Met Ball 2014: 10 Faves

After somewhat of a long hiatus (it has been productive I promise), I reckon the Met Ball warrants a post. One of the biggest nights of the fashion calendar, this year the museum celebrates couturier Charles James, the theme of the evening; 'White Tie and Decorations' but as you can imagine not many kept that in mind. Here are my ten fave looks of the evening, in no particular order.

1. Emma Stone in Thakoon
My favourite from the night. I feel like this shouldn't work but I just really love everything about it. Her shoes even matched beau Andrew Garfield's jacket, adorbs.

2. Beyonce in Givenchy
I don't feel like justifying this, she is the queen. Love the veil and I will never get sick of her and Jay Z.

3. Gisele Bundchen in Balenciaga
Ever stunning Gisele could of turned up in a bin bag and still look flawless. *crys*

4. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen in Chanel and vinatge Gianfranco Ferré
You either love this or hate it. Amongst an array of bright somewhat tacky gowns, in dark, vintage Victorian-esque gowns I think they both look so chic, kudos.

5. Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham
Beautifully understated in one of her own designs, wins award for best accessory of the night, we all need a David Beckham for special occasions, such as every day.

6. Kendall Jenner in Topshop
Stunning in nude custom made Topshop, weeping at her tiny waste. Cue week of starvation.

7. Jourdan Dunn also in Topshop
I'm so obsessed with Jourdan I probably wouldn't care what she wore. Also in custom Topshop, bit OT on the satin tho. Ultimate milf.

8. Diane Kruger in Hugo Boss
Diane always seems often overlooked even though she often looks impeccable, simple but effective in grey Hugo Boss.

9. Leighton Meester in Emilio Pucci
Hate gold and a deep v paired with a thigh slit sounds like a recipe for disaster, but she just looks sooo good.

10. Blake Lively in Gucci
Ugh, another power couple of the night Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, so good looking it hurts.

A few notable fails of the evening, first RITA ORA, I can't even, I won't even. Alexa gets so much hate in the fashion industry, I tend to love her but I'm not loving this, how can you go from her incred tux look back in 2010 to this, how?! Maggie Gyllenhaal choses one of the worst looks from Valentino Couture. I hate saying anything bad about Lupita Nyong'o, I love her and she's beautiful but I can't even persuade myself to like this mismatched Prada ensemble.

Is Street Wear Still A Thing?

Topshop Oxford Street (aka HELL) is home to hundreds of underground brands on its bottom floor, from Motel to Sister Jane they have it all. When I was wondering around the colossal store this Saturday I spotted a large section of Stussy sweatshirts and t-shirts merged in with the brands own lines on its first floor. My little knowledge of Stussy stems from my past relationship, he was one of them skinny white boys who listens to hip hop and says he loves skating but can't actually do it. 

So hip it hurts

Stussy is a clothing brand that started in California in the 80's and has now been adopted by street wearing, hip hop listening, tumblr lovin, Supreme types. It seems that Stussy has finally hit the mainstream, but doesn't everything after a while. I thought street wear was a thing of 2011 that disappeared with Tyler the Creator and the rest of Odd Future (minus Frank we love him) but with all the Air Jordans, Snapbacks and beanies all over the place it would seem that isn't the case. The popularity of street wear seemed to grow simultaneously with the popularity of street style, but it seems to me that a lot of people are well over street style so perhaps street wear is heading in the same direction soon. 

Interesting..

Santa Baby..

It's christmas wish list time again, much to the dismay of my mother. I remember being a kid and making lists on Microsoft Word that were around 4 to 5 pages long and expecting to receive everything on the list (I was a horrid child), as I've grown I've come to accept less however as I've matured so has my love for expensive goods, sorry mom, obviously the majority is what I would get in my dreams but ah well. Since I've moved away from home Christmas seems slightly different to me now, it sounds like philosophical bs but hang on, less about the presents and more about getting the see my fam and my cat and to finally eat a decent meal. But like I said, we can all dream, so heres my wishwishwish list for xmas 2013. Just thinking of what this all adds up to makes me feel quesy, as I say all very aspirational I don't expect an Antigona (a girl can dream) and the Larsson and Jennings watch is quite steep, perhaps I'll wait till my next loan goes in. Joking of course. Whats on your wish list this christmas?

1. Silk Angora Jumper from COS / 2. Leather Clutch from & Other Stories / 3. Black Suede Courts from Office / 4. iPad Mini from Apple

 5. Snake Print Wrap Skirt from Topshop / 6. See by Chloé perfume / 7. Leather Heel Lace Up Boot from Zara 

8. YSL Le Tient Touche Eclat Foundation by YSL / 9. Svart Limited Edition Watch by Larsson and Jennings / 10. Black Antigona by Givency

Oxford Street Celebrates London Fashion Week

It seems that everyone wants a part in London Fashion Week this year, and being one of the biggest high streets it’s a wonder Oxford St never got involved before. This year Oxford St are launching a 17 day festival to coincide with Fashion Week, the festival will give shoppers the opportunity to mingle with top British designers and models in the build up to fashion week. The collaboration is part of Oxford Sts efforts to affirm itself as ‘the most powerful fashion destination in the world’. The British Fashion Council has teamed up with Oxford St to arrange various pop up events which will feature some of the biggest names in the industry offering make overs and advice for those wanting to progress in to the industry. Some of the biggest high street stores are also getting involved such as Topshop, Selfridges, John Lewis and H&M. To me this seems like a brilliant idea to promote both Oxford St and Fashion Week and is also a brilliant way to get involved if you didn’t (like many of us boohoo) many to snag a ticket to the prestigious event so make sure to get yourselves down there guys!

AW13 Trend: Camo

There was one print that really stood for attention across an array of catwalks for fall 2013. The camo trend has been doing the rounds for some time on many street style fashionistas and bloggers and by the looks of things camo isn’t going to be disappearing any time soon. The coveted print was spotted at Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, Christopher Kane and Rebecca Minkoff to name a few. So obviously the high street promptly followed suit. Whistles presented their latest camo laden collection exclusively at London fashion week, and camo has been spotted from Primark to Zara. 
Forget what you know about utilitarian camo, at the hands of the likes of Kors and Kane camo has been given a fashion makeover. Prints came in varying hues and shades, some were pixelated other distorted, some were large and some small. With all the endless possibilities I think its safe to say camo is a trend we’ll be coveting for some time. Here are some of my favorite picks from the high street. 

Make It British

As times have progressed we’ve become more aware of things such as our carbon footprint. Because of this more and more companies are beginning to manufacture their products in the UK. Launching at London Fashion Week is the ‘Make It British’ logo that will signify products made in within the UK. 

The reason cited for the upswing in British manufacturing is the rising cost of producing in China and the importance of speed to market that domestic production permits. Another reason this is necessary is to create jobs within the UK.  Mulberry recently received £2.5m to build a handbag factory in Somerset, which will create 250 jobs. 
UK manufactured goods don’t come cheap mind, however the interest in carbon footprint and controversial labor conditions means this market is rapidly growing. A change in consumption habits may be needed however, perhaps we need to begin buying less and spending more as so many garments are wasted and sent to landfill. 

A few labels are already flying the flag for British manufacturing, ‘Closet Clothing’, ‘She Likes’ and ‘The Orphans Arms’ are just 3 labels whose products are produced in Britain. The products do come at a higher price than other fast fashion garments, a t-shirt averages at £30, which I guess seems quite steep however for a quality product with a British source is actually somewhat reasonable. Big names on the British high street are also beginning to tap in to the movement, Topshop’s minimalistic premium line Boutique is predominantly made in the UK, Marks and Spencer are releasing a Best of British line for Autumn 2013 and River Island have increased British production by 50%, which may seem small but is definitely a step in the right direction! 

WEEKLY WANTS

The temperatures may not have risen but recently I've really been thinking about my summer wardrobe. I am such a winter person, I always wear coats and black so hopefully this year I can mix things up a little! Here are my top wants this week.

1. White Dress by Monki / 2.  Cross Body Bag by ASOS / 3. Embellished Sandals by Topshop 4. Jamie Jeans by Topshop / 5. Silver Watch by Urban Outfitters 6. White Top by Zara

7. Two Tone Sunglasses by Zara / 8. Stud Sandals by Zara / 9. Sunglasses by Mango

10. Stripe Top by COS / 11. Suede Bag by H&M

THE HIGH HEEL DEBATE

It's a known fact that there is no love like that between a girl and her shoes, they have become more than just shoes for many women around the globe. In fashion it seems to have become the expected thing for any woman in the industry, however in recent years the practicality and health risks involved with wearing heels has been challenged. As time has passed we've seen more catwalk falls and heels have grown to ridiculous shapes and heights from Alexander McQueens armadillos from S/S 10 to Marc Jacobs backwards heels from 08. 

In recent years (much to joy of some women) flat shoes have made a drastic emergence

in to high fashion, they don't have to be frumpy and dreary anymore. With the likes of Olivia Palermo, Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung pioneering the ballet pump look (even VB was spotted in flats a month or two ago!) its clear this is a certified trend, after all they are  comfortable, practical and stylish.

Recently, classic french beauty and actress Catherine Deneuve has dismissed the high heel and claimed that the mid-heel is far sexier.

The French actress said ‘twisted’ designers are to blame for the modern obsession with five-inch heels that are impossible to walk in.

Deneuve calls the trend an ‘aberration’, claiming ‘simple’ shoes help women to feel ‘emancipated’, she said: ‘One cannot walk properly in very high heels.

‘But also, we believed in an idea that no longer means anything for people today: that having a natural allure was the most important thing. That’s what counted most for all of us.’

When portraying Séverine Serizy in the 1967 film Belle Du Jour, Deneuve purposely and quite controversially chose to wear clunky mid heels.

Does this latest comment confirm the death of the heel? I think not. Heels, if comfortable and easy to walk in (there is nothing worse than beautiful shoes on a woman who can't walk in them), make a woman feel sexy. I am partial to a pair of flat shoes especially to just nip out the house, but being short and stumpy they can make me feel a little frumpy, put on a pair of your favourite heels and you become a 5"9 goddess with elongated legs, its easy to see why guys love a girl in heels. So don't worry girls (or guys) I think we've got a while till the high heel leaves us. 

Here are my personal picks

1. Studded Heel Sandal by Zara TRF / 2. Tribute Two by Yves Saint Laurent (in my dreams) / 3. Shola Suede Platforms by Topshop / 4. Gwenda Court Shoe from Topshop / 5. Suede Court Shoe by Zara / 6. Platform Sandal by Zara

1. Tasseled Moccasin by Zara / 2. 410 Runners by New Balance (these are RIDICULOUSLY comfortable) / 3. Milano Ballerina Flats by Topshop / 4. Kitty Flats by Charlotte Olympia / 5. Metallic Ballerina by Zara / 6. Jezzabel Gold Heel Pumps by Topshop

MY QUEST TO FIND THE PERFECT SPRING COAT

1  Sonja Coat from Monki
2  Boyfriend Coat from Topshop (sold out now, much to my dismay)
3  Notch Neck Throw on Coat from Topshop
4  Boyfriend Blazer from Topshop Boutique
5  Textured Cardigan from Zara
6  Longline Coatigan from ASOS

Isn't it just the way, Britain has flurries of snow all round the country so I purchase a warm parka then just a few weeks down the line and the weather begins to pick up! I'm currently in one of these phases where I HATE everything hanging in my wardrobe and getting ready in the morning feels like a chore, its really going down the drain when you'd rather sit inside in your dragon onesie all day.

Anyway, if you live in Britain you will know the constant turmoil in dressing for our weather, unpredictable to say the least! It's still a little chilly so in no way acceptable to leave the house without a coat (some people obviously don't feel the cold..) but it seems far too warm to wear most of the coats I own. I love summer but hate it at the same time, I don't feel comfortable without a jacket and am an absolute coat fiend.

The task I'm facing at the moment is finding the perfect transitional jacket, I'm a little sick of my leather and am not a huge fan of an oversized Levi jacket so what am I to do?! I desperately want a thin boyfriend jacket/coat to throw over everything, finding one is proving difficult. Here my top picks (if money was no issue, a girl can dream eh) I tried on the Zara jacket a couple of days ago, safe to say I've fallen in love, not with the 70 quid price tag though booooo.