Turquoise Pink

Fresh Start

2012-12-30T10:24:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, a whole year of concentrating on music and moving on, but I always come back to fashion. And I've been doing that thing again - looking too far ahead and wishing it was Summer when it's not even the end of December yet. Cannot wait until the February issue of Vogue to see their digestion of the trends. But here's what I've been dreaming of wearing the last couple of weeks.

1. Bomber jackets

Pretty pretty pretty

2. 80s makeup

Yes, really. Need to get into Topshop this week so I can buy wholly non-essential blue eyeshadow.

3. Pink ballet shoes

French Sole!

4. Crop-tops

I rediscovered these in 2012, and now would seriously, if I could, base my entire upper-body wardrobe on them.

5. Glitter nail-polish

Sky Blue Confetti

Must. Get.

Short post for now, but will be back in 2013!

The Delicious List - 21/10/11

2011-10-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

On my mind this week:

1. Versace for H&M

From the 17th of November you can shop for Versace in H&M! I definitely approve of the collection designed by Donatella Versace, a selection of which is shown below (from Vogue.co.uk):

Turquoise and pink hee hee! I love the strappy sandals.

This belt has officially gone on my to-buy list.

The perfect party dress!

Another perfect dress.

2. Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer

The base used to create the dewy look featured in so many of the shows for next season.

3. Ralph Lauren Pink Pony

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2011, so do your bit by investing in Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony range, 10% of which goes towards scientific research.

4. Winter Sun

Is it a bad sign that I'm already craving sunshine? This picture is from somewhere in the Caribbean, somewhere that I would like to be this Winter...

Beauty for S/S 2012

2011-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hair trends yesterday, beauty trends today.

1. Polished beauty

Perfect skin and made up eyes with Alot of mascara at Louis Vuitton.

2. Pretty perfect

Less made-up but just as sexy and glamorous at Versace. I love the rosy sheen to the lips.

3. Colour

Blue lips at Mary Katrantzou.

Miu Miu is having a Nightmare on Elm Street moment. Would you be daring enough to try this one?

Pantomime colour at Vivienne Westwood.

4. Embellished

Subtle and very pretty at Chanel. See the tiny pearls in the centre of the chin and on the left eyebrow? I love the overall dewy look here as well.

Gold-leaf eyelids at Fendi.

5. Doll-like glamour

To match the outfits at Viktor & Rolf. See the pink eyelashes? I really want to try that look!

6. Copper eyes

At Roberto Cavalli.

7. Fresh-faced beauty

Freja with barely-there make-up. My favourite look for her.

Angelic prettiness.

My favourite look? The last by far. However it does require immaculate skin, and I'll be following that with a dusting a translucent Laura Mercier powder, white/pale lilac eyeshadow, possibly some eyeliner and mascara. Oh and shiny rose-tinted lips a la Versace. Read shiny, not glossy.

Alexander McQueen

Hair for Summer

2011-10-19T03:35:00.000-07:00

For Spring/Summer 2012, it's all about the (very) pretty up-do. Hint: start growing now.

Louis Vuitton. I really love this photograph.

Embellished and wet-look at Chanel.

Simple but beautiful at Roberto Cavalli. I love the loose strands, very late 90s.

Twisted plaits, like crowns, at Valentino.

Soft and demure at Christopher Kane.

And now for something a little different at Versace:

Barbie: long, shiny and soft.

As I said above, start growing now.

Colour Therapy - Jonathan Saunders S/S 12

2011-10-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling the need to post about colour today. Jonathan Saunders, one of my favourite London designers, seemed perfect for this.

French navy - Jonathan does pyjamas.

Turquoise Blue - this dress reminds me of the chilled-out Caribbean.

Pink and green - the dream colour combination.

I love the buttercup-yellow straps on the sandals!

Mellow - the sea at sunrise.

Mediterranean azure.

Sherbet orange and blue.

The English countryside in a heat wave.

These colours remind me of a crystal-clear lake. I love the velvet detail on the skirt.

This time in pink! Perfect with turquoise.

More velvet-patterned perfection. Like sunclouds in the summer blue sky.

See, like therapy!

The Delicious List - 14/10/11

2011-10-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

This week I'm going with the casual-luxe look. Despite my love of fashion, I actually feel sexiest in jeans and a t-shirt:

1. Hogan Trainers

I destroyed my last pair of Lacoste trainers. Right now I'm thinking of replacing them with a pair of cool street-trainers by Hogan:

2. Michael Stars T-shirts:

Anyone from the US will know what I'm talking about. I discovered these by accident on holiday in Florida when I was 15. I swear I wore that first bubblegum-pink t-shirt to death. Whistles in the UK used to stock Michael Stars, but they started to do their own versions instead which I like almost as much.

Two of my current MS favourites:

3. Friendship Bracelets

These are extremely trendy right now, ans also fun to make! My favourite design is the double chain knot (the pink and white):

4. Levi Jeans

And Miss Sixty. Basically everyone should find the perfect jeans that fit them perfectly, wear them to death, and then stay loyal by buying the same ones (or at least brand) again and again.

5. Sweaty Betty

Right now I'm actually wearing a Sweaty Betty pink yoga wrap top. I wish they would do these again (and speaking of discontinued items, whatever happened to the Crew Rugby Shirts??), but for now I like their hoodies:

What's your feel-good outfit?

Winter Wellness

2011-10-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

Winter is the easiest time of year to forget to take care ourselves. But take on board these five tips now and the bleaker months will go un-noticed by your body!

1. Sleep

Yup, Winter is the season for hibernation, so listen to your body when it tells you to slow down! Better yet, book yourself into the Sleep Retreat at the Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden, which offers a deeply relaxing meditative experience to help your body rejuvenate!

http://www.thesanctuary.co.uk/spa-sound-wave-therapy.htm

2. Eat the foods your body craves

In particular, citrus fruits that give you a hit of vitamin C when you most need it. Grapefruit, oranges and kiwi-fruit are all excellent sources, but also try to add squeezed lemon juice to your water for an extra boost.

3. Walk for exercise

Instead of panicking in January, stay fit this winter instead by walking as much as possible. Remember, exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy!

4. Maximise time in the sunlight!

Walking is also great for doing this! Other ways to absorb the sun are to try and get out for lunch during the week whilst at work instead of staying inside the whole day.

5. Routine!

Our bodies are designed for routine - the times that we sleep, eat and exercise are actually important to our health! In the Summer, this tends to be forgotten, but it is important in the Autumn to try and regain this routine as this is when our bodies are at their most fragile state. Sleeping, eating and exercising at the same times each day makes a large and positive impact on our health.

What I'll be wearing next Spring - S/S12 trends

2011-10-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

My pick of next season's trends:

Fringing

In every material (though think plastics especially) and on everything:

Peter Som

Marine

No, not the navy, but sea-life! This theme turned up in several collections, but my favourite was Versace's polished-girl version (see http://turquoise-pink.blogspot.com/2011/09/milan-fashion-week-super-shows.html):

Versace

Blue

Following on from the aquarium, blue will be the colour to be seen in. Turquoise was the (and my!) favourite hue on the catwalk, but wear several shades together and you'll be waves ahead of everyone else:

MaxMara

Tropical Colours

Okay, so if you don't wear blue, wear every other bright colour under the sun!

Roberto Cavalli

Gold-Leaf

Add the Midas touch to your outfit a la Alexander McQueen:

Alexander McQueen

High-Cut Shorts

Practically underwear, but I'm sure everyone will get over that pretty quickly come May:

Balenciaga

Diamante

...and beads, and sequins:

Prada

Pale Embellished Jeans

Humble denimn, but the beautiful kind:

Christopher Kane

Crop Tops

Hello 90s!

Prada

Vegetable Patch

Have fun with fruit and vegetables next Spring:

Moschino Chip & Chic

Rafia mini-trend:

Moschino Chip & Chic

Broderie Anglaise

Giant, that is:

Louis Vuitton

White Cotton

Sometimes the simplest things are the prettiest:

Nina Ricci

Sporty Mesh

The new chic:

Stella McCartney

Sports Luxe

Athletic yet effortlessy cool (for more see http://turquoise-pink.blogspot.com/2011/09/spring-summer-2012-trends-rag-bone.html):

Rag & Bone

Split Skirts

These are going to be so great and easy to wear:

Peter Som

Pyjamas

Well, I could say the same about these...I wonder if they'll be accepted as street wear? Worth a shot...

Richard Nicoll

The Quilted Clutch

On my to-buy list:

D&G

Iridescent Shine

Is Chanel's show (http://turquoise-pink.blogspot.com/2011/10/fantasy-fashion-chanel-ss-2012.html) inspiration enough for you?

Chanel

For now though, bring the colder temperatures!

The Delicious List - 07/10/11

2011-10-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

Some fashion and trend picks of the week:

1. Slippers

Yes really. Or possibly slippers disguised as loafers. Or loafers disguised as slippers. Whatever, I found mine at Topshop for twenty quid. So there.

2. Outdoor Heritage

To get some of this, invest in a wax Barbour jacket. I lived in mine at University, and they never go out of style.

I usually go for black, but I'm quite attracted to this dark leaf green version.

3. Fairytale Fashion

The final shows, seemed instead of in Paris to be located somewhere in Fantasyland. Marc Jacobs managed to pull off a modern-day fairytale for his Louis Vuitton collection. There was even a Mary Poppins merry-go-round!

Giant white broderie anglaise. Such a good start.

Now in pale blue and with a coral pink collar. Even better...

...turquoise!! The skirt has an iridescent overlay and the shoes are to die for (more on that below).

In butter yellow.

The floral theme has moved onto shower curtains. But it really works.

Something Alice in Wonderland about this?

I love the long leather coat and the high-cut shorts in pale blue broderie anglaise.

This floral dress reminds me of wrapping paper - I love it!

The White Witch of Narnia?

Love the turquoise feathers. And a parasol is an obvious must-by next Spring. Trust me, they'll be everywhere in London.

Kate Moss in white feathers.

4. The Smell of Autumn

I was just on a walk out on the hill, and there was the smell of bonfire and falling leaves in the air. I love Autumn - it's my second favourite season after Summer. I think it's because it's the start of the new academic year, it reminds me of starting afresh and newness, new stationary...

5. To-die-for Shoes

From the Spring/Summer shows that is.

Louis Vuttion - wear with a suit or dress up shorts and a white tee.

Alexander McQueen - high and mighty.

Chanel - space shoes, guaranteed hot buy next Spring.

6. Sleep

Colder weather (finally) means an excuse for more sleep and American TV dramas.

7. Travel

Why is it that at this time every year, my thoughts turn to where to go next in the world? I decided to defer my place at UCLA until next September, as I'm not exactly sure what it is I want to spend the rest of my life doing - fashion, business, journalism, combining all that...or medicine? Anyway, so a Californian road trip may help me decide whether to go. I'm also looking to go back to Paris in January or February (when am I not looking to go back?) to stay with some relatives who live in the centre of the city. In fantasy world, I would be going to a remote dessert island and lie in a hammock hung between two palm trees.

Hmmm, I think I'll post soon about winter spa destinations!

Fantasy Fashion - Valentino S/S 2012

2011-10-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Romance in Florence is how I would describe the collection in Paris by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli.

Hair was made up into crowns, and lace, leather and chiffon dresses were worn in cream, black, pale pink, fiery red, cornflower, lemon and tan. Typically Valentino, the clothes were very pretty and very romantic, and also very wearable.

Angelic floral lace. I especially love the cut of this strapless dress.

In palest pink this is heavenly.

Still pretty in black leather. Perfect for the city.

Bold, exciting red, to be worn in the throes of love.

Bubblegum pink for cocktail hour. Or during the day. Why not?

Cornflower blue chiffon with the prettiest delicate flowers.

I really want to run through a field of hay in this. Or else stroll past the porch of a very grand house.

Giant lace doily.

Love love love everything about this.

Sunshine...

I would actually love to see Elle Fanning wear this on the red carpet.

Beautifully subtle pale grey.

Freja finishes the show in a dress that should have been in the wardrobe of the Secret Garden.

These bags will be huge next Summer. I'll get one in white...

...or else in red, perfect with pink (hence it would go with every outfit I normally wear...).

Fantasy Fashion - Chanel S/S 2012

2011-10-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel show really does deserve an entire post. And I still won't be able to display all the photographs (which I might add are not my own, but belong to Condé Nast for Vogue) that I would like.

The catwalk was a white underwater scene complete with giant shells and seaweed, while ethereal singing from Florence Welch served as a background for the show. The models were like sea creatures emerging from the water; it seems that Karl has taken the aqautic theme of the S/S 2012 shows to its creative peak.

Oyster white:

A beautiful, smiling Freja in Chanel's classic tweed suit with silver moon boots!

Gold sands:

Like golden sunshine on the shore. I adore this princess suit, and the miniature metallic clutch.

Seashells on the seashore:

Sparkling pale blue and a shell pink ruffle skirt.

Aquarium:

A sea turquoise jacket with black piping detail.

Tropical reef:

The colours and print of this dress remind me of a haze of coral. Breezy and relaxed holiday ease.

Glittering mermaids:

I can envision wearing this alone on a dessert island somewhere...this ensemble is somewhat poetic.

Moonlight on white sands:

I love the irrisdecent shimmer of the jacket, and the pearl oyster clutch...I want the pearl oyster clutch...

Beauty trend alert!!

Chanel always sets the trend when it comes to nail colour...well okay, everything. But take note, coral orange will be the one you buy next Spring (hey, it'll go with all the blue you'll be wearing)!

And fushia pink! I love the pearl encrusted bag also and the repeating shell pattern of the dress.

Ocean blue:

This dress reminds me of a swirling, stormy sea.

Mister Sandman:

The structure of the outfit and pattern of the skirt remind me of those sand scultputres you see on holiday!

Shell geometry:

Curves, angles and texture, like seashells.

Seaweed green:

Shiny laduree-green hotpants and booties!

Galapagos turtles:

A wet-look ensemble of skinny trousers and rainy-weather jacket.

The little mermaid rainbow:

I want this multicolour bracelet...

Pale blue tide:

Knotted shirts are back!!

Ocean waves:

I love the ribbon rippling its way down this dress.

Shipwreck:

The sheer cropped shirt - my new favourite beach cover-up.

Beautiful creature of the sea:

I love the string of pearls around the waist - this may be going on my Summer wishlist, considering next season's crop-top trend.

Sea-bird:

Freja dressed in a stunning pale turquoise and gold feathered dress, like a bird of paradise.

Mother-of-pearl:

An oyster-white masterpiece with a shimmering high-neck overlay.

Goddess of the Sea:

I wonder if Karl's bags will be the most lusted-after items next Summer?

The stage is set:

Florence Welch singing from inside an oyster.

Backstage:

Painstaking detail.

Pearly reflection on midnight water:

Perfection - if anyone can achieve it, it's Karl.

PFW Favourites

2011-10-04T03:06:00.000-07:00

Some favourite fashion moments from Paris so far:

Uber sexy day wear:

Stretchy mini-dress and jacket in scarlet by Isobel Marant

Funky, too-cool-for-anything casual wear:

Chunky sweater and floral shorts, again by Isobel Marant

Doll-like glamour:

Baby pink and coral with blanket stitching by Viktor & Rolf

Givenchy's sheer power:

White tiered layering.

Pastel pallets with a jewel detail hip bag.

Flowing yet crisp lines - power in disguise.

Shell pink and sequin shine.

Stella does it again:

As worn by my favourite model, Natalia Vodianova

Anyone for tennis?

Close up - sporty mesh and delicate flowers.

Halo girl:

Angelic yet sexy by Andrew Gn

Demure lilac by Andrew Gn - perfect city chic.

Rich girl glamour:

Pale gold cut-out floral motifs by Giambattista Valli.

Now for the top set: Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu!

The Delicious List - 30/09/11

2011-09-30T02:50:00.000-07:00

Your weekly fashion fix!

1. Kurt Geiger Accessories

As Vogue put it. Seriously, check out their website, http://www.kurtgeiger.com/, for an all-new accessories brand.

2. Beautiful Lips

Dior's Serum de Rouge will not only look delicious, but also make your lips moist and smooth. Another excuse to wear lipstick!

This one in raspberry, my current go-to shade.

3. Cornflower Blue

My new fur jacket is this colour. I wish everything was this colour right now.

A single cornflower.

4. Nature

Foxes, badgers, frogs, snakes, even scarab beetles, are everywhere at the moment. Pick yours up from Topshop now:

Cute fox stud earrings!

An actual beetle ring!

Or you could head over to Mulberry, who are currently infactuated with the English countryside too ...

Egg-shells and feathers.

The beautiful Lily chain bag in the Feathered Friends print.

5. Celestial Sky

The moon, the stars, mythology...I'm currently obsessed!

Wear the sun and the moon upon your head...again by Topshop.

And their celestial wrist cuff.

6. Water Nymphs

Meanwhile Giorgio Armani's goddesses of the sea in Milan have completely inspired me and I'm sure everyone who was watching the show. I've been having flashbacks to the lake task in the Goblet of Fire from when I read the book...

I love the ripple-like effect of the skirt.

Single-tone marine blues. Beautiful.

Maybe a little star-trek, but I really love this jacket.

Stunning in silver...

The jacket!!

Moonlight-on-the-sea dress

An ethereal mermaid.

Too many beautiful dresses...

The final three.

7. Balancing Vata

Autumn brings with it drier and cooler weather, which can wreck havoc with our skin and also our body clocks. To balance out the increase in Vata (in Ayurveda Vata means air and space), try and stick to a regular routine, eat warm and nourishing food and go to sleep a little earlier if possible.

8. Clashing

Right now I'm thinking nautical stripes, blue and lilac flowers and denim, all in the same outfit. Oh and Dries Van Noten did a pretty good job with the putting-everything-together look in the S/S 12 shows as well...

Lace, multiple prints, ballerinas, retro glasses...

9. Rapunzel

Not just any Rapunzel. The one from Tangled!!

If you're in London this Sunday the 2nd of October, head over to Kensington Gardens to watch Rapunzel officially become the 10th Disney princess! Details at http://www.disney.co.uk/princess/rapunzel/rapunzel-celebration/.

My favourite Disney princess!

My Cover of Pourtant

2011-09-29T05:22:00.001-07:00

So I thought I'd share an English girl's attempt at singing Vanessa Paradis' Pourtant (she is my idol...)

Pourtant by sugarclouds

Paris Fashion Week: Lessons in Design

2011-09-29T01:53:00.000-07:00

Design feats were abound on the second day of Paris Fashion Week, with modern, architectural ideas creating the overall theme.

Dries Van Noten

Beautiful prints of nature in colour and black and white. This was my favourite dress in this category:

Flowers, trees and a Mediterranean sea aquamarine, three of my favourite things.

Then I kind of got caught up on the shoes...

More chunky black ballerinas! I've lost count of how many times I have seen these on the runway this fashion season.

I adore these equally.

Oh this dress...

Felipe Oliveira Baptista

Colour blocking, zips, and studded shoes.

Love the simple white and yellow colour combination of the above ensemble.

In blue. Sometimes I think my entire wardrobe could revolve around blue, white, black and pink.

Hmmm, Bond villainess maybe?

Nude and turquoise, the perfect match.

I just love this - the new playsuit perhaps, complete with hood!

Pedro Lourenco

Sports eco-luxe and stunning high-shine dresses:

Lilac and orange has to be one of my favourite colour combinations, and I love the use of material blocking here and the play on fabric texture going on in both the top and skirt.

There is something very Hermes-sporty about this...and the top half reminds me of an athletic or racing track!

A veneer-like shift dress, in beautiful silver, bronze and taupe.

Nicolas Andreas

Monochrome and minimalist:

One of my favourite dress styles for next season: romantic and easy to wear.

I love the collar of the jacket and the exposed tee. Not quite as sure about the bottom half...

Bandage dresses are still in, and I love the diagonal strap across the neck...also loving the boots, which are almost like riding chaps!

Black, white, black...

Black jelly shoes! Please let me find a pair like these to wear with everything!

Thierry Mugler

Amazing cut-out pieces in white, nude, and a strip of turquoise!

I seriously want to try the lime-green lips:

My favourite from this show, of course! The iridescent blue mid-section, and the pearly, white fluid skirt.

Right now I'm loving the innovative collections of these lesser-known but oh-so talented designers!

The Start of Paris Fashion Week, S/S 12

2011-09-28T04:11:00.000-07:00

I'm enjoying the mood that Paris Fashion Week is so far bringing to the S/S 2012 shows.

Anthony Vaccarello

This collection is oh-so Parisian, the navy velvet and sleek black dresses reminiscent of one of my favourite French discoveries, Antiflirt (go to Galeries Lafayette near the Paris Opera House), and the shiny metallic button and snake-print detailing adding sunshine glamour.

Sexy sexy sexy. Me want.

The cut-out LBD is a major theme in Anthony's collection.

I love the sheer and banded detail. I almost see a continuation of the fetish theme of this season in this.

More banding, with sultry snake-print and a geometric metallic front halter piece.

Hmmm, I think geometry is one of my favourite new emerging trends.

Love the split leg dress, as seen everywhere in New York!

Communn

Ageless city elegance, my favourite two outfits:

I love the hint of peach in this stunning dress.

My favourite thing about this ensemble is the bracelet that matches the taupe-metallic bronze in the zip of the dress. I also love the textured wallpaper look of the middle piece:

Julien David

I just wanted to show one picture from this Parisian -casual-girl collection, to illustrate the cool tear-drop theme that was going on here!

On the face under the eye, and printed on the top. The headpiece is kind of funky as well!

Keep it coming, Paris!

Body Beautiful

2011-09-27T03:50:00.000-07:00

Dragging myself away from the fashion shows for a moment (reluctantly), I thought I'd post about how to keep your body in top condition this autumn now that summer is sadly over and we're moving into the colder months, which can leave our bodies a little worse for wear.

Face

I can never recommend Mario Badescu's face products enough to people. Favoured by many famous celebrities, the New York skincare line is surprisingly affordable (think £15 for a moisturiser that lasts up to a year). My favourite item has to be the Seaweed Night Cream, which I have used every night for the past 5 years and I have never been tempted to search for anything else.

Eyes

The skin around and under the eyes is the most delicate in the entire body, and requires extra care to keep it from drying out. I've tried a number of different products for this area, but my favourite is Sisley's Eye and Lip Contour Complex, which unlike other heavier formulas is just perfectly light for fragile skin, and will not cause milia.

Forehead Lines

I started using Lancome's High Resolution cream on my forehead at night whilst studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where the cool coastal air could be extremely drying for the skin. It zapped any lines that ever started to appear right away! I still use it occasionally:

Chest

I'm pretty sure I'll be glad that I use Mama Mio Boob Tube Bust & Neck Firmer regularly in maybe a decade's time if I have children. It smooths and tightens your chest as promised, and makes a noticeable difference straight away on application:

Stomach and Stretch Marks

Okay, so Christmas will soon be upon us, and we all know what that means - eating just a little too much! To prevent stretch marks, I like Elancyl's Stretch Mark Preventive & Reducing Cream, which is non-oily and so easier to use without staining clothing:

Legs

Voted one of the top two products to bust cellulite by French women (and I'll trust them on this one), I can honestly say that Elancyl's Cellulite Offensive treatment WORKS. Try it if you don't believe me.

Get your beauty routine honed and enter Spring next year in a non body-panic mode!

Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli S/S 2012

2011-09-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought that next Summer's clothes couldn't get any better, Milan Fashion Week goes and proves me wrong. This for me is fashion - ever-changing, ever-evolving, ever-surprising and yet it flows with the moment, representing the feel of the current time.

Dolce & Gabbana

Like a bountiful Sicilian feast, Domenico Dolce's and Stefano Gabbana's collection featured red peppers and courgettes, turquoise flowers and straw bags. I love the exuberance of the clothing, so typical of the designers, and the cropped top and pencil skirt combination which is starting to 'crop' up everywhere.

Tomato red, purple eggplant and green and yellow foliage.

There are actually courgettes!

Cropped top and shorts...yup I think Topshop just got the idea for their entire S/S 12 stock...

...with tomatoes.

The turquoise flower theme begins.

Bag lust.

I particularly love this outfit with the jewel-encrusted skirt.

Beautiful pale pink and white flowers with opal buttons.

A dress entirely covered with the motif!

See the black stigma of the flowers that perfectly offsets the innocent blue?

I love the boldness of the red straw bag with the aubergine and green outfit.

Hmmm, turquoise and purple and emerald...oh my!

The show then moved onto darker, glittering pieces for the night, one of my favourite of which is this jewel-toned mini skirt:

I love the flair and the black crop top underneath the shear lace.

Roberto Cavalli

I have always loved what can only be described as the intricacy of Roberto Cavalli's clothes, but the S/S 12 collection struck a new note with me: it is a fun salutation of youth (though of course youth is something we feel and experience rather than have), and the prints are a celebration of the beauty of nature.

Sequins galore!

Anyone remember the Skittles advert, "Taste the Rainbow"?

The tropical colours offset the gold and black.

Almost flapper-girl...

Definately flapper-girl. I love this in black.

I can't decide which is more fabulous, this jacket or Versace's (http://turquoise-pink.blogspot.com/2011/09/milan-fashion-week-super-shows.html). I would pair it with dark jeans and black suede heels.

I feel like one of the unicorns from Fantasia that danced in the rainbow puddles!

My favourite part of the printed jacket is the pair of lilac blossoms!

Beautiful evening maxi...only Cavalli could create this.

A skirt in a similar design.

I wonder if Chanel & co. will top all of this...

Milan Fashion Week: The Super Shows

2011-09-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

Prada, Versace, Bottega Veneta - these designers ooze sex, power and money, hence the term 'Super Shows'. They're the haute fashion houses of Italy, and in the S/S2012 shows they seriously didn't disappoint.

Prada

Silk car prints, broderie anglaise and pleats were the order of the day:

One of my favourite looks of the season so far.

Pale pink broderie anglaise innocence and a high shine power-bag? Of course!

Yup, this is the sunglasses shape of the season (see D&G in http://turquoise-pink.blogspot.com/2011/09/ss-2012-milan-fashion-week-highlights.html). I also love the pink and green diamante earrings, and note the pastel pleats.

More candy pleats.

Jessica Stam in a gold satin jacket and red pleated skirt? Genius.

Intricate leotard dresses...

...in pink and green beaded coral.

And the long-sleeved version for Hollywood glamour.

I wonder how many celebrity wish-lists this will be on?

Versace

I'm not ashamed to say that these photos actually brought tears to my eyes. It was like high-octane Disney, complete with The Little Mermaid.

White leather and gold stud detailing...classic Versace.

The crop-top and pencil skirt ensemble...next season's answer to the famous Givenchy example from this Autumn.

Princess alert!

And here it is, the most coveted print of next Summer.

Mermaids, seahorses and starfish, in pale blue and lilac. I think I'm in heaven.

More please!

In all its close-up glory.

Bottega Veneta

My favourite dress from the show, a shiny architectural feat:

How excited am I now for Paris!!

The Delicious List - 24/09/11

2011-09-24T04:01:00.000-07:00

What I want right now:

1. Monica Vinader Bracelets

I'd wear this with a LBD or jeans and a white t-shirt. Available from Liberty's of London.

2. Glitter!

I'm in love with everything sparkly, including these boots by Vivienne Westwood:

Amazing with jeans and a black polo-neck or equally a Barbour jacket as a (more trendy) alternative to Hunters!

3. White cotton pyjamas

Now the nights are colder again, I'm dreaming of purchasing some like these from La Perla:

More romantic than a silk baby-doll?

4. Small black bags

On my to-buy list:

Planetes by Longchamp, for day and night.

5. Baking!

The last thing I made:

Madeleines dipped in pink lemon icing - yum!

6. Vitamin C & Zinc

Something healthier this time...to boost immunity this winter. Take Redoxon supplements or alternatively consume alot of orange juice (favoured by Howard Hughes) and seafood.

Drink a glass morning and before bed.

7. Recycling Fashion

Not literally, although this is also a good idea, but wearing items I bought last year. I often think that lasting fashion goes in five-year cycles, and with the current state of the economy, I think this is a good thing...I'm glad I bought my mini fur stole last year now!

The version worn by Marilyn Monroe.

What's on your current trend radar?

S/S 2012 - Milan Fashion Week Highlights

2011-09-23T03:06:00.000-07:00

To quote the Parent Trap, I am in such major trouble here - toooo many beautiful clothes at Milan Fashion Week! Three of my favourite shows so far have been MaxMara, Maurizio Pecoraro and D&G (as always).

MaxMara

So many ideas going on in my mind when I first saw these photos - city sleek, sporty luxe, minimalist, and at the same time an cchildlike innocence was going on here, and the colours of the beach - turquoise sea and sand. No wonder I am so in love...

Turquoise leggings just went back on my wish-list (originally on there for last summer, but they have just been promoted from 'would be nice' to 'necessary').

All-in-one 90s colour blocking.

I love this. The black elbow-length top (I'm a sucker for these, I think I own eight in white by Michael Stars), with the tan leather shorts.

The subtle change from turquoise to cerulean in the mid-section of the ensemble is inspired here.

The top possibly reminds me of a theme-park cover-up, but I can deal with that, it's the perfect shade of gold and it's shiny.

In the jacket this time. Hmm, a turquoise pencil skirt would brighten up so many offices!

Maurizio Pecoraro

I have to admit this designer is new to me, but just check out the tribal designs on Vogue.com, and these shoes!!:

Um, wow. I think these are my favourite heels of the season so far.

And the full outfit. I especially love the textured mini-skirt.

More amazing shoes, with grass trimmings at the ankle.

D&G

I think Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were trying to make a point here - wear scarves. Lots of them. In all different colours. All at once. And I love it.

This is to be the designer duo's final collection for D&G, which is to merge with the parent line Dolce & Gabbana. This is a shame I feel, as D&G always offered a younger and bolder look that I always somewhat preferred to the latter, but maybe the overall collections will be stronger because of this. We shall see next season.

Sherbet shades of yellow, pink, green, lilac. I could almost call this the Refreshers Dress (this will only make sense to readers from the UK).

I have always loved the combination of pink and orange, and also adore the purple flowers on the skirt, which remind me running through fields in Devon in my childhood.

I love the quilted bag! I knew I was onto something when I bought my first turquoise Vera Bradley bag this summer!

These are the glasses of next season.

Pink and Green! Lilly Pulitzer alert!

If any clothes could shout "holiday", then it would be these.

If you can wear yellow, invest in a polo or sweater in this shade now and you'll be wearing it for the next year!

The Hot List - A/W 11-12 Bags

2011-09-22T00:28:00.000-07:00

Following yesterday's post, I thought I would share ideas on how to accessorize the only way possible this season - with a hand-held mini bag! Yes, large shoulder bags are, for the foreseeable future, a thing of the past, and it's all about clutching yours in your fist, to the waist or to your chest.

To begin, British Heritage brand Mulberry:

I'm feeling black bags right now (more below...), and I love the tassel on this one.

Shiny, black and mini. Perfect!

This time delicious plum.

The coveted one:

By Celine, this bowling bag is the one everyone was talking about.

In close-up detail.

Another bowling bag by Dries Van Noten, this time in navy velvet with a tan trim.

The fur show-piece:

By Ellie Tahari. I'm currently having flashbacks to Clueless (I must watch that film again soon). Guaranteed attention for wearing this.

The monochrome:

Both by Louis Vuitton, these would carry an entire A/W wardrobe.

Love the metal strip and tiny studs on the base!

See the silver padlock?

The hold-all:

The larger bags this season really are all about the above, credit goes to Marc Jacobs.

The white clutch:

Again a white clutch like this one by Miu Miu, similar to Louis Vuitton's, would pair with anything you wear now - jeans, jumpers, suits, LBDs...

And lastly:

The new it-bag:

A shiny white cylinder by Stella McCartney that you just know is full of precious objects wins my vote.

Buy your miniature bag now and I have a feeling your small and discreet accessory will be with you for a while.

Dressy Inspiration for Autumn

2011-09-21T02:23:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd take a step back from London Fashion Week and the forays into the Spring/Summer trends, and share some catwalk inspiration as to what to wear NOW. Out, at parties, in the office...below are some of my favourite dressed up ensembles from this season's shows:

The Optical Illusion

Stella McCartney's famous silhouette.

And her cut-out polka dot creation in white.

The Stunning Shift

Classic understated elegance by Calvin Klein

Sixties Cool

This one by Giambattista Valli

A Night at the Theatre

By Marni. A lustful black faux fur jacket and peach knee-skimming skirt.

The Print

One of Mary Katrantzou's more wearable creations (though I love all of them).

And lastly, my two favourite dresses by Emilio Pucci:

Baroque

Black velvet Pucci and a stately neckline.

The Fur-ball

This actually reminds me strongly of the blue faux fur jacket I bought two days ago (which I am in love with and will be wearing every chance I get)...

Hopefully that has given you some inspiration as to what to wear out this Autumn! Which look will you be wearing?

S/S 12 - London Fashion Week Highlights

2011-09-20T04:08:00.000-07:00

It's only Tuesday, but I am so in love with LFW already.

Some of my favourite shows and pieces:

Richard Nicoll

A study in blue Nicoll minamalism, and a sensual sextress mood:

Did I mention jackets will be around a little next Spring?

Floral detailing on the shorts!

A layered shift and a see-through cell phone, like something out of a Bond movie...

Wardrobe check...little black dress, tick!

Boudoir grecian beauty.

In black, white, pale blue...

Plastic somehow works here.

Another arcitectural Nicoll feat.

I can just imagine wearing this on a relaxing Sunday morning in bed...

Burberry Prorsum

Belted in turquoise.

My ensemble - t-shirt and skirt.

Christopher Kane

This is the show I wish I could have been at. Apparently people cried. Well I might have done.

It began with sparkling leather...

And glittering flowers:

In detail.

A beautiful shift in palest mint.

I want the dress. The bag. And the shiny sparkly sporty sandals.

Moving onto blue flowers, I'm in heaven!!

A graduated silver dress...anyone reminded of the 90s?

Pale jeans with diamante...*cries*!

Stunning shorts, it feels like Christopher actually just sewed stars onto denim...no wonder her just been nominated for bloody Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards...

Daisy diamonds.

Oh the chic.

These are the sandals of next summer. I promise.

Summing up the spectacle.

Erdem

Blue and lilac florals, I had to mention Erdem:

If I could I would wear this to afternoon tea at the Ritz.

Giles

Um, so at Vogue they compared the Giles show to the set of Harry Potter. But when I look at the photos, I feel like I'm watching a scene from Aliens:

I still love this outfit though.

Dangerous fashion lust going on right now...

Sexy

2011-09-19T02:23:00.000-07:00

Everything sexy is having a moment. And we're talking more than usual.

Chanel A/W 11 make-up:

It's all in the eyes. Check out Chanel's new range of evening eye-shadows that have a perfectly pearly texture and iridescent sparkle:

My favourites? The green and purple.

Cut-out dresses:

Emphasise your curves in a peek-a-boo dress. I'm pretty sure that everyone's favourite is Stella McCartney's polka dot example, as paraded above by Natalia Vodianova.

Heels = essential:

They elongate your legs, raise your bum and just exude sexiness. They make any outfit so so much better on your body.

Tiny waist:

It's what boys love. Eat dark chocolate, plenty of protein and wholegrains, wild salmon, apples and almonds and walk alot to make other girls hate you for yours.

Lace:

This season's sexiest trend. The above is by La Perla. And this baby-doll:

Perfect your underpinnings:

Good lingerie is not just for the night. It makes your clothes look different, good different, in the daytime too.

Are you onto the sexy trend?