Festival Favourites

Coachella has already been and gone, bringing a riot of incredible street style images to anyone who was watching the action from afar, wishing they were there. Our absolute favourites came courtesy of vogue.com (check out the full gallery here) with everything from printed co-ords to over-the-top, heart-shaped sunglasses. And with Secret Garden Party, Bestival and Glastonbury all on their way, we thought it was time to get inspired and pull together a wishlist of festival pieces. The ideal festival wardrobe has come a long way since the days when everyone was pairing Hunter boots with cut-off denim, and now we’re far more excited about statement accessories with extra quirk. Here’s a handful of favourites, whichever festival you’re heading to this summer.

                                             

1. Clutch, Sophia Webster

Master the 90s throwback with a girl power vibe, with this bag inspired by the iconic lyrics of Destiny’s Child. With a detachable strap and black patent leather trim, it’s tongue-in-cheek but still undeniably luxe.

2. Chain Choker, C. Wonder

Chokers are having a revival right now (see Kate Bosworth’s black one, also at Coachella, for confirmation). Lead the way with this gold chain version, from online boutique C. Wonder, which has just the right amount of street.

3. Wayfarers, Ray Ban. 4. Cat eye sunglasses, Kamali Kulture. 5. Round acetate sunglasses, Linda Farrow for The Row

Go classic in wayfarers, flirt with bright cat eye colour, or go all out in oversized circles, with our favourite three sunglasses this season. Depending on how brave you’re feeling, you can go all out when it comes to colour, size and shape.

6. Hair garland, ASOS

If you’re going to do the flowers-in-your-hair thing, go big and bold. These pink blooms channel Poppy Delevingne’s Coachella look – just make sure the rest of your outfit isn’t too overwhelmingly girly.

7 .Wave print cap, Kenzo

The tomboy’s alternative, a printed baseball cap will hide unwashed hair and easily add some neon colour to your festival wardrobe. Kenzo do prints better than anyone else right now, but you can find similar versions at ASOS and Topshop.

8. Bumbag, Nasty Gal

Bumbags are the new backpack, and they’re set to steal the show at festivals this summer. Just make sure they come with extra embellishment, like these all-over studs, to give the shape a new lease of life.

9. Flatforms, Nasty Gal

Another Nasty Girl find, we love the bright aqua of these flatform sandals and the jelly texture is firmly on-trend right now. And the best thing about a flatform? They’re comfortable enough to wear all weekend, while giving you a handy height boost when you’re standing in the crowd.

10. Sandals, Forever 21

Another option that will last all day, no matter how many acts you go and watch, these Forever 21 sandals have more of a stripped-back, minimalist feel. So you’ll want to keep wearing them long after festival season is over – try pairing them with Bermuda shorts for cool city style.

11. Ring, Jules Kim

Another shot of street-inspired jewellery, this lion-topped ring sprawls across two fingers for a statement look. Keep other jewellery to a minimum if you opt for something like this, to avoid being overpowered by the bling.

12. Cat ears headband, BCBGMaxAzria

Animal ear headbands look like they’re going strong for another year, and beaded cat shapes are the way to keep it feeling fresh. This one from BCBGMaxAzria is the perfect combination of cute-meets-edgy, but there are more affordable alternatives all over the high street too.

Hyères Festival 2014

Kenta Matsushige

Last weekend saw the 29^th annual international festival of fashion and photography, held in a picturesque chateau in the South of France worthy of adorning a post card. The competition, which takes place every spring, is a three day event which aims to highlight some of the industries freshest new talent.

Roshi Porkar

This year’s competition was presided over by the formidable fashion duo and Kenzo label mates Humberto Leon and Carol Lim who put together a staggering panel of judges from all corners of the creative industry. 

The panel included director Spike Jonze, the creative director of British Vogue Jamie Perlman, actress Chloe Sevigny and Opening Ceremony buyer Eric Wilson (to name a few). 

Thousands of applicants were whittled down to just ten designers competing for the three awards; the Grand Prix de Premier, the Grand Prix de Premier Vision and the public’s favourite award.

Liselore Frowijn

In the end four designers were actually awarded with the president of Chloe agreeing to award both Roshi Porkar and Liselore Frowijn €15,000 each for the Prominence at Premier Vision. The Grand Prix was awarded to Japanese womenswear designer Kenta Matsushige who’s described his collection as ‘urban and modern whilst respecting hinabi, pastoral beauty, which is in opposition to miyabi, urban beauty.’

Yulia Yefimtchuck

Meanwhile Lim and Leon created the Opening Ceremony prize for Ukrainian designer Yulia Yefimtchuck, who’s bold and somewhat political collection caught the eye of the panel. The young designer’s collection is set to be stocked in five stores around the world for forthcoming two seasons.

The main idea of the competition however is not just about winning prize money but allowing burgeoning designers to make connections in the industry and collaborate with one another. Raphaelle Stopin, the festivals photography curator explained ‘we look for people with a strong personal language in their work’, this is certainly true of this year’s selection of designers. 

Wishlist: Mock Croc Accessories

Mock croc finishes are having a bit of a moment right now. The pattern has shaken off its traditional associations and now lends itself to the sport luxe vibe, with streamlined, urban pieces in a muted colour palette. Stamped over accessories, from casual backpacks to high fashion heels, croc’s become a staple across high street brands as well as the more exclusive labels, so here are a handful of our favourite pieces

1.    Croc leather coin purse, £12, Topshop

This simple coin purse from Topshop has a definite Alexander Wang feel to it, with metal corners and a gold-toned zip running across the top. And in bright cobalt blue, it recasts croc in the most unexpected of colours.

2.    Cutout Croc Cuff, £40, BCBG Max Azria

A striking piece of statement jewellery, BCBG Max Azria’s gold-plated cuff winks at the mock croc trend with its intricate pattern. Perfect for upgrading your everyday look to something special.

3.    Backpack, £18, New Look

This leather look backpack has been taken to the next level, thanks to mock croc panel at the top and metal-tipped straps. And the nude colour makes it a versatile choice for summertime travels.

4.    Tillie croc-effect leather sandals, £350, Acne Studios

We love pretty much everything that Acne offers, and these sandals are no exception. The black sling-back leather straps are classic, but that flash of deep red croc is of-the-moment modern.

5.    Enfield shoulder bag, £535, Rag &Bone

Another one for the wishlist, Rag & Bone have proven that mock croc finishes look just as good in white. Their Enfield shoulder bag, with a slender strap and metallic closure, is sport luxe styling at its best.

6.    Trapeze bag, £18, Forever 21

The discreet wings and allover croc pattern make this bag look more expensive than it actually is. With a detatchable shoulder strap, it’s a versatile choice if you’re in need of a city style bag – and again, there’s more than a hint of Alexander Wang about it.

7.    Duffle croc bag, £490, McQ Alexander McQueen

In a brilliant shade of blue, this is a luxurious take on the new croc. With studs across the top, a removable crossbody strap, and a lambskin exterior, we’d love to have this in our wardrobe.

8.    Chiara sandals, £198 at The Outnet, Alexander Wang

One of the designers really responsible for giving croc texture a fresh lease of life, Alexander Wang seems to effortlessly fuse it with his sporty, minimalist aesthetic. These Chiara leather sandals are on sale at The Outnet, so we suggest you check them our fast.

9.    High Vamp Skaters, £20, Topshop

These milky textured skaters are one of our favourite high street picks this season. Wear them with torn-up boyfriend jeans, Bermuda shorts…everything. The chunky platforms gives them a street edge, while the croc pattern is undeniably luxe. 

Jean Paul Gaultier at the Barbican

This month saw the arrival of the Barbican Centre’s latest exhibition, and it’s bound to be one of this summer’s cultural highlights. The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, which is on until August 25^th, delves into the history of the famed designer and revisits some of the most iconic moments of his career.

He has 40 years of star-studded work under his belt, including stage costumes for Kylie Minogue. But it’s definitely Madonna’s corsets and conical bra – designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for her 1990 Blonde Ambition World Tour that most people will really remember him for.

Other style signatures – think Breton stripes, subverted gender divides and a flirtatiously French feel – are scattered throughout the exhibition, and it really makes you realise what a huge influence this single designer has had on fashion and culture. He stands for transgression, celebrating the unconventionally beautiful, and doing things his own way.

The clothes (just over 165 garments are on show) are incredibly beautiful, but a whole host of other materials bring them alive. Footage from fashion shows, music videos, films, dance performances and concerts show how they move, and how they were presented at the time.

The team at the Barbican have even added some Parisian flair to the Barbican Centre’s Martini bar, refurbishing it with furniture designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and serving cocktails inspired by the designer’s career. Sip a Breton, Conical or Enfant Terrible to get the full experience – and you can book them ahead of time when you’re organising your visit.

It’s the first major exhibition devoted to Jean Paul Gaultier, so whether you’re a huge fan of his work or just interested to learn more about the Parisian couturier, we recommend you book a ticket now.

Summer Style: Lace Bra Tops

Summer is well and truly on its way. One hero piece I can’t wait to be rocking this summer is a lace bra top. It’s a style detail that has been around for a while now, but I like it because it’s a style aesthetic that you can reinvent with so many different looks.

Wearing this kind of style pick is probably one of the only ways that it is acceptable to go out flashing your underwear but as revealing as this piece can be it can add that subtle sensual accent to your personal style.  

As great as lace bra tops are for adding this kind of depth to your look if not styled properly it can look horrendous. However if the bra top is styled in a chic way the right accompanying pieces this intricate styling can give your look a sexy feminine attitude.

What I love about lace bra tops the most is the fact that season after season you can interchange the key piece exploring with different colours and styles. This spring summer has seen some hot trends, it would super stylish to incorporate a lace fabric piece like this with a graphic floral garment that this season is presenting.

I like the fact that you can go all out with this hero piece and wear it as a garment itself. This kind of look works well paired with a high waist skirt. I also think that bra tops like this look fierce teamed with your traditional vest as well as dungarees or a V neck jumpsuits.

Lace bra tops are available in so many style variations from fine lace to corset inspired pieces there’s a style to suit all. I’ve picked out my top ten styles, let me know which one you like best?

One: Luisaviaroma

Two: Farfetch

Three: Asos

Four: Laradoute

Five: Topshop

Six: Stella McCartney

Seven: Net-a-porter

Eight: Deborah Marquit

Nine: Hanky Panky

Ten: Urban Outfitters

Image source: www.pinterest.com

Alexander Wang X H&M

I woke up ridiculously early on Sunday morning for some reason. It was as if my slumbering subconscious mind knew something epic had happened, something that is set to make fashion fangirls and boys the world over squeal with excitement.

I feel the need to point out here that I am not one for being too showy when it comes to excitement, I’m more of the laid back ‘yeah whatever’ kind of gal. But when I woke up on Sunday morning to news that H&M’s latest designer collaboration was none other than Alexander Wang I must admit I did do a little squeal of joy.

No, I was not still sleeping and dreaming of matches made in designer/high street heaven, I was wide awake staring at a looped video on Instagram that simply read “Wang x H&M 11:06”.

Five months after the highly anticipated collection by Isabel Marant pour H&M was released the announcement of H&M’s tenth anniversary collaboration was to be with the uber cool New Yorker Alexander Wang.

Wang, who is currently the Creative Director of Balenciaga, is renowned for his iconic cool monochrome sports luxe aesthetics usually spotted on off-duty models and down town cool-girl socialites. But rejoice; now we can be just as stylish as them – without the high end price tag; thank you fashion Gods!

H&M’s Creative Director Margarita Van Den Bosch explained the brand’s choice of designer; ‘he understands exactly what people want to wear and does it with an energy and passion that’s infectious.’ She continued ‘He’s very contemporary. It’s very young but it’s also things that can be worn by any age because of his influences in tailoring and sport. He’s very much today.’

Wang, who is the youngest designer to collaborate with the Swedish high street chain, follows in the footsteps of some of the most revered names in the fashion industry including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Versace, Lanvin and Marni (to name but a few). 

The young designer said that he was honoured to be working with the brand but was quick to note that ‘the idea of collaborations isn’t new anymore, they’ve been done from all angles,’ he continued ‘when they approached me I wanted to do something different. It will be a new take on a lifestyle offering.’

I’m not sure exactly what a ‘lifestyle offering’ entails but if it includes his amazing accessories and luxe basics then I’ll see you at the front of the queue on November 6^th!

It is time to bring out the Sunglasses!

The daffodils have sprouted and the trees are blossoming blossom which signifies that spring is well and truly here so we better had start getting our spring summer wardrobes ready.

One wardrobe essential that is paramount for spring summer are sunglasses. There is no denying that a stylish pair of frames does do wonders for finishing off a look. Sunnies are not just a great for making you look good they also have a practical function in protecting your eyes from harmful UV sun rays. In a recent article I read on the Health Canal talks of 12 Things you should know before you buy sunglasses, the author states that when buying a pair of sunnies you should really check to see what the label says about UV protection. The sun damage can cause irreversible damage to the cornea and even cause eyelid cancer. Sunnies with UV400 offer a nighty five percent protection which is the recommended level of protection.

I have to say I am quite bad when it comes to looking out for labels but never the less sunglasses are a necessity that effortlessly give any daytime look that edge. Sunglasses are the one accessory that you just don’t own one pair of. You need a pair for all occasions because they help to define your most stylish of looks.

You can always rely on a pair of sunnies for when the times when we all jet out of the house in a mad rush and make up is just really not an option. You can tie your hair up in a quick messy bun and chuck on a pair of shades to cover up the bags and tell signs of previous nights bottle of red.

I’ve seen quite a few different style sunglasses that I wouldn’t mind testing out this season. I love the hexagon shape although I really need to try the shape first to see if it suits my face. All sunglasses don’t suit everyone it very much depends on the shape of your face so checking out a sunglasses guide will help you to buy right when you’re shopping online. 

Round sunnies where an emerging trend for last spring summer, this season is rife with the style. Check out my 10 styles and tell me which ones you want to be rocking this summer.

One: Nasty Girl

Two: Topshop

Three: Forever21

Four: Love Clothing

Five: Choises

Six: Farfetch

Seven: Mytheresa

Eight: Luisaviaroma

Nine: The Corner

Ten: Net-a-porter

Image source: www.pinterest.com

Yves Saint Laurent: The Rival Biopics

The life of Yves Saint Laurent is suddenly garnering a lot of attention. Two films about his life are set for release this year, both with permission from the fashion house, which seems slightly strange. Why permit two films in one year, which might seem like overkill?

We can only imagine that the house is hoping for a rise in profits as a result: well-made films, which explain the brand’s identity and history to an unfamiliar audience, can create potential new customers. Someone who’s seen and loved a film about Yves Saint Laurent the person is much more likely to buy a Saint Laurent lipstick, perfume or bag than someone who doesn’t know very much about the label’s legacy.

The first film, simply titled Yves Saint Laurent, is already in cinemas and has mostly had mixed reviews. From director Jalil Lespert, it focuses closely on the designer’s relationship with Pierre Bergé, his co-founder and long-term partner. And with a backdrop of glamorous parties, endless travel and immaculate fashion shows, it’s an enjoyable reminder of what the industry looked like before digital technology arrived.

But several critics have pointed out that it simply doesn't have enough drama to keep audiences rooted to their seats for a full-length film. Yves was brilliantly talented, but a drug problem and tumultuous relationship is rarely enough to merit a biopic. What has been highly praised, though, is Pierre Niney’s portrayal of the troubled designer. His transition from awkward and introvert to narcissist success – fragile at all stages, due to his manic depression – feels seamless.

Details are starting to emerge about the second film, due for release in October, but there are no full reviews yet. What we do know is that, despite it having backing from Kering, who own the Saint Laurent house, Pierre Bergé has said that he would like to stop its production. He tweeted “Two films on YSL? I hold the moral rights in the work of YSL’s image and mine have authorised that of Jalil Lespert.”

Gaspard Ulliel (a Chanel model) will play Saint Laurent, directed by Bertrand Bonello who, according to The Telegraph, wrote to Bergé to explain why they did not seek his permission before starting work on the film. The newspaper says they wanted real “freedom of expression” without any input from the Saint Laurent co-founder.

And to make the rivalry even tighter, this second film has the same working title as the first: Yves Saint Laurent. Simple and concise, it hints at another personal and intimate motion picture. We can’t wait to see how it compares to the first.

#CastMeMarc

Marc Jacobs is renowned for his impressive use of social media to promote his eponymous brand. In February he opened the doors to his first pop-up shop where customers could make purchases using ‘social currency’ earned through tweeting pictures and using a hashtag.

He recently won the Coalition’s award for the best use of social media and it looks like he doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.

 

Jacobs’ recently appointed two new creative directors to the sister brand Marc by Marc Jacobs; British designers Luella Bartley and Katie Hillier whilst Jacobs himself concentrates on his own line.

Hillier and Bartley seem to share Jacobs passion for using social media and are currently searching for the new face for the diffusion line over Twitter and Instagram.

On Wenesday evening Jacobs called to action aspiring models from all over the world asking them to submit a selfie using the hashtag #CastMeMarc.

There has already been a huge influx of submissions from professional models and amateurs alike, some good, some not so good and some downright hilarious. So if you’ve harboured dreams of becoming the next Kate Moss then don’t miss your chance! The competition ends on the 9^th of April so get your selfies at the ready.

Top 5: New Fashion Books

We’re impatient for Spring/Summer 2014 to truly arrive: we’ve been teased with the occasional sunny weekend in London, but for the most part we’re still having to rely on winter coats and cosy layers. So while we wait to break in our pool sliders, we’ve been flicking through the most recently released fashion tomes. 2014 has been a big year for the sartorially sharp coffee table book so far, so we wanted to talk you through five of the best…

A Denim Story: Inspirations from Bell Bottoms to Boyfriends by Emily Current, Meritt Elliott and Hilary Walsh

The clue is in the authors’ names for this one: it’s by the designers behind cult denim label Current Elliott. But it’s not about their brand, it’s more of an atmospheric wander through 80 years of denim imagery. There isn’t a lot of text – this book is similar to Alexa Chung’s ‘It’ in that the pages are mostly filled by images, with stylish thoughts scattered in between. 

Dior, The Legendary Images: Great Photographers and Dior

Edited by Florence Muller, this book has been curated as an accompaniment to the Musée Christian Dior exhibition due to launch later in 2014. She concentrates on Dior’s interest in photography as an artistic medium, and explains how he used it to help shape the house of Dior in its early stages. If you’re after a tome full of glamorous photographs from the days of haute couture, this is it. There are even some 1962 portraits of Marilyn Monroe wearing Dior, taken by Bert Sterns

Fashionable Selby by Todd Selby

Photographer Todd Selby has already documented homes (The Selby is In Your Place) and food (Edible Selby) but this time he’s brought his richly saturated style to the world of fashion. A stylish mix of photographs and illustrations, with handwritten captions, cover designers, stylists, editors, models, haberdashers and shoemakers – all with eclectic personalities and larger than life style.

The Pursuit of Style: Advice andbMusings from America’s Top Fashion Designers

With a foreword by industry stalwart Diane Von Furstenberg and an introduction by Jessica Alba, this has been compiled by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. A non-profit organisation, they’ve collected their “advice and musings” from the biggest names in the US, like Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen, Donna Karan and Betsey Johnson. We would have liked to see more photographs and more in-depth interviews, but it’s a nice idea and would make a thoughtful gift for any budding fashionista. We’re just not sure about Jessica Alba’s introduction – notes from a designer or someone more heavily involved in the industry might have been more appropriate.

Kinfolk Volume 11, by Nathan Williams

Not strictly a fashion book, this one is more about personal style and cultivating a thoughtful lifestyle. But we had to include it because of its ties to the normcore non-trend that is sweeping across every the world right now. The Kinfolk series is all about curating a simple, uncluttered life that helps you focus on what’s important, so whether you’re into normcore or just the minimalist approach we’d recommend checking them out. The newest addition is all about the home, how to create one and share it, and how to really feel at home in a world that’s changing all the time.