Mulberry for...Party dresses?

I've never really been a fan of Mulberry, all the bags look the same and everyone has one. They're just too British and conservative, yet I've noticed some great party dresses in the Fall 10 collection, and they've been popping up on not some conservative lovelies like Liv Tyler, Leighton Meester, Olivia Palermo & Jessica Stroup.



It still needs some refining but somehow these looks make the brand feel a little less stuffy, and of course Mulberry produced perhaps the most fun and charming campaign of the season:




This campaign has explored the more whimsical and fun side of British fashion and it makes it such a stand out campaign, shot by Steven Meisel and starring Abbey Lee and Hanne. The brand seems to be going in an interesting direction and aiming for much bigger things rather than 'just an It bag' company.

The Dress That Saved Paris

I don't know about you, but Paris fashion week was really lacking for me. Balenciaga, McQueen and Givenchy failed to really impress me, in fact my only favourite that didn't let me down was Rick Owens. But, still there wasn't a beautiful cocktail dress that took my breath away. Until, this closing look at Lanvin, worn by the divine Abbey Lee (isn't it something when a favourite look of yours is put on your favourite model?). Alber, once again, I salute you.

Let NYFW Begin

And what better way to begin than with a beautiful picture of Abbey Lee Kershaw at Jason Wu?

Alexander Wang Resort 2010

I've always been a fan of Alexander Wang's work, especially when Erin Wasson did the styling for his shows. Since winning the 2008 CFDA awards in Womens' wear his label has really reached new heights; he has launched his diffusion line (T by Alexander Wang) as well as becoming a constant red carpet favourite for the like of Rihanna, Michelle Williams and Diane Kruger.
So I was particularly intrigued to see the Resort 2010 show. He's already carved out his mark on the short, sexy party dresses but now it was time for him to move forward and design some very wearable clothes (for people who don't have a figure like Erin Wasson).
The line featured the ever present dresses perfect for New York party girls:

As much as I love these looks, I feel that Alexander has already proved himself to be a fantastic party dress designer but what I found really interesting were these looks:

The muted grey colour, the great use of draping makes this dress look fantastic on the divine Abbey Lee, but wouldn't it look great on someone like Kate Winslet? It'd be perfect for a move premier and dripping in diamonds. I think it really points to Alexander's desire to expand the brand and it's clientele even further. This continued into other looks:

This is such a cool look, I want it for running around London in the sweltering heat - preferably with a straw hat. The cut of the trousers keeps the look from being boring and although the shoes are a little much (It'd be interesting to see with metallic brogues) there are some great basic wardrobe staples in that look.

This is a very Proenza Schouler look to me - the rounded cut of the shoulders reminds me of their Fall 2009 collection, and I think Alexander is a stage that Proenza were at a few years ago: They too won a CFDA award in 2003 and have become a red carpet staple, but is also getting alot of coverage in the major glossy magazines - something Alexander is enjoying right now. Looking at Proenza in 2009 they have done an affordable range for Target (2007) and are currently producing a shoe line.
I really hope Alexander takes a similar career to Proenza, and I eagerly await his S/S 2010 range to see where his vision is for the brand.