201…

200 (and one) posts. 200 ideas. Some good, some terrible. Some well thought out, some thrown together with a very sore head. Nearly two years of my life documented by the random various things that catch my eye. I honestly never expected this blog to last this long, nor that I would care about it, or that I would consider myself a blogger, much less that others would consider me one.

I guess I just like the idea of sharing things I like, even if I just reach one person then that’s cool. It was never meant to be big or clever – just as well, says you!

I’m not going to go on and thank the Academy, and god and my dog’s ma’s sisters hampster’s personal trainer, but I would like to say that I have met some really cool, interesting people from doing this and I am happy that there is a community of people who are engaging with fashion in a thoughtful way and that us nerds can all unite together!

And without further ado, here is what I wish I was wearing today, instead of an old, ragged hoodie and sweatpants.

Moschino AW11

Araks AW11

Helmut Lang

Suno AW11

Marc by Marc AW11

all images via style.com

 

It’s pronounced VersACE

I love Versace. Wait, what?

I am not a Versace Woman, nor would I stop to look at a Versace Woman in the street. But I love the sheer FASHUN of the runway shows and the editorials they put out. The craftsmanship is undeniable, the attention to detail immaculate.

Versace AW11

And who are we kidding, much of what young blogging types and grungy trendy heads are wearing today is, in a trickle down-bubble up inspired way, thanks to Versace. It was the leather and luxe look that Gianni was so amazing at in the early ’90′s. And make no mistake, there are oodles of Versace Women who spend the kind of cash that makes you blush. On Versace, to be clear.

Versace AW11

I have been thinking a lot about the H&M Collection recently. I saw the first preview in Stylist magazine, and I checked it out online a bit too. But as much as I fawn over the main lines, I think I am not that bothered about the H&M collection. For one big reason. Versace is, like, REALLY tacky. That’s why it’s awesome. Even a simple black coat will always have massive hardware or some detail designed to make the world know that the wearer is really really really ridiculously wealthy.

Versace AW11

It’s like the kind of tacky all other tacky aspires to be. The kind of tacky that only works when it is made of the finest of everything, when the studs are expensive and heavy and firmly secured. The kind of tacky that cannot ever be reproduced on the highstreet. Even with Donatella at the helm (and trust me, I have a massive amount of faith in her – she looks like a tiny bullet of awesome).

Versace for H&M 2011

image via fabsugar.com.au

So, what you get is more like a parody of Versace. Don’t get me wrong, I am technically all for diffusion lines and bringing design to the masses. Just not Versace. Keep tacky rich. Although that said, I do quite like this skirt…

Versace for H&M 2011

 image via fabsugar.com.au

I’ll almost definitely regret not getting my hands on that skirt. But I can live with myself, I think. After all, I’m not a Versace Woman, even when it’s on the high street. *Bonus ss12 images below…I love how all the Versace models are basically Donatella fembots! Babes!*

Versace SS12

Versace SS12

 

Check this: Nhu Duong

Continuing on my little tangent of things that I should have read months ago because they really are rather interesting, I would like to share with you a wonderful designer from Stockholm Fashion Week, Nhu Duong.

She came to my attention on Dazeddigital, and I was struck by the colour and simplicity of her garments. Keeping with the somewhat stark aesthetic, I am going to keep my words brief.

Nhu Duong AW11

 

Nhu Duong AW11

 

Nhu Duong AW11

 

all images via dazeddigital.com

Check out Nhu’s Website to see more of her amazing work.

 

Fair Frocks

Last night, while attempting to get through some of the hundreds of “I’ll get to you later” mails, I came across a very worthy endeavour from Asos. A while back I did a little piece on Suno, and how they are bringing Fashion to the fore when it comes to ethical and sustainable clothing. Well, the Out of Africa collection from Asos reminds me more than a little bit of their high end counterpart, if not because they are both produced in Kenya, in workshops focusing on sustainability within the community and the environment. Using traditional African-looking prints and weaves, the online highstreet behemoth has created a line that is as fashionable as it is ethical. I really dig these printed trousers – the print reminds me of Suno’s collection.

As if the fact that these threads are bang on trend wasn’t enough to get you interested, to ease your consumption guilt a little bit – Asos are pledging to donate £5 from each sale, and then matching each with another £5 to the workshop that produces that garments to assist with the ongoing  development of a sustainable and long term solution to the economic problems in the Kenyan community. Can’t say fairer than that!

Asos Africa

Asos Africa

Check the range HERE

Cozy up beside me

Autumn is here, much to my dismay. I am cheering myself up by pondering winter coats. Those that know me will know that I have a teeeeensie coat obsession…to the tune of twenty-odd of the things. Still though, I think I can justify perhaps a fresh one this season. Well, you know, fresh city, it just seems fair!

Giles AW11

Chloe AW11

Giles and Chloe rocking Gestapo chic, DELISH

So this is what I have been thinking….I am in the mood for something functional yet stylish, something that screams – I AM A DESIGNER, living in LONDON. haha. Seriously though, I’m only half joking. I want an oversize, anti-fashion, functional thing. I really like when garments go beyond fashion to become pure design, the beauty is in the simplicity, the lack of superfluous embellishment. A pocket where you need a pocket, just the right amount of warmth, a neutral colour that works with everything, the works.  As much as it is boringly on trend, I am really crushing on Barbour at the moment, if just from a quality perspective. The high street is flooded with imitators, but only the original is as warm as it is stylish….I just can’t decide which one I want more!

 

Barbour Beadnell

Barbour xLiberty Beadnell

Barbour National Trials

 

 

Living in Dublin, London, anywhwere similar,  means that for basically half the year, the most important garment you have is your coat. Because you need to wear one almost all the time. The most well thought out outfits have come undone by forgetting to incorporate the coat. And given that I am the whatever-is-closest-and-cleanest kind of dresser, getting a coat that says the right thing without having to figure out in-depth outfit plans is a major bonus.

 

Simone Rocha AW11

Celine AW11

 

Antonio Berardi AW11

Philip Lim AW11

Alexander Wang AW11

Contrasting textures & colours for added interest

I have been on the hunt for the perfect parka for roughly two years now. I have had terrible luck, because I didn’t want to pay loads of money, because in my head a parka is a casual thing, and casual things should be cheeep. But the high street ones are useless quality, flimsy and just not even worth the more reasonable price tags. Furthermore, the shape needs to be just right, long enough but not too long, utilitarian, just the right amount of oversize and straight.

Turns out I have been a FOOL, because I have found a bucketload of them on the interweb from army surplus style sites. Why I didn’t head straight there is beyond me, but now all I have to do is decide which of these babies is just right.

Aquascutum AW11

Dress Monster via Asos

Won Hundred

Swedish Military Parka

Or maybe a Duffel Coat? Maybe?

Burberry AW11

Christopher Raeburn via Brownsfashion.com

Barbour

 

I LOVE this colour!

Celine AW11

and the highstreet version…

Topshop

 

And finally, it’s not practical, nor affordable, but if someone wants to buy me this, I’ll love you forever…

Alexander Wang AW11

 

Forevz and evz

On Thursday I popped in to the Forever 21 press morning for a little gander at their Autumn Winter offering. As per usual they had a lovely warm welcome ready for everyone, alongside the finest pieces of the forthcoming season. Stores like Forever 21 really need to tick all the boxes in terms of trends and directions, given that their target market is pretty huge and has such broad tastes, and this season was no exception. So like other high street retailers, they had their overall collection divided thematically, with ’70′s, vintage, preppy and mod being main themes F21 picked up on and developed into stories.

As it was really really busy full of the best and brightest of the Dublin fashion scene, I sort of spent half my time looking at the clothes on the rails and half the time looking at the clothes on the people there. I also managed to remember to bring my camera to a press event for the first time (win!) so I snapped a bit of both.  Interestingly, I noted that the way the crowd were dressed reflected the themes on the hangars. Not bad considering those in attendance were some of the most sartorially savvy fashion heads in Dublin.

Of course I forgot to snap all the things I liked, so you will have to trust me when I say that I really can’t wait to get my hands on the cut out denim shirt.

I liked how they had live mannequins interacting with people, the whole morning had the feeling of a salon, which is no mean feat for a mass mass retailer! The clothes themselves stood up to close scrutiny, not only on the hangers but also on the models walking around, looking great. One of the stylists didn’t realise they were models and was struck by how amazingly dressed, and tall, everyone was!

As a very generous thank you for coming along, the folks at Forever 21 gave us a bag to nab an accessory goody. I am, however, far too much of a goody two shoes, and only took one. So I shall be keeping it for myself – next time I promise I will get something to giveaway to you guys, promise!! But in fairness, with my penchant for rings, do you REALLY think I would give this baby away? It’s amaaaaaazing. I die!

dodgy iphone pic. i was so excited i tweeted straight away....

Forever 21 really have their accessories down. Every time I am in the stores or at an event like this, I find myself picking up things almost before I realise it, which is always a good thing. And you know the old saying, when in doubt, lash on a load of jewellery! No?

And to end off, a few sneaky pics of some of the other lovely bloggers I bumped into on Thursday morning. Good to see you girlies! x