The Mad Hatter Strikes Again!

 Happy Easter gals, hope your having fun,  I can think of no better way of celebrating Easter than getting in on an Easter parade and wearing the hat of your dreams, here are a few of my favourite Easter bonnets.

 

 Which ones you?                              

 Sharon x x 

Having A Hot Pink Moment!

                                   

Hi Gals, double helping of hot pink, stripey belted waistcoat over hot pink dress, with denim petticoat peeping out, chocolate patent wooden wedges, not quite warm enough for bare legs in my opinion!  

 photo credit my son Wes!

                                     Sharon x

Find Out What Got Me Jumping For Joy!

10 Best Jumpsuits Playsuits Catsuits All-in-one 10 Best Marie Claire Hi Gals, you heard it here first ( see my side bar for the original style post, under style predictions) my style prediction about the jumpsuit being the next big thing, have come true, Marie Claire have come up with a rather fine clutch of my favourite one piece wonder for spring 2011! Where else does elegant meet lounge wear and add inches to your height! I think that the jump suit is set to share the same iconic status in our wardrobes/closets as jeans and blazers.  Have any of you gals, bought into this trend yet? If not which style of jumpsuit/playsuit will you be opting for, from this grown up trend with a little funfactor thrown in for good measure?!!

 Sharon x x

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sense of theatre, Westwoods quirky very British collections have this by the bucket load as she frequently incorporates historical references from bygone eras into her clothing line.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

Who Says You Can't Have It All?!!

Hi Gals, apologise for a lack of post's recently, I have been knocked out by a nasty bug! I'm back now and i hope you enjoyed reading about Laden the home of new design talent in the UK. I'm sharing the spotlight with a few lovely Style bloggers, who have really captured the spring seasons two favourite prints to perfection. I really like the natural fresh feel of these two shots from Style bloggers http://www.fabulosityfactor.blogspot.com/  and http://www.shesgotapassionforfashion.blogspot.com/

Check out these floral and striped designs, to create the perfect pick n mix! I would love to feature you here, if you have successfully worked stripes and florals together now that would be alchemy!!! Just send your picture to enquiries@zipbuttonandtuck.co.uk

     

 stripes Marc Jacob

floral duffle Boden

brogues -urban outfitters

                                                                Brolly - Cath Kidson
                                

 I'm loving this oilskin cath kidson floral saddle bag, which would make feel the poetry of a romany painted gypsy caravan every day! Will you be wearing florals or stripes this spring?

                                                                           

                     

                                              Sharon x

Laden Your Rails With Clothing You Will Actually Wear This Spring!

                                                          Floral print - by Hox £60.00, sublime print!

Hi Gals hope your enjoying the first whisper of spring as it approaches, I love this time of year it is so full of hope and new possibiltties just waiting to be discovered. Laden is an established clothing company with a great approach to fashion, that has recently launched online, situation in Londons Brick lane it was founded by Laden Siblings Barry and Adele Laden. Sister Adele is a clothing designer herself and the two set the brand up to create affordable way for new designers to showcase their work and break into the retail market. With designer pieces at appealing prices being snapped up by the likes of retail giant Topshop and celebrities such as Sienna Miller and Gok Wan visiting the Bricklane store in London, the concept of affordable limited run pieces by fresh new design talent has gone stellar.   

                                 

two tone Polka dot dress by- Hox £75.00

As a personal stylist working with women on a daily basis, clothing that looks exciting on the hanger is nice, but clothing that is cut to flatter, elongate and slim is even better. Designers at Ladens Brick Lane know how to create exciting designs, but also that emphasis needs to be on cut, if their designs are to flatter a range of  women and work on the high street.

Take this sweet tea dress above, a wide central panel of pattern is framed by black and white wee poka dots and has an instant slimming effect, the central panel of pattern is evocative of a pinny and the whole effect is whymsical. 

                                                              Christie dress by- a.m.i £75.00

                                               

                                                                         

I fell in love with this bold but elegant Christie dress that puts a exciting quirky twist on the classic shift dress by meshing two influences together successfully. A feeling of the 20s is reflected in the dresses strong geometric v which run through the neutral organic pattern on the bodice. The v and the collar really work hard to draw the eye down the body and work the natural curves of a woman. 

dotty jersey dress by glow - £69.00

My finale pick is this lovely polka dot dress as polka dots are a huge trend at the moment, I love the playful stripey black and white collar, which is beautifully proportioned, for those of us who do not have a neck of swan like proportions and does away with the need for pearls perhaps? What do you think?

Visit  www.Laden.co.uk  to create a unique look and encourage new design talent in the UK

                                       

                                 Sharon x

Meet The Founder Of Izzy Lane Creating Designs For Life

company founder - Isobel Davies

 Hi there! Today I wanted to share an exciting ethical label founded by Isobel Davies in Yorkshire in the UK, with you all, SHE GIVES THE PHRASE "CUT YOUR CLOTH ACCORDINGLY" A WHOLE NEW MEANING! Isobel of Izzy Lane, rescues sheep that would otherwise be slaughted as they are not fit for Sale by paying farmers full price for them and using their wool to craft her beautiful creations, cashmere, tweed and wool all feature in Izzy Lanes collections.

 I am thrillled by her use of colour and style in her waistcoat and vest collection this spring, perfect for wearing with linen or wool flared trousers to put your own spin on this seasons 70s look or how about colour blocking made super easy? Simply throw over a bright wool or shirt dress in a contasting colour, bright blue looks great with magenta. Or try wearing her conker or orange waistcoat over a crisp white shirt, team with a A-line skirt, block heeled suede knee boots and a felt fedora hat in black, for classic spring style with texture and real impact.

How lovey to know your saving the life of a sheep and getting to wear beautiful natural fibres cut in great styles that won't date, because quality always has the last word. Please visit Izzy Lane here, to read more about their rise to success  - www.izzylane.com

                                        Sharon x x 

A Gals Best Friend?

Hi Gals, how could anyone resist this Marylin trunk from the Conran shop in the UK, in walnut, true the price mark maybe a tad hefty at over £2,000 but the crafmanship is divine and surely this has got to be the perfect accessory for gals on the go? All you need now is to perfect your signature wiggle to accompany your new found boudoir chic!

                               

                                    Sharon x x 

Brights Versus Stripes, What Will You Be Wearing This Spring??

Which side of the fashionable fence are you? Either way you will be sitting pretty. 

                               Sharon x x

Happy International Womens Day! Celebrate In Style Here!

                                  

 I have always admired Annie Lenox and her haunting scottish voice, she has always pushed both the boundaries of style, age, being a women and politics. She is fearless but not afraid to share what make her vulnerable and has the abillity to empower people from all walks of life. She make for a pretty incredible ambassador for national womens day and makes me feel pretty proud of how far we have all come as women, but reminds me also that some of us in some countries still have a good deal further to go, my father lives in a Nepal and many girls there start work at the age of 7 or 8 years of age and only a chosen few will recive an education. 

 I just had to share one of my all time favourite poems about being a woman with you all. 

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size


But when I start to tell them,


They think I'm telling lies.


I say,


It's in the reach of my arms


The span of my hips,


The stride of my step,


The curl of my lips.


I'm a woman


Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






I walk into a room


Just as cool as you please,


And to a man,


The fellows stand or


Fall down on their knees.


Then they swarm around me,


A hive of honey bees.


I say,


It's the fire in my eyes,


And the flash of my teeth,


The swing in my waist,


And the joy in my feet.


I'm a woman


Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






Men themselves have wondered


What they see in me.


They try so much


But they can't touch


My inner mystery.


When I try to show them


They say they still can't see.


I say,


It's in the arch of my back,


The sun of my smile,


The ride of my breasts,


The grace of my style.


I'm a woman






Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






Now you understand


Just why my head's not bowed.


I don't shout or jump about


Or have to talk real loud.


When you see me passing


It ought to make you proud.


I say,


It's in the click of my heels,


The bend of my hair,


the palm of my hand,


The need of my care,


'Cause I'm a woman


Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






Maya Angelou






 

 Sharon x x x