What She Said: November 2010

Monday, 29 November 2010

PRESENTS FOR MY TECH//

Just last night my Aunt text me to find out what I wanted for Christmas. I was stumped.

Don't get me wrong, everyday I see beautiful clothes and shoes, but they make such bad presents. The sizes will be wrong, as will the colour.

But now that I know about Liberty of London's collaboration with Apple, which launches tomorrow (30th) I'm ready to text her back.

Personal favourites have to be the Edenham print iPhone sleeve, £50 and the 13" MacBook sleeve in either Betsy (for when I'm feeling kitch) or Gecko (for when I'm feeling cool).

The signature Ianthe print is used through out, embossed onto leather in classic tones of black, brown, navy and red.

The collection also includes messenger bags, business cases and iPad follos, and ranges from £50 - £250.

View all the styles here.

Sunday, 28 November 2010

Pam Glew Private View

Thursday night I braved the bitter Arctic winds and London Underground travel chaos along with Ms.Brown to attend the private view of Pam Glew's second solo show 'Circus'.

'Circus' is a progression of her first show, which was a collection of female portraits against a back drop of national flags.

This time strong images were made up of modern icons, male and female reflecting her belief that the changes in celebrity culture have meant "we worship people like we salute flags."

Hunter S. Thompson

Kate Moss

Debbie Harry

Actress Gemma Arterton was in attendance, though I doubt she had the tube to contend with - Bond Girls have all the luck!

Pam Glew with Gemma Arterton

'Circus' runs until 2nd December.

Prices range from £1,995 - £4,500

Red Bull Studios

155-171 Tooley Street

London

SE1 2JP

Wednesday, 24 November 2010

NICOLE FARHI//SU BLACKWELL LAUNCH

Last night after work I headed down to Nicole Farhi's beautiful flagship store on Bond Street for the launch of her collaboration with paper sculpture Su Blackwell. The Christmas windows were all designed by Blackwell and her work was dotted around the store to wonderful effect. The theme for the transformation was the short story, 'When Lady Hare met Su Blackwell'. (Lady Hare is how Farhi is affectionately known).

My spot of the night was UK Vogue editor-in-chief Alexandra Schulman whizzing by for a chat with Nicole.

The scent of Nicole Farhi's scented candles filled the store, and the champagne and delicious chambord cocktails were very welcome after a long day!

But being in the store was pretty risky, so many things to covet, this scarf is definitely on the list. So cosy, and softer then anything I've ever touched before.

Music was provided by rising star Bluey Robinson.

My friend Nick who was with me took this pic of Nicole, he's been dying to meet her since we attended the aftershow party for her recent catwalk show at London Fashion Week, check out his blog My Own Muse.

In the goodie bag was a beautifully made copy of the story that inspired it all, with a beautifully written gift tag. We left feeling full of festive cheer...and a big Christmas wish list.

Monday, 22 November 2010

I AM A WILDFOX

Wildfox's egerrly awaited SS11 look book has just dropped.

Awwwww man... I'm going to be poor again!

Next seasons look is inspired by Marie Antoinette - I'm especially loving the candyfloss hair.

As always the styling is incredible. I had big trouble whittling these images down - here are my faves, enjoy...

// Credits //

Photographer - Emir Eralp

Models - Jennifer Pugh, Naty Chanbanenko, Daria Zhemkova

Make-up - Carlene K

Styling - Emily Faulstich, Kimberley Gordon, Meredith Leyerzaph

Hair - Marki Shkreli

View the look book in all it's glory here.

DARK LIPS

At last it's the perfect time of year to wear darker tones. Purple, berry and black lipsticks are recent additions to my make-up bag, though I haven't quite been brave enough for the black.

If you dare check out these...

Topshop lipstick - Begulled // Vamp // Ruthless £8

MAC - Lipstick in Cyber £12.50 & Lipcreme in Faithfully Yours £14.50

The Make-Up Store lipstick - Black Orchid // Dawn £12.50

JUST ONE MORE THING

On my life, this will be my last royal wedding post.

Am I the only one sick to death of all the who-ha over copy-cat dresses.

In particular the shoddy £16 F&F number which is set to sell out instantly. Surely the demented women set to snap it up must have noticed it bares NO resemblance to Kate's Issa wrap dress.

From what I can see its blue, and not even the right shade of blue.

Who knew a wrap dress was so hard to replicate?

It's sure going to be hard keeping the look of disgust off my face when I spy someone misguided soul in it.

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

SOMETHING BLUE

Am I the only one feeling a wave of disappointment at Kate Middleton's choice of 'engagement' dress? Apart from her wedding dress this is the one we'll remember. Sure, she wanted to match the ring, and the colour of her Issa dress was beautiful, especially lit up by the flash bulbs, but what a waste of flawless hair and make-up.

28, going on 38.

How much nicer it would have been to see her in something a bit more like these...

Richard Nicoll

- Ok, so maybe the sheer blouse is against royal protocol, and the length isn't quite right for Kate, but the balance of textures is divine.

Emilio de la Morena

- Possibly the perfect dress. Structured, but romantic, block colour, with a hint of print.

Mary Katrantzou

- Well, as she'll soon be a Princess one of Katrantzou's regal prints seems pretty fitting.

Thoughts?

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

FASHIONABLE READS

Allure - Diana Vreeland (£22.95, Chronicle Books)

Back in print this classic volume on what defines the quality of allure with a new foreword from Marc Jacobs. For those unfamiliar with Vreeland she was the infamous Harper's Bazaar columnist who created the 'Why don't you...' feature. She also was editor in chief of American Vogue and was a consultant to the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Anna Sui - Andrew Bolton (£40, Chronicle Books)

This authorised biography reveals the inspiration behind her catwalk collections and an insight into her successful career. The book is crammed with beautiful images from the runway and editorial pieces, as well as a host of celebrity followers. The book features collections spanning from AW91 to AW09.

Fashion Designers Sketchbooks - Hywel Davis (£28, Laurence King Publishing)

Sketchbooks is a tour through the design process featuring never seen before illustrations by the World's greatest designers. There are exclusive interviews with A-list designers, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Dries Van Noten, and Christian Lacroix among others. Delve into Karl Lagerfeld's illustrations and Emma Cook's mood boards, flick through the endless pages of photographs and fabric swatches and follow the development of some of the most iconic modern pieces.

Luella's Guide to English Style - Luella Bartley (£20, Fourth Estate Ltd.)

Luella's Guide to English Style is a celebration of English style, what makes UK style so special and why English girls do it better. The book investigates our much loved combination of smart and scruffy, our unique street style, social rituals and style tribes, not forgetting of course our style icons.

THIS WEEK'S OUTFITS WILL MOSTLY BE INSPIRED BY...(II)

OUTDOOR PURSUITS//DARKER NIGHTS//VELVET//PETER PAN COLLARS//POLKA DOTS

PARKS//LATE NIGHT CINEMA

Monday, 15 November 2010

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO SPEND

Disposable fashion is something we're all guilty of. Wearing things once or twice and chucking them out, or leaving them neglected in the bottom of a draw or the back of the wardrobe destined for the charity shop or the bin.

Party season is upon us, and every year it is dresses that dominate our thoughts, but surely we've bought enough of them? Each wardrobe rummage is like a new shopping trip with cries of "Whats that?!" and "Why don't I wear this?!". This time I think I'll treat myself to a gorgeous clutch to treasure forever. Here is my pick of some of the finest clutch bags money can buy.