New Kicks

New Kicks

The weather is unpredictable these days, but with hot days coming soon it’s time to think about what shoes to wear with our summer dresses. Cleo B’s new footwear collection has conveniently arrived, resplendent in bright colors and fresh shapes. Educated at the prestigious Cordwainer's college in London, Cleo Barbour then went on to train at the Salvatore Ferragamo design studio in Florence. Before establishing her eponymous label, Cleo created couture shoes for the Georgina Goodman studio. Inspired by birds of paradise, the collection comprises 20 different styles for all occasions - from peep toe wedges and classic courts to boots and cute colorful flats. The collection doesn't launch until June, but we can begin making our shopping list from her website www.cleob.com.

The Aphrodite

Redolent with rich earthy tones, the Spring 2009 collection from Prada, Donna Karan, Jean Paul Gaultier, took a classical direction with a return to Ancient Rome. Composed of army green, sandy shades, and batik-like patterns, loose, toga-style dresses were given structure by statement belts, metal-ring details, and high heels. As asymmetric styles are the most obvious high-fashion translation, mosaic-prints add another dimension to the look. Most notably, this Roman-inspired influence is one of the few that actually seemed as if it would look better on real, curvy women than on super-skinny models. The lines are a flattering and refreshing twist on sophisticated women's wear.

Colorful Return

Designer Jil Sander's fashions are making a comeback, not on the runways of Milan or Paris but on the shelves of Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo, which is thriving in the recession. Like many high street brands Uniqlo has collaborated with major designers before – Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim have both directed capsule offerings under their name for the brand – but this collaboration is unusual. Uniqlo, which sells $30 jeans and $15 parkas, has been among the very few companies doing well in Japan's deepening recession, as consumers forgo the luxury goods and branded products they once indulged in and turn to less expensive fashion. Despite the apparent differences between the two parties the collaboration has an element of design synergy. Uniqlo places a strong focus on fabric innovation and simple lines – which the brand says will sit well with Sander's signature unfussy designs.

Bag It

Every woman is on the lookout for her own signature “it” bag. Look no further than the creations of new accessories designer Katherine Fleming which will grace the shelves of department stores Liberty and Bloomingdales. Inspired by the artwork that adorned the walls of her childhood Miami home, Fleming combines vivid pop art hues with the shapes of artist Frank Stella into her designs – resulting in a series of smart yet fun to keep bags. Her debut collection is very tight: four styles in four colors that look like they may been inspired by the past but are made for the future. “The end result is a timeless chic that’s slightly sinister like my hometown in Miami," explains Fleming, who has previously created accessory collections for the likes of Tory Burch, Polo Ralph Lauren and Gap.

+ Nikeeta Lakhiani

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