Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com spring 2012 posts

FIRST LOOK- Ports 1961 SPRING 2012 FASHION AD CAMPAIGN

Ports 1961 has come a long way since it's humble, arty re-introduction to the high-fashion masses over the past decade and the label's just released new ad campaign featuring a slick Alana Zimmer photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin with art direction by Giovanni Bianco proves just how far they've come when considering their big league competition. Under Giovanni Bianco's watch, the last few collections and campaigns have successfully captured that elusive, urbane minded cool that the label once seemed so intent on courting. Now they've become ones to watch and kudos to Ports 1961 for that remarkable accomplishment. -Naveed Hussain >>More: Spring 2012 Ad Campaigns

GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVE Haute Couture Fashion Show Photos / Runway Collection Spring / Summer 2012 Paris Couture Fashion Week >> More on Giorgio Armani Prive >> More featuring the Armani brand Complete Couture: S/S 2012 MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS In their words... GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVE’ Spring/Summer Collection 2012 METAMORPHOSIS Nature’s gift to itself. An irresistible transformation into something new and surprising, with garments that reveal an unexpected sensuality. Unusual colours like chartreuse yellow, underlying thread that runs through the entire collection, are also used for the tulle lining that replicates every segment, every element of the garment. Swarovski micro crystals light up net jackets, revealing tantalising details of the body, or completely cover jackets, tunics and vests. Spiral cuts wrap around the body like

After years in the spotlight as one of young Hollywood's prettiest fresh new talents, Taylor Swift has landed her first U.S Vogue cover on February's issue which is set to hit newsstands Jan. 24th. SHOP: Get on the floral trend with these fab styles! The country-pop phenom shares her thoughts on fame, ambition and being on her own with contributing editor Jonathan Van Meter while lending the magazine's cover a refreshingly effervescent, approachable and youthful vibe. -Naveed Hussain Capture Taylor Swift's Vogue moments on your own with these looks: More Topshop... Photos Courtesy of Vogue/Mario Testino

Since it can be challenging to not only remember what we’ve seen, and getting a second chance to glance at all of the astonishing details seems sadly unlikely, we wanted to take a moment and look back at everything one could easily miss. Here’s a look at our favorite elements from all of the Spring 2012 shows starting with Rochas’ angular techno take on 50′s starlet glamor as seen above. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Rochas (above) At Rochas, calculated retro sensibilities go a long way and Spring's angular sunglasses made a chic case for easy vintage flair, making them the coolest, must-have frames of the season. >>MORE: Notes on Spring 2012 Prada Vintage ladylike bags got revved up with ingenious graphic appliqué

In a nod to the iconic images Richard Avedon shot for Gianni Versace throughout the 80's & 90's, Steven Meisel's latest campaign for Spring 2012 features Naomi Campbell, Karen Elson, Kristen McMenamy and Daphne Groeneveldare striking glamorous Amazonian poses set against a simple backdrop. Together they embody an evocative state of strength and modernity and bring Cavalli's heady vision to life in a series of sensual portraits full of movement and charisma. -Naveed Hussain

Photographed by Alasdair McLellan, Emporio Armani's latest campaign for S/S 2012 features a trio of models on the streets of Hong Kong in the label's graphic, minimal separates under the creative control of Giorgio Armani. Shot in signature black & white, the campaign serves as a visually stimulating reminder of just how easy to wear and classic Mr. Armani's sartorial vision is. Each look, from the men's ombre contrast cardigan to the women's updated boater, could work on just about anybody while creating a subtly nuanced look rife with a refined sensibility. -Naveed Hussain

I'll Have What She's Having: Belly Baring Chic Cropped tops paired with flirty a-line skirts in an ode to retro Italian starlet style were de riguer on many of the Spring/Summer 2012 runways and were one of the season's most surprising trends to take in considering that it takes not only confidence to pull off, but a killer, toned body as well. While on a photo call in Berlin for her latest movie "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," actress Rooney Mara donned a simple, refined take on the trend from Miu Miu, making her the first to take a chance on highlighting her abs off the beach in a subtle mid-riff baring ensemble. For her it works here because

We recently gave you a first look at some gorgeous designer Spring 2012 ad campaigns, and have some new to-die-for images to add to the it-list! Giorgio Armani just unveiled their ad campaigns of both menswear and womenswear, and we love them! MORE: Giorgio Armani and Armani Brand We are particularly enamored with the strong shouldered menswear look of the striped jacket in the photo of model Milou Van Groesen, pictured above. [nggallery id46] Details: Photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott under the creative direction of Giorgio Armani. Campaign features models Milou Van Groesen and Simon Nessman. Debuts around the world in fashion and lifestyle magazines starting in February. Images: Giorgio Armani

While designer collections make their runway debuts months before they hit sales floors, it's not usually until we see the ads circulate that we get a clue to the bigger picture behind the season's story and along with that a dynamic dose of dreamy inspiration. And judging by the Spring 2012 ads that have hit the web so far, it's clear that many of our favorite designers went in several directions- there's no clear-cut set of trends, instead it's a come as you are sort of moment. A 'do-your-thing' kind of season. From Prada's retro beauty's (shot by Steven Meisel, above) to Balenciaga's candidly cool girl (below), there's something for everyone to take inspiration from for the season ahead. -Naveed Hussain Chanel, photographed by

Being big fans of Carven, the young chicster's go-to label for individual and achingly cool pieces, as we are, you can imagine how excited we are to take in all that's set to come out for Spring 2012. From the best separates to a trove of must-have bags, jewels and shoes, it looks safe to say that til spring, we'll be pining away for the chance to nab as much Carven as we can. Take a look at some of our favorites and check out the complete range's slideshow below. A cute pairing of full-on prints looks disarmingly chic while the outfits shoes add a grounding dose of strength to an otherwise girlie look that's become the labels signature. This

"I was thinking about a woman as an object of desire. We go to such lengths to adorn ourselves that we almost become our clothes or are taken over by them. This is a collection about excess - an exploration of ideals of beauty at their most extreme." - Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen How often do we have the rare chance to be mesmerized by the beauty and intimacy of a collection so magical? Sit back and inhale the luxury of this exclusive backstage footage of Sarah Burton and the Alexander McQueen team preparing for the Spring/Summer 2012 runway show during Paris Fashion Week-captured in a short film created by filmmaker Sean Frank. MORE: Alexander McQueen In their

Naveed and I popped by The London Show Rooms in New York last week to take a close-up and intimate look at some of London's brightest designers. As always, we were mesmerized with the up close privilege of ogling at some incredible construction, innovative design, and left with a wish list days long from the generous talent of these young designers from "across the pond." I guessed right on wanting to see Cate Blanchette wear Felicity Brown, as, ironically, she's the line's muse. From my lips to Cate's next red carpet would be divine! --S.H. Shortly after the rigid snooze-fest that we've come to think of New York Fashion Week as comes to a wrap comes The London Show Rooms, an annual

Raf Simons and his team at Jil Sander designed all of the costumes for Swinton's character in the movie, which will be released in Japan on December 23. Photo & source: WWD

Just as Tokyo Fashion Week comes to an end pops-up Tilda Swinton in a deliciously discrete and beautifully envisioned minimal blue knee-length Jil Sander dress from the house's recent Spring 2012 runway collection. According to WWD, "Raf Simons and his team at Jil Sander designed all of the costumes for Swinton's character in the movie 'I Am Love,' which will be released in Japan on December 23." It comes as no surprise as Swinton, the queen startlet of embracing fashion's changing winds, continues to break the mold of banal red carpet dressing with wardrobe choices that not only display her keen eye for avant-garde minded fashion but also manage to deliver a controlled message of high-design meets approachable, confident elegance. SHOP: Jil Sander at Barney's

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FIRST LOOK- Ports 1961 SPRING 2012 FASHION AD CAMPAIGN

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First Look- Roberto Cavalli Spring 2012 Ad Campaign

First Look- Emporio Armani Spring 2012 Ad Campaign

Ab Fab- Rooney Mara in Miu Miu Spring 2012

Giorgio Armani Spring 2012 Ad Campaign for Menswear and Womenswear

First Look- Spring 2012 Fashion Ad Campaigns

Complete Carven- Everything You’ll Want From Spring 2012

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London Fashion Visits NY- The Best of London S/S 2012 at The London Show Rooms

Tilda Swinton in Jil Sander Spring 2012

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