Monthly Archives: August 2010

Aug20

This season’s dos and don’ts in the world of fashion.

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This season’s dos and don’ts in the world of fashion.

Our new love on the fashion scene for 2010 comes in the shape of Nicki Minaj and her eccentric wigs.  The of the moment rapper sings about Bruce Willis and is certainly right on trend, shining in one of this years must have hair pieces.

Next up is the new celeb obsession, this obsession goes by the name of ‘Silly Bandz’ and have been seen adorning the A-list’s wrists left, right and centre. This trend was once favoured by playground kids, however stylish stars such as the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker have been seen sporting the colourful bands.

Even though the fashion world has a definite love for statement towering heels, there are some days when your feet simply scream no more, especially after a night on the tiles wearing your favourite 6-inch stilettos.  This is when you must reach for the flats, these cutesy ballerina pumps are now being labelled ‘hangover shoes’ and are the perfect alternative to your monster heels and definitely something your tired tootsies will thank you for!  They come in a range of colours and styles so you have no excuse not to own at least one pair.  Check our Balenciaga’s collection, Victoria Beckham has even been seen sporting a pair!

On the down side is the celeb surgery craze.  Entitled ‘Dimpleplasty’ this new craze involves the horrendous procedure of having dimples drilled into your face, which apparently creates that ‘to die for’ cutesy look.

Humidity is one thing that seems to even be hitting England hard, is it sunny, is it raining no it’s just humid.  Not only is it weather that makes dressing in the morning a complete chore but its weather that makes even walking a small distance make us look like we have spent a few too many hours in the gym!

Denim Diapers have in fact been introduced in the US, this is however maybe going one step too far and we are sure babies aren’t quite old enough to be that fashion conscious.

Aug20

Labels we love.

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Labels we love.

Every now and then an existing brand introduces a new collection that creates a bit of a stir, one that we all want to shout about!  One such label this season goes under the name of Superdry.  The of the moment brand initially launched their line back in 2003, the inspiration for the label was taken from a previous trip to the exciting city of Tokyo.  The brands creator, Julian Dunkerton began selling a few individual items on a market street stall in Cheltenham, teaming up with James Holden who is the founder of the renowned skater label Bench.

In just a period of seven years, the label has grown phenomenally and is now a firm favourite of many celebs.  This is pretty impressive since Superdry started their career with a total of only three t-shirts and has now gained cult status!  The range now boasts to release a total of three thousand pieces a year.

The label is now globally recognised and pieces in the collection have recently been seen adorning the likes of the singer Pixie Lott, the actress Kate Winslet, the footballer David Beckham, the chef Jamie Oliver, the actor Leonardo Dicaprio and the suprmodel Helena Chritensen.

Current favourites in the collection include chunky belted cardigans, quilted winter boots, vintage thrift pieces, the statement infamous Superdry logo tee, the standard checked boyfriend shirt and of course the denim, available as both hotpants and distressed jeans.  One of the must have pieces for next season is the jacket, which comes in the shape of a cool leather belted biker style that will most certainly be on every fashionista Christmas wish list!

Are you looking for some new stylish furniture for your bedroom? Click here for Bedstar.co.uk and browse their great collection of beds, mattresses and furniture online.

Aug20

Get in style for the season of 2010.

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Get in style for the season of 2010.

A new season almost certainly means investing in a new wardrobe, or at lest a few must-have essentials to spruce up your look.  Take a few style notes from this years ultimate catwalk shows and inject your closet with a much needed cleanse.  Be sure to invest in a few key on trend pieces that will last you for months and take you right into winter by taking note of what you need to buy, keep and put away for later.

The runways have certainly been awash with an array of statement and extravagant pieces, however many are only for the daring fashionista.  For the rest of us there is the alternative of turning the runway into a reality.  You can make the eccentric looks of this season work in the real world by tweaking a few items here and there.  For instance team those must-have yet boldly embellished statement thigh high boots with a low key jacket and neutral coloured skirt or alternatively work an out there jacket with a plain pair of leggings and statement patent shoes.  By wearing just one key and over the top piece rather than several you can make what’s on the cat work for everyday wear.

The autumn and winter shows revealed an array of shaggy jackets with matching skirts, cut off fur numbers, in your face snow boots, high waisted and eccentrically patterned trousers, patterned thigh length cardigans and an array of cutesy yet sophisticated statement skirts in silk materials and frilled style fabrics.

The four keys trends to take some inspiration from include the ‘Global Mix-Up’ look, the ‘Ski Bunny-esque look’, the ‘Sheer Romantic’ and the ‘Yet Knit’ style, all are must have pieces for next seasons closet!

Aug20

Fashionably in tune.

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Fashionably in tune.

There are several new faces that have hit the music scene this season, including the likes of Florrie, Cibelle and the hip new girl band, ‘The Like’.  All of them offer an eccentric yet very different style and one which many of us want to portray this summer.

First up is the new eccentric Cibelle, the loud and in your face fashionista offers a mixed up style, which is extremely true to her Brazilian roots.  Her sound offers soothing and floaty vocals, kooky percussion, and electronica.  This is all teamed with an acoustic guitar in order to create a sound that is most certainly unique.

Her look is similar to that of CSS’s style but has a few more paint splatters thrown into the mix and then of course there is the endless array of multi-coloured spandex and glittering high-shine sequins!

Even though this mash up may sound a little eccentric and daring to try, the insanely statement pieces seem to just work, however none of this young musicians looks are contrived.  If you wish to steal this young starlets style then be sure to get yourself down to an American Apparel store and invest in an all in one bodysuit!

Next up is Florrie; her look is almost the utmost opposite to that of Cibelles and offers a laid back casual yet sophisticated style.  The new singer on the scene works striped tees, denim hotpants and boyish beanie hatwear during the day, then swaps this casual cool look for a groomed and lady like glamour when it hits evening, both looks are equally as flattering on the singers svelte figure.

The singer has currently been mixing with the hippest of hip remixer’s in order to create a robotic yet charming pop sound that is right on for summer 2010.

Finally we have “The Like’, the of the moment band mix retro organs with Brit-pop guitars and in turn create endless melancholy lyrics, often about boys!

Their style works ultra on trend pieces with an added 60’s edge, if you wish to steal their style make sure you obtain a few on trend A-line dresses, team these with cutesy ballet flats and socks.

Aug16

Rocking this season’s hip new muso look

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Rocking this season’s hip new muso look

Female musicans have often been given the label ‘Fashion heroes’, take the likes of Debbie Harry and Courtney Love.  Both of these female musicians have a certain post-punk look that has become iconic.

Now the new voices on the scene are causing a stir with a style that is as expertly tuned as their sound.  These new voices include the likes of Florence Welsh, who has showcased an array of angelic gowns with a twist, that twist being her rock girl boots.  Then there is the infamous Lady Gaga, who has made us all rethink the leotard and embrace that inner club kid.

Top model agencies used to trawl the streets to spot potential new talent, they are now however searching sites such as YouTube in order to spot the latest young rock chicks on the scene.

This season those that are certain to hit the best dressed lists include the likes of the Brazilian singer Cibelle, who offers a certain eclectic look, or if you prefer a more hippy folk vibe then look to Diane Birch, who has been labelled the new ‘Joni Mitchell’.

Diane Birch’s sound has been described as the best dinner party/beach music, with her perfect Southern twang.  Her look is a mixture of East look style combined with Woodstock.  The stylish singer teams a lot of black with hippy dresses, chunky heels and trinkety delicate jewels for the ultimate glam hippy style.  Finish the look with a trilby and you are set to go! 

Aug16

Glam Granny.

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Glam Granny.

First it was the boyfriend shirts, then came dad’s Barbour jacket, quickly followed by granddad’s cardigan, it now seems Grandma’s wardrobe is on the cards!

Top designers such as Marc Jacobs, Marni, Prada, Daks and Louis Vuitton have this season all taken a little inspiration from Granny’s Wardrobe.  The prestigious designers have showcased a series mid-calf skirts, bobbled jumpers, matchy matchy accessories and heaven forbid, sensible shoes!

Granny Chic is officially in for Autumn and Winter 2010, whether you are a kooky and retro granny like the super-stylish New Yorker and octogenarian Iris Apfel or alternatively an uber chic and sophisticated grandma, such as Coco Chanel.

The modern take on grandma attire is certainly hitting the running hard for both this and next season; just make sure you steer well clear from the purple rinses however!

The catwalk was awash with four predominant styles, these included the Glam Granny look, the Posh Granny, the Mad Granny and then of course the Super Granny.

The Glam Granny works full skirts and nipped in waists, these were teamed with uber sleek gloves, petite stilettos and feminine handbags.  The look was finished with a stylish diamond embellished broach and was seen on the catwalks of Louis Vuitton.

Posh Granny takes inspiration from riding, walks in the countryside and sports cable knits, tweed like pieces and a pair of brogues.  Look to Daks for ideas on how to wear this trend.

Mad Granny can also be described as the most outrageous of all the Granny-esque looks.  Think Lady Gaga mixed with Iris Apfel and don’t forget the kooky glasses.

Super Granny is the ultimate in grannyness and works an almost Miss Marple like style, with mid-calf length swinging skirts, buttoned up cardies and knee high knitted socks.

Aug16

Inside Blake Lively’s stylish wardrobe.

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Inside Blake Lively’s stylish wardrobe.

Blake Lively not only plays a main part in one this season’s top TV shows but is also proving herself to be a little bit of a style icon.

The actress may work the pretty, preppy; girl next-door look on screen but off screen is another story!  The A-lister’s style has gone supersonic this summer, she has been seen wearing the likes of prestigious designers such as Chanel, Marchesa, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson and Juicy Couture, and these are just a few of the designers flooding Blake’s much desired wardrobe.

Lively was seen chatting to US Vogue’s Anna Winter at the Paris Couture Shows, Wintour has in fact stated she is one of Lively’s biggest fans and to prove this Blake is to appear on the cover of Vogue for the second time in six months!

Despite having one of the most enviable wardrobes to date, the actress’s real passion is shoes.  It has been reported that Lively has in fact purchased over three hundred pairs in the past two years alone, dedicating an entire closet to her much beloved footwear!

Her love for clothes and shoes began at a very young age, her mother who was a former model would tailor adult clothes to fit Blake as she didn’t want her to be seen in anything similar to the other children but instead as an individual.  It’s however Blake’s naturalness and ease that really gets our attention, she doesn’t seem too perfect nor too sultry and this is exactly why she is quickly becoming recognised as a major fashion icon.

Aug16

Chelsea girls at the ready!

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Chelsea girls at the ready!

Designs are often re-emerging from the past and this season proves to be no different with the introduction of the Chelsea Boots.  These boots were originally designed as riding boots for horsewomen in the 1800’s and are now showcasing them to be one of the hottest looks for this season.

Clothes and shoe designers often take inspiration for their collections from elegant eras such as the 50’s and 60’s but the ‘Chelsea Boot’ goes even further back and takes a few style notes from the stylish Victorian ladies.

The Chelsea Boots were first seen at Christopher Kane’s catwalk show in 2009, the of the moment designer teamed the footwear with sheer shift dresses.  Alexander Wang re-introduced the new shoe to his Autumn and Winter catwalk shows for 2010.  The uber stylish designer had his models sporting the tough girl look, wearing leather and velvet versions of the now sought after Chelsea Boot.

Both supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Kate Moss have recently been seen sporting a pair, Claudia wore a statement black casual pair whilst Kate Moss went for a more vintage look in a retro white shade.

The renowned cobbler Church is reportedly struggling to keep up with a new demand for the Chelsea Boot, even after 200 years of their original release date!

Aug16

This season’s hot list…

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This season’s hot list…

This season’s fashionista’s must-have list has gone live, so what is in store for us this summer?

First up are the super fresh skin renewing Jojoba Beads Exfoliant from the cosmetic brand Odacite.  In fact they are so fresh they even have a sell-by date.  Make sure you get your skin in top shape and invest in a jar, prices start from £30 and they can be purchased either in store or online.

Fashion is so far ahead we are already stocking up on autumn’s essentials, this autumn is all about knockout peepers in sultry brown and beige hues, take a trip down to your local beauty counter and invest in the new Kaleidoscope Eye Kit from the make-up brand Le Metier de Beaute.

Now you have your face perfected its time to look to this season’s fashions, have a go at being your own fashion designer and get creating some sole sensation shoes.  The fashion brand upperstreet allow you to get creative and design a pair of one-of-a-kind shoes, at least this way you are guaranteed footwear that no one else will have!

Accessorise your look with a colourful bead necklace from the brand White Stuff; these eco jewels are made from recycled magazines.  Finally finish the look by putting a ring on it, take a look at the faceted silver from the jewellrey brand Folli Follie.

Aug6

Gap’s brand new trouser range, Premium Pants, hits the shop floor!

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Gap’s brand new trouser range, Premium Pants, hits the shop floor!

Thanks to the new collections from prestigious designers such as Stella McCartney, Celine and Chloe, the ideal trouser is set to be fashion’s main focus for the autumn.  From ultra-slimming, high-waisted pairs to uber cool cropped styles, no fashionista’s closet is going to be perfect without an assortment of the perfect shop for all our new season trouser must haves.

The store has just recently released its Premium Pant collection, which features an impressive range of seven different trouser styles that are guaranteed to see you through the up and coming autumn season.  The concept behind the new and exciting collection is that there’s a style for every day of the week and also for every single occasion. There is a pair suitable for your working wardrobe and also a pair apt for a weekend away; there are both smart and casual-cool styles so therefore something to suit all.

The styles housed in the collection include the Really Skinny, which come in the shape of the office-appropriate alternative to your favourite skinny jeans.  There is the Boyfit style, which consist of a slouchy tailored trouser that will look fantastic teamed with both brogues and a blazer.  Then there is the aptly named Perfect Trouser, this is said to be the most popular style, it offers the perfect length.  Other pieces in the Gap line include the Curvy, Modern Boot and True Straight trousers which are all centred on Gap’s standard denim styles.
All styles are available in stores now and prices range from £35-£45.