Spring Clean

Well would you look! Since setting up this blog at the beginning of July last year, I have maintained the same header, footer and colour scheme. But then.... spring came and I felt the need for a spring clean. I have ditched the serious black and dramatic hot pink in favour of pretty pastels and poor Twiggy is no longer all alone up there as header for this time she is joined with a host of other icons. So readers, I hope you like.

Love

Kat x

PS. Thanks to Fashion Ivy for this image which I think suits She's in Vogue's girlish new look.

Also please bear with the pictures from my previous posts as they have black backgrounds and hot pink writing and clearly do not coordinate with all this sweetness.

Ballet Shoes

This spring I am simply drooling over the sugary pinks, snowy whites and gauzy chiffon that drifted down this season's runways. Short, fairy - like dresses of dreamy, ethereal shades and delicate, fabrics of chiffon, lace and feather trims whispers of the girlish fragility of ballet dancers and the graceful daintiness of the intricate art of ballet. At the mention of ballet I think of the exquisite costumes of glistening gossamer - like fabrics and the clouds of pastel tulle, the porcelain elegance and the ageless beauty of the ballerinas as well as the highly skilled practice that is ballet. Of course, along with these rather obvious associations, the work of Degas always comes to mind too.

Much of Degas' work celebrates movement and must famously the movement of ballet. His snapshots of chalky pastel ballet scenes capture the vitality of ballet dance as well as the angelic youthfulness of the ballerinas. The blurred texture, the soft, blooming tutus so sumptuous in artistic detail one could almost touch the layers and layers of fabric and the colours - rosy blushes, creamy whites, bursts of blue and green, ripe peaches, corals and dappled yellows winking in the theatre lights.

Just a couple of Degas' many, many ballet studies

To translate this grace of movement and fairy - ballerina twinkle into your wardrobe, think soft, delicate and dream - like as the buzz words, flimsy fabrics and feminine details of gentle frills and sparkling silver embellishments. Nothing most be overpowering but there most be an other worldly element and a doll - like youthful charm.

Michelle Williams in a the Vogue's April edition. I just adore this picture, it is the epitome of doll - like dreaminess! The lace, delicate colours and that magnificent, 'fit - for - a princess' hair piece makes it the perfect mood board image for this post. Michelle is the perfect blend of pixie and ballerina.

The mellow pink - tinged coral of Keira's dress and Audrey's romantic ballerina dress show how glamorous ballet - chic can be.

Alexa Chung strikes a ballerina pose in this gorgeous, girly crochet mini dress.

Chanel Haute Couture s/s 08 is exactly what this post is about. The fairytale beauty, icy whites, blushing pink, glinting hair pieces, the youthful white tights and of course the ballet slippers. I find this collection particularly enthralling as it is almost childlike in it's dollish details and proportions. The detail in the dresses is equally fascinating - feathers, beading, sequins, frills, tufts of fabric sprouting like snowy flowers; just beautiful. Indeed, the immense detail that the dresses consist of mirrors the painstaking precision of ballet dance.

I love these tutu type dresses at Miu Miu. Young and frivolous but ever so ballerina.

At Daks ballet dresses feature but this time with a more sophisticated silhouette. The colours are subtle but feminine and gorgeous ruffles add an element of flamboyance.

There is something in these light summer dresses that remind me of ballet. The simple colours and girly pink stitching make them wonderfully fairy - like too.

Of course Luella translates the ballet vibe into something frightfully cool. The sugar pink velvet tiers of these dresses have been occupying my dreams for some time now.

I love these silver, diaphanous dresses at Erin Fetherston. Swan lake meets otherworldly creature.
Victor and Rolf''s s/s show was all about harlequins but somehow these dresses have a balletic feel. The glittery pink is floaty and fairy - ish whilst the white tiered dress reminds me of a ballerina's tutu. Possibly my favourite collection this season was John Galliano. Overall the collection was inspired by 20's flapperdom meets painted doll but some of the pieces although not strictly ballet still had that sugary sweetness and ballerina elegance. This look particularly caught my eye with it's layers of soft rose chiffon.

Audrey wears an elegant ballet bun whilst dazzling hair pieces adorned the somewhat haughty hair dos at Chanel.

The make - up at Victor and Rolf was romantic with glistening rosy gloss and porcelain skin, perfect for balletic chic. Meanwhile at Chanel the make - up had a more snow - queen feel with misty ice - blue shadows. The snow - queen feel continued with intricate crystal tiaras.

Ballet slippers graced the Chanel Haute Couture show with a dollish daintiness. Gorgeous flats of satin embellished with pearls and twinkling sequins pirouetted down the runway.

Blue Blooded Drama

Although I possess little desire to actually see Scarlett Johansson's and Natalie Portman's latest offering, The Other Boleyn Girl, I can't help but be inspired by the rich, sumptuous fabrics and the wonderfully elaborate dresses. Much of the promotional material feature the image of Portman wearing a voluminous emerald green gown. I often find that emerald green is just one colour that is impossible to rid from one's memory. Indeed, just look what happened to Keira Knightley's Atonement dress, perhaps the defining moment of her career so far. I doubt Portman's gown will spark such attention as it is no where near sensational. Needless to say there is something in the thick, regal - coloured fabrics that has me pining for theatrical clothing.

I love the idea of wearing a hearpiece like these ones!

Stills from the Other Boleyn Girl. It's not that the costumes are exceptional it's more the type of lifestyle I envision when I see such dresses. I do love the heavy layers and the dark, luxurious colours though.

The dramatic shades and heavy, embossed textures makes me think of haute couture, all the extravagant excess of high fashion. The theatre and drama features heavily in the grandiose world of haute couture and this season's collection are no different. With The Other Boleyn Girl in mind, I was amazed to see the strong influence from that period on many of the haute couture runways. Lavish details around the collar and sleeves, frills, tiers and bows create a wonderfully majestic grandeur at the haute couture s/s '08 shows. The flamboyant colours are showstopping especially at Dior and the mixtures in luxurius fabrics and avant garde shapes make me wish I was one of those ladies who spend their days gliding about lonely, fairytale mansions in splendid haute couture.

Christian Lacroix s/s 08 haute couture has a strong Henry VIII influence. The tiers, frills, heavy fabrics and richly detailed necklines and loose sleeves create a sumptuous, regal atmosphere.

Meanwhile at Givency, the Henry VIII undertones are far softer. Mostly dusty, soft shades and flowing, goddess skirts combined with wonderfully dramatic concertina - fussy, frilled collars and sleeves.Haute Couture at Dior is always theatrical, The vibrant shades and striking structures are deliciously rich and boisterous.

These Versace gowns are just sinfully seductive. The striking back details and sinuous fabrics are fit for any princess.

Some richly detailed summer dresses. I love the vivid colours and the intricate detailing.

Spring Swish

This spring I couldn't be happier that the dirndl shaped skirt is everywhere. The swishy skirt is the reason we all the love the 50s as a fashion era. Voluminous, feminine and so much fun to wear, the dirndl skirt is this spring's must have. Wear it knee length for that feminine 50's look or short and playful for a more youthful, girly look. Clinch the waist and wear with your cutest 50's pumps.

50's starlet Grace Kelly exudes femininity in her enormous dirndl skirt whereas Carrie makes a bold but playful statement in her polka dot, dirndl skirt.

Brigitte and Peaches both wear shorter swishy skirts. The frilled layers create a fun, girly feel.

Alexa stole the show at the Elle style awards in this romantic Luella, dirndl - skirted number. Honestly I am in love with this dress! Of course Audrey is the picture of grace and elegance in her black dirndl dress.

I love Audrey's outfit from Roman Holiday as she shows how a dirndl skirt can be worn for everyday just as much as a special occasion. Scarlett brings the dirndl skirt right up to the minute in her voluminous, rich purple dress.

I love how these two girls from Facehunter where their dirndl skirt in such fun, fashion forward ways. Still feminine but just screaming with personality.

Dolce and Gabbana's dirndl skirts are my favourite this season. I love the thick fabric and clinched waists.

Donna Karen goes for 50's summer chic with her elegant full skirted dresses.

At Gucci the dirndl is mixed with a bit of rock chick edge for an exciting contrast. I love the combination of full skirt and fitted jacket.

Meanwhile at Karl Lagerfeld, the dirndl skirt gets a fun, youthful new lease of life.