If Cinderella Had A Bag…
March 11, 2012 § Leave a comment
This Sunday post is not about a trend or a selection of items. This post is just about one very special bag that caught my eye. It is called Janice Shoulder Bag and it is created by a Raoul. Raoul is a fast growing international designer label that started as a mens shirt company and grew to male and female ready to wear and accessories brand that has been showing at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks and is starting to build a celebrity following (Oscars parties saw Kourtney Kardashian and Viola Davis wearing Raoul).
But back to the bag – made from hard yet incredibly smooth leather this rigid shaped bag with statement closure is just perfection. Simple yet luxurious it has some YSL feel to it yet it comes without the hefty price tag. All in all I developed a crush and decided that I am going to tackle spring summer season with one of those on my arm – maybe it will be to me like glass slipper to Cinderella? You just never know, but if you need that little confidence boost why not invest into some beautiful arm candy to carry around with you?
Get your one on Selfridges (instore or online) for £287. And if white is not your colour there is also a brown version. Plus to add more excitement you can go for the snake skin effect texture in black and taupe for £310.
Things I Love
March 9, 2012 § Leave a comment
I love Alexander McQueen collections. I love Sarah Burton’s creativity. I also love the idea of diffusion lines: there are so many successes (Miu Miu, D&G, See by Chloe to name a few). I also love colourful accents and I love love love studs. Those five reasons should be more than enough to explain why I am drooling over McQ Spring Summer 12 bag collection. I must admit some of the shapes will require getting used to (saddle bag is an exception) e.g. you will need to work out exactly how to fit all the essentials into that clutch, but it is worth it: you are getting a top notch design, quality and trendiness for much lower price. Who would not want a few of these McQ fashion rock chick accessories? Available in surprisingly large range of colours, here are my favourites: 
- Studded Clutch £140
- Clerkenwell Studded Shoulder Bag, £425
- Amwell Studded Leather Saddle Bag, £370
Fashion Inspiration
March 9, 2012 § Leave a comment
It is rare that just one designer collection emerges to epitomise the whole season – there is always more than one favourite. Yet Spring Summer 12 season is different. It has a clear winner – Louis Vuitton. Just recently I stumbled upon Daily Mail Article about how Louis Vuitton Lace from SS12 collection has already been featured on seven top fashion magazine covers indicating a unique success in the eyes of fashion editors from around the world. 
And what those seven covers made me think is that I myself used Louis Vuitton as a focal point when discussing this season trends on more than one occasion. For example pastels trend – LV fashion show was all about pastels and its campaign even more so with not just ice cream shades everywhere but even ice cream itself. Hence when discussing the trend LV campaign was my starting image – fashion designer inspiration (see it here). And then I turned to LV once again when discussing sudden reemergence of pointy shoes that have been updated with metal toe cap thanks to LV fashion show (see it here).
Hence I proudly announce SS12 LV collection as my fashion inspiration and it seems like the fashion world is doing so too. And since now that we are more or less on the right track knowing what to wear I though I wound mention Autumn Winter 12. Indeed I have a reason to since LV show in Paris was just two days ago and Marc Jacobs as usual caused a fashion frenzy with some critics saying it is one of his best. And if this is true – LV might stay truly inspirational all the way through next winter (next winter, I shiver at the thoughts of it).
The T-Shirt Crew
March 8, 2012 § Leave a comment
I have to admit my favourite item of clothing is cotton T-shirt: whether it is cropped, with cut off sleeves, racer back, plain colour, printed, has statement writing etc (Let’s just say my definition of T-shirt is not narrow and also includes vests, cropped styles and so on). 
And I get excited whenever I see some realy cool additions to my collection that I can simply put on in the morning with my favourite jeans and sunnies and feel like a million bucks (that’s one of the reasons I am looking to one day move to LA, weather here in London hardly ever allows me to indulge in one-layer-of-clothing ensemble).
And I just have to share my finds with you – all these cool and highly affordable T-shirt are from Republic.com. So if you are in need to stock up on every day essentials, I am sure you would find a few others to add to your basket.
Weekend Read
March 8, 2012 § Leave a comment
My Fashion Wish List is gaining fans, and fast. This week my post is once again featured in top 20 by Independent Fashion Blogger Community to whom I am very thankful for recognising my efforts. And while you have probably already seen my post about midi pleated skirts, here are the rest of the top 20 for your weekend read. Enjoy the sun and Happy International Women’s Day!
Photography by Tom Byfield
THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: MARCH 8TH
- 40+ Style: How to update your wardrobe and wear the spring 2012 trends: graphical
- Aspiring New Moms: Nautical Sophisticate // A black blazer and Sperry Topsiders
- Chic Stay at Home Mom: Mom Outfit Transformation Take 1
- Fashion Moriarty: What is fashion’s role in negative body image?
- Fashionopolis: Street Style Inspiration: Neon!
- First Came Fashion: Dynamic Duo.
- Homes & Heels: From Day to Night #2
- I Have a Degree in This: Lady Inspiration Week: 20 Somethings
- J. Rose Style: A Personal Stance on Photo Retouching
- Life in Magazines: Confessions of Prepster
- Made to Travel: Celebrate Women’s History Month with Real Rosies
- Make the World a Prettier Place: Roaring Twenties SS 2012
- My Fashion Wish List: The Must Have Item
- Prim and Propah: We are all Barbies
- Simply Frabulous: The Roaring Twenties
- Soulful Soles: Black is the new black
- The Classic Woman: A Peek Inside a Classic Woman’s Closet
- The Merchant Project: Introducing The Misses
- The Style Confessions: Three Decadent Burgundy Lipsticks (from the drugstore!)
- What Would Ashley Wear?: Wardrobe Staple you Need: The Neon Pink Blazer
Kandee: Sweeten Your Spring/Summer Shoe Closet
March 5, 2012 § 2 Comments
In November last year one shoe brand caught my attention – Kandee. And as soon as I bought a pair and wrote a post on these beauties (view it here) I received numerous messages from my friends asking where the purchase them. Indeed there is nothing not to like about Kandee – they are high quality, look like any expensive designer creation but do not cost as much.
The reason why I am talking about Kandee again is a release of their Spring Summer 2012 collection. To tell you the truth this time around a lot of items will be hard to pull off – many would be great for photo shoots and stage costumes but are of questionable utility in daily lives – not many people can look good wearing half neon green/half pink shoes called Apple Sours (see them here). Nevertheless there are a few that deserve a place on my fashion wish list – especially knowing how much I love studs!
- Peanut Butter Crunchy Pumps, £120
- Blue Raspberry Dragee Pumps, £120
- Blue Raspberry Dragee, £180
- Pinki,£170
- Mash’a’mallow, £180
Style Crush
March 2, 2012 § Leave a comment
It has just been two days but I am starting to develop withdrawal symptoms from lack of style inspiration…
But let me start from the beginning. Solange Knowles was Vogue Today I’m Wearing girl for February. Every day she would post a picture on Vogue’s especially designed photo blog and write a note describing items of her ensemble. And while I have been following this feature for a while Solange stood out: she approached daily outfits with such eagerness and put so much effort into every detail from day 1 to 29 that only a true devotee to the fashion world can do. And over 29 days I developed a serious addiction of checking what the star is wearing and she never disappointed! Vivid patterns, colour blocking, tons of amazing shoes and striking accessories – all were put together perfectly. And now that is is 2th March, despite being very happy we finally entered spring, I do miss my daily style intake of Solangeness…
See her amazing 29 outfits here on Vogue.com and I bet you will share my style crush!
The Must Have Item
March 1, 2012 § 17 Comments
For as long as I remember there only ever been 2 lengths of skirts in my wardrobe – either maxi or mini (to tell you the truth the majority are mini and I am sure I am not the only one). Calf length aka midi skirt would only be associated with black and white photos my grandmother used to show me of her youth. But now it is time to forget that association and welcome the new fashion piece into our lives (and wardrobes) – Chiffon Pleated Midi Skirt. 
Slight fascination with this particular item started on a few catwalks for autumn winter 2011 season, but by spring summer 2012 pleated midi has repositioned itself from charity shops to everyone’s fashion wish list and it seems it is here to stay! The item is so versatile, as you can see from the catwalk looks above, it is likely to become a wardrobe staple: you can wear it on leisurely walk, to a work meeting, during cocktail hour and pretty much everywhere else by teaming it with different tops and accessories. And did I mention it looks as good with flats as with heels?
My favourite way to wear one this season is to pick one-colour version in either bright or pastel shade, team it up with oversized T-shirt and add randomly put together long chain necklaces. And if you are not afraid to experiment team up socks with wedges à la Mulberry campaign and you are ready to rock it!
The best thing – there is such a wide range to choose from whether you are looking for designer item or cheaper way to adopt this trend. My favourites are those by Jil Sander which come in so many colours you would not want to look anywhere else. Bellow are my designer and budget picks for joining on the hot trend of Spring Summer 12!
Designer:
- Maison Martin Margiela, £330
- HMH Couture, £150
- Pleats Please Issey Miyake, £339
- See By Chloe, £334
- Jil Sander, £580
- Jil Sander, £580
- Jil Sander, £282
- Jil Sander, £580
High Street:
- Jovonista Pleated Skirt With Tonal Flower Print, £25
- Topshop Pleat Calf Skirt in Yellow, £48
- Max C Pleated Midi Skirt also available in red, £15
- Asos Petit Exclusive Midi Skirt also available in yellow and baby blue, £28
- New Look Chiffon Pleated Midi Skirt also available in cream and black, £19.99
- Sister Jane Pleats Skirt, available in Topshop, £49
- Asos Midi Skirt With Pleats also available in black, £21
- Zara Accordion pleated Skirt, £39.99
FARFETCH.com Giveaway
February 29, 2012 § Leave a comment
Who doesn’t like giveaways? I certainly do! Earlier this month I hosted my own for beautiful Daisy Jewellery silver and gold earrings but this time I had to share this one with you and it is hosted by Farfetch.com.
First of all a quick note on Farfetch.com: if you haven’t shopped there you are missing out as this online retailer handpicks fashion boutiques from around the world thus brings you the most amazing and absolutely unique selection of fashion items! That is why I often feature them here on my blog – some you would not find anywhere else.
And now back to give away: it is not just any bag that can be yours for free is you apply until 5th March, it is The IT bag by Alexander Wang – Rocco and this version is so summery in washed out yellow! I am in love. Softest leather, stud covered bottom and pastel shade – this bag is an arm candy worthy of anyone’s fashion wish list.
Click here to enter the competition and good luck!
Hot Shoe Trend: Toe Caps
February 28, 2012 § 3 Comments
Spring Summer 12 season brought us brand new hot shoe trend: metallic toe caps. Ever since Louis Vuitton show had toe caps on shoes of all shapes and colours I fell in love and looking at the pictures above who would not? Indeed it has been a while that pointy shoes were off the fashion chart but now with the toe cap update they are back and they are big!
And it is not just Louis Vuitton – many other designers and high street already adopted the trend and made a wide range of beauities to choose from whatever your budget:
- Giuseppe Zanotti, Toe Cap Pump, £360
- Christian Louboutin Duvette 120, also available in nude
- Mango Toe Cap Pump, £75
- Sinner Contrast Toecap Points, £62 at Topshop
- Gilmore2 Metallic Toecap Points, £60 at Topshop
But the one I am the most excited to see hit the shops is the Kurt Geiger version from their campaign poster: white sling backs with metal toe cap and medium heel height, those are perfect for day-to-night summer wear and are definitely worthy of my summer fashion wish list.
I am sure is a month time, when the weather heats up you will see them everywhere! The only question is: would you go for classic black, summery white or trendy pastel shade?
MY FASHION WISH LIST 