Fashion Icon Alert: Rihanna

If anyone fully abides by the phrase ‘Life is a catwalk’ it is Rihanna. How this female is so hot day-by-day is beyond me. From brown hair to black, from black to blonde, from blonde to fire truck red, from red to … Whitney curls? Dated, but it works, she works it. Rihanna is one of the greatest fashion icons to grace us with her style since… (dare I say it) Gaga – though to be brutally honest Gaga fell off the fashion radar when she decided to exchange her clothing for meat.

Rihanna’s style is meat-free and fun. Brightness, structured shoulders, hot pants, corsets and crops define her look, although she has traipsed through a number of wardrobe phases to get her to the ditsy colourful risky look that we see today. The black phase was the most recent, most mysterious, most worrying (to some extent) what with her head shaking vigorously in ‘Disturbia’ and her intense crawling with horns on, in the ‘Rockstar 101’ video. Though if we take this apart bit by bit, the intricate chain embellishment on those horns, had a rare eccentric edge that makes you secretly want it, before realising that no occasion is worthy, or more simply, there is no occasion that can handle such a headpiece. And as for the head-shaking thing, though scary, we can forgive, thanks to the fierce black belted leotard, with silver tassel detail that she happened to be wearing at the time.

Now she’s rocking block colours.

Red. Purple. Orange. The mix-matched patterns are fun and quirky, along with the, “I just stepped out of the florist’s” look that she rocks in a nude huge hip ensemble, covered in an array of flowers. It’s the chameleon-esque within her that makes her style unique, exciting, admirable… one day a flamboyant head tie in the colours of her native flag and the next, a black (Erin O’ Connor) top with the words printed, ‘She died of Perfection’, chino’s and a tailored blazer - Effortless.

Sadly, we now have to consider the harsh reality that is, The Stylist. Indeed, a successful celebrity without one these days immediately falls into the odd category, but things would be so much more peachy if we knew Rihanna herself, was the creator behind all this hotness. It is in fact, Mariel Haenn that we have to thank. She is responsible for the luxurious fur, leather belted dress that Rihanna performed in at the Grammy’s and of course, the bouffant-shouldered-Dolce & Gabbana-tux that drove the fashion press wild at the Met Gala in 2009– think androgynous-chic.

Even Rihanna’s most daring styles are wearable, which sets her aside from other style icons like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. This therefore allows people like us to emulate her style, not with envy but with poise. Truly, we can look beyond the stylist; after all, the result is a joint decision between Haenn and Rihanna and one that we have to commend. The singer shows that red lipstick can be the reviver of any outfit, that round nails are a thing of the future and a bit of exposed midriff is healthy. To me, it is clear that this woman is leading, where fashion is concerned, and her different style changes from classy to rock chick to colourful keeps us in awe and appreciation … or is that just me… and Willow Smith? Once a star is actually appreciated for the appearance they set before us, it is clear that they are doing something right. And now, having equalled a chart record set by Elvis Presley, we see that it is not only the fashion charts that she has taken by storm. Rihanna we salute you.

Dreams of visiting China...

Now we must not stereotype a group of people, but in a complementary circumstance, I believe its ok. With that, follows my love for the Chinese fashion sense. It goes without saying that these people can dress, a fact that I already knew but now know more than ever.

On walking through a group of Chinese ladies, the Mulberry bag clasped in one’s hand teased me, her friend’s silk blouse (buttoned to the top), fitted mini cream tailored blazer with satin black lapels, spoke so many words with fierce being the first. The other’s Louis V glasses and peculiar shaped hair bun made me second-guess myself, “Am I fashionable – enough?.”

What is this amazing country that is, China? Where everyone looks like they just stepped out of Fashion Week. Fashion here in London, is not so bad. It’s quite hot to be honest, but I know where all the clothes are from… her shoes are from Topshop – her vintage Levis are from Camden market - her jacket is from French Connection and… I have that hat. There is no wonder, no surprise, little differentiation. But with the Chinese, you’ll be guessing for years! The fake designer brands look real, the real designer brands strive envy and the stylists are non-existent. The fashion concoctions put together scream excellence though, effortless style. Corded socks and sandals that one wouldn't dream to wear, Charlotte Olympia heels to lectures – that some would find unpractical, a snood rocked across one shoulder to keep the torso warm… Genius.

England indeed, rank pretty high in the fashion chart but this is my own guilty confession that I surprisingly don’t feel bad about… CHINA I WANT YOUR STYLE.

No more Coco's?

Coco Chanel wearing signature Chanel suit (1923)

Lady Gaga - In "Telephone" video

So as I finished watching Coco before Chanel (fully and embarrassingly aware that I'm atleast 2 years late) the inspiration that I got was unbelievable. Coco Chanel was a woman who was not afraid to break the boundaries and 'let the waist go'. At a time of uncomfortable corsets and fussy trims she wore loose fitted garments made from mens workwear fabrics - a look that women of that time did not understand. Now arguably today's fashion is more extreme, yet today we are so much more understanding. Though why? Why when Chanel ditched a corset and threw on a blazer the people of the 1920's went wild... how unfeminine? How Peculiar? Though today you can wear a telephone on your head and no one would say any different (Well truly speaking, once you've seen Gaga, you've seen it all) Though the issue is raised of if we will we ever be suprised by fashion again?

The answer is YES. In Coco Chanel's time, being an individual was arguably easier, women followed the same basic trends. Today women try to outdo each other stylewise so arguably this is more exciting, yes? New designs today may not be considered groundbreaking news as Coco Chanel's LBD was though the fact that the nation are so open to these changes shows that we are a fashion forward nation which may potentially all be wearing telephone's on our heads... the convienience excites me.

And so we're thankful, to designers that made the way for telephone hats, 'Kermit the frog' outfits and spandex jump suits, though what is still to come is going to undoubtebly be something to look forward to...

Clothes Show Live

Pink Faux Fur Scarf

Men's Faux Fur Trousers


The Pac man hat

As the lights went up and the crowd started to roar, it hit me that I was at one of the biggest fashion events for aspiring fashionista's like me... Clothes show live. And yes, walking in a line beside my sister and two cousins holding the card board bags we were greeted with at the door, screamed Sex And The City in so many ways. Before I had time to flick back my (cropped) Carrie Bradshaw curls the show had started. Opened with Gok Wan, Dave Berry and one of my style icons, Fearne Cotton, the christmas themed show began ranging from high fashion garments to sexy christmas gear. Key pieces mirrored the high street furry craze with huge spiked faux fur scarves and bags. The men infact had huge furry trousers to match which could be a potential trend for 2010...? Funky multi coloured prints were modelled in a robotic style mirroring their structured shape. And knitted versions of the Pac man space hat made big by Giles Deacon were modelled. Now despite looking like an astronaut, the Pac man hat is really the warmest solution for winter and one that I've realised I have to invest in... when I find one...

Sadly, after an hour the show came to a close but we spent another 6 hours shopping in the arena! The zones were huge, too much to get around but WE MANAGED. When it comes to shopping, we always manage. There was high street, vintage and designer clothes, shoes and accesories all at reasonable prices. I literally felt like I had been let loose in a candy shop, it was heaven. Well... admittedly it was pain fighting through the crowds of hungry women to get a good buy but my hot purchases said otherwise. I got loads of stunning jewelery pieces from a company named Bling Asia, a thick knit beige (blue rim) cardigan (the new love in my life) from a stall named Upper 5th - which some of their lines have been launched in Topshop so it may be available in store. I also got a black fringed side bag - pictures are still to come. On the whole it was a great day, models were scouted, at 5 ft 2 I was less fortunate though this new year seems promising, I've got a good feeling about the invention of the 12 inch heel. And with Clothes Show coming to London this year I am ecstatic because the less money spent on travel, means more shopping for me. I like.

Lipsy baby

Rihanna

So this picture was taken on the day of my birthday which was fun fun fun! It's weird because being a person who loves wearing bright colours, on two party occasions now I've been in black from head to toe. It's not because it's a safe option, it's just because it's hot. Despite the colour usually being associated with funerals and goths it also carries a classiness which has drawn me to it! I added a hint of colour wearing my red lipstick. I was indeed a lipstick virgin, with the fear of looking like I was playing dress ups in my mums room, but it was a look that had to be done (and one that may just be a 'keeper'). My whole look was mainly inspired by Rihanna because I just love her style and the daring looks that she portrays. Here I am wearin a Lipsy lace shoulder pad top which i purchased from ASOS, I absolutley love the lace look because the thing with lace is that it's sexy but suitable. Quote of the week: Sam Loves Lipsy.

Geek sheek...

Jumper from H&M, Boots from New Look

(Excuse the background, Ionly noticed after )

So finally I've got myself a pair of 'Geek sheeks' (as I call them) and if i'm honest I'm quite late on to the trend, but better late than never I guess. And my reason? Only a few can pull them off really. I mean, on Pixie Geldof and Alexa Chung, the look is too hot but on me... no comment. Who would've thought that geeks would be the style icons of 2009? Who knows, next year it could be our grandparents...

I haven't actually worn my Geek Sheeks out yet as they are what some would call 'fake', I however, call them 'customised' as I purchased them at an exclusive place named, Cineworld before watching The Final Destination 3D, then punched out the 3D lenses and just like that, it was a hot purchase. If it weren't for 'Real D' being printed on the side, they'd be wearable but you know, it's something i'll have to take up with the cinema's supplier. The real things though, can be purchased in Topshop and Newlook as well as Specsavers and with the trend still out there, why not go get some...!

Bonjour

Double breasted blazer from Asos, Dress from Newlook, Belt from Miss Selfridge, Denim shorts from H&M

I'm back. It's been a while due to me being caught up in the summer holidays, which was fun. Shopping was a highlight as always. Me and my cousin checked out a shopping centre in Essex which was excellent, they had a variety of all my favourite shops so I was not complaining :D. This is me rocking the monochrome look with some cute denim shorts that I purchased on my shopping trip from H&M. Tiny shorts have somehow become my staple piece, something about the comfort and effortless look that they portray has got me going. The sudden feeling to embrace my legs has come about and what better time than just before Winter? In the image above I am also rocking the last blazer that I think I'm going to buy. The trend has just taken over, and more importantly taken over my 6th form common room! It's a hot look though, so I'm not suprised, but I'm looking forward to the next big piece of outerwear winter's got to offer.

Strangely I'm looking forward to winter, putting the cold weather aside, what is going to be on trend is what intrest me most. Boots-wise, I'm excited. I think I'll need to invest in a pair of thigh high ones, and these suede tassle ankle ones that I saw the other day in River Island, they were too cute. My friend looks forward to winter because she can wear whatever she wants underneath and it can be hidden by her coat. As lazy as that is, it's true :D but then you get those days that you will go coatless and freeze, just to show off a hot outfit... or is that just me? For now though, I'm trying to enjoy whats left of summer although I don't quite remember it coming. hmm..