Tag Archives: couture

V&A Ballgowns collection at Coast.

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Coast has launched the most exquisite collection of dresses on the High Street of this, or any year. Inspired by the sumptuous archive collection of the V&A costume department, and more specifically by the Ballgowns Exhibition that was  a true celebration of Vintage glamour, this collection is truly beautiful.

Made up of 6 dresses, both full length and prom style, the dresses  have names that call to mind society beauties of years past, Cecily and Daphne, Blanche and Lottie, Phoebe and Patience. And although Coast is a high Street name, albeit a higher end one, these dresses are more attuned to couture designs than to mass-produced pieces. The Blanche has more than 200 petals on the bodice, each applied by hand, whilst the Daphne has over 1000 jewels. And the collection already has the seal of approval from the model of the moment, Suki Waterhouse, who has modelled each dress in The Sunday Times ‘You’ magazine this morning.

The Dresses

LOTTIE MAXI DRESS £695.00 click to visit Coast

BLANCHE DRESS £550.00 click to visit Coast

PHOEBE MAXI £695.00 click to visit Coast

CECILY MAXI £895.00 click to visit Coast

DAPHNE DRESS £550.00 click to visit Coast

PATIENCE MAXI £895.00 click to visit Coast

 

Style Icon of the Month-Sarah Owen

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Like any fashion obsessive, I have found myself fascinated by the Lily Allen documentary ‘From Riches to Rags’ that concluded this week. This detailed the journey of Lily Allen pop star to Lily Allen vintage boutique entrepreneur as she set up her vintage fashion emporium ‘Lucy In Disguise’.

I’ve always admired Lily’s eclectic style, from her prom dresses and trainers stage right through to her Chanel Obsession, but this series proved that Lily is not the only fashionista in the Allen/Owen household. Step forward Sarah Owen. Sarah is Lily’s older half-sister, a former party girl who previously had a fractured relationship with Lily. She has glossy dark hair, cheekbones to die for and amazing personal style. Sarah is my new fashion crush, and in tribute I have named her my inaugural style icon of the month.

At the Lucy in Disguise Launch

Describing Sarah’s personal style is quite tricky. She is a lover of vintage, but does not stick to any one era or look. There are Mad Men style early 1960s fitted dresses with spiky stiletto heels, cute 1960s lace crochet style dresses with smoky Sophia Loren eyes,1970s Halston effect jumpsuits with flared legs and draping necklines. There are even nods to the 1980s with jackets that sport acres of sequins in multi coloured stripes and patterns. Sarah is able to rock each look perfectly, always looking groomed and elegant.

 

Sarah is the sort of girl who would wear heels, whatever the occasion, and whilst you can imagine Lily setting up a home in a rural location, you could never imagine the ultra glamorous Sarah doing that.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching From Lily Allen – From Riches to Rags, , but now it is finished I am wondering how I will manage without my Tuesday night Sarah style fix?