I N S P I R E D B Y D R I E S V A N N O T E N | Tribute Review

Second Tribute of the season, it's Dries Van Noten! This is another one we've had once before, in the 2021 season, however it was just one small floor - it was a pretty nice one however, just lacking in items. Where that one was very much coloured for Summer, this release looks a little more mixed from the looks in the advertising - there's some glamour, some casual however a nice mix of colours and prints, so lets dive in:

I was quite excited from looking at the advertising, as I loved that middle outfit with the pretty flowing trousers, but opening the store, I felt a little disappointed. It's a bit of a mixed bag in terms of styles - it maybe seems a bit random of the outfits chosen to include here. I was even more disappointed when I went to look at the RL collections and found so many beautiful amazing pieces from just the last couple of collections that we could have had, instead we have a mix from many different collections over many years - I'm here for fresh styles, not an archive. Thus this review will probably be a bit shorter, however I did still pick up some pieces to try out and there's a few pieces I'm still thinking about. Starting with the accessories. There are a whopping 10 pairs of shoes to choose from - so many for a collection! These are all heels or platforms but there is a range of styles and colours available. For me there were 2 pairs that stood out, firstly the Brown Platforms which I love both the colour and the slip-on style of, this is a colour that I love to work with, and secondly the Pearl Embellished Heels, super classy but also more of an everyday with the slim tied ankle strap which is an addition I really like, and these also have a nice silhouette with the more square heel and elongated toe. The Checkered Heels are also in a very similar style and I'm super tempted by those as well, with a backless design these look fantastic and unique. There are then 6 bags in the release, to be honest I don't really like any of them that much, but I do think the Black Mini Bag is a nice option if that's something you're missing from your bag collection, the size is good, the wooden handle is a great design touch and it's also in SC's which is a huge bonus. There are a few other accessories pieces and the one that stood out immediately was the Tied Brown Belt, a fantastic piece to have in a belt collection, and this one looks great - you can't go too wrong with a good tied option in a neutral colour! Again this is also in SC's which is great. There are a handful of jewellery options too, again I'm not feeling super enthusiastic about them. The Gold Bubble Earrings are quite cute, but we've had quite similar ones before. However all pieces are available in suite and beauty parlor options.

Now the clothing. The first floor is very mixed, with a lot of different bold prints and colours used. What stands out to me is the Winged Top and Teal Pants look, these pieces will be fantastic separately and they really remind me of some of the Tributes of early days - love the flowing style of the trousers without them being too oversized, plus the jewel tone to the colour is great. Speaking of jewel tones the Purple Plastic Coat also fits in here, this looks like a great Autumn piece and I think it will make for some fun looks - I'm only on the fence because I have other plastic-based coats already! The Paint Splatterd Blazer is a fun piece, I like the oversized fit with it along with the white base for the blues to pop on top. I am also tempted by the Cobalt Tassle Jumpsuit, love the mix of colours on it along with the design, but the fit is just a bit too oversized for what I would be wanting from it, I would prefer a slimmer fit. Onto the second floor, this one lost me a little bit, as while there are neutral tones and I love a neutral tone, nothing really impressed me for my style. Tucked away here a little is the Black Sheer Top, this is such a beautiful piece and really doesn't get to shine in the store, it's fitted with an almost off the shoulder neckline, and a nice level of sheer that it almost looks shimmering. I was also very tempted by the Beaded Net Top, we've had similar style items previously and I've had some regrets, so I picked this up to try it out, I really like the bead colours on this one and I think it'll be fun to work with. The final piece to mention here is one that I am still thinking about, the Chartreuse Beaded Skirt, I like the fit of it and the bead design, I'm just not 100% on the colour. All it will take is seeing someone else style it well and I think I could be sold on this one! The third and final floor is very much about the glamour and dresses. I really love the Black Beaded Jacket, this again reminded me of the early days Tribute releases and I think it's a versatile piece for smarter stylings, as well as being able to work year-round. Another piece I noticed immediately was the Cut Out Maxi Skirt, love the faded navy colour and the overall fit, it looks versatile and is also priced in SC's. I really wanted to love the Gold Shoulder Dress, I just wish the gold shoulders had been an optional addition to the navy maxi, because that part is super beautiful and versatile and I think the gold makes it a bit more limiting.

FEATURES

First up in the features we have Bianca.Vos styling the Purple Rose Dress and Pearl Embellished Heels - it's simple but effective and all about the accessories added here. I love the draped pearl choker necklace here, it's perfect with the dress and the other white/pearl accessories added really make those lighter flower tones in the dress stand out. Love it!

Next is Ava who is wearing the Cut Out Maxi Skirt in such a cute and Summer-ready way^ This just highlights the versatility of this piece, I think it's such a cute combination with the zebra printing of the low V-cut top, the beige tone in the top is a perfect match for the cut outs in the skirt, really highlighting that design. And love the neutral accessories, they're perfect to let the clothing shine in this one =D

And the final feature is Fergaysson who styles up both the Tropical Shorts and Polkadot Purse, I think this look is perfect for the collection, I really love it! These are items I really hadn't thought about in the store but I love seeing them work to perfection for someone else. The shorts are great with this lace top, the colours are super complementary and the blue touches there are great with the blue in the short print and with the chosen shoes - all ties together so well!

I N S P I R E D B Y A L A I A | Tribute Review

It's Summer 2025 Tribute season! We're starting off with Alaia - this is a brand we've had once before, I honestly had it in my mind that we'd had it at least a couple of times, but nope, it's our second release. Last time it was a small release with 7 looks, so this time it's a big step up - the advertising looks pretty dark, but I quite like the vibes and the deep jewel tones. Lets get in and see the whole release:

The store is of typical size for recent releases, there are 3 floors and a total of 17 looks - a small number of pieces are available for both male and female dolls. I have to say at first glance I quite like this collection, the colours really look great, I like the mix of them with both lights and dark tones, and I also like the mix of both Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter pieces, which I think will be pretty versatile for styling. So starting with the accessories. There are 7 pairs of shoes to choose from with both heels and flats on offer. The Fishnet Ballet Flats, Black Criss Cross Flats and Gold Fishnet Flats are of the current trendy ballet-flat style that are quite all over the place right now - I like that these are options for our dolls to have although they're not so much my style. I love the design of both the Red and Black Le Coeur Heels, these are fab with the heart toe-design and mule style with the perspex strap. There are 5 bags on offer, all in very different styles and designs, I really like these options. The Maroon Le Coeur Bag caught my eye first, love the deep colour and the smart heart design, very sleek. Also really like the Black Leather Waist Purse, a different take on a belt bag, it's a looser fit with a low slung belt and the bag itself is simple but stylish. The Mina Leather Lace Bag is also a sleek stylish piece, the lace design is lovely and is reminiscent of the first Alaia release. Of other pieces there are several jewellery items to choose from - I really like the Le Coeur Necklace Gold and Silver, this really looks great on the doll and super versatile, plus there are matching Le Coeur Studs Gold and Silver as well.

Onto the clothing. The first two floors are quite mixed, there's a big focus on dark pieces then light brights are interspersed between them. To be honest, the dark pieces don't really stand out to me, I think it doesn't help that the interior is dark and that the mannequin is black, so the pieces don't get highlighted well - it really makes those coloured items pop. However I did pick up the Black Turtleneck, which is a fab basic and in SCs and also the Exagurated Denim Pants which look like a fun twist on jeans and I'm excited to give them a go. On the first floor the star of the show for me is the pretty periwinkle colour, while the bottoms aren't my thing, I love the Periwinkle Crop Windbreaker (which very much looks like a top to me and not a jacket), the fit and gathering are fab and I just love the sleeves. I really wanted to love the Maroon Rope Skirt, but the design of it around the waist just isn't my style and I don't like how it fits on my doll. On the second floor, the Beaded Net Dress pops being in a contrasting white, I like the high neckline and sleeveless style to this and I can see it will be a popular choice for Summer stylings. Another piece I wanted to like was the Tied Maroon Dress, the design on the top with all the bows looks amazing and unique, and I love the colour, but it wasn't love when I tried it on, it just doesn't feel quite right for me. The third floor pulled my eyes in all directions with the colours! The first piece that I added to my bag was the co-ord of the Yellow Wave Shirt and Skirt, the colour is amazing and the design is great, these fit on the doll very well too, and I'm so pleased with them. I also really like the Ruffle Denim Skirt, it's super fun and fits with current trends as well - I think it will also be pretty versatile for styling. A piece that I think will be popular but I'm still a little undecided about is the Maroon Cropped Leather Jacket, it has great detailing and I think it fits the doll really nicely, but the open over the bust is just offputting for me, it's something to constantly think about to wear it and always needing to layer. It will suit some styles, just not so much mine.

F E A T U R E S

First up in the features is vanderrohe who wears the popular Beaded Net Dress and also includes the Mina Leather Lace Bag, opting for a smart layered look with black trousers. These work well an the design of the net pops even more with a dark base. I think it works well with a balanced base of nude and black. Accessories are simple but fitting, and love the pulled back hairstyle really showing off all aspects of the dress design^

Next up also in the Beaded Net Dress is harpie highlighting a different layered option, it's super fun to pair with a printed dress beneath, but I really like the blue and lilac, plus the accessories tie in well too. What's super fun though is the neck ties added, I just love that a lot and think they are perfect for the dress, they could easily have been an original part of the design!

Now we have tormenta who styles the Maroon Cropped Leather Jacket in such a perfect way! The colour combination here is perfection, the skirt is a great fit with the jacket along with the slight contrast added in the bag, plus all those textures together are great, Love the accessorising a lot, especially the belt paired with the neck brooch and the silver on the strap of the shoes, it's simple but such an effective touch =)

Our next look is from sarah_1980 who has gone all out, every item is from the release - the Latex Bodysuit, Exagurated Denim Pants, Handle Belt, Cheetah Le Teckel bag, the Gold Spiral Hoops and the Asymmetrical Sandals. These pieces weren't together at all in the store, but fit so well - actually this look really highlights the Latex Bodysuit to me as in the store it didn't really stand out to me, but it looks fantastic here, so I think I might need to give it a chance! Plus adore the hair and beauty look here!

The penultimate styling is from MissDark1990 who wears the Exagurated Denim Pants in the most fabulous way, I love this for a super sleek yet simple but also designer styling^ The wide leg design of the jeans make them perfect for adding boots, I love these wide-legged ones added, the are almost a perfect colour and texture match for the jeans, a perfect combination. The white on top and in the bag adds a light Summer touch, and the simplicity in the colour palate is so stylish - plus the gold earrings are a fab finishing touch^

And last but not least, SS-diamond styles up the Periwinkle Crop Windbreaker in a perfect outfit for it, I love it =) Honestly so happy to see someone style this up, I was a bit worried it was just me who liked it. I love the layering on the top with the white tails over the abdomen, I think that geometry pairs really well with the hems of the skirt (still one of my favourite pieces). Accessories are simple but effective, love the belt and shoes especially, perfect for here!