Everybody has a fool-proof little black dress that they can always rely on, and now we're seeing more and more impeccable head-to-toe black outfits of all sorts on the streets. Whether it's an oversized leather suit or a luxe moto jacket over that trusty LBD, tough accents go a long way on a monochrome look. But black can be soft and feminine, too - think elegant, almost witchy long dresses for a ladylike alternative. And the best news of all? Black works with almost any colour of accessories, from loud and proud clutches to classic gold jewellery.

Photos: Gianluca Senese, NOBODYKNOWSMARC

1. Borrowed from the boyfriend
A loose and masculine white shirt gives a sultry body-con look a fresh, casual spin. Pair with two stacks of matching bangles for a coordinated way to stay on trend.

2. Material melange
A fringed dress makes a big impact. Combine its tassels with a tactile mix of sheer and soft materials for a look that's good enough to touch.

3. Monochrome mod
White skinny jeans are the fast track to seductive rock chic, and a shrunken jacket and a black mesh vest make this black-and-white outfit red hot.

4. Fantastic fringe
Try a statement necklace against a low-key black canvas to play up your outfit's accessories. With a wide-brimmed sunhat and a monochrome ombré fringed mini, you'll be ready for the beach, the club and almost anywhere in between.

All clothes by H&M.

Who were the women you were inspired by for this shoot?
A New York girl who’s street and fashion smart. She has a lot of attitude and mixes feminine and masculine pieces brilliantly.

Which is your favourite look from the shoot and why?
The one with shorts and a white crisp men’s shirt – it’s a sexy and androgynous rock 'n' roll look.

What’s your tip for keeping monochrome fresh and new for the summer?
Let the colours be inky black, washed out black, soft silky black and crisp white.

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Photos: Sebastian Faena
Styling: Julia Von Boehm

1. Carry-all satchel
This bag from Coach's Legacy collection has me quite a bit obsessed and I don't care who knows it! My camera, current book, and beauty essentials all fit in this baby.

2. A versatile denim jacket
I always love a good denim jacket, but springtime is when I find myself especially appreciating this classic piece. It is perfect for those not-so-cold yet not-so-warm days.

3. Girly brunches at the weekend
It is a weekend tradition for me and my best friends to get together and catch up over some delicious coffee, mimosas and pancakes!

4. Boots made for more than walking
My go-to shoe is a nice city-stomping boot. Something comfortable that adds instant cool to any outfit.

5. My beloved cat
She is the apple of my eye and I am literally ecstatic to see her every time I get home.

Many influential designers took to the streets this season. Alexander Wang used boxy shapes and Bermuda shorts to give his luxe collection an edge of cool, and young Canadian-in-London designer Thomas Tait staged his neon-themed show in a skate park. Rag & Bone filled their collection with motocross jackets and bombers. Marc by Marc Jacobs went for a 1990s take, with loose patchwork pieces. Kenzo’s wide-legged trousers and slouchy shapes were downtown classics. Even Chanel got involved: in a critically acclaimed collection, tweed dresses were given a looser fit, giving the modern tomboy a way to wear the ladylike brand.

But the trend isn’t limited to womenswear. In menswear, a street-influenced look (the flipside of the dandy, really) is currently flourishing on the catwalks, with Italo Zucchelli at Calvin Klein, Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy and Kim Jones at Louis Vuitton leading the way. There’s also a cool scene bubbling up in London, with young designers including Christopher Shannon, Aitor Throup, Shaun Samson and William Richard Green exploring the boundaries of streetwear – and how to turn it into something new.

“I think street style has always been important,” says Elgar Johnson, fashion editor of i-D, the British magazine in which street style has long been celebrated. “It boomed 
in the late Eighties and early Nineties, and it feels very much like it’s coming round again.” The comparison with the 1990s works well. If the 2000s went for a glamorous, figure-hugging and sometimes theatrical look – extreme heels, anyone? – we now want something relatively understated, real and raw or, to put it another way, cool. Streetwear and a 1990s aesthetic
 are perfect for that.

So, how can you incorporate the trend 
into your wardrobe? Sportswear elements are crucial. Look out for flight jackets, tracksuit trousers, sneakers and t-shirts. But try to wear them with a twist: this is a casual look that has a ‘go on then, impress me’ eyebrow raised at all times. Don’t be afraid to mix things up, either. What you’ll see in contemporary streetwear collections varies wildly. It’s not even all about cult favourites or expensive catwalk pieces. There’s plenty of no-brand streetwear that looks great. And you can match your streetier stuff with something cute, sexy or a bit more extravagant (think oversized parka on top of an evening dress) to add a sprinkling of cool insouciance to your look.

With such potent appeal, it is no wonder streetwear is becoming a luxe alternative 
for high fashion brands. “Streetwear and sportswear have become an important part of the high fashion landscape,” says Eugene Kan, managing editor of Hypebeast, a website much loved by the streetwear community (around 24 million page views a month). “I think it resonates with a lot of people perhaps because of a sense of familiarity, albeit reimagined according to the vision of the designer.”

Kenzo, with Carol Lim and Humberto 
Leon at the helm since 2011, is one of the brands proving that street and high fashion is a match made in heaven. With their first collection
 for the brand, Kenzo instantly became the label cool kids would beg, borrow or steal
 for. Sweatshirts with an Eiffel tower or a roaring tiger were It items last year, spotted everywhere from fashion front rows to Rihanna videos. “These work as an entry-level item worn by kids on the street,” says William Oliver, editor of District MTV. “Then the higher-end pieces are bought by those who can afford them – because the kids have made it cool.”

Those cool kids now favour a kind of tomboy, downtown look, which is essential 
to the streetwear look for girls. With a lot of shapes unisex or based on menswear classics
– like the perfect pair of chinos or a varsity jacket – many pieces will fit right into an artfully scruffy wardrobe. Mix with either your favourite basics, or something more vibrant, like prints, and you’ll soon have a perfect uniform for off-duty days. Or, indeed, on-
duty ones. “Many workplaces are increasingly open in attitude when it comes to dress,” says Olivia Richardson head of womenswear at trend forecasting agency WGSN. “For an increasing number of young consumers, freelancing and juggling a few jobs is a new working lifestyle, which goes naturally with informal, individual personal style.”

This relaxed attitude is also typical of the fashion design studio – hardly a workplace that has a corporate dress code. Rather, all kinds of personal style are celebrated. And perhaps the influence of streetwear comes back to this. It’s about freedom, easy movement, and designers creating clothes they want to wear themselves, all day, every day. Streetwear has never looked as good as in their hands. No wonder the rest of us want to dress like this, too.

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Photos: Josh Olins
Styling: Clare Richardson

Singer, actress, dancer, director and possibly the most admired woman on Earth, the power package that is BEYONCÉ has sold 75 million records and was named the Most Powerful and Most Influential Musician in the World by Forbes Magazine last year. And she shows no sign of slowing down. She kicked off 2013 with a historical half-time performance at the Super Bowl and made her feature directorial debut with the autobiographical documentary film Life is But a Dream, which aired on HBO in February.

The summer months will be no less packed: coinciding with
 the release of new music, the global superstar joins H&M as the face of the new summer campaign, and the inspiration behind a new beachwear collection.

If you’ve followed BEYONCÉ through the years, you may have noticed that she loves the sea. Snapped on holiday, she looks happy and relaxed, with those ultra-famous curves covered by great outfits, always wearing the ultimate summer accessory: a loving smile. It is her relaxed yet sexy summer style that works so brilliantly as a starting point for the H&M BEYONCÉ collection, which includes bikinis and other beach-perfect pieces, including a pair of high-waisted shorts, a body-con dress and a flowing beach gown slashed to the thigh. Items, in brief, for hot days and long nights of fashion and fun by the sea.

THE MAGIC OF BEYONCÉ

The thing about BEYONCÉ – her magic touch, if you will – is that she is not just one of the most successful or famous or beautiful women in the world, but one of the most loved, too.

It seems BEYONCÉ’s popularity isn’t just about fans who love her and spread the word, but also about BEYONCÉ loving them back. Asked about highlights in her career, she mentions her hits Crazy in Love and Baby Boy as two personal favourites, but adds: “Some of my fondest memories come from performing live, just seeing my fans from around the world and seeing how music can bring so many different cultures together. That stays with you, it’s something you never forget.”

Even when talking about the amazing choreography in her videos (Google “BEYONCÉ’s best dance moves” for a quick reminder of exactly how accomplished a dancer she is) this humble superstar again chooses to pay homage to her fans: “What’s been fun over the past few years 
is watching fans create their own personal versions of the videos and posting them on YouTube. I love their creativity.”

THE H&M CAMPAIGN

The H&M campaign commercial is likely to be just as popular and widely copied. Set up like a music video, the clip was created by Jonas Åkerlund, the bad-boy director who has also worked with Lady Gaga, Madonna and Rihanna. “It was incredible to work with Jonas,” say BEYONCÉ. “We had a great time shooting the TV commercial for the Mrs Carter Show World Tour, so I was looking forward to working with him again. He has such a great imagination and I love seeing his visions come to life.”

The imagery for the H&M campaign commercial was themed around the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. The latter of the four, water, has a serious resonance, as a resource that is scarce for many world citizens. This is why 25 per cent of sales of the tie-dye bikini in the H&M BEYONCÉ collection will be donated to H&M for Water. The H&M for Water initiative, a collaboration with Wateraid, was launched in 2002, and is dedicated to improving access to clean water and hygiene for the world’s poorest people. With the help of celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, the H&M for Water initiative has already raised more than £2,650,000.

SHE’S GOT THE LOOK

She is naturally beautiful, but BEYONCÉ is not one of those super- skinny women who claim they eat a mountain of pasta every day and 
still don’t put on any weight. Instead, she readily admits to working
 hard to reach her goals. “When I am getting ready for a tour, I am
 doing choreography seven hours a day,” she says. “If I’m not preparing for a tour or already on tour, I work with a trainer, doing cardio and light weights and I have learned to make healthy eating choices.” There you go: that perfect bod (even pregnant, BEYONCÉ looked the very definition of glamour dancing onstage in a mini-dress) didn’t come from nowhere. Her attitude is very inspiring, since it suggests that others have a chance of succeeding, too.

So how does a super-celeb, one who is sure to get snapped by paparazzi whenever she steps out of the door, decide what to wear? 
“It depends on how I’m feeling that day,” says BEYONCÉ. “I like sexy but classic pieces; I love prints and patterns, and mixing textures as well as solid colours.” She adds that she always loved a fitted jacket, and that “a great pair of stilettos and sunglasses” are her wardrobe essentials.

As so often, BEYONCÉ is quick to credit her team. “Luckily I have great, honest people around me to help. My stylists Ty Hunter and Raquel Smith are an influential part of the process. They keep me fresh.” She reveals that her sense of style is owed to her mother. “I watched her from the time I was a little girl – she was so stylish. She was the first person I saw mix high-end pieces with more accessible styles and make it all work. And I’ve always admired the simple yet sexy styles of Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Kate Moss.” Considering her own collection for H&M, BEYONCÉ says her favourites include the beaded shorts and the landscape print scuba dress. “I also really love the bikinis. I’ve been wearing H&M bathing suits for years, so this was
 a fun collaboration for me.”

A BUSY BEY

You have to wonder just how much time BEYONCÉ will have for hanging out on the beach this year. The Queen of Pop will again meet her fans, as the Mrs Carter Show World Tour comes to major European cities in April and May and then continues to North America at the end of June.

“I’ve been working with Pharrell and Timbaland and Justin Timberlake and The-Dream. We all started in the 1990s, when R&B was the most important genre, and we all kind of want that back – the feeling that music gave us,” she said to GQ magazine earlier this year. The song for the H&M commercial, Standing On The Sun, is an upbeat affair 
that, according to the singer, “just makes you feel good. It’s about being carefree and allowing yourself to live in the moment.”

Everything seems to slow down in the summer. City residents are busy beasts by inclination, roaring along the streets. Somehow, in the summer they calm down, adopt a gentler pace, and smile more. The city becomes magical, and can even offer a genuine alternative to the beach.

It’s not just the slow pace and nicer weather that make the case for summer in the city. A resort or the beach might be relaxed choices for holidaymakers, but the city is the cool option. Access to shopping, great clubs, and all the good food you could want means you don’t have to make any concessions. Everything you need is exactly where it is during the rest of the year: on your doorstep. Where else can you start the day with brunch in a hip café and head down to the bookstore to buy all the latest fashion magazines before reading them in a shady spot in the park? Then perhaps an impromptu shopping spree because the sales are on, before meeting up with your friends to try out your new statement piece at a sweaty, cool-as-anything club?

The city is also the place to be fashionable in the summer. Life may slow down a bit when it gets warmer, but we all still want to look our best. Whether you are into the clear, sharp colours that are still on-trend, or prefer the perennial summer boho look, one thing is clear: in the city, summer style will be hotter than anywhere else.

It can be so easy to get lost in the girly world of style trends, and what better way to kick it up a notch than to work your favourite rock ‘n’ roll tee into a fashionable look? A faded band logo on a soft black t-shirt has the ideal edge to toughen up a flirty tropical print or a cute miniskirt, like we spotted. It's also the stylish way to dress down a pretty outfit while still hanging on to your cool credentials. The best styling tip here? Mixing your rock tee with some jewellery, whether a big and bulky statement necklace or else a fine pendant and some delicate earrings.

Photos: Gianluca Senese, NOBODYKNOWSMARC

1. Cropped cool
Cropped suit trousers go a long way when paired with a rough and ready white tee. Simple style made edgy.

2. Clean and fresh
The right accessories give this athletic look a masculine charm: box-fresh white sneakers make sure these tailored separates are ready to hit the street.

3. Breezy blazer
How to smarten up your trusty warm-up wear? Try a light blazer over a hoody and track shorts for a rugged take on minimal athletic style.

4. White out
All white is the way forward for a brighter version of masculine basics. Shorts that graze the top of the knee sit perfectly with a fresh, crisp shirt.

All clothes by H&M.

What were your key influences for this shoot?
I was influenced by the idea of a young, sporty and sophisticated man. The style of classic Calvin Klein, the iconic white t-shirts worn by Marlon Brando and James Dean, and British polo-players.

What's the best way to give sportswear a fresh spin?
Don't be afraid to use sporty pieces in an athletic grey melange, and mix it with suit trousers to get a more refined look. Or try the opposite way – sporty trousers or shorts worn with a classic shirt or a blazer.

What are the key accessories for bringing sportswear to the street?
Mix it up with classic well-dressed pieces and finish it off with some sporty shoes. But remember, they need to be brand new and bright white!

What's your favourite look from this shoot?
My favourite look here is the cropped suit trousers – a bit shorter this season makes it even hotter – and the thin washed t-shirt with a vest on top. The combination with dressed up pants and a vintage-feel t-shirt is perfect for this season.

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1. White hot
It’s my must-have nail colour for S/S 2013, as seen at Rag & Bone. Keep it looking luxe, not Tipp-Ex, though.

2. Terrific tie-dye
Nail art is sticking around, but stay away from gimmicky designs such as tuxedos and cupcakes. I love the tie-dye nails at House of Holland. Apply one colour as a base, dot a second one on top while it’s still wet, and bleed the two together using a make-up brush dipped in nail polish remover.

3. Hip to be square
There’s definitely an emerging trend for long, square nails – very 1990s! Rihanna has been working this look lately.

4. Go neon!
Neons will be the bright of choice this summer, as seen at Antonio Berardi. Try applying a classic grey, then paint the underside of the nail in fuchsia for a subtle flash of neon.

5. Home manis
Summer can be cruel to your nails. Regular manicures will keep them in great shape. For a mini-mani at home, add some strengthening nail serum to a bowl of water, and warm gently in the microwave for a hot oil treatment.

We often hear about ways to dress up your athletic separates, but here's a real example on Russian style star Miroslava Duma. She has mixed an on-trend grey sweatshirt with an eye-catching flared skirt in a vibrant print for maximum impact. To ensure that a look like this is definitely more suited to a fashion show than a running track, Miroslava's gone for some towering black platform heels with that current street style favourite addition, the little white pop sock.

Bleach
The destination salon for cool cuts and colours take the time to upload their best looks to their Tumblr for inspiration for those of us who can't make it to their east London location. Known for pioneering the colourful dip-dye and other nostalgic 1990s throwback styles, Bleach is the place to go for pictures and ideas for pastels, pinks and punchy colours.

Mainly Short Hair
This is a Tumblr that does exactly as the title says: an endless stream of possible hairstyles for those of you with shorter haircuts, proving that long locks aren’t the only versatile and fun options. Everything from close-cropped pixie cuts to grown-out long bobs are covered here, and the Tumblr-owner herself is happy to give out advice to commenters on which styles suit which face shapes, making the leap to short hair a lot less daunting than it might appear to be!

The Beauty Department
This blog's extensive Pinterest account is DIY hairstyle heaven. With dedicated boards of tutorials for curls and waves, ponytails, up-dos and short hair, the Beauty Department is the online equivalent of the cool older sister who taught you how to do a French braid as a youngster. Bookmark this one for all of your date-night hair dilemmas in future.

Shear Madness
Specialising in retro and vintage hairstyles from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Shear Madness is a Tumblr run by Bristol hairdresser Esme. If you've ever wanted some inspiration for modern-day beehives, Marilyn Monroe waves or some cute victory rolls, this is the blog to follow. And there's something for the boys, too, in the form of sharply-parted slicked back styles for dapper gents. You'll want to ditch the ombré and do some hairstyle time-travel to a more sophisticated time.

You can't beat a pair of well-fitted indigo jeans, and supermodel Miranda Kerr shows us how to give them a lift, too. Here she's gone for some excellent basics, in the form of a simple black scoop-neck top and some classic black flats, but has added a twist of glamour with her light leopard-print cardigan. The sleeves feature a fun panel of navy check, adding some extra interest to her simple basics.

And to finish off the everyday glam look? Miranda knows it's all in the accessories. She's carrying a covetable black leather handbag teamed with some statement sunglasses in a fetching shade for that hint of superstar style.