Designer Label Fashion

Stella McCartney is best for Summer 09 nautical prints. We’ve lusted after the nautical silk shift dress, chucked our handbag clutter into the nautical print bag, gone retro with the nautical print one piece swimsuit, dieted into the nautical bikini, and channelled ladylike chic with the nautical print silk blouse. (Obviously not all at once. That would just look stupid.) Well say hello to… the Stella McCartney nautical jumpsuit!

This gorgeous and relaxed Stella McCartney nautical jumpsuit, £775 at MyTheresa (actually called the Stella McCartney marine print romper) has a casual loose fit with large pockets, a round neck and button front. The jumpsuit has a stunning nautical print of boats, seagulls and anchors and is 100% silk.

Browse Stella McCartney at MyTheresa, Browns Fashion or Matches Fashion.

Luxury designer fashion and lifestyle site Couture Lab has a new exclusive range from Isabel Toledo in now. Isabel Toledo designed the gorgeous gold brocade outfit Michelle Obama wore to her husband’s inauguration ceremony last week. Browse the Isabel Toledo exclusive range at Couture Lab now.

My favourite is this stunning Isabel Toledo Saphhire Wrap Dress is made of jacquard silk in blue and gold. With short sleeves, a wide collar and a tie-belt, the sleeves also feature a volume-adding longer layer of gold and purple jacquard silk. This Isabel Toledo for Couture Lab blue and gold wrap dress is £2,280.

It’s a lot of money, but this Osabel Toledo dress does combine classic design with wow factor so it definitely counts as an investment piece - the blue and gold jacquard silk is gorgeous. (I love the material so much I’d be tempted to go back and ask for some matching cushions and a pair of curtains.)

Who is Isabel Toledo? A Cuban born designer,  Isabel Toledo is renowned for the cutting and construction of her designs. In 2008 she received The Couture Council Artistry of Fashion Award, and is only the third fashion designer to receive it (previous recipients include Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz).

The new First Lady Michelle Obama surprised and pleased plenty of fashion journalists with her choice of outfit for her husband’s inuaguration - a gold embossed coat and shift dress.

The coat and shift dress are by the Cuban-born designer Isabel Toledo, a designer who is considered quite avant garde. Sher works with her husband, a sculptor, focusing on cut and construction rather than trends.

In the UK the luxury fashion and lifestyle site Couture Lab, currently have a couple of pieces by Isabel Toledo available to buy, which you can see here - her new collection is expected at Couture Lab soon. (We’ll blog about the new Isabel Toledo collection when it arrives.)

If you’re looking for a dress in a similar style to Michelle Obama’s check out this gorgeous bright yellow sleeveless jewelled dress by Lanvin. With glass and plastic beading and strands of silver toned beads, this yellow Lanvin sleeveless jewelled dress is €2,439 at MyTheresa.

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Apparently Michelle Obama also had a cardigan on, though I expect she was still freezing. (That would be the hardest part for me. I could have sat shivering through his fabulous speech. In fact I did sit shivering through his fabulous speech, as our central heating had gone off. But once they got to the inauguration poem I would have been shrieking for a hot water bottle and a big cashmere blanket. Then again, I’m not really into poems.)

So keep warm in your shift dress with a cosy cashmere round neck cardigan from cashmere specialists Denner Cashmere. This cashmere cardigan is available in a range of colours  - primrose yellow cashmere cardigan is currently £73, reduced from £97, in the Denner Cashmere sale.

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Finally, did anyone else notice those gorgeous pale green leather gloves Michelle Obama was wearing? I love coloured leather gloves, they always look so chic. And you get to shop more as you need different colours for different outfits. There is a fantastic range of coloured leather gloves at the Anedoti boutique - including this beautiful pair of green leather silk lined leather gloves, below, for £42.50.

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By the way, we know Michelle Obama is a hot shot lawyer and not just a fashion plate. And we’d have blogged about Barack’s outfit too, only there’s not much to say about a well cut suit and a long coat, lovely though they were.

Designer label Miu Miu has unveiled its latest campaign, starring actress Katie Holmes - with the actress apparently portraying a “luminous icon radiating a sense of mystery and theatricality”. Her involvement with the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 09 campaign was announced last year. Previous Miu Miu campaign stars include actresses Vanessa Paradis and Kirsten Dunst.

Miu Miu is the “little sister” diffusion brand from Prada (the name Miu Miu comes from Miuccia Prada’s nickname) - Miu Miu’s design aim is to be younger and edgier than the main Prada label.

Browse Miu Miu at Matches Fashion.

Bottega Veneta bags, clutches and purses fall into the “classics from the day they’re made” designer handbag category. With their intricate, beautifully constructed woven leather, Bottega Veneta handbags, clutches and small purses will add class to any outfit for years to come.

And with such craftsmanship often comes a designer price tag! It’s true a Bottega Veneta bag is an investment piece - but you can also buy yourself a small bit of Bottega Veneta magic for under £200.

See below for four bags and purses from new season Bottega Veneta at high, medium and low (that’s designer-low) prices, from £1,600 down to £160 - from on-trend brights to classic black.

Or browse the full Bottega Veneta range including bags, shoes, clothes, bikinis and accessories.

A sweet but eye-catching woven Bottega Veneta purse with a zip, in one of this season’s brights. 100% silk. This woven silk satin purse is also available in turquoise and both are £160 from Matches. Orange silk satin woven Bottega Veneta zip purse.

A true classic - a black silk woven Bottega Veneta purse with gold metal zip closure. 100% silk, this pretty little 6″ by 4″ black woven silk purse is only £200 from Matches. Black silk woven Bottega Veneta zip purse.

This stunning bright turquoise purse from Bottega Veneta is 100% silk and has a lovely silver twist knot clasp. (This Bottega Veneta purse is also available in a stunning Taupe version). This silk satin woven Bottega Veneta purse is £615 at Matches. Turquoise silk satin woven Bottega Veneta case purse with silver twist knot clasp.

A beautiful and intricately woven cobalt blue Bottega Veneta evening clutch with twist knot clasp. 100% snakeskin. This snakeskin Bottega veneta clutch is £1,600 at Matches. Cobalt blue snakeskin Bottega Veneta evening clutch.

One of our favourite designer handbag sale bargains is this Marc by Marc Jacobs brown leather saddlebag. (Its official name is the Marc by Marc Jacobs Lock It Up Camille bag.) It is now reduced from €495 to €249 in the myTheresa designer handbag sale

Classic brown leather bags, smaller saddle bags and satchel type bags are always on trend, and this Marc by Marc Jacobs designer handbag is a great example:

• brown leather and chocolate brown bag
• gold toned hardware including snap lock detail
• single handle
• pink patterned lining in cotton twill
• pockets including a zipped pocket
• width 45cm/ height 32cm/ depth 6cm
• handle drop approx 16cm

This Marc by Marc Jacobs brown leather handbag is only €249, reduced from €495.

It is available from MyTheresa. MyTheresa is a German designer fashion site that ships to designer fashion fans internationally - and the website is in English. You can return products for FREE too.

• Browse Marc by Marc Jacobs and Marc Jacobs at MyTheresa.
• Browse the MyTheresa designer handbags section.
• Browse the MyTheresa designer handbags sale section.
• Visit MyTheresa for designer fashion.

Love your Uggs? There’s a report in The Telegraph today saying that one of the leading importers of Ugg boots into the UK, women’s shoe and boot retailer Kate Kuba, has gone into administration. And there are fears that this might mean a shortage of Ugg boots and other styles of Uggs in the UK.

But don’t panic, Ugg lovers, as luckily Ugg boots are still available at Kurt Geiger - short Uggs, tall classic Uggs, animal print Uggs,  silver Uggs, Ugg shoes and even an Ugg aftercare kit.

See below for some of our favourite Ugg boots from Kurt Geiger, or you can:

• View all Uggs in the Ugg section on the Kurt Geiger website.
• Browse the whole Kurt Geiger website for designer boots and shoes.

This short Ugg boot in tan would look great with jeans or loungewear. it has a sheepskin upper and a sheepskin lining, and a rubber sole. £175 from Kurt Geiger. Short Ugg boot in Tan from Kurt Geiger.

This tall black Ugg boot is a three-quarter length boot. These Ugg boots have a sheepskin upper, sheepskin lining and a rubber sole. These Uggs also have raw seams. £200 from Kurt Geiger. Tall black Ugg boots from Kurt Geiger.

Metallics continue to be big news for 2009 and these cute gold Uggs in the short classic Ugg boot style are only £160 from Kurt Geiger. These Uggs have a leather lining, leater upper and syntetic sole. Short classic gold metallic Ugg boots from Kurt Geiger. Also available as a metallic Silver Ugg boot.

Uggs and Ugg boots - what are they?

Ugg boots were traditionally sheepskin (and sheepskin lined) boots worn by Australian sheep shearers. Ugg is the brand name so when you buy an Ugg boot or an Ugg shoe you can be sure it is a genuine Ugg. Ugg have expanded the range to include different types of Ugg boot, Ugg shoes and other types of Ugg - but they also continue to make the ever-popular sheepskin short Ugg boot and tall Ugg boot, in colours including tan, cream, brown and black.

I love Uggs and Ugg boots - mainly because they are one of those fashions that were very on trend, and  then some fashionistas tried to declare that Uggs were like, so over. Sadly for them no-one (including Kate Moss) listened, and Uggs have gone from strength to strength.

So keep wearing your Ugg boots, particularly in the sub zero temperatures we are now enjoying. You don’t have to be an Australian sheep shearer to wear Uggs any more than you have to be in the Russian army to wear a military style coat.

Read our article about Kurt Geiger.

One-shoulder and asymmetric tops and dresses emerged on the designer catwalks and runways a couple of seasons ago but are set to really take off this year.

This asymmetric and one-shoulder trend is good news for everyone over 35 who has been waiting for the end of all that midriff and leg exposure - with one shoulder sticking out, you’ll still be cold, but at least you’ll be decent.

A really eye-catching Missoni asymmetric top with a gorgeous print of salmon, russet, blue and pale orange. The frill down the side adds a lovely extra detail. This one shoulder Missoni top is £628 at Matches Fashion. Missoni asymmetric top with frill and bright print. Or view more Missoni designer fashion.

A stunningly elegant black silk one shoulder dress from Stella McCartney.  This asymmetric dress is 100% silk and is £695 from Stella McCartney at Matches Fashion. Stella McCartney black silk one shoulder dress. Or view more Stella McCartney designer fashion.

This elegant Yeojin Bae mini dress is 100% silk and is pale pink with a modern blue leaf print. It says it it is a mini dress but to me it’s a very nice top. This asymmetric one shoulder design is only £378 from Matches Fashion. Yeojin Bae pink silk blue leaf print mini dress. Or view more Yeojin Bae designer fashion.

The Kurt Geiger shoe and boot sale has got even better - now you can get discounts of up to 65% on famous designer name brands including Chloe, Stuart Weitzman, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Gina, Kurt Geiger, Carvela and more.

The Marc Jacobs Tooley court shoe in nude is now only £85 - reduced from £285!

And these stunning Chloe Metre black classic court shoes have 50% off, reduced from £310 to £155.

I have updated my previous post about the Kurt Geiger sale, or go straight to Kurt Geiger to see these big designer shoe and boot discounts.

Or read our article about Kurt Geiger.

Prints remain on-trend for 2009 and there are some gorgeous prints in the Cruise and Spring 09 collections, which make a change from colour-block dresses and endless black. Whether you’re after a funky graphic print, a ladylike floral print or a retro 1970s print, there is a designer fashion print for you from designer names including Missoni, Paul & Joe, See by Chloe, Stella McCartney and Boudicca.

See my choices below, or for more designer prints, check out the new season and cruise collections at My Wardrobe, Matches Fashion, and MyTheresa.

This bias cut, scarf-type retro print top (below) is one of my favourite pieces from the latest Diane von Furstenberg collection.

It would look great with jeans and coloured flats, or white trousers and gold wedges. 100% silk, it has a 1970s summer vibe, especially with the rope straps (though with those straps I wouldn’t want to accessorise with sunburnt shoulders - ouch). Only £209 from Matches Fashion. Diane von Furstenberg scarf top with retro print. Or view more Diane Von Furstenberg.

A frilled blouse with a bit more oomph, this lovely fitted top has short sleeves and a fresh blue floral print that conrasts with the one-sided ruffles. By the fashion label Boudicca, this ruffle print blouse costs £678 at Matches Fashion. Boudicca one sided ruffle front shirt with blue and white print. Or view more Boudicca fashions.

Wow, this eye-catching See by Chloe multicoloured floral print waffle shirt dress will get you in the mood for summer. 100% cotton, it has front box pleats and a back zip. This lovely print dress is £374 at My Wardrobe. See by Chloe floral print waffle shirt dress. Or view more See by Chloe.

This stunning printed silk dress (below) from new season Paul and Joe has an unusual brightly coloured (red, yellow, blue and green) fish and seabed print on a luxurious champagne-coloured background.

The printed dress is 100% silk, with balloon sleeves and a plunging neckline (my Wardrobe suggest Spanx as a solution!). This printed Paul and Joe dress has a kimono-esque quality to me, and Japanese influences are big news for the coming season. £607 from My Wardrobe. Paul and Joe Prunell fish print silk dress. Or view more Paul & Joe, or Paul & Joe Sister.

I love this Missoni graphic print knitted wrap sarong skirt. it makes a change from the usual Missoni knitted print cardigan / dress / bikini and at only €249 at MyTheresa it won’t break the bank. (MyTheresa are German and price in Euros but the site is in English and they ship worldwide). Missoni graphic print knitted wrap skirt at MyTheresa. Or view more Missoni.

I have blogged about this nautical print Stella McCartney silk shift dress before but it is so pretty I thought I would again. With a boats and seagulls print on a blue background, this seaside silk print dress is £565 at Matches Fashion. Stella McCartney silk nautical seaside print shift dress. Or view more Stella McCartney.

A pretty pink floral dress that manages to be cute and Spring-like, and a bit edgy at the same time - by Diane von Furstenberg. This embellished print dress has appliqued roses and straps that cross over at the back. £560 at the DvF shop on Matches Fashion. Diane von Furstenberg pink floral print dress with appliqued roses. Or view more Diane Von Furstenberg.