This week’s fashion news is sexy in the extreme: Agent Provocateur is landing in Australia, Collette Dinnigan is launching a new lingerie line, Rescu. has an exclusive preview of the new Louboutin stilettos and more…
If your new year’s resolution was to look sultry undressed, Agent Provocateur will shortly be around to help. The famously steamy lingerie line will soon be opening its first Australian stores in major capitals around the country.
Agent Provocateur is one of the biggest lingerie designers on earth, specialising in the up-market, the bondage-inspired, the luxe and the irreverent. Put your Bonds undies to one side – these are special-night pieces.
Founded in England in 1994, they’ve had years of fantastic ad campaigns starring the world’s top models, including short films starring Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and a smouldering series of photographs of Kate Moss that are now infamous.
Want a guide to their latest collection? RESCU’s got our favourite picks for your first trip in-store.
This is not a place to mix-n-match; if you buy, you buy a set, which is usually three-piece (panties, bra and garters). We’re huge fans of their current Soiree collection, which combines Victorian-inspired lace in unusual patterns and overlays with delicate classical lines.
It’s all very Downton Abbey – panelled waspies and demure balconette bras – with delicious modern twists. There are also ultra-modern pieces and a very pretty burlesque-inspired set covered in delicate silver fringing.
Agent Provocateur is also a fantastic place to source those items that are hard to find elsewhere – suspender belts, garters and more old-school accessories. Get your hands on their cult seamed stockings with words embroidered on the seam: at the moment you can choose between Love and Whip Me, but other phrases turn up per season.
We also love their Charlotte Olympia For AP shoe range – the pink Candice shoe with the little pom-pom is reminiscent of sexpots of the 1960s.
In other lingerie news, Collette Dinnigan is dipping her toes into the world of intimates, with a new range called Collette launching for Autumn/Winter. It’s more conservative than Agent Provocateur, with classic bras and panties in blush and black.
So get yourself shopping for something steamy. Agent Provocateur’s stores will open in Melbourne and Sydney this New Year.
Image: Agent Provocateur.
It can be difficult to find trainers that provide ergonomic support, fitness help and still look properly chic.
One thing we can say: the toe-shoes famously sported by Shailene Woodley on the red carpet are not the way forward. Here’s RESCU’s guide to the latest trends in trainers.
If you’re into basketball or something else that required flatness and good grip, look to Jimmy Choo. Their sneakers are covered in glitter and ultra-girlie – or there’s Lanvin‘s versions, in quilted leathers of either pink or black.
However, if you need more support, there’s a secret fashion weapon in your arsenal: Nike.
Nike’s woken up to the fashion market, and their range of full-support trainers are ultra-stylish, specialising – rather sweetly – in leopard prints. It’ll be easier to push through the pain barrier when you have leopards on your feet. If you want something more sleek, they do a beautiful burgundy and ochre trainer, called Lady Cortez.
And if you really can’t stand any pretenders to athleticism, the classic Nike Air now comes in the massively on-trend colour clash of deep blue, hyper-orange and grey. Perfect for your Opening Ceremony work-out kit.
Want something a bit more whimsical? Check out ASOS‘s range of trainers. They’re currently producing ones in retro Hawaiian florals and punched-up oranges and greens. They all have suede details, for that extra textural edge and a bit of flair.
If you’re needing something collectible, check out Converse‘s collaborations. They team up with excellent artists who contribute something new to the classic sneaker form every year – and it’s still the same well-made shoe. Last year it was Marimekko, who produced whimsical square prints – we wonder who it’ll be in 2013?
We’re also loving Veja. Although their name isn’t as big as the athletics brands, they specialise in more off-beat trainers. Polka dots? Neon? Right up your street.
If you want to get into the 80s trend, Adidas is doing high-top Decades trainers in glorious white – with sequin details around the sides and back, or in zebra print. It’s subtle, but just cool enough to get you into your workout gear.
One thing we can guarantee – if you want to work out, wedge trainers are NOT for you. If, however, that’s fine by you, check out Isabel Marant and Giuseppe Zanotti, whose high-fashion versions of the trend are worth the money.
Just don’t try to jog in them.
Image: ‘Tokyo’ glitter trainers by Jimmy Choo.
Check out our full gallery of Trendy Trainers!
Get ready to set your calendar. The Louboutin Resort 2013 collection is about to drop, and it’s giving fashion editors the vapours.
It’s only a few select pieces, but Louboutin knows how to pack a punch in a small space. Rescu. has picked our favourites.
The two pumps, one hot scarlet and the other sleek grey, are for different sides of the Louboutin customer’s personality. The grey is chic, understated and with a little flair, considering the radically pink heel.
And the other? It’s for statement-makers. Its red patent is covered in on-trend spikes, like the ultimate high-fashion massage ball.
Louboutin also ventures into the comfortable side of things, with some brogues – though admittedly it’s a little too chic to be worn casually. In glorious streaks of neon, his Golfito shoe is the ultimate in studied leather comfort. We’re picturing Alexa Chung and Chloe Sevigny at the Paris shows in their flat heels.
Got too many shoes? (Impossible.) Fear not, the Louboutin new collection has something for you too – a purse harking back to the sinuous lines of the 1930s, in gold and rich scarlet. We’re predicting a starlet or two will be carrying it under her arms at the Sunday Golden Globes.
There are also delicious purses and flats, all in sea-faring shades of red, blue, white and yellow – very 1940s screen siren for the 21st century.
Our favourite piece? The High Boubou open-toe stiletto. It’s frothy blue plaid with a peep-toe – what’s not to adore?
Will you be rushing out to get a Louboutin fix this season?
Image: Louboutin Resort 2013’s High Boubou shoe.
Rescu. definitely has a sweet tooth, and Karen Walker is our latest fun destination.
The store in Melbourne is featuring a fun new in-store installation called Candy Bar, designed as a cute way to display their latest retro sunglasses range.
But it’s only for a limited time – the Candy Bars will travel around the world, catering their eyewear to different tastes in different regions.
As you’ve guessed, Karen Walker eyewear for the 2013 season is all about pastels and sweetness – but not with the same innocent edge as last year. This time around it’s more naughty, more 1950s pin-up inspired, with thick frames and retro shapes.
Candy bars are the new big trend in fashion – Ted Baker, a London retailer, set up a huge candy cart in its Christmas stores to sell candy-inspired bags and accessories – and we’re liking the new flavour.
Will you be tasting a bit of the Karen Walker eyewear craze?
Image: Candy Bar.
