Book Clutches

Is it a book?  Is it a bag?  Yes it's a bag.

I first spotted this curious creation when I saw Michelle Williams sporting one at the Baftas...

Michelle Williams arriving at the Baftas

A custom-made tribute to Arthur Miller's 'The Misfits' 

...however, after a little research I realised that they've been in circulation for decades and you can pick up your own vintage version, like these ones below, on sites such as etsy.com.

Vintage Bag Clutch - about £28

Vintage Bag Clutch - about £41

If you're after la crème de la crème then it has to be an Olympia Le Tan clutch, which will set you back about £900.  Le Tan's creations have been seen in the hands of stars such as Tilda Swinton and Natalie Portman, though in the designer's words, 'I rather like to see someone I don’t know wearing my bag in the street and I have no idea how they got it'.  Take a look at her blog here.  As for actually getting your hands on one - good luck! Every single book design (of which there are a good 20) is already sold out on her site.

Book clutch by Le Tan - perfect for this season's 20's trend
(read about it here)

I'm really struggling to find a high-street version of the bag.  Asos did attempt it, but failed miserably in my opinion with the bag being made from plastic-y leather, and being stamped with 'Book Club' rather than with the name of a much loved classic or author.  (That said the bag has sold out so clearly some thought was put into it).

If you're really crafty, then why not make one yourself?  There's a fantastic tutorial on DIY blog runwaydiy, which just makes it look so easy!

The finished item, from runwaydiy.com

Victoria, by Victoria Beckham

Following the release of her sister line, 'Victoria, by Victoria Beckham', I thought I'd dedicate a post to the lady herself.

When I was at primary school in the late nineties, me and my friends were absolutely Spice Girl obsessed, and would spend break times rehearsing their songs and dance routines in the playground (I was deemed to most resemble Scary Spice much to my loathing, and always wanted to be the girly, fashionable Posh Spice).  In hindsight, Victoria really was no fashion icon back then, but that most certainly cannot be said of her today.

My childhood idol!

Victoria seems to have slowly emerged as a key fashion figure, something which has suddenly gained momentum in recent years.  Left behind are her typical WAG looks - tacky extensions and highlights, too much (orange) skin on show, blinging jewellery and distateful big designer branding, and she has emerged as a sleek, chic and demure icon, holding true to her former nickname.

Victoria Beckham dressed as a WAG

Her new line, 'Victoria, by Victoria Beckham' is a less pricey sister line of her main brand (never-the-less, prices start at £395), but instead of the more sophisticated dresses from the main line, 'Victoria' is all about fun cuts, pretty girly details and a 60's vibe - in short, it's made to suit a younger generation of VB fans.

The sophisticated VB we know and love today

Victoria won 'Designer Brand of the Year', an honour which she clearly found humbling which is so refreshing when celebrities these days can become so easily conceited.

The collection is exclusive to Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge and Birmingham, but if you don't live close then you can mail order.

Victoria has collaborated with film-maker Quentin Jones (Cambridge educated, former-model, already created a video for Chanel, you know, the usual) to showcase the collection.  Take a look here:

                                         


Personally, I find the video a bit tedious and far to 'manufactured' - I really feel I need to see some green grass or something after 3 minutes of this, but that's just me.

However, the collection is fabulous and boasted a waiting-list before it was released, and now the Harvey Nics stores are waiting for fresh supplies of some of the most popular designs (namely the pink tunic dress Mrs Beckham is sporting (ha-ha) below.

VB in one of the pieces for the new collection

Well done to Victoria Beckham for defeating her critics and reinventing herself as a major player in the fashion world.

All that Glitters is Gold

Make like Cara Delevigne in a sparkly gold dress.  Accessories are strictly black-only, the dress speaks volumes as it is.  Biker boots optional!

Cara Delevigne

1.

Sequined Dress - Motel - now £48 was £58, 17% off

2.

Metallic Dress - Oasis - now £30 was £70 , 57% off

3.

Sequin Tunic - Vince - now £168 was £421, 60% off

4.

Sequin Bandeau Dress - Lavish Alice - now £15

5.

Sequined Dress - French Connection - £165

Marni for H&M Video

Following a string of designer collaborations, H&M is now to join forces with Marni.

The television campaign has been posted online after much anticipation, after all, it was directed by Sofia Coppola (who also directed Marie Antoinette, Lost in Translation, the Virgin Suicides...), features Imogen Poots (seen in last year's film version of Jane Eyre), and features a host of other young stars of the fashion world.

Imogen Poots in Marni for H&M

Set in a rustic home in Marrakech which Coppola had once used when on holiday with friends, the video follows the dream of the young Imogen, who enters the beautiful house to find an equally beautiful host of guests, one of which catches her eye.  Later, after swimming in the pool, the couple kiss under the moonlight following which Imogen wakes from her dream.  The feel of the short-film is glamourous and yet relaxed, with scenes of leisurely car journeys, lazing by the pool and cuddling up in candle-lit salons.  This reflects the collaboration well; high-glamour (Marni) mixed with functionality (H&M).

A shot of Imogen in the Marrakech house

True to the brand's roots, the collection features vintage tailoring, juxtapositions of textures and colours,  and bold unusual patterns.  The collection has therefore been cleverly released in time for S/S 2012, when prints are very much in, be they African, Aztec or psychedelic, with models seen on the catwalks dressed head-to-toe in clashing prints and accessorised with chunky tribal jewellery.

A shot of the poolside from the film

The collection will become available in stores worldwide from the 8th March (so get in quick if the sales of the H&M-Versace collection were anything to go by).

Watch the video here:

Sweet as Candy

Refresh your spring wardrobe with a new colour palette of pretty pastels.  Seen throughout the catwalks such as at Mulberry and Tibi, this is a really easy trend to follow, and you can simply wear a flash of pastel in the form of shoes or a handbag, or dress yourself head to toe in ice-cream shades.

Tibi Spring 2012

Mulberry Spring 2012

Here's my top 5..

1.   Ballet Pumps, French Sole

2.  Knitted Sweater, Acne

3.  Peplum Dress, Miss Selfridge

4.  Shift Dress, Topshop

5.  Handbag, Oasis

The Roaring Twenties

An upcoming trend for us this Spring/Summer is 1920's Jazz Age fashion.

Actress Alice Joyce

The 20's in the US saw a time of great prosperity following the end of WW1, and with it evolved the flapper girl - think scandalously short skirts (that is, knee-length and longer), bob hair cuts and cloche hats.










Seen at many of the big fashion houses including Ralph Lauren, Marchesa and Gucci, garments such as silk slip dresses and fully beaded pleated dresses took centre stage, accessorised with cloche hats, long beads and a fur strewn over the shoulders.

Gucci SS 2012

The 1920's overturned many conventions in womenswear such as the corset being abandoned for a simple camisole, leading to a much more boyish figure, and women even went so far as to wear trousers  (Coco Chanel was a notable pioneer of this.)  Therefore, opt for a close fitting dress if you still wish for an accentuated waist, rather than adding a belt to a piece which needs no further adornment.

Marchesa SS 2012

French Connection

The trend is totally wearable, with not-too-much skin on show and a relatively loose fit to the body.  Keep it modern with ballet flats (providing the dress is knee-length or shorter) and a cropped jacket.

Cloche Hats at Ralph Lauren

Asos

Review : Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

Jean Paul Gaultier paid homage to the late singer Amy Winehouse last Wednesday at Paris Couture Fashion Week.

The models throughout were decked in the singer's signature looks - the sky-high beehives, the thick feline eyeliner, and they even went as far as the beauty spot!

A Fred Perry inspired look

Perhaps an unusual muse for a couture show, JPG managed to evolve the singer's love of pencil skirts, close fitting cocktail dresses, and not forgetting the Fred Perry polo shirts (the singer collaborated with the label and her designs are still on sale today) into something a bit more glamourous, and all-in-all, there were only a handful of catwalk looks which were very heavily based on Amy's style, with the majority being elaborate dresses and tops all cinched by at the waist.  The collection featured state-of-the-art corsetry from the man himself, Mr Pearl, one of the few remaining true corsetiers who has already been commissioned by big names such as Lacroix, Galliano and Mugler.

Corsetry magic

As was quite inevitable with using the singer as a muse so soon after her death, there has been some controversy.  Some of the models were even smoking cigarettes as they filed down the runway, and the family of Amy had not been warned, let alone consented, for their daughter's image to be used in such a way.  Only 6 months since the star's death, the family are still in a period of grief, and have found the images from the catwalk upsetting and 'in bad taste'.  Proceeds from the Fred Perry sales of her collections are going to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, whereas JPG has not even committed to making a donation, which further exacerbates the sentiment that the collection is about making money, rather than respecting the singer's style and life.

 Couture is all about the finest cuts, seamstresses, fabrics and designs, and for me, this collection provides all these, with pieces ranging from the unusual and flamboyant, to some demure, feminine cuts.  The only thing I would say is that if I was to pay couture prices, I simply would not want my garment to be a (albeit well made) transformation of a sports top!

My favourite look from the show