Black, blue and Missoni

Mixing hard and soft often has interesting and eye-catching results, like this marriage of tough tattoos with Missoni’s tradmark zigzags of colour. The uniform of all blue broken up by chunky black boots is a simple yet effective street style look. For one last feminine touch? A metallic YSL clutch.

Aurora Sansone: prints to the max

 I must say that the huge, sparkly green starfish earrings completely distract me and seem to keep jumping in front of my line of vision, it’s the dress that’s the real winner of this outfit. Aurora Sansone gets the thigh high slit in one, made effortlessly casual by way of flat sandals and a patchworky 70s style print.

An Evaluation: Leather and Lace

Somewhere along the like, leather stopped being completely hard. It can still be hard, but it also, perfectly capable of softness, a change really in our perception, more than anything else. There was a time where leather-as-fashion was pigeonholed to the tough, rebellious, and far from mainstream; contrast that to now, where leather is  most perfectly paired with delicate lace, or even dramatically beautiful floral embroidery.

Abbey Lee exits Pringle

Abbey Lee Kershaw has a particular and unique style that’s a mashing together of bohemian, rock-chic and Gothic influences. Exiting the Pringle show at this week’s London fashion week those elements were once again entwined into her attitude-filled off-duty look. Carved wooden cross around neck, Black sheer lace blouse, Tailored black jacket, effortless up ‘do, and modern pair of rock star sunglasses all completing her trademark style.

So Lindsey, so chic

Only a street style queen could pick out the creme of the crop. Especially when it comes down to New York City during New York fashion week.

When model Lindsey Wixson isn’t performing her mainstream runway duties, she continues the style saga on the street, as seen in this cute, French-inspired do. The upper-torso shot is enough to justify her chic personal style. The pastel beret, nautical striped top and soft pink make-up. The entire ensemble is working wonders for her in this summer-into-fall transformation.

The seventies meets the now

It’s almost ridiculously simple and yet I can’t help thinking: this is an epitome of where ’70s fashion is, and should be, right now.

It’s the cleanness of it all. Once you feel like taking a breath from the eclectic layers of bohemian goodness, you’re left with a newly minimal take on the ’70s aesthetic that keeps your ’70s pieces in business for longer. A simple, clean pair of flares or wide leg jeans, a relaxed blouse, a structured handbag, and a block-coloured felt hat. You can add more if you please, but there’s absolutely no requirement to.

Audi Martel’s snakeskin bag is vintage, her jeans are by J Brand and the hat is Carolina Herrera.

How to rock a sheer top like a supermodel

Prints and colours aren’t always a requirement of standing out: you can be the most eye-catching in all black, too. That’s today’s lesson from Natasha Poly. And while, granted, it certainly helps if you’re a supermodel, this type of outfit would do wonders on many a figure type.

The key to rocking a sheer top with all the impact of a hurricane? The right lingerie. Natasha’s is delicate, not vampish, while the length of the pencil skirt balances out the display of skin on top.

Annabella Barber in Sydney

Annabella Barber is something of an underrated New Zealand export. I loved her on the runway at Australia Fashion Week and in her recent pictorial for Black Magazine; and off the runway she’s just as stunning. As if you needed proof, but just the same here’s a beautiful shot by Vanessa Jackman. Love the leather Lisa Ho shorts and her snakeskin bodysuit is by Zimmermann

Dresses for a modern fairytale

Ever wondered what would Red Riding Hood wear if she lived in the present times? Would her cape still be red or would she wear a revealing lace dress?

To save us from making hypothetical presumptions, Russian designer Ulyana Sergeenko gives us her modern-retro version of the fairytale character. Except, this one is far more confident, daring and isn’t afraid to face her own fears.

For a debut lookbook, what would have been a safe and typical collection for other designers, Sergeenko branches out to create stunning vintage-inspired pieces. With floor-grazing maxi skirts, corseted waist-belts and woollen headgear, she blends in ’40s aesthetic with the discipline of the Victorian era. But the sheer blouses and above-the-knee dresses are a subtle cue of its Russian sexuality.

The assortment of fabrics translates into its wearability aspect as crisp raw silk, heavy wool, chiffon crepe and velvet feature in the various looks. Whether it’s with a belt or ribbed fabric, the cinched-in waist is the hero of the collection, bringing back the hourglass silhouette into fall 2011 / 2012.

The Russian version of Red Riding Hood surely she isn’t even afraid of wearing a fur-laden dress. Perhaps, that would keep the wolf away!

Indulge in the vintage-inspired beauty of Ulyana Sergeenko‘s debut collection by clicking here.

Not your average work outfit

t’s not an outfit most would consider appropriate for work. Unless, of course, you’re a model.

She may have donned this daring sheer top for the casting of Rag & Bone’s upcoming New York fashion week show, but with smartly tailored cropped pants, heels and simple slicked hair, it’s a look to take inspiration from for your own off-duty sheer looks. Even if you’re not game to wear it to the office.

Natasha Poly shows why she’s at the top

Stepping out in a pairing of sheer and a high dress split, supermodel Natasha Poly shows why she’s still at the top.

The re-rise of Ruby

It’s always seemed to me that the best fashion models have two career high points: there’s the first when they appear on the scene as the next big thing. That’s followed by a lull, where their popularity wanes. Then there’s the re-rise, a time that only models with real influence (i.e. the ability to influence the fashion we purchase) enjoy. Ruby Aldridge is enjoying hers now.

A moment with Jac

Model behaviour at it’s finest, here we see Monika ‘Jac’ Jagaciak in a street style photograph wearing a prominent trend; the sheer maxi. This teamed with ’70s inspired hair and bold-lined eyes make an effortless look. The sheer maxi alone is an enigma in itself; when worn, a woman shows her silhouette but still remains a mystery as she glides, giving passers-by a chance to delve into their own imagination for a while; a moment.

Smile in the city

Big smiles and crochet dresses are commonplace.

Something old, something blue

It’s all in her attitude; almost-sheer white tank top, shorts with frayed edges and uncombed hair. Effortlessly put together ensemble that knocks down three looks at once – bohemian, rock-chic and vintage queen. But the real beauty of this outfit is that it isn’t festival-exclusive, giving a tremendous opportunity for accessories to take centre stage. Here the camel carry-on leather bag and the striking blue nail paint enjoy their fame.

Transitioning to autumn

Catching the eye with its tone, the cable knit mini dress is a high street piece from Zara. After all, generally when it comes to the transitional between seasons it’s the high street that delivers trend colours first and with more of a cloth and cut balance. The mini dress is paired with a vintage Louis Vuitton clutch

With gaze grabbing glasses

Whether it’s the sheer fabric, the man-style loafers, or the thick rimmed sunglasses, this is a look replete with gaze grabbing elements. It’s also a look capable of crossing the season divide, with the trends it takes in just as suited to spring as they are to the coming autumn / fall season.

The contrast collar and button-up front give the dress the slightest hint of the tuxedo trend without treading too far into masculine territory.

Pale, Pretty, Sheer

Double impact

A plunging neckline and a sheer mini skirt?
Only in high-summer.