Wednesday 24 November 2010

Spring On The Mind

Winter is officially here and all I can think about are breezy summer dresses and a life without the need for tights and a thousand layers. Recent Fashion Weeks haven't done much to help this either, with their exotic and insightful glimpse into Spring/Summer 2011. My favourite collection by far had to be Mulberry's. I wrote a little review of it a while ago and thought I'd post it now whilst I'm in my longing phase for sunnier days.

Mulberry SS11 - New York Fashion Week


Mulberry is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment, and after last year’s oh so stylish Alexa bags who can blame them? The line of coveted bags were an instant hit and an immediate sell out which succeeded in pushing Mulberry further into the fashion spotlight than it’s ever been before.  With Emma Hill, recent Creative Director of Mulberry, as one of the main forces behind Mulberry’s recent and rising success the pressure was on for her to continue to wow the fashion elite at New York Fashion Week.


Mulberry, of course, exceeded expectations once again and presented a fresh palette of pastel orange, dusty pink, white and cornflower blue with hints of trademark tan accessories. The collection was impeccably perfect for Spring/Summer with light floaty linen dresses and super feminine skirt suits. Rather than going down the typical floral pattern route for an obvious spring touch, rosettes and 3-D frills were instead added to dresses. Mulberry effortlessly succeeded in creating the ultimate pretty spring wardrobe for the modern girl about town. 

Images via www.Style.com

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Domestic Disturbia

Iris van Berne is photographed by Damon Baker in a shoot which compromises of garbage glamour and fashionable fast-food. Sounds wrong but looks oh-so-sophisticated. Who knew that pegs could serve as such a fashionable head-piece?

Monday 18 October 2010

The Reinvention Game

So it's that dreaded time of year again, when summer is over and drones of us have to drag our heels back to University, School, College etc. etc. But for some people this month will be their first time at University and their first time living away from home. Naturally this means that they are due in for the unavoidable flatmate disagreements (almost always food related) and the horrific deadlines. Not to mention the nights they'd rather forget and the money woes. Of course, the big move away from home does have many upsides; the main one being the opportunity for REINVENTION! Now is the chance for you to meet hundreds of new people and be able to dress the way you've always wanted and to wow them with any style you like without any pre-judgements from existing friends. And best of all? Vice's UK Student Guide is here to help you with that. Here's a few inspirational choices:

Be an 'Anna':


'If your look is so nerdy that you don't even really exist outside of high school movies, it's just a matter of time before someone popular offers to She's All That you. Unfortunately, you'll have to eventually realise that you looked better before the makeover and will go back to your nerdy ways. But whatever, it's fun while it lasts.'

Be a 'Nell':


'The trick with the fashion-metal look is to never ever admit that it's ironic. If anyone asks, your favourite band growing up was Kreator or Angel Witch. It doesn't matter that you don't know what they sound like because no one else does either, so you'll never get caught.'

Be a 'Scarlett':


'Some of the most glamorous and orange girls have at one point considered themselves 'alternative' and tried to rid themselves of their laughably trashy aesthetic. They understandably, have a pretty warped impression of what does look trashy and tend to keep all of the worst aspects of their look. Look out for drag-queen make-up, paired with the T-shirt of a band that the wearer has never heard of.'

Any of these looks peak your interest? Head over to Vice Style for more options and for details about the clothing used in the shoots.

Images and Caption text via Vice Style.

Friday 17 September 2010

Fancy Some Front Row Action?

Always dreamed of sitting front row at London Fashion Week? Well Topshop wants to help you achieve that dream (or at least give you the feeling of having achieved it!) by streaming free live shows right from the catwalk. Starting from tomorrow you can have a little mosey on over to their website to watch a live stream of shows from designers including Mary Katrantzou, Richard Nicoll and Topshop Unique (duh). The schedule can be found here.


Starting from today the official London Fashion Week website will also be streaming a variety of shows with designers including PPQ, Betty Jackson, ACNE (I'll be setting aside time for this!), Holly Fulton and Amanda Wakely, just to name a few.

(ACNE and Holly Fulton)

(Meadham Kirchhoff and Richard Nicoll)

So, will you be tuning in live to London Fashion Week or will you wait for the blogger round ups for your fashion fix? I know I'll definitely be watching, possibly sat in my bedroom dressed up to the nines whilst channelling Anna Wintour.

Images via InsideOut and Style.com

Wednesday 15 September 2010

Style Vault - Atlanta de Cadenet

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The Cobrasnake's right hand lady and hipster favourite Atlanta de Cadenent is fast becoming a celebrity du jour all of her own thanks to her beachy 70's vibes (I refuse to say boho) and glorious two-tone mane. She also sports a rather fetching variety of lipsticks. Just lovely.

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Ear Vibes

Two songs I can't get out of my head right now and two bands that should definitely be on your radar:


The XX - Crystalised




Slow Club - Giving Up On Love


Friday 20 August 2010

Body Lovely

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I have my eye on some rather lovely body jewellery that has just come into stock at Urban Outfitters, and most of it is priced at a rather affordable £12! Somewhat of a bargain compared to most body chains I've seen which average around the £300 price mark. Simply perfect for jazzing up a simple t-shirt!

Images via Urban Outfitters

Thursday 12 August 2010

Sizing Up Marc Jacobs

So news has spread (rather like wildfire) that Marc Jacobs is to expand his range to include a 'Plus Size' collection. Now 'Plus Size' is a phrase I can't abide, the connotations of this are not at all flattering to the lady it might be describing and it's not at all specific; for instance a UK 14 on the catwalk is often referred to as 'Plus Size' and on the High Street 'Plus Size' falls into the UK Size 16 range. Yet I personally would place UK Sizes 18 and over into the 'Plus Size' category as most High Street stores cater for UK Sizes 6 to 16.

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As Marc Jacobs is an established designer I am going to assume that the collection will provide for ladies over a UK Size 14, and this is obviously brilliant for a number of reasons. Not only will it help to transform the unrealistic runway body shape that we currently view as 'perfection' but it re-establishes the fact that we are sick of the 'one size fits all' mentality that many designers share. This shift in size range, although seemingly non-important, proves that consumers and their needs are still important and influential. More importantly, it shows that designers are taking note. Where there is a consumer need there will be a designer ready to provide. Unfortunately with the case of larger sized clothing there have not been many brands 'confident' enough to be the first to set an example. After all, so far it is mainly uncharted waters (save for the rather low-key 'Plus Size' Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana collections) and with the current unstable economy many designers prefer to play it safe with smaller sizes.

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Thank God then for the more spirited and realistic designers, such as Marc Jacobs, who realise that the shape of the modern woman is constantly changing and that the skinny lanky frames of the 16 year old runway beauties are not a realistic or achievable image. Obviously I am not trying to say that a Size 16 should be the new standard, in fact I don't believe in any size standards as we are all different in structure and each person should be happy with whatever size they are. Nor should size be a constant obsession within the media and general society. The Prada A/W '10 show was a great example of women of different ages and sizes being celebrated individually for who they are, proving that diversity is beautiful.

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Pullitzer Prizewinner Robin Givhan's article in the September issue of UK Elle beautifully argues the fashion tug of war with sizes and how our society is more than ready for an image shake up. Hopefully Marc Jacob's collection for the woman above a Size 14 will set a precedent for other designers who should realise that women come in all shapes and sizes. The collection won't be ready for about a year but I imagine that it will be anticipated with baited breath.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Outfit Of The Day

Somehow this outfit really shouldn't work. Somehow it really does. The combination of black sequin trousers, sheer socks paired with black platforms, an oversized fur coat and a mane of blonde bed hair just screams 70's cool. Serious love for this lady's style.

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Image found via Trash&Vodka

Monday 19 July 2010

Leather, Spikes and Shearling Galore!

I have decided that I am no good at Summer dressing. I prefer layering and this is something which unfortunately is quite hard to achieve in the heat without running the risk of turning into something of a sweaty mess. I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't tried Summer layering already, twice this month I have donned my Shearling jacket only to literally tear it off as soon as I get outside realising my hopeful mistake. I think I am in a state of Autumn dressing denial. Anywhoo, it is only natural then that I should get all excited about the A/W 10 collection previews for certain high street stores. My favourite of course being Topshop's. I've said it before and I shall say it again, their Summer collections are bland. However their Winter collections are something of a winner with a multitude of looks and a mix of luxurious fabrics inspired by street style, bloggers and the runway; they most definitely are the leaders of the high street in that respect.

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Once again exceeding expectations, the lookbook for their A/W 10 collection has impressed all. There are details upon details and each one more impressive than the last. A silver spike trim on a cloak for instance. Or a cotton tee layered underneath a metal bra perhaps. Personally I love everything I've seen and it has made me just that little more excited for Autumn time. The only thing I could possibly be worried about now is my Autumn bank balance.

P.S. Just before I published this post I noticed that I had wrote A/W 11 about twenty times. So excited for Autumn am I that apparently I'm a year ahead!

Images via Style Bubble

Wednesday 14 July 2010

For Reasons Such As This...

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I really need to move down to London. I could brave the tube and the threat of student poverty for the snippets of passing glamour.

Thursday 8 July 2010

Crocodile Friends

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Walter Van Beirendonk's designs can always be relied upon to add a little humour relief to the often intense atmosphere and structured creations of fashion week. True to form, his Spring/Summer 2011 collection did not fail to disappoint with life size crocodile and tiger bags clinging ferociously onto the backs of their owners.

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Walter Van Beirendonk states an almost child-like inspiration behind the design: 'I really wanted to make huge bags, which look almost like a doll friend, I guess like a teddy bear, that you can take out with you.'

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However the main catalyst behind the wonderful creatures is Van Beirendonk's love of nature: 'I use fashion to communicate messages, statements and ideas which pop up in my head. Of course I realize that it is extremely difficult to change the world. But, if I could change one thing, I would save nature and the animals. They are so fragile, but so extremely beautiful and precious.'

Images and quotes via Vice Style

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Cracked Up

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Nails are really having their moment this season. Everything from Leopard Print to Transfers to Diamonds are an acceptable form of nail wear. However BYS Nails are really throwing something into the mix. Hailing from Australia, the brand has come forth with Cracked...a nail polish that upon drying creates tiny cracks for the ultimate grunge inspired look.

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I love the pop of pink under the black and this would be great for layering over other nail polishes. However I can't help feeling that in person this may just look like a nail job gone bad? What are your thoughts?

Images via Nylon

Tuesday 22 June 2010

A Small Insight


Some favourite bits and pieces of my room.

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Images courtesy of me and my bad camera skills.