Oh, Marc!

Dakota Fanning for Marc Jacobs

There has been a bit of an uproar about the most recent Marc Jacobs campaign, featuring child star-turned teenage muse, Dakota Fanning. The 17-year-old is seen posing with an oversize bottle of the scent between her legs. Jacobs has described Oh, Lola! as "sensual", and is "more of a Lolita than a Lola."

Oh, Marc! The Advertising Standards Authority have pulled the advert after receiving several complaints that the campaign portrays a sexualised child, due to Fanning appearing underage and the actress straddling a questionably shaped bottle. Coty, the makers of Oh, Lola! have said that they believe the image is "provoking, but not indecent".

This does sound a bit like a fuss about nothing. The fact of the matter is Dakota Fanning isn't a child anymore. We've watched her grow up since she was in I Am Sam, and it's hard to shake off the memory of an angelic child who was all blue eyes and blonde locks. But angelic child she ain't. Take a look at this promotional picture for her 2010 film, The Runaways:

Cherrybombshell - Dakota Fanning in The Runaways

You can't really blame Marc Jacobs for thinking Fanning was ready to tackle a provocative perfume advert. In this day and age where designers pick girls instead of women to promote their collections, I can't help but think we brought this on ourselves. Models much younger than Dakota have starred in campaigns which have been plastered on billboards around cities without a hitch, so maybe we should calm down a bit and accept a young woman modelling a perfume isn't such a terrible idea after all.

Victor/Victoria Fashion

Lady Gaga would love to think of herself as the pioneer of the latest androgyny trend from when she bandaged up her chest and donned a suit to look like this:

but alas, no. The boy-girl thing has long been working its way up the fashion scale. Over the last couple of years there have been an increasing number of sightings of women in tuxes, along with the rising star of the likes of transsexual model Lea T and “beautiful” male mode Andrej Pejic have been helping to blur the line between masculinity and feminine beauty.

Designers, such as Moschino, Ralph Lauren and Boy. by Band of Outsiders all have featured models in tuxedos and trouser suits, while Dolce & Gabbana leads the pack by their braces, bow ties and slicked back hair. The androgyny trend is a great antidote to the ultra-feminine looks which have been heavily featured this year; a welcome alternative to cocktail dresses (they are more attention-grabbing and awe-striking than a mini-dress could ever be).

Pull your socks up: Dolce & Gabbana

One fashion starlet who champions the lux tux is singer Janelle Monae. Her monochromatic uniform consisting of tuxedos and dinner jackets, saddle shoes and an incredible gravity-defying ‘do have earned her major style points- she retorts to those who don’t like her style that “they ain’t seem to mind the last three times I posed in Vogue”. While dancing like a female James Brown and belting out her fast-paced upbeat tunes, one can’t help but notice how unbelievably composed and dapper she remains throughout.

If you like the idea of stylishly upping the gender-equality stakes but still want to remain feminine, then wear 70s style wide-legged trousers with a fitted tuxedo jacket or blazer a la Gucci. Add curves with a waist-cinching cummerbund or belt, a slick of red lipstick and sky-high platform heels. Voila! The world is your oyster.

Bow Ties and Boyish Looks: Janelle Monae

Fight For This Love: A PR Battle

In the last couple of weeks it has been reported that Cheryl Cole has been getting close to 'Dynamite' star, Taio Cruz.

Blondes have more fun: Cheryl Cole loving the single life

The Girls Aloud singer has finally turned her back on serial philanderer Ashley Cole, and is rumoured to be spending a lot of time with Cruz, telling her friends "Taio is beautiful, caring and amazing".
The two singers are apparently back in the studio, after previously recording a track together for Cole's album back in 2009.

Taio, who split with girlfriend Roxy Horner earlier in the year, has been hinting at his 'lust' for Cheryl, by posting a picture to his Facebook of the singer wearing one of his designs for Rockstarr watches. Well if that constitutes two people are in a relationship, then I've gone out with everyone I've ever posted a picture of.

Tiao Cruz - all news is good news

According to Cheryl, there's "a lot of sexual tension flying around". Not so. I have it on good authority from an impeccable source from Camp Cruz this is all just a big PR stunt. Cheryl isn't giddy as a schoolgirl over Tiao- in fact, they aren't even in the recording studio together. When I asked if we could expect a collaboration single from the two in the near future, my source said "Maybe...but we're not sure yet."
Any male singer with a story about being associated with Britain's Sweetheart Cheryl Cole isn't going to have a sudden dent in their reputation, especially if they are 'allegedly' restoring Ms Cole's wounded self confidence. So good on Camp Cruz! This publicity stunt is only going to win fans.

Peace

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Bag A Binns

Exclusive members-only fashion sales website, Moda Operandi, is currently selling the S/S 2012 collection of jewellery designer, Tom Binns. Originally, Binns' collections weren't to my taste, but after meeting a very enthusiastic fan who raved about his neon Swarovski crystal necklaces a few months ago, I have reconsidered my position. After all, a lady is allowed to change her mind!

A tasty treat: Shark mouth cuff

Tom Binns started his company with business partner, Christina Viera Newton, in 2004 and has since developed a cult following. With support from celebrities such as Michelle Obama and Freida Pinto, it's no wonder you can find his designs on a multitude of shopping sites online, including Net-a-porter and Outnet. Part fluro-chic, part elegance with a smattering of trashion, Binns' collections are designed to catch the eye, automatically earning the wearer extra fashion brownie points. Not for the faint of heart, the pieces look best when worn with a simple background outfit (think Rick Owens black, for example), letting the accessories take centre stage. For those who like to make a louder statement, be like Rihanna and wear a custom-designed bikini set.

Shy and retiring: Rihanna on tour in Tom Binns bikini

Crystal necklaces and bracelets adorned with neon words like 'PUNK' (see below) and 'CHAOS', Tom Binns has the lady who doesn't take life too seriously in mind when he designs. Fit the description?  Then run to ModaOperandi.com for his latest season's trunk show, but hurry as it ends on the 27th October. For a wider selection of previous seasons' gems, go to net-a-porter.com  but they aren't exactly cheap- the most impressive necklaces go for £800 and up. One to write to Santa about, maybe?

"Elegance with anti-conformist sentiment"- Tom Binns on his designs

Splash Out phosphorescent earrings

Peace
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Kate Moss' (unoriginal) Jewellery Range Launches

Do you really need me to tell you who this is?

After a clothing range at Topshop and a newly released Rimmel lipstick line, a Longchamp collection of bags, a July wedding, not to mention the countless photoshoots and British Vougue covers (Alexandra Shulman, can you please come up with fresh new cover stars for the magazine you edit?) under her belt, you'd think that Fashion superstar Kate Moss would have enough on her plate to contend with. But neigh, Moss has come up with something else to put her name to. The newly-wed socialite has launched a jewellery collection with FRED, a luxury designer jewellery store.



The inspiration behind such a venture? Her tattoos. Ah. Not exactly groundbreaking, is it? Kate Moss also used her inks to inspire the labels on her Topshop range; the price tag was attached to chains with swallows, stars or anchors interlinked, that the buyer could wear as a bracelet so may they wish. Just to get one step closer to the famous Miss Moss, whose words of wisdom include "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". Who wouldn't want to be like this well-grounded individual?

Yes, I really do too.

The stackable rings, necklaces and earrings start at £300 and are now on sale at FRED or you could just go out and get Kate's tattoos indelibly inked on your skin. Cheaper, and harder to lose than the gold versions.

                               

Peace

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Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A Sneak Peek

Daniel Craig getting to grips with Rooney Mara

After the new trailer for 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' US version was leaked online, an official version has now been released. Although we have to wait till December for the film to finally hit cinemas, I bring you some early Christmas cheer in the form of a FOUR MINUTE CLIP:

I know many will have reservations about seeing the US version of the greatly acclaimed Swedish film, but the former is (apparently) bringing out elements in the book which were slightly overlooked in the 2009 film, like Mikael Blomkvist's (Daniel Craig) relationship with his co-worker, and the court case against him and Millennium Magazine. Also, let us keep in mind this is not a remake of the first part of a Swedish film Trilogy, this is a screen adaptation of a best-selling novel. Maybe all the self-imposed critics should give the Americans a bit of a break and wait to see the results before moaning about 'unoriginality' etc. What on earth will they do if it's better?

So, if you still can't be bothered to read the book, then watch both films back-to-back to get to grips with the story. Personally, I can't wait to sit there with my popcorn and slushy and watch what will undoubtedly by the Christmas Box Office smash!

Peace
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Minty-Fresh Designs

I love all things Olsen. Mary-Kate and Ashley have long been icons of mine; their style is fresh and original, coveted by many. When they brought out their fashion lines Elizabeth and James, and the high end range called The Row, I practically leaped for joy (and landed swiftly in a pair of Elizabeth and James platform lambskin leather heels).
However, the clothes are not exactly affordable for the average 21-year-old who currently makes nothing from unpaid internships. That is why I was ecstatic when I hear about Stylemint. This little gem of a website sells T-shirts designed by the billionaire twins at the very reasonable price of $29.99. Unfortunately I don't think the ship worldwide yet, but it never hurts to window shop!

The site's concept is simple. Just answer a few multiple-answer questions on your style, and you are then sent several suggestions of that month's T-shirt designs that fit your answers. Joining is free and so is the shipping cost, plus it promises all purchases are easy to return. Why not, eh?

This month boasts a great offer, too. Buy one of the selected T-shirt and get a piece of jewellery from sister company Jewelmint (designed by actress and style icon Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter) FOR FREE! You don't have any choice in which item you get, but luckily they're all very stylish.

So what are you waiting for? Pop along to www.stylemint.com and grab yourself an Olsen-approved bargain! Also, check out http://bcove.me/bc70zaue for your chance to win a full year of StyleMint Ts.

Peace

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Versace for H&M

Versace is known as a quiet brand, one that has no need for vibrant and lurid colour, or attention of any kind. Dresses are modest to the point of Amish, all represented by a well-rounded and modest-looking designer.

Oh no, wait...

Donatella Versace is the epitome of the brand: ultra-feminine, bold, daring and luxe. H&M, on the other hand, is know for its collections of wearable pieces and wardrobe staples that don't break the bank balance. So when it was announced Vercace was going to design with the high street chain, we all wondered if the Italian fashion house was going to stick to its trademark fitted and luxurious style, or if they would sacrifice it slightly for sake of cheaper prices.

This month Vogue Russia previewed the collection in its pages and let's just say Donatella has stuck to her neon-coloured guns! Quite a contrast from the recent S/S 12 collection which consisted of whites, blacks and pastel colours, Versace for H&M is all about the colour pop. An interview with the Goddess Versace herself talking about the collection has been released, in which she explains she used "iconic Versace pieces for iconic Versace women," infused with the usual drama, prints and studs, all with a bit of a rock 'n' roll edge. The dresses are still fitted and sexy, but there is more choice to suit a wider range of tastes. You still have to have the confidence of an Italian Bella Donna to carry them off, but that probably comes with the dress (and the inevitable price tag).

Versace's bold prints...and garish jewellery

I'm not a huge fan of classic Versace, but even I am drawn to a few key pieces, particularly the edgy leather LBD with swirls of gold studs, and a sleeveless leopard print shift dress (with a pattern which looks so much like Mary Katrantzou it verges on a rip-off). The jewellery, however, can stay safely on the shelves as far as I'm concerned.

Versace or Mary Katrantzou?

The Rocknrolla of the LBD World

So there we go! Versace for H&M will hit stores in November - fashion or TRASHion? What do you think? See the short video of Donatella Versace talking about the collection below:

Peace
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TV Review - Things That Go Bump in the Night

Doctor Who – The God Complex

Date aired: Saturday 17^th September, BBC1, 7:10pm

Superior Being - Matt Smith with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill

The writer’s of Doctor Who seem to be struggling with coming up with reasons why the TARDIS and gang arrive at the main location of every new episode. The Doctor’s (Matt Smith) now clichéd ramblings of “I’m taking you to a wonderful new planet full of exciting adventures- oh, hang on...this isn’t it...” is getting a little tiresome.

This week Amy, Rory and the Doctor are surprised to arrive at a maze floating through space, decorated in the style of a 1980’s Torquay hotel. As if the floral carpet isn’t scary enough, stalking through the never-ending hallways is a Minotaur- a god who has become redundant in a secular world and now inhabits the maze while feeding on the faith of those imprisoned within. Add rooms filled with the manifestations of each prisoner’s deepest, darkest fears- including a sad clown and a room full of laughing ventriloquist dummies- and we’re well on our way to the level of Saturday evening frights we’ve become accustomed to.

The scariest part, however, is actually the appearance of David Walliams, almost unrecognisable under layers of rodent-like prosthetics. Looking like the love-child of William Hague and a mutated rat, he played the part of a dislikeable, irritating coward rather well. Turns out Walliams plays dislikeable and irritating even when he means to.

A few jokes short of a sketch show - David Walliams

The episode’s plot doesn’t twist and turn as much as usual, and the writers could have done a lot more with the idea of rooms filled with nightmares individually tailored to each character. There was nothing to hide behind the sofa from this week which feels like a bit of a letdown after the bar is continually set higher by the tension and horrifying monsters in each previous episode this series. The adventure climaxed in a Scooby-Doo “Let’s catch ourselves a monster” type chase, running through corridors to trap the Minotaur. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff. In fact, it looks like a laughable fallback plan of a writer out of ideas for plot development.

However, the final speech the doctor gives is rather poetic and stirs more emotion than the 40 minutes that went before. The ending leaves room for a whole new direction the series can be taken in, so the episode is worth a watch purely for this fact alone. Let’s just hope the rest of the episodes can pick the pace up again so as not to go out with a whimper, but with a bang.

One to Watch - Sophie Thomas

Is this one of the faces of the future?

Sophie Thomas has been booking jobs this year like there is no tomorrow! She can put her name to shoots for Ponystep, Dazed and Confused, Tatler, Grazia and Lula magazines to name but a few, not to mention for the likes of The Orphan's Arms, Nikki Clarke and Pantene runway- not bad for a girl who just got her AS Level results (and did remarkably well I might add).

Model scouts saw Sophie's potential from the age of 14, but it was Union Modelling Agency that was lucky enough to snap her up. Obviously, it helps to have lean legs longer than Lindsay Lohan's criminal record, but it's her butter-wouldn't-melt looks which will likely keep her seeming 17 for a lot longer than twelve months. Everyone is eternally youthful in the fashion world, and it definitely pays to have good genes in your favour.

What I'm most jealous of? Sophie's thick, waist-length, undamaged chestnut hair, a rarity in these hair straightener-dominating times. Pure and undyed, I often catch myself glimpsing at scissors whenever I'm in her presence, just in case she turns her back for a moment and I can fashion myself a wig from her locks before she realises. I've managed to resist so far...

What does Sophie Thomas have to say for herself? Read her 20 Questions after the jump.

 

  

Tatler, September 2011  

 

 

Tatler, September 2011

1. How long have you been modeling? Since I was 15.
2. Where are you from? Greater London- Putney.
3. Where were you discovered? Shopping in Carnaby Street with my Mum.
4. What was your most memorable shoot? The shoot I did for Tatler's September issue this year. I had to wear loads of wigs and it was 60s themed.
5. What have been your favorite brands you've modeled? Peregrine Clothing- it reminded me of Burberry. I liked The Orphan's Arms too, it was really my style, like, all casual and cool.
6. Who is your top favorite designer? Vivienne Westwood. She's so different and quirky with all she does. Flawless.
7. What runway shows have you walked in? None so far, except for Proctor and Gamble, but I hope to walk in quite a few for the coming London Fashion Week.
8. If you weren’t a model, what would you be? I'd be in school still, figuring out what I want to do!
9. What’s the biggest perk of your job? Meeting really cool people, and getting to travel. Oh, and the pay, of course!
10. What’s your favorite travel destination? Spain. I love the culture and food.
11. What’s your workout routine? Ugh. I go to the gym about 4 or 5 times a week, and fit in Bikrahm Yoga in between. I basically try to keep as active as I can.
12. Where would we find you on a typical Saturday night? Out in London with my friends.
13. Drink of choice? Water
14. Perfume? Kate Moss Vintage
15. First job? Modelling was my first job, but apart from that I worked in Hollister in Kingston-Upon-Thames
16. What’s your most expensive purchase to date? My BlackBerry or my iPod.
17. Favorite movie? I don't have one in particular, but I love all Disney films. I'll say Emperor's New Groove is the best.
18. What is your greatest fear? Failure.
19. If your house was burning, what 3 items would you save? My iPod, my BlackBerry, and a photo of all my family.

20. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Hopefully I'll be able to say I've had a really good modelling career, and I'll be travelling around the world.

You can next catch Sophie in Grazia Magazine in October.

 

The Orphan's Arms

Alexander the Great: A Retrospective

Alexander McQueen: A/W 2010-11

The last ready-to-wear collection by Alexander McQueen, shown posthumously in Paris, was always going to be a difficult show to judge. Viewers were all too aware of the difficulty the designer was going through during the making of this ensemble: his mother, to whom he was very close, passed away from cancer just weeks before. McQueen took his own life nine days later. Would the season’s clothes be up to his eccentric but brilliant standard, or would the immense stress he was under affect his work?

There would always be a reluctance to give this show a poor review; who's conscience would be at ease speaking ill of the dead? But of course it was incredible. Although incomplete, 16 pieces were shown to a small group of fashion editors who viewed them in a mournfully atmospheric gilded salon at the Hotel de Clermont Tonnerre. Classical music played in a grand location, suitable for such an exquisite collection.

The previous season from Alexander McQueen was about the evolution of life – the journey of going from sea to land and then inevitably back to sea again. It looked towards the future; there was a plan for the world illustrated through the clothes. This presentation had a theme of life after death, which could be interpreted as a natural progression of the line, but it feels more likely to be an insight into McQueen’s state of mind during the creative process, making it all the more poignant. 

Rich jewel colours of ruby reds and royal blues flowed through the collection, along with intricate lavish gold embroidery, harking back to Tudor dress. Necklines were high and sleeves were long, make up was sparse and the models’ heads were bound, supporting black or gold feather Mohawks. This depersonalisation, along with the cut of the clothes, gave the impression of innocence- nothing showed that didn’t have to. McQueen avoided all distraction from the elaborate details and digital prints of Renaissance art seen on silk bodices, tying in religious connotations. At times, pieces look almost priest-like, particularly a cream floor length chiffon dress with a belted silver and gold embellished robe. 

Some clothes were also angelic. Boots had gold angel wings either side of the ankle, a stunning high-collared coat was made out of thousands of gold feathers. Grey maxi dresses were bordered by almost life-sized saints, their hands stretched out in prayer reaching towards the model’s face. The soles of the varying thigh-high and ankle boots were a gold web of entwining vines and broken skulls with cherubs surrounding them.
Each piece of the collection could proudly have stood alone, yet inextricably linked.

Viewing the images of the private show would be emotive for most, especially as the designer wouldn’t hear the unanimous praise the clothes have since received. Some critics call it his best ever collection. Lee Alexander McQueen will be sorely missed as one of the best in the fashion world. He had a unique perspective on what he saw and created, and this collection is testament to a true artist.

 

What The Tweet?

Many moons ago I didn't understand Twitter. I couldn't fathom a reason why millions of people would feel the urge to tweet their random thoughts and mundane activities to the masses. Who would want to listen? Who would care? On my first Twitter attempt (Twitempt?) I gave up after a month. It might have been something to do with Claudia Winkleman not tweeting me back, but in general I did find it tedious (Tweedious). That was March 2010.

Scroll forward to over a year and 170 tweets later, I am obsessed. Since the end of May I have been bashing out my witticisms on my keyboard to my tweeting heart's content to my ever growing number of followers. I restarted posting my 140 characters of nonsense due to the advice of a certain sports hack I met one night who insisted it would help gander attention for my blog I had recently given a voice to. So out went all the irrelevant Twitter peeps (Tweeps) I was following, in went fashion journalists, magazines and various VITs (Very Important Tweeps) I wanted to stand up and take notice of my budding blog posts. The more I followed, the more followed me. One day the aforementioned sports journalist tweeted to his fans a link to a post and my page views went up to over the 300 mark. I started to see my URL @LRoseHill crop up in #FF selections (Follow Friday - a way to broadcast weekly suggestions of people you think others should follow). The Twitter bug had bit.

However, the best publicity I have received yet occurred yesterday. None other than Lilly Allen (@MrsLRCooper) retweeted (RT'd) something I wrote to her 3,000,000-plus followers. What had been a throw-away comment sent in reply to one of the ex-songstress' tweets became a massive talking point. My phone keeps pinging away, informing me of new comments on the subject and of the soaring number of followers I was amassing. Now, I don't personally know Lily Allen, and I shouldn't be this excited a stranger RT'd something I said...but it's LILY ALLEN! Queen of the Twitterati! It literally made my day.

Twitter is also, in it's purest state, an acceptable form of stalking. Its basic function is to allow us an incite to all the goings-on of the celebrities we idolise and love- people we would never have a chance to meet in real life. Their updates can be sent to our inboxes and our phones to make sure we are never out of the loop. The whole concept works because it feeds on our insatiable appetite for paparazzi-style invasion of the lives of the rich and famous. Only this is actually commissioned by those who readily voice their objection to privacy infringement. With one hand they push away the shutterbugs that hound them, while they feed us the information anyway with the other. They don't really win either way. Cruel irony? Or poetic justice?

is the shape embedded into many of the public's hearts for our beloved social website to curl up and remain. Well, for the time being, until  a new hotter, younger model is invented in a nanosecond's time which will replace Twitter and make us forget all about the site that was. What is the past tense of tweeting? Twatting?

Peace

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(follow me on Twitter via @LRoseHill)

Racy Lacy

I bought these boots (above) from Topshop last weekend for £75, which bare some resemblance to the Opening Ceremony pair (below). They cost £206 (according to shopbop.com). Not exactly a huge amount for a pair of rather fab shoes, but when combined with a large shopping spree, like the one I was- ahem- begrudgingly undertaking on Sunday, would tip my bank balance over the edge and into the red. For those who can't afford to splash the cash, Topshop definitely knows how to copy the most stylish items of the moment and add their own twist in the process. The thick heel means extra comfort when wearing them, which is a Godsend, and add a little sophistication to your outfit.

Get buying!

Peace

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What's It All About, Alfie?

ALFIE Scalloped Lace Up Boots - Topshop

I bought these ankle boots from Topshop Oxford Street flagship on the weekend. I was looking for a pair of stylish booties which would carry me through to next Spring, and ta-da! I found these beauties. 

The ALFIE boot  cuts just above the ankle and looks great when teamed with turn-up jeans. The pony skin is very soft and looks glossy, with the scalloped edges adding a subtle quirkiness to finish off nicely.

They did feel a little snug around the widest part of the foot, but once the laces were loosened, they were a perfect fit. It is best, however, to round up your shoe size rather than down if you aren't sure- there isn't exactly wriggle room in there.

All-in-all, a great pair of boots to go stomping around in and at £52 they hardly break the bank.

I should probably stop stroking them in public, though.

Peace

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ASOS and Her Autumnal Coats

Like many, I love a browsing session of online shops. My regulars are Nastygal, Topshop, Shopbop, Net-a-porter, Outnet, Missguided, Urban Outfitters and ASOS. A large portion of my monthly pay packet gets put aside for a mini shopping spree on one or more of these sites, and nearly always I start with ASOS. I will sit at my laptop for hours, trawling through every section, choosing things to put in my Saved Items (which stays saved for 30 days as opposed to the two hours when put in the Shopping Bag.) often weeks before payday is even in sight. I also subscribe to the monthly magazine and email newsletters so I am kept as up to date as possible. Non-online shoppers may think this a tad obsessive but, let's face it, I'm not alone. Store emails make up 90% of our inbox.

The most recent ASOS magazine for September got me very excited. There it was, lying neatly on the hall floor, eagerly awaiting my arrival home from work, like a loyal pet in need of a good fondle and flick-through. It is the first look at the A/W11 range which has already started to arrive in stock online. So I sat there with my cup o' Earl Grey, black marker in hand, circling all that will inevitably wind up in my Saved Items and then possibly on my bedroom floor.

I am most impressed by the jumpers, jackets and coats that'll start filtering into our wardrobes over the coming months. The androgyny trend continues in the form of chunky knitted sweaters with thick block stripes, men's sized jackets and coats, and autumnal colours of fawn, dark red and mallard green running heavily through. Fur is- of course- back with a vengeance. You can even add a faux collar or cuffs to a jacket or top to complete the look.

This is a selection of the items on asos.com that caught my eye:

American Apparel Fisherman Jumper

 ASOS textured Knit Jumper

 ASOS Rollneck Jumper

 ASOS Jumper with Star Elbow Patches

 ASOS Premium Coat with Double Lapel

 DRESSMONSTER Jersey Boyfriend Jacket

 ASOS Faux Fox Fur Coat

 ASOS Fantasy Fur Short Cuffs


Pair with something gothic: lace, velvet, dark floral patterns and bird prints are trending right now. Add a pair of creepers, dark red lips and statement earrings (the new statement necklace) for your friends to think “God, she’s so bloody cool”.

Peace

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Fashionably Pug Ugly

This is possibly one of the best Louis Vuitton campaigns EVER. A vintage soft-top car, soldier hats, fur coats...oh, and a pug. Two pugs. Double the cutest quadrupeds with faces that look like they collided with a brick wall ever to grace a fashion shoot. There is another shot with models holding spaniels, but who honestly gives a poodle about that?

The wrinkly prune of the dog-world is a star on the rise at the moment. They are much loved by the fashion pack, even though we should probably recoil in horror at a glimpse. Everyone from Brix Smith-Start to Jessica Alba has one (or two), planting the thought in my head maybe they have an ulterior motive in owning one. Stand next to anything ugly and you instantly become more beautiful. It's the beauty by comparison theory; ugly dog = gorgeous owner. You look the compassionate hero by taking one in, and just because it fell out of the ugly tree, hitting every branch on the way down, doesn't diminish your love and devotion. It's the ultimate Pity Pet - the canine Jennifer Aniston, if you will. You want to take it under your wing to nurture, but no one finds it attractive. Just a little bit pathetic.

I have wanted a pug for a couple of years now. I've even named my FFF (future fashion friend). She shall be called Angela Lansbury, partly due to the resemblance of her actor counterpart, partly because I want to go to a park and shout "Angela Lansbury, it's time to go back on your leash now!" My aunt even got me a small toy pug with its namesake engraved on a bone-shaped collar tag hung around her neck. Ask my six year old cousin who Lansbury is and she'll tell you firmly she's a puppy. I have warped my family's association with the name to the point they no longer think of Murder, She Wrote, like normal people, but of a small wet-nosed creature who does its business by a lamp post (for all I know this describes the real Angela too, but I don't know how to go about finding this out).

Sadly, I'll have to wait a while longer before Pug Angie scampers her way to me. My Dad, with whom I live, hates dogs. They smell, malt, they bark and drool, not to mention we are both allergic. Still, some day I vow to own at least one. However, I do imagine the whole situation getting out of hand. I fear I'll end up adopting about 12 puppies and live out my golden years as a recluse with a brood of pugs each named after Dynasty characters ("Blake Carrington! Get off Crystal!").

Actually, I'm secretly quite excited.

Peace

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What The Other Half Think of Us

My friend came home one day to find a note lying conspicuously on her table. It was from her Polish cleaner (the ethnicity of said cleaner isn't important, but you will understand why it is crucial to know when reading the exerts below- she writes with an accent!). My friend used to have lodgers staying at the top of her house who were expected to clean their own lodgings, and were not given the privileges of a cleaner once a week.
However, it turns out not everybody's level of cleanliness is up to scratch. My Friend asked her cleaner to venture into the unknown and clean the bathroom her lodgers once used after their tenancy was up. Little did she know what chaos a request would cause....

"Hi [friend's name]!

I clean as you ask that bathroom on top floor. And I don't know what to say, my English is not rich in the words which I like to use. In easy English, I can say what a FUCKING DIRTY BATHROOM (sorry for my language). I see the bathroom like this for the first time in my life. How 2 adult persons can't clean after your self I don't know.
Hope they rooms looks better.
You so lucky you don't have small animals in your house wich [sic] can come with all these dirty people. Hope you tell them to clean they own bathroom every single time after use. I don't need go ther [sic] any more time.

[she then lists a load of industrial products needed to tackle such a monstrous task- no sarcasm intended]

"I stay a bit more than 4h because those bathroom take me 40 minutes to clean. Now it's [sic] look better but still needs some job.
See you next time, have a nice weekend
A x
P.S Sorry for not really nice note. But you know me! I tell what I think.
With love
A x"

Powerful stuff. Poetic, no?

Peace

x

My Mid-Year Xmas List

I start planning my list for the coming Xmas on the 26th December, and then add to it over the next 365 days. It is an ongoing struggle to remember to be realistic in my pickings and to take into account my family's budget, which does not usually match my £1 million self-imposed dream allowance.

Still, a girl is allowed to dream. So now that we've broken the back of the year, I have culled the recesses of my mind and compiled a selection of a few choice items I would like very much to find in my stocking on the 25th Dec.
What do you want Santa to bring you this year?

Jonathan Saunders - Sheraton Printed Wool-crepe Midi Skirt
Perfect way to combine brightly coloured graphic print and midi skirt trends together for this Autumn/Winter. Not one for overbearing outfits, this piece teamed with understated accessories is just the right amount for me.


Isabel Marant - All The Midnight In All The World Feather Cuff
I have a bit of a fashion fetish for feathers, particularly peacock. When stood alone against a plain outfit this piece exudes enough luxe to make you look a million dollars. 

Maison Martin Margiela by l'Atelier d'Exercices
Isn't this just the coolest magnifying glass you have ever seen?! Forget needing to read with glasses- why have the skin on the sides of your nose pinch when you can hold one half of the most stylish geek chic specs around? Purely superficial, but a neccessity for the home.

Alexander McQueen - Suede Ankle Boots
I have wanted a black tuxedo to sport around town after hours, but fear I'd look too...well, masculine. These boots would be the perfect colour pop to offset androgyny with femininity.

Tom Binns - Fauve Hand-Painted Swarovski Crystal Drop Earrings
Slightly trashy yet classy; I name thee Fluro-Chic. Again, perfect to wear with my monochrome tuxedo and Alexander McQueen magenta boots (above), they are just long enough to catch the eye and compliment ombre hair with it's dip dye-like shading.

Sandro - Elegante Crepe Blouse
I'm a sucker for anything this shade of blue as I'm convinced my eyes are the same colour. I pretty much live in big baggy shirts, so this smart number would be a perfect addition to my collection.



Acne - Beeta Lux Wool-Crepe Jacket
I love the 60s mod look on girls. It's almost patriotic in the way the look is intrinsically British (The trend started on Carnaby Street). I can see me now: Mulberry Bayswater in one hand, Marlboro in the other, black cigarette turn-ups and Chanel black and white pumps. All eyelashes and nude lips, not a hair out of place. And this coat. What a lovely dream...

 Yves Saint Laurent - Arty Gold-Plated Glass Ring
 This little number has been on the Xmas list for a couple of years running. Again that Yves Klien Blue (a post-WWII artist whose use of the colour has inspired many a designer for the past few years), this ring is the epitome of the kind of statement jewellery I love.



 M Missoni - Leather-Trimmed Twill Cape
Bound to be on the shopping list of many a fashion socialite, the Chic Poncho has been seen on the catwalk for Alexander Wang to Rag+Bone. I change my colour palette according to the season, so wear a lot of blacks and greys in Winter. This would fit straight into my frosty uniform while also keeping me toasty against the chilling December snow.



                                             Sam Edelman - Zoe Boot
It is safe to say this is one of my favourite shoes of all time. Ever since Mary-Kate Olsen stumbled about on her skinny limbs planted shakily into 8inches of heeled ankle boots six years ago, with as much grace as a calf learning to walk, I have lusted after a pair. Eating disorders have come and gone for the actress-cum-designer, but the boots have stayed. I expect the same level of companionship from my future pair. Who needs friends when you have the Zoe Boot?


Jeffrey Campbell - Safety Platform Heel
Why do I want to have a pair of these beauties to call my own? Look at them. Just look. They're fantastic! Probably quite comfortable too. The actual shoe is not too high, so dancing around for hours on end don't look too much of a daunting thought. Heels that the designer has made to look like architecture give them an extra eye-grabbing edge over their other less-exciting counterparts, plus that heel looks like it packs a kick, if ever one needs to defend oneself, Charlie's Angels style.



All images belong to http://net-a-porter.com/ and http://nastygal.com/


Peace

x