Summer lovin’

So it’s really warm in London. Like, proper hot. On the tube, in the studio, walking around. I have spent the last week trying to balance wearing the least amount possible to not roast (I’m Irish, I’m not used to the heat!) and wearing enough work-appropriate clothes to not get fired for indecency. Here’s what I came up with today. My Nike basketball tank is one of my new favourite things, I got it in Brixton for £1. Win.

Not such a win is taking pictures in the morning – note to self: next time, check the light before you take photos. Idiot :/

Top, Nike, thrifted; Skirt & Shorts, American Apparel; Sandals, H&M

Always believe in your soul (GOLD)

So last week I went to Westfield in Stratford. They are two places I never need to be again. Shudder. However, the pain was worth it to see Julie literally brandish an umbrella at people*, and for this, my new favourite thing for all time ever, my shiny GOLD dress. I mean, like, who doesn’t need a pleated lamé gold dress? It’s so practical. It’s a midi length, dipping at the back, which I like. So versatile too, I can wear it to gala’s, dinners, work….I do one of those things. And I did in fact wear it to work on Friday. Do you have a job where you can wear a gold dress to work and it’s no big thing? Oh you DO, do you? Well then you must be a textile designer too then

It’s very disco, and glitzy, but also casual enough to stick a massive thing over and have it as a fun day time skirt. You know how it is. Also I got new boots in the market, they are Asos, but were market stall prices. WIN.

Oh, and I got a new lipstick. Summer pink. Fuchsia. LOVE IT.

*I’m talking proper wave her umberella in front of her shouting “get out of my way”. Actually, that sounds a lot more obnoxious written down than it was at the time.

Jumper, Pringle; Dress, H&M; Boots, Asos

V For Versace

So, this one has caught me slightly on the hop. Versace are doing a second line for H&M, and it’s out in like a fortnight. I had no idea, morto! Although unless I have been living under a rock for the past while (that is actually possible, now that I think of it), the blogosphere is decidedly less excited for this one. My feelings about designer/high-street collaborations are still mixed at best, but I am always curious to see what the teams come up with. This cruise collection delivers much of the same as the previous Versace collab…amazing campaign, light on clothes. Well, I mean, maybe I’m just not the target audience….You tell me….

Versace for H&M Cruise 2012

Versace for H&M Cruise 2012

I know it is probably a harsh judgement, and there are things from this collection I would wear – the bikini & some of the menswear is cute. But still…I stand by my previous sentiment that Versace is only good when it is actually expensive – tacky clothes in cheap fabrics is just, well, cheap. Even when Abbey Lee Kershaw models them in a great shoot.

The line is out January 19, from what I have heard. And while I won’t be rushing out to stand in line, I think this shirt is cute. Don’t you think it’s cute?

H&M Cruise 2012

all images via fashionolgie.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

 

Pressure’s for tyres

I have been very remiss about blogging the last little while. However, the reason for this is because I was working my ass off in the real world. It seems to have worked, too (to no noone’s greater surprise than my own!). The reward for my work is a spot for my collection in the fashion show in college, I am too excited about this. In a stress vomit, oh dear god how the hell am i going to do all this work, sort of a way. But I was thinking…what am I going to wear?? I always totally judge designers when they pop their heads out. Too much is, well, too much (Donatella, I am looking at you), but too little is almost worse. Like, you MAKE CLOTHES. As evidenced by the collection that just went down that runway. And I get that backstage is stressful. But have a dress or something to throw on once the first model starts walking maybe. No? I’m just saying.

Anyway, this is what I wore the other day, in my normal, non catwalk life. I love the shirt, even if there is a giant ink stain on it…I guess this look is sort of like goth lite…I remember when I was a teenager I tried to be a goth for about a week, but I realised that I was far too happy to pull it off, all the other goths saw through me, ha!

Dress H&M, Shirt Vintage, Boots Topshop, Necklace Swarovski cross on ribbon

Happy Monday!

Lonely Child

Some days I wish I had a sister so I could annoy her into doing shoots with me. Or a flatemate or something. As it stands, if I want to play around with taking photos and stuff, I have to do it myself. I guess that’s fine tho, right?! Cindy Sherman‘s work is mostly self-portraits, and she’s really cool. [note: I do not think i am anywhere near as deadly as Cindy Sherman. She's unreal] Here’s what I wore the other day. It’s nice and comfy, with a bit of lace, and a ridiculous bow for good measure. I finally submitted my thesis, so it was time to get krunk. Although drinking for the first time after a month of working like a bitch on college work = SORE head next day!

Shirt & Skirt, H&M, Bow, Vintage, Shoes, KG by Kurt Geiger

And I suppose if I had sisters they would take my clothes…

I need to stop thinking about an impossible eventuality.

 

Happy New Year?!!

In keeping with 2010 tradition of procrastination and general forgetfulness (ha, like it was only 2010), I have been meaning to post my New Year’s Eve outfit since, well, New Years. I guess a week’s not that bad. Anyway, the reason I wanted to post it was two fold. Actually three fold. Manifold, if you will.

Fold #1: I recently extolled the virtues of the sheer maxi. And after sort of giving up hope of finding one, find one I did, ish. What I did find was a mesh over jersey maxi from the sale in H&M, that I then hacked up to give me the see through legs I was looking for (what a slapper…). I actually over hacked it up and ended up having to put a bit back on with safety pins because I hate sewing jersey and I had about 10 mins to get ready but whatever, safety pins are so now, right?!! End of the story – I HAVE A SHEER MAXI!

Fold #2: NEW SHOES!!! I LOVE new shoes. How original, says you. I was really bold in the sale and bought a truly massive pair of KG by Kurt Geiger suede booty leather strappy over delights. It’s bold because they are massive and I am already a giraffe so I’m approaching drag queen territory I’m so tall when I wear them, but who gives a flying monkeys because they are puuuuuuurrrrrdy.

Fold#3: Grunge. I decided I wanted to look grungy. So this is my attempt at grunge. I fear it veers a little close to goth, so maybe next time I’l add more colour. But I like it.

ONE gripe though – Why do H&M make really short maxi skirts? They are all mid calf on me, and they are defo supposed to reach at least the ankle. Stupid giraffe height!

Exciting!!

When news that Sonia Rykiel was collaborating with H&M first hit, I was very excited. The subsequent lingerie line was delightful, but sadly, not the Sonia Rykiel knitwear we all hoped for. Well, this time around, it’s exactly that. Launching on February 20th (so soon!), Sonia’s collection is right on the money. I actually cannot wait!

(image: befashionlike.com)

(image: esper-magazine.com)