with matching personalities, and this can if course be reflected in their work. Now I can relate to this particular collection on a personal level. Myself, I wear a lot of dark shades, bearing strong chiaroscuro (which I partly think matches my soul, on a darker level) and this collection shows just that. Below I have sourced some of the mood that the label used to inspire the collection:

As I mentioned before, the main focus seems to have a deep bearing of chiaroscuro, with entirely monotonous pieces. This of course is a good thing. You see in the image there is a deep contrast between light and dark tones. This is eccentuated by the very sharp edges at which the tones separate and do not blend. Looking back at the collection, I'm sure you can now appreciate where my mind is...from an artistic point of view.

I love everything in this collection (minus the hat in a certain outfit that somewhat resembles a character from 'Kill Bill' or perhaps 'V For Vendetta') they all breathe such definition, power and integrity. I really do see this line as more of an art form that I do a series of clothing. 

From the start of the show, by the music and lighting you could almost instantly tell that this collection was to be bold and bear a statement, however you wouldn't expect it to be so dark. A prominent PowerPoint seems to be oversized jakcets, and accessories such as hats, and scarfs which almost seem to embellish the models and overcast their features. Everything about the line is mysterious and of course interesting, very high skilled tailoring is also a key factors, and this allows the stylist to be able to match something which drapes against such items that are fitted and sculpt the body.

Then, we have a look at their campaign for the URBAN sections of the brand. A section that seems to think it would be their likeliness of 'VERSUS for Versace' never the less, this stands at he complete opposite side of the spectrum. This line channels nothing but a sensual channeling of brands such as Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and all those disgusting pre-teen stores. SOME of the items aren't too bad, such as their tailoring and a small portion of their knitwear, however the campaign reeks of that fake, ripped body, benefit scraping, Cali/surfer boy attitude. 

I highly suggest boys, that you ditch the side label until you're more distinguished, and focus more on developing the dream work you have...

Dolce and Gabbana - The great Gianni heist...

    

Another Italian couture giant has taken to the stage and shocked, but for all the wrong reasons. Founded in 1982 by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana the brand set up a small designer consulting studio and later presented their debut womenswear collection in 1985 and their menswear debut was in 1992. Since then they have been a market leader for luxury ready to wear clothing with a to date turnover of €597 million in 2005.

Dolce and Gabbana has been a favorite of mine for years, since I was only 14 in fact. It was the intricacy and fine tailoring infused with bold colours and contrasting designs that caught my eye. I even remember writing 'D&G' on my clothes hanger while attempting to design their new collection.

Lately I've been very complimentary over the latest SS collections, and for those of you who are lucky to know me, you also know I'm not an overly complimentary person. Quite the opposite in fact, so it's time to get back to reality. Focusing today on the SS14 reel of D&G menswear designs I am nothing more than disappointed. The collection was initially split into two sectors; summer couture and tailoring. The tailoring I am a fan of, but the rest looks like a River Island throwback with a Versace influence. The collection features historic scenes and religious/monarchal figures of Ancient Greece. The only up note of this would be the cut of the tops, they feature a low stitched back and a bat cut arm, something a little different from your normal t-shirt/jumper cut. Everything about this half of the line seems to me, as dull, boring and clichèd.

Oh. The other hand, the tailoring seems to be classic D&G with a slight metallic spin. Fine tailored trousers, with a slightly un tapered straight cut paired with a nicely tailored, double breasted jacket seems to dominate the collection this summer. The colours are great. They're bold, fresh and they make a statement. For you guys out there that can stretch to buy a Gabbana suit, I would recommend it. A perfect look for coming out of winter and launching yourself into summer.

All in all, a very disappointing collection which is close to being saved but he tailoring, but not completely. Never the less we still haven't seen the last of this ever evolving fashion giant.