Monochrome

Topshop Blazer, Stella McCartney Lace Skirt, Splendid Jersey Tank, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Messenger Bag,  Zara Sling Back Sandals, Topshop Laser Cut Collar, Topshop Crochet Side Shorts

I'm always a sucker for black and white statement/staple pieces. You can't really go wrong with a classic black or white blazer, a black court shoe, a white t-shirt etc. We even saw a resurgence of the white shoe (a notoriously hard look to nail) on the catwalks of Alexander Wang and Jil Sander for SS12. We all know that those Alexander Wang Joan Pumps were high on the cool-girls hit list.
So here's my black and white wishlist for the coming months. I already own this Topshop blazer in blush pink, but the white one looks somehow sleeker and crisper. Stella McCartney's skirt and Topshop's Shorts would be plain bar the lace detailing which makes them stand out to me. Phillip Lim's white messenger bag is good for essentials, Splendid's tank is essential, and Topshop's geo cut collar is a perfect accessory. 
Oh, and those Zara pumps? They're going to be the next big thing; I'm just waiting for the deluge of bloggers wearing them. 

Dior Couture

    Yesterday, in a Parisian room papered floor to ceiling with over a million flowers, the most anticipated fashion debut of recent years took place; Raf Simons’ first couture collection for Dior. The Dutchman, who departed from a glorious seven year stint at Jil Sander last season, took up the helm at Dior with huge expectation upon his shoulders and a buzz around him which drew the likes of Marc Jacobs, Alber Elbaz and Azzedine Alaïa to his show. 
 Pale pink dresses, floral corsets and clinched in waists gave touches of femininity here, demonstrating Simons’ trait of wearing his heart on his sleeve. However he played with architecture too; wide peplum corsets looking like half-ballgowns were paired with cigarette pants, tuxedo jackets were cut into the classic Bar style of Dior, and the court shoe stilettos were razor sharp. Details on the clothes – a feather-skirted tuxedo dress, a half beaded blazer which rippled as it moved, a paint dripped gown referencing Sterling Ruby – all hinted at the understated brilliance of Simons. He has the ability to add touches which catch the eye and stick in the memory of those who see them. 
It could hardly be ignored that a structured and pocketed dress bore exactly the same hue of pink as those which opened Simons’s swansong collection at Raf Simons. All the emotion of that last collection was mirrored here but in the sense that Dior is moving forward. Though he is bound to delve into the archives and give us more notes from Dior’s iconic history, there will undoubtedly be flashes of Simons’ own personal flair as he settles at the house. Not since Galliano left has Dior couture been the romantic and magic fashion affair we loved. Now however, it would seem that both it, and Simons are in the ascension.
P.S. Anyone notice Alber Elbaz's Nike sneakers? What a dude.

Clean Sheet

Givenchy

Stella McCartney

J. Mendel / Valentino

Celine / Derek Lam

Richard Nicoll

Chloé / Gucci

Rebecca Minkoff / Roland Mouret
The recent outings of the Resort 2013 collections have injected a dose of colour into the veins of our gloomy summer. Bottega Veneta gave us an array of coloured combinations, Marchesa gave us ballgowns in electric blue and pink, and Derek Lam presented the orangest pair of trousers known to man. But through this rainbow, one thing is clear. Regardless of the fact that these clothes don't drop until Autumn, white is back in a big way.
Looking through the Resort photos, I couldn't help but notice how many designers have given us white-on-white looks; white jackets layered over crisp white shirts and tailored white trousers, white blazers over white shirt dresses, and strangest of all, white shoes. Turns out Raf Simons white shoes at Jil Sander may have been a hit. 
So for Resort we'll all be looking clean and crisp in our white combos. Take direction from Stella McCartney's relaxed yet tailored layering, Givenchy's structured outerwear, and Celine's accessory matching. Just make sure you don't sit on anything, keep away from people with drinks, and hold your invite to Diddy's party in hand. 

5 Ways To Style ... The White Tee

1. The Floral Suit Arguably one of the most hideous combinations in the fashion kingdom; the floral suit. Topshop have some really good summer prints this season, my favourite of which is this blended pastel concoction above. Not only do they have a blazer but by god, matching trousers. How perfect, except my excellent taste is shared and these babies are already sold out. When your outer layers are screaming enough flowers for every bee in the Northern Hemisphere to notice, your white t-shirt comes in useful. Keep the accessories simple too; I went for black, as white seemed a little eugh.
Topshop Blazer, Alexander Wang T-Shirt, Topshop Trousers, Giuseppe Zanotti Heels, Alexander McQueen Clutch.


2. The Statement SkirtSpring's 2012 runways gave us a revival of the statement skirt (hurrah). To style my white t-shirt I chose this tribal invention by Burberry Prorsum, but let us not forget the statement skirts of Proenza Schouler, Prada or Balenciaga. This outfit gives you the chance to dress a little above your age (good/bad?) as the length is cut a little longer. Accessorise with statement jewellery; this is tribal so you get the vibe, wooden bangles anyone? I've finished this off with courts to complete the streamlined feel; moreover if I have to clap eyes on Burberry's hideous raffia wedges once more I will scream or cry. 
Alexander Wang T-Shirt, Burberry Prorsum Skirt, Jimmy Choo Courts, Burberry Prorsum Necklace, J.Crew Clutch 

3. The Dungaree
Yeeehawww. Let's look to the resurgance (which has been slightly exaggerated by me in my own head) of man's oldest denim friend; the dungaree. These flared Stella McCartney babies are all retro and slouchy and perfect and I want to sleep in them all day long. Throw on a white t-shirt under them and you're ready to rock and roll. Plastic orange tie-dye shoes (which we all need) add a splash of colour, along with McCartney's own falabella clutch and sunglasses; keeping it in the family. When in doubt, look to the 90s.
Alexander Want T-Shirt, Stella McCartney Dungarees, Sergio Rossi Sandals, Stella McCartney Sunglasses, Stella McCartney Clutch. 

4. The Denim ShortA combo older than me (cough); the white t-shirt and denim short. So let's liven this up, look, denim shorts with crochet! Radical. Unless you've been living under a rock you will have seen the recent hotpant denim short trend; if it's a good or bad trend, I'll leave you to decide. Regardless, this is summer and so denim shorts are our staple. Just so you don't look like everyone else, wear with Sergio Rossi's roped in heels and Mr Lim's Pashli. Street Style in a second?
Alexander Wang T-Shirt, Irit Design Necklace, Topshop Shorts, Sergio Rossi Sandals, 3.1 Phillip Lim Tote  


5. The JeanThis is your all year round staple right? Well it should be. Because you can never go wrong with this. For cooler summer days go for the cropped jean; 7 for All Mankind do excellent cropped jeans. I've styled this as a sort of mismatch of colours and styles because this is how I like to wear basic combos. The pink sandals add a splash of colour, the watch adds a splash of glamour. And the backpack is twofold; it's slouchy and convienient, but also it clashes with the tan. You're not supposed to do it, and so you should. 
Alexander Wang T-Shirt, 7 for All Mankind Jeans, ASOS Sandals, Michael Kors Watch, Marni Backpack, Diane Kordas Necklace

Chanel Cruise 2013

We can always rely on the Kaiser to give us a spectacle when fashion show time comes around; remember when there was a giant gold lion in the Grand Palais? Or the car-sized seashells? Or the volcano? Yeah, exactly. So enter Exhibit A; the Cruise 2013 show, set against the backdrop of what else but the Palace of Versailles. Obviously.

The models (with their Sam McKnight-crafted renaissance hair, and Peter Philips make up) weaved their way down the stone steps and around the trio of fountains in the ugliest flatforms and prettiest dresses Chanel can produce. The flatforms were so ugly that I have declined to post any outfits including them; it's just not right, right? But ignoring these (which we should) there were some beautiful dresses in Chanel's perfected mint/lilac/lemon/sky blue palette, and adorned with crystals and oversized jewellery. The outerwear was tailored and belted, and there were lashings of tweed (note Lindsey and Amyline's outfits) with embellished collars and floor length a-line skirts.
Other highlights included my favourite tacky accessory of the moment, the perpex bag, and the unbeatable floppy summer hat. Possibly the most eye-catching piece of swimwear we'll see this Cruise - a sheer stomached bodysuit in duck egg blue worn by Karmen Pedaru. And my personal highlight of the show, Jon Kortajarena, sporting a sleeveless tux jacket with shorts, acessorised with a black watering can. Let's just say, I'm on edge to see the men in London walking around with watering can in hand.

My personal favourites I hear you cry?
1. The box pleated embellished white dress
2. The lilac print dress with the sheer neckline
3. The quad of contrast baroque dresses that culminated the show (Stella McCartney anyone?).

Also, when the flatforms disappeared, the shoes were pretty as punch. Karl Lagerfeld's royal fountain punch that is; anyone else up for a watering can full of that?

Bank Account Assault Day

Today was student loan day, or as I like to call it, bank account assault day. This is the day where you're supposed to save and budget so you don't have to eat only pasta or have cold water for the rest of the term, but instead you just buy whatever the hell you want. I also got paid from work today, making this double bank account assault day.

So the first thing I did? Made a wish list of course, of all the pretty things I would like to buy. I'm on a low after returning from New York, so some retail therapy will boost me up again, right? Also I figured that all this together still comes to less than the Alexander Wang shoes I was a crazy inch from buying.

Topshop Gilet (which has already sold out after two days, bleugh), Topshop Jeans, Asos Brogues, Topshop Shell Top, Zara Messenger Bag, Asos Sandals, Stella & Dot. Bracelets, Etsy Shorts, Asos Milan Shoes.

French Fancy

So I've been meaning to visit The Kooples site for a while now and yesterday I finally got around to it. The ice cool French label, based on the advertising campaign featuring ridiculously attractive couples (Kooples, get it?) is, as my mother would say 'the hip new thing'. They've got an Aubin & Wills vibe about them, and their current collection is pastel heavy, interspersed with the always present black. Their department in Selfridges is notably large (for a single non-high fashion label) and notably chic as well; I felt under dressed just walking through it.

After hitting up the website and mentally spending about £2,000 I picked my favourites. Gold trim blazer (looks crazy right?), Printed shirt with bow (I refuse to let the term 'pussybow' float, eugh), Zip Tank in Lemon (it also comes in about ten other colours), Peter Pan Collar Blouse, Khaki Parka, Pleated Shorts (ice cream perfection + pleats = itmustbelove), Tailored Shorts, Gathered Waist Skirt.



So do yourselves and ice cream flavour, and check out the Kooples. You'll be as fly as a French lady in no time.

Tropic Thunder

Proneza Schouler / Peter Pilotto / Mary Katrantzou / Alexander Wang / Peter Pilotto / Proenza Schouler / Altuzzura

Spring/Summer 2012 is now in full swing, and so I think the time to jump on the tropical print bandwagon.
I can't actually decide which one I like the most (well I can, Alexander Wang wins for me everytime), but Peter Pilotto's digital palm trees are so innovative, and Mary Katrantzou's underwater prints are so good for summer.
Alternatively, you could go for Proenza (and no one would blame you if you did), or Altuzzura and get your hands on his pieces (not like that) whilst his superstar is still in the ascension.

And now for the finale...


I agree, it's all about the Givenchy.

Brunch

So I'm heading off to NYC next week and I'm really determined to have brunch whilst I'm there, just to feel like a cheesy American and try french toast. According to NY Eater, the above places are the top brunch spots in the city. Gotta admit, I wanna go to the bottom left one, just for that brick wall. Small things hey.

So what do we wear to brunch, I hear you ask. Well, these are the three options I came up with. Weather permitting these outfits would work. And hopefully it will permit and the sun will be cooperative.


Topshop Basic Neppy Tee, J Brand Distressed Jeans, ASOS Macaroon Shoes, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Tote.

First up, the plain white t/denim combo. Never fails.
If your pennies stretch a long way, get a James Perse or T by Alexander Wang tee. Just so much better. Pair with distressed jeans so you don't look too polished. Not that I ever do. Brogues in white because we're all sick of tan. Pashli tote. Just because.


Topshop Pork Pie Hat, Melissa Odabash Striped Jersey Mini Dress, Zara Plaited Messenger Bag, ASOS Flossy T-Bar Sandals.

Second, the breton stripe/tan combo. See, we're loving a combo right here.
Wear the hat, just to make a point, plus it livens the outfit up a little. Melissa Odabash's striped mini dress is perfect, plus it's a dress so we don't have to wear jeans for once. And nothing goes with a breton stripe better than tan, so accessorise with said tan. Zara is the go to for these bags, and ASOS just so happen to have some pretty sandals in.


Topshop Plain Grill Jumper, T by Alexander Wang Jeans, ASOS Milan Shoes, Mulberry Oversized Satchel.

I don't know what combo this is...white jumper/black jean combo? Doesn't really work. Oh well. This one would be good for a slightly chillier day.
After seeing so many jumpers in the past month, and acknowledging that we're in the awkward weather phase between spring and summer, I got to thinking that this jumper would be a good option to just wear alone on colder days. Not completely alone, just without a jacket. Black jeans, oversized satchel and tan laser cut shoes to complete the look.

Happy Brunch! x

Sunshine Colour

So it would appear that I have recently developed a slight penchant for yellow. When I say slight I mean obsessive and when I say yellow, I don't mean those lemon shades that the pastel trend is shovelling on us. No. I mean the canary yellow, neon bright, glow in the dark, hurts your eyes to look at, nauseating kind of yellow. As seen above.

See, point example explain. Just like we did in school.

This all started about two weeks ago when I stumbled (literally, it was 9am and I was barely functioning) across a tweed jacket in just such an electric hue. It was tweed (tick) and it had zippers at the waist, meaning you could unzip it and have it flapping around like it was real Helmut Lang (tick tick). It was also from Zara (massive high street friendly tick) meaning it won't cost £500+ like all the other yellow zipped Helmut Lang style jackets you're likely to come across. So that's a happy dance due right there.

Also, if you're anything like me, pairing this with black and having the effect of looking like a giant bumble bee will actually be a plus. If anyone asks, just tell them 'No, it's not fancy dress'. Buzzz.

Just incase anyone was wondering, or happened to share my addiction to the brightest colour in the spectrum...

Shoes Zara, Top Helmut Lang, Dress Topshop, Dress Giambastitta Valli, Shoes Charlotte Olympia, Bag Stella McCartney, Rainmac Mulberry, Pouch Victoria Beckham, Blazer Zara and Skirt Giambastitta Valli.

Miss Highlighter

Dress: Topshop / Sandals: Zara / Clutch: Jimmy Choo

Anyone fancy an Acid Yellow night out? Thought you did.

Saw this dress up on Topshop this morning and it got me to thinking how I'm always drawn to clothes/accessories that other people find grim. Honestly, I actually have the thought process 'That's ugly, I love it'.

Exhibit 1: Highlighter Yellow.

Skating over the fact that Acne did highlighter colours for Fall and they were well received (ipso facto, they're not so radical right now), I would willingly wear this colour at any time of year, regardless if it was on trend or not. It's just so eye-poppingly-disgustingly-bright that you can't ignore it; it might not love you but let's face it, you love it.

So let's just go overboard and do it head to toe. Yellow that is. I for one bet you would catch some eyes (and gag reflexes) in this ensemble.

Topshop Unique

Remember how exciting Topshop Unique's Fall 2012 show was back on a dull Sunday in February?
Remember how the Topshop Showspace was crammed with editors, photographers, bloggers, celebrities and more?
Remember how everyone on Twitter was enthusing about the shoes, the jumpers, the dresses, the baseball caps, and more importantly the bags.
I remember. It was simply the best Topshop Unique shoe to date; maybe something to do with the new creative force of Kate Phelan in its wings.

Anyway, Topshop had their press launch yesterday, and these pictures went up on their blog. Not going to lie, I can't wait for this to hit flagship just so I can see it in the flesh. Already coveting those orange tango shoes (ugly as hell, right?) and that Jason Wu-esque white dress. Plus that jumper/hotpant/clutch/baseball cap combo we all remember. All I really want is the baseball cap. Completely unwearable but totally fun, and that's all we care about.

The Bandeau Experiment

Prada / Proenza Schouler

So bandeau tops are popping up all over the new Spring stock, but let's just think about the bandeau for a second. You can't really get away with wearing one normally or you'll look like a 13 year old who's going to the beach. If you're over the stomach bearing of your teens (a phase I never had the privilege of experiencing) then Spring's collections gave us the resolution:

Bandeau + High Waisted Skirt = Classy & Street Cool

Miuccia is undoubtedly the figurehead here, as we saw prolific bandeau tops at Prada all teamed with the pleated pastel skirts, but there were examples elsewhere. Best other demonstration; Proenza Schouler who paired their dual colour bandeau with yellow florals (a look which made their Poly starring campaign). I digress, but anyone else creeped out by Kinga's Schwarzenegger abs?

There seems to be a question here though...can we actually get away with the bandeau? It's not really the sort of look to go unnoticed in the office (and not in a good way) but it seems if you pair it with a blazer/jacket/coat (I know it's summer) then it becomes suddenly more demure, a la Prada with those hell-a-ugly printed coats.

So let's try these on for size...

Haider Ackermann Blazer / Tillys Bandeau / Jil Sander skirt / DVF Clutch / Alexander Wang Shoes

Or....

Givenchy Vest / Miso Bandeau / Chloe Skirt / Chloe Pumps / Tory Burch Clutch.

Seems to me like a jacket or a flat shoe might just push the bandeau into acceptable territory. Still, I think the only place this look is going to proliferate are those concrete catwalks outside shows.

And can we all just take a moment of silence to consider those Alexander Wang white sandals. I want them, you want them, we all want them. Hence why they're already sold out everywhere. Voila.

Peace Out

Loes x