Catching up with Tracey Rodgers, owner of The Style Academy Model Agency.

Massive thank you to the Directors of Lunns The Jewellers for inviting me along to The merchant Hotel's Fabulous Fashion Teas and to Adrian Quinn Photography for all photography!

Design by Abbie Walsh.

Design by Emma Benson.

Design by Glenda Hawkes.

Design by Anna McNeill.

Design by Ellen Hawthorn.

Design by Annemarie McLoughlin.

Design by Jamie Kerr.

Design by Lusia Murray.

Design by Anna Thompson.

Design by Rhys Harris.

Jetting round the world for Fashion Week, from New York to Paris with a quick stop over in London and Milan for good measure is the stuff that fashion dreams are made of for many fashion bloggers. To see the designer collections up close and personal on the catwalk is something I have always wanted to experience, as I have always had a passion for exquisite design, meticulous workmanship and beautiful tailoring!

For one night only this dream became my reality with luxury Italian brand MaxMara showcasing the very best from their Milan SS17 catwalk show right here in Belfast!


This collection has only been showcased on the catwalk three times globally so it was a rare opportunity for me to experience a luxury designer collection on the catwalk, as well as having the chance to get up close and personal with the garments backstage after the show! *squeal*!

The show itself was staged in the opulent surroundings of City Hall, and was produced by CMPR in support of leading learning disability charity Positive Futures, which does amazing work and really does radically transform the quality of life for those it helps! (So please do check them out!). The production values of the show itself were fantastic, with models brought over specially for the event, while their make up looks were created under the watchful eye of the Charlotte Tilbury team and hair styled by international session stylist Richard Phillipart for Babyliss!

Catching up with my blogger besties! Emily from Style Me With Love & India from Majestic Glitter!

Posing for the cameras! Myself & the always stylish Emily from Style Me With Love!

Always chatting! Emily, Adrian & myself!

Wearing BCBG Max Azaria "Finch" dress, "Ruth" necklace from The Secret Closet", Hermés "H" Clic Clac bracelet in 'Jaune Soleil", Michael Kors "Bedford" handbag, Gucci "Lisbeth" patent peep toe shoes,

MaxMara is a brand synonymous with luxury and effortless Italian style, think cashmere and silks, in beautiful, clean elegant silhouettes and you will have a good idea of what the MaxMara style DNA is. However their SS17 was so much more than what you would typically expect from the label and as a result we were treated to a beautiful and vibrant evolution of the brand into exciting and youthful takes on modern luxury.


Sports luxe was a strong trend in the collection, elegant jumpsuits in silk and jersey, were given a modern feel in strong colbalt blues and chic whites, feeling both timeless yet effortlessly modern in look and cut.


Bralets made a strong impression paired with strong tailoring while form fitting bodysuits were styled with jersey leggings and sheer panelling to create a super sexy silhouette! I'm usually not a fan of sports luxe, but I seriously fell in love with their leggings and Bralets, which when worn with tailoring would work fabulously well for day or evening!



Sexy tailoring was another key trend, with form fitting pencil skirts, and Bralets worn under slinky silk shirts open to the navel, creating a strong, sexy and elegant look.


This collection was all about attention to detail, with lacing detailing mirrored through tops and bags, and micro pleating which created a three dimensional feel to the pieces. Super cute sports visors and tropical palm tree pendants also created a fun and quirky nod to MaxMara's Tropicana themed collection.




The real climax for me however was the Tropicana themed pieces! For MaxMara it was in many ways a real style departure for them, but I feel that it worked on so many levels! Taking style cues from the "Tropicalla" cultural movement and the architectural designs of Lina Bo Bardi we were treated to a fun and chic nod to Brazillian rainforest. I loved how their interpretations of palm prints, from full on technicolor to monochrome, created interesting plays on their iconic tailoring. From jumpsuits to matching tops, pencil skirts, leggings and jackets, there really was something for everyone, and for those who aren't brave enough to wear the look top to toe, you could easily mix and match them with safer items to create a paired down version of this look!




My highlight had to be when their tropical sweaters sashayed onto the catwalk! Probably the most easily recognisable pieces from the SS17 Catwalk show in Milan, it was so cool to see the fur effect texture created in the sweaters  as well as their super fun and playful designs! Their green Jacquard skirt was another stand out item, which from afar looks like fur, but is in actual fact coupé frayed jacquard fabric with a dappled design! The workmanship in this piece in particular was sublime!



And there you have it, I hope you have enjoyed my rundown of the MaxMara SS17 show in Belfast. It was such a privilege to attend the show and I am so glad to see such a prestigious luxurious brand wanting to showcase here in Belfast! You can check out the MaxMara collections at their store located at 723 Lisburn Road, Belfast.


All catwalk imagery by Adrian Quinn Photography. social photography taken by Brendan Gallagher Photography,

Back in Autumn Winter 2013 Chanel launched the Alligator Boy Chanel flap handbag in black. With it's glossy exotic leather, striking clasp and chain handle, this bag was appearing on the arms of THE most stylish fashionista's, and quickly became one of the "must have" handbags of the season!