2 great things about 3.1 Phillip Lim

There are more like 256 great things to say about the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection - very unusual yet highly wearable pieces that made for a great collection. He is yet to produce a bad one. BUT my two favourite things were the return of the flare, worn at ankle swinging level and these leather shorts. I have decided I must find a pair this weekend.

Everyone's been talking about...House of Holland

Henry Hollands collection this year has been described as a more grown up style than his previous collections. I think the shape and quality of design in his garments had grown up but the attitude had not. Fortunately, because this is why we like him so much his clothes are fun and quirky and often seem to have an undercurrent of poking a stick in the eye of the pretentious face of fashion. His slogan T-shirts emblazened with messages such as 'One trick Pony' after people said that's all he could do and this year his use of Pantone colour reference charts (used in the industry) as the inspiration for his collection.

Grunge/Punk is my inspiration today

My topshop leather trousers from AW07 -still cool- and a sheer pink top which is meant to be underwear.

Pink!

I did the pink eyeshadow thing. I thought it would look infectious. Teamed with this silk kimono style top from Oasis. I love Oriental style.

Pixie Geldof for Luella

In recent years I have discovered Luella, in 2007 I fell in love with her punky floral dresses that were quickly replicated by Primarni and in 2008 the punk theme continued mixed in with some gothic lovliness. But this year I am disappointed, not by the clothes, but the choice of 'celebrity' model. Why the fashion world has embraced Pixie Gedof I shall never know. Sure she manages to do the whole punky London look but thats hardly original is it? Go for a walk down Camden High Street and you are sure to find at least ten girls doing it better than her. I'm of the Vogue belief that models should look like models and in my opinion Pixie just doesn't come close to this high standard. So she has a cool but generic style and a famous rock star father. Quite frankly she doesn't deserve to be so lucky to be on the catwalk wearing Luella, buying it yes, modelling it no.

I don't know how you could look at this picture and disagree with me but I'm sure there are some who will.

Hussein Chalayan at Londons Design Museum

Whether you're interested in fashion or design or none of the above you have to go and see this exhibition. This exhibition transcends fashion it is about innovation and magic, quite simply it is breathtaking and awe inspiring. Can you tell I'm enthusiastic about this. The dresses on display are fantastic but as Chalayan himself has said this is not simply a dress show, the exhibition encompasses his other creative outlets of short films and music. The screenings of his catwalk shows are maybe the best part especially for those unfamiliar with his work. The clothes are beautiful...and chic...and lustworthy...and whilst their beauty is not overshadowed by his experimental boundary pushing creations, these pieces are the ones that change fashion. The light dress pictured above is simply stunning, a lining of LEDs that glow and change pattern as the dress created by Chalayan and Swarovsky floats down the darkened catwalk as if there is noone wearing it. A magnificent metamorphis of dresses using complex mechanisms that lift, fold and restructure the fabric into new shapes around the ever so slightly nervous looking models' bodies as they stand transfixed on the catwalk. Raptourous applause follows from the onlookers and I can only think how jealous I am. How absolutely incredible it would be to witness this spectacle. Where fashion transcends clothing. A moment where anything seems possible.

Sundays are for Brick Lane Market

I started the day in hotpants and this cute second hand tie shirt -which looks best with nothing underneath and some high waisters but it's mighty cold in London today- with matching blue nail polish (Barry M) my favourite colour of the moment. Then I got all excited at the vintage stalls at Brick Lane market and picked up this cute 70s woolen waistcoat which hides my hotpants and makes it seem I'm wearing nothing underneath...a look I quite like. You appear daring whilst feeling reassured that you're not flashing.

Simply Madonna - Materials of the Girl

The exhibition of Madonna's clothes and memorobilia opened at the Truman brewery this weekend. It's definitely worth a peek, even if the items are quite poorly displayed the Madonna tracks blasting out will bring a smile to your face.

One thing to take away from this exhibition is the huge contrasts and changes in Madonna's image and style over the years. Reinvent yourself. All the time.

Eyebrows

The new Chanel adverts are tempting me to dye my hair back to blonde just to have contrasting thick black brows. Whoever said the trend for bushy brows was over this season got it wrong.

Chloe

I love these outfits from Chloes new advert. Especially the one on the right, the colours are beautifully chic and make me think of a post war period (not sure why) whilst the shapes of the garments make them beautifully modern and elegant. The bow belt is a great youthful touch and brings the waist to attention. Its all about the waist. Oh and the sleeves apparently.

I need a sequin playsuit

Trade predictions from Drapers fashion editor warned of more sequins, more embellishments and more 'bang for your buck' as they are so fond of saying. It is true that to get someone spending money in this economic climate not only do you have to offer them something truly exciting that they don't already have but offering the customer something with more handiwork and detail allows them to feel they are getting their moneys worth.

This YSL sequin playsuit is most definitely worthy then!

Bows and Headscarves

Today I'm wearing a nice bright blue Ralph Lauren denim waistcoat (charity shop) and a scarf worn like a headband but tied into a big bow. Channeling the 1950s cleaner look ; )

Its still cold enough for fur hats. Men in fur hats are even better.

What to buy now

Maybe like me your thoughts have been focused on the AW 09 shows but its February and so planning what you will be wearing next winter is not as much fun as thinking about what you will be wearing this spring summer. Soon it will be time to buy hot pants and pretty little summer dresses again yay! and of course attempt to wear white...is there any solution to VPL in white dresses and trousers? and is a visable thong worse than visible big knickers? That is what you should be thinking about.

I've written another article for the beauty biz on this spring summer trends if you want my advice.

http://www.thebeautybiz.com/150/article/fashion/fashion-trends-spring-summer-2009

Girl meets dress

The best thing to hit the internet since Net a Porter. Girl meets dress lets you wear the latest dresses from the best designers without the designer price tag, and lets be honest a fabulous dress can really only be worn once as it is so memorable. It is also terribly du jour in the era of the credit crunch and the days of 'wasteful' clothes shopping (buy a dress for a tenner from Primark then throw it away one week later when it falls apart) towards more ethical consumer behaviour. You have a choice of borrowing dresses for 2 nights, 7 days or a month. Prices start from £24 for 2 nights and they deliver nationally. The best dresses look a bit pricier though, this gold brocade 3.1 Phillip Lim dress comes in at £88 for 2 nights and the Marc Jacobs lace jersey dress is considerably pricier at £249. I'm loving the PPQ paint dress (centre) even if it last AW (£80). Definitely worth checking out if you have somewhere special to go, although you might just find it hard to send back!

Confessions of a shopaholic

With the infamous stylist from Sex and the City, Patricia Fields, this movie promises to be a fashionable dream. Promises...but from the promotional pictures I have seen I doubt it delivers. After seeing Patricia Fields clothes collection at Marks and Spencer earlier this year, which was equally tacky as this outfit above I have begun to seriously doubt her style credentials. Which leads me to question did Sarah Jessica Parker get the credit she deserved for her involvement with the wadrobe choices at SATC. In my mind its clear who the real stylist was.

Valentine

Chanel. Pink. Feather. Shoes.

Is that not the perfect mix of attributes for a Valentines gift.

Nouveau Retro

Another new favourite dress, last summer we had ditzy florals this summer its big florals. I love the blue and red together and its 1950s shape. Accessorised with my postcard from Paris necklace.

Hoxton

Rocking a one shoulder body con black dress once more from H&M (is there anywhere else that cheap and that good?!) and my scarf/turban with some gold jewellery which match my shiny gold leggings that you are deprived from seeing.

Fashionably Made Up

I have written an article on the hottest make up trends for Spring Summer 09. Check it out at The Beauty Biz. I think I may spend today experimenting with pink eyeshadow as seen at Jonathan Saunders.

http://www.thebeautybiz.com/143/article/fashion/key-make-up-trends-spring-summer-2009?dd

Casual Sundays

An impromptu weekend at home = no clothes. I invested £14.99 in this high waist zip detail skirt from H&M which I think is going to look great with some of the brights of the SS season. I rescued this T-shirt from the back of the drawer. I got it from a vintage shop in Paris a few years ago I thought it was very à la Kate Moss at the time. The pattern and the fit is 70's reminiscent so it looks great with high waisted flares. Finished off with some red patent shoes, every girl should have a pair of red shoes in the wardrobe.

February Fashion Diary

Keep yourself amused this February...

1. Swedish Fashion : Exploring a new Identity London Fashion and Textiles Museum 6th February – 17th May http://www.ftmlondon.org/exhibitions/future/
2. David Sassoon talk and book signing London Fashion and Textiles Museum 12th February 6.30-8pm http://www.ftmlondon.org/events/future_events/detail/?ID=80
3. Simply Madonna – materials of the girl The Old Truman Brewery 21st February – 22nd March http://www.trumanbrewery.com/cgi-bin/listings.pl
4. Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones Victoria and Albert Museum 24th February – 31st May http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/contemporary/hats/index.html

Todays shopping

One I love planet earth Tshirt since I'm an ethical girl and some shiny gold leggings (why not?), not sure if I will be wearing them together...

Turbans a go go

I hate to bang on about turbans, actually thats a lie, I LOVE to bang on about turbans. SS09 catwalks were on the same wavelength. Seen in abundance at Ralph Lauren, Jean Paul Gaultier, Celine, Dries Van Noten, Paul Smith and Danielle Scutt to name but a few.