Drip-drop...
Pounding hail and scorching heat.... the weather currently feels about as fickle as a high school girl before prom. With temperatures planned to creep up to the 30s this week I can't really fathom wearing anything other than loose silk tops and jersey skirts. I'm currently obsessed with this double layered Ruby Smallbone latte coloured top. Perfect for adding a bit of something special to an otherwise pretty standard outfit and the basis of my summer uniform.
Spent most of Sunday hiding from the rain. Either on a tram, in someone's window frame or under a floral umbrella. But it was okay because I spent most of Saturday soaking up the sunshine by the river. Also, drank lots of iced coffees and failed to remember that here everything closes on a Sunday. Ah, weekends are so good. Hope everyone enjoyed it.
Wearing: Ruby Smallbone top (HPR London), Monki skirt, Retro Super Future sunglasses, & YSL arty ring.
Monochromatic
Oh, if only the web were my personal closet and I could put outfits together like Cher in the opening scene of Clueless the world would be a better place. I'd be rocking each of these outfits respectively over the weekend. I know colour blocked brights, bold stripes, and mashed up prints are all the rage these days - but you know, sometimes a healthy dose of monochromatic dressing feels like what the doctor has ordered. And by doctor I mean his wife (and by doctor I mean the dubious sort that Ross is in Friends*)...
Anyway, so basically I got seriously sucked into the Weekday website recently after spotting this achingly cool cougar t-shirt (hello, Givenchy AW11 anyone?). They've got loads of simple basics, which I love, and very sweet accessories that are pretty reasonably priced. I like a pair of sunglasses I can snag for under a 50... that way I don't have to feel too guilty if I accidentally sit on them. Yumyum.
Hope everyone has a good weekend! x
Featured: Outfit one - Carolina Solid Tee White, Camille Shorts Sheer Black, Gemini sunglasses, Armour ring, Hexagon Necklace in purple, Zara Plain Basket Shopper and Crossover Sandal. Outfit two - Boy Tee Panther t-shirt, Telekinesis sunglasses, Proenza Schouler PSI small leather bag and Zara Quilted Identity Sandal with Buckle.
*yes, I still draw reference uncontrollably to a show that went off the air over seven years ago
Hooked
The truth is I have a problem.
I'm not too sure when it started, but I'm undeniably addicted to grey tri-blend t-shirts from American Apparel. When we moved over to Zurich a couple of months ago I only brought a suitcase with me. The rest of our stuff is sadly still sitting in a storage unit outside Oxford. So what did I choose, out of all my worldly goods, to bring with me in my one suitcase? Well, by the look of it a big pile of grey t-shirts. Seriously, what's a girl to do with a cabinet full of t-shirts?! And, embarrassingly... these are just the grey ones. I've got more in blue, black and white.
So, now you know... I'm full on addicted to AA tri-blend t-shirts and it's a little embarrassing. On normal days you're pretty much guaranteed to find me wearing one, I just can't help it. Am I the only one that goes all out nuts for one item? Please tell me I'm not.
Featured: all in athletic grey tri-blend - short sleeve track shirt in medium and large, short sleeve deep v-neck in small and large, rib cardigan, and racerback tank.
Style Crusades
About a month ago, I hosted a small event for a group of people to get together and discuss personal style. If you follow me on twitter or facebook chances are you might have heard about it there... it proved quite the challenge because, while the event was held in London, most of it was planned from Zurich. That, combined with having to find a new venue the day before the event, resulted in a serious headache and most things not going exactly to plan. Despite scorching London temperatures and getting trapped in a tube for an hour on the day, it all went surprisingly well.
The event was the first step in developing a company I'm hoping to set up over the next couple of months. A personal styling business that is aimed at helping people establish their own sense of style while, at the same time, introducing them to new and smaller brands/designers that will suit their lifestyle. The idea came about after an early morning flight from London to Zurich where I sat next to a German lawyer who showed an incredible interest in fashion but lacked the time and knowledge to find clothes that suited her lifestyle. We chatted the entire flight, mind you I never talk to people on planes especially not at 6am, and I left in a slightly dizzied whirlwind.
Style Crusades is the little love-child of everything that goes into this blog...
With special thanks to: Ella's Bakehouse, Vitamin Water and Exposure, My Wardrobe, Flik Hall, Laird & Co Hatters, Robinson Pelham, Golden Goose PR, Elizabeth Lau, Quiksilver, Tea & Cake PR and the Ehrmans for the last minute venue. Photos by Kit Lee.
I'm currently looking for brands that suit the profile and women in the London area interested in having a wee little rummage with me through their wardrobe. If you'd like to get involved in the project or want more information shoot me an e-mail: jennifer.e.inglis@gmail.com
The Style Crusader Loves...
What can I say man, I'm a big o'l sucker for good basics. Sure they might not appear all that revolutionary but, frankly, I'm a pretty simple girl and I don't like a whole lot of fuss when I'm getting dressed. Which is exactly why I love Chinti & Parker so very much. When I spotted this Breton striped mini skirt on their site earlier today I just about keeled over with excitement. For me, this is the epitome of perfection. I love a bold solid stripe as much as the next girl, especially in the summer with a good tan and big sunglasses, so I'm pretty sure that I would be best friends with this little baby all season. I'm also loving their pocket tee and the bamboo/cashmere knit dress. I think all three items should make a straight dash for my closet where they would live happily ever after...
Off Schedule
Maldoror backstage and front of show at Fashion Week Poland. Shown as part of the Off Schedule collections... totally surreal and entirely bizarre. Dark, gothic, and vampish but doused in red sequins. Such a stark contrast from the wearable pieces shown in most of the collections... serious love.
Check it
A checked printed shirt never felt quite as fresh as when it's made by TBA and has a little triangular hole cut out right in the middle of your tummy. I wore this outfit on the morning of our last day at Fashion Week Poland. We attended the On/Off shows at the most incredible location - a totally surreal and creepy abandoned building. I made the mistake of assuming the floors were clean and, after kneeling down in the middle of a show, found myself completely covered in grey dust. The collections being shown were as raw as the building itself... but I'll save a bit of that for tomorrow.
Wearing: TBA checked top AW11 and Paul & Joe wedges (both HPR London), Nudie Jeans long john skinny (My Wardrobe), and Ralph Lauren zebra havana glasses. Photos by Shini.
Andel’s Hotel Łódź
I wish I could have spent another week in Łódź, where Fashion Week Poland took place last week. The hotel that kindly hosted Kit, Shini and I during our time in the city was a dream. With incredibly friendly staff and top notch standards, it felt like a mecca for Poland's creative types with most rooms seemingly filled with designers, press, or general fashion folk. While I've mentioned it before, Andel's Hotel is an absolute force. A converted textile mill that was first established in 1878, it now boasts four stars and hosts guests like Shakira when they find themselves in the area. The huge complex was transformed in just two short years and the building pays homage to the people that worked to convert it with spray painted portraits of staff hidden around the complex. To be honest, it feels one-part hotel one-part art museum... walls are deconstructed and art work lines the corridors. The building itself was as inspiring as the fashion on show. I'm hoping I'll get the chance to go back and visit again. Not least because I never had the chance to dip my toes in the crazy beautiful roof top pool...
Fashion Week Poland
Just a little selection of some of my favourite looks from Fashion Week Poland. I wanted to grab entire outfits off models as they strutted their stuff down the catwalk. From nun-inspired headwear to billowing Lanvin-like fabrics that resembled poisonous jelly fish... no two designers were the same and each offered something entirely different from the one that came before. From the mixed reviews I had heard before attending, I was expecting a slew of creations of poor quality with little imagination.
While the designs were noticeably more simple than what you might see in London, with styling kept quite minimal and layers few, it was a refreshing change from the avant-garde looks that quite often take centre stage. The wearability of the collections was stark. This isn't fashion that should be kept to the red carpet or plastered onto Lady Gaga, these are things that real women could wear. Plus, the prices of items are insanely reasonable compared to what you'd find in other cities. After seeing these collections, I'm saving my pennies to invest in some Polish designers for Autumn.
Featuring collections by: Joanna Klimas, Zuo Corp, BohoBoco, and Agata Koschmieder
Wuudge...
As a non-Polish speaker, I've been walking around saying that I'm going to Polish Fashion Week in Lodz.. As it turns out, Łódź is pronounced more like Wuudge. Who would have guessed? Ah, mere rookie error.
Arriving into Poland for the first time was a bit surreal. The sky was entirely clear on the flight from Zurich and I got a bit lost in the intricate patterns of symmetrical blocks of shaded green farmland. I couldn't help but wonder whether the entire country was comprised of a jigsaw of potatoes and cabbage...
Later in the afternoon, after a train ride spent sitting on the floor with a box of macaroons, Kit, Shini and I were checked into Andel's Hotel Lodz. A seriously magnanimous building that used to house Poland's largest textile mill but is now home to both a hotel and an impressive conference facility. The hotel has been kind enough to sponsor our stay while in the city and I can't think of a better way to be welcomed to the country for the first time - it is beautiful.
After getting a little guided tour around the massive complex today, much of the time spent oogling at exposed original brick work and scouting out hidden pieces of art spray painted onto the walls, we headed out back to explore the wondrous delicacies that Lodz has in store. Strangely we wound up at a Mexican restaurant and then wandered the aisles of a grocery store looking for conditioner. Tomorrow the goals are to swim in the rooftop pool and make it over to see some shows at Polish Fashion Week.
Wearing: Ralph Lauren Zebra Havana sunglasses, Obakki Lily dress (HPR London), Paul & Joe bag (HPR London) and Madewell jacket.
all packed.
Heading over to the airport to fly to Warsaw for Polish Fashion Week. Incredibly excited as this is my first trip to Poland. I'll be staying in the Andel's Hotel Lodz with Shini and Kit. Is it bad that I'm most looking forward to swimming in their roof top pool? Oh, and the fashion too of course...
I'm packing wedges and leather handbag from Paul & Joe (HPR London), boots by Balenciaga, felt crushable hat from Laid & Co Hatters at the Royal Exchange, Quiksilver flashing lights bikini, Moleskine notebooks, and TBA Mira Dress (HPR London).
Striped
Hot summer in the city is second only to hot summer on the beach... but for now, I'll take what I can get and enjoy the warm weather inland. Easy breezy dressing is what I'm most a fan of. Why pile on multiple layers when one will do? The more straightforward the better, as far as I'm concerned, and when straightforward comes in the form of an impossibly perfect striped Missoni dress, well, I might as well be in heaven.
Wearing: M Missoni striped dress (My Wardrobe), hat from Laird & Co. Hatters, Retro Super Future sunglasses and Rainbow leather sandals.
the Deviant
TVG teaser.
Tess Van Ghert black crocodile bag and bracelets worn by Daniella in east London last week. Paired with Ruby Smallbone double silk layer top AW11 (HPR London), ckone slouchy slim jeans and white converse.
Mixing intense luxury with laid back basics is what it's all about...
Malababa
You know it's getting to be summer when your Facebook feed is filled with overly saturated photos of countless people sipping cocktails next to bright blue pools... instead of clicking the small 'x' next to all my friends faces I've started dreaming about what I'd like to take in my bag when I slip away somewhere warm. Bright accessories, simple jewelry, and a pair of hard wearing gladiator-like leather sandals (and by gladiator I mean what they might have actually worn... not all those gold, flimsy, wrap around up to your knee things that have been so popular).
Just discovered this Spanish brand called Malababa. Their site is stuffed full of soft leather bags and cool little accessories... perfect for hot holidays I'm thinking. All items available here. There is also a selection available at Urban Outfitters. If nothing else, I must get my hands on that skull bracelet.