Going to Maximum Lengths

This season maxi-lengths rule supreme. With the dominance of lady-like fashion the past few seasons, from Mad Men pencil skirts to 40’s style tailoring, the mini skirt has taken something of a back seat. Demure feminine has been the name of the game and nothing says effortless elegance quite like the sweeping lengths of this summer’s maxi skirts. 

From Boy. By Band of Outsiders this floor length maxi with azure blue toile du jouy print is an ideal accompaniment to the seasons spate of cropped tops. Keep the top fitted and the shoes flat for perfectly polished daytime elegance.

For evening Just Cavalli’s monochrome, satin, print maxi skirt is a leg lengthen-er par excellence. A flattering floor skimmer, it will come into its own paired with simple heels and a luxe tee or fine knit jersey. 

If you don’t fancy going all out in swathes of fabric, Helmut Lang has the answer with this graphic print, asymmetrical, jersey skirt. With the thigh high cut away you can channel the trend without fear of being swamped in excesses of material. Wear with chunky gold jewellery and ankle boots for a versatile day to night look.

A simple white blouse paired with A.L.C.s classic Allegra maxi skirt will complete a chic ensemble. The demure watercolour effect print is juxtaposed with a daringly high slit up the centre seam. After all, just because we are embracing longer lengths this summer, it needn’t mean that our legs get overlooked; what a waste that would be of tanning season!


Aisha
www.trisori.com

Why Peplums Are Your Friend

The wave of peplums adorning jackets, tops, skirts and dresses which flooded the catwalks and collections this season can, for many, be rather intimidating. Like most women I know, I have a strict aversion to any clothing that could potentially make my hips look any larger than they need. And, at first glance, peplums can seem to fall into this category. However, a well cut peplum can be supremely flattering as well as fashion forward, falling largely into the rather more desirable category of ‘hides a multitude of sins’. From floaty to structured, minimalist to baroque era frills, this seasons peplum come in a range of incarnations to suit your every mood.

To ease yourself into the trend, try this sequin embellished, super sweet miniskirt by Preen.

The subtle ruffling at the waist is understated while still remaining a feature. Make sure to show it off by tucking in whatever top you choose to pair it with.
If this has whet your appetite for the waist enhancing frill, then Alexander McQueen’s emerald green dress should be right up your street.

With a tightly drawn in waist and fitted skirt, the peplum frill will draw welcome attention to the smallest part of the torso while skimming rather politely over the tops of the hips and stomach. Is it any wonder the fashion pack have welcomed the style with open arms?
For a more structured look, The Row bring us a clean cut tailored peplum in soft cotton jersey with black silk trim.

Wear this piece with a pencil skirt or skinny jeans; the key to keeping the peplum flattering is to pair it with slim cut, fitted clothing: the peplum is volume enough all by itself.
If you are looking to make a striking statement this season then look no further than this scarlet Osman number.

Against the clean lines and colour block style, the leather peplum is a stand out feature. There is no need to overdress this piece, simply team with minimalist heels, an up-do and Trisori’s Bubbles earrings for the ultimate on trend ensemble. 

Aisha

www.trisori.com

Dolce & Gabbana: Looking Good Enough to Eat

For their spring/summer 2012 collection, Domenico and Stefano took very direct inspiration from Italian food when they brought us their collection entitled ‘Bread, Love and Italian Beauty’.
In keeping with the retro feel of many spring/summer collections this year, cute cocktail dresses and flirty, full-skirted two pieces are the name of the game here. However, take note, for this is retro styling with a difference: traditional 50’s floral prints have been shunned in favour of somewhat unexpected, bright and bold vegetable designs.

Ripe aubergines, red onions, plump tomatoes, blooming courgettes and hot chili peppers abound. Italian love of food in wearable form. This isn’t your standard retro focused collection; this is a wonderfully fresh way to wear the superlatively feminine silhouettes of the season. And while head-to-toe in veg may not be to everyones sartorial taste, surely paying homage to the trend in foodie accessories is only polite?

This pepper print, silk satin scarf from Dolce & Gabbana would bring mediterranean spice to a fresh white shirt. Perfect with capri jeans, a la Sophia Loren, and the Trisori Maui ring in Orange.

Alternatively, the duo’s tomato print cotton canvas tote is an ideal carry all for the summer, whether you are carrying your fresh produce home from the market or just your wallet down Bond Street.

I’ve always felt that there is something about having a passion for food that indicates a love of life. And this season it’s a love that I plan, quite literally, to wear on my sleeve.

Aisha

www.trisori.com

Hot to Trot in Prada's Americana

Bright and fun and playful: Retro Americana is bringing a touch of 1950’s gloss to my fashion wish list this week!
For this season Miuccia has taken inspiration from 1950’s American cars and adorned all and sundry with hot rod flames. With Prada’s entire spring/summer 2012 collection based on the american automobile motif, this graphic style is set to be the most iconic of the season. 

These flaming peep toe slingbacks in patent leather are the epitome of the style: bright, high shine and infinitely playful. (Cue strong urge to acquire, wear and run around making ‘speedy car' noises.)

Prada also brings us what is, perhaps, a more easy to wear option in these patent sandals. Still high shine, equally bright, and with just enough of the playful graphics to satisfy my (newly found) hot rod flame lust. Although my item of choice has got to be this cream leather clutch. Miuccia, you’ve done it yet again.

With patent edged, appliquéd flames in hot, hot pink, as far as I’m concerned, it does it all. Now all I need is to find a way to justify adding it to my personal collection... Which isn’t actually very hard, as where else could I ever find as perfect an accompaniment to the Trisori hard candy ring, in equally hot pink? I think that might just be mission accomplished.

Aisha

www.trisori.com