Love the idea of wearing a mixture of neutral shades with stark brights and bold colour. It’s like the whole colour blocking trend decided to grow up and get a bit more sophisticated. Hedvig and Sandra both have such an effortless sense of style… I’m plotting a grand scheme to invade both their wardrobes and steal everything. Anybody want in on it?

Hedvig and Sandra outside the Topshop venue on Day 3 of LFW.

p.s. super excited to reveal that I’ve just started contributing to We Heart. You can find all my posts here - hope you like it.

Today I felt truly honored to wear a couple of pieces from Charlie May’s AW12 collection. It was presented last night at a roof top suite at the swanky Sanctum Soho Hotel and Charlie kindly let me slip two of my favorite pieces home with me. I couldn’t be more in love with this oxblood silk shirt. It has a slit straight up the back and is long at the front. It’s loose and fluid when worn untucked but I’m thinking it would look just as fierce tucked into a killer high waisted pencil skirt. When I first saw it I thought it was the sort of piece I couldn’t wear. I’m not partial to going braless you see but was so happy when I discovered this little Tibi leather front top works perfectly when layered over top.

Charlie’s collection was absolutely incredible and a huge step forward. It’s only her second time showing and already she’s knocking out pieces that are incredibly covetable, beautifully tailored and wearable. Seen together at her show they presented a clear and concise vision: a strong aesthetic that draws inspiration from complex moods and dramatic seascapes. She envisions shards of rock against the cold sea water, white foam waves, ice and volcanoes…

‘It’s the feeling of being alone. You get a sense that you’re drowning in the garments.’

Charlie, you often say that you design items that you’d like to have in your own wardrobe but can’t find in shops. Well babe, I’ve got a feeling we’re gonna be seeing these items in shops before you know it.

Outfit photos taken by Shini

Wearing: Charlie May navy coat and oxblood shirt (AW12). Tibi leather front top from My Wardrobe, Maison Scotch clutch bag and Balenciaga boots.

The forecast predicted rain for the entire day but it wasn’t until about 3pm that the sky decided to unleash the dragon. It was the mother load of all showers, the sort of rain that sent fashionistas shrieking and running for cover as fast as their wobbly heels would allow. Most people weren’t dressed appropriately at all but there were a few that certainly were. Here’s a little peek at some of my favourites looks from the day:

1. Kit wrapped up in a vintage knit & Hedvig in a Burberry parka and Wang clutch 2. Jennifer and Jackie in black beanies 3. Somerset House – which is bizarrely flying a black and white Union Jack? 4. Spring florals 5. The ideal outfit for any rainy day & Candice Lake 6. Candice jumping in the rain – but I think it looks more like dancing (hence proving there’s no reason to let a little rain slow you down).

p.s. I’m tweeting and tumblr-ing my butt off with all sorts of exciiiiting fashion week related non-sense so be sure to follow along:

TWITTER – TUMBLR – FACEBOOK – BLOGLOVIN

Oh me, oh my… it was the first day of fashion week… what to wear, what to wear?

I opted for some pastel colors (pink jeans and a jumper in a slew of bubblegum shades) but then went and ruined it by throwing a lot of black leather over the top. Oops. This lipstick I’m wearing has a tendency to lend people to jokes about whether I’m freezing or not. Hello, it’s called Cyber and it’s by Mac… my lips are not turning purple due to the fa-reezing temperature. Anyway, I absolutely love this outfit for it’s no-fuss still-chic quality. If it were up to me this jacket would never ever leave my body. It is buttery soft, perfectly draped and instantly makes any outfit at least 100 x better. Hope you won’t be sad if I wear 6 variations of this exact same look over the coming days… I have to admit, I’m a little hooked.

Wearing: Theory jacket, Theyskens’ Theory knit, 2nd Day jeans, vintage Chanel bag via Wish Want Wear, MOXHAM small pink leather clutch, MYKITA sunglasses, Balenciaga boots and Topshop ring.

Although Fyodor Podgorny and Golan Frydman described their Autumn/Winter collection as being inspired by ’Russian peasants, tzars and insects’, for me, it was more about taking such earthly influences and transporting them to another dimension. Surely, there’s nothing natural or human about a woman that’s seemingly composed solely from green glitter?

Backstage the space was calm but meticulous. Green eyeshadow hinted at tones in the jewelry and alluded to the feathered martian-like creature I’d later meet. The hair was carefully braided into the most elaborate formations I’ve ever seen – like sci-fi crowns that rested on the back of the head.

Despite having an early peek at the collection backstage, in no way was I prepared for what was unleashed. It was the duo’s first time showing On Schedule after having won the Fashion Fringe prize. They’ve worked with designers including Richard Nicoll, Alexander McQueen, Raf Simons and Issey Miyake. While it might be clear that these names have influenced their designs, it’s undeniable that the vision driving the brand is clearly their own. It was the only show of the day that left me wanting to dance in my seat and, at the same time, gave me goosebumps…

View the entire Fyodor Golan AW12 collection here.

Massive thanks to Susie and TRACE Publicity for having me backstage.

The last two days I’ve been running around London catching up with people and preparing for the madness that is being unleashed today. It has involved tackling public transport (I’m useless and always get lost), show room visits, model castings at Charlie May’s studio (her second collection is being shown on Saturday evening – so excited), lots of errands and a Bjorn Borg party last night where oysters were served in abundance and Robyn/Coco Sumner pulled out the most incredible performance. I also chopped a few inches off my hair and went a little blonde at Taylor Taylor and some fake lashes again at Lash Lab. Feeling like a fresh new woman! Hah.

I’m staying at the Fielding Hotel in Covent Garden again and feel so lucky to be just a five minute walk from Somerset House – there’s no other place in town I’d rather be (my favorite burger place is just around the corner, yesss, vanilla milkshakes everyday).

Photos include: Moxham bracelet, We Are Handsome printed pieces at Pfeffer PR, my messy closet at the Fielding Hotel, some favorite invites, and Pretty Ballerina flats. p.s. follow me on Twitter for regular LFW updates throughout the day.

Brrrr… I’m starting to wonder whether the temperature will ever get above zero degrees. In my delirious dreams for Spring I seem to be grasping at anything that isn’t black or grey. The fact that I’ve spent the last two weeks resembling a multi-layered arctic explorer is getting old – as much as I do love wandering around the house with a duvet glued to my back the thought of being in London tomorrow, where the weather is supposed to get up to 11, is making me feel positively balmy. For now though, here’s a little introduction to my new neighborhood. This weekend we moved into a new flat that’s situated just opposite a cemetery and old crematorium – pretty beautiful to explore when it’s all covered in snow.

Wearing: Mykita Aritana sunglasses, Dagmar jacket, Cabbages & Roses top, Jigsaw t-shirt, H&M shoes, Topshop ring and J. Lindberg jeans

BLOGLOVIN - TWITTER - FACEBOOK - TUMBLR

I’m not trying to harp on about this whole peplum thing but Peter Som did send half of his AW12 collection (18 out of 36 looks to be exact) out with some form of peplum effect. As if I needed any additional reason to obsess over this shape. Paired over the semi-sheer straight skirt (a la Givenchy AW11) is my favorite version of the look. Just sayin.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Images via Style.com

As I’m sure you already know (begrudgingly or not) Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Personally I’m a fan of any day that gets me extra chocolate but find the over commercialization of the ‘holiday’ rather revolting. Back in December pink and red love themed M&Ms were already popping up in shops (hah, I complain but I did buy a pack). If your hunny happens to share a similar disenchantment for all things fluffy, mushy and pink then why not give them something original that gives back to our fellow human race? Own a Colour, the brainchild of UNICEF and Dulux, is an initiative that gives you the chance to choose a colour and name it – or you can give the gift of choosing/naming a colour to your loved one. You see, the average computer or phone screen can display about 16.7 million colour variations and it’s Own a Colour’s mission to get each of them named. Donations start at just £1 – but you can give as much as you want (one miiiilion dollars, anyone?).

Own a Colour has teamed up with Purple Ronnie to offer a complimentary, personalised poem to anyone that gifts their loved-one a colour this Valentine’s Day. Every penny raised will go directly towards helping transform a child’s life – currently the total stands at £99,590.

Head over to Own a Colour to find out more

This blog is dead insightful

And so sophisticated

The Style Crusader’s run by Jen

And must be celebrated!

Massive thanks to Ronnie for my poem and illustration! xx

It’s not everyday you come across a lamp at Ikea that channels the aura of a certain Tunisian-born couturier….

But the Torna does just that, I swear it’s the reincarnation of the perforated Alaïa clutch. Sadly, it’s probably best that I don’t tuck it under my arm during fashion week (can you see me standing awkwardly in the courtyard juggling this lamp and proclaiming: ‘Oh dahling, it’s the latest from Alaïa’ No? Me either). It did cost 79 CHF instead of 790 though and I thought the resemblance was just too good to pass up. I set my heart on putting together this lamp on my own – no help from my hubby. In the process I learnt that any o’l rat can put something together from Ikea. Having an extra pair of hands around to help balance wobbly pieces though is much advised – it would have made the process much easier. I just about lost it towards the end when the panels were refusing to fit in…. an hour later and I had destroyed my minty manicure trying to piece this little monster together but I came out triumphant. The heavens opened, the cherubs danced around my head and just like that the Alaïa lamp was born.

Ikea Torna table lamp vs Alaïa perforated leather pouch