Welcome to the Guest Bloggers section on “Collette Costello”, here you will find interesting articles by our guest “On-line Fashion Journalists”. This article has been writen by specially selected journalist “Annie McSherry”. If you love vintage style fashion, dresses, handbags and jewellery. Be sure to pay our on-line shop a visit, today!

Guest Blogger Annie Mc Sherry

Anne-Marie McSherry. Call me Annie I am a graduate of Cordwainers and the London College of Fashion and now live in the Ribble Valley close to Pendle Witch country. A natural at rustling up rustic pasta dishes I similarly dress how I feel. I run with my husky wind, rain or shine…though not ice! Embracing country living is digging in my allotment. I enjoy design innovation and the magic of handicraft. My favourite Vintage shop is in Holt, Norfolk. I adore high gloss couture, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga and Chanel as well as the spirited creations of Westwood and McQueen. I take confidence from the ritual of the seasonal collections. Not to deny the allure of a fabulous dress or shoe in my opinion a product is truly worthy of comment if it is sustainable. From this perspective it is good to recognise emerging talent. Here are some examples of what catches my eye and turns me on!

Cutting it like the big boys…

Always thrilled to discover an alternative to high end expense, this bag is inspirational. Australian, Miranda Chance scooped first prize in ecouterre.com ’Recycled Denim Challenge for her ‘Chance’ bags, the woven technique shown is synonymous with the luxury accessories giant Bottega Veneta. Miranda incorporated unwanted denim and leather jackets to create her winning formula…carry with a smile!

Avant-garde…

Alexander McQueen enjoyed cult status on a global scale, that’s super cool. His intellectual approach explored the feminine historically. The last spring/ summer 2010 collection was an intensity of colour, cut and a uniquely engineered print; designed to express the evolution of humanity against the backdrop of global warming. Check Sarah Burton’ Spring/Summer 2011 for McQueen, the intellect has died whilst the spirit lives on.

Future retro….

The curious creations of Marloes ten bhomer, are free from the traditional moulds of shoemaking, sheer design joy. Having exhibited in London, Tokyo and Zimbabwe to name a few she is now working on her independent shoe label MARLOESTENBHÖMER Forget fashion forward, Marloes’ footwear is properly optimistic of the 21st Century. The designs are described as providing new codes of glamour. The freshness of her work is reminiscent of the post war New Look by Christian Dior, in that they provide a new aesthetic.

Elaborate handicraft…

An ability to ‘loose control and see what happens’ allows Swedish Sandra Backlund to improvise futuristic, poetic and communicative clothing, where handicraft is an important element of the innovation process. She discerningly comments that you ‘have to pass through many levels of skills before you can even think to start about improvising’. This is a good touchstone for budding designers…the journey of learning traditional skill to enable the manifestation of desire. It has taken her sometime to realize her first commercial collection; the journey has given her work an intense quality. I urge you to discover her spring/summer 2011 pieces.