Fashion

Let me tell you something about vegan leather…

Vegan leather in other words is artificial leather. So how many clothing do you own that is animal free? Nowadays you can buy leather insoles in shoes or leather lined shoes. As disappointing and how unobvious it makes it seem leather does mean it came  from an animal. In a world where cheap leather can be bought for a lot cheaper and guilt free, we are constantly thrown into belief that anything labelled as “leather” is actually PU or “artificial leather”. But in fact, when something says its leather, it’s as real as it gets.

So why is buying leather bad? Many of these large companies have factories and manufacturers based in other countries where animal laws are entirely different, this allows companies produce their clothing for cheaper and avoid all legal “malpractice”. Animals are necessary for food but in the context of clothing and our booming age of technology and science, killing animals for their skin and fur is hardly advantageous given both the price and its consequences. (Think bunnies having their fur ripped out of them – ALIVE!). Yes, that is where mohair come from… bunnies. Now you heard it, do you still really want that overly ostentatious Alexander McQueen ballet flats or a Calf skin Chanel bag?

Despite the obvious morbidity involved in creating these clothing. We are still very unaware of the larger picture. With the common assumption that designer bags are just too affluent and beautiful looking to be tied with all these nasty and cruel intentions for animals. But infact it is 100% bad intentioned but due to their fan base of young, wealthy and unaware buyers and admirers, these multibillion dollar companies won’t stop due to their demanding and unknowing customers.

If you have a certain apatheticness towards animal being killed for their fur due to the view that we’re just the almighty beings that happened to be on top of the food chain. You are so incredibly wrong! And infact that is a very morbid and dark idea to be carrying around with you, especially when you don’t need to view it in that way.

Recently i’ve come across a budding new vegan leather trend. Meaning it’s artificial leather, and the bag I found by Karu  look very high quality but it certainly isn’t everybody’s cup of tea in terms of the style and to be quite honest, it isn’t something I would’ve chosen to buy at first glance. But I love it for its versatility. It’s waterproof, spacey, has a separate divided pocket in the centre of the bag and has several pockets. Ideal for everyday wear.

Valentino Couture| Fall 2014

Valentino’s show transported us back into ancient times. Think Roman Empire, sun kissed skin and lush hair. The quaint setting of tall green hedges almost made it seem dreamy and raw. I’ve never felt so impressed by a designers ability to allude a certain era in their clothing and synchronise it so well with the makeup and hair. The leather paired with wool gave a very striking stoic appeal to the dresses. There were hues of nude, and warmer tones of yellow and teal. The colours all appeared very organic and it is very characteristic of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. But the shape of the dresses were distinctively of ancient Rome. The leather strapping of the shoes were thin allowing the dresses to appear delicate and romantic.

Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino
Images courtesy of Valentino

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Elie Saab Couture| Fall 2014

Elie Saab couture fall 2014 was a cleverly executed show, the first gown was a pristine almost snow flake like dress, simple but delicate. Slowly each dress that flooded out onto the runway was reminiscent of the previous one. To my surprise… I realised Elie Saab was trying to imitate the Ombre trend. The gist of the show was something along the lines of from dawn to evening. The dresses went from a  snow flake white dress to a blue, pink, red, deep purple then finally black. It was not much different from Elie Saab’s Spring 2013 show but the closing bridal gown was absolutely breathtaking! The dress was embellished with pearls and it looked so grande with the bridal train giving it the extra volume.

Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture
Images courtesy of Elie Saab couture

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… and the bridal gown that closed the show

Christian Dior | Fall 2014

Dior’s latest Paris show was absolutely delightful. It was organza galore and the colour palette was definitely eye catching. Blush pinks, cream whites, grey, khaki peppered with pops of orange and red conceptualised the Dior woman in all its glory. The intricate floral design which seems to portray porcelain while the pannier silhouettes and silk jacquard inspired by the French aristocratic styles of the 18th century was literally infused with modern designs which created a personified character of grace and timelessness in its dresses. This fall 2014 collection definitely carried a lot of historical weight to each and every one of its designs. And each of the styles was executed so well and it was all done in accordance to Dior’s natural inclination towards the Belle Epoch and audaciously volumptuous gowns.

Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior
Images courtesy of Christian Dior

Nina Ricci | Resort 2015

Nina Ricci’s colourful composition of pastel and bright colours captures the attitude of the modern day woman who is feminine and casual. The playful prints and pops of colours in some of the pieces is a rendition of Nina Ricci’s traditional influences from grand interiors to notable figures. Although Nina Ricci is known for its hyper-feminine clothing, this resort collection has seen more practicality in its pieces by incorporating leather with boucle alongside a variety of distinct wide necklines to embrace a more masculine look. While the laced and satin evening gowns sees a more feminine and delicate use of fabrics to pay homage to Nina Ricci’s iconic style.

Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci
Image courtesy of Nina Ricci