Melissa's London Fashion Week Round Up!

London Fashion Week! Our favourite week of the year in our home city came to a close last night, so as we did for NYFW, here is Melissa and the Odabash girls’ round up of our LFW magical moments, shows, celeb spots and oufits!

Technicolour Trench's at Burberry SS13

Always a fashion week highlight and one of Melissa’s all time much-loved go-to brands, the Burberry SS13 Collection Led by Christopher Bailey did not disappoint this season. The much anticipated show included an array of perspex capes, and a rainbow of metallic trenchcoats in bright hues of pink, blue and orange. Of course Burberry’s signature style, classic British heritagewas included, with a range of neutral and military coloured, but overtly textural garments and structural shapes, perfect for those rainy English summer days!

Our favourites from Mulberry SS13 - How cute is that Poodle?!

Backstage at Mulberry SS13

Mulberry this season showed a beautiful feminine medley of flora and fauna with a muted but fresh colour palette and tropical blossom inspired prints, combining a laid-back mishmash of on trend mints and lavenders and pastels. Creative Director Emma Hill mixed up this exotic inspiration with our rural English craft heritage perfectly. With Kate Moss and Alexa Chung sat front row it was the ultimate British affair. We at Odabash are lusting after one of those pooches too!!

Julien Macdonald's SS13 Presentation

While Welsh Fashion legend and Melissa’s personal style advisor and pal Julien Macdonald didn’t put on a show this season, we were just as impressed with his beautifully ornate and decadent collection of embellished evening wear. The Odabash team are borderline obsessed with the styling from his presentation also, juxtaposing masculine harsh hair and gothic make up with the most breathtakingly feminine gowns. We thought it bought a whole new edge to couture and dressing up for the ball, very Rooney Mara! Check out our three favourite pieces from the collection here.

Tribal Extravagance at Matthew Williamson SS13

A vision of tribal

Melissa’s fail safe go-to designer for summer fashion (apart from her own line of course!)has to be Matthew Williamson, and he did us Brits proud with his trademark Technicolor explosion, this time Indian Holi Festival inspired, collection. The intricate mirrored embellishments, blue lagoon and shocking pink colours infused with tribal embroidery and tassels played against geometric patterns and the most lustrous of fabric. It made us want to book a holiday immediately to Goa to join in the raucous street party and fling vibrant paints and powders at each other!

Kim Seyers and Andy Murray converse with Anna Wintour on the FROW at Burberry



The Odabash award for ‘Most Star Studded FROW’ of the season has to go to that of Burberry. A whole host of ‘of the moment’ celebs mingled with each other, sporting hero Andy Murray and girlfriend Kim Seyers sat next to Anna Wintour, while Harry Styles from One Direction cozied up to Dita Von Teese (every teenage boys dream?!) and Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel. On the other side the Fash Pack were out in force, Suki Waterhouse, Pixie Geldof and Alexa Chung mixed with New York Upper Eastsider and style icon Olivia Palermo, we could not stop oogling her outfits over the last few days! Check out our pick below.

Olivia Palermo never fails to dress to impress!

Some of our fave Street Style looks from around London this past week. Love Anna Dello Russo!

Here are a few more images of our favourite street style from this SS13 London Fashion Week from around our home city. The spectrum of creativity and style in London is unparalleled with any other city and we are proud that we are working and living in such an inspiring city! Another London Fashion Week is over…at least now we can dream about what we will be wearing next summer! Someone press fast forward please?

Kate Middleton Holiday Wardrobe!

Like most of the British (and infact global!) population right now we have been taking some serious style notes from Miss Middleton. Especially, as recently she has been off on her travels for the Jubilee Tour. Ladies, take note of her travel wardrobe staples as Kate is ticking everybox! Here are our favourite outfits from the past week, from Kuala Lumpar in Temperly to channeling Jackie O with that cute pillbox hat in Johnathon Saunders turquoise. We love how Kate has branched out into brights working traditional island florals and that gorgeous yellow number! 

Melissa's NYFW Round Up

As the Spring Summer 2013 show time kicked off with New York Fashion Week last week, we have had our eyes placed firmly on the catwalks in the fashion capital across the pond! Here's our round up and an exclusive look at Melissa's favourite shows from New York SS13.

A host of white and nude tailoring was the order of the day at Victoria Beckham's 3rd runway show which didn't fail to impress amongst the fash pack. Here are a few of Melissa's favourite pieces, including a sport-luxe nude pencil dress, very VB!

As one of Melissa's go-to brands in her personal wardrobe, Melissa was particularly impressed with the plethora of stripes and optical oppulence at Micheal Kors. Stripes are a wardrobe staple and an absolute classic that will never go out of style. Channel the look with our California Top or Jamie Dress which are now on sale!

A show which won major praise from fashion press globally this season was that from design house Marchesa. The Odabash girls loved the decadent embroidery and regal beading on the couture pieces. We also spotted British 'It' Girl and model of the moment, Cara Delevigne, strutting her stuff down the catwalk!

Zach Posen's Spring Summer 13 presentation caught the eye of the Odabash team and Melissa herself not only because of the ultra femenine prints and shapes, but because Super Model Extrodinaire, Naomi Campbell starred in the line up! Leading the way for Alex Wek and a whole host of fresh faced models, Naomi glided down the runway like a pro!

Not only do we love watching the live streams and reading all the runway reports, but one of our favourite parts about the Fashion Weeks is the Street Style spotting! New York has its own unique style where a mix of polished Upper East side styling meets a more relaxed, edgy Downtown New York look. This season we noticed that hats were popular among the Big Apples' fashionistas. Perfect for both holidays and at home on those Autumnal sunny days, get the look with our Jemima Hat or the ever popular Cameron Panama, a favourite with celebs like Eva Longoria and Kate Moss!

Here are a few more of Melissa's favourite street style looks from the streets of New York. 

Of course no Fashion Week would be complete without a star studded FROW! We loved seeing Kim Kardashian and Kanye West cosying up to each other and the beautiful Tyra Banks at Marchesa. Another favourite was at Vera Wang, where the front row was adorned with A-listers including Beyonce and sister Solange looking vibrant in pink! They were joined by beauty Diane Kruger working heavy flowing blonde locks and autumnal mustard. 

So after a whirlwind of American fashion we are now enjoying the special buzz of London Fashion Week in our city. We can't wait to see what our creative and world leading designers will produce for SS13! Stay tuned also for an exclusive Sneak Peak of the Odabash SS13 Collection! 

Top Celeb Spots

We're loving the recent spate of celebs wearing Melissa Odabash swimwear whilst hitting the beach the past few weeks.

Odabash devotee Tamara Ecclestone chose two of her favourite triangle string bikini's for a recent holiday & her charity bikini shoot - the gunmetal Maine is perfect on her skin tone & looks great with her glossy dark locks - some girls make beach-side glamour look so effortless! Take a look at our high summer Maine in bold blue here - it works equally well on blondes & brunettes (& we hear Tamara snapped one of these up on her recent visit to the Odabash boutique in Chelsea).

Tamara Ecclestone wears Maine in gunmetal, very Bond-girl-esque

We also love her in this skimpy apricot Denver bikini, perfect for showing off a tan - the jungle green option available on our website here looks especially great on you blondies!

Tamara in our apricot Denver available at www.melissaodabash.com

And last....but by no means least, who popped up in Hawaii wearing our bestselling 'Elle cowboy hat. And just how great does she look!? granted, it isn't an Odabash bikini, but we still think it is pretty cool. There aren't many girls that get away with such a strong red lip at the beach either, but Rihanna is a lesson to us all in how to look super-cool on holiday this year. Buy the hat here

Say hello to Melissa Odabash: High Summer 2012

Here's another exclusive post for you MO fans (drumroll please...) - this time, a sneak peek at the Melissa Odabash 2012 'High Summer' collection. Featuring key pieces & best-sellers from the main line, updated in new, fresh prints & bold colours for the new season. The collection launches next week, head to our website to check it out - but until then, here are a few of our favourite pieces...

'Geneva' updated with chic, neutral crocodile print - classic shape given an edge with sexy cut-out sides.

'Maine' super-popular & very skimpy, glamorous Maine has been updated into a bold new blue - looks incredible with a little bit of a tan.

A real favourite - 'Diana' in super soft draping fabric in chic truffle colour is perfect for home or away - looks great on its own or teamed with jean-shorts & flat sandals.

Our 'France' cut-out swimsuit given a sexy new twist with bold but delicate beading & embroidery. A real statement piece, perfect to stand out on the beach.

One of our bestsellers, the 'Evita' updated into a hot new pink for the summer.

A real stand-out piece from the main line, the Savannah is perfect for day or night to exude laid-back beachy glamour. Team with metallic flat sandals & our statement lotus cuff from the new MO jewellery collection - also available at our website.

Odabash&Macdonald - The Big Reveal!

We're super excited to be sharing this post with you today, of a very special collaboration between Melissa & long-time friend & fellow designer Julien Macdonald.

The collection took inspiration from a road trip taken by David Bailey in 1973, in which Anjelica Huston & a very debonair Manolo Blahnik posed in a succession of glamorous eveningwear harking back to the dramatic styles of the 1930's...

The collection consists of twenty-three high fashion pieces of swimwear, beachwear and four exclusive, made to order couture knitwear, all of which represent the desire both designers have to make women feel sexy and confident.  Form fitting slip dresses complement silhouettes emphasized with fringed thigh high splits and dangerously low backs. Floor length diaphanous silk chiffon flows fluidly and give a luxurious finish to the beachwear with select pieces hand-embellished with bejewelled sea serpents. Available at our two London Boutiques, see here for contact details.

Semi-precious crystals & lotus flowers are a girls best friend...

Last week saw the 3rd annual 'Rodial Beautiful' awards ceremony at the plush Sanderson Hotel in Central London, with a whole host of celebrities donning their party frocks & dancing shoes to attend. Melissa herself was chosen as part of the panel of judges, choosing worthy-winners for awards including 'Fresh Face' & 'Classic Glamour' (which went to good friend & well-worthy winner Elle Macpherson). Having launched her new jewellery collection last week, featuring delicate chains, spiritual influenced charms & semi-precious crystals, who should be seen sporting the exclusive new pieces but supermodel Elle & designer Whitney Port...the new collection is available at both of our London Boutiques & online at HERE as well as in selected John Lewis stores. And (in case you've forgotten, which we're sure you hadn't!) with Mother's Day this Sunday, what better way to treat your mum then with a piece of MO by Melissa Odabash jewellery. See below for Rodial Awards images & some of our favourite pieces from the collection.

(Oh, & keep your eyes on this blog tomorrow for a super-exclusive behind-the-scenes post featuring a VERY special collaboration. You heard it here first!)

l-r Elle Macpherson, Melissa, Whitney Port, Kelly Hoppen

Yasmin le Bon & Elle 'duelling' with their awards

Whitney (in Julien Macdonald) & Melissa

Elle, Melissa & Whitney



Gold lotus & crystal friendship band, as seen on Whitney Port



Large lotus pendant, in triple-dipped gold, rose gold or silver - perfect to dress up a simple vest.

Silver & crystal Evil Eye friendship band, as seen on Elle Macpherson

Show-stopping statement lotus cuff, which has barely left Melissa's arm since it arrived! Also available in triple-dipped gold with opal crystal studding.

Rose gold long fine chain with lotus detailing, looks great worn loose or layered up & perfect with a simple shift dress for post-beach cocktails - roll on Summer!



Marooned in Style

Oh HELLO great editorial in Austrian fashion magazine Flair! We are loving this editorial piece featuring 'Bianca' - one of the showstopping kaftans from Melissa's recent collaboration with Julien Macdonald 'Odabash&Macdonald' - and needless to say, in the (highly unlikely) circumstances we were to find ourselves trapped on a desert island, we'd hope we were wearing something as glamorous as this too.

Odabash&Macdonald is available from our Notting Hill & Chelsea boutiques (see www.melissaodabash.com for contact details)

Oh Elle...

Just a quick post to show off this exclusive behind-the scenes of Britain's Next Top Model picture - we can't get over how sizzling Ms. Macpherson looks in our show-stopping 'Veruschka' knit dress from the 2012 Odabash&Macdonald cruise collection. Elle, quite frankly - we are not worthy!

'Veruschka' by Odabash&Macdonald available from our London boutiques : click here for contact details

Ibiza Cool

Check out these images of our 2011 collection in new glossy fashion magazine The Hub. Shot in Ibiza last year in August (how we wish we were there now), these sadly aren't available any longer (though keep your ear to the ground for our 2012 sample sale announcement as some might make an appearance there!) but there are plenty of alternative pieces from the 2012 collection that more than fit the glamorous White-Isle vibe.



'Marbella' in black snake - for similar click here



'Martinique' in pale gold - click here (we recommend the cheetah version, super chic)

'Marbella' in brown sugar - click here (you are going to LOVE this one!)

Roses are red, Violets are blue, buying me an MO bikini is the least you can do!

Whether happily coupled-up or single & ready to mingle, there is no getting away from it – Valentine’s Day is upon us once more! If your partner has left it until now (which he inevitably has!) to book that fancy restaurant you’ve been hinting at, chances are you’re going to be disappointed as all the best tables have unsurprisingly been booked – but fear not, there are plenty other exciting things to be done – all is not lost! Here are Melissa’s top five Valentine’s ideas…

Not quite a Melissa Odabash swimsuit, but we think Barbara looks great!

1. Watch a romantic movie – it might sound a bit predictable, but there are more and more unusual cinema venues & experiences popping up in cities across the world – in London they’re showing the iconic ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ in an old chapel, while The Secret Cinema Group (worldwide) offer ‘surprise’ tickets – meaning you won’t find out where you are going/what you are seeing until the actual night, but involve classic films, live acts & music and DJ’s – all for around £20.00 a ticket. Definitely a Valentine’s treat that you’ll remember. If all that fails, light some candles, open a bottle of wine & watch Melissa’s favourite romantic movie, The Way We Were.

2. We’re not quite sure what it is about being on the deck of a boat in the city at night that is so romantic (especially in London, as it is freezing 90% of the time!) but romantic it is! Wrap up warm & head to the river & pray you don’t get seasick – vomiting on your date is SO not a good look - or keep your feet firmly on dry land and head to one of the cosy riverside pubs or even the London eye for incredible views of the city.

3. If your budget is a bit bigger, Melissa suggests heading off to Rome and staying in the incredible Hotel Eden, situated close to the famous Spanish Steps & right in the heart of the city – super romantic. Any guy who does this would get serious brownie-points (we advise ‘accidentally’ sending him the link to this page)! Oh, & don’t forget your Melissa Odabash bikini to make use of the gorgeous pool & hot tub.

4. For a quirky date, book the famous chocolate afternoon tea at the top of the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane – situated on the 28th floor and with three-hundred-and-sixty degree views of London, followed by a romantic walk through Hyde Park, just opposite Park Lane and a good way to counteract all that chocolate you'll have eaten!

And if all else fails, & he forgets completely (or you're single and just fancy a treat), we think you definitely deserve a Melissa Odabash bikini - head to www.melissaodabash.com (or click the 'SHOP' tab at the top of the page) and take advantage of our exclusive Valentine's Day offer.