IPR AW11 press day

A short jaunt on that super-handy shiny new Orange tube line (which I'm totes loving right now) and I was in IPR's NY-esque studio.

For those who didn't believe me (when I said that IPR had an ever-expanding client list a couple of posts ago) - check this out. Congrats to the IPR team, who seem to have doubled their clients since last season - good work!

Here are some snaps from my fave collections...

Rachael Ruddick

Speaking of new clients - I was really impressed with their new Aussie accessories client Rachael Ruddick.

Not one for the PETA crew, she specialises in exotic skins, and I was very taken with this Onyx Sting Ray clutch. The texture was incredible.

Fantastic cuffs.

Eudon Choi

Eudon Choi is one of my absolute FAVOURITE young British (although he's actually Korean) designers right now. Since seeing this coat at the LFW exhibition I've literally thought about it every day, and it's currently topping my dream AW11 coat list. Below are two more coats from his Equestrian inspired AW11 collection...

Danielle Scutt
Totes rad fishnet trousers - not for the faint-hearted fashion right here people.

I have to say that I'm not sure if this gold dress is even a bit too much for me...

....no, on second thoughts it's obviously utterly fabulous. Phew.

Wonderfully surreal Danielle Scutt for Freedom at Topshop earrings, which I'm obviously massively hearting. Not sure if they're meant to say something Catchphrase stylee....Ear hand tea lippie....hhhmmm...

Julian J Smith

Rather Grace Jonesey fabulousness I thought.

RJS by Richard Sorger
Ethereal sheer jellyfish print top. Beautiful.

Yang Du

'Classic' Yang Du - slightly ridiculous yet utterly appealing fashion fun. Apparently Barney's in NY have asked her to create a kids collection for them - how cute is that gonna be!!

Sandro

The Yang Du antithesis. Painfully chic Parisian design, aka. The Fashion Editor's dream.

Rika

I thought this jacket was fantastic, and really different to anything else I've seen this season. Would look very West-London chic with a pair or skinnies and a simple white-tee.

Antipodium

Subtle and cute lady-print dress (look really closely).

Prism

The glasses label, which recently expanded into sunnies has now started doing swimwear too, and with great success I thought. Great matchy matchy simple and understated beach looks.

Karen Millen - leave your preconceptions at the door

Now I can't lie - I haven't always been Karen Millen's biggest fan. I know it's a horribly fashion-snob-bitch thing to say, but it's always carried certain connotations for me (middle aged HR managers from Peterborough out on the raz to be precise), so I have to admit to never paying it much attention. Then a couple of months ago I popped in to their press office to do a pull for a job, and to my surprise I came out with more than one piece...and more shockingly my very own Karen Millen wish list. You see the showroom wasn't just a collection of knee length satin dresses as I'd (rather small-mindedly) expected. Yes they still had lots of easy-to-wear-pretty-but-not-life-changing party/ special event type dresses, but they also had some surprisingly pitch-perfect and of the moment glam rock-goth pieces. It just shows you - it never does to get too complacent when it comes to the British high street.

So that said, here are my 4 fave Karen Millen pieces right now - let me know if you love them too!

Who doesn't own a biker jacket nowadays? If you're that one person, then I'd seriously consider investing in this badboy. At £399 it's not cheap, but with it's hardcore shoulder studs and dainty buttons it really stands out from the crowd, and will earn you some serious fashion points.

You'd never guess, but I love a sequin skirt I do, and this one really is something special. The layers and silver bead embellishment give it a cheeky gladiator feel, which really distinguishes its high street rivals. Yes £135 is a bit of an investment, but it's ridiculously versatile - wear it with a rock tee in the day for that edgy-cool LA look, or a bit of lace at night for the full-on goth goddess look. Love, want, need.

Skinny double belts are the fashion crowds secret weapon (don't believe me - then pay a visit to the Satorialist - they're all at it). Tan and black leather with glistening black studs, this belt is incredibly chic, and at £49.95 I reckon it's a total bargain.

I don't usually like small bags (travelling light isn't one of my many talents), but for this hard case clutch embellished with matt black sequins and silver beads (£99), I'd be willing to make an exception.

My ultimate Channukah wish list…

What with the mars bar fiasco last night, I thought it was time to do something I never usually do, and make a Channukah list. Usually I shy away from lists – to-do lists, wedding lists, and especially Channukah/Christmas/ Birthday lists. I love a good surprise present, and hate the idea of being one of those people who is so self-absorbed and controlling that they feel the need to dictate to people what they can buy them. Having said that, my waistline is not going to appreciate another 7 Mars bars, so for my tummies sake I’m stepping in!

So, in no particular order, here are my top 7 dream presents for the rest of Channukah 2010:

Number 7: No – it’s really not just a t-shirt! This is sexy lingerie masquerading as a t-shirt D&G stylee, and I really would wear it ALL THE TIME! I’ve wanted this for months and moths now, and have been very very restrained in not buying it. Therefore I feel I now deserve it and will be most upset if I don’t own it by the end of the week. FACT.

Number 6: As predicted this summer, now I'm a freelancer I'm spending a truly obscene amount of time in my pj’s. I first saw these at the Selfridges Christmas press day in July, and hardly a day has gone by where I haven't wished they were mine. So despite their price tag (somewhere round the er £800 mark), these Ashish pyjamas are really a necessity, not a luxury. In fact, I even reckon I’d be able to claim the tax back on them!

Number 5: Yes, I may already own a pair of Duo boots, but I desperately need another pair. You see I love my Duo boots more than I knew I could love any boots ever. Not only are they beautifully made and fit like a glove (or like a boot should!), but every time I wear them I get gazillions of compliments, and no matter what I wear with them I always look super-chic, smart and generally glorious! So, yes I may already own this pair, but I need the ones above too, so there!

Number 4: I’m having a bit of a statement tights moment right now, and although I have more than a couple of pairs I’m clumsy and ladder them all within days. Bebaroque really take the whole statement tight thing to a whole different level though, and these Carla ones are my absolute faves. So I’d really love to add to my little collection!

Number 3: Ok, so I know this might sound weird, but for the past couple of years I’ve become slightly obsessed with trying to find the perfect Christmas jumper. Ideally I was hoping for something second hand and hand knitted by someone's Granny, but after months of trawling charity shops with no luck, I’ve found this brand spanking shiny new number by Louche - a snip at £42, which would do me just fine for now!

Number 2: I love jewellery – it’s my ‘thing’, but since going freelance I’ve been really good and not really brought any. I’ve been thinking about it long and hard, and what I’d really like the most is an armour ring. I know there are lots and lots of amazing young jewellery designers out there creating incredibly beautiful things, but in this case this Topshop version is just what I’m after.

Number 1: Why is it that no matter how many bags you have you could always do with just one more. Right now what I’m really needing (yes needing), a brilliant black every date tote. After much consideration I have decided that Angel Jackson's black Lakota tote is 110% what I'm after. Please Santa (aka. Friends and family) please!!

The definition of Hermes-zing!

I can't even express in words quite how much I LOVE this video. For those who have seen it already - well bully for you; for those who haven't yet - boy you're in for a treat! When people talk about crazy, inspiring, creative projects, and fashion as art, blah blah blah, this is the kind of end result I always wish for. This beautifully nutty video commissioned by Courtney Love, about how her Hermes Birkin bag changed her life, is the best short film I've seen, well, practically ever. From animated Karl Lagerfeld, Andre Leon Talley, and....er....Moby, to talking noodles, and tones of glitter, this is 6.37 minutes of perfect day-dream indulgence. Sit back, enjoy, and let me know if you love it too!

(Dedicated to my absolutely fabulous friend Emily M...she knows why! xx)

***Fab comp newsflash***

Ooh, I've just been told about a fabulous comp on the Top Tips website to win this scrummy Missoni clutch (worth over a £1000 may I add)! All you have to do is sign up (I just did, and hand-on-heart it takes 3 mins) and then answer a survey about whether or not you'd shag your boss! Simples! Anyway, thought as a Friday treat I'd share this info with you...be quick though, it closes today!!

p.s. If any of you win you HAVE to share with me, obvs!

Ding ding ding - all change!

Long time I hear you cry! Last time you did this you promised it wouldn't happen again. I know, I know, but this time it really has been exceptional circumstances; for not only have I left my job to go freelance, BUT I'm also moving house - all in the space of 3 days...yes, one life changing event per week simply isn't enough for me! So, I hope you'll be able to forgive me, and that you've kept yourselves amused reading old posts and watching the footie!

It's been a long, hot, emotional week, but here are some things that made me smile and filled my heart with joy...

Here I am giving a masterclass in how NOT to pose. I was the office fire marshal (oh yes - many strings to my bow!), and as if by magic (and much to everyone's amusement) on my last day we had a fire drill. Now, when I got dressed in my glorious Zambian jumpsuit yesterday morning it hadn't occurred to me that by midday I'd be accessorising with a hi-vis vest. Having said that I have to say I think it kinda works. On this occasion I decided to simply knot it - in the past I've belted, but I thought it might be a bit much this time. Anyway - all of this was enough to get me a shout out on Graziadaily - beyond flattered!


My recent (Marc by) Marc Jacobs obsession continues with my lovely leaving gift from work. It's an absolute beast of a wallet, with space for about 20,000 credit cards. I have none, but my Nandos, Nectar and Boots cards are all now most comfortable and accessible!


My darling Nompas (complicated PJ - sorry!) brought me this phenom Tatty Devine necklace. I like to think of them as wings of freedom - v fitting! Thank you Nompas!


How cute is this! My fabulous Editor brought me this slightly mental Sonia by Sonia Rykiel bag as a farewell gift. I've been wanting a new cross-body bag for a while now, and it's made from THE softest silkiest Nylon - mucho snuggly! I heart.

Glasto Glasto here I come!

Last night was hell. I had to pack for Glasto (where I'm working, although sure I'll squeeze a little play in!), as I'm out tonight at the ViceStyle party (yay!), and will no doubt have a massive hangover and be incapable of spelling my name in the morning.

When I was younger and my parents were packing to go on holiday I used to throw massive tantrums because I wanted to join in and have my say (yes – looking back I was horrendous child diva). I just didn't understand why they were being so mean and not letting me join in the fun...oh how times have changed!

The main problem (in the words of many an ex-boyf) is that I just have SO MUCH STUFF. Add to that the fact that I'm chronically indecisive, and the whole thing just turns into a monumental Lord of the Rings epic style saga.

So, last night, I decided to add a new twist/ just a tad more pressure to proceedings by chronicling my living hell (as well as my Glasto buys and looks) for you. Really hop you like.....oh, and wish me luck!

My to-do, or should I say to-pack list. Believe it or not I'm actually quite organised most of the time (although not last Tuesday when I had my knickers inside out and left my house keys in my bedroom door)!


The obligatory Hunters. Can't imagine stepping into a muddy field without them. These are my much -loved festival edition pair. I like that fact they're short as I'm rather chunk-of-calf, so they stop at a v flattering place for me.


Somewhere under all this is my bed. I like to put things I have to do/ pack on my bed, as I need to get them off before going to sleep, so will HAVE to pack/ do them. You see? Method in the madness innit!


I swore I wouldn't buy anything specifically for Glasto this year....and then I saw this baby, and new I couldn't go without it. It was a total bargain, as a. it's only £19! Yes, you saw right ONE NINE! And b. It's day-glo which means I won't get lost, which means it's basically a safety item, so bargain!


And then....I saw this! It's a purse on a strap! How handy, and only £9! HAD.TO.HAVE.


So hat options. I always think it's good to have a beanie in your bag, because come sunset it can get a bit chilly, and you loose most heat from your head, and also by the end of the day my hair looks like Russell Brand's after a week on the town, so it's good to hide it! Perfect example of having TOO MUCH STUFF though - honestly can't decide which to take. Giant Hennes beanie, old beanie I knicked off me dad, or River Island lace veil number...help please!


Look 1: Maxi dress, Zambia. Visor, Ebay. Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Have never done a maxi at a festival before, but it's cut just above ankle, and the weather's meant to be amazing this weekend, so reckon it's worth a shot. Also - really easy to go to the loo, and can also easily layer with tights/ leggings underneath. Perf!


Look 2: Vest, Hennes: Body, Primark. Headscarf, my mum got me from a charity shop. 3 necklaces, old house-mate Julia, my aunty with Juicy Couture rings on, colleague's desk! Whistle, Notting hill carnival back in the day. I love this look - I'll probs wear it with leggings. It's just so easy to wear. A bit TMI, but I'm not planning to do the body up, he he!


Look 3: Shorts, Hennes. Vest, Hennes. Necklace, loser table at work! I LOVE my boyfriend shorts. I got them to go to Zambia, and they're so comfy and flattering I could just live in them.


My amazing waistcoat! I brought this at a vintage stall at Glasto last year for £15 and I LOVE IT. I'm not sure when I'll wear it (maybe with shorts), but I just have to take it with - it just epitomises that festival spirit.


Finally, my beauty goodies which were kindly sent to me by my friend at Aveda. I'm SOOOOOOO grateful - just looking at them feels me with joy...my little bit of festival luxury!

Heaven is a place on earth...

God, I really do have to stop using songs as blog titles....especially bad tragic '80's ones....but it's true, I really really have! Today I was honoured (and I don't say that lightly) to be invited to take a sneaky peak at the brand-spanking new, all singing, all dancing, couldn’t-begin-to-imagine-in-your-wildest-dreams, Louis Vuitton Maison on New Bond street. There are no words, so here are some pictures (which believe me don’t even begin to do any of it any justice)….phew


He’s a giraffe with gold studded hooves, wearing 4 Louis Vuitton scarfs, AND a monochrome Louis Vuitton harness. If you can think of anything more utterly fabulous in the world I’ll give up chocolate for eternity.


For those who hadn’t noticed (which won’t be anyone who’s seen me in the last month), I’m having a bit of a headscarf moment (sparked by my mental fringe). Anyway, I usually use scraps or old scarves, but that was before I knew this existed. I need it. Imagine. It would be mind-blowing. I’d smile all day, and do good deeds and everything....promise!


Introducing the bag bar, aka. the moving wall of luxury arm-candy, aka. the LV bag enthusiast’s wet dream…


Yes, it’s the most luxe picnic hamper you’ll ever see. I can’t imagine quite where or how you’d use it, but I want it nonetheless. Defo going on my wedding list (YES, I know I need the boy first….small inconvenience).


I love flat shoes (there, I said it). These are;
a. Louis Vuitton
b. Gold
c. With studs
d. And sequins
(In my best Greg Wallace off Masterchef voice) "Flats don’t get much better than this"…


SO amazing I’ve officially upgraded it from a bumbag, to an mmmmbag.


Katie Grand's installation. Amazing. I love this. I love her. This makes me want to walk around with a fricking bag ON MY HEAD - what a twat! Amazing!


And just so I don’t get accused of being a great big suck-up (although, I kinda am)…Me, in these, can you imagine? For humanities sake I steer clear of cycling shorts, and kinda think the rest of the world should follow suit. Good people at Louis Vuitton, two questions;
1. What were you thinking?
2. Why??