The Flatform

I embraced the chunky heel, clogs, even the stiletto (in its time) but the ‘flat form’ is a trend that needs to be nipped in the bud. I don’t usually like to totally out rule a shoe (aside from crocs) but in this case I had to make an exception.

Introducing the flatform: a ballet flat combined with a platform wedge. For comfort purposes we applaud the designer – the female gender will know longer have to painfully arch their feet all night long, hurrah! She will however seem as if she’s about to float somewhere with the shoe’s uncanny resemblance of a boat. Point blank, I think they are ugly.

Topshop’s selling them ASOS is selling them, truthfully they are destined to grow on me and this is why I don’t like to critique. The likelihood is that next week’s blog post will have pictures of me sporting a cobalt blue pair, saying how much I love them.

With the likes of Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Derek Lam promoting the trend alongside their Spring/Summer ensembles, it is likely to catch on. To those that can rock them nicely, I salute you, though it will be a while till I can picture myself in these interesting shoes fit for a clown.

Following trends isn’t always the route to take, and though I have some temptation to stomp the night away, (literally) for now my normal platforms will see me through…

I Remember "Casual"...

Victoria Beckham on a "Casual day". Love this look.

Alexa Chung on a "Casual day". Vintage Chic.

Ashley Olsen on a "Casual day". Queen of the wide leg trouser.

En route to the lecture and something comes to mind. Why the girl opposite me wears a chiffon blouse, chino’s and brogues and her friend wears a floral shift dress, feather earrings and peep toe wedges.

My Levi’s are self-explanatory – they say ‘I’m going to lecture’ no if’s, no but’s, no maybe’s.

Life indeed is a catwalk though a catwalk of effortless style. These outfits aren’t planned, they just happen. To be fashionable doesn’t necessarily mean you must look smart or wear clothes of high expense yet still she wears silk to lecture. I am not one to criticise however. Along with my Levi’s I wear a beaded crop top and navy tailored blazer - I am a victim of the ‘dress to impress’ philosophy.

To be honest, ‘casual’ passed us by when it became stylish to fasten your top button on a shirt, and the blazer became a piece of everyday clothing. Now, a minute is required to guess whether a woman in a blazer is going to the shops or a business meeting. Then the introduction of the high waisted, wide leg trouser (rocked to perfection by Ashley Olsen) screams out ‘court hearing’ despite this being an outfit for an ordinary stroll around town.

‘Casual’ will always exist to some extent as denim falls into this category – a fabric that will forever be timeless. Though now heels and flouncy dresses seem less formal in our eyes… or that could just be me. Heels are arguably at the peak of discussion, why wedge’s can pass as ‘casual’ though platforms cannot … though what happens when wedges go out of style? Platforms will then become casual…?

At a time where midi skirts, 70’s jumpsuits and bowler hats are flying off the shelves (and into people’s wardrobes), I figure the best bet is to embrace the ‘non casual culture’. I won’t totally abandon my jeans and flats of course, but the nice feel of a gold button cashmere sweater and a fine pair of Jimmy Choo’s pressed against my feet before lecture does not sound bad at all. It is what it is.

The Turban Trend

Turban made with a Scarf from H&M

Kourtney Kardashian with a classy velvet number

Solange adds an African twist to hers

Sarah-Jessica Parker nails the look in Sex and the City 2

As I slipped on my harem pants, white blouse and strappy sandals, I realised I was in need of a fashion fixture to revive my outfit. I turned to the turban - not my usual resolution to a problem but it was a trend that I just had to embrace.

The look is cultural, cute and requires a brave soul to pull it off. With the likes of Kourntney Kardashian, Solange Knowles and Sarah-Jessica Parker sporting the trend, the look is hot for this season. Admittedly I am quite late to the trend - certain trials that made me look like I was auditioning for a part in Aladdin had put me off. After trying on a number of different ones, from velvet to cashmere, I decided to create my own. I used my floral scarf – tied it at the front, then pulled the two bits of fabric to the back of my head, and tucked it in. Simple, chic and a statement look.

I admire the lengths that fashion has now gone to… never in a million years would I have ever pictured myself in a turban, but one thing that I’ve learnt is to never say never when it comes to style. To fit in with the upcoming summer trends, the turban looks best rocked with block colours or floral prints. Quote of the week: Sam loves turbans…

London Fashion Weekend

Flashing lights, mystery silhouettes and the female public drawn to dramatic silence – the ultimate signs that London Fashion Weekend had begun.

And there I sat with my camera clasped in my right hand, eyes jittering with only two rows separating me from the Swarovski that glided down the catwalk (front row dreams drawing near). Presenter Zara Martin’s nude bandeau ensemble set the pace for the hot designs that were to follow – and at a flick of a light the show had commenced.

Swan Vesta’s Black Swan theme explored tutu’s in all different forms, confirming that the ballerina lifestyle is one to seek next season. Designer, Bora Aksu’s subtle tones and nude snippets showed femininity with a futuristic edge - using eccentric shapes and ruffle detailing to enhance certain assets. But overall it was Mark Fast that held the crown with his flamboyant Spring/Summer 11 collection.

For a girl who loves fringing, I was in my element. Tresses of fringing draped down sheer maxi gowns with added crochet patterns revealing small peeps of skin. Come to think of it, exposed flesh played a huge part in his line though in a tasteful sense of course (summer is the only season that allows you to bare all).

Fast’s final pieces of Swarovski diamond encrusted dresses revealed a luxurious, rather pricey summer ahead though for me to rock the trend, my customising skills would have to lead the way - as real diamonds only reside in my dreams. My favourite piece was a black crochet dress with muticoloured tassels that fell just below the waist. Its ethnic appeal was the main attraction, as well as the urge to shake in it if you had it on, or that could just be me...

Before I knew it however, the depressing moment had come, when the, the music fades, the lights go down and in this case, disappointment was to follow. For the first time at one of these fashion events, I left empty handed. There was no denying that they had enough to sell with 50 plus rooms of designer fashion, though the clothes were… dare I say it … average.

Nothing was really out of the ordinary in my opinion. The vintage lover would have been pleased as most of the rooms were filled with vintage and even clothes that weren’t, had that ‘worn a few times’ look. I like a bit f vintage now and then but the clothes they were selling really didn’t shout out my name. The things that did catch my eye were £300.00 and above and the most unique items that I saw were by shoe designer Finsk whose stuff is already for sale on ASOS – so nothing really new there.

Ultimately, it was sad times on the shopping part, and good times on the fashion show. I guess us shopaholics must be restricted now and then. Whether I will go next year is a question itself. Probably not if I'm honest… London Fashion WEEK will be my next escapade…

All I need now is an invite…

Confessions of a Shortaholic...

It has come to my attention as of the last year that I am guilty of being a self-confessed shortaholic. As far as the wise cracks go, this has no relation to my height, but to the beautiful invention they call shorts.

I live in these things, small ones to be exact, come rain or shine, come summer or winter – I’m in them. They just reflect a cute-chic element and ultimately are more fun than your average trouser leg. My epiphany to embrace my inner leg has now led to carrot corduroy styles, khaki culottes, and vintage Levi’s – my staples. Nicole Richie was somewhat of an inspiration to this new love of mine as naturally I admire her style, though the snapshot of her in tiny denim shorts, opaque tights, a tailored blazer and black shoe boots in the middle of freezing February was the turning point for me – and I have never looked back.

My most recent purchase was a camel high-waisted, corduroy pair from Pull and Bear in Westfields. Despite the absence of fabric to three quarters of the leg, I feel that corduroy is more acceptable for the winter weather, hence this being my second pair. And more and more it has come to my attention as I look around that I am the only one wearing shorts in winter though all I can say is that the shortaholic within me speaks volumes. And yes, the word ‘shortaholic’ hasn’t quite made it to the dictionary, but if it had, underneath would be my picture beside Nicole Richie and possibly Katy Perry – though the ‘hot pant’ category is more her field. Though unlike most addictions, this one is not considered to be a problem, it’s more like a sweet compulsion, that needs no alterations...

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.