Model falling at Fashion Week

Just stumbled upon this long lost video that my Dad of all people sent to me long ago.

Poor girl I know, but you can't help but laugh (and the news reporters don't help).

I Spy... Mary Katrantzou's Prints

Mary Katrantzou's eponymous label has gone from strength-to-strength since it's launch at London Fashion Week 2008.  The St. Martins graduate has accumulated a host of awards along the way and has managed to create a unique brand that can be identified instantly.  Think bold, illusory digital prints, vivid colours and ladylike tailoring.

You need to see it to understand, so without further ado, here are my picks from the AW12 collection.
Oh and P.S, I spy HB pencils, phone dials, and a typewriter, do you?

My favourite piece from the collection

You need to check out the embroidery on the above dress, it's simply incredible!

Queen's Jubilee Fashion

I forgot to click 'Publish'! Oh well only a few weeks late.

So thanks to the Diamond Jubilee Concert we have a whole host of new royal/celebrity outfits.

Some say it was boring, but I think Kate Middleton was stunning in Alexander McQueen's lace dress.

Wow, Grace Jones

Much less wow, Cheryl Cole

Laura Bailey

Kylie

Pretty princesses

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Fashion Highlights

With celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee kicking off yesterday, here's a round-up of the fashion highlights so far:

Majestic aboard The Spririt of Chartwell

*Incidentally, just moments after posting this, my boyfriend rang to tell me that he had been given the rare opportunity to go onboard the Spirit of Chartwell at Greenwich dock after the Queen had descended.*

The Queen is wearing an outfit created by her senior dresser, Angela Kelly.

Kate, William and Harry

Kate is wearing Alexander McQueen (approx. £1200).

Pippa Middleton looking nautical in Orla Kiely (approx. £345)

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice at the Derby yesterday.  Take note of Princess Eugenie's awesome Union Jack nail wraps.

Designer Profile: James Long

James Long

Brit-born designer James Long's career has been quickening in pace for several years now, with his new A/W collection receiving some serious attention this fashion week.  In fact, according to Vogue, 'By next season James Long’s (show) will be one of the most sought after tickets of the week.'


Born: Northampton, England
Fashion Eduction: BA from the Royal College of Art
Signature designs: Statement knits and leather jackets

A look from A/W 12

Those statement knits

James Long is perhaps better known for his menswear, and has only made 3 womenswear collections to date, but judging by this latest collection he'll be in the spotlight for many fashion weeks to come.

The man loves his knits whether for men or women and says 'You always know you're going to get a great knit from me season after season. I've always really loved Missoni as he was the king of knitwear - I would love to work with Missoni.' 

Tassles and Missoni inspired prints at A/W 12

Peplum Dresses

Hmm I'm in two minds about peplums really, as peplum dresses in particular tend to remind me of Lady Gaga's getup but I've decided that there's a peplum and then there's a peplum - so you can find one to suit you.  

Peplums at Alexander McQueen

Peplum Dress - Karen Millen - was £200 now £100

Peplum Dress - Apricot - was £28 now £12

Givenchy

Philip Lim

This Philim Lim dress restored my faith!

Peplum dress - Lipswy - Was £60 now £30

Peplum Dress - Topshop - was £55 now £22

Gold by Giles Deacon

Giles Deacon is a critically acclaimed British designer, whose career highlights include working for houses such as Bottega Veneta and Gucci, setting up his own label, Giles (see below), a collaboration with Ungaro, and winning awards such as 'Best New Designer' and later 'British Fashion Designer of the Year'.  Not bad...

Here are some of my favourite looks from the SS 12 show ('This is not a collection about Black Swan!' says Giles).

Giles has been collaborating with New Look for a while now to produce the Gold clothing collections, but he has recently branched out to include beauty as well.  I'm loving the pastel nail polishes, and they're only £2.99!

Shop the collection here.

Top 5: Don'ts

OK I realise this post has a slightly negative undertone, but I do quite enjoy watching the celeb do's and don'ts and so I've created my own.  I haven't commented on the pics, so tell me, what do you think?

Ok just one little comment, I'm liking Rihanna's stilettos.  Enough said.

Limited Edition Karl Lagerfeld at Net-a-Porter

As of today, a capsule collection from Karl by Karl Lagerfeld has been made available for sale exclusively at net-a-porter.com.

There are just 5 dresses which comprise this new collection, and only 50 models are available of each.  Prices start at about £660 (it seems I won't be touching his 'premium' line, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, any time soon) but on the plus side you do get a signed sketch by Karl like this one:

Now I do realise that these pieces are not in a sale, but I've noticed that the prices in euros (I'm currently in Grenoble) and pounds sterling are practically the same!  This means that for example, if you bought the beaded organza dress below for 4500 euros instead of £4,400, you'd save yourself about £800! With which you could buy the cotton-blend one! Then with the £140 you save from that you can buy someone else, and it just goes on and on.  Genius I think.

Take a look:

Beaded organza dress, £4,415

Cotton-blend jersey and tulle tuxedo gown, £785

Sequin-embellished faux suede dress, £1,765

Tulle and mess-lace mini dress, £1,080 

The original collection was released in January, when net-a-porter created this video to accompany it.  I love the rather dramatic reporter, and the cut scene of people relaxing on a beach to illustrate 'Karl mania reaching a phenomenal climax'!

http://bcove.me/77jmrx3r

Mary, Queen of Shops

In May 2011 the British prime minister, David Cameron, commissioned Mary Portas to perform an independent review of the Future of the British High-Street and it has recently been announced that 27 out of 28 of her recommendations have been accepted along with an agreement for £13m to be contributed.

Mary, Queen of Shops

Mary Portas is quite simply a retail expert.  She started her career as a Saturday girl in John Lewis but has since worked with brands such as Topshop, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols (the success of the Harvey Nicks we know today has been attributed by some to Ms Portas).

She has written several successful books, has had numerous television series with the BBC and Channel 4 including 'Mary Queen of Charity Shops' in which she transformed the charity Save the Children's least successful shop into it's most profitable, and has recently launched her own clothing collection at House of Fraser.

Mary's report for the government included suggestions such as providing free parking areas, financial awards for the towns implementing the best rejuvenation schemes, encouraging large retailers to support local and independent shops, and to create disincentives to discourage landlords and banks from owning empty property on the high street.

Back to the aforementioned collection.  In Mary's words, her collection for House of Fraser is a contemporary collection for 'grown-up modern women'.  My boyfriend is always telling me that I dress like a middle-aged women so maybe I'm admitting that he's right here, but I would seriously wear this stuff!

Mary Portas Neon Tee - was £80 now £56 - 30% off

Mary Portas Pleat Front Blouse - was £79 now £55.30 - 30% off

Mary Portas Oversized Jumper - was £79 now £55.30 - 30% off

Mary Portas Boyfriend Jacket - was £160 now £112 - 30% off

All available at House of Fraser.