kim noorda

 

  Kim's World/ Tank Magazine Winter 2011/ Photographer: Viktor Vauthier

 

Happy Friday. These pictures of Kim Noorda are so beautiful. She's one of my all-time favourite models.

 

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dries van noten s/s 2013

Oh Dries Van Noten, can we be friends? I am seriously impressed by his Spring/Summer collection. The catwalk was awash with tartan, check and grid patterns. Usually I would shake my head in terror contemplating an outfit consisting of various tartan prints, but Van Noten makes it look easy. Importantly, it's the mix of different textures and fabrics which keeps the clashing prints in check. For example, combining light, chiffon layers with structured waistcoats keeps the collection looking modern and fresh; fluid lines turned boxy for the ultimate cool girl look. The added 3D flowers bring volume and interest to the clothing. And the colour palette is just perfect for me. Just amazing.

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top knot

The humble top knot is one of my go-to hair styles. It's low key and effortless but can also really make an outfit. It's a hairstyle any girl can easily achieve and can be worn in a multitude of ways. From a sleek, polished bun for a sophisticated and office-friendly look, to a cute, messy 'cool girl' top knot. Low, high, on the side - high fashion doesn't have to be fussy. Especially when you're having a bad hair day. Plus this is possibly one of the only hairstyles that can keep my curly hair in check (although I am constantly checking whether a mischievous curl is poking out). Anyway, this top knot tumblr has re-fuelled my love of buns of all shapes and sizes.

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cotton love

http://www.cottonlove.co.uk

Cotton Love is a online UK vintage store with a difference. They sell fashion foward pieces paying extra-special attention to the styling and appearance of the clothing, making it a welcome experience for the viewer. By displaying vintage pieces in an outfit form, they have created a lookbook of enviable outfits, making this a site of inspiration as well as a clothing store. I have only displayed a fraction of my favourites. They even have a small collection of designer brands, including this interesting leather roll top lunch bag (paper bags are SO last season).

Now, just need to start saving...

harlem days

Harlem Days/W March 2008/Photographer: Craig McDean

 

Happy Friday. Enjoy this Lara Stone editorial. These photographs are beautiful, plus the styling is perfection. Retro glamour a bit messed up and sexy. Harlem style.

 

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inspiration #1

via Vanessa Jackman

 

Can't get over how cute Cara looks on a bike! Note the personalised backpack.

 

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trend watch: reflections

From the top row: Louise Gray, Peter Pilotto, Giles/Jonathan Saunders

 

One of the trends I spotted at LFW S/S 2013 was the impractical use of reflective materials, be it fragments of mirror, glass or just high-shine fabric. High fashion wouldn't be high fashion without experimentation and wacky outfits. Plus I can see some benefits from wearing a mirrored dress, you could get away without carrying a compact mirror!

These pictures really don't give the outfits justice. Under the heavy lighting of the catwalk, these girls glittered in their reflective garments, see live streaming of Louise Gray to view for yourself. While Peter Pilotto and Louise Gray opted for mirrors to enhance their print-tastic, fun collections (Louise Gray's exclamation mark earrings a personal fave), contrastingly Giles used shattered glass to decorate his stunning dresses. Shattered glass usually reminds me of the all too familiar 'crunch' of treading on a broken bottle of Vodka walking around my inner-city neighbourhood. However glass was somehow made elegant, it could almost be mistaken for Swarovski crystal. Jonathan Saunders sliver, metallic skirt also deserves a mention, a skirt so shiny it could actually cause blindness. Admittedly, I'm not so sure I'll be rocking this trend come Spring 2013 out of fear of looking like a mirrored disco ball, but I still admire the new textures these London designers have implemented into their S/S collections.

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marios schwab s/s 2013

This is the first Spring/Summer collection that has really wowed me. At the risk of sounding like Miranda Priestly, I am pretty sick of the sight of ditsy florals and white minimalism for S/S, hardly ground breaking. Marios Schwab's collection appeared edgy and cool in comparison. Vogue appropriately described the collection as a show of "Amazonian Warriors", armed with black war paint and leather fringing to boot. I can almost hear Tyra Banks screaming from the fourth row (or wherever she's placed now) at how FIERCE these girls are looking.

The first model on the catwalk really set the tone of the collection. A floaty, mesh covered dress with an underlay of red poking through the black sheer fabric. Topped off with black leather fringing and sleek styling (poker straight hair and centre partings), this is masculine chic at its best. It's all about contrasts. Leather accents with soft pleating, beading, and feminine cuts. I really enjoy the cream dress with the hexagon print, even if it instantly reminded me of the 90s board game Blockbusters. Regardless, I would wear this collection in a heartbeat, good one Schwab!

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backstage smiles

 

I love looking at backstage photos at fashion week. Although I love the performance and theatre of runway, it's about the clothes not the models. Backstage, photographers single out the few moments before the show, and perhaps models are caught off guard when they, on occasion, break out into smile. Like proper big smiles. While they might actually be cursing life and fed up of the monotonous and exhausting reality of being a model during fashion week, there may be a slim chance that they're actually loving life and the awesome clothes they are wearing.

Big smiles spotted at: Rag & Bone/Marc by Marc Jacobs @ NYFW

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burberry prorsum s/s 2000

 

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2000; Photographer: Mario Testino

 

How fun are these campaign pictures of Kate Moss for Burberry? Proof that the iconic Burberry trench coat doesn't have to be worn in a completely polished and refined way. I say trench coats should be worn in a playful manner, not just a cover up for work. Wear it over a wedding dress ala Kate, or more realistically with some Converse and channel off-duty model chic (if failing that, David Tennant as the Doctor).

edit: best website ever!?

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what i wish i was wearing #1

I just had to share this street style picture from The Sartorialist. I love the slighly crumpled pinstripe buttonup paired with a yellow BLINGTASTIC (in the best way possible) jewelled necklace. It feels casual but so glam at the same time, topped off with low rise paisley trousers and bundles of mismatched bracelets.

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fanatic about prints

Peter Pilotto A/W 2012

Although I know it's fashion week and it's all about Spring/Summer 2013, every September I revisit A/W collections to refresh myself and get excited about the new season. Although I can't afford any designer clothing, and I'm pretty much broke all the time, I like looking at designer collections for things I can emulate and intergrate into my own wardrobe. So - new shapes, different ways of wearing things etc etc.

Anyway, i'm pretty mad about prints at the moment. As a devoted Liberty print fanatic, I instantly fall in love with intricate patterns, especially printed trousers. I just think they look amazing dressed down effortlessly with a grey marl sweatshirt and an interesting necklace. So, when I re-discovered Peter Pilotto's A/W collection I squealed with delight. Womenly silhouettes, splashes of blue, green and neon yellow, bedazzed beading, I was mesmerized. The collection is so engaging to the eye. Peter Pilotto even seems to make puffa jackets look cool (a trend I have been avoiding ever since it's comeback), surely he deserves a gold metal* for that?

*an unashamed reference to the olympics

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the vamoose

 

The Vamoose specialises in handmade jewellery and accessories. They have a lovely collection of necklaces with vintage chains, semi-precious stones, and fabric pom poms. Even more exciting is the fact that they are made in the UK, so no overpriced esty handling fees!