do me a favour.

Pretty please?

To my suprise I have made it onto the British Style Bloggers, Blog of The Month December shortlist. I didn't even know about it. It'd be hugely appreciated if you could all take two tiny seconds to click here and vote away.

Big up to the team at the team at British Style Bloggers for the nomination in the first place.

Obvz a huge thanks to everyone who votes.

Fingers crossed.

x

BRITISH FASHION AWARDS

I am fully aware that I am a week late with this but turning twenty one with my best mate this weekend amongst other important social calls has kindof took over my life up until now.

I returned to the deserted, cobbled streets of York on Thursday with thee biggest hangover. It is a world away from thr hype of London. Talk about snap back to reality. Severe dislike. But with having had the best experience in London so far. British Fashion awards attendee yes please.

So after all the deliberation what did I wear? I made a last minute (standard) dash to Oxford St. opting for a green silk tulip skirt, H&M with a delicate Meadham Kirchhoff for TOPSHOP blouse and these wedges in black. I accessorizied with this, these plus vintage pendants. My patent navy vintage carry bag completed the look.
Pictures of the whole ensemble will follow in the next post.

My plus one- up and coming British knitwear designer - Bethan Juliff and I, were like over-excited little girls. We had noo idea what to expect.

After collecting a glass of champagne we were shown to our seats and welcomed by an 'exclusive' goody bag. Sitting eagerly, anticipating the start of the show.

Claudia Winkleman presented the main of the proceedings. She fully embraced the current cape trend sporting a black, sheer number. After the formalities she welcomed Harold Tillman - head of the British Fashion Council to speak. He was full of admiration for the British fashion industry and praise for its progression over the last year.

The whole evening was a bit surreal, breathing the same air as Alexa and Naomi eeek. I think it'll be amazing to look back and say I was there when they honoured the late Lee Alexander McQueen with the award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design. Only rightly.

And the winner is...

Designer of the Year - Phoebe Philo, Celine Creative Director
Model of the Year - Lara Stone
Designer Brand of the Year - Mulberry
British Style Award - Alexa Chung
Accessory Designer - Nicholas Kirkwood
Men's Wear Designer - Patrick Grant of E. Tautz
Emerging Talent - Meadham Kirchhoff (I obviously saw this one coming)
Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator - Nicola Formichetti
Special Recognition Award- Naomi Campbell
Digital Innovation - Burberry.

Alexa was a humble winner saying - 'Oh god, my face really big on the screen, erm well this is awkward'. She looked stunning in an S/S '11 Chanel piece. Bizarrely, she said she'd chose her Chanel gown as she liked “to look like a four-year-old”. Yet, still managed to look so effortlessly stylish.

Naomi Campbell made an emotional acceptance speech, talking about the need to use more varied races on runways. The London born model said ' what I've seen recently is that I've seen it go backwards. We need to raise awareness again and need to start using women of colour more.' Implying that eliminating racial preference is still something that very much needs addressed by the industry. She was very appreciative of the award.

Another highlight was the film shown to accompany Burberry's digital innovation efforts. Never would you think that the iconic trench could be manipulated in some 2000 ways.

It was over in a flash. It gave me such an enlightening insight into the industry and where it all starts from - a spark of genious creativity is what it all comes down to. The high street would be nothing without the raw talent of young, artistic minds. It is refreshing to see them recognised in such a manner. I think the sheer hardwork of designers and their army of helpers is very much underestimated as its often only the glitz and glam of the exterior that we see.

Maybe just maybe, I shall be sat applauding future winners sat between the camps of Mulberry and Burberry one day. But for now I am just thankful for the opportunity.

x

christmas wishes.

I'm not huge on the whole laborious, over-rated affair that the festive season embodies itself as but the one thing I do still conform to is compiling a 'if I had all of you, I would be a very happy girl' list.

All I want for Christmas is all of you, pretty please. If you ask me. I reckon its pretty reasonable. Mammy may beg to differ.

ASOS, Burberry, tba, Olympus Pen, Chanel, Topshop, O&O

Cheers Santy baby.Throw in a trip to New York if you fancy.

x

material girl.

Hiya new feature - may I introduce to you my first guest blogger post. Written by my beautiful favourite Chineeese gal, Liz.

As winter tightens her icy grasp over England, we are faced with the horrid realisation that bare legs have overstayed their welcome. Tanned skin is very much faded and it is now time to reluctantly admit that our trusty ray-bans should retreat somewhat sheepishly into their cases; nostalgically dreaming of sunnier climes.
However, despite the adverse weather, winter for the fashionista is a far cry from the doom and gloom cloaking England. Winter, signifies an epic switch to more substantial garments; those brave enough to weather the winter chills, thick enough to block the blustery winds and chic enough to stop any man in his tracks. This winter look to four essentials, all tactile, all textural and all promising to leave you hot to trot. It is with great pleasure that I present knits, leather, sheepskin and suede.

The time has come to dig out those nostalgic knits lurking deep in the cave of your grandmother’s wardrobe, to brush away those mothballs and to seize this season’s knitwear which is bigger and bolder than ever before. Whether its slouchy, waffle, or cable – knitwear caters to any look. Try classically chic: a slim knit, cinching skinny waist belt and floor length skirt. Quintessentially quirky: vintage levi cut-offs, cropped tee and grandpa cardi or melancholic grunge: leather skirt, sheer blouse and freyed cardigan. It is time to embrace those warm folds full of love and memory, for knit is a trend which is effortlessly easy.

To accompany these winter warmers is the leather jacket. You’re immediately thinking biker right? This season while the biker remains, the fruitful fashion world kindly offers a more feminine, slash less rocky alternative. If there’s one coat you buy this winter let it be a shearling aviator. Warm, snug and super cool this jacket is soaring along both catwalk and high street.  Look to chocolate brown leathers with shearling collars. Mix these with cream knits, thick tights and denim shorts or alternatively a tucked in knit, high-waisted skinny trousers and some cheeky lace-up booties. Whistles’ Anika flying jacket is a lust-have at £325, however TOPSHOP also have a great range which is still easy on the eye but also kinder to ones pocket.

Alternatively, for a more authentic and individual look, some vintage chains like Beyond Retro and Rokit offer a range of real aviation jackets. But be warned, finding the correct size can be tricky and laborious, but this makes success all the more sweet.

Furthermore, leather this season isn’t only in jacket form. Urban Outfitters have a sleek leather skirt in their range as do TOPSHOP.  Also, as grown up trousers remain hot this season (high-waisted and tailored), leather brings another texture to the table. Sophisticated, grown up yet playfully sexy.

Alongside the rails of many a high street store of these edgier leather pieces sit its counterpart; suede. Leather and suede are textures standardly confined to the shoe lounge. However, this winter that is no longer the consensus. Suede has extended its portfolio to the clothing rails of our high street. Shorts, skirts and jackets contribute to the main of the collection. Yet, the suede shoe trend fittingly remains. Ladies, take your pick from dessert boots to subtlely detailed platforms. For the boy; a trusted brand with a stylish update, I give you the suede Vans plimpsoll.

Options a plenty.

Without further ado I bid you a snug winter.

Follow these trends and you’ll have no choice but to be, excuse the pun, hot property.

 1.Whistles, 2.Vans, 3.NEAL, 4.Won Hundred, 5.ASOS White, 6&7.TOPSHOP, 8.River Island, 9. Rag&Bone

x

copycat.

Oh dear, oh dear.

My beloved tba has fallen sin to TOPSHOP's lack of creative imagination.
It has well and truly been caught in its copycat trap.

To be honest I see it as a recognition of BinBin's beautiful creations ; a flattery. In fact, I am suprised it has taken this long for someone to brave ripping-off her adorable designs.

I have never ever been a fan of those snidey features in chatty magazines that go a bit like; wow get so-and-so's designer look from New Look / Peacocks / mix of shitty, cheap sweatshops. No, you won't look like Alexa Chung if you buy every item on this page, nor will you look like Fearne Cotton next week or anyone you ever see on these pages, for that matter. Learn this please.

Yes TOPSHOP is by no means cheap and shitty (the sweatshop debate is one of great controversy); it is the holy grail of the high street - there's no shying away from it. Nice try Philip Green but it's not the same is it really? Also, labelling it 'exclusive' does not make it anymore designer. No thanks. I prefer the real deal.


Here's the culprit....

 

TOPSHOP Velvet Lace Collar Dress

Does not equal this or this.

x

blogging bug.

The Internet is bursting at the seams with online reads; from trivial insights to in-depth tutorials. If someone has an idea, there probably exists a blog to accompany it. The world of fashion is no exception, in fact, it is the most covered subject in the blogosphere. And what with the new craze of tablet technology (over sized iPhones) at our disposal, it is becoming even more the main to: blog, update, follow, like, tweet etc. on the go. 
Helen Turnbull spreads the blogging bug.

There exists an unwritten rule book for online bloggers. In a nutshell; its nothing you don’t already know about simple I.C.T design and online communication. Here are my top four be’s for getting your foot in the blogging door.

1. Be Original
With an umpteen amount of fashion blogs to compete with, it can be difficult to think up purely original content. The horrid truth is that someone, somewhere has probably already covered it. The key is to find a new angle, communicate your own unique perspective. People don’t want to read the same thing over and over again, that speaks for any sort of written publication. Big newsworthy posts are time-sensitive so be sure to post as quickly as possible. Vary your content, employ a few monthly regular features to facilitate consistency. The most influential and style forward blogs are those who not only offer consistent, original content – but exclusive stories, interviews and images which set them apart from the growing number of sites begging for your readers attention. Find your niche and run with it. Great content reaps the rewards; followers will literally follow.

2. Be User-friendly
Great content needs to go hand-in-hand with a user-friendly design. Blogging has fallen sin to the laziness of the human race. In the modern world, people no longer have the time or patience to trowel through pages of text. They come to the Internet for usability. You needn’t be a html guru. Google’s blogging platform, Blogger, is adequately equipped for blogging newcomers. Like anything, it comes with practice. Balance and consistency should be your main priorities.

3. Be a Self-promoter
You may be blissfully unaware but a decent site is only the beginning to securing a firm following. There exists a  plethora of social media platforms dedicated to fashion; a fashion facebook if you like. Lookbook.nu and Independent Fashion Bloggers are amongst my favourites. They allow you to upload, vote, fan, discuss comment, love, hype. You name it. Which all equate to building relationships with other bloggers which hopefully increases traffic and consequently, your fan base. It's a question I get asked time and time again; "how do you gain followers / rep / hype" etc. The honest truth is; establishing concrete relationships with fellow bloggers is the key to acquiring an enviable blogging rep. Promote yourself professionally. I, for one, am not a believer of the “follow me and I‘ll follow you” philosophy. In my eyes it defeats the object of blogging. The way I see it; drop your link here and there (social media forums, fashion articles, other blogs) with a genuine, relevant comment. Avoid the standard “I love your blog / outfit / shoes”, at all costs. This is  UNprofessional and only demonstartes that you're capable of using copy and paste. People make up their own mind whether they’re going to visit your page in the first place, never mind follow it.

4. Be a Frequent Poster
Don’t feel you need to post every single day, it’ll soon take over your life. There is such thing as blogging addiction. Three to four weekly posts is sufficient. Your dedicated followers will expect to be updated often but you do not want to bog them down with too much to keep up with.

A perfect productive procrastination. What are you waiting for? Go get your blog on.

Sorry for the longg post. Do realise I've totally contradicted myself in that this is def not a balance. Thought I'd share it nonetheless.

x

u o catalogue.

Oh no you di-nt.

I want all. of. it.

Anyone else think the collection has a French vibe to it? The shoot at least. The models are lush, especially the boys. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

x

british fashion awards invite.

Yes please. I had confirmation of tickets tonight by a Miss. Harry Waters. Big up.

For anyone who doesn't know, The British Fashion Awards are a long-standing ceremony (established in 1989), organised by the British Fashion Council, held anually celebrating the success and creativity of the British fashion industry. This year, the venue of choice is the Savoy theatre in Westminster. And I, and my privileged plus one will be there too, breathing the same air as Alexa and friends.

The ceremony recognises those who have made outstanding contributions to British clothing design during the year. The awards include that of British Designer of the Year, Best Accessory Designer, Best Menswear Designer - you get the picture. The ceremony is pretty much an excuse for a celebration of the reputation and development of the British fashion industry. I cannot wait.

The selection panel comprises that of a collection of renowned fashion editors and store buyers. 

The nominees were announced at the beginning of September. Victoria Beckham faces tough competition from the likes of Mulberry, Pringle and Burberry for the Best Designer Brand of the Year Award. I'm personally backing Burberry.

A slight change to the proceedings this year in that they are opening the voting for the British Style Award to the public. You can cast your vote here but you must be registered with the British Fashion Council to do so.

Included in the running are: Alexa (obvs), Cheryl Cole (why?) Daisy Lowe, Lily Cole and the usual suspects - VB, Emma Watson, Stella McCartney.

Models Nominated (+David Gandy)

 Roise Huntington-Whiteley and Lara Stone

The dress code is black tie, whattowearwhattowear.

Excited doesn't begin to cover it.

x

red head.

Chill, not going to suddenly turn this into a beauty blog - truthfully I don't have enough care / interest / knowledge of the subject.

This is my latest (unhealthy?) obssession. But don't actually think I currently have the balls enough to actually materialize this wish. And as I've teased my sister for years for being a 'ginge' it'd be massively hypocritical of me.
My hair is unbelievably dark. Bored of it.

Decisions decisions..

x

short and sweet.

This festive season's dresses are exactly that. Inspired by the original mini dress sihoulette of the sixties.

Made iconic by petite pin-up Twiggy. 

 

x