Vita di Moda

Yohji Yamamoto | Adidas

2015-01-30T13:59:00.000+00:00

Y-3 RETRO BOOST

After getting my hands on a pair of Roshe Run Palm Print Nike's in the past week, i've been on a complete sneaker hype and am subsequently on the look out for my next target(s). I love a good high heel as much as the next girl, but if there's a stylish black and white running shoe out there then i'm all over it. So after scrolling through my Twitter feed yesterday I came across the new high fashion colour way for the Y-3 Retro Boost over on HypeBeast.

What I love about the style is the sole - it's simple, its clean, it's not constructed with a bunch of little air pockets which ruin the sleek appearance; but it's still a decent runner. Fashion with substance, who knew that could happen. I also love the black and white colour scheme, with the speckled midsole and classic Adidas stripe across the heel. It just looks contemporary and most of all, sexy.

They became available over at Feature from the 28th of this month and are retailing at $350. Obviously a style like these sold out within hours of becoming available, and I can see why; I don't just want these in my life I feel as though I need them, and it seems the rest of the internet does too.

Photo Credit: HypeBeast

SRSLY

2015-01-27T21:04:00.002+00:00

Image is my own via IG: @marialetiziaxo

What is life. No, I don't mean it in a deep philosophical way, I mean it in the most basic 21st century way of saying what is going on. I feel as though my life has gone from one extreme to the other, and all within the space of around 10 weeks. So allow me to gather my series of post it notes (it seems like any idea I have is written on one these days) and fill you in on the chaos that is my life.

Let's go back 10 weeks and see where it all started; first of all I was seeing boy. Yes. A real life, human boy. And he was wonderful - is wonderful - but he was moving to Australia. If you've read my previous few posts you'll notice a general theme of Australia in them and that was because I was so inspired by his move. I think I ended up looking into it more than he did, and he was the one moving. But anyway, he was moving and it was just a little bit heart breaking. Typical luck to finally find someone that you feel that you could potentially be with, only for them to then leave you alone and crying in a corner. Well, the last part was an exaggeration, but it wasn't a nice feeling. So this is what triggered the next chapter - we decided to stay together to see how it would work out, but then I got my friend on board and we booked visa's and one way flights for Sydney (18/6/2015). Ok, I know what you're thinking, "you're moving across the world to be with a boy ARE YOU INSANE?!". I might be? Maybe? Who knows! The fact is I always said that after university I would move to America or Australia. So maybe his move did edge my decision towards the Aussie coast a little more in the end, but at least I'm doing something that isn't exactly a new idea to me. I'm setting up my own life and not depending on anyone else, so it is perfectly acceptable. And anyway, you have to take some risks in life, otherwise you're stuck in the same position twenty five years down the line, wishing you had done something differently. I really trust my impulsiveness; it hasn't lead me astray just yet - and without sounding too nauseating he's a keeper. I can feel it.

Renzo Piano, Sydney by @dianakbui via VSCO

Around this same time I was also beginning to think about what I wanted to do with my career in fashion and which avenues I was going to go down. I didn't have a clue. For someone who normally has everything figured out, this was difficult for me to deal with. Not having a vision is truly fk@!ing terrifying. However now that I've been back at uni and diving into my final ever semester of my degree I have seen the light. And let me tell you, it's marvellous. It's glittering and brilliant and shaped like visual merchandising. I've always had a love for it, but now that i've been thinking about my final major project (FMP) i've decided that it really is the career path for me and the goal is now firmly in sight. So now i'm going to have three sketch books, a note pad and about 1000 post it notes in various colours to attract my attention whenever I walk by them.

If you've ever done a degree in fashion, you'll realise just how chaotic life gets when you're thinking about the end result - what you're going to do for not only that, but what's going to happen when you leave the comfort that is university. It's funny how we look at it now as though riding a bike in the Sahara Desert would be an easier option, but I'm trying to slow down and savour every piece of it. I'm never going to get another first chance at it and afterwards I know i'm really going to miss this little bubble. So although i'm now the worlds biggest insomniac and I've swapped Newcastle's treble vodkas for triple shot latte's in the morning, this new level of determination and absolute will to succeed has got me both excited and scared. The latter isn't a bad thing though - if something doesn't scare you, then it isn't worth doing. True story.

The Minimalist Aesthetic

2014-11-08T00:43:00.000+00:00

Some things in life are just unexplainable; from falling in love, to thinking that you really ought to clean the skirting boards in your apartment before your visitors arrive over the weekend - that last one is something which, yes, I have just done and no, I can't quite explain why I deemed it necessary. Maybe I really am turning into my mother. Either way, it's all part of growing up and seeing things in a new light due to changing perspectives and priorities.

It was the above point about cleaning that has brought me to writing this post; i'm not going to be talking your head off about skirting boards and the likes, don't worry. Like I said above, when you start to get older your tastes change. When I was a teenager I liked all things black. Well, more than I do now. Ok so that's also a lie, but I wasn't very tactful with it like I am now. I was all over the place trying to find my personality and sense of self. I don't really think I've even found it now and i'm pushing twenty-four in a few months, but I've managed to shape my tastes into something a little more palatable and true to the person I see myself moulding into.

Everyone's tastes are different, and each are shaped by the situations we are faced with and the people we experience on a daily basis. When you are shown one thing, it often leads to discovering other things and so your ideals change. Like I said in my previous post this week (Wanderlust | Where Will IG Take You?) I have been discovering so many amazing Australian brands and places within the country that have inspired me enough to want to visit. This has been a result of having Australia placed in the forefront of my mind through people I know leaving to go out there this month, and I'm so glad it has happened. I never realised how relatable a lot of the big Australian brands are; and it doesn't just stop with fashion, it leaks into home interiors too.

Photo Credit: The Minimalist

In terms of home interiors, this one has been a result of my changing tastes; going from all black to a helluva lot of white. It's with none other than The Minimalist Store that I now crave everything in white and can't wait to be in a position where I can decorate everything in such a way. Scrolling through their instagram feed, you quickly realise that the price tag is going to be as chic as the layout with the store stocking a range of designer names from all over the globe. Maybe it's just me, but I get a strong female vibe due to the quotes on their IG feed; 'home is where the bra isn't' and 'getting real sick of underwear and responsibilities'. It's things like this that takes a retailer and turns them into a brand that people can relate to and want to be a part of - considering they are effectively a middle man between consumer and designer, this is a great thing to boast. They're located in Surry Hills, Sydney so if you're ever in the area i'd encourage you to go and have a look. Or you know, have a look at their website (link is under the above photo) slash instagram feed (@minimaliststyle) if you're like me and otherwise unable to make the round trip required.

Photo Credit: @jasminedowling

Jasmine Downling is another Aussie who has grabbed my attention via her minimalistic outlook. A fellow fashion blogger and graphic designer/typographer, her eye for appealing aesthetics is second to none. Although a fashion blogger and graphic designer by day, her blog has a rather attractive store attached selling her typography prints, soft home accessories and most popular her 2015 calendar. Limited to only 100 copies, the calendar is simple yet stylish and includes one of Jasmine's favourite prints which you can tear off and frame for your apartment. If you want to get your hands on one you can just skip on over to her website and grab one for yourself. She ships worldwide, so no worries if you aren't a local to her area.

Wanderlust | Where Will Instagram Take You?

2014-11-06T14:35:00.000+00:00

n. the wish to travel far away and to many different places.

I think it's safe to say that the above term describes me to a T at the moment. Maybe it's the cold, wet weather creeping through the apartment this afternoon, or the fact that everyone I know has been talking about traveling plans after graduation in 2015; all I know is that I'm bored of the same old sights of England and I want more. More sunshine, more heat and more adventure.

With everything I have going on at the minute, the only sense of adventure I've had has been spent scrolling through profile upon profile on Instagram. Type in one hashtag and the next minute you're on something completely irrelevant to your first search. It's kind of like when you're on one person's profile and the next minute you know their cousins boyfriend's aunt's cat's name. Talk about going off on a tangent. But it's from doing this at 2am when i'm in the tight grip of my insomnia that I've discovered so many amazing brands and places that are now firmly on my bucket list of travel destinations.

Photo Credit: via @caitstadler

First up, the Rock Bar located within Bali's Ayana Resort and Spa. Situated literally on the rocks lining the sea, this bar boasts insanely stylish outdoor seating with a view that you'd give a kidney for. There's nothing more calming for me than sitting at a seaside bar with a nice drink to one side, and a burning sunset to the other. And this is exactly what you would get here. Bali has always been somewhere that I've lusted after in the travel brochures, but now I've decided that it needs to happen if I am to ever find an inner sense of contentment.

Photo Credit: @alexmarksphotography

Photo Credit: @photosbyjessieann

Next is a little cafe that speaks to me on so many levels. It's The Boathouse at Balmoral Beach, NSW. The location itself is beautiful situated right on the water, but its the interiors and rustic look of the place that has me wanting to visit for a spot of lunch. Surrounded by flowers, plants and wooden fixtures, this little cafe just oozes serenity for those interested in an artsy scene. Looking at their IG profile and website, you can expect anchors stencilled onto your afternoon cappuccino, or a berry smoothie served in the cutest bear-shaped glass i've ever seen. After having an array of fruit platters, croissants and eggs for breakfast, you can then move on to a selection of seafood dishes, salads or burgers from their lunch menu. There really is something to suit everyone's tastes and it all looks amazing.

Ive come across quite a few places on my IG travels that I want to visit, however the above two have really hit the spot in terms of making me want to spontaneously book a ticket and go right away. Having explored what Sydney has to offer, I've been introduced to lots of new ideals, brands and aesthetics with a very clean, minimalistic feel to them but that is something for another post.

Current Lustings

2014-10-01T13:28:00.001+01:00

Photo Credit: Taken by myself (IG: @marialetiziaxo)

Lingerie is to me, what bags and shoes are to most other girls. I adore everything about it and how it can make you feel when wearing it. Put simply, it can make or break your day from the moment you put it on.

One such trend that I've been obsessing over, is the lacey-bikini look sets; featuring a minimalistic band and a few strategically placed pieces of lace detailing to cover the obvious. Effortlessly cool brand For Love And Lemons inspired me with their delicate floral lingerie pieces, however I just felt that - as a student - I couldn't justify the price. And from that moment, a new mission was born - to find a more affordable equivalent.

In comes ASOS. I'll admit that I haven't really been spending too much on clothing as of late, but after scrolling through the #fashion tag on my IG feed, I've decided that a little browse on the ASOS app couldn't hurt anyone. And that's when I saw them. The most beautiful lingerie set i've seen in a while. The Vine Appliqué Triangle bra and panties come as separates but at just £24 combined (£16 for the bra, £8 for the panties), it's really not something that you need to ponder over for longer than 0.3 seconds to decide if you're going to buy it or not.

Because of the shape and design of the lingerie, I feel as though it's something that could either be worn as outer wear, or indeed just covered up and left to be seen by that special person of your choice. For me personally, I think I'm going to style the set as part of my outfit, in a sort of peek-a-boo way. I have a double date planned for this Friday, so I've decided to show you how I plan on wearing the lingerie for that.

The check curved hem shirt and ripped Jamie jeans are both from Topshop, and are recent purchases of mine. Incase you haven't heard, there's currently 20% off for students at the minute, so um, yeah. Get on that. I made it half way out the store with those before I came across an oversized black coat and decided that I needed that as well. But that's a story for another post.

Like the photo suggests, I'm planning on wearing the shirt fastened by a couple buttons at the bottom, leaving the top open and showing off the bra in small doses. A leather jacket and black strappy heels just finishes off the outfit and gives it enough edge to be dressy enough for dinner and drinks.

Will you be indulging in the lace trend this season?

All Black Summer

2014-07-31T16:05:00.000+01:00

When you're an avid lover of all things black Summer can prove difficult. Don't get me wrong, the constant sunshine, rising temperatures and days laying on the Quayside Seaside (that's Newcastle's manmade beach for those out of the loop) are doing wonders for one's mood and general outlook; but dressing for these occasions is just a nightmare. If, like me, you prefer wearing a black tee and skinny jeans, then you'll know how annoying this is when the sun is reaching 30 degrees most days. Black just soaks in the sunlight and raises your body temperature above tolerable. It's not big and it's not clever, but what else can you do. Summer for me is just my Winter wardrobe but with the leather jacket sleeves and jeans rolled up.

So how do you dress for the weather, but keep your love of black intact? God forbid we would ever wear colour, i'm not going that far. But I am going to suggest some outfit combo's with the help of All Saints. If there was ever a brand to sum me up, it's them.

For links to each item, click here.

Everything from the above image is up to date and current on the All Saints UK website (bar the aviators). What I have been tending to do with my outfits, is team high waisted skinny jeans or shorts with crop tops and or a bikini. The bikini obviously more for the days when I go to the beach or am lounging around the apartment - which faces the quayside/sunrise and attracts more heat than the surface of the sun. No exaggeration in that statement at all.

Although I haven't been wearing much colour other than the occasional blue, I have been wearing a lot of white and opting for white jeans instead of black. I'm still getting to wear my trusted jean shape, but they're helping to reflect the light a little bit, and they look a lot more Summery than the black. I've gone for the printed loose tops from All Saints, because although they are silk, they're loose fitting and will give a bit of a breeze. They're also on trend and help to dress up an outfit day or night. Lastly, there's a leather jacket just because I can't deal without one. That and it's going to rain a few times in amongst the UK sunshine, so we'll need something to cover up with and it may as well be leather. The one I've chosen however, is cropped so it won't give too much heat on your back and the zips up the sleeves allow for rolling them up if you get too warm.

So that's just some variations on outfits I've been having in my own Summer wardrobe, but I'd love to know how you're dealing with black in the seasonal heat in the comments below!

Photo Credit: All Saints UK & Polyvore.

Fit Fashion

2014-05-10T11:31:00.000+01:00

Just as the obesity epidemic has increased in figures in the last few years, the same has been happening with sports/activewear. Obviously this seems a touch contradictory - unless obese people everywhere have created a new trend of eating McDonald's in some Nike Dri-FIT - but the activewear market has seen a rise of about 7%; with regular apparel only seeing an increase of 1%. Developers and designers everywhere are seeing this gap in the market, and boy are they making money from it.

It isn't just an exponential interest in activewear that's taking the industry by storm, but the interest in fashionable and aesthetically pleasing pieces ~~that we can all wear and cause envy in the hearts of those next to us in our mid-afternoon Spin class.~~ Social media platforms such as Instagram and Tumblr in particular, are bringing images of colourful, attractive activewear to our attention and making it seem 'trendy', or 'fashionable' to be fit, healthy and conscious of what we put into, and engage our bodies in on a daily basis.

Now, I'm not sure if many of you know this, but when it comes to sourcing those perfect yoga pants or sports bra, you don't actually have to shop at Nike or Lululemon. I know, major shock. Believe me, I was the same when I made the discovery. But with more designers seeing an opportunity in sportswear, new brands are coming to the forefront of our Tumblrs and blogs and getting us psyched for hitting the gym ASAP.

1. Alala // 2. Without Walls // 3. Koral Activewear // 4. Without Walls // 5. Tully Lou

I've come across quite a few brands on my research for this post, however I thought I'd condense it down to about three or four for now. First up is Alala. Founded by NYC triathlete Denise Lee, the brand was created to answer the main issues that women face on a daily basis - clothes that just don't fit well for their purpose, and clothes that do it all; making you look cute enough to run from the gym to the office - and not wishing the ground would swallow you up whole because of how you looked if you met 'the one' on the commute. The collection is very simple in terms of colour and pattern, but the devil is definitely in the details with each piece. I mean, they even have sports bras with zippers up the back so that you can actually get out of the thing post-workout. Genius. My favourite is the Got Your Back Tank, and at $85/£50 it's around the same price point as Nike.

Next, Tully Lou. As TL is an Australian brand, I can't kept but just get why the collections are so bloody stylish. The Aussie's seem to get most things right when it comes to fashion - think Triangl and Sabo Skirt - and Tully Lou is no exception to that. Although the website is basic in all aspects, the collections are very colourful and slightly futuristic. Actually, it reminds me on Triangl with the linear concepts and bright block colours. The price point is similar to Alala, and they ship Internationally (obviously just need to watch out for customs tax), so it's worth having a look.

Then there's Koral Activewear. What I loved most about this brand (other than the fact that they were based in LA), was that it's sports bras actually looked like bikini tops, and not something that a child would wear. They're known for their use of high quality materials which shape and contour the female body, whilst providing support in every way possible. It's stylish workout gear with a difference, and I'm 100% a fan.

And lastly, Without Walls. If the name doesn't entice you in, then how about the fact that their website gives you everything you'd need to live a healthy lifestyle. Not only do they stock their own collections, but they offer activewear from other designers, too. And you can buy your yoga mat and protein shaker at the same time. It's just convenience at its best. I loved how their collection features a lot of mesh and little hints of pattern. It's sports luxe but with practicality. Fab.

Where do you usually shop for your gym clothes?

Photo Credit: Tumblr (top image), Tully Lou, Koral Activewear, Without Walls & Alala websites.

Reppin' | 304#

2014-04-17T12:08:00.000+01:00

304# Clothing

We Came To Party

I don't know if it was the attractive models used in the lookbook or what, but 304# are a clothing brand that have had me taking notice this week. Born in the Summer of 2012, 304# began when three friends decided to create handmade vests; and as they put it, it was from this that their journey began. From what I gather from the brands twitter account (@304_revolution), website and blog, love tends to be the common theme and they try to keep to this theme integral to the brands core values.

Although the brand started off creating vests, their online store now stocks: jumpers, tshirts, bags, headgear, joggers, jackets and even watches and socks. The designs are simple, yet stylish and are perfect for both men and women. The only female-orientated thing on the website is a crop top, but to be honest, if you're a male and it's your thing then by all means, go for it. Who am I to judge?

There's something about the brand that has an almost Hollister vibe to it; mostly due to the fact that the products are presented with a wooden background, and there are some California/USA beach-y images on their blog. These factors definitely lend a relaxed and fresh take for the brand, and I genuinely hope to see it grow and expand further in the future. To me, it has the potential to become more than just a 'tshirt start-up' - which is a difficult thing to say when these sort of 'brands' are popping up here, there and everywhere. 304# have a story and a purpose, and this is why they'll go far.

These are just a few of my favourite looks off the website, but I recommend checking them out and choosing your own favourites. With the t-shirts only costing £20, trust me, it won't be difficult.

(Left to right)

No Skinny Dipping Tee // SAY YES Tee // Real Eyes Realize Tee // 304# Bag

Photo Credit: www.304clothing.com

Style Moment | Spring Monochrome

2014-04-15T17:33:00.000+01:00

What is a girl to do at 3:23am, when getting blood from a stone seems more likely than getting a little shut eye? Shop. Us insomniac girls, we shop. Especially when it was student loan day less than 24 hours ago.

The websites I tend to hit up include the likes of: Missguided, Daisy Street, Pretty Little Thing, Topshop, eBay, ASOS etc etc. Then, if i'm feeling particularly lavish, Net-A-Porter and The Outnet. It's very rarely that I actually purchase anything from the latter two, but I like to dream.

Lately I've been sensing a trend and seeing lots of bloggers purchasing boots similar to these from Pretty Little Thing, and although they're a little high and not really something that I would find myself wearing too often, I did want to get in on the chunky sole trend.

After coming across these monochrome Carmen ankle boots from New Look (found at ASOS), I began to justify them to myself. They would undoubtedly go with a lot of my wardrobe, be comfortable and stylish enough to wear from day to night, and I could wear them on Osbourne Road (Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK) for the bank holiday this coming Sunday; but the point that had me sold, was that they're only £20.50 in the sale. It's safe to say that they were purchased in less than 60 seconds.

Baily Moto Jacket // Giambattista Valli Embellished Top // BLK DNM Skinny Jeans // Chanel J12 Watch // Moschino Violetta iPhone Case // New Look Carmen Cleated Sole Ankle Boots

Seeing as I've been trying to find topics to blog about on a daily basis recently, I thought it would be a good idea to do a 'How To Style' post and show you how I plan on wearing the boots on the bank holiday this week. It's obvious that the items I've chosen are from my dream wish list, but it's easy to replicate the look just by popping up to your high street and seeing what's on offer there.

I wanted to keep the look in tune with the boots and having everything monochrome. Especially seeing as I'm an avid 'all black (and white) everything' fan. I added in the Chanel J12 watch as that is one beaut that I've wanted to get my hands on for years, and the Moschino Violetta bunny iPhone case just ties the look together nicely with a little Easter flourish.

Have you bought into the chunky sole trend this season? If so, leave your blog links below - I'd love to check them out! xo

Get The Look | Designer Sneaks

2014-04-15T01:28:00.000+01:00

Attention Sneaker-heads!!

One thing I love wearing more than a good all-black ensemble, is a pair of sneakers. Seriously, why would you wear anything other than a comfy pair of Nikes, New Balance or Adidas kicks if you have the option? Exactly. One pair of sneakers that I've wanted to get my hands on for a while though, were the patent white croc leather high tops, with gold plating and zip detailing. Priced at around £500, they weren't something that I was going to acquire easily or any time soon.

But I had a plan.

What do you do when you want to get your hands on designer goodies, but don't have the means to do so? Besides get a credit card and go all Confessions of A Shopaholic? You head to eBay. I knew that genuine GZ sneaks would still be a bomb second hand, so I had the idea to search the Asian market on the website. Free shipping, usually only takes 1 - 2 weeks to deliver and their products are ridiculous cheaper than retailers in the UK. After a bit of a browse and trying different keywords, I finally came across an almost identical (unisex) pair and what do you know? I had options of having them in white, black or navy. All for just a little more than £20. Bargain.

Gold plated patent sneakers & LA Lakers basketball beanie (both from eBay)

I know that the majority of fashion industry insiders the world over will be shaking their heads at me right now, but when you're a student on (what is supposed to be) a budget, you can't really fork out hundreds of pounds for sneakers when you have the little things to pay for; like rent, food and that ever growing social calendar. Seriously though, why does it always seem to be somebody's birthday every week?

After choosing the sneakers in white, I was seriously impressed with how similar they are to the original GZ design. Unless you physically took a magnifying glass to them and really inspected every last detail, you wouldn't be any wiser that they came from a little shack in China, and not the cobbled streets of my darling Italia.

If you, like me, can't afford the originals (believe me, if I had the money then I would have bought the designer pair) then you can click this link here and purchase the wannabe's for yourself.

You're welcome xo

Current Lustings | Giuseppe Zanotti

2014-04-14T10:00:00.000+01:00

Giuseppe Zanotti

Spring Summer 2014

When most people think of designer shoes, more often than not they'll think of the seductive red soles of a Louboutin heel. I guess it's a bit of a confession time with this comment, but I've never, ever, lusted after a pair for myself. I do think some are absolutely stunning, but there is just something about them that has me repelled. I'm not sure if it's the fact that those red soles have been copied by numerous lesser brands found on eBay or the Asian market, but I just don't want to own a pair.

For me, Giuseppe Zanotti is where it's at. And there it will stay forever more.

I don't know about you, but this season GZ has given me a serious need for some ~~fucking~~ fantastic heels. Leaves, alligators, scorpions and other deadly creatures have been formed in gold and applied to the front and ankles of sandals, and look absolutely killer to say the least. I've put together some collages of my favourites from the Ad campaign, so I really do hope you love them as much as I do. Priced at over £1000 (GBP) per pair, it is with great despair to say that I won't be owning my own any time soon, but I can still lust after them all the same.

Which pair are your favourites? xo

Photo Credit: www.giuseppezanottidesign.com

My Week In Review

2014-04-13T23:07:00.000+01:00

Where to start with this week. On Thursday I turned 23 and celebrated the day of my birth with friends for lunch and then later, a night in Newcastle's Tup Tup Palace. Please don't ask me how it was, because I reallllllly couldn't tell you. Shameful, I know. I blame the copious amounts of alcohol thrust in my face as 'birthday presents'. From what I remember it was great, so I can't complain too much. And I had a big birthday badge to wear all day which was fantastic.

Although I can't be as positive about the next thing to happen this week, I'm willing to put my bitterness to the side and just revel in everyone else's photographs of the event. The event in question you ask? None other than Coachella 2014. Weekend #1 kicked off on Friday with OutKast having the headliner spot, but it was the fashion, parties, and fabulous IG pictures that I had my attention on. It does make me feel as though a little part of my soul dies with each passing year that I don't attend the famous music and arts festival, but mark my words, I will attend in 2016 if it's the last thing I do. It's probably the only music festival that I will ever wish to attend - mainly because it's in Palm Springs and there's absolutely no chance of being up to your eyeballs in mud like the festivals we have in the UK. And there's always the chance of running into a hot celebrity or two along the way. There really is no other music festival on the planet that involves music, art and fashion together in such an amazing way. Forever21 even had their brand name hung above the desert via cranes. Even McDonald's threw a pool party on Saturday. Ironic, I know, considering everyone in LA would rather chew nails than be caught dead stuffing their face with a Big Mac or McChicken. But I suppose if it's good enough for Jeremy Scott and Moschino (Fall 2014), then it's good enough for the glamorous lot at Coachella. Weekend #2 starts on the 18th and I absolutely cannot wait to see more #ootd and obligatory pool side/ferris wheel photos on Instagram!

Finally, as the week comes to a close, it was revealed that Alexander Wang will be collaborating with H&M releasing what I can only imagine to be an amazing capsule collection this November. AWang has always been one of my favourite designers, so this announcement had me jumping for joy when I read it on twitter and Instagram this morning. Let the countdown begin..

Don't forget to follow VDM on all of your favourite social networks below! xo

Kim K Takes Vogue

2014-03-21T22:51:00.000+00:00

I'm sorry, but I just can't. As you are all so very aware (if you aren't, what the hell have you been doing all day?), Kim Kardashian has been granted her wish and is now the face of Vogue US' April cover; alongside hubby-to-be Kanye. I'm just going to put it out there - I think it's tragic.

There is no doubting that Kim looks stunning on the cover, but come on Anna. What were you thinking?! Yes, you were the first to feature celebs on your covers, and yes, this issue will probably be the best selling issue of the year considering it's controversy, but still! It's one thing to sell magazines, but it's another to do so whilst keeping your brands value intact. Are we all forgetting that Kim basically became a porn star in order to get her name in lights? It's verging on trashy. And everyone knows what happens when a brand turns trashy.

Not to mention the fact that she probably only got the cover because there was a condition made that meant Kanye had to appear, or she lost the cover entirely. And that hashtag at the end. Don't even get me started. It should say "#MOSTATTENTIONSEEKINGCOUPLE". I'm not going to lie, after this rant about the cover, I still want to read the feature. Just not in Vogue!

What do you think of the cover? Will you be buying or unsubscribing?

Photo Credit: www.vogue.com

Diary of An Insomniac

2014-03-13T04:18:00.000+00:00

Just as a heads up - I can already see this post turning into something that just contains a lot of random thoughts, but I hope you'll stick through with it anyway.

After reading the header for this post, I know you're probably thinking that I'm being completely preposterous and potentially losing my mind a little - but I can't help how I feel. I study fashion, I have VDM as a hobby/first and only child and when I'm not doing either of those things, I'm working in retail helping customers at The White Company spend hundreds (sometimes thousands) of pounds in around five minutes or less. It's like I can't get away from it.

You know when you hear a song and it suddenly becomes the only thing you listen to for weeks on end, until one day you wake up and think 'maybe it's time to find a new song before I jam cotton wool in my ears'? Well I think that's how I'm feeling now about fashion. And if i'm honest, I've felt this way for a long, long time. I just haven't really done anything about it.

The problem is that it just doesn't inspire me like it used to. In the space of a year, I've changed my views on a lot of things. Don't get me wrong, I'll never change my overall career path and steer away from the fashion industry (i'm not that crazy), but I feel like I need another contributor in my life that helps turn my inner creative wheel when fashion can't seem to do it any longer.

Thinking about it, maybe i'm using fashion as the issue, but really i'm just sick of life.

As it turns out, I've been thinking about my career/future a lot lately. I guess that's what happens when you have chronic recurring insomnia and can't get to sleep until the sky has started waking up. As someone who has never been without a to-do list or a plan in her twenty three years so far, going the last year or two without one has probably been the most nerve-wracking and terrifying thing that I've ever done. Let me fill you in a little.

Pre-breakup with my now ex-fiance of six years, I had everything sorted. Which career I would pursue, where I was going to live, how I was going to go about getting everything that I wanted. I even had a date set for when I was to be married and what I would name my kids when we had them in the future. My life was nothing compared to how it is now. Not even in the slightest. I look different, I feel different, - my motivation and enthusiasm has dropped completely - I'm single, I don't want to get married, nor do I want children, and until now I didn't know what the hell I was going to do with my life after I graduate in 2015.

I read somewhere that we have two sense of selfs. Your present self and your future self. When someone tells you that you're young and to make decisions based on what is going to make you happy, you have to really think about which self you want to make happy. My present self goes out far too much, has wayyyy too many shots of tequila and until now, hasn't really thought about making many decisions based on shaping my future. Yes, I'm a university student and yes, these are the only three years of my entire life that I'm only going to be able to act this way. But it's starting to dawn on me that pushing uni work to the side just so that I can have that extra night out this week, isn't going to do me any favours. It's not going to make my future self happy and that's really what I should be thinking about more. This lifestyle also isn't going to help my love life any. I'm not really the affectionate type, but don't get me wrong, finding someone to share everything with is what I've always had at the top of my 'What Will Make Me Happy' list.

So as of right now (Thursday, 13th March 2014 @ 03:43am) I'm going to try and make better decisions. Or at least decisions that are going to be a bit more beneficial to my future self overall. Starting with my career. I've decided that journalism is the only career path that I feel passionate about. My best friend has even told me that I'm not "allowed" to be anything other than a journalist. I'm not entirely sure about jumping straight into employment after graduating (unless an opportunity arose of course), so I've decided to look into studying a postgrad (MA) Fashion & Lifestyle Journalism course in London. First of all, the London location would sort where I move to; then the lifestyle integration in the course would broaden things a little and take it away from being primarily fashion all the time. And I've just always loved the idea of writing about the sorts of things that most people would only ever think and never say. I'm not really the type of person who holds back. Let's just put it that way.

Secondly, I want to feel enthusiastic about writing again. I want to have that urge to sit down with a cup of coffee and my macbook and just write. I was thinking that I could perhaps start writing some more lifestyle-style blog posts on here, but for now I might just keep them in a separate document on my desktop and consider posting them later. Maybe even as a side column at some point.

My third point has to do with matters of the <3 shaped organ in my chest. Although, if anyone knows how NOT to fall for the guy you can't have then please, be my guest and help a sister out. Alternatively, advice on how to see through BS would be fantastic as well.

So after rambling on, I think I'm done. Maybe some of you will relate to parts - especially if you're a university student/party animal, or have had to rethink your entire life after a certain situation - or maybe you're just an insomniac like myself and my general ramblings have bored you so much that you're actually starting to feel sleepy. Either way, I'm glad you've made it through to the end.

xoxo

The NYFW Fall 2014 Report

2014-02-07T23:35:00.000+00:00

Two days in and I think it's safe to say that I am becoming increasingly impatient for Fall 2014. I know, I know; "don't wish your life away!", but have you seen these collections? Seriously. The coats are to die for, the shoes are even better and for once, I'm actually looking at collections and thinking "I'd wear that entire outfit - not just parts of it". I mean, as if!

Rachel Roy Close Up

Usually when it comes to Fashion Month, I round up the best collections, talk about them in some platonic and tedious way and then eventually, get bored with my own words. So I'm not going to do that this time. What I am going to do, is every couple days during this fashionable time, evaluate the collections seen as a whole (in my head) and then tell you what I'm getting from things in general. I.e; what coat shapes I'm liking, what/who I can't wait to see more of etc etc. Do you catch my drift? People like Vita di Moda for its opinion. If you want a collection review, there's Vogue and Style.com for that - I'm going a different route.

The first thing I've noticed for Fall 2014, is the colour palette. It's black, grey, occasionally white and every other dark shade that you can get from black and grey. This obviously isn't too much of a shock; I mean, designers use these dull colours every fall season, but theres usually a lot of burgundies, navy and warm nectar colours injected in there as well. For Fall 2014, so far, we've seen designers such as Jason Wu, Nicholas K and BCBG Max Azria using a lot of black - leather; matt and high shine - in their collections. BCBG Max Azria though - this is a collection that you need to check out if you haven't already.

VFiles Close Up

The next thing catching my attention is the shapes. A selection of designers have decided on a more exaggerated, oversized and flamboyant way of living for the Fall season. Triangles, boxy squares - these are making the basis for collections from the likes of VFiles and Lisa Perry. Lisa Perry in particular, does the oversized shape in such an elegant way, it actually makes it commercial. It's clean cut, cute and in no way gimmicky.

Like I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I'm seeing collections and finding that I'd wear an entire look; rather than just individual pieces. This rings most true from Rachel Roy's collection. The combination of textured fabrics, royally deep colours and sleek, high-shine contrast is just ticking all the boxes for me. Fire red, cobalt blue, black and deep purple are the four main notes and just sing together in unison incredibly. I don't think I've seen a collection from Rachel Roy in the past few years and thought "YES!" quite like this.

Marissa Webb Close Up

And lastly, a surprise for me as much as it will be for every other regular at Vita di Moda. I've fallen in love with a colour. But not just any colour. Pink. A slightly warmer baby pink to be precise. How in God's name that happened, I will never know. It's a mystery, but a brilliant one. Marissa Webb has created three particular looks using the colour, pairing it with patent leather, and one coat/look has just had me wishing it were Fall already. Perhaps Cupid has come seven days too early.

Rather than doing a second #NYFW post with the rest of the shows, I felt that it would just make more sense to continue on at the end of this one; keeps everything together and means that i'll just make one post for each fashion week city for easier viewing.

Helmut Lang Close Up

I last mentioned some shows and my general opinion from the first two days in New York, so let's fill in the rest. First up is a mention of another colour making a statement in the big Apple; red. Fiery, tomato red. Some designers used a lot, whereas labels such as Helmut Lang, stuck with four statement red looks, and included another four with red featuring in the shoes, bags and trousers. I'm not really one for the colour in particular, but it has been seen on various celebrities recently and to me, has a nod to Balmain. Which can never be a bad thing.

Victoria Beckham Close Up

Next is more of a statement, rather than a trend as such. Victoria Beckham's main line was one of surprise and delight, all due to the fact that it was so laid back and nonchalant, it could almost be mistaken for a Celine collection. The shapes were so clean cut, in a monochromatic colour palette (there were little to no patterns, a little blush pink and one red dress - see, there it is again) that I immediately felt a connection as soon as I laid eyes on it. We've seen a lot of androgynous looks from the designer in recent seasons, but it seems that for Fall 2014, she was feeling extra masculine.

Jeremy Scott Close Up

Shoes. Well, sneakers actually, made an impression on me at the Jeremy Scott show. The legendary collaborations between both brands always tend to turn heads, but for Fall, the designs are now thigh-high. It's kinda reminiscent to the past gladiator sandal trend, but so much better. The boots/sneakers come in a variety of colour ways and matched JS's locker-inspired Fall 2014 collection to a T.

Ralph Lauren Close Up

There has to be a mention to fur and layering. And layering with fur. It's obvious that both were going to be seen not only in NYC, but on the catwalks everywhere else. But Ralph Lauren just did something extra special with it; mixing the neutral/sightly pastel colour palette with delicate furs and cosy knitwear - not the mention some absolutely gorgeous wide leg white trousers - was always going to produce some pretty decent looks.

Donna Karan Close Up

And on a final note for NYFW, there has to be a mention to that red dress. Donna Karan gave us a range of flowing, sexy plunge neck dresses, but the one which seemed to have the media and Twitter in a complete frenzy, was the one worn by no other than Karlie Kloss. It was a no brainer to put such a to die for dress on a Victoria's Secret model - if every buyer in that room doesn't make an order on this dress, I'll give up on fashion forever.

I'm really upset that NYFW has finished and we're onto the three other cities now. I know that since I live in the UK, I should be excited about LDN, but it doesn't have the same effect on me. There have been some things worth mentioning about the city, but you'll read all about that when I do my #LFW report in a few days!

Photo Credit: Images found on Vogue.co.uk, zoomed in and then recaptured.

Sport Luxe | Pastel Leather

2014-02-05T20:22:00.001+00:00

Bit of a random act with this post, but I've just purchased myself a little Valentine's Day present and I want to share it with you all. The gift in question is the Zara pastel blue faux leather biker jacket. Retailing at £69.99, it's one of my bigger (and unfortunately, less frequent) purchases being a student and all, so I'm bound to be feeling a little excited - and slightly nervous to check my bank balance after this weeks spending.

As it stands, there isn't a Zara store in the centre of Newcastle, so I usually get most of my basics from them online and have it delivered. This does mean however, that I can't really inspect the jacket to see what sort of quality the faux leather is like, and therefore judge whether or not a penny short of £70 is worth it or not; but we shall see. I am pleased with how beautiful it looks in the editorial shots and indeed on its listing online. The shade of blue is a first for me - well, any shade of any colour is a first for me - so i'm excited to see what it's like on. I have blue eyes and dark hair, so the colour tends to agree with me more often than not anyway.

Recently I've found myself styling pieces in a more 'sport luxe' manner; with slouchy fit bottoms and either plain T's or silk vests up top. So I've gone and styled the jacket in a similar way.

I've chosen a white track pant because I felt like the jacket warrented a clean finish, and this style and colour of pant is bang on trend for the Spring/Summer season. Up top is a basic white T with Celine print on front, and finishing with black, chunky ankle strap courts and classic Chanel J12 watch - oh how I've dreamt about one day owning that beauty. Sigh..

Maybe it's the fact that the pastel is a baby blue hue and therefore rings annotations of being delicate in my head; whatever the reason, I'm happy having a fresh and light styling take for the jacket and feel that I'm going to get a lot of wear out of it this year.

How would you style this piece?

Biker Jacket: Zara | White Pants: Revolve | Celine Tshirt: Etsy

Salmon Fishing With ten30

2014-02-04T20:38:00.000+00:00

I don't know the reasoning behind it, but lately I have found myself missing my bonnie Scotland more and more. It's probably due to the fact that I haven't been home for longer than three days in months, so I'm definitely feeling a sense of loss at the minute. Before I moved to England, I wouldn't exactly say that I was overtly patriotic to Scotland, but I did appreciate its beauty and how great it can be. Nowadays however, I find myself wearing a tartan scarf with outfits more often, and even searching the #Glasgow tag on Instagram just to see what people are doing in the city these days.

So, it is a combination of homesickness, complete admiration for this brand and the fact that I like to support Scottish designers whenever possible, that I am writing this post.

If you haven't already heard of this brand, then now is your chance to sit up and take notice; created by Alan Moore, winner in the Stoli UK #ORGNL fashion category in 2013, the label prides itself on using quality Scottish fabrics and branding each garment with the "Made In Scotland" label.

"Specialising in surface textured classic silhouettes, ten30 women’s wear incorporates the city’s unique ethos, with bold prints and intense embroidery making a poignant fashion statement.
Ready to wear collections are proudly 100% made in Scotland using some of the finest Scottish materials, from soft pure new wools to luxuriously rich natural leather.
All ten30 pieces are designed to be wearable, with different materials delivering an eclectic mix of themes and styles for stunning collections."

- www.ten30.co.uk

Each collection is different from anything you'll have seen from other designers and radiates quality. What inspired me in particular to write this post however, was a piece from the menswear section. The Salmon Coat to be precise.

"The Scottish fishing industry is the life blood of the country. It’s in industry that has a history more colourful than that of Harris Tweed, and a pastime enjoyed by millions. Scotland boasts a wealth of iconic exports, Scottish salmon being one of the major players.

The Salmon coat is inspired by the fishermen, the old fishermen, who wore wool and tweed when out fishing. This coat is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing; it has to keep people warm. Quilted lining provided extra warmth on the cold mornings out on the boat, and a secret whiskey pocket hides a dram to warm the insides. Waxed cotton lines the huge side pocket vents, providing strength to the pocket as well as a contrast in textures on the coat. A pewter orb button shows that this garment is 100% made in Scotland.

A quote, from Lord John Buchan perfectly sums up the aspirational idea of the coat:

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope” - www.ten30.co.uk

Although it is classed as menswear, I would be lying if I said that I didn't want to wear it myself. It is a classic, yet practical piece that is simply stunning to look at. The brand certainly exceeds expectations when it comes to their menswear looks, and then some.

If you're interested in the coat for yourself, then you can contact ten30 for pricing and more information by visiting their website at www.ten30.co.uk/contact/

You can also check them out on Facebook, Vimeo and Twitter through the link above as well.

Bobby Abley | It's Childs Play For Spring/Summer 2014

2014-01-06T17:41:00.001+00:00

Spring Is All About Childs Play

As you may already be aware, today kicked off with the start of #LCM and although I don't normally take much notice of menswear looks, I had to do a double take when I saw a tweet with the final run-through for the Bobby Abley FW'14 show. I'll be honest here and say that I hadn't heard much from the designer in the past (after doing some quick research, I think he's a relatively new designer to the scene under his own name), however after being intrigued by what I saw on Twiter, I had to find out what sort of looks he had planned for this coming Spring/Summer season.

Bobby Abley reminds me of younger JCDC, circa 2009. His seemingly signature mascot teddy bear and love of Disney combine together to create a fun, playful and fresh take on an androgynous style. It really does take a male with no inhibitions or confusion in himself to pull off these looks, however, I would absolutely adore any man who could do it. Androgyny is an up and coming trend which gained a lot of backing in 2013 from designers such as Veer NYC and Victoria Beckham. It makes sense to produce garments for both sexes to wear, considering we all 'cross-dress' in some way or another and I think that Bobby Abley did that well in his menswear collection for Spring Summer 2014.

What seems to be the 'in' thing for designers these days, is to have transfer tattoos on their models. Bobby Abley was no exception to this and created bird and bear designs for his show. What I particularly loved about the tattoos, was more their placement rather than the design; they were all in visible places to the public. Necks, hands and faces were all adorned with the designs and tied each individual look in well.

The collection was a grown up tale of fantasy, adventure and royalty with those fabulous leather (and slightly fetish) King crowns. I would certainly have no qualms in wearing a few select pieces, as Abley has done something that not many designers seem to be doing for me these days - it excited me and renewed my faith in the fact that maybe fashion isn't always so repetitive and, dare I say it, predictable.

What did you think of the collection?

Image Credit: Found via Tumblr and HERO Magazine

Back To Black

2014-01-05T17:08:00.000+00:00

So there I am, sitting in front of my laptop, green tea to my right hand side, stash of magazines to my left; yet nothing seems to be compelling me to write. Then I have a flash back to NYE and my sister stating that she 'preferred' the way I looked when I wore my best friend's dress for a change. Said dress was a strappy, white and gold stripe sequin number - potentially consisting of everything that I have never ever wore in my twenty something years of existence. Why did she prefer this look you may ask? Well, it wasn't black.

Anyone who knows me will know that colour isn't exactly something that I particularly warm to. Perhaps it's the fact that as a teenager, I went through the typical goth/emo phase and chose to wear nothing but head to toe black. Whatever the reason, I have just always loved it. It's like my favourite colour (it is a colour, I don't care what anyone says), clothes-wise anyway. I love that it's mysterious, 'slimming', generally inoffensive, but most of all, it's unassuming and modest. I recently saw a tweet from one of my favourite Scottish fashion girls Cara Eve Dunlop, stating that "Modesty breeds happiness" and to be honest, I thought that it was a fantastic little mantra to live by. It also made me think about my decisions to wear black and how I genuinely feel happier and more secure in myself whenever I do so. There was definitely something to go by in that quote.

Another connotation that I immediately think of with black, is power. It's undeniable that some of the words most powerful and influential leaders - not just in fashion - have been seen in an all black ensemble. Chanel created her signature dress around the colour, Kelly ~~cut throat~~ Cutrone is pretty much always seen in it and even Simon Cowell, Johnny Cash, Joan Jet and Batman to name but a few, love(d) the dark side. A woman recently came into my work (ironically I work at The White Company) and told me that her New Year's resolution was to wear less black, so she was purchasing a few navy and white dresses to kick start the year. I immediately had the response to ask her why. Why do people think that wearing all black is a crime? Some of the best designers in the world like Rick Owens create collections with nothing but black.

Over the years, it's has proved a defining feature for myself and I wouldn't have it any other way. I can understand that if everyone were to think the same as me, the world would just be a sea of black, but for the minority of us who prefer to dress this way, do not think of it as something that you need to change or amend. Wearing black is classic, empowering and can be styled in any way that you wish; so please, respect it, own it and make it your own.

Pretty In Pink: Kaley Cuoco

2014-01-02T15:33:00.000+00:00

When the news came out of Kaley Cuoco's engagement to tennis player Ryan Sweeting last Sepember, we automatically knew that the wedding gown had to be something worth the anticipation - that's if her $65,000 engagement ring and general good looks were anything to go by!

On New Years Eve, the Big Bang Theory star married her sweetheart (after only three months of dating ... hmm) at a ranch in California. Pretty cute actually, if we just bypass the knowledge of how well Hollywood's married couples last - especially when they've only been an item for 12 short weeks before getting hitched. Oh well, each to their own and if it works out, all the better for them.

Anyway, let's get down to what you really want to know - what she wore. The dress was significantly different to the regular wedding gowns that we're used to seeing; designed by Vera Wang, the dress was a pink ball of fairy confection from the designers S/S 2014 collection and looked stunning on Kaley. Not many people could pull off a dress like it, but I think she just has one of those cool looks and personalities that can do it well.

I did think in some photographs that Cuoco could've worn something a little more ... elegant, maybe? It's just that she has such flawless looks, that maybe another one of VW's wedding gown templates would have looked better. Regardless though, she was stunning and I don't think her groom was too disappointed either. Have a look at some shots of the day and let me know what you think of her choice!

Images from: Hello Magazine here & here

New Years Resolutions: Just Do It.

2013-12-29T22:52:00.001+00:00

Resolution

noun

A firm decision to do or not to do something.

When we wake up on January 1st, 2014, almost every one of us will be A) hungover beyond belief, but more importantly B) kicking off the New Year with a fresh (albeit, clouded by an alcohol-induced fog) mindset and 'can-do' attitude. Resolutions are something that we all set with nothing but good intentions. Sure, sometimes they don't work out and you fail miserably; but that's what happens when you get your head stuck in the clouds and set yourself some unrealistic and downright impossible goals.

The first resolution which comes to mind is the 'Oh, I'm totes going to the gym 5 times a week and lose 20lbs. Victoria's Secret models, eat your heart out'. Yeah, I think we all know it. Do you actually know the statistic for people who stick to this one though? It's only about 38%. And it doesn't get any better for other resolutions. Finding love is 31%, financial success is around 34% and scarily, only 8% of people making resolutions of any calibre will actually fulfil these by the time a new year comes around.

So what can we do to stick to our goals? Well start off by making realistic choices. If you want to lose weight, start by cutting bad foods out of your diet instead of doing something drastic. Want to get fitter? Take the stairs and walk as much as you can. You don't have two legs for nothing. Giving up cigs? Try cutting down by a couple a day. We all know the saying, "You want what you can't have", so don't deprive yourself or try to change overnight. These things take time.

Those are the obvious ones, but what about other matters such as our love lives and career goals? Well love isn't exactly something that you can control - it controls you and comes into your life when you least expect it. That's what I've learned anyway. But that doesn't mean that there's absolutely nothing for you to do to improve the situation. Start by surrounding yourself with positive people; I read somewhere that we're the average of the people we see on a daily basis - so if you have a positive mind, then love may just come knocking. Get yourself out there a little bit more; try online dating, talk to the person next to you on the train in the morning, get your morning latte from another coffee shop. All of these things will introduce you to new people and work towards finding Mr (or Mrs) Right.

Careers. Well, what can we do to work towards bettering this? Take on extra hours, try and give your input a little more to the people who are going to take notice. Do something you don't normally do. Look at the people you aspire to and see what sort of things they're doing - it must be working for them, so why not take some tips from them. Oh, and if you're in a job that you hate? Look for a new job and quit. Don't get me wrong, I know this isn't exactly the logical thing to do when you have bills to pay, but life is for living. Stop doing something that you hate every day, just to get by. Study a new course, find an exciting career that you can realistically do and go for it. Yes, there's risks, but just think all the great things that could come from it.

If you're a student like myself, you can do an internship, find some work experience, travel, see new places and meet new people. Everyone forgets that life is an experience and helps you to figure out the path that you're supposed to be on. I set out five years ago with the goal of working in the design industry; only now i've decided that it isn't for me and that I want something a little more challenging and engaging like fashion journalism and trend forecasting. The point is, I discovered that through taking a step back and trying new things. Everyone I went to school with has, or is soon to be graduating from their chosen degrees, whereas I still have a year and a half to go. This doesn't phase me because I'm more determined now than I ever have been to get to where I want to be. I'm glad that I took the time to figure out what I wanted, because it affected every aspect of my life and now everything is 100 times different than how it was five years ago. Hell, it's 100 times different now than it was last year!

So when you sit down with your pen and paper (or Notes app on your new iPad Air) in the next couple of days, think of realistic things that you can do to make 2014 better than 2013. I'm going to get to the gym as much as I can (this is realistic for me because I absolutely love the gym and can get into the habit of going every day once I start), keeping a more positive outlook and focusing on my future career by applying for Camp America in the Summer, followed by an internship either overseas or in LDN. These are things that I fully intend on sticking to and I hope that you can stick to your goals as well in 2014.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and have some fantastic plans to kick off the New Year in style!

DKNY: Pre-Fall 2014

2013-12-21T17:07:00.000+00:00

First of all, I know it's Christmas, but that doesn't mean that every post you read has to be about the day or the run up to it. Secondly, Pre-Fall '14 may seem a long way off to be talking about its collections now, but I just want to. So here it is.

When I say collections, I really just mean DKNY. Everyone knows the brand to be luxe, laid back and effortlessly cool; which is exactly what the Pre-Fall 2014 collection is and more. There are some pastel colours, thrown in with sea blue and sunset hues; all of which colouring a sporty collection of hooded tennis-style dresses, striped trousers and T's with saying's such as "Pizza or Caviar?" and "Disco, Deli, DKNY". Don't even get me started on some of the biker jackets and the shoes in the collection as well. Those are definitely at the top of my Fall'14 list.

The whole thing just screams chic simplicity. What more could you possibly ask for?

What do you think about the collection?
Also, what sort of festive posts are you taking a particular loving to at the minute and would like to see on VDM?

Photo Credit: www.vogue.co.uk

VDM: The Magazine

2013-12-07T02:45:00.000+00:00

As you may or may not remember, I mentioned in an earlier post that I had been producing my own fashion magazine for my editorial journalism module at uni. At the time I could only show you the article and a mock front cover for the publication, but alas, everything is finished and I can now show you the full thing! Hooray!

When I was given my brief (it was all about diversity, identity and ideals) for the module, I immediately knew that I wanted the magazine to reflect Vita di Moda. From the content, to the style in which articles were written and indeed, how the fonts and general aesthetics of the magazine looked. In the end, I came up with VDM for the title (pretty self explanatory, really) and tried to style the magazine around my personality and identity as much as possible. Having my own publication is something which I have thought about as a career option after university, so I hope it gets some positive feedback.

All content - written and photography - is my own, so it's taken me a while to produce and I'm really pleased with the result. I hope you guys like it as well and don't forget to let me know in the comments section what you all think!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE MAGAZINE AT ISSUU

AQ/AQ: Party Dress Edit

2013-12-05T11:34:00.000+00:00

Now, if you read my last post (click here to catch up and I'll forget all about it), you'll remember that I said I would be celebrating the upcoming Christmas festivities in a cheeky little Christmas jumper; however that does not mean that I won't be getting glammed up to party as well! When it comes to party dresses and such, one brand which stands out as a go-to is AQ/AQ (previously Aqua by Aqua). Don't get me wrong, for a regular dress these can be considered quite expensive, but for an occasion such as Christmas, i'm sure you can break the bank - or extend your student overdraft - just this once. Being higher end on the high street, AQ/AQ is a little out of reach for every day items, however not too high that you can't aspire to and save your pennies up for, if you see something particularly special.

There are some obvious picks in my selection - such as the all over sequin pieces and classic red dress - however I thought I would add in some trouser options and a stunning white, long sleeve, peplum dress for those of you feeling daring enough - and confident enough not to spill Christmas pudding or red wine down the front of it. God forbid.

CLICK TO SEE ALL OF THE ABOVE BY AQ/AQ

For me personally, I think I could be enticed to try out a trouser option for one of my Christmas parties this year. The red jacquard trouser and top option just seems to stand out the most. Team it with a gold statement necklace, embellished front waist belt and some killer heels and you're onto a winner.

Which look would you be most inclined to go for?

Christmas Jumpers: What Would Mark Darcy Do?

2013-12-03T20:02:00.000+00:00

Do A 'Mark Darcy' This December:

Who wants to hear a funny story? This time last week, I was casually listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album and dancing around my flat, simple because I had just about finished all of this semesters work and submitted my tattoo/diversity article; which meant that I had gotten one uni deadline over and done with. Then the worst thing imaginable to a student happens … my MacBook decides to switch off and won't turn back on. Ha, I know. One might think this isn't too bad; surely a second year fashion student would make copies of her work? Well, um, no. I didn't. Rookie mistake - what was I thinking? So yeah. For the last week now, i've been re-doing months of work, including: putting together 30+ pages of research for my personal events management file and a 22 page magazine. All from scratch. It hasn't exactly been all fun and games lately, let me tell you. However, I've submitted work for deadline #2 today and I only have 3 pages left to do for my magazine, so I'm getting back on top of everything. Go me!

With the stresses of uni (and life in general at the minute), my friends and I have decided that a little Christmas family dinner ~~and festive drinking session~~ is in order once all of our deadlines are over. Said festivities will, of course, involve a rather attractive Christmas jumper; so I've taken the liberty of sourcing some from the high street to help us (and you too!) decide on one.

Starting from the top left clockwise:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

I know #5 isn't exactly a sweater, but it's a pretty cool beanie, so I had to add it. Each sweater is festive and won't break the bank (the most expensive is £35), which means more dollah for christmas presents and cocktails. Primark don't have a website to source some of their festive jumpers, however from being in store lately, I think I'll probably purchase one from there. Either that, or i'm going for the "Merry Christmas Ya Filty Animal" one from Boohoo. I do love a good movie quote on a jumper, not gonna lie.

Whatever you decide to do to celebrate the festive season, make sure it involves a jumper like those above. And a decent amount of festive-themed cocktails.