My Passport to Style | Just Another Blogging Competition??

Hi lovely that you popped over to see me, it's because of you readers and followers of my blog that I'm writing this post today. I recently found out about Look magazine's blogger competition, I'm sure you have come across a blogger competition of some sort by now on the blogosphere, it's no secret that the world of fashion journalism is evolving and recognising the value of fashion bloggers.



The Lovely Jedward



Style Over Substance?

There is a lot of focus on bloggers and journalists who write about fashion to look cool and edgy, but whilst I find great style and fashion and the creativity of styling up a new look thrilling and love researching new fashion designers and their labels. It's really nice when you come across a competition run by a magazine or brand such as Look magazine that recognises that the way a blogger writes and reports on fashion is equally important also.

Maybe I'm slightly biased about the need to write good fashion content as I get really excited about the planning and writing of a post that will put a fresh spin on the latest fashion story. Writing about the latest fashion trends in a fresh and immediate way and making them come alive by selecting the right images to accompany the piece is always a thrill for me as is reviewing a new fashion label or line.

Bring On The Competition!!

Winning this competition would offer me a great opportunity to use my hard earned skills in creative writing and as a stylist to report on clothing labels on behalf of Look magazine at their LFW catwalk. But more importantly, and I know you should never start a sentence with but, BUT, I have recently discovered something new about myself - I need competition because it keeps me motivated and helps me push my writing skills and come up with new exciting informative fashion posts that hopefully you all enjoy and even find useful.

The BOUNCE Factor

So my take is I won't just be entering the blogging competitions with the biggest and most exciting prizes and then sulk for days because I didn't get selected. I will hone the art of bouncing gracefully back and move onto the next opportunity out there for us fashion bloggers. The life blood of a great fashion blog is interesting original content, let's face it after seeing thirty pretty floral dresses we fashion bloggers need something to make us sit up and take notice. More importantly above everything else a blog needs a strong focus and that's where entering blogging competitions comes in, they encourage you to evaluate your skills set regularly, check that your happy with how your projecting your blog and up your game. If you're the one sitting on the fence when a blogger competition comes up, I hope I have convinced you not to!

Look magazine blogger competition ends August 15th 2011 if you want to check it out.

credits for images go to 

   www.tights-stockings-pantyhose.blogspot.com/

                                             www.thesavingsprincess.blogspot.com/

                                             blogscoventerytelegraph.net 

My Passport To Style Will Feature In A Book For Teenage Girls!

I had some really exciting news recently, I was contacted by a lovely Lancashire lady now living in Sydney who wants to use one of my fashion posts in a book she is currently writing for teen girls full of lots of great advice and tips on how to survive being a teen girl and lots style inspiration to help enjoy it! I'm honoured that she is using my work in this way and thrilled, as helping young women feel good about their body image is a subject close to my heart. It will be a while till publishing, but I will be sure to share the thrill of seeing my name in print with you my lovely followers.

Speaking of followers and empowerment, coming up soon - I meet some amazing successful ethical buisness women working in the world of fashion and beauty and watch out for the great giveaways that will be part of this post and a thank-you to all you lovely readers for your ongoing support!   

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.

My Passport to Syle | Celebrates The Talent Of Designer Stella McCartney

Stella

Stella and Paul

 

Steely Stella as she has been sometimes called is soon to celebrate her 40th birthday, so it seems perfect timing to celebrate Stella McCartney one of the nations favourite designers here on My Passport to Style. Stella is a fearless designer who pushes herself, but beneath her exceptional skill for putting a fresh slant on the current silhouette of the season and working with tweed one minute and lycra the next, she has a talent that was honed whilst working under the guidance of Savills Row tailors and it shows. She credits her inner strength and determination to her mother Linda who was never in any doubt about her daughters ability to achieve her goals.

Stella and Linda

 

 Stella McCartney understands what lines work to flatter a woman's body and at the same time she empathises with women who want to look feminine and timeless, I believe her consistently close relationship with the stage and the world of performance and music is reflected in her work as a designer her clothes are meant to empower women and give them confidence.

Cutting Edge Design At Adidas



Autumn 2011



Sportswear and tailoring do not fit neatly together, yet they give Stella's brand a timeless edge that few designers can match, both tailoring and sportswear design require a rigorous understanding of body shape and fabric, however sportswear design demands the designer know how a garment moves when it is being worn, so comfort is not compromised for style, Stellas signature is effortless confident style.

Spring 2011

My favourite pieces from McCartney's women's wear collections are usually her jackets, coats and trousers, to me this is where her greatest strength as a designer lies, she designed her first jacket aged just 13, 3 years later she was interning for Christian Lacroix at 16, after studying at St Martins in London, she was then appointed creative director of Chloe in Paris a major coup. She followed this up by collaborations with Adidas, H & M to bring her label to the mass market and is constantly evolving, expect the unexpected from Stella McCartney and you will never be disappointed!

Winter 2011

Happy Birthday Stella, you're a true champion of the fashion world!

My Passport To Style | Korean Vogue Yummy

Really thrilling inspiration in Korean Vogue, hybrid victorian England dress and eastern warrior woman collide. The silk bomber jacket, with statement matador style shoulder detailing, helps to create the cuvy s shape many woman hanker after, I love her hair. 

Sublime colours and texturing

Love the many layered skirt, cut high beneath the bust and the shirts collars lines are stunning.

credits Korean Vogue

Proenza Shouler Worn By Stylist Maria Munoz

Loving the styling of stylist Maria Munoz who is wearing this stunning Poenza Shouler blanket dress in blue and grey block stripes on the left and the apricot blanket skirt on the right with an angular fold, in the July 2011 issue of Vogue. This label knows how to design clothes that really showcase beautful fabrics!

P.S granny said, thick blanket fabric disguises cellulite beautifully, saving you a fortune in thigh and bottom firming creams.  

My Passport To Style | Smile Clinic

Hi Gals, if your not already smiling because the weekends here, maybe I can help change that with my round up of some of the sweetest stylish accessories starting with these peachy Chanel shoes with black accents and stylish crimped bows.

These are not lollypops but nailpops the latest in nail art, I'm loving the blue and red checks great for aspiring modettes every where!

Why have one stylish clutch, when you can enjoy a whole collection of these Japanese inspired beauties on a necklace!

Style up your weekend breakfast eggs with these natty egg cosies, found at the lovely

 Coco Rose Diaries 

Happy weekend everyone! x

Alphabet Chic With My Passport to Style | P Is For .......




Click Here, For A New Way To Build A Stylish Wardrobe/Closet

 

 p is for the Perfect pointy shoe, pointing you in the direction of a savvy new way to shop, just click your heels together and the link, to find out how to upgrade your wardrobe/closet by reycycling it.

Hot Ethical Fashion Boutique On The Block iVANABOUTIQUE

Coral Ted Baker Clutch £50.00

Fashion With Compassion  

Hi Gals, I recently came across this great little online Boutique iVANABOUTIQUE which has set up the Vana trust, a UK based charity to help disadvantaged children from Africa who are infected with the HIV virus and enables them to attend school by covering all their costs.

Helping Young People Bloom

They have also set up a gardening project to help vulnerable young people overcome mental health issues here in the UK. Even better Ivana relys on big brands such as Karen Miller, Kookai and ethical award winner From Somewhere (famous for designing the Viper dress which sold out in a record 2 weeks) to donate designer clothing to their site to help raise the funds for their charity, they are then sold on to us at amazing price, what could be better yummy designer labels, great prices and the knowledge you're helping a young person struggling to get a foothold make a fresh start!

Here are my favourite on trend picks from iVANABOUTIQUE

Black and White Striped Dress -£15.00

Monochrome rules this A/W 2011

Burnt Orange Karen Miller Mac - £100.00

Handmade Ghanaian Necklace £35.00

Long Sleeved Dress- Award Winning From Somewhere £30.00

VERY DECO PERFECT WITH MONCHROME ACCESSORIES

Lace and Polka Print dress by Muna Ladies Maternity-£30.00

Again great 30's Deco feel.

   

Visit http://www.ivanaboutique.org.uk/  hope you enjoy checking out this little black book must have!

Archer Adams Launch Mens A/W 2011 Weekend Bag The Hampstead | Inspiration For Those That Like To Set Trends Not Follow Them!





 

We have all toyed with men's fashion and know that the right shoulder line on a well chosen blazer or angle on a hat can bring a certain edge, adding weight and individuality to an otherwise pretty look, we only have to look at Alexa Chung or Agnes's Dean Style to see this style formulae works. The 6o's shift dress is huge this season and lady like style is the buzz word for this season, but pinching a little style from luxe menswear labels such as Archer and Adams of London, where the quality of fabric and craftsmanship are as vital to the success of the label as the style, is a Savvy move as bespoke and handcrafted are predicted to become the new style statements of the future! I'm lusting after their pink velvet crombie coat and this dandy purple silk shirt with interesting button detailing . They use British fabric suppliers Holland and Sherry who are 170 years old and stock Harris tweed and other fabrics made from the finest natural fibres.

 The company have just launched their first men's weekend bag The Hampstead, made using the finest Harris tweed and English bridle leather and hardware and featuring the following rich colours, burnt orange, bitter cherry and purple storm, the bag has the added bonus of being light weight and is guaranteed for a whopping 10 years. I predict with tweed being the couture fabric of choice a rise in requests of women buying their husbands the Burnt Cherry or Orange Hampstead with a view to sharing it!