The Australian Fashion Week has officially started and all we can say is that the first show sure opened with a huge bang, or pop to be more accurate.

The show that designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales put together for Romance Was Born had Marvel stamped all over it, opening with the coolest pop-up backdrop that set the entire tone of the show. This is not surprising since the show was done in partnership with Marvel, which might be confusing as the company has nothing to do with fashion, except perhaps for the great looking costumes their superheroes and villains wear.

The Romance Was Born collection features a lot of clashing prints reminiscent of novel graphics’ stylistic art. The prints came both in black and white and huge color pops, with the genius of the print choices being in that the clashing prints somehow came together.

Aside from Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, the first day of the Fashion Week also featured shows from Kirrily Johnston
Gail Sorronda. Gail Sorronda seeked to set her show apart by opting not to go with a runway show and doing an installation instead with guests able to cozy up close to her models standing on small white platforms with a short movie playing at the background. It’s safe to say that this change got more attention than her actual collection.

Kirrily Johnston, on the other hand, did a really nice runway show with no prints in sight but showcasing lots of simple dresses that were cut to perfection. Of course, the nun-themed dresses drew the eyes.

We can be sure that there’ll be more stellar shows as the week goes on. Whose show will be the showstopper this Fashion Week is something we’ll just have to wait for.

Image via NewsWhip

Fashion for me is always a bright spot that can make me feel a tad bit (or a lot) better even on the gloomiest of days. Well it seems that gloomy is just the right word to describe the atmosphere in Moscow these days as attested not only by what we see on the headlines, but even in what otherwise flamboyant designers decided to put out for this week’s Fashion Week.

The Russian Fashion Week, which we can usually count on to bring exciting and colourful designs instead reflected the mood in Moscow with Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 collections featured by the best designers in the country all echoing a sombre, even austere feel.

Dark and drab colors dominated the runway with blacks, grays, browns, all partnered with the ever neutral white and pale pops of color seen in most designers’ lines. This left color palette complemented simple lines and classic skirts, trousers, and jackets. Although some pieces did pop out with their interesting silhouettes, the colour and the lack of accessories on the models, as well as their pale make up made for an overall severe look.

This is not to say that the creations seen in Russian Fashion Week were boring, contrary to that. In fact, had not the designers’ inspiration been rooted on the troubled political waters of the country, I would have called the collections refreshing. Instead, it would be more apt to call their collections relevant. And who said that relevant means boring? The Russian Fashion Week collections are proof that relevant can still be visually riveting.

Photo via Chicago Tribune

And the Oscar goes to…

Again we don’ care one bit. What we do care about is who showed up everyone else on the red carpet in this year’s Oscars, which everyone (including us) seem to agree is Gwyneth Paltrow.

Who would have thought that a full-length built-in white cape on a floor length white gown would look sensational. If you would have described it to me before seeing Gwyneth Paltrow don the dress, I would have automatically pegged it for tacky and super-heroish. When Gwyneth emerged sporting Tom Ford’s unique ensemble though, there was nothing super heroish about it at all, and was plain super. As Perez Hilton put it, “”If you look up best dressed in the dictionary you will see this picture of Gwyneth Paltrow. Her white Tom Ford gown with a built in cape is everything! This is going to be a look that goes down in Oscar red carpet history!”

Move over over-sized bows, ugly snake skins, and other fashion risks that just didn’t pay off, because this white-caped wonder is one unique risky dress that sure paid off.

If Gwyneth’s look inspired you to sport the same for some party though, I highly advice against it because for one, I doubt that you’ll be able to afford the Tom Ford dress. Secondly, unless you’ve got the goods to back it up and the confidence as well, I doubt you can pull it off just like Gwyneth did. Besides, what made it special is its unique creativity and being a copy cat is the exact opposite of that.

Image via Rantings of a Creole Princess

While Zelda Kaplan’s death is indeed memorable, what makes her more memorable though is how she lived her life all these years. A true blue fashionista she’s a regular not just of fashion shows, but is very much known for her active nightlife making an appearance in various social events like arts shows and attending late night parties and going to clubs with people a fourth of her age.

She’s not all about parties and fashion though, and is in fact a big philanthropist with Africa being her passion. She’s an outspoken champion of women’s rights and has traveled all over Africa to speak against female genital mutilation. Her love for Africa is also reflected in her fashion, proudly wearing traditional fabrics and clothing she has collected from her travels of the country.

Indeed, Zelda Kaplan’s will be missed by her family and friends, but all I can say is that when I grow old, I can only hope to live life more like her. With meaning, passion, and living the last moment of my life breathing in something as wonderful as fashion.

Image via Sandra’s Closet

Those who pulled it off…

Emily Blunt – She sure did Oscar dela Renta proud the way she carried this piece of bright green dress. It’s not the craziest outfit out there, but on Emily Blunt it is perfect and sure did turn a lot of heads.

Kelly Osbourne – This girl cleans up really well. No stranger to fashion boo boos, this year at the SAG Awards she proves that she can make the seemingly simplest white outfit look stunning.

Stacey Keibler – There’s no doubt that she looked absolutely gorgeous in her black ensemble. Not only was her dress and hair perfect, but she also had the perfect accessory to boot – George Clooney.

Those who should have pulled off their clothes and changed before heading out…

Amber Riley – I love your voice. I love your confidence. I love your outfit in last year’s SAG, but this year is a step back for you. What were you thinking with that bow?! I know some people loved the look, and it would have worked too if not for the bow.

Rose Byrne – At least you couldn’t accuse her of being boring. Still, not all risks are worth taking and this sure was one that’ll be haunting her in fashion history.

Images via MillionLooks, PopSugar, Divas&Dorks, CollegeFashion

As we pretty well know, your accessory can make or break your look. This is true for both men and women, and with men their main accessory remains to be the watch. So if you are looking for the perfect watch that will go well with most of your outfits, here are stylish watches you might want to add to your watch collection.

Capeland 10006 by Baume & Mercier

This flyback chronograph from Baume & Mercier looks classic with its polished steel finish, off-white dials, and Sapphire crystal case.

Longines L4.746.8.72

Part of the Longines Flagship Heritage Collection, this watch is simplicity at its best. Set in an 18KT Rose gold case and featuring a black leather strap, its a pity that you’ll probably have a bit of a hard time finding this one, already being sold out it many online shops.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona

Whoever said that rugged had to be ugly? Well the Cosmograph Daytona sure proves that wrong. This watch is not only good looking but has all the bells and whistles any outdoorsy person would want. The model shown about features a black leather strap and an Everose gold case, but the watch also comes in steel, white gold, and yellow gold, with the option of going for an oyster strap.

Source: Esquire

Images via Baume&Mercier, PrestigeTime, TheFineWatchReview

So is your wardrobe ready for the upcoming spring? Do you know which clothes to toss out and which ones to keep? If you’re still figure out how to do some spring cleaning in your closet even before spring itself arrives, here are some suggestions on some items you might want to keep:

• Keep all light clothing that are predominantly or have more than a hint of the top colors for Spring 2012. WeConnectFashion says that these colors are poppy, geranium, orangeade, canary, grass, tiffany blue, hyacinth, ink, honey, and sandstone. So unless your wardrobe is incredibly monochromatic, you’ll probably be able to keep a lot of key pieces that you can mix and match with newer items.

• Aside from items that are of the above color, you should also Fashionising advices that you keep your wide leg pants, tuxedo jackets, high slit dress, leather harness,and clothes with the 60′s Peter Pan collar. Just make sure that when you do take them out for spring, you pair them up with more spring-friendly items. This means trading your leather boots for sandals, lighter garments (i.e. cotton), and lighter colors (including the top colors for spring 2012).
• Last but not least, don’t toss out everything else just because they won’t do for spring. Remember, what won’t do for spring might be great for next year’s fall/winter fashion. Just store them and take them out for the next season. If you do find that most of the things you put in storage just doesn’t cut it next year, then you can always give them away then.

Photo Credit: Spring Colors 2012 via WeConnectFashion

Previous limitations in the market forced consumers to make hard decisions between fashionable and socially-responsible wardrobes. In most cases, you couldn’t have both. But as the environmental movement has grown, so has the cottage market for eco-fashions. Now, a number of highly talented designers and retailers are operating reputable operations that are keen on giving back to the world community and taking the industry to the next level.

Eco-friendly clothing can be defined in different ways. But no matter the company’s approach, the result is always that the sale of eco-friendly fashions in some way functions as a charitable act helping people or the environment.

In many cases, the designation is given because fabrics used to make garments are derived from sustainable sources and are manufactured using processes that do not include toxic chemicals and other harmful substances. This type of direct action helps ensure the environment is protected from practices that can cause long-term harm.

Other eco-friendly offerings are purchased for resale from indigenous producers in underdeveloped countries. Instead of taking advantage, retailers buy garments at fair prices and may also contribute some proceeds to projects that help the community. This indirect action works to improve the lives of people in underdeveloped areas to give them the financial means to foster equality, education and environmental awareness.

EthicalOcean eco fashions are a great example of how a company can successfully marry consumer responsibility and style. Every product sold by Ethical Ocean must meet at least one of these criteria: good for people; good for animals; or good for the environment. Every item sold on the Ethical Ocean website includes a story that informs consumers on the particular attributes of that make the selection eco-friendly.

That’s pretty deep. Not only is the customer assured their purchase will do good, they are shown exactly how that is happening already. It’s a mighty fine sensation to know your purchase will make you feel good inside and out.

Earlier this month, Sky+ decided to celebrate their 10^th year anniversary by offering a really unique, and very stylish, collection of limited-edition Sky+ HD 1TB boxes. The collection consists of 10 boxes, all beautifully designed by big-name artists and fashion designers including British luxury lingerie retailer, Agent Provocateur, and fashion illustrator and artist, Julie Verhoeven.

The designer boxes are available for sale to all Sky customers for £249 (new and existing), with a whopping £200 discount, with each box priced at only £49, given to existing Sky customers that will upgrade to the HD pack. Existing HD pack customers also enjoy a discount, though not as big as that of customers who will be upgrading their packages. Price of the designer boxes for the HD pack customers is £149 each. Oh, and a free matching remote control comes with each box.

Check out some of the designer boxes. I picked these out not because they are my personal favourites, but because they pretty much cover the whole spectrum of pretty varied box collection.

Box by Celia Britwell

Box by JayJay Burridge

Box by Roksanda Illincic

Box by Solange Azagury-Partridge

Photos courtesy of Sky

If it is, then I won’t be surprised if you have your own blog dedicated to fashion. Whether your fashion blog be dedicated to the latest trends that have caught your eye or the numerous fashion faux pas we can’t help but laugh about, I’m sure you’ll appreciate having more readers to share your passion for fashion with.

If you need help getting more readers to visit your fashion blog, I would recommend signing up for Blog Search Engine’s services. Blog Search Engine is a web portal that can help your promote your blog by indexing your blog making it searchable to their users, posting a back link (helpful to your SEO efforts) to your blog, and writing a review on your blog. You can avail of their service for $14.99, which can be paid via Paypal. You can also opt to upgrade your package to get more visibility, not just on the web portal itself but thru links from the different blogs that belong to their blog network. You can even become the featured blog for a certain period, depending on the package you opt for.

By promoting your blog, you can be sure that fellow fashionistas will find the hidden gem that is your blog. Of course, don’t expect your blog to remain a secret once the word is out. Just remember to have some good and fresh content on your blog ready for your new stream of visitors so that you don’t end up wasting your efforts in promoting your blog.

Image Credit: Fashion Blog and Blog Search Engine