She Could've Been a Killer

1. My Bowie obsession is probably a little unhealthy. Just ask my poor flatmates who were recently subject to my choruses of "THIS IS GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM" while cleaning the kitchen on a hungover Sunday morning. I feel that the time has come for me to bite the bullet and invest in this fabulous Ziggy Stardust sweater by my beloved Maje. Maje-or Tom would certainly approve. It is £130 here.

2. & Other Stories nail polishes are pretty as a picture, and this Melton Sunset shade is next on my must-have list. Red hot with just a touch of sunset orange, the matte shade will add a pop of Summer vibrance to polished tips and toes. It is just £5 here.

3. I have been seeking a great bargain foundation for a while now, and I think I have found my one true love- Revlon Photoready. The coverage is buildable, covering imperfections without caking. It promises to give the illusion of flawless skin in photographs, so what could be better for those impromptu Somerset House style snaps? It is £12.99 at Boots. My tip is to layer with the liquid PhotoReady concealer- also Revlon- and finish with a dusting of Bourjois Healthy Mix powder.

4. I have finally invested in a backpack, but sadly it is nowhere near as stylish as this fabulous VERITY style by Whistles. I spotted this at the press day and have been dreaming of it since. The buttery white leather is crisp, clean and classic, while the size is just right for fashion week essentials.  At £275 it is an investment piece, but at least you can't contest it's practicality? Mum would be proud. Shop VERITY here.

5. Orelia's delicate jewellery, stocked in Topshop, is my go-to for trinkety little pieces to decorate my wrists and fingertips. These mixed metal midi-rings are great for drawing attention to perfectly manicured hands- they also make for great girly gifts. They are £10 here. 

6. Another Whistles hit, this golden bolt cuff adds a little gloss to the look. It is £35 here and is a contender for my next pay-day purchase. The bolt = very Aladdin Sane.

7. Picking a favourite piece in Zara at the moment is not easy. They seem to up their game every season, and SS14 is no exception. Zara is, and always shall be, my happy place (sorry Cafe Nero- you're a close second). If I were to choose just one ensemble to add to my wardrobe, it would probably be this leather trimmed tweedy mini with matching biker jacket. It's so Alexander Wang at Balenciaga, particularly when paired with a sheer white blouse and a little midriff peekaboo. Be a devil and treat yourself here - the skirt is £39.99.

8. Last but not least, kick up your look with these buckled peep-toe ankle boots, also from Zara. They are chunky and clunky but still suitably sexy. In a word? Strutworthy. They are £99.99 here, but they will work with any look across the seasons.

This season I have made the informed decision to fully boycott London Fashion Week. With my dissertation due in a matter of weeks, it made great sense for me to shun all LFW frivolities, instead opting for quinoa gingerbread men, GIRLS boxsets and a little bit of at-home Pilates. Did someone say C-H-I-C?

So while the fashion pack are gallivanting around London toting their Meli Melos, fueled by Marlboros, Manolos and Instagram-Hashtag-Hype (#LFWtimelinebitchez/ #donthatemecuzyouaintme), I am seeking out other modes of procrastination. My current pick? Twitter gem @Daily_Kale.

I  have a wealth of LFW shows to catch up on for AW14 - I hear Whistles was a knockout?- but I, like the rest of the population, am still in SS14 mode. With my first Spring holiday booked, I am spending every waking moment daydreaming of backlessness, crop-tops, printed two-pieces and sugar sweet pointed pumps.

I digress.

Above is what I would be wearing if I could be tempted away from the British Library. And on that note, ladies, best not wear leather minis to the British Library- I've never had so many shocked glances in my life.

London Fashion Week SS14: Trend Summary

I don't know if you've noticed, but this season I have been pretty quiet on the Fashion Week front. However, if you are feeling a need to swot up on the SS14 trends, check out my LFW summary over on SUITCASE magazine and The Huffington Post.

I wrote these on behalf of Serena Guen, editor and founder of SUITCASE magazine. SUITCASE magazine, if you didn't know, is everything that is right with magazines at the moment. It is stylish, slick, approachable and directional- just like its cool-kid readers. You can buy an issue here or you can check out the online content here.

I hope you like my LFW Summary, and any comments are more than welcome!

Fit for a Fashion Week #1 : Hers

Let's hear it for the ladies! Let statement pieces do all the talking and keep details to the minimum. Mix and match your favourite London designers with your high street favourites for a look that is true to your style.

1. It is actually a little bit scary how much money I spend in Zara each season. I could work out exactly how much, but ignorance is bliss. This season, though, I fear I may top last season in the spending stakes, which is quite a feat. These buckled black patent dolly shoes are next on my list. They are almost like macabre Mary-Janes with those vicious pointed toes and ankle straps. They are £79 here, and a great take on the dapper flat. 

2. Another day, another statement necklace. Zara's noir-dipped baroque necklace is a darkly elegant piece that will work with everything from cream to claret. It adds just a touch of interest to this monochrome ensemble. Break fashion taboos and pair yours with a slick navy dress and patent black Kurt Geiger Bonds. It is a snip at £29.99 here.

3. Mary Katrantzou's collection is one of the hottest tickets at LFW, so show your appreciation with this  timeless printed silk top. With pleating at the neckline and a painterly shadow print, this monochrome piece is a future classic. An understated style, this shell top is great for pledging your LFW allegiance. It is £486 at www.matchesfashion.com. 

4. My search for sartorial nirvana often falls at the same hurdle: the black skirt. I have had flirtations with black skirts over the years, but nothing seems to stand the test of time. I've had floaty flared numbers, pleated leather skaters, sculpting jersey pencils and even shameful bandage minis, but nothing seems to tick all my boxes. This season, however, there are some great simple black skirts around. I initially fell for Zara's acclaimed Mermaid style with a kick hem, but I couldn't quite part with that £70, which I now regret massively. This structured skirt from Topshop is a great simple piece that will nip in at the waist and skim your hips. Plus, at £35 here, it is a total bargain even if it is not "the one".

5. If you are looking for an "it bag" that won't set you back a couple of thousand, look no further than your local Whistles.  A new addition to the LFW schedule, Whistles have really upped the fashion ante with their latest limited edition handbags. In a muted blush pink, this calf hair Corine style is sure to a be a hit with fashion girls. It is minimal and a little bit Céline, but thankfully it is only £350 here. Pair it with a directional monochrome look this season for a fresh take on fondant pink. 

Fit for a Fashion Week #1: His

It's just a few days until London Fashion Week commences, so I thought I would share some of my stylistic inspirations for this season.

I am not one to really go for it in the fashion stakes. I know what I like and I like what I know... and no matter how confident I may be feeling, nothing makes me feel better than a simple cream button-down with skinny black jeans (current favourites? these bad boys).

Staying true to my own style, these Fit for Fashion Week ensembles- his and hers, of course- are pretty relaxed and understated, while still nodding to key trends for the season.

1. A classic white t-shirt is an item that will never date, and therefore it makes little sense to scrimp on such an essential. James Perse t-shirts are second to none, and this simple crew neck style available from www.matchesfashion.com is a premium cotton blend that layers wonderfully. £45 here.

2. Cutler & Gross is one of the most respected eyewear brands of the moment. Quintessentially British with great emphasis on artful craftsmanship and durability, Cutler & Gross spectacles are the modern gentleman's choice. This season's Cutler & Gross collection brings in trend-led elements for a contemporary spin on their slick frames. These camouflage D-Frames at Mr Porter are a particular favourite. Camouflage is an undeniable trend this season, and these stylish glasses are great for nodding to the trend without any novelties. They are £310 here.

3. The Kooples menswear is a personal favourite of mine. Slick without being over-the-top, each and every collection stays true to the brand's trademark cool-kid look. This suede and shearling biker jacket is a standout piece, along with the other casual jackets in the range. Zip detailing is big news for AW13, but this jacket will stand the test of time. It is £595 here.

4. If you are headed to fashion week, I don't doubt that you will require a bag big enough to fit all your essentials. While the croc holdall by Gucci is the ultimate, this slick and understated satchel from ASOS will look sharp in the meantime.

5. These turn-up trousers by Reiss are very smart and bang-on trend for the season ahead. A modern alternative to black, these tailored trousers are ideal for showing off polished new shoes. I also love the juxtaposition between the formal trouser and the James Dean biker. They are £105 here.

6. 1, 2 buckle your shoe! A smart shoe without the fuss of a brogue, the monk strap style is just the ticket for LFW. This leather pair by Kurt Geiger London, also available in brown and matte black, come complete with croc-print leather detailing for a fashion-forward touch. They are £195 here.

Better off Red: Dolce & Gabbana

image from Catwalking

What's a girl gotta do to get a Dolce & Gabbana crown around here?!

I know i've not been posting much this weekend, but I couldn't resist posting this one faaaaabulous image from Dolce & Gabbana's AW13 show in Milan.

Milan is one of my favourite cities for shopping, architecture, culture, but it is certainly not my favourite fashion week. Always a little bit too "much" for my tastes, the designers that show in Milan aren't among my favourites, with a few notable exceptions, of course. 

Nevertheless, the Dolce & Gabbana show was rather tempting indeed: a furiously regal showcase of golden crowns, gilded brocades and intricately crafted scarlet dresses. Shamelessly luxurious, this collection just exudes that typical Dolce & Gabbana lavish glamour.  

LFW AW13: Runway

Simone Rocha, images from Catwalking

Jonathan Saunders, images from Catwalking

Felder Felder, images from Catwalking

Erdem, images from Catwalking

Mary Katrantzou, images from Catwalking

Richard Nicoll, Images from Catwalking

 For today's instalment of my LFW analysis, I thought i'd present to you my pick of the LFW catwalks.

There have been some real highs and some real lows this season, so here is a brief analysis of which ones I personally fell for.

I must admit that I did not really rate Burberry or Mulberry, both of which I usually love. I felt they were both rather staid in comparison to the other talent to be found at LFW, such as Simone Rocha and Felder Felder, two brands who presented truly phenomenal collections with immaculate styling. 

I have been following the work of Simone Rocha for a while now, and her latest collection certainly delivered in my view. Soft pastel shades that would not look out of place on a S/S catwalk were modernised with unique tailoring techniques and innovative fabrics. To bring the collection bang up to date and back into the realms of A/W,  these sugar pastels were interspersed with tactile and tempting looks of jet black, providing a stark contrast between prettiness and power. 

Moving on, I simply can't sing the praises of both Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll enough, and neither disappointed me for AW13. Jonathan Saunders pulled out all the stops with a modern but feminine aesthetic which is sure to be a hit, it is also going to be my fat day inspiration- those loose sweaters worn over slouchy skirts would conceal a multitude of sins... and donuts... and champagne... 

I am never going to say I dislike an Erdem collection because I highly doubt that I ever could. While this new collection is not my favourite of all time, I do love the slightly sinister, darkly romantic look. I particularly adore the intricate black lace that conjures up images visions of a fantastical forest at witching hour. 

Which were your favourite shows of the new season? 

LFW Dream Wardrobe #3

Happy Valentines Day ya'll! Hope you have a lovely day, single or not so.

Anyway, what with Pancake Day, Pancakelentines Day (The 13th... What do you MEAN you didn't celebrate?!) and now Valentines Day sort of out the way, we can focus all our attention and excitement on London Fashion Week which dawns tomorrow.

With the launch party for #HPMLFW this evening (if you're going to be there, drop me a wee tweet at @SWfashion_ ) and lots of exciting shows tomorrow, I am officially excited.

Today, though, I am shooting with the lovely team at Atelier-To-Go, so thought that I should share with you this little dress which has been miraculously reduced in the Atelier-To-Go sale to just £130 - amazing for a little slice of luxury, delivered straight to your door.

Atelier-To-Go is launching very soon so please do make sure that you follow us out on Twitter @ATELIER_TO_GO and like us on Facebook for our fashion and lifestyle musings on a daily basis. Most importantly, though, make sure you shamelessly self indulge this Valentines Day by treating yourself to some of our lovely new in.

1. This candy pink midi dress from Alice + Olivia at Atelier-To-Go is a total steal at just £130 in the sale. With fine and balletic pleats and a simple elasticated waist, this pretty pink dress is a great piece to see in Spring seamlessly. Yes, it's very girly, but the brighter shade of pink brings it bang up to date. I'll race you to the checkout, yeah?!

2. My latest discover is Shourouk jewellery, and I would be so thrilled to get my hands on this killer Venus necklace. It is available in three weeks from Shourouk's online store for €375, and is just truly beautiful. I feel that this may be my new statement jewellery obsession, Mawi who? With twinkling crystals and bright touches of orange, lime and hot pink, this bright and bold necklace would look devastatingly amazing with this pretty dress. 

3. What could be sweeter for Spring than some lemon yellow pointed stilettos from Whistles. The entire Whistles SS13 collection is a knockout, and their footwear is particularly stellar. These suede pointed courts are perfect with pretty neutrals or with other bold shades and are a great way to breathe life into simple Fashion Week looks.

4. Aaah The Kooples. If ever i'm rich and famous can we agree, Mr and Mrs Koople, that you will provide me with a full wardrobe season by season, primarily made up of these immaculate little jackets? Cool, i'm glad we've got that sorted. This creamy double breasted blazer from their new Spring collection, dotted with gleaming gold buttons, is the perfect way to keep out the chill without ruining the flirty shade of the dress. It's £315, but the cut makes it a wise little extravagance. 

5. Another season, another collection of Zara handbags to make me even poorer. In a bold, uplifting tribal print, this boxy clutch belies the £39.99 pricetag and is a great way to marry these bright shades together. Someone try and dissuade me from buying this... I don't think I can resist much longer!

6. The finishing touch? A fluoro nail polish that is just the ticket for instagram ready nails. This bright Portobello polish from Nails Inc is perhaps my favourite summer shade as it really brings a smile to my face, while also making me look nice and tanned. It'll look fabulous with this clutch as well! For £11, it's 100% worth it. 

LFW Dream Wardrobe #2

Another day closer to LFW, another day spent trawling the online stores dreaming of clothing and accessories that I can't actually afford. That is my life it seems, and as the LFW invites start to come in, I have been left with a maddening panic of OMIGOD-WHAT-AM-I-GOING-TO-WEAR-ALL-MY-CLOTHES-ARE-UGLY.

Today I let my gaze fall on this divine blue skirt from Whistles. It's just beautiful for Fashion Week flirtation, particularly with these killer Kurt Geiger ankle boots.

1. A silk t-shirt really is a bit of a contemporary classic, and those lovely folk at REISS have done this classic silk front tee in a number of summery shades for those of us who like to spend that little bit extra on timeless classics. This clean blue shade is bang on for SS13, but will also work just as well now with some skinny black leathers.

2. This accordion pleat 'Carrie' skirt from Whistles has become something of an icon ever since the fashion crowd went Carrie Crazy back when the first candy pink offering hit the stores. I love the muted, unusual petrol blue shade of this skirt which softly whispers summertime sweetness, while still maintaining just enough edge to work in the chillier months.

3. With such an understated and demure ensemble, the accessories really have to bring a little something extra to the picture, and this chain detail collar from Zara shall do just that. I love Zara's purse-friendly collections of bold, statement jewellery and this one is a slightly cleaner take on a collar necklace.

4. Excuse me while I compose myself. Following a big discussion with a friend at ATELIER-TO-GO HQ this morning about the demise of the Céline handbag (could this be another case of death by WAG?!) and the surge of other luxury brands in the handbag market, I felt it high time to reacquaint myself with Proenza Schouler. Then I found this navy offering and fell in love. The rest, they say, is history... Or bankruptcy, perhaps, for this little treasure costs a cool £1365.

5. Marry in the gloss of the necklace with this pack of three chunky ASOS chain bracelets in gold, brass and pewter. I am really into clashing metals at the moment (I know- fashion faux pas!) and this little set is a great way to ease in. Who wants to be boring and matchy-matchy all the time anyway?

6. Ankle boots are my favourite shoes, and this cream pair by Kurt Geiger London are my new season favourites. They would look incredible with the muted marine shades of this look, and I don't doubt for one second that these sweetly titled SODA boots are the perfect summer style.

LFW Dream Wardrobe #1

It's just a few days until London Fashion Week, so naturally i'm spending all my money and buying lots of silly bits and pieces that I don't need but want... Lots.

1. This Reiss lounge suit in the most divine shade of off-white is a demure look for taking you from day to evening. With a slick boat neck and elegant 3/4 sleeves, this is flattering and stylish and all it needs is a little spicing up with some killer accessories.

2. Leopard Print. Zara. Handbag. I'm sold. This new season leopard print number is a gorgeous little bag to add a touch of wild charm to your LFW look.

3. This raspberry ripple polish from Essie is a rich shade that complements every look. It even has a tasty name: Extoric Liras.

4. I love this bejewelled ASOS belt which as a distinct MAWI charm to it, but it is just £20. This would look yummy paired with this lovely slouchy jumpsuit.

5. My latest indulgence? These studded Zara kitten heels. YES. THEY ARE KITTEN HEELS OKAY. I feel awful to have bought kitten heels, a lifelong advocate of "go high or go home", but I really like these. They kind of remind me of the Valentino Rockstuds, and could that ever be a bad thing?! They are perfect for adding a little edge to soft cream pieces.

6. These River Island cuffs will add a futuristic look to any outfit, and I love the clean simplicity. They are only £8 each, so it's more than okay to buy both for that extra fashion-edge.

Get those flashbulbs flashing you fashion lot!

LFW Cocktails: The Shoe Bar

If you are a regular reader of the blog, you'll know that i've got a wee soft spot for cocktails. Anything sweet, fizzy and pretty shall do me. 

As it so happens, I also rather like fashion, so London Fashion Week cocktails are always going to be right up my street. 

I'm only human, after all.

For six years now, the plush May Fair Hotel has been the official LFW hotel, pulling out all the stops for fashion week's most stylish ladies and gents. I must say that The May Fair is devastatingly luxurious, and it only gets better as the fashion lot descend.

So, while we may not all be able to dart from show to show coffee in one hand, Céline in the other, there are plenty of ways in which we can inject a little bit of fashion week fabulousness into our lives. 

The May Fair LFW cocktails are just the ticket for this and for AW13 the inspiration is coming straight from the king of luxury footwear, a certain Mr. Manolo Blahnik. 

Working with the BFC, Blahnik has created exclusive imagery for the latest LFW campaign which will also be used in The May Fair's seasonal Stratton Street window display- a must see if you're in London for fashion week. These window displays will be revealed by Manolo Blahnik at a photo-call on the 13th of February. 

Though these lovely cocktails won't be available until next month, I thought i'd do the noble thing and treat you all to a little sneak peek of the dreamy cocktails conjured up by the May Fair Bar's mixologists.

While, unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of trying these yet, I am super excited to do so- they all sound so very tasty.

Yet another reason to look forward to fashion week, I think! Which do you have your eye on?

The Peep Toe  

The Strappy Sandal

The Red Stiletto

The Classic Court

The Mary Jane 

The Velvet Mule

La Beauté de Paris

Céline SS13
image from Catwalking

Chanel SS13
image from Catwalking

Dior SS13
image from Catwalking

Lanvin SS13
image from Catwalking

Balmain SS13
image from Catwalking

Alexander McQueen SS13
image from Catwalking

Wow. Just wow. A feast for the eyes!

Season-nail.

Burberry Prorsum S/S13, NARS Nails in Anardana £14
Christopher Kane S/S13, Models Own Nails in Lemon Meringue £5

Erdem S/S13, Essie Nails in Poppy Art Pink
Felder Felder S/S13, OPI Nails in Ogre The Top Blue

Issa S/S13, Nails Inc. Nails in Devonshire Row £11
Victoria Beckham S/S13, Revlon One Perfect Coral £6

I know that fashion is crazily fast-paced, but I can't help but feel a little bit behind the times. I am only just editing down the options for my winter coat (no, it really is as pathetic as it sounds) and my twitter feed is telling me that crop tops are back?! Hold. Yer. Horses.

If, like me, you cannot bring yourself to ignore the catwalks, then why not update your look with a zingy nail colour reminiscent of your favourite dresses of the new season? Perfect to perk up a camel coat or your parka!

(images from ELLE UK)

All Hail Queen Mary!

Mary Katrantzou, London Fashion Week, S/S 2013
images from Elle UK, see their review and the full collection here.

While NYFW has the gloss, Milan the luxury and Paris the elegance, I remain convinced that the city with the truly exciting talent is, and always will be, London.

A case in point, season by season, is the Greek-born genius that goes by the name of Mary Katrantzou. Her collections always blow me away, and for SS13 this is more true than ever before.

What makes Mary Katrantzou such an accomplished designer is her approach to pattern and colour. Each collection has a clear inspiration, usually rather abstract, which influences her artful prints and luscious colour palette, as well as the overall aesthetic of the show.

With her AW collection taking us back to school with sharpened pencils and typewriters, her summer collection is aptly inspired by stamps and foreign currency, perfect for sun-soaked summer retreats.

With softer, perhaps more wearable shapes than in previous seasons, this collection feels slightly more feminine and nonchalant, but still retains the abstract beauty of Mary Katrantzou garments.

With loose silks, billowing skirts and even Current/Elliott denim, the collection is truly marvellous. My stand-out piece has to be the black and white maxi with collar detail- it is elegant but still beautifully modern.

What do you make of Mary Katrantzou's latest collection at LFW?