YOU know you’re at the very pinnacle of celebrity when you’ve successfully acquired one or more of these things; been ranked in a ‘SEXIEST 100’ popularity list, appeared in a film alongside Denzel Washington and have a fashion collection in your name.
Kate Bosworth has, along with an enviable girl-next-door beauty, all these things. Most recently Kate unveiled ‘The Collection starring Kate Bosworth’ line with Topshop, her second line with the high street favourite. Already, the collection has easily become one of the better high street and celebrity collaborative clothing lines we’ve seen this year. A great feat given that typically celebrity fashion lines and collections don’t do very well. Purchased anything from Beyoncé’s ‘House of Dereon’ anyone? Exactly.
It seems that when a famous Kate lends her name to a Topshop collection then it’s bound to be a success.
There’s been some other recent successes though; the Kardashian’s have a growing monopoly across the high street, with the sisters now launching their Lipsy London dresses this month, Rihanna’s ‘Rih for River Island’ collection has inspired a generation of look-a-likes, Victoria Beckham’s own fashion label has gone from strength to strength and, of course, the queen of the collabs, Kate Moss, is set to return with her fifteenth collection for Topshop in the new year.
It seems that when a famous Kate lends her name to a Topshop collection then it’s bound to be a success. Remember the summer of 2007 and Moss’ first line with Topshop saw a myriad of girls in cut-off denim shorts and white vests stampede stores nationwide? Well, that successful.
For the Bosworth collection it’s all about the winter looks. It’s a 46-piece minimalistic line that has stayed true to Bosworth’s patented boho style. The collection is refreshingly unfussy; we have a simple palette of nudes, reds, blacks and crushed metallics, along with a chic running theme of androgynous tailoring and luxe leather - all in aid of helping us achieve Kate’s effortless-yet-made-an-effort style.
Kate said: "The collection is tailored and classic. For autumn we wanted to create luxurious pieces with a strong minimalist approach. Slim silhouettes are cloaked in a masculine shape, staying true to the mix of masculine/feminine balance that exists in my personal aesthetic."
Androgyny's the thing
It’s almost style laid out by numbers, made easy for some of us lazy dressers to get it right.
The collection is very wearable with not much chance for ‘over egging the pudding’ or trying to be ‘too cool’. You have your great long-lasting winter staples: the all-important winter coats – made with genuine and ethically handled sheep and goatskin, cashmere grey marl t-shirts, leather trousers, leather dresses, leather shirts etc. Yes, there’s leather; lots of leather but far from the popularised ‘wet look’ or faux material the high street has been championing, this is the real stuff.
These luxury fabrics do come with a considerable higher price tag. Prices range from £35, yet peak around the £500 mark – a price point that may startle the average Topshop shopper, but mostly it’s not too unattainable or unreasonable.
Coatrack appeal
As her collection celebrates her ‘personal aesthetic’, Kate, donning wet hair and a bare face, models the collection herself and we’re reassured that this is a result of all Kate’s input, with helping hand of Topshop’s design team. .
When it comes to celebrity led clothing lines and collections – there’s always the question how much personal involvement went into the design process. Was there blood, sweat and tears, or merely, look, point and leave the decision making to the true creatives? In this instance, we’re reassured that wasn’t the case with Kate. Seems like it payed off.
Take a look at ‘The Collection, starring Kate Bosworth’ here.
