Lisa Ho Spring/Summer 2010 Nude Collection

RED carpet fashion queen Lisa Ho kicked off the 15th annual Australian Fashion Week yesterday with a romantic collection of swank, silky draped gowns and separates she described as her ''rebirth of cool sophistication''. First show is a prestigious slot not awarded lightly and Ho, the consummate pro, was, inevitably, a hard act to follow.

Sophistication is a tricky look for a designer at any time but the current definition also requires restraint and patience. It's all about muted colours and smudged or painterly digital prints on fabrics that will twist and drape well, then swish about or float a little as a girl moves. Ho managed to ''tame'' the droopy softness of her designs by anchoring some with pale, feminine, tailored pieces.

Gabriella Cilmi: New fashion trends for spring/summer 2010

From sexy denim to floaty and romantic, the Sweet About Me singer, 19, rocks the hottest looks for the new season

Her debut single Sweet About Me was a smash hit in the summer of 2008, and if you don’t count her contribution to the Co-op’s festive adverts where her soulful vocals could be heard belting out a cover version of Warm This Winter, Gabriella’s been keeping a low profile since. But still only 19, she can afford to chill a little.

However, with a new album out next month, she is keen to prove she’s no ‘one-hit wonder’ and is back with a new look to boot. ‘My style has changed a lot in the last 12 months,’ says the Aussie singer-songwriter. ‘I used to wear a lot of jeans and vintage T-shirts and now I dress more femininely.’

Modelling this season’s new trends, Gabriella proves she’s a style chameleon, capable of rocking many a look – just don’t ask her to wear anything romantic, flowing or ethereal. And despite claiming her biggest fashion faux pas was wearing head-to-toe denim, we convinced her she can actually get away with it. ‘I cringe when I think I used to wear so much denim. I had the jackets, the jeans, the shoes – the whole works. So, today, when your stylist put me in a denim shirt and some denim shorts it brought it back for a second, but I needn’t have worried because it looked cool. There’s obviously a fine line.’

Citing Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren as her style icons, ‘They are glamorous in a powerful, sexy, un-polished way,’ Gabriella lives by the mantra, ‘you can never have too much bling’. Although she has a weakness for accessories, she insists she doesn’t splash out on clothes if she can help it, and confesses to being a bargain hunter at heart. ‘I love looking in vintage shops and places like TK Maxx,’ she says. ‘You have to be prepared to spend a while searching, but there are some little gems to be found. My best TK Maxx find was a gold Luella handbag, which was less than half price.’

But the most treasured item in her wardobe, she explains, is an original Vivienne Westwood pirate hat she discovered in a vintage shop. ‘It’s so beautiful,’ she sighs. ‘I do love it – but I have no idea how to wear it without looking like I’m going to a fancy dress party!’
DENIM'Double denim’ – head-to-toe – is how to wear the perennial classic this season

Shirt, £30, Miss Selfridge; shorts, £39.99, River Island; bra, £7, Peacocks; necklace, £25, Dogeared at Asos.com; ring, £15, Freedom at Topshop; shoes, £60, Office
MILITARYThe khaki craze can be seen all over the high street – an army jacket is essential this spring

Jacket, £45, New Look; hat, £30, Rokit.co.uk; necklace, as before; tights, £12, Jonathan Aston; boots, £90, Faith
ROMANTICMax up your romance factor with pretty sorbet fairytale chiffon and ruffles

Dress, £60, Topshop; necklace, as before; long charm necklace, £45, NW3 by Hobbs
WHITEDitch the dark colours, white is the new black...

Dress, £45, Asos.com; belt, £20, Miss Selfridge; necklace, £55, Dogeared at Asos.com; bangle, £35, Anna Lou of London; ring, £18, Aldo
PRINTS
Break the rules when it comes to clashing prints this season – more is more

Silk dress, £79, Tutublu.com; hat, £84, Helene Berman; ring, £10, Freedom at Topshop; shoes, £49.99, Schuh
Gabriella’s new single Mission is released on 8 March and her album will follow on 22 March
Fashion: Charlotte Adsett assisted by Michelle Howard, Gemma Loke and Michelle Winter. Photography: Martin Macchina. Hair: Liz Taw using Aussie Hair. Make-up: Emma Osborne using Elemental Herbology Placements.
resource:  http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/celebs-on-sunday/2010/02/28/gabriella-cilmi-new-fashion-trends-for-spring-summer
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Bright and Beautiful Sping Fashion 2010

spaweekblog.com -You don’t have to have invented the lightbulb to realize that it’s time to get some electricity circulating in your wardrobe. Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2010 collection was just one of the indications that a vibrant, mix-and-match warm weather season is upon us.

When shopping for Spring, allow your eye drift to the brightest frock in the store, and this time, don’t leave it behind! Make it your own by mixing it with all your brights sitting in your closet in winter hibernation. Multicolored on top of blinding is precisely the look we are going for, thank you very much.

Get the look:
Tee - Victoria’s Secret Essential V-neck Tee, $17
Skirt - Diane von Furstenberg’s Paulita Ruffled Mini Skirt, available at Net-a-Porter.com - $475
Shades - Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses from Topshop - $30
Bag - Amalia Cabas handbag in green by Zoe, available at shopzoeonline.com - $1,575
Sandal - Beaded Neon Bootie Sandal by Giuseppe Zanotti, available at neimanmarcus.com - $1,605
Runway image courtesy of Style.com

Diesel Launches Colored Denim for Spring/Summer 2010

They were all the rage on the Spring/Summer catwalk at London Fashion Week and now it seems coloured jeans will once again be making their way into our wardrobes.

Diesel has announced that it will be launching its range of candy coloured denim this week and we know that when a designer brand does this the highstreet will quickly follow suit.

Diesel's range already has Katy Perry and Kristen Stewart as fans and we can't wait to get our hands on a pair.

We just wish the spring would hurry up and get here.

Colors for Spring 2010

Pink is one of the key colours in fashion this season

Pink is one of the key colors for Spring 2010
Some people think that pink reveals bad taste, but other find the real femininity and innocence that the color brings.

The stylists however are convinced that the pink color and all its nuances will become a synonym of fashion this season.

For a bigger proof you can take a look not only on the fashion podium, but also to the red carpet.

Many stars were influenced by the "explosion in pink" and are not afraid to show it.

Pantone Unveils Color of the Year for 2010:
PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise

Turquoise Transports Us to an Exciting, Tropical Paradise While Offering a Sense of Protection and Healing in Stressful Times
CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 8, 2009 –Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the color of the year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”
Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

In fashion, Turquoise makes a statement that can look elegant and dressy in fine silk and gemstones, or casual and fun in cotton and athletic apparel. Because of its versatility, Turquoise is a great accent color in jewelry, purses, shoes, hair accessories and even nail polish for women, and ties, shirts and sportswear for men.

For brides wanting a flattering choice for attendant apparel and accessories on their big day, Turquoise is now one of the nearly 200 PANTONE WEDDING Colors available from Dessy, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid, social occasion and flower girl dresses, as well as destination wedding gowns under the labels Dessy Collection, After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose Bridesmaid and Sandals Destination Wedding Dresses. PANTONE WEDDING exclusively from Dessy provides a collection of color tools to make it easy for brides to achieve perfectly color-coordinated weddings – from inspiration to “I do.”

Additionally, Turquoise is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE Paints combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints. Perfect for a powder room or bedroom, Turquoise is an evocative, spa-like hue that adds an undertone of warmth and excitement to any cool space. In the kitchen, Turquoise adds a unique flare to tabletop and appliances.

“Splashes of sunshine” is next season’s motto inspired by vibrant hues seen on New York runways.

Lively bright shades: soothing Turquoise, Amparo Blue, romantic Violet, gleaming Aurora yellow and refreshing shades of orange (Fusion Coral) and red (Tomato Purée) add a sense of joy while luxurious but practical neutrals (bubbly Pink Champagne, warm beige Tuscany, the ultimate green Dried Herb and the cool gray Eucalyptus) complement what you already own in your wardrobe.

Statement pieces for spring 2010 from New York designers’ perspective are, among oh so many!, the red cocktail dress (Badgley Mischka), a purple jumpsuit (Catherine Malandrino), a blue jacquard sheath “that can take you from day to evening” (Peter Som) or the drapey tie-front tan leather jacket (Erin Fetherston)

The report also gathers thoughts on the modern consumer’s perception of color in fashion. So, for spring 2010, color will be an important "mood lifter" and a great investment tip offering that unique value that everybody searches for.

A very interesting insight is what Cynthia Steffe's designer Shaun Kearney says: "I think spring is about wanting to be carried away by clothes, finding the fantasy in them, but never leaving the ground. The color palette reflects that in fresh, airy, hopeful colors, grounded by a soft shade of Gray that feels ethereal and practical at the same time". That holds true for the other three neutrals, also, I’d add.

Image source: pantone.com & style.com