My Passport To Style | Jonathan Saunders Auntumn/Winter 2011

Every now and then you find a designer that knocks you off balance such is their level of skill and creativity, they are not as many designers do, simply reworking the styles of the past into something fresh they are creating purely from within themselves and their own library of creations. Scottish designer Jonthan Saunders with a BA in textile designs is able to do this and the magic ingredient used, is his abillity to elevate the world of print and colour to a whole other level, take this simple shift dress, that is printed to look like a two piece, great for short waisted women like myself as it creates the illusion of a longer waist not using cut, but colour and print.

 Bunny In The Headlights!

 When I first spotted this dress, I was like a bunny caught if the headlights, (Saunders clothes do that to you, they draw you into their world) when an animal flashed into my head.Want to know what it was? A sleek black panther with brilliant green eyes, before you think I have lost the plot, when I broke it down I realised that my association with the designer and this animal was more than just about the colours used such as the black and the large green diamond used to ofset the tunic top of the dress, the connection to a panther is more about the air of mystery and supreme confidence Sauders designs evoke, the foilage prints are very organic but he has cleverly mixed acid brights with neutrals that give a edgy feel and contrasted that with the bold placement of large geometric shape, that adds up to a sleek sequence of pattern, shape and colour.

Fearless Beauty

 These are timeless clothes, for confident women who know who they are and are drawn to the exotic, they are fearless in their approach to life, not suprisingly Saunders stately following includes Madonna and Michelle Obamma. I could lock myself in a room of his prints and be lost for hours in their beauty, this award Scottish designer is a design talent of epic proportions who understands who to flatter a womens shape.

    

credits Jonathon Saunders

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  

My Passport To Style | Stella Mccartneys Spring 2012 Collection

Hi Gals, me thinks Stella Mccartneys latest collection was inspired rather heavily by paisley print, i'm impressed by the diversity of designs she created that reflect the curves of this famous tear drop design that hails from Kashmir, where it was first woven into wool shawls. These are my favourite pieces from her recent collection. Do you love Paisley or hate it? What are your thoughts on Stellas latest collection, gals? 

My Passport To Style | Alphabet Chic

B is for.....

 Belt Buckle collection, Bellissimo! 

credits- victorialouise.co.uk

My Passport To Style | Granny Gives Long Distance Beauty Tips!

Hi Gals, grannys not around right now she is enjoying the sea air off the Almafi coast, however she decided that readers of My Passport To Style might apreciate her insight when it comes to matters relating to personal grooming and beauty. I have to confess to getting slightly huffy as I had something planned for this slot, however Granny it such a charmer she won me round and her second slot here, given that Granny says a blog is just a inflated word for diary she is doing pretty well to put in a second appearance! So after a long drawn out phone call with granny. She imparted the following hard won wisdom regarding a beauty regime that she credits with keeping her looking the way she does. I was not about to tell her I had been doing it all wrong, but was very was suprised to learn that Granny credits her svelte nose that I have long admired, to nights spent with a clothes peg at the end of her nose! You have to admire her courage!

Grannys hard won beauty and grooming tips

1. Granny credits washing in cold water as the secret to small pores and silky smooth skin.

2.Next she advices to only sleep on your back, if your marital snuggles suffer,so be it she says sternly, this is the only route to reducing the wrinkes around your eyes.

3.Granny says that in her day bloating had never been heard of and neither had passing on the bread basket! She credits her slim tum and tight jaw line to chewing each mouthful of food one hundred times!

4. Next she advocates only wearing fitted clothing or if you are wearing somthing loose to always wear a belt with no acceptions, the reason which was drilled into her by her ballet instructor is good posture, if we are aware of our tummy and our waist we are more likely to pull them in, thus strengthening the muscles which leads to a flatter stomache. 

Bellissimo granny!

credits - hubpages.com

  

My Passport To Style | Marc Jacobs Summer 2012 Collection, At Paris Fashion Week

ill fitting lady like does not work

The question on every ones lips right now is will Marc Jacobs take over the helm at Dior? Well firstly I need to say I'm a huge fan of the man and his work, but in my opinion there were some pieces that just did not work, you know the saying a model can wear a bin liner and still look great, well it simply is not true, I know Vivienne Westwood will be displeased with me for saying that, sorry Vivienne.

Now to explain my bin liner analogy of course non of Mark Jacobs clothes looked remotely like a bin liner, however some of his detailing in this collection was supersized and as such looked ill fitting in my opinion, such as his collars and some of the skirts, now of course this is pure Marc Jacobs to be playful with proportions and materials which is often what women love about Marc Jacobs, because of his ability to inject a youthfulness into even the most sophisticated of looks and this season is the season of playing with proportion, we are seeing cocoon coats and sloping shoulders popping up all over the high street right now.


But fit never goes out of fashion and where as a cocoon coat might work beautifully to disguise a fuller shaped bottom half and show of shapely calves on a real woman, on a model who is let's face it is pretty angular, where Marc had played with shape by stretching out skirt lines, these dresses from his collection ended up looking like pretty, but rather deflated stiff crisp packets, rendering the models wearing these pieces awkward in their ill fitting garments and helpless rather than carefree.


There was much to love however, in this collection, clever use of metallic's, pastels and primary colours all held together by a variety of textured floral shapes. Mr Jacobs masterfully combined large flower laser cut outs, with a clean sporty aesthetic the crisp white roll neck featured was cut to perfection, the navy and white large broderie anglaise pattern, biker jacket with navy small broderie anglaise print skirt was achingly chic, as was the egg yolk yellow swing coat again in broderie anglaise with large collar cream collar. Marc Jacobs popularity stems from his intuitive sense of knowing what women want from clothing and what men like to see women wearing, the two are of course completely different, but Marc Jacobs genius, is in his ability to combine the two so seamlessly .

My Passport To Style | Charnos 75th Anniversary Range, Helps Women Get Leggy

If you have always hankered after legs up to your armpits then you might be pleased to know that Charnos have celebrated their 75th anniversary, by launching the most amazing stockings that are literally tailored to your personal leg shape, dressing does not get much more bespoke than this! As a Stylist that helps women find clothes that reflect who they are and that flatter their unique shape I am very aware of the variety of proportions that make up our leg shape, myself included! Below is their very useful guide to flattering your legs based on the six leg shapes above and how could anyone resist the gorgeous packaging, I plan on framing mine!  

The Athlete: You have fantastic muscle definition with shapely thighs, cavles and perfect ankles.

• Try the ‘Marilyn’ (RRP £17.00) – Classic and sexy these stockings are named after the one and only, 50s blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. The luxury flocked lace top, complete with an elegant diamante velour bow will give The Athlete’s legs some ladylike glamour.


The Pillar: Straight up and down – define your ankles, elongate your legs, making them stand proud.


• Try the ‘Jackie’ (RRP £14.00)- Elegant and sophiticated, these tights are inspired by fashionable First Lady Jackie Kennedy. The ladylike backseam on these tights will elongate The Pillar’s legs, and the beautiful diamante bow will help define ankles.






The Compact: Just because you’re pint sized doesn’t mean you should go unnoticed. Good things come in small packages.


• Try the ‘Brigitte’ (RRP £18.00) – These fun and flirty tights are named after iconic 60’s sex symbol, Brigitte Bardot. These sexy sheer tights with fun mini spot pattern have an alluring Swarovski crystal dotted backseam, sure to get The Compact’s legs noticed.






The Flamingo: Long and slim, most would be envious but you’d like some more shape to make your legs stand out.


• Try the ‘Betty’ (RRP £17.00) – These bold and beautiful tights are a tribute to the number one pin-up of World War II, Betty Grable. The pretty filigree printed design will add shape and interest to The Flamingo’s slim legs.


The Show Girl: Perfect from tip to toe. You have the perfect pin proportions no matter your dress size.


• Try the ‘Katharine’ (RRP £16.00) – These strong and confident hold ups are a tribute to Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn. These sheer hold ups with a luxury flocked lace top will show off The Showgirl’s perfectly proportioned pins.

The Wine Glass: Heavy thighs can be a problem in some eyes, so accentuate your amazing ankles.




• Try the ‘Ava’ (RRP £20.00) – These sultry and sensual hold ups were inspired by Hollywood actress and style icon, Ava Gardner. The elegant printed floral backseam with a luxury flocked lace top will draw attention to The Wine Glass’s slim calves and ankles.


To find out more click here

My Passport To Style | Lulu Guiness's Winter 2011 Handbags

Hi Gals, this winter 2011 collection of Lulu Guiness's handbags proclaims she is a genius, not only in designing beautiful creative bags that draw us into her world of fantasy, but how many other handbag brands do you know that market themselves so effortlessly? Without the need for expensive marketing campaigns and props, Lulu Guiness's range must be every department stores dream. Well this simple display has worked it's magic on me anyway, I want this modette inspired family of handbags including mum top right, with her huge fish like eyes, that I would have to name Beryl, big sister top left and cute little sister bottom right. To not keep the family together would just feel really wrong! I'm guessing Lulu was banking on the strong bond we feel for women in our familes, when she designed the trio and even if my phsyco babble is misplaced, you can bet that there will be sisters, mums and girlfriends out there this Christmas buying these bags for each other! Do you have a favourite Lulu Guiness bag? I would love to know which one and why you treasure it?   

My Passport To Style | Alphabet Chic, P Is For .....

P is for pretty packaging however simple the product, it brightens our day as well as our teeth!!

My Passport To Style | Which Of Your Summer Bags Should Hang Around For A/W 2011?

wovenpurses.com 

 Hi Gals, before you look at this elegant raffia tote and remember that you have a similar bag languishing at the back of your wardrobe/closet that won't be seeing the light of day now till next summer 2012. Here is quick style tip to brighten your Monday, this bags shape and fabric  is perfect for wearing with this winter 2011 seasons mod inspired looks that featured heavily on the catwalks; vintage inspired mod looks can be in danger of looking a little brassy when teamed with traditional PVC accessorise, the raffia weave adds an element of sophistication. This bag would also work well to add warmth and anchor more futuristic winter whites if your more inclined in that direction this A/W 2011.

Vanessa Bruno