Alexa Chung Is IT This Month

A fashion muse for myself and many others young women, Alexa Chung is famous for her laid back, British and sometimes androgynous style. This month, Alexa has completed yet another lifetime ambition and has become an author. 

  On describing her new book, 'IT', she says that it isn't intended to be an autobiography but is a self-written book and so may fall into that category. The ambiguity of the book's content intregues me but it seems it is made up of a collection of illustrations, photography and talks about the way in which Alexa see's the fashion industry. 

   "I have a weird mental block every time I go shopping that means I forget what I already own the moment I cross the threshold into the store."

    After a successful book launch at London's Liberty store, and an after party attended by Pixie Geldof, Daisy Lowe and Laura Bailey- I am sure that Alexa will yet again be successful in what she intended to achieve. 

 'IT', by Alexa Chung is available in store now for just £16.99.

Pattern CLASH

A huge fan of clashing prints myself, I am obsessed with the grungey way that this is being done for this autumn.

  Two of my favourite prints, vintage-floral and tartan-check have been mismatched together by high end labels such as Givenchy and Saint Laurent, creating a laid back look perfect for throwing together on a winter morning (the more layers, the better). 

  What impresses me further, is how high-end high street labels have become, with Zara successfully putting together their AW13 look-book completely inspired by what was shown last March on the catwalk. This high-street collection may seem like a rip off of the grunge spin Hedi Slimane put on Saint Laurent for this autumn, however as they say, 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.' And quite frankly, a fraction of the price, I'm not complaining.

   Other high street labels jumping on the band wagon are Topshop, of course, with a selection of check shirts on offer and also a floral and photo-check tea dress for just £50. As for River Island, I'm in love with the black chunky buckle cut-out boots which are only £45. 

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/lookbook/trf/august-september-c478002.html

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=check&storeId=12556&productId=10710194&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057

http://www.riverisland.com/women/shoes--boots/ankle-boots/Black-chunky-buckle-cut-out-boots-638924

Flawlessly Fast Fashion

One of the things that amaze me about the current fashion industry is the sheer speed in which spectacular looks can be designed, made and put out onto the red carpet.

   A prime example of this is the gown that Lady Gaga wore on the red carpet for the VMAs 2013. This exact gown was designed, made and fitted within the very 48 hours before the event. The word pressure doesn't quite describe it considering this would be Gaga’s first red carpet appearance since Born This Way.

  The genius behind it? Prabal Gurung. A self-confessed Gaga fan himself, I can’t imagine the excitement/anxieties he experienced within those 48 hours before.  “I think she is one of the most important artists of our time, I love her music and what she stands for. She is one of the most vocal celebrities on gay rights.”

   This look was definitely more toned down than the infamous meat-dress she wore to the 2010 VMAs, but was well suited to the natural Gaga look that we have seen a lot of recently. Personally, I am really into seeing Gaga stripped back like this. The long brown hair, swept to one side, looks so elegant in my opinion with this perfectly balanced asymmetric gown.

   With New York Fashion Week fast approaching, tensions are certain to be running high at the fashion label but it must be relief for them to know that Gaga’s gown went down a success. Also, it is very likely that this dress is a nod to the kind of looks that will be sent down Gurung’s runway in New York next week. 

Something About SQUIRRELS

Taking my inspiration from somewhere slightly different today... As I sat an watched 'The Great British Bake Off'', the beauty of one cake stood out for me, and that was the 'Secret Squirrel' cake made by whimsical baker Frances. 

   Those who know me well will know that I love all things fury and or feathery. Aside from owls, which I will always adore, my new obsession for this winter is going to have to be SQUIRRELS!
   I love how cute and kooky a squirrel print can be and found that Orla Kiely's AW13 collection makes use of this perfectly. The 60's looking collection uses squirrel print modestly on knitwear to give an autumnal and kooky feel to the outfits.
   Whilst there isn't much out there at the moment when it comes to squirrels (sad face) I am going to be keeping my eyes peeled for squirrel print fabrics and vintage items to add to my winter wardrobe this year.

The Great British Bake Off is on BBC2, Tuesdays at 8pm.

Fashion On Stage: V Festival 2013

   After not being able to get a ticket to this year's festival, I figured the best way to make the most of it would be to select a few of the most stand out on stage looks from the weekend. 

   Beyonce definitely 'stole the stage' so to speak. With a huge 6 outfit changes throughout her set, each look was completely flawless. I love how she easily pulls of elegant long dresses and trouser suits without looking to 'mumsy', but on the other hand can also look stunning in short hot pant leotards without looking slutty. Oh and how could I not mention the new bob, which I have grown to LOVE!

   There were a lot of crop tops at the festival worn on stage and off, which is fine with it being summer etc, however I'm not quite struck on the crop top and high waist pants that Jessie J wore. The modern, graphic construction of the top is very fashion forward but with the pants, the whole look didn't flatter her figure or in my opinion, look attractive. Jessie J has quite a boyish figure and, especially with the short hair, needs to be extra careful with how she dresses it. The look that Ellie Goulding wore on stage was a much better and more flattering version of what I think Jessie J was trying to achieve.
    My favourite dress however, was worn by Paloma Faith. The dress may in fact be from Dolce and Gabbana's A/W13 collection and Paloma looked so elegant in it, especially with the tonnes of accessories she put with it. Beautiful. 

Pyjama Trend

Clockwise from top left: Stella McCartney S/S12, Louis Vuitton A/W13, Marc Jacobs A/W13, Antonio Marras A/W13, Florence Welch in Moschino and Alexa Chung in JW Anderson pyjama style bottoms.

Pyjamas have been edging their way onto the catwalks for some seasons now, mostly with bad reviews. However, it seems that this odd trend has been one that designers over the past few years have been eager to crack and may just have done so this Autumn/Winter.

   This controversial trend is one of which you will either love or hate. Taking a very confident sort of woman to pull it off and an imaginative, open mind to see the beauty behind it, I can easily see why this idea has been dismissed by the majority of people.

   Personally, I have finally come to terms with the splendour of the idea. I mean what could be more sensual and self-assuring than being draped in comforting silk and being able to slouch into the laid back silhouette without a care in the world? However, in saying that, this is still a risky look to pull off. We are not talking about rolling out of bed in your silky La Senzas and walking out into the street, this look must be styled and accessorised in the appropriate way for it to be socially acceptable.

   With this trend being the one that is pushing the boundaries of fashion most at the moment, be prepared to make mistakes and for stares from passers-by.  Looking back at the 2012 NME Awards, Florence Welch stepped out bravely in a Moschino pyjama suit and was unfairly ripped to shreds by the media, landing her spot on many worst dressed lists.

   Stella McCartney’s block-printed silky pyjamas were one of the firsts to be brought to the catwalk last spring, offering an innovative alternative to her traditional trouser suits. Fashion muses to many, Tilda Swinton and Rihanna were soon to catch on and from there on the pyjama hype has risen…And if anybody could improve this look any more it’s Marc Jacobs, his AW13 collection for Louis Vuitton doing exactly that.

   So with look being huge for this winter I’m certainly on the lookout for the perfect pyjama suit. I just have one concern- silk isn’t the warmest of fabrics. Any chance dressing gowns will come into fashion sometime soon? 

Winter Florals