Christmas Frivolities

I realise that this post may be coming a little late for you to dramatically alter your Christmas outfit plans (as if I’d have the temerity to believe my words would have any effect on how you dress…) but nevertheless, it may help those who are festively and sartorially stuck. 

Whether your Christmas Day will centre more around lunch with your grandparents than a swanky glamourous gathering, what you really, really need is a great dress. As they key to elegance is, apparently, forgetting what you’re wearing, then a fantastic dress will provide a simple centre piece to accessorize and style how you wish. Thus, here is a selection of three great dresses styled by myself to suit any Christmas environment. Personally, my day will be more Christmas with the grandparents than cocktail party, but that’s no reason why you can’t dress up a little… Happy Christmas everybody!

Crushed velvet midi dress, Topshop £34
Chandelier earrings, Dannijo £260
Spotty tights, M&S £8
Silver lapis ring, Chan Luu £150
Metallic high heels, ASOS £75
Anna Hathaway image 

Knit dress, Pret-a-Portobello £30
Ankle boots, River Island £65
Oxblood bowler, Topshop £26
Jewelled collar, Karl £150
Bracelets, both Pret-a-Portobello

Lace shirt, Raquel Allegra £430
Leather skirt, Topshop £38
Embellished clutch, Matthew Williamson £995
Necklace, New Look £14.99
Wedge trainer, Zara £69.99
Bow belt, H&M £7.99
Ear clips, Topshop £6.25

The Lust List 13/12/2012

Occasionally, a spot of voyeurism never hurts anybody. Especially in the fashion world. And, even more especially, when you're a poverty- stricken student both at the end of their student loan and the end of their financial tether. Due to an unfortunate locksmith incident of an overwhelming magnitude, the past term has been a rather tight one and, until the pay slips start coming in for my holiday job, there will be no flashing of the proverbial cash for me. Proverbial because, for the last month or so, there has been none of it. Window shopping it is then. 

From top left, clockwise:

1. Pumps, ASOS now £16.50 (the cut price makes me want these even more now)

2. Statement earrings, Dannijo £260ish (obviously this is never gonna happen)

3. White Brogues, Church's now £126 (almost makes them affordable)

4. Art Deco, Urban Outfitters earrings, £10 (possibly)

5. White faux-fur coat, ASOS £80 (if only, this is so damn sexy)

6. Men's watch, Jacob Jensen now £129 (I love chunky men's watches on women)

7. Tartan trousers, Topshop £38 (I've wanted these for so, so long now)

And the NEWGEN A/W '13 winners are....

{Simone Rocha S/S '13 (left) and J.W. Anderson S/S '13}

London’s status as the creative capital of fashion has been cemented this week with the announcement of this year’s winners of the prestigious New Generation sponsorship award, run by the British Fashion Council.

The New Generation initiative (NEWGEN) supports, endorses and promotes innovative British design talent through financial sponsorship, business and mentoring support, the use of the British Fashion Council’s Catwalk Show Space or other venues, and key introductions to the international fashion press and buyers.  An invaluable award to claim, no? Seen as a key facilitator for the year on year growth of British fashion (the industry is worth £21 billion to the UK economy in 2012), the NEWGEN award has helped to establish designers such as Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Christopher Kane, Richard Nicoll, Erdem and Mary Katrantzou, to name just a few, in the past.

The British Fashion Council continues its support of the next generation of new design talent through sponsorship divided into three categories: Catwalk Sponsorship, Presentation Sponsorship and Exhibition Sponsorship. The winners of the prestigious first category are current Brit fashion darlings J.W. Anderson and Simone Rocha, who will bring their individual edgy-design aesthetic to the catwalks of London Fashion Week in February. J.W. Anderson has already found notable success in his win of the BFC Emerging Designer of the Year 2012 award, and, along with a successful collaboration with Topshop, has been named as Christopher Kane’s first successor at Versus. Simone Rocha (daughter of John Rocha), was also up for the Emerging Designer award, showed in the BFC’s Show Space in September’s London Fashion Week to rave reviews for her skillful fusion of masculine and feminine designs. 

With continued support and sponsorship, these two bright lights will rise to shine for the British fashion industry, illustrating to the world the extent of the innovative design talent that’s currently emerging from London: just as their NEWGEN predecessors have done before them.

{J.W. Anderson's Topshop collection with famous bat jumper, as worn by Alexa & co}

The other A/W 2013 winners are:

Presentation sponsorship: Christopher Raeburn; J.JS Lee; Lucas Nascimento; Marques’Almeida; Nasir Mazhar; Sister by Sibling; Sophia Webster

Exhibition sponsorship: 1205; Huishan Zhang; Liam Fahy; Maarten van der Horst; Palmer//Harding 

Images: Vogue and Elle

References: Vogue, The British Fashion Council 

New Year's Resolutions That Are Easy To Keep

In case you missed it, here's my article on New Year's resolutions which are really, truly, easy to keep. I'm on page 35!

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

Bring On The Gems!

Jewels, jewels, jewels.

Big jewels, small jewels, sparkly jewels, Gothic jewels; of all the trends this Autumn/ Winter costume jewellery has to be the most ubiquitous. Chunky jewels lavish the necklines of chunky knits. Sparkly ear droplets adorn everything from casual-chic daytime outfits to the most directional evening attire.

Although it wasn't often hailed as a key look when the fashion forecasters had their say six months ago, neck and ear frosting (the two key areas to showcase your jewels) has slowly crept into the fashion consciousness as the winter nights drew in. They brilliantly lend to many trends across the spectrum this season, from Gothic to heritage to Baroque; perfect for when you’re trend cross- referencing or only want a nod to the look.

The jewels of the season differ hugely from the stacks of arm candy that has prevailed since the summer; this Winter opt for a single, statement piece. This decadent infection of the fashion subconscious can be seen to have stemmed from the shows of a number of individual designers and fashion houses, from Lanvin to Holly Fulton. The similarities in showcasing these jewels were the same across the board: none of them allowed the jewellery to take centre stage, but only to contribute and build upon a pre-established theme. Dolce and Gabbana used opulent layers of jewels to build up the Baroque feel of their sumptuous collection. Alber Elbaz bedecked the models at Lanvin with classically Gothic gems, and Holly Fulton accessorized her vibrant collection with OTT earrings. Chanel showcased a trend that has certainly caught on: a statement sparkly necklace layered over a downbeat knit. If you’re at all nervous about breaking out the gems, this is by far the easiest look to tackle.

Shop The Look

{Clockwise from top left: Necklace, H&M £12.99; Earrings, Urban Outfitters £10; Earrings, New Look £6.99; Necklace, Boohoo £12; Earrings, Forever 21 £5.65; Necklace, Tophop £28; Earrings, Topshop £12.50}

All photos from  www.vogue.co.uk