A watch with a bit of Fashion?

Roberto Cavalli has once again set the bar that little bit higher with the recent new Timewear collection of fabulous watches. It’s all about the luxurious feel with this brand and they haven’t failed to deliver! I love the fact that these pieces are the ultimate fashion statement and then if you look closer, they are watches! A perfect classic piece for the ladies to add your own collection.

This black and white timewear piece is my favorite! Looks gorgeous!

You can find the rest of this collection on the Roberto Cavalli website.

What do you think of these Timewear pieces?

1. http://store.robertocavalli.com

Royal Wedding – Kate Middleton is wearing…

Today is the day that we have all been waiting for. The most anticipated day of the year – The Royal wedding of  Kate Middleton and Price William. We all knew that the fashion for this wedding was going to be quite remarkable and we were not disappointed! There are a lot of fabulous Philip Treacy hats on show and a proud show of a number of great british designers like Burberry and Vivienne Westwood.

But the star of the show has to be what Kate Middleton chose to wear. Now there have been a plethora of speculations as to what Kate would be wearing, we were wondering whether it would have a 25 ft trail like Princess Diana’s dress or whether it would be more in line with Kate’s class but simple style. Here it is!!

The dress is a Sarah Burton creation, the creative director for Alexander Mcqueen. The dress couldn’t be more suited for Kate.  It’s a wonderful ivory satin dress, the lace looks exquisite. Kate is also wearing the Queen’s Halo Tiara, which looks stunning (it was loaned to Kate by the Queen). A lovely dress for a lovely occassion!

What do you think of Duchess Kate’s dress?

FL♥ Thursday Loves – Chloe Autumn/ Winter 2011 collection

We are back to the 70s trend again, ok, so I have covered this topic quite  a bit already over the last couple of weeks but guess what I found more stuff that I loved and had to share!! The Chloe ready to wear Autumn/ Winter 2011 collection! This whole collection was inspired by the 70s trend and let me tell you I was excited when I was looking through the collection. The classic shapes and silouhettes are still there but with a fun twist.

This is an absolute delight to see, you can still very much see the 70s influence but I love this snake skin print on this knitted dress. I really think this combination really does elevate this outfit with a modern twist.

These wide legged leather pants are inspired. They absolutely look gorgeous. The colours in this outfit compliment each other and really remind me of the 70s. I think this could be said for the collection as a whole.

We see flared jeans and hints of platforms and prints that are a clear elements of the 70s look but somehow I get a sense of these elements being revitalised that are shown in a quirky innovative way. For me, the knitted pieces of the collection are my favorite, I just really like the use of panelling and as I was looking through the collection these were the pieces that really brought a smile to my face.

As I was going through the collection, there were a few items that I didn’t really gel with and thought may have resembled the 70s a little to much instead of the 70s being an inspiration. For example the brown ruffled dress with puff sleeves (below) somehow felt a little dated and I didn’t think it quite connected with the rest of the collection.

However, as a whole I am a big fan of this collection and really adore this 70s influenced collection, I was on the edge of my seat squealing with excitement at all the wonderful outfits. There are some outfits that are just true sparks of genius in my opinion. Hats off to Hannah MacGibbon for this wonderful designed collection, she has certainly done the brand Chloe justice! Here are a few more images from the collection.

What do you think of the Chloe collection?

Photo Source:

1. Elle UK

Showing Karlie Kloss love

I absolutely adore Karlie Kloss, the american beauty, she has quickly become a well recognised model and she is of course one of my favorite models at this moment in time. Karlie is the star of one of my favorite Christian Dior ad campaigns (click here to see the ad campaign).

 Her modelling is top knotch in my opinion, everytime I see her she looks wonderful and you can tell that she is completely embodying all the emotions and creative that are required for each job.

Karlie began her modelling career at the tender age of 13 years old, where she was discovered in a Charity Fashion Show in St Louis. Karlie has also  studied ballet and I’m sure she can whip a few good moves up when she is in a dancing mood! Obviously she has learnt to translate this elegance learnt from ballet into her modelling career. This girl can do it all! Her look is strong but versatile, let’s face it she is an all round looking stunner. Her photoshoots are amazing and her runway speaks for itself.

She has graced many magazine covers and has several advertising contracts. She is going from strength to strength. I love Karlie Kloss she has a great body of work and I personally think she can do no wrong.

Who is your favorite fashion model at the moment?

Photo Source:

1. http://models.com

Midriff bare all?

There has recently been a new trend that I must say I quite like, but it isn’t for everyone. It’s a trend I think you have to excude a real body confidence when it comes down to it; showing off your midriff! It is such a hard trend to wear simply beacuse if you don’t style your entire outfit perfectly you just look disasterously chav-like.

Needless to say Anna Paquin looks amazing here. I love this Cushnie et Ochs dress that she is wearing, there is just the right amount of midriff on show and she looks sophisticatedly sexy. The dress fits her perfectly and she has kept the styling to a minimum and just lets the dress do all the statement making for her. Love it!

Now if this outfit was on anybody else I would probably say that there was too much midriff on show, but I honestly think that Jenneifer Lopez is working this outfit to it’s upmost potential. I find myself looking at her outfit thinking I shouldn’t be liking this right now but yet I can’t help it. It looks great on her, it’s probably down to the fact that she has an awesome body that can pull off many outfits we as  onlookers could only hope to.

For me I absolutely adore these looks where the midriff is ever so slightly peeking through, I think overall it makes for a classier outfit like the above, Nicole Richie and Rihanna absolutely look stunning. I think I may try this trend after I’ve hit the gym for a few weeks so my midriff looks as hot as these guys 🙂

What do you think of this midriff trend?

Mike Ruiz Photography

I have been a fan of Mike Ruiz for a while now. Mike Ruiz is a fashion photographer I love his artistic flare and the creativity that he brings to the table, for me he always produces shots that are unique and I instantly know that’s a Mike Ruiz shot! My favorite shots of his are photographs that look like sketches, for me it makes the image look like a piece of art and I sit there studying how an earth a photograph can look so good.

*Squeal* Don’t you just love it?

Photo Source:

1.www.mikeruiz.com

Clever Jewellery

During my long internet travels I found this awwsome website that creates one off jewellery designs. The online store is called Hairy Growler and they basically make their jewellery out of 100% recycled materials that are sterling silver. They use items such as Victorian fork and spoons dining table sets and old English coins.

I absolutely love this necklace made out of old coins, never mind the fact that it is absolute genius craftmanship but it is also a great piece to rock for that well anticipated Royal Wedding, I would totally get this!

Wahh who would have thought that you could turn a fork into a bangle!!

Now I was looking at the pieces of jewellery that have been created, I couldn’t help but wonder how they were made, lucky for me I stumbled across this step by step picture that actually shows you how they make their jewellery. I am really fasciniated by their work, if only I could turn my old cutlery into some hot new pieces of jewellery! Great creativity!

Photo Soure

1. http://www.hairygrowler.co.uk

FL♥ Thursday Loves – Paul Smith Spring

Paul Smith ready to wear spring 2011 collection was a delight to see. Paul Smith is a world renowned British designer whom I love, he is known for his menswear inspired looks for womenswear collections and he did not fail to deliver.

The lines in the collection were so simple and clean and brought out the chic girl on that runway. I must say everything that was presented worked so well together from the well tailored trousers to the pops of colours that can be seen throughout each look. It was a strong collection that had an essential underlying femininty that for me, helped bring a sense of fun and drama, which ultimately kept me interested and had me on the edge of my sit looking forward to the next look I would see.

Within the menswear pieces the trousers just stopped shy of the ankles (a trend that we are seeing a lot for the spring and summer) it is such a flattering cut for trousers and only added to the feminity that binds the whole collection. Interesting sparks of real innovation and creativity made for pleasant surprises like the strips of colour and polka dots above the hem of the trousers, adding something fresh to menswear pieces.

The colour pallet of the collection was unqestionably perfect and was one of the reasons the collection was so strong and beautiful. Colours ranged from purples, deep greens, navys to brighter colours such as orange and yellows. The collection also featured some pretty chic polka dot and stripe prints! All the colours complemented each other perfectly. Most outfits were light and screamed that this was a spring/ summer collection. But even if the outfit was predominately dark there was always a pop of colour in the form of an accessory. Like this purple outfit with the belt providing that much needed colour pop of neon (above).

One of the most eye catching aspects of this collection which admittedly made me squeal in excitement occasionally were the addition of the accessories from the silk polka dotted pocket squares to handbags that had a just the right amount of a splash of colour. These little extras enhanced the overall looks and only sold the outfit to me more.

Makeup was simple with nude and neutral tones being used so as not to take anything away from the impact that the clothes were making. The large backcombed quiffs hairstyles with the slick backed sides only added to the sense of drama on the runway, it really gave a sense that the clothes were made for the cool chic uptown girl.

I could really see the usual stamp of the Paul Smith design in this collection, there was impressive femininty in the tailoring of the menswear pieces. Even more impressive was the use of prints not just in the menswear inspired lookes but in the chiffon sheer dresses that floated down the runway beautifully. The bold colours of shirt dresses and accessoried really added to the excitement of the collection. Overall the collection certainly showed that this is Paul Smith’s expertise, its rare to find such femininty and softness in menswear inspred looks, but this collection was made to look effortless and chic.

Photo Sources: Elle UK

Going back in time with a touch of modern

These past couple of weeks I have found a serious change in my wardrobe and my obsession at the moment is the 70s trend. Oh yes I’ve thoroughly enjoyed whipping out my wedges and flared jeans! It’s a popular trend that is making a frenzy with designers and celebrities but as always every trend has it good points and sometimes its bad points.

A favorite style icon of mine, Olivia Palmero, absolutely rocks the 70s trend with a lovely peach coloured Mango maxi dress that has real elements of the 70s but has a real modern look that makes her look stunning. It gets a yes in my book!

I loved this lovely casual look from Dakota Fanning, she absolutely rocks those wooden platforms and flared jeans with that crochet cardigan. I would totally wear this look, I think it has the right amount of balance to it, especially as flares can make a smaller person in height look even smaller than necessary! The look resembles the 70s but I find it isn’t too over the top.

Now this outfit that Solange is wearing, I feel is a little too much. If I am honest then I would say she has tried a little too hard to pull off this 70s look, as I feel 70s fashion had a certain ease to it, it was all about being relaxed, which I don’t feel comes across in the above outfit. But I do think the wide high waisted trousers that Solange is wearing are absolutely stunning and I think if she wore a better top her outfit would have been improved on many levels.

Overall I just love this trend when it is done right! The prints, flares and platform shoes of the era make me smile but what I love the most is the little modern spin designers like Marc Jacobs and Chloe are doing to elevate the 70s look into absolute perfection.

Do you like the 70s inspired trend this season?

Photo Source:

1. http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

Fan Bing Bing

There are some people that have effortless style that make the rest of us just look across in envy. I find that Fan Bing Bing is certainly one of these people. She is a Chinese actress who makes every single outfit she wears amazing! She is really so stunning and definitely makes an impact wherever she goes.

The outfit that she wore to the Elie Saab Autumn/ WInter 2011 collection literally blew me away and you could certainly tell she was a star!

The dress itself was simple, the colour was a perfect match for Bing Bing, but if worn buy itself I don’t think it would have made quite the same impact. Don’t you think this lady can style an outfit or what? I think she could go professional, because her styling brings the entire outfit to a whole other level.

Fan Bing Bing  received a two piece set from the Elie Saab show, which included the crystal cardigan that she is wearing. The beautiful turban is actually the crystal camisole that is part of the set she was given. The fact that she is wearing the camisole as a turban just shows she knows how a piece of clothing will look good even if it is worn in an unconventional way. She looks great, her whole outfit looks so elegant and so retro even down to her makeup, that red lip just complements the whole feel of her look!

What do you think of Fan Bing Bing’s style?

FL♥ Sunday Shopping – Busy Times

So this week has been an interesting one at that! I have had so much work to do, plus I have been working on something really special for the blog ;). But I’ll keep that a secret for little while longer. I’m quite surprised that I found time to go shopping haha, but it does wonders for relaxtion. I actually did a spot of shopping in the week, just so I could avoid the long queues of the weekend.

I brought a bunch of stuff as I found a new vintage store that I can’t believe I had no idea about until now! But I think my favourite buy of this week was my shoes! Shopping this week was all about buying stuff that was comfortable and here they are!!

These are awesome, I’ve worn them every single day. I love these moccassins and they were a bargain at £10.00

If you’ve found any bargains, spill the beans and let me know!

FL♥ Thursday Loves – Dot to Polka Dots

This spring/ summer season sees the return of the Polka Dots, and I am loving them. I think polka dots are really versatile, it’s a print that works for any occasion. Designers have really re-invented the polka dot and have taken it to new heights.

This Oscar de La Renta dress is absolutely stunning and a stand out evening piece for all the right reasons. It looks really chic and sophisticated but never too much for the eye. The designer that I had the most fun looking through the collection was Marc Jacobs. The spring/ summer 2011 ready to wear collection was full of stripes and polka dots, the designs brought a fresh new perspective on polka dots and for me, made it really fun and exciting to see each different piece of the collection.

What I love about this Marc Jacob creation is the Polka Dot meets retro style. I love this retro 70s colourful print incorporated into the polka dot, I think it’s really innovative and makes for a stunning dress, it certainly brought a smile to my face!

You can find polka dots in all sizes, from very tiny dots to larger dots. There’s a dot size for every shape, figure, personality out there. I love big whopper dots, nothing like making a statement 🙂 I love the fact that they are also not limited to your clothes, there on shoes, bags and many other accessories. It’s a fun trend and there are plenty of ways your can incorporate the polka dot into your outfits, they look stylish!

Will you be wearing a dot or two for spring/ summer?

Photo Sources:

1. 1. http://www.coolspotters.com
2. 2. http://www.nymag.com
3. 3.www.glamour.com
4. http://www.chictopia.com

Festival Fever: 70’s Chic

With summer fast on the approach and the festival season looming in the distance, it’s time to start shopping for this wonderful summer event.

For a fun and easy day time look embrace loose fringing and crochet materials fashioned into baggy and breathable summer stunners, perfect for the up-and-coming sunny days. Although, here in the UK summer can still remain a very grey and dull affair, so inject some colour into your look by opting for floral and fruity prints.

For an evening look think simple summer staple pieces in luxury fabrics paired with a classy plaited up-do and a simple hippy twist like a flower in the hair. The sophistication of the fabric launch garments  into the evening wear category e.g. shorts, give them an up-market hippy twist and can be a great alternative to a skirt or a dress.

Whether you are a hardened festival goer with a fashion flare or just an avid admirer looking to recreate the look of the original 70’s festival dweller this trend is a perfect pop to the summer months.

What’s your favorite summer look?

1. D&G – vogue.com

2. Rodarte – vogue.com

3. Erdem – vogue.com

CK One Ad campaign 2011

The CK one brand was known in the 90’s for it’s fragrances, but now it’s time for the relaunch. The brand has been transformed so that it not only includes fragrances but also jeans and underwear for men and women!

I am really becoming an obssessed fan of Steven Meisel, his work is amazing and this certainly goes for the recent CK one ad! Of course there is a certain amount of nostalgia due to the fact he shot the 1994 CK one ad with Kate Moss, but this new campaign is both refreshing and fun to see. But no matter what I tend to drool all over his work.

The marketing strategy behind the relaunch is to focus much more on social media, so that the brand stays in touch with their target audience. The idea behind it is that we give CK one our thoughts and ideas, through medians such as facebook and twitter, so that the brand can continue to grow, stay fresh and innovative. I think this is a good idea, who wouldn’t want some sort of input?

The models are all wearing clothes from the spring/ summer 2011 collection of CK and they do all look spectacular don’t you think? Some familar faces you may see are: Lara Stone, Fei Fei Sun, Pixie Geldof, Abbey Lee Kirshaw just to name a few. I think the models are bringing a unique feel to the CK one ads, one of youthfulness and fun, it certainly made me stop in my tracks when looking at the commercials so that I was thinking ‘I want that!’

What do you think of the CK one global ad campaign so far?

 

Photo Source: http://www.brandchannel.com

Urban Fashion

Have you ever wanted an outfit that was a bit different to what the masses are wearing? Swarey designs has the answer! Swarey Designs is the line to go to for the girl that wants to look that bit more edgier than the girl next to her.

This New York urban couture line embodies all things that the urban fashionista would want. The clothes are of simple design this allows the line to appeal to a wide range of women as it is easy to wear, giving an edge and confidence that the urban woman looks for in any outfit.

The brains behind the new innovative urban fashion line is Dareyna. She has had several years experience in fashion designing from an internship at Baby Phat to designing for the Nike Brand. She is really using all of experiences and funneling it into her own brand, we think she is doing a great job so far! We hope to see more from Swarey Designs to see what’s hot on the Urban scene.

Photo’s are from Swarey Designs Spring / Summer 2011 Collection, which was shown at Queens Fashion week.