Trend sets for A/W '11: JIL SANDER & floral print

I am fast becoming a huge fan of Jil Sander's work and her catwalk collections- she always has me on Look 1. Going back to S/S '11, I adored the blocked colour floor-length skirts; so easy to wear, breezy, summery and colour was certainly back in moderate spurts for autumn. The 49 looks were constituted of clean lines, blocks of bright red and turquoise here and there and boxy shapes. There was an avoidance of overt detailing or overbearing design additions- quite simply a no frills, complete breath of fresh air, bar red lips and striped/clashing/knitted sleeves peeking out from underneath billowing capes. Then the shocking red floral print began to appear, like a flower coming into bloom, in the form of platformed footwear. They were straight on my wish list. It was then that the eye-catching floral print washed over the catwalk for just 6 looks- breaking up the collection with an element of fun- and spring- in the form of exaggerated collared loose-fitting dresses, (the bright blue and red is my favourite) a coat and cute jumpsuit which highlights the waist.

I enjoy the 60s vibe of the overall collection- entwined monochrome reminicent of dog-tooth check, Christmas jumpers, sleek beehive, ladylike glamour without being over the top- a creation of refined elegance, beautifully finished with a retro twist. The glossy hair complemented the straight cut of the trouser and the blocked leather platform boots gave an edgy feel to the prettiness that came from the swirly floral pattern. 

The 60s remains to be my favourite era and this collection has just reignited my adoration for that time, combined with the craftsmanship of the 21st Century. And florals for winter? It's exactly what we need to brighten up our days.

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It's the year 1962...

"This collection is all about the sixties."

 

  

There have been many comments made about the second installment in Fearne Cotton's clothing range- criticized for its unoriginality and her 'attempt' at modelling it herself but as you know I am completely obsessed with the 1960s and this picture is the epitome of that era. I also absolutely adore her hair style here, which seems to change from week to week. I love short hair and am in the process of growing my hair to bob length, back to how it was a few years ago: sleek, smooth and very, very elegant. She looks soo graceful, the dress is so cute and pretty with the puffed sleeves and yet Fearne makes it her own with her trademark ring-on-every-finger. Complete with nude lips, a serene like pose/stare combination and looking doe-eyed, I think she looks great. With the surge of celebrities on the covers of fashion magazines instead of models, why can't she be the face of her own creation, whether or not it's a dress that has been around for decades? Fashion trends always come back around again (minus puffa jackets and platform trainers) anyway don't they? What do you make of the picture of Fearne?

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Anja Rubik for Kurt Geiger

  

Twitter is soon becoming my favourite and most reliable news source- ever since I downloaded the app on my iPhone, I have been flicking through the feed daily, reading about the latest goings on with regards to The News of the World scandal (mostly tweeted by George Michael) and learning the latest fashion news from the best sources, i.e. LOVE magazine. 

This image of the latest face for Kurt Geiger's Autumn/Winter '11 campaign was posted by LOVE earlier today and I think Anja looks perfect. I adored last season's vividly colourful and uber sophisticated campaign and their newest is certainly not a disappointment. I actually thought "Wow" on viewing the image as I just love the 1960s vibe and the effortless sexiness of the entire ensemble. How incredible does she look in those Cruella Devill-esque booties? Which are now on my winter wish list, although I'm not wishing for the sun to stop shining any time soon. 

What do you make of the campaign?

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Fashion Trio

1. Now that I have an iPhone it is easier than ever to give into the social networking phenomenon that is Twitter and it's app and today whilst I was flicking through latest tweets, I discovered the ultra girlie, sixties inspired new line by Victoria Beckham, aptly named Victoria by Victoria Beckham. Read the full story from The Telegraph.

 

2. Also on Twitter, I learned of the latest Miu Miu handbag range for A/W '11, as posted by F.Tape named The Matelasse- chunky chain handles, large silver buckles and beautiful ruched leather, available in a variety of colours. The cream patent leather is my personal favourite. I'm wondering whether it will gain "It-bag" status next season...

3. Gwyneth Paltrow (an absolute favourite of mine as you may well know) poses topless in Vanity Fair's August issue for their annual On Jewellery calendar. Famed and personally liked due to it's detailed and interesting interviews, I will certainly buying this one even if just for the beautiful pictures of the Hollywood stunner.

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Pic of the week

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It's the year 1960...

Just got a little excited when I went online for my daily news fix and saw these amazing pictures of Fearne Cotton modelling her latest collection for Very. OK, they are not high-fashion, nor is she a model but I am absolutely obsessed (as I always say) with the 60s. And it wasn't about high-fashion then either. It was about revolution, music, youth culture, emancipation of women... and besides, Fearne has become a bit of a style icon over the past few years and she has her own great sense of style which should be celebrated. She is another successful woman in the media, whom I admire for this reason. I always ask my Mum what was it like to live then, forgetting that she was only a baby and an impressionable teenage throughout the 1970s (still, what a great time to have grown-up- I am adamant that I was born in the wrong era. Fake tan and ridiculous reality TV is not for me). 

I love the era shown in these photographs and I just wanted to share them with you. Whilst on the subject, I strongly suggest you buy April's issue of UK ELLE if you haven't already (before all copies are whisked from the shelves- I cannot seem to track down US Vogue in-store) if only to stare at one of my favourite editorials of the week, Silk Cuts (great name) which also channels retro glamour. I feel it is unlike the usual glossy style of ELLE- this appears to be more demure and soft looking, sexy and very, very feminine. 

It doesn't mean I will be rushing to buy anything, I just enjoy the era Fearne is so beautifully epitomising here with the bouncy hair, thick eye make-up and of course, the colourful Peter-Pan collared shift dress.

If only I could go back in time...

What is your favourite piece from the collection? What is your opinion of the editorial?

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So Beautiful.

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Erm... I love this

Some people have been saying that the dress Fearne Cotton is wearing here, at the launch of her latest collection for Very isn't her usual style, but I disagree. I know I go on about how much I love the 60s but this ensemble channels that era perfectly. The bouncy bob (I am seriously contemplating growing my hair back into this style again) and sweetly demure dress with spurts of pink and peach is so well suited to Fearne's tiny frame and it seems to work with the tattoos she is so well known for. And I agree with Holly, Fearne looked as equally incredible in that monochrome swimming costume and her hair looked rather stunningly sleek and perfected on Comic Relief.

For those of you who don't know, the Holly I am referring to is Holly Willoughby (a.k.a. Holly Willouboobie!), a very successful television presenter in England, very good friend of Fearne's and also the creator of her own range of clothing for Very. She is genuinely lovely and if you haven't already, watch the latest episode of the programme in which they are both team captains here for it's sheer stupidity and vulgarity. Plus it's very, very funny.

Let me know what you think. What are your thoughts on Fearne's outfit? 

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FASH IN THE ATTIC

My Uncle quite recently moved into a new house; a completely blank canvas, a haven to do with what you will. He had been rooting about the loft and found some antiques; a leather pouch and a quirky compact mirror and gave them to me. I love all things retro, adore the 60s era, old, interesting items, antiques, vintage finds- basically anything that wasn't made in my era! I have no idea about the origin of either of them but both were gathering dust just waiting for somebody to find them and give them a new home. I just thought I'd share with you, these little delights...


What vintage finds have you given a new home?

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Daily dose of another favourite

When my ELLE magazine arrived yesterday, I was so excited to see the gorgeous and oh so pretty Carey Mulligan on the cover, looking beautifully sweet and elfin with her fab new crop. I feel like I am always blogging about people who I admire or simply love the 'look' of, but she seems to be a lot of people's girl crush at the moment, especially to style fanatics. She is certainly proving her status as a style icon, after landing 5 magazine covers this year and being awarded first place in Harper's Bazaar's annual 'Britain's Best Dressed' list for their December issue. She was described by Erdem as 'so Sixties French New Wave' and is the reason why I love her so much and which is showcased so impressively in that pastel Miu Miu dress at the Costume's Institute Annual Gala.


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For Christmas, please may I have...

It feels like forever since I posted anything on here but with uni deadlines looming, a lap top in repair and a schedule that was completely ruined by the snowy weather, it proved rather difficult to.


But anyway, I'm back and as the deadlines have now passed I thought it was time to really get into the Christmas spirit by sharing with you my Christmas list. Even though I haven't asked for much, as for me Christmas is more about getting together as a family- eating, drinking and generally having a good laugh. But, of course it is rather exciting to wonder what will be waiting under the tree for me to discover when the day finally arrives...

When I saw this jacket on the rail, it really was love at first sight. I'm really into retro fashion and the 1960's- I honestly believe I was born in the wrong era. With all the khaki and grey hues and blocks of black in my winter wardrobe or part of my look right now, this piece is a great way to brighten it all up and make the freezing temperatures that little more bearable. 

It is about time there was a good British comedy drama and this is by far the best thing on telly right now that makes my Thursday nights. The cast is amazing and the original format makes for a gripping watch- full of anger, chemistry and mysteriousness that keeps you hooked and leaves you thinking what will happen next. It is not in any way sugar coated, apart from the eye candy that bring the whole series to life. Robert Sheehan who plays Nathan is comically brilliant, is certainly easy on the eye and the ears too with that gorgeously irresistible Irish accent.

This always seems to make a regular occurrence on my Christmas list as it has readily become one of my make-up staples. Every girl has a favourite cosmetic item and this is mine. Applying make-up can sometimes seem like a chore but this just brings out the gal in me and I completely love it.

Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum is my absolute favourite scent and just like the Chanel adverts starring the flawlessly stylish and sophisticated Keira Knightley draw me in, so does the perfume's flawless packaging which proves too hard to resist. It has an unbeatable aroma I adore, to simply spritz over any outfit with the effortless ease and grace Chanel brought to fashion so well and oh so elegantly.

This is one of the ultimate coffee table books I intend to add to my growing collection. My aim it to have an entire shelf full of fashion reads that offer amazing photography and fashion analysis of the highest calibre. This book is not only visually appealing but includes a history of the creation and art direction of Louis Vuitton, accompanied by an analysis of it's reference to architectural design. I simply cannot wait to delve straight into this mammoth of a read.

Christmassy and
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