Showing posts with label stunning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stunning. Show all posts

Sunday, 6 July 2014

Sunday Splurge

So my do I have a pretty amazing piece as my Sunday Splurge this week. 
Now I may have spoken about this online retailer before but I just love Oxygen Boutique!

To Be Redirected To The Site Click Here

Designed by a company called Again, who I have to admit I have not heard of before but I will be looking out for them regularly now! I love the shape of this dress, and the way it will show off an hour glass figure. Covered in a Grecian inspired print and with a daring plunging neckline, you are bound to be a show stopper in this little number.
I have to say for some people what will put them off, and I do understand, is the shoulder pads, but paired with the nipped in waist this will only help accentuate your amazing body shape!

Why not dare to try a new party dress?

x

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Wednesday Want . . .

This Wednesday I am craving this amazing backpack by Fleming London.

Available in four colours at the moment I just love it. Now of course I love my Cambridge Satchel Company bag, but this backpack is stunning. Elegant, classical and stylish all in one, I would love to have this!
Now Fleming London has only been going since Jan 2013 but already are being stocked by the likes of Wolf & Badger, pretty impressive!
The bags are also made in Britain from the best Italian leather so you are only getting the best from British design and Italian quality.
Definitely a serious Wednesday Want!!! 
I want this so much!

Fleming London, if you read this ever though of making a yellow one?

x

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Oh Roksanda . . .

My, my hasn't Roksanda Ilincic done it again!
If you haven't seen her Pre-Collection Spring/Summer 2015 you need to!
Here are my top four pieces from her latest incredible collection . . .


Look at those colours! 
I just love this collection, its fun, vibrant and refreshingly modern. The wonderful choice of colours and the pebble like print really make all these designs pop. I love the cut and construction of each of these pieces and the glorious way in which they are so effortlessly worn. A stunning collection by a wonderful designer, if this is the pre-collection for spring/summer 15 I can not wait to see what the actual collection will look like.

What do you think?

x

Saturday, 17 May 2014

Cannes 2014

It is that wonderful time of year when all of the most famous stars of film head to Cannes for the film festival.
There have been some great outfits so far, and I'm sure there is more to come. 
Lets look at my top three so far . . .


Starting with Nicole Kidman, now I do love this actress but I'm sure we have all heard reports of her latest film about Grace Kelly, not good, any how back to this dress of hers. I think I love it because it reminds me of something she could have worn in Moulin Rouge, one of my favourite films. Her dress is by Armani Prive from their Spring / Summer 2014 collection, I love that she is also wearing jewellery by Harry Winston, only the finest for Cannes! Next we have the amazing Lupita Nyong'o who frankly can never do anything wrong wore a wonderful Calvin Klein dress. Is there anything this lady doesn't look amazing in??? I don't think so. Finally my favourite look so far was from Cate Blanchett who wore this stunning Valentino Pre-Autumn / Winter 2014 gown. She looks so elegant in this lace gown, almost seeming as if she belongs to a bygone era, she looks incredible!

So far a lot of Valentino has been seen in Cannes, I wonder what we will be seeing next?

x

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

Icon - Dita Von Teese

This week we have a an absolutely stunning woman as our Wednesday Icon. The exceptional Dita Von Teese, known for her burlesque performances as well as her extraordinary style. This lady was definitely born in the wrong decade, with style reminiscent of 1930s, 40s and occasionally 50s. 



Her real name is Heather Renee Sweet, she created her stage name when she was younger and chose Dita in homage to the silent film actress Dita Parlo and Von Teese from a phone directory, although it was actually supposed to be Von Treese but a magazine spelt it wrong and since then it has remained Von Teese.
Known for her love of stockings, corsets and lingerie she loves to make the most of her stunning body in everything she wears. 


Dita has walked the runway for some of the greats like Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier to name but a few. I can think of no time that I have ever not loved what she is wearing.


Stunning and a true style icon!

What do you think of Dita's style?

x

Friday, 9 May 2014

Met Ball 2014

Ok yes I know I am a little late with this post but I have been away. My family and I went to Drayton Manor and I had to play my role as the cool cousin and look after two little ones so apologies for not posting over the last week.

Anyway on to the main story the Met Ball 2014, this night was to celebrate the opening of is exhibition dedicated to the couturier Charles James so of course there were some stunning gowns in sight! I couldn't even pick just three!!!  So without further ado here are all my favourite looks of the night . . .


Starting with the pink ladies! I absolutely loved Reese Witherspoon's dress by Stella McCartney a very elegant, glamorous and sexy look. The wonderful Elle Woods from the beloved film legally blonde has grown up! Next we have the wonderful Claire Danes in a dress straight off Oscar de la Renta runway. I love the look of the velvet bodice against the voluminous plush skirt. Finally the lovely Emma Stone in a custom made Thakoon skirt and top. She looked fresh, elegant and very glamorous.


Next on to the darker crew and starting with Zooey Deschanel in a bespoke Tommy Hilfiger gown. This quirky indie queen was transformed into a princess for the night, she looked absolutely incredible I'm thinking she even looks Disney princess good, Disney its about time for another brunette princess I think! Next onto Georgia May Jagger who just oozed sex appeal, she looked sensational in this dress by David Koma, showing a little skin but not as much as some others she looked amazing. Next onto the feminine and flirty Dior dress that Marion Cotillard wore, I love the colour and tone of this midnight blue dress. The length is also perfect for this design as any longer would have ruined it. I love the pattern and texture with makes this dress appear almost scale like, she definitely is a creature to behold.


Now this lady has made it onto some worst dressed lists but I love Chloe Sevigny in this Kenzo dress. The colour complements her skin tone and hair and the black elements of this dress really makes the pattern pop out at you. She looks awesome and I think she rocks this dress! Now to the wonderful Dita Von Teese in this sophisticated Zac Posen gown, this dress just looks like it was made for her body, it seems to fit her like  glove. The incredible design of this gown and colour is the reason that it is my favourite of the evening. Finally onto Blake Lively in this Gucci gown, now this lady is on every bodies best dressed list it seems and I think you can see why. Again another incredible dress and look, helped that on her arm was her husband Ryan Reynolds too.

An incredible evening of fashion, of course there are some other amazing outfits and gowns from that night but these were my top picks I hope you liked them as much as me.

What was your favourite outfit of the night?

x

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Icon - Paloma Faith

Is it this time already, this week is going really quickly or maybe just to me, anyway this weeks icon is . . .


The gorgeous Paloma Faith, this vivacious, fun and eccentric lady is one of my favourite people around at the moment. What a modern day icon!


Bringing back and mixing that Hollywood glamour and 50's pin up looks in such an individual way, she oozes glamour and elegance. She also has the most interesting life, she has studied contemporary dance then went on to get an MA in theatre directing. While doing her MA she worked as a sales assistant at Agent Provocateur helping spark and add to her love for underwear and corsets, a singer in a burlesque cabaret, a life model (well she is stunning with a gorgeous curvy body) and was, this is my favourite a magicians assistant. How awesome is this woman!!!



In her style choices she chooses designers who design for the wackier characters, she stands out and rocks everything she wears. Always paired with her shocking orange / red hair she stands out.


This is the kinda girl I want to be friends with she is just so awesome, and looks like she is so much fun to be around!

x

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Icon - Philip Treacy

This weeks Wednesday Icon is the wonderful and awe inspiring Philip Treacy!


This man's vision has changed how we perceive hats now a days, hats aren't so much formal wear but works of art pushing the boundaries of fashion and millinery. Have a look for yourself at his creations . . .


Designing for demure ladies, princesses, socialites and beloved rebels, he creates unique pieces complimenting each lady and making a statement whether big or small.


Born in Ireland in 1967, Treacy later moved to Dublin to study fashion at the National College of Art and Design it was during this time we went and undertook an internship with milliner Stephen Jones. Choosing to study for his masters in London's Royal College of Art, it was here he got his name out by taking one of his hats to Tatler Magazine where my beloved Icon Isabella Blow (Delves Broughton at the time though) was style editor. She proceeded to ask Treacy for a bespoke piece for her upcoming nuptials to Detmar Blow in 1989. This sparked a life long friendship between the two. After graduating Treacy even opened workshops in the basement of her house, if that's not friendship I don't know what is.


In 1991 one of his creations appears on the cover of British Vogue and he later wins his first BFC Accessory Designer of the Year Award. He then starts to create pieces for catwalk shows, such as Chanel, Valentino, McQueen and Givenchy to name but a few. In 1993 he had his first solo show with world famous super models walking the runway in his hats. 

In 2000 he was extended an invitation by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to stage his Orchid Collection in Paris, this was the first Couture show devoted exclusively to hats, if that doesn't show you how special this man is I really don't know what will!

He created Camilla Parker Bowles headpiece for her wedding to Prince Charles. He also was behind Princess Beatrice and Eugenie's hats at Prince William and Kate's wedding, yes  you know which ones I mean.

2007 Isabella Blow dies, prompting Treacy and McQueen to join forces to dedicate a show in her honour. He also had one of his most incredible creations on her coffin as it was carried to the cathedral for her funeral. An inspiring mentor and close friend  they shared a bond till the end. He received an OBE later that year. 


Who can forget his pieces for Lady Gaga's telephone video!

2010 took another of his close friends Alexander McQueen, papers chose to use one of Treacy's pieces for the cover see the stunning piece below.


2012 Treacy made a comeback with his own catwalk show which received more acclaim and showed he shows no signs of slowing down, thank goodness.

I'm sure you can see why he is this weeks Wednesday Icon!

x

Sunday, 23 March 2014

Sunday Splurge

This week I have found the most amazing Sunday Splurge!
It is no exaggeration that I am actually in love with this weeks Sundays Splurge!
May I present the Zoe Dragonfly shoe by another new find of mine, Miista. Miista is a footwear brand based in Hackney, London, this company seem to pride on mixing unusual elements and deliberately juxtaposing them to create these wonderful creations. These shoes are currently on pre-order and I cannot wait for them to come back online, and on sale!
The shoes are made from insect like sapphire mail, for extra durability the shoes are lined in real leather.
Which makes them well worth the price tag.
These shoes definitely have the wow factor, a statement piece just look how they shine!


I will be keeping my eye on this brand and on this shoe, I can't wait to see what they come up with next!!

x

Wednesday, 19 March 2014

Wednesday Want

This weeks Wednesday Want is . . .

Click here for Prices
These dresses from Whistles! As you may have noticed they are all the same, I just wanted to show you how amazing this dress is in each of the available colours. I spotted this dress in one of their stores today and I just fell in love. The dress features feminine lace panelling details, a high neck, pleated front placket detail on the bodice, and is finished with a full sun-ray pleated skirt.
This dress needs no accessories it speaks for itself, just finish with classy pumps or simple courts. Perfection!
The colours are also perfect and on trend, whether your a pink girl or not there is something for everyone. I personally love the navy, classic and elegant, but the yellow is fun and perfect for spring and summer.I couldn't pick between them!
I just love the lines on this dress it really is something special, the clever designers at Whistles have also created a longer version for the evening too which is also breathtaking. If only I had an event or an occasion coming up!

What do you think of this weeks Wednesday Want?

x

Monday, 3 March 2014

Oscars 2014

Yes it was Oscars time last night, with all the stars dressed in the finest designers around. Lets see who looked the best at the ceremony first. My top 5 ladies of the night were . . .


Jennifer Garner in this stunning floor length Oscar de la Renta beaded gown. As she walked down the red carpet she shimmered subtly in this wonderful gown, reminiscent of the 1920's flapper dresses this dress definitely has that old Hollywood glamour that we all wish we could emulate, and she certainly does!
I love that her hair, make-up and accessories are all very natural, and do not take any attention away from how beautiful she looks in this dress.

In fourth position we have . . .


Blonde bombshell Charlize Theron in a Dior Couture gown. She looks magnificent! I love the shape and cut of the bodice and the sheer overlay which adds the fishtail detail to the bottom of the gown. Smoky eyes and styled back hair again complimented the look and it is said that she was bejewelled in $15 million dollars worth of Harry Winston diamonds, don't you just wish that was you, I do!!

At number three we have . . .


Siren Kate Hudson in an Atelier Versace gown. The perfect dress choice for this lady she looks incredible, the dress fits her like a glove, following her curves and showing off her amazing figure. The added cape detail really for me took this dress to the next level really modernising the shape and just adding another point of detail to this elegant gown. Kate's natural curled hairstyle complimenting the fall of the dress perfectly.

The number two position goes to . . .


Sandra Bullock in this beautiful Alexander McQueen gown. The colour of this gown compliments her complexion perfectly, and she lets the dress do all the talking. She's a vision in this beautifully and carefully draped dress, with her hair styled mirroring the lines and volume of the fabric. It was a very hard decision to put her in second place but there was just that one special lady that I'm sure you can guess who just stole the show!

In first place we have the mesmerizing . . .


Lupita Nyong'o in a gown by Prada. This stunning pale blue creation looked incredible on her. This girl can do no wrong, she either has the best stylist or the best taste in the world. Oozing elegance and poise she showed Hollywood how it is done! Paired with simple headband and bracelets she could have been a goddess, huge contrast to the character she played in 12 Years a Slave Patsey, there is no holding this lady down. I cannot wait to see what this lady has in store for us next.

Who was your best dressed at the Oscars?

x

Saturday, 1 March 2014

Paris Fashion Week Day 3

Lets catch up with the best catwalk shows from Day 3.
Starting with the Balenciaga show.


 In this show the models were adorned with furry snoods, thick belts, and furry hand muffs. Models were wearing a range of tunics with trousers with metallic zip details forming crosses or running up the centre front of the trousers. Oversized parkas, turtle necked long tops and tuxedo inspired dresses
Unusually for Balenciaga, knitwear was a big feature in this collection, whether it was used just in jumper form or woven with leather to make an interesting statement or had crystal embellishment added for a more evening wear look, it was a new and exciting side of Balenciaga.

Paco Rabanne is up next . . .


and it's all about the geometrics! I love the mess dress over the bold yet simple black and white dress. The muted colour palette with interesting visual points for example the disjointed lines on the coats and jackets. The interesting mix of black sharp tailoring with flashes of white through the white visible zips and white almost popper looking buttons. I love that this collection was also styled with angular brogue shoes, making it a more accessible and wearable collection.

Over to Balmain's show.


Now what an ambush of colour and military style. I feel like I've been hit with one part urban jungle, one part geometry lesson and last part military tailoring. A definite stand out collection. Pocketed cargo style trousers paired with tight panelled jackets, I love the mix of fabrics and style leather and rope seemed to be a major player with leather jackets and dresses constructed out of tight ropes pulling at the models curves. My, my are we made aware of the models thin waists, in every true Balmain style.

Finally Manish Arora.


I absolutely love this modern take on what appears to me to be Tibetan and oriental folk dress. This folk dress inspired idea is really modernised with mixes of digital prints, in your face florals, versus bold traditional coloured weave fabric. I think these designs were suitably paired with trainers to give it a more laid back, edgy look. It's a vision! I can not look away I'm spellbound!

Who was your favourite designer today?

x

Friday, 28 February 2014

Let's Talk Lingerie . . .

Underwear, a basic necessity for all ladies regardless of size and shape. Now making sure you are wearing the right size lingerie is of the utmost importance, wearing the wrong size lingerie can either make you look much bigger, and not in a good way ladies I'm talking about popping out, or it can make you appear to have saggy boobs, which is something no girl wants! Most shops that stock bras will have someone who can size you for example M&S, Debenhams and other department stores, but I would recommend going to a specific lingerie shop, for example LaSenza, AnnSummer's (remember they do proper lingerie too), figleaves or more high end with Rigby&Peller and AgentProvocateur. Of course there are a lot of other brands out there to look at but those are just the few I would recommend in my experience.


While every bra looks pretty and dainty in small sizes, its hard once you hit the +DD size to find bra's that you can feel really sexy in as most look like something your grandma would wear. How do I know this, I have that problem, I'm a size 10 who lets just say is very well endowed and growing up my boobs were always bigger than my friends, so there they would be in lovely pretty bras and there would be me feeling unsexy and almost ashamed in a horrible nude granny bra.
 I chose to settle till I was a little bit older and moving further up senior school before I decided that I would make it my mission to find nice girly bras for a girl my age, I mean who wants to go to a school dance, yes I feel old saying that, in a amazing bodycon dress or LBD with a granny bra underneath. I'm lucky that my mother was able to take me to Rigby & Peller, where I was able to get my first really stunning black lace bra, and boy did I feel good in it, it fitted perfectly, put my boobs up where they should be and you could notice my confidence levels just went up. As I've gotten older more brands designing for sizes +DD have opened and now there is so much more variety for girls like me. Lingerie is something that we have to wear everyday, we might as well look stunning and feel sexy and confident in it.

Once you know your size there are of course tonnes of wonderful online lingerie boutiques to look at for example the wonderful BouxAvenue, ChantelleLingerie, and LonelyHeartsLabel. I would advise really knowing your size before buying online though as it just saves so much time.
Now I've done some searching and have compiled my top 4 from four different brands, and also price points for sizes +DD, also clicking each brand I've mentioned above will direct you to their websites and or lingerie pages so you can see their full stock regardless of cup size.

For prices click here
Starting with good old Debenhams, who stock a variety of boutique lingerie lines for sizes +DD. The four above are my top picks. All different price points too. They do have a much varied range, but these are just my top four.


Next we have online retailer Boux Avenue, who I do love, I've bought several pieces from them since they launched. Feminine luxury at affordable prices, they normally always have a deal for buying the bra and getting the matching bottoms for free so definitely worth a look if you like to match.


Figleaves also stock a nice variety of +DD ranges as well as all other sizes of course. They also do good bikinis and swimwear for +DD so have a look before they all go this summer, get in early because trust me they will all be gone!


Lastly Rigby & Peller my favourite, ok yes they are expensive and I cannot afford them myself, I'm lucky in that my mother gives me tokens for this store once a year. The quality is outstanding in this store, in all honesty no other bra I have bought has ever been as good as my ones from here. They last pretty much a whole year if you look after them properly, longer then any of my other bras from more high street brands. So yes they are expensive but they are an investment piece.

Where do you shop for your lingerie? Any tips I haven't thought of?

x




Monday, 24 February 2014

Milan Fashion Week Final Day

The final day of Milan Fashion Week had a few last surprises in store for us.
Starting with the DSquared2 collection.


This collection had a distinct 60's feel about it with the style of dresses that the designers chose to show. The first outfit in the photo above appears to be made of fur, and seems to be almost like a sixties print in terms of the position of the multicoloured fur segments. The second dress has serious embellishment detail on the bottom, with a matching jacket made of sheer fabric to make the embellishment detail stand out even more. The stunning white simple shaped dress is topped off with a feather collar, which falls almost like a cape on the models shoulders, a simple addition but it really makes this outfit.
 My favourite piece is the emerald green cape with appliqué details, almost petal or feather like in size and shape. Absolutely stunning! 

Finishing up Milan Fashion Week with a stellar show, pardon the pun, from Stella Jean.


This show was a mega-mix of Italian, Japanese and African cultures. Each look bursting with busy prints, in a mix of simple and complicated shapes and styles. You definitely have to have the matching confidence to wear these bold outfits and give them the attitude which they deserve. This collection featured full length knits in a mixture of fine knits and chunky knits, mohair coats, lampshade shaped skirts, sculptured jackets. A great way to end Milan Fashion Week, on a definite high note, lets see what Paris has to offer us . . .

x

Thursday, 20 February 2014

London Fashion Week Day 4

So day 4 round up, top looks for day 4 are as follows . . .

Starting with designer Ashtiani, I love the four looks below. The mix of colours, textures, fabrics, style and construction, is very edgy and dynamic. The mix of layering shown in all of these garments is very interesting too, visible zip detail modernises these looks to the max. Edgy fashion at it's finest, need I say more.


Next the wonderful Antonio Berardi whose tight tailoring and construction create stunning silhouettes. His precisely cut garments ranged from tailored trousers, to body-con dresses, tuxedo inspired dresses that flaired out at the bottom, and jackets and dresses with peplum waists and ruffled hems. His colour pallet included flashes of emerald, fushia, spearmint, and metallic tones of the above colours amidst the black and white print. This collection was cut from luxurious fabrics such as wool, satin, and featured details like embellishment and embroidery. This collection I believe was inspired by the city scape, which after consideration appears very obvious through the lines and panels that contrast each other, also through the choice of fabrics it could be said that the colours were sometimes inspired and taken from building materials like concrete, plaster and pebble dash.


Moving on to George Styler's collection, below. How awesome are these, I love the fabric with the spikes, created by some sort of fabric manipulation potentially pennies. I love the abstract and unusual shapes created at the shoulders, I created something like this myself but for menswear while at university. The unusual thing about this collection is the mix of references that I can see, outfit number one looks like a mix of a female gladiators dress, paired with a soft and lavish florescent vampire cape, the dress in the middle seems as if it could be Elizabethan inspired, whereas the third outfit looks inspired by tunics from the middle east, but again with almost bat like reference on the sleeves. Pretty awesome though, it is nice to see something a bit different going down the runway!


Next another unusual designer Carrie-Ann Stein I just love this fun oversized collection, specifically the prints. Fun, unusual and clever is all I can say about this one, what do you think?


Huishan Zhang has been wowing us with his delicate designs for the last two years, this season he did not disappoint! His delicate dresses paired with knits and coats helped to put this collection into autumn / winter catagory. Choosing to use a mix of velvet and lace helped to keep this collection feminine, delicate and sophisticated, with the addition of beads this is a luxurious and highly desirable collection. I love the additional styling with the choice of lace stockings, genius!


What did you think of Day 4's shows? Remembering that the above are only my favourite and top picks and not all of the days fashion shows.

x

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Icon - Daphne Guinness

Daphne Guinness the striking and stunning socialite. A true fashion icon, see for yourself . . .


Daphne Guinness of course is known for being the Guinness heiress, aside from that she is a women of many talents to name but a few she has been a muse, socialite, a fashion stylist, designer, film producer and perfumer. Daphne Guinness is a style icon and is known for her eccentric and bold fashion choices, she has a love of couture and designer Alexander McQueen.


This flamboyant lady, knows everybody from Andy Warhol, various designers ranging from McQueen to Valentino, Isabella Blow, Ahmet Ertegun (founder of Atlantic Records) and she even used to swim in Salvador Dali's swimming pool!



 She expanded her fashionable bohemian world in collaboration with Dover Street Market in 2007. Another thing that makes her so great is that she helps out with a considerable amount of charities, she recently auctioned off rails of her clothing for one.



She collaborated with Comme des Garcons in 2009 to make a perfume. She's a muse to a number of designers and even make up artists. Her interests include classical music, and she reads books obsessively, and a serious love for couture and fashion.


She also bought all of Isabella Blow's items when they were being auctioned off so that they could keep them all together and it is due to this fabulous lady that the Isabella Blow, Fashion Galore exhibition at Somerset House is open to the public.

A stunner, lover of the arts, muse and ICON!

Do you love her as much as me?

x