TREND UPDATE: shimmer+shine+sparkle... Christmas 2011

If Christmas is anything, it is sparkly. That is why I am so pleased the fashion gods have created a plethora of glittery, gleaming and glamorous outfits for this most shimmery of seasons.

If you dare to wear all out metallic in curious, Christmas card cut-out shapes a la Stella McCartney, I applaud you. Here, coats and jumpers are objects placed onto to models, not haphazedly draped or wrapped. These items of beauty are art, the wearer, the canvas.

Gareth Pugh

Stella McCartney

I cannot encourage this look enough. It is otherworldly, stunning in the most organic sense. Gareth Pugh's morphed robotic metallics are for the more adventurous but are equally divine.

Balmain

And it doesn't have to be gold. Balmain, one of my favourite favourites also worked the metallic, shiny trend in tones of pewter and icy cold ocean blue.
There is no time better than Christmas to try out this trend.

You have permission to sparkle unashamedly.

v

A quick little survey...

If any of you lovely people have a spare 5 minutes and would like to do a good deed, would you please fill out my quick survey:

http://kwiksurveys.com?u=fashionblog

It really won't take more than 5 minutes and will help me out a lot!

Thank you 

v

Happy Halloween!

It seems a funny thing to say, Happy Halloween, but I'm jumping on the bandwagon and embracing all things dark and spooky today.

I'm thinking of wearing black lipstick today, all day - you know, to pop to the shops, whilst studying, walking the dog etc. I wonder what the response will be in my quaint English village when a figure resembling a half-hearted Lady Gaga pops down to the shop for a morning paper and pint of milk?

I'll let you know.


v

ACCESSORIES UPDATE: Chokers

If like me, chokers throw up images of the gothic side of the populous, it's time to think again.

Not that I have anything against gothic dressers might I say. There is certainly something very bracing and courageous about wearing whatever the heck one darn well likes and being proud of it.

Anyhow, I digress. Chokers.

Bottega Veneta

Valentino

Valentino

Undercover at FarFetch.com

The chokers that have been gracing the slender necks of Valentino and Bottega Veneta models are softer and more ethereal than the slick tight black velvet versions we may associate with the accessory of the early nineties.

Beading, delicate, feather-light fabrics and muted tones make chokers a very modern and ultra feminine alternative to necklaces, and the accessory of this Autumn/Winter.

v

TREND UPDATE: Ladylike

I'm writing this as riots continue to mark heavily on the UK's city communities. The rampaging fires, smashed-in shop windows and countless acts of violence are a far-cry from the escapism of fashion and even more far removed from the ladylike trend I wish to write about. Love and peace to the families, business owners and communities affected by the senseless rioting in the capital and elsewhere.

Onto brighter things, I mentioned in my last tweet the summer Ladylike trend that began in the spring/early summer months. I'm hoping the trend for elegant style and grace manages to eek it out a little longer...

Ever since the handsome Prince William married his belle Catherine Middleton in April this year, an air of ladylike elegance has perfumed the summer air in all its sweetness and gentility. And about time too I say.

What with the Saturday’s Royal wedding between Zara Philips and Mike Tindall, and numerous other weddings and romantic garden parties either in the public eye or for friends and family, dressing like a lady would has certainly been soup de jour.

Pretty florals, ivory lace and elegant cuts of summer dresses – skimming the silhouette and hemlines just above the knee and no more – have proved perfectly apt for the current feeling of political and financial austerity as well as the renewed interest in all things Royal.

Dolce & Gabbana

  

And, as the austerity climate continues, calf-length or mid-length skirts and dresses will still be the order of the day.  Loose-pleated midi skirts or a new shape of pencil skirts worn with soft silk blouses in neutral, warm shades will continue with the sense of Ladylike demure that has wonderfully filled the summer wedding parties and formal occasions of the past few months. Here's to femininity, grace and style.

Summer to Autumn – Frivolous Feathers

I am terribly sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the end of Summer is nigh.

Soon, there will be no more festivals, no more ice-creams and flip-flops, no more espadrilles or floppy straw hats. With the end of the festival and Summer seasons, two big chunks of fashion merriment and creative licence, comes the excitement of trends awaiting us in Autumn 2011. And, as reluctantly as we all prepare ourselves for the end of Summer (tut, what summer I hear some of you say) we must start to take stock of our Autumn fashion harvest.

So, with this in mind, I am therefore predicting a festival-inspired Autumnal accessory trend, filled with all the summer tomfoolery of the season.

I’m bigging up feathers. We’ve seen them in the Spring/Summer collections of 2011 (see piccies below) yet I believe this trend hasn’t even started.

 D&G (Spring/Summer 2011)

Liv Tyler in Couture Givenchy (2011)

alibaba.com feather hair extensions and accessories

The airiest of feathers in jewel shades and rich colours of changing October leaves. The bright popping-candy colours of Summer’s Colour-Blocking and Neon trends, inspired by the brighter months of the year, will now give way to the sumptuous tones of ochre, cherry and evergreen. These colours are sure to be a big autumn trend so why not mix them with Summer’s eclectic, frivolous and carefree personality in the fantastical form of feathers in abundance.

Pluming fabulous.

v

Packing for my travels

It's been a while since I've added anything new to my blog or my website, no excuses but I have been awfully busy recently. So, a quick catch up.

I went to Wimbledon for the very first time and loved it. I wore a charcoal maxi skirt from Topshop; a sheer and embroidered cream blouse from Miss Selfridge topped off with a very befitting boater hat - stylish and the perfect accessory for keeping the rain off my little face. Oh, and bumped into Nick Knowles. Yes, the presenter from DIY SOS. Uh huh.

I've done many other things by the way,  garden party for the parent's silver wedding, catch-up with friends, baby shower etc. However, now, I'm looking to the future as in five weeks time I am heading off on my travels to South East Asia. It's a six-week trip - taking in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and a few of Thailand's islands. Now, I've never been backpacking before and of course one of my major concerns is what the devil to take with me in terms of clothes? Shoes? Accessories? How the blazes am I to pack enough to survive for six weeks and yet fit it into one rucksack I must carry on my back like a fashionista-donkey.

It's time for some research, a lot of wardrobe perusal and strict list making. Hmmmm, I'll keep you informed on my progress.

In terms of the bigger fashion world and what's cooking up a storm, I'm going to be reviewing the current 'Lady-like' trend inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge and looking ahead into autumn trends.

v