Man Repellers Part In The Shoe Revolution

There is a rumour going round that a shoe revolution is under way, fashionistas, fashion bloggers and style icons are starting to diss the view that you must suffer to look stylish, in favour of comfort. My view is popular site The Man Repeller has played a part in shifting our thinking away from caring as much about what the opposite sex might like us to wear, to what is actually comfy for us to wear as well as stylish. Karl Lagerfeld's recent pretty pastel offering at Chanel, teamed with a chunky gold shoe that slimmed the calves as much as the toning effects of a pair of high heels sealed the deal for flat phobics everywhere .

Is Comfort A Dirty Word ?

The funny thing is though that although women of all ages like the freedom of dressing comfortably, (I read  enough complaints on fashion forums to know!) we don't like to acknowledge it, somehow the thought of saying that comfort and style are equally important to us, leaves us wide open to speculation by others that we must only ever wear elasticised waistbands, big knickers and sports bras, thus aging us by another 30 years! Remember the savage attack of Uggs and legging wearers, which left women across the UK not daring to leave the house in comfort for fear of being branded a sloth. Witnessing women up north hobble in six inch heels to a night club as they simultaneously shiver I'm not so sure those criticisms were justified, looking relaxed in what we wear rather than strained is actually very attractive and feels good.

 What's the point of looking fashionable at a night club if you then have to sit on the sidelines and watch wistfully as others dance themselves dizzy.

It's Not Cool To Encourage Models To Suffer!

 In need of more convincing just watch Britain and Irelands Next Top Model  and you can bet that there will be a shoe fail, that will sabotage one of the models during her shoot, instead of projecting her thing, her face will have frozen with the pain leaving the judges tut- tutting over her shot and questioning  how professional this makes her.

Whilst I am passionate about couture and style, I'm usually at this point yelling at the tv "she is human have a heart!"

Let us remember that the 60's one of the most popular sources of inspiration for fashion designers gave birth to the mini skirt because a woman had the genius idea of lopping inches of their skirts to allow for freedom of movement, which just happened to be pretty darn sexy too!   

#Marks & Spencer #Very Vintage Dress Challenge

Hi Gals, Marks & Spencer recently challenged me to style up a vintage dress from my wardrobe that makes me feel effortlessly stylish as well as choose an M&S dress that is a classic piece and won't date. Their favourite look will win a vintage themed weekend in London. I don't need much tempting to step into a vintage frock but I must admit a chance to enjoy a vintage themed weekend in London sounds fun! 

Loving all shades of blue as I do, bright tones, prints and fuss free styling that can be dressed up or down, this original 70s dress with a cutsie geometric print in aqua ticks all the boxes. I have worn it over the summer with marshmallow pink pumps and yellow ankle socks but decided to dress it up a little for this special occasion with my pale gold Crest Of A Wave vintage handbag, a pretty pleated vintage floral scarf and my newly dyed khaki suede peep toe shoes.I spotted this dress in my favourite local vintage shop in Lancaster - The Vintage Shop.

If I had to choose the ultimate M&S dress that would stand the test of time? It would be this nifty number from M&S the Colour Block Lucy Dress. A great shirt dress is about as classic as it gets and this beauty could be styled up so many ways to look sporty, chic or casual, from leggings and high tops to geometric tights and a string of long beads to a favourite pair of suede fringed cowboy boots or just some neat block heel pumps. Do you own a shirt dress or a favourite hard working classic that you can't live without? Do tell! 

#Marks & Spencers Vintage Dress Challenge

Hi Gals, Marks & Spencer recently challenged me to style up a vintage dress from my wardrobe that makes me feel effortlessly stylish as well as choose an M&S dress that is a classic piece and won't date. Their favourite look will win a vintage themed weekend in London. I don't need much tempting to step into a vintage frock but I must admit a chance to enjoy a vintage themed weekend in London sounds fun! Loving all shades of blue as I do, bright tones, prints and fuss free styling that can be dressed up or down, this original 70s dress with a cutsie geometric print in aqua ticks all the boxes. I have worn it over the summer with marshmallow pink pumps and yellow ankle socks but decided to dress it up a little for this special occasion with my pale gold Crest Of A Wave vintage handbag, a pretty pleated vintage floral scarf and my newly dyed khaki suede peep toe shoes.I spotted this dress in my favourite local vintage shop in Lancaster - The Vintage Shop.

If I had to choose the ultimate M&S dress that would stand the test of time? It would be this nifty number from M&S the Colour Block Lucy Dress. A great shirt dress is about as classic as it gets and this beauty could be styled up so many ways to look sporty, chic or casual, from leggings and high tops to geometric tights and a string of long beads to a favourite pair of suede fringed cowboy boots or just some neat block heel pumps. Do you own a shirt dress or a favourite hard working classic that you cant live without? Do tell! 

Stine Riis Launches Her A/W12 Line With H&M

Hope you have managed to catch a few rays, but if like me you are already 

looking forward to the simplicity of not having to predict the weather and planning your winter wardrobe.You might want an intro to the talented German fashion designer Stine Riis of the London College of Fashion.Who won the opportunity to put into production some of her new collection for September 2012 with H&M.

The pr who sent me the details had me hooked as soon as I heard mention of the words predominately blue collection, architectural and a mix of shiny and mat fabrics. I know that black is making a big come back this autumn/ winter 2012, but as a huge unashamed fan of navy blue, I love the idea of layering shiny and mat flavours of bloth blue, navy and back, to recreate the blue black sheen you get on a ravens feathers. My favourite pieces are Stines jackets,skirts and what I'm dubbing her treky tops, for me the line has a sporty grown up style that will see these pieces selling well.Roll on September 20th and camping by H&M in anticipation of the launch! Given the look methinks the elegant Tilda Swinton was the muse for Riis collection.Is this a collection you could see yourself wearing? 

Supercharged Kitten Heels

super aloof super beautiful Grace Kelly

Rockstud metal heel sling backs- by Valentino

With my road trip through France almost in sight, well almost two wee weeks away; for any Francophiles out there, I'm visiting Reims, Alsace - Lorraine, Champagney, Mont Blanc and Paris, my thoughts have turned to the thrill of finding the unexpected in the world of fashion.

To make a grand sweeping statement, much of fashion latest seasonal trends are made from recycling previous eras, punctuated by brave innovation from time to time, from the likes of Alexander Mcqueen or Jonathan Saunders. The fifties and sixties is such a strong force in the design world that the A-line shift dress has become a bit of a cult classic as has the shrunken cardi.

Denium and pink crochet Gilette -Urban Outfitters 

 I love it when I stumble across clothing and accessories where the detailing is a total contradiction of what we imagine the piece should be about, like this kitten shoe with stud detailing by Valentino and this denim and pink crochet jacket I love that in theory both of these reworked classics should be tacky and not work, both lace and studs have been done to death in my opinion, but the trashy Mexican feel of this denim jacket is so fairground and works perfectly and the sliver of silver studs on these cream kitten heels have ramped up their coolness factor to a level I liken to Grace kellys aloof beauty.

Blackpool Tower modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris 

 I hope I haven't bored you too much with my ramblings about my passion for finding the unexpected in fashion. I'm looking forward to finally seeing the Eiffel tower in Paris (since I often visited it's look alikey Blackpool Tower as a child) and sitting at a pavement cafe watching stylish Parisian people drift by.    

Eiffel Tower!

My Passport To Style - Fashion Post

I enjoyed dreaming up a stylish look that a virtual Mrs Karl Largerfeld might wear, pretty much an urban cowgirl look me thinks, black leather trim was a must for this outfit and a playful but not overly fussy look was the end result.What do you think, would Karl approve? 

Park Lane ankle boots with native print, Cloud cashmere dress- Coggles, Blush leather trim shirt by Tibi, French Connection Lake Satchel and Destroyed woven sun hat

Stella McCartney S/S 2012 | More Than PJS And Paisley

When I think of Stella McCartney I think of pyjamas and paisley, two interconnected S/S 2012 trends that the Brit designer has been quick to translate with her usual elegant ease. The paisley trend has also been picked up by my hero of quirk Marc Jacobs for winter 2012, more on his A/W 2012 debut soon.  Stellas new S/S season is made of so much more these two heavy weight trends though. She's a designer who knows how to take one simple detail and work it to the max, I think it comes from her time working in tailoring and a real respect for showcasing the materials she uses in her designs. Here's an example that I was excited about sharing with you from her new handbag collection, she's taken zipper teeth chain and used it to create so many different moods/styles of handbag, these are my favourites from her Falabella collection . 

  credits paisley image - Nancy Davies

    

Close And Personable Hollands A/W 2012 Collection

Something I read recently whilst doing my weekly round of fashion blogs has really stayed with me. A fashion blogger I visited who is pretty well known in fashion circles said she was staying away from the circus of London Fashion Week this time because she wanted to enjoy it at face value and not be sucked into bitching of who sits where etc, I admire a gal who knows her mind and can still enjoy and share the music that is fashion.

Seeing as I'm not there (London Fashion Week) either, for different reasons which I won't bore you with, the lovely words of the fashion blogger I just mentioned made me feel better about the whole thing. Just for the record I respect London Fashion Week and the designers that show there.

 I'm just happy for now to share my views at a distance and from the comfort of my armchair. So coming up are my favourite picks of the A/W 2012 Henry Holland runway show 'Ride'. With a little virtual catwalk commentary thrown in, i.e things I imagine I might have said had I been ringside that would have had no real bearing on my fashion blog or the proceedings!

Me - Hollands crayola zipzags, ouch! It's ok you just jabbed your elbow into me and my pencil for sketching has disappeared under that chair, its ok, I think I can manage without it, although it would have been nice to have.... you could reach under with your umbrella, really?! Whisper, thanks! Dull thunking sound as her umbrella zips forward like a snake about to launch it's venom beneath the sleek lines of the chair front left, flailing from side to side like a redundant windscreen wiper, shuddering as it hits the steely chair repeatedly.

I giggle nervously as the woman sitting on said chair swivels her head a whole 90 degrees in my direction and uses her x-ray fashion savvy vision to see right through my most stylish shirt, piercing my thermal vest that I bitterly regret wearing now given how warm the room suddenly feels.
 "Pencil gone", lip syncs my neighbour and kindly offers me a shocking pink plastic fan with black ostrich feathers that looks like what I imagine to be a freebie from baroque barbies wardrobe were she human size. Right where was I, ah yes, this is Holland at his best, simple clean flattering lines, supersized bright knit patterns create a print that is flamboyant yet still sophisicated, the riding hat punctuates the look with a regal grown up feel that elevates the look beyond playful. It's the signal, a deep sigh and the row including myself uncross and recross our legs again, pencils at the ready, as the next stream of Henry Hollands knitted dollies are launched from the wings of LFW's runway.   

I breathe in as the next model shimmies past in black sleek shiny skinny leather boot cuts, topped off, I scribble, with lemon hunks of giant dogtooth printed onto a chunky scarf and easy sweatshirt, clashing blue, perforated by a strip of hot pink.

 Still with me? Great! thanks for joining me.

I wriggle, I need a pee, I look round to see if sucking sweets is permissable and spot several suspicously bulging rose powdered cheeks. A quick rummage in my bag, trying to locate a mint, a strong waft of Coco Mademoiselle reveals my worse fears, my mints are now doused in it's heady scent, I wipe my mint on my shirt, feeling a little smug that I cunningly re-scented my blouse as well as helping control my bladder a little longer all in one swift move. A few raised eyebrows later and I'm back in my stride, in the zone, breathy with the excitement of Hollands next look. This dress has optical illusion written all over it, I scribble madly like a crazed professor, Holland has made 3d acid red, pink and purple with the use of pinstripes and shapes combined masterfully, bold simplicity of shapes and variations in the fabrics depth of colour as light hits each new pinstripe ripple in the skirt fabric are mesmerising. 

  

Cameras are clicking, popping and clucking like a clutch of broody robotic hen sounds in my ear, slightly unsettling, I try another mint, but truthfully I could eat a whole plate of something much more stodgy and northern right now if I'm honest. I'm thankful the next poor girl lovingly swathed in this blinding blue and brash clash of black leather and dog tooth, striding willfully down the runway has thoughtfully been shielded by Holland with her riding hat brim protecting her eyes from the glare of the constant popping of flash bulbs.Liquorish pipes spring to mind when I start to think of the next few metaphors to describe the contrasting leather sleeves and patterned bodice of another of my favourite Henry Holland sporty dresses from his 'Ride' collection.

 It's official I'm hungry! A quick glance left and right confirms that I'm not alone glassy eyed fashion editors have grown teeth of beaver like proportion and are gnawing helplessly on their black velvet pencils, perhaps dreaming of tucking into a truffle or two at their favourite restaurant? Finale word? I have really enjoyed Hollands use of leather in his A/W 2012 'Ride collection, particularly the red skirt top of this page and his fearless approach to hot colour's he has taught me yet again, when it comes to pattern more is more if it is transposed onto pared back shapes and I thank him for that and his gran!  

If you enjoyed discovering this designer collection with me and would like to read more of my fashion babble sign up by email top right of this page.

Nika Urbas | Hot New Designer On The Block!

If this label is not yet on your fashion radar sit up and take note because this designer label is one to watch! Maria Moderna is the perfect name for this very modern label. London based designer Nika Urbas who trained at St Martin's uses a special technique called flat quilting to create dynamic  shapes and blocks of colour on her garments. Her winter collection is the art deco of 2012, architecture for the body which uses strong geometric shapes, bold colours and contrasting textures combined with exquisite elegant cuts, she is a genius in my humble opinion. Her intuitive sense of colour and design is very sophisticated. I can't wait to see her spring collection, my favourite pieces featured here, are the four pocketed dress at the top and her white, silver and black fitted dress, I'm looking forward to sharing her spring collection here. You can find Nika at   http://www.mariamoderna.co.uk/ and at asos.

     

My Passport To Style | A Date With Dr Marten





With texture playing such a big part in luxe looks this Autumn/Winter 2011 season, I was excited to discover that the iconic masculine Dr Marten shoe which is so current this A/W has been elevated to new dizzy luxe heights, by the addition of some new finishes and materials, Dr Marten have used metalics in their new collection as well as ostrich hide, which adds a really organic feel, almost conker like, which resonates so well during autumn. I have had a faux ostrich pumpkin satchel for years that still works brilliantly when I need to add a dash of texture to a new look.



ostrich and conker skin not that different asthetically







credits for last 3 images style bubble  

Ladies Let Me Introduce You To The Very | Stylish Thomas Pink

Valley tweed jacket and Dell tweed skirt

left Fern print silk dress and right Heath jacket and Dales skirt in ruby tweed

This A/W 2011 savvy women everywhere will be returning in their droves to the institution that is the two piece suit. The reasons are a shift in the culture of fashion, a change in what we now identify as high style and a good dose of common sense. We have become slightly jaded by the staggering amount of choice on offer in the world of fashion today. Women are yearning for the simplicity of those school uniform days, where the toughest choice was whether or not to hitch your grey school skirt up a couple of inches without mum noticing, to make it your own. In rather the same way the two piece skirt suit from heritage label Thomas Pink offers the same instantly accessible charm of effortless grownup smart. You could be forgiven for being more than a little smug about the fact that by buying into a great classic tweed suit from British label Thomas Pink (limited in number) for work, you will stand out in a sea of cardboard black trouser suits your colleagues are wearing to the office and then later on in the week step into the same skirt teaming it with your favourite super pointy heels, shirt and leather biker jacket for a trip to your local pub for an instant shot of cool.

Celebrating My Birthday Friday The 8th of April With Designer Vivien Westwood!!!

                   Dame Vivien Westwood will be a fabulous 70 this Friday the 8th of April ! However apart from sharing our birth date, we also share some common passions, on a personal level outside of my work as a personal stylist, I have always been excited by clothing that has a sense of theatre, Westwoods quirky very British collections have this by the bucket load as she frequently incorporates historical references from bygone eras into her clothing line.

They say that you should notice a woman first, not her dress, if the designer has got it right. Admittedly to wear Westwoods collections you have to be pretty confident about making it your own. However what makes her clothing ultimately so wearable is she understands a womans body and the art of impeccable tailoring, she has been quoted as saying the best way to understand how to construct  clothing well is to take it apart.

 Westwoods jewel in her crown is she has never lost her experimental edge from her punk days and this is largely evident in her clever use of materials, who else could elevate the status of what was once fondly termed the jelly bean shoe of the 80s, a clear plastic shoe, into a range of shoes that ooze sensuality, sophistication and humour, like what I like to call her Christmas bauble shoe! Add to that they are comfortable, light weight and recyclable and another cult product is born courtesy of British born designer Viviene Westwood.

 



Her signature is evident in this seasons collection asymmetric hems and necklines which elongate the body, demonstrate her understanding that whilst perfect fit and drape is important, too much perfection quickly becomes boring. My favourite pieces are her jackets and waistcoats, the shawl collar used are one of the most flattering collars worn on a jacket as it softens angular shoulder lines and embraces fuller bosomed women.

  Westwoods pieces work in harmony with the curves of a woman or at least our need to embellish on them if they are a little lacking, through her use of draping and volume. which is why the beautiful Christine Hendrickson will make the perfect figure head for the launch of her new jewellery line.

Whether or not you adore Westwoods design aesthetic, with her flame red hair and her undying passion for innovation in British fashion and her seemingly unending energy, she lights up the sky like a glittering comet, whose influence is felt worldwide. She offers her fans, fashion and style full of wit, elegance, joy and a hint of swagger. 






Happy Birthday Vivien!

                                  Sharon x