If it’s good enough for The Hoff…

Yes ladies and gents, I too am big in the land of Lederhosen and motorways with no speed limit, as on Thursday I was the top story on Modepilot – Germany’s top Fashion blog. Now my German’s not brilliant (B at GCSE, really should have been an A, but I digress….), but I do know that the lovely Kathrin Bierling has said that I’m her New Favourite Blog! It’s all thanks to the massively talented and utterly fabulous Stefan Lindemann – Fashion Editor of German InStyle, and ex-Shopping Editor (a title I’d like die for) at Grazia (UK). Stefan was my first ever Fashion mentor, and taught me everything I know about Chanel and Dim Sum (i.e. Chanel has to be earned, and it’s almost impossible to eat Dim Sum if you keep Kosher). So, in honour of Stefan, Kathrin, and my legions of German fans here’s my top 5 German Fashion/ Style icons….

5. Hugo Boss - So, their involvement in the manufacture of Black uniforms for the Third Reich isn’t exactly ideal, but who hasn’t at some point (most probably in their teens, and as part of a Boots gift set) owned a Hugo Boss fragrance? On that basis alone I feel the mega-brand deserves 5th place in my German hall of fame.

4. Jil Sander – It’s not something that comes particularly naturally to me (ok – so I find it almost impossible –blame it on the big boobs), but Jil Sander is undoubtedly the Queen of Minimalism. If what you’re looking for is a brilliantly cut piece with like no bling and shit, then Jil’s ya lady.

3. When it comes to style icons very few people would argue that Marlene Dietrich is up there. Way way ahead of the game Marlene was doing the whole androgynous thing before anyone knew what it was, and famously said, "I dress for myself. Not for the image, not for the public, not for the fashion, not for men” – my kinda lady!

2. Diane Kruger – I mean, does she ever look bad?! I just have such a monumental style crush on her it’s not even funny. Kruger has a body to die for (she’s an ex-model, so fairs fair), and a wardrobe I’d kill for. In my eyes she always manages to walk the fine line between on-trend and fashion slave, and it always looks so god darn effortless. God – if I didn’t love her so much I’d hate her!

1. Storming in at 1st place is the one and only Karl Lagerfeld - in my opinion the best thing to come out of Germany since the Black Forest Gateau (and I can tell you that takes some beating). Captain of the good ship Chanel isn’t something that’s just given away, and I think if the fashion world is united in one thing (other than it’s love of stick-thin models and fur) then it’s that Lagerfeld is worthy of the crown. I’d always been a fan, but it was only after I saw that documentary film Lagerfeld Confidential (if you haven’t seen it yet – go do so) that the obsession began and I really came to realise and admire his genius. Even If Germany never again produces a Fashion designer the German fashion fraternity can forever rest smug in the knowledge that they gave the world Karl.

How I found the perfect gloves to give people the finger in…

My boots obsession has been replaced with a new found glove fetish. It all began when I lost my mittens (God – never thought I’d be saying that post-primary school). To be honest, they weren’t really working out anyway. I was finding the whole uni-hand thing quite restrictive, and was getting frustrated as I couldn’t partake in my two favourite past-times – smoking and giving people the finger. So, although their loss was a bit of a pain I wasn’t heartbroken.

The mission then began to find some new hand wear more suited to my needs. With mittens out I narrowed my options down to the following;
a. Normal gloves
b. Fingerless gloves

When I say narrowed what I actually mean is defined, because I brought a pair of each. In typical Sisi G style they couldn’t be more different (and not just because of the finger thing either).

Pair a. (the normal ones), aren’t really that normal at all. I found them sulking on a corner rail in H&M, and I instantly knew (as you can do when something’s only £7.99) that they were going home with me. I’m absolutely feeling velvet right now. It’s just perfect for winter/ Christmas, and I love the fact that it’s so ‘90’s, and Shakespeare’s Sister/ Four Weddings (aka The Best British Comic Film Ever Made). The embellishment is obviously a joy - I think it’s lovely to have a little bit of bling on your gloves. Plain leather gloves feel so corporate and dull all of a sudden, so I was overjoyed to find a high-street glove that offered that little bit more.

Glove a. and I were getting on swimmingly until I saw pair b. I was on my way back from a particularly fulfilling morning of Finance training (yes – this is exactly what I got into magazines for), when I saw them hanging from a stall by Camden tube; they looked so brash and naughty I just had to take a closer look. Forget ‘Fierce’ these bad boys are Weapons of Mass Destruction. They’re SO sex – they’re like if ‘80’s Madonna, (my darling) MJ, a cheese grater and a gay S&M freak had an orgy, these would be the result. They're like power gloves - you can't help but feel in control when you're wearing them - I mean, who's gonna mess with spike hands, eh?!
I approached with caution (both the gloves and the stall holder), and did my best nonchalant bartering….
Me: “Um. How much are the gloves?”
Stall holder: “£15”
Me: “Is that your best price?”
Stall holder: “Yes”
Me: (Unconvincing contemplation whilst salivating and making love to them with my eyes) “Hhmmmm, I’m not sure….”
Stall holder: “Ok – I give you for £14”
Me: “Perfect!”
The deed was done, and I became the proud owner of two new pairs of gloves in two weeks – Fash-tastic!

All I want for Christmas…

Ok - I know it's a bit early, but if I only got these scrumdidlyumptious Chanel earmuffs I swear I'd be happy till my birthday (in Feb, he he). They have come storming straight to the top of my lust-ooh-meter for two reasons.

1. I’m rather sensitive and hate it when the cold gets in my ears
2. They’re Chanel

To quote Ms M Poppins, “They’re practically perfect in every way” (the one catch obviously being the price tag, darnit)!

Still – I give them a 10/10

Sequins – A cautionary tale

I just popped into Primark (yes I shop there, no I’m not ashamed), and I have to say I’m rather upset. The problem was there were sequins everywhere – on t-shirts and skirts, blazers and berets– even harem pants. Now it’s not really Primarks fault at all – I’ve brought a number of sequined treats from there myself. It’s the popularisation and democratisation of sequins in general that’s got me in such a state – Primark just confirmed my worst suspicion – they’ve become pedestrian!

You see anyone who knows me knows that I love a sequin – I’m a renowned Magpie, and always have been. I’m also known for my daring (and admittedly sometimes questionable) fashion choices. I hunt out the interesting and unusual – the gaudy knitted jumper; the painfully 80’s jacket; and until recently the drowning-in-sequins pieces. Now however any Tamara, Deidre or Hannah thinks she can rock a sequin, and thus, they’ve lost their power. Gone are the days when sequins marked you out as a fashion maverick – now you just look like a fashion victim (to coin a much over-used phrase) – and I’m pissed! More than pissed – I’m furious.

Prime example: This weekend I have a good friend’s birthday party, and we’ve been told we all have to wear sequins. Well I for one resent it. This time last year everyone would have been happy in a nice cotton-mix dress. I would have shown up in my glitter, everyone would have oohed, aahed, and marvelled at my sartorial bravery, and the world would have continued turning. Now however all the plain Janes and boring Brendas will be sequined-up, and the only way for me to stand out is to drop 2 dress sizes in 2 days and turn up in nipple tassels and a sequined thong (and yes, I’m seriously considering this option). When I brought my Ashish for Topshop sequined hoodie last year it was the talk of the town. No one (not least the lovely fashion assistant who leant me her Tosho discount to make it halfway affordable) could believe I’d made such an outrageous and outlandish purchase, I got a million you’ll never wear it’s, and it’s so you’s. For me it wasn’t even a question though – it was total love at first sight. It’s all in the details you see – the generously sized sequins; the way they’re only sewn at one corner so there’s movement, and most importantly the sequined hood – utter bliss! Now though Primark do their own version, so your local pram-faced teen tearaway will be wearing one to sit on the wall outside the offie on a Saturday night – fab!

The worst thing is that I know there’s no turning back. The sequin has sold out. They’ve traded their cool cult status for the money, the hunnies, and a Christmas number 1. Well, I just hope they’re happy with their choice. I for one am off in search of a new lover to fulfil my magpie needs –because for me at least sequins have lost their sparkle.

McQ, Minx, and the most fashionable nails ever!

And here they are - fab aren't they! I got them done today at the McQ press day and am utterly besotted. I’ve been desperate to get my nails ‘minxed’ for a couple of months now, and it was well worth the wait. Minx is the new nail craze from where else but the US of A. Basically instead of painting your nails with varnish they just apply a heated strip of film and then shape it round your nail. Not only is it super-quick and easy to do, but there’s none of that pesky waiting around for your nails to dry, they last just as long as nail varnish, and most importantly, because it’s a film you can get loads of crazy patterns and metallics, which as you know is right up my street! Sadly the McQ were specially made for the press day (how super-glam fashwan is that!) so i’m just gonna have to enjoy them while they last. I’m 100% definitely getting multi-coloured neon leopard print next time though!

Talking of leopard print I totally fell in love with this fantastic McQ denim leopard print (noticing a theme?!) biker-esque jacket at the press day. It’s properly high-end trash-tastic (the best type of trash fyi – Lanvin neon leopard print = case in point), and apparently everyone was going mad for it (although that could have just been the pr trying to be nice)! Either way I don’t care because I think it’s perfect – this picture doesn’t even do it justice (it would look much better on me than this ‘interesting’ looking model)! It’s shot straight to the top of my lust-ooh-meter this week - I’m thinking it’s scoring about a 7.5 – mmm mmm mmm indeed!

Pure Grooving

This is me doing my very best concave model posing at a friends 30th at Pure Grooves last night. I wore my new fave outfit of black leggings, black baggy wife-beater, Miss Selfridge statement-shoulder jacket, and lots of black eyeliner. I used to wear all black a lot, but then got pestered out of it by friends at uni, and have tried to stay away from it for the past few years. I’ve recently re-discovered it though, and have to say I’ve fallen hard. There’s something really powerful about wearing all black – it’s like armour, not to mention chic and slimming, and the more I do it the more I love it. I also love the freedom it gives me to play around with accessories. Last night I wore my new parrot earrings which I made by hooking little wooden parrots (which I acquired at a lecture I went to about Guatemala earlier in the week – don’t ask!) and hooked onto a pair of gold plastic studs – good times!


There were loads of girls in cute outfits, but these Agent Provocateur snake hold up’s definitely stole the show. I asked if I could snap a picture for the blog and she (didn’t get a name – what can I say, blame it on the gin) was seriously up for it adding ‘the whole point of wearing tights like this is for attention’ – well that was me told!

Stationery nirvana - my Smythson dream

Before you start reading I just want to let you know that there’s no real story to be told, no moral, no funny anecdote – it’s simply me boasting.

Today I managed to escape the office to pop into the Smythson press day and meet at long long last the lovely Bianca (one of the pr girls) who I’ve been speaking to for over two years now but never met, and…..I got my very first ever Smythson diary!! For those who don’t know what I’m talking about – duh! No, but seriously, I’m not so deep into fashion la-la land that I think everyone knows who Smythson are. You see in fashion circles they are the first and last word in stationery. No fashion editor would be seen dead on the FROW without their Smythson fashion diary, and their personalised thank-you notes really are the only polite way to thank pr’s for their generous gifts. Established in 1887 and with Sam Cam as Creative Director their products are beautifully made and quintessentially British, and I’ve been desperate to get my hands on something ever since entering the world of magazines a couple of years ago! So, today a dream was fulfilled as I was gifted a beautiful Panama pocket diary! It may not be the Fashion diary I was hoping for (and starting at £125 I may be waiting a while, and anyway I really want the one with the special Smythson clasp which is £195, so the cheaper one’s actually totally irrelevant), but when I carefully untied the navy ribbon and peaked into the box (ok – I ripped into it like a crazed toddler high on a whole pack of Harribo whilst stomping up New Bond street) my heart fluttered as I saw what it was. It’s safe to say I’m in love, and I fear it’s gonna be an expensive affair!