Posted on Sun, 17 Jul 2011
A/W Sneak Peeks: Top Shop
The Looks for Autumn / Winter 2011 have slowly started to come in even though this is only July! In Hong Kong where everything is truly seasonal, the windows change faster than the wares in the stores and this season we are in for some interesting looks. So what’s coming in-store?
We give you a sneak peek into Top Shop’s A/W lookbook which offers an eccentric mix of styles. Its just too bad that Top Shop, Top Men and Warehouse are not in Hong Kong. I am not sure why because I have always loved the quirky and most times affordable pieces that the brand puts out. So Hong Kongers if you are stopping by sunny Singapore or heading to London, look out for faux fur coats, ankle grazers, pencil skirts, boyish coats, novelty sweaters and seriously standout boots that typically characterise this season’s collection.
PSYCHOBILLY as this look is called is an updated and feminine take on the rebellious dressing of the teddyboys of the 1960s. Modern twists elevate sleek tailoring and clean shapes; slim cigarette trousers in an opulent sapphire jacquard are the essential ankle skimming length and a simple t-shirt shape comes in panels of monochrome silk. A much more hourglass silhouette takes over from that of the boyish with semi body-con dresses celebrating the waist and skirts predominantly in pencil or mid-calf length.
THRIFT, their next look focuses on elements of the laid-back 60s with a neater finish from the 40s post-war Britain, Thrift is an eclectic dressing-up box of girly vintage-inspired pieces. Dresses are ladylike in pretty florals and ditsy prints, appearing in a classic tea dress or drop waist shift shape and look newest in mid-calf length. Again, skirts are longer in length, are sometimes pleated or with side slits and look prim when worn with feminine peter pan blouses buttoned to the neck. Pretty detailing such as petal cut-outs around the neckline, lace inserts and contrasting panelling create interest whilst elegant beading on dainty pouch handbags finishes off the look. Colour is important; tapered trousers come in jade or tangerine and bright prints appear throughout, whilst the overall silhouette is soft and feminine.
GLAMROCK draws inspiration from the 1970s, dismissing any grunge from the decade for an all-out glamorous and rockstar look. Faux fur is key to this trend and the bigger and brighter the better; an oversized shaggy coat made from goat hair comes in a fluoro pink, a sleek faux-fur stole in deep amethyst has extravagant pompoms and a mini skirt is made from amber-coloured feathers. Casual garments are given luxe treatment; a simple black parka is indulgent with a thick glossy black faux fur lining, skinny jeans are given a hi-tech coating and boxy silk shirts are elevated with all-over beading. Footwear and accessories are flamboyant with stack-heeled ankle boots covered in silver glitter and oxblood velvet clutch bags with gold jacquard panels. Emeralds and magentas interspersed with shimmering gold and silvers make up a jewellery-box colour palette.
BAVARIA has a rich folkloric inspiration. It is a modern and distinctly luxurious take on keeping warm this winter. Outerwear is functional whilst indulgent; a khaki parka has faux fur sleeves and a gilet is extra long and made from patchwork sheepskin. Cable and aran knits are chunky and oversized to defend against the cold, and a usually floaty smock dress or blouse comes in a cosy heavy velvet. Handcrafted touches add texture and appear throughout with detailed embroidery on yokes and opulent beadwork on accessories.
