2012 DESIGNER COLLABORATIONS
Start filling up that piggy bank, this year looks set to be the best year yet for designer collaborations, with Mary Katrantzou teaming up with Topshop, Jean Paul Gaultier creating swimwear for La Perla, Marni at H&M, and Olivia Rubin doing her thing at Dorothy Parkins. Here's a peek at a few of our favourites.
The latest instalment of Longchamp's longstanding collaboration with designer Jeremy Scott is our favourite yet. Jeremy's new design for Longchamp's legendary Le Pliage bag is a postcard from Paradise – complete with sunny skies, golden sands and cocktail colours. Wish you were here? Yes, we do.
£190, Available in Longchamp stores now.
When it comes to collaborations, MAC rarely fails to disappoint. Hot on the heels of collabs with daring British designer Gareth Pugh and fashion's favourite contemporary icon Daphne Guinness comes a “colour collection” from New York socialite and celebrated style icon, Iris Apfel. Aged 90, Ms Apfel makes her make-up debut with a collection full of vividly bright, contemporary hues that proves once and for all that age is but a number.
Available at MAC stores and online now.
Jean Paul Gaultier has launched his first swimwear collection for La Perla after first teaming up with the lingerie label last year. True to form Gaultier's line is full of dramatic bondage-inspired one-pieces, with statement sheer panelling and cut-out detailing, although there's not a cone shaped bikini in sight (yes, we were a little disappointed too).
The collection is available from Gaultier and La Perla store. Prices start at £225.
Topshop really knows how to treat a girl. For the third year running, the high street lifesaver has nabbed one of London's brightest design talents, printer extraordinaire Mary Katrantzou. The 14-piece capsule collection takes Katrantzou's clashing print vibe straight from the catwalk with no watering down or compromise. This is the real deal, making this the most anticipated fashion collaboration of the year. Better start forming a line.
Available in Topshop stores from Mid-February 2012.
Katy Perry has been making bold moves into the beauty world and we're taking notice. Creating a range of glitterbug nail polishes for OPI, launching her own fragrance as well as being the face of GHD, Katie has now designed a collection of four false lashes for leading lash brand Eylure. We are hoping for her signature doll-like lashes as well as more fun, feline shapes and maybe even a pretty pink pair.
Katy Perry Lashes Created by Eylure will be available from February.
Peter Pilotto's collaboration with stylist-turned-swimwear designer Lisa Marie Fernandez is our definition of a match made in heaven. The collection fuses Lisa Marie's signature neoprene scuba-inspired swim pieces together with the design duo's awe-inspiring print work. Peter Pilotto's stunning spring/summer 2012 catwalk show saw the one-pieces slip seamlessly into beautifully sleek laser cut skirts, nailing beach-to-bar chic in one smart look.
Available at Net-A-Porter.com from March
There was a collective squeal at Beach Tomato HQ on the announcement of Marni's spring collection for H&M. Although we're not sure how much more excitement we can handle, having only just recovered from the elbow to elbow combat that was necessary to get our hands on those Versace x H&M palm tree prints. Images of the full collection are yet to be released but if the behind-the-scenes teasers are anything to go by, our shopping list will be choc-a-bloc of signature Marni clashing prints and patterns, utilitarian shapes and plastic fantastic accessories.
Available in around 260 H&M stores worldwide on March 8 2012.
Aldo have collaborated with some of our favourite British designers – JW Anderson, Preen, Mark Fast – to produce their spring/summer 2012 catwalk collection footwear. JW Anderson's feather-adorned ankle strap stilettos are serious scene-stealers and Mark Fast's signature ripped stocking motif on a shoe idea is genius, but our favourites have to be Preen's pixelated floral print mules.
£125, available exclusively at Selfidges now.
Celeb favourite Olivia Rubin is hot property. She already has collaborations with very.co.uk and Dune under her belt and, this year, is set to team-up with high street favourite Dorothy Perkins. So far, the collection has been kept very hush-hush but we are crossing our fingers and toes for some of her signature brick and speech bubble prints. There's also news on the Arcadia grapevine about husband and wife design duo Clements Ribeiro's upcoming collection for plus size brand Evans, elusively named Swan, we are expecting vintage shapes and unique prints.
Olivia Rubin for Dorothy Perkins and Clements Ribeiro for Evans both launch in March 2012.
Polka dot artist, Yayoi Kusama is the latest artist to be recruited by Marc Jacobs for a collaboration with Louis Vuitton, following in the footsteps of Stephen Sprouse, Richard Prince and Takashi Murakami. The limited edition range will include polka-tastic ready-to-wear, leather accessories, shoes and jewellery. We spot a sell-out.
Available in Louis Vuitton stores from July.
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By Katie Yiannakis.
