alexa chung for madewell aw11.

Another stunner of a collection. This time around Chung apparently drew inspo from all things "girl band" and not in The Saturdays sense of the word. Set in and around Austin, Texas the ad campaign emulates American road trip living. Compare it to the English country girl vibe of her début collab with the brand, its safe to say I prefer this one. My aw11 wish list is reaching new lengths.

The collection will be available for purchase from 22nd September.

Also who's going LFW? Yeah that would be me, anyone else?

Bloglovin' / Cosmo / Facebook / Twitter

x

what is it about Alexa Chung?

Have a sneaky deeks inside June's VOGUE.

A light release from open exam 'stress', I was literally, genuinely buzzing when this landed on my floor circa ten minutes ago. Keen or what. But this may explain why...

Alexa Chung for British VOGUE, June 2011

A treat to the eyes. 

Bloglovin' / Facebook / Twitter

Helen, 

X

whistle for a hottie.

Chung of course.

Celebrating the hundreth year anniversary of Italian sportswear brand Superga, Alexa joins in the celebrations as the chosen face and feet of the new ad campaign. And why? To increase the brand's presence in the UK and who better to represent the UK's fashion scene than the one and only. Fair play.

Remember this? Was all in aid of this baby..



Could she get any lusher? Nahhh.

The brand has sixty stockists in the UK, specialising in vulcanised pumps and include Manchester's Oi Polloi and Rift Shoes, Chiswick, West London. These are going on the wish list.

Slightly off-topic but all important nontheless; A big up to The MIDWEEK MIXTAPE massive. Representin'. The comedic duo, Ger and Vinay provide your weekly fix of musical musings and general, geuninely laughable banter, every Wednesday 4 - 5pm. Radio One eat yo heart out.

Tune in now. QUICK. GO. Its the last chance for a while.

Facebook / A bit o' FRESH AIR / Tumblr

Helen,

X

Chung does Madewell debut.

Or Madewell does Chung? Either way more than a bit pleased that my only girl crush is making her debut fashion collection for the US label.

Effortlessy cool as always. What else did you expect?

Also, massive, blatant plug but one of the gals is on the BBC's new series of 'So You Think You Can Dance?'. Check out her skillz here - "Bethany Lives Her Dream." Proud and excited, the show starts next Saturday, so keep your eyes peeled.

Have a sweeeet weekend.

Facebook / Twitter / Bloglovin'

Helen, 

X 

chung-a-lung.

Welcome new followers.

Alas, I did not make it to LFW. Uni committments took over my life last week. So dull I know.

Someone who was there is full force; Alexa Chung. A round up of her LFW looks. In no particular order.

The girl never fails to impress. The heeled boots and the Rupert scarf are personal favourites.

If you like what you see, don't hesitate to like / follow at:

Facebook / Twitter / Bloglovin'

x

ELLE STYLE AWARDS.

They took place tonight, presented by none other than madame Chung. As a twitter follower of a good majority of the ELLE editorial team, having read nothing but their award plans and stresses for the past weeks, I was intrigued to discover their final wardrobe choices.

The next best thing to actually being there? Live stream obvz.

Here are my picks of the night.

Fearne Cotton

Karen Gillan in tba

Coco Rocha in McQueen

Alexa Chung in YSL

Emma Watson in Valentino Couture

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Pretty in Pink

Oh and the winners of course.

International Designer - Tom Ford
Breakthrough Talent - Noomi Rapace
Best British Designer - Christopher Kane
Best Model - Coco Rocha - how gorgeous is she??
Best Actress - Natalie Portman
Best Accessory Designer - Mulberry's Emma Hill
Best Music - Cheryl Cole
Best Jewellery Designer - Dominic Jones
Best Actor - Stephen Dorff
Best TV Star - Blake Lively
Young Designer - Meadham Kirchhoff
Outstanding Fashion Contribution - Helena Christensen
Style Icon - Emma Watson

Facebook / Twitter / Bloglovin'

x

match made in heaven.

Alexa Chung plus tba S/S '11.

What else?

Photo: http://ilovetba.com/shop/index.php/blog/alexa_wears_tba/

Any one, any one at all know when this lovely piece will be at my disposal? A few items have creeped onto the urban outfitters website but no sign of this pretty little lot.

Apologies are due again for me being so slack with this man. I don't have an excuse this time. It has been pure laziness and making the most of my last year of uni. I have literally a matter of weeks left.

The good news; it's reading week next week so I am going to well an truly 'get back on it'.

x

profile me: meadham kirchhoff.

Going against everything I believe in posting twice in a day.

I introduce - Meadham Kirchoff.

Brought to my attention about three weeks ago when trowelling through the rails of Oxford Street's Topshop in a desperate attempt to put together an outfit suitable for a black tie occassion - the British Fashion Awards. Coincidentally, the duo - NEWGEN designers, snapped up the award for Emerging Talent of the Year at the ceremony, presented by Alexa.

Once I returned home, I did some light googling, facebooking and uncovered a wealth of new favourite designs.

So who are they?

The British/French duo is made up of Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff. They both studied at the prestigious Central Saint Martins - Edward; Womenswear and Benjamin; Menswear. They joined forces post-graduation and launched a menswear label, "Benjamin Kirchhoff".

In 2005 they were chosen to showcase their new-born label in Fashion East’s first MAN show, bringing them to the attention of a very impressed London Fashion scene. From there, in 2006, they extended their efforts to womenswear and thank god for that. Over the last few seasons, the pair have rightfully earned a name for themselves as the new avant-garde of the London Fashion Week schedule. Summing up their designs in three little words - "uncompromising, aware and individual", they have increasingly become fashion insiders' label of choice, debuting a collaboration with TOPSHOP in May this year which went down a storm.
I only hope they have more sorts of these 'gigs' lined up.

Loved for their edgy, yet beautifully melancholic collections, exquisite pieces that transcend seasons, their upcoming S/S '11 collection is inspired  by “susperia, My Little Pony and girls in all aspects.”

Every piece is stamped with their imitable, dreamy style and their S/S '11 offerings are no exception.

Feast your eyes on this lot.

Images: ELLE.com

What was set in wonderland of pink foliage, the S/S '11 preview at London Fashion Week provided quite a show. Admittedly an incredibly audacious choice of hair and make-up, it was all part of the aesthetics.

The collection comprises ethereal chiffon gowns of varying length, accessorised with chunky knit thigh-high legwarmers and patterned block heels. The gathering and cutwork detail emphasised the influence of layering in the designs. Dresses were worn over graffiti printed t-shirts or under thin baggy cardigans styled to drape off the shoulder and high-vis yellow and red painted leather bomber jackets. A welcome burst of colour.

Watch the show in its all its prettiful glory here.

The boys are in the process of launching a new site so watch this space.

Stockists: Browns, Liberty

x

TRENDSETTER.

As if another year end is upon us. Here are my favourite top five trends of 2010.

After much deliberation I eventually whittled it down to a measly five. There were mini-trends a plenty I would have liked to sneak in but I believe these five were the ONE.

5. Fashion Faux pas (pl.)

Socks and shoes? Double denim? SUSPENDERS!? Nothing could scream fashion police alert more than these three. That refused to be the case this year and in fact huge fashionable respect was gained with the sporting of one of these unconventional trends.

Whoever would think that the biggest going-out outfit dilemma would be which socks with which shoes? I don't know when, where or which genius decided that this cringey dad faux pas was suddenly cool but I think we all owe you a huge thank you.

Thanks to Henry Holland and Pretty Polly it was acceptable to rock suspenders out of the confinements of the boudoir. Provided the sell-out suspender tights weren't paired with anything remotely, stereotypically 'slag', they added a subtley sexy touch. I was definitely a fan. The whole of the high-street jumped on the bandwagon offering us their take on the trend. I bought mine from non other than Marks & Sparks.

Double denim sneaked its way into our lives, slowly but surely to earn a rightful place in my 2010 trend hall of fame. Please please please if you do try this at home, remember not to co-ordinate the colours. The term is double denim; two pieces of denim worn at any one time that is; not all over or matching denim.

4. The Nudist

Not literally. I mean in terms of colour palette, obvz. This is a trend which I cannot remember my wardrobe without. Sure to be crowned the new black of 2010, girly pinks were well and truly ousted with its arrival. Nude shades were everywhere this year, having dominated the spring/summer 2010 catwalks, from off-white through pale rose to gold. Delicious candy-floss shades in sheer and floaty fabrics gave glamour to girlish looks. Accessories were also big on this trend and it was even extended to the beauty counters with nude lips reigning supreme thanks to the Golden Globe awards.

3. Material Girls and Boys

Winter signified an epic switch to more substantial garments; those brave enough to weather the winter chills, thick enough to block the blustery winds. This winter we were kept snug with knits, leather, sheepskin and suede.

Nostalgic, fairisle knits made a comeback. Slouchy, waffle, or cable - chunky knits were well and truly embraced.

The leather jacket recieved a feminine update to become what would be known as the (SOLD OUT TOPSHOP) shearling aviator. But leather this year wasn't only in jacket form...

Leather and suede were no longer confined to the shoe lounge, extending their portfolios to the clothing rails of our high street. Shorts, skirts and jackets contributed to the main of the collections. Yet, the suede shoe trend fittingly remained. Ladies and gentlemen took their pick from so many variations of the cute dessert bootie.

2. SHE Wears the Trousers

The fashion industry jumped aboard, all hands on deck campaigning for girl power and urged us to man-up with a good old bit of power dressing this year.

Spring came laiden with variation of the unconventional, drop-crotch 'nappy' pant. I am, of course, talking about the harem trouser. The marmite of the leg department. I, personally, am not a fan but there were options a plenty to choose from: peg-leg, tapered, high waisted, statement prints, you get the idea. Pretty dresses and flouncy skirts were no longer the garment of choice for eveningwear, the statement piece was the jumpsuit. An outlet of the trouser trend completely misunderstood by the opposite sex.

Autumn got all grown up on us and saw a return of the previosuly favoured skinny styles in anything from equestrian lycra to country corduroy, ooh ar.


1. Hollar for a Collar

Admittedly a bias choice for the top spot but can you blame me? Yes, if you look at my hundred most recent facebook tagged snaps there is a running theme, slight obsession? Maybe. Bothered? Not at all. Kindly welcomed into my wardrobe by my only girl crush, dearest Alexa Chung, the collar emerged as the mighty mini-trend of 2010. Dresses, tees, shirts and blouses all got the collar treatment. Some stores stepped it up a level and even stocked separate collars you could attach to non-collared garments. Genius. A trend I hope will transcend through the seasonal trends of the next year; it remains to be a trend pulled-off equally by both men and women. Peter Pan or pointed; this one will show no signs of fading fast if I have anything to do with it.

x

blogging interview debut.

The guys at okreko.com emailed me over the weekend saying how they loved my blog and would like for me to feature in a blogging-themed interview on their site. I was flattered. An offer I couldn't refuse.

It went a little bit like this...

When & why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in July 2010 so I by no means consider myself a dab hand at this. I had moved back home from uni for the summer holidays. Friends and family had nagged constantly as they knew of my burning desire to become a fashion journalist. Up until then, I had been too lazy to get the ball rolling. I wanted to channel my thoughts and energy into something constructive. It acted as the pefect distraction from the split with my ex. So, with too much time on my hands, I finally made the move.

Why do you like blogging, and what makes you post?
To be honest I don't think I can pin-point why I enjoy blogging. I've always loved writing and fashion so having a fashion blog let's me fufills both these interests. I find the fact that people actually readamazing. I would've never have thought.

Most bloggers find it hard to get an audience, whats your advice?

That's no secret, it is hard and very time consuming. You have to be committed and a lot more goes into it then simply posting decent content. You have to NETWORK. Having a strong presence on the blogosphere is the best piece of advice I have ever been given. It is a cliche but it's a simple case of getting your name out there. Easier said than done right? Not strictly. Post your link on facebook, comment on forums, join networks - IFB and LOOKBOOK - participate frequently with genuine, related comments. Build relationships with fellow bloggers by commenting on their posts - show that you've took time to read the post.
Get Twitter also - I'm still struggling with how to work it but its handy to have.
It won't happen overnight but it'll be worth the wait.
A few other hinters - be original, have readable content and a personal writing style. 
Your blog should reflect your personality to some degree so don't go copying other's hardwork.

Why should okreko readers follow your blog?

I'm not a big believer of the philosophy 'follow me and I'll follow back'. It defeats the point of blogging, I feel.
If opinionated insights, fashionable experiences and interesting articles are your cup of tea then check me out.

Whats a typical day like in Helen's life?
Right now my days are mainly taken up by uni work or Christmas present shopping, followed by light blogging duties and catching up with my girls of an evening over a few glasses of wine.

Whos your favourite designer?

It would have to be Chanel as it is so effortlessly classy. My new obssession though is the duo that makes up Meadham Kirchkoff. Check them boys out.

Who or What is your biggest style influence?

Two words - Alexa Chung.

Street style is amazingly inspirational too.

If you had a fashion label what would it be called?

Eek, that's a toughie. It took so long for me to come up with a blog name, it'd take lifetime to do that.

What item of clothing do you wish more people wore?

Boys in desert boots and caps.
People need to learn to buy decent fitting jeans.

What item do you think is a must have right now?

A shirt and bow-tie combo.

Describe yourself in one word.

Excitable.

I really do love doing what I do but it makes it even more worth the while when people actually read it and I get so much positive feedback. I couldn't extend my gratitude far enough.

Thank you all.

x