NET-A-PORTER Fashion Fix

ARM PARTY

netaporter — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:15:57 +0000

Although Leandra Medine was the one to coin the phrase ‘arm party’, she was far from the first to dip her arms elbow deep into her jewellery box and come out wearing every bracelet she’d ever owned.

American heiress Nancy Cunard was always heard before she was seen due to her elbow-high stack of bangles, and New York style veteran Iris Apfel is rarely seen without her armfuls of jewels.

We think the look works best in summer, when arms are tanned and freckled, and friendship bracelets can mix with festival bands as a living memorial to your summer fun. Bangles with beads, silver with gold, neon with neutrals; the rules are only there to break.

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THE INTERVIEW: BIYAN

netaporter — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:23:43 +0000

Known as the Dries Van Noten of the East, Indonesian designer Biyan Wanaatmadja creates exquisitely detailed pieces that epitomise feminine grace. Launching his exclusive pieces on Net-a-Porter.com, we wanted to know more about what inspires him.

What is the secret to elegance?

For me “Elegance” is something natural that comes from within oneself.

What are your design signatures?

It is about something feminine in a more contemporary way, characterized with handcrafted beadworks and embellishments because I am always drawn to beautiful things, get attracted, and inspired by intricate & traditional handcraftsmanship of the past from Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

What can Western women learn from Indonesian style?

It is always interesting to see how Indonesian women embrace the latest fashion yet at the same time they can still proudly preserve their own traditional heritage in such a graceful manner.

Who is the Biyan woman?

An ageless spirited woman.

Who would you most like to see wearing Biyan?

There are so many beautiful and inspiring women; it would not be fair to name only a few.

Shop Biyan

FIT FOR FASHION: TONED ARMS

netaporter — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:41:30 +0000

Ever seen a bingo wing on the red carpet? No, us neither. Fitness guru Tracy Anderson specialises in toning up stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Richie, and this week she devotes her attention to us mere mortals, showing us the essential exercises we need to firm up those arms and work that racer-back dress to perfection.

Watch more on NET-A-PORTER TV

THE EDIT

netaporter — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:40:27 +0000

Red carpet-watchers rejoice; the Cannes Film Festival has returned. We’re celebrating the glamorous event by dedicating this week’s Issue of THE EDIT to the glamour and decadence of the French Riviera.

And who better to cover the issue than the honey-limbed, posh-pouted, straight-off-a-yacht supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley? We discover her secret to commanding the red carpet (hint, it’s naughtier than you think), find out why she thinks British comedy beats American, and learn of her acting dreams.

Elsewhere in the issue, Christa d’Souza unpicks the secrets to attaining Riviera chic (‘nothing show-off, and yet everything to show off about.’), we find the hotspots that the Cote d’Azur crowd retreat to when they alight from their yachts, and find the essential style staples you’ll need to fit in.

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AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…

netaporter — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:32:51 +0000

Oscar de la Renta knows how to make a woman look and feel a million dollars. Look to the undisputed king of modern glamour for your star turn.

Shop Oscar de la Renta

THE INTERVIEW: ZIMMERMANN

netaporter — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:14:31 +0000

Sydney-based sisters Simone and Nicky Zimmermann started their label from a garage in 1991, when the Australian fashion landscape was still in its nascence, and fashion swimwear was a term that barely even existed.

Now more than two decades later, the style siblings(with Nicky at the helm of design, and Simone at the head of business development) have not only created an internationally recognized swimwear label, but also have a successful ready-to-wear line, a kids label, and a collection of shoes and accessories.

But still the girls found time to create a capsule collection of board shorts exclusively for Net-a-Porter, and to celebrate that we caught up with Nicky to ask her to name her five favourite beaches in the world, and share her beach essentials.

And as someone who practically grew up on the beach, we reckon she’s a pretty solid authority.

My 5 favourite beaches:

1. Palm Beach, Sydney Australia

2. Amoudi Beach, Santorini Greece

3. Grace Bay, Providenciales Turks and Caicos

4. Tamarama Beach, Sydney Australia

5. Tulum, Mexico

My beach essentials:

1. Zimmermann for Net-a-Porter Ribbons Board Shortie

2. Zimmermann Oasis snake print scoop bikini

3. Cutler and Gross oversized sunglasses

4. Valentino studded leather sandal

5. Eugenia Kim Bianca feather-trimmed straw fedora

6. Zimmermann Runaway Broderie Anglaise playsuit

Shop Zimmermann

Monochrome 60s

netaporter — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:01:40 +0000

The catwalks for Spring Summer 2013 presented one distinctive style tribe.

Meet Jane Birkin’s acolytes: micro skirts and gamine shapes, graphic Mod palettes and nonchalant sex appeal.

Now that spring is well and truly underway, it’s time to choose a skirt and mince like a Mod.

Shop 60s

GET THE SKINNY

netaporter — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:55:57 +0000

Longer legs, higher butt, slimmer thighs: the perfect skinny jean is the holy grail of denim, and J Brand has nailed it with the 811 style.

A favourite of celebrities like Miranda Kerr and Charlize Theron, the jean employs some simple mathematics to ensure its perfect proportions. Mid-rise for a hip-hugging fit, ankle length (29”) to finish at your slimmest point, and engineered to perfection out of the finest lightweight American denim.

Simple. But then the best things in life usually are.

Shop J Brand

THE INTERVIEW: VIKA GAZINSKAYA

netaporter — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:49:00 +0000

Vika Gazinskaya has enjoyed a stealth rise to prominence in the fashion world. Her whimsical pieces and couture-like designs are frequently spotted on the street style blogs, both on the backs of her friends, the so-called ‘Russian Pack’, and on the designer herself.

But her extraordinary collections are much more than just street style fodder – they herald a new era of Russian design that has made fashion editors the world over sit up and take notice.

We grabbed a moment with the designer when she came in to show us her collections….

What are your design signatures?

My signatures are: unique “sketch” prints which look hand drawn, bold architectural shapes, complicated cuts, expansive fabrics and “demi couture” quality.

Who or what are your greatest influences?

The designer I am influenced most heavily by would have to be Cristobal Balenciaga – he was a genius. But really I am influenced by everything in life. The whole history of art: from the early beginning to the contemporary. The same with architecture – I am always inspired by the newest buildings and cities. As well as the modern dance ballets etc… I never stop being inspired!

Who is the Vika Gazinskaya woman?

She knows what she wants from life and what she wants to wear and how to look attractive. She is well educated and clever, and romantic at the same time. She isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd and she knows how to say something new to the world!

Can you explain the idea behind your SS13 collection?

I was very inspired by my travels this season – but not by a particular place, more by the cloudscape that I saw out of the window during the many flights I took over the past few months. These clouds patterns were also influenced by the work of a Chinese artist called Cai Guo Qiang, who makes startling images of explosions. The colour palette was borrowed from some amazing photographs of the Icelandic landscape that my friend took while visiting the country.

You are almost as famous for your personal style as you are for your designs. Is this a help or a hindrance to your standing as a designer?

I am sure it was a huge help in getting me recognition outside of Russia. I have had so much support within my own country and I’m very lucky to have influential friends who choose to wear my designs.

What’s next for Vika?

To expand my brand all over the world of course.

Shop Vika Gazinskaya

FELINE FRAMES

netaporter — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:32:55 +0000

The sunglasses shape of the season is the classic cat eye.
From Marilyn Monroe to Jennifer Lawrence, the face-framing shape has glamorized generations of women, and this season it’s back in the spotlight thanks to brands like Miu Miu, Prism, and Tom Ford.

Feline and flattering, wear them with a black leather biker and faded denims to add a flicker of cool to your summer frolicking.

Shop Feline frames

SPOTTED:KERRY WASHINGTON

netaporter — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:22:12 +0000

Kerry Washington is the latest celebrity to join the Mary Katrantzou love-in, with the silk-twill ‘Rodizio’ dress.

Shop Mary Katrnatzou

SPOTTED: JESSICA CHASTAIN

netaporter — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:27:35 +0000

Jessica Chastain ushered spring in early when she wore this Preen by Thornton Bragazzi ‘Odette’ skirt to a photocall for her movie ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ back in December.

But now we can be in bloom just like the actress, as the lightweight cotton jacquard and organza panelled skirt is available on site.

Pair with white accessories and a flushed pink smile for a look that will make everyone around you feel like they’re looking at life through rose-tinted lenses.

Shop Preen by Thornton Bragazzi

THE GAME CHANGER: MONOCHROME BAG

netaporter — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:41:39 +0000

Like the sharp, tessellating shapes found in Bridget Riley’s famed op-art works, Proenza Schouler’s chevron-print bag – inspired by retro record bags – draws the eye and creates an impression of movement. Carry it with a white shirt and jeans for a clean-cut look, or go bold and swing it with a striped dress for high-definition elegance.

Shop Monochrome

MAKEUP MASTERCLASS: STRIKING CHEEKBONES

netaporter — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:57:43 +0000

Always wanted chiselled cheekbones? Us too. Watch make-up guru Charlotte Tilbury show how to fake them with little more than a brush and some powder.

Watch more on NET-A-PORTER TV

MOVIE NIGHT ESSENTIALS

netaporter — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:22:29 +0000

And…ACTION! Evoke all glamour of Hollywood with Charlotte Olympia’s playful evening bags.

What movie will you be watching tonight?

Shop Charlotte Olympia

THE EDIT

netaporter — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:32:45 +0000

Summer’s here; it’s time to get graphic.

Just because the sun is out doesn’t mean you have to wear every colour of the rainbow, all at once. This season we’re channelling Edie Sedgwick’s 60’s monochrome, Coco Chanel’s classic black and white, and we’ve got the smoldering Lucy Liu to model summer’s starkest style statement just to convince you.

Why is monochrome a classic? Because it is flattering, because it always cuts a dash, and because it works with everything in your wardrobe. From Proenza Schouler’s monochrome satchel bag to Cara Delevingne’s graphic eye makeup, we uncover the style essentials needed to pull off the look.

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THE INTERVIEW: MELISSA ODABASH

netaporter — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:47:55 +0000

Melissa Odabash is the secret weapon in every beach babe’s holiday wardrobe. The American ex-model designs swimwear that is cut to perfection, lifting and skimming exactly where you want to, and always packing a punch.

To celebrate the launch of Odabash’s exclusive neon collection for Net-a-Porter we caught up with the designer to quiz her about poolside perfection.

What inspired the collection?

Neon is a huge trend this spring/summer, it was shown at all the fabric shows and on the catwalks so we thought why not bring it back into swimwear.

What are your favorite pieces from the collection and why?

I love the Paris bikini, it is James Bond inspired and is so flattering. The collection is inspired by the 60s and will definitely have heads turning on the beach.

How would you style the swimwear for the ultimate poolside look?

This collection doesn’t need much as the pieces make a statement on their own. I do like the idea of mix and matching neons. My mother always wore hot shorts and dresses in crochet on the beach, it never goes out of style. My signature beach look is a crochet dress over any swimsuit which I would team with a great thick belt, gladiator style sandals and maybe a chunky cuff.

Sum up the Melissa Odabash signature look in 3 words

Timeless, Chic and Confident.

Who is the Melissa Odabash girl?

She is intelligent, stylish, elegant, confident, effortlessly chic and of course well-travelled.

Shop Melissa Odabash

CARA WEARS DOMINIC JONES

netaporter — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:57:33 +0000

Brit model Cara Delevingne nailed the Punk theme at the Met Gala, with a little help from her friend Dominic Jones, whose jewelry is on-site now.

Shop Dominic Jones

MARKUS LUPFER LOVES KATIE HILLIER

netaporter — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:58:50 +0000

We love Markus Lupfer’s delightfully irreverent spangled knitwear and cool separates. And we love accessory designer Katie Hillier’s brilliant approach to design, which masters a mixture of playfulness and cut-glass cool.

So imagine how in love we are when the two designers get together. Lupfer and Hillier have collaborated on a range of sweaters exclusively for Net-a-Porter, which with their cute animal motifs and sprinkling of sequins are guaranteed to raise a smile.

Bumblebees fall in love, squirrels chase a partner and baby deer play on the merino wool sweaters, which will add a dose of tongue-in-chic to your weekend looks this season.

Shop Markus Lupfer

HERO PIECE: THE EMBELLISHED SKIRT

netaporter — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:12:46 +0000

Coloured like an Indian sunset and richly adorned with artisan mirrors and beads, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better summer holiday skirt than this Matthew Williamson beauty.

Perfect with a simple white vest and tan sandals by day, watch it catch the moonlight when you wear it with sky high metallic heels and a tonal raspberry blouse after dark.

Shop Matthew Williamson

HOTHOUSE FLOWERS

netaporter — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:53:04 +0000

Forget ditzy florals and flimsy sprigs: this season’s blooms have been fed an overdose of plant feed. From Jason Wu’s splashy green petals to Marc Jacobs’ boisterous roses, take a walk through the greenhouses for your style inspiration this summer.

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SPOTTED: EMMA STONE

netaporter — Sun, 05 May 2013 14:08:56 +0000

Always a breath of fresh air on the red carpet, the divine Miss Stone nailed it once again when she wore Burberry Prorsum to the CFDA Awards in New York City at the end of last year.

The Spiderman actress chose a forest green sequined Burberry Prorsum skirt which she paired with a midnight blue strapless bustier with peplum detail. Beautiful together, these pieces would work just as well apart. Summer evenings, sorted.

Shop Burberry Prorsum

BEAUTY BREAKTHROUGH: THE PERFECT TAN

netaporter — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:00:10 +0000

With his coveted tanning range now available, read his tips for that perfect golden tan.

JAMES READ’S TANNING TIPS

1. To tan your back, dab a paint roller with self-tan, work over your shoulders down your lower back and around your sides. Do this in front of the mirror for accuracy.

2. If you have made a mistake and have darker self tan all over your knuckles, use a nail file and brush over your hands to remove the excess unwanted tan.

3. If you either want to lighten your tan or remove excess tan… Leave a wet wipe out to dry, then soak in lemon and lime juice for 20 minutes. Then rub over your body.

4. Before you apply self tan on rub an ice cube over the face and front of your legs, this will seal your pores and stop your tan from blocking them.

5. Great trick for applying self tan to the face, dab product onto the forehead, each cheek and then use a big make up brush to work the product around your face, then rub excess in with your fingers.

SUMMER BIKERS

netaporter — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:51:18 +0000

It’s the one piece you always reach for in your wardrobe; the trusty item you slip on over anything from jeans and a t-shirt to slinky silk cocktail dresses. The biker jacket has a special position in the fashion hall of fame; partly due to its endurance, partly due to its versatility, but mostly due to its undisputed cool.

This season, the rebel’s favourite gets an update in all the colors of the rainbow. From electric blue to gecko green, this season’s biker is a powered-up, supercharged version of the classic – and trust us, it’s got mileage.

Shop Summer Bikers

SPOTTED: NINA DOBREV

netaporter — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:23:26 +0000

Nina Dobrev rarely puts a sartorial foot wrong on the red carpet, and this utterly feminine Vera Wang confection ensured she continued that run at ELLE’s 19th Women in Hollywood celebration in Hollywood.

A delicate confection of striking electric blue lace overlaid with Chantilly lace in an alluring shade of midnight blue, the dress’s simple lines make it an undisputed classic.

Shop Vera Wang

SHORT STORY

netaporter — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:38:20 +0000

It’s that time of year when, inch by inch, you start revealing your pale wintry flesh. It’s a terrifying prospect for most (even when armed with the best of James Read gradual tanners). But those who wish to make the transition less painful should look no further than the cropped trouser.

A deft stroke of sartorial genius, whoever invented the cropped trouser should take a bow. They show off the slimmest part of your leg (the ankle). They show off your shoes (pumps now, sandals in summer). They look just as good with a fisherman sweater as they do with a slinky silk singlet.

What’s not to love?

Slip your pins into a cropped trouser now and we guarantee you’ll still be wearing them when the leaves start to fall.

You’re welcome.

Shop cropped pants

THE EDIT

netaporter — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:54:39 +0000

What happens when the flower child grows up? In the case of supermodel Angela Lindvall and designer Isabel Marant, they blossom into beautiful bohemians, with an ‘earth mother’ approach to life and a laidback luxe approach to style.

With festival season finally here and haute hippy all over the runways, we’ve dedicated this week’s issue of THE EDIT to Boho Luxe. From Talitha Getty to natural skincare via Christa d’Souza’s upscale take on how to do festivals in style, we’ve come over all louche, lovely and a little bit ‘I’m with the band.’

Shop the look

THE INTERVIEW: PAIGE ADAMS-GELLER

netaporter — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:51:17 +0000

Paige Adams-Geller came to the denim industry not from a design background, but as a fit model. She’d worked with every jeans label and every type of fit, and wanted to bring a female perspective to a largely male-dominated industry.

So in 2004 she launched her label, with an aim to making jeans that not only fit perfectly, but that were focused on the fashion choices that a woman makes on a daily basis.

What began as a cult favourite – a whispered secret amongst women who discovered the butt-enhancing properties of every pair of Paige jeans – has grown into an internationally coveted denim label. Now available for the first time on Net-a-Porter, we’ve launched with four exclusive styles that we know you’re going to love.

But first we had to ask the expert…

Name the three styles of jeans that every woman should own.

Every woman should own a black fashion jean (our Hoxton in Black Silk is a versatile and chic piece), a dark skinny jean and an ankle peg in a vintage wash.

Your three denim icons.

Jane Birkin, Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss.

The three styles you’re most excited about this summer.

The styles I’m most excited about this summer are classic denim pieces made in luxurious and soft fabrics. Our Indio Zip jean in white is a soft, bright white jean with edgy front zippers. I also love the Kadie shirt – our ultra soft chambray shirt is a classic piece that is perfect over sundresses and printed denim. My final favorite is the Verdugo Ankle Zip in Benny – its become a huge celebrity favorite. I have been so inspired by the way Jessica Biel, Olivia Palermo and more have worn the style.

Three denim trends you wish had never happened.

The three denim trends I wish had never happened are denim onsies, denim with Elastic waist bands and the Brazilian denim g string attached to the jeans.

The one style you find yourself going back to time and again.

I always go back to my Edgemont Ultra skinnies. My personal style tends to be feminine so I like mixing it up with the edgy zippers.

Shop Paige

BOY MEETS GIRL

netaporter — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:24:20 +0000

How are you feeling today? Girlishly romantic or boyishly cool? Band of Outsiders has merged its Girl. And Boy. Lines to make sure you can have the best of both worlds. From silken bombers to light-as-air summer dresses and from softly tailored separates to the perfect leather skirt, Band of Outsiders’ Scott Sternberg brings together the key elements from each line to create one collection of delightfully androgynous classics.

Shop Band of Outsiders

CITY VS BEACH

netaporter — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:23:16 +0000

Whether you’re a city-break slicker or a sun-chasing beach bum, these essentials will help you master the art of getaway packing.

Shop your holiday essentials