The print invasion
I've never been into wearing patterns. In fact, I don't own a single printed item. I just ran to my closet to double check and it's true - not a single thing. For some reason prints have always felt a bit dated and tacky rather than something to covet. This all changed recently though.
It might have been that print from Celine ss11 or those knitted jacquard trousers that Susie rocked so well. Whatever it was, the tectonic plates have shifted and suddenly prints are sitting at the very forefront of my mind. I want them. I want to be doused in prints from head-to-toe and the more obnoxiously painful it is to look at the better.
Okay, dramatic antics aside. When I went to My Wardrobe's ss12 press day last week my obsession was solidified. Patterns were everywhere and especially noticeable on the trousers. From Current Elliot's spotted jeans to By Malene Birger's green silk trousers - almost every brand had snuck a pair into their collection. When I met the womenswear buyer Georgina Coulter we started talking about the selection on show. 'I love it!' I cooed, 'The prints are amazing.' 'I know,' she replied, 'have you seen the Elizabeth & James printed suit?' Embarrassingly I was holding it behind me about to take a photo, it was one of my favourite looks. Although, I'll still always be a sucker for the basics... I would gladly live in J Brand's grey sweatshirt and black leather trousers.
In limbo
This is my attempt at getting dolled up. I wore this to the Alice + Olivia party last night that I never quite made it to. Nothing quite beats a low messy bun, dark lipstick and the perfect black dress. It's a failsafe tripartite that every woman should have easily at hand. I'm in love with this dress, it's so easy to wear and gorgeous from the back. Minimal effort, maximum impact - exactly the way I want to dress.
Wearing: Stylein ss12 dress, DAGMAR bracelet, LiLiFi clutch, Cooee ring and Balenciaga boots.
Photos by Charlie
What about Bob?
Saddle shoes and coloured denim are currently all I want in my life. Swedish Hasbeens and 2nd Day are both on my wishlist for spring/summer 12. Get in my life you two, you are both perfection. Bob is also perfect. He's my new best friend and wears a Louis Vuitton collar. Fancy.
Photos taken at Varg
Just a little leopard.
Leopard print is normally so not my thing. But, in small doses I can definitely handle it. Like on ballet flats for example or on a clutch bag (speaking of which I have some freaking naughty leopard makeup bags to show you soon). Or, you know, as a small detail on an otherwise simple cream coat. Felt like I was channeling my inner diva in this little number. Why is it that animal print instantly makes me want to hop in a stretch limo and smoke a long cigarette... I blame 101 Dalmatians and my childlike urge to be Cruella - minus the animal cruelty and nasty attitude, of course.
Anyway, apologies for the single picture. I took a bunch more but the lighting was just so dark (curse you England and your 3pm sunset) that they all look a bit harsh. Thankfully Kit managed to snap this little behind the scenes shot of me and Shini... and bizarrely this turned out to be my favourite one.
p.s. the winner of the DKNY giveaway is Jodie Lancaster! Congratulations. x
Wearing: Vivetta CrisCris coat, Seven for all Mankind skinny jeans and SAMBAG tote.
Chameleon
Ever since I discovered the joy of manipulating colours I can't edit photos without getting sucked into an endless spiral of swapping out the shades. Of course, this isn't really true to the outfit or the items pictured... but I still kind of love it. Unfortunately, tonights antics have left me feeling that my real colours are a bit inadequate and now I want to hit the shops in search of coordinating trousers and clutches. The concept of matching your belt to your shoes and then to your handbag might be a sartorial myth far removed but the idea is getting a modern day reinvention in my little head.
Photo taken by Shini
Wearing: Vivetta CrisCris coat, Mulberry pink heart pouch, Seven for all Mankind skinny jeans and Kurt Geiger Snake Large Pouch (both with colours manipulated).
Colour play
Love the mix of deep purplish-blue clolours in her hair, coat, and lips. Injecting tough sequins/glitter and maroon into any outfit is an instant way to make it just a little bit better.
You're my hero.
Back in September I had the chance to style up this bright statement coat for the December issue of Asos magazine. It was absolutely boiling outside and my posing in the street with a big bold coat certainly got me a few strange looks from passerby's. Massive thank you to Asos for including me in their magazine and to Fredrik, my true hero, for taking the photos.
Here's just a little peek at a few of my favourite shots. Worn with: Photo 1 - Laird & Co hat, Elizabeth Lau Guvnor jumper and Patouf skirt. Photo 2 - Valentino dress (just seen), Celine clutch, Zara heels. Photo 3 - Seven for All Mankind skinny jeans and Converse. Photo 4 - Patouf striped jumper, American Apparel large leather clutch, jeans as before and Balenciaga boots.
S14
Today I took the obligatory Sunday trip to the airport... errm, to buy groceries* (sadly, not to jet off anywhere exciting). Everything in Zurich is closed so, unless I feel like paying 10 quid for a bottle of milk from the shop below my flat, the only option is to head to the flughafen**. Thankfully, it's only a short trip away. So, winter seems to have come early, it's absolutely freezing outside and I'm likely to catch myself a cold because I'm still refusing to put on socks. Ha. Does anyone else find the transition away from summer as painful as I do? All I want to wear is this oversized waffle knit jumper. It's so cozy. In other news, this hat seems to be superglued to my head (much to my husband's distaste) and I like the combination of maroon, army green and navy. That's all. Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.
Wearing: Banana Republic XL jumper (it's the only size jumper that's acceptable this time of year, I do believe), J.Crew peacoat, Zara trousers and shoes, Fjällräven backpack, and random knit hat from Tübingen.
*No, I don't normally wear heels to buy groceries - those were just special for you.
**Impressed by my German? I'm listening to some Michel Thomas learn-a-language-at-home cds - hopefully I'll be able to string together a sentence soon.
Cambridge Remix
There's nothing I love more than a classic revamped.
I remember the first time I spotted the flouro Cambridge Satchel Bag. I was in an Urban Outfitters and it was dangling from the end of a rail - in all its bright hot pink fluorescent glory. I rushed to it like some sort of deluded nut-case and held it in my arms. I still wish I had gone ahead and bought it, if only I had known the way it would go on to torment me. It's the epitome of bag perfection (for under 100 quid, that is). I love how this girl at London Fashion Week tucked in the strap of hers, instantly transforming it from a tomboyish piece into a statement it-bag. Oh, the versatility of this little beauty. If only they could figure out a way to make it change colours...
Flower power
I'm completely mesmerized by the prints from Aminaka Wilmont's ss12 collection: the milky grey colour palette with shoots of science fiction flavoured brights. Medieval style armour has been recreated into something soft and delicate - covered in florals and fitted to the female form. I'm desperate to see these pieces in person and see how it feels to have on. I love that to contrast such elaborate pieces there are simple printed vest tops included in the line - technically these are probably more my style, although now I want to be covered in floral armour...
Coming up for breath...
Oh, hello there.
Surface to Air's ss12 collection might not be a bundle of revolutionary design but it's stuffed full of silhouettes that have been bubbling under the... err... surface of mainstream fashion. Most notably, the dress-over-trouser pairing - which has been creeping up on the catwalk for the past few seasons. The only people I've seen sporting this look though are the free spirited hippie-types who clearly aren't rocking it because Nicolas Ghesquière told them to. But these two-part printed combinations are pretty much perfect and a failsafe way to try out the trend. Plus, they'd work just as well worn as separates. Yes, it's clearly high time for the dress-over-pant look to get its proper revival.
Also coveting from this collection: slubby knits, the mint coloured simple dress, sheer details, bright pops of yellow and blue, the matching glittery lurex skirt/top, and the tops with shoulders cut out.
Photos via Style.com/View full collection here
Nerdy
That's me, sitting on the edge of a fountain in Zurich, wearing a few of my favourite things. Stripes, shirts buttoned up all the way, knuckledusters, oversized clutches, and jeans you never want to take off are what I'm currently glued to. I whacked the cuffs off this shirt the other day. Once upon a time it was part of my school uniform and had the most massive cuffs that reached down past my fingers. Getting rid of them was definitely a good idea.
Wearing: Patouf Meja wool jumper, 7 for all Mankind jeans, American Apparel large leather pouch, Balenciaga boots (not shown), Alexander McQueen knuckleduster and Brookes Brother shirt.
Disconnect
Last week I ditched on the internet for a couple of days and went to Germany with my family who were visiting. We drove through the Black Forest, watched the leaves change colour and ate unnatural amounts of schnitzel. It was so good. Love being able to jump in a car and be places like this in an hour. Photos taken in Tübingen, Rheinfalls, Titisee and the Black Forest.
Wearing: YSL sunglasses, H&M jumper, AA t-shirt, Alice by Temperley scarf and 7 for all Mankind jeans.
Sandro
Suddenly it's cold and it seems I have no idea how to dress for wintery weather. Not quite sure how this happened but I'm blaming my inability to get dressed on the balmy weather that's been around since March and my unyielding refusal to layer.
Thankfully there's Sandro to give a bit of inspiration. Their no-nonsense approach to clothing is exactly what I need in my life. Nice knits, slim legged trousers, biker jackets, shirts with cute collars... yes please, I'd gladly take the lot. This is exactly what I wish I was wearing this week.
Photos via Sandro
Maria Grachvogel ss12
Backstage at the Maria Grachvogel ss12 show... model's were turned into sci-fi looking creatures with slicked back hair and sweeps of painterly green eyeshadow. I loved the zigzag parts created by Kenna and the ghd team - they made it look as if a lighting bolt had zapped down the middle of each model's head.
I loved the simple dress shapes and crisp colour palette of white, green, pink, and nude. The draping was gorgeous and flattering with billowing dramatic sleeves. Wishing that I lived the sort of exotic life where I can wear a white deep v-neck dress like the one below everyday...
Thank you ghd for inviting me backstage and to the show.
Please note: just a friendly reminder that, unless otherwise stated, all photos featured on this blog are my own. If you use them please credit accordingly. Thank you! x