Holly Fulton AW13

Holly Fulton has patiently been earning her stripes in the fashion industry having set up her namesake label a few years ago. Always one to watch, the designer continues to put a new spin on contemporary fashion using print work and simple silohuettes. Her pieces are fashion forward but easy to wear.

Her AW13/14 the collection felt more grown up, the colours were muted with day dresses and classic seperates. Holly cited Beatrice Dalle as her muse, which included the designer recreating small details such as a gap in the front teeth of her models. Again her collection had a distinct punk rebellion theme with collaged leather jackets and photocopy skirts. Softer pieces were roughened up with jewelled items and burnt details. Imagine all of this, orchestrated to a Debbie Harry soundtrack.

Here are the looks that rocked, unfortunately my pictures from the show are quite blurry so these come complements of Vogue!!!

Clements & Ribeiro

I have been completely overwhelmed with work and life that I am only just getting around to writing about two of the shows I went to at London Fashion Week AW13/14. I had a great time, and even spotted the illustrious Scott Schulman a.k.a The Satoralist.

My first show was Clements and Ribeiro, it was quite packed so I ended up standing on a chair in the corner. The Creative directors Suzanne and Inacio brought together a punk infused collection mixing their trademark florals and glamour with a rock 'n' roll edge which seems to be a new trend coming through for 2013. The shoes of choice where winklepickers, which are quite tricky to pull off, but nevertheless where spot on for this show.

Here are some of my favourite looks:

Eighties and Nineties

This has been a long time coming, I have my London Fashion Week blog post to write, but in the mean time I want to talk about the resurgence of the 80s and 90s in fashion. Not even just in fashion actually, but across all areas of culture.

Look at the music that is happening right now, there are melodic references to decades pasts and music production to support this. I am listening to Haim, big time at the moment and you can not deny their nineties tinged heart break anthems. They cite the likes of TLC and En Vogue as heros.

Moving on from music comes art with the likes of David Bowie educating us about outfits gone by. He is something of a legend so I am super happy to let him be my muse. Can not wait to see this exhibition.

Back to fashion, my favourite pass time, here are some of just a few brands who are reliving the good times. So to begin with the outrageous Rihanna (well everyone enjoys thinking of her that way) and her collaboration with River Island. The presentation is like an episode of Sex and the City, in season 1/2 before the fashion got big. I kind've loved the collection, but don't see myself running around London bra-less and knickerless to hide any lines which will most likely be on show in one of these slinky dresses.

 

Anyone living in London, or a cool cosmopolitan city will know about Boy London, yeah you know what I'm talking about, the black on white iconography on street wear silhouettes and accessories. You aint no one to you've rocked a truckers hat with 'BOY' emblazoned on it. Straight from the eighties, the brand reminicises about the days of disco. I kind've feel I should stay away from this trend, but the more I see it, the more I want a voluminous t-shirt to call my own.

 A complete guilty pleasure; The Carrie Diaries centres on Carrie Bradshaw pre her SATC days, it is such a teen drama but I can't help but watch, especially when you take into account the ingenious eighties fashion. People may cringe, but amidst the tafetta and puffball skirts there are some inspired pieces; and why did people stop wearing stilettos? Hello eighties, glad you're back again, sport's wear and scrunchies, of course you can't go wrong.

Finally the Dries Von Noten's, SS13 collection and its ode to grunge. Think Nirvana and Kurt Cobain's check shirts. They have of course had a luxe make over premium fabrications paired with floral seperates. If I had an extra bit of change in my pocket I would spend it all on Dries von Noten.

Don't look back in anger I heard you say (Oasis lyrics)...look back for inspiration for this season's trends.

Nail Art

I think that nails have had a real renaissance; partly due to the economic situation and party tue to social networking where people can share their designs. I have a massive tin full of nail varnishes, from nails inc, through to Barry M and love trialing new designs on a regular basis. It costs a lot less than a new outfit and can update any look.

My nails don't tend to last more than a day or two so I can't recommend a best brand but my friends swear by OPI and Essie. I do think that a good topcoat can prolong your nails though, I recommend Seche which can be brought from Liberty in London. My general process is 1) a base coat (Sally Hansen does a good on), 2) one thin coat 3) a second thicker coat 4) any design work would be next 5) Top coat.

Here are some of my best design work:

This design was achieved with two coats of Barry M Mint nail varnish, and one coat of 314 colour nail effect by Barry M!

Two coats of Potion by No. 17 nail varnish and one coat of 311 colour nail effect by Barry M!

Two coats of Peach Melba by Barry M and the design was created by using one coat of Red Nail by H&M nail varnish as an outline.

I can not remember the name of this nail varnish but it is by OPI, two coats.

Two coats of hopscotch nail varnish by Top Shop, check design was created using black and white nail art pens from Primark!

Black Leather (PU) Trousers

I try to be experimental with my fashion choices and style; but I am always hesitate when it comes to major statement pices. Case in point the leather trousers; they have been a big hitter for the last couple of seasons for the winter months.

What I like about this this year's version is that it has a looser, more sportier fit which is perfect for me as I have quite chunky thighs. Rather than clinging the new style of PU trousers skim!!! There are loads of different types out there at varying price points. I took the plunge and decided to buy a PU pair from H&M for £34.99, I had to take the waist in a bit but they are a good fit and slightly tailored. I decided not to go for real leather mainly because I wasn't sure how many wears I would actually get out of the trousers or how long they would be cool for. Let's not forget after all once upon a time leather trews were for the Bette Lynchs and Liz Mcdonalds (see. Cornation Street) of the world.

I couldn't find the exact pair of trousers that I have on the web, but here are some of my style ideas for the leather trousers which can be worn for work or play!!! The trousers below have a similar fit to my ones but are actually from Whistles priced at £350.

I hope you give them a go as well, you will be suprised at how versatile they are. Remember to soften them with something less harsh on top like a knit or cotton tee!

A long time coming...

I haven't written in a while mainly because I have been super busy at work and haven't had the mental capacity to do anything afterwards.

I am just watching the first two episodes of the Carrie Diaries, which is supposedly about Carrie Bradshaw in her teen years before Sex and the City and am feeling all fashion-y and inspired again. For those of you who are interested, it is actually quite good, especially if you like teen american series and eighties fashion (which having been born in that decade I love), you can watch the episodes here.

So last week I was away for work, I went to Bread and Butter in Berlin for four days and then onto Paris. The B&B tradeshow was immense, the square footage alone was enough to make you drop your jaw, add to that the crazy amount of brands under one roof and it was buyers heaven. They had four main exhibition spaces, and my favourite was the Fire Department at the L.O.C.K which was a small area dedicated to smaller brands like Tanner Goods, Andersen-Andersen and Gilded Ages.

Moving on, after Berlin I headed to Paris in time for Men's Fashion Week or #PMFW if you are into the hastaging mullarkey. On of my highlights were bumping into Kanye West on the street, thanks to my iPhone 5 I have this photograph.

I am not normally one for men's fashion but as I was in the vicinity I decided to check out the London collections showspace in Paris. It was great to see some really inspiring British designers in Paris, a home from home some may say!

My favourite designers were:

Sibling - I am a big fan of Sibling mainly because of their Sister by Sibling women's range. However their Men's range is equally as flamboyant and bedazzled so I love it also. I am pretty such I could easily wear 70% in a size small.

Nasir Mazhar - It's all about the sport's wear at the moment as the eighties is coming back in a big way albeit more contemporary. Mazhar laid out some great tracksuits with clashing prints and colour blocking. If I did sports wear i would be wearing these pieces.

Astrid Andersen - His collection is actually beautiful, it is hard to believe that it is a men's collection! Ignore the silhouette, it is all about the fabric which is screen printed to perfection. There was something very cosmic about Andersen's pieces, it made me want to dig back in the fashion archives and see what I could find.

So there you have it my travels...

Oh yes and in other news, I brought a pair of black PU black leather trousers from H&M, bold fashion move I think! More on this later!!!

What's in my bag? 100th Post

I can't believe it has taken almost two years to get to my 100th post, but here I am. I thought I would take the opportunity to do a classic 'what's in my bag' post:

Marc by Marc Jacobs shoulder bag (see more marc jacobs handbags)

I can also harp on about my new Marc by Marc Jacobs black leather bag, which is amazeballs!!! It is quite an edgy look, and the leather is super soft and smooth.

Inside my bag is: black A6 notebook by Muji, black patent purse by Anya Hindmarch, keys, red knitted gloves by Accessorize, sunglasses by Polo Ralph Lauren, prescription glasses by Christian LaCroix, headphones by Apple, IPhone 5, body spray by Ted Baker, Lipstick by Nars, oyster card holder by Accessorize, pen, hand cream by Sanctuary, Halls Soothers, Vaseline pot, lipgloss by Mac, small torch, Ibuprofen, mirror by Accesorize and a business card holder.

I am actually suprised by how many things I was actually able to fit into such a small bag.