Spring/Summer 15

SS15

Generic blogger FW post x1000

Yes. It's that time of year again (or so it was until 4 days ago anyway) where you I, fall asleep every night clutching Vogue's never-ending features on the fashion world's latest and the spend the days living in-between the phone alarms, alerting me to the beginning of Erdem's botanical fananza etc. Above, after facing much inner turmoil, struggling to decide which designers to include (Dior, Erdem, Celine and House of Holland- no brainer, nearly made the shortlist...) I've compiled a few of what I consider notable collections this season. Firstly we have Alexander McQueen, that should be enough really. McQueen's powerful and very much refreshing Spring Summer Collection (Paris Fashion Week) is something in-between oriental and space alien/ astronaut; or Samurai Warrior- Geisha Girl as Vogue seemed to put it. The models were cloaked in a palette of red, black and blossom pink with enlarged floral prints contrasting the stiff lantern sleeves, aggressive hairstyles and angular (not to mention at times scary) black masques. Then there's Christopher Kane (a collection dedicated to his late mentor Louise Wilson OBE), taking London by storm mid-September with his use of cord, rope and coils embroidered and threaded through/ onto his dresses. The SS collection also featured a series of silk dresses, bursting with tulle, something duped by Kane himself as the 'controlled explosion dresses.' Westwood's (unsurprisingly eccentric) collection was rife with historical references (something which undoubtedly enhanced my love; with Dior also taking nod to history the day before) and, as expected, costume drama. Only Queen Vivienne could pull of a collection featuring upturned picnic basket hats (yes, really) and Eve (of Adam and), Little Bo Peep, Snow White, amongst various other mystical characters were also present in her latest designs.

Dolce & Gabbana, a brand which promises two things (and never fails to bring them); opulence and attention to detail. The design duo's collection, showcased in Milan, 'cited the Spanish

influence on Sicily between 1516 and 1713', with evident references to flamenco dresses and bull-fighting costumes. The garments, all centred around a black/ white/ red colour palette, were ladened with embellishment (no surprises there), fringing, lace, polka dot and floral prints; whilst models wore their hair in severe buns, adorned with carnations. One outfit which did particularly strike me, was their heavily embellished gold basque/ corset, gold crown/ carnation duo (see far right); something which almost immediately, and somewhat unfortunately, reminded me of something in-between Beyonce's World Tour Advert and Geordie Shore's most recent 'Queen Vicky' ad- no offence to Bey of course. The collection came to a close with a parade of models, dressed in crisp white shirts and high-waisted, again heavily embellished, red shorts; a beholding finish to Milan's Fashion Week. So there we go, another fashion week I have not attended, and a another week of crashing my computer over the Vogue website; time to pretend/ lust over/ sulk over the clothes I'll never be able to afford (sell my right arm?)

Till next time, 

Brand New Discoveries

Nico Cut Out Mid Dress/ Cross Flower Blouse/ Candy Stripe Top/ Candy Stripe Skirt

Wien Stripe Trousers/ Text Trousers/ White Lyon LS Top/ Lingo Bracelet/ Fine Blouse

Gold Dolce Lace Crown/ Silver Octavia Stud Ring/ Gabrielle Vintage Baroque Cross Earring/ Pixie Lott Lauren Rhinestone Choker Necklace

Brand new discoveries

I am an addict. 

I am an addict, switch off Mozilla and shut down the app, I'm officially hooked; psychologically dependant and completely and utterly (hopelessly, even) infatuated with the mystical world of e-commerce. My ASOS addiction (the first step's acceptance, right?) began, as many of you may be aware, a long time ago; with expansive wish-lists and lusty musings plaguing StyleJam ever since. Facing this realisation I decided it was time for change, for a refreshing incision of variety; despite not promising to actually give up my favourite fashion site anytime soon. Above I have compiled 3 collages of my favourite/ most longed after products from some new brands I have discovered; 'Sister Jane', 'Weekday' and 'Rock N Rose'. I know what you're thinking. I cannot fake ignorance. Any avid ASOS shopper, like myself, only has to quickly glance at the above three to realise that these brands are in actual fact available on ASOS themselves. Call me a cheater but I promise, swear to God even, that initially upon my discovering them, these brands were not available through ASOS. Firstly there's Sister Jane, a cutesy (yet undoubtedly eccentric), vintage inspired brand, selling some killer co-ords; their 60's style 'Nico Cut-Out Midi Dress' is particular favourite. Then there's Weekday; think an amalgamation between COS and Monki, with a modest price tag (excluding its Cheap Monday stock- duh!) Despite being stocked on ASOS, their website is well worth a check, with extensive jersey staples and effortless silhouettes. Although when it comes to jewellery I'm usually minimalistic (watch, studs, studs, watch etc...) Rock N Rose's crucifix earrings have been a natural exception to the rule, whilst their selection of lace crowns had me reminiscing over Dolce and Gabbana's opulent (and highly memorable) AW13 collection.

Upon writing this post I did face some inner turmoil regarding the inclusion of Marks & Spencer; ok, ok, I know, no I am not alien to one of the largest brands known to man (and to OAPS...) It's use here, was not ever to be considered as a new brand, but perhaps as a face-lifted, and somewhat revitalised old one. Ever since the unforgettable pink coat phenomena of year god-knows-what, M&S has had a refreshed position in High Street fashion; becoming increasingly, more and more popular with younger audiences and boasting a greater selection of on trend pieces. My mind was quickly altered however once I began to properly consider the store's position as a brand. Has Marks and Spencer's been reinvented? The answer: no, but unmistakably a change has occurred, and suddenly the shop commonly associated with our grandmas, is finding its garments in our wardrobes too. Its values and morals as a company remain completely (almost) identical to those of 5 years ago, yet more urban. The question is this, are we just becoming more and more (contradictory to the renewal of skateboards and 90s throwbacks) mature in our fashion decisions?

See you soon (I promise) for a typical, generic and highly expected post on fashion week,

Till then, 

LFW SS14

So it's that time of the year again, fashion week, and the past 3 days of my life have consisted of many many hours lusting over my computer screen, reading hundreds and thousands of fashion columns and  eating peanut butter of the spoon, followed by, of course, brief periods of self-loathing. I'm kidding, sort of. I feel here it's appropriate to note a quick apology for my

disappearance over the past 2 weeks; it appears that 2 Art AS levels have taken more time out of my existence than expected. Currently I'm sitting in my studio (a summer of building work apparently well spent)  surrounded by masses of paper, paint pots and numerous lists of what I have to get done tonight. Consequently I'm going to make this one quick, but I shouldn't worry a mid-week blog post is already in the making. Antipodium SS14 and as per usual House Of Holland, seem to be particularly catching my eye at the moment.

Till then,

Ps: Christopher Kane tomorrow!

Fashion Week

This week I thought I'd share not only some of my favourites designers from LFW ( WANT to go next time *hint*) but a fashion show a bit closer too home too. Do you remember my Francis Bacon inspired Carcass Dress? No, I didn't think so. Well I wore it for my school's annual fashion show; which went quite well considering my lack of co-ordination. Here of some behind the scenes snaps.

We are so Cara Delevinge

LFW- My thoughts

After spending hours going through multiple designers' shows from LFW, I've picked three which, to me, really stood out. I'm going to try and make this as brief as possible, homework is calling.

Henry Holland's House of Holland collection never fails to impress me and I certainly love his take on AW13. The youthful and, dare I use the word, urban edge of Holland's clothing I think is really effective; the mixture of rather restrained and classic garments with playful colours and patterns. The word 'psychedelic' springs to mind (I'm thinking Scooby Doo's Daphne: Austin Powers) when analysing the collection and I must myself admit that the bright colours seen in his nostalgic 70s/80s garments will not fail to brighten up what I predict to be a rather dull upcoming winter.

 If it were not for the show title on my photograph source I do not think I would have ever predicted this collection being Erdem, which I feel is a valid enough reason to blog about it. For AW13 Erdem's garments have moved away from the usual and very much expected pretty and ladylike style and moved towards a gothic, but may I say, extremely elegant look, with the occasional addition of acidic florals or feathers. So it appears it's all about the reliable and much loved black. Love, love, love.

Christopher Kane AW13, need I say more? Velvets, feathers, camouflage and 3D flowers, Kane certainly brought it to fashion week. Since becoming a massive fan of Christopher Kane (not that I've had the pleasure to wear anything of his) I've noticed that there is never anything in his collections which I wouldn't wear; occasionally, or frequently, when I fall in love with a designer's collection it is often very common for me to feel indifferent or not blown away by an item or so. The unpredictability of Christopher Kane's garments really attract me, I don't think anyone could envisage what's coming next.

May I also just take a moment to say how beautiful I thought Anne Hathaway looked at the Oscars? Top marks!