Couture Fashion Week

Last week Paris hosted Couture Fashion Week and it seemed that all tricks were pulled out of the bag. For me couture is all about avant-garde styles, glamour, drama and completely OTT, and although the top designers did showcase beautiful pieces it was all a little mundane for me. If it was not for Dior and Stephane Rolland couture this season would have been, if I dare to say it, slightly boring.

Chanel's Karl Lagerfield always always puts on a show and this season he did just that. Karl had a lot to live up to after March's winter wonderland theme and this A/W he topped it with a lion's head taking centre stage (apparently it is a nod to Coco Chanel's star sign). Chanel's A/W couture hints of Prussian luxury smothered in embellishment. The collection features great coats that have heavily decorated collars, cuffs and pockets, narrow silhouettes and lots of fur. The tones of the collection were nude's, taupe's and brown's which for me is a little boring. Nevertheless Lagerfield's little injection of humour remained, with the last model sporting a lion mask when coming down the runway.

Givenchy's collection this couture season was a concoction of sheer lace, heavily embroidered lace, fringing, fur, tassles, and gold metallic. The majority of the dresses followed along the line of the romantic theme (think Florence and the Machine) however had a hint of futuristic to them. Nevertheless there was one gold metallic gown that bared huge similarities to Lara Stone's (David Walliam's now wife) wedding dress. Although much more exciting than Chanel, the over use of white and the odd pieces in the collection just did not completely do it for me.

Dior. J'adore Dior. Now this collection is how couture, for me should be. The dramatic structures and use of vibrant colours captivated me; the exuberant layering and excessive frills was pure heaven. My favourites were the purple coat, the electric blue coat and the purple floral dress (See pictures below).

The biggest surprise for me was the amazing show by Stephane Rolland. I completely loved his eclectic collection of tailored cinced waist capes with leather gloves, incredibly structured black gowns and electric blue maxi dresses. (See pictures)

Thank GOD for Monochrome.

I have now embarked on my summer retail job in a jewellers and as much as I am loving having money again it is safe to say that uniforms and I do not mix. I don't think I have ever really seen (despite 'designer' efforts to create them) a oh so fashionable and above all flattering uniform. I do not have a uniform as such, just a colour code: black, white and purple. Unsurprisingly I quickly eliminated the purple element and have been sticking with the ultra classic monochrome. So if you, like me don't want to look frumpy and about 50 at work here are my top 10 work wear chic worthy pieces...

1. Work appropriate LBD

2. FASHIONABLE black trousers

3. Sheer blouse

4. Hot heels that don't kill your feet. 

5. Crisp white shirt.

6. Pencil Skirt.

7. Fantastic flats

8. Cover Up

9. That piece that can be worn out from work too.

10. Statement Jewels.

Besto Glasto.

Unfortunately I missed out on Glastonbury this year but nevertheless tuned into the live webcam's, BBC3's coverage (I had to mute the majority of the commentary, is it just me or is Jo Whiley the most annoying disc jockey to grace the air waves?) and Radio 1's live insights (again bar Jo Whiley.) The highlight performances were for me Florence (that one armed leotard was to die for), Scissor Sister's avec Kylie, Faithless, Stevie Wonder, Dizzee and Pet Shop boys.

Fashion is nowaday's as or more important and as meticulously planned as the music, it is no longer the priority to arrange your musical agenda but to arrange your festival outfit, which lets face it is often a denim hotpant/welly number. Having spent much of my nostalgia of not being at Glasto trawling through photo's of the attendee's here are my top 7 best dressed. (I know it is an odd number, but there was far too much fashion eye candy to digest)

7. Paloma Faith, ok she is tres wacky, but I cannot help but find her oversized headgear addiction and uber crazy ensembles overly endearing.

6. Will Young, probably my biggest gay crush is back in the public eye. Loving his laid back shorts and vest here, if only he were straight!

5. La Roux, personally I wouldn't wear her avant-garde jacket, however I think she deserves a fashionista nod for taking power dressing to another level.

4. Henry Holland, he has now finished the ghastly show that was 'Frock me' so my love for him is slowly returning, especially when he sports a get up like this. I like a lot HH.

3. Emma Watson seemed to be the tabloid/ paps favourite this Glasto, well who can blame them when she is wearing a Louis Vuitton corset, denim cut offs and wellies. (She should get a medal for wearing a corset in the blistering heat in my opinion.)

2. Sienna Miller, who I think should take the festival queen crown/headband from Kate Moss. Sienna for me is more boho and festival worthy, I just cannot get enough of this style queen.

1. Florence Welch, that leotard was STUNNING. I could not keep my beady eye's off of it and would desperately love to purchase one myself (however sporting it round my hometown or Birmingham would definitely not suffice, just waiting for that call from the V Fest organisers and I will definitely buy buy buy!)

Images via. Sky Showbiz.

Summer Must Reads/Must Listens/Must do's/Must watches.

Often the summer, although filled with lots of gorgeous weather and excitement, can drag (especially when you are into the ninth consecutive week of working just to pay off that lousy bottomless pit that is an overdraft!) Here are a few things that I hope to fill my summer with and I hope you can tick a few off the list too.

1. Watch 'A Single Man' on DVD, it is out in the next few weeks and I can guarantee I will have worn it out within a month. I urge that anyone who has not seen this impeccable piece of film to do so ASAP!
2. Visit the V&A, my favourite museum in London town. The 'Grace Kelly: Style Icon' exhibition is on at the moment and I am dying to see it. 
3. Exposed at the Tate Modern: Voyeurism, Surveillance and Camera. The exhibition is said to be incredibly innovative.
4. Vintage Shop, one huge swoop of buying vintage pieces that I can leave as they are, style to the max or alter to suit me perfectly. I am afraid Spalding has very little to offer on that front so a road trip is definitely on the card's.
5. One thing that Spalding does have on offer is the close proximity of it to the coastline, which means that I hope to fill many a summer hour lazing on the beach.
6. Summer Listens... Gorillaz album, Massive Attack and Zero 7's greatest hits, all different genre's and perfect summer tunes. 
7. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is one of my favourite books, as I haven't read it in 3/4 years it is at the top of 'my book's to read this summer' pile.
8. Grazia is my weekly love and in my opinion the best fashion magazine on the shelves.
9. Get Snap Happy. Well firstly invest in a half decent camera and secondly take far too many photos. I am hoping to have gotten an old polaroid camera by the end of summer and to have been far too snap happy with it.
10. Invest in Sandals. I have reiterated time and time again my love for this shoe, which ultimately means I wear mine out completely so a good investment in some sandals is always a summer necessity.

I hope I have given you some idea's on how to fill your summer days. If you have any suggestions for me, please holla.

♥

Get drunk on Chanello.

Chanel is like crack to me, so when I heard that Asos.com were stocking vintage Chanel I could not wait to get a hit. Although the pieces are still pricey, they are just amazing to look at! I thought I would share this find with other Chanel addicts, Asos we salute you.

Find your Vintage Chanel HERE.

Picnic Chic.

Summer's here and that means the al fresco wonder of the picnic is here! The concoction of cocktail sausages, finger sandwiches and cartons of juice just seems so much more exciting when served with a blanket and an extra helping of sunshine. Here are my perfect products to get picnic chic...

Remember to get your gingham on and find that perfect straw bag. 

Long time, no see.

Tres sorry for my lack of blogging over the last week, have been far too busy and tired from being too busy. Anyway enough about me, the last week or so has seen some marvellous happenings in the world of fashion and culture; Milan Menswear shows, Paris Menswear beginning, Glasto begins, the sunshine is finally out and summer has officially begun. Expect a lot of blogging over the next couple of days, I have missed this and have much to say on this week's frolics.

Ciao for now.