10/09/08
Joanna Sykes
New to Matches for AW08, Central Saint Martin’s graduate Joanna Sykes does nonchalant cool like nobody else. Her sharply tailored cigarette pants, slouchy cardigans and soft silk pieces in tones of slate and nude, as well as the ubiquitous black, suggest a nod towards the effortless style of boyfriend dressing.
I WANT: I adore the leather pieces in the collection. The trousers and jacket - which Sykes’ describes as leather ‘jeans’ and ‘cardigan’ - are impossibly soft wardrobe essentials and designed to be worn as you would your favourite pair of jeans or cardigan, to be thrown on for instant stylish cool. The luxurious leather pants are lined with lingerie stretch silk chiffon to ensure ultimate comfort for the wearer - team with the beautifully ethereal draped cream silk tunic top.
Kara Ross
New York designer, Kara Ross has produced her first collection of boutique jewellery – full of luxurious pieces and with statement jewellery set to be THE accessory trend of AW08, her beautiful bold collection is a firm favourite here at Matches. Ross works with exotic skins including crocodile, python and lizard, combining semi-precious stones from Black Onyx to Amethyst. The collection includes statement cuff bracelets, beautiful rings and pendant necklaces with petal flower motifs.
I WANT: I love love love her cuff pieces designed to recreate the cuff of a shirt sleeve! The cream python cuff, with Tigers Eye stone studs is a gorgeous piece, perfect to add subtle glamour to your outfit, or stack several cuffs on top of each other – they’re the ultimate in arm candy.
Ossie Clark
Iconic British heritage label Ossie Clark returns to the fashion fold, re-launched by Mark Worth with designer Avsh Alom Gur at the helm, and the AW08 collection does not disappoint with high-glamour that doesn’t try too hard. Striking the perfect balance between nostalgia and what every woman wants from her wardrobe – beautiful separates and dresses that are thoroughly modern. Colours and fabrics are soft and feminine, and remain true to the Ossie Clark ethos.
I WANT: The printed silk chiffon maxi dress is a beautiful statement piece for this season - a sophisticated head-turner with a vibrant autumnal pattern in flowing fabric, epitomises ‘Ossie’ glamour. This season a tailored blazer is an absolute must-have, and I love this luxuriously soft silk jacket with draping lapels. It draws in at the waist creating an ultra feminine silhouette. Team it with a sexy pencil skirt for modern sophistication.
Roksanda Ilincic
A new addition to Matches, Roksanda’s reputation for couture techniques and extraordinary attention to detail is growing daily. Feminine but with a modern edge, Roksanda’s collection shows hand-finished dresses modernised with unfinished hems, sportswear details and her signature contemporary draped silhouettes, contrasted with more body conscious graphic gowns in striking colours, all encapsulating a timeless essence.
I WANT: The chocolate silk dress with ruffle detailing is stunning - her signature eveningwear is a true investment, and, proving it is not only dresses she excels at, this fabulous coat with colour block pattern is a true statement piece, perfectly on trend for this season’s fuller volume shapes, and in a luxuriant wool lama mix.
