SHIMMERING SOPHISTICATION
Last season was all about releasing our inner magpies, with attention grabbing diamantes, sequins and any sort of sparkle. The key to this opulent trend was to sparkle in the light, however for Summer 2012 the look is more wearable for everyone with the shimmery sheen being the new glitter. Make up artists worldwide tell us that a healthy sheen is the best look for our skin, and now the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalks have taken on this mantra with catwalks full of shimmery fabrics.
This trend is all about glitz and glam for the grown-ups. The designers have shown that less is more when it comes to our sparkle. Christopher Kane took a minimalist approach, sending his models down the catwalks in classic shapes such stiff A line skirts and dresses with extra sparkly details added on top of the shimmery fabric, whereas Giles took a more indulgent approach to the trend, as his models paraded down the catwalk in luxurious iridescent fabrics in shimmery shades of gold and silver. A futuristic feel could be seen at Sportmax, who used peplum shapes, glittery pencil skirts and drawstring details to show how to nail the sports luxe trend at the same time as the shimmery style. Chanel created a shimmery, girly feel with their sparkly catwalk and soft white fabrics, completed with softly sparkling pastel details and the much coveted Chanel shell handbag, which has the perfect amount of sheen and style to be on any girly-girl’s ‘must have’ listed for Summer 2012.
Whereas winter is the perfect time for over the top sparkle, with office Christmas parties and glitzy New Years Eve celebrations for summer a soft sheen is a lighter, more wearable look that you can make work for any occasion. ‘Friends With Benefits’ star Mila Kunis was spotted rocking a pair of shimmery neutral shorts for drinks with a friend, paired with a matte neutral top, high heel shoes and a black blazer to let her shorts take centre stage. Danni Minogue and Rihanna showed that a subtle sheen on a dark dress can make a great look for a night out on the town, wearing a silky green Stella McCartney number, whereas Danni worked a short navy dress with an oily sheen and lace detailing from her own project D collection. These ladies definitely know their style stripes, both making it into Glamour’s 50 best dressed women, so steal their style now!
If you’re heading abroad this summer, think Grecian goddess by dressing head to toe in a fabulous shimmery chiffon number, combined with gold jewellery such as our Chunky Bold Striped Over-Sized Bangle - Sale was £5.99 now £2.99! Or our Tribal Style Wooden Wrist Cuff/Bracelet - Sale was £5.99 now available for the small price of £3.99, and a pair of detailed gladiator sandals such as our Brown Snakeskin Leather Effect Ankle Strap Gladiator Sandals - Sale was £19.99 for only £15.99. Wear this look with a slick of shimmery lip gloss and that perfect holiday tan for poolside perfection, great for sipping martinis in the hotel bar at sunset. Steal Mila Kunis’s cute style to bag yourself a boyfriend on a night out with a pair of high waisted stiff silver shorts with beaded lace detail over the top to add interest. Combine with loose black blouse, black killer heels like our Black Peeptoe Block Heels With Bow Design, a real bargain for £10, and a matching metallic clutch bag like our gorgeous Metallic Silver Hard-Back Heart Shaped Clutch Bag (£11.00) to be the envy of all the girls when you’re hitting the dance floor. And for boardroom brilliance, look to MaxMara for inspiration with a stiff blazer in a jewel colour such as red, yellow or blue.
Summer is the time to be light, bright and radiant, so go for subtle sophistication with soft shimmers and sheens. It’s your time to shine, you glow girl!
By Meg Dixon - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.
This trend is all about glitz and glam for the grown-ups. The designers have shown that less is more when it comes to our sparkle. Christopher Kane took a minimalist approach, sending his models down the catwalks in classic shapes such stiff A line skirts and dresses with extra sparkly details added on top of the shimmery fabric, whereas Giles took a more indulgent approach to the trend, as his models paraded down the catwalk in luxurious iridescent fabrics in shimmery shades of gold and silver. A futuristic feel could be seen at Sportmax, who used peplum shapes, glittery pencil skirts and drawstring details to show how to nail the sports luxe trend at the same time as the shimmery style. Chanel created a shimmery, girly feel with their sparkly catwalk and soft white fabrics, completed with softly sparkling pastel details and the much coveted Chanel shell handbag, which has the perfect amount of sheen and style to be on any girly-girl’s ‘must have’ listed for Summer 2012.
Whereas winter is the perfect time for over the top sparkle, with office Christmas parties and glitzy New Years Eve celebrations for summer a soft sheen is a lighter, more wearable look that you can make work for any occasion. ‘Friends With Benefits’ star Mila Kunis was spotted rocking a pair of shimmery neutral shorts for drinks with a friend, paired with a matte neutral top, high heel shoes and a black blazer to let her shorts take centre stage. Danni Minogue and Rihanna showed that a subtle sheen on a dark dress can make a great look for a night out on the town, wearing a silky green Stella McCartney number, whereas Danni worked a short navy dress with an oily sheen and lace detailing from her own project D collection. These ladies definitely know their style stripes, both making it into Glamour’s 50 best dressed women, so steal their style now!
If you’re heading abroad this summer, think Grecian goddess by dressing head to toe in a fabulous shimmery chiffon number, combined with gold jewellery such as our Chunky Bold Striped Over-Sized Bangle - Sale was £5.99 now £2.99! Or our Tribal Style Wooden Wrist Cuff/Bracelet - Sale was £5.99 now available for the small price of £3.99, and a pair of detailed gladiator sandals such as our Brown Snakeskin Leather Effect Ankle Strap Gladiator Sandals - Sale was £19.99 for only £15.99. Wear this look with a slick of shimmery lip gloss and that perfect holiday tan for poolside perfection, great for sipping martinis in the hotel bar at sunset. Steal Mila Kunis’s cute style to bag yourself a boyfriend on a night out with a pair of high waisted stiff silver shorts with beaded lace detail over the top to add interest. Combine with loose black blouse, black killer heels like our Black Peeptoe Block Heels With Bow Design, a real bargain for £10, and a matching metallic clutch bag like our gorgeous Metallic Silver Hard-Back Heart Shaped Clutch Bag (£11.00) to be the envy of all the girls when you’re hitting the dance floor. And for boardroom brilliance, look to MaxMara for inspiration with a stiff blazer in a jewel colour such as red, yellow or blue.
Summer is the time to be light, bright and radiant, so go for subtle sophistication with soft shimmers and sheens. It’s your time to shine, you glow girl!
By Meg Dixon - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.
