British Fashion Awards: Trend it like Beckham

Victoria Beckham last night made a teary acceptance speech as she was awarded the Best Designer Brand at the annual British Fashion award held at the Savoy Hotel.  The former Spice Girl beat Tom Ford, Stella McCartney and Burberry to win the award.

No one can deny the struggle Posh has faced since turning her hand design, with the stereotype that comes with being a girl band member not to mention 'head WAG' no one deserved the award more than her.  She wore a simple yet elegant black floor length, halter neck gown as she posed for pictures with close friend Marc Jacobs and gratefully thanked her family.

Other guest included Alexander McQueen successor Sarah Burton, who, not to anyone's surprise walked away with the award for Designer of the Year and Alexa Chung who, for the second year in a row, scooped the British Style Award - the only award voted for by the public.

Whilst they didn't win any award, Georgia May Jagger and Amber Le Bon stood out with their stunning detailed dresses in metallic colours which accented their perfect figures.

It may have been one of the most fashionable events of the years, two of arguably the most stylish women in the UK seemed to have sacked their stylists, given that their chosen outfits would have looked more at home on animals than the ladies themselves.

Kate Moss wore a full length fishnet dress, that she teamed with what appeared to be a gorilla fur jacket whilst WAG Abbey Crouch wore a tan suede studded dress that would look more at home on a camel.

Overall a great night for British Fashion, with Elle Magazine even tweeting they were to start a campaign to get VB to show her collections at London Fashion Week.  Lets keep hoping shall we.

See The Winners Here:

Designer Brand: Victoria Beckham

Designer of the Year: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

British Style Award: Alexa Chung

New Establishment Award: Christopher Kane

Emerging Talent Award - R.T.W: Mary Katrantzou

Emerging Talent Award - Menswear: Christopher Raeburn

Emerging Talent Award - Accessories: Tabitha Simmons

Menswear Designer: Kim Jones

Accessories Designer: Charlotte Olympia

Red Carpet Award: Stella McCartney

Model: Stella Tenant

BFC Outstanding Achievment: Paul Smith

Isabela Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Sam Gainsbury 

Marni for H&M

I'm still waiting for my Versace for H&M delivery and still bidding frantically to get my hands on that waistcoat whilst H&M themselves are busy announcing their latest collaboration - with Italian fashion power house Marni.

The range is set to hit 260 H&M stores next year in March (Sounds far away but remember, it's practically 2012 already!!) , as well as online for both men and women.  Founder Consuelo Castiglioni joins Donatella Versace making it clear that the range will be reminiscent of Marni previous collections offering an accessories line that offer the chunky necklaces that have helped give the brand its luxe boho vibe.

Judging by the pictures released, the range with continue with the brands well known relaxed silhouettes, fabrics and bold print on print designs that have become famous with celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour herself.

Whilst sales at H&M were announced to have fallen three % in the three months ending August 2011 on a like for like sales, H&M creative advisor is positive that the collaboration will help boost sales, stating  “We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same, Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“ 


If, like me, you cant wait the three months, you can check out the teaser video below.

Topman's New Generation

Despite it's parent company hitting headlines last week for a 40% slide in profits and the rumored closure of 250 stores in the next three years, it seems Topman are still going from strength to strength, this weekend saw the announcement that the menswear brand is launching their own online magazine - Topman Generation.

Topman's design director stated "The magazine is the perfect vehicle for us to actively engage with our customer. Visually stunning and informative fusing all aspects of modern culture into an indispensable monthly showcase Topman Generation launches Topman into a new era"

The digital magazine, to be launched on Wednesday will be accessible all over the globe and will offer a tool enabling customers to buy products worn by celebrities as well as articles with stars such as Kristen Dunst and Seth Rogan set to feature.

Steal Her Style: Pippa Middleton

It's the dress that millions of girls all over the world coveted, the dress that catapulted Pippa Middleton into the spotlight, the dress that helped prove just what a worthy successor Sarah Burton was to Alexander McQueen.  Now Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid dress is available to the masses!

The Cowl Neck Silk Crepe Gown is now available on Net-A-Porter for £1995 and has only a few alterations from the original worn by the Duchess of Cambridge's sister, namely the buttons being replaced with a zip.  Sold as part of the online retailers bridal range, it comes with the reccomendation to be worn 'with swept-back hair and drop earrings for a radiant, understated appeal'

Expect lots of Pippa wannabe's at your local weddings then.

Payday Purchase

This weeks payday purchase was quite obviously going to be from the Versace for H&M's new range.  Due to work commitments I wasn't actually able to get down to a store, instead having to send a friend who was to scared to actually go in, then having to resort to trying to buy something online.  

The garments I wanted were sold out, and every time I would find something else I liked I'd get as far as the process payment page before the website crashed, thus causing me to lose my shopping basket, the whole experience left me very frustrated (think The Outnets' 1st birthday times 10!), however in the late afternoon I finally finally managed to get a few pieces and process the payment.

Although I originally wanted the Fur Waistcoat and a couple of dresses, I only managed to get these leggings and some jewellery - making me happy enough!  A lot of my friends have said how ridiculous and over the top the collection is, and whilst I'm not usually a huge fan of high street collaborations, this is one that I really really love.  It isn't just a high street collaboration, its a celebration of one of the finest fashion houses in Italy and a reminder of exactly why they stand where they are today.  Gianni would be proud.

SPOILER ALERT! Blair Waldorfs Wedding Dress

We may only be a few weeks in to season 5 of Gossip Girl, but it is already as gripping as the four before it.  With Blair engaged to the Prince of Monaco, what we're all wondering is whether she'll make it to the Church (or Plaza?) on time.

Judging by these pictures she certainly makes it to the, ermmm, venue on time but whether or not she stays there remains to be seen (doesn't look promising).  So forget Kate Middleton, forget Bella Swan, here's the first look at Blair Waldorfs' Wedding dressed, design by none other than Vera Wang - although with Leighton as the face of the new Vera Wang Lovestruck perfume we're hardly surprised.

She wears a princess dress with a full, a-line, skirt Chantilly lace from Wang's Fall 2010 section, and whilst it's a stunning dress indeed, we cant hoping the reason for Blair;s run is a call from Chuck....

Crushing On: Chloe Moretz

At the Amityville Premier in 2006

Chloe Moretz, the 14 year old bought into our lives by films such as The Amityville Horror and Kick Ass.  Whilst 6 years ago she may have been a little known actress, right now she's headed in the same direction as child stars and fashion icons Dakota Fanning and Emma Watson.

Gone are the days when child stars turn into troubled teens a la Lindsey Lohan and Drew Barrymore, today they go on to become global superstars, known as much for their advertising campaigns as their movies.  Chloe may only be 14, but she has a wardrobe most girls would envy and she seems to be at every event right now.

In Chanel at the 4th MoMA Film Benefit

In Suno at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards

At the Calvin Klein SS 2012 Show

In Dolce and Gabbana at the Spike TV Scream Awards

Judging by these outfits I'd say Blake, watch out....

Tom Ford jumping on the H&M bandwagon??

Over the past few years we've had Lanvin, Matthew Williamson and Jimmy Choo.  Even Donatella Versace who famously stated she would never do a high street collaboration tomorrow launched that exact thing (although it's not a collaboration, it's a 'capsule collection' just so you know).

Tom Ford is know for a number of things, his phenomenal make up, his high profile break from fashion to forge a career in Hollywood - and his even higher profile return for the industry.  He now joins the like of Azzedine Alaia, whom refuse to release show pictures during fashion week, preferring to showcase his collections to a private, hand picked audience of fashion editors and insiders.  A decision made as he feels there is too much over exposure in the fashion industry (basically saying he is fed up of catwalk collections being copied by the high street before the designers even put them on sale themselves).

So imagine my surprise on learning that Tom Ford is tipped to be the next big name to collaborate with the Swedish brand.  Whilst nothing has been confirmed, I'm still keeping my fingers tightly crossed.

Look of the Week: Kelly Rowland

Never before have I seen an outfit that gave me an overwhelming urge to blog about it straight away, but this week Kelly Rowland has managed to make me do just that!  I've never been Kelly's biggest fan, even less so since starting on the X Factor and letting Misha B and Janet Devlin through (both of whom I despise).

We were told to anticipate amazing outfits between Kelly and her co judge Tulisa Contostavlos but whilst their outfits have been nice enough, they've not exactly had that draw dropping awe about them like those of Cheryl and Dannii.  Who could forget Cheryl starting off the David Koma craze, or Danni in her stunning Ralph & Russo dresses and ever changing hair styles.  We were more fixated on the outfits than the acts back then.

So far this year we have had Tulisa wearing green wrapping paper, that awful DKNY jumpsuit, the mystery of Kelly's moving mole and the ridiculous yellow lace crop top ensemble (although I am ridiculously envious of her abs!).  This week Kelly more than pulled it out of the bag with her androgynous outfit.

She seemed to gain immediate notoriety on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, with comments such as 'Has Kelly Rowland ram-raided Harry Hill's dressing room?' and 'Kelly Rowland looks like Count Blackula' but I mean, hello, ever heard of Vogue guys?  Whilst the suit, with it's high neckline was very masculine (Kelly even joked on The Xtra Factor that she had stolen it from Gary's dressing room) she added some of her usual feminine sex appeal with some tapered trousers and patent court heels.

At first I wasn't quite sure, after all the headlines the show had grabbed it seemed her outfit was more than just a good wardrobe choice, it was her making a point (after all the bad press this last week saying she was leaving/being sacked/faking her illness) that Kelly Rowland is in fact here to stay.

Final Note, totally love Marcus! Vote for him by calling: 09016161605 <3

Payday Purchase

Normally when writing this post, I pick few items out over the week then choose out of those which is my favourite.  This week, as soon as I checked Net-A-Porter 's 'What's New' on Friday I fell in love with this dress and knew straight away that there would be no other garment I would rather write about.

From Christopher Kane - one of my all time favourite designers (I write this whilst wearing my 'atomic - bomb' t-shirt from 08) this dress is the perfect way to bring some fun to any occasion.  With it's carefully constructed pleated skirt and rainbow like colour palette it is one that will last you through to next summer and it's simple silhouette will ensure it stays in your wardrobe ready to come back out in seasons to come.

Buy it here: Christopher Kane Dress, £1195

Steal Her Style : Lydia Rose Bright

You all know by now of course how much I adore Towie cast member Lydia Rose Bright and he amazing wardrobe and this week she has given me yet another outfit to be envious of with this gorgeous long sleeved velvet dress as worn to the launch of her store, Bella Sorella in Loughton.

Whilst she used to write her very own blog informing those of us who lusted after outfits where she had gotten each garment, as her fame has grown, her posts have become less frequent.  Luckily for me I somehow managed to stumble across this dress of Lydia's whilst doing one of my later night browses :).

Whilst I have never been an amazing fan of anything Lily Allen (I mean hello, she bought us prom dresses and Nike Air Max!) this collection has really changed my opinion.  The dress is primarily black velvet, but has a high ivory lace neckline with crystal and bead embellishment, as well as having sheer sleeves and a stunning bow around the waist.

Like Lydia, wear with black courts for a simple yet sophisticated look.  Get it here: 

Abbey Road Velvet Dress £345

Paris Je T'aime

So I've just got back from a lovely long weekend in Paris and enjoyed it so much I couldn't help but blog about it.  I've been there before when I was younger, but I was too young to appreciate just how amazing the city is.  Whilst of course I went to Disney and had a magical time (honestly I think my friend was considering leaving me there) I managed this time to visit some of the 3800 monuments the city holds.

I managed to get to the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa, which I know many people wont appreciate but I was so excited, and although hard to locate didn't disappoint! We walked from the Louvre along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower, which I actually visited 3 times in four days.  I remember last time I went to Paris thinking the Tower simply looked like a huge iron eyesore, but 6 years later I cant get enough of it - especially when it sparkles as much as Edward Cullen on the hour every hour!

On our way to find the Champs Elysees and see the Arc De Triomphe we got off at Place De La Concorde and took a wrong turning, and how glad of that wrong turning were we! We ended up on Rue du Faubourg Saint - Honore - which you my lovely little fashionistas will recognize as one of the most fashionable streets in the world, harbouring not only stores such as Chanel, Hermes and Jenny Packham, but also the residence of Nicolas Sarkozy (yes we did get a glimpse before his guards ushered us away from the street.

Not only were the store window displays amazing, but the buildings themselves were simply stunning.  I couldn't help but snap some pictures.  Whilst I couldn't get many (I mean seriously, how embarrassing is it to stand there taking snaps!) I will tell you that I very nearly combusted with the excitement!

Versace's Launch Party

The moment we have all been waiting for is almost here!  With one week left to go until the official store launch of Donatella Versace's capsule collection for H&M, last night saw the official launch for the range in New York, with a star studded guest list.  Nikki Minaj and Prince both performed - with Nikki even blending into the background due to her newly style green hair!

Guests not only attended the bash to see the new clothes on the catwalk, but many of them even wore pieces from the range - given us that extra little push to buy it, I know, as if we needed it!