Becky Harris

The past couple of months have had a huge focus on all things colourful, decorative and slightly OTT. Of course, bright colours, fringing, embellishment, feathers, quirky prints and lace are all expected in the season of Summer and rightfully so; it shouldn’t be taken as seriously in my opinion, Summer is meant to be fun. However, after swamping through masses of excessiveness, it’s somewhat refreshing to stumble across what is simply a high quality, wearable label.

May I introduce one to watch for A/W 2011, ‘Hemyca’. The label recently exhibited their A/W 2011 collection at May’s Fashion Press Week, and through their pure brilliance managed to win a major prize and a year of free mentoring in PR and finance. Not only that, but the designers are currently in talks with big London department stores.

Upon one glance over the pieces, you can understand why they were chosen. The range consists of beautifully structured trenches, jackets, dresses and some key blouses and skirts, all of which can be pieced together, mixed and matched. What is so wonderful and definitely a quality which currently stands out in the designer market is that the label is not trying too hard to be noticed. You are drawn in by the noticeably luxurious quality, and the rest- leather panels, tailoring, thick cashmere and quirky details, just speak for themselves.

I’m a sucker for the little details that create a lot of impact. The pieces are all subtle and wearable, but extras such as the oversized Peter Pan style leather collars, detachable fur capes, buckles, a ribbed cotton material for a blouse and leather panels inserted on hips and sleeves; all create unique textures and twists. Mix these textures with the impeccable tailoring and manipulation of the fabrics, and you have the visually stunning aesthetic that is projected when worn.

The designers, Myra Nigris and Helen Clinch, are experts in tailoring, so they cater to every single shape under the sun- they will personally alter and fit pieces for clients in their London studio on Elizabeth Street. The materials are all sourced in Italy and are the thickest cashmere and finest leather; a real investment in luxury. Designer, Myra said, “We wanted to create something wearable but with a distinctive edge. For example, we have a lawyer client, who can’t be seen wearing the same thing as her assistant. But she doesn’t want anything too over the top.”

That is what makes this collection: it is for the power woman who stands out, but doesn’t scream to be noticed. The colour palette is simply neutral; dark greys, black and white, and it honestly doesn’t need to range any further. My favourite piece is the Cecilla dress which has a touch of gothic, with black cashmere and a large leather collar. Think Wednesday from the Addams family, yet elegant, with a hint of Parisian chic.

Hemyca is currently stocked in ‘Corniche’ in Edinburgh, ‘Darcy B’ in Suffolk and ‘Renegade Marmalade’ in Manchester. The website (www.hemyca.com) will be fully renovated by next month however this will at present direct to their Facebook.

Prices range from around £300 for a blouse, to £1,000+ for a trench coat. I will be dreaming…

Sabina Ventriglia
Editor of ESVIE

Now, this is a brand I have been ITCHING to shout about on here… readers, meet Kandee Shoes! Get yourself comfortable and prepare to feast your eyes on what will become your latest obsession! Bright, colourfully fresh and most importantly sexy, the Kandee shoes Autumn/Winter 10 collection is here!!

Designer and I think you’ll agree, creative Josh Wayman presents an incredible new selection to tempt your taste buds which is just stud-tastic. Drawing on his childhood nostalgia Josh has fashioned this label with a great degree of contemplation, we saw the previous summer range in candy hues and bold brights, straight from a candy store. The Autumn/Winter collection takes us directly from one candy shop to another, whether its Liquorice Allsorts, Crème Caramels or Raspberry Sours; Kandee shoes has it all!

Now and forever, all you fabulous women out there will be able to enjoy Kandee without the calories! Who’d have thought this day would EVER come!? There’s platform leopard print boots and neon green heels… Enter a new generation of shoe if you dare! You’ll stand head and shoulders above the rest in Kandee, from rocky stud influences to chunky zips you won’t know which to pick & mix first! Kandee’s ankle boots in plain & studded leopard print; the Smooth Peanut & Crunchy Peanut boots are a wardrobe must-have, capable of turning high street to couture.

If you don’t yet own a pair now is the time to discover real Kandee!  Play it safe with the Vice Versa’s; a classic patent red platform or dare to be different in the Neon Sours collection and studded T-Bars. Be individual, feel sexy and wear Kandee; the winter 10 collection offers your favourite sweet in every flavour.

Visit the website and get your pair now, you haven’t experienced any kind of shoe shopping until you’ve experienced this…come and be a part of your very own fairytale with Kandee Shoes!!

www.kandeeshoes.com

Written by, Becky Harris
ESVIE Contributor

Personally, I am infatuated with this season. I am even having a little trouble walking into any shop at the moment because I know I will end up buying at least one item. It has got to be a bit of a problem…So, rather than continue to burn my credit card and inevitably end up in bank account hell; I thought I would take on a rather sensible approach and share with you some findings. What is really the most beautiful factor of this season is that the separate trends are so easy to mix together; therefore (supposedly) you can save a bit of cash! If you have limited time to search these trends, take a look at this selection. Think camel with simplicity… with animal… with leather…with camel… with 50’s… it’s a vicious circle. You’ll see what I mean.

Camel

As in the Summer we had light, pastel hues of beige and tan, Autumn brings a bolder, powerful shade, that is Camel. Camel is everywhere. Burberry and Alexander Wang were among the hard-hitters to sport this trend. From capes to trenches, trousers to tops, you won’t be short of ideas. Mix with neutrals, leather or animal.

Trench £75 Dorothy Perkins, Trousers £95 Reiss, Bayswater leopard-print bag, Mulberry, £1650, Shirt, £89, Reiss, Waistcoat, £45, Topshop, Coat, £910, Alexander Wang, Cracked leather heels, £500, Louis Vuitton

Simplicity

There is a new take on minimalism this season. Monochrome is back in a big way, but with new and innovative cuts and shapes. Leather is also playing a major role in this trend. Look at designer, Eun Jeong’s collection for an idea on cuts, his debut collection in 2008 was completely white as well. He’s definitely one to watch. Mix with camel or animal.

Shirt dress, £550, Proenza Schouler, Trousers, £35, Gap, Blazer, £115, French Connection, Lace Bow Tee, £35, Topshop, Wool crape dress, £860, Eun Jeong, Leather look dress, £14.99, H&M, Court Wedges, £75, French Connection

Animal

Many of the catwalks for this season summoned up images of a winter safari. There was at first the aviator jacket at Burberry, followed by a plethora of sheepskin, fur- faux and real, snakeskin accessories (Michael Kors) and of course, leopard print. Be inspired by the jungle, desert and arctic with these pieces.

Faux fur box coat, £80, Topshop, Rabbit trim stretch denim gilet, £490, Helmut Lang, Platform sandals, £485, Miu Miu, Tunic vest, £50, Minkpink, Wool & Cashmere Coat, £220, French Connection, Drape Aspen Jacket, £80, Oasis, Trousers, £160, Malene Birger

Back to the ‘50’s

Notably seen at the likes of Louis Vuitton and Prada, fashion is going back to its sophisticated roots. A mixture of glamour and class, dressing up has not been this fun in a while. The look is perfectly completed with a classic ‘it’ bag, such as a Hermes Birkin or a Louis Vuitton Speedy.

Belted rabbit gilet, £800, Preen line Astrix, Skirt, £65, French Connection, Stilettos, £360, Prada, Dress, £20, Tesco, Cropped Trousers, £1,490, Isabel Marant, Blouse, £85, Whistles, Dress, £2,865, Alexander McQueen

With beautiful shades of maroons, mauve’s and berry’s, you will not be disappointed with the selection of products available to you for this season!

With ranges including quick dry nail polishes, silky eye-shadows, liquid eyeliners, long lasting lipsticks and plumping glosses, you’ll be sure to look the ultimate glamourpuss on this seasons nights out.

Artdeco Couture makeup is a celebrity favourite! With some of your favourite personalities wearing this brand, you too can feel like a star alongside the likes of Tara Palmer Tomkinson, Suzanne Shaw, Michelle  Keegan, Helen Flanagan, Charlotte Church and so many more!

The hardest thing to do in fall is to chose a coat or a jacket. But stylish yet affordable ones are hard to find. Here are five coats and jackets under £350:

1. DKNY Double-breasted Wool Pea coat (£295) – From the runways of DKNY Fall 2010, it keeps you warm and fashionable. Available in camel, this coat can be paired with a well-worn pair of jeans and leather boots

2. Old Navy Cord Blazer (£22.4) – This blazer can be easily layered with tees and a thin coat.

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Military-style Cotton-twirl Jacket (£290) – This is another jacket that can be easily layered.

4. Adidas by Stella McCartney Winter Sports Ski Coat (£170) – It looks nothing like a stuffed ski jacket. Definitely stylish.

5. J.Crew Wool-Cashmere Icon Trench Coat (£211) – A camel trench coat is a classic coat and a must in your wardrobe.

*Prices are approximate according to exchange rates as original prices taken from USD $*

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist
www.beautyofbedford.co.uk

I was lucky enough to sneak a peek at Essie’s NEW Fall Collection, and I love it! With fabulous names such as In Stitches (a cheeky blush pink), Limited Addiction (racy garnet red), Sew Psyched (cashmere, soft saged pewter), Merino Cool (sensuous autumn mulberry), Velvet Voyeur (intense chocolate amethyst) and Little Brown Dress (beguiling black coffee), the colours are great. The two I like the best are Limited Addiction which is a burgundy/red/plum colour and Little Brown Dress which is the deepest, glossiest, darkest brown you’ll see for a while.

It looks like they’ve taken the nudes from the summer and given them depth, with an air of luxury and seduction. It’s easy to see why Essie has won so many awards; countless InStyle Awards, Company Make Up Awards, Grazia Beauty Awards, and the latest – Look Fantastic 2010 Hair and Beauty Award. Their polishes are good quality, they paint well, they last well, with imaginative names and all packaged up in an iconic bottle!

Accessories are definitely an important part of your outfit. I mean, how can you pulled off your Little Black Dress without those high heels? Or that blazer without that necklace? Autumn is coming closer, so grab your credit card and log onto Net-a-Porter:Adidas by Stella McCartney: Cable-Knitted Wool-Blend Snood. This snood is like a scarf but not. And it would not blow into your face when it is very windy.

J.Crew: Waxed cotton Canvas  Tote. Canvas tote by J.Crew. In olive green with a leather handle, J.Crew’s tote looks positively chic.
BLOTCH: Patent Ballerina Flats. These flats brighten up your outfit but still looks casual.
NIXON: Time Teller P Watch. Bye, those watches with bright jewels and glitter on it. Hi, white NIXON watch.
DKNY: Niki Leather Wedge Sandals. From Donna Karan’s younger line, DKNY, you can still wear wedge sandals in early Autumn.
Marc by Marc Jacobs: Pearlie Quilted Leather Bag. It’s small but it is a carryall. You can either wear it by its top handle or across the body.

Laura Yates, High Fashion & Lifestyle Writer
www.thisismisslaura.blogspot.com

It’s surprising how a fabulous pair of tights can really add the ultimate style factor to your look and this past season has seen an array of hot coloured hosiery including vibrant purples, patterns, floral and of course the favourite go-to opaque black numbers.

However, the recent shows at New York Fashion Week have confirmed that for Autumn/Winter 2010, you need to banish the black opaque hosiery tights in favour of quite the opposite. Yes ladies, white tights are what our pins should be adorned in as elegantly demonstrated by the Rodarte, Thakoon, Max Azria, and Erin WassonxRVCA models.

Seen teamed with crisp white tones and winter nudes (a continuation from the spring trend), bright white legs with pale toned shoes and boots are going to be all the rage and whilst I admit that on tall, super slim models, this make for a wonderfully elegant and winter princess style chic ensemble, I’m not quite sure how it will translate into our everyday style from an aesthetic and practical point of view!

Still, it’s a super cute look and whilst white isn’t the most forgiving of colours, worn with a mid-length number and a good pair of nude heels to elongate the legs, it can certainly be adapted.

Sabina Ventriglia, Editor & Professional Makeup Artist
www.sabinaventriglia.co.uk

‘Her blood runs like mercury… Her tears like ice, Set onto her pale skin, her dark eyes multiply the distant moon’
-An insight into the story behind Maria Lau’s new A/W 09-10 collection ‘Dark
Tales’

Maria Lau’s second fashion jewellery collection entitled ‘Dark Tales’ contains references to traditional Japanese armour and braiding; pieces are more focused on form and structure than the previous collection giving it a harder edge and more glamorous feel. The innovative use of tights and shock-cord elastic create the black silhouettes that are punctuated by shimmering
surfaces, whilst asymmetrical patterns retain an eclectic and modern feel.

Maria Lau manipulates her materials with hand techniques such as twisting, knotting and braiding making each piece in the collection organic and unique. A lot of the pieces are adjustable giving the wearer the option to create their own style depending on their mood or outfit. All of the pieces can also be worn together in a ‘mix and match’ way, either layering up one or two of the necklaces or just throwing it all on together over a T-shirt to create a playful and offbeat look.

ESVIE would like to showcase these designs, with great anticipation for the S/S10 Collection, due to launch very soon!

You’ll find the complete Maria Lau Autumn/Winter collection in the ESVIE LookBook situated at the top of the page where you will find further information on her work, including links to her website. Enjoy!

Sabina Ventriglia, Editor & Professional Makeup Artist
www.sabinaventriglia.co.uk

London Fashion Week is already in sight for this years Autumn/Winter ’10 Collections. Taking to the catwalk this time is the likes of John Rocha, Jasper Conran, Betty Jackson, House of Holland, PPQ, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood Red Label… and breath! There’s far too many to mention!

The Esvie team will be covering the event, giving YOU inside info and more to the point, a bit of a heads up of whats to come for Autumn/Winter this year!

That’s not to say we’ll be moving on from Spring/Summer… there’s plenty more to tell where that is concerned, don’t you worry, we haven’t even started yet! Saying that, have you checked out the Boohoo collection? No? Well I suggest you get to it and click on the LookBook link at the very top of this page. Go on, what you waiting for?!