Alternatives To The Classic Little Black Dress At Designers Remix

The Alternative to The Little Black Dress

Christmas is only a few months away and many of us will be starting to think about Christmas Party Dresses and whether to opt for the classic little black dress or perhaps something a little more experimental, perhaps a black designer dress that makes a very bold style statement. It can be difficult to move away from the little black dress for Christmas parties, it is just so flattering and works so well for the evening. It also works so well with so many different accessories. You could say that black is the ultimate neutral colour for evening wear and cocktail dresses. It is also very slimming and will help to disguise any lumps and bumps caused by a little Christmas over indulgence. Whilst a classic LBD or little black dress ticks all the boxes in terms of wear-ability, it can some times just be a little too predictable.

High End Fashion Scandinavian Style

That is where the latest very desirable black designer dresses by Designer Remix come in. The Designers Remix Collection is a Scandinavian high-end line of clothing designed to be as unpredictable as the women who wear them. Charlotte Eskildsen, the Designer and Creative Director of Designers Remix Collection describes the collection as  ”sexy, edgy and slightly askew”.The look is beautiful and feminine but not in a traditional way. In 2008 Charlotte was nominated as the “Best Danish Designer” by 400 fashion professionals in the first Dansk Fashion Award ever given. She has also been chosen as a “Rising Star” by the Danish business magazine, Berlinske Tidendes Nyhedsmagasin.

Designeed For Confident And Powerful Woman Who Know What They Want

For autumn winter 2010, the Designer Remix Collection is called ‘Forever After’ and includes a range of  designer black dresses with very interesting shapes. The alternative styles of little black dress are ideal for confident and powerful woman who know what they want from life and are not afraid to show it. The colour black allows you to completely focus your attention on the amazing l. These are exquisite cocktail dresses that are sure to get you noticed.

Designer Remix Collection – Megan Fox Black Dress

What could be more simple than a knee length black column dress but what makes this so special is the detail. The dress is made from recycled polyester and has a cowl neck. The straps feature a sculptured design which make the shoulders a strong focal point.

Designer Remix Collection – Trapez Black Dress

The shape of this sculpted black satin cocktail dress is based on the Empire State Building! Another Sculptural look with an asymmetrical halter neck which gives a nod to the masculine trend with its dinner jacket style lapel. It also has flattering ‘starburst’ darting on the mid thigh length skirt.

Designer Remix Collection – Tranoi Black Dress

Another black satin cocktail dress drawing inspiration from the Empire State Building but this time with a very different shape. The design sits proud of the shoulders creating a stunning look that certainly commands attention.

Such beautiful cocktail dresses command simple accessories that will not compete with them. You could try wearing a beautiful pair of red heels with these dresses though for a stunning look this Christmas.

Cocktail Dresses – Mad Men Style

A big trend for winter 2010 is the cocktail dress – Mad Men Style, inspired by the hit TV programme. Even if you have never  watched the programme, you are sure to have heard or read about it especially when talking about fashion or style. It is highly likely that it was Mad Men that started the whole lady like retro style and fifties/sixties trends that you will be seeing every where at the moment and is set to be a massive trend going into 2011.

So what is Mad Men Style and how can you get it?

The Mad Men style is all about full skirts and blow dried hair. It is about looking after yourself and making an effort with what you wear. No more jeans and t shirts, Mad Men style is about working that lady like look. White gloves, neck scarves and pussycat bows. The  TV drama is about back-stabbing advertising executives and is set in the early 1960′s so features plenty of retro style work wear.

Cocktail dresses are a great starting point, if you want to achieve the very feminine and glamorous look that Christina Hendrix and the other actresses wear on screen for Mad Men. This look is all about the hour glass shape which Joan of Madmen is very lucky to have. But it is not just about what sort of figure you have or haven’t got, Mad Men style is all about flattering your shape, emphasising womanly curves and cinching in that waist. The look is simple, a beautiful cocktail or shift dress, but the structure of the dress is not. The dress needs to hold everything in place creating a figure to die for.

It is this underlying structure in the dress that makes it well worth investing in a women’s designer dress. Whilst you may be able to finding a cheaper alternative, you can bet that it does not have the same ability to create Joan’s Mad Men figure. When it comes to refined cut and corsetry, you can’t get much better than Dolce and Gabbana. Over the years they have created countless dresses that  use meticulous tailoring and boning to hold in the waist and boost the bust.

This Pink Classic Stretch Satin Fitted Dress by D & G  is the perfect cocktail or party dress for almost any occasion. The beauty of it is in its simplicity. It needs very little in the way of accessories just a great pair of heels and perhaps a metallic clutch.

This Lace Insert Dress by D & G is not only incredibly flattering but also very on trend. A really versatile cocktail dress that taps into both the Mad Men theme and romantic lace. Sexy and sophisticated this is the perfect LBD (little black dress) for autumn and winter.

If you are looking for a demure long sleeved cocktail dress, then this textured lace fitted dress by D & G is just what you need. It also has a pussycat bow to really work that Mad Men look.

The New Minimalism – Designer Dresses By APC

A new form of minimalist dresses are becoming increasingly on trend. It was evident at this New York Fashion week in  a number of the collections and it is very much a signature style of the Cult French label APC. This is a development on the original minimalist styles that were made popular by Calvin Klein, the look is designer dresses with simple cuts but a bit of interest perhaps a small collar, slightly gathered waist or some different textures.

APC stands for Atelier de Production et de Crèation and was created by Tunisian born designer Jean Touitou. The clean cut lines of the label have won it a loyal following of people that want to combine a classic and on trend look. The beautifully made designer dresses are a great investment and are definitely wardrobe staples. The Autumn winter range also includes some very warm looking coats, skirts and knitwear.

If you want to get that understated Parisian chic look then APC is the perfect label for you. The clothes are cool, laid back and stylish. The latest collections by the brand have a military overtone and a touch of rock and roll inspiration but these are subtle. The perfect fit and careful selection of fabrics are just part of what makes an APC dress so desirable. APC have even got their own mall weaving plant in France which exclusively produces their shirting fabrics. There designs often also feature, raw denim or faultless knitwear.

The beauty of the clothes designed by APC is that they are timeless, transcending all seasons and styles and can be worn by just about anyone. The styles are not exclusively for one age group or look, they work well for a wide range of people. It is this versatility that has one them such a wide and diverse range of followers. APC is a brand that is likely to be around for the long run with its designs becoming classic pieces.

Woody Dark Navy Dress

A simple style of shirt dress with dark navy stripes, a mandarin collar and ruffle trimmed buckle front. An incredibly wearable shirt dress which would be ideal for everyday wear and look perfect teamed with some tan lace up shoes and some thick tights for the colder weather.

Robe Chasuble Noir Dress

The perfect understated LBD or little black dress this silk blend dress with a scoop neck, thigh length skirt, patch pockets and side button fastening can be dressed up for the evening with heels and a clutch bag or down for the daytime with leggings and ballet flats.

Robe Pull Marin Noir Dress

A really classic style of dress, this silk blend piece is really typical if the APC simple and modern look. Perfect for work or casual, this dress can be accessorised in so many different ways or just worn on its own for the minimalist look.

Robe Marine Dress

This simple shape of dress works perfectly with the busy marine print. Another daytime classic that would look great with thick tights or leggings and boots on a autumn or winter day.

Future Classics – Looking Forward in Style

Classic is defined as ‘Having lasting significance or worth; being enduring ‘ or ‘Simple and harmonious; being elegant’. In fashion there are plenty of clothes that many of us recognise as classic, the white shirt, the LBD (little black dress), a tuxedo jacket or a beautifully cut pair of trousers. These pieces have earnt their classic status over the years with the versatility and style that they bring to their owners wardrobes. Classic clothes do not go out of fashion as they are about so much more than fashion, they are about style. There are some particular styles of designer dresses that have always been considered as classic items and are much sought after by vintage buyers. They are so popular that the designers or labels have continued to design and sell them perhaps updating them slightly with a fresh look each season. These include Diane Von Furstenberg with her much loved wrap dress, the minimalist shift by Calvin Klein and the romantic evening dresses of Alberta Ferretti.

So what of the future? None of us have a crystal call to be able to see which pieces of clothing people will wear in the years and decades to come but we are guessing and hoping that they will be versatile, wearable, beautiful and eyecatching. There are so many exciting up and coming designers, but we wonder whose designs will stand the test of time. Which designer dresses will become the sought after vintage pieces of the future and which styles will be sticking around?

At the recent Vintage at Goodwood festival, there were fashion shows dedicated to designers including Alexander McQueen, Boudicca, Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald, Lara Bohinc and Ann-Louise Roswald, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll and Erdem whose designs are considered to be likely to become the vintage of the future. All of these designers have been carefully chosen by the British Fashion Council to take part in New Generation the world’s first scheme to support emerging designer talent. 

Britain and London in particular is thought to be especially important for the nurturing of new and ground breaking talent. There are also a number of designers in London who have been on the scene for some time and are greatly respected for their innovation. Vivienne Westwood is one of the most experienced and controversial British designers. She is innovative and consistently designs collections including some very lovely designer dresses that women just love to wear. She is widely considered to a be a designer of future classics with her label Anglomania having a signature style of very wearable, casual draped dresses made for confident ladies who know what they want.

There are also some quite distinct styles of dress that particular designers are becoming well known for. There are the Herve Leger body con dresses, Matthew Williamson’s printed chiffon maxi dresses. Peter Pilotto’s draped dresses with beautiful prints and Halston’s seventies style maxi dresses.

For those who like to live for the moment and are wondering what is the relevance of future classics now, looking forward to see what pieces of clothing will still be popular is a great way to build a wardrobe with longevity. Not only will your clothes last and last, never going out of fashion, but if you do decide that you no longer want them, they will be easy to sell allowing you to invest in something fresh and new.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania – Friday Dress

Alexander McQueen Lace Wrap Dress

Matthew Williamson Stained Glass Window Tunic Dress

Peter Pilotto Band Draped Silk Dress

Simple Style – Luxurious Minimalist Dresses

The minimalist trend for designer dresses has been simmering away for a few seasons now following its revival from the nineties when designers like Calvin Klein and Jil Sander pioneered this look. Minimalist is exactly what it says – minimal. It is clothes with simple shapes and a lack of decoration, embellishment or pattern. Whilst to some this might seem a little boring for others  the beauty of  minimalism is its simplicity, clean lines and lack of fuss.

This autumn and winter minimalism was clearly evident with the camel coat being one of the talked about pieces of the season. Neutral and muted colour palettes are a key feature of the minimalist trend with greys, beiges, creams and whites all being popular choices. French designers and labels including Chloe and Celine seem to have really got  a way with minimalist clothes. Phoebe Philo at Celine’s autumn collection was pure and simple with a great take on day wear including a beautiful white tunic dress. Chloe’s Hannah MacGibbon featured high waisted trousers and clean tailoring.

At Stella McCartney, there was a beautiful but simple wool dress and a layered mini dress in sheer organza. The colour scheme was grey black and caramel creating that laid back elegance that Stella does so well.

This new minimalism is all about luxury and pared down elegance. There may not be much fuss or detail but what there is, is perfectly formed in the highest quality materials. Minimalist dresses are all about the perfect cut and fit. Simple shift dresses or maxi dresses are worn in neutral colours without any accessories but what really catches the eye is the clean line. In contrast to busy patterns and prints, minimalist dresses are relaxing and calming to look at. Luxurious cashmeres, wools and silks are all key components of minimalist dresses. Designer dresses are just about the best way to wear the minimalist trend as they combine luxury with stylishly simple design.

The minimalist look can be adapted to suit anyone it encompasses designer dresses from mini lengths to mid length shifts and maxi dresses. It can also be worn for daytime, evening, smart or casual. You just need to choose the right shape and fabric to suit the occasion and your own style.

Alexander Wang knows how to work the minimalist trend in his own laid back way. This Asymmetric jumper dress is perfect for daytime or evening and can be dressed up with wedge heels or down with boots.

Acne also do  a great version of the new minimalism which includes day dresses in dark neutral colours. This Freyia hooded maxi dress is a perfect example of how well minimalism can work for casual wear.

The little black dress or LBD is probably the easiest ways to wear the minimalist trend. This Mara leather dress by Alice Temperly makes the most of luxuriously soft leather as a simple shift dress.

Theory also do some great day dresses which are simple in style but perfectly formed. This grey silk Elvine fitted dress is just  a fabulous cut.

Bag Yourself A Designer Bargain In The Summer Sales

Alas the summer will soon be coming to an end. But not too soon as we still have at least a month to go and even better the chance to indulge in designer goodies at a great price in the summer sales. For those taking a late summer holiday, the sales are the perfect time to stock up on a few holiday essentials like a beach kaftan or designer maxi dress or two. For those of us who won’t get the chance to jet away to the sun or whose holidays are now a distant memory, there are still plenty of bargains to be had. A great piece of designer clothing will last you for many seasons to come and if you choose carefully you may be able to find some great clothes including designer evening dresses and party dresses that will work for autumn and winter just as well as they do for the summer.

By choosing a classic style of designer dress it will become an investment that you will just keep wearing and wearing for many seasons to come. Some designers pieces are even described as future classics and it is well worth investing in dresses by the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Christopher Kane as they are likely to become iconic in the future even if they are not so already. Designers like Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno also make great classic styles of clothes that are unlikely to ever go out of fashion.

Great summer dresses that are well worth buying in the summer dresses include signature pieces by well known designers like the draped dresses of Peter Pilotto and evening dresses by Alberta Ferretti.

An LBD or little black dress is always a good buy in the summer sales as it is about as versatile as you can get. This DKNY convertible strapless dress is such a simple but stylish design and can be converted in to a skirt with a simple tug of the waistband. It is typical of Donna Karan’s minimalist dresses made of fluid fabrics.

This Vivienne Westwood Anglomania purple drape dresswill turn heads at any tome of year. Its long sleeves make it great for the autumn and winter and any fashionista knows, Vivienne Westwood will never go out of fashion.

Pale pink doesn’t just have to be a summer  colour. Swap the white jacket for a black jacket and shoes and you have a look that is perfect for partying the autumn and winter away. This blush Betty Boop strapless dress by Paul & Joe is a great buy in the sales, can be worn as a cocktail dress, a party dress or for any evening occasion and reduced to less than half price.

You could also skip the summer sales and go straight to a site like the Outnet which sells designer dresses at great discounts all year round. This beautiful Ozzy cotton dress by etoile Isabel Marant is perfect for daytime or evening. For a really in trend look try teaming it with a black leather biker jacket.

The Designer Wrap Dress – A Flattering And Classic Style

Ever since Diane Von Furstenberg designed her first wrap dress in the seventies, it has become a classic style of  day dress, evening dress and cocktail dress, loved by women ever where for its ability to flatter and make the waist look slimmer. The ruching effect on the fabric and the diagonal lines cutting across the body are incredibly slimming. The original figure  hugging wrap dress was made from a jersey fabric but these days you can get amazing designer wrap dresses in everything from jersey to silk, satin and cashmere knit. When it was first released the DVF wrap dress was considered so revolutionary that it could actually change lives. We are not sure about this, but it is definitely a very stylish dress that will never go out of fashion. The wrap dress is the perfect fusion of business like glamour. It is a piece of clothing that makes every woman who wears it feel amazing.

The cult like status of the wrap dress is due to the ability of Diane Von Furstenberg to design just the sort of clothes that women want to wear. The sort of clothes that look feminine and practical to wear but also make the wearer feel empowered. Diane Von Furstenberg continues to create some very beautiful wrap dresses in the form of day dresses and evening dresses but there are also plenty of other versions of the wrap dresses available. The wrap dress has now evolved to include all sorts of different features and styles.

This Richmond Silk Wrap Dress has an almost cowl like neckline for a really chic look. It also has long sleeves which balance the length of the skirt perfectly.

This Vivienne Westwood Washed Silk Wrap Dress has an interesting assymetrical collar and  a beautiful colour. The silk gives it a fluid look and allows it to move with you. It would work equally well as a cocktail dress or day dress.

This D & G Wrap Bow Dress has a wrap style front but actually fastens with a zip at the back making it incredibly easy to put on and wear. It is a really flattering length and looks amazing as a cocktail dress.

For a summer party, this Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti Negligee Wrap Front Dress will look amazing. The shine of the satin combined with the folds and pleats as the dress wraps make it a really eye catching choice. It has a definite vintage feel about it and looks great with neutral coloured accessories.

 

For the cooler whether this DKNY V neck Long Sleeve Wrap Dress makes the perfect day dress. Comfortable, stylish and flattering it is a wardrobe staple for the autumn.

This YMC Navy Hounds Tooth Jersey Wrap Dress copies the wrap style of the original DVF wrap dress but does not have a tie at the front. It features a really navy hounds tooth design making a great dress for the daytime. Team it with black ballet pumps and a slouch bag for an outfit that oozes understated glamour.

Bag A Designer LBD In The Sales

There is one item of clothing that is the ultimate of all party dresses, the thing that just about every girl has at least one of and probably the most versatile piece of clothing for the evening, this is the little black dress. A little black dress (LBD) will always be suitable and stylish for any party you attend and is really easy to dress up in different ways for different looks. A little black dress is also incredibly slimming.   For a piece of clothing that is likely to get so much wear, it is well worth investing in a designer dress and as most black party dresses are classic pieces, they are the perfect piece of clothing to pick up in the sales. There many different styles of designer little black dress so it is well worth shopping around to find the style that suits you best.

The Classic LBD

Cecilia Dress by Kirsty Doyle

For those that want party dresses that will virtually last for ever, a classic style is the best. Everyone should own a classic style of little black dress, it is a fail safe outfit for so many occasions and won’t ever go out of fashion. For a great investment and bargain in the sales look for one by a well known designer or label. Vivienne Westwood, Dolce and Gabbana and Paul Smith all do great little black dresses. You could also try Paul and Joe, Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti and DKNY.

The Draped LBD

Chain Shouldered Cowl Dress by Shakuhachi

For those who want an elegant and flattering styles of little black dresses or ladies evening dresses, the draped LBD is for you. Draping not also gives any dress a Grecian goddess sort of feel, it also helps to hide any lumps or bumps and the folds of fabric help to elongate the body. Designers such as Peter Pilotto, Versace and Vivienne Westwood are all masters of drape and a ladies evening dresses but any of these names will do wonders for your figure.

The Body Con LBD

Dizzy Strapless Bolero Dress by Sportmax

For those who have a great body and want to show it off, the bodycon LBD is just for you. As black is such a slimming colour, even those who might not normally be able to make a body con dress work can do so with the LBD. A Herve Leger bandage dress is the ultimate body con dress and will help to support you body and hold everything in giving you a that smoother and sleeker look that is vital with a body con dress.

The Contemporary LBT

Frill Dress by Diana Orving

For a  more contemporary style of LBD that will really make you stand out from the crowd keep an eye out for new up and coming designers or the latest graduates from the fashion colleges. By choosing something a little different and edgy, it won’t really go out of fashion too quickly but will continue to look unique and individual.

The Casual LBT

Black Fortune Dress by Vivienne Westwood

Jersey is very now and very fresh and a great way to wear the LBD in a more casual way. Great for those times when you want to look amazing but not too dressed up.

The Fun Loving Festival Fashionista

No sooner does June creep up and deliver summer upon us, so too starts the summer festival season and the re-acquaintance with all things au naturale. However despite being away from ones creature comforts the serious festival fashionista needs to look their very best regardless of location, facilities or weather conditions.

The traditionally unpredictable British summer weather means that she needs a lot more consideration about her fashion choices for a weekend in the great outdoors than would necessarily be the case if it this wonderful Island of ours were a a couple of hundred miles further South, but as the Azores high seems to have been reluctant to come this far north during recent summers, it means that all too often the first items to be packed are the Hunters Wellies and plastic mac rather than the shorts and bikini top.

But as there are many different festivals, so too are there many different festival goers especially when we’re talking fashion. Take for example the fun loving festival fashionista who can’t wait to leave the city but not without her wardrobe essentials.

As well as the wellies being a fashion statement, which have to be none other than Hunters Wellies, she also has the gladiators packed for such an eventuality as the sun making an appearance, she’s not seen without her Paul & Joe Sister harems and the on trend Manoush Fringe Dress evoking the very spirit of Hendrix’s suede fringe tassel jacket. Though the must pack item for the headline band is the easy to wear Black Magical Silk Frill Frayed Edge Dress by Acne that drips easy to wear cool and most likely seen at the V festival Chelmsford or Secret Garden Party near Cambridge

See more Festival Fashions Below:

My Wardobe & Olivia Rubin Produce Designer Dresses For Fashion Cancer Charity

Olivia Ruben The Young British Fashion Designer who has Fearne Cotton, Lily Allen and Cheryl Cole amongst her fans has once again teamed up with MyWardrobe.com for the second year running for a very worthwhile cause, that of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Olivia best known for her forward thinking unique designs and Statement designer dresses has produced a My Wardrobe exclusive designer evening dress for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer of which 30% of its price goes to the charity.

This year Rubens has taken the classic Little Black Dress, and given it a modern twist with its body-con styling offset by a draped sheer chiffon asymmetrical overlay featured a bow at its shoulder with a cute sweatheart neckline.

The EXCLUSIVE Matisse Ruched Shoulder Designer Dress is simple yet stunning design. A Black strapless dress with a sheer black layer knotted at the shoulder running an asymmetrically across the torso to the ruched hips. As well as having a sweetheart bodice, it is also boned, and fastens with a side zip.

Fashion targets Breast Cancer is the Fashion industry calling to the breakthrough breast cancer charity, which has in itself raised a total of £10.5m of the past 13 years which goes directly to researching, campaigning and education.

Not only will you look absolutely wonderful in this Exclusive Designer Dress, but simply the act of buying it will make you feel wonderful in the knowledge that 30% of the price will go to what is a very worthwhile cause.

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