Label Love: MSGM

Recently I have come to realise that there is more to life than Zara. While their design team is wonderful and their shoes superlative, I have grown rather tired of responding to every clothing compliment or query with "Oh, it's from Zara." Thank goodness, then, for this season's new breed of accessible fashion labels.

One name to watch this season is MSGM, a Milan-based brand established back in 2009. Despite having built up considerable credibility in recent years, this season MSGM have truly come into their own with a strikingly contemporary collection.

Any collection which effortlessly pulls together spotted culottes, tartan cocoon coats, fur gilets and floral sweatshirts is sure to make even the most discerning of fashion folk stand to attention, and MSGM have done just that. 

The wearability of the collection is astounding. While the eclectic prints really ought to clash, the harmonious colour palettes and complimentary shapes ensure each and every look remains tasteful. Capes with ornate swirling applique are downplayed with monochromatic checks, while a dark floral dirndl skirt is given a touch of edge by way of a striped fisherman's jumper. 

Coats are this season's signature, with a zipped cocoon style available in an assortment of vibrant shades and finishes. Particularly impressive is the dark tartan coat with painterly floral detailing. It sounds so wrong, but looks so right for now: a little bit punk, a little bit pretty and a big bit modern. 

In essence, MSGM offers a reinvention of femininity which marries Italian sophistication with kaleidoscopic creativity for an instantly identifiable collection. 

Select pieces are available at Matches now and also My-Wardrobe, but stay tuned for even more MSGM delights this season. 

1. Aqua Coat- matchesfashion,com
2. Floral Sweater, matchesfashion.com
3. Floral Skirt, matchesfashion.com

Jewels du Jour: John & Pearl

I am one of those people who will NEVER have enough jewellery. Despite having two jewellery stands, one of these (a gift from my lovely flatmates) and two vintage jewellery boxes, I still have statement necklaces hanging from doorknobs and bejewelled bangles stacked atop various notebooks.

Every time I "pop" into Topshop, H&M or Zara, my magpie gaze is drawn towards the current assortment of shiny pretty things and I tend to leave £20-£50 lighter. I am simply the sort to dream in Mawi, Shourouk and Dannijo... Oh, and Gosling, always Gosling.

Today as I did the press day rounds (with French Connection, ASOS and IPR posts coming very soon) I was truly blown away by the calibre of the jewellery on offer. Starting with show-stopping pieces at ASOS, emblazoned with gems and accented with shards of flouro perspex, and ending with some glittering investment pieces by Shourouk for Swarovski, today I was certainly in my element.

While i'm all for the bigger brands, I am always looking for exciting new jewellery designers to share, and i've got a good'un here.

I first noticed John & Pearl in the Ledbury Road boutique Wolf & Badger, and have since seen these poppy pieces stocked in a number of elite London boutiques, including the ever-lovely Austique. 

Launched in 2012 by designer Julie Hannay, John & Pearl's first collection "PIGMENT" certainly packs the punch that a debut should do, and I must admit that I am well and truly smitten with the entire collection. Unique, energetic and trend-led, John & Pearl comes in at a lower price-point than most designer jewellery labels, with all pieces sitting around the £100 mark. 

The debut collection, which is all available online here, is truly gorgeous. Offering fresh fluoro shades from violet through to aqua and cerise, the statement jewellery is crafted from tightly woven grosgrain and satin ribbon and glossy chain hardware. With a feminine but bold aesthetic, this is jewellery that adds a trend-led edge to an outfit without being over the top or even remotely garish. 

Standouts for me include the collar necklace marrying silver and gold, which is always a hit for me and the multicoloured spike necklaces which would look incredible with simple neutral pieces for a really fun take on the brights trend for the season ahead. 

I am confident you'll agree that this jewellery is bright, beautiful and worth every penny.  

1. A real favourite of mine, I actually first spotted this one at the phenomenal Urban Outfitters store in Marble Arch at the Beat magazine launch party. This Coco necklace would work with everything from simple blouses through to little dresses, and is available here for £99.

2. Beautifully bold, this mint version of the Lulu necklace is just delightful and would add a pop of colour to any look. It takes two meticulous hours to weave this necklace, and I love the futuristic look. It is £195 here.

3. I love this eye-catching Alyssa mint cuff with gold accenting, which is also available in a number of other colours and metals. The mint is gorgeous with the gold, but I adore the rose shade too. It is £99 here. 

1. The Fifi necklace is such a great price at £82, and this passion pink shade with gold accents would look just glorious with a tan. You can purchase it here.

2. These Lola earrings are just gorgeous to add a pop of colour to a simple halter neck white dress, like this delightful L'Agence number from Atelier-To-Go. These are £99 here and also come in white.

3. This lemon and pewter Alyssa cuff is a little bit more unique, but I love the combination of the light yellow with darker, edgier metal. It is £99 here. 

1. Another lovely piece, this Polly necklace combines a gold plated chain with wisteria blue grosgrain ribbon and white ribbon accenting. Bang on for the marine trend this season, I would wear with my statement monochrome floral jacket (the one i'm wearing here, if you're wondering) and super skinny J Brand white jeans (these are a firm favourite!) This one is £149, available here.

2. This Fifi necklace in mint and gold is just lovely. It is also £82 and is available here.

3. Interwoven with grosgrain ribbon and dotted with golden studs, this Susi bracelet comes in an assortment of colours and look amazing layered up with lots of other bold, punchy bracelets to add an acidic attitude to a simple neutral look. It is a great price also at £69 here. 

The New Fashion Curator

If you follow me on Twitter then you will most likely be aware that I am actively involved with the luxury e-commerce boutique, Atelier-To-Go.

I have been working with Team Atelier since the very beginning and I am so lucky to be a part of this exciting venture. There is so much energy, love and talent in the mix at Atelier-To-Go, and I feel that it is this passion which will allow Atelier to shine in the busy online shopping environment.

 E-Commerce is developing at such a rapid pace, particularly within the luxury sector, but I really do feel that Atelier-To-Go stands out. Conveniently, each and every collection on the site is finely tuned to avoid the confusing wealth of choice we are used to. Atelier-To-Go is simplicity redefined, accessible and luxurious fashion without any of the fuss.

What's more, Atelier-To-Go doesn't feel even remotely intimidating. High-fashion can impart fear in the best of us, even those who are usually self-assured. While I certainly don't fall into the latter category there, I will put my hands up and say that though I found London Fashion Week incredible, I also found it somewhat disheartening. This fashion lark is a tough old gig, no matter how much you love it, so I can only imagine how fearsome the land of Celiné and McQueen must be those who don't share my enthusiasm. I know firsthand that Atelier-To-Go strives to make high fashion feel pleasant, playful and, above all, easy. 

Atelier-To-Go offers an authoritative voice on fashion that we can actually trust: Atelier-To-Go isn't a stereotypical fashion girl who subsists on Diet Coke and cigarettes, rather an intellectual fashion editor who knows just what we want from our wardrobes and HOW we want it. 

I feel that this ethos is particularly relevant at this moment in time as the fashion industry moves towards a clean, contemporary vision of functionality.  

The majority of stylish working women just want their wardrobe to do them justice. We all know what suits us, but part of the problem with online shopping is that there is just too much choice, too much clutter. Atelier-To-Go is clean and curated, with sharply focused editorial content (with fashion features often written by yours truly, the most recent of which you can read here) and contributions from revered fashion experts and icons.

Atelier-To-Go's collections are of the utmost quality and, while nodding to trends where appropriate, the overarching focus is on phenomenal pieces that you can wear and love, time and time again. 

Pieces that not everyone has, but everyone will want.

I will, of course, be posting more about Atelier-To-Go as we move towards our launch at the end of this month, but in the meantime I do hope you will check out the site and let me know what you think.

Tell your friends- Atelier-To-Go is too good to miss.

If you are a fellow fashion blogger and would like to get involved with Atelier-To-Go's exclusive Atelier Girl Dress Up competition to win a beautiful Rebecca Minkoff handbag of your choosing, please do just send me an email at shonawallacefashion@gmail.com and I shall be in touch.

  

Want Some More Three Floor?

It's Shoe Time: Kat Maconie

Kat Maconie

Earlier this year at London Fashion Week I noticed a pair of stunning shoes in the press gallery and fell in love. Simple black pumps with a geometric fuschia platform with gorgeous gold piping, they were beyond gorgeous and I needed a pair! 

The shoes in question were by LCF grad (good on ya girl!) Kat Maconie, who set up her own label in 2009 and has since had shoes featured in all the good glossies and on the most stylish ladies. These metallic blue heels have been particularly popular this season- and with good reason. I'd wear with white for a futuristic sporty look!

The distinctively chunky heels and gorgeous details make Kat Maconie's shoes lustworthy and very unique, and while showing off the shoes available now I have also treated you to a little sneak peek of her next season collection (race you to the orange shoe boots?)

The best part? The heels (available online here) are nowhere near as expensive as they look- all around £200, roughly a Kurt Geiger price point but a million times more original. 

Let me know what you think!

Ring the Changes!

I don't know about you, but I find there is nothing more annoying than turning up to an event and seeing someone else in the same dress. Of course I do not begrudge them and their fantastic taste, but it is still a little disheartening to be matching and creates that inevitable niggle of "who wears it better?"

This is not the individual's fault, though, and is down to a pretty limited offering on the high street. Yes, each store churns out a number of gorgeous dresses, wonderfully varied in style, but there are only a few truly outstanding pieces in each collection, and these get snapped up by everyone. This leads to these dresses being ten-a-penny in your local bar, and ultimately being copied by Primark and market stall stands (see the body-con tiger print Topshop dress). 

This provoked me to ring the changes a bit, give my online shopping a spring clean. Instead of searching through my usual Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Zara routine, I am thinking outside the box and have landed on pretty Brit brands like InLoveWithFashion (see my post here), Three Floor (see here) and Dahlia Fashion.

The Dahlia Fashion SS12 collection is a total treat. Though the range is available in Topshop, it is far less ubiquitous than the mainline collection, and is a little bit cooler as well. I am in love with this slightly kitsch gingham dress that feels ever so girly but still looks sexy with the cut-outs. I am also naturally drawn to this sailor-esque lace dress that is just what any girl needs for a festival. 

Best get shopping!

Call Me?

Ever since I got my iPhone (aka: my life) I have been hunting for the perfect cover. A chic, pretty and quirky case is quite tricky to find, especially on a budget, but I feel I may have struck gold with my latest discovery: Iconemesis.

Iconemesis is a great concept, decorating iPhone covers (both 3G and 4G) with beautiful designs by the UK's finest artists. It's all about iPhone covers that reflect your own unique style and personality, and let's not forget how gorgeous they are! 

From cutesy Fifi Lapin illustrations to zingy Tropical designs, these are certainly worth the £24.99! They also make the perfect present for a style-conscious friend. 

As far as i'm concerned, it's all well and good having the perfect hair, the manicured nails and the 'it' bag, but if your phone looks shabby what's the point? Check out the Iconemesis site here, and follow them on Twitter here! 

Fenton= New Obsession

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

This weeks' Grazia featured a gorgeous piece by Fenton (available at Liberty), and I just fell head over heels in love. I am obsessed with statement jewellery, and this stuff is every bit as gorgeous as my favourite brands like Mawi. I adore the pastels shades and would do anything to own one of the pieces! Definitely one to watch.

The chunky necklaces would be perfect with a nude shorts suit and bright heels for a fabulous evening look, or to lift a crisp white shirt and skinny jeans for day. 

Find more about the label here! 

HELP! Dress Dilemma!

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

Yesterday, I posted about my newfound obsession with new label THREE FLOOR (SHOP HERE! and see my post HERE!) and I have officially decided it will be my go to for my London birthday next weekend, but i'm stuck between these two beautiful, beautiful dresses!

I want YOU to help me decide please as I am so very torn between the wearability of the little white one and the total gorgeousness of the midi! Please comment below or tweet me to let me know which one to go for! I am a size 6, tall girl with a relatively boyish shape and long blonde hair!

PLEASE help me decide guys! I know this is what you are good at!

LABEL ALERT: My Eye on The Sugar High!

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

This beautiful dress featured in last nights Evening Standard, and I just fell in love! I had to a do a little post on it, as did my lovely friend Nicole Campanaro of Pink Flamingo Kisses (check out her post here!)

It is just the most gorgeous dress possibly ever! Designed by Han Chong, a CSM grad who is now creative director of the amazing boutique website Three Floor Fashion.

I share this shop with you somewhat begrudgingly as I feel I want it all!

Enjoy!

Shop THREE FLOOR FASHION here, follow them on twitter HERE!

My days of searching for perfect party and evening dresses are long gone!