Versace x H&M

I'm surprisingly a huge fan of the new Versace for H&M collection.  I think this might be the best design collaboration the high street brand has done yet.  I loved the Lanvin one but this one looks even better; the fabrics and the designs seem more luxe, more detailed and generally more OTT in an oddly wearable way.  

I guess that's Versace for you.

The print reminds me of a strapless vintage bathing suit I took to Thailand last year which - unbeknownst to me at the time - goes completely see-through on contact with water.  Cue a highly inappropriate flesh display on the predominantly Muslim island of Koh Lanta.

Yoikes!

The patterns also pleasingly remind me of Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's Summertime and my Granddad's ridiculous Hawaiian shirts that he wears on holidays, complete with leathery brown tan and constant sun squint.

Images: Scanned from Elle Magazine UK

Bringing it Back

Until 1988 River Island was called Chelsea Girl, proving once again that the 80's almost ruined fashion.  It also proves that sticking the word 'girl' onto something makes it automatically awesome (Elle mag, Disneyrollergirl, my blog...) as it references the Sixties, that hedonistic decade that brought us freedom in the form of drugs and miniskirts.  Anyone who agrees with this will then be pleased to note that the high-street shop is bringing back its formerly redundant name by labelling a vintage-inspired capsule collection with it.

As is often the case with River Island, the items edge on the verge of being tacky.  For once I quite like this effect though - has anyone ever bought any vintage that actually comes from the peace and love decade?  It's always a bit shiny and brash, and can be accessorized perfectly with pale lips and spidery eyelashes.

Collection launches in Selfridges and will then be in selected stores from Thursday 24th March.

(Images: Vogue and Sugarscape).