wowzers!

Just stumbled upon the inexhaustible fun of the Color Bar at Kendra Scott Jewellery. Chic LA-style designs are customisable here, so just while away the hours with a plethora of juicy-coloured stones so bright you feel like popping them in your mouth.

www.kendrascott.com/color-bar/

karen walker

So, the new lookbook for fash fave Karen Walker Eyewear has just come out. Sported by brooms and mops in the campaign, these sunnies can make even cleaning products look cool :)
Here are some of my favourites.

Wawawiwa!

another video

I know I have been posting too many a lot of fashion videos lately, but the offerings this season have been simply too good to leave out! I was of two minds as to whether to post this venture from Anna Dello Russo and Marco Braga for Armani. While 'Back Damon' has a couple of cool moments (check out Ms Dello Russo's cameos at the backgammon board and staircase), it doesn't really pack the punch it promises. The soundtrack also seems a bit of a mismatch.

As a big Anna fan, I have to say I expected a lot more and was a little disappointed. If the film had been presented last season, I'm sure it would have rocked our socks, but the bar has been set so high this season that I'm not sure that this quite cuts the mustard. BUT... that could just be my opinion, have a look and see for yourself and let me know what you think...

snowballing

Proenza Schouler released their short film 'Snowballs' last night in Paris. A bit of a departure from the other fashion films this season, this film is an exercise in surrealism with an almost post-apocalyptic view of the Deep South by Harmony Korine. It's definitely a somewhat disturbing launchpad for the AW11/12 collection, but will it be successful? Designer Jack McCollough stated that "[the film is] not a sales vehicle. It's a sales deterrent if anything".
Either way, it sure is a memorable piece of work if you can stick out the entire four minutes, and getting the brand to stick in your head is, ultimately, the name of the game, no?

Carine sets sights ahead

Since departing French Vogue Carine Roitfeld (pictured above in 2010 by Terry Richardson) has been busy reminding us just how talented she is with Chanel, Barneys and others clamouring for her vision and fashion wisdom. Now, Carine has admitted that she will be producing what we've all been waiting with bated breath for... her own magazine.

 “It will be a magazine. I would love to do four times a year. Initially, I wanted it on the Internet, but it’s a lot of investment, a lot of time, I do not know if it suits me. I know that now you have to work with the Internet, and the photos are of very good quality on the iPad, but things quickly go out of style on the Internet. We’ll start with print. A September issue next Fall, in English.”


We still have a little wait on our hands, but with a fabulous team including Marie-Amelie Sauve, Mario Testino and Stephen Gan, we can be sure that it will be worth the wait. 

pick-a-path

Remember those junky books we kids used to love in the late 80s/early 90s? Well, as a further addition to the amazing fashion video selection out there this season, Longchamp has produced this video where the viewer takes a journey through Paris in search of their new bag the Balzane. Given clues by friendly fashion bloggers, you get to test your knowledge of Paris and take your own tour along the way....

last thursday night

FNO last Thursday was a blast. For the first time it extended all the way from Mayfair through to Covent Garden. Covent Garden was definitely the younger sister on the night - a little unsure and not possessing the swinging vibe of Mayfair, but there were a couple of great events there which were a great intro to the night.

Here is my pick of the evening's happenings...

Best Tunes: Bip Ling at Bally (lovely girl!)

Best Live Music: Emporio Armani

Best Cocktails: Honolulu Bar at Liberty

Best for Celeb Spotting: Mulberry

Best Food: Mulberry

Best Sweets: The cupcakes at Poste Mistress

Best Moves: Roller Disco at Rupert Sanderson

Best Giveaways: Alexander McQueen, Mulberry and Betsey Johnson

Best 'Looks': The crowd at New Bond Street

Most Popular Shoes of the Night: Miu Miu Glitter Boots were everywhere!

Longest Line:  Hermes Bangle Bowling

Classiest Photo Booth: The Dior Taxi

Best Place To Get A Cab Home When Feet Have Entirely Given Up  Because Why, Oh, Why, Did I HAVE To Wear Those 4" Heels When I KNEW I Would Be  Walking For Miles: Bruton Street

nicola's ny

Nicola Formichetti of Dazed, Gaga and now Mugler fame has opened a pop-up store in Tribeca for two weeks during New York Fashion 'Week'. The store sits within a what is essentially a big mirrored box designed by architects Gage and Clemenceau. Multi-faceted reflections amplify the visual feast of the maximalist pieces within. The store is more an exercise in curation than of selling a 'line'; customised Uniqlo, House of Gaga, vintage pieces and current Mugler rub shoulders on the shelves.


“I was looking for a medium to present all the different aspects of what I do... we’ve been merging different people['s ideas]. For me, it’s always about collaboration; it’s not just my vision, it’s the vision of all the people that I work with.” Formichetti explained.

The store proved a big success on Fashion's Night Out with Formichetti (pictured above) serving customers in the store himself. Definitely worth a look  if you can get there, whether the budget can stretch to the vintage Versace or not! 

Pics by Grace Joel and Rachel Been

Vogue Fashion's Night Out Tonight

see you there!

chiriaco days

As we here in London reminisce about the past summer many of you lucky folk closer to the equator are  still basking in the sun's full glory and those in the antipodes have still got their summer days ahead - so this one's for all of you!

The mythical 'American Road-Trip' is what this trend is all about. Design classics are given a twist towards the patriotic whilst nodding respectfully to the US icons of the open landscapes: both the the native peoples of the land and the Harley riders roaring through it.  Keep your Aerosmith playin' loud while you rest your feet on the dashboard and let your arm ride the wind out the window of your beat-up Chevy - this is freedom.

1. Topshop Flag Denim Jacket £45

2. Ray Ban Aviators (prices vary)

3. Converse Low All Stars £38

4. MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in 'Overtime' £15.50

5. Johnique By The Desert Child Feather Necklace £20

6. Topshop Stripe Bandeau Bikini (as set) £26

7. Renewal 5-pocket Leather Shorts £45

feisty

Those who were lucky enough to be at the Del Monte Townhouse in Los Angeles last Friday night got to experience a special preview of 5 new songs from the Canadian singer's forthcoming 'Metals' album including the current single 'How Come You Never Go There'. Those who were not so lucky can see the live recordings on youtube or can be teased by the vignette below.

Seemingly an altogether darker and more ominous beast than her previous album 'The Reminder', 'Metals' will arrive this October.

'pop' videos

Fashion videos are having a fun moment - after Lanvin's much parodied A/W 2011 video which sees models Karen Elson, Raquel Zimmerman, Lowell Tautchin and Milo Spijkers dancing to a tongue-in-cheek soundtrack of Pitbull's 'I know you want me'; Chanel has dropped it's own fingerlicious bomb with a 'Shade Parade'. Fingers with nails adorned in Chanel's iconic shades including Dragon, Black Pearl and Particuliere are dancing old-Hollywood-musical-style around fantastic sets to Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers' 'Little Bitty Pretty One'.

Here, have some sweet, sticky fashion pops on me....

P.S. If you're in London head on down to Harrods for Chanel's pop-up store (more like a takeover!).

how I wish I'd written this.....

There is a fabulous article in the Wall Street Journal on the elusive Rei Kawakubo (above, photographed in 2004 by Eiichiro Sakata) that everyone in fashion, or even just interested in fashion, should read.

As every fan of fashion knows, Ms Kawakubo is one of the most elusive and enigmatic designers out there. She is also one of the most inspiring.  I remember that on the first day of my fashion degree we were all asked who our favourite designers were -Kawakubo was the name mentioned by more than half the class -the ultimate designer's designer.

Read the article here.

mod-ify yourself

The new mod is all about those sludgy colours reminiscent of 1970s interior decorating combined with a restrained 60s silhouette - a little loose up top, streamlined below. Give it a slightly surreal edge with clashing accessories in metallics and brights. Imagine you're off to a vintage cinema with The Beatles to see the latest Stanley Kubrick starring Audrey Hepburn and C-3PO.

1. Topshop Help Stripe Jumper £46
2. Acne Contact Crepe Trouser approx £144
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Belt £125
4. 3.1 Phillip Lim Scarf Top £345
5. ASOS Mellow Shoe from £26
6. Daisy Jewellery Yellow Chakra bracelet £85

ASOS heads Down Under

Good news for Australian ASOS fans as the world's largest internet store has decided to launch a dedicated Australian site at the end of this month. The decision was spurred by the Australian market's recent growth to become the store's second largest market worldwide. ASOS CEO Nick Robertson stated that the Australian market "has been going great guns".

The success of the new site will be watched closely as other retailers consider moving in to Australia's growing online shopping market.

local label 'Mina' hops the pond

In only six short years this London label has taken the UK by storm, but will its British style be to taste for our transatlantic cousins?

London fast-fashion label Mina is set to broaden its horizons by broaching the American market for the first time with its Spring Summer 2012 collection after a successful first showing in New York.

 From humble beginnings six years ago as a Portobello Road Market stall; designer Mina Lee has since opened the eponymous brand’s first flagship store in Central London and is now stocked throughout Europe in countries such as the Netherlands and Spain. Now she has her sights set firmly on America.

 The success of the brand at New York’s trade show ‘Coterie’ quickly caught the attention of US buyers and has since brought about the development of the label’s first forward-order collection. “The buying schedules of the US stores are completely different to the UK” said brand spokesperson Stacey Saunders. “This necessitated a change in the way we do things.”

However, the label will not be abandoning the fast-fashion practices that have secured their UK success. “Our UK customers tend to buy closer to season than elsewhere” said Saunders. Whether this could be due to the recent economic climate is unsure, but Mina has proven itself to be flexible throughout its six years in operation.

Mina has evolved from a largely vintage-inspired small-run operation catering to older teens into a more fashion-led brand targeting women from 17 to 55. Saunders stated “[Mina] can’t stick to one demographic. It’s important to know where our clients are going and to follow them in their journey”.  To do this, Mina installed a new design team in its Great Tichfield St premises last September. With the first collection for the US completed it remains to be seen whether the London brand will appeal to a different market.

But with the new designs being seen on UK celebrities such as Sienna Miller and Fearne Cotton it is certain that the future at home for this growing label is looking bright.

You can get your paws on Mina at their website and ASOS.

1 week to go..... Vogue Fashion's Night Out 2011

In exactly one week stores across Mayfair and Covent Garden will be extending their hours for Vogue Fashion's Night Out. FNO has truly gone global this year with participating countries including: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and the US.


Don't despair if you've got no free cash rolling around the bottom of your new-season cross-body satchel, there is a lot more to FNO than just shopping. Collection previews, DJs, dancing and more can all be experienced for free and with a little pre-planning and research here, a great night out can be had by all!


If you don't happen to live within a handy commute of any of the FNO locations, you can also participate online and see via live feeds what's going on and also nab yourself some freebies :)