Catwalk Fashion

Picking your outfit for a summer wedding

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:19:03 +0000

Summer is the perfect time for a wedding. Whilst in the UK we can’t always rely on the weather, it doesn’t have to take anything away from the perfect day. We all hope that the sun shines and we can stretch our legs on the grass outside the church. It may not always be the case, but with a little outfit planning you’ll be ready for anything.

Whether looking for party dresses or something a little more casual, here we’ve got a few tips on the summer wedding style.

Florals

Nothing is more perfect for a summer wedding that a chic and stylish floral dress. It’s right on trend for this season and ideal if the sun does come out. If not match with a shrug or bolero to keep warm, but lose nothing in the style stakes.

LBD

If you’re heading to the evening reception an LBD is always an easy win-win option. If you want to dress it up and modernise the look, opt for a pair of flashy pumps and coordinate your accessories. Feeling bold? Try mixing some bold colours in. A little colour blocking with an LBD can go a long way.

Prints

Prints are huge this summer. They’re a great choice for a summer wedding – they’re bight, loud and right on trend. A bright, print maxi dress could be the perfect choice for a casual summer wedding. For something a little smarter you can dress it up with some strappy heals and stylish accessories.

Pastels

For the lucky ones off to a destination wedding this summer you can’t get more fab and feminine than opting for some pastel colours and soft sweet shades. If you can’t get enough of candy pastels, remember that less can be more so don’t overdo it. Throw in some accessories in deep shades or neutrals to get the right balance.

Shoes

Your shoes are one of the most vital elements of your wedding attire. After all you’re likely to be spending a lot of time on your feet. Strappy sandals are perfect for a hot day of if you’re attending a destination wedding. Mules are comfortable, fresh and summery, whereas sling backs are a wedding classic.

Spring Shower Style Solutions

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:13:27 +0000

If only those damp days known as April showers were confined to just that month, the classic British drizzle wouldn’t have quite so much of an impact on our summer wardrobes. But Mother Nature is often not too concerned if the rain makes our hair go frizzy, or puddles ruin our new ballerina pumps. So, don’t save your style woes for a rainy day; whether you’re looking for plus size clothes or a new outfit work, take a look at this guide spring shower style.

The Raincoat

Stop the damp weather from ruining your entire outfit with a practical yet fashionable cover up. Timeless raincoats have never really gone out of vogue, providing women up and down the country with the answer to how to combat Britain’s bothersome weather. Thanks to the recent revival of grunge-chic, the parka is a great way to protect from the rain, whilst the classic trench coat offers a chic yet sensible solution to spring style or, to help you and passersby forget about the weather, why not choose a waterproof jacket in an eye-popping shade or adventurous print? Whether it’s radiant red or marvellous monochrome, you’ll barely notice it’s raining in a bright and bold cover up.

The Hat

Whilst berets are largely considered an accessory exclusively for autumn/winter, the often cool weather of spring dictates that this fashionable headgear is perfectly acceptable for the current season. Like the trench coat, the beret conjures up images of Parisian walkways and old school Hollywood glamour, creating a sophisticated look and, at the same time, protecting your tresses from the affects of humidity. For something a little more fashion forward, opt for the ‘70s inspired wide brimmed hat. Not only does this oversized accessory offer plenty of coverage, but it will also help to keep those summer vibes alive despite the downpours.

The Boots

If it’s raining cats and dogs outside, it can only mean one thing: puddles galore. Footwear can be tricky throughout unpredictable spring; although it may be wet, temperatures are beginning to rise, rendering full on winter boots too warm, yet you still require shoes that offer plenty of defence from those pesky puddles. Enter ankle boots, available in a wide range of styles to suit your individual taste. From riding boots and slouch boots, to heeled wedges and biker boots, you’re sure to step out in style and keep your feet dry this spring.

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Swimsuits to Suit Your Shape

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:20:20 +0000

Like shopping for underwear, finding a one-piece or bikini to flatter your figure can be a difficult task. But, with holiday season approaching, there’s is no better time to begin the search for the perfect swimsuit, before highstreet and online stores start to welcome in autumn/winter wear. No matter what body type you have, there are a range of stylish and flattering swimsuits out there for you to choose from. So, to help you in your quest for that coveted cossie, take a look at our guide to finding the ideal swimsuit to suit your body type.

Big on top

Ladies with a big bust require a swimsuit that provides good support to give them a great shape when relaxing by the pool or soaking up the sun on the beach. To achieve this, opt for a bikini that comes in specific cup sizes, allowing you to choose a top in your bra size and provide the perfect fit. If you’d prefer a one-piece, look for swimsuits that offer structure around the bust, such as a shelf bra or soft foam cups. Strapless bandeaus and teeny tiny tops are often best avoided as they offer little support with minimal coverage.

Small on top

If you’re small on top, there are a range of gorgeous swimsuit styles for you to choose from. Cute tri top bikinis look great on your petite frame, as do ruffled and bandeau tops. To create the illusion of width around your bust line, opt for a tankini or bikini halter neck top which will help to draw the eye up and make your cleavage the focal point. Horizontal stripes are another great way to add further shape to your chest; however, garments that are ill-fitting or come with too much fabric should be avoided.

Big on bottom

The classic pear shaped figure is wider around the hips then it as at the shoulders, or simply carries more weight around the middle than in anywhere else. The ideal swimsuit for this body type is one which balances out your proportions by slimming the hips and creating a fuller upper half. A high cut leg in a dark shade teamed with a top in a bright print will help to make your legs look longer and leaner whilst creating balance by drawing the eye up. Bikini bottoms in the boy-short style provide more coverage but are often unflattering on a pear shapes fuller behind.

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Date Night Fashion

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:14:46 +0000

Whether you’ve got a hot date lined up with a new man on the scene, or you and your long-term man are hitting the town for a romantic night together, deciding what to wear on a date can be tough. But, with so many gorgeous looks to choose from, there’s no need to fret; you’re bound to find the perfect outfit to suit your size, shape and personal sense of style. The look you go for largely depends on where you’re headed for the evening, so take a look at these style tips for a range of eventualities, and ensure he only has eyes for you.

A posh restaurant

With summer just around the corner, a plush night at a fancy restaurant is the perfect opportunity to go high impact by choosing from a range of gorgeous maxi dresses. With all that leg covered up, strike a balance by opting for a gown with a plunging neckline and create shape with a dress that cinches at the waist. Wearing red can be a bit of a cliché; instead, go for a soft flowing dress in cool white. Pin your hair up and wear with a pair of chic chandelier earrings for soft, chic style.

Cocktail bar

If you’re heading out to a bar with your beau, take the opportunity to get flirty in a cocktail dress and killer heels and, for those of you about to embark on a second date, this the perfect time to step up the sex appeal and make yours an LBD. The Little Black Dress is every girl’s best friend and, with the right fit and cut, looks great on everyone. Keep it classy, by choosing either a short hemline or a low neckline (but not both) and add a touch of sparkle with your accessories, such as a metallic clutch or diamante hairpiece.

Dinner at home

Spending quality time together doesn’t have to mean spending wads of cash on fancy food and drink; a great third date is or cooking for a new love interest, or you can enjoy the company of your long-term partner from the comfort of your own house with a home cooked meal. But just because you’re staying in, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make a little effort. Evoke laidback glamour in a figure hugging top teamed with skinny jeans or curve boosting bootcuts. Wear your hair worn in loose curls and add sophistication with a statement necklace.

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Hairdressing legend Vidal Sassoon dies aged 84

Alan — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:20:50 +0000

On Wednesday May 9, Vidal Sassoon died at the age of 84, in his home on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. Sassoon had been battling leukemia for several years.

Vidal Sassoon had a credo that served him well, and it has done the same for many millions of people who have visited one of his hair salons. His belief that ‘perfect beauty’ is different for every individual and not an impossible dream led to a revolution in the world of beauty salons and hair fashions.

From a childhood spent partly in a ghetto and at one point in a Jewish orphanage, Sassoon turned his fortunes around with his first hair salon, opened in London in 1954 when he was just 26. His innovative style was a complete reversal of the typical teased and sprayed bouffants that dominated the hair styles of the time; he advocated easy care styles that were ‘cut to fit’ so they didn’t require a lot of time or maintenance.

Mia Farrow and her minimal little Rosemary’s Baby bob by Sassoon set off a trend that swept countless tons of extraneous hair off of heads and into the trash. Longer bobs were an integral part of ‘swinging London’ as they swung stylishly on the heads of young and not-so-young folks in the mood for a change. By the 1960′s Sassoon salons were thriving in most of the cosmopolitan cities of the world, and his influence will be seen for generations.

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Recession affects fashion industry badly during April

Alan — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:30:02 +0000

Recent figures have suggested that April was one of the worst months for fashion in several years and goes to show that the fashion industry is being heavily affected by the continuing recession. Sales dropped over three percent when compared with the previous year and this is because there is been a general downturn in the industry according to the British Retail Consortium.

One of the reasons why the sales were so bad it’s possibly because March was unseasonably warm. Retailers expect that people purchased many clothes at this time of year for the good weather, and when it went away by spring they had already spent a lot of their spring budget on some aware.

It is also likely that there is been a significant decline on the previous year because people were buying clothes in celebration of the Royal wedding last year. It is not just the fashion industry who have felt pain recently and supermarkets have also had disappointing figures.

However, other industries have been performing better with homewares doing particularly well in the last few months as people are doing a lot of home improvements because they are spending less time outside because of the terrible weather.

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Lady Godiva to be played by a puppet as part of the Olympic celebrations

Alan — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:41:03 +0000

The legend of Lady Godiva is that she rode through Coventry nude in order to protest the high tax that her husband was placing upon tenants in his properties. This year there is going to be a reincarnation of these events but this time Lady Godiva is going to be replaced with a puppet surrounded by a large number of performers.

The puppet is also going to be wearing clothes that have been designed by Rhodes, one of the most eccentric fashion designers in the UK. She has been involved in a collaboration with Coventry University in order to design a sheer panelled skirt and a metal corset for the puppet to wear. This puppet is going to be taken from Coventry and is going to be presented to the Speaker at the House of Commons.

This is part of the celebrations for the Olympic Games which are being held in London this summer. The initiative is something that is heavily supported by the fashion community and Rhodes has praised the idea of the collaboration between the fashion world and Coventry University. She states, “This is a great way for students outside of the capital to get involved with the Olympics.

The end is nigh for super skinny models

Alan — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:49:42 +0000

When people think of models they typically think of people who are very skinny and tall, often walking down some of the most glamorous catwalks in the world, such as those in Milan or Paris. In reality though, most modelling is not done with the ultra-skinny and more normal sized women are involved in photo shoots every day. In fact, right now, normal sized women are in such demand there is essentially a shortage of them in the industry.

Production houses, high-street retailers and catalogue companies are finding that they no longer need very skinny models for their photo shoots and are actually looking for women who represent their readership. This is something that has encouraged agencies to seek out more women who are of normal size.

“We’re really not sure why it’s the way it is” concedes NeelyReyes, the founder and MD of Sapphires Model Management, a London based Modelling agency. “Perhaps it’s the fact that the stereotypical image of a model is really skinny and so girls with a few curves don’t even try to get into the industry! The fact remains though that more and more clients are looking for size 10 models and there just isn’t the supply to meet the demand.”

Part of the problem could be that the perception of beauty has changed a lot and now even size 10 girls don’t feel they are slim enough to work as a model. “I’ve often approached girls who I thought had great model potential but the response is always that they thought they were ‘too fat’ to model, which really isn’t true” Neely continues.

“In fact we’re so desperate for tall, attractive size 10 girls that we’ve even had to start flying them in from abroad! Of course, we’d much prefer to develop home grown talent so we want to put the call out for all those perfect 10′s to get in touch!”

Applying to a modelling agency is a really simple process. A couple of clear snapshots taken with a digital camera, or even a camera phone, along with measurements and contact details is all a model hopeful needs. If an agency thinks you might have potential they’ll invite you in to discuss more and who know where it could lead?

Sapphires Model Management is a London based modelling agency with offices in South Molton Street, Mayfair. The company was founded by entrepreneur Neely Reyes and have a reputation for treating their models honestly and ethically and rejecting the ‘size zero’ image so prevalent in the industry.

The rise of Shailene Woodley in both films and fashion

Alan — Sat, 05 May 2012 11:10:42 +0000

Shailene Woodley recently rose to fame because of her role in the Oscar-nominated film, The Descendants. In the film she plays a role alongside George Clooney and she has recently commented that she does not feel obliged to wear designer clothes because she is a celebrity. She is not particularly interested in what the fashion world has to say about what she chooses to wear.

She said that her introduction to the celebrity world is far more glamorous than anything she is used to and she doesn’t like the idea that she has to constantly be wearing fancy clothes and make up.

She has commented, “The idea that everyone has to be fashionable and attractive here is absurd. It has changed the film world from being about films, to being about fashion. I don’t like the way that people are constantly judging each other for not being thin enough or not being the best dressed.”

The actress has stated that when she is not filming, she prefers to wear clothes that are practical and comfortable rather than fashionable. She is 20 years old and says that she prefers simple clothes which can be bought for much better prices than high-fashion.

She continued, “I really just prefer things that are comfortable, fashionable clothes tend not to be the most comfortable items, so I don’t really see why I should be forced to wear them all the time. That said, I do admire the dedication that people put into appearing fashionable.

“Some of the people around me clearly make a great deal of effort in choosing their outfits and they do look great. I just don’t think this is something that I could pull off, it wouldn’t suit my style or my attitude. I could definitely not be another Emma Watson.”

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H&M announce collaboration with designer Anna Della Russo

Alan — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:40:10 +0000

The fashion chain H&M is well known for its collaborations with notable designers and celebrities. They have recently announced that they are going to be working with the maximalist designer Anna Della Russo and she is going to be making some of her designs available all over the world.

She is the current directory of Vogue in Japan and is known for creating designs that are very bold and brave. She has teamed up with the Swedish company in order to create a range of accessories for them which are going to be very glamorous and over the top. The range is expected to include sunglasses, bags and shoes. They are going to be in her maximalist style, hence how glamorous they are going to be.

The designer has commented, “I think the style I can bring to the accessories at this company is going to bring a great deal to any sort of outfit bought there. These accessories are going to be able to turn even a boring outfit into something very exciting.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to this collaboration and I think designers, meeting high Street companies, is an important step forward in fashions revolution. I am humbled and thrilled to be chosen as the person to lead this accessories range of the company.”

The range is expected to launch in October and is going to be available at 140 stores around the world. The creative adviser of H&M, Margarita Van den Bosch is responsible for organising the collaboration and has recently worked with such big names as Jimmy Choo and Versace. She has commented, “This is a very exciting opportunity for us and we are delighted to welcome Anna to the company. These accessories are going to be wonderfully extravagant and we look forward to bring them to our loyal customers.”