Sian Conway

Merry Fitmas

2012-12-12T14:16:00.001-08:00

Merry Fitmas by sianconway on Polyvore

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree - Treetopia
treetopia.com

Polar Ft7 Women's Heart Rate Monitor
saksfifthavenue.com

Altus Be Fit Look Fit 32-lb. Dumbbell Set with Stand
walmart.com

What's new, pussycat?

2012-10-28T03:55:00.001-07:00

What's new, pussycat? by sianconway featuring kate spade

Short sleeve dress
topshop.com

Manolo blahnik
marissacollections.com

Chanel
malleries.com

Kate spade
dillards.com

Maison michel
net-a-porter.com

Vintage eyewear
etsy.com

Paul Joe lip makeup
asos.com

My dream Halloween outfit, though I'd fain wear it every other day of the year - ears and all!
Loosely inspired by Hepburn and Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.

Summer Wishlist

2012-05-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Summer Wishlist by sianconway

It's clear to see where this wishlist derived its inspiration. Summer by the seaside has been a permanent feature of my summer holidays, as it is for most people. Despite it's annual predictability, being whisked away to the ever-sun-drenched beach town of Castlegregory, Co.Kerry never ceases to instill any less than utter excitement in me. This particular wishlist is allowing me to pack my fantasy tan, leather, sticker-adorned suitcase for this year's trip, deliberately excusing my barren bank account.

Tortoiseshell cat-eyed sunglasses: I'm not a Ray-Ban girl, nor do I suit Aviators. The solitary style of sunglasses I would ever dare to don are these mid-century darlings. Parfait for keeping that blinding Irish sun (yes, it actually exists) out of my eyes.
Charlotte Olympia Kitty slippers: Myself summed up in shoe form. I feel like these are a smidgen out of place, considering a cat's disdainful attitude towards water but I couldn't resist. I much preferred the navy pair but finding a photo of them in full proved fruitless.
Woolen Miu Miu cardigan: For those evening strolls along the beach, parallel to the brilliant orange sun dipping beneath the sea's horizon. To drape around the shoulders when it get's a little "nippy" to aptly quote my mother.
Lanvin shell bag: Simple, compact and would effortlessly compliment any outfit. I am also a sucker for anything clam-shaped.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov: It is a mortal sin to neglect toting a good book along with you on holidays. I'm determined to get the "classics" read. This, alongside The Catcher in the Rye, feature at the very top of my list. I'm open to extending my list so suggestions are more than welcome!
Chanel Mademoiselle: Recently, I have been catching whiffs of this distinct, girly, summery scent everywhere, sending me reeling into bursts of nostalgic yearning for another bottle. No perfume compares - the same can be said about their concrete price tag. Christmas it is, so.
Versace starfish ring: Tieing back in with the sea theme, I have been voraciously searching for a starfish ring for years only to constantly be acquainted with disappointment. Polyvore tells me that H&M does a knock off of this which I'll have to further investigate.

The deep pain in my heart caused by the realisation that none of this wishlist shall be mine is partially being soothed by the beautiful weather Met Eireann has just promised! Until the next quixotic list of wants...

Denim and Lace

2012-05-04T03:42:00.000-07:00

The tail end of Ireland's winter weather (characterised by that delectable stretch in the evenings - the basis of many a conversation) is requiring me to abandon my trusty uniform of black and heavy layers for the looming summer months. Yes, the beginning of May plagued the country with a monsoon to rival those of India, but I know it's finally time to ditch the familiarity and reliability of chunky sweaters and jeans in favour of the less-forgiving world of bare legs, flowing materials and light colours.

Believe me, s/s 12's palpable obsession with all things sugar, spice and everything nice and irony-laced, Courtney Love-esque prom queen prim has been my favourite theme of any season since my fascination of the world of fashion engulfed me. However, like I've said before, I'm no slave to trends but my god, those powdered blues, sherbet yellows and princess-fairy pinks are enough to make my mouth water. I want nothing more than to embrace my four year old girliness with open arms.
Consider this outfit as a transitory step.

My sister's Confirmation (they grow up so fast) proved the prime event to crash test this baby. It was typically Baltic out and my legs suffered to say the least - in fact, you can see the formation of a cold-induced scowl on my face. It could be my subconscious desire to be Cecilia Lisbon, floating about in her short duration of the Virgin Suicides in her ragged, slanty-hemmed lace wedding dress, or how the innocence of white and lace together seems to suit my equally innocent nature - as I've countlessly been described as by others.
I'm not partial to dressing to the nines, I quite detest it actually. I prefer simplicity; scuffed brogues over heels, Levi's jacket over a polished blazer and daring to go au naturale. 17 years old and I embody a pre-pubescent child - I love it.

Levi's denim jacket - Vintage

Lace dress - Zara

Brogues - Office

Frilly socks - Topshop

Street Style: Frida Gustavsson

2012-04-13T04:02:00.000-07:00

A model's job description, since the inception of the profession some time ago, has always been someone employed to wear and display new clothes - a human coat hanger, if you will. It never mattered if they dressed as bland (or as unnervingly bizarre) prior to their induction to their occupation as the designers the walked and worked for rewarded them with complementary offerings of their work. Impossible for a model to be seen dressed atrociously when they were being styled by the crème de la crème, no?

As a result of this "auto-styling", models have fallen victims of unable-to-style-themselves-osis (awfully contagious, so I hear) and have been confined to the oh so dull off-duty uniform of standard bootleg jeans, a basic tank top and utterly unadventurous heeled footwear, à la America's Next Top Model hopefuls.
However, with the emergence of individualist models (like Charlotte Free, the new face of Forever 21 - notorious for her neo-grunge style), models the fashion world over are beginning to take the plunge and break out of this shell, rapidly becoming regulars on street-style blogs and magazine columns alongside their celebrity counterparts. Step forward, Frida Gustavsson, now a regular on the catwalk despite her 19 year old youth.
For over a year I have admired Gustavsson from the safe fortification of my laptop screen, for her unmistakable beauty and seamless assimilation to le monde du mode. But it is only after coming across this image of an off duty Gustavsson that I realise that I need to sit up and pay this girl's style as much attention as I do her aesthetic physicality.

Effortlessly killing two birds with one stone, Frida incorporates two major trends du jour in her ensemble - pastels (which, unless you have migrated to under a rock, you will know dominated the entirety of the s/s catwalks) and a punchy red lip (beauty staples at Julien MacDonald, Erdem and Dior). Frida adds signature flair by injecting a tough, boyish statement to her prim and pretty, Valentino sorbet sweater, with the inclusion of a T-Bird-esque leather jacket and a pair of jeans that scream "older brother's hand-me-downs".
Accessories are as minimal as Frida's makeup, with a burst of bright colour, namely a studded oversized fuchsia clutch the model totes everywhere with her.
The potential of a burgeoning Pink Lady spiced up with an essence of Danny Zuko.

Here's to a new addition to my interior bookmarks of style crushes.

Overdoing It

2012-03-03T16:13:00.002-08:00

In order to ease myself into this post smoothly, I'm going to inaugurate with a disclaimer; I like Rihanna and if you have had a wee gander through this blog's archive, you would get that impression. Also, I do not feel that it is anyone's place to give critic on what others wear - it's not called "self expression" for nothing, right? I don't believe in these Sack the Stylist columns that crop up time and time again in magazines - let those who are without fashion sin cast the first stone and whatnot. However, with the availability of free speech, I feel the need to vent my distaste of a particular mode that is beginning to flaunt it's ugly head. This "trend" in question being the donning of a trend from head to toe.

There is no doubt that Rihanna's style has soared since her, erm, rather risque Rated R era. With Talk That Talk, her style has flirted with grunge and underground trends that, due to this affiliation with influential people like RiRi endorsing them, have sprung forth from their commonplace underground and made the transition into the mainstream.
Boy London, a 1970's punk brand founded by Stephane Raynor and a typical example of the above "underground trends", has, as of late, received this elevated status. As seen on the likes of Jessie J, Cher Lloyd and Rihanna, herself, you can only sit and ponder how long it will take for Primark to contrive a series of knockoffs. But the issue doesn't lie with the commercialisation of underground brands that would have remained, well, underground had they not have been scouted by A-list stylists. No, the real issue is when people (just like you, Rihanna) fail to remember that you can indeed have too much of a good thing.

Rihanna appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show tonight (3rd of March for those of you without a calendar or awareness of the year that is flying in), presumably to promote Talk That Talk and, coincidentally, talk that talk. Decked out entirely in Boy London, her skirt and blouse were adorned with the brand's eagle symbol and name. She topped off the look with black ankle boots and a, surprise surprise, Boy London peaked-cap with the brand name emblazoned across, inspiring many a dud joke like this one I whipped up just now: "What's black and white and Boy London all over?" Queue a badum tish, the croaking of crickets and more embarrassingly, a wandering tumbleweed. Tasteless jokes and digressing are my specialty.
Whether the "in your face" use of the brand was to ensure Rihanna didn't forget who designed her outfit if quizzed or as a bold declaration of "I'M WITH THE TRENDS, GUYS!!!!!!" she managed to get her point across. I find it incredibly tacky. On saying that, I'm going to retreat to my original statement to protect myself from any viral whiplash (and/or umbraged feedback from Rihanna's Navy devotees) - I like Rihanna, I truly do, but there is nothing stylish in overdoing something like this, a trend or any aspect of an outfit. And Rihanna is most certainly NOT the only one.

Nicki Minaj, a major culprit in this department. Again, I like Nicki but an entire getup (weave and all) in leopard print is hardly chic, or aesthetically appealing. In fact, it reeks of laziness. Rewind a good few years back to the early Noughties, the seeds of matured Mouseketeer romance blossoming in the form of matching triple-denim ensembles for His and Her. Sometimes I wonder whether this was the real reason behind Justin and Britney's bitter split and not all that "Cry Me a River" jazz. How they even wormed their way back into red carpet events is beyond me. And for the sake of his future children, I hope JT has had that rhinestone-ridden cowboy hat burned.

So, Rihanna, sometimes less really is more. Maybe the next time consider Mademoiselle Chanel's wise words the next time you feel the need to don your brand du jour from head to toe: "Always take the last item you put on, off" - and possibly the second and third too. Everything in moderation.

Milan Fashion Week 2012: Raf Simon's Farewell to Jil Sander

2012-03-02T16:33:00.002-08:00

The hankies were whipped out for the end of an era at the Jil Sander f/w '12 show at Milan Fashion Week, showcasing the curtain call on Raf Simon's 7 year term as creative director of the fashion house. Simons redeemed the label back in 2005, when it's future appeared hazy. Simons proved successful in his appointed task of allowing the line to develop yet conserve it's original minimalistic streak. So much so, that his final show for the company earned him a standing ovation as led by Anna Wintour.

The scene was a reflection of Simons' work - simple, artistic and with a hint of femininity. The immaculate white runway bared glass-enclosed floral arrangements propped up by bases that complementing the room's feng shui, that the band of models weaved through. Sonic Youth's eerily transfixing cover of the Carpenter's 1969 hit, "Superstar", superseded by the aptly-chosen Smashing Pumpkin's "Tonight, Tonight" filled the room, demanding the crowd's emotions and reverence. The lyric "You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth" holds relevance and determines the carefully chosen soundtrack as more than just a runway playlist.

Simon's final offering for the Jil Sander name began as it meant to go on. From the soft on-trend romantic pastel-hued pioneer ensemble to the contrasting black dresses towards the show's close, the entire collection was spot on. Not a hair out of place, not a hemline that could have been altered. Simons achieved his zenith with ease, this was not a collection that gave off the opinion of "try hard", that the creative director had given in to OCD qualities in order to get every detail just so. It was natural and believable, following in the footsteps of all of the past collections from the man who had taken the moribund label under his wing and revived it, without disregarding it's original philosophies.

Structures were soft, retained form as opposed to strident silhouettes. The boxy, male tailored coats were without any sort of fastening assests and took on framework of capes. Many of the models clutched their coats to their chests in a modest and respectful way, whether that was the intention or not. Alongside caped outerwear were dresses that glided over the model's figure, in such a manner that didn't seem to be asphyxiating the physiques nor hang off too loosely. The nude colours, materials (including silk) and unstructured shapes insinuated images of 1930's women's lingerie and nightwear. Silky nightdresses and slips that clung fittingly to the body with a sensual modesty about them. The soft materials of the coats lead me to believe that perhaps the attire of the bedroom was indeed the inspiration for this collection, a la Stella McCartney's s/s '12 pyjama luxe that is beginning to see the initial stirring of a trend following.

The harsher feedback spiralling ending to "Superstar" coincided with a similarly harsh contrast in the clothing. Black ensembles began to amalgamate and interrupt the pale, feminine colours, as would be expected from a fall/winter collection! These blacks gave way to bursts of reds and more daring colours and fabrics. PVC, leather, cable knit and metallic elements adorned dresses. Footwear was pointed and, too, included this metallic disposition. On the beauty front, low key was the word: lacquered, side-parted ponytails hung down the backs of the models with a neutral face bar a soft rose-pink lip.

The show's finale, roused up further by the climatic ending of "Tonight, Tonight", brought spectators and models, alike, to tears. Simons, who also couldn't conceal his emotions, met his much deserved standing ovation and praise with a few waves and kisses and dipped backstage again. And as I sit here rounding off this post, refreshing my memory through my profuse scrawled notes and replaying the video in it's entirety for what seems like the millionth time, I can't help but share the emotions as the audience in Milan last week, as if I was among them celebrating the work of an artist and, at the same time, mourning the end of his career with his patron.
Can someone please pass the Kleenex?

Style Crush: Rooney Mara

2012-02-28T07:58:00.001-08:00

Burgeoning acting career acclamation aside, thanks to her role in the much-hyped English big screen adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Rooney Mara's seemingly effortless style is swiftly conquering the hearts of many, including my own. A reincarnated Snow White, her sleek ebony crop (a product of her role as pierced, tattooed, computer hacking introvert Lisbeth Salander) contrasts strikingly against her alabaster complexion.

Mara's minimalist choice of attire works so well with her unique, more innocent Dita von Teese looks. She disregards accessories. She knows what colours work for her (a winter palette of bold blues, blacks, whites and jewel tones) and an oh so subtle, blink-and-you'll-miss-it nod to the silent screen era infiltrates into her much coveted wardrobe. At every event, she ticks all the right boxes, although some would argue this is merely down to her playing it too near the "safe" margin. Ostensibly, it would appear Givenchy is Mara's go-to designer when it comes to red carpet events.

Givenchy coat, Brian Atwood shoes.

Givenchy dress.

Calvin Klein dress and sandals.

Miu Miu dress.

Miu Miu bralette and skirt.

Givenchy dress.

Louis Vuitton.

Michael Kors dress.

Louis Vuitton dress.

Carven Alpaca coat.

Nina Ricci dress.

J.Mendel dress, Prada shoes.

Valentino dress.

Prabal Gurung dress.

Lanvin dress.

Lana Del Rey - Fashion's New Sweetheart

2012-02-19T11:49:00.003-08:00

As the hoo-hah of the consecutive Fashion Weeks prevail, my religious and consistent following of it have resulted in my more "general" posts taking a backseat. This is half of the excuse for my delay in manifesting this particular post. The other half is down to the fact that the subject matter is something of a, well, controversial nature. It is a more recent debate, which has divided opinions right down the middle - the Marmite effect. And no, I'm not distributing my views on whether or not the wearing of fur should be deemed acceptable or if Marc Jacobs took things too far by permitting 14 year old models to walk in his f/w '12 show last week. No. The hot topic I am addressing in this post is the enigmatic Lizzy Grant, alias Lana Del Rey.

Over the years there have been many celebrity folk who have been filed under the "Marmite" section of the filing cabinet in the office that is pop culture. Some self-confessed, a la Lily Allen, and others, like Lana, are automatically chucked in due to the whirlwind of mixed opinions that seems to arise out of nowhere regarding them.

Lana propelled to stardom after the video for her song Video Games (a home-made video montage of herself and other miscellaneous clips soundtracked by the wounded love song) went viral on YouTube. The song continued to provide the musical accompaniment for Christopher Kane's s/s '12 show at London Fashion Week last September and now, she adorns the cover of the March 2012 issue of British Vogue. Alexandra Shulman, Vogue editor, says of Lana's acquisition of such a, to many, prestigious honour of gracing the cover: "She is probably one of the newest stars in her field that the magazine has ever had on the cover".

So why the controversy?

Like a bully in a school yard, there are bands of keyboard warriors skulking around their natural habitat (the internet) in search of new victims (in this case, Del Rey) to latch onto and devote the best of their time to trying to drag said victim down - be it to boost their, possibly critically low, self esteems or simply for their own sadistic amusement. On my own Twitter timeline, I've witnessed crude variations of the singer's name being tossed about in a carefree manner but for no reason whatsoever other than the people in question don't like her. They don't even bother specifying as to why that is. Some claim they don't like her music or the intense hype revolving around her. Fair enough, but is childish and, frankly, ridiculously nasty name-calling necessary? I don't particularly like Bucks Fizz but I wouldn't spiral off into a fury of malicious insults - partially because nobody would know who on earth I was talking about.

There is no doubt Lana is a beautiful woman - a reincarnation of the sultry, seductive pin-ups of the mid-century era who blew flirty, playful kisses from their photo on the page of a young army soldier's Playboy magazine, stuffed at the bottom of his mattress to avoid confiscation from the General. Her barrel waves of fox tail-auburn hair that tumble loosely down her back, the sparkling sapphires behind the extravagant lashes and those lips (the lips - the Jolie-esque smackers that fuel the ongoing quest of the internet trolls to prove they are pseudo) all contribute to create this captivating, sad-eyed siren, crooning tales of heartbreak in that hauntingly endearing manner of hers.

From the point of view of style, Lana's Vogue shoot accentuates her pin-up image. A lemonade yellow sleeveless blouse and complementing collar from Louis Vuitton's impossibly girly, pretty and appropriate s/s '12 collection serve as the cover shot's ensemble. Lana's subtle, yet flashy, diamante jewellery are all her own, as are the elaborate, red-tipped talons at the ends of her fingers.

The remainder of the shoot is very feminine and I found it to be very Valentinesy which may have been the approach as this was all in the run up to V-Day (I also included this shoot in my Valentine's Day 2012 Inspiration post) - the pinks and reds that made up the basis of the shoot's colour scheme, the use of luxe textiles, clothing and decor, of satin, silk, fur and glitter, right down to the handwritten signature on the double page spread in her flirty, curvy print: "Lots of love, Lana Del Rey xxx".

The garments in question are, primarily, from the s/s '12 collections of Prada, Viktor & Rolf and Meadham Kirchhoff - overly girly, emphasising Lana's femininity and coquettish charm. Not forgetting, of course, the trademark wreath of flowers that crown her head.

Lana describes her look as a fusion of "Lolita got lost in the hood" and my personal favourite, "I live in Monaco but don't fuck with me". She insists that this image in which the world perceives her is how she naturally is - however, she doesn't see it as tangible, that she doesn't dress to fit a certain image of herself. Her ethos on clothing is that "If I'm going on television, I guess I should wear something nice, but that's as far as it goes". Interviewer and fashion editor of The Guardian, Jess Cartner-Morley observes Lana's inability to think of someone who she believes dresses exceptionally and offers Grace Kelly when pressured. She also includes her theories as to Lana's reluctance to reveal too much, and that it could relate to "the internet trolls who have it in for her".

As it would seem, the haters are the driving force for Lana's ascending success. She was chosen to supply the musical entertainment for SNL on the 18th of February (I was aghast at the vindictive tweets that are still surfacing in response to this when I scanned through her name's tagged tweets on Twitter this morning) and as an even bigger middle finger gesture to the Anti-Lana mob, Mulberry has launched a new bag, the Del Rey, in her honour.
"I love the design" Lana mused, "A perfect mix between old school Hollywood and contemporary style. It's such an honour that such a classic and prestigious brand would name a bag after me".

2012 will be the year of Lana Del Rey - whether you like it or not. The world is her oyster-studded knuckleduster.

New York Fashion Week F/W 2012: Favourites ❤

2012-02-16T14:31:00.000-08:00

Not to sound uncannily like an Irish mammy (though I inevitably will), but where does the week go? The preliminary offerings of what can be expected, clothes-wise, in six months time came, were observed in the utmost of awe, and concluded in what seemed like a, cliched blink of an eye - paving the way for London to recommence this Friday.

Already I've noticed (as has anyone who is not immune to repetition) an ample supply of recurring trends cropping up amongst the variety of shows and exhibitions, giving us a hint as to what will be en vogue when the pastels and tropical printed garments of the current season have run their course. Many of these have been recycled from the previous winter seasons, meaning you certainly do not have to dispose of the entirety of your wardrobe's content in favour of clothing so brand-spankin' new that it still gives off a faint waft of the cashier who sold it to you.

On a more serious note, I hope nobody actually does do this.

Fusions of clashing textures (seen at Alexander Wang, DKNY, Derek Lam) will resume where they left off last Fall/Winter. Think leathers and knits, fur (faux, of course) and mock croc skin and hopefully you have grasped the pattern forming here as I fear sounding like a broken record (another classic Irish mammy expression). Earthy military shades, power-colour combos and jewel tones subjugated the week representing the harsher, bolder colour spectrum of winter, alongside hints of party season glitz and glitter. Cranberry and wine hues were the unofficial stars of the runway and will, undoubtedly, be big news, seen everywhere from Diane von Furstenburg to Tommy Hilfiger and back. Other dominant players included oriental floral patterns (Jason Wu, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler) and boyish coats with leather accents, granting my woolen boyfriend Topshop coat (which shall eventually see the light of a What I Wear-esque post) with PU collar and detailing another year of constant wear.

Let the games begin!

Tibi

Tibi's perfect merge of "boy meets girl" had me swooning from the first boxy-silhouetted jacket. Ultimately, the collection embodied those maladroit preteen "tomboy" years where you are immune to eyebrow tweezers and dress as awkwardly as you are around boys but in a slightly more high fashion way. Layering of textures were present; chunky knits over PVC midi skirts, leather over silk and boyish tweeds added edge to a femine blouse. Sloppy ponytails, modest shapes and that darling birdy pattern (yet another sighed swoon from me when I first clasped my eyesight onto the print) help to highlight the girl hidden beneath the blazer she stole from her older brother.

Ruffian

The inspiration for this particular collection was the English countryside and that comes across quite patently. But we get so much more than that from the multiple aspects of this show and it seems the basis for the collection is, in fact, a minute concept. The sumptuous textures,the pillarbox pouts, the fedoras tipped just so on the coiffed-haired models - not to mention those opulent velvet nails, conjure up a wealthy, independent 1940's woman retiring for the weekend in her lavish manor in the English countryside. The woman's suit is a staple feature in this collection as are bold, strong, powerful colours to match the attitudes and personas of the women who wear them. Plush materials like velvet and tweed give off an "Only the best will do" aura. Modern assest such as leather-detailed jackets add a touch of modernity and originality to the retro vibes.

Victoria Beckham

What I adore about Victoria's collection was it's wearability factor of the clothing. It hosted an abundance of flattering shapes, pencil skirted dresses, skater skirted dresses and black outlines in just the right places to either draw from, or accentuate certain areas. The colours used were a far cry from the softer, frothier, girlier tones of this season with harsh, bold hues from dark forest greens and military neutrals to traffic-stopping bursts of red and cobalt blue. Accessories were minimal (a few belts here and there, and chunky knitted socks perfect for keeping your tootsies warm on a brutal winter's eve) as the addition of a bright red lip said enough. I loved the black collars adjoined to the majority of the dresses and felt they contrasted in a wonderful, almost cartoony, way.

It also came as a surprise that Victoria, the reigning queen of shoes of towering heights, opted for flats, in the form of boots - a lovely incentive for those of us with a fear of heights.

Derek Lam

From my heavily active Tumblr trackings of NYFW, it became very clear that the above collection was a clear-cut favourite for many. Instagram shots of not the most adequate quality surfaced instantaneously of an array of ladylike fabrics and floral patterns, peppered with tokens of cranberry red leather. Garment lengths ranged from just above the knee to billowing skirts trailing across the floor. Florals were given an oriental twist and the mismatch of layering textures found it's place once again. My favourite look was the thick sweater paired with a floor-sweeping sheer black maxi dress; toned down elegance. Silk items were given a sporty edge with leather sleeve cuffs or transformed into a zip up jacket.

DKNY

The inner-goth in me squealed in delight at DKNY'S F/W collection. Dark hues (including that cranberry colour) dominated the collection as did the amalgamation of varying textures. Coat sleeves contrasted in texture with the coat itself, knitted sweaters were paired with PVC corresponding Tibi. Chunky belts cinched in waists and it looks like the return of the puffy parka jacket. I liked the minimalistic approach taken at DKNY. Prints were sparse, a couple of monochromatic leopard prints were woven through the collection. The dresses were divine, ranging from long-sleeved maxi dresses to above-the-knee dresses with sheer decolletage and sleeves - all flowing effortlessly and seamlessly across the figures of the models.

Lela Rose

Aside from their similar colour schemes, Lela Rose's F/W collection and L.A.M.B.'s collection both reminded me of Clueless - just look at those tartan prints and corresponding socks. L.A.M.B. payed homage to the Swingin' Sixties with subtle references to Mod culture, with prim bee-hived hairdos and monochromatic eye makeup and clothing. Houndstooth check and tartan patterns were as attention-grabbing as the colours that represented them.

L.A.M.B.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacob's main line whisked us away from the dark blacks and leathers and thrust us into his colourful, fashionable fantasy inspired by an unlikely candidate, Charles Dickens. As a rookie Dickens enthusiast (currently ploughing through my fifth consecutive attempt at delving into David Copperfield) I instantly recognised the accompanying soundtrack of "Who Will Buy This Wonderful Morning" from Oliver Twist. The celebration of Dickens' 200th year anniversary since his birth takes place this year and Marc has combined both eccentricity and sophistication in order to pay tribute to the literary genius, through the use of luxurious fabrics and materials, outlandish headgear down to the paisley-adorned pinafores. Jacobs referred to his collection as "Oliver Twist-ed!".

"My team and I just started having so much fun, and kind of got carried away as we played with these new silhouettes and started mixing things up in eccentric but modern ways".

Oliver Twist-ed is right, down to those very 19th century, crystal-buckled boots and the theatrical, sloping story book backdrop.

Please, Mr.Jacobs sir, can we have some more?

Jeremy Scott

Oddly enough, I didn't consciously make the decision to conclude this post with the more theatrical, fun collections but it seems things have panned out that way and it's best not to meddle with these naturally formed patterns. Best to end on a bang, eh? Despite not being the most, ahem, wearable of the F/W '12 collections, Jeremy Scott's concept and inspiration behind it all was certainly accessible, especially for today's teenagers who grew up in the 1990's. Scott said he drew his inspiration from "The computer and the way information is disseminated today. The way ideas are proliferating on the internet. How we use icons to show our emotions". This was evident as a transparent rain mac emblazoned with cursors and jumpers displaying all the classic emoticons most would remember from the days of the proboard sites and forums, leaving the nostalgic aftertaste of the hassle of dial-up connections.

The borderline tackiness exclusive to the 90's saw a comeback thanks to Scott's collection (bindis and facial stickers, jumpsuits in an blinding variegation of colour and cyberpunk hair and makeup reminiscent of Joey Tribbiani's Ichiban - Lipstick for Men commercial) like a nod to Gwen Stefani's No Doubt days. The ultimate 90's mascot and most notorious trouble-making 10 year old since Dennis the Menace, Bart Simpson, made his catwalk debut. Jeremy Scott did the Bartman, proudly plastering it across sweaters and making Bart the print du jour.

"I feel madly in love with Bart", Jeremy explained post show, "And I'm not even the diehard every-episode fan. It's just such a part of pop culture. Bart is a nineties teen icon".

Don't have a cow, man.

As I usually prefer the shows closer to home, New York has really set the bar and my excitement for London's take on F/W '12 ceases to rest. I made sure to schedule in advance the shows I'm interested in to avoid the mistake I made of trying to cover EVERY show at NYFW. A bit of trial and error never hurt anyone, right?

What were your NYFW highlights and who are you looking forward to at LFW?

Tavi Gevinson @ New York Fashion Week 2012

2012-02-13T12:55:00.000-08:00

Fashion week has arrived once again. New York kicked off the first series of Fall Winter 2012 shows on the 9th of this month, summoning the fashion elite and the creme de la creme of the A-list world. Fashion blogging prodigy and Rookie magazine editor, Tavi Gevinson, was among the many who made the pilgrimage to one of the most imperative dates on the fashion calendar.

It's almost impossible to contain the bitter pangs of jealousy upon discovering that, at just 15 years old, this is Tavi's seventh Fashion Week. New York magazine documents Tavi's packing process before she jetted off for the event in her home in Chicago. The camera offers insights to the enigmatic workings of her wardrobe, before switching back to the young girl kneeling over a slowly-filling suitcase reminiscing of her first experience at Fashion Week in 2009.

"I was really sad to go home and to middle school" she says, folding a lemon-coloured garment before rolling her eyes and adding, with typical teenage apathy, "Which sucked".

Let's fast forward onward a tad to the day of the show in question, shall we? From her more recent blogposts (although I find it silly to include the link as I'm sure anyone who reads this is following her blog) it's clear that Tavi has been sourcing inspiration from the 50's straight through to the 70's. Images and videos from these mid-century decades adorn her posts, including original promos for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mad Men and flight attendants from the 70's. Further back and you'll find her attempts at recreating a beehive, seen above.

Her sweater is Meadham Kirchhoff, paired with a, very on-trend with the pastels of spring/summer, pleated mint skirt by Miu Miu, black tights with a youthful solitary tear (possibly intentional to tone down the primness of her hair and skirt) and Chloe Sevigny boots. An addition of a novelty button of a child her father gave her from a funeral (what a charming token) warrants her quirky style.

Already, I've jotted down my favourites from the week's shows (Derek Lam, Victoria Beckham and Preen) and shall make sure to convert them into a multi-post by the week's end. Check out (I'm cringing at how American that expression sounds) the video I mentioned earlier to gain a short, adorable insight into Tavi's Fashion Week preparations.

Valentine's Day Inspiration 2012

2012-02-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

The annual buzz concerning Valentine's Day that begins to swam weeks in advance is among us once again. Seriously, we've barely digested Christmas when we're bombarded with images of rosy-cheeked, diapered-bottomed cherubs sparking that coup de foudre into the hearts of their unsuspecting victims, via arrow to the buttocks, and the like. All matters lovey-dovey become a recurring trend in Facebook statuses and a raging sea of red and pink begins to dominates the card section of your local Tesco (those with sensitive eyes beware).

There's no escaping the lurrrrve, whether you embrace the mushiness wholeheartedly or if (like me, and a vast majority of the population) you're a loyal member of the Lonely Hearts Club Band, or checking into the Heartbreak Hotel for the umpteenth year in a row. This is why I channeled my personal inspiration for Valentine's Day into a humble Polyvore set - my first attempt at a "mood board", if you will.

As much as I try to abstain from plaguing my posts with unnecessary and often long-winded drivel, I do feel the need to at least give a brief reference to each item of inspiration.

{Left to right}

Venus and Child, Jean Honore-Fragonard - a painting I was most fortunate to discover upon a trip with my art class to the National Gallery of Ireland. Cupid, being the god of desire, affection and erotic love (what a gem of a title to have on your CV), embodies the whole element of Valentine's Day in his ethos. His job description is to make people fall in love. Also, as you all know, I have a fetish for Renaissance art.
The infamous "I Choo Choo Choose You" card Lisa pity-presents to Ralph, in the I Love Lisa episode of The Simpsons - later to be succeeded by the Let's Bee Friends card.
Heart Candies. My favourite confectionary concoction as a child. Also great for those days when you realise nobody loves you or are simply in dire need of a pick-me-up.
Vivienne Westwood "Melissa" shoes - do I even need an explanation?
The Lady Marmalade video, starring Mia, Pink, Lil Kim and Christina Aguilera. Need I say more than "Voulez vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?"
Lana Del Ray's photoshoot for the March issue of Vogue UK. The sultry New-Yorker graced the pages of Vogue for a very fitting, pin-up affair. Frothy textures and Valentine's Day-esque colours made up the bones of the shoot, while a sign off of "Lots of love, Lana Del Ray xxx" in her playfully curvy print doesn't fail to remind you of something you'd see on any given month of a calendar hanging in a garage somewhere in America.
Dress from Valentino's SS 2012 collection. It's red and lacy. Enough said.
Dusting off the DeLorean here, with a gem from Christopher Kane's SS 2010 collection. Remember the to-die-for gingham patterns that stormed the runway - and eventually the rest of the world (Daisy Lowe owned it). Prim, pink and light enough for picnics in the country side with a significant other.
Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder. Now, Monsieur Depp has been with a string of beautiful women in his time (Jennifer Gray, La Moss, and of course Vanessa Paradis) but these two were the most adorable. WINONA FOREVER!
Meadham Kirchhoff's Heart Pinafore. In fact, the whole SS 2012 collection from the designer duo would be appropriate but for the sake of limited space, and keeping to the topic, I included just the one.
Clare Danes and Leonard DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet. The original tearjerker and expectation-crusher. "Did my heart love til now? Forswear its sight. For I never saw true beauty til this night".
Clutch bag by Lulu Guinness.

If you have somehow managed to get through all that, I applaud you. A lovely Valentine's Day to you all - "merry" and "happy" don't quite seem to fit. Watch out for any of those flying arrows...

Mulberry Spring Summer 2012 Campaign

2012-02-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

What do you associate with spring and summer? What images does your mind conjure up, even if somewhat generic. Is it the re-emergence of pastels following their long winter hibernation stuffed at the back of our closets that never cease to lose their appeal and charm notwithstanding their predictability? Is it the sound of waves thundering against the shore filling your eardrums, the wispy, fine upper layer of sand spilling over the gaps between your toes while the heat of the sun gently toasts the back of your legs? Or is it simply being confined indoors, watching in utter dismay, as the annual monsoon of summer, overly-familiar to Ireland and the UK, pummels to the ground?

Despite this Siberian weather we've been experiencing these past few days, we are now officially inaugurating the spring/summer 2012 season.

SS 2012 campaigns and lookbooks are cropping up all over the place like the blossoming buds of baby daffodils, poking their canary petals out of their green cocoons. The homegrown image of a commonplace English (and Irish) summer's day spent at the seaside indulging in pierside cuisine, flaked out in those deckchairs passed down by your grandparents, is captured in Mulberry's season shoot starring Lindsey Wixon and Frida Gustavsson shot by Tim Walker.

The Amazonian height of the models is overshadowed by the life size monuments of beach delicacies (99 cones in the process of melting under the summer sun, shattered shards of stick-of-rock candy and the very informal container for a meal of fish and chips - newspaper) almost tower over the models. The apt location of Brighton Pier, famous for it's connotations of seaside holidays and it's equally as famous fairground delight boardwalk, provides the backdrop for the shoot.

The clothes themselves are the epitome of the warmer months; not a harsh, bold berry tone in sight! Bright, feminine, fresh was the key with this collection, light textures and and short hemlines to soak up the warmth and sunshine but the precaution of lightweight coats and jackets because you never know when the rain will decide to spew itself all over your picnic.

The colour scheming is so very appropriate - just look at those sunny yellow mackintoshes, with complenting platform sandals and Holiday Bayswater handbags. Is it just me or does the colour palette remind you of ice lollies and ice creams? The soft chocolate browns that reoccur throughout. Especially the striped colour block dress worn by both models - the similarly patterned and coloured ice lollies that you begged your mother to buy you as a child (e.g. Twister and Loop the Loop) immediately sprang to mind. And if you have no clue what I'm referring to, click here for an insight.

During the process of writing this post, I paused often to dwell on the occasional instillation of nostalgia that a mere look at the images gave me; sand in your sandwiches, collecting bucketfuls of pearlescent shells only to be distraught when told you would return home without them as they would, and I'm paraphrasing here, "stink up the car" and lounging for hours on a sandy landscape submersed in a book, pausing every now and again to listen to the buzz of people doing the exact same thing as you or the jingle of the passing ice cream van followed by hoards of people or the gulls squawking overhead.

The power of advertising, eh?

Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier's Homage to Amy Winehouse

2012-01-31T10:50:00.000-08:00

To be quite frank, I never thought I'd see the day where "Amy Winehouse" and "haute couture" would share the same sentence, but the late Back to Black singer was the clear inspiration for Gaultier's Spring Summer 2012 collection in Camden this week.

The collection collaborated and captured Amy's style signatures and the catwalk was awash with beehived bouffants, winged eyeliner, above-lip beauty spots and the inclusion of several models indulging in a cigarette mid-strut.

Retro silhouettes and attributes, such as cinched waists, elongating pencil skirts and flaring rockabilly dresses were prominent, as were typical Winehouse staples: an array of tropical colours of which she was so fond, peek-a-boo bras, pencil skirts, hooped earrings and even a Fred Perry-esque dress all tailored to accommodate the singer's style flirtations with a manifold of past generations and urban thrift-chic.

Gaultier's own signature was brandished among the collection, merging his infamous corsets via luxurious silk, hourglasses dresses and long, billowing trench coats as a seal of self designation.

The tradition of ending a couture show with a bride was altered, and allowed each model to be transformed into a bride; donning black veils, as the barber quartet in the background chorused Winehouse's hit "Rehab" evoking the spectator's emotions.

However, the collection has resulted in a strict division in opinions between those close to Winehouse and celebrity peers. Front row onlookers, Beth Ditto and burlesque icon Dita von Teese, were collectively moved by the show while Mitch, Amy's father, has abelled the usage of Amy's image which he feels "glamorises some of the more upsetting times of her life" and is in "bad taste". Kelly Osborne, a close friend to Winehouse, took to Twitter to voice her opposition to the collection, declaring Gaultier as "lucratively selfish and distasteful".

Despite this, the clothing has shown a much more wearable side to haute couture - a turquoise sequined pencil skirt isn't too extravagantly out of the blue, now is it? And due to it's controversy and mixed opinions, has effectuated a talking point - is that not the overall aim of a designer? To have their creations on the lips of the world, whether it be in a negative or positive light.

What do you think? Do you feel "No, no, no!" (I couldn't resist) that Gaultier gone too far and "stolen" Amy's look for his own personal gain? Or do you feel his tribute was saturated with nothing but affection, celebrating the life of a musical and style icon?

Stella McCartney SS 2012 Campaign

2012-01-28T04:17:00.000-08:00

Natalia Vodianova is the model of choice, representing Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2012 collection in McCartney's new campaign. The beautiful contrasting black and white snaps of Vodianova, who opened the complementing S/S show back last October, dressed in the unmistakable pretty paisley and quirky "dad's tie" prints are bordered by a burst of Technicolor flora and foliage that seems to be slowly swallowing the images.

Is it just me or can you hear a symphony of spring birdies singing?

Rihanna: Monochrome Simplicity @ LAX

2012-01-27T16:03:00.000-08:00

Rihanna's fashion reign is showing no signs of coming to a halt. No matter where she's headed (LAX in this instance), the paparazzi posse lap behind her, eagerly snapping her up. Monochrome simplicity was the word as Rihanna strolled through the international airport after taking a well deserved break in the Bahamas following, what can only be described as, a successful as hell year.

The look consisted of a plain white tee bearing the Céline brand name complete with rolled up sleeves for added "DIY", a maxi skirt as figure flattering and light as a sarong but in a colour less "holiday" appropriate, simplistic gold jewellery, modest open toe sandals and thick rimmed glasses that look like they've been taken right off the face of Wally (from Where's Wally fame) and further shrouding his whereabouts in a cloud of mystery. The cherry on top (pardon the pun) is a pop of pillarbox red on the lips breaking the black and white theme.

The logo tshirt hails from Céline's 2012 Resort collection and would set you back $405. According to rational Sian, a tshirt is merely a tshirt and is not worth but thankfully rational Sian is not as dominant as the fashion adoring Sian who, although lacks in sufficient funding, would rather go the whole hog and wear the real deal over some knock off.
There must be a triumphant air of pride that fills you up, in knowing that what you're wearing is genuine. I often wonder, on my quotidien travels, whether or not the bags, adorned with the infamous interlocking double-C symbol of Chanel, that I see girls toting around with them, are real or simply a counterfeit souvenir from a back alley market in Spain on a random holiday.

But for now, I'll just have to sit back and drool in a state of envious lust.

Prada Menswear F/W 2012 MFW

2012-01-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

Now, I like a bit of androgyny as much as the next girl or guy (delete as appropriate) but I honestly never pictured myself writing anticipating a menswear show, nay writing about one for that matter, as I had for Prada's F/W 2012 show at Milan Fashion Week the Sunday just gone. Punctual as usual, Sian.
Maybe my negligence of the men's side of the fashion spectrum has never held much significance to me as they never gain as great publicity as the womenswear shows - but this is where that one exception comes along and breaks the mold.

My Adrien Brody tag on Tumblr (I am a sad little girl with a sad little girl crush) was ablaze with news of the man himself and some of Hollywood's finest banding together to appear on Prada's MFW catwalk. Well, you can imagine my utmost excitement and if you can't, here's a very close representation.
And onto the pièce de résistance...

Even before the multitudes of models emerged, the scene was already set. A bold power combo black, red and white - the favourite colours of Hitler when it came to Nazi propaganda, propelled me back to pre WW2 times where the clothes themselves would not have been too out of place.
These strong colours remained throughout the collection's entirety; red tinted, round lensed spectacles were a staple as were decorative insignias adorning nearly every coat pockets. The polo neck (which is being forced upon the world by the fash pack at the moment) was taken under Prada's wing too, underneath a crisp white, buttoned shirt, coat collars were spiced up with fur and pinstripes and other eccentric patterns (including pistol patterns) were to be seen.

The show concluded with the eagerly awaited catwalk debut of acting greats: Willem Dafoe, Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, Jamie Bell, Emile Hirsch and Adrien Brody (so good I mentioned him twice) - some less capable of hiding their amusement than others!

A kooky take on post 1920's in my opinion and has truly made me realise how much more attention I need to pay to menswear shows.

Elizabeth Olsen: 37th Annual LA Film Critics Association Awards

2012-01-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

Impeccable style clearly runs in the Olsen family as the "Other Olsen", Elizabeth, has demonstrated this past year. Breaking out of the shadow of Mary Kate and Ashley's notorious fashion repertoire, Elizabeth has continued to wow the media with her own signature style.

Pictured here at the 37th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards (Jesus, what a mouthful) after winning the New Generation Award for her starring role in Martha Marcy May Marlene, Elizabeth's fresh, smiley face and messy side plait were the ultimate accessories to her elegant, floral Proenza Schouler dress with an element of allure in the sheer top half's plunging neck line.

The sheer, black, blousey upper half of the dress flows effortlessly into the vivid orange florals of the bottom half, almost reflecting the season at the moment - the end of winter blossoming into the comings of spring. Or maybe I'm just thinking too deep about it? Either way, topped off with a modest hem length and demure black heels, Elizabeth manages to pull all the stops.

Her sisters may be infamous for their sultry pouts but Elizabeth's best asset is her youthful smile. I smell a new style crush for many...

Peaches Geldof @ Gareth Pugh for MAC Launch

2012-01-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

Oh, Peaches, how I've been ogling your style from the safe barrier of my computer screen, to avoid a restraining order, as of late. This new found obsession could in fact inspire at least three more similar posts in which I rave about Ms.Geldof's blossoming style, but I could imagine that would be too monotonous so I'll stick to the one, shall I?

Along with a flush of radiance and a tousled, blonde bob, Peaches' look has also taken a turn for the best. She attended the launch of Gareth Pugh for MAC back in December (almost a month ago, I apologise for my delay in copping to such noteworthy events). She wore a dress that could only be described as what Wednesday Addams at 21 would wear - a slim-fitting black, floor length creation by Alessandra Rich. Discreet detailing and minimal accessorising ; a daring slit up the leg, a crochet peter pan collar complete with beautiful lace detailing on the back, and a Mulberry clutch in hand.

Simple, elegant with a hint of darkness - pulled off effortlessly. Top marks!

Farewell, 2011

2012-01-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

As we transcend from 2011 into the unknown of 2012 (fearing the supposed ending of the world and the general uncertainty of what this new year entails), reflecting on the past year and it's ups, downs, and downright unforgettable (whether in a good way or a bad way) is, in most cases, the first activity when embracing the new year. I am no different and decided, as generic as it is, that I would compile a list of 2011's fashion highlights and heroes, the trends and people that rocked the ever-evolving world of fashion and captivated us throughout the year. Unfortunately I can't afford an extravagant ceremony to celebrate the following, or have gongs to distribute so hopefully a brief paragraph devoted to each shall suffice. And the winners are...

FACE OF THE YEAR - CHARLOTTE FREE

2011 has, without a doubt, been the year of the 18 year old beauty, Charlotte Free, an aspiring music and circus performer. Ms. Free was discovered in an arcade by an agent in 2010, and her modelling career has since gone from strength to strength, dominating Jeremy Scott, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel catwalks to name but a few. Her signature grunge style and candy-hued hair has really made her stand out in the fashion world, and continues to determine her success. She recently appeared in Topshop's F/W makeup collection and Uniqlo's S/S campaigns and has followed the likes of Kate Moss, Lindsey Wixon and fashion's other famous faces to bag her own shoot with Terry Richardson. All the best for 2012, Charlotte - not like you need it.

OUTFIT OF THE YEAR - KATE MIDDLETON'S WEDDING DRESS

AKA the most talked about outfit of the year. I must admit, as a proud Irish woman, the Royal family has never interested me but on April the 29th, I found myself parked in front of the television, eagerly anticipating the unveiling of The Dress. I'm pretty sure the collective sigh of awe expressed by every other member of the female, and probably male too, gender could have been heard in the next galaxy, quickly followed by worldwide envy. It really was the ultimate fairy tale dress, designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen (proving correct the bets by many people, including myself). The lace upper body, the classic shape and the not-too-long train paired with Kate's natural beauty and elegance was simply divine. The dress managed to confirm the fashion houses future success after the uncertainty following McQueen's suicide, and will inevitably influence many brides to come.

TREND OF THE YEAR - CREEPERS

An unlikely trend. Brothel creepers began to emerge following WW2 by George Cox, who's inspiration derived from the thick, crepe-soled boots worn by soldiers stationed in desert areas and went on to be favoured by Teddy Boys during the 50's. Their popularity surged once more during the 70's, and the the height and style of the sole became more extreme. More recently, they have been a very underground trend until this year where they became a predominant feature at fashion shows for Prada, Sonia Rykiel, Ashish and sported by the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Alice Dellal, Cher Lloyd and many others. Since I purchased my own pair of these unpretty "it" shoes, I have practically lived in them. Their raised soles add height to my otherwise tiny stature and slim unwanted, chunky legs.

TREND I'M BLOODY SICK OF - VARSITY JACKETS

Don't get me wrong, I find myself longing for the leather sleeved, oversized, clashing coloured jackets worn by stereotypical jocks in 80's movies (or the Mathletes in Mean Girls) but when these jackets are replaces by a watered-down version and worn by nearly every single teenager in Ireland, I think it's plain to see how easily they lose their appeal. The jacket worn by the character of Andrew Clark, the typical macho sports fanatic, in the Breakfast Club would be turning in it's grave if it ever had the displeasure of being acquainted with it's cheap successor - all over cotton and open to anyone, even those who don't actually play a sport which defeats the jacket's entire purpose. Following the bandanna trend of 2010 and the ongoing appeal in Adidas tracksuits, which I shall never succumb to or understand, the varisty jacket has become a staple in the wardrobe's of this country's youth, and stripping it of it's initial originality. I honestly hope to never see one again.

And that conclude's my pathetically slight list of what made this year, fashion wise, in my eyes. Other contenders include the current velvet craze, Lady GaGa's ever-constant fashion musings (we shall see in the coming months whether or not her prediction of the colour mint's popularity for spring is fruitful or not) and the love affair with ombred hair that captivated the female population. Here's to another year, full of surprises. Happy New Year, everyone.

Katy Perry's New Look

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

If it weren't for that burst of candy pink hair, I wouldn't have recognized Ms. Perry here. Gone are her usual theatrical get ups with all the frills and thrills of a modern pop star's desire for the downright zany clothing. What we are left with, is a stripped down (simple in comparison to her quotidian style) version of the singer.
Minimal accessories, barely-there hair with no extravagant detailing and the pièce de résistance; a monochrome shirt baring Renaissance style faces with an essence of fun slipped in, as moustaches are added in. By now, I think you all know that anything Renaissance goes down a treat with me.

I adore this new, much more laid back side to Katy, complete with a retiring, modest smile. She was papped during the same night, getting cosy with Sky Ferreira - one of the newest "it" girls on the scene. Maybe Sky's grungy style is rubbing off on Katy?

Breton

2011-12-14T04:54:00.000-08:00

As a "fashion/style/insert-your-own-interpretation-here", I have realized that I am obliged to include my own take on style, how I put together outfits and the like. This has prompted me to rekindle my relationship with my LOOKBOOK account. I don't know if any of my wonderful followers (I think you're all fab for choosing to support this drone of a blog) have any particular interest about the workings of my wardrobe but what is a style blog without, at least, a minute insight into one's personal style?

This outfit, aptly titled "Breton", is my go-to outfit. This picture is actually a year old, but the outfit itself is timeless. I can almost hear the exasperated groans in the minds of my friends when we meet up, as they think "Is she wearing that again?!" to themselves. When it comes to over-wearing a particular outfit or item of clothing, I'm guilty as charged. If an outfit feels good on, or I adore how it looks, I continue to wear it much to the annoyance of everyone else.

The most wonderful aspect to this ensemble is it's universality. The picture above was taken in July of 2010; there I stood in my notoriously awkward stance, bare-legged with slicked back hair and a pop of red on my lips to add colour. Tres summery, if I'm not mistaken? However, you can reverse the look to carry on it's legacy into the harsh months of winter. Additions of a pair of black tights under the shorts and a cute duffle coat and voila!

As my first "personal style" post, I hope I did myself slight justice. Let me know what you all think and should I make similar What I Wear posts.
Also, please hype the look!

Chanel: Paris Bombay Pre-Fall 2012

2011-12-09T15:16:00.001-08:00

"It's much more inspiring not to go to places than to go"
Karl Lagerfeld on India, a place which he has never been but is clearly captivated by, judging by the Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 show in Paris. So much inspired was he, that the show was aptly titled "Paris Bombay" effortlessly capturing the collection's merge of the two cities. The Grand Palais was transformed into a feast for the eyes, and literally for the lucky spectators, as the catwalk was bordered by a lavishly decorated, parallel banquet. An occasion fit for a raja, perhaps?

What a wonderful collection this was. All senses are evoked simply by beholding the stunning images. The feel of silk saris against the skin in explosions of golds, burnt oranges, brilliant magenta's, the colour of the sweltering, setting sun. Exotic spices and inscences invade the nostrils and is that your mind just playing tricks on you or do you really hear the enticing melody from a snake charmer's pungi? Lagerfeld invites us to visit the enigmatic country of our dreams without booking a flight. We get to experience a culture so very different from our own, with very Indian characteristics featured throughout the collection; turbans adorning the men's heads, extravagant headpieces, humble sandals and ethnic jewelry.

The contrast between Western and Eastern culture is simply divine, as typical Chanel tweeds, luxe jackets and accessorizing of pearls are littered throughout to create the culture fusion. The very "un Chanel" black rimmed eyes and dreaded updo's signify this as a step in a new direction for Chanel, without losing it's signature aspects.
Such a beautiful collection. I shall be dreaming in a vision of the mysterious far east tonight.

Chloë Moretz: ASOS Magazine Photoshoot

2011-12-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

You may remember her as the foul-mouthed, purple-wigged, 10 year old, anti-heroine from Kick Ass, the alternative take on super hero movies, or indeed as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's younger sister and love guru in 500 Days of Summer.

But Moretz is slowly marking her territory as a developing actress (she is currently pairing up with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer in Dark Shadows) and as a potential style crush for many. As well as featuring on, über cool, LOVE magazine's amazingly innovative virtual advent calendar for December the first (there's a new celebrity each day of the Christmas month), she also starred in her first main style photoshoot for none other, but, ASOS.

The ASOS magazine's January 2012 shoot perfectly captures it's cover girl's youth. It is set in a carnival with innocent, preteen-esque details, such as braided hair, adorned with streaks of vibrant colour and the choice of trainers with cutesy and appropriate dresses. Moretz poses playfully, whether it be blowing a bubble with her gum or with a stuffed animal won at a fairground game. The clothes are wonderful suited to the model and the theme of "forever young".

Moretz also mused that the clothes from the shoot reminds her of photos of girls on her favourite website, Tumblr (I have to agree with that one), who devote their time and money to buying clothes purely for the sake of having their photo, of themwearing these garments, making it's rounds of the website. The Unofficial Moretz Dictionary terms this as a "Tumblrina".
"I'm on Tumblr all day, they always have pictures of Converse shoes with a platform on them. I found a website where you can buy them but I stopped myself because like, where would I wear them?" she says.

Rihanna: X Factor Performance

2011-11-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

From the moment Rihanna exploded onto the music scene back in 2005 with her debut single Pon De Replay, her style and impact on the world of pop culture has continued to blossom and branch out. Starting out as a fresh faced Barbadian girl with the typical attire of an aspiring pop star, Rihanna has since come a long way in the style stakes, appearing on the cover of Vogue twice this year. And rightly so - Rihanna has never stopped reinventing herself. She evolves with the changing attitude of her audience and the media. A couple of dramatic hair chop and changes later and we now have the latest edition of Rihanna, who has returned to her natural colour with the addition of honey hued highlights - and an even more badass attitude.

Rihanna returned to the X Factor last night performing her first single "We Found Love" from her new album, Talk That Talk. The lady in question's outfit sparked more controversy than the fact that she only half sung her way through the song. Opting for a rebellious school girl look with a tartan pinafore, with complementing bandanna, hold-up hoisery and, the shoes of the moment, creepers.
The creepers added fire to flame as the words "Fuck You" were scrawled on them. What's a Rihanna performance with a little rocking of the boat, eh?

As the singles unfold from "Talk That Talk", followed by more live performances and music videos, so will the element of surprise among Rihanna's style. After she unveiled last year's scarlet-haired, floral and feminine look, I thought "Wow, she couldn't possibly top this" but now, I'm finding that I have to eat my words. Loving this "Good Girl Gone Bad" look she's rocking with this album.