Forties-ssimo!

Forties fashion has always been an inspiration to designers the world over. At a time where resources were scarce and both food and fashion were rationed, the femmes from the forties were never short on style.



Red carpet looks in this set take inspiration from the movie star glamour of the Forties. Rita Hayworth as Gilda is the epitome of sex appeal, the essence of which, even Jessica Rabbit had to borrow. Silhouettes are long (just add curves) and vintage bling with estate aesthetics add punch while a peacock clutch lends a touch of fantasy as a tribute to an era that obsessed over intricate accessories.



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Femmes in the Forties were absolutely all about the shoulders, the waist, and the narrow hips. Dynamic dresses and suits, structured or otherwise were de rigeur, and considering the amount of food rationed to every woman in a week, it is no wonder that those silhouettes came about. For a modern Forties Femme look, try sharp dresses in softer fabrics such as jersey, with popsicle-coloured accessories to contrast. Add feathers and red lipstick for drama, taking the lead from burlesque superstar, Dita Von Teese.

Apart from the long silhouettes - draping and pleating were also prevalent elements in Forties style, not forgetting the shoulder accents. The day suit gets sharper with details such as peaked shoulders, drapes, pleats, and again, a fresh pop of colour.

The Forties also gave birth to the wedge heel, the kangaroo cloak and last but not least - the Siren Suit, a protective garment worn over one's clothes in the event that the siren goes off, and one has to head for the basement. Made chic by designers and popular by personalities such as Winston Churchill, the siren suit marked the birth of the jumpsuit. Who'd have thought that disco began way back in the forties?

A siren suit, or jumpsuit, by Italian label Enzo, in Legler stretch velvet cord, circa WW2.

hautekisses

xxx

Streetkutu

We love new media designer - Fairuz Sulaiman's use of colour-blocking. Who would have thought that rust and violet would complement each other, adding a certain vintage timbre as well. Throw in red and kelly green and our lives are complete!

Trendkutu: Denim in Demand

Denim trends this winter are anything but plain. With varied textures, lengths and details, it's time to put those blue babies into acid-free paper and into storage for future wear.

Silhouettes


Silhouettes generally remain long and lean, tucked into ankle or thigh high boots, cuffed or calved, cropped at the ankle, with or without backzips, low-waisted or with a high-rise, while the bootcut silhouette remains a possibility too.

Colours and Textures

Faded black is a key trend and sets the tone for a subtle feel in casual dressing. To contrast - acid washed, marbled, mottled, camouflage, tie-dyed options - all make a comeback in monochromatic themes.

Textures are ripped, destroyed, distressed, studded and riveted.

As an alternative to denim, there is the "jegging" - or as we prefer to call it, the denim-printed legging - which would keep long days a lot more comfortable, while creating less bulk and optimising movement. (Will we see the dreaded return of the looped ski-pant in the near future?)

Paige Denim

While colours seem greywashed and monochromatic, we can look forward to blue denim again, when the Spring season comes around.

Here's a quick look at some of the trends next spring

Wild Wild West 

Dolce and Gabbana

Americana

Ralph Lauren

Volume + Shine = Voluminous

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jumpsuits

Rag and Bone

If you're curious about any of the pieces we showcased in this post, please drop us a comment or email us and we'll give you the details. Picture shoutouts go to these fine sites which you should check out : denimology.co.uk, highsnobette.com, fashionising.com, jakandjil.com, style.com, shopbop.com, topshop.co.uk, urbanoutfitters.com.

hautekisses
xxx

Shopkutu: Fabric Heaven and Beyond

At Hautekutu, rediscovering Peter Hoe Beyond housed on the 2nd Floor of the Lee Rubber Building, on Jalan Tun H. S. Lee was beyond delightful. The second-story loft with tons of natural light streaming through creates a perfect setting for the number of goodies you'll find spread out like candy on a countertop, giving the store a wonderful Greenwich Village ambience. Peter has always had an eye for tasteful home furnishings and at Beyond, you'll find an eclectic mix of the contemporary and vintagesque, and more importantly, bursts of colour, fabric and prints, everywhere you look.

From table dressing, to bed dressing, lounge dressing and more, Beyond has it all, along with matching robes, for the hostess with the 'lounge' mostest.

What we also love is the way Peter has brought chic to Malaysiana souvenirs.

Napkins sold in sets of two come in a matching fabric-wrapped box for RM39

State-specific souvenirs have never been so hip...

Fabric-wrapped notebooks that come in a voile bag and multi-printed shoulder totes make perfect Christmas presents

Pack your swimthings in a wetbag and go go go!

Hand-printed wrapping paper makes for happy endings...

Beyond also features a fabulous cafe with salads, sandwiches, and delectable baked goods such as quiche and brownies, perfect for mulling over shopping lists and getting over indecision. We know where we'll be this weekend!

Peter Hoe Beyond
2nd Floor, Lee Rubber Building,
No. 145, Jalan Tun H. S. Lee,
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2026 9788

Open 10am – 7pm, daily

hautekisses
xxx

Daul Kim: Urban Warrior Princess

Today at Hautekutu, we celebrate Daul Kim, the 20-year old Korean model who left us yesterday (November 19, 2009) at the height of her burgeoning career. At age 20, she was soulful, honest, poetic and melancholic, and spoke of contemporary life and its maladies and malaise in a way that was beyond her years.  In her blog, before her death, Daul indicated the looks she liked in the coming seasons, and it seemed she favoured the futuristic Urban Warrior look, juxtaposing armour-like rigidity with softness and vulnerability. Be well princess, wherever you are...

hautekisses
xxx

Trendkutu: Spring Summer 2010 Bag Silhouettes Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of our report on Spring/Summer 2010 Bag Silhouettes according to forecasts by leading trends researchers WGSN.

The drawstring takes on a more circular silhouette, which is a departure from the rounded rectangles we see in the current season. We can expect tote handles, with cross-body options.

Hautekutu loves the mini-grip as it fuses design with functionality. Check Alexander McQueen's Studded Glove Clutch (below).

A derivative of the hobo, the deflated balloon echoes the tubular characteristics of the drawstring with short handles and possibilities of varying detailing from leather mesh to ruching and other accents.

Handheld or low-slung, the disc and barrell again hops onto the trend for all things circular and again promotes the liberation of arms and shoulders from the large bags we have had to endure in the seasons just past. Hautekutu aime beaucoup!

hautekisses

xxx

HAUTEKUTUS ARE WEARING...

Hautekurungs today...

hautekisses
xxx