Venturing Out

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>> There's a few more days of staying put at home cosied up in my Gap knitted slippers but when January comes around, it will probably still be chilly chilly but I'll be out and about (travelling around the world to be precise…Paris-Florence-Sao Paolo all in Jaunary) and I'll be needing some cold warrior gear.  The offerings of muted clothes that are itching to be layered up for venturing out into the crisp air complete with scarves, chunky boots and mittens continues with Topshop's latest set of collaborations with their stable roster of designers…

First up Jonathan Saunders and his take on mixed denim.  I've done the mixed denim blues a few times but the light olive, black and indigo combo makes the mixed denim effect less detectable and far more subtle.  I'm somehow feeling the matchy matchy ness of the bustier and skirt together…

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I also love this devore geometric print on this dress that looks like it would be great for pulling over the knees when you're sitting with your knees up to your chin…

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Ann Sofie Back (Yay!  She's showing again at LFW in Feb!) has replicated the ripped motif from her 'Boo' A/W 09 collection into these ripped up sweatshirts, vests and dresses… a way more refined version of the bits of denim 'tails' that used to hang off the back off my very baggy, crappy jeans…

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(Prices for Topshop x Jonathan Saunders' range ¬£30-¬£50, for Topshop x Ann-Sofie Back's range ¬£50-¬£70.  Both in-store and online from January 6th 2010)

20 comments

  1. Yes, I’m looking forward to have this ASB shirt in my hands!
    enjoy your cozy home while you can! I know I love to be home right now…
    There is a little gift in my blog, check it out and tell me what you think, have a lovely afternoon!
    xxx

  2. What I wouldn’t give for Topshop to do worldwide shipping..
    That denim skirt looks more than a little interesting, with those black lines divinding it into panels. Reminds me slightly of the effect of Angie Montreal’s cage skirts..

  3. Firstly…I hate topshop, represent everything that is wrong with the industry. The ‘supporting’ designers glaze wears thinly…they exploit and prostitute every blade of every field from suppliers through to the customers. However, I was also disappointed with A-S-B’s 09 line, punctured cotton and jersey with pretty high retail points, hmm.

  4. I don’t think cold warrior gear will be required in Sao Paolo come January hun? haha. I dare you…

  5. Moi: I was freezing last time I was in Sao Paolo in Feb! It gets REALLY cold at night for some reason! In any case, my bod isn’t up to scratch when compared to the glamazons in Brazil… me thinks, best cover it all up a bit!
    Hmmm… I think it’s telling though that designers do repeatedly design for Topshop. Yes, it’s a mutal give and take. They give designers money, designers churn out designs for them…. but if the experience was so poor why would people like Emma Cook etc do it for SUCH a long time…?
    For some, that’s a reliable source of incoming and whatever their shortcomings (in production, manufacture etc…), surely there is SOME good outcome in what they’re doing…
    As for customers… I don’t see their millions and millions of web visits dipping any time soon?
    Maybe we are getting ripped off but for as quick sugar rush shopping goes, I think there are far worse offenders…
    Crux of the matter is, I’m a selfish customer who just happens to like the designs. It’s all far too simplistic and superficial but at the core of it, I am just another lemming consumer…

  7. I love the ripped sweatshirt look, but would feel like an idiot buying a ripped sweatshirt when I could pretty easily make one myself for a few dollars. Hello!

  9. Love, love, love the black dress with the geometric print–the perfect layering piece for chilly days!

  10. Weird, normally I’m not a fan of the denim denim look, but all of the different denim in the first one kind of work.

  13. love your blog, you always give me good ideas !!! so…. thank you, thank you and thank you!!!!!!!
    I invite you to visit this website http://www.mintmelon.com It¬¥s a special spanish fashion brand, I think you’ll like it, they send all around the world. It¬¥ll be a great experience for you.

  14. Really really hate that JS denim look. It looks cheap and would have thought a designer like Saunders could do better. I’m actually pretty disappointed with the direction he has taken overall. Honestly (not directed at Susie Bubble!) I think some people could do with taking a step back from ‘designer collaborations’ and take a good look at what they are buying. Not every designer collaboration is worth the money (cough Matthew Williamson), you’re just buying a name!

  15. no i agree Susie, they obviously require a platform and in principle the media exposure is a sure quick fire mode to showcase their aesthetic. However, from a personal business perspective of designers it’s not a good way too introduce yourself surely? The ASOS team have snapped up all the emerging names in LDN fashion (well, almost ;)), but designers are left introducing less quality product which on the majority is now on sale too. It’s a big round-about really and I feel the UK is stuck in too big a consumerist cycle, even the indie stores are hell-bent on selling lifestyle lines and outside LDN that’s actually considered designer! Every other nation seems to have a system of commercial retail leverage for new designers. I like Stefan’s ideal via NJAL, utilising Celebs to sell on designers, as we all know it can sell through an entire collection. There has to be a balance struck though, some of the price points from emerging lines are a nightmare and that has to be addressed if they seriously want to tackle the highstreet, or at least eat into the millions that the lifestyle sector reigns in. Then you have the diffusion line syndrome…Rad by Rad Hourani…’I want the same vision and quality at a more affordable rate’…where does that leave his mainline? Raf by Raf, which has practically eclipsed his mainline. It’s all very confusing at present, but I’m not sure these design collaborations are a sustainable way forward for both the retail giant or the designer. Kane, Moss & McCartney have been very successful for both H&M & Topshop, but they established their lines and position in the market first! Merry Xmas everyone!

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