Best One Yet

H&M is on somewhat of a roll at the moment. Their sales have been going up in the past few months, with thanks to the Matthew Williamson for H&M range, which launches a second installment on the 14th. And this success also passed through into their most recent press day. 

I always look forward to H&M's press days, I'm not going to lie, mainly for the food and drink. There's champagne and goodies served on silver platters, a far cry from the high street. This time was no different, we sipped fresh orange spritzers and ate mini chocolate fondants- little pots of chocolatey heaven. I'm actually hungry thinking about them now. But anyway, I'm deviating. Back to the clothes.

As with all other press days thus far, the Balmain influence was glaringly obvious. It's all about the shoulders for AW 09. Dominant materials were leather, wool, suede and velvet. Accessorises included thick purple woolly hats, leather biker gloves, fur trimmed scarves and patent leather shoes, a little bit dominatrix and very chic for H&M.  I spied a cream leather jacket and black velvet dramatic shoulder dress that are on my latest wish list. I'm also really loving the floral bustier crop top that comes in store in a few weeks time, but can't decide if it is just a little too over the top 80s. 

Anyway, check the pics below.

Press Day, Day 2

I may be being a high street snob here, but I never usually go into New Look, half because I never find much I like and half because it means walking all the way down to the bottom of Oxford Street, and yes, I am lazy. But the promise of a £100 voucher for 10 minutes of browsing clothes drew me to the New Look A/W 09 press day. And it wasn't half bad. Held in a huge warehouse near Russell Square the press day boasted champagne, six different fresh juices, nibbles and goody bags, oh and some pretty decent clothes too.

Again, the Balmain influence was felt, but unlike River Island, New Look hadn't felt the need to get the Bedazzler out at every opportunity. Shoulder pads were added to blazers, soft wool sweaters and dresses, with only a few studs added for decoration. Mannequins wore some amazing soft leather skinny trousers with zips down the back that I intend to snap up when they hit the shelves. Perfect with the over sized jumpers also on the rails. There was also a gold sequin jacket reminiscent of Dolce and Gabbana teamed with worn jeans that looked very cool.

In the spirit of the high street ripping off designers there were a pair of sequin mid heel courts that were a dead ringer for the sequinned Miu Mius from a few seasons ago, except in black. There was also a Victorian feel evident, with cameo brooches adorning bows and hats. Black knee high lace up boots also fitted in this category, as did some black and gold shoe boots which had a military twist. I want.

However, it wasn't all good. New Look also latched onto the pleather hareem pants, but went one step further with full on sequin ones too. Now, I'm all for the comfort of hareem pants but the sequin pair were so shiny you'd look like you had wrapped tinsel around your legs. Not good. But overall ten times better than than River Island and, hey, it was worth the £100.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Okay, so the title may be a tad over the top, but it's sunny and it's press day season, which means one glorious thing; freebies abound. Although I'm sad to admit that they've gone way downhill. Take River Island for instance. I went to a press day of theirs about a year or so ago and it was amazing, and that's a word I never usually associate with River Island. There was free flowing champagne, ridiculously good cakes and brownies, beautifully ornate dresses that wouldn't look out of place in a Sex and the City scene, and, the best bit, a £100 voucher. 

But this year they've downsized times a million. Someone's been hit by the credit crunch, big time. The huge warehouse space has been traded in for the tiny PR showroom, champagne has been replaced with value orange juice and the vouchers and freebies are gone. Shame. But anyway, I guess you don't need to be handed freebies left, right and centre to appreciate fashion (but it definitely helps), so back to the clothes.

Hmm where to start? With the pleather hareem pants, or the tie-dye fur jacket or maybe the thigh high blue and silver stiletto boots. Yep, it wasn't great. There was a distinct Balmain influence, shoulder pads were everywhere, but everything was also rather tacky. It was like there had been a silver sequin and glitter explosion. A drag queen's paradise. Clothes were overly shiny and covered in studs and sequins. There were even some fur covered ankle boots a la Solange Knowles. 

There was a continuation of the 80s vibe that's taken over the high street of late, with a whole accessories range titled 'Bowie', comprising of neon pink triangular bags, oversized belts and earrings and electric purple and blue stilettos. A large amount of the A/W range was largely tacky, shiny and over the top, but it wasn't all bad. Oversized charcoal knits looked beyond comfortable and the leather fingerless gloves were the right amount of retro. There was also a pair of dove grey studded and slightly fringed peep toes that I may indulge in, but on the whole the collection wasn't enough to entice me back into River Island again.

Balmain Bluffing

About a week ago I went to the Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair in Bethnal Green and have been meaning to write about it but erm... well, just never did. Getting there an hour and a half too early was a mistake but I didn't want a repeat of the Angels vintage sale where I ended up queuing behind about 1000 overly eager people. Thankfully this was a much calmer affair. The fair itself was quite small and there wasn't that much tantalising vintage booty to be honest. There was an amazing stall of vintage inspired head pieces made using pearls, feathers and vintage brooches but they were in the range of £70. Hmmm, wasn't this supposed to be the affordable vintage fair? There was also some authentic vintage corseted basques in white satins and cotton that I'm kicking myself for not buying. The pop up tea shop with cupcake proved too distracting. Damn cake weakness.

However I spied a woman trying on a black sequin jacket and willed her to put it down. I was ready to say to her 'I wouldn't bother if I were you' and then snap it up for myself (all's fair in love and fashion) but needn't have as she discarded back on top of a pile of musty wares. Needless to say I grabbed it and promptly handed over the £10 price tag. I got the jacket home, added some shoulder pads and silver buttons and voila, it's the closest to Balmain I will probably ever get. Unfortunately. But I'm pretty happy with my efforts andplan on wearing it for my first day working at Tatler on Monday.

 

Legging Love

I came across these leggings on a website called Style Stalker, an Australian website and online store. They are inspired by Rodarte, and I reckon would look great with some layered oversized vests and brogues. However, I am definitely not willing to spend $59 on a pair of leggings so am considering making my own. I might just burn some cigarette holes in a pair of leggings in the same pattern, although I could just end up looking like I've had a messy night on the town...

Latest Inspiration

So as usual I've been AWOL from this recently, but with good excuse. The dissertation, or to be exact, the subjugation of the American press during the McCarthy era and modern echoes of McCarthyism apparent in the Bush administration in press and government alike. Phew. But, I am now finished *gets up and does victory dance for longer than necessary*. Yep finished, albeit 4000 word over the limit but whatever. FINISHED!

Aah now back to spending mindless hours trawling the Internet and drooling over clothes. Firstly I'm buying these glasses. Well I would be if an evil ATM hadn't swallowed by card, but not to worry, a minor setback in the path to owning these frankly amazing 50s glasses. My flatmate hates them. Thoughts?

They kind of remind me of the cat's eyes glasses that Marilyn Monroe dons for How to Marry a Millionaire, don't you think? Even more reason to buy them in my opinion. I absolutely love Marilyn and will rattle on to anyone that will listen about just how much. I also completely stand by the theory that she was murdered by the Kennedys for knowing too much. But anyway I'm deviating...

Happenings Across The Pond

As I am having quite the love affair with my dissertation at the moment; devoting my every waking moment to it, offering it many pretentious words and beckoning tomorrow so to be reunited with it once more (yes, I am being sarcastic, not insane), I have gone for the lazy option of a picture heavy post.

As everyone may or may not know, Topshop (my first love, sorry dissertation) has jumped shores and opened up across the pond in the glorious NYC. The lavish opening ceremony yesterday saw a frenzied queue, Kate Moss dancing on a step and snipping the ribbon barrier, a pompous looking Philip Green and a celebrity or two. However, I am jealous. Not that I don't love and devote my loyalty to our good old Oxford Circus flagship, but the NY store on Broadway and Broome just looks so shiny and new, it's hard not to feel a twang of impassioned jealousy. 

And also next time I visit New York I can no longer return with a smug smile and the knowledge that, no matter how good the shopping may be, they don't have their very own Topshop. Except now they do. And it looks better. Hence jealous.

Sex In London

Sex In The City is frankly past it's best. Somewhere around season 3 was my favourite, when Carrie was undecided between Big and Adain, no one was yet boring and settled and the show was truly seen as a fashion force to be reckoned with. Hot Child In The City was also the best episode ever. A couple of seasons later it all ended with a climatic Paris triste, everyone mourned it for a while and we all did the 'which character are you' quiz in Grazia, well I did anyway. It ended on a high, and went out while it was on top. But then, well, it didn't.



By the time the film rolled around, I think I was fairly over the phenomenon. Granted I went to see the film, cried a bit when Big left Carrie jilted, and went out for some girlie cocktails afterwards. But in Peckham, not New York, unfortunately. It was a bit less glamorous. But the whole film just felt a bit, well, past it. I wasn't into watching a wrinkly woman pushing 50 having sex. The characters felt like my mum, and the last two sentences should never be associated again. Gross.

And now we have to see it all again. There's a sequel on its way. What more can they do? Surely every possible scenario has been covered, short of killing them all off. Well, actually that might be the plan. There has been whispers of killing off Samantha. Her breast cancer is set to return and this time not all the brightly coloured wigs of her last bout can save her. Kim Cattrall is apparently fighting this decision and battling to save her promiscuos alter ego, probably because if there's a third she'll lose out on big bucks. I hope Samantha isn't disposed off, she was always the most fun; surely they could kill off the boring Big instead? But apparently they've got other plans for him.

The rest of the plot sees Big being affected by the credit crunch, losing all his dosh and moving to London to live a life of lesser luxury, where he becomes depressed and beds another woman. Carrie finds out, freaks out, flies out to comfront him, leaves him, and then realises (sound effect) dun dun dun, she's preggers. This could all change however, as scripts are still in the first draft stages. But one thing that should stay the same is the innovative fashion. Patricia Field again takes the reigns with Vivienne Westwood set to lend a helping hand. Vivienne originally wanted to write the script, but after a polite no she's on board for wardrobe instead, most probably a much more apt place for her. The clothes may be more age appropriate for your mum, but will still be worth a look. And yes, I will go and see it, despite my ranting. I may even take a trip to the set when they film in London this winter for a sneaky peak. Yes, I am that sad.


Sex And The City at its vintage best.


Hot Child In The City. Best episode ever.

Carrie: How old are they?
Samantha: Thirteen.
Carrie: But they sound....
Samantha: I know...
Carrie: And they dress...
Samantha: I know, just like us.

Going, Going, Gone

Supermodel, Texan and Alexander Wang muse Erin Wasson held a garage sale last Saturday that I would have actually chopped my own arm off to attend. I'm not joking.

The 'garage' sale was held in her boyfriend's LA boutique Rogue Status so not exactly a garage but oh well. Erin wanted to rid herself of wardrobes past and donated anything that hadn't been worn for 6 months. "My style has gotten a lot simpler and now that I'm designing, I want to wear my own stuff." All proceeds of the sale went to an animal charity. Girl after my own heart. The sale included "Balenciaga, Givenchy, Burberry and Chanel and a sizeable cache of Marc Jacobs" with nothing priced over $100 and much for $20.  Oh. My. God. Chanel for a tenner?! I may actually have even swam to LA if I could do more than the doggy paddle.

Chaos was expected and as soon as the frothing at the mouth (probably) bargain hunters got through the doors, the racks were cleared within minutes- a pair of Balenciaga shoes given to Erin personally by Nicholas Ghesquiere sold within seconds. 

I'm afraid I can't write anymore, I'm overcome with envy, but if this ever happens in London then I'm setting up a campsite outside.

The only things left on the racks after 5 minutes.

Louis Vuitton Gets Something Right

The shoes of the season. Start drooling. Start saving. Copies guaranteed to be flooding the high street any day now.

The Lonely Shoes

There are many things I like; Ribena, my laptop, Gossip Girl, funny ducks, the crime channel, vintage everything. There are fewer things I love; red velvet cake, animals, sleeping, Marilyn Monroe. But the thing I love the most? Shoes. Ah shoes, my biggest vice. I think about them constantly, I plan my outfits around them, draw them, talk to them, I can’t go into town without buying a pair (my bank balance hates me). I know it’s ridiculously sad, but I really don’t care.

But recently, something sad has happened. As I cleaned my room to keep me from doing the ‘d’ word (dissertation, shhh) I found some shoes that I’d forgotten about. They were covered in dust, hidden behind a chair looking very lonely. Poor shoes.

It was looking at these lonely shoes when I realised my brogue phase may have to calm down. Instead of panic buying brogues in every colour I’ve decided it’s time to wear my shoes in rotation. It’s only fair to the shoes after all. Obsessed, me? No…



The lonely shoes, now all clean and shiny. In the spirit of rotation, I’m wearing the red ones into Look tomorrow.



And my prized Loubotins that had a five minute outing at LFW only to get a scratch on them and go quickly back in the box. Ican’t bring myself to wear them!

Out With The Old And In With The New? Er, No Actually.

If rumours are to be believed then looking at autumn’s ad campaign one could be forgiven for thinking they’d be transported back to 1990. Except, maybe without pastel shell suits and New Kids On The Block, thank God.

We’re facing the return of the supermodel. Yves Saint Laurent’s Stefano Pilati is intent on bringing back the 1990’s leading ladies. His past campaigns have included Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, and now it’s the turn of American former supermodel Christy Turlington. And to be honest, thank God, it’s about time. If I have to open another fashion magazine to be confronted by Pixie Geldof’s vacuous face, I’ll probably be more tempted to use it as a dartboard than admire her ‘innovative’ sense of style. I’m beyond sick of celebuspawn brats clogging covers. If I see another one staring blankly at me from my local’s newsagent’s shelf I might actually pick it up, storm over to the till, all arms waving and have a rant at the unsuspecting man behind the counter. Then I’d never be able to go back in there, and that would be a shame. I like my local newsagents. They have everything in there. Particularly mini rolls.

So, seriously Pixie and co. leave it to the professional, okay? Thank you.


Turlington in her hey day.


Supermodel Cindy set to make a comeback.


Claudia hasn't left the modelling scene since she first started.


You are not a model. God. Thinking you are just makes you extra annoying.



And finally, Adriana Lima, because I love her.

Moss Musings

Word on the street is that Kate Moss is getting married. In a recent interview she slipped up while perusing some dresses and gasped ‘Oh that would be perfect for the wedding,” her eyes settling on a beaded 20s flapper. I’m not that interested in whether Kate’s getting married or not, more curious as to why she’s still such a sought after model. Most recently she was photographed for a future Yves Saint Laurent fragrance and has numerous other lucrative contracts up her scrawny sleeve.




And I’m not just being mean. She used to be a stunner. I’ll even forgive her for that annoying Croydon accent. But recently she just looks a bit haggard, don’t you think? Years of fags, booze, late nights and sniffing cocaine through fivers is taking it’s toll. But this doesn’t seem to stop Kate from booking every campaign going. It’s weird, aren’t you supposed to retire at 20 in the modelling world? But whatever, fair play to her, I guess, whatever she has that has designers kissing her feet she should bottle and sell, probably to Agyness Deyn who has my vote for model most likely to be working in Tesco in the next five years...




Spot the difference...

Guinea Fowl and Matthew Williamson

This post is starting much like the last one- with a sheepish apology. I have been M.I.A. recently trying to sort out the foggy situation that is my future. This adds up to frantically attempting to nab a 'real' job and working at Look magazine. Look has been fun and I have learned a lot so far. Namely that Look and Grazia don't exactly see eye to eye, Danny Dyer cheats on his wife with cheap air hostesses, Alexa Chung wants £10,000 for a single interview and the IPC canteen is the most amazing place on earth. Guinea fowl and banoffee pie for lunch for under a fiver. Bye bye Pret.

But anywho. As everyone is probably not as much of a glutton as me and doesn't want to discuss the joys of guinea fowl, let's talk fashion. It’s no secret that Matthew Williamson’s H&M range launches next month, but up until now no one had seen the campaign’s images. A sneak peak of Daria Werbowy cavorting in Williamson’s famed prints was up on the net today. What you may not know is that these shots, that look like any other studio, were taken in Mexico. Just because. Nice to know that the credit crunch isn't affecting some people.

Only The Loot Can Make Me Happy

If anyone reads this blog, apologies for it being lazy recently. I've been forcing myself to finish a piling mountain of literature reviews and exit dossiers and things of that nature, all equaling one thing, severe banality and boredom. But never fear, with them out of the way (until the looming hell that is dissertation finally catches up with me) I can again concentrate on the frivolity of fashion. Yay!

So, I've had a birthday recently. I usually would never mention this as it means getting older and the onslaught of that first dreaded wrinkle, but I'll make an exception in this case. Only because birthday money is so fun and ensures a guilt free splurge. Result. Below are the fruits of my labour, shopping labour that is.



I've been on the hunt for a navy blazer for ages, and this Urban Outfitters one just about doesn't make me look like a schoolgirl in a policeman's jacket. The skirt is a version of the Topshop photographic floral dress that sold out in a nano second a few weeks ago, and of course I had to get some more brogues as my love affarir with them continues. I know the striped shirt looks a little like pyjamas/a jail shirt, but O like it anyway. I plan on wearing the gold sandals when the weather gets warmer in about five months. Or never. Maybe I was a bit too eager there.



These sequin leggings were bought on a whim from eBay and may be a huge mistake. It has crossed my mind that I could end up looking like a member of the McQueen family from Hollyoaks. We shall see...




I'm loving tulip shaped skirts at the moment, hence the stipy number, and I'm also having a sock fetish.

Over and out.