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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