Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines
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Keep up to date with the latest trends and news from the world of fashion
Text Holly Shakleton
Stella goes sporty
Adidas gets a designer makeover from Stella McCartney
If the New Year brought with it resolutions to get fit, then Stella McCartney for Adidas’ signature cool-meets-practical sportswear will guarantee you look as good as working out will make you feel. Continuing to redefine and challenge traditional sport silhouettes, the spring/summer 2009 collection of jackets, bathing suits, shorts and tracksuits utilises sheer, lightweight performance fabrics and features hems decorated with cut-out petals, brightly coloured leotards and hooded parkas. The result is stylish yet distinctive fitness fashion for women. Alongside Gym Studio, Tennis and Running collections, the range includes sportswear for Golf, Gym Yoga, Gym Dance, Swim and Cover Ups. And if you’re itching to slip into designer gear so you can hit the slopes in style, check out the skiwear range. A pair of white ski trousers will set you back about €145 and a ski jacket about €225.
A ‘Posh’ wardrobe
Victoria Beckham takes the fashion world by storm
Life just keeps getting sweeter for former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. Her debut collection has been a virtual sell-out since it hit stores at the end of last year. The designs, which she claims have been “a lifetime in the making”, draw direct inspiration from her own signature dress sense – think clinched waists and figure-hugging micro-dresses – and consist of just 10 looks that place an emphasis on structure. There are body-hugging royal blue, grey, black and white dresses, some with square necks and emphasized shoulders, others in bandeau styles, and a white wrap-around shirt that descends into a slim-fit black pencil skirt – perfect for making a statement in the office.
If it ain’t broke…
Belgian label Delvaux keeps its designs classic but chic
Ask most people about Belgian design and they’ll immediately think of the envelope-pushing aesthetic of the Antwerp Six. But when it comes to accessories, low-key luxe wins out over avant-garde every time – if you’re going to invest in a piece, you want its shelf life to span more than a season. Step forward Delvaux, who’s beautifully crafted leather bags have become a touchstone of pared-down Belgian chic. Accordingly, its spring/summer 2009 collection doesn’t spring any huge surprises on us, just classic shapes in a fresh palette, like the intricately woven Milano (pictured) in inky blues and black, a soft suede tote in aquamarine and the boxy little Gelàto in cherry red.
Swap shop
Exchange your old clothes for something new
If the credit crunch has left you strapped for cash and unable to satisfy your weekly fashion fix, then the website whatsmineisyours.com might just have the answer. Quickly garnering a cult following, the website offers online clothes swapping for fashion lovers across the globe. It can either help you arrange your own swap parties with others in your area or provide a platform to swap unwanted items with people from Germany to Guatemala. One girl’s fashion disaster becomes another’s dream.
Green foot forward
Terra Plana launches ecofriendly shoes for all ages
In 2009, questions are being asked regarding sustainability in everything from food to fashion. Ethical footwear label Terra Plana is just one of the many brands spreading the environmentally conscious message. Translating as ‘Flat Earth’, Terra Plana produces shoes for men, women and children out of eco-friendly and recycled materials, including chrome-free leather, vegetable-tanned leather, pure latex soling material, recycled rubber soles and recycled foam foot beds. The surprisingly stylish results include sneakers, brogues and walking boots for men, and cowboy boots, high heels, flats and super-stylish Maple boots (above, €83) for women. Made using processes that cause the least amount of harm to the environment, they leave no excuse whatsoever for environmentally conscious fashion lovers not to be green from head to toe.
Bag IT
Don’t let your briefcase show you up in the office
The age of the IT bag may be over, but the search for a quality, hardwearing bag for day-to-day living is not. Balancing aesthetics and functionality, m0851 is a Montreal-based accessories label (with stores in Antwerp, Paris and New York) that specialises in understated yet stylish leather goods. Now that the need for an instantly recognisable bag has receded, m0851’s classic leather handbags, satchels, holdalls and weekend bags in rich black, brown and grey leather with patent or distressed detailing are the perfect solution for this year’s understated style. Flight bag (pictured) €365.
Catwalk graffiti
Louis Vuitton honours Stephen Sprouse in its most recent collection
Louis Vuitton is paying tribute to the late graffiti artist Stephen Sprouse by re-inventing its popular 2001 Sprouse collection with a new limited edition range of accessories and ready-to-wear clothing featuring the artist’s famous graffiti prints. Key pieces are a lime green micro-dress with Sprouse’s signature giant rose print detailing, a raincoat with graffiti and monogram lining, graffiti-print leggings and bags adorned with flourescent yellow, pink and green Sprouse graffiti. The rose motif also adorns basketball boots, pumps, sunglasses, headbands and wristbands, and small leather goods like wallets and coin purses.
The worldwide launch in January coincides with a retrospective of the artist, who died in 2004, at the Deitch Gallery in New York and the publication of The Stephen Sprouse Book (published by Rizzoli).
Louis Vuitton has also launched a website featuring interviews with the artists’ friends, including Deborah Harry and Patricia Field.
Platform sandals
With everyone going on about the dire state of the global economy, it’s time to fight the doom and gloom and treat yourself – and what better way to do it than with an eye-catching pair of new shoes. Platform sandals (especially when worn with tights) are guaranteed to add instant appeal to any outfit and banish the February blues.
SPLURGE VS SAVE
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SPLURGE YSL Tribute Sandal €750. |
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SAVE Topshop PETA Premium Platform Sandal €88 |
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