Misamu’s Designer Clothing Blog

With doubts over whether the awards were going to take place at all this year we were unsure what to expect from this year’s Academy Awards. Style wise it proved to be a pretty dull affair with many of the gowns proving undistinguishable from the next.

The one-shouldered gown was the most popular look at the Academy Awards with everyone Katherine Heighl to Hilary Swank favouring the look. 

The dominating colour of the evening was black with a few stars opting for vibrant red. Our favourite red dress on the night was the Galliano dress worn by Heidi Klum. The model and TV presenter looked radiant.

French actress Marion Cotillard’s mermaid inspired gown by Jean-Paul Gaultier was one of the most memorable dresses on the night.

Cameron Diaz opted for the nude trend in a pale peach gown. “I put it on and felt like I was wearing nothing,” she said.

With black gowns being the uniform of the night it will be interesting to see next year whether anyone chooses black at all.

Shop Black Tie Gowns at Misamu

The late Carolyn Kennedy Bessette was the epitome of timeless chic. Although sadly she passed away in 1999 many of her outfits would be stylish today. On her wedding day, she wore a simple slip-dress by Narciso Rodriguez which remains one of the most sought after wedding dresses to this day.

With her classic, cool blonde looks, Bessette occasionally worked as a model in New York City, before becoming a publicist for Calvin Klein, where she met Kennedy.  Her personal style was rumored to have provided Klein with inspiration for his collections.

The “Anonymous by Ross + Bute” label is the brainchild of British fashion duo Lindy Ross and Serena Bute. The history of “Anonymous” dates back to a particularly cold outdoor commercial shoot, where Lindy and Serena were working as stylists. The resourceful duo ensured the cast and crew stayed warm throughout the day by giving them thermal underclothes to wear. This sparked the idea of colour dying thermal camisoles and offering them as outwear. Combining their strong sense of style, with their advanced knowledge of garment dying, Serena and Lindy quickly transformed their initial cottage industry into a successful fashion enterprise.

Internationally launched in 1998, the “Anonymous” signature lace-trimmed twin-set quickly became the must-have item for every fashion-conscious woman, attracting high-profile customers worldwide, from Madonna to Sienna Miller. Never ones to rest on their laurels Ross and Bute continued to innovate, introducing a full collection of highly feminine, easy-to-wear separates to compliment the strong knitwear offer, under the label Anonymous by Ross+Bute. Today customers worldwide can indulge in their fondness for the original twin-set and equally fall in love with the exquisite soft separates.

In March 2005 the first Anonymous by Ross + Bute retail store opened on Ledbury Road, becoming a favourite with fashionable Notting Hill shoppers, including Nicole Richie, Claudia Schiffer and Jemma Kidd.

Following the success of the Notting Hill store, a second London store has just opened on the King’s Road in Chelsea. The Anonymous by Ross + Bute Spring Summer 2008 collection draws its inspiration from high summer days in the 60’s French Riviera, re-interpreting iconic silhouettes for today’s woman.

The collection artfully blends together the fresh simplicity of empire lines, shift dresses and tunics with the glamour of backless halter-neck dresses, fishtail skirts and full-length lace summer coats. Sun-bleached floral prints, used in pretty day dresses and dainty camisoles mix with monochrome knits, all-over circle prints and zigzag pointelle, bringing the femininity of bygone days up to the minute.

Texture and layering feature strongly within the collection, with bright coloured slips worn under dresses to highlight pretty lace patterns, silk chiffon to line superfine reversible knits and beautiful lace to embellish chunky cotton jackets.
Graphic elements are also key and are used in inside-out stripy knits, as details of contrast stitching on linen, as square embroidery on cotton and all-over jacquard patterns on knitted tops.

The colour palette is delicate and sophisticated, with nuances of cream, honey and biscuit sitting alongside feminine petal, blush and dove. Crispy white, navy and paprika red add a marine touch, while accents of hot pink, violet and teal bring playfulness to the collection.

            
Shop Anonymous by Ross + Bute clothing online at Misamu.com

Blazers
The only cover up you need this summer is the blazer. There will be many different versions from boy pinstripe to the white embellished. The most versatile comes from the master of tailoring Karl Lagerfeld for his K line. Instantly flattering, his tuxedo style jacket will last you a lifetime.

High waist
The high waist trend looks set to continue with each and every collection showing some version of this trend. In particular we love the high waist super flare trouser and tailored short.

Colour
The future is bright with colour making a big comeback this spring.  Fashionistas will be decked out in fuchsia pinks, violent violets, cobalt blues, intense yellows and vibrant greens.  If you don’t do head to toe colour add accents with bright accessories.

Flower Power
Blossom this spring by embracing the floral trend. The catwalks were awash with flowers and floral motifs for Spring/Summer 2008 from pansies to pogonias. Not a flower lover? Accessorize your outfit with a super sized corsage or add a flower to your hair.

Androgyny
Boy/girl or girl/boy? Androgyny is a going to be a huge trend for spring. Trouser suits, long vests, blazers, long line vests and tailored shirts add a touch of boyish charm to your wardrobe.  For once look to the man in your life for inspiration!

Sheer Transparent Fabrics
The sheer and transparent look is a breath of fresh air this spring. Sheer knitwear and tops in nude colours look super layered during the day. For evening choose a lingerie look dress.

Former model Carine Roitfeld is one super stylish lady. The former muse for Tom Ford at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent has been editor in chief at French Vogue for 7 years now.

She is now aged 50 and is fast becoming the fashion icon of our time.  She always manages to look young while looking elegant and chic.

 According to Roitfeld, there is no great mystery to her look, which she claims takes a mere 10 minutes each morning to achieve. As she told WWD, “I’m always wearing the same sort of things, a black coat, a skirt - but I always put the accent on one exciting piece”.  For women who don’t have huge budgets she recommends buying one classic piece per season (like a Burberry Mac) and a pair of killer heels.

Vix Swimwear is THE bikini brand for A-List starlets and it is easy to see why. Each bikini is double layered with 18k gold embellishments so it will never fade, rust or go out of shape no matter how often you use it.

With a celebrity following that includes style icon Sienna Miller, desperate housewife Eva Longoria, supermodel Heidi Klum and A-list actress Jennifer Aniston Vix Swimwear features an entire collection of daring bikinis, chic one-piece swimsuit and matching kaftans and dresses. Tyra Banks loves the Vix Biarittz bikini so much she has it in three colours. The ever-popular Biraittz suit is available in three colours from Misamu – peach, magenta and olive.

The great thing about Vix bikinis is that top and bottom are pieces are sold separately so you can create the perfect bikini with different sizes to match your proportions.

Paris Hilton was spotted recently wearing the Rebecca Taylor Puffed Sleeve Cardi in Pumice. This silk and cashmere cardigan is the perfect Spring cover up.

If you only buy one pair of shoes this Spring it has to be the open toe shoe bootie. Ok, so they may not be very practical but they look fabulous worn with a pencil skirt or dress.   Seen everywhere from Gucci to Chanel, our favourite are from Balenciaga who showed them in a wonderful array of colours.

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!!! That’s the message this Christmas. What better way to oomph up your party outfit than a show stopping piece of glamorous jewellery from Kenneth Jay Lane. Innovative, gifted and imaginative, each piece sparkles with dazzling combinations of crystals and jewels, taking its inspiration from ethnic sources such as the safari inspired double headed tiger bracelet in vibrant black and tan, the trusty elephant with its cute diamond head and coral stone top, or the jewel encrusted lizard cuff:

Kenneth Jay Lanes fabulous costume jewellery has caught the eye of the world’s most glamorous and elegant women for over four decades. His designs have been worn by such fashionistas as Madonna, sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Simpson and Nicole Kidman. Will Cinderella go to the ball this New Years Eve?? If so this beautiful necklace will catch the eyes of your Prince Charming!!

Stuck for ideas for Christmas presents? No worries!! Young or old, Kenneth Jay Lanes designs are suitable for all ages. Fun, fabulous and worn by the likes of super stars including Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland and Audrey Hepburn. Moreover, his pieces are now as sought-after and collectable as precious gems.

Its Christmas party time! Sequins and jewels, satin and silk - go to the office party with the latest in designer wear from misamu.com. Dress up your favourite tops with sparkling makeup and jazzy jewels for a spectacular look. Choose from Rebecca Taylors U back blouse in fog, Velvet Joice top in Flint, Antik Batik Disco Round Tee in black and silver, Gold Hawks jeweled Cami tunic in Dark Slate and Nanette Lepore’s Rococo Ruffle top in multi for a festive look.

Christmas party tops – match fabulous dressy tops with citizens of humanity jeans or True religion jeans, seen here in the Wimbledon Ava blue Glass,  for a dressy yet casual look, or team with the Nanette Lepore highwaisted  Standing Ovation Skirt in black for a sexy, daring, and sophisticated look.