Louis Vuitton A/w '11

2. Buy something with major Seventies impact, I would advise on accessories as they are a more subtle, cheaper way to follow this trend.  Gucci’s show illustrates that a fedora is the way to go-

Gucci A/W '11

3. Snake printis the animal print du jour this season, and the way to wear it is in a ‘lady-like’ fashion.  The Gucci image above illustrates my point to luxurious perfection.

4. For those in colder climates, shield yourself from the blustery, bitter winds this season by investing in a statement fur jacket.  And here’s a tip- the shaggier and fuzzier, the better.

Christian Dior A/W '11

 5. See Stars and well, Spots this season- after all, international designers like DVF and Dolce & Gabbana certainly did when they drummed up their A/W ’11 collections.  For those who are trend-shy, I would advise you to opt for a chiffon star or spot chiffon blouse with a black base.  And for the exhibitionist, look no further than Dolce & Gabbana-

Dolce & Gabbana A/W '11

Pics courtesy of Style.com

As can be expected, fashion has managed to bleed out this print into all sorts of creative formats, so we spots, blotches, polkas, splatters, cut-outs and dots.

One can look to the catwalks of Stella McCartney, Paul Smith, Marc Jacobs and DVF to see how these international designers worked with the trend, but I decided to go to London’s High Street that has arguably, some of the best window displays in the world to see how mannequins in the most commercially successful High Street shops were wearing the trend.

As can be expected Topshop’s mannequins, decided to be left of centre by going down the ‘spot splatter’ route-

Dorothy Perkins toughened their spotty stance by pairing a pretty polka-dot ‘tea-party friendly’ dress with a leather biker jacket.

A if to contrast with the previous mannequins, Dorothy Perkins offered a more prim and proper ensemble using the Spots Trend.

Mango’s mannequins illustrate how the trend-shy public can still join the Spot Brigade by adorning statement hosiery.

SHF- So let’s start with your amazing ‘Sex And The City/Carrie’ necklace, where did you get that?

Tolu- Well, after watching that series, I hunted it online and found it, I don’t remember the name of the site but I just love the necklace.

SHF- As do I. And the earrings?

Tolu- The earrings are from a Nigerian designer that goes under the name, ‘Precious Little Things’ and she works in Nigerian and in England.

SHF- Where is your ring from?

Tolu- I got the ring from a market in Marbella.

SHF- And can I just say bravo! on complimenting all your accessories by donning a Channel bag- the ultimate women’s accessory.

www.bikijohn.com

Emerging designer Sylvia Fumudoh, used her Preby Fumudoh brand to illustrate how to strike a masculine/feminine tailored finish in her A/W 2011 collection as shown below-

Picture courtesy of Rob Sheppard

Celebrity Style: Vanessa Simmons, First Lady Michelle Obama and Ashley Madekwe

First Lady Michelle Obama wore a colorblocked Suno Spring/Summer 2011 pleated skirt while out to dinner with husband President Barack Obama at Nancy’s Restaurant. We love how she balanced the look with a black tank top and silver hoop earrings.

Ashley Madekwe, blogger of Ring My Bell and star of the upcoming ABC series Revenge, wore a green American Apparel long accordion-pleat skirt with a white tank at OK! Magazine & Step Up Women’s Network Women Of Music Celebration event.

Vanessa Simmons, actress and co-owner of Pastry, served as a stylish host at the 2011 VH1 Save the Music Awards where she wore a colorblocked pleated maxi, cut-out number.

Editorial Style: Zara Okpara in Bridget Awosika
The pleated skirt is not limited to red carpet events but also appears in editorials. For her appearance in Mania Magazine, PR guru to Jewel By Lisa Zara Okpara wore a lime green pleated skirt from Bridget Awosika Spring/Summer 2011 collection with, of course, a JBL print blouse.

Runway Style: Bridget Awosika Spring/Summer 2011
For her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Nigerian fashion designer Bridget Awosika designed pleated skirts in bold colors.

SHF Recommends

Here are our style picks to test out our favorite trend of the moment.

1. Topshop // // 2. Forever 21 // 3. American Apparel // // 4. DKNY 

Even though Summer is coming to a end, is this a trend you might indulge in?

- Chioma C. Iwuagwu

At the Miami premiere of her new film, Colombiana, Zoe added a white train to her gold Balmain long-sleeved embellished mini. To celebrate her Flaunt magazine feature, Zoe flipped her Prabal Gurung Spring 2011 neon top. Instead of pairing the white with black textured sleeve top over her neon pink tank she switched it. We imagine what made both looks looked enviable was of course, her best accessory – effortless confidence!

With this fashion discussion, much emphasis should be on your level of style. After all fashion is daring and exciting when you put your personal stamp on it, don’t you agree? Our question to you is do you prefer to wear a look completely off the rack or switch it up to suit your personal style?

-Balmain Resort 2012 & Prabal Gurung Resort 2012-

Modify The Look Fashionistas

Angela Simmons in Virgos Lounge

Fashion Junkii’s Rosemary Kokuhilwa in Chichia London Spring/Summer 2010 khanga top

Off The Rack Fashionistas

Nneka in Deola Sagoe Vintage Spring/Summer 2010

Kat Graham in Mimi Plange

photo credits: Getty Images

- Chioma C. Iwuagwu

Virgos Lounge, Loeffler Randall for Suno, and Adjoa Osei are three labels catered to African Fashion that shares the same love as we at Style House Files have for the chunky platform.

Young London-based, Nigerian-fun fashion label Virgos Lounge illustrated this new hip look for their Resort 2011/2012 collection. Not to be out done but new African fashion designer Adjoa Osei used the same look for their capsule Autumn/Winter 2011 collection. Both fashion labels used mixed prints to flaunt their love for the season’s hottest trend to try. Suno collaborated with Loeffler Randall for a Kenyan textile print canvas platform looks for their Spring/Summer 2011 collection.

We love how this trend was effortlessly translated from the runway to the catwalk by style bloggers Style Pantry and J’Adore Fashion. J’Adore Fashion blogger Stella Eneanya dressed up the trend with a pair of neon orange Zara skinny jeans. We love that Stella picked pants that stops at the ankles. Rocking a pair of distressed boyfriend-cut H&M jeans is how Style Pantry blogger Folake Kuye Huntoon decided to wear this hip trend. Style Pantry, like Stella, bought out the fun in this trend thanks to her polka dot platforms from Lori’s Shoes.

Chunky platforms can be worn as these three labels and two African fashion bloggers demonstrated with a short skirt, skinny jeans, boyfriend-cut jeans, shorts and a long dress. However way you rock, be sure to flaunt the look with confidence!

Chunky Platforms Trend: Adjoa Osei & Suno Spring/Summer 2011

Chunky Platform Trend: Virgos Lounge Resort 2011/2012 "Opal" dress

J'Adore Fashion Blogger Stella Eneanya in Aldo shoes & Zara pants

Style Pantry's Folake Kuye Huntoon in H&M boyfriend jeans & Lori's Shoes Polka-Dot Platforms

Chunky Platforms Trend: Loeffler Randall for Suno & Adjoa Osei

Is the chunky platform a trend you’re willing to try?

Photo credits: Sophie Pycroft for Virgos Lounge, Style Pantry, J’Adore Fashion, GoRunway.com, & Adjoa Osei

-Chioma C. Iwuagwu

I define my style as classic with an edge, and so I find my edge in statement piece accessories, killer heels, and garments with detail (a cut out, a leather pleat, a slashed hemline). At any given time though, the easiest way to oumpf up my look in heels or flats, or in a detail-less dress is with statement piece accessories. Naturally, I’ll go for a neckpiece but if it’s a cuff, it’ll have to stand out too.

My go to brand right now is MAWI. I love how chunky they are but at the same time ultra feminine. I find that in my MAWI pieces I look trés habillé even when I’m not! Statement pieces do just that. Today I’m wearing a Tan colored asoke mini skirt by KemKem with a grey cashmere jumper, a pink pair of Abraka plimsoles, and you probably guessed right – my MAWI gold necklace which I got from Designers Club a while back.

It’s exciting to know Designer’s Club just got in the entire Spring Summer 2011 range! This is what you’ll find currently featured in all the international fashion magazines as well as in the shop floors across the world. How special, that its so easily accessible here in Lagos! I’ve got my eye on this one cuff with the pink and green stone!

SHF Photo Credit – KOLA OSHALUSI

MAWI Jewellery available exclusively at Designer’s Club – 54 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos Nigeria.

Dior had his models stalking the catwalk in these tribal vertiginous wonders that present an assortment of fantastic detailing.  The colorful use of plumes, crafty combination of blanket-stitched sole followed by the plump plaited strapping all add the ‘wow-factor’ of these beauties.

Christian Dior S/S 11

Holly Fulton showed how to create the perfect balance between contemporary and historical wear by mixing elaborate geometric prints with thick raffia fringing.

Holly Fulton S/S 11

Just Cavalli infused Wild Safari style into his collection by presenting garments that were injected with African safari-style animal prints.  Using accessories like leather Crocodile Dunde wide brimmed hats, helped to further drive the point fashionably home.

Just Cavalli S/S 11

And how does this trend translate from the catwalk to real-life?  The key here is not to wear the trend from head to toe and risk looking like you are doing the ‘walk of shame’ from an ‘Out of Africa’ fancy dress party.  I have chosen to apply this trend by using accessories.  In the below image I’ve tied an ankara print scarf that is rich in color and print into a turban.  By wearing it with contemporary pieces like a fitted black coat, red dress, statement ‘ghetto’ earrings and slouch black leather boots; my headgear may transport others on an African journey but my feet remain firmly grounded in London.

Biki John

SHF credits style.com

This S/S 11 season was no different with prisoner, postman, sailor and orderly stripes making their mark on the catwalk.  Stripes are one of those trends that are best used if and when the wearer has an understanding of their body shape. Reason being, stripes have the power to slim, sculpt and elongate the body.  Print masters, Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro state that, ‘Stripes are remarkably easy to wear, but you have to find the one that works best for your body-type.  Vertical club-style stripes are more versatile and look quite sexy when snug, whereas bold wide stripes work better on loose shapes.’

With so many stripey offerings from designers this season, who used them on everything from T’s, tunic-shaped dresses, accessories to playsuits. SHF condenses this trend into a few, key looks whilst advising you on the best ways to wear the trend.

Tip 1-Fashionable extroverts can use stripes to clash with other motifs and prints.  For those who want to use this trend sparringly, interjecting your ensemble with bold striped accessories-like a striped clutch bag- is the way to go.

Prada S/S 11

 Tip 2- Show your update knowledge of the latest trends by clashing bright colours with your stripes.

Prada S/S 11

 Tip 3- Position your stripes strategically to highlight the most flattering parts of your body.  Jonathan Saunders focused on the ‘top and bottom of the garment’ to ‘accentuate the waist’.  The below cute number is also the perfect illustration of summer sporty chic and will look great on petite frames.

Jonathan Saunders S/S 11

 Tip 4-  For those with a classic syle- stripes can also be used to ooze relaxed,  lady-like glamour.  The below number is pure sutble, sophisticated perfection and rests oh-so demurely below your knees.  As the picture suggests- a precise ponytail and statement red lipstick is all you need to highlight this outfit.

Jonathan Saunders S/S 11

 Tip 5- Maxi, striped dresses are essential if you want to inject pure femininity into your wardrobe.  The pockets will come in handy for storing beach essentials like body cream, phones, lip gloss etc.

Sonia Rykiel S/S 11

Tip 6- Retro wearers should invest in striped play suits.  This upbeat, seventies-inspired number portrays youthfulness and a playful use of colour.  Also like the image demonstrates- style with a stack of bold, ethnic-inspired bangles.

MARC by Marc Jacobs S/S 11

Tip 7- Wear horizontal stripes to lengthen and elongate the body.  Vertical stripes can make the wearer feel thinner and taller and also wearing it as a dress results in instant streamlining.

Jil Sander S/S 11

 

Tip 8- And how does this catwalk trend translate to real life?  I chose to toughen my stipes by mixing my cotton black and white striped vest (H & M) with complimentary tougher textures like my pleather skirt (Vintage concession in Topshop), a metallic sequins jacket (H & M) and a plethora of metal chains (which I customised from a Habberdashery).

SHF credits style.com