happy new year

In the process of getting ready to bring in the new year!

Forgive me for the lack of posts recently but uni work is about to push me over the edge. I won't be posting for a while because of said work but happy new year everyone...see you on the flipside x

all I want for christmas is you

Passing through Selfridges before work today my heart skipped a beat walking passed Chanel when I saw what is potentially THE perfect shoe for me. Black ankle boots with gold platform and heels with a gold CC logo embossed on the bottom. Perfection.

Santa please put these under my tree - or at least give me a get rich quick scheme so I can buy these in the new year when my next instalment of student loan comes in.

Please...

bombay mix

It was a sumptuous collaboration of Indian luxury and understated Parisian style when Karl Lagerfeld showed the Chanel Pre Fall/Winter 2012-13 collection yesterday at the Grand Palais. Fit for and Indian Princess the show was full of luxurious fabrics and intracate jewelled headpieces that seemed as though they had been created for the Maharaja and Courtesan in the film Moulin Rouge- another excellent example of France meets India. It is clear in the clothing that the inspiration was mostly taken from Indian menswear which is unsurprising seeing as Coco Chanel made a name for herself bringing the comfort and ease of menswear tailoring to the female market. My personal favourite is a champagne silk tunic and trouser combination finished off with a heavily embellished necklace and headpiece. Although the Indian reference was heavy throughout, Chanel executed the perfect balance- and I would expect nothing less. All the classic Chanel elements were still included; the pearls, heavy golden chains, tweed and camellia flowers all found their rightful place among the vibrant Indian styles and yet were not lost in them, despite their beautiful subtlty. The entire collection has rustled up so much excitement for the Fall/Winter shows next year and has left me with no doubt that once I win the lottery I am buying the entire Chanel archive.

Take me to the Taj Mahal, or at least the nearest Chanel.

body beautiful

Probably the most viewed image in the internet this week...Karlie Kloss in her birthday suit. So perfect she could be a statue.



for the full photo shoot by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia see here

the secret is out

View the full Victoria's Secret fashion show (without adverts) here...

balmain's new beau

So, I was aware that the wonderful Christophe Decarnin had been replaced at Balmain after he departed after five years with the label allegedly because of toubles with depression. What I was not aware of was the fact that his replacement Olivier Rousteing, who became creative director in April, is absoloutley gorgeous!

I was reading Elle magazine this morning and there was a small feature on designers to watch and I was left breathless by this stunning black man in a black and white portrait penetrating my soul with his beautiful eyes. Check him out girls and boys he is gay obviously, no man that hot is ever straight.

So not only is he really, really, ridiculously good looking (Zoolander flashback) but, as was seen at the SS12 shows in Paris, he is also extremely talented and has succeeded in continuing the asthetic that makes Balmain such a popular brand. He kept the rock and roll edge yet still staying true to the Balmain girl, super rich and super sexy. I think Balmain may just be the sexiest brand out there both on and off the runway! Olivier is the main man.

Balmain SS12

images courtesy of Vogue.

on the red carpet: victoria beckham

It is only fitting that Victoria Beckham wore black at tonights British Fashion Awards 2011. After all, doesn't everyone remember the artist formerly known as Posh Spice strutting around in her little black dress in the film 'Spice World'. The fashion designer was celebrated at this evenings ceremony as she won the award for Best Designer Brand. Wearing a dress from her eponymous label VB looks simply stunning. One of my favourite things about Victoria's designs is that the beauty truly is in the simplicity, she takes classic silhouettes and polishes them off with fabulous attention to detail and wonderful tailoring. This dress is no exception, the high necked cowl is elegant and the fitted waist blossoming into all the pleats is so pretty. It is by no means a show stopper of a dress but sometimes something so simple can have such a beautiful impact. Congrats Mrs Beckham, you clearly deserve your prize.

For a full list of BFA winners see Vogue

backstage beauty

My lovely friend Sophie at Marchesa sent me this photo of backstage at Marchesa's first ever show in New York this past September. I just think it is so beautiful I had to share it.

just call me jack frost

I was cheeky and borrowed some of my housemates new nail polish from Urban Outfitters. It has really got me in the Christmas spirit because, although technically it is multicoloured, it comes out a really frost like silver-blue after three coats.

where my party people at?

So, I realise I have been pretty useless at posting recently. This is partly due to Christmas temp duties in an attempt to replenish my constantly diminishing bank account and partly due to my time being dedicated to watching the likes of Gossip Girl, 90210 and...Living with the Amish (I'm not living with the amish and hating electricity free life, it is a show on Channel 4).

To make up for my poor efforts here is an extra big post on, yep you guessed it, the Christmas Party conundrum.

So the Christmas season has approached and that not only brings the welcome return of the christmas jumper (as discussed in an earlier post) but it also bring numerous events. Work parties...christmas dinner and drinks with friends...hell, any excuse for a party. But of course this brings the issue of party dressing for christmas without busting out a Mrs Claus type ensemble, being festive but not over-doing the 'sexy santa' theme. So, here are some of my picks for christmas beauty, christmas on a 'budget' and christmas off a budget. I tend not to stick to trends too much, after all they are only trends and as with all fashion they do change faster than the wind, so these are just some of my christmas season favourites...

Christmas beauty allows for a lot of leg room, tis the season to go overboard! Glitter becomes acceptable for evenings that don't involve dancing in a strobe lit room and is actually one of my favourite make up tips for the festive period. You can go full on gold leaf as was seen at Fendi or just go for subtle embelishment seen at Chanel and MAC have actually released a limited edition Christmas range called 'Glitter and Ice'. If glitter on the face really isn't your thing then OPI (as well as nearly every other nail brand) have released a fabulous christmas collection inspired by The Muppets, they come in a variety of colours but my favourites are the festive glitter red and glitter green as well as the multi coloured sparkle polish. Hair is another area to embelish if youwant to keep make up simple, jewellery can be worn in the hair, for example a chunky ring in the place of a hairband or a broch pinned on a chingnon. This season try switching a typical christmas red lipstick and go for a variation of the festive shade, I like a hot pink, blue red of orange red to switch it up and NARS as well as MAC have such a variety of colours you will be spoilt for choice. In my opinion hair can't really be dictated by trends as it can be so personal but at the moment I am loving any form of braid as well as really chic and undone ponytails, I will be pairing my pony with a massive silver sequin headband come christmas day.
images courtesy of Vogue, Mac and Nars

These are the party options that high street favourite Topshop have to offer. I especially love the yellow and purple beaded clutch bag to spice up a LBD. The silver shoes are a near exact copy of some Alexander Wang shoes that I had my eye on and the spiked head band is a nice alternative to a golden tinsel headband that I sported two years ago.
From top left: Satin lace tee £36, gold leather purse £16, Premium beaded clutch £35, Limited edition emerald silk strappy maxi £175, Lillie cherry trim sandals £65, Limited edition leather flippy waist dress £175, Planet flared heel platform moccasins £95, smudge animal print dress £60, mesh bib collar necklace £15, Lush metallic faux sankeskin platforms £65, spike cluster headband £25, Premium mteallic pleat skirt £90.

On the higher end of the scale net-a-porter have some spectacular options for any party. I love the golden Gucci skirt with a cosy knit for a casual christmas dinner and the red Valentino clutch with a bow is so Christmassy without being too much of a gimmick and the Mochino tuxedo jumpsuit is an adorable alternative to a dress.
From top left: Rachel Gilbert silk chiffon dress £695, Christopher Kane gel and PVC clutch £385, Valentino satin bag £520, Michael Kors leather and jersey gown £2400, Christian Louboutin metallic and patent leather pumps £425, Emilio Pucci crystal and velvet dress £5125, Miu Miu glitter and suede boots £555, Moschino Cheap and Chic tuxedo jumpsuit £815, Versace enamel bracelet £1515, Charlotte Olympia suede and satin boots £810, Dannijo crystal necklace £590, Gucci metallic leather skirt £1080.


It is less than a month until Christmas Day people! Be prepared to pop out the advent calendar.

v day

Versace is officially in H&M stores! Is anyone buying something from the collection or just window shopping like me?

UPDATE: Donatella had a meet and greet with the first person in the massive queue outside H&M. The lucky boy had been queuing since 4pm yesterday afternoon!!!

on the red carpet: kristen stewart

The lady is a vamp! I must admit I am not usually her biggest fan, but Bella Swan Kristen Stewart looks amazing at the London premiere of Breaking Dawn: Part 1 this evening. The Twilight superstar took to the white carpet in a spectacular Roberto Cavalli gown cinched in at the waist with an Alexander McQueen belt and finished off with Jimmy Choo's. I cannot fault the look. It is age appropriate, figure appropriate and SO event appropriate could she look more like a vampire? Her hair and make up are perfect for such a high glam dress and the peekaboo sheer of the lower part of the dress is a really sexy touch even if it is only showing of her ankles. But this isn't the dress everyone is talking about. The most highly anticipated dress is Bella's wedding dress designed by Carolina Hererra and kept under wraps until the big reveal when the movie is released on Friday. 

v is for versace

The Versace for H&M collaboration is unveiled in selected UK stores tomorrow morning and Donatella herself will be making an appearance at the London flagship store get your tents at the ready, I'm betting there will be a queue halfway down Oxford Street. The collection has been much hyped but is it actually the best collection H&M has seen from a designer? Sadly, no.

I appreciate the throwback to what made Versace famous way back when Gianni was at the helm, the garish prints and true Italian luxury that translate so well on the red carpet and runway. This however does not translate well when combined with the fact that, even without the massive budget cuts necessary for a designer to translate to high street, the fabric choices from H&M in general aren't the best quality and seeing palm trees splashed across nylon doesn't exactly scream expensive or stylish. There are a few gems hidden away in the collection yet sadly, from what I have seen and heard, Donatella actually cut quite a lot of the best looks from the final edit. Despite this I have no doubt that all those who love a good collaboration and want a slice of Versace for a slice of the price will be queuing in their thousands all over the country tomorrow morning. Elbows and palm trees at the ready.


the best looks from the collection...

and the worst...

for a complete look at the collection visit vogue.co.uk

see choo later

Tamara Mellon has resigned as cheif creative officer of Jimmy Choo. The co-founder of the luxury shoe brand has resigned from the company after 15 years and, more importantly, after selling the company 5 months ago for £525million (now that's alot of Choo's).

She has taken the company from being a small business to a now globally recognised name and coveted brand. She can walk away from Jimmy Choo not only with her head held high and a pocket full of cash, but also with an enviable shoe closet. Lucky lady.

tis the season

Tis the season to be jolly look like a twat.

Yes, as Christmas creeps ever closer it is that time of year again to rummage in the back of your wardrobe and find the guilty pleasure that is, the christmas jumper. I am personally a big fan of the christmas jumper and infact I feel that I don't own enough of them! Embrace it people, when else can you walk around as an adult wearing some version of Rudolph/Santa/a penguin/all of the above?

There are some great options on both the high street and the designer ends and my personal favourite is a demented snowman by Moschino (see below).

Come on now, let's not forget, if it is good enough for Colin Firth then it is good enough for you! Nobody likes a Scrooge.

Stella McCartney alpaca and wool blend sweater £670, H&M jacquard knit jumper £24.99, Topshop knitted snowflake cardi £65, Moschino snowman wool sweater £490, Jonathan Saunders knitted cotton sweater £315, New Look knit jumper £24.99.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/intl/home.nap
New Look Link
Topshop Link
H&M Link

girls on film

This music video is all about the video and nothing about the music even though I do quite like the song. Duran Duran's new video features the SUPERS, I'm talking Naomi, Eva, Helena, Yasmin and Cindy! The video was directed by Jonas Akerland from the Lady GaGa music video hall of fame and was styled by none other than Dolce & Gabbana and although it is nine minutes long the video is spectacular if only for the number of beautiful women that feature. The eternally beautiful and stunningly ageless models take on the roles of the members of Duran Duran and offer up a music video truly...well...super.

got a secret...can you keep it?

The Victoria's Secret Show kicks off later tonight so in the meantime enjoy some of last years show highlights. It's enough to make you want to never eat again...so skinny and so pretty, not fair!

This year is set to be even more impressive with 15 new Angel's taking to the runway and performance's from Nicki Minaj and Kanye West.

Time to hit the gym I think...

on the red carpet: lea michele

Princess Lea looked like a true glamour girl at last nights Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York City. The Glee girl wore a stunning and sparkly Jenny Packham dress. I think her simple make up and care free glossy hair don't distract from the dress at all although I would have liked to have seen a cute clutch or bracelet but I think that is just because I am an accessory fiend. Although variations of this nude glittery dress has been seen on the red carpet on one too many starlets one too many times, I rarely get sick of seeing such a winning combination done the right way. Lea looks truly lovely.

the teddy bear's makeover

Even though Pudsey bear has been rocking the white and red spotty eye patch for all these years, even the most famous bear in the country needs a make over once in a while. The iconic bear has been made over by British designers as Children in Need approaches in ten days.

Liberty, House of Holland, Giles, Mulberry, Erdem and PPQ bears.

Which bear is your favourite?

foxy lady

On Thursday night the Mulberry store in Spiningfields in Manchester hosted an event with Stylist magazine and I was one of the lucky few who got to tag along. The event was celebrating Stylist's 100th issue and 40 years of Mulberry and was showcasing the new collection. Some very dashing male models were walking around the store offering up some very lovely looking nibbles (sadly none of which I could eat as I am a vegetarian with a nut allergy) and also keeping the many shoppers fueled with some incredible drinks provided by Hoxton Gin. I got pretty tipsy to be honest, my beverage of choice was the coconut and grapefruit gin with cranberry juice and I think it has to be one of the nicest drinks I have had in a while which is a feat in itself considering I despise gin. Yasmin was there DJing as well as performing a live set and the ladies of stylist were walking around offering style advice. Tucked away in a corner two ladies were close to suffocation because of the number of people crowding around them, after closer inspection I realised they were doing free manicures using nail foils so I dove hands first into the growing queue. Mulberry were also giving away the new Elvina bag, a beautiful soft leather hobo in tan with a metal panel on the handle. Sadly, neither I or my friend Mica heard our name get called and instead a woman named Harriet claimed the prize only to ask if she could exchange it for a bag she actually wanted ungrateful cow. Despite the fact I didn't go home with the bag it was still a fabulous night and the golden balloon, fox mask and goody bag that I got to take home with me definitely softened the blow.

on the red carpet: amanda seyfried

Amanda Seyfried bought more than just a pop of colour at the London premiere of In Time last night. She showed off her killer legs in a H&M blue suit...yes H&M can you believe!? Not only is this fabulous look from the high street but it is also part of H&M's conscious collection which uses sustainable materials. She finished off the look with a H&M shirt and Sergio Rossi black pumps. I think this is a stellar look from head to toe, her glossy mane is just untamed enough to add to the suit rather than distract and the colour of the suit is perfect against her skin tone. I still can't believe it's not designer to be honest...does it come in any other colours I wonder? I want it.

want to be in cosmo?

Cosmo magazine is looking for female university students or recent graduates living in the UK who want to be in a feature in the magazine!!!

They are looking for girls who feel like they have undergone a transformation whilst being at universtiy. It can be any kind of transformation: weight loss? a big break up? going from being a geek at school to a party animal at uni?

All you have to do is comment on this post saying what kind of transformation you had and why you should be in the magazine. Leave your email address and someone will get back to you if you are chosen. Feel free to follow me as well...it could help your chances!

If you are interested please respond as soon as possible! Thanks xxx

in the bag

I often wonder what goodies people have hidden away in their handbag but bags, and the treasures or lack of, that people keep in them are often very personal. Well not today! Here is a little peek at the crap that floats around in my everyday bag as well as a bag for a night on the town.

Day time essentials...
1. a copy of this months Vogue
2. my iphone
3. a biro
4. headphones
5. Ray Ban sunnies
6. highlighter pens
7. a small bottle of Miss Dior Cherie
8. my purse
9. Moleskine diary
10. Benefit You Rebel tinted moisturiser
11. Chanel glasses
Bag by Topshop

Night time essentials...
1. my iphone
2. hairbands
3. Haute and Naughty mascara by MAC
4. Wonderwoman lipstick by MAC
5. my purse
Bag by Topshop

happy halloween

Did anyone get dressed up for the holiday?

topshop unique

About bloody time!

Sorry it has taken me forever and a day to do this post but I have been settling back in to my final year at university and away on holiday blah blah blah and didn't want to do a half hearted post. So here it goes...

After spending one month interning in the PR department for Topshop in April, I was asked to rejoin the team and work at the Unique show during London Fashion Week. The show was held at the Topshop show space in the Old Eurostar Terminals in Waterloo and just so happened to be the day before my 21st birthday best birthday ever. I was so nervous to rejoin the team after such a long time and the added pressure of fashion week meant that little to no sleeping/eating/breathing occured the day before show day. I arrived at Waterloo station with absolutely no idea where the Old Eurostar Terminals were and my usually trusty iphone app was letting me down, by a stroke of luck a girl in a last season Topshop Unique dress strutted past and I eagerly followed. I was then saved by Cressida and Holly, my faves from the PR team who safely guided me inside the venue. It was beautiful to say the least, completely full of sunlight. The afternoon went by in a blur, we were all given our clipboards and given an orientation of the building as well as the days events and set to work on labelling seats, laying out goodie bags and watching run through after run through. To my absoloute joy and surprise, myself and one of the official members of the Topshop team were responsible for the VIP seating canyoubelieveit so I quickly read the list of those sitting on the front row and set to work trying to hide my excitement. BEWARE SERIOUS NAME DROPPING AHEAD. I met Kelis, Olivia Palermo, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Caroline Sieber, Nicola Roberts, Ellie Goulding, Pixie Geldof, Eliza Doolittle, Marina Diamandis, Bip Ling, Sunday Girl, Harley Viera Newton, Clara Paget, Brix Smith Start and Yasmin. Good times. Oh and I must say that the nicest one was Marina, she was so lovely to me...asked what my name was and everything! There were other big names there of course but not seated in my section (Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast was there and Carolina Engman of Fashion Squad asked me to tell her which section she was sat in). The excitement really began when the Green family arrived with Naomi Campbell. I was truly starstruck when she walked in, it is not everyday you see someone that staggeringly beautiful. Then all the editors started to arrive and I could barely contain my excitement when one of the editors of W asked me to move him to a different section because being sat so near to the speakers would affect his tinitus. And then it happend, the most surreal moment of my life- Anna Wintour brushed past me. How pathetic does that sound "she brushed past me" but it was amazing! She is at the forefront of the industry I love and to see such an icon in real life was jaw dropping, I think I actually held my breath when she walked past me (she walked past me twice by the way). Anna induced hysteria commenced in the room, people were staring and photographers were under strict instruction to keep a certain distance and then just like that, the show began. The sound track was insane, Jay- Z into Ashanti and other hip hop classics finished off with Go by Delilah, seriously cool. The clothes echoed the hip hop tone set by the music, some with a much more glamourous look and others making a serious throw back to the 90s and then just as suddenly as it had started it was all over in 7minutes and 57seconds.

The best nearly 8 minutes of my life.

Sign me up for next season!

(the photos below were taken under stealth operation conditions as I didn't want to come across as some crazy person so excuse the poor quality. Most were taken while I pretended to be on the phone...oldest trick in the book)

ANNA!

trick or treat

I think I found my halloween costume...

I bet this girl got shit loads of candy dressed like that!

coming out of the closet

I just found this video of my favourite PR bitch, Kelly Cutrone, and her daughter Ava showing Bluefly.com around Ava's adorable little wardrobe. I am super excited to see Kelly bring her unique brand of honesty to the new season of America's Next Top Model early next year. In the meantime, enjoy this adorable video- my best bit is when Ava and Kelly discuss Diesel...you'll see.

wardrobe of horrors

halloween wishlist...

Getting in the spooky spirit...
Zadig & Voltaire leather shorts £360, Alexander McQueen skull brass box clutch £1,725, Marchesa velevt maxi skirt £1,750, Burberry London lether sleeved trench coat £1,195, Ksubi baddies t-shirt £65, Christian Louboutin ciociara leather ankle boots £695.
net-a-porter

karl

Thank the heavens!

Karl Lagerfeld is launching a range for the likes of you and I, can you believe it?

Launching in January the range, simply named 'Karl', will go on sale on the online fashion mecca net-a-porter. The collection will feature 100 yes 100 looks with a rock and roll vibe and prices will range from £52 to £391, which isn't too hard on the purse strings or the student loan.

Natalie Massenet, founder and co-chairman of the fashionable website said, "From the moment we saw the collection we were hooked and we can't wait to introduce this to a global fashion consumer for whom Karl Lagerfeld is an icon in his own right. The collection will speak to every woman who wants a bit of the inimitable fabulous street chic that Karl Lagerfeld is known for. And given Karl's fascination with all things modern, this will be a 21^st Century launch - globally available, in-season for instant gratification and harnessing the power of the digital media and social commerce.  It's truly an honour for us to collaborate with Karl and his team."

The new year couldn't come sooner!

on the red carpet: diane kruger

One of my favourite dressers ever! Diane Kruger has impecable style it helps that she is buddies with Karl Lagerfeld. She looked flawless on Thursday night at the Paris premiere of Special Forces wearing a Chanel jacket and matching mini skirt. The leather trousers underneath the skirt are a touch that very few can pull off, but as always Diane looks sensational. Skirts over trousers were a recurring trend in the Spring/Summer shows but I'm pretty sure this is the closest I will venture into the style. I guess I will just have to live vicariously through Diane.

the louboutin bar

Louboutin's and Grey Goose cocktails...sounds like heaven.


The shoe designer has created a bar for the Grey Goose Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John Foundation. The bar will go on auction on October 29th and the winning bid will not only get the fabulous red soled bar, but also a cocktail party on the date of their choice with cocktails served by their very own mixologist. As if that wasn't enough the lucky bidder will also get a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. 


So basically, I am devastated that realistically I can't even match the starting bid. Fingers crossed I get an invite to the cocktail party.