L’Afrique c’est Chic

Here is an absolute gem from the December 2011 issue of Vogue Australia starring the blonde, full lipped long legged American that is Katie Fogarty. I discovered these fantastic images a while ago and have the majority of them saved on my scheduled list for some time; ready and waiting for a rainy day. Although today is in fact rather bright, albeit windy, I feel a splash of colour and print is never a bad thing - especially in January. Plus, WONDER FULL could do with it after a couple of month's hiatus.

Impeccably styled by fashion editor Naomi Smith and shot by Max Doyle on location in the sandy African desert, the collection of photographs are beautifully finished, excessive and fun with an abundance of clashing print, bright colour, stripy heels and a few rather fetching headscarves. Perfect summer dressing right there, no? It's hard to pick a favourite but I think it would be the image above if I was pressed. Not only are Fogarty's legs pretty phenomenal but her stance is strong. The Maison Martin Margiela yellow fringed mini dress by and beaded platform sandals by Burberry Prosrum is exactly the kind of ensemble I would wear on holiday in the evenings. I also love the image where Fogarty sits in a chair and those side profiles accentuate her beautifully vivid eyes without even a trace of mascara. She is absolutely stunning. And my my God she can work a stripe and plum lip.

What do you make of the editorial? Are we a fan of Fogarty? Have any of you been to Africa?

Publication: Vogue Australia, Dec 2011

Model: Katie Fogarty

Photographer: Max Doyle

WONDER FULL

My favourite looks from LFW

Choosing your favourite looks from such an amazing variety of collections is possibly one of the hardest things a person with an extreme love of fashion and design can do. I have done just that, meticulously skimming through each of the best, most exciting and personally most successful collections shown at London Fashion Week this season, to create a list of my favourite looks.

Some collections were simply let down on accessories- fur hats wouldn't be first on my list to be teamed with a gorgeous fitted dress a la Temperley and the clumpiness of the mustard boots at Matthew Williamson, you couldn't help but feel were letting down the overall finish of most looks. They are however, not omitted- they were nonetheless, fantastic collections. 

I continually love Erdem and Jonathan Saunders. It's the mixture of colours, design technique/concept and overall femininity that I adore from both designers. 

It was unbearable to pick just one look from Marios Schwab- his collection this season has been hyped and excessively adored; it was absolutely breathtaking, completely beautiful and oozed feminine, glamorous sexiness. Yes, all of those things.

Paul Smith shone once again with the most wonderful tailored jackets, gorgeous staples and workwear I would covet for a lifetime. 

Burberry literally gave me goosebumps. I loved the cute animal jumpers and the rain drenched finale. Who says umbrellas indoors is bad luck?

And Topshop Unique, which I liked for the first time this season, surprised me with embellished mini dresses, platform stiletto ankle boots and the most gorgeous selection of outerwear. 

That said, I love each and every one of these looks, resonating once again, that London really is the creative hub for fashion with the freshest ideas and which is why it is so  profusely celebrated twice a year. 

So there you go, here's my mini round up of London. I will be continue to post my picks from all fashion weeks, Chanel for example, which I am tremendously excited about. 

You never can tell what's next for Karl.

Until then, I would love to hear your thoughts on London Fashion Week. Did it exceed your expectations? In a good or bad way? Do you agree with my choices?

Fire away.

Look 3

 Richard Nicoll
 

Look 10

Erdem

Look 10

Osman

Look 20

Matthew Williamson

Look 20

Roksanda Ilincic

Look 4

Temperley London

Look 4

Michael van der Ham 

Look 7

Peter Pilotto

Look 10

Marios Schwab

Look 15

Jonathan Saunders

Look 15

Giles

Look 15

Holly Fulton

Look 16

Paul Smith

 Look 16
Burberry Prorsum

Look 17

Christopher Kane

Look 18

Nicole Farhi

Look 20

David Koma

Look 21

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Look 26

Topshop Unique

Look 28

House of Holland

Look 29

Antonio Beradi

Look 29

McQ

WONDER FULL 

More than one red carpet

Wow, this week has been a busy one indeed, from the incredible night of the Baftas to the craziness of the Grammys and the beginning of London Fashion Week, one of the most exciting times of the year. 

It is clearly apt to share with you my favourite looks from the past week's award ceremonies, my quick of round up because you will have read about it everywhere. So anyway, here are my opinions on who I thought looked the best and who for me stood out stylistically.

There has been much speculation about Tilda Swinton's outfit and in general- whether or not she is attractive and if she looked great or boring at the Baftas- but I, without a doubt, thought she looked incredible on screen in a simple floor length Celine gown. There is no need for adornment of any kind with her; her hair was in the usual curly side sweep and make-up was minimal, as was her dress and the result was amazing. I adored the white oversized pearl ring poking out from her slender finger. She is an incredible actress, interesting in more ways than one and whether you are a fan or not, she never fails to captivate people with her always, although subtle, attention grabbing look. Simply beautiful. 

 

Adele possibly provided us with the best series of photographs ever, as she was seen looking understandably ecstatic with her hands full, clutching each one of her shiny awards and the Grammys, which you laugh at again once more here. I no less feel proud that a fellow British wiped out the awards cabinet and rightly so as she is without a doubt the most original actual singer to have been nominated, compared with those fellow talentless and copy-cat nominees. 

In Burberry and Armani Prive dresses, she looked incredible- polished, uber elegant with her trademark 60s eye make-up. Her hair was glossy and wavy, her complexion, creamy flawless and her dress slinky with thick waistband accentuating her natural form. The Armani Prive gown pictured was my absolute favourite. Basically, she looked the best she has ever looked and there was absolutely no need whatsoever for any flesh.

I saw Christina Ricci arriving at the Met Gala in New York back in May and although I have been a fan of hers ever since her days as Wednesday Addams in Addams Family Values (1993), a film I used to watch constantly, it was then that I fell absolutely in love with her. She is so, so beautiful with her large facial features, definite 60s vibe and looked utterly incredible at the ELLE Style Awards. Like, insanely gorgeous. And she was working a dress by Jonathan Saunders, one of my favourite designers ever. It must be love. 

The dress was sexy, feminine and sheer- everything a red carpet dress should be I think. The accessories complimented it perfectly and her straight and shiny fringed bob was equally as sophisticated. Dewy complexion, peachy lips and soft kohl and ta-dah! She is now third on my girl-crush list. Look out for another post all about her coming soon. Until then, lust some more right here...

 

She also looked fantastic at the Baftas in Givenchy Couture: picture.

WONDER FULL

Chav it up, Bruv

chav

noun

British , informal derogatory 

__ A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes. - Oxford English Dictionary

Although not 'chav' per sue as these images are uber stylish and the clothing is certainly not available at Primark or Lipsy, each of these images have a certain aspect reminiscent of the common value of the chav. Whether tapping into the stereotypical ideals, behaviours and styles- draped in bling or with slicked back hair and moody expression- it may well be considered that there is something quite 'chavvy' about each of them. Or so I think.

We all went through the chavvy phase- I know I did. The look consisted of Adidas tracksuit bottoms, gold chain clown hung round my neck (which I still have) and bright yellow Spice Girls puffer jacket, complete with fake Burberry scarf. Nice. A look I'd rather not recreate, but instead cherish as an emblem of my 90s childhood. It was, let's be honest, the 90s for you when the surge of chav began and which eventually led to somewhat tarnishing the value of their signature Burberry print. It was a great era for so many things, though, the music being one.

Whether or not you find them chavvy or not, I simply feel there is an element of it to them, even if they are from high fashion editorials. I like to think of it as a bit of fun, slightly tongue in cheek and secretly, a celebration of the notoriously British notion/traits to the chav. The chav is infamously loud and vulgar, just like some of these photographs- most of which came from my collection of LOVE and Wonderland magazines. And even if you don't see it, which I hope you do, I seem to and the pictures are nonetheless great to look at. Either way, I have a fascination with both.

What do you make of the pictures? Are you a fan of the chav look? 

Which is your favourite image?

WONDER FULL