went away...

My New Home!

Sorry for the silence. I have been busy moving up North to start my new job, and so far, so good! I really love Newcastle - there's fancy bridges, beaches and even sunshine (occasionally). Looking forward to being back on the blogging scene now that life has settled down a little.

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stella's garden party

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Stella showed off her Spring 13 collection with a garden party in New York this week, with the pictures from the event first appearing on Instagram. Thinking about it, Instagram was the perfect device to use to unveil this collection - its retro filter enhanced the swinging sixties mood of the looks, whilst the behind-the-scenes exclusive via a social media tool showed that Stella isn't old fashioned about only showing her stuff first to the fashion elite. She's modern and so she's sharing -what a lovely juxtaposition.

Blocks of bright colour, the contrast of flashing fabrics (brocade and hologram!) along with the props of star-shaped sunglasses, random stems of flowers and blowing bubbles made the whole thing feel very psychedelic and Sergeant Peppers - basically, it was all quite a nice departure from real life, which is exactly what a resort collection should be.

Slouchy tailoring and floral lace lengthened by long fringed trims gave everything that distinct lean and lovely Stella feel. And naturally, I would like all of the leopard print, with that gold and yellow brocade short suit too, please.

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marni x h&m: the sale edit

Not since Stella and H&M back in early 2000 has my heart skipped a beat at a high street/designer collaboration. Until Marni and H&M that is.

I'd already purchased the silk trousers, but couldn't find the coveted chunky jewellery in any H&M store - it seemed to have completely sold out. So imagine my glee when I found some of the jewellery pieces on the website this evening, each piece with nearly fifty percent off the original price.

A lot of the collection seems to have been reduced, including the gorgeous long silk dress. I also found some great pieces hidden in the menswear section too for less than £20. Here are my Marni x H&M sale picks:

Top left to right: Top £17.49; Earrings £12.99; Pack of two bracelets £14.99, Leather and Cotton bag £29.99; Shirt £12.99; Sunglasses £12.99

H&M was a bit late to the party with its e-commerce site, so it seems a lot of people are forgetting it's there. I certainly won't be forgetting in future. Happy sale shopping! www.hm.com

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simone rocha

There’s nothing I like more in fashion than a good dose of contrast - that moment when you discover that two unlikely elements actually play pleasingly alongside each other. And that’s what initially drew me to Simone Rocha’s collection - the crisp corner of a sharp collar made her fluffy wool seem to float even more softly; a sweet lace was somehow made even sweeter when cut in her distinctly bold boyish fashion.

Of designer descent, it‘s pleasing to see that Simone hasn‘t been intimidated by the benchmark, or isn't showing it anyway. Her clothes don’t seem to try too hard. The design DNA may be clear and strong (the below top with its intricate layers of lace and tulle being a case in point), but this skill is somewhat strangely overwhelmed by the highly-wearable and incredibly desirable look of the collection.

Her pieces are incredibly technical, yet are so simply attractive and instantly wearable. Which must work fine for Rocha. Told you she likes contrast...

http://simonerocha.com/

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these boots are made for walking

Zara Boots, £69

I thought I'd share my boots with you. By far the best pair I've ever had: comfortable, with an Acne Pistol Boot-inspired zip, these boots are my new best friend. They're as happy teamed with skinny jeans as they are with silly flouncy dresses: not many a boot can boast that kind of compatability.

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JPL

Jean-Paul Lespagnard has quite a fashionable sounding name, non?

Well, it’s fitting, because the Belgian designer has already captured the eye of Susie Menkes, and you can’t ask for more fashionable confirmation than that really, can you?

I met JPL on Parcours Modo, the Brussels Fashion Trail I was invited to take part in with MyFashionLife, and I got to view some of his collection (he’s shown in Paris twice so far) up close in a classroom-style room where the pieces hung and spun gently, so you could investigate the pieces closely:

Jean-Paul has a visually playful yet technically accomplished style  - these printed jumpsuits with woven belts stamped with a distinguished black Jean-Paul Lespagnard button are distinct classics in the making:

I also loved his simple use of red, white and black, and the curves created by the use of these colour :

I have the feeling we may be seeing more of JPL...

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just be COS it's bright

I hereby present my first purchase of 2012: a bright yellow clutch bag from COS.

One of the many good things about heading home to Birmingham is being able to pop into COS for a retail fix of the minimalist Scandinavian kind (we don't have a store in Liverpool) and this almost neon clutch seemed like a bright omen for the new year:

COS yellow purse, Was £36, now £24

Big enough to carry all the paraphernalia a girl needs on a night out, this clutch will be my companion for the next few months, quietly cheering on grey days with the promise of the sunnier days of spring.

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