Secret Treasures

I am always on the hunt for new jewellery to add to my collection. Men may ask 'Don't you have enough already?'- but the answer will always be a resounding NO. Because your taste in jewellery, like clothes, will change all the time depending on your mood and the occasion. Plus, you rarely, if ever, wear only a single piece of jewellery at a time. If, like me, you are jewellery addict, you will have the rings, watch, bracelet and necklace which you wear on a daily basis, and which forms the metaphorical underwear of your evening or special occasion look. I will always wear my Cartier tank watch, the vintage ruby ring my mum gave me for my 21st, the eternity ring from my mum's first marriage, the garnet heart ring which my stepdad bought me, and the gold wishbone necklace which I got for xmas a few years ago. In the evening I bulk this look up with layered gold necklaces, big vintage earrings and multiple bangles and bracelets.
Today, on an internet search for some new precious jewels I came across two very different collections which are now on the top of my (If I had the money) To Buy list.
First, James Duffy from Kabiri (available online or at Selfridges). A bit like the Dominic Jones collection which I've mentioned previously, this collection has a distinct goth/rock edge. It's not delicate but it isn't too heavy-duty either. These are the kind of pieces which you could wear one or two of with more basic items like a simple gold chain or gold band ring.



Yellow gold and diamond skull ring. Seriously glam, reminds me of something which a more sophisticated Captain Jack Sparrow would wear.



Silver heart and scroll ring. Very much in the style of traditional, old-school tattoos which is probably why I love it.



Silver bone bracelet. Skeletons are not just for Halloween. I can imagine that this may look quite delicate when worn alone but I would mix it up with another simple silver chain and then a big cuff.



Yellow gold clown skull pendant. This may look scary to some but it is totally up my street. This would look great with almost anything but this season's florals. A piece best saved for clothes in neutral and monochrome tones, perhaps with a an oversized tshirt and leather shorts come summer.


Second is Natalie Dissel- from www.nataliedissel.com. Equally edgy and unusual pieces but which are more feminine- albeit in earthy, ethereal and jagged way. These pieces are made from natural stones, all of which are maintained in a slightly rough and raw state which only adds to their beauty. Set in slightly molten yellow gold these items are all one of a kind. Due to the soft tones of the stones they are ideal for Spring/Summer, but if you have a good browse through the collection there are some equally stunning black pieces and stones of more vibrant colours.






I have to say as well that I love the photography for this collection. The play with shadow is really emotive and I love the intimacy of the close up shots. The make up is pretty awesome too- who would have thought that yellow eyeshadow could look this sexy??
ps. braids in the hair- they're everywhere!!

The joy of the city

Today, in a completely spur of the moment decision, I went to London. My mum was being driven up for a meeting so I thought that I would tag along. There's nothing better for self-reflection and gaining inspiration than walking aimlessly around a big city. Whether it is in Florence and you are taking in the overwhelming splendour of renaissance architecture, or if you are in Berlin being affected by the intensity of emotion which radiates from the city's history- being a carefree flaneur (you can thank Charles Beaudelaire for that ingenious term) is a fabulous way to spend the day.
My first stop in London was the area around Old street- full of young artsy fashion types this area is a wonder for spotting hip street style. I saw some seriously retro sneakers, a lot of chubbys (I am referring to the short and wide big fur coat here, not to people with weight problems), some gorgeous pointy men's brogues (on women), a lot of leopard print (on scarves, hats, belts and coats), a lot of plaid, some enviably chic tapered black cropped trousers and many a pair of cheeky geek chic glasses. This area is also great for checking out the graffiti- there was an amazing nu-rave fluoro design and I caught one guy in the act of painting a beautiful mural of a woman's face with streaming windswept hair.
Next stop- HARRODS. The quintessentially British department store never fails to impress me with the extent of its range of goods and the friendly demeanour and knowledge of the staff. The menswear section had some stunning luggage- a gorgeous Louis Vuitton backpack, a dappled leather satchel and a patent leather travelling drinks case!!! The shoe section was fairly disappointing- mostly because the miu miu satin sandals and embellished pumps were absent :( But my mum did try on a gorgeous pair of classic Chanel pumps which were black leather with a metallic silver toe section, complete with the 'CC' logo. Don't get me started on the foodhalls- I went in with the sole intention of buying some sushi for a late lunch and ended up spending (ahem-mums credit card) about £60 on pasta, salad and cheese. Ooooopps. And did I mention Harrods now has Laduree?????
Last stop- Sloane Street. Aka DESIGNER HEAVEN. If there is a single high-end store you can think of, it has a home here. Not that I can afford anything from this area, but I like to torture myself. One thing that is worth checking out here, if like me you are poor as pie, is the window displays. Window dressers, like catwalk producers, are some of the most highly underestimated people in the fashion business. A store window is like the cover of a book- if it is attractive, consider the product sold; if it is unappealing- product shunned. Here is my low-down of the top stores:
-Harvey Nichols: I'm not talking about the overall window displays here because they are a little too modern art-installation for my tastes; I am talking specifically about the display on the corner of Brompton Road- the one which is a shrine to Alexander McQueen. I'm not sure I can even describe it, you really need to see it for yourself. All I will say is that it is very moving. If I wasn't being heckled at by a Big Issue seller and dragged down to Jigsaw by Mama I would have just stayed there staring for hours.
-Louis Vuitton: The Spring bag and shoes collection is beautifully displayed inside of numerous hanging gold birdcages. LOVE IT.
-Mulberry (on the Brompton road): I've mentioned this before but I loved it so much that I shall say it again. CAROUSEL HORSES!!!!!! High fashion has really become a child's playground.
(Outside of Sloane street)
-Start: this boutique run by Brix Smith-Start (you will have seen her on Gok's Fashion Fix and she has been featured in Elle's section detailing celebrities' wardrobes) is a haven for all things wacky and wonderful. The window display features soft toy cartoon monkeys (like, weird Manga style ones if that makes sense) wrapped with studded belts and jewellery, and the amazing shoe collection is displayed in a framework of fluorescent pink acetate boxes, right there for passers by to see. If anyone fancies buying me the white platform sandals with angel wings on I shall be extremely grateful!!!

Go on, you know you love her really!

Olivia Palermo is one of those girls that we love to hate. Rant all you want about her trust-fund privileged upbringing, her a little-too-laid-back attitude to work (if you have watched the City) and her rail-thin physique, but you cannot deny that a) she is beautiful and b) she has style. Admittedly it is a far more reserved, well put together, city chic style than that which I usually emulate but it is commendable none the less. Olivia Palermo is the epitome of groomed- she always has glossy, immaculately styled hair, she would never be seen with a chipped nail, and her make-up always looks flawless (probably as a result of her pore-less perfect complexion)- in short she is what some may call a 'stereotypical fashionista'. But I disagree. I think she has an innovative way of incorporating masculine tailoring and accessories into a more feminine look, her accessorising with statement necklaces is fantastic and she champions the British highstreet- wearing top to toe Topshop!! I'm not a big fan of her change to brunette- no offence intended, but I'm a blonde through and through! But here are some pictures of Olivia working city styling to perfection.




Elegant jumpsuit- the new daywear!



Full on Topshop- I WANT that sequin jacket!



Breton stripes and metallic silver brogues? Nautical tailoring- I like it.



How to work monochrome layering to perfection without looking boring or bulky.



There is nothing more empowering than a woman in a suit. Cropped black tapered pants are on my to buy list.



How to keep warm in winter and mix prints without looking like you've rolled around in a jumble sale. Again, loving her statement necklace.



Neutrals and masculine tailoring- add a sheer satin top with a collar necklace and you're good to go!

Come and play

Fashion for me is principally about FUN. It's just the grown up equivalent of playing dress up- any day, any time, you can put an outfit together with hair and make-up and become a completely different person. So, I LOVE it when designers like to have a bit of fun and mix things up with their collections- remember the DSquared2 catwalk from last year which sent models down the runway with take-out coffee, newspapers/magazines and big shades as if they were Olsen-esque girls on the run from the paparazzi? Genius.
Miuccia Prada has obviously been having serious nostalgia for the childhood days of romper suits and funny patterns at the S/S10 Miu Miu show. As the little sister of Prada, Miu Miu is always a bit more quirky, more lighthearted, and a lot more playful with cut and design. So I had a wonderful giggle session when I saw the detail of the patterns- cats, swallows, flowers and a cheeky nude were scattered across trousers, skirts and dresses in a delightfully whimsical manner. A refreshing break from the traditional girly florals which are reinvigorated each spring. The shoes in particular were beautiful- the same patterns from the clothes, but on shimmering satin chunky, strappy sandals and ankle boots. Just throw a pair on and go skipping through the fields with your friends, lollipop in hand!!








And, of course, a long mussed up side plait- the hairstyle of the season!!

REPRESENT.

In my opinion there is nothing worse than when a designer cannot represent themselves well by promoting their line and having a personal style which is reflected in their design aesthetic. I love it when designers have beautiful collections and then rock out the looks themselves with impeccable styling, showing you how their clothes work on real people. In the current grey climate of economic recession (blah blah blah, I know we don't want to hear about it) people can't afford (literally) to go out and spend their paycheck (or student-loan in my case) on an entire new wardrobe every time the season and trends change. Right now people need clothes that are wearable and that have longevity, with only a few pieces of sparkle and shimmer for fun. So, I applaud these designers for single handedly promoting their lines and making me want to buy EVERYTHING they design.



Georgina Chapman, pictured here with Rachel Zoe.
Chapman is the perfect advertisement for her design label Marchesa- girly, flirty and red-carpet perfection. I have to say as well that although I was a little disillusioned with Rachel Zoe during the phase of her skeletal little Zoebots with maxi dresses and big sunglasses, I have got a renewed sense of appreciation for her styling. Zoe herself is working a more edgy look these days and you only have to look at her styling work with Jennifer Garner and Anne Hathaway for the red carpet premieres of 'Valentine's Day' to see how great she actually is.



Alexander Wang, pictured here with the rock goddess that is Erin Wasson.
Wang KNOWS street style. He keeps his look simple with monochrome basics but layers them up and pairs them with hot sneakers or lace-up worker boots for serious attitude.



Stella McCartney.
Two words: wearable sophistication.



Tom Ford
It is actually shocking how much sex appeal this guy has. He always looks sharp in a suit, his foray into movies looks set to be a stunner and his latest range of eyewear is smoulderingly sexy. What can't this man do?

Hide me from the dawn.

I wanted to share this beautiful and moving poem which one of my tutors read to us in class. It is quite dark, morbid and shocking but I just love it- it is a nice break from all unrealistic, romantic bullshit.


the darkness of death: a love poem


I want to sleep the way apples dream
not in some rowdy cemetery
I want to sleep the way that dreaming boy
tried to open his heart to the fathomless sea

I don't want to hear how the dead die bloodless
how the mouth in its wasting calls out for water
I don't want to hear about death in the undergrowth
or the poison teeth of the moon before dawn

I want to sleep, for a moment,
a moment, a minute, a millennium
but I want them to know that I have not died
that in my mouth there are golden horses
that I am the youth lover of the West Wind
that I am the over-arching shadow of my tears

hide me from the dawn
I don't want to wake with ants in my mouth
pour on my shoes the weight of water
so that I can evade the scorpion's claw

for I want to sleep the way apples dream
to learn the tears that will cleanse me of clay;
for I want to live with that dark youth
who tried to open his heart to the fathomless sea

A world where you never have to grow up...

Seeing as it is Valentine's day and all I thought I would partake in the romance by sharing some more of my favourite fashion spreads from the archive of wonders that is Annie Leibovitz' editorial work with Vogue.
The first three shots are from an 'Alice in Wonderland' themed spread of December 2003 which saw supermodel extraordinare Natalia Vodianova paired up with some rather fabulously dressed deisgners as the eccentric characters of Wonderland.



Natalia in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture with the designer himself, far right, as the March Hare and the Mad-hatter himself, the milliner Stephen Jones.



Natalia in Viktor and Rolf with the designers Rolf Snoeren (left) and Viktor Horsting (right) as Tweedledum and Tweedledee.



Natalia in Chanel with the master of monochrome Karl Lagerfeld.

Other designers in the spread included Donatella Versace, Nicolas Ghesquiere, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gautier, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford. Only a photographer with the reputation and talent of Annie Leibovitz could collect this many astounding creative figures from the fashion world into something so fantastically whimsical as an Alice in Wonderland spread! This has, if it were at all possible, increased my excitement and anticipation about Tim Burton's remake.

Another magically themed spread with Vogue was the 'Wizard of Oz' inspired one from December 2005, in which Keira Knightley starred as Dorothy with a number of artists as the additional characters. The post-production effects were particularly amazing in this spread- the vibrancy of the colours and the sharp contours of lighting really captivated me.



This is Keira in a Marc Jacobs dress, with artist Kara Walker as Glinda the good witch in Dior Haute Couture and the Penn State Marching Band in the background providing some jolly tunes!



This is Keira in a Comme des Garcons robe dress with the painter and photographer Chuck Close as the wizard.



This is Keira in a Donna Karen New York dress with Christian Laboutin pumps (of course!) with the artist Jeff Koons as one of the wicked witch's flying monkeys.

Now, I am an ENORMOUS Disney fan. I have been to Disneyland Paris twice and DisneyWorld Florida at least four times. As much as I am aware of the 'subliminal messages' within Disney films and the unrealistic expectations of romance they create I will forever wish to be Tinkerbell. After all, can't every girl be a princess for a day? These are some shots Annie leibovitz did for a collection entitled 'Disney Dream pictures' released in 2007.
Yes, Dreams really do come true.



Rachel Weisz as Snow White.



Scarlett Johanson as Cinderella.



Gisele Bunchen as Wendy, Tina Fey as Tinkerbell and Mikhail Baryshnikov
TRULY MAGICAL.