Rodarte is the all American label set up by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy. In 5 short years since the sister’s first collection, Rodarte has climbed the fashion ladder to its current position at the very top of industry.
The label caught the eye of Editor in Chief of American VogueAnna Wintour and has not looked back. Rodarte now boasts stockists worldwide in only the finest stores, collaborations with Gap and Target and magazine covers worldwide. All this alongside a celebrity following including Kirsten Dunst, Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley and even Michelle Obama.
So what is Rodarte all about? Its original premise could best be described as gothic princess meets dreamlike romance with floaty chiffon and emphasis on layering. However recent collections have seen a softened palette of nudes and pastels which could have an overtly romance feel but for the warrior princess vibe that keeps the Rodarte edge.
Rodarte is stocked in Harvey Nichols and Dover Street Market in the UK.
Isabel Marant is the French label that is sometimes described as fashions best kept secret. French designer Isabel Marant is by no means a newcomer with collections designed from way back in the nineties. It is only with her last few seasons however that Isabel Marant has created a buzz worldwide with her chic designs.
How to described Marant’s style? It’s the Sienna/Nicole hippy chic look mixed in with the polished glamour of Blair Waldorf. Isabel Marant has always been the go to label for the Parisian set who desired Marant’s bohemian vibe designs masterfully crafted into garments that are not only elegant but also stylish.
Originally an accessories designer this has been where Marant’s designs have hit the headlines. A couple of seasons worth of highly covetable boots in limited supply sent fashionistas a little crazy in the hunt for their fix. Since then the label has gone from strength to strength with A-listers such as Jennifer Connelly, Halle Berry and Zoe Saldana choosing Isabel Marant where a more casual glam look is needed.
Luckily for us there is no need to hunt so far with net-a-porter.com now stocking the collection.
Osman Yousefezada is the designer whose name is uttered not just in fashion circles but in the political elite. British designer Osman is having a moment, with the news that Sarah Brown had commissioned four outfits from the designer in the run-up to the election he has become the designer du jour.
Osman began his fashion career at an exceedingly young age, with an Afghan mother with a dress making business it seemed designing was in his blood. Despite an early foray into fashion Osman tried a host of other options including completing a masters at Cambridge before finally making the leap into the fashion industry. After working at Joseph for a brief period he showed his first collection which was quickly snapped up by Selfridges and Osman has not looked back since.
Now his designs can be seen on range of public figures including Sarah Brown as seen above at the Elle Style Awards, Anna Friel and Mischa Barton (yes that is the same dress as Sarah’s). In addition he has dressed Danni Minogue for the X-Factor…..surely there is no better stage for ones designs, except for perhaps an election campaign!
Why are his designs so popular? The key features of Osman’s collections are the masterful use of cut and drape techniques. Through his expertise he is able to create a collection that is not only elegant and beautiful but appropriate for a range of ages and figures.
Osman is available at Browns, Selfridges and Matches.
Emilio Pucci is the iconic womenswear designer established in the 50s who went on to revolutionise cruise collections into something chic, feminine and overtly glamorous. Pucci is best known for his kaleidoscope prints that made for perfect attire for strolling around St Tropez.
However something very exciting has happened in the last two seasons, under the creative direction of Peter Dundas a new Pucci has emerged, this time it has all the same glamour but with a fierce new sexy chic. Now seen on only the trendiest young Hollywood stars including Rachel McAdams in a white Pucci dress which is actually available right now along with a range of other Pucci delights on net-a-porter.com, Anna Kendrick who chose Pucci for the BAFTAs, Mischa Barton and Taylor Momsen.
Pucci’s sexy new look is most notably favored by Kristen Stewart who has debuted two very sexy Pucci looks first at the Elle Style Awards and then for the Runaways premiere.
[Photo Credit Getty, Pacific Coast News, Newscom via Picapp.com]
Taiwan born Jason Wu comes from a rather unconventional fashion background. Raised in America the designer began his fashion career designing and sewing for dolls. By 17 he was a successful doll clothing designer before finally turning his hand to ‘human’ clothes.
A spell at Parsons school of design and an internship at Narciso Rodriguez set Wu on firm footing for a very successful first collection in 2006. Several prestigious awards and a firm fashion backing later and he is one of America’s hottest design talents.
A whole host of celebrities are frequently pictured in his clothes including only the coolest of young Hollywood (such as Kristen Stewart, Diane Kruger and Natalie Portman all pictured below in Jason Wu designs). It is however with the first lady that Wu has really made his name. Introduced to the designer by Andre Leon Talley (you cant get more fashion fabulous than that) Michelle Obama has proceeded to wear Jason Wu’s designs on a number of occasions including the Inaugural ball, the cover of Vogue and for a trip to the UK.
So what is it about Jason Wu’s designs that these famous faces just cant get enough of? His collections are typically described as American princess chic, think Blair Waldorf and co strolling around the Upper East Side. These are luxurious clothes but with a sexy fresh twist.
Amanda Seyfried attended the London premiere of new film ‘Dear John’ in a black dress by designer Doo.Ri. This is the latest in a string of high profile appearances of designs by Doo.Ri on the red carpet.
So who is Doo.Ri and what are her designs all about? Korean- American designer Doo.Ri Chung studied at Parsons school of design before working for six years at Geoffrey Beene and they starting her own range. A recipient of the Vogue Fashion Fund Award in 2006, the same year she was awarded the Swarvoski Emerging Talent, her talent as a fashion designer is widely recognised and celebrated.
Best known for her work with fabric movement and unique draping her designs have attracted some of the hottest talents of the moment. In addition to Amanda Seyfried above, Kristen Stewart chose Doo.Ri for the Runaways LA premiere and Emma Stone wore a nude design for the QVC Celebrate Style event.
Doo.Ri is available to buy in the UK at Harvey Nichols.
If you have seen the Vogue documentary ‘The September Issue’ you have probably heard of Thakoon. A favourite of Editor in Chief of US Vogue Anna Wintour, Thakoon has set his name firmly on the fashion map.
Thai born Thakoon Panichgul moved to the US at the age of 11. He cut his teeth as a fashion writer and stylist in New York. By 2004 he was ready to launch his first collection. Thakoon’s collections are characterised by elegant designs that are distinctly feminine with innovative attention to detail and fabric finish.
It was during President Obama’s presidential campaign that Thakoon really shot to fame. The glamorous wife of the President in waiting Michelle Obama chose to wear Thakoon’s designs repeatedly. It is not often any designer is given the opportunity to showcase their talent on such a worldwide stage but Thakoon’s designs have achieved this notoriety a number of times.
Thakoon’s designs are as familiar on the first lady as they are on celebrities, including Carey Mulligan, Helena Christensen and Sienna Miller all seen below in Thakoon’s designs.
Thakoon is available to buy online at Net-a-porter.com.
[Photo Credit Getty and Newscom via Picapp.com & Prphotos.com]
American designer Prabal Gurung launched his first collection during New York Fashion week just one year ago. In the short time that has transpired his designs have received critical acclaim and are frequently found on red carpets and even in the White House.
Born in Singapore, raised in Kathmandu and study in New Delhi before finally becoming settled in New York, perhaps it is his varied background that contributes to his labels vision. Or maybe it is the internship at Donna Karan and the stint at Cynthia Rowley. Whatever his influences there is no doubting the genius of Prabal Gurung.
What are his designs all about? Sharp silhouettes, colour contrasts and clever tailoring. His clothes are elegant but at all times cool. It is the dresses however, that really steal my attention, from sexy little numbers to show stopping gowns these dresses are the type that make your heart beat that little bit faster.
So who’s wearing Prabal Gurung? From Hollywood heavyweights such as Charlize Theron and Thandie Newton to the up and coming A-list in the forms of Leighton Meester and Ashley Greene. Not forgetting stylist to the stars Rachel Zoe, surely a royal seal of approval.
Prabal Gurung is available to buy in the UK from Harrods.
[Photo Credit Getty via Picapp.com and Prphotos.com]
Erdem Moralioglu is the rising young star in British fashion whose name you really ought to remember. Since winning the Fashion Fringe award Erdem has gone from strength to strength. His background includes spells at Vivienne Westwood and Diane Von Furstenberg.
His characteristically feminine designs often adorned with botantical prints or delicate embroidery have become a worldwide hit. From wife of the British Prime Minister Sarah Brown (pictured above speaking at the Labour Party conference in one of his designs) to Ashley Olsen and Kiera Knightley, Erdem has dressed them all.
His spring/summer collection is full of beautiful seasonal floral print dresses in classic feminine shapes. Available online now at www.net-a-porter.com
If you haven’t heard of cult t-shirt label Worn Free yet you have been missing a treat. The California based brand has made its name recreating iconic t-shirts worn by the greats in years past. Think Kurt Cobain, Elvis Presley, Mohammad Ali and many more.
The t-shirts are made from organic pre-washed cotton and treated to special printing process to give that vintage look and feel. Each one comes with a tag created in the style of a backstage pass displaying the t-shirts original inspiration.
The brand has quickly gathered a following in the States, having been seen on the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Naomi Campbell, Robert Downey Junior, the cast of Entourage, Mischa Barton and Carmen Electra.
