Dark Magic

September issues are out!  I love the editorial from Harpers Bazaar UK, the dark mood is gorgeous.

The New Sexy

Skin tight dresses are over.  Sorry Kim Kardashian, but you're going to have to find other ways to show off those curves.  This winter, women are required to wear clothes.  That is to say, from head to toe.  Hemlines have fallen below the knee, cut outs are a distant memory and even the skinny jeans are given a break.  Overt sexuality is over, demure is the new buzzword.

The obvious examples are '50s inspired Prada and Louis Vuitton with tight bodices and full skirts.  Regardless of the long length, cleavage is a welcome distraction and the classic hourglass figure is miles away from the size zero ideal of the noughties.  Could the inclusion of buxom beauties Lara Stone, Miranda Kerr, Catherin McNeil et al be a shift away from the straight up and down figures of the Frejas, Lilys and Anjas of the past decade?  It's too soon to tell, and that's not the point of this post anyway. 

If '50s aren't your thing, take your cue from Marc Jacobs, who recycled maxi dresses from the summer by throwing on a thick jumper.  Dries Van Noten also paired full skirts with jumpers on the catwalk.  This season's sexiness is about dressing like demure women, with sexy flashes of cleavage and bare shins to entice.  While Mad Men has proved influential on the runway, we'll see how long it takes to translate onto the everyday woman, if at all.

(D&G, Peter Som, Dries Van Noten, Erdem, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Prada, Louis Vuitton - images from style.com)

Dress like Mad Men

It's all about the curves this season, what the media have controversially termed 'real' women with a Monroe type figure.  Big busts were pushed up and out at Prada, and across cities runways showed nipped in waists, kitten heels, full circle skirts, buoffant hair and cat eyes.  For a girl who lives in skinny jeans, short skirts and high heels, this seasons '50s revival isn't exactly up my alley.  But if treated with the same sort of romance shown here in Swedish Elle this month, I'm fully onboard for the '50s to return.  But you can keep the sexism, racism and Cold War, and the only sort of space race I want is one to the cashier, thanks.

(studded hearts)

MK Olsen

I think I must be one of the very few fashion bloggers who does not devoutly follow the Olsen twins style.  I don't love their style, sometimes I feel they look great, but other times I feel they try too hard and look a bit of a mess.  But this candid of Mary-Kate is beautiful, I adore her coat, shoes and bag.  This is an example of how a good coat can make an outfit.  

The Week Ahead

The following are a collection of images, photos etc.  All very random, unconnected and hopefully equally inspiring.

(images from little plastic horses, evil twin, tfs and unknown)

Interview, August 2010 by Craig McDean

Um, YES.  There are no words. 

(tfs)