Wednesday, 24 February 2010

I Always Did Love Pride and Prejudice

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Don’t you just love this picture? Jane’s managed to style the photo like she’s some sort of beautiful heroine from a romantic period drama or Jane Eyre novel, it’s like she’s waiting for Colin Firth to whisk her away on a dapple grey horse or about to run through the garden holding up her skirting and shouting “The King is coming!”. Brilliant. Skirt and blouse are by the Chine Collection, bought at the Galleries Lafayette in Paris on one of Jane’s many France visits, and those boots are, of course, Stefanel. The belt, can you believe, is a vintage piece that Jane has had since she was 15!

I love that aubergine shade of grey too – its very A/W 2010/11 – God you’re so ahead of the game Ma!

Tuesday, 23 February 2010

London Fashion Week Salute

So as I keep boasting (and abusing as a lame excuse for my lack of posts…), I’ve been ushered off to London Fashion Week off-schedule shows for work, and being a member of the “press”, I get to be a rock star on the front row, which is utterly amazing, let me tell you. I think my favourite part of fashion week is the people watching – I can’t even begin to explain some of the weird and wonderful individuals marching about. You’d think I was joking if I described some of them…I’m talking blow up doll costumes and diamond encrusted scalps. I realise that this pretentious, shock factor dressing that people turn to is definitely one huge attention seeking arse lick to “fashion” due to one silly preconception that if you style yourself with enough exuberance, you’re “so in”. However, I jolly well enjoy watching them, so as long as they don’t block my view with their ridiculous hats or feathers, carry on. Let me show you what I mean:

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Really?

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Seriously, when would this ever seem like a good idea? How do you pee? How are you even talking to somebody??

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Money to burn? Much?

So now that the idiocy is out of the way, let’s enjoy some of my top highlights from fashion week…

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Charlie le Mindu

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La Roux...she was rather grumpy...

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David Koma - such incredible bodycon dresses.

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Bernard Chandran

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Belle Sauvage

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Elliott J Frieze

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Pam Hogg - def, def, def my favourite show

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More Pam Hogg

...amazing. So folks, please leave the extreme "fashion week" outfits to the catwalks because with a bit of expensive production lighting and paparazzi, it works. But it's just one epic fail anywhere else. I don't really see blow-up doll guy popping down to the Spar for a packet of crisps...

Grandma Chic

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I absentmindedly gave this grey jumper away to Jane thinking that I had no further use for it in my wardrobe…and now here I am totally feeling the need to channel her chic! Layered with Mum’s vintage skirt (bought in Chelsea Girl – Topshop’s forerunner!) that rocks an adorable floral print. Total jumper envy Mama!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

A/W 10/11 Scouting

Yesterday lucky me took up the opportunity to flash my press pass at the seasonal trade show Pure London at Olympia in Kensignton for work, and while I was there I spotted a few fabulous looks put together on the mannequins and I thought they definitely deserved a mention right hurr.

I know any talk of winter is probably the last thing you want to read, but a taste of the direction our favourite brands could be heading in come September might be of interest to the hardcore fashion followers out there. Plus I came across a few brands I’ve never heard of before and I for one, totally, 100% wish I’d discovered them sooner
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As you can see above, chunky knits, heavy layering and drapery were the key looks dominating the stands, with a certain goth-rock glam inspiring masterfully tailored coats with oversized collars, textured embellishments like chains and sequins appearing on jeans and cardigans, and trusty wet-and-leather-look leggings showing no signs of fading into the background just yet.

I spent a lot of time on the Supertrash stand, lusting and mourning the fact that I’ve wasted 22 years without this brand in my wardrobe. It’s a seriously cool It-girl label from LA that offers an array of sophisticated and sexy urban apparel that screams independent women. Pixie Lott is currently their ambassador and I’m obsessed with her Supertrash A/W outfits in the images below.

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For the more mature ladies out there, Sonja Marohn was another I hadn’t come across before, but had plenty to tempt me (and you) with, while Essay Collections Ltd and Fran Jane also made me think of you.

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So, yes winter is a long way off, but no harm in a spot of insight eh? Knowledge is power and all that…right, now we can get back to our summer craving.

Friday, 12 February 2010

Spring...Cometh!

Wow. I’ve been really slacking on the posts haven’t I? I know you’ve heard it all before but I’m going to blame work – it’s crazzzzzzeballs busy at the moment and as soon as I get home I want nothing more than my Juicy velours, a mug of tea and trashy TV on demand. Who’s been watching Take Me Out?! I. Just. Love. It.

Jane and I have been getting excited about the prospect of spring around the corner – she has dug out her cute Mango floral dress for a spot of more winter layering, and I have decided to dye my hair platinum blonde…

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What do ya’ll think? I’m hoping I’m more Taylor Momsen than Playboy. I think Mum’s a bit worried I’m running around London trying to be a WAG, but surely I’m not the only one who saw Christina Aguilera’s US Marie Claire March cover and hyper-ventilated a little bit?

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Anyway Jane, another hit I’d say with that cute frock. Lov-ing that navy blouse underneath and the LK Bennett cardi making a total style statement. Nice, I’d leave my light on for that! (Please note: only Take Me Out fans will understand…to the rest of you…cancel your Saturday night plans and get yourself in front of ITV).

Friday, 5 February 2010

Turquoise: Colour of spring/summer 2010

I love how Jane has got this outfit so right. Both that Diane Von Furstenberg top (which I lust after and have definitely maybe “borrowed” a few times) and the Karen Millen skirt are at least 6 years old. Seriously, check out that wardrobe recycling.

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Gucci SS10 Campaign
Mum wore the peacock-esque ensemble to another dance evening (she really shows me up with my non-exercising, dvd and pizza life), and perfected the look with some more devastatingly cute Comme-il-Faut tango shoes. Perfect opportunity right here to point out how massive and epic and everywhere turquoise, cyan and jade colours will be this summer. Brands seem to be going mad for that tropical, exotic look. Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Thomas Sabo have all come over very tropical in their new SS10 campaigns. Shades of the exotic will be everywhere, which is great, because they look incredible with a tan baby.

Monday, 1 February 2010

50's Floral

Two of the hot trends set to dominate our spring looks this year, are floral prints and tropical shades of cyan. So, with that in mind, tippy-toppy points for Jane who wore this Coast shift dress to a tango dance evening with simply the most delicious pair of Comme-il-faut dance shoes. Plain white Ked's rocked the look into the daytime.

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Bearing in mind that this dress was purchased a good few years ago, it’s worth remembering that fashion favourites such as the floral patterns and bold blues are likely to come around again and again, therefore an instant high street splurge at the first sign of a season may not be necessary girls. Do go through your closet, right to the very back, and check to see if you’ve got anything you can make work in the current season. There are of course exceptions…don’t expect to see scrunchies and peddle pushers back in the pages of Vogue anytime soon – although…now we have the hot mess that is Lady Gaga (no I’m not a fan), who can apparently make yellow hair and power ranger suits popular. Take from that what you will, but there’s some trends Jane and I certainly won’t be following.

For now, back to adoring the heavy petal.