Désir du jour - Roland Mouret

Mouret's famous Galaxy dress

Roland Mouret's designs have the ability to flatter anyone's shape. Enrolling in fashion college in 1979 but then quitting soon after to gain some life experience, Mouret began working as a model and stylist at French Elle and Glamour magazine. Mouret was soon approached by Jean Paul Gaultier to work on his forthcoming menswear show. Working with one of fashion's most adventurous designers, allowed Mouret to gain a wealth of experience. After moving to London in 1994 to design for the People Corporation label, Mouret soon gained the confidence to launch his own label after his designs were well-received.

In February 1998, Mouret showed his first collection at London Fashion Week. Every piece in the collection was handmade without the use of a pattern. In order to achieve the most flattering silhouettes for his designs, Mouret draped and folded material straight on to fit models, fastening the fabrics with hatpins and stud fasteners. His show was critically acclaimed with his classically tailored designs appreciated for their femininity and minimalism.

Sarah Murdoch in Roland
Mouret at this year's Logies

After entering into a partnership in 2000 with Sharai and Andre Meyers to produce his designs, Mouret resigned in 2005 to go it alone. His time in the partnership allowed him to build a solid understanding about business which served him well when he started his own label.

In September 2005, Mouret's now famous Galaxy dress was launched. Worn by some of the most recognisable celebrities including Cameron Diaz, Scarlett Johansson and Victoria Beckham, the Galaxy dress redefined tailoring and shape. It was described as "the most recognisable dress of the last decade."

Since 2005, Mouret has done numerous successful collaborations including a collection for Gap's (RED) initiative which supports organisations fighting AIDS in africa and several satellite collections which were launched on Net-A-Porter.

In 2010, Mouret introduced a menswear collection to his label, alongside his female ready-to-wear collection. In September 2010, Mouret secured the rights to market his designs under his name, making him one of the only fashion designers in the world to have done so.

With a new flagship store opening in London this year, Mouret continues to go from strength to strength and shows no signs of slowing down.

Mouret's beautiful Nikiya Cutout Crepe Gown with front split is an eye-catching work of art. Its flattering silhouette is emphasised by the unique colour of the gown. Intricate front detailing is typical of Mouret's work. Available for £1,782.52 from Net-A-Porter, this beautiful gown would make you stand out in any crowd.

Information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Mouret.
Images sourced from http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/109673 and http://www.yournextdress.com/kim-kardashian-claire-danes-roland-mouret/

Désir du jour - Victoria Beckham

Who would have thought a former spice girl would become not only a modern day style icon, but one of the most popular designers of today. Victoria Beckham's tailored designs have been spotted on celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Drew Barrymore and Demi Moore to name a few. Flattering a wide range of different body shapes, Beckham's designs are a blend of structured lines and feminine features.

Beckham in her designs

Unlike other designers, Beckham is the perfect brand ambassador for her label. She is always seen wearing at least one item from her brand, whether that be a dress, jeans, bag or sunglasses. Arguably the second most anticipated outfit behind Catherine Middleton in the royal wedding, Beckham didn't disappoint, wearing a navy dress from her 2011 Fall collection, accessorised with a Victoria Beckham clutch.

After success with her denim, perfume and sunglasses line, Beckham released her much anticipated dress collection at the 2008 New York Fashion Week. Made of silk, wool and organza, Beckham's designs impressed critics with their classic shapes and careful attention to detail. Each dress in her 6 collections has been given a number. Beckham has designed 129 dresses to date.


Favouring high-end designer bags such as Hermes, Beckham soon launched a range of luxury bags. Featuring clutches and large travel bags, Beckham's beautiful designs have been crafted out of the finest leather, suede, lizard and alligator skin.

I love the unexpected colour combination of this two-tone blush and navy lizard and leather clutch. You may not be able to have David Beckham, but you can chanel Victoria's style with this beautiful bag, available on Net-A-Porter for £1,867.66.



Information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Beckham
Images courtesy of http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/105774

Désir du jour - Lanvin

Lanvin's SS10 ad campaign

Founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, Lanvin is one of the world's most prestigious fashion houses. Starting out making clothing for her children, Lanvin launched her own label when her beautiful designs caught the eye of wealthy members of the community who commissioned her to make clothing for their children. Soon Lanvin opened her own boutique and also began making clothes for the mothers. As word of her designs spread, she became couturière to some of the most famous people in Europe.

The Lanvin label grew quickly, expanding to incorporate furs, lingerie, home decor and menswear. Lanvin's most important expansion was the development of Lanvin Parfums SA in 1924. Lanvin's signature fragrance became Arpège which was inspired by the sound of her daughter practising arpeggios (scales) on the piano.

The use of trimmings, beaded detail, intricate embroideries and light floral patterns soon became Lanvin's trademark. She is known as one of the most influential designers of her time.

When Lanvin passed away in 1946, Lanvin's daughter took over the business with a cousin who was a fashion industry expert. During the mid to late 1900's, the ownership of Lanvin changed hands numerous times. In August 2001, the company was purchased by a private investor group Harmonie SA. In October 2001, Alber Elbaz was appointed as artistic director of Lanvin, overseeing all design aspects of the brand.

Elbaz is very hands on in his approach of design, redesigning the packaging for the fashion house in 2006 using the colour of a forget-me-not flower, Jeanne Lanvin's favourite colour. Taking inspiration from Lanvin's classic designs from the 1920's, Elbaz's has strengthened the brand name with his ability to modernise traditional silhouettes.

Natalie Portman in Lavin's
asymmetric washed-satin gown

In 2010, Lanvin collaborated with Swedish high street brand H&M for their Winter collection. The collection was initially deemed a success with H&M sales jumping globally by 8%. However, some designs were not as well received by consumers, leaving H&M with excess stock. However, not wanting to waste the unsold pieces, in an ecological move H&M used fabric left over from the production of the Lanvin's collection to create a collection called Waste. Featuring bright graphics and harlequin prints, the pieces were well received.

With celebrity fans such as Natalie Portman, Michelle Obama and Charlize Theron, Elbaz's voluminous draped designs are regularly featured on the red carpet.

Worn by Natalie Portman, this satin gown is a modern twist on the timeless asymmetric shape. The strong jewel colour is enhanced by Lanvin's signature corsage and trademark draping. Available on Net-A-Porter for £2,195.08, this stunning gown is a fashion classic.

Information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanvin_(clothing) and http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/h-m-turns-lanvin-waste-into-new-collection-2444851
Image courtesy of http://fashion-bytes.blogspot.com/2010/09/lanvin-x-h.html

Désir du jour - Charlotte Olympia

Take a walk on the wild side with Charlotte Olympia's Maxine Heels. Made with leopard print pony skin, these statement sandals come with cute laces and the trademark Charlotte Olympia platform on the front sole. Available for £659, these shoes will add an interesting twist to any outfit.

After graduating from Cordwainer's at the London College of Fashion (the shoes design and accessories department), Charlotte Olympia Dellal created her namesake footwear label in 2006. The half-Bazilian, half-English It-girl takes her inspiration from the glamour of the 1940s, mixing it with a touch of the unexpected.


Known for her quirky designs, Delall's shoes have been seen on the feet of modern day style muses such as Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Daphne Guinness. Delall herself is from an interesting family. Her sister Alice is a well known model, famous for her half-shaved hairstyle and her brother owns an art gallery and is currently dating Princess Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco.


Each Charlotte Olympia shoe is hand made in Italy and is finished with a signature gold spider web on the sole. Dellal's designs are stocked at some of the world's most prestigious retailers including Browns, Harvey Nichols, Jeffery, Dover Street Market and Net-A-Porter. 


Delall dabbled in the clothing side of fashion in her SS 2010 collection, designing dresses and gloves to match her beautiful shoes. She recently opened her first flagship store in London and created a movie to present her A/W 2011 collection, titled "To Die For" which was based on a character from the Agatha Christie novel "Evil Under the Sun". 


If you're looking for shoes with a twist, check out the Charlotte Olympia collection today.




Information and image sourced from http://www.charlotteolympia.com and http://www.sandrascloset.com/my-interview-with-charlotte-olympia-dellal/

Désir du jour - Mulberry

Alexa Chung with her Alexa bag

Founded in 1971, British brand Mulberry quickly established itself as a luxury leather goods brand. The label has now expanded to incorporate womenswear, menswear and more recently footwear.


One of the few British companies still producing its products in England, Mulberry is listed on the London Stock Exchange. One of the few companies not just focused on fashion, Mulberry are actively engage in initiatives that support climate change, reducing waste, fair partners, animal welfare, community involvement and health and wellbeing. In 2006, Mulberry launched an apprenticeship program to encourage local youths to learn production skills. This not only assisted with the development of life-long skills, but also provided employment opportunities for the local community.

Although a British classic, the Mulberry brand was introduced to a new audience when it debuted the Alexa bag at Spring Summer 2010 Fashion Week. Inspired by British IT-girl Alexa Chung, the Alexa bag was created when Chung was spotted carrying a vintage men's briefcase (the Elkington) as her handbag. Mulberry designers combined elements of their trademark Bayswater and Elkington bags and added a touch of vintage to create the Alexa. Now available in a range of different sizes and colours, it has been spotted on the arm of many celebrities.

It was hard to pick a favourite from Mulberry's range of beautiful leather products, but I settled on Mulberry's classic oak leather Piccadilly bag. It is the perfect carryall which can be used during the work week and will transition easily to the weekend. A great investment piece, the Piccadilly is available on Net-A-Porter for £1,017.38.


Information sourced from http://www.mulberry.com/

Désir du jour - Hermès

Hermès is one of the most well known fashion houses in the world. Established in France in 1837, the label specializes in leather, ready-to-wear, perfume, lifestyle accessories and luxury goods. Although one of the most successful fashion houses today, Hermès wasn’t always so profitable.

Victoria Beckham's Birkin collection is valued at $2.3 million

With the fluctuating economy and changing consumer demands, the company experienced ups and downs during the 1900s. However, Hermès were able to respond to changes in the market quickly and with smart marketing, were able to ensure the company didn’t go under. Originally starting as a harness workshop, the company graduated into production of leather saddles, which lead to leather bags. Obtaining the exclusive right to use zippers for leather goods and clothing in the early 1900s, Hermès introduced zips to France. The company quickly expanded into producing their now famous silk scarves, which were twice as strong as scarves available at the market at that time. Responding to consumer demand, the company soon introduced ready-to-wear and perfumery into the brand.

One of the first companies to link their products to celebrities (the Kelly bag, named after Grace Kelly and the Birkin bag, named after Jane Birkin), many Hermès products have themselves become fashion legends (Michael Tonello's book Bringing Home The Birkin is a great read). The Birkin bag alone can have a wait list up to six years depending on the type of leather.  The cost of a Birkin bag can reach into five and six figures for larger sizes depending on size, leather and colour.

Not only are Hermès’ bags iconic, but their enamel H bracelets have been seen on the arm of some of the most fashionable women in the world. I couldn’t go past the enamel H bracelet in the iconic Hermès orange. The classic design is timeless and although understated, recognizable by fashion lovers globally. Available through the online Hermès store for $800, this is a piece of jewellery that will never go out of fashion.

Image courtesy of http://www.luxurylaunches.com/celebrities/victoria_beckham_owns_100_hermes_birkin_bags_worth_23_million.php

Information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermès

Désir du jour - Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen was one of the most fashion forward designers of his generation. Not afraid of pushing boundaries, his designs offered a juxtapose between strength and fragility. Working in fashion houses such as Givenchy and Koki Tatsuno, McQueen soon launched his own self-titled label garnering controversy for his shock tactics and dramatic shows.

Earning the title "l'enfant terrible" and "the hooligan of English fashion" McQueen's collections and shows were never boring. He recreated a shipwreck for his 2003 spring collection, a human chess game for his 2005 spring collection and his 2006 fall show featured a life-sized hologram of supermodel Kate Moss.

McQueen favoured dramatic silhouettes and often used skulls in his designs. His trademark scarf bearing skull prints became a fashion must-have, with celebrities around the world supporting the design in an array of colours. He was a designer who didn't care about social standings, he was just as likely to put a non-traditional model (e.g. double amputee and former Paralympian Aimee Mullins) on the catwalk, as a traditional model.

Today's pick is the Chiffon Bustier Dress as worn by Mila Kunis at the 2011 SAG Awards. The detailed flower watercolour print is both dramatic and soft, with intricate hand stitched small pleats covering the bodice. Available for EUR4,958 on farfetch.com, this stunning dress is the perfect representation of McQueen's design aesthetic.

Tragically passing at age 41 in February 2010, the fashion world was robbed of one of its most talented designers.  His legacy lives on with his namesake label, continuing to be favourite among fashion lovers everywhere.

Désir du jour - Maison Martin Margiela

Being a romantic at heart, I couldn't resist these Maison Martin Margiela pumps. They reminded me of the glass slipper from the Cinderella fairytale. Although quite unique, this particular design is conservative for a man who is known for his ground-breaking designs.

After graduating from Antwerp's Royal Academt of Fine Arts, Belgium born Martin Margiela worked as a freelance designer for five years before working for Jean Paul Gaultier from 1985 to 1987. He launched his own label in 1989 and quickly became known for pushing the boundaries of fashion. With oversized proportions and hemming designs on the outside, Margiela operates on the principle of deconstruction when creating designs. While working on his own label, from 1997 to 2003, he worked as the creative director of Hermès' women's line.

In a day and age when celebrities are over-exposed, Margiela was fiercely private. He never had his picture taken, stayed back stage after his shows and dealt with the media via fax. He preferred to let his designs to the talking for him.

Margiela's trademark became a discreet piece of cloth with the numbers 0 to 23, each number representing what the article clothing was (e.g. part of the collection for men or women, footwear and eyewear). This piece of cloth was attached to the inside of a garment, or on the outside of an unlined garment, with four little white stitches. For the 20th anniversary of Margiela's label, this tag was replaced by a classic logo.

Although no longer creative director at Maison Martin Margiela, Margiela's label continues to flourish under a new design team which is bringing a fresh young approach to the brand, while maintaining the design aesthetic of the unique designer.

Don't wait for a prince like Cinderella! You can buy your own pair of glass slippers on Polyvore for $2,100.

International Designer to Watch – Roksanda Ilincic

Designs from Ilincic's SS11 collection

In a competitive industry, it's hard to stand out as a designer. You not only have to have new and innovative designs, you need to be constantly developing as a designer to ensure longevity in a fickle industry. This feature will focus on international designers who have caught the attention of the fashion industry and have a bright future ahead of them.

Serbian born Roksanda Ilincic launched her debut line in 2005 as part of Topshop’s New Generation initiative. With dramatic folds, tiered sleeves and rosettes, Ilincic’s designs are filled with a sense of romance and drama. Although filled with elements such as poufs, trains and shiny fabrics, generally not traditionally associated with ready-to-wear collections, Ilincic’s pieces have not only done well on the red carpet, but have sold well in large retailers such as Harvey Nichols.

Designs from Ilincic's SS11 collection

What makes Ilincic’s designs unique is that her clothes are hand-sewn by a seamstress in her native Belgrade. This not only shows support for her home -town, but shows an attention to detailed not mirrored by many other designers.

Recently collaborating with fashion retailer Matches, Ilincic’s star keeps rising. Available online at Matches and Net-A-Porter, or at Cecylia boutique in Malvern, Ilincic’s pieces are a worthwhile investment for any fashion lover.

Images courtesy of http://sugarandspice-shopgirl.blogspot.com/2010/09/lfw-19-roksanda-ilincic-springsummer.html

Désir du jour - Christian Louboutin

With its recognisable red soles, Christian Louboutin shoes have captured the imagination, and hearts of shoe lovers everywhere.  With a strong celebrity following, Sarah Jessica Parker, Blake Lively and Jessica Alba to name a few, Louboutins have been seen on the feet of some of the most famous women in the world. 


When explaining the origins of his signature red soles, Louboutin stated that "In 1992 I incorporated the red sole into the design of my shoes. This happened by accident as I felt that the shoes lacked energy so I applied red nail polish to the sole of a shoe. This was such a success that it became a permanent fixture."

Although there were so many amazing designs to choose from, I settled on these Pot Pourri Silver Pigalili pumps.  With a killer 5 inch heel and intricate silver studs and spikes, these shoes will be the focus of any outfit! For a 'mere' $3,545 these stunning heels can be yours!

Désir du jour - Mawi

It's dynamite! Today's lust-worthy item is by London jewellery designers Mawi. Famous for their luxurious designs, Mawi jewellery not only transcends seasons but cater for those who want contemporary jewellery (Fine Costume collection) and those who favour classic designs from the past (Heirloom collection).

Worn my celebrities such as Alexa Chung, the dynamite bracelet comes in a gold plated or hematite finish.  Sporting mini explosions around the bracelet, this accessory will add a bang to any outfit! Available in Australia from Cecylia boutique in Malvern for $629, it’s a worthwhile investment for those who want to add something a little different to their wardrobe. 

Désir du jour - Valentino

I never been one to say no to flowers on dresses. I'm sure people sometime mistake me for a garden when I'm out..... Flowers themselves are almost like a piece of art, with each petal perfectly placed to complement each other.  Unsurprisingly, flowers have been inspiring designers for years, with many not only printing flowers onto their designs, but recreating them with beautiful fabric.

Today's Désir du jour is one of Valentino's tribute to flowers.  This delicate rosette-embelished silk dress would bring out the girl in anyone.

The stunning dress is seen here on supermodel Natalia Vodianova and is currently available to purchase on net-a-porter. So if anyone has a spare £6,098.63 lying around, let me know!

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/108719

Image courtesy of kitmeout.com

Désir du jour - Proenza Schouler

Fortunately (or unfortunately for my bank account) the internet has changed the face of fashion.  Once previously geographically restrained, fashion can now be viewed by anyone, anytime, anywhere.  With the introduction of e-commerce, fashion lovers now have an access to clothes and accessories which was never before possible.

Fashion followers can now follow the latest trends and styles from around the world, and no longer have to wait for designs to reach their shores.  With the never-ending fashion sites and on-line stores, this provides many avenues of temptation for lovers of fashion.

With so many great things to buy, I thought I'd do a daily post featuring a désir du jour (which in French hopefully means desire of the day - shout out to my brother for thinking of the cool name!).  Hopefully one day, a sponsor will come along and allow me to fill my wardrobe with beautiful things but until then, I can only dream...

PROENZA SCHOULER PS1 LEATHER CLUTCH
Started by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez in 2002, Proenza Schouler is a label based out of New York.  Famous for their impeccable tailoring and sleek silhouettes, Proenza Schouler have won numerous industry awards and have a strong celebrity following.

After starting as a women's wear brand, Proenza Schouler soon branched out into accessories. Today's daily desire is a Proenza Schouler PS1 leather clutch.  Available in many different colours and textures, I love that the clutch doesn't have any distinctive brandings but yet, will be recognisable to any keen fashion follower.

Image courtesy of www.stockholm-streetstyle.com
http://www.proenzaschouler.com/shop/