A Look Ahead: Paris Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Week will take place from February 28 to March 7. The event is known for showing plenty of couture and vintage looks. Throughout the week, some of the biggest names in fashion will be showing off their new collections, so here is a rundown of the schedule.

On March 1, Nina Ricci will be on the runway along with Balenciaga. On March 2 and March 3, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Vivienne Westwood will all show their collections. The last four days in Paris are loaded with well-known and respected designers, including Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton.

What collections are you most excited to see?

Text Caitlin Beck
Image Fashionlatest.net

London Fashion Weeks Brings Entertainment

London Fashion Week has been anything but boring thus far. From models being served on a platter, to bold prints and haircuts, to even a choreographed routine, London is bringing it in entertainment value.

One of the top trends we are seeing in London is severe haircuts with all-black collections. Both John Rocha and Jasper Conran had collections where the models wore large black dresses with short hair cuts. While Conran's collection was based off of the twenties, Rocha's collection had black lace, cutaways, and leg warmers.

Stella McCartney tried something very new with a sit-down dinner fashion show. That doesn't sound too crazy, but the models emerged from the dinner wearing McCartney's collection and had choreography that included them being carried around on chairs through the crowd!

In the upcoming days, there will be shows by some of the biggest names in fashion, including Burberry and Vivienne Westwood.

Text Caitlin Beck
Image Ktar.com

Brilliantly Bright Shades

It's time to throw out those dull brown and black sunglasses and grab yourself a pair of vibrantly colored shades that will surely give your outfit the extra umph it needs to make a bold statement for this year's fast approaching spring season! From sultry red, to bright blue, to fluorescent pink, these strikingly colorful frames are currently the talk of the fashion industry, offering a fun and quirky twist to your classic style of eyewear. Even celebrity trendsetters by the likes of Alexa Chung, Jessica Alba, and Gwen Stefani have all been spotted sporting this lovely trend.

Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and color palettes, you will certainly find a flattering pair to suit your personal style. Stella McCartney has a fabulous pair of Round Frame Sunglasses that costs $225 and offers a playful pop of color to any outfit. Matthew Williamson also has a pair of splurge-worthy Curved-Square Sunglasses that costs $369 and gives your outfit that cool, effortless look that we all wish we could pull off naturally.

But, for all of you money-conscious fashionistas out there, don't worry; there are plenty of inexpensive alternatives to choose from. Try Urban Outfitters' Extreme Cat Eye Sunglasses that cost only $16. American Apparel also offers an irresistibly affordable pair of Jody Sunglasses for $35. So, brighten up your look with a pair of colorful frames, and bring high fashion to your wardrobe for spring 2012.

Text Jasmine Song
Source and Image Who What Wear

Stella in Soho

After eight months of relocating and designing her new spot, Stella McCartney has made the smart choice of switching her flagship store in the Meatpacking district to the laid back, trendy Soho.

McCartney and her design team have decided to take many of the features from the original store to make the Soho store seemingly alike. The 5,200-square foot, two-level Greene Street spot is decorated in McCartney’s signature lavender tones. On the first floor, you can find her latest pieces from her newest collections, including handbags, shoes, and accessories. Children’s clothes, Adidas by Stella McCartney (her latest workout attire line paired with Adidas), and lingerie are on the bottom floor.

Text Jordan Bossman 
Sources Stella McCartney, WWD

Stella McCartney’s Pre-Fall 2012 Collection

Step into Stella McCartney’s clothes and you’ll immediately feel runway ready (or set for any fancy affair, as her British Fashion Council Red Carpet Award would indicate). But this Brit’s delicate designs are truly wearable for any occasion, which the fashion heavyweight certainly showed off in her pre-fall 2012 presentation. Instead of sending her looks down a catwalk pre-season, McCartney prefers to throw fashion-infused soirees in where her models mingle among guests, exemplifying how her designs really stand out in the crowd. And her latest event was yet another success, with models casually displaying her versatile collection as they played pool, board games, and chatted over a live jazz band at a cozy New York City restaurant.

Even without the scenic atmosphere, there’s certainly a lot to take in with this collection, from monogrammed suits to chic, slouchy riding paints and structured jackets to a to-die-for plaid blanket coat. But our favorite theme — and this year’s standout trend — is McCartney’s sleek peplum detailing on shirts and dresses, like the beautiful brocade piece pictured above. Now, if only Stella would throw another party (and send us an invite) so we had an excuse to wear it ASAP!

Text Kara Solarz
Image Style.com

McQ, McCartney Set For London Fashion Week

While Stella McCartney will continue to display her collection in Paris for fall 2012, she is also planning to unveil a one-off collection at London Fashion Week in February. As the creative director for Adidas Team GB, McCartney has designed the collection as a courtesy to the 2012 London Olympic games (having created Britain's Olympic athletes' uniforms).

Alongside of her will be Alexander McQueen's McQ label, also set to present its fall 2012 collection at London Fashion Week. This will serve as a preview to McQ's first store, which will open in London's Mayfair next spring.

That being said, lots of new, exciting projects are to be revealed at London Fashion Week! Only a few months until the seemingly bright promises of the new year. Looking forward?

Text Brittney Schering
Image Fashionologie

Stella McCartney for GAP

I know what you're thinking--"YES! Finally! Affordable Stella digs!" Well, not quite. Because, while the collection set to launch in November of this year is sure to be trendy and elegant, you will have to be pint-sized to wear it.

That's right. Bucking the trend of doing a fashion designer stint for major clothing stores, Ms. McCartney and the mega-chain have decided that little tykes need brand name fashion power too.

Says McCartney:

“For years now I’ve wanted to create a collection for kids, it’s something I’ve often been asked about. I believe that this one off collaboration will be a great way for customers to be able to participate in the Stella McCartney brand. I believe that kids clothing should be more accessibly priced, which is particularly important at the moment given the current climate. It’s really exciting for us to do a boys and girls collection for the first time.”

Hopefully, the venture will be a success and GAP will ask her to lend her designing talents to us grownups soon enough.