Designer Label Fashion

I love cardigans. And I love Jess Cartner Morley in The Guardian, particularly as today she’s showing us on video how to wear cardigans (warning - it’s more complicated than you think), particuarly the Michelle Obama way (which means bright colours, belted).

If you thought cardigans were only for keeping out the chill on that post-pub walk home on a summer night, think again (that’s what boyfriends’ jackets are for, or a taxi).

So follow Jess’s advice with your cardigans and belt them, add some colour with them, stick a ruffled blouse underneath, and who knows, as well as looking on-trend and gorgeous you might also do a Michelle O and snaffle the next saviour of the world.

Once you’ve watched Jess’s masterclass why not browse the Matches knitwear section here to stock up on cardigans - from Theory, Yves Saint Laurent, Diane von Furstenberg, Chloe and more.

Or check out my favourite, below.
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My Wardrobe, the online designer fashion boutique, is promoting its Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Collection - a capsule wardrobe of gorgeous designer fashion from designers including By Malene Birger, Nudie Jeans and handbag designer Lulu Guinness. There are six gorgeous pieces in the collection, and My Wardrobe are giving 30% of all sales from that page to the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer charity. Check out our favourite pieces from the collection, below, or browse the whole collection.

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The £1,000+ Balmain biker jeans are the talk of the fashion press, with a waiting list at offline boutiques. But there’s no need to sharpen your fashionista elbows ready for the crush as you can buy Balmain biker jeans online.

Balmain white cotton biker jeans with zips at the ankle, at MyTheresa. The biker jeans also have zipped pockets front and back, and ribbed biker detailing. These Balmain white biker jeans cost €1,459. 98% cotton, 2% elastane.  (MyTheresa is an English-language European designer fashion site shipping worldwide, with free returns).

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A pair of black motorcycle style skinny jeans from Balmain, available from Browns Fashion for £1,060. With zip pockets and ribbed panels on the knees and waist, these black Balmain skinny motorcycle jeans also have zips on the inside of each ankle. 98% cotton, 2% elastane and dry clean only.

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These eye-catching Balmain biker jeans in a red snakeskin print are now reduced, with 40% off. These Balmain snake skin print biker jeans are now only €1,379 at MyTheresa, previously they were €2,298. With a black snakeskin print on red, plus a red, silver and crystal snake on the thigh, with zips at the ankles and on the pockets. 98% Cotton, 2% Polyurethane, and dry clean only.

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These leather Balmain biker trousers aren’t jeans, but the skinny fit and stretch lamb leather are sure to bring out the rocker in you. Like the other Balmain biker jeans these leather biker trousers have zipped pockets front and back, and zips on the inside of the ankle.  These Balmain leather stretch skinny biker trsousers are €3,219 from MyTheresa.

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Are the £1000-plus Balmain biker jeans worth it? Well, Balmain has been the fashion crowd’s label of choice since Christophe Decarnin took over as head designer in 2005.

So:

• Check out more Balmain fashion and Balmain shoes at Browns Fashion.
• Browse Balmain designer clothes and shoes at MyTheresa.

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.

Karl Lagerfeld says the recession has killed bling. Elsewhere we’re told to go for luxe not lustre: toning down the glitter and big labels, focussing on subtlety and cut.

I see no reason why craftsmanship and sparkle can’t mix (see the Swarovski crystal evening bag, below). Classic doesn’t just mean smart neutrals.

A very sparkly Power Silver Shade Evening Bag from Swarovski. Crystal Mesh with a removable rhodium-plated snake chain handle. Swarovski crystal evening bag, £548 at Swarovski.	This elegant Bottega Veneta clutch bag is an instant classic - it is made of navy python skin and has a classic clutch design with a magnetic closure. Bottega Veneta python clutch bag, £975 at Matches Fashion.

And while I can understand the appeal of the understated (like the simple but stunning Bottega Veneta python clutch, above), we could easily spend as much as before (no-logo luxe may be chic but it isn’t cheap). And (horror), what if nobody notices? Do we bring out the bling again, or ditch our not-so-fashionista-as-we-thought friends? (or educate them with the gift of Vogue…)

I love a perfectly formed classic Bottega Veneta bag or pair of shoes, but I also love a bit of sparkly Swarovski crystal. So wear that metallic pink Marc Jacobs handbag, the Swarovski crystal jewellery, or the pearl-studded designer shoes - though perhaps not all at once.

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.

Victoria Beckham has been spotted with her Christmas present from Becks - an £80,000 Hermes Birkin Himalayan handbag, decorated with hundreds of diamonds.

Apparently there are only three of these diamond-studded Himalayan Birkins in the world, but considering the circles Posh and Becks move in, it wouldn’t surprise me if all three lucky owners turned out at the same charidee do sporting their diamond encrusted bags. (Oh. My. God. Imagine the shame.)

Her diamond Birkin costs £10k more than a flat for sale in her Essex home town.

Anyway I couldn’t find a Hermes Birkin Himalayan to buy online (I wonder why) but I have found a couple of gorgeous totes in neutral colours but still with a bit of edgy pizazz, that will go with most things in your wardrobe this season.

Both tote bags are by MiuMiu (Prada’s edgier diffusion label) from designer fashion site MyTheresa - a European designer fashion site that sells in Euros but has an English website and ships worldwide.

There are FREE returns too - in case you buy a MiuMiu tote only to find your loved one presenting you with one of the other two Hermes Birkin Himalayan diamond-encrusted bags in the world (I think of everything, don’t I).

This MiuMiu Matelasse Lux tote bag, fumo-coloured, with pewter-coloured hardware, is made of ruched leather and has a double top handle.  The shoulder strap is removable, and this MiuMiu tote has a chocolate satin lining. €970 from MyTheresa.

A talc-coloured leather tote bag by Miu Miu with bows on each end. This Miu Miu tote comes with gold coloured hardware and a satin twill lining. €790 from MyTheresa.

I can understand the difficulties Becks has when deciding what to get his wife for Christmas or a birthday - my husband had the same problem last December, but he solved it with a mahoosive bottle of Acqua di Palma Iris Nobile eau de toilette from Space NK and some girls-night-in DVDs. Not so extravagant, but with the housing market the way it is, I am fully expecting those presents to be worth more than my house any day soon too. (I just KNEW Posh and I had lots in common.)

Subscribe to Harpers Bazaar magazine now for only £15 for the year - and enjoy some high fashion and luxury without moving off the sofa.

The yearly cover cost of Harpers Bazaar is £45.60 - so subscribe to Harpers and enjoy a discount of £30.60 (and with that saved £30 you’re over 20% of the way treating yourself to these heavily-reduced Alexander McQueen khaki and brown leather peep toe shoes with 5″ heels…)

Harpers Bazaar is aimed at the discerning & sophisticated woman. (That’s you, right?). So if you enjoy intelligent features & articles on top designer fashion & beauty trends:

And when you subscribe to Harpers Bazaar magazine, you’ll become a member of the Harper’s Bazaar “Bazaar VIP Club” - which means discounts, offers and treats for you every quarter.

Take out a Harpers Bazaar (previously Harper’s & Queen) magazine subscription for £15 a year now.

Enjoy cheap magazine subscriptions to:

• Harper’s Bazaar magazine. Online annual subscription £15. Annual cover cost £45.60.
• Cosmopolitan magazine (travel size). Online annual subscription £12. Annual cover cost £39.60.
• Esquire magazine. Online annual subscription £15. Annual cover cost £47.88.
• Zest magazine. Online annual subscription £15. Annual cover cost £39.60.
• She magazine. Online annual subscription £12. Annual cover cost £39.60.

13/01/09 Update: Giles Deacon correspondence cards for Smythson now showing as back in stock >>>>>>

The gorgeous Giles Deacon corrrespondence cards at Smythson went on sale yesterday - and they are already showing as out of stock. They were sold in boxes of 10 stunning note cards, decorated with pen and ink drawings of haut couture fashion gowns. These correspondence cards were produced in a limited edition run of only 300 so it’s not surprising they sold out so quickly.

There were five stunning Giles Deacon designs, with each box containing two of each design, plus hand tissue linked envelopes in two colours from black, grey, bright pink, yellow and lime green. Oh dear, I’m just making things worse aren’t I. View Giles Deacon correspondence cards at Smythson.

Anyway if you missed out on the Giles Deacon cards, why not console yourself with the elegant Maze Smythson designer handbag, which is now only half price in the Smythson sale?

This is the large size Maze bag, which is handmade in a contrasting black goat skin leather and suede. Lined in dark mauve satin, the Maze has three pockets and a zipped pouch. It comes in the fabulous Smythson blue gift packaging. The large Maze bag is 12 ½” x 8” x 8 ¾”. Buy the large Maze Smythson designer handbag in the Smythson sale for half price.

I loved the Nancy handbag (also half price in the Smythson sale), though I do prefer the Maze bag, which I think is more elegant and won’t date (remember that cost per wear designer shopping justification, ladies). I still think the Maze handbag looks like a chocolate, but a very elegant, expensive, grown-up chocolate (we’re talking Godiva, not a Quality Street noisette triangle).

The Smythson Maze clutch is also available in the Smythson sale and is also half price.

• Browse handbags and purses in the Smythson sale.
• Or visit the Smythson site for non-sale and sale luxury handbags, purses, stationery and leather goods.

Twenty8Twelve, the designer label set up by Sienna Miller and her sister Savannah Miller, is showing at London Fashion Week in February 2009.

Twenty8Twelve already sell through their own stores and Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Online, you can get them at My Wardrobe.

The current Twenty8Twelve season is on sale at My Wardrobe including the Jezebel Croc Clutch and Lucinda Front Ruffle Blouse, both below.

Reduced from £208 to £83.20, that’s 60% off. In tan moc croc, it has an embossed logo and a vintage feel. inside there are two pockets and a small mirror. 29cm x 14cm, 100% leather.

The Lucinda blouse from Twenty8Twelve is 100% silk and has a ruffle front bib, plus circular button fastening down the front. With 50% off, this silk designer blouse is now only £90 - reduced from £180.