Spring / Summer trends 2012
ELECTRIC ECLECTIC
If you want to make a bold statement, vibrant, acid bright colours are huge this year. This is a trend that you can’t tone down so it’s all about mixing colours together – not for shrinking violets. Put together pinks, blues, yellows and greens for a new take on last year’s colour blocking trend. If clashing isn’t your thing but you still like this look, try it with denim, which will give you a flavour of the trend.
FLEUR-TY PRINTS
Spring is when nature comes alive, and this is reflected this season. Summer is looking hot with colour prints – from vintage-inspired florals, to luscious paradise islands and tropical flowers. Whether you go for floaty, structured or somewhere in between, achieve this look by embracing the traditional and injecting it with the right amount of attitude. There is only one rule with this trend – the bigger and bolder the print the better!
Oscars 2012: Red carpet trends
The lives of Hollywood stars are full of glitzy awards and glamorous premiers, but nothing compares to the biggest awards show on earth – The Oscars.
The Oscars are the chance for stars to firmly place themselves at the forefront of red carpet fashion, or in some cases create a little stir with a flamboyant take on Oscars attire – we all remember the Bjork ensemble circa 2001 (eeek!).
We have trawled through the unending amount of opulent gowns and sultry suits of the 2012 Oscars to bring you some of the hottest trends directly from the red carpet, and this year the stars haven’t failed to disappoint!
Ladies in red
Women of the Oscars were not afraid of matching their dress to the red carpet at the awards this year, with a number of red dresses gracing the ceremony – our favourites were Michelle Williams in a strapless tulle Louis Vuitton gown, and Natalie Portman in a vintage dress from the Dior archives (1954).
Walking Oscars
You need to have a lot of gusto to don a gold frock – but the starlets who braved the image did it in style, including lady of the awards Meryl Streep in Lanvin, and Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain.
White isn’t just for Weddings
Romance hit the red carpet this year with a sea of whites and ivories. Floor-length white gowns were hauled out of the wedding stereotype and pushed to the forefront of Hollywood style. Rooney Mara looked positively angelic in a gorgeous gown from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Our favourite dress award must go to Gwyneth Paltrow, who hit the style nail on the head in a no-fuss Tom Ford caped dress –what a knockout!
Sexy starlets
Effortlessly sexy isn’t something many people have got, but of course Angeline Jolie is an exception to the rule in Atelier Versace.
Hollywood of old
Some dresses are exceptions to style rules, and are beautiful just as they are! Milla Jovovich looked absolutely stunning (and so she should!), and Kate Mara oozed 1920’s couture, both in Elie Saab – doing what he does best.
Here come the boys!
As well as beautiful women in exceptional gowns, our hats go off to the men of Hollywood in their tuxedos – and here are some of our favourite beaus of the ball!
Nails inc cracks it
Crackle nail varnishes have been a huge trend this year – it’s easy to see why, nails that have the WOW factor and a look that is super easy to achieve at home.
For anyone not already familiar with it, crackle polish creates a crackle / shatter effect letting any other colour underneath it show through. Each nail is individual and painting the crackle polish on in different ways, strokes and directions can also vary the look.
Nails inc has just launched a range of new colours and finishes in its Special Effects Crackle range, including a gold glitter crackle top coat which is amazing. The range is now available in a myriad of colours, we love the pink ‘Islington’ and ‘Hoxton’ (dark purple) – the coloured shades are easier to wear that the original black crackle and look much more summery too.
Visit the nails inc bars in House of Fraser or Harvey Nichols to find out more and check out the new shades.
And here’s some top tips for acheiving the perfect crackle finish at gome from the lovely people at Nails Inc:
- Apply 1 coat of your favourite nails inc base coat
- Apply 2 coats of your favourite nails inc polish. Leave to dry for 5 minutes
- Apply 1 coat of your chosen crackle shade. Have fun with this – try painting in different directions as this will affect how your design will look.
- Wait and see your nail polish appear through the cracks!
- Apply a top coat to get a glossy finish
- Marvel at the amazing nail art design you have created with such minimal effort!
MyStreetChic sets World Record at Cabot Circus!
At Cabot Circus, we were delighted to host an event to mark the launch of new street-style inspired website MyStreetChic.com recently, and even more pleased that the team managed to set the World Record for the highest number of topknot hairstyles in one day!
The MyStreetChic team made fashion history with a little help from our experts at Cabot Circus, with Robin James Salon stylists on hand to create the hair, alongside make up artists from Bobbi Brown (both brands are based at House of Fraser). Sanctuary Spa – based in Quakers Friars – also provided shoppers with mini manicures and feel-good treats to ensure they went away feeling glam and relaxed.
Have a look at highlights from the day here – and check out the MyStreetChic website soon, it contains heaps of fashion and beauty advice and features and shows how real people are interpreting the latest trends around the country.
Touch Eclat has six new shades
For years Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat has been the go-to concealer for millions of women around the World – with one pen sold every 10 seconds! It feels like a long time coming, but YSL has finally re-released the iconic product in six new shades, suiting all skin tones from the fairest of tones to darker shades that are ideal for Black and Asian skin.
Touch Eclat is fantastic for highlighting and contouring and has a lovely smooth, natural finish. The new range will be available in House of Fraser at Cabot Circus from 14 July.
Beauty offers
It seems to be beauty time at Cabot Circus at the moment with lots of amazing deals on offer that we recommend you make the most of!
First up is one of our favourite beauty brands Elemis (located in Harvey Nichols) which is currently giving you the perfect excuse to kick-start your summer beauty prep. Until Sunday, (May 22) Elemis is giving away mini treats when you buy two full-sized products.
Choose five from ten travel-sized must-haves, worth up to £82, including best sellers from the fantastic Pro-Radiance, Pro-Collagen and Tri-Enzyme ranges amongst others. Buy a third and you’ll receive a free full-size product.
Also running until 28 May is Clinique Bonus Time – available at House of Fraser. Purchase two or more Clinique items in store from and receive a complimentary gift bag.
The gift bag includes all you need for a natural pretty look, including Superdefense SPF 25 moisturiser, Superbalanced foundation, Blended face powder, High Impact mascara, Superbalm moisturising gloss and blusher brush!
This fab offer is exclusive to House of Fraser.
Clinique Bonus Time
Make sure you sparkle this year with Clinique Bonus Time, available from 18 November to 4 December exclusively at House of Fraser. You can choose from two free gift sets – either Party Pieces to get you set for the Christmas party season, or Post-Party Comforts to treat your skin to some care and attention afterwards!
The free gift sets are available with the purchase of two or more Clinique Products, one to be skincare, at House of Fraser from tomorrow. The perfect excuse to treat yourself this Christmas!
Trick or Treat?
Suited and Booted
Winter boots have had a seriously cool make-over this season – and we love this sheepskin style. Comfortable, snuggly and bang on trend, just ease into these leather boots from Office – perfect for keeping you warm and stylish on Halloween and Bonfire Night!
Office fur strap boot, £120 (House of Fraser and Topshop, level 1)
The launch of a Kate Moss collection is always a highlight, but this time the style icon has cast her net wider with seventies-inspired pieces and a vintage-style jewellery range!
Featuring bell sleeves, chiffon and Biba-esque prints, Kate’s final collection for Topshop hits Cabot Circus on 2nd November.
Amelia Handbag, £48, Ollie & Nic (Quakers Friars)
Satchel bag, 36.99 River Island, (Level 1, Cabot Circus)
Relax with a glass of Harvey Nichols champagne in one hand, whilst their nail technicians work their magic on the other at the Champagne Nail Bar – bliss.
For the ultimate in luxury, indulge in a crystal pedicure using Swarovski elements – already a celeb favourite!
Crystal pedicure, £110, Harvey Nichols (Quakers Friars)
Beauty Trend – Vampish Lips
Feeling brave? One of the hot make-up trends of the season is berry shades. It can be a tricky colour to wear, but will make a dramatic impact. Those with fairer skin should stick to lighter shades, whereas those with darker skins can go for the deeper, almost blue shades. Keep skin and eyes neutral and pair with tousled hair for the ultimate A/W statement.
Bobbi Brown ‘Black Velvet’ collection, £15.50 each
The Cabot Circus Style Blog 