Christmas Special: Choosing The Dress
November 20, 2012 § Leave a comment
Today the realisation hit me – it is just over a month left until Christmas and I haven’t produced any holiday related content on my blog, let alone done any real life Christmas preparation. So I decided to start with all important choice of holiday outfits for ourselves, since we all know that is what we are all secretly looking forward to the most: our holiday wardrobe! Since I only have one month left and a whole bunch of Christmas related decisions to make I am doing this one the easy way. You can shop around for hours going from store to store to choose a dress, but sometimes you do not have to sacrifice the selection while shopping under one roof from great pre-selected range, cutting all the time wasting out. This is what I did today – I headed to department store House of Fraser which surprised me with the selection: there are literally thousands of dresses!
1. JS Collections cowl back maxi with rosette detail shoulders, £260
2. Adrianna Papell evening strapless V shape draped dress, £200
3. Coast Lavender maxi, £180
4. Bastyan May maxi dress, £325
5. Biba High neck pleated maxi, £189
6. Ted Baker Callen pleated maxi dress, £199
7. Phase Eight Cinderella beaded dress, £250
8. Anoushka G Metallic rouched wrap dress, £295
9. Untold Beaded blouson style dress, £350
10. Phase Eight Pippa embellished lace dress, £300
Maison Martin Margiela for H&M
November 14, 2012 § Leave a comment
15th November is tomorrow. And we all know exactly which super important event is happening in the Fashion World on that exact date. Of course it is the launch of Maison Martin Margiela for H&M. This is another one of those awesome H&M project that brings world’s best designer creation to people at affordable prices. Yet by looking at the collection that will hit the stores tomorrow causing hour-long queues I can safely say – not my thing. In fact, I really do wonder if it is going to be anyone’s thing. Some items – surely, but others make me feel they were not made with high street customer in mind. Let me guide your through a selection of items and explain what I mean.
1. Ladies Nº 59 – Invisible wedge ankle boot, £179.99
2. Ladies Nº 58 – Trompe l’oeil sneaker, £69.99
3. Ladies Nº47 – Plexi wedge pump, £149.99
4. Ladies Nº 57 – Candy clutch, £34.99
5. Ladies Nº2 – Body with integrated bra, £29.99
6. Ladies Nº 55 – Candy clutch, £34.99
First 3 pieces are by far my favourite: black ankle boots, comfy high-top trainers and nude pumps are every wardrobe’s essentials. So thank you MMM for adding your creative touch to these absolute must-haves. Next 3 items I am still undecided about, but I love the creativity that went into them while still making those quite wearable. Candy clutches in silver and pink were the first I fell in love with, but that all changed when I saw how oversized they are. And believe me, I love oversized handbags – just not too sure if a foil bag that is nearly half my size is slightly overdoing it. And then the nude body with the bra – another great idea that on the model just looks, well, cheap. My advise – do try it on before purchasing and maybe you will be the lucky person it looks good on.
7. Ladies Nº4 – Oversized jeans, £39.99
8. Ladies Nº5 – Oversized turtleneck jumper, £79.99
9. Ladies Nº26 – Trousers mini skirt, £59.99
10. Ladies Nº27 – Hitched up dress, £99.99
Now, lets move on to the pieces I can not get my head around. 7-10 are probably the most unflattering clothes that have ever been made for women. First let’s have a look at these jeans and jumper. I’m not saying us ladies need to be in skintight clothing at all times, but this oversizing is taking things to the next level. The unwearable level that is. Maybe if I had issues with my weight I would have enjoyed the feeling of wearing clothes at least 10 sizes bigger, but having to actually wrap the jeans around my waist twice and on purpose, does not go down in my morning to do list. Then there is a trouser and mini skirt combo that gives me flashbacks to 90’s. These are not good flashbacks. Some fashion styles should stay in the past forever. And finally – the hitched up dress. In the comments to it, someone said it would be perfect for middle-eastern themed party, but I would not wear one even if I was paid to do it. I do feel sorry for that poor model they hired..
But there is no way I could have finished this blog post/rant without mentioning this final piece. Duvet Coat (£179.99). I was actually rendered speechless when I first saw it and even now I can hardly comment on it. It is hideous. And even if it is made for runway it is not made for the streets. I do hope if anyone actually purchases it they wear it around the house like one of those blankets with sleeves. Or if they go on holiday to a very, very remote mountain area.
All in all, as you have probably guessed I am terribly disappointed. Maybe 15th November is not going to be that special after all!
Autumn Wardrobe Essentials: Coats by Zara
August 20, 2012 § Leave a comment
After launching Autumn/Winter 12 wardrobe discussion last week with a piece on biker boots, it is only logical to continue the story of new season essentials this week by moving to outerwear – the most necessary piece of clothing for British autumns. While looking around for the trendiest coats out there, no one collection has caught my eye (nearly in its entirety) more then the one offered by Zara. They got all the trends covered – colourwise, black and navy are present (yes, black is back); accessories like studs, peplums and large pockets are there; materials range from boucle to heavy wool to quilted leather; and on top of that masculine cut of most of the coats with perfect mid-thigh length. As far as the coats go, you won’t regret stocking up at Zara who went all out offering cool designer look with prices from £69.99 to £139. Autumn outerwear? Tick!
Check out my picks below and head to Zara.com or your nearest store for the whole range. P.S. I’m totally in love with coat number 4 – perfect substitute for short leather jackets that will keep me warmer and go well with both my daily looks based on skinny jeans and more dressed up outfits. Got to love multifunctionality.
1. Navy Coat with Applique on Sleeves, £129
2. Red/Navy Boucle Coat, £69.99
3. Coat with Studded Shoulders, £119
4. Coat With Quilted Sleeves, £139
5. Fantasy Wool Jacquard Coat, £79.99
6. Dark Green Coat in Fantasy Fabric with Chain, £119
Perfect Cleavage Bikini
July 16, 2012 § Leave a comment
Even though I have already been on a holiday this summer, I bet many of you are just starting to pack for your week (or so) away at a warm and sunny destination. Hence I thought it is a perfect time to seduce you with my bikinis of choice. I am a sucker for balconette bikini tops – with those you end up having perfect tan lines easily hidden under your bra and for many of us not proud owners of DD cups, they do add a bit of well-needed push up. This season Ted Baker is the go to designer for affordable yet high quality swimwear that has been created to show off that cleavage – if you go make-up-less during your tanning session, there have to be other ways of attracting male attention rather than your beautiful eyes, right? Available in various prints and colours you are very likely to find your perfect swimsuit – my selection, all available at Asos.com, is presented below.
- Peony Print Bikini Top (£45) and Bottom (£39)
- Butterfly Print Bikini Top (£45) and Bottom (£39)
- Cherry Blossom Print Bikini Top (£45) and Bottom (£39)
- Jungle Print Bikini Top (£59) and Bottom (£49)
Green Soles
May 20, 2012 § Leave a comment
It was only last year that I honestly had no idea who Chloe Green is. I am sure I have seen pictures of her next to famous acquaintances like Kate Moss or J-Lo, or standing next to her billionaire father Philip Green (who I would kill to work for one day), but I have never consciously acknowledged her apart from possibly making a few jealous remarks on her high street fashion heirloom.
And then, apparently based on Simon Cowel’s advice she appeared in second season of my favourite scripted ‘reality’ show Made in Chelsea, and a new London socialite/fashionista was born. This week, building on her parents’ high street presence and her newly found fame, she did what any opportunity grabbing fashion lover would do and launched her own show line called CJG.
There has already been controversy whether she designed it herself or not, but to tell you the truth I am completely behind her and believe she has. No, she did not draw them herself but I am sure the shapes, colours, and accessories like studs and chains are Chloe’s creations through and through. Why? Anyone who owns so many shoes (apparently she has 200), has parents who own a fashion empire (free access to inspirational design environment) and well, is a female with a bit of imagination would have enough ideas for at least one collection!
So what can you expect from CJG? Highest heels and wedges suitable for urban jungle with mint green soles (how appropriate – not only is her surname Green but her middle name is Jade), a bit of sparkle and a lot of attitude.
Below are my favourites from her collection (you can find CJG at selected Topshop stores and online), by this time I bet most of them are already sold out, but if you don’t manage to get your hands on a pair, don’t despair as I am sure there will be plenty more to come from a lady that must have a hereditary entrepreneurial genes in her!
1.Bella Lazercut Wood Wedges, £150
2. Lady Mama Crystal Booties, £175
3 – 4. Louisa Chain Booties, £175
5. Tiger Lily Booties, £150
6. Stud Back Peep Toe, £115
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).
MY FASHION WISH LIST 