Embracing Classic Design: A Guide

Posted on July 9, 2019July 9, 2019 by Stella

Classic design means a lot of different things. It means the Chanel tweed coat; it means the little black dress, it means the tan trench coat. In short, it means the styles that have withstood the test of time and continue to look exceptional when paired with more modern trends.

To help you decide on which classic design pieces you should personally embrace, here is a rundown of all the garments that you need in your wardrobe today.

Know Your History

The first step to embracing classic design is to understand what makes a classic design. Spend a little time online or invest in a fashion book so that you can familiarize yourself with the most popular and timeless pieces that came out of every century. This way, you know what to look for, and which designs you like best before you start hunting for the perfect pieces to complete your wardrobe.

The Pieces That Withstand the Test of Time

When it comes to the classics, there are a few pieces that have not only withstood the test of time but are essential to any great wardrobe (capsule or otherwise).

The Classic Trench Coat

The classic trench coat can be worn in so many ways. It can be worn buttoned up with striking shoes for a noir look, or it could be kept open and paired with your Sunday jeans and a baggy sweater. Regardless of your sense of style, the trench coat will match it, and then elevate it. It’s lasting design means you should invest in the exceptional quality offered by trenchlondon.com so that it could be your faithful, beautiful companion for years on end.

The White Buttoned Down Shirt

The white buttoned down shirt is a classic that can be hard to get right. When in doubt, choose a high quality piece that fits around your widest part, and then tailor it to perfection.

The Little Black Dress

Every woman should have a little black dress. This has been essential ever since Audrey Hepburn came on screen in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Though the exact style is up to you, your little black dress should be flattering to your shape. Consider getting it tailored if needs be.

A Cashmere Knit

High quality cashmere might be expensive, but when it comes to comfort and warmth, it cannot be beaten. Invest in one or two quality cashmere sweaters, and you’ll look exceptional and be cosy all winter long.

The Slip Dress

The slip dress is the newest addition to this list, as before Calvin Klein popularised it, the slip dress was seen as an undergarment. It is a great, versatile piece that can be worn in winter and summer.

When choosing classic pieces, you can invest in high quality, luxurious garments without worry. You will wear them again and again, year after year. In fact, it is in your best interest to invest now so that you can enjoy a beautiful, tailored-perfect look from the start and forevermore.

The iconic Karl Lagerfeld

Posted on February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 by Stella

Guest post by Hannah Littler

An instantly recognisable name and face has sadly left the fashion industry today. Karl Lagerfeld, famously known for his triumphant take over of Chanel and Fendi, whilst simultaneously running his own brand ‘Karl Lagerfeld’ has passed away at the age of 85.

Thousands have taken to social media to remember the icon, from those who admired him as a role model, to those closest to him, including Naomi Campbell, Winnie Harlow, Elton John, Victoria Beckham and Anna Wintour.

This post is a tribute and reflection upon the life that the famous German designer lived, whilst discovering some interesting facts you may not have known about Karl.

To begin, his signature ponytail, which has been with him a long period of time, since 1976 to be exact. After growing tired of long, curly hair Karl pulled it back into a ponytail where it has remained an iconic look ever since.

Many may have noticed his favourite companion, who accompanied him everywhere, his cat, Choupette Lagerfeld. Possibly one of the most pampered felines, Lagerfeld was truly devoted to her, providing her with not just one, but, two personal maids to dote over her every need! If you have yet to have the opportunity to see his furry friend, you can still admire her from her own personal Instagram account @choupettesdiary

True to form when Living an extravagant busy lifestyle, Lagerfeld had houses across the globe from New York to Paris. However, the designer took extra living to another level by having TWO homes a short distance from one another. One is provided purely for Karl to regain his beauty sleep and sketch new designs when he’s ‘in town’, whilst the other is for entertaining visitors and arranging meetings. Although only a short distance from each other, Karl ensured the house in which he only sleeps in, does not have a kitchen of any sort. Instead, his food is brought to him as if he is staying in a hotel.

With the power to have anything he wanted, you’ll find it surprising to discover that his favourite drink was, in fact, Pepsi. However being Karl, whilst attending parties and events he would have a personal butler following him around to ensure his favourite drink was always close to hand in a moment of thirst.

Finally, Lagerfeld took great pride in his appearance and skin care routine, keeping his small collection of products in a separate fridge in his bathroom. The designer additionally avoided the sun and wore gloves to protect his hands to ‘exude his natural glow’.

Karl Lagerfeld, thank you for your contribution and immense success within the fashion industry, you will truly be missed and remembered for many years to come.

A retrospectively vintage season

Posted on August 8, 2013March 26, 2015 by Stella

It’s been a hell of a season in the wonderful world of fashion and here at The Stellar Boutique we couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate the absolute inundation of vintage fashion inspiration on the Spring Summer and Autumn Winter catwalks alike. In a fad of revival, all things vintage seem to be fundamental in both catwalk and street style alike. We’ve been utterly bombarded with nostalgia this season with the revival of Mod culture, monochrome and op art from the sixties a la Moschino, candy stripes at the likes of Dolce & Gabbana (the raffia bag is to die for,) and checks at Chanel and Louis Vuitton, alongside Paco Rabane’s swinging sixties on the Autumn Winter 2013 catwalk.

AcneMonochromeStripes — Acne Spring Summer 2013

We are absolutely loving the reincarnation of nineties, with the phenomenon of androgyny, dishevelment and the most portent – grunge. An anti-fashion and a trend that lived and died on the streets, the more unkempt the better, think Nirvana, a catalyst for this trend alongside the likes of Marc Jacobs acting as a key facilitator for this fashion movement. This season we’ve seen designers revisit their own archives to portray their own pre-eminence ready for both Spring Summer and this coming Autumn Winter 2013, with the likes of Nicole Farhi, Rihard Nicoll and Chloe taking inspiration from the asexual grunge spectacle of the nineties, combining the sensibilities of the x and y wardrobe this season. Apprehensive? We were too until we paid attention to our favourite fashionistas Mary-Kate Olsen and Cara Delevingne, carrying off nineties grunge like it’s nobody’s business.

MarcJacobsGrunge1992 — Marc Jacobs Grunge 1992

MulberryAutumnWinter2013 — Mulberry Autumn Winter 2013

Contrary to this we have some serious style envy from the orientalism on the catwalks of Stella McCartney and Marni with inspiration taken from the genius that was Paul Poiret, seen as the solo individual who pointed the way to the modern era. Ranked among the most exceptional contributors in fashion history, he was not only an avant-garde couturier, but a visionary, a man who was prepared to take many risks, producing garments of orient-inspired costume in which the trend reached an apex during the early twentieth century, using kimono sleeves made expressively due to the avant-garde art movement, inspired by the Far Eastern costumes of the ballet Russes.

EmilioPucciSS13 — Emilio Pucci Spring Summer 2013

Lucky for us here at The Stellar Boutique, melancholy is here to stay, with Autumn Winter shaping up to be a perdition of a vintage celebration. We see designers look through their own previous collections for inspiration – think Christian Dior’s ‘New Look,’ seventies dogtooth and Hitchcock femme fatales at Gucci and Temperley. And finally, we’ve saved the best until last, we see the merriment of British heritage with Alexander McQueen’s Elizabethan collection and anarchistic punk at Topshop Unique and Versace for the Vunk label. Think heavy duty with leather and studded embellishment spikes, dominatrix patent and bondage slashes to reveal flashes of flesh, leaving it all to the imagination. Unassuming is no longer standard with traditional tartans, oversized furs and dishevelled leopard prints. An inconspicuous fall? Chances are “pretty vacant!”