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Dolce and Gabbana The Sicillian Masters of Fashion

March 1, 2011
Posted by David
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Dolce and Gabbana Sunglasses

Those Sicilian boys have some friends in high places. Not content with setting the world alight with their fashion threads, Dolce and Gabbana are fierce collaborators with some of Pop’s greatest stars.

In her biggest tour to date the ‘Aphrodite – Les Folies’ World Tour, Kylie Minogue has teamed up with D&G to design all her costumes. With Greek mythology as the inspiration, the Sicilian duo have created a mythical tour wardrobe fit for a (pop) princess. In addition to their work with the diminutive Aussie singer, they also joined forces with the Queen of pop, Madonna, last year to create a line of stunning D&G sunglasses. The designers have been friends with Madonna since the early Nineties, when they created all the costumes for her ‘Girlie Show Tour’ – however this is the first time Madonna has become involved in their creative process. Their collaborative line of sunnies are called MDG sunglasses and have been received well by both the critics and the public. The MDG range for D&G is a sophisticated collection of largely oversized sunglasses in varying prints and shapes, which wouldn’t look out of place on the riviera… or the Milanese catwalk….

Coming on to the Milanese catwalk – The Fashion Week spectacle has now seamlessly moved on to Milan and over the next few days the very best of Italian designers will be strutting their stuff at Milan Fashion Week. Naturally Dolce & Gabbana will be there along with the likes of Armani, Gucci, Maxmara, Prada and Versace to name a few.

D&G are showing on Sunday ahead of the 2011 Oscars Ceremony. It’s always a closely guarded secret which designers are dressing which stars for the red carpet at the Oscars, but there are sure to be a few D&G dresses on the night. D&G has always been synonymous with a laid back sexy kind of design, but they can really rev it up for the red carpet. Halle Berry is a big fan of D&G, as are Jennifer Aniston and Anne Hathaway. However it remains to be seen whether the designer duo have collaborated with any Hollywood stars for this years Academy Awards… watch this space!



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Flirty Marc by Marc Jacobs Watches

August 27, 2010
Posted by David
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Flirty Marc by Marc Jacobs Watches

Marc Jacobs really is the last word in cool. He’s a born and bred New Yorker and been cited as one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine, of all publications. He produces to-die-for clothes and accessories, not only under his namesake label and diffusion line Marc by Marc Jacobs, but also as Creative Director of fashion power house Louis Vuitton.

Where he finds the time to design watches whilst creating fabulous designs for 3 different labels we’ll never know, but find time he has. Marc by Marc Jacobs watches are bold, fun and flirty just like the man himself. He has designed a selection of wristwear for men and women in his own image. Slightly camp, black with injections of purple and accents of gold, the

Marc by Marc Jacobs watch collection is witty and appeals across the board. His diffusion line is deliberately cheaper than his haute couture label and therefore his wristwear is very affordable. Prices start from £150, which is cheap to bag some designer wrist candy.

Shade Station has a fledgling bunch of Marc by Marc Jacobs watches on offer, having very recently started stocking them. Amongst the most popular are women’s watches MBM1148 and MBM2044. Neither could be more different, but they are both highly sought after.

MBM1148Style MBM1148 is a perfect example of the humour Marc Jacobs brings to his designs. He uses his ‘Miss Marc House of Cards’ graphics in a cartoony, graffiti style to liven up the face of the watch and surrounds it with a thick white band with ‘Marc Jacobs’ written in large lettering. There’s no mistaking who designed this one! The wristpiece is finished with a sombre black leather strap which works well with the outlandishness of the face.

Marc by Marc Jacobs style MBM2044 is rather more ladylike and refined, but nevertheless bold, with a deep purple leather strap. Mounted on the strap is the face of the watch in a rectangular gold stainless steel case. The watch face is simple with a gold 2 handed movement dial and some rather military issue gold writing depicting the Marc Jacobs brand behind it.

Marc Jacob is certainly one of the coolest, if not the coolest, designer to come out of New York. He’s loved by the likes of Lady Gaga, Madonna, Sofia Copella, and our own Victoria Beckham among others, and although we covet his designer clothes, we can’t quite afford them – but we can now afford a little bit of Marc by Marc Jacobs on our wrists!



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Madonna Launches MDG Sunglasses Collection with Dolce & Gabbana

April 23, 2010
Posted by David

MDG Sunglasses - Madonna for Dolce and Gabbana Sunglasses

We all know that pop diva and actress Madonna has always been a huge fan of the Italian Dolce & Gabbana brand and also has a strong friendship with the two designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana; the creative brains behind the iconic label. The designers have often used Madonna in their advertising campaigns, including the latest spring campaign and have even designed pieces using her look and ambitious personality as the main inspiration. Madonna has a classic and sophisticated but edgy style and isn’t afraid to experiment with different looks which Dolce & Gabbana have always admired.

We didn’t think it would be long before Madonna and Dolce & Gabbana teamed up to create their own collection and now we are very excited to announce that the trio have taken their fashion relationship to the next level by collaborating on a new sunglasses collection called MDG Madonna For Dolce & Gabbana which will soon arrive at Shade Station!

Madonna has taken an active role in the design process and was clear about how she wanted the shape of the frames and even the logo designed (we love how she has made sure her initial is first!).

The collection comprises of a six piece range of oversized and wraparound styles, all of which are sleek, sexy and feminine and representative of Madonna’s personal chic style and in keeping with the overall look of the Dolce & Gabbana brand. Each pair of sunglasses feature the MDG logo on the arm with the ‘M’ embellished in beautiful diamante stones.

Madonna will also be the face of the MDG advertising campaign which will show her modeling the sunglasses in all their stylish glory.

We’ll keep you updated and let you know when the MDG Madonna for Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses are in stock – if you would like to be alerted by email, please click here and enter your email address.



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Get Ultimate Celeb Style with a Juicy Couture Watch

March 19, 2010
Posted by David

Juicy Couture is one of the hottest labels that has emerged from sunny California and is the perfection depiction of laid back, cool LA style. With a whole host of celebrities including Madonna, Kate Moss, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton harbouring a love of the brand, it is now popular all over the word and its presence is steadily increasing in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 1994, Juicy Couture is perhaps most well known for its stylish and vibrantly coloured range of tracksuits that come in an array of high quality and luxurious fabrics including cashmere, velour and fleece. The brand perfectly combines urban style with a high end luxury edge and is regarded as one of the trendiest fashion brands around. It’s price tag is indeed expensive and reflective of the high quality materials and craftsmanship but without being inaccessible or intimidating to the everyday customer.

One of the latest additions to the Juicy Couture product ranges are ladies watches and we are very excited to announce that we will soon be stocking them here at Shade Station. Elaborating further on that essence of casual glamour with high end quality, Juicy Couture watches are the perfect way to add some vibrancy to your look!

The range is filled with typically girly and feminine watches with a distinctive element of fun and comfort as well as some more traditionally demure and elegant styles but with that sassy Juicy Couture edge. Many of the watches also feature design elements such as pretty Swarovski crystal hour markers and Mother of Pearl toned dials. Colour is a strong aesthetic feature and the watches come in vibrant tones such as hot pink, baby pink, bright, turquoise, blue and offer details such as the Juicy Couture logo on the dials and straps as well as more quirky and intricately designed charms and unique dial motifs that is what makes the watches distinctive to the Juicy Couture brand.

Whatever your personal style, there is a watch that will be sure to compliment your look and this is a great brand if you feel like opting for something a little more vibrant and light hearted for the forthcoming seasons. The Juicy Couture brand is highly regarded and favoured because it brings back that element of fun and excitement to fashion and is casual but still ticks all the glam factor boxes!

The perfect way to capture the true essence of bright, fun and super trendy LA style! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for when they arrive……..



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D&G Sunglasses: If they’re good enough for Madonna…

January 29, 2010
Posted by David

It won’t have escaped your attention that Madonna has become the latest poster girl for Dolce & Gabbana. In a series of black and white stills, shot in an Italian neo-realism style, a glamorously suburban Madonna goes about ‘her’ household chores, all the while modelling D&G’s 2010 Spring Collection.

D&G’s latest collection is a whimsical return to their Sicilian roots. Although the designers have been friends with Madonna for over 2 decades, it is Madge’s Italian heritage, rather than her friendship with the duo, that led to her fronting their latest campaign.

According to Dolce & Gabbana, Madonna ‘embodies the strong sensuality of the brand’ and we’re inclined to agree. Famed for her strong feminine looks, her sexuality and vibrant style, Miss Ciccone strikes us as a perfect brand ambassador for D&G.

Whilst any item from the D&G Spring collection is sure to burn a hole in your pocket, D&G style is easily replicated. A sexy high street pencil skirt and bustier can be accessorised with a gorgeous pair of genuine Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, for a quarter of the price. D&G sunglasses can be bought for as little as £80 at Shade Station and as we all know it’s the accessories that really make an outfit! With a massive selection of stunning D&G sunglasses and most of them new styles, Shade Station are making it a doddle to imitate fashion’s most talked about material girl!



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Gucci Sunglasses – A List Style and Sophistication

January 19, 2010
Posted by David

Gucci is one of the oldest and historic brands in the fashion industry and was founded by Guccio Gucci in 1906. Gucci began as a saddlery shop as Guccio had great craftsmanship skills, particularly in leather goods. He started out selling leather bags to horsemen in the 1920’s and then developed into producing luxury luggage as his clients prgressed to traveling via horseless carriages. In 1938 Guccio Gucci opened his first retail shop on the Via Condotti in Rome.

As a brand, Gucci is renowned for its interesting and unique designs and therefore has quite a diverse customer base all around the world due to its innovative products which now consist of clothing, shoes, accessories and sunglasses.

The collection of Gucci sunglasses capture every key trend and range from shield style sunglasses, rimless sunglasses which look incredibly stylish and contemporary and aviator sunglasses which resemble the look of the old and classic aviator’s glasses and also of course, the iconic oversized sunglasses.

All Gucci sunglasses incorporate some of the typical Gucci features such as the GG bamboo symbol and the colours vary from brown and black to red, green and beige. There is definitely an element of  retro and vintage appeal to the style of Gucci sunglasses but with contemporary features such as colour -  the new GG3100 sunglasses with their violet frames are a great example of this.

Gucci sunglasses are definitely not a plain and ordinary brand. The new GG1926 are a square style with off grey toned frames and gradient lenses and are incredibly unique, fashion forward and have a sporty appeal. Despite being a relatively simple style, the strong lines and definition of these sunglasses definitely create a statement and are the depiction of sophistication.

For a classic oversized style which ooze drama and glamour, the GG3069 jet black Gucci sunglasses with large oval frames and the classic Gucci ‘G’ logo on the arm hinge, are the perfect option and will compliment any outfit with their sleek looks and sophisticated style.

Detailing is a common feature of Gucci and the GG2827 oversized sunglasses in a beautiful textured grey colour incorporate a striking Gucci crest logo on the arm hinge.

If you are looking for a classic aviator style, the GG1905 with silver frames and grey lenses are sophisticated, stylish and probably one of the most versatile of all sunglass styles.

Despite sunglasses being primarily designed as an accessory to protect the eyes, classic designer brands such as Gucci are responsible for also making sunglasses the ultimate fashion statement and thus people are now fascinated by the innovative and visually exciting designs of Gucci sunglasses and the brand’s other collections. Due to the huge variety of sunglasses within the Gucci collection, you are sure to find a pair that will suit your personal style and inject glamour and elegance into your look. In terms of quality and function, Gucci sunglasses are made using the most innovative technologies and materials and the lenses ensure 100% Protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays, to fully protect your eyes.

There are a number of celebrities and fashion icons who are renowned for loving their Gucci sunglasses including Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Jessica Simpson and Kanye West. Gucci has that element of Italian style that cannot be replicated and the collection of sunglasses are exquisite, refined, timelessly on trend and dramatic.



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Madonna Gets Domestic for Dolce & Gabbana! Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses.

January 7, 2010
Posted by David

The latest news on the Dolce & Gabbana front is that the iconic pop star and actress Madonna is the new face of their most recent advertising campaign shot by celebrity photographer Steven Klein. The campaign shows a series of black and white photos that feature Madonna in the kitchen and taking on a stereotypical role of a voluptuous housewife carrying out somewhat boring tasks such washing the dishes, preparing lettuce, and digging into a bowl of pasta.

The ad is heavily influenced by Italian Neorealism cinema and is to promote the brand’s luxury spring/summer 2010 collection. Including the new Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses range.

Despite the fact that Madonna is one of the most famous women in the world which of course will add more interest to the campaign, she is also provides a very symbolic reason as to why she should be starring in these ads. She is perhaps portraying the ‘Material Girl’ in a more domestic form and presenting a completely different side to her character which she portrays to the public as fiercely independent and definitely not your average housewife! It also shows Madonna eating pasta which again, is something that we believe probably isn’t in her usual diet regime as the star is famous for her macrobiotic diet. The ad definitely conveys Madonna in a whole new light and she has always been a huge fan of the luxury brand.

The Dolce & Gabbana ad is typical of the brand’s elaborate and sophisticated campaigns whereby high-fashion advertorial photography is used and the audience is sometimes unclear as to what exact product is being sold. The images will be featured in the Italian version of Vanity Fair this week.

As a brand, the Dolce & Gabbana collection is incredibly glamorous and designed to create a huge style statement. The range of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses is simply stunning and there are some incredibly chic new styles to look out for which range from the DG4057 unisex retro inspired sporty frames (the pink pair are super feminine!) to the dramatically oversized unisex DG4075 frames which are available in a variety of colours and  patterns. Again, these sunglasses are retro inspired with their more square shaped lenses and reminiscent of Hollywood glamour. The new DG4059 unisex frames are also uniquely visually striking with the frames bending slightly inwards towards the arms and the arms then designed in a subtle wave style.

Dolce & Gabbana is a vibrant brand but one that always remains sophisticated and refined. Features such as interesting frame designs and the use of colour and patterns are ways in which the brand adds something that little more different and edgy and really creates a high fashion and polished look that instantly makes you feel like a star!



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Ed Hardy Arrives in London!

December 16, 2009
Posted by David

Nothing quite makes a style statement like Ed Hardy! The designer label from the United States was founded in 2004 by French designer Christian Audigier, who previously worked for Von Dutch. Ed Hardy is a huge hit among the folks in LA and is based on the designs of tattoo guru Don Ed Hardy. Audigier managed to obtain the rights to use the designs of Ed Hardy and incorporate them into the products alongside his own unique and creative style. The range which comprises of clothing – mainly t-shirts and accessories including the collection of Ed Hardy watches; combines vintage tattoo art, urban styling and dramatic aesthetics and ultimately the lifestyle brand includes seriously bling and eye-catching pieces.

With the creative eye of Christian Audigier and A-list fans including Madonna, Kanye West, Britney Spears and Heidi Klum, the brand has very quickly taken the world by storm. Earlier this month, the UK was very pleased to celebrate the launch of the very first Ed Hardy store located in the Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush.

Although Ed Hardy is a brand that is most renowned for its collection of t-shirts and tanks, the range of Ed Hardy watches have become an incredibly popular choice of accessory during 2009 and are all sure statement pieces with their incredibly detailed designs, vibrant colours and bling appeal!

The watch collection features designs created specifically for men and women and despite the initial thought of urban appeal and vintage tattoo art perhaps portraying quite a masculine orientated style, the watches for ladies are incredibly feminine with artwork including flowers, butterflies, mystical characters and fairies to name only a few. With beautiful colours such as pink, gold, cream, and white incorporated into many of the watches, these look incredibly striking on the wrist and combine just the right level of femininity with a funky edge to make the watches that little bit different. The ladies watches also tend to use colour and style contrasts such as a feminine designed dial with a chunky grey strap which creates a trendy dynamic. Some of the watches for men and women feature the very much on trend cuff style straps, some with added stud detailing whereas others have simple leather or stainless steel straps. A selection of the straps also incorporate the inclusion of tattoo art in addition to the dial and some also feature the use of diamante stones for that extra hint of bling!

What is amazing about Ed Hardy watches is the fine attention to detail within the artwork. With an incredible use of vibrant colours that are subtly placed together to create an image that is absolutely stunning, you can’t help but be impressed by the fine craftsmanship and the intense level of skill that is invested into the tattoo picture which also include lions, eagles, skulls and leopards.

Ed Hardy is a huge hit in America and is very much a core brand seen out and about in LA. With the opening of the new store in London, in 2010 it definitely looks as though we will be seeing a great deal more of this striking brand on the fashion forward streets of the UK!



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D&G Watches: Madonna to Become New Face of D&G

November 17, 2009
Posted by David

When you think of D&G you immediately think of the beautiful and the glamorous. Of course, when a brand is aiming to portray an image, it is therefore vital that they choose the right models, or in many cases celebrities to represent the brand. The Italian design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have announced the exciting news that the Queen of Pop, Madonna will be the face of their Spring/Summer 2010 campaign. In fact, Madonna isn’t new to the Italian designers as they collaborated with the star back in the early 1990s when they designed the memorable costumes for her 1993 The Girlie Show tour. Only last year, the design duo also designed costumes for Madonna’s return to the stage during her Sticky and Sweet tour. They feel that Madonna is perfect for the forthcoming campaign as the new collection reverts back to classic pieces such as their signature corset and Madonna is the ideal person to bring this back to the forefront of fashion.

Of course, Dolce and Gabbana clothing tends to be worn by the rich and famous and for those of us who aren’t the likes of Madonna, Isabella Rossellini or Tom Cruise, the clothing by the brand is a perhaps little beyond the budget! However, the collection of D&G watches are the perfect way of injecting some genuine A list glamour into your look and will be an investment accessory that will look timelessly fashionable.

There are some stunning new styles just in that are definitely worth a strong mention. Firstly, we have the new Flock D&G ladies watch, which has a beautiful pink leather strap towards the back of the watch with the front section featuring the D&G lettering logo in stainless steel. The new unisex Genteel D&G watch is wonderfully classic and elegant with a sports bezel and a tan croco leather strap. A timeless and versatile accessory that will look great taken from day to night. This style is also available in different colours. The new ladies D+G ‘800’ is the definition of glamorous and statement with its diamante petal leaf bracelet strap and case. The new Salome D&G watch is a great example of how the brand dares to be different and pushes conventional style and design traditions. The watch comprises of large circular links which are filled with black and white stones. The dial is simple and the focal point of the watch is the unique and striking aesthetic. The new D&G watches are perfect for the forthcoming party season and are truly representative of the chic and glitzy D&G style.

Dolce and Gabbana has grown over the years to become an international fashion powerhouse and is one of the first names on every star’s lips when it comes to an iconic designer label. The range of D&G watches are exciting, inspiring, glamorous and are real statement pieces that you would be proud to own for years to come. If you favour unique style with strong personality and characteristics, D&G watches are the perfect choice.



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