Thursday style crush

EMANUEL UNGARO wrap around ruffled sandals, £880

This morning we found these amazing ruffled sandals on Net a Porter's "new in" section, and to be honest STITCH is head over heels in love. These shoes conjure up images of Poison Ivy, with their beautiful organza ruffled vines appearing to grow up the model's legs. Architectural and structured as much as they are feminine and pretty, this is shoespiration at its finest from French fashion house Emanuel Ungaro, and the artistic heels even feature a full zip, making them as wearable as they are "stare-able". Yet another breathtaking example of wearable art and textile genius on the SS14 runways. 

#WCW - Beyonce's Tour Wardrobe

Here's a challenge: find a woman in the UK who doesn't absolutely idolise Beyonce? 

Yeah, we thought not.

A few days ago this amazing behind-the-scenes footage emerged of Beyonce's tour wardrobe, and unsurprisingly the clothes are as beautiful as the woman herself. 

Stage outfits are known for breaking conventional fashion boundaries, due to their "showgirl" quality and glamorous nature. However, add to this that they are worn by one of the world's most famous performers - who is known for her vigorous, fast-paced choreography - and suddenly things are a lot more technical. Beyonce's stylists had so many factors to consider: they needed outfits that were inkeeping with her tour songs, well-made so as not to fall apart during a hip thrust, not too restrictive for Bey to wiggle around in, and on top of all this keeping up her overtly sexual and glamorous aura. Mission impossible, right?

Somehow, it's been achieved. And with pieces designed by Versace no less (but what else could you expect for Queen B?!)

The materials and textiles used are as extravagant as their wearer. From jewel encrusted to suede fringed to leather panels to diamond embellished to metal buckles and straps. The artistry and dedication from the team behind the wardrobe is astonishing - it took 300 hours to make that beautiful Versace dress! However, STITCH's favourite look has to go to that beautiful sparkly polka dot jumpsuit. It's got movement, versatility, and incredible sparkly dots that glitter perfectly as Bey flies across the stage, and matching sparkly heels to boot. An outfit fit for a Queen indeed...

And that's why we've decided to award her tour wardrobe with the coveted #WCW (Wardrobe Crush Wednesday) crown. 

What's your favourite look from Beyonce's tour wardrobe? 

Pick of S/S '14's wearable art collections

I'm sure you've all had your fingers firmly on the S/S '14 fash pulse since last autumn's shows that revealed the array of pastels, punchy logos and artistic prints we should all be wearing by now (if you weren't wearing the trends by November 1st then shame on you...)

However, there is one particular trend putting S/S '14 firmly in the spotlight, and indeed making it STITCH-friendly. It's about time to give these collections a spotlight. Here's our pick of S/S '14's most wearable art that all you late-to-the-party fashion bunnies should know about now.

1: PRADA STREET ART

Miuccia Prada debuted a brave street-art-inspired collection for S/S '14. Featuring loose fit dresses with visible bra detail, and huge female faces splashed across the front, the collection used images from six artists from across the globe, and paid homage to themes of Mexican street art and... feminism?

"There is this debate about women again, and I want to interpret it. My instrument is fashion. I use my instrument to be bold. I had this idea that if you wear clothes so exaggerated and out there, people will look, and then they will listen," Miuccia said to Vogue of her collection.

Alongside the pieces, Prada created an artistic spectacle at their S/S '14 debut show that sadly isn't visible in any photographs of the runway. However, reviews and blogs reported the sight of huge murals of women's faces emblazoning the walls surrounding the runway - the same faces Miuccia has printed onto her garments, actually. She discussed the use of these colourful and empowering images as being "the multiplicity of guises that women assume in the course of a day, or a lifetime".

Textiles-wise, the garments appear as diverse as their design; with embellished bra-sections, the use of fur (albeit controversially as part of a summer collection), chunky ribbed socks and jewel-encrusted shoes to name a few. Prada's collection encompasses everything STITCH envisions as "wearable art", and is made all the more fabulous by its connections with feminism, links to Mexican street art, and showcase of global artists. Bravo, Miuccia.

CREATE THE STREET ART LOOK ON A BUDGET BY LOOKING FOR GRAPHIC PRINTS WITH PAINTBRUSH STROKES AND BRIGHT COLOURS, SUCH AS THIS ADIDAS JACKET

2: LIBERTY x NIKE

Nike x Liberty S/S '12, image taken from Office

Following on from their huge success in S/S '12, Nike and Liberty have joined forces once more for a new shoe collection due to drop next month (keep all ears to the ground, and all elbows pointed, of course) - and STITCH is very excited about it.

The marriage of art and trainers is certainly nothing new. While Liberty x Nike may stand at the forefront of this sector, other successful collaborations include Basquiat x Reebok and the recent Adidas x Raf Simons (there's now even designer flip-flops, hi! Valentino x Havaianas).

However, there's just something a bit special about Liberty x Nike. We're all about supporting the British textiles scene and the vast amounts of craftmanship that goes into creating heritage garments, and Liberty London is one of the most quintessentially British brands there is. Founded in 1875, the brand and mock-Tudor emporium that houses it, have become symbols of luxury and beautiful design. Liberty art fabrics were one of the first creations to come out of the brand, printing and dying onto imported oriental silks. Today Liberty art fabrics are as famous as the brand itself - you can recognise a Liberty print as soon as you see it, with their signature bright colours and vintage floral-inspired patterns. 

Nike have skillfully married sport with fashion, canvas with florals, and old with new for an outcome that is as beautiful as it is popular - their last collection sold out instantly - and so very wearable. STITCH suggests keeping yourselves poised for the next drop so you don't miss out again. Coming April 2014.

3. UNIQLO x MoMA

Over in the US, Uniqlo have joined forces with MoMA to create a range of T-shirts that represent a group of artists hand picked by the brand. "These artists are among the most innovative within their disciplines and most dynamic in stretching boundaries across various mediums. Their diverse works address a range of issues important to the global community" said Uniqlo of the project, which is built up of 14 white t-shirts with slogan designs on the front of them. STITCH's personal faves are "no more u, no more me" and "Life's 1/2 price for suckers in love." 

The artists featured are: Carlos Amorales, Emily Roysdon, DETEXT, Franklin Evans, Nick Mauss, Matthew Brannon and Lize Mogel, each of whom have created two tees (one male/one female design). Their eclectic backgrounds is part of what makes this collaboration so interesting - ranging from sculptors to photographers to installation creators. Especially inspirational, however, is the skillful way such a big brand have taken a group of artists and given them the recognition they deserve through the un-ignorable medium of fashion design. Just like Liberty x Nike, these pieces are extremely wearable from day to day - and isn't it great to know you're helping to represent talented artists in the process?

MORE INFORMATION ON THE MOMA x UNIQLO COLLECTION HERE (NB: CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN US)

4. LOUIS VUITTON TEXTILE PROJECT

         

Louis Vuitton is a brand that has become known for its high fashion pieces that are also highly wearable. The words "Louis Vuitton" have become synonymous with French glamour, sophistication and high quality since the label was founded in 1854. 

So how surprised were we to see this turn of events - a Louis Vuitton project seeking to showcase artists? Three artists from across the globe (Andre/Paris, Kenny Scharf/USA, INTI/Chile) were given the opportunity to splash their own designs onto signature LV garments, with two of them choosing the silk square scarf and the other opting to graffiti street art onto the infamous Monogram shawl. 

This project, again, marries the idea of street art and fashion, and gives a spotlight to up-and-coming artists. Supporting the next generation of artists is part of the STITCH mission, and what better way to achieve this than by collaborations with the most legendary labels in the game? These scarves are wearable, edgy and fresh, but undoubtedly with that coveted LV luxury twist. Shop the collection here

5. VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FOR ASOS

The pairing of legendary designer Vivienne Westwood with online-shopping giant ASOS could very well be a match made in fashion heaven. Add to this the fact that her Ethical Africa collection of bags are handmade by communities in Nairobi that are effected by extreme poverty (using upcycled materials like recycled canvas, roadside banners and leather scraps) - this is fashion that looks good and also does good. 

From a textiles point of view: the craftmanship is outstanding, the textiles is ingenious, and the pieces are so usable (and affordable, starting at £58). We're completely sold - are you?

SHOP THE (SLIGHTLY SOLD OUT) COLLECTION HERE