The Fashion Smoke

2011-02-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

22.02.11 | OH SNAP!

Image by The Fashion Smoke

PHIEPHIE + MINNIE

2011-02-10T05:07:00.000-08:00

10.02.11 | FEELING IT!

The fashion and music world join forces once again with Diplo appearing in the new T by Wang campaign alongside Ashley Smith. I'm investing in some DJ equipment ASAP i need to get this down and perfected before another Ibiza summer.

Minnie

2011-01-27T11:38:00.000-08:00

27.01.11 | HEADSHOTS

Images via Fashion Copious edited by The Fashion Smoke

Some of my favourite shots from the Maison Michel Spring Summer Lookbook photographed by Karl Lagerfeld. Quite the who's who of AMAZING models,(minus Freja) from L to R: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Angela Lindvall, Bambi Northwood Blyth, Karolina Kurkova, Leigh Lezark and Lou Doillion. To see the full Lookbook click here

Minnie
x

2011-01-18T04:47:00.000-08:00

18.01.11 | TRANSLOVE

Image and video via Love Magazine Blog
Kate Moss and Lea T are locking lips for LOVE mag Issue 5. Each issue you think it can't get any better and then Katie Grand goes and surprises us all by showing some transsexual Love right on the cover. I'm so sick of mundane covers from all the monthly glossies with celeb after celeb...so this is a breath of fresh air! I've been a fan of Lea T for some time with her stunning Givenchy campaigns and as this issue of Love is all about androgyny then who better to grace the cover?! Roll on February 7th <3

PHIEPHIE x

2011-01-14T00:37:00.000-08:00

13.01.11 | SUMMER BRIGHTS

Images via Style.com

So I've been stuck wearing grey and black for as long as I can remember, more for ease and lack of inspiration than anything. However, as I'm trying to block out the reality of the miserable January weather and dreaming about the upcoming summer months I've been considering bringing some much needed colour into my wardrobe. The S/S11 shows were array with with brights and I'm really liking these tailored pieces and the idea of mixing more grown ups cuts with playful rainbow colours. Now all I have to do is sit tight and wait for the high street to bring out something more in my price range, and no doubt a longer wait for the accompanying tan.... Bring on the summer!

Minnie
X

2011-01-11T04:53:00.000-08:00

11.01.11 | FORD FOCUS

"I don’t get the need for this immediacy. In fact, I think it’s bad.

The way the system works now, you see the clothes, within an hour or so they’re online, the world sees them. They don’t get to a store for six months. The next week, young celebrity girls are wearing them on red carpets. They’re in every magazine. The customer is bored with those clothes by the time they get to the store. They’re overexposed, you’re tired of them, they’ve lost their freshness… In addition, all of the fast-fashion companies that do a great job, by the way, knock everything off. So it’s everywhere all over the streets in three months and by the time you get it to the store, what’s the point?

I’m holding everything back… The clothes are not going out to magazines before January issues. The clothes are not going to celebrities before December. The images are not being released online until December, when they’ll go online on my Web site."

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Tom Ford is so on point!

I definitely feel the same sense of trends being old and over done before they've even happened.

And you know what makes it even better... you can just picture him saying it is his sexy southern drawl. We're all ears!

PHIE PHIE x

2011-01-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

09.01.11 | Galaxy of the Lost

Christopher Kane images via Style.com edited by THE FASHION SMOKE

Christopher Kane's 2011RST last summer was out of this world... literally. As I wasn't a fan of the SS collection, it was a little too grown up and preppy for my liking, I thought I would revisit my love for these cosmo creations that have sparked a whole trend focused on galaxy imagery. I can not get enough. When the weather hots up I'm going to hunt down a cosmic dress and some fluffy heels would be a serious bonus to top it all off. So watch this SPACE, ha, did you see what I did there.... <3

PHIE PHIE x

2011-01-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

06.01.11 | DANCE DANCE DANCE

So I've been brushing up on my DJ-ing skills and thought it was about time I share the love! Here is a little mix-up I threw together that will be sure to get your head bopping. Enjoy the sounds <3

Tracklist:
Deadmau5- I Remember (original vocal mix)
Fehrplay- Meow
Deadmau5- Ghosts n Stuff
Dizzee Rascal- Dirtee Cash (Tom Piper&Nom De Strip remix)
Uffi Ft Pharrell- SUV (Armand Van Helden remix)
TV Rock- In The Air (Axwell remix)
Avicii & Sebastien Drums- My Feelings For You
Bloc Party- One More Chance
Cassius- 99 (Reset! remix)

(Image from DMag #10 edited by PHIEPHIE)

DJ PHIEPHIE x

2011-01-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

04.01.11 | SMOOTH CRIMINAL

Image by THE FASHION SMOKE credit if used

Found this random photo taken in the summer that I never got round to posting, mainly because it's quite posy which makes me cringe a little more than I usually do at photos of myself, but hey ho here it is anyway! It reminds me of those warm summer evenings when I got back from Ibiza and seriously makes me miss my beach hair, sunglasses and anything in shades of ivory instead of all this black. I can't wait for the sun to start shining and I can dust off my trusty Raybans once again. The tuxedo jacket with golden sequin lapels is by Adam, a star find at a sample sale in Chelsea Market whilst I was in NYC. I nabbed it for $30 when it was originally $500... I honestly felt like I'd robbed the place!

As it's a new year the shameful neglection of The Fashion Smoke is to end forthwith and I've added some much needed colour to the site for a change of pace so I hope you all approve and stay tuned!

Happy New Year <3

PHIEPHIE x

2010-12-04T03:12:00.000-08:00

04.12.10 | LYCHEE MOI

Image by The Fashion Smoke
Out in London last week I discovered I have a new favourite cocktail- The Lychee Martini. They have the most incredible taste with a lethal hit of alcohol so if you haven't tried one before then I strongly advise you do!
Not to forget my new favourite bag... the YSL Belle du Jour clutch, cue sighs. It may taste even better than the cocktail! Well maybe not but it is my most treasured bag... I hope one day it will be like Carrie's clutch that she's had forever with the ripped lining she loses her necklace in and yet she still uses it with love everyday. Sex and The City anecdote out the way, it truly is a classic clutch that I intend to call upon for any occasion, outfit and outing and as it is so simple yet chic, its style will never fade. Yves Saint Laurent <3

PHIEPHIE x

2010-12-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

01.12.10 | EYE SPY

Image credits: fashion copious and The Fashion Smoke

I have just come across an editorial from this months i-D magazine featuring the amazing Abbey Lee shot by David Bailey. However it did remind me of something i saw last week while I was holidaying in Amsterdam- whilst strolling around the sex museum I came across this!..Baileys inspiration?.. I seriously doubt it, but the comparison made me smile :)

MINNIE X

2010-11-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

29.11.10 | TWENTY-ONE

I celebrated the big 21 this weekend and I'm now feeling sufficiently spoilt! It has been said the best gifts come in blue and white boxes a la Tiffany... but it is now official all the best gifts come in net-a-porter boxes! I plan to do a very self indulgent post of all my presents very soon as they are too good not to share :)
With Christmas now a snowballs throw away net-a-porter have the perfect goodies to add to the wish list and for lots of gift inspiration, plus there's no need to get the santa wrapping paper out as everything comes so beautifully packaged...in black and white boxes FYI. Perfect.

PHIEPHIE x

2010-11-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

16.11.10 | IF I CAN MAKE IT HERE...

Images by THE FASHION SMOKE please credit if used

It seems like a lifetime ago me and Minnie were living in New York, although it was only 6months ago. Manhattan is just another world!! Of all the places I've travelled to I've never felt more at home than here and since we've been back in rainy England I've been dreaming of the day I get to move back! Working at Teen vogue was amazing as well and elevator run ins with Anna Wintour have not been forgotten in a hurry! Anyway above are some photos we were reminiscing over so we thought we'd bring a bit of New York to the gloomy November we're having here in England!

PHIEPHIE x

2010-11-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

09.11.10 | FULTON EFFECT

Images by THE FASHION SMOKE please credit if used

Holly Fulton SS11

It's no secret we're obsessed with jewellery but throw in some Cave Girl prints and some Sid Vicious studs and you're on to a winner! We flocked like magpies to Holly Fulton's SS11 line in the Topshop NewGen Exhibition and you'd be hard pushed not to make a statement in any of her pieces. From neo tribal-print dresses in an array of colours and textures to jewellery turned heavy weaponry and of course the cheetah clutches, everything screams buy me! Although our favourite colour may be black... we'd certainly make a colourful exception for Holly.

PHIE PHIE and MINNIE x

2010-11-07T15:15:00.000-08:00

07.11.10 | HART OF HEARTS

Image by THE FASHION SMOKE please credit if used
Jess Hart at LFW
Sorry for the serious drought of posts recently! Final year studying Fashion Journalism and needless to say the work load is frighteningly time consuming. There are some style posts up our sleeves however so hopefully we will post them soon! Until then here is a little pic of Jess Hart we snapped at Fashion Week. I know we say this about every model/celeb we meet...but we could not get over how TINY she was! Being a swimwear model I thought she would be a lot more athletic in shape but she was just simply mi-nute, stunning, but tiny nonetheless. Love her <3

PHIE PHIE X

2010-10-28T04:50:00.000-07:00

28.10.10 | VOTES NEEDED

Print screen via wonderbrafulleffect.co.uk

To all the followers and readers of The Fashion Smoke I would be so grateful if you could help me out! I'm a finalist in the Wonderbra Full Effect Stylist competition and it is now down to the public vote, every vote counts and IF I win I get the chance to meet the amazing Grace Woodward and designer Richard Sorger and have the ultimate styling experience!

VOTE HERE by liking my page!

Thanks so much for your support :)

PHIE PHIE x

2010-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

27.10.10 | CLOSE UP

Images by THE FASHION SMOKE please credit if used
Some serious style snaps we took at LFW. It's definitely all in the detail and I love these close up and personal images that really capture that element of style. Enjoy :)

PHIE PHIE X

2010-10-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

25.10.10 | FANNIE AROUND

Fannie Schiavoni Topshop NewGen SS11

Images by THE FASHION SMOKE please credit if used

Here at The Fashion Smoke we've had our eye on Fannie Schiavoni's insane body jewellery for quite some time! We were lucky enough to run into the lovely lady herself at the Topshop NewGen exhibition at LFW and had the chance to fall in love with her new collection. Every single piece of hand crafted armour is incredible and I can't rave enough about this jewellery line! I suppose I would be dressed head to toe like an ancient crusader if I had the chance... Slight exaggeration? Probably not.

PHIE PHIE X

p.s. Check out our previous post of her AW10 look book by clicking the Fannie Schiavoni link below :)

2010-10-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

19.10.10 | LONDON SS11

1# ACNE
Acne once again pulled it out of the bag presenting minimal clothing with maximum lust factor. Sticking to a simple colour palette Jonny Johansen ensured it all lay in the details as proportions were experimented with, asymetric hemlines and lots of layering ensured our favourite way to keep warm in winter can also be carried off well into summer months. Sheer fabrics ensured that extra sex factor every Acne girl has, whilst The sky high platforms are sure to be on every understated fashionistas wishlist come summer. (we at The Fashion Smoke are already keeping our eyes peeled for a copycat pair.) Goggle like sunglasses added a futuristic vibe, as well as the colour blocked models who looked like they were wearing some of the coolest uniforms around. A strong, wearable collection I could picture a lot of it slotting quite easily in to my (dream) wardrobe - the kind of chic understated elegance we have grown to love from the Swedish brand.
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2# UNIQUE
We felt the need to include three lines of the Unique collection, quite simply because we freaking loved it and couldn't narrow it down/deprive you guys of more or less the whole collection. First off it's got a whole load of seventies references in which is by far our favourite fashion era. Bell sleeves, maxi skirts, wide legged jumpsuits, tie dye, the shirt dress, the prints, the colours and the major tassle-fest! Secondly, the collection is so diverse with one outfit after another being something different to admire, and the difference in the hem lines, colours and shapes means there is something to suit everyone. Last of all its Topshop so come spring time if I start saving now I may be able to snag more than a couple pieces.
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3# EMILIO DE LA MORENA
Sculptural, feminine yet edgy three words to sum up Emilio De La Morena's S/S collection. Slashes and cuts into the fabric give the colourful dresses a little more attitude than simply pretty party dresses. Also loving the contrast between the colourful organza and leather creating a sexy polished look. Perfect for making a statement on a night out these dresses leave me debating the likeliness of being able to recreate this look, stanley knife and favorite party dress- this could go terribly wrong!
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4# ERDEM
Erdem's floral printed dresses were a welcome burst of colour - something in which we have come to associate with the summer months and of course the designer himself. The floral dresses managed to avoid looking ditsy with their cool colours, mismatched prints and pairing with lace securing the trend yet another year. Although accessories were next to non existent during the collection, we imagine oversized cross necklaces, stacked rings and possibly a chunky platform could give these outfits a little more edge, that is of course if we were lucky enough to count one of these numbers in our wardrobes.
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images via Style.com edited by The Fashion Smoke

PHIEPHIE & MINNIE
x

2010-10-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

MODEL MOMENTS

Images by THE FASHION SMOKE please credit if used
Some model moments from LFW... It may be my favourite part of fashion week seeing the models rushing around from show to show, looking impossibly stunning, like a supreme race descending on the capital to put us mere mortals to shame!

PHIE PHIE X

2010-10-03T04:04:00.000-07:00

EDGE OF REASON

Zara Coat, Topshop Boots, Asos and Thrifted Rings

Walking in these mega boots is kind of like teetering on stilts, so add to this equation some steep stone steps that seemingly lead to nowhere, you feel you're balancing on the edge of reason. They come with a harness as well, not to strap you in for safety although this would be a good idea. I like how you can take the straps off and have a whole new look, obviously a post avec harness is coming soon. As for this masculine double breasted wooly marl coat, I feel I've stepped out of Wall Street, meaning the original film minus the bad 80s hair dos, either way it means business!

PHIE PHIE X

2010-10-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

HANNELI

images by THE FASHION SMOKE please credit if used
Hanneli Mustaparta, a model turned blogger/photographer, looked incredible coming out of the Burberry show. I couldn't believe just how tiny and perfect she was! I had a snap taken with her as well but as you can imagine it's pretty difficult to look even slightly photogenic stood next to someone so stunning, needless to say that pic didn't make the cut haha!
If you haven't already, check out her blog here for some serious style and beautiful photography <3

PHIE PHIE X

2010-09-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

BITTEN

Images by THE FASHION SMOKE credit if used

Somerset House pics, Myself (wearing Adam Tuxedo Jacket, Topshop Shirt, Topshop Shoes and Bag) EVIL TWIN collection and LEJU Jewellery Horn Rings

Well I had said a few posts back how this blog was an extension of all the things me and Minnie love about fashion, photography and styling... however this season I feel I have been well and truly bitten by the blogger bug! I have an itch to blog at all times and as you can see for the first time we've been posting everyday! Really it shows how inspiring fashion week is; it spurs everyone to go forth and create for the season to come, be it blogging, styling, photography and so on.
London Fashion Week is now over but we have so much to post about, above is another photo diary around Somerset House. The evil twin collection in the designer exhibition was stunning yet effortless/edgy yet wearable, these Australian designers seem to get that balance right every time and all the pieces could translate so easily straight into my wardrobe! Another favourite of ours was the Leju jewellery, made from real animal horn (after animals have died naturally we were well informed) that make for natural, ethical and earthy statements to add to the jewellery stash. Each one is slightly different from the next which makes the collection all the more intriguing, we're definitely sold!

PHIE PHIE X

2010-09-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

BOOTY CALL

UNIQUE
Boots of my dreams. Thought I would share the love <3

PHIE PHIE X

2010-09-25T03:51:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK SS11

1# ALEXANDER WANG

This season Alexander Wang grew up. Not only did he mature he shed all that is black. The models wore white and pastels in the usual sportswear style; layered joggers, knits, draping and denim in the new clean palette that mirrored Wang's feeling of purity and calmness. The metallic duck tape was a contrast to the natural and ethical materials with something very artificial, Wang commented he was interested in the idea of patchwork and building upon things. Overall the collection was an urban warrior uniform for the Wang Tribe...tell me where to sign up!

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2# PROENZA SCHOULER

You know it's a good collection when you are trying to edit down to just 12 looks out of 39 and you love them all too much to make a decision. This was the dilemma I was faced with when looking through the Proenza Schouler collection. The fresh label has been going from strength to strength with it's cool surfer style and this season was no exception. It was a slightly more 'polished' look- a reoccurring theme for designers this seaon- as they sprang into spring. The tie die prints were another hit, along with the sheer floaty dress and the flat sandals. The neon pops have not gone away and the electric palette is what every Proenza girl loves.

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3# RODARTE

It is somewhat more refined than previous collections- remember the artistic cobweb de-constructed dresses that made us all swoon- but it still made me want to sweep my hair to one side and frolic in the garden in any of their beautifully constructed dresses! Highlights had to be the subtle cut-away details, homely prints and the perfect trousers; not to mention the large box pleat dresses and drape wrap skirts AND the Rodarte x Kirkwood shoes (previously posted about here). It was Grace Coddington who said 'Those poor god damn Rodarte's' in The September Issue... well I think it's safe to say no one is feeling sorry for the sisters with this collection!

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4# RAG & BONE
Here at The Fashion Smoke we loved Rag & Bone's Fall collection...Clueless meets 90s grunge how could you not like it... so it was always going to be a hard act to follow. Although some have said SS11 didn't quite hit the mark- I have to disagree and it's how I intend to be dressing come next summer. From the military detailing and parachute-esque ties and structure, to the sheer layering, sports bras and metallic touches, it all made for a wearable collection that I shall not be complaining about!

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5# DIESEL BLACK GOLD
Diesel have unleashed my inner boho that was just dying to come out. I may have to plan a round trip around America to rock all the suede's, leather and feathers. The leather on leather outfit was a nice extension of the denim on denim from the previous season and suede is going to be the new denim according to Black Gold. The flowing dresses in earthy colours and natural prints were the perfect contrast to the tougher trouser looks. It was wild west but with enough subtly to stop it looking fancy dress. Get me to a rodeo.
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all images via Style.com

PHIE PHIE X