Debenhams Edition:Affordable designer collections to love!

Hi guys,

This morning I popped over for a preview of Debenhams new Edition concept: Edition is set to become a showcase for up and coming designers, with each designer committed to the collection for at least four seasons. The first three collections are by Preen, Jonathan Saunders and Jonathan Kelsey. These will land in store next month, with Roksanda Ilincic set to join them for autumn/winter.

I first heard about this new range towards the end of last year and was really excited about it. I love Preen's mainline collection, but of course I can't afford it, so the idea of Preen I could afford had me giddy! I was really impressed with the three designers collections, especially the Preen one, as I predicted. Here's how it all looked:

Preen:

The Preen leather jacket (middle bottom) is the most expensive piece from all three of the designers, at £190, but I think its worth the money: its amazingly buttery-soft and has great tassle detailing. My favourite piece from this and all the designers is the paperbag skirt with the zip: it's beautiful and attention grabbing! I also loved the zip detail mac and the sheer nude blouse. All in all, a great collection!

Jonathan Saunders:

I love acid-green, so I was immediately won when I saw this range! I loved the mix of the sheer and jersey fabrics the fluidity that created. This collection immediately made me think of summer holidays: it's clean and light and modern. I loved the white wrap-around dress with the acid green panels underneath: definitely on my must-buy list!

Jonathan Kelsey:

If i'm honest, I found this range a little dull: it is an accessories range of shoes and bags, but there was nothing I hadn't seen before. The neutral and white colour range looked a little dated to me, but having said that, I did love the black and gold cut-out detail gladiator sandals in the top picture.

I can't wait for the Edition collection to hit the shops so that I can be first in the queue to pick up that paperbag waisted skirt. Has anything caught your eye? Will you be picking up anything from the Edition range?

Love, Tor xx

Whats that? A dress. Who says? Calvin Klein.

Well actually Preen does, but you really do feel a bit like Cher from Clueless' dad when you see all these panelled mini dresses, don't you?


Brace yourself everyone, because here it comes! My first show review from New York fashion week (well, it's better late then never!) I've decided to start with Preen because I always love them, and despite my major aversion to hounds tooth, particularly oversized houds tooth, I love them again this season too. Its flirty and naughty and most importantly furry. And I really do love fur!

However enough of my rambling. As they speak a thousand words, lets start with the pictures and six thousand 'words' that are coming your way:

Do you remember that series of Project Runway where the rotund fellow Chris uses monkey fur in his final catwalk show? That's the first thing I thought of when I saw this collection. Its like the monkeys from the planet of the apes breed with a lambretta sporting crew of Mods and then they all became millionaires. And there's nothing more exciting than a dress where one false move could reveal an unexpected nipple.

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Despite the tearing and the sheer panels and the fur, the lines on all of the dresses are suprisingly clean. It makes what could be a vintage inspired collection seem fresh and modern. Monochrome always makes me think of the sixties; I remember wearing white boots that my mum hated with black trousers in 1996 when there was a major 60's revival and Mike Flowers Pop was covering Oasis' Wonderwall, and feeling like Twiggy. I think those sixties 'cool cats' I was inspired by in '96 would be impressed with this collection.
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The candy coloured dresses came as a bit of a shock after the harsh monochrome of the majority of the collection, but it provides a welcome relief to the eyes which (if your eyes work like mine) are immediately drawn to the shiny candy pink trousers.

Who wears candy pink plastic trousers? Well, not me, but looking at them was a wonder to behold! However despite my love of the rainbow acid brights, it is this final dress that is my favourite of the whole collection and immediately makes it onto the "when i'm thin and rich and famous and have to go to movie premieres..." list:
Although I rarely wear them (the curse of my hips) I love full skirts and I always get irrationally excited when I see them swish down the catwalk. There's something about the way they move and the glamour of it. I especially love the layering of this one, which makes it look like it has wings. Wings! Team that with a sheer blouse which seems to have ribs circling its either side and nipple covering pockets (which of course barely cover the nipples at all) and you're onto a winner. Preen: My heart is won!
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Love Tor x