When it comes to shine, nobody did it better than Ziggy Stardust, David Bowie's concocted 70s alter ego who pranced around the stage in his otherworldly glam rock outfits, dancing straight into the world’s most cherished fashion memories. Blame it on David’s untimely death but his legacy lives on this season because lurex is once again king of the OS catwalks with designers such as Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Pucci, Jil Sander, Missoni and many others reviving the glittery fabric in all it’s fabulous incarnations.
Closer to home, designers have been utilising high tech fabrics and intricate metallic weaving into eye popping incarnations of the trend; across footloose and fancy free maxis, trophy evening wear or classic tailoring, the innovative ways of incorporating gleaming concoctions are as beautiful as they are impressive. Here is the run down of my favourite looks to buy now and covet forever...
Above: Eternally classic combo of elegant skirt and long sleeve top gets an update with ultra fine light reflecting sequins that make one feel like the Moon incarnate (Ellery top & skirt)
Mesh grows up: this top is in fact made of super fine shimmering beading which makes you feel more princess than punk ( Rachel Gilbert top, bustier and pants)
Whilst loose and covering everything, this dress possesses high octane shimmer that is beguiling and unforgettable. Wear it with tough boots for 90s grunge or heels for a take on the 70s with a touch of Game of Thrones medivialness. ( Zimmermann dress, Gucci heels )
Metallic thread, lace and pretty flickering sequins coexist in a pretty shift that is high on mermaid magic ( Zimmermann dress)
Beauty note: Armani Luminous Silk foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze& Glow in Light to Medium, Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Ibiza on top of cheekbones and lips, L'oreal False Lash superstar mascara, By Terry eyebrow liner in brown
Photographed by: Alice Wesley-Smith
Ziggy played for time, jiving us that we were Voodoo
The kids was just crass,
He was the naz
With God given ass
He took it all too far
But boy could he play guitar...
Not to mention could David Bowie write a mean song! I have been wiling away this Queen's birthday long weekend by cranking up the tunes and fondly remembering all my Bowie inspired air guitars and karaokes I thought I ruled at but probably completely drunkenly butchered at the time, his androgynous features and out there costumes and the incredible DAVID BOWIE IS exhibition at the V&A in London last year where I got lost for hours in every little detail of his life. I think everyone always references David's early bisexuality and drug taking as defining him but I always felt these were a phase in a creatively rich life of someone incredibly thirsty for the new because he was always, from the very beginning just a bit different - smart and well read and incredibly dedicated with a completely different spiritual compass to the society he was born into - a contrarian as well as a visionary. What I found most fascinating about David was that he did these visualization drawings even when young ; he'd draw a music video from conception to finish, or draw himself in situations that he wanted to experience and guess what? He ultimately made his drawings come to life - perhaps proving to himself the Law of Attraction.
Metallics have been ruling the runways the last few seasons as different trends emerged : the 80s, the disco era, futurism etc but my love of metallics has never been about trends as much as simply about the feel of the fabrics , the way they reflect light and the sheer variations of texture and sheen they can deliver. Here are some of my favorite metallic pieces I'm in love with now and how I wear them...not so much Ziggy but all metallic goodness and a touch of rock n' roll none the less.
( above: Kaliver leather t-shirt, Josh Goot skirt, 8 other reasons earrings, Sheriff & Cherry sunglasses, Aquazzura sandals, A-esque clutch)
(Balmain t-shirt, Amber Sceats ring, Pfeiffer leather pants , Tristan Melle leather jacket )
(above: Balmain top, Pfeiffer leather pants, Swarovski "Love" necklace, After the Apple bag, Christian Louboutin pumps)
(Saint Laurent kitten heel pumps from Miss Louise)
