YOUNG SHIELDS

WUBU2?

2012-02-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

Or, rather, what have I been up 2? The blogging downturn has not, as you might well suspect, been in sacrifice to watching New Girl episodes in a bid to re-create pooey Zooey's perfect fringe - nor, indeed, to a little minor something called a degree (pfft!) Instead, my friend Naomi and I have been working hard as our student paper's Fashion Editors for this term. You can view the paper edition of Varsity here for the whole fashion shebang on pages 20-21: including 'Hot stuff'' for the week, 'Film-spiration', articles on 'contemporary' topics and an equally 'current' column from us the editors.

Each week is based upon a theme, so here's a peek at our shoots - from Get Fit 'Beginnings' to highly Photoshopped 'Dissent.'

Cool right? In Week 3's Dissent issue (shoot above) be sure to check out my article and interview with God's Gift to Awesome, aka. Leslie Bloomfield of jellybones.net/blog. The piece is on Webcam chicks off of Tumblr wearing nice clothes - and what that's all really about. Told you it was current.

Tomorrow is the launch of the Love issue, so you have a matchy-matchy couple shoot shot by the lovely Vanessa Jackman to look forward to!

Day + Night Versace Hype

2012-01-20T15:12:00.000-08:00

So you're stunting like Gucci Gucci, Louis Louis, Fendi Fendi, Prada? Basic bitches wear that shit so you ain't even gonna bother? And at the end of the day you'd rather have some bitchin' Versace knock-offs?

What with Versace for H&M version 2.0 about to drop - and this time darling, its Cruise - and Versace's main line dipping into the archives like there's no tomorrow, it seems like everyone's having an early 90s Gianni moment. Don't fear if you missed out on the glories of the initial H&M collection, however, and instead take a gander to other High Street offerings - tacktastic!

Clockwise l-r: Topshop Shirt + Jeans, Motel @ Asos dress, River Island top.

Versace hype never stops.

Telly

2012-01-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

My Mum broke the bad news to me when I got home yesterday evening. 'Claire, the TV's broken.'

Luckily, there are two reasons why this news is less upsetting than it might have been at the beginning of the Christmas holidays.

1) As per, I have a lot of boring books to read

2) I took loads of photos of my fave looks over the Christmas TV watching period to tide me over!

Summer went to a gig and went all rock chick in a bid to impress 'Cohen' and look hotter than Anna.

Seth and Anna wore these great matchy-matchy golfing outfits. What is Anna hiding under that Baker Boy hat?

And some feisty extra had an Elmo bag

Elsewhere, in 'Pretty in Pink', 'Bitchy friend no. 1' wore this classic palm tree print tropical top to History class.

What, you've never noticed the supermarket cashier's trendy dip-dye job in Home Alone?

And then, most recently I watched episode two of 'New Girl', where somewhere between 'battle of the sexes' hilarity and Zooey Deschanel's annoyingly perfect fringe, this t-shirt happened. Great!

Goodbye television - it's been fun knowing you.

Advice for a Stylish and Stress Free Hangover Day

2011-12-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

1. Accessorize with essentials only. Nail varnish must be chipped, so you can grump about the house Avril Lavigne style. No make-up - just a Love Hearts Lipstick for the essential sugar fix.

2. Don't brush your hair. Once you brush it, you might begin to tidy other aspects of your life up when you should be utilising maximum chill time.

3. Take off whatever sexy outfit you were rockin' with your girlfriends the night before. Replace said outfit with a novelty jumper, such as this purple jumper with three Rupert the Bears frolicking on the front. Their happy faces remind you of the good times that have been, and those that will come once again.

4. This.

5. Finally, refrain at all costs from revealing your face to the outside world - Its not ready.

And always, always wear sunglasses.

Y'all can thank me on the 1/12/12.

A Sale Tale

2011-12-26T03:31:00.000-08:00

Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring (still stuck to the couch!)
The sales are beginning though, time to take care,
In hope that that Topshop Unique dress will be there.

So whilst children are nestled all snug in their beds,
Visions of cut-price dalmatian print rear in your head.
So quick! To the 'web', rest your 'top in your lap,
And seek out those bargains just waiting to be snapped.

Bag - Asos £20 from £40, Shoes - Bertie at Asos £87 from £159, Hat - Topshop £8 from £14 , Ring- Urban Outfitters £16 from £34, Dress - Topshop Unique £60 from £120, Lipstick Paul & Joe at Asos £11 from £15

Proper Chrimbo Outfits

2011-12-10T11:39:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again - when common sights can include everything from abandoned woolly gloves on the roadside to hundreds of Santas descended onto Trafalgar Square. It's also the only legit time of year where daytime and night time gear can be as ostentatious and downright silly as you like. Thus, from neon sequinned miniskirts over Christmas Dinner (the presence of a stretchy waistband goes without saying) to silky little donkey print numbers (!) here's my outfit guide to ensure a proper (fashionable) Chrimbo in two weeks time.*

Clockwise l-r: Jil Sander Jumper - exclusive to Net-a-Porter, grumpy Ikmo toy - Monki , Nail Lacquer - American Apparel, Shoes - Topshop, Skirt - Asos (Reduced)

Clockwise l-r: Emma Cook Donkey dress - exclusive to Net-a-Porter, Chanel lipstick in Kensington, Cosmic Chains Eyelashes - Shu Umuera at Liberty, Silk Bralette - Topshop, Christmas Knickers - Stella McCartney. Wedges - Deena & Ozzy at Urban Outfitters

*OMG ITS CHRISTMAS IN TWO WEEKS TIME

models, real casual

2011-12-02T18:16:00.001-08:00

Came across these Roxanne Lowit shots the other day, photos which I suspect have cropped up before without my ever putting a name to them. Taken at parties and backstage at fashion shows, this is a remarkably intimate kind of 'papping' from the photographer who became 'as much a celebrity as those she photographed.'

Whilst a cry of 'Jonny + Kate forevs' goes without saying, mostly it's remarkable quite how fascinating such candid photographs of models genuinely having a laugh and/or having it large can be.

Not as fascinating as this one caught having a laugh, however.

(woah!)

I Dig it! Richard Nicoll for Fred Perry

2011-11-27T13:20:00.001-08:00

Forget Versace for H&M, this is the one designer collab I'm all over this month. Okay, yes, I may have bought the infamous Palm leaf print skirt from said collection (is it cos I iz blogger?) but if I had the monies, I know I'd head straight for Fred Perry's latest 'Laurel Wreath' collection with Nicoll.

'Girly Mod' - but not as offputting as that sounds - I'm digging the mix of demure necklines with 60s style patent minis.

To conclude: Gimme some of that Richard Ni-cool!

Surprisingly Fruitful Ebay Search Terms: part 1

2011-11-14T12:31:00.001-08:00

As I embark on a series exploring the most surprisingly great Ebay search terms I have discovered on my trawls, I begin with...

1) People who can't spell their own item

So you're after a sexy little animal print number? Search 'leopard print' into Women's clothing and Ebay comes up trumps - but with 20, 795 items, that's a lot of questionable animal print to dig through. This includes a Women's 'Snuggle Blanket' with sleeves that I'm not even sure counts as clothing. However, misspell your search item (As I commonly used to do with said print) and the results can be revealing - 'leapord' has only 123 results, and unsurprisingly, a much less crowded bidder's marketplace. As proof, upon writing this I hit gold with an Ebay seller smart enough to shop at Whistles but not smart enough to spell leopard right...hello new t-shirt!

More solid leapord 'gold': a sold out Topshop dress (you watch the price hike when the print is spelt correctly), a leopard shirt complete with waist ties, and a vintage Vivienne Westwood coat that's only a snip at £2000. That last seller is a gem: username forpeoplewithmoney, I can only salute your audaciousness (wow).

The moral of the story? Not to use spell check, but, rather, to learn how to spot when others haven't quite done so yet. Experiment with 'Topsop', 'UO' instead of Urban Outfitters, Tommy Hilfinger et al.

So, at the risk of sounding like Alan Sugar, let's thank those Ebay doughnuts who don't spell before they sell. Here's hoping they never learn.

Coloured hair - here for the duration

2011-11-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

But, if Anja Rubik on the i-D cover is anything to go by...this time round its less Hipster highlights, and more Barbie highlights.

LFW S/S 12 review: Christian Blanken

2011-11-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

I may have only spent a few short days at Fashion Week, but I experienced my fair share of blanks in that time nevertheless - whether it was receiving blanks from famous fashion bloggers (who I've actually met before FYI) or drawing blanks due to inexplicable street style ensembles. By far my favourite 'blank' however, was the Christian Blanken presentation, which turned out to be less 'smoke and mirrors' than these pictures might suggest....

In fact, it was mirrors without smoke, with a seamlessly integrated collection of neutral and black separates. My faves were the leather and printed jackets, but most of all I love that The Terminator is back in fashion.

"Your clothes...give them to me, now."*

*Yeah that's a line from The Terminator, and what?

This is Halloween...Givenchy style

2011-10-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

If 'Zombie Nurse' is the slutty girl Halloween option, and 'Fairuza Balk off The Craft' is the Hipster girl Halloween option, then the third and final 'Sexy Cat' Halloween option is definitely for boring girls.

That was, until Givenchy concocted this wicked amalgamation of both Geek Chic and Sexy Cat in the form of these fierce 'Panther' glasses.

And with two 'themes' in one, they're great fancy dress value for money, too! I would wear mine with a mean attitude, a big black fur coat and a suitable 'rawr.'

Happy (almost) Halloween, folks!

Edit: Look at Gisele working Panther print circa, er, 2000!

M is for...

2011-10-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

M is for my new/old Morgan jumper

M is for (pretending to be cool enough to have) a Macbook

M is for my Massive collection of snowglobes

M is for Managing to get these shots despite all odds

M is for Macking on feminist Ryan Gosling

M is for Marry me?

LFW S/S 12 review: Felder Felder

2011-10-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry blog-readers...looks like I left you a Haiku and then didn't call you for a week. Somewhat like a really bad (but also oddly poetic) boyfriend.

Here's some more LFW updating for you anyway, treacling through my brain into yours like a very slow stream of treacle. This time, it's only bloody Felder Felder!

I think I have quite a good idea of who the Felder Felder 'girl' is. She likes fast cars, chain-smoking, sarcasm and generally being rock and, moreover, roll. Something like that. She's also the girl who, in her heavy leathers and adherance to B & B (black and black) simply gets confused in Summertime.

And yet, whilst such a collection aesthetic could end up as a seasonal mix-up 'mare (I'm looking at you, Mr. West) the Felder Felder girl lightened up this season, and to great success. My favourite looks (top) were actually the black ones...but hey, I like that the Felder Felder girl has for once let out a deep sigh, put on her little metallic backpack, and said 'Fine, Mum, I'll wear the orange dress. But it has to be tie-dye, mmkay?'

Wonderful. What's more, take a look at this nice dress, for a nice day, for a White Wedding... Billy Idol style.

LFW S/S 12 review: Teatum Jones

2011-10-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Teatum Jones, on the Friday of fashion week, was beautiful poetry in (extremely slow-moving) motion. Thus, I present my review: in Haiku form.

Teatum, your pastels:

Icing on cake? I wonder

What lies underneath

The end.

ps. For a more detailed and interesting review, read here

new room and new dress and new attitude

2011-10-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

So yeah, back to sporadic blog posts when I can be bothered cos, like, Uni's one great big party and I'd rather do that. Joking, I'm going to keep this thing up and I can only think that so long as I hang pretty dresses on my wall I'll be consistently reminded of clothes...

i.e. fashion

i.e. style

i.e. BLOGGIN'

Dress c/o French Connection, all photos c/o ME

Thus ends the Selby style tour. You may leave now.

the shiny show

2011-10-04T02:20:00.000-07:00

Everybody knows that fashion is one great big revolving door. But who cares when the ride's this good and everything's so shiny?? Recalling the gal-pals of early 90s Gianni Versace*, models at Givenchy, Felder Felder and Unique were all about the...

(L-R) Givenchy, Felder Felder and Unique collections S/S 12.

Oh and r.e. Versace picture no. 2: I think compromised male models are becoming a bit of a Young Shields theme of late?

*Heeled loafers and cropped polo-neck optional.

LFW: Outfits

2011-09-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

Or, to put it another way, more evidence of my perma-bemused expression when faced with a street style photographer.

Stockholm Street Style

The lovely girls from Motel HQ on their blog

I call this one my Venus di Milo look.

M. Laurelli for L'Express Styles France

On Friday I wore Top - American Apparel, Trousers - Vintage Moschino (thanks, Ebay for kids!), leather jacket - Religion, Shoes - Asos, and Bag - Vintage Gucci (it was my very stylish Grandmother's)

And for Monday's 'Look, no hands!', er, look, it was Dress - Topshop Boutique, Bag - Peter Pilotto for Kipling, Boots - Swear London, and the sparkly and crusty Ellegirl socks.

Oh, and that necklace is a real-life whistle from Urban Outfitters, for alerting the Fashion Police in case of emergency.

TOPSHOP Unique: Live Bloggin' so you don't have to!

2011-09-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

Live blogging from Topshop's Live stream (for a totally modern experience kinda like a Flash Mob or something)

Pre-show: Apparently this is what the invitations look like. Fab! Cleopatra comin' atcha!

15.06: Hope the show's not started yet and its not just my flash player giving up the ghost...
15.09: Missing a trick here not streaming shots of Anna Wintour and Naomi apparently looking fabulous pre-show
15.10: We're live 'n' kickin! Looks like a great collection already!

15.12: Hey woman in bunny ears, we can see you sporting a big look from a few seasons ago on camera! Cringe of your life!
15.13: Why no sound? I want to hear the sweet airy nothings of fashion somethings...
15.16: Man in checked shirt looking lost. Probably wanting to catch a train.
15.19: This is Naomi Campbell's back, courtesy of @TheSTStyle

15.21: Gimme a Twitter shout-out if you're watching too! Kinda creepy with no sound, non? (Again, hopefully this is not just me)
15.24: The ground-sheet is off and the show is on on on
15.26: Bam first look: Striped cycle shorts, sequin jumper, leather cap. Lots of gold, even runner shorts!

15.28: Love this maxi with Egyptian style print. Graphic = good
15.28: Not quite as obviously Egyptian-referencial as I expected. This is also good.
15.29: The silhouette is lean and sporty, with dresses incorporating scuba style wiring like previous seasons (e.g. remember the spacey cybergoths of A/W 09?)

15.29: Looks like flatforms on the feet here - flatforms here to stay!
15.29: Sporty layering is topped off with a cheeky visor (really!) I'll wap up a pic later, its my fave look

15.30: Moving into pale pinks and whites, with a metallic maxi slip dress looking super fine

15.31: Oh Charlotte Free, yo hair matched yo clothes!
15.31: Denim looks fresh in pale stone-cum-yellow
15.31: BAM large scale Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra prints on oversized knitwear!

15.31: Into sequins and black. As usual, Unique's got everything covered
15.32: Gold-foil type prints looking super-luxe, very Katrantzou it has to be said!
15.33: Wearing their references on their sleeve now. Think Scarab-beetle prints placed over boobies for tasteful Egyptian style.

15.34: Last look in turquoise and gold, an oriental style maxi dress!
15.34: Final walk. That's all folks!

15.38: Don't think I've ever typed so fast! The gold foil hair transfers were hard to discern on the live stream, but here they are closer up via @nataliehartley on Twitter.

And now that we too have watched the show, we can all pretend to be the unidentified FROW blonde (Diana Vickers, perhaps? She's about) with the best view in the house.

Initial thoughts: A strong collection, veering away from recent 'Hippy Chick' S/S vibes at Topshop back to the sports-influenced silhouettes of previous seasons. The metallic leathers, as always, rocked my boat, and the large-scale Cleopatra prints were just the right side of bombastic. Some people find they can't dig all of Unique because the design team never fail to bring out every single variety of reference-heavy item on their fashion brains - and today was no exception.
But, for me, this mish-mash has always been what makes the show a refreshing mid-week addition - and, ahem, a unique one at that.

a 20.30 update: I've added catwalk shots of the fave looks I mentioned!

NYFW: And the Oscar goes to...

2011-09-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

'Don't cry Halle! New York Fashion Week might be over but London's calling! And besides, there's still Paris, Milan and before you know it, it'll be Essex Fashion Week time all over again!'

Halle: 'Hoo-ray!'

And regardless, who needs fashion weeks when you can have fashion week round-ups?? The fun, as ever, is all in the retrospect. Thus, I hereby present to you, in true USA style, my New Yawk Fashion Week Oscars.

What's more, for Halle Berry's sake - as well as all of yours' - expect London Fash updates soon!

21st century girl

2011-09-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

My new Kipling backpack is like what we'd all be wearing on our backs right now if The Jetsons woz right.

Check out Kipling's new collections here, including the aforementioned collab with my man the Marquis, JC de Castalbajac!

(Hope that gif-fest didn't break anyone's computer...that wouldn't be very space age now would it)

fun fashion facts to tell your boyfriend part 1

2011-09-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

(ps. I'm not joking about the Ice Bucket)

over the long weekend i...

2011-08-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

Spent two days at Reading Festival, where I saw great street style like this...*

Spent two days at Notting Hill Carnival where I saw great street style like this...

And finally spent one evening watching Sex and the City, where, somewhere between Miranda's whinging and when Carrie 'got to thinking', Samantha wore THIS GREAT JUMPER.

Jealous! What did you do over the long weekend?

*Ew!

Bambi by Barber (Tim) for Muse Summer 2011.

2011-08-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Two words:

ROOOOOOAAAAAAAD TRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!*

*I wish. Especially with Bambi, looks fun. Summer ain't over til its over, folks!

kamilya kamilya how do i get to be ya

2011-08-23T04:02:00.000-07:00

ph: vanessa jackman, stylesightings, stockholm street style

The silver foxy lady with that 70s trend on lockdown...Oh Kamilya Kamilya, how does one get style like Kamilya's?

Well, if you're a History of Art student originally from Kazakhstan who now lives in Paris, I guess that can only help.

Me? I'm an English Literature student, originally from London who now lives in Essex - in other words, I've just got a bit tackier. Go figure.

DMs (1st and) 4eva

2011-08-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard about Dr Marten's First and Forever campaign for A/W, but if you haven't yet, hear this: I'm into it.

Blending fashion nostalgia and relationship nostalgia, and first shoe crushes with first boy crushes, the First and Forever campaign incorporates some beautiful imagery with a sweet video. In the film, shot by director duo Nick and Fred, an unscripted Agyness Deyn talks about her first heartbreak. Let's face it, voiceover's are ever-cringey, but this works. The photographs also manage to capture all that is unique to small-town teenage romance - i.e. hanging around empty public spaces, over-enthusiastic PDAs and having to get the bus cos you canny afford a car.

Also nice to see is Agyness cast in a vulnerable, (relatively) girly role in her modelling for once. Suits her, I think.

www.drmartens.com/firstandforever

awkie street style

2011-08-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

You know when you notice something and then you can't stop noticing it no matter how hard you try? No matter how irritating it is/ how much it distracts you from the sartorial matters at hand? Well, I'd like to share that feeling with you dear readers, as we observe street style as it was always meant to be observed - with a view to checking out the awkward hand positioning of otherwise stylish chicks.

Having been street-snapped a few times myself before (har har) I am aware of what these poor girls are going through. For the initial panic question that hits me whenever someone sidles up for a snap has always been...Where do I put my hands? A hand on hip? So Paris Hilton! And, whilst pockets are a godsend, god knows Topshop only put pockets on things when it has the 'Boutique' label nowadays.

So, without further ado, and just in time for fashion week season (!) I present babes who don't know where to put their hands. Like my 7 dwarves, except there's six of them.

1) Pointy hands. Distracts the photographer by pointing at your shoes. NB. Pointing straight at the camera itself is also a bold option (e.g)

2) Delicate hands Kind of an E.T phone home move. Can make hands look slender, which is a plus.

3) 'Holding an invisible plant pot' hands. Clue's in the name, really.

4) Curled fingertips hands. This is good, because whilst you may be curling your fingertips for sheer nerves, by not holding them straight down you avoid a robot pose, which would be the worst of all.

5) 'Hey, what ya got there?' hands. The one hand behind back is a shrewd move. What's behind there? A revolver? A dagger? A lead pipe? Or, indeed - nothing? Clever girl in a clever maxi skirt.

6) 'Wearing such a poofy skirt we can't see your hands' hands. Nicely done! Her fingers could be freaking out back there and we wouldn't even have a clue.

All in all, I have to conclude that this kid, above all others, has his 'handy' technique down.

Just turn your back away from the camera, obstructive object in tow, and keep on rollin'. That's the moral of the 'How to deal with street style photographers' story, kids.*

*Along with the applause-worthy all-denim look, of course, of which I needn't mention the moralistic value.

ph: Coggles, Stylesightings

scooby snacks

2011-08-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't like this because it is both obnoxiously priced (ah, Wildfox) and obnoxiously fringed BUT it's just so friendly and reminds me of Scooby Doo. Zoinks!

i wish alexa chung would stop copying me

2011-08-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

Just back off Chung!

francoise hardy knows good coats

2011-08-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Do you know good coats? No? Well, get 2 no with a little help from Francoise.

After all, as September looms its wintry head, the annual Great Coat Hunt will begin for many of us Brits, as we - oh we, hardy few* - traverse the wilderness of High Street shopping in the name of good quality, flattering silhouettes, and (please, for the love of all that is good and French) pockets.

*ey, ey!

ps. Does anyone know who took these photos? Damn tumblr. Regardless, Francoise makes eyebags sexy. Down with Touche Eclat!

if you've still got festivals to go to

2011-08-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

I've never done this before, but at Benicassim I took some street style round the campsite. Evidently some didn't come out, but hey ho these were my fave ladies anyway.

I didn't get any of their names, but what I do know is this:

1) The first girl was so refreshingly natural (I'm looking at you, girls in full make-up and Topshop 'hippy chic' in 30 degree heat) and had such a glow about her with her lovely boyfriend that I couldn't help but take a photo. A Tess of the D'urbervilles meets Alexa Chung vibe, if you will.

2) This pair were so matchy matchy, and you know I love matchy matchy! Special kudos for the identikit posing and choice of shoewear - jelly shoes on the left, and bashed up trainers on the right.

By the way, did you know? Benicassim is the best thing ever! Everyone have fun if you still have festivals to attend, and remember: in the words of S Club 7, 'natural...is how its meant to be.'

BRING BACK: light up shoes

2011-08-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

Chanel

Format Custom sneaks competition by Jose Rodriguez

Edmund Castillo (note the need to plug these in)

Francesca Castagnacci

Nicholas Kirkwood x Rodarte

'Bright feed' slippers. These would not make it past Dragon's Den.

Classic Kids Sketchers

Now, whilst Britney may well be 4 Wheelers, I am definitely 4 Light-ups (and equality and stuff). My light-ups of choice used to be trainers from the Clarks kids range, of course, but now that I am more adult-shaped I'm in the market for something new. The Nicholas Kirkwood x Rodarte collaboration is looking suitably like something from the Never-Ending Story - and I like, a lot.

ps. If Britney will be remembered for anything, it will be for contributions made to Double Denim lovers everywhere.

hollandaise

2011-08-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

Check out ma latest designer purchases à la House of Holland...

The first being a charity shop find identical to this Hollandaise halterneck knitted number.

And the second being this genuine super-crop article as seen on the S/S catwalk...yeah no biggie, just a little sale purchase that happened to come with some free fringed stockings (far too naughty for me, but a novelty item for the sock drawer nonetheless).

But which do I prefer, deep down? I see my feelings on the matter going a little something like the episode of Sex and the City in which Carrie and the gang go to LA for a holiday. There, Samantha finds inestimable joy in the fake Fendi bags on offer from the boot of a man's car downtown. For Carrie, however, the bags all look a bit cheap and 'sad', staring up at her from the trunk. And, well, while I've probably always seen myself as more of a Carrie than a Samantha, at the end of the day I don't find myself rhapsodising on the pros and cons of my House of Holland/HOH-esque goodies with quite such self-righteousness.

Instead, to keep things simple, some big ol' dolla signs to express which was the more expensive. Dolla dolla!

ps. See what I did with my head there?

spaceman trews

2011-07-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

Oh my, is Asos' New In section increasingly finger lickin', purse pickin' good stuff...In particular, these silver cropped trousers have caught my eye, conjuring fond memories of both the Celine Pre-Fall 11 collection and of ringing in the Millennium wearing silver 'skousers' and dancing to this song.

'on the street'

2011-07-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

(top-bottom) Albert Kahn photo archive, Madonna 1983 by Amy Arbus, Vogue Paris June/July - Sasha Pivovarova by Inez & Vinoodh, Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen.

changing fashions

2011-07-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

Found this on a standard Saturday night Sofia Coppola/Debbie Harry girl crush burrowing of the world wide web and couldn't resist sharing. Its from Details magazine back in '93, the concept being a short 'silent' movie and editorial starring Sofia Coppola, her then-beau Anthony Kiedis and one Miss Debbie Harry. The premise (as far as I can gather) is that the evil Debbie is attempting to give Anthony a makeover to turn him into a kind of rock star phenomenon, and him and Sofia have to keep trying to escape her glamourous clutches. They hang out in a guitar shop for a while with Sonic Youth, Debbie kind of seduces Sofia and Anthony is left running away in nothing but his Calvin Kleins.

Watch out for hyperventilating trannies, enjoy Anthony's patchwork denim jeans and marvel at Sofia and Anthony's incredibly matchy matchy hair. The End.

ps. Who knew Jane's Addiction vs. plonky 'olde time' piano music could work so well?

all hail the (remainders of the) sales

2011-07-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

I know what you're thinking. But the sales are practically over? Its only the last dregs that are left? All that's left are weird jelly-shoe heels, unwanted knits and questionable harnesses? Well, whilst the latter item may be an unwittingly clever purchase to make (see later in this post) I maintain that there are more than just dregs to be found in Saleland. Indeed, some of what's left presents a veritable melting pot of A/W 11 trends...so grab em while you still can my friends. I know that certain sales (Motel and Asos among them) are in their final days, so simply follow my handy guide for pointers and get crackin'!

For starry starry nights à la Dolce and Gabbana, try Motel's sale...

...also for shiny Nowhere style minis à la Jeremy Scott.

For power mohair à la Givenchy, try the Rokit sale.

For power crochet (!) à la House of Holland, Topshop still has some good uns in stock.

And finally, to truly prepare yourself for the fetish trend that is gonna hit us sometime around September - à la Louis Vuitton - how about trying on this Asos leather and chain harness on for size?

ps. If any of y'all do try on that last one for size...congrats, you're a mini Fashion Toast! Send us a (non-naughty) pic, like.

women in black

2011-07-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

Topshop A/W 11 campaign preview, as photographed by Josh Olins and styled by Kate Phelan.

Topshop girls are back in town - and they're wearing black. Women in Topshop: saving the high street, one gorilla coat at a time.

ps. I did that last one (!)...MS Paint, servicing Young Shields since 2008.

pics 'n' giggles en france

2011-07-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

Holidaying Claire is my name...dressing like a schoolteacher and taking pictures of funny looking fish and artful shop-fronts is my game.

The fish lovin' my look, evidently. (if you're wondering, in the first image my top and shoes are urban outfitters, skirt topshop. In the second, my top and shorts are topshop, shirt AA and shoes Swear london. Oh and the sunglasses are my 'Dame Ednas' from Topshop).

being french in the 90s

2011-06-25T04:39:00.000-07:00

I'm off to the French Coast for the week chicks (west side)! Once there, of course, I shall be wearing exclusively ~~boucle box jackets~~ denim cut-offs and ~~pearl chokers~~ no jewellery at all. Oh, and practicing my 'Ouis' and 'nons.'

Chanel campaigns Spring 91 and 92

Edit - Love for the male models in the last shot. They remind me of the cast of Made in Chelsea...

hey kate

2011-06-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

R.e. lack of blogging goodness, myself and Kate send our apologies. Real life 'n' exams means that for now, I am sad Kate circa bottom left. Soon though, i'll be happy Kate circa bottom right.

Hoo-ray!

me n the lambys

2011-05-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

So, as much as I try to deny what is developing into a 'cutesy' image, I keep doing things like this...

Jus' me chatting with some lambies. Now, while you might say this isn't a very fashion blogger type post, I would, however, direct you to two important factors:

1) This photo involves some very high-def, high-tech photo-editing software type effort

2) Just think of this as a 'How (not) To do a high bun' tutorial. The opposite effect to annoying video tutorials like this and this, if you will. But not quite as annoying, and with cutesy lambs.

EDIT 3) So, Alexa Chung has these jeans, okay? #fashion (!)

cool shows with cool soundtracks

2011-05-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Cool!

Show: Miu Miu S/S 11

Soundtrack: A warped club mega mix of the American Idol/X Factor soundtrack, including snippets of Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole dissing contestants in their lovable way. In a show Miuccia professed to be about 'everybody wanting to be famous', we heard girls yelping a reply to 'Why do you like Girls Aloud?' alongside some of the opening lines from Flashdance: 'Her name is Alice...she lives in a man's world.' Indeed, in the light of recent Cole-related events, perhaps Miuccia was making an even greater statement on the mutability of fame than she anticipated...

Show: Givenchy Menswear S/S 11

Soundtrack: Boys in leopard goth suits and full make-up, perfectly soundtracked by the soundtrack from 80s vamp-flick The Lost Boys. A far cry from squeeky clean Pattinson-alikes all round.

Show: Jil Sander S/S 11

Soundtrack: Busta Rhymes' 'Gimme some more', sampling Bernhard Herrmann's 'Psycho' soundtrack. A ready made-mashup, then, pleasing Glee fans and fashion fans alike. I personally like to imagine Anna Dello Russo mouthing 'Gimme some more' as look after look of seamless pop colour strutted past.

sofia coppola has always been a babe

2011-05-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Total babe.

Cop a load of 90s Coppola - Bottom-length hair, either lots of make-up or none at all, suede and short skirts. And she hangs out with Kim Gordon and, er, hippies.

p.s. Also, check out the opening shots of this Black Crowes music video from 1994: Hi Sofia in leopard print!

meet my monkey friends

2011-05-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

'Monkeys' and 'mash-ups' might be too much fun to cope with in one sentence, but Kipling's Monkey Mash-up competition has launched and is ready to do business. The competition invites all you creative types to design unique variations on the iconic Kipling monkey, with a winning design set to be featured on Dazed Digital and Kipling's Regent Street display (and the winner designer themselves nabbing £500 worth of Kipling gear, natch).

What's more, Susie Lau, Valentine Fillol Cordier and hair salon Bleach have already let loose on their own monkey designs, ranging from patchwork florals to tie dye stripes. Check it out.

clockwise l-r: Margot Bowman monkey, Silver Spoon attire monkey, Valentine Fillol Cordier monkey, Susie Bubble monkey.

My fave. One far-out monkey-man courtesy of Alex Brownsell. (ph. Dazed Digital)

Anyway, I think this is great fun and you should all download the template, get those creative juices flowing and create your own mash-up here. Probably the most productive monkeying around you'll ever do.

neither forward nor backward but jedward

2011-05-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

Say what you will about Jedward...

But their stylists score them some pretty sweet sneaks.

Everybody enjoy Eurovision to the upmost! I shall be getting on with some work whilst simultaneously cheering on both Blue and everybody's fave gelled-up twinnies.

things that look like sunglasses that aren't actually

2011-05-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

Cardigan from Ebay

Bag from Topshop

It's a trend! And just so you know, Brittany from Daria approves.

mom style

2011-05-08T13:39:00.001-07:00

Realised I had unwittingly saved a lot of pictures of 'Mom' style on my computer recently - oh well, skirt suits, denim-on-denim and sensible shoes it is then. From sexy Mrs Robinson style, to Stella Mccartney's wholesome apple-pie garms, this one goes out to all those cool mums out there...*

Oh wait, its Mothers day today in the US! My fashion mind is an accurate calendar - albeit of a different time zone, but hey.

*I may include my own mother in this category, as she recently bought a Topshop blazer. Word.

Topshop dress, Office 'Mom' shoes, The Graduate, Jerry Hall, Christopher Kane and Stella McCartney SS 11

oh and MASSIVE P.S. Thanks for all the sweet comments on Vanessa's photos!

grazia italia by vanessa jackman

2011-05-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

So, if you're not an avid reader of photographer Vanessa Jackman's blog (why oh why not?) then you might not have seen the photos she took of me for a feature in Grazia Italia. You can read the article and interview here - all rather exciting, and apparently I'm a 'Girl Next Door' now which is fun.

The photos were taken over the Easter holidays, where Vanessa and I chatted in my house and went to the beach to be stared at by the dog-walkers. These were all taken with film cameras, so I'm pleased to see they turned out well (after all, with not much else to do here...I wouldn't want Vanessa's trip to be wasted)

For more see the Grazia article and Vanessa's blog!

things i got free in teen magazines that i want to wear now

2011-04-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

Sparkly pink socks, Ellegirl UK

Small hawaiian print tote - Bliss (I must have been really into hawaiian print at the time, cos lordy i was no Bliss reader)

But whose naughty bits am I covering up with my tote bag? Can anyone recognise that oiled torso? (answers in an envelope, please). Whoever he is, he sure looks ready for the beach. ps. he went to the wedding.

Edit - We-elll, would you look at Stevie of Discotheque Confusion, who was also loving life with her (albeit green, but similarly crusty) Ellegirl socks after reading this post. Anyone else discovered any wearable magazine freebies?

1 day in paris

2011-04-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night, me and my best girl 'hopped' on an overnight coach from London to Paris, where we spent the next day having a croissant breakfast in the Jardin des Tuileries, wandered along the stalls by the river Seine, visited a flower market, went vintage shopping in Le Marais, ate some crepes, surprised her boyfriend who was playing a gig that night, hung out by the Eiffel Tower, took Fotomat pictures at the Palais de Tokyo, drank mojitos, ate a properly French dinner and finally saw the concert along with all the enthusiastic Parisian grunger teenagers.

My camera ran out about halfway through these events, but here's a few anywho.

Great fun!

Q: what do my favourite lanvin campaign and a 1980s disco classic have in common?

2011-04-18T02:34:00.000-07:00

Lanvin S/S 2007

A: Statement jewellery, of course...

spice up yo life!

2011-04-13T10:41:00.001-07:00

Whilst I could pretend to be intrinsically influenced by Michelle Phillips' (of the Mamas and the Papas) black berets and polo necks, or Bananarama's denim dungarees and bleach blonde hair...the reality is, I was born in neither the 60s, 70s, nor 80s. The result of this is the discovery of said style icons resting with a mix of my parents, Spotify recommendations and Tumblr accounts.

Instead, my childhood pop star style influence in fact rests with these 5 ladies: Ginger Spice, Sporty Spice, Posh Spice, Baby Spice and Scary Spice (always felt Mel B drew the short straw there. Record Company Honcho: 'No, no...your 'thing' is just going to be being really terrifying. In animal print.' Mel: 'Ok!')

Prepare yourself for a lot of Girl Power.

Spice up your life! I was also a fan of B*Witched, but I have a feeling their own personal brand of denim-on-EMBELLISHMENT-on-denim doesn't translate quite so well.

Big look.

photos: wildfox blog, fuckyeahspicegirls

feelin' fruity part 2: the fruity take over

2011-04-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

This, my friends, is my fashion blender.

As you may notice, it has fruit in it. But hold up. This is one smoothie maker that's not only health conscious but also (in an imaginative flight of fancy!) fashion conscious. Let me demonstrate.

Fruity tooti fashion was all over the S/S 11 catwalks, in particular at Prada and Stella Mccartney - as demonstrated in my first fruity post last year, here. And boy, that fash pack took the trend to their hearts (and their shoes, bags and questionable hatwear) with fashion show attendees left right and centre sporting the real deal from the catwalks this season.

This is where my fashion blender comes in - ready to pulp, squeeze and mash those fruity fashion prints into a distilled, tasty, high-street smoothie of style. Warning: May contain bits (of brilliance)

Dress Samantha Pleet at http://themoonandmars.co.uk (On sale!), Earrings and leggings - Topshop, Apple Ring- Monsoon, Skirt - New Look

Boom! Oranges and lemons, say all these high street gems! That didn't quite work, but what rhymes with St. Clements anyway! I just can't tell the fash from the fruit!

Dear High Street, I don't think I'm going to be 'over' the fruit thing for a while, so keep on blending that fruity tooti style please? Thanks! love Claire X

fashion originals #8: dame edna everage

2011-04-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

So there I was - perusing Topshop's 'New In' section, and thoroughly enjoying all the psychadelic floral prints, sequinned bralets and all-round-general summer colour on show. Then, suddenly, what with these sunglasses and those shoes, a realisation struck that was both short and sweet. Sure enough, the hidden link soon revealed itself to my foggy,fashion-addled brain. This whole mental process, strangely enough, was soundtracked by a single, female voice: 'Hello, Possums.'

It's Dame Edna! And yes, whilst I am fighting back an urge to self-scold (out loud) with a 'Too far, Claire, too far,' at the same time I think we can learn a lot of fashion tips from the Dame. After all, her ostentatious super-stylin' gets more Dello Russo every time I look at it.

Sunglasses - Topshop, Dress - KTZ for Topshop, Jacket - Beyond Retro, Shoes - Rokit.

So, how to get in on the Dame Game? Well, with a little subduing of what is a very strong look, Dame Edna's penchant for colourful sequins, cats-eye sunglasses shapes and fairly modest heels can go a long way - just take one aspect of the look at a time, as per my selection above. You dig? Alternatively, why not go all out? As the Dame herself says, 'Never be afraid to laugh at yourself' (Possums).

PS. I'm at http://youngshields.co.uk now (!) as well as ye ol' blogspot.

nina porter

2011-03-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

Best known as the face of Burberry, Nina Porter is the latest and greatest elfin beauty to fall in lurve with. I enjoyed the styling of this new i-D shoot, turning expectations on their heads in a subtle, very British way. Just one example is the first shot, where the interest lies in seeing that S/S 11 Prada number styled in such a downplayed, anti-extrovert (i.e. anti-Anna Dello Russo) type of fashion.

A cup of tea instead of a multicolour striped fur stole makes all the difference in my book.

photos: i-D online.

ellegirl uk...one love

2011-03-26T03:49:00.000-07:00

Ellegirl UK was SUCH a great magazine, stamping all over J-17 et al with a 'Dare to be Different' tagline, gorgeously nonchalant shoots and features that actually spoke to teenage girls on a fashion level (as opposed to just a boys! sex! periods! level).

Anyway, I found some scans of one of my fave eds ever online. I still have the first shot on the wall of my bedroom.

Super simple, super great. And a beach shoot without a greased up babe necessarily getting down in the sand (sorry, luds). Its almost like they're holiday photos that just turned out really well. And that's a good thing. Miss u Ellegirl ♥

Scans The Quietest Rebel

new wave of colour

2011-03-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

I suspect that when some people think of the French Nouvelle Vague, what comes to mind for them are probably moody black and white shots, moody philosophical quotes, moody french babes...and, well, a little bit of unwatchability thrown in.

Those people probably haven't seen Pierrot le Fou. Its colourful eccentricities are timeless, and Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo's antics and get-up on the French Riviera are the perfect reference for all the freshest and FUNNEST summer colour around at the mo. Heck, she even makes a camo baker boy cap look good, and that's a pet peeve!

Notes for the girls: Bright blue capri pants with plain white tee, little sailor hat, red sailor dress, schoolgirl hair, midi-length striped dress.

Notes for the boys: Little brown knitted hat, reading pretentious literature, red shirt with chinos, baby blue suit. Also luscious lips like Jean-Paul (c'mon guys time to invest in cherry chapsticks non?)

My screenshots, please credit.

PS. I interviewed iconic 60s model Penelope Tree for Varsity! Totally exciting. Read it here...heck, 'like' it on Facebook if the feeling takes you.

junya watanabe

2011-03-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

Of all the cinched-in, flared-out, bell-sleeved (!) leather jacket numbers at the Junya Watanabe A/W 11 show, I liked these cocoon-style bikers the best.

I know what you're thinking though. What with their high-arching collars and seemingly puffed-out silhouette, couldn't they be a bit draughty at the neck?

No. Fear. Junya's thought of everything, with a variety of furry and fluffy capes, scarves...and well, throws, on show. I like the first one because its something leopard print that I actually like, so that's comforting - our relationship had become somewhat fraught since the arrival of dalmation print on the scene. And, I like the second one because its like a feather boa. Bring back BOAs - why not?

I always poked fun at another girl I knew for somehow having 3 leather jackets when all I could afford was pleather. Of course I was just 100% jel, and now with a few pennies in my pocket am considering my second leather jacket purchase. Just call me Miss Moneybags. Not enough for a Watanabe original, though...*

*On second thoughts, perhaps call me Miss Moneypenny.

PS. And the hair-styling makes the models look like they're from Final Fantasy. Amazing.

yay or nay: swimming caps

2011-03-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

So, Asos is being weird again, something that I'm going to demonstrate by vandalising this screen shot of said weirdness with some Perez Hilton style arrows.

Swimming cap-style. Yay or nay?

First things first, let's try to map out the design-thought process clearly. A line of stylish swimming caps through time, if you will.

Way back when, for example, we have the tradish headwear for poolside 50s babes...

Such babes! Fast forward to 2011, however, and we have the sports-luxe swimming/aviator caps from Marni's (awesome) S/S '11 offering...

And with a little trickle through time and space to the high-street, we find a combination of the two in Asos Premium's Flower Detail hats.

Yay or nay? You decide. For me personally, I'm beginning to picture Anna dello Russo working some kind of strong, shower-curtained, complete with floral cap look. Its a good picture, and one that bodes well for me thinking 'yay' to this for others - if, indeed, still a weak little 'nay' from me, myself and I.

sabrina

2011-03-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

The results of a new-found tumblr 'thing' (tumblrites love all this 90s tv show jazz) that turned into a night of youtube-endorsed Sabrina the Teenage Witch watching. And while I can understand the inevitable tweeness of her twinset and polo necks...she even makes a black choker look cutesy! Now there's a style icon in the making.

Also, this is probably one of the ultimate examples of a TV show that shouldn't have tried to make the jump to university level. High school's where its at in the world of 90s teen sitcoms.

ps. Harvey's earring!!! That is all.

a moment of terrible realisation

2011-02-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

'Wow, how great do I feel in my charity shop YSL jumper, leather jacket and top-knot/termite that falls apart within seconds! Solid choice, Claire!'

*glances at desktop background*

Oh.

Have you ever realised your biggest style icon of the moment turns out to be a novelty sunglasses-wearing Dalmatian dog that has been set as your desktop background ever since you tweeted about how great it was exactly a month ago? Not a great feeling.

It doesn't feel great, that is, until you realise Dalmatians are totally in, according to Burberry Prorsum's flat-caps and, well, Topshop Unique's entire show.

They're a style hit! I'm a style hit? Not sure on the latter, but here's to more unusual "style icons" in 2011. From Chung-chic, to canine-chic.

Want to know how much is that doggy in the window? Probably a fair amount at the moment, but just you wait for those black and white dots to filter down to the High Street - and hopefully oust all forms of leopard print in its wake.

ps. For a more detailed look at animal-style this A/W season, check out my latest Varsity post, Animal Cracker. Also at the end there's a link to my latest and greatest Ebay purchase - I don't think I've ever latched on to a trend so fast...

LFW: sass & bide review

2011-02-21T09:28:00.000-08:00

fashion week = a lot of very worried looking people.

Hey mates! How are we liking fash bash week? I went along to a few shows on Friday, one of which was ~~Sass and Bide~~ sass & bide (They're cool gals, they do the lower-case thing. Have you noticed I'm trying to ween myself off my lower-case blogging habit? I'm growing up, turning profesh. You're luCKy I dOn'T write Like ThIs cOs itS prEtty KooKy wHiCh iS whAT i aIm foR).

Anyway, sass&bide. Three words (maybe more, lets see where this goes). Tie-dyed, sequinned, tribal, basket-weaved, mad-hatted fun. In fact, to put the elements down to one word, I'd say it was all about COLOUR. Naysayers at style.com have dissed the collection, therefore, for being a little too globally-minded for our dullened British tastes.

style.com

However, as a lot of the LFW output has shown this week, designers are saying nay to boring colour for autumn/winter 11. Who wants to wear gloomy clothes in gloomy weather anyway? You just give me those red sequin trousers, an ikat-print kimono and, possibly, an M&S mojito-in-a-can in my hand any day of the winter week...and it'll be Club Tropicana all round. Just let me team it with a suitably wooly hat and oversized coat first.

my pix

So I'd like to thank, not 'diss' sass & bide for injecting some Aussie colour into what will no doubt shape up to be a very British sort of Winter '11... and thanks also goes to GHD, who offered me the tickets in the first place. Hoo-ray.

not your average party invitations...

2011-02-16T14:32:00.001-08:00

Fashion show/party invites from Mulberry, Selfridges/Another magazine, and Ashish, via Natalie Hartley's twitter...

From origami, to tube tickets, and even a party invite that's good enough to eat, these are a far cry from the sort of invitations you print off yourself - and yet, if fashion week related, even I find those quite exciting. Come Friday, bring on the fash bash.

ps. Not mine! (If only). As above, the photos are from Natalie Hartley's twitter.

dystopia

2011-02-16T13:01:00.000-08:00

So, I did the blogger 'thang' and got pink endz...

Nah, joking. Instead, good old wash-in-wash-out that has dyed my shower curtain pink. Also, you can't really see in the photo but I definitely had loads of gold glitter on my face, too. This was the 'Dystopia' party put on by the Architects at Cambridge, at their Faculty of all places. Madness. Apparently eavesdropped at the party: 'I love this kind of thing, it's so Bristol.'

Cringe. Anyway, I'd direct you to the Varsity photo album, where you can see outfits ranging from the brilliantly monochromatic to the head-scratchingly electronic...No, really. Too much fun.

ps. You know what's even more fun? London Fash bash bish bosh Week is nearly here...holla.

a younger young shields

2011-02-05T07:16:00.000-08:00

Luckily for you, when i say a younger Young Shields I'm definitely not talking gratuitous baby photos in any way. Instead, just a lil trend I've noticed for taking Girly to its very limits of 'Girly.'

Coat and shoes - Topshop, Dress - Rokit vintage, socks - M&S kids, sleepover kit and bags - quite possibly a website called mysticalfairies.co.uk. Yep.

Ca-yoot! Way too ca-yoot, actually, but most of these items are actually meant for adults - bar, perhaps, the M & S school socks, sequinned heart bags, and, er, sleepover kit.

Remember sleepover kits? Back in the days where you needed to arm yourself with an entire kit of roll-on glitter and toe dividers just to prepare for staying the night. Oh, and lets not forget that sleep mask with 'funky chick!' proudly embroidered on its front.

Anyway, I digress. My conclusion to all this Little Girl Chic? Well, what is the natural step forward from shiny Mary-Janes and cutesy Rain coats?

Answer: Alexa Chung (that all-time purveyor of Little Girl Chic) swapping Alexander Wang bag for Sleepover Kit bag...and us all following suit. Probably.

ps. That red raincoat has already sold out from Topshop I think? Told you - trend.

ps. Thought I ought to inform y'all of some other places where I blog. I now post regularly at Lyst, usually analysing catwalk trends in a vaguely uninformed fashion. I also blog weekly for Varsity, my university's student paper, here. Go to the Vetements section and scroll down for my articles: so far ranging from Ancient History stylin', to awkward Camel Coat encounters on the street.

Don't worry, though, Young Shields is still where the real party's at.

sk8r girls

2011-01-29T09:52:00.000-08:00

So, Seth Cohen meets Elizabeth Hurley holiday-wear in the new Celine campaign, and I just want to say thanks a lot, Celine + Juergen Teller.

Yeah, thanks. As if I needed yet another reminder that I could never master skateboarding. However, those palazzo pants whilst skateboarding would be an absolute ELF n SAFETY* disaster in practice.

My conclusion: Whoever said Celine was 'safe'? Haters gonna hate, but this label is dangerous.

ps. Will talk about something other than Celine soon. As Kanye West so aptly points out, we all want to be that 'bitch in that new Phoebe Philo.'

*Noun: 'health and safety.' read under 'broken britain', 'daily mail.'

BIG IN JAPAN

2011-01-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

hey, look! it's me! in a japanese fashion magazine that continues my foodie theme of late...fudge! thanks for the nice guys from the mag for inviting me to be in their january world issue. i enjoyed standing in the middle of london with a flower in my mouth.

i think that apart from having your picture sketched by a good illustrator who will make you look prettier than you actually are, being in a japanese magazine is the next kind of big blogger kudos, right? look at me, i'm fashion toast - and i didn't even have to wear a dodgy harness.

ps. if anyone knows what i'm 'thinking' in the bubble, please send me a mail? it may well be 'this flower tastes off', but we'll see?

pic 'n' mix Celine pre-fall

2011-01-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

Celine pre-fall '11 was a horrendously good mish mash of delicious treats, of course, and if you haven't seen it yet you should definitely click here and appropriately gawp. Some of my faves even reminded me of sweeties, as follows:

Unfortunately, Phoebe Philo's own brand of sweeties probably doesn't come under the penny jar category. But still, plenty of inspiration all round, and even double denim's back for another ride on the fashion train. Choo choo, woo woo, etc.

Nicholas Ghesquière and his tongue-in-chic

2011-01-14T03:11:00.000-08:00

Asides from the multiple layering, fantastical prints and classy styling, I simply love the sense of development in the Balenciaga Pre-Fall collection.

Take the first few looks (out of an impressive 30. Pre-collection = full-on-collection nowadays, it seems).

With hints from the Balenciaga woman-archive, the initial pieces are ladylike and feminine - more so than the masculine lines of previous seasons under Ghesquiere - and, ultimately, total chic.

With the patterned jumpers of a little later however, the look is altogether more fun, with a Hound of the Baskervilles meets Brett from Flight of the Conchords feel to what is a subversive, yet lady-like look...the First Lady wearing dominatrix underwear under a prim twinset, if you will.

But if you think this is a little tongue-in-cheek - my friends, you just wait for the trainers.

Ahh! A luxurious alpaca-wool coat with tailored workwear and trainers! Ah, go mental!

So, with a few trainers stuck in amidst the unusual layering of luxurious fabrics and padded, oriental-style trousers, Ghesquiere not only reminds one of a certain Man-Repeller look, but also has us all confused. His tongue, indeed, is firmly in his chic - with a representation of designer-meets-casualwear that is, perhaps, a step too far for most.

Interesting...(*scratches head* *dies inside for bringing actions within stars into the blogosphere*). Here, we see the heightened designer-casualwear fusion reigned back in from its original, overly-layered, bag-lady connotations. Instead, ankle boots replace casual sneakers, cute animal-print cardigans replace luxurious furs, and little pleated peplum skirts replace the high-fashion trouser silhouette.

Phew. And yet, which do you prefer? High-end meets low-end pushed to the very limits of what is deemed 'good taste'? Or the aesthetically-appealing, almost Urban Outfitters-esque approach to layering and styling?

For me, its the former, and it has to be Ghesquiere's self-professed 'wellness wear' that takes the Balenciaga biscuit.

selection from barcelona

2011-01-13T03:30:00.000-08:00

selection from barcelona trip, inc. lorra gaudi, sunshine all the time, squinting all the time, sagrada familia's kaleidoscopic interior, parc guell's bubble man, overpriced cable car trip up the mountain, views views views, pic 'n' mix, seafood paella, hatin' on chocolate + churros (bleurk), a proper foodie pic like i'm a real blogger, coffee breaks, mojitos, chillin.'

workin the camel a few months too late BAM

2011-01-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

today, i got that much-needed haircut, and bought an oversized camel car coat from a charity shop (the ymca, in fact!)

scarf vintage, shoes asos, coat too XXL to see anything else.

see, i told you every trendy item will turn up in a charity shop ONE DAY...if you wait a few weeks/months/years. so, by the time your desired trendy item turns up, its so off-trend that you're workin' tings retro stylee. BAM £7.99.

ps. i'm going to Barcelona on friday! wey! any major tips up your sleeves? then leave them in the comments, man (please)

yay or nay? timberland boots

2011-01-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

guys, maybe it's time for a new 'thing' in boots. i've tried doctor martens, i've rapped about clarks originals*, heck, i've even been known to go for genuine goth boots in my time. but i'm in the market for something new that i can actually walk in...

how about timberlands? yes, yes, i mean those chunky brown muthers beloved of rap stars, as well as people who live in towns that look like the place in 'twilight.'

and yes, i too held those same prejudices - that is, until i saw this picture from the danish beauties over at anywho.dk.

i mean, teaming the girliest of girly peter jensen dresses with rock-hard timbers? genius!

upon further detailed research (ahem) i even found timberland to be no stranger to the ol' designer collaboration here and there - check out the mouthful that presents itself in these pendleton x opening ceremony x timberland numbers.

anyway, should my pondering ever lead to a purchase (god forbid) i'll definitely be keeping my eye on these particular styles for women, available at asos - for me, offering a subtler take on the lumberjack vibes of timberland booties.

so what do we reckon - obviously an inspired choice in the snow, but are timberlands a stylistic yay or nay?

*i may or may not be vybz kartel

new year cheer

2011-01-01T12:38:00.000-08:00

So, from 2 to the oh 1 oh, to 2 to the oh 1 one...here's me ringing in the new year with a cool glass of Ribena.... Wishing a very happy new year to all my blog readers old and new!

surprise hit: lazy oaf

2010-12-28T11:31:00.000-08:00

hey, nobody told me lazy oaf got so good! outrageous.

anyway, for those of you who don't know, lazy oaf was in fact a favourite of mine in my 14 year-old 'multicoloured' phase - when i wanted to look like something between kate from the long blondes and a pokemon, and enjoyed sporting (sadly now defunct) lady luck rules ok! jewellery and lazy oaf's cartoon-type tees and jumpers.

but now i find the brand riding a new-gen wave - a new-gen of nonchalant cool types looking for the perfect ironical statements in knitwear form. so, from t shirts with a gazillion little crosses attached, to amazing jc de castelbajac style smiley face sweaters (with mouths that unzip open!) the selection is wham bam thank you ma'am fun - and i'm officially a fan.

after all, all it takes is a little tongue-in-cheek chunky knitwear and viktor vauthier style models and i'm yours.

so, did grandma disappoint with her novelty knits on offer this christmas? well, look no further you ungrateful little so and so. i'm not saying lazy oaf could possibly replace your grandma in your heart of hearts - but yeah, maybe i'm just projecting.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

vogue christmas cover, 1929

just a quickie post (its my birthday, gotta get off the comp right) to share my amazing christmas playlist! here's the spotify link - i was planning to post this a few days ago but alas, its a busy time of year. instead, enjoy a manic 24 hour rush of the best christmas playlist ever.

IIIIIIIT'S CHRISTMAS!

there's even a rap/funky soul section, yo. enjoy scaring the fam with some 'stoned soul christmas' y'all!

a spate of 90s kate

2010-12-21T09:59:00.000-08:00

loving the general ambiance (why do i feel lame using this word?) of these shots of kate circa 1995.

just very cool, with a 90s power couple vibe that seemingly reflects the kate + jonny, kate + jefferson and kate + pete vibes of so many paparazzi pictures. but, whereas this power couple may have the sharp tweed suits and matchy matchy outfits of the city, these images reflect a relocation (relocation, relocation) to the countryside. wild nature meets a tender touch on the parts of the photographers, making this is a representation of 'couple'-led editorial that verges on the right side of sentimentalism - and, perhaps this is something that photographers today can only attempt to emulate.

Kate Moss by Paolo Roversi, Juergen Teller. 1995

ps. i actually posted this whole shebang yesterday and blogger totally deleted it. that's just the kind of injustice you wanna tell people about, you know.

few tingz

2010-12-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

1. it's snowing!

2. iiiiiiiiiiiit's christmas!

3. my last couple of weeks have been pretty busy, as i've been interning with the team at fashion website lyst. having spent time with the guys working on the site, i'm now super excited to see how the concept develops and changes over the next few months - believe you me, its going to be the perfect tool to find fashion online, and so much more besides.

so do have a read of some blogging i did while i was there over at the lyst blog, lystit.com. and if you're particularly interested, i wrote some longer pieces for the site on oversized style, novelty jumpers and a no-dress party formula.

image: L'Officiel December 2010

tati cotliar's greatest hits collection

2010-12-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

oh, tati. the argentinian model is just too much. not in a bad sense, mind - only in the very best, colour-popping, mismatched printed, cartoon couture, androgynously styled sort of sense.

so, here we go. in the somewhat commercialised manner akin to you buying your nan the JLS album for christmas, i hereby present to you (wow! bam!!) tati cotliar's fast-growing greatest hits collection.* and what a collection it is.

style notes: stripes, primary colours, coloured tights, creepers, chunky shoes, proenza schouler shoes if you can afford it, prints (i.e. dodgy prints usually found on coach seat covers, or university room curtains - see tati's skirt above), midi skirts, pleats, heritage look, menswear, braces, wide legged trousers, INNATE COOL.

i.e. there exists no formula as to why any of this is cool. it just is.

*dvd extras not included.

totally zhivagoed

2010-12-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

lately i'm just cold. that is, in an epic, Dr. Zhivago levels of cold sort of way.

ergo...i really want a cossack hat.

clockwise l-r: topshop, rokit, and, as modelled by everybody's favourite doe-eyed asos chick, asos.

hat's all, folks!

yee-haw!

2010-12-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

a post title that could be said to apply to two things: 1. my holidays having begun, including a venture to london over the next couple of weeks for some interning, and 2. the subject of this post - that is, on the joys of cowboy-related attire. of course.

the immediate connotations - should one avoid harking back to will smith's 'wild wild west' days (bad film, great tune) and instead strictly keep to fashion terms alone - are probably something along the lines of ashish's inevitably gawdy S/S 11 collection.

sequinned flames and gingham? well i'm a fan, of course. seriously, i cannot be dealing with any haterz of this collection. i think its fun, quite frankly. however, is it possible to get a little serious on the cowboy theme? and avoid novelty altogether? the styling of fernando frisoni's lookbook answers a defiant, slicked-back 'yes' to all these questions.

so sleek. what's more, also riding a blazing saddle of cowboy cool is acne's last resort collection: with a zorro-type, highwayman vibe adding a new spin on their already highly conceptualised, 70s style, elongated shapes.

would love to get me one of them hats. fierce. also, i have listened to 'wild wild west' 2, maybe 3 times in the writing of this post. catchy - forever and always.

so er, ride that trend, cowgirls!

photos: elleuk.com, fashiongonerogue, fashion squad.

wunderful

2010-11-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

i love wunderkind's spring/summer 11 collection. style.com go for 'the irrepressibility of nature' in describing wolfgang joop's latest outing...i'm just gonna say something along the lines of 'hodge-podge.'

its cezanne's fruits meets japanese 'fruits'...with an always satisfactory 'little my' silhouette. mad tingz.

asos like to move it, move it?

2010-11-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

look at these crazy moving models at asos! they've just got so much life, you know (models with life? omg). must be more fun for the models themselves anyway, getting to jump about like they're in teen vogue or something...

also makes the clothes look better, i think? usually somewhat dull stares straight to camera is the norm. whoever decided to start doing this, good goin' my friend - i now want all these 4 items, scat.

sorry for slower posts of late. once term's over/life's less manic it'll be bam bam bam YOUNG SHIELDS all over your RSS feeds (and believe me my holidays are looong).

addicted to ♥

2010-11-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

Topshop's brand new, er, 'New Puritan' collection reminds me of Robert Palmer's 'Addicted to Love' girls.

p.s. Talking of rawk stars (Yeah! Robert Palmer!), one wonders how everyone's favourite perennially slightly pissed-off alternative rock band are coping with the news of Topshop's copycat name.

I kid, I kid.

Check out the collection here

hold me closer irish dancer

2010-11-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

still lovin' christopher kane's a/w 10 collection, in all its sexy leather meets gypsy rose meets IRISH DANCER glory.

why so much? firstly, its great, and secondly, it may have something to do with the fact i was the only girl at my primary with some sort of irish connection who didn't go to irish dancing lessons. looking back, this seems like a cool, sticking-it-the-man-and-my-heritage sort of attitood'. at the time, it was really quite sad.

so whether i'm caving to peer pressure a decade later, or just christopher kane lovin' for life, i'm pretty much drawn to anything black with floral accents on the high street.

top-bottom: christopher kane shirt at net-a-porter, kate moss for topshop dress and cape, schuh sandals and urban outfitters blazer.

besides, its nice to wear florals in winter that aren't totally twee. if tacky floral iron-on transfers in any way worked on leather jackets...dude, i would so go there.

from catwalk 2 surprisingly decent high-street store #1

2010-11-07T10:55:00.001-08:00

Versus velvet skater skirt

Versus velvet skater skirt on the catwalk

≈

Velvet skater skirt, £20 from Next (!)

with that catchy title, this is definitely becoming an occasional series.

ps. the swirly 'equal to' sign actually means 'roughly equating to' - just to be particular about the copycat quality of these high street finds...

i.e. not great, but good for £20.

online find: make lemonade vintage

2010-11-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

there is something that feels intrinsically wrong about telling other people, even if they are my dear readers, about an online vintage shop that sells good shiz cheap. its like a natural instinct kicks in that tries to prevent my fingers from typing and my bad puns from spinning - an instinct that cries, 'but no! what if someone else gets those shoes you love in the size 4 first!'

this is because, in the uk at least, good value vintage shops are dang hard to find online. an exception that proves this rule is make lemonade. it offers a great selection of handpicked london finds, at prices that won't make you cry. and, with a snazzy new site revamp to boot, here's hoping it can pave the way for other UK vintage sites to reach the professionalism/awesomeness of their american counterparts.

there's even a selection of scarves, as worn by a porcelain fox. definitely lovely.

http://www.make-lemonade.com/

wooly thinking

2010-10-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

fact: its. ruddy. cold.
so, rather than consistently bemoaning this fact, i thought that maybe it was time i sought help.
so i bought a coat. a bold move, in winter - indeed, even bolder was my shop of choice: topshop. a dark brown, faux-fur number that makes me feel like a 1960s teeny-bopper trying to be glamourous. natch.

anyway, its not enough! i'm still cold! why? why? what? why?

well, according to various high-street outlets, it appears to be because i need to seek wooly warmers in other, far more unexpected places.

so i present to you a case study in all things wooly: 'things that are very wooly that probably shouldn't be wooly and that are also in the shops.'

fig. 1: rick feurstein muffler @ asos.

this kooky item appears to be a muffler. you know, straight out of 'little women' or some other such unenjoyable victorian literature. except this one's HOT PINK. take that, louisa may alcott.

itch factor: 6. unpracticality factor: 10 (capes i can handle, but this is just silly in terms of necessary hand movements).

fig. 2: topshop unique mittens

i like these a lot. very 'where the wild things are.' also useful this coming halloween for any sort of wolf costume.

itch factor: probably about 4. not too much of a threat.

fig. 3: zara cable-knit shorts

these are cool, but unfortunately i feel the trend taketh over the 'looking good'...i.e. camel-toe and bulgey bottom nightmare.

itch factor: not too bad with tights. 3.

fig. 4: river island 'raccoon' knitted hoody.

raccoons masquerading as jumpers at river island. i believe a similar incident happened with a polar bear earlier this year. just cruel.

itch factor: 0. scavenger factor: 10

fig. 5: topshop cable-knit bralet.

too far. just, too far. lets not try to make thick knitwear sexy, guys - its what our mums like to wear.

itch factor: xtreme.

hmm. we'll see, high street, we'll see. maybe i'll be forced to succumb to your freakish knitwear options soon. til then, its M&S and some granny thermals for me.

feelin' fruity

2010-10-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

everything's rather grim right now. rain, cold, hail (what?) setting in fast, etc. so, what better to cheer one up than to turn to next season's shows, now, for some seasonal disorder-related fun.

after all, we all tried to wear our shearling aviators in the summer, leading to some lovely sweaty editor-spots at september fashion weeks. and now simply watch as we all try to work some tooti fruity style for autumn/winter...in anticipation of next spring/summer 11 of course. at which point we will be trying to wear puffa jackets in +30C heat no doubt.

confused? you will be. whether its acid-bright bananas a la prada, or faded tablecloth citrus prints a la stella mccartney...its fun, 5-a-day fashion.

makes me wanna sing this song. tune, no?

photos: style.com

ps. exciting news! i now have a fashion column online for the Varsity newspaper, Cambridge's independent student newspaper. hoo-ray. check it. here. now.

swedish shapes

2010-10-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

classic changing-room shotz.

anyway, these are some dresses tried on in weekday when i was in stockholm last month. i'm not sure if its just because all stock-homies (hoho) are impossibly tall, skinny and beautiful (well, most. no joke) but they were all just too baggy on me! much akin to really cool, really baggy, but really cool sacks.

however, both dresses, with their weird cut-outs and assymetric hems, did look good/okay in these individual poses, as seen above: including couture-style arms sticking out and hunched shoulders. and yet, i decided to be sensible, because the perma crick in the neck would have just been 2 much. even for fashion's sake.

ps. this post got me thinking that all the dedicated wearers of margiela (and other designers in the same vein) must have similar problems with actually looking good without weird arm movements being involved? perhaps?

maison martin margiela, spring '08.

simplicity is...

2010-10-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

simplicity is...

...a tumblr style post when you're feeling overwhelmed? in this mind-numbingly computerized day and age, probably. sort of calming, like a blog post version of those tacky 'seaside' or 'rainforest' cds you can buy in boxsets called 'sweet dream sounds.'

anyway. basically: its sky, sea and style, with a lil bit of sex appeal. i'm so random, right? maybe i should just defect to tumblr.

sources: hardtoexplain79.blogspot.com/ tfs scans/ vice style 'she's only a little bit sad'/ the vaccines blog/ stella mccartney s/s 11

jil sander x uniqlo x return of puffa jacket? = future

2010-10-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

so as i settle into uni life and finally found time to trawl some fashiony stuff on the web once again, it was nice to see something as good as this lookbook for Jil Sander's latest collaboration with Uniqlo.

lovely. but, putting all the minimal raquel zimmerman boyfriend jacket couture hunch camel-coloured goodness aside, one peculiarity piqueing my interest is, for some reason, the puffa jacket/s on show here. and, what with the recent pyrenex premium by alexis mabille collaboration being a recent hit of the puffa variety, who knows? maybe the high-fashion michelin man will be an underground hit this wintertime.

alexis mabille for pyrenex premium

i think it would be great, but only if everyone wore them, then it would be like all those 60's-era visions of what people would wear in the future coming into actuality. hovercrafts will surely follow - ya just gotta lead the trend.

like these guys! sort of. less puffa jacket, more little-to-no jacket. the french lothario who made the first clip must have been severely disappointed with how the ladies in the year 2000 actually turned out.

ps. 1:03. total. lads.

i'm off again

2010-10-02T08:52:00.001-07:00

yo to all. i'm finally off to uni tomorrow, wey. naturally i don't want people to think i'm a computer weirdo for at least another week, so, expect little to no posts in that time. however, in order to appease i shall leave you with some berlin and stockholm shots. it was a great way to end my summer, and i recommend these as two cities you have to visit at some point.

Berlin

one for the tourist's guidebook

classic east berlin gallery shot.

regrettable leather shorts and bare legs combo, but bauhaus museum was great.

my boyfriend took a picture of these two fat ladies (88) at potsdam. the palace is 'sanssouci' - without cares.

Stockholm

what turned out to be a creepy butler impression ('yeee-esss?') at hallywyll house.

most amazing buffet meal at Grill restaurant. all major food groups represented FISH MEAT PASTA POTATO. also coffee afterwards.

more 'Grill.' crazy place, other areas were less Versailles-esque and more Moulin Rouge-esque, complete with half naked mannequins.

beeeen shoppin'

cagoule? ca-cool.

and to finish, a quick word from our sponsor:

you better believe it.

fashion originals #7: girl guiding association

2010-09-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

namely, brownies! gooey, chocolatey, er, fashion.

no, of course not. i'm talking here about old-school brownie uniforms, as in yellowy mustardy cutesy fashion! (i presume they have brownie equivalents in other countries? its like girl guides for 7-10 yr olds, great fun).

not loving the new styles, they've got comic sans writing on them or something. regardless, i have noticed on my internet trawlings a variety of items harking back to more traditional times: fit for brownie meetings, brownie camp, brownie initiations around the toadstool and suchlike. even for grown-up meetings in adult life too, i suppose.

left: APC and peter jensen at asos. centre: topshop hat, topshop unique jacket and shorts. right: all zara.

so, earn your 'fashion badge' this season with some brownie-esque style. cheeeesy.*

*okay i looked this up and as it happens, there is actually a 'designer badge.' and a 'circus performer' one. oh, simpler days.

hands off

2010-09-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

bowie - tumblr, dimepiece top at nasty gal vintage

still lovin' these boob-grab styles. cheeky!

teaming with prim and proper would be such a strong look. just think celine's simple minimalism...with added boob grab. pa-POW!

ps. a proper designer did this and, as i've tweeted, cannot for the life of me find/remember who. if you know, shout.

LFW s/s 11: personal round-up

2010-09-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, so Milan fashion week may be bidding us a fond 'arrivederci' already in just a few days, but hey! Fashion weeks change faster than Kanye West's tweets right now. So, for us mere mortals, it's time to round-up, round-up, for the London fashion week circus, as viewed by me - with many thanks to the power of the webernet's fountain of fash week knowledge. Oh, and microsoft 'paint,' of course. Aren't you psyched?

Clearly all you need to know! It's a guide of the gods - but I'm all for giving to my people.

sources: style.com, dazeddigital.com, jak and jil, vanessa jackman street style, and very possibly some sort of wham! fan-site. collages by me.

purchases

2010-09-25T04:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some welcome new wardrobe items acquired in Stockholm - as well as those not so welcome items i am still yet to wade through before the big U.N.I. aka. the reading list to end all reading lists.

Weekday jumper

Monki Dress

Weekday atom-bomb print tote

Reading list motherlode

Hear that bump? That's me coming back down to earth, my friends. Bump bump bump.

LFW Vanessa Jackman photos

2010-09-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Had the pleasure to bump into Vanessa Jackman at London Fashion week, whom I had previously met on the Eurostar Paris day last summer. Her mortification at not recognising me instantly (which is totally understandable, I was once a dork with braces and now am only slightly less of a dork...) was so funny. Anyway, nicest street style photographer around, I'm sure most would agree!

I'm wearing my Religion jacket, Asos clog boots and a vintage dress bought in Stockholm - yes, yes, Beyond Retro, I know. BUT 1/2 price sale in the Stockholm branch!

LFW Peter Pilotto S/S '11

2010-09-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Apologies for not posting in some ridiculous length of time, I'm not going to count the days and I hope you weren't either. Expect updates from my time in Berlin and Stockholm soon, as well as some proper, solid, fashion stuff (I know! mad!) I'm afraid that what with the impending move to university and all the manic panic it entails, this blog may become less the stuff of legend and more the stuff of erratic bloggerdom for a short time.

However, if this leaves you depressed, I also bring good London Fashion week tidings, namely of the Peter Pilotto S/S 11 show held at the Topshop show space this morning which I was lucky enough to attend.

source

'Playfully polished' was the designer duo's description for the Peter Pilotto woman this season, and one which appeared perfectly fitting throughout this morning's collection. This, perhaps, with emphasis on the playful, as this season their 'lady' took her cue from a melange of 1970s-era Yves Saint Laurent to rock climbers and even sports paraphernalia.

It shouldn't work, no? And yet, inspirations aside, the collection was first-class gorgeous from opening to finale. The designers' peerless ability to seamlessly mesh modern digital prints with flowing silk draping has never been contested, it's true - and yet, here they have sought to push beyond exactly what they're known for. The form of these subtle new directions included a focus on separates (always fresh, somehow), as well as new silhouettes for the season, with prim and proper blouses teamed with flowing mid-calf lengths.

The most striking pieces of the collection were certainly those long silk columns that punctuated throughout - searing aqua dresses in colour-block patterns, in which creations the models seemed to glide past in flurries of colour.

The sportswear influence was clear, then, not only in the feeling of movement created by the cuts, shapes and materials, but also in the form-fitting tops and panelling effect of the colours used. A slightly tougher Peter Pilotto lady, then - but the lady, and an understanding of the female form, still remains the essence of their success.

The shoes, by Nicholas Kirkwood, were of course covetable, with hollow heels to reflect my hollow purse strings faced with such things...

At this point, i know what you're all thinking. Where's Claire's personal round-up of london fashion week from a relative outsider's point of view, in an easy-to-digest bitesize chunk of fashion greatness? All in good time, dahlings *virtual air kiss*, along with some bits and bobs from other previews and presentations i attended.

For now, let's enjoy the last day of fashion week (Womenswear, anyway) that tomorrow brings, as well as reflecting on what has passed - the best source for such musings, of course, are to be found at the London Fashion Week newspaper's website, The Daily. Also worth a look are the videos on Topshop's dedicated site that is streaming the designers that they sponsor, among which you will find Peter Pilotto's show in full.

i'm off, btw

2010-09-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

but not for long! i'm going to berlin and stockholm for 9 days, as aforementioned...

time to (ahem) 'hej hej' your bets on the likelihood of me actually working out how to do scheduled posts...

obligatory 'me' pic

yeah...no. sorry! back soon though!