Color Berlin

Matthias Heiderich is a Berlin based self-taught photographer who takes the most wonderful of photos! I can't stop staring at his ethereal but compositionally graphic images. The first thing that came to mind, is what wonderful album art these would make. After much stalking of his flickr albums, I found out that he has indeed collaborated with some bands.

To me a lot of his work visually evokes the same mood as the film Gattaca...the contradiction of retro and futuristic (although with brighter color). There's also a 70's vibe resonating through his work....

My favorite of his photographic series are the Color Berlin ones!

Stills from the 1997 film Gattaca

They are so many great photos, and are even better when viewed at actual size. It was hard for me to select a few ;D.

Urban Tribe

Proenza Schouler is the top label in my New York chart from the AW11-12 fashion week season. The designer duo always manage to astound me with their incredibly beautiful and directional, yet wearable collections. This time has been no different. They were inspired by Native American culture, but nothing in the collection was a cliche. Infact if they hadn't disclosed their inpiration, I would have never guessed.

Their AW 11-12 collection was texture rich... featuring a variety of bold fabric choices including jaquard, leather and velvet. Black as the only neutral added the right cosmopolitan balance to the otherwise vivid color palette. 

My favorite piece is this chevron velvet dress in an ideal midi length. The simplicity of it's cut coupled with brilliantly manipulated velvet is just perfect! 

Chevron velvet peg leg trousers & Chevron velvet midi dress

A lot of my other choice looks were also in velvet....its the first time I've seen the fabric used in such a creative and modern way; that despite the bright colors, makes the pieces timeless. I'm swooning over the devore detail on these velvet dresses:

More velvet dresses!

Devore (burn-out) detail

The experimentation in peek-a-bo cut-outs added dimensional depth to the collection.

Peek-a-bo

LEATHER! A material that has been featuring on a lot of catwalks for AW11-12, was used in such a wonderful and 'easy' way. Black leather definitely added an urban edge to the collection. Love the leather T-shirts, and especially love it used as binding on this half-peplum shaped dress.

Leather T with vivid separates, Peplumish dress, Close-up of leather binding detail

I can't wait to see how high-street retailers translate this collection for us common folk! :D

Par Avion

I stumbled upon  the Rodarte for Opening Ceremony collection (figuratively speaking of-course) a couple of weeks ago. Its a unique collaboration as most tend to be designers/celebrities for high-street brands.I have to wonder what the business strategy behind it was...

Nevertheless, Rodarte is a fashionista favorite and Opening Ceremony has cult status that one could only dream of achieving; so the results are bound to be brilliant.

I wasn't blown away by the clothing in the collection, but absolutely adore this envelope purse. All the subtle design features, in particular the stamp detailing makes it a winner! I also think it would look super cool sans strap, worn as a clutch! 

Rodarte for Opening Ceremony -  Envelope Purse in 'sand'

Stamp Detail

Print Maximizer

I love print as a design tool, and any ingenius way of using it has me ooohhhing and aaahhhing!

Mary Katrantzou has to be my favorite designer at the moment, for this very reason. She continues to do what she does best: pushing the boundaries of print. I was obsessed with her SS11 collection and this fashion week season; her's is THE collection I have been dying to see! 

Mary Katrantzou - SS11 via style.com

Mary Katrantzou - AW11/12 via style.com

Silhouettes from AW11/12 echo those of SS11, but have a more commercial appeal. Print however has taken a different turn; with a decorative feel this season, as compared to the graphic trompe l'oeil elements of spring's collection.

I'm still partial to Katrantzou's previous collection, but I am eager to see what this digital print mastermind comes up with next!

Touch of Quirk

I've never gravitated towards overly girly fashion. This means I scarcely wear pink, or excess amounts of frills and ruffles. Yes, this Dahlia dress is pink (albeit a lovely shade), and a very 'sweet' silhouette. But the unexpected quirky details such as the topstitching on the peter pan collar and the addition of militaryesque buttons on Georgette fabric has me coveting this dress! Just the kind of design I love.

Dahlia - Topstitch Collar Tea Dress

Dahlia is a British label that has grown in prominence over the years, memorable for its playful dresses often with a touch of vintage inspired quirk. I first came across the brand as a concession at Topshop's flagship store while at Uni in London.

Visit http://www.dahliafashion.co.uk for more!