Elsy Jane

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The Danish painter (1864-1916) disappeared from view in the 20th century but made a recent reappearance and now has a new set of admirers, and who can blame them, there is something quietly excellent and powerful that he captures in his paintings. Hammershøi's low-key artwork earned a Danish postage stamp in his honor in 1997.

Today's post is a look into some of the Fashion Industries most influential designers, who shaped today's fashion world, of course there are quite a few worthy of a place, and so this is Part 1 of a few more to come.

Azzedine Alaia - A major success in the 1980's in particular, Alaia focuses on the silhouette of a women- showcasing a defined waist in all his designs (He is after all the 'King of Cling') He doesn't advertise in magazines or partake in social media campaigns and once told Anna Wintour that she had no taste of lasting influence. However, giving his opinion on the revered Vogue editor isn't why he made it on today's blog post. It's because of his continuous priority to stay true to himself (Cliche, I know) and to not loose his values with aesthetic over profit. 'Clueless' fans: in the film from 1995, when Cher is held at gunpoint, she refuses to get down because she's wearing a "totally important designer" and it was in fact Alaïa.

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Gabrielle Chanel - Also know as Coco, Chanel is a designer on everyone's radar, whether it's for her famous little black dress, tweed suites, elegant pearls or array of life lessons scattered over pinterest boards and instagram bio's. She revolutionized women's clothing breaking away from the corsets of the time giving women a looser and freeing option. She became the first designer to design with jersey- a cheap material used for men's underwear at the time. In 1923 she released Chanel No.5, becoming the first designer to release a fragrance. Chanel, of course continues to be a successful brand, under the wing of Karl Lagerfield.

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Crisobal Balenciaga - The son of a seamstress, Balenciaga began working for a tailor at the age of 12 and with his talent noticed by a nobleman he was sent to Madrid to learn to produce patterns- skills that he would wow designers and customers alike in the years to come. The shapely simplicity of the dress and cape above created his reputation as an excellent courtier. He reinvented the silhouette of the 50's with broad shoulders and a less defined waist with tunic and chemise dresses. His modern vision was influential for the time and his visions remain so now.

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Christian Dior - When he launched his brand in 1947, he was showered with attention in the first year, his first collection 'the New Look' declined the regimented looks of the World brought back the nostalgic femininity of times before, with corsets and flowing skirts. This first collection was one of his happiest moments "I created flower women with gentle shoulders and generous bosoms, with tiny waists like stems and skirts belling out like petals."

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Pierre Balmain - Balmain originally trained as an architect, he believed that both architecture and fashion could go hand in hand to 'beautify the world' declaring couture as "the architecture of movement". Known best for his beautiful skirts often embellished with embroidered motifs such as leaves and cherries. His full skirt silhouette was know to be part of the 'post war luxuries' . Today the brand is taken over by Oliver Rousteing, a favourite of the Kardashians and other celebrities alike.

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 A gentle and feminine collection contrasts the usual large hairstyles and extravagant masks, Sarah Burton mirrored Alexander McQueen's original beauty which graced all his collections in a subtler way. It's only a matter of time before one of the romantic gowns is spotted on the red carpet. From beaded dresses to tailored jackets and chains, the collection changed the usual McQueen women to a more refined and tame look. Did you love the collection too?

Photos courtsey of Vogue via InDigital.

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Iris Van Herpen: a designer who challenges the future of fashion; being an early adopter of 3D designs, the dutch designer, who set up her label in 2007, creates the illusion that the future is now. "The essence of Van Herpen is to be expressing the character and emotions of a women and to extend the shape of the feminine body in detail....In all my work I try to make it clear that fashion is an artistic expression, showing and wearing art, and not just a functional of content or commercial tool"

Wilderness Embodied // Haute Couture 

Hybrid Holism // Haute Couture

Voltage // Haute Couture

Van Herpen Couture collections look to explore the human body, for Voltage, she experimented with the creation of lightning, portraying its tangible movement and power, where as her Hybrid Holism from Paris, 2012 focuses on the idea that all matter is in some sense is alive - an ancient belief. A collection weaved together by subtle materials and electricity. For Wilderness Embodied, the law of attraction was used to create a stunning collection inspired by the natural world, shown July 2013. Photo Credit for above.

  

Spring 2016 // Ready to Wear



Guests to her Spring 2016 show were greeted by "Game of Thrones" star Gwendoline Christie

  

Fall 2015 // Ready to Wear

So here was a quick overview of some of Iris Van Herpen's work, I hope you learnt something new. Herpen is defiantly a designer who incorporates bold performance, with a vast amount of textile skill, like Alexander McQueen. (She did intern with McQueen before starting her own label). I personally love her collections, what do you think?

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Seems odd to talk of the spring and summer of next year while I sit under a blanket, and it being dark outside - it's 4:30 pm.. but the S/S shows are over and the trends for the new year are already predicted and here are three things to know before the new season hits the highstreets.

Alexander McQueen

Details from Erdem's show

Valentino 

Prairie Dresses - The American dress is back; full skirts, pleats and flounces make up this traditional dress, seen year round at Valentino. But for S/S collections, Alexander McQueen, Erdem and Mother of Pearl all included Prairie dresses. 

Oscar de la Renta 

Balmain

Lanvin

Off the Shoulder - Artfully exposed shoulders are all over Oscar de la Renta's, Lanvin's, Balmain's and Erdem's collections. Less strappless dresses and more artistic designs create this perfect neckline is sure to be found in your summer wardrobes.

Prada

Loewe

Balmain

Big up Earrings - Bold statement earrings are a must this spring, from brightly coloured, to upcycled to jeweled, make sure your earrings are as big as Balmain's , Loewe's and Prada's looks.

So here are three trends bound to make it onto the high streets, but which will make it to your wardrobe?

Photo credit to indigital via Vogue

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H&M is famous for their collaborations with designers each year, and this year was no exception, on November 2nd, Balmian X H&M came out, and in the famous Wall Street bank, Oliver Rousteing's 'Balmian Army' walked the runway to celebrated the much anticipated collection. So here is a look at the best looks of the collection. 

Will you be buying bits from the collection? For more on current collaborations I have a post here.

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