Monthly Archives: December 2011

A HELPING HAND FOR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION SUCCESS

To my own surprise I seem to have garnered a reputation in some circles as a kind of fashion-forward hippy. I can only assume this is based on the following criteria: I sometimes partake in yoga classes, my father is a Buddhist, I’m a vegetarian and I have a fondness for tassels. Hmmmm. God the evidence is kinda damning, isn’t it?

Like an actor who’s been typecast as the sappy / desperate rom-com protagonist, I wasn’t wild about being stuck with the clichéd label ‘boho chic’ (I’ve lost some respect for myself for having written those words here. Even with the inclusion of quotation marks) but then I thought, hell, why not just embrace my inner Eddy Monsoon? (I hope some of you are Ab Fab fans, or else that last reference will have been lost on you, dear readers).

I’ve had my eye on Daisy‘s Chakra bracelets for quite some time now. They’re sort of in keeping with the friendship bracelet craze; a piece of simple coloured cord with a gold emblem attached – the idea being that spiritual energy will flow through you each time you wear it.

I thought carefully about which chakra I needed to focus on / improve, and as it’s New Years Eve and my resolutions are all based around creativity, success and inner contentment, I settled on the throat.

My bracelet will work to develop my communication skills, symbolic thinking and creative expression, hopefully aiding my ability to master the ukulele, write more in my spare time and become one of those socially adept people who attract loyal friends, valuable experiences and bountiful opportunities effortlessly. Yup, 2011 has been a good one, but I think 2012 can top it. Something tells me this is going to be a milestone year…

THE ULTIMATE LEATHER DRESS

How strange to think, amidst all the fetishistic second-skin pieces saturating the fashion world this season, that it all started with the gentle reintroduction of the leather jacket.

My dalliance slowly developed from that staple piece into a fully fledged obsession. A leather trim / pocket /sleeve has the ability to make me weak at the knees, and now I think I’ve finally found the ultimate item to add to my rapidly multiplying collection – Muubaa’s Lantana T-shirt Dress.

Muubaa is pretty much leading the way when it comes to leather. Its creations are always contemporary with an element of the experimental (I also own a jacket by the label – a suede body with removable leather arms to transform it into a sleeveless piece) and this dress is a perfect example of its design signature.

It’s made from a buttery-soft brushed leather, so matt and deliciously pliable that you could pair it with your trusty biker jacket and heavy black boots – head-to-toe in ferocious leather – and pull it off with aplomb.

SAMPLE SALES NOT TO MISS THIS WEEK

American Retro & Zoe Tees Sample Sales
Massive discounts on A/W11, sample and previous season stock.
8th December (12pm to 8pm) 9th December (12pm to 6pm).
Brand Apart, 5A Noel Street, W1F 8GE

 

Erdem Sample Sale
Florals all the way…
8th December (1pm to 8pm)
The Future Gallery, 5 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7HY

 

Christopher Kane Sample Sale
Large selection of womens, mens, T-shirts and accessories.
8th December (1pm to 9pm)
The Mercer Street Studios, 16 Mercer Street WC2H 9QE

 

Nicholas Kirkwood Sample Sale
Prices start from £25.
8th December (10am to 8pm) and 9th December (8am to 8pm)
The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 5AB

TREND OBSESSION: SHORT SUITS

Three thoughts went through my mind the first time I picked up on short suits as a SS12 trend: firstly, how in the name of all that is good and holy have designers found a way to make corporate cute? Secondly, isn’t it interesting that celebs have been rocking this ensemble at press junkets and on red carpets as a modern alternative to the dress? And thirdly, where can I find one?

Yes, the short suit (or is it the shorts suit?) is in the midst of a huge resurgence and will be saturating all your favourite stores come Spring. I’ve been clocking them at various press days over the last month and so far the stand-out winner is this one by ASOS (possibly because it’s neon pink too, which is my favourite hue of the moment).