Topshop Opening

Last week I finally had a chance to visit the new Topshop store on Chapel Street! It's the first store here in Australia so it's been exciting for all us Topshop lovers. I've spent a couple years checking out Topshop products online so was happy to finally see them in person.

I was busy shopping so I didn't get many pictures but here are a few quick snaps. I was a little bit sun burnt on this day...

 

 

I only ended up buying one dress for myself, I spent a lot more time in the mens section finding last minute Christmas gifts for my brother and dad. They had great, well priced mens printed shirts. I had to tell them what Topshop and Topman is when they opened them though...but I think they appreciated it.

Happy New Years Eve everyone! Enjoy your night out x

Rewind To The 50s

I've really been getting into 50s style dresses lately. Last month I bought the Marilyn Monroe dvd collection which includes 8 of her films.

from 'The Seven Year Itch' (1955)

I bought the collection at JB HI FI for only $16!

I love them and I love the clothes! So it's a good thing that 50s inspired looks have been featured across runways for spring/summer 2011 as well as appearing in my favourite stores so I can grab them.

The 50s were all about being super feminine so the focus was on boobs, tiny waists and big hips.

 

Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe in 'How to Marry a Millionaire' (1953)

50's inspired dresses

Forever news collection includes full skirts and prints, giving the dresses a classy 50s housewife look.

Forever New Valerie corsage dress $79.95

Forever New Agnes Polkadot dress $99.95

Forever New Floral prom dress with sash $129.95

Bardot ruched and pleat dress $129.95

 Valleygirl Metallic Strapless dress $24.95 from $34.95

Topshop Scoop back dress by Annie Greenabelle 61 pounds (AUD $97.95)

In Sportsgirl 50's Hazel dress, Betts shoes

Pretty Pleats Please

Designers are being inspired by Fortuny's famous gowns from the early 20th century, using pleats in brightly coloured fabrics and flowy shapes. Pleats are being used in the same way as classic Fortuny dresses as well as some designers modernising the styles, to make them suitable for this season. 


Natalia Vodianova in a vintage Fortuny gown.

Stella McCartney used pleating for various looks in her Spring/Summer ready to wear 2010 collection, mixing them with prints, ruffles and modern shapes like one shoulder dresses and deep v tops. 

Above, Natalia Vodianova walking in Stella McCartneys spring/summer 2010 show. Natalia sure does love pleated dresses.




More looks from Stellas collection using pleating.

Stella McCartney's whole Spring/Summer 2010 collection can be viewed here.


Other designers are also using pleating in their current collections. Versus used pleating in the majority of their looks for the Autumn/Winter ready to wear 2010/11 collection which all can be viewed here.

 Versus satin tuxedo mini dress

 Versus pleated satin skirt (Look 1)

Silk satin and chiffon mini dress (Look 4)

 

Leighton Meester in one of the dresses from Versus Autumn/Winter 2010/11 collection (Look 14)

Leighton Meester wore this dress from the collection 2 weeks ago at a herbal essences event which she is now the ambassador for. I think she looks stunning and it beats her other recent fashion choices by a mile. One of those which happens to be from the same Versus collection, although it didn't have the same effect.

Leighton in look 2 of the collection a few months earlier.

I definitely love the first one more. The cut outs of the second are just a bit much and even though she is tinyy I think it is too short.
But her hair looks nice... good work herbal essences.


Other celebs who also recently wore dresses from this collection include Kim Kardashian in look 29.

I'm not really into this one..the dress doesn't fit her right at all. Just look at the size of the cups! They're like half the size of her actual boobs, so it looks like it doesn't fit and she does not look comfortable. Also I think the velvet looks heavier than normal when put with those dark tights.


Retailers have caught on to this trend and including pleat details on their garments. 

UK store Topshop have grabbed onto this trend and included it in various looks. 

Grey shimmer pleat skirt babydoll dress by Topshop (AUD $88)

Foil pleated mini skirt by Topshop (AUD $56)

Pleated print dress by Topshop (AUD $120)

Topshop print pleat skirt by Marios (AUD $352)

Topshop large pleat dress by rare (AUD $78)

Aussie stores near you, where you can buy these looks.

Sportsgirl rumba dress $129.95

This dress comes in sunset (above) and also black. Comes with a tan buckle belt, not the one photographed. 

Sportsgirl website 

Review siren dress $279.95

Review website

Bardot pleated staker skirt $69.95

 Bardot pleated swing top $59.95

Bardot website