School Is Back In Session: Par Me

Hello hello hello hello hello hello! (did you like my bit of French in the title? That was the only thing I learnt in three years of French, pitiful.)  Did you have a fab Christmas and New Year? I'm back thank the Lord (I got lost on the way to the computer sorry). But after reading some very inspirational blogs I'm back and better than ever (that was sarcasm if you didn't catch it). For my first post of the new year I've decided to talk about something very close to my heart... boots. And with the weather we are having in the UK I think this is quite a helpful post (if I do say so myself).

I've just come down from my shoppers high in which I treated myself to a new pair of tan leather Topshop boots. I thought with the weather the way it is I would see what boot trends are coming through, and it may even help some of you (if there is anyone, you should be ashamed) who haven't purchased theirs yet.

At college we've been looking at what trends are coming through for this season and how they will translate to spring/ summer 2013 (obviously with boots that won't work very well). But lets have a looksies and see what's on the highstreet at the moment,

Studs- this most be the most repetitive thing ever because it seems that studs are always on trend, I don't remember a time before studs (that was sarcasm too). but yes on nearly every persons feet when I wonder into town on a cold, grey January morning I see studs. They are just effortless glamour (in that rock chic kind of way ofcourse), it can take a drab outfit and turn it into something shamazing just by the little decorative technique on your feet. I bowed down to the trend at my birthday and bought a pair and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Leather- this is probably a no-brainer but I have just started to notice the effect of leather boots and how they differ from plastic ones. I know times are tough and we all have to tighten our belts, But I can guarantee that if you invest in a pair of these cool kids you will not regret it. And honestly if you think about it logically by the amount of time you've bought plastic shoes and they've broken and then you buy more, you could have just saved your money and bought one staple pair that wouldn't break that easily, sooo your saving yourself money.

Wellies- in this type of weather we all must ruefully put away are prized posessions and wap out the Wellington boots, but just because the weather is poo doesn't mean that are shoes have to suffer. Wellies are becoming more and more fashionable thanks to brands like Hunter and Vivenne Westwood 'hipping' them up. They are just as cute as the rest (in my case many) boots.

Chelsea Boots- how cool are they though? I don't (yet, but there's still time) have a pair. But they are just the fabbest thing ever. I tried a pair on the other day and I felt as though I was in some sort of Made In Chelsea trance (that I didn't feel like leaving) but the minute I caught the price tag it swiftly went away. If you don't have a pair and you are looking for comfortable chic-ness you now know where to go.

High Top Boots- I can't honestly say that I am a fan, but everyone has different opinions (mine being if you chose to run wear trainers, if you want to look fab wear boots. You are not Hannah Montana, you cannot have the best of both worlds.) I think they suit a certain person and you have to be very careful with what you wear them with (but the kiddie designs are quite cool, I'll give them that).

Dr. Martens- can you imagine a world where Dr. Martens didn't exist? I must say when you get a pair there is no turning back. When I was younger I thought it was just a punk or gothic thing, but how wrong I was the minute that shoe box came my way I realised it was going to be a long and happy marriage (one of which there would be no divorce). I can also vouch for the fact that they are wonderful in this hurrendous snowy (more like black icy) weather.

So there my opinions are for the world to see. I hope you enjoyed my little rant about boots, and I hope it helped for those with Sophie's Choice (yes, it is that important, No, I have never actually seen that movie) of what boots to get.

Have You Ever Wanted To Just Rob Someone's Full Wardrobe?

Well, as the title would suggest this is my latest fashion wise problem. I have found a new style icon, and her name is Sophia Sassoon. She is a new star on E4's Made in Chelsea, and I must give props where they are due, and they are certainly due in this case.

I've done some research, and found out that she is an actress and model (so that may possibly have something to do with her impeccable sense of style). 

The only way I can describe her look is chic and sophisticated. From what I've seen on the show Sophia always wears dark or neutral colours (but her twitter picture shows her in bright red @sophiasassoon). She dresses up her dark colours by adding glamour so it doesn't feel drab and depressing like a funeral everyday. 

Sophia is wearing a trend that is very much now #luckyforus. So there are many places to get her look. ZARA would be one of the best places to go as they are very on the sophisticated all (or nearly all) black look (but when going in ZARA I tend to avoid looking at prices since when I do I tend to usually have to put down whatever it was I was looking to see the price off). So other places that are good include: New Look, River Island, Next, Matalan and I even found some nice pieces in Primark (I don't know why I'm acting surprised they have some really good stuff in there, well sometimes). With their black leather- sleeved jumpers, trenches and coats, also wet-look trousers and Chelsea (no pun intended) boots are also a great place to go is Topshop. Another way to help stay with this look is plain blouses with stand out jewellery pieces (like Peter Pan collars and studded necklaces).

Fur And Studs: The Best Way Of Glamour

Hello people! I do apologise for my lack of writing skills (as usual I will blame school). How are we all and what lovely things have we been spending our income on? Well, let me tell you mine: Furs (not real ones) and Studs. Which as you could probably tell by the title is what this little piece is about.

Have you all seen (and if you've been into Topshop then you definitely will have) these fur scarf's? They are amazing because it saves you buying a new jacket with a detachable collar, instead just buy the collar and save yourself some money. Then you can add it to all your jackets (or the ones it matches with). Loaaaaads of stores are picking up on this (as they rightly should we are in a recession) and there are many to choose from. Topshop (yes I know I already mentioned) are selling long fluffy fur collars that could pass for scarf's  But H&M are doing  fur collars in a Peter Pan style that would go well with jumpers and blouses how fetch. But as always the most varied (and probably cheapest) place to go is eBay, I really don't know what we did before it, you will have to trail through many pages to find a gem, but when your item comes in the post its usually worth it.

On to the next topic: studs. I know your probably thinking that I'm terribly late as this is a trend that has been going on all summer and autumn, but this is different. I have you thought about getting the studs yourself and adding them to clothes you already have (if the answers yes just act surprised at my discovery okay?)  The places to look are River Island that sell them in stores in little packs or of course eBay who sell 100's for and couple of pounds, I just bought some for my army jacket and when they arrive I'll show you how it goes.

Sleeves Make All The Difference

I have something very important to tell you all. It involves something very important in my life... my coats. Yes my coats they are very special to me and expand nearly every month. And I have another (well maybe others) that I feel it is my duty to add to the family #fashiongirlproblems. A leather sleeved jacket. Those three words have become the centre of my attention and I will not rest until I have them in my clutches.

This is a trend that I have noticed for some time now it just has not been at the forefront of my attention (see there was this fur coat that I needed, but that's a different story). But now I see what I've been missing and must have on or two or the shop full. There are trenches, army jackets and just plain black ones there is most definitely a style for everyone.

How pretty are these??? The best places for these jackets on the high street are Zara (but expect them to be a little or a lot on the pricey side ), Primark are doing their signature knock off of the army jacket and eBay is also a great place to go. But be careful when things are from overseas the shipping rates and quality can be a tad on the pooey side.

Let's Have A Little Class

I am very very very sorry that I have not been blogging as much. I feel that my behaviour towards my blog is disgraceful its like my child and I have been a bad mother #howrude. But I'm back!! And I feel really crummy but school and work (that makes me sound really old and grown-up #notimpressed) and sitting infront of the television are just taking all my time, so I decided that as a welcome back I would give you a little lesson on one of the key things I have been learning on my Fashion Course (how cool does that sound?).
When we first started talking fashion illustration I couldn't think of one illustrator that I knew #shameful, but when you think about it in most major fashion magazines there are illustations on a few of the pages. So we have been learning about fashion illustrations and fashion illustrators (it's even cooler than it sounds). So we've spent the week doing research on contemporary and historical fashion illustrators and I thought you people would like to see some of the cool illustrators that I found.

This first illustrator is called David Downton. It sad but true that I chose to research him because his last name was Downton and that seemed good enough for me, but when I actually looked at his work I was very impressed and when I read a summary of his biography I realised I'm not the only one that likes his work. He has a long list of well known clients. If you have a chance I recommend looking him up on Wikipedia or reading his website because he is very interesting.

This illustrator is called Cedric Rivrain. He is a French illustrator and designer and also has a long list of well-known clients. He aslo has a website but you can't really find that much information on there. His illustrations are amazing, he works with only pens and pencils to create his masterpieces (just go through his illustrations on google images and I know you like me will be impressed). I choose this illustration because it somes up what Cedric Rivrain is about. he draws his models in black and white and his clothing in colour to make it stand out more and that it does.







#I hope you have enjoyed your little class on contemporary fashion illustrators and I hope to share more of my new found knowledge with you in the near future.

Laziness

I think its disgraceful that I haven't written anything since the 21st of September, the 21st!! Blame college. So much has happened (fashion wise) since then I have turned (gasp) a year older. Yes it was very distressing not being 16 any more #sadface. But anyway as they say the show goes on (I don't think this applies in this situation but oh well).

Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model was fini yesterday and I have two sets of photos to show you since I was a Lazy Lucy and didn't blog about them. The comment will sort of be pointless now since we know who the winner is, but for those of you who don't I shan't ruin it till the end and will still at my (mostly) lovely comments. Here you are #yourwelcome.

The first set of photos were taken when there was four girls left in the running scroll down to see who was the evictee #spoileralert.


Lisa: poor old Lisa this photo really does must definitely not work for her. I love what she is wearing, but the pose just looks strange its stressing me out. And as usual the judges thought the same. She's also pulling that pouty face that also very much stresses me out. But she has a model body, just has to work on her face.





Emma: She looks like a Hollywood movie star. I think this pose works really well, her legs look elongated. Her face is breath-taking and I think this shot works really well. She show of the shoes very well and the clothes are very suited to her. We also excepted the fact that Emma just doesn't have a personality and now we can focus on how amazing her photos are #sorted.

Letitia: Them shoes and that jumper are a big no no. This always seem to happen when I try and talk about Letitia I get side tracked by the stylists fashion choices #fashiongirlproblems. Anyway back to the model at hand. The pose doesn't work and the way her face hits the light makes her look a lot older than she is and not in a flattering way (if there is one). She is just relying on her prettiness and with two weeks left (at the time) she cannot afford to do that.

Anita: last and probably least Anita. Her body looks amazing but her face is bleugh. Just gross plain gross. The outfit looks amazing on her and her legs look so long. I really do want this outfit. In Anita's defence on the day of this shoot it was absolutely freezing and she didn't once complain. So it shows that she really wants this and has a good work ethic, which can't be said for some of the other contestants #justsaying.





And because I am sooo mean (and well lazy) I will leave the other photos until tomorrow. But as promised sadly the girl that went out was........ Lisa #abouttohaveabreakdown. I know Lisa has the potential to become a working model and I know she will go far. #needtofindanotherfavourite.

The Continuation Of A Ritual,That Is Late.

You all probably know by now that this post is about Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model. Five girls left. What am I going to do when this show is over? #seriously. Anyway back to business, with only a few shows to go the girls went on a trip to Canada (Oh Canada! That is a song honest.) Most girls had to face their fear of heights when they had to catwalk (attached to wire) around one of Toronto's tallest buildings, which most of the ladies managed to do.

The photo shoot this week had the lovely back drop of Niagara Falls and the girls had to model the clothes from one of my favourite high street brands Miss Selfridge. Since this is the brand that one of the girls who wins the show will be the face of, this was good opportunity to impress the client and judge Whitney Port who was also on hand to help point the models in the right direction. So with the wonderful back drop and amazing clothes, lets see how they all did.

I think Emma did very well in this photo. She makes the clothes look desirable, and her posture makes her look taller. She is stunning in this photo and she looks calm, which contrasts with her surroundings. She would be a good face for their line and represents the brand well. She also appeals to Miss Selfridge's target market in a way that she appeals to women and men which is always quite tricky. The only thing Emma needs to work on is making herself and personality as memorable as her pictures.

Anita!!! I love this photo end of. Maybe because I really want this dress. Her legs look a 1000 miles long, which is always a good thing for a model. The backdrop most certainly works in her favour and she looks like the Queen of Niagara Falls. Anita does need to work more on her face, particularly showing emotion in her eyes, but other than that she has done a great job this week and I think if she keeps improving, she should be in the finals.  

Lisa Lisa Lisa. Huh well I love Lisa, really I do but I'm not keen on this pose. She's letting the clothes wear her instead of the other way around. I think if maybe she stretched her arms out or put them on her head it would've looked more interesting. I was not the only one who felt this way as the judges didn't like it either and she was nearly sent home.  But luckily the judges spared her and she can show them next week why she deserves to stay. The only teeny weeny problem I have with Lisa is the pouting. She pouts all the time. She needs to try other facial expressions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Poor Risikat. This picture gave her the boot. How unfortunate. I really don't think the photo is that bad. I mean the dress is gross but that's not her fault. and the pose leaves a little to be desired, especially since she's usually so good with her poses. I just don't understand what she's trying to get across in this photo. She looks bored, like someone's forcing her to be there. One of the judges said she looks like she is there on a family holiday and she was forced to take a picture in front of the lovely view. Oh well we will never know Risikat's full potential because she's gone. But I wish her all the best, even though you know on reality shows when they say 'You haven't seen the last of me' well, usually we have? I think this is one of those situations.  

I love this jacket. Well done Miss Selfridge! Of course Letitia looks nice too. I don't know why but this photo looks really urban. Letitia is quite consistent and this is a good (but not one of her best) photo. It was enough to get her through but she is still relying on her prettiness which is not enough. Hopefully in the next week (since the clocks a ticking) she'll improve and produce a spectacular photo.