Trend Bounce

One small step for (wo)man, one giant leap for (wo)mankind. H&M is finally showing shoppers that their clothes look fantastic on real women too. It started last Spring with plus-sized beauty Jennie Runk. What’s more, the Swedish retailer has decided to simply call their line “beachwear,” no mention of the pigeonholed “plus-size fashion,” no sir.

Since then, H&M has stuck with more voluptuous beauties. For their Summer 2013 collection they opted for the one and only bootilicious Beyoncé. Just like with everything in fashion though, this shift must be taken with a pinch of salt.

After Beyoncé found out that H&M were photoshopping her famous derrière and hips to reflect a less curvaceous woman - she allegedly ordered the body photoshopping to be removed. Eventually, H&M gave in to her requests, who could object to Miss “Grown Woman” herself? However, H&M still can’t fool us. The divas skin and face have definitely been flawlessly enhanced but at least her curves remain intact.

Standing ovation once again, Miss Beyoncé…Oh and H&M you’re finally understanding what us ladies want. 

Jennie Runk H&M Spring 2013 campaign

Beyoncé H&M Summer 2013 campaign

Jennie Runk H&M Spring 2013 campaign 

Designer Phillip Lim’s grunge-inspired Spring/Summer 2013 collection

Last week, I went to a 90’s party. The night filled me with nostalgia of the days when music really mattered, computers were still scary and supermodels weren’t waif-like teenagers, but curvy empowered women. From the likes of Cindy Crawford to Rebecca Romijn, models had curves. Alongside vuluptious figures, there was an I-don’t-give-a-shit attitude about anti-fashion’s fashion. 

Inspired by punk, rock and metal: Grunge was the way to go. Flannel was all the rage, jeans were meant to be ripped and beanies weren’t just to hide bad hair days. Today’s celebrities are taking the 90’s grunge trend into their own hands once more. Beware: take subtle key grunge elements to avoid going full Courtney-Love-train-wreck. If you can pull it off though, it will be pretty stylin’. 

The disastrous queen of grunge herself, miss Courtney Love

Courtney’s back with chic grunge this time as she becomes the face of Yves Saint Laurent’s Musique Project campaign (At 48, methinks a bit of photoshop may have gone into this flawless face)  

Naomi Campbell’s high fashion-grunge look

E.T.’s child star Drew Barrymore back in her rebellious days

Model Erin Wasson looking rocker chic in Alexander McQueen 

Lana del Rey’s subtle take on grunge

Model Agyness Deyn just released her second 90’s-inspired line for Dr Martens 

Miley Cyrus pulls out the graphic band tee’s and round shades

Rihanna ditches her heels for some grunge combat boots

Cara Delevigne’s 90’s beanie look

With her by-fashion-industry-standards voluptuous curves and gapped front teeth, Lara Stone is not you’re average model. 

In a 2012 fashion week interview, the Dutch beauty cheekily recommended young girls to not choose for modelling if they have other talents. With unusually serious catwalk expressions and plans to open up a London-based burger joint (Lara’s Baps and Buns), this modern-day Brigitte Bardot has a laid-back personality and style to match. Think leather, think fur and think cut off jeans. 

Damn, it feels good to see a woman with more than just skin and bones making it in the industry. 

Everyone from Vogue, to the catwalk, to Fashion Industry Confessions blog is noticing the sky-rocketing demand of luxury goods and apparel in the Chinese market.

This month, Vogue Italia put its first Asian model on the cover. Hooyah! Chinese model Fei Fei Sun covers the January issue, finally paving the way for Asian models everywhere. 

In fact, only last year was the first-ever Asian model featured on the cover of a European Magazine. Shocking, I know. This was Chinese supermodel Du Juan in a 2011 edition of French Vogue. American and British Vogue have yet to place an Asian model on their cover. Something tells me it won’t take take long before they do.

Some are skeptical about this shift. On one hand, it’s fantastic to see that the industry is finally moving away from its forever-endorsement of blonde caucasian women but, many argue that this is simply because economically this is where the money is at now. The sad implicit truth is that in order for an ethical background to be desirable to the ruthless fashion industry, they must become an economic superpower. 

Last december, marked the first time in history that Chinese consumers surpassed American consumers in the purchase of luxury goods. From Chanel retail associates being trained to learn Mandarin to commerical high-street retailers like Macy’s featuring Chinese models - this is a fashion paradigm shift.

One thing’s for sure, Asian models are here to stay. 

If you’re winter blues are kicking in, now’s the time to pick up on this new trend.

It’s not just blue. It’s a clear delicious cobalt blue that is paving it’s way down the catwalk this season. Think Kate Middelton on a good day. And lucky for us, this trend suits most. But, bare in mind, there are ways to wear blue and there are ways to wear blue. 

Here’s how to knock your winter blue socks off.

1. Neutral accessories will emphasise the true blue. Pair some nude heels, a black clutch or a silver skinny belt to make you’re blue really pop. But, let the blue speak for itself - don’t overwhelm the outfit.

2. As seen at Jason Wu, natural makeup and orange-red lips look incredible against electric blue. 

3. White and navy will freshly compliment cobalt blue, making for a subtle nautical look.

Nothing says Christmas like leather accents, right?

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton has reintroduced subtle hints of leather pieces with elegant tailored items to create unexpected chic looks. Pair classic white lace or a crisp white blouse with some leather, PVC or faux leather. Bare in mind that leather, despite its usual dark colour, will usually accentuate wherever it is placed on the body due to its shiny thick texture; avoid accentuating the less flattering areas.

For example, if you’re a curvy pear shaped woman, try leather top, blazer and gilets to proportionately balance your frame. Also, don’t overdo the fetish look with too many items or you will end up looking more dominatrix meets cat woman. With this look less is more so stick to basic colours but feel free to play with different textures. Ladies, let’s make this Christmas a sexy one. 

The French backless and often closed-toe shoe is back: the mule is hotter than ever. Now, it may be a bit too chilly for them but nothing some knitwear or chunky tights can’t fix. And, once Spring hits the streets, rock them with a maxi dress, some tapered trousers or a classy jumpsuit. 

Louis Vuitton

Fendi

Rochas

Miu Miu

Oscar de la Renta

Louis Vuitton

Rochas

Real knees:

I love knees. Even the scars, cuts and bruises that they bare make a girl look tough, like she can handle the world. Trendy fashion retailer Forever21, however, seems to ignore their existence. Last time I checked even 21 year-old ladies had knee caps not synthetic PVC barbie legs?

Forever 21 knees: