Topshop Spring/Summer 2011 Collections: the Shoes

We've seen the spring/summer 2011 lookbooks from Asos, Mango and H&M. Now it's time to see what Topshop, one of the last titans of the fast fashion brands, has prepared for the next season.

Unlike the other similar brands, Topshop decided to divide the spring collection in 4 categories, that have their own inspiration and styling guidelines. It's like 4 independent collections, only smaller. Why not integrate them all in only one collection? Maybe because it looks more professional like this and definitely because specific audience can get more attached to a smaller but more individualized collection. Also, if they would have been integrated in one collection it would have been uneven, lacking continuity and unity, which made the result at least disturbing.

Graduation is the first one. It's made of „preppy classics with an offbeat vintage inspiration”. With star-pieces like high-waist culottes, wide-leg trousers, fitted blazers, polished blouses with bows or peter pan collars, the collection comes in splashes of strong colours (tangerine, yellow, pink, green) mixed with the neutrals (camel, nude); as per the fabrics and the prints, the collection features denim, floral prints, polka dots and checkerboard knits. You can shop the collection here. 

Shoe wise, the Graduation collection features loafers on heels, t-bar patent leather flat shoes, a lot of brogues, wooden sole shoes and sandals, kitten heel pumps and some chunky heeled sandals. They all add up to the classic preppy style, with a touch of fun to it. All very suitable for a casual outfit at work, at school or places/events where you have to stick to a more rigid dress code.

Here are some of the lookbook photos, you can see all of them here:

and some shoe highlights:

The second SS11 Topshop collection is called Sweedish Summer. With a massive 70s inspiration, the collection features a lot of floral pieces, loose and flowy everything. You can see more of the collection and shop it here. 

The shoes in the collection are very casual sandals: wooden wedges, straw-braided wedges, flats sandals with metal beades and so on. The outfits are very suitable for vacations, which makes this collection like the cruise collection of Topshop for this summer.

Here are some lookbook photos, see all of them here:

 

and some shoe highlights:

New Age Constellation is the third SS11 collection from Topshop. Featuring „architectural silhouettes, sport-inspired finishes and luxe high-tech fabrics” the collection is all about a new take on minimalism, asymmetry and tailored pieces. You can see and shop it here.

The shoes in this collection are more daring and modern, suitable for a more mature and empowered woman who lives in the urban jungles rather than in dreamland meadows. Patent leather strappy sandals, platform pumps in strong colours, they all complement the powerfull woman living in the cities. These shoes would be more than suitable for cocktails, events, shows and all the agenda of a contemporary girl.

Here are some lookbook photos:

and some shoe highlights:

The last of the SS11 Topshop collections is the one named Snake Valley. This collection is dedicated to the rebel spirited „festival girl”, with influences from the gypsy bohemian trend. Fringes, tie dyes, a lot of massive jewellery, bicker jackets and lots of suede, this is what makes the collection so special. You can see and shop it here.

Compared to the other 3 collections, the shoe part is the widest so far, covering many styles, shapes and fabrics. The dominant print is, of course, snakeskin and it has been used on wedges, chunky heels, cowboy boots and ankle boots. Suede is one of the star fabrics in this collection. Used on ankle boots and combined with fringes, this fabric makes the shoe very versatile and unpretentious. This shoe collection would be perfect for everyday use, on a large scale of events and dress codes.

The lookbook photos:

and some shoe highlights:

 

What do you think about these 4 collections? Which one is your favourite?

c

photo shource: topshop.com, fashionologie.com

Sneak Peek: ASOS Spring 2011 Collection - The Shoes

The Spring 2011 collection lookbook of Asos, the world-wide adored British brand, has been released recently and we couldn't be happier! With an obvious retro vibe, the collection will definitely be a hit world-wide and I wouldn't be surprised to see them sold out immediately.

The shoe part of this collection is like candy to my eyes and soul and I am sure that many of you will feel the same. I have always loved chunky heels (that's why I am such a huge Miu Miu fan) and the 2011 Spring collection has plenty of variations on this type of retro heel. This is not only very comfortable (due to the stability the heel and the platform ensure), but also they are very feminine. The ankle straps and the bows will highlight femininity even more, while the animal print on this shoe here below will give a fierce touch to the whole shoe.

Colour blocks are also a big plus for the shoes featured in this collection. Used on either pumps or sandals, the colour block technique emphasizes the retro inspiration and the girly spirit in each of us. Also, they are very fun and will give any outfit the much needed attention call.

Cobalt blue, teal, green, red, nude, dusty pink are some of the star colour the shoes come in. They're a huge source of optimistic energy and will definitely make your outfits evolve around your shoes, and not the other way around.

 

The collection also consists of some very adorable ankle boots in nude suede which feature jewel encrusted lace bows. How cute is that? With a very strong lady-like victorian touch, these shoes will complement any outfit you have in mind, softening it a bit.

For those of you who are not that good with high heels, Asos has the solution: the daring red wedges and some dusty pink lace ups.  They're good to your feet, but they keep you faithful to the spirit of the entire collection.  

  

All in all, the shoe collection Asos has prepared is very good: it manages to bring to lower prices in their own kind of way the trends we've been seeing on the designers' catwalk. Also, the collection brings a lot of fun and girly chicness to our wardrobes.

If you want to see the entire lookbook, click here.

So, what do you think about the Spring 2011 Asos collection?  Do you like anything in particular? 

photo source: www.refinery29.com, http://www.fashionologie.com



fall report (A to B, part 1)

Hello lovers,

I know we're in the middle of summer, but a fashion lover knows that it's better to be informed in time and get ready for the next season. After all, it takes time to decide which pieces definitely make your mush-have list: which are the ones you won't be able to live without and which are the ones you could spare. All the fall shows have long gone, so some of you may be familiar with what I will be showing here. However, take it as a refreshal article, to help you remember what you liked and would like to bring to your wardrobe.
As always, this is a personal selection: the shoes that inspire me, the ones that I think will be a hit or the ones that I find absolutely adorable.

Since this subject is very complex, I will be dividing it in several parts, because one cannot cover the entire subject.

First up, we have Alexander Wang. He is one of those designers to promote the comeback of the chuncky heel, in the 90's style. Also, the mid length is one of the things that designers have brought back from the past. I'm not a particular fan of these comebacks, but this one I find appealing (from his entire collection).

Anna Sui managed to make flat boots look cool again. With a little bit of cowboy vibe to them, the snakeskin blue boots might just be the perfect choice for a rainy day.

I remember my grandma used to wear something like the ones below. However, I find them fun and funky.
Next up, it's Louboutin for Antonio Berardi and an already clasical piece: PVC shoe. It's simple, clean and with a little bit of edge. Nothing too spectacular, though.
My favourite pieces for this season come from Balengiaca. The designer Nicolas Ghesquière created what seems to be the perfect shoe for this fall: cosmonautical inspiration, colourful, chuncky heel, originality in a shoe. I think that this will create quite a buzz:
Balmain did not come with somehting new, sadly. Christophe Decarnin played with the same show he created for the previous seasons, he just changed the fabrics, adding a little bit of shine. I was expecting something new and exciting, but I guess I have to be patient.
One of the most beautiful and sexy shoes of this season are created by Barbara Bui. She mixed the so-much-weared thigh high boots with a crazy brown color which gives them such a new vibe:
Then, she spiced up everyone's favourite shoe, the bootie, with some ethnic elements, beads and paillettes:
Also, she brought to her collection an army inspired shoe, which has a more rough edge. they would look great worn with some skinny jeans and a warm, comfy jacket in the cold cold days that are to come.All in all, Barbara Bui's collection has it all, it for every girl out there. Usually, a collection which would try to satisfy so many tastes would fail, but what this one does is amaze.

I hop you enjoyed my first part. Stay tunned, part 2 is to come soon!