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La Redoute’s collaborations fly a bit under the radar compared to those of say H&M or Target. But that doesn’t make them any less interesting. Actually the designers La Redoute tends to work  with (Vanessa Bruno, Delphine Manivet) are usually future fashion household names.  Diehard fashionistas get a certain thrill in the knowledge that they are getting in on the ground floor of a hot young designer’s rise to fame when they buy their La Redoute designs.

So having missed the party I have resigned myself to the fact that all I have to tide me over until the collection goes on sale online on June 26th is this video Kayrouz created with Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

It features Kayrouz’s fantastic red headed, red lipped muse Constance (love the new short haircut btw Constance) who almost steals the show away from the designer’s chic collection. The pieces are totally in keeping with the designer’s streamlined aesthetic in shades of red, fuschia, black and cream as well as the clever inclusion of a hand-drawn pomegranate print which is the symbol of the Maison Rabih Kayrouz company.

There is nothing like being able to have a sartorial sidekick when it comes to attending a fashion show. Besides avoiding all of the uncomfortable moments of solitude where your cell phone becomes your best friend, “I’ll just check my email for the one hundredth time,” you can also plan a full throttle fashion assault on the ready-to-wear world. Plan your outfits in advance to maximize you impact. Bounce styles and trends off each other and focus on each of your best features. Wear matching outfits, or variations on the same look- say the same top in different colors.

But be careful!

The last thing you want to do is look like you both were outfitted by the same meticulous mother who thought it would be fun to dress all her kids exactly alike. The looks have to be harmonious but not like they have been totally though out in advance (even if they were). The real experts at this dressing duo game have taking the challenge to a new level by pairing up with someone of the opposite sex. This opens up a whole new world of opportunity for clothing creativity. But first things first, get your hands on a pair of ticket to a fashion show before you start laying out your two pronged sartorial strategy.

From May 4th, 2012

Socks are starting to take the center stage in fashion. No longer just the backdrop to a great pair of shoes, they have become mini statement makers all their own. It might have something to do with the success of the Bravo TV show featuring the stylist Brad Goreski (Rachel Zoe’s former assistant) and his fascination with “pop of color” accents, but socks in bold colors have become all the rage.

They are a bit of a sartorial backlash against the menswear trend of going sockless and they add a quirky twist to strappy sandal, giving that seasonal footwear a longer shelf life than just the hot summer months. Thanks must also be given to the new cuffed trouser trend and the plethora of prints flooding fashion. They have both emboldened fashionistas to empty out their boring old sock drawer and fill it with new pairs in granny apple green, fire engine red and tangerine.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see this hot hued hosiery soon coming in bold prints and graphic patterns. But no matter how daring socks might get, wearing a mismatched pair is still a style no no.