Payday Purchase

Whilst the last two weeks have bought us the first hint of sunshine in more than a few months, temperatures have still left us unable to completely break out our daisy dukes and racer vests.

I know I'm not the only one that has been left confused as to whether I should reach for my peacock coat or Topshop waterfall blazer.  Today i decided to go with the peacoat and then found myself feeling as hot as a Mexican whilst walking to Marks on my lunch break.  It wasn't long until my common sense hit me and I realized that what I really needed was to order a new trench coat - the perfect compromise for when the weather can't quite make it's mind up.

We all know that Burberry is the go to brand for a modern trench (anyone who doesn't know that clearly hasn't seen Rosie in the Burberry Body ad!) but let's be realistic, not all of us can afford the almost £700 price tag.

Fret no more, I have found the perfect substitute - this Paul & Joe Sister 'New Look' trench.  Whilst I realize it's not the traditional beige that Burberry offer, but if you can't get the real deal, this black trench is a pretty good alternative option.

Coming in at only £329 it won't break the bank and is the perfect piece to make the winter to spring transition in style.  Get it now at my-wardrobe.com

Brit Awards 2012: Red Carpet

 

Not only is it the biggest night of the year for the British music industry but the Brit awards are probably my personal favorite awards of the year. Not only is it a great night for fashion with the stars swarming the red carpet but we are always guaranteed a truly brilliant bunch of performances, who could forget Plan B's fiery performance last year or the amazing collaboration of Dizzee Rascal and Florence Welsh in 2010.

Whilst I'm not the biggest Florence fan, that applies only to her music.  She tonight showed exactly what a credit she is to the fashion industry yet again wearing a dress from the SS 2012 Mcqueen collection whilst debuting a new, darker hairdo than that we are used to seeing from her.

Fresh from winning 6 Grammy's, Adele won two Brit Awards from her 3 nominations and was looking as flawless as always in her full length black Burberry dress with a sheer overlay and beaded neckline.

It came to no surprise to anyone that Rihanna scooped the Brit for International Female, but we're surprised she managed to make it to the stage at all with her Givenchy gown that reportedly weighs 100 Ib's, which she accessorized with Givenchy full length gloves fresh from the runway.

Lana Del Ray,who won the Brit for International Record, wowed in a floor length, off the shoulder Red Vivienne Westwood number, and whilst I'm not a fan of her highly acclaimed 'video games' I cant deny she looked every inch the star in her gown.  Pixie Lott also opted for full length with her black strapless number which looked fab next to her pale skin and blonde her and was finished off with red lips and a red clutch.

A mention has to go to Ray Winstone who, at 55, managed to do what his daughter still hasn't managed and  looked dapper than any of his younger counterparts tonight in a 3 piece pinstriped suit complete with a watch chain.

Worst dressed of the night? Without a doubt Emma Watson in her short red laced number that, on it's own was a faux pas, but next to Jessie J's similar yet beautiful gown is promised to get her on all the 'sack the stylist' lists for next week.

Expecting The Best

The BBC have always been the best for classic book adaptations (Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice) and the first part of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations tonight was no exception.  

The book centres around the life of orphan Pip, and features several important characters from Mr Joe, Pip's brother in law and guardian, Abel Magwitch, Estella and, my personal favourite Miss Havisham.

While Dickens describes the character as in her mid fifties, American actress Gillian Anderson (better known a Scully from The X Files) played the skeletal Miss Havisham perfectly, breaking away from the stereotype of casting elderly ladies in the role.  Previous actresses have, despite being much older than Anderson, never managed to convey her, I feel, in such a way that really captures the words that Dickens wrote.  Whilst previous Miss Havisham's such as Anne Bancroft have portrayed the spinster as someone hard and cold, yet strong, Anderson manages to get the mix of malice, bitterness and more importantly - vulnerability just right.

     

Dickens describes Miss Havisham as someone who is a cross between 'a wax work and skeleton' and whilst the BBC have changed some parts of the story (namely the fact that Miss Havisham boards up all her windows to avoid letting light in, thus achieving aforementioned look) she still conveyed the eerily 'bride of the dead' look I had always pictured, complete with frail skin, chapped lips and bare feet.

It truly is hard to imagine a better person to fit the role, having said that, we haven't seen Helena Bonham Carters portrayal yet.

Finally, no post about the programme would be complete without a mention of Douglas Booth, the former Burberry model who played the older Pip towards the end of Part 1 and who, thanks to those perfectly shaped lips and chiselled cheek bones, was trending worldwide on Twitter.

     

Advent Calender Wishlist: Day Twenty Three

 Anyone reading this knows how successful Vogue's Online Fashion Week was, with designers and retailers firing offers so fast it made your head spin.  British label Burberry joined in by offering free testers to everyone who registered.  Whilst a tester might only be a tiny sample, I of course registered because, well who doesn't love something for free.

I completely forgot about the sample until I received it in the post on Wednesday and no I am in love.  Not only is the ad campaign one of the best for a fragrance this year but the scent is quite literally to die for.

Advent Calender Wishlist: Day Nineteen

Every girl should have a trench coat, and no one does them coats better than Burberry.  This Cotton Twill Trench Coat is back in on Net-a-Porter this week at £895.  Whilst the price may be a little steep for us regular girls, along with the white shirt and LBD, the trench coat is one of the most Iconic pieces around, and reminds me of old Hollywood movies starring actresses such as Greta Garbo and Katherine Hepburn.

In other words, one worth saving for!

British Fashion Awards

With only 10 days left to go until London Fashion Week kicks off, The British Fashion Council yesterday announced the nominees for the award ceremony which runs as part of LFW.  The nominees this year took part in the Born Walk Tall  mile long walk, led by BFC ambassador Samantha Cameron, to raise awareness for the role health workers play in ensuring women give birth safely.

Victoria Beckham is up for two awards this year, against Tom Ford and Stella McCartney for Designer Brand of the Year and against Antonio Berardi and Stella McCartney for the Red Carpet award, one which is being reintroduced this year to acknowledges a British designer who has created global awareness for their collections.

My personal favourite designer is up for Best Designer of the Year, Christopher Kane is up against Erdem and Sarah Burton, to mixed reactions.  Nominee for Accessory designer of the year Katie Hillier voiced her opinion that she would love to see Erdem win, who himself said he is simply flattered to be in such great company.

Here are the full list of nominees:

Best Designer Brand

• Victoria Beckham
• Stella McCartney
• Burberry
• Tom Ford

Best Designer of the Year

• Christopher Kane
• Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
• Erdem

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator

• Katie Grand
• Guido Palau
• Sam Gainsbury

Red Carpet Award

• Victoria Beckham
• Stella McCartney
• Antonio Berardi 

Accessory Designer of the Year

• Katie Hillier
• Charlotte Olympia
• Emma Hill for Mulberry

Model of the Year

• Georgia Jagger
• Stella Tennant
• Kirsten McMenamy

Menswear Designer of the Year

• Kim Jones
• Margaret Howell
• Oliver Spencer

Emerging Talent

• Jordan Askill
• Nasir Mazhar
• Tabitha Simmons

Emerging Talent RTW

• Mary Katrantzou
• J.W. Anderson
• Peter Plotto

Emerging Talent Menswear

• Christopher Raeburn
• James Long
• J.W. Anderson

VMA's 2011

Those of you who know me, will know how much I <3 MTV awards.  Like literally, aside from Christmas, they are my favourite time of year.  I actually save the dates in my diary just incase for some abnormal reason I forget.  Now, out of all three, the VMA's are probably my least favourite, but still worth setting an evening aside for.  And this year didn't disappoint.  There was Lady Gaga's drag queen act, Beyonce's pregnancy announcement and Jay-Z and Kanye bought Otis to the world (I''d heard it before all be it a fuzzy version, and I wont lie, as a massive Jay-Z and Kanye fan I am HUGELY disappointed!).  However, the outfits more than made up for any disappointments the night bought.

First up is Katy Perry, yes that is pink hair, yes she is dressed up in an Asian style Versace dress.  But the fact that it is made by the famous Italian design house in no excuse for this outfit.  Katie, the most nominated female of the night, usually flaunts her gorgeous figure in quirky, yet sexy numbers, with her dark black hair deepening her already stunning features.  I'm not sure if it's being married to Russel brand that has done this, or if this is just another spin off of the world that Gaga has created for us, but Katie, this look has got to go.

Nikki Minaj, where to start.  Another spawn of the Gaga era.  This confectionary/ plush toys ensemble is just shocking.  The multi coloured hair looked good, the pink hair looked good, but this is just a step to far.  She may usually look quirky, but good quirky, this is just trying too hard gone wrong.  Gaga wasn't joking when she talked of 'Little Monsters'

Ahh Lady G herself.  No stranger to making headlines at MTV awards, we had the Meat Dress, the Red Lace, so this year, by all means with rather toned down.  She went for the drag queen act this year, dressing as male 'alter ego' Jo Calderone, which many of us will recognize from the 'You and I' video.  She then went on to attempt to initiate a kiss with Britney Spears, only to be told 'I already did that, i'm an old fashioned girl'.

Ok, crazy and needtobeburnt outfits aside, onto some of the better options.  First up is Adele, who wore Burberry, a simple black dress with an embellished neckline - one which suited her perfectly.  Accessorising the outfit she had simple black shoes, with a gold trim, her flawless make up, as usual and a bouffant hairdo.  There's a reason this girls a winner, and the VMA's were no exception.

Katy Homes.  The girl well known for her usually dreary dress sense garnered mix reactions from her outfit choice this weekend.  No doubt about it this Azzedine Alaia number was the perfect choice for her delicate frame.  Yet the footwear were perhaps not the best idea, these Proenza Schoeller boots would have look more at home on someone wearing skinny jeans and a gilet.

Finally, the star of the night. Miss Beyonce Knowles.  Not only announcing her pregnancy, but looking as stunning as ever in the asymmetric Lanvin gown.  God that girl is a winner.

Rosie vs Giselle

A bit of office politics is always a good thing.  Well we love a healthy debate in our office.  Previous arguements include whether Dynamo is real or just an illusion, whether or not god exists and the correct definition for the word 'brew' (I'm southern and stand by my belief that you 'brew a tea' whereas all my nothern co workers believe that you 'make a brew') Today's main topic of discussion was who is hotter - Rosie or Giselle.

Having printed of two carefully chosen pictures of the models (see above) my co worker Shabz and I fruitlessly took these pictures around the office as well as using Facebook, BBM and Twitter to get opinions.  Whilst Rosie was a clear winner with all asked, Shabz was still not satisfied.

At a glance, Giselle is a very successful model.  hailing from Brazil she has graced the cover of many fashion publications, pioneered the 'horse-walk' and is credited with the 'Herion Chic' era of the 90's.  She has appeared on screen in cameo roles on movies such as 'The Devil Wears Prada' and since 2004 has been listed as the richest supermodel in the world and the 16th richest woman in the entertainment industry.

Rosie on the other hand, seven years Giselle's junior at 24, is one half of one of the worlds most beautiful British couples (she is currently living with Jason Statham), has been a Victoria's Secret model since 2006, replaced Agness Deyn as the face of Burberry (after personally being cast by Creative Director Christopher Bailey), walked in shows from Prada to Giles as well as starring in a short Agent Provocateur ad (the one where the boyfriend forgets it is Valentines) all whilst flying the flag for the British.

I know who my winner is.

A GIRL CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY DRESSES

Whilst they may have been the Highstreets leading retailer for many years now, having one of the quickest turnarounds in fast fashion (getting the catwalk looks to you) there is one area Topshop have continuously lacked in – Party wear.  Having worked in the store for two years I won’t lie, there has been more than one occasion when a customer has asked me to recommend a dress for a specific occasion and I’ve been at a loss for what to recommend, due to the fact that whilst our clothes are on trend, they aren’t exactly what could be deemed appropriate for occasion wear.

Well, get your credit cards ready, coz that’s all changed, with Topshop having this week launched the ‘Dress Up’ collection (the name for the range shortened from the phrase ‘why dress down, when you can dress up’, why indeed?).  A range of party dresses and occasion wear which can be worn all year through and that ‘brings out individuality and attitude’ (Jacquie Markham, Topshop Design).  The dresses are all about having fun and making them your own......  

Nude Bandage Dress - £55 (also available in black)

With Bodycon and Lace being two of the most feminine materials of the moment this dress is definitely a must have, with studs which make the dress slightly edgier, it can be worn during the day or night, or even as I’d prefer, during festival season, just add fringing and suede boots.

 

Black Bandeau Flower Dress - £85

Topshops twist on the simple prom style dress, with added embellishment.  Team with a tailored blazer and block heeled shoes for a more structured look, or leave the shoulders bare and add coloured opaque tights for a more summer inspired look.

Pink Heart Frill Bodice Dress - £55 (also available in yellow)

Another dainty, feminine dress with cut out back detail that should definitely be work with high wedges – perfect for elongating your pins!!

Black Leather Stud Bussle Back Dress - £150

 Team with block heels, a messy up do and bright red lipstick for the perfect rock princess look

Nude Beaded Ruched Front Panel Dress - £80

With Nude seemingly being one of the most on trend colours over the past three years, this is a dress that won’t have to be hidden in your wardrobe at the end of the season waiting to be reworked at a later date.  Team with a biker jacket and shoe boots for the Jessica Alba look.

Sequin Flame Dress - £150

A black jersey dress with a mesh panel along the top, finished with flame shaped embellishment.  This dress is not for shrinking violets.  Wear with block coloured wedges for maximum impact.

Fairground Beaded Dress - £175

An art deco inspired dress, which, as the name suggests, wouldn’t look out of place on a show girl at a fairground.  A dress that speaks for itself and one which doesn’t need accessorising, team with basic platform heels for a show stopping look.

Multi Sequin Dress - £125

 No doubt inspired by the Burberry dress Emma Watson wowed us with at the Burberry Prorsum S/S 10 show.  Teamed with Opaque tights during the winter or bare legs as the sun comes out this look will carry you through the year.

Dark Red Feather Hem Dress - £70

Not unlike the bandeau dress Topshop in sold last summer in pink, white, green and erm black, the black on red with a feather hem definitely vamps this dress up.  Can be worn with block heels for a more glam look, or as I prefer with black converse and plenty of eyeliner a la Kristen Stewart at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards.

Cream Embellished Pleat Dress - £70

A dainty little number that can be worn pretty much anywhere, dresses up with killer heels and a sharp, tailored blazer of an evening, or even worn with flat boots and a messy fishtail plait during festivals.  Definitely my must have dress.

Available in store and online today.