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Goddess Dressing
Will Keira Knightley wow us with another celluloid fashion moment when she plays F Scott Fitzgerald’s infamous wife, Zelda, in the biopic, The Beautiful and the Damned? She can pick up tips on goddess dressing at New York’s Costume Institute, which will investigate screen-siren style as part of its American Women exhibition in May.
Fun Fitness
“2010 sees the return of fun group-exercise activities,” says Kirsty Gardner, studio manager at Soho’s The Third Space (thirdspace.com). Think Eighties-style aerobics classes and dance lessons inspired by Strictly’s sharp ballroom moves.
Festival Chic
Glastonbury will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, with U2 confirmed as a headline act. Fashion is already ahead of the game: Chloé has rainproof ponchos, and Hunter wellies are now being sold at boutiques such as Browns. It’s also selling waterproof eco-parkas made from recycled materials by Royal College of Art graduate, Christopher Raeburn.
The Bodysuit
Nineties revivals are rife this spring – biker shorts and bumbags, for instance – but we’re putting our money on the return of the Eighties’ body. It looked super-chic at Rochas, Stella McCartney and Celine. Meanwhile, Donna Karan, the woman who put the bodysuit in the spotlight, is celebrating 25 years in fashion.
Gucci: The Film
After years of speculation, Ridley Scott is due to begin work on a film chronicling the dramas of Italy’s most notorious fashion clan. Expect high-octane Seventies glamour, shootings and plenty of flashy leather accessories.
Cool Kids
Think Suri Cruise has toddler style sewn up? Try logging on to planetawesomekid.com, a blog dedicated to super-stylish sprogs.
Prepare to bare
Fleshy tones – blush and rose, soft tan and apricot, for example – are spring’s new neutrals for the wardrobe, and faces are following suit. “It’s not about being beach-bronzed,” says Newby Hands, beauty director at Harper’s Bazaar. “It’s luxurious and elegant – very Lauren Hutton in the Seventies, with those beautifully highlighted cheekbones.”
Graphic prints
Holly Fulton is London’s new kid on the block, and her graphic patterns tap into spring’s obsession with trippy prints. Find her collection at Browns.
Perfect Pants
Fashion is embracing all things lingerie, from lace-trimmed slips, corsets and pretty bras under see-through tops, to big, Fifties-style knickers courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana. Men should take a look at Sunspel’s anniversary collection. The Nottingham-based undies firm – a favourite of Prince Charles – is celebrating 150 years by reissuing classic designs from its archives.
The Net Set
Net-a-porter celebrates 10 years in business; has the rest of the luxury industry finally embraced the internet? It seems so, because 2010 looks set to be the year of iPhone fashion apps – you can shop on your hand-held and pick up trend tweets galore.
North Africa
From Givenchy’s Keffiyeh prints to dusty desert shades and chunky ethnic jewels, fashion takes a trip to North Africa. Morocco is also the luxury industry’s next hot spot, as fashion brands move into Casablanca and Marrakech. Book a suite at the recently refurbished Mamounia (designed by Jacques Garcia of Hôtel Costes’ fame, mamounia.com) or stay at Jnan Rahma, Mandarin Oriental’s new luxury 53-hectare hotel, just outside Marrakech (mandarinoriental.com/marrakech).
Nifty Stitchery
Designers are giving handicrafts their seal of approval. Chanel has patchwork skirts, and rustic straw and wicker bags. The best way to embrace the new crafty-ness? Make your own It bag. Fendi’s infamous Baguette is being launched as a cross-stitch kit for spring, to create your very own Fendi heirloom. Get threading.
The Low Down
The sky-high heel is being usurped by all things low. Think mannish lace-ups, jewelled flats and kitten heels, which turned up at Missoni, Marni and Louis Vuitton. Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon – queen of the stiletto – is launching 24/7, a collection of classic Choos, including Michelle Obama’s favourite lower heel.
Shop Til You Drop
Spring’s must-visit shopping destination? Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, London, where the fourth floor is being transformed into a mecca of cool labels. Expect home-grown talents, such as Peter Pilotto and Meadham Kirchhoff, alongside international brands such as Brian Reyes and Cacharel, now headed up by ex-Lanvin designer Cédric Charlier.
Alice In Wonderland
Tim Burton’s long-awaited, star-studded Alice in Wonderland will hit cinemas in March. Selfridges is celebrating in February with a pop-up boutique selling all things Alice, including tea from Mariage Frères; chess sets; Wonderland-inspired jewellery from Tom Binns; and colourful, themed hosiery.
Design Debuts
Well-known labels are being taken over by some of London’s coolest names. In February, Marios Schwab will show his debut collection for Halston; Richard Nicoll will be taking his slick cutting skills to Cerruti; and Sophia Kokosalaki will be giving denim mega-brand Diesel some serious catwalk kudos.
Sugar Almond Shades
Lemon-yellow, mint-green, ice-blue and blush-pink are some of the season’s prettiest shades. Wear them Christopher Kane-style in gingham dresses, or give them an edge with graphic patterns, as seen at Jonathan Saunders and Josh Goot.
Clean-Cut Pieces
Sick of spring’s wafty light layers and frothy, feminine colours already? Invest in utility instead. Phoebe Philo’s debut for Celine has all you need for a neat, chic wardrobe: crisp, white shirts, immaculately cut trousers and the season’s coolest sculpted parka.
Spring’s It Girl
Carey Mulligan is our poster girl for 2010. The gorgeous, gamine British actress stars in Never Let Me Go alongside Keira Knightley and Charlotte Rampling, and also has roles in Brighton Rock and Wall Street 2.
