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Trend Alert: Brocade (part one)

  • posted September 2nd, 2011
  • Fashion

roulo-sweater

Capricious? Us? Surely not but we just got our pretty little heads around spring/summer’s brightly coloured and floral trends when suddenly it’s that time of year again. Our social diaries are full of party invites and after-work drinks that call for something a little more Be Beautiful and Damned a la Kate Moss, a little more Bianca Jagger at Studio 54, something a little more…well… fun. Plus all the fashion people are talking about the new season trends and by new season we mean Autumn/Winter 2011/12.

Cue the regal allure of those oh-so-opulent brocades. From sharp-edged shouldered, wow-em dresses at Balmain (paired with lace up boots for added edge) to statement coats at Cavalli and Maxmara, looking OTT has never been hotter. Whether you take a cerebral approach as at Marios Schwab or go out and out flashy, it’s magpie time: the more lavish the better. As Donatella Versace says More is More and this winter it’s time to dig out your embellished evening coats, textured tops and shimmering trousers, not to mention those itsy bitsy, two-tone brocade dresses for the ultimate in Baroque chic.

One of my favourite brocade dresses is this gorgeous black strapless brocade dress from New Look. In animal print brocade it has a fab Fifties shape and will look great with a light tan, as well as come winter. Plus it’s in the sale so snap it up!

Perfectly pretty perfume bottles

perfume-bottles
I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the perfect Christmas gifts. I know so many friends who collect unusual or beautiful perfume bottles at the moment, it seems to be something of a trend! Lots of pretty, quirky and different shaped and sized perfume bottles always adds a touch of boudoir chic to a bedroom and I’m feeling very inspired now to choose my perfume based on how the bottle looks, as well as the scent!

>This Lanvin Arperge eau de parfum spray looks like it’s a vintage bottle and I love the contrast between the high-shine black and the gold lid. It would make a gorgeous gift especially as Lanvin was currently one of the labels to watch at Paris Fashion Week this season.

These delightful girlie BHS bottles look like they’ve been inspired by the iconic Jean Paul Gaultier scents. They’d make good stocking fillers too and would be ideal if your current favourite perfume comes in a less-than-appealing container. It’s hard to resist this on-trend perfume bottle pendant too, from ASOS. The engraved design and antique gold colour makes it look like you could have found it from a chic vintage store in Portobello Road. Wear layered with other chains and pendants for a boho vibe.

Perfume bottles from top left: BHS perfume bottles £8, Lanvin Arperge eau de parfum spray  £26 and Perfume bottle pendant ASOS £6.