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Ella Catliff

Diary of a Fashion Intern at the Paris Pre Collections

by Ella Catliff on August 15, 2010

My name is Ella, I am 19 years old and I have made it my mission to break into the exciting world of fashion. For the past month I have been working in Paris for an up-and-coming designer brand called BaronBaronne. My stay (not entirely unintentionally) coincided with Paris Pre-collection fashion week so I was lucky enough to have my first real experience working in the Industry not only in the style capital of Paris but also during one of the most important times in the fashion calendar. Here is the low-down on what I did, saw, learnt and wore during my Parisian intern experience.

Naturally I was hell-bent on making a good first impression on the designers for whom I’d be working, so a fair bit of time and effort went into choosing the perfect outfit. My role of inviting the buyers from top boutiques and department stores all over the world to the showroom, and then persuading them to actually come, did make me a little nervous. I did find the time to browse the look books, mood boards, sketches, samples, and shoots for their past collections. The sheer amount of time, effort, money and emotion that goes into producing a collection is unbelievable. I have also come to the conclusion that being a fashion buyer would probably be the best career a girl could dream of. There are the obvious perks of the job, such as attending all the most desirable fashion shows, shmoozing at glamorous after-parties, and generally getting paid to select the choicest pieces from the most covetable collections each season.

Juan Antonio Avalos Barcelona

Week 2 I got on the case of Matches, Browns, Feathers, Dover Street Market etc. Basically anywhere I thought might be interested in a little injection of French avant-guard style. Then on the first day of the precollections we arrived bright and early at Galerie Cadain, a lovely, spacious venue in the 4th arrondisement. A few hours of unpacking, steaming, and general organising later the gallery looked magnificent.

I was frantic waiting  for the bags, at last  they arrived a casual 4 hours late… but with their classic shapes, tasteful buckle detailing and buttery soft leather they were oh-so worth the wait. I also often had to wait for no- show buyers,a lesson in optimism over realism.

Baron Baronne

Finally fashion week and my days as an intern for BaronBaronne came to an end. I have learnt more about the fashion industry (not all of it too pretty) than I would have thought possible and fallen head-over-heels in love with the city… watch this space for future tales of my Parisian fashion adventures.  ella-lapetiteanglaise.blogspot.com

Whistles : A Stylish Rebirth

by Ella Catliff on May 2, 2010

Whistles

After two years under the inspirational direction of Jane Shepardson, the quintessential British brand is set to take the fashion world by storm.

Until relatively recently Whistles was most certainly not shopping destination du-jour for the young and fashionable. Traditionally favoured by the ‘yummy mummy’s’ and ‘ladies who lunch’ of London and the home counties, its name immediately brought to mind images of conservative dressing, sensible shoes and strictly knee-length hemlines. Indeed Whistles has always provided good quality, well-made clothes but not exactly much of a contender in the style stakes.

Roksander Ilinic Whistles

After wowing critics with her first collection for the brand in 2008, under Shepardsons’ guidance Whistles has gone from strength to strength as a serious player on the British fashion scene. This summer following the release of up-and-coming London designer Roksanda Ilinic’s second collaboration with the brand, fashionistas everywhere are really starting to take notice of it.

Whistles SS 2010

Having spent a highly enjoyable afternoon in the divine Westbourne Grove store myself only last week – I happily lost several hours absorbed in its spring/summer collection, surrounded by other equally entranced and sickeningly well-dressed shoppers – I can say with confidence that Whistles has been firmly planted on the fashion radar and is there to stay.

whistles ss 2010 collection 2 (2)

Gone are the mumsy frocks, prim blouses and shapeless cardigans and in their place Whistles now displays a varied collection of on-trend pieces ranging from elegant and well-cut classics that could still conceivably appeal to the rather more mature customers of yesteryear, to far more edgy pieces.

Whistles springsummer 2010

This is my personal favourite, a graphic print dress, sculptural shape  and on–trend red, orange and grey palette – many of which have been spotted on the backs of fashion editors on front rows all over the world and featured in style bibles such as Vogue, Elle, Harpers and many more.

Roksander Ilinic Whistles 2

Following the success of her Autumn/Winter 09 capsule collection of cocktail dresses for the brand, Ilinic’s second collection recently hit Whistles stores and it really is exquisite. Each piece is, unsurprisingly, beautifully crafted and the collection features a variety of bold silhouettes, on-trend colours and imaginative detailing.

Roksander Ilinic Whistles 3

Roksanda Ilinic’s mainline collections may be known for their dramatic, sculptural dresses – as befits her nickname ‘London’s avant-garde dress-maker’ – but I think that the success of her collaboration with Whistles is down to the fact that the dresses are bold and innovative enough to earn rave reviews and attract London’s fashion elite, but are not all so fiercely stylish that the brands rather less fashion-forward fans are sent running from its stores.

Roksanda Ilinic ss 2010 ready-to-wear collection 3 (2)

Personally, I think that it this delicate balance between the variety of contrasting edgy and classic pieces that make up Whistles current collection that makes it one of THE essential shopping destinations for Spring/Summer 2010.

Ella Catliff is a student of Fashion currently in London about to enter the mainstream world of Fashion in Paris and London……… Wow!! Watch this space.

Summer Breeze……..

by Ella Catliff on March 31, 2010

Alexander Wang SS2010

Looking at some of the key trends for spring/summer 2010, I began to wonder if in fact the old adage that one must suffer for beauty was a thing of that past.

Alexander Wang SS2010

Alexander Wang was a particular front runner for the trend, sending his models down the catwalk in a variety of sporty styles, from modern takes on traditional all-American styles like the classic sweatshirt to the far more risky tracksuit bottom/ heels combination, a bold look on the catwalk but admittedly one that could spell potential disaster when it is inevitably replicated on the high street.

Proenza Schouler SS2010

Generally the concept of ‘sporty’ style may immediately conjure up images of adidas clad teenagers and suburban shopping malls, however it seems that this season the sporty look not only goes luxe – as demonstrated by the athletic glamour of Proenza schouler’s acid brights.

Lacoste SS2010

Lacoste, Hermes and Rochas all demonstrated a softer, more classical take on the trend. The oversized, cricket-jumper style dresses shown at Lacoste offering a more grown-up alternative to the day-glow patterns and spandex cycling shorts which may understandably strike fear into the hearts of fashionista’s everywhere.

Kenzo SS2010

It was not only the sport-inspired looks which hailed the start of a new era in which one can both look fabulous and feel at ease whilst wearing the most up to the minute styles.

For spring/summer 2010 designers are offering a variety of twists on this less restrictive trouser style, ranging from ballooning styles in a tribal print at Kenzo

Balmain SS2010

To cargo pants at Balmain, worn with a slouchy ripped T shirt, still stylish but  easy to wear.

Louis Vuitton Kitten Heels SS2010

It seems that we even have the option of choosing comfortable footwear over the sky scraper heels that have been the sartorial staple of the fashionable modern woman for so long.

Prada SS2010

The stiletto has not, nor ever probably will be considered passé, however judging by the mass of kitten heels, clogs, wedges and mid-height-heels that paraded the catwalks at Chanel, Miu Miu, Prada, Louis Vuitton and others.

Ella Catliff is a student currently learning fashion in…….. where else Paris!

Watch this space for her takes on French Style.