Stay Classy... With 90s Shades Of Grey

Karl Lagerfeld did not disappoint with his Chanel Couture 2015 show, closing a week of Haute Couture held at the Grand Palais in Paris this week. A breath-taking display of bright white designs and decadent detailing, was mixed with tousled fringes, ribbon shoes and modern cuts for couture collection that was fresh, young and uplifting.

Tones of grey reminiscent of the early 1990s played a big part in Karl’s collection and also featured heavily in Armani’s Autumn Winter 2014 show. Grey is a huge trend for this season and at it’s best when tailored, either loosely or for full on power dressing, which is having a huge come back this year. Think Working Girl, 90s Supermodel and all-round force of sophistication.

With so many shades, grey can always be flattering and mixed with a stiletto heel and set off with red lips and gold stud earrings, will guarantee a classic look. If you don’t want to wear the whole suit, go for a grey skirt, with a white shirt or cami, black heels and red lips for a laid back approach to 90s chic.

White Cami, Grey Blazer, Gold Earrings, Grey Checked Suit, All Topshop: Black Heels, Kurt Geiger: Grey Skirt, Harvey Nichols: Red Clutch, Charlotte Olympia: White Shirt, H&M.

Celebrities such as Emma Stone, Poppy Delevingne and Emma Watson have already discovered this shade, which happens to be one of my favourites and of course Kate Moss is a huge fan of this hue too.  I picked out a few pieces from the high-street to get you started.

Gorgeous Gemma Arterton Gives Lessons In Wearing Red

Wearing Prabal Gurung at the Serpentine
Gallery Summer Party

Mixing Monochrome With Red Accessories
At Pandora's #MyRingMyStyle Launch

Red, heavily featured in the 2014 shows and ready to set the fashion world alight as one of next season's top trends, it's the colour that screams classic style and sophistication, when worn right. 
As with a carefully crafted Rothko or Mondrian, when it comes to red it's all about the balance. Cue Gemma Arterton, the naturally beautiful actress with a knack for looking chic. At the Pandora #MyRingMyStyle launch she set off a monochrome outfit perfectly with simple scarlet accessories, then yesterday went head–to–toe–red at the Serpentine Gallery Summer party, looking utterly divine on both occasions.

Outfit one is a collaboration of must-have style staples, (particularly for this season when monochrome is a big trend too) teaming a classic black shirt and structured white skirt with fabulous crimson stilettos and clutch. Eye-catching red accessories are the perfect way to wear this trend if 'lady in red' isn't your mood du jour and if it is, then take heed of outfit number two – Ms. Arterton stood out for all the right reasons at the Serpentine's annual event in Hyde Park, wearing a gorgeous red Prabal Gurung Resort 2015 co-ord and matching silk shoes. She finished the super glamorous look off with crystal drop earrings, a sweeping blow-dry and Prabal Gurung himself! 

Statement Earrings At Cannes: Cara Delevingne & Cheryl Cole Lead The Way....

              

Remember rummaging through your Mum's jewellery box, digging out clusters of crystal and sparkle, and discovering the ultimate treasure.... BIG bold glamourous earrings? With a splodge of red lipstick and holding up an enormous and elaborate twist of black and green crystal to my ear, I was practically a dynasty extra and Vogue cover star rolled in to one (in my mind). By the time I was old enough to actually wear a pierced earring, the jewellery trend for 'dynasty earrings' had passed in favour of street, then subtle styles and unfairly assigned to a box labeled 'Pat Butcher'. So thank god for Cannes! The Cannes red carpet is always a showcase of standout glamour of which jewellery is a big part, but this year's earrings were ballsier than ever. Cara Delevingne and Cheryl Cole led the way with dazzling De Grisogono designs, with Cheryl's statement earrings setting off her Monique Lhuillier gown and up-do perfectly and Cara D making classic design cool by teaming Art Deco fans with a metallic Chanel dress and hot red lips.  

The gorgeous Rosie Huntington Whitely also wore De Grisogono, who's founder Fawaz Gruosi threw a star-studded party at the 2014 Film Festival, but they weren't the only Swiss jewellers to attend,  diamond legends Chopard were responsible for Alessandra Ambrosio's beautiful pear-cut earrings and Cate Blanchetts diamond prawns! Others going for glitz over gold were Izabel Goulart, Biana Balti and Lea Seydoux who's pairing of an emerald green Prada dress and matching earrings oozed with elegance. Want to get involved with earring sophistication? Check out a few high-street examples below, while I dust off those vintage earrings.

Macy's $150, Harvey Nichols £225, Net-A-Porter £365, H&M £7.99, vintagestyler.co.uk £24

Modern Day Princesses At The Met Ball, Katie Holmes, Bee Shaffer And More...

So after updating the Disney Princesses style by replacing their vintage dresses with Spring Summer 2014 catwalk get-up, it seems the fashion A-listers of the Met Ball 2014 have done the exact opposite and swapped their modern designer favourites for Disney Princess inspired frocks. This is all down to the celebration of couture king Charles James. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour set the theme around the fellow-Brit designer for this year's Costume Institute Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York, where the cream of the fashion crop turn out each year to pose and parade on the famous red carpet steps.

First up is Bee Shaffer, who arrived at the ball in an Alexander McQueen pale blue satin Cinderella-esque gown with a spray of white netting underneath. Next up, Taylor Swift in a princessy pink Oscar De La Renta dress complete with a huge sculptured bow that would make Aurora proud and Karen Elson played the part of fellow red-headed beauty Ariel in a fairytale Zac Posen pink satin gown fit for a fairytale. Then there was Katie Holmes, the usually understated actress went the full Disney hog and looked like Belle reincarnated in a yellow off-shoulder Marchesa frock. 

 

But they weren't the the only stars to channel Disney Land, models of the moment Jourdan Dunn and Toni Garn looked princess perfect in pastel satin Topshop gowns, Liu Wen looked stunning in an emerald Zac Posen gown and equally dramatic was Karolina Kurkova wearing Marchesa, Hayden Panettiere, Suki Waterhouse, Amy Adams, Arizona Muse, the list goes on, even the usually edgy Alexa Chung went all lady-like glamour in a blue satin number which she promptly posted to her instagram account along with a message thanking Peter Copping for her NINA RICCI dress and for "making my princessy dreams come true".

 

Of course, not all celebrities went for princess glamour, Kristen Stewart, Victoria Beckham and Kirsten Dunst were amongst those who took a far more current approach to the Met Gala theme, and while there's no denying Rihanna and Cara Delevingne looked hot in their Stella McCartney two-pieces, for me it was those who went for authentic Charles James style who got it right. Harvey Weinstein seems to agree. The Mirimax Films Co-Founder announced his plans to revive Charles James' collection with his wife, Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman. In a statement put out today, Weinstein said he had "agreed to license, with an option to buy, luxury fashion brand Charles James from the iconic designer's estate" also adding that "this label deserves to be a household name in the same ranks as Chanel, Dior and Oscar De La Renta". A fairytale fashion event with a very happy ending!

 

HARVEY NICHOLS: GETTING DOWN WITH LANVIN DISCO LUXE

Hot on the glittered heels of the 'Seventies Cool' trend, Harvey Nichols are selling some of Lanvin's most dazzling pieces, as seen on the runway of Lanvin's electric Spring Summer 2014 show. The collection was an explosion of shine and colour reminiscent of the disco era, but re-mixed with modern tailoring for a seriously chic edge. If there's one piece that sums up the disoc luxe look, gives a wardrobe a SS14 uplift and literally brightens up any outfit, it's The Lanvin Pink Lame Jacket . 

Either worn with jeans , tee and heels fabulous street style or mixed with complementary metallics, it makes for a shimmering and sophisticated look. If you just want to have a bit of fun with this trend, go for the Lanvin Bronze Silk Blend 'DREAM' T-Shirt. This stand-out piece looks fabulous tucked into skirts or if you're feeling brave with denim shorts and heels, for that Boogie Nights feeling. 

Other key Lanvin pieces in store and online at Harvey Nichols are the Metallic Green Brocade Jacket and Bronze Silk Blend Skirt, but be quick they're selling gout quicker than you can say Saturday Night Fever. 

Seventies Cool... Kaftans and Disco Glitz In 2014

Some serious seventies inspired trends hit the Spring Summer 2014 shows last year, especially in the case of Marc Jacobs astounding mix of 70’s sports luxe, glam rock metallic and sequins fit for a disco. 

But it was when I saw super stylish trio Haim swishing long hair and swaying dance moves against deep orange hues and the band’s name written in disco lights, like a futuristic Sister Sledge, that I really knew 70’s style was back, but with a cooler edge for 2014.

Luckily disco pieces have already hit the high street, such as Isabel Marant’s amazing gold sequin boots and Topshop’s purple sequin vest top, but this look isn’t all disco glitz, the seventies was kaftan-tastic and 70’s fashion fan Kate Moss has made a beautiful paisley print kaftan a central piece of her Kate Moss x Topshop collection, which goes on sale at 5:30pm today - check out Grazia Daily's live feed of Kate Moss's appearance at Topshop's flagship Oxford Street store.

 

Proving her love for the fashionable era, Kate Moss's collection includes a flow of pieces with a 70’s luxe vibe such as the satin jumpsuit, sequined shawl and billowing paisley print trousers. 

Mossy's not the only Brit fashion star to make seventies inspired style a thing of the now, Alexa Chung looked stunning at the AW14 shows in a metallic Marc Jacobs coat, an amazing mix of disco sheen and glam rock rolled into one. The chic model of all things cool has recently taken to Instagram with a series of droolsome outfits, including a bohemian tunic and seventies-orange sandals. Alexa loves 1970, so do the Haim gals and if Kate Moss says it's cool then who are we to argue! 

Rihanna Wears HOT Tropical Two-Piece...

Rihanna graced not one but two incredible covers for Vogue Brazil's May 2014 issue looking smoking hot even by her superstar standards and what better way to celebrate than hitting NY wearing one of this season's highly tipped trends, tropical! 

The high-profile singer accessorised the the stunning pineapple and palm print Zoe Karssen two-piece with a matching Chanel bag and metallic brogues. The great news is the (unchopped) tropical tracksuit is available to buy at ASOS, it's just a shame they don't sell Rihanna's near perfect midriff too. 

RiRi oozed goddess on both covers, photographed by Mario Vivanco – while one cover, showed Rihanna with wet tousled hair, chunky gold earrings and smouldering beauty, was reminiscent of the classic Vogue covers of the 90's, the other was a far more tropical affair, showing Rihanna shimmering in a metallic dress and gold bangles against a background of palm leaves – an inspiration for her tropical outing perhaps? 

I wrote that Tropical has been emerging as one of the top styles to wear this Summer, proving that trends really do come true! See my TROPICANA story here. 

GET SIENNA'S INSTAGRAM STYLE @ TOPSHOP

Ah Sienna Miller on Instagram, glorious Sienna on Instagram. The notoriously secretive star's Instagram account is of course set to private, so it feels like even more of a treat when we get a rare glimpse of Miss Miller's stunning Insta-Style, usually as in this case, via close friend and gorgeous Delevingne Sister Poppy.

Today, Poppy posted a pic of herself and Sienna casually hanging out at The Wolseley (of course) and Sienna looked a dreamy combo of cool and beautiful in a red tea dress, pulled together with a black leather waist belt, knee high-boots and aviator shades. Because this is a perfect transitional Spring Summer ensemble for sunny yet still slightly chilly days and because rem Sienna wore it! I put together a copycat look all available in in a one-stop shop at high street fave Topshop.

Painted Floral Dress, £45

   

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP!

                                                     

So, we already knew about ankle socks, worn with everything from heels to sandals, giving an fashionable edge to the outfits of celebrities and stylistas at fashion week and beyond, but what about knee-highs? The last time I wore an over-the-knee sock was at Hammersmith Apollo dressed up for a student ‘School Disco’, but don’t let that put you off. On Wednesday, Taylor Swift stepped out in New York looking wonderfully leggy and altogether awesome in a pair of plum knee-high socks, worn with cute scallop shorts, a denim look shirt, a Dolce & Gabbana shoulder bag and a matching ‘pork pie’ hat. Katy Perry, a long time advocate for long socks, having worn them several times over the past year, also wore her black knee-highs in New York and on the same day but for a very different look.

When it comes to knee-high socks, it's hard to forget the iconic look of the girls from the ultimate mall flick 'Clueless' and I sense a little Beverly Hills inspiration, especially in the case of Miss Swift who, with her American prep school style, would fit right alongside Cher and Co. 

Other fans of this leggy get-up are Beyonce, Bip Ling, Rihanna, Singer Songwriter Louisa Rose Allen who shows how to wear them sheer, the always gorgeous Jessica Alba and Cara Delevingne who is accustomed to kicking off trends and wore her grey long socks casual with high-tops, in June last year. Time to get your socks on. 

Has Katy Perry Caught The Grunge Beauty Bug Too?

Yesterday I wrote about Sky Ferreira and Lily Collins' grunge inspired beauty and it seems to be catching on quicker than I'd thought! Ok, so KP already had the green dipped hair, but on seeing pics that popped up overnight of the chameleon diva in New York, teaming the new do with a leather jacket, long black socks and berry lips, grunge queens Winona Ryder & co instantly sprung to mind. Read more on the rebellious beauty look….

The Power Print - Rihanna, Karlie Kloss & Co Bring Back Pinstripe.....

Since the days of Madonna kicking ass on stage in her pinstripe suit complete with protruding cones and Kate Moss coolly modeling an over-sized pinstripe blazer with vest in the 90's, Pinstripe has had a rough ride, finding itself on dated celebrities and as a part of all sorts of questionable ensembles of noughties. But thanks to Rihanna, Karlie Kloss and Co it's back to it's bad-ass best. 

Stella Mccartney brought pinstripe up to date and made it wearable again by treating it to some laid-back tailoring for her Autumn Winter 2013 collection and Balmain featured a pinstripe dungaree dress with classic white shirt in it’s Spring Summer 2014 show. 

Since then bloggers and fashionistas alike have made any images of ill fitting pinstripe suits a very distant memory by mixing pinstripe with modern cuts and at Paris Fashion Week, Karlie Kloss matched Balmain pinstripe trousers with a white shirt and jacket, making pinstripe a choice for sophisticated power dressing once again. 

Showing that the professional print is here to stay, Rihanna stepped out in West Hollywood today, giving the banking/gangster inspired look a typically individual stamp of approval by teaming a white pinstripe blazer with denim shorts and Manolo Blahnik heels.