scrapbook | Ragdolls and Ribbons

As part of my university project this term, I was asked to come up with a trend for this season based on the A/W14 catwalks and create a shopping page. Of course, me being me, chose fairy tale fashion. I’m proud to say that my piece was awarded an A, and after tireless library sessions and endless caramel lattes, I’m very happy with my piece. We were asked to do the piece in the style of Vogue Scrapbook, and we had to provide a photo shoot which accompanied it. You can read the piece below and view the layouts just a little further down! Enjoy!

Once upon a time…

…in a land far away, catwalks charmed us with a romantic trend for winter 2014.

It’s the world of magical forests and divine ball gowns and this winter we all get to escape to a glittering utopia. References to childhood stories filled the catwalks for this season; meaning princess ensembles with excessive embellishments will occupy our expanding wardrobes.

Trees, foxes and medieval keys graced the Dolce and Gabbana catwalk. The hood of an alpaca and fox fur blend coat entwined itself into our hearts; its red hue offering a dynamic colour for the winter months. Red marks the tainted glow of Snow White’s apple evoking not only passion and romance but danger too. It’s a sinister reminder of the blood that poured from Sleeping Beauty’s finger and the crimson complexion of Red Riding Hood’s cape. Follow Dorothy down the yellow brick road in Dolce and Gabbana’s embellished ruby flushed Mary Jane heels or opt for a shade of scarlet with Roberto Cavalli’s fur stole to mask you from the spine-chilling wolf. Transfer the trend to the living room and spend your evenings reclining on an exquisite Versace sofa and infuse the air with Lily-Flame’s Fairy Dust scent. A perfect setting for those romantic nights.

Tilda Lindstam was Dolce and Gabbana’s image of a ‘damsel in distress’ in an amethyst chiffon dress including a lace-up waspie, cinching in her slender waist. Amidst the defiant shapes, ruching detail attracted eyes to the upper section the garment incorporating softness and elegance. Elie Saab and Ashish also embodied the whimsical trend, presenting dresses with oversized underskirts reminiscent of those worn by Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

McQueen offered a more sombre side to the innocent fairy tales, pairing white broderie anglais dresses with an eerie and uncanny setting. The pieces were of course very elaborate with Tudor collars and puffball sleeves transporting us back to a dated era. Pure white school girl socks peeped over the top of black military style boots, mixing a wonderland with the nightmares of the disequilibrium.

To explore the trend further, 19th century Russian painter and designer Elena Polenova is set to make a spark at the Watts Gallery with the exhibition A Russian Fairytale: The Art and Craft of Elena Polenova (18th November- 8th February). The artist’s rarely seen illustrations for children’s narratives including Father Frost will be unveiled to the public breathing life back into the old folk stories that dominated the catwalks. So take a right turn into an enchanted world this winter and you might just live happily ever after. NW