Outfit Post: Great minds think alike

Just when you (and I) thought that coursework deadlines, exams and a fashion show had killed both me and Parade off, we're back!

Organising prom has also been a cause of distraction from here so it seems fitting to theme an outfit post around that.

Having bought my dress at the end of last year, that was the least of my worries in the run up to the event. Instead I found myself to be more concerned by ivy and fairylights and roses and candlesticks. This all led to a rather uncharacteristically disorganised dash around town the day before, yes the day before, to locate a belt and jewellery.

Somehow I finished up with a bit of a deco/grecian fusion going on...

 

Dress - Phase Eight

Necklace - EB Erickson Beamon

Belt - Zara

Bag - Vintage

Shoes - Christian Louboutin



It seems though that plunging black dresses and gold accessories are a bit of a trend this week.

Sharon Stone was spotted arriving at Christian Dior HQ in Paris on Monday for Paris Couture Week, wearing an outfit that, dare I say, was similar to mine. At first glance even more so, until I scrolled down and saw her dress wasn't full length, plus I didn't wear sunnies or red lippy, which I must admit look amazing on her. (I did have red nails, but no lippy as I didn't want to look like I was trying to match my soles, if you catch my drift?)

I'd love to say she copied off me, but in reality I can't claim to be friends with Ms. Stone, so it looks like it'll just have to be a stylish coincidence... Shame!


P.S. There should be pictures of the aforementioned fashion show floating about somewhere; when I track them down, I'll pop them on here.

FD - Tuesday 8th May: The Orange Saga continues...

After the reaction I've had to the 'orange' post, I've decided to continue the saga some more...

A few people have asked me for pictures of 'the' outfit, and aside from a very informal one taken in the mirror on my phone (sent to friend to check I looked presentable before I left the house), I don't actually have any.

So, to give you a vague idea of what the look was like I've ventured back to Polyvore and created a set with some items which aren't mine, but have the same feel. This one is a designer one - I'm working on a high street version so look out for that in the next couple of days...

Etro silk blouse
mytheresa.com

Vionnet snap pants
net-a-porter.com

Yves Saint Laurent clutch bag
net-a-porter.com

Oscar de la Renta gold necklace
net-a-porter.com

MAC Cosmetics Morange Lipstick
mac.com

Christian Louboutin Pigalle Shoes
christianlouboutin.com

FD - Sunday 6th May: Fashion Risks

I've spent all day today looking down at my feet, wondering, as I have all week, whether I look 'really high fashion' or 'complete fashion disaster'. This is because this week, I've taken a few fashion risks...

Many will know that generally my clothes/shoes are black/high and my makeup subtle - but oh no, not this week. This week I went positively wild...

It all started last Saturday when I fancied livening up my work outfit. I'd bought these shoes, that yes I'm wearing today, a couple of years ago for a wedding and hadn't worn them since, because while I like them, I find them somewhat complicated to wear. To describe them they sound awful - pointy, snakeskin and with a not particularly high, pink metallic heel, but honestly they're better in the flesh. The thing that scares me however is that they're very pale in colour, almost ecru - I refuse to say white, and nude is about as pale as I'll go normally. Don't get me wrong though, they're definitely not kittens - that would be fashion suicide let alone a fashion disaster - and they are Kurt Geiger. But I've seen a lot of mid-height heels around lately and think they look instantly French and very chic with skinny pants or jeans with a turn up, as I've done today. Somehow though, for the reasons described above, they still scare me.

The second risk then came about that same night while I was watching The Voice. I have an occasional penchant for orange clothes and suddenly decided I needed Jessie J's orange lippy. Having tracked down her make up artist on Twitter and found the name of it, found myself in MAC on Sunday morning asking for 'Jessie J's lippy please' - Morange F.Y.I.  

As a result I've found myself walking round with a bright orange pout all week. Some people have remarked it looks red, others coral; a lot just stare then say "Is that lipstick orange?".

The final, and possibly most major risk came on Thursday night, when I had two very contrasting events to attend, the launch of Amanda Harrington and Debbie and Gill O'Toole's 'Scouse Boutique' and Matt Ford and Dot Art's 'Art Show'. The mere putting together of both events in one sentence presented me with possibly the biggest fashion conundrum I've ever had to deal with. I gathered Scouse Boutique would be scouse and over the top, while The Art Show would be well, arty and cool. There was no way I could dress to please both... Or was there?

Cue the arrival of the orange trousers.

As if wandering round with orange lips all week wasn't enough, I decided to try out orange legs - with no fake tan involved may I add. By orange trousers, I mean properly tailored, high waisted, fairly wide legged pants with 4 little gold buttons up the side in a bright, bright orange. Not terracotta, not tangerine; orange, in the most literal sense of the word. I bought them in Zara almost a year ago and can honestly say I'd never found an occasion quite right for them, but Thursday seemed like just the day to debut them: loud enough for Scouse Boutique, original enough for The Art Show. I paired them with a vintage black and orange printed blouse, black heels and bag, and a huge gold necklace, not forgetting a slick of Morange of course.

Wearing them I felt conspicuous, they certainly weren't suitable attire for voting, but somehow I felt a bit empowered - almost like I must have looked brave to have worn them, even though I spent all night thinking "oh my goodness I'm walking round in bright orange trousers".

So what can I conclude from this week? I do love orange, both in lipstick and trouser form. And the shoes? I do like them too, but it might take me a few more wears yet before I feel completely happy in them.

As for 'really high fashion' vs. 'complete fashion disaster', I would like to think I had enough self respect and fashion nous to not resemble the latter but I shan't put my neck on the line just yet...

P.S. If anyone has seen me in any of the three risky examples, please let me know your thoughts...

FD - 12th April 2012 - Fab in Fuchsia

I never thought I would say this, ever, but today I thought Coleen Rooney looked fabulous.
It was 'Liverpool Day',  at Aintree Races today and while we saw the first day of racing, Coleen also revealed her first outfit from this years races wardrobe... And for her striking Roksanda Illincic dress, I am welcoming Coleen onto Parade with open arms!

I love the colour of her dress, it's just the right side of neon, the belt is a good touch and obviously I'm not going to argue with any Louboutins... (These are 'Highness 160mm' F.Y.I.)

The big hair and the big sleeves are admittedly very scouse, but I think she's managed to keep it classy.

So while some prepare to get it very wrong tomorrow (Don't say I'm being harsh, I said some, and check last years pics for evidence!), I'll wait and see with baited breath if I'll be singing Mrs Rooney's praises again on Parade tomorrow after Ladies Day... If this is anything to go by, I'm scared I might actually be doing so!

Pictures from Dailymail.co.uk

FD - Saturday 24th March - London Bound

Firstly, apologies for being away from the blog so much, it's not deliberate, I've just been a very busy bee! Here's why...

If you're friends with me on Facebook, you will know I'm regularly 'London-bound'. My last post about Milan was written on a train to London and the manic fortnight that started with LFW meant 5 separate trips to the capital. 

I have found train journeys to be very productive times however and have written lots of things for the fab His & Hers mag over the past month, on a Virgin Pendelino of course, which can all be found in the current spring fashion issue. You can pick a copy up from the L1 visitor centre if you haven't already, or you could take a look at the online version, found on the website, here, before the new issue comes out in April.

I've also managed to get a Uni place in this time, Fashion Management at London College of Fashion, so with any luck, as of September, I will be relocating down south... excited isn't the word! I'm not going alone though, one of my friends is also joining me on the move and apparently we are the first people to get into LCF from our school, ever. Get. us. To celebrate we will be visiting Mahiki, as we said we would if we got in. Now what does one wear for that? You can be sure of a post about that nearer the time...

Aside from Mahiki, I never knew it was possible to get quite so excited about kettles, toasters, towel bales and bedsets. But trust me it is. If I'm online shopping now, I seem to find that my basket isn't just full of shoes, but scouring brushes and shoes, or soap dispensers and shoes. I have already set my colour schemes for kitchen, bathroom and bedroom , so soon I'm scared I'll find myself dressing to co-ordinate. Who's to say an artfully draped shower curtain couldn't pass as a couture dress?

I'll let you know how that one goes...

12 Milanese Observations

With the fourth City, Milan, having been ticked off on my list of 'Fashion Capitals To Visit', here are 12 things that I noticed and loved about the place...

1. We have 'ECHO' on our newsagents, they have 'Vogue' - enough said.

2. There is a Prada or a Louis Vuitton on every corner, which results in every second person carrying a very expensive and very beautiful handbag.

3. Vogue recommended visiting this concept store in its March issue, so we did. It was fab; a bit like a spaceship, a lot like Colette, on acid.

4. More Excelsior, this time the amazing displays, that you zoomed past on the travelators...

5. They also had hanging animals, fake ones of course.

6. They have about as many designer hotels as designer shops. This one is Hotel Armani... 

7. And this one Maison Moschino.

8. The Italians, much like the French, take their dogs everywhere and they always have a designer outfit on (that's both dog and owner).

9. Centrale Stazione is beautiful, and it has huge Dolce and Gabanna adverts everywhere, how marvellous.

10.  Our street adverts our about bleeding gums, theirs are Armani - again, enough said.

11. If you can look away from the shops long enough, you will notice the architecture is beautiful. It's not quite as ornate as Paris, so has the practicality of London, yet seems huge, like New York...

12. Finally, even the fire extinguishers are stylish (and the McDonalds', they are very posh indeed!).

P.s. I'm posting this on the train to LFW, look out for more on that soon...

Christian Louboutin 20th Anniversary Capsule Collection: 20 Shoes for 20 Years

Just incase I haven't made enough fuss about it, or incase anyone isn't aware, it is indeed the 20th Anniversary of the Christian Louboutin brand this year; 20 years since the opening of the first flagship store in Paris. Especially for the occasion Monsieur Louboutin has launched a capsule collection of 20 classic styles, reinvented and given a special birthday twist.

Though I love them all, here are my favourites...

You can view the full collection here.