Sunday, 8 July 2012

I shall go to the ball

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Christian Lacoix took on sleeping beauty, Viktor & Rolf wrote their own fairy tales and now Christian Louboutin has created a glass slipper.

This is one you would not leave lying around for Prince Charming to find, made from white lace and crystal embellishment this is a limited edition shoe.

Made to coincide the re-release of Walt Disney's classic animated Cinderella this autumn they were premiered at couture week in Paris and mean any non princess's are fit to go to the ball.

Now where did I put my cleaning cloth?....

Thursday, 21 June 2012

H&M and the house of Margiela

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A man, phenomenon, designer. Martin Margiela can be all of these in one which makes his latest H&M collaboration to launch in the autumn all the more exciting. It could definitely be a case of expecting the unexpected.

The Swedish high street brand have acquired a comfortable position in the fashion retail market where they have become easily ac-creditable to the collaboration. Their secret is exclusivity. For the luxury designer this reputation makes the transition onto the high street all the more easy especially as most of them sell the limited stock within a few days of hitting the stores.

Many may believe the enigmatic Paris - based designer, who has worked for Jean Paul Gaultier, Commes des Garcons and Hermes is selling out by creating a diffusion line for the fashion giant; but I firmly believe this partnership will be more of a sell out success.

Monday, 4 June 2012

The alternative Diamond Jubilee courtesy of Meadham Kirchoff

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A celebration Grayson Perry would have been proud of was the Topshop hosting the Diamond Jubilee Fashion Spectacular to kick start the party in store on Friday 1st June.

It may not have been the arrival of the Queen that meant people were jostling for space to watch the show models arriving down the Oxford Circus escalator but there was almost as much hype.

Who better than to open up the party atmosphere than the outlandish designers known for their kitsch motif sweaters, fro frou skirts and pastel palette emsembles?

Dancing to Sex Pistols, 'God Save the Queen' and the Spice Girls hit 'Wannabe' left the air filled with a sense of tongue - in - cheek rebellion like the naughty teenage relative throwing an after prom party.

The models romped through the a store in satin gowns and yellow wigs until arriving on a podium in the shop window with 'Rule Brittania' playing in the background covering them in party streamers.

A zany hurrah to a ruling monarch of fifty - five years. My kind of party.

Monday, 28 May 2012

Be seen as a laidback gyspy queen

Jigsaw S/S Campaign image


This year I have mellowed. Everything is longer: my hemlines, hair and days of summer stretching ahead of me. Taking inspiration from a mixture of Stevie Nicks and Florence and the Machine I want to wear cotton smock tops and angle length polka dot skirts that button down the middle; tightened by a skinny belt.

The new Spring/Summer Collection at Jigsaw seems made for my mood. A mixture of seventies nostalgia but modernised to show hints of a noughties style attitude. Don a floppy Birkin hat that flops at the edges, walk barefoot in a meadow, chew on a blade of grass in the romance of the half light. It is not necessary to be accompanied in this reverie. The perfect way to dress for an evening's dreaming.

Friday, 11 May 2012

Diane Kruger looked the best at Coachella

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The three day festival in California has now become as much famous for its celebrity sightings as it has for its performances. This year was no exception, becoming almost a Brit affair for amongst the revellers were, Katy Perry, cosying up to Florence and the Machine's Robert Ackroyd, Rosie Huntington - Whiteley, showcasing the white shirt and denim hot pant combo, Kate Bosworth, Dita Von Teese chilling out with Kelly Osbourne and Emma Watson.

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These celebs are as much scrutinised for who they 'hang with' at the event as the style choices they make when faced with a less than glamorous occasion. I have to say that Diane Kruger was an all round winner as her style choices echoed her outward happiness to be with other half, Joshua Jackson. They made a well dressed pair in matching nautical stripes and ear - to - ear grins.

Google Images
The hat choice was on trend and a sensible choice to protect her head. She even showed us all how to wear the new cowboy boot trend with a cute summer dress. No wonder Jackson could not keep his eyes or hands off her. She was the queen of laid back cool by which I will happily rejoice and say: "eye, eye, sailor."

Tuesday, 24 April 2012

Top Spring/Summer 2012 Trends

It is not necessary for us to determine our key Spring/Summer look this year by colour or number just trust in the letter 'p': paisley, pastels, pyjamas, platform wedge, print clash and plain white.

Jil Sander S/S 2012
Paisley is the new floral for fans of a summer print. It works best as a separate rather than an all over look. Think more along the lines of Megan in Mad Men, a trend that represents freedom of expression and elegance rather than dismiss it as a seventies interior faux pas. Be economical; invest in a paisley pyjama trouser which can be styled up smart with a shirt or styled down to a casual look teamed with your new favourite high tops.

Philip Lim S/S 2012
Wear pastels on your lip and your hip. The candy colour suit is a ladylike alternative to the pencil skirt. It can be an overtly feminine trend however tailoring will give it a more modest and understated look. Soft peach, pink and violet shades will now be featuring in your work wardrobe.

Isabel Marant


Trainers are huge this season; literally. At last we can breathe a sign of relief by wearing a platform that will not leave our feet throbbing at the end of the day. I am not sure whether it is the Olympics that has had an influence over the new footwear choices but I am liking the comfort it brings. If you have not purchased a pair already, Italian designer, Ash are the new byword in high tops and do the best Isabel Marant copy.

Giambattista Valli S/S 2012
White does not necessarily mean boring or plain and it can be as flattering on your summer silhouette as black is in winter. Nor do you need to have a St. Tropez tan. This year's white for summer is about minimal effort. Best to opt for a classic or cult piece that you can wear for more than one year. A dress or sheer top will enhance your choice of basics.

Mary Katrantzou S/S 2012
Mary Katrantzou is queen of the print clash and the way she has earned that reputation is by doing it well. Print clash does not necessarily mean that you look messy or that you lack understanding in basic fashion rules; it is about choosing a theme. Try to pick out the same colours in your top and trouser that will compliment each other or prints that are not world's apart. For example a tribal and polka dot clash would be a no - no yet a busy floral with a busy paisley just might work.



Sunday, 22 April 2012

Pimp my phone

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One of the reasons I have a mobile phone is to indulge in my appetite for shopping. It is true. Even my anklet has a dainty keepsake box. I am more enamoured with my iPhone case than the phone's operations, ability to contact NASA or deliver take away at the drop of a hat. I jest.

Obviously I have more than one case as I have more than one handbag. I have one to match each of my outfits or mood. Stitch from Disney's Lilo and Stitch fame is an alternative to my pink Hello Kitty case. It is detachable meaning you can take his ears off. He is currently in the sale as he was a seasonal gift. That means he is a bargain to boot. A Disney character iPhone case is not just for Christmas.