Avant Garde

As many of you probably already know, avant garde is a French term for experimental, radical & new ideas with respect to art, culture, music, fashion & society. It certainly is a term that sums up the following three ensembles, all featuring dresses from Central Saint Martins graduate A.V Robertson's lauded "3D floral" collaboration with Asos Black & all receiving rave reviews from pundits at recent fashion events in the River City. 

Scroll down to check out each one in detail:

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LOOK #1

Dress: A.V Robertson for Asos neoprene, foil, beads

Heels: Betts for Her iridescent patent

Clutch: Target iridescent patent, vinyl

Bangle: Sea Wish Coolangatta clear resin

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Winter weather begone in this stunning 1960s style blue neoprene shift with 3D floral beading, deep-v neckline & Twiggy-esque above-the-knee hem. When an item of clothing is as statement-making as this dress, the rest of the accessories are rendered almost superfluous; back up singers to the belting-it-out-diva, if you will. Thus, I chose a pair of iridescent patent peep-toe platforms from Betts for Her to add height... & pick up on the "shine" of the foil leaves & flowers; mint green pearlescent envelope clutch with iridescent flap from Target to carry all my essentials & a chunky, clear resin "wrap around" bangle from Sea Wish Coolangatta that I pushed half-way up my forearm for something just that little bit different. Voila! 4 items; 1 complete look.

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LOOK #2

Dress: A.V Robertson for Asos suede, satin, foil, beads

Loafers: Wittner patent leather

Bag: Vera May patent leather with silver hardware

Gloves: Gift, polyurethane

Ring: Lovisa resin, silver

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Black & red are - quite frankly - a sartorial dream, requiring little else than hue to make a lasting statement. This cocoon-shaped midi dress (funnel collar cut off) in sumptuous suede with 3D beaded rectangular red satin patches is on another plane altogether & required something truly special when it came to accessories. 

Firstly, I went funky with a pair of relatively flat black patent leather loafers from Wittner - Shock! Horror! A midi-length hemline with f-l-a-t shoes... yep, it can be done - bare legs & a lipstick red patent leather shoulder bag from Vera May (purchased from Bare Traps at Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre, home of to-die-for handbags if I do say so myself...) & then I added the piece de resistance: black polyurethane fingerless "opera gloves" that a dear friend gifted me from a trendy shop in London's Shoreditch. All that remained was to add a chunky red resin ring from Lovisa & the ensemble was complete...

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LOOK #3

Dress: A.V Robertson for Asos suede, satin, foil, beads

Coat: Target crepe with satin lining

Loafers: Wittner patent leather

Bracelet: Adorne beads, silver, elastic

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I'm not going to lie, blush tones can be tricky to wear, especially when they EXACTLY match your skin tone but that didn't stop me styling up this amazing cocoon-shaped suede mini with large 3D beaded blue satin patch with some older favourites from my wardrobe. This bright blue, collarless, three-quarter-sleeved coat with black piping detail & spotted satin lining from Target has been part of my Winter repertoire for three or four years now & thanks to its classic shape, its versatility really knows no bounds... even when matched with such an unorthodox under-layer. Indeed, it really made the blue patch on the dress "pop!" 

Footwear remained the same for this third look; my trusty pair of black patent leather loafers from Wittner - leg lengthening illusion not required this time around. One last accessory completed the ensemble - a bulky, heavily-beaded bracelet from Adorne to add a final touch of sparkle & shine.

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