Making an authoritative fashion statement for the season, the new womenswear collections from House of Fraser, Belfast mark a change in direction for autumn. Offering an impressive array of fashion labels including Kenneth Cole, Therapy, Linea, Episode and Untold, this season’s collections look stronger than ever before. With new brands also launching in-store from Dickins and Jones, Bastyan, Michael Kors, Label Lab and the eagerly anticipated BIBA, it’s an exciting time for the house of brands.
Store manager Michelle Jackson said: “BIBA is an iconic female fashion brand from the 1960’s and I am absolutely delighted that House of Fraser is exclusively launching the brand with a womenswear and accessories collection for autumn/winter 2010. The new collection takes the ethos of the original BIBA but makes it modern and contemporary. We will be one of ten stores in the UK to have a BIBA boutique in-store and will be unveiling it on 09 September.”
Aside from the exciting BIBA launch, the style team have also taken a look at this season’s key trends which are interpreted across many of the collections available in the Belfast store.
Twilight
Dark brooding romance and gothic overtones combine to create ‘Twilight’; a strong, dramatic story for younger looks with layers of black in contrasting fabrics and textures. Iridescent dark tones mixed with elegant decayed embellishments and Victoriana-inspired lace is a key direction for the trend. The crushed velvet evening jacket will add the ‘Twilight’ factor to almost any outfit, or for a more formal interpretation of the trend, the lace halter neck dress epitomises the sultry, gothic look to perfection.
Femme Fatale
A trend inspired by the film noir period of the 1940s and 1950s, ‘Femme Fatale’ celebrates a
bygone era when screen sirens Rita Hayworth and Barbara Stanwyck were making a killing as vampy villainesses. Evoking thoughts of old Hollywood glamour, refined textures such as silk, satin and velvet appear across a dusty colour palette of vintage shades and classic black. The silhouette is seductive with sophisticated tailoring and cinched waists. Highwaisted pencil skirts, faux fur coats and satin ruffle blouses are the statement pieces guaranteed to create the smoky, sexy allure of a modern ‘Femme Fatale’.
Wild Things
Shearling, sheepskin and faux fur are key fabric directions for outerwear this season. ‘Wild Things’ demonstrates an updated boho style with layer upon luxurious layer of chunky knitted texture and oversized, cocoon silhouettes. A neutral colour palette of biscuit, beige and cream tones combine to create a very wearable, casual-cool collection.
Artisan
‘Artisan’ celebrates the fusion of old and new to create a look that is modern and fresh with a nod to the traditional. A confident trend with no restrictions; the look takes a dressing-up box approach to style where clashing prints meet an unlimited colour palette and never-ending layers. With a mix and match attitude, there are unique art-style prints and explosive winter florals across satin shift dresses and printed brocade coats.
Pantomime
With theatrical splendour, ‘Pantomime’ is a deliciously quirky trend that embraces its dark
side. Dramatic trims are essential with chains and ruffles galore, seen on lingerie-inspired lace tops and dresses. Perfect for the party season there is an array of opulent dresses. Velvet is a key fabric direction for the season along with satin, jacquard and brocade in a variety of rich jewel colours. The star of the show is a midnight blue velvet shift dress which oozes show stopping glamour.