She knows what women want

I can honestly say I have never taken an overt interest in the DKNY collections, although the memorable campaigns are always flawless, interesting and beautiful, like this one, for Resort 2010. And the same goes even for New York Fashion Week for that matter. I have always felt an attachment to London, being British, and the emerging and refreshing talents of those showing there, which is exactly what London is known for. But this year in particular I've been immersed by all of this season's fashion weeks and have really got stuck in, having been working on the fashion/editorial desk of social, shopping and fashion site Motilo. I attended the Maria Grachvogel A/W '12 show held at the Lancaster ballroom of the Savoy Hotel and I adore the crazy, exciting, stressful atmosphere pumping through the entire Capital when the catwalk shows, streetsyle photographers etc. etc. are in abundance. It literally takes over for 5 whole days.

Having been checking the LFW schedule constantly and admiring the collections on STYLE at every chance I get, I have been jotting down a mental list of my favourite collections and specific looks. My favourite are there- Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, Victoria Beckham, but it can be that a new entry will make it into that list and there were three designers, including DKNY that for me, really shone, after spotting certain looks from the stylist's top 10 picks from NYFW on Motilo, of which you can view here.

As for the collection, it focused very much on the wardrobe of the working woman, which is a component Donna Karan adapts so well to a sleek, sophisticated and always uber fashionable look. It was black. It was simple. It was classic with a touch of elegance and fun with sheer panels on billowing, yet soft loose fitting wide leg trousers, impeccably tailored fitted leather jackets and structured outerwear. Then pops of vibrant colours- rich burgundy in the form of an incredible fur and python coat, soft fuchsia pink flare hemmed and cobalt blue maxi dresses. As well as a pretty head-to-toe floral printed trouser suit and the most beautiful coat with fur collar. Then colour popped back several looks later in the form of patent leather 2 tone platform ankle strapped shoes teamed with a variety of the most elegant ruffle dresses: one skimming the shoulders, one bandeau, the other roll neck.

I personally love the oversized roll neck jumper, the addition of leather lapels, panelling (fur, leather, darkened tones) dark piping and the simple grey above-the-knee pencil skirt. I love the collection and it's overall shiny, polished finish and the combination of fun prints, overly womanly components and luxurious exterior. A really gorgeous, wearable presentation of clothing. 

What are your opinions of the collection? Do you have a favourite look? 

Which collections have you been coveting this season?  

All images from STYLE.com

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When I was a child, running in the night

After an amazing Christmas with the majority of my close family and a chilled but fun New Year, I am back with a new post. 

It is my Mum's birthday tomorrow (which is another excuse to have a big get together with lots of wine) and this is a celebration of that, as my Mum is and always has been a massive fan. If you are not familiar with her music, you should definitely listen to some of what she has created over the years. I give my own recommendations.

Happy New Year to everyone and enjoy the post. Do let me know what you think.

Kate Bush is just as much part of my childhood playlist as the Spice Girls (is this not the case for any girl born in the 90s?), M People and Robin S. Show Me Love has got to be one of the best dance songs ever to be produced. I will always remember listening to Bush when either my Mum was cleaning or when I was standing in the centre of the living-room singing my heart out into a hairbrush. Babooshka (its literal definition is Russian for ‘grandmother’, according to the Urban Dictionary) is the one song I remember learning all the words to at such a young age. I recall the huge amount of fascination and curiosity over the album cover for Never For Ever, in which this song was released, with the floating animals and ugly looking sea creatures swirling out from underneath Bush’s dress. It is probably one of her most memorable songs- the lyrical verses tapping into the ideologies of revenge, paranoia and ambush, as it tells the story of a woman’s yearning for the faithfulness of her husband.

 

My Mum was thirteen years old when Bush was signed aged 19 in 1978 and surprisingly has only ever had one number one single in the UK with Wuthering Heights, despite having released 10 studio albums with a maximum of 12 years between releases – The Red Shoes released in 1993 and Aerial in 2005- throughout her massively successful career spanning over an impressive 36 years. Her musical style has altered somewhat over the years, newer material edging more towards her earlier folk style with a fairly vast emphasis on instrumental segments. Wuthering Heights, to those of you who are not familiar with the song but have read the book or watched a film adaptation (I myself really need to soon), is aptly startling, moving and varying in tempo and pitch. It begins with piano beats and ends with amazing electric guitar, amidst the high-pitched, menacing voice of Bush and the drop of drum beat with which you cannot help but move your head in time to.

  

What I love so much about Bush is the incredibly unique tone and the trembling characteristic to her voice- unusual voices are always the best I find. Not only that, the aptitude at which she reaches when altering her voice from deep to very high, powerful, almost screaming at times, is an ability for which she should be admired. Adapting it from each song to the next to suit the melodies and musical choices, ensures that what you are listening to is certainly interesting and grasps you as a listener. Cloudbusting is my personal favourite because of this and the song of the moment (the opeining lyrics of which forms the title) has to be Hounds of Love, inspired by Hitchcock's film The 39 Steps. 

She is undeniably, a fantastic songwriter- completely powerful, startling and I feel there is always a story to her songs, which she maintains throughout from the beginning to the very last note. As for her look, she was always in tight Lycra dance leotards and leggings at the height of her fame during the late 70s, early 80s (who wasn’t?), floating floor length, long-sleeved sheer gowns or futuristic two pieces, as the header picture shows, worn on her one and only tour aged just 20. That large mane of hair, which I vividly remember as the artwork for Lionheart was her trademark, as well as her big brown eyes, porcelain skin and rosy lips. She is one beautiful, talented lady whose niche style of music has gained her a huge, dedicated fan base, one of whom is my mum- a massive one at that. The fact that she vows never to tour again as she claims to be ‘shy’ is something I find hard to understand but it certainly doesn’t lessen her triumph as the most successful solo female artist the UK has ever seen.

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But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door

First of all, I'd like to wish Merry Christmas to you all and a huge thank-you to those who have taken a great interest in my blog over the past year. In case you've forgotten, it is 4 days until the merriment, over-eating, routine drinking and massive family get togethers begin. For me, it all starts on 23rd December, my dear Nan's birthday. My paternal family all gather together as per usual to drink, nibble and generally have a really good laugh. It's how we do things and it tends to get us all in the mood.

I have been working this week at a new role, which I am really enjoying and which has only made me look forward that little bit more to the end of this week (although not wishing it away at all) - listening to the Love Actually soundtrack and the most beautiful Christmas melodies in the office had gotten me slightly more excited with every note, as well as the adornment of twinkling lights and carol singers at the tube station. This year it has taken me a while to get into the Christmas spirit, purely because to me it doesn't feel like Christmas time yet, as it has done in previous years. My only explanation for this is the fact that I am no longer at University, instead living at home and working full-time in the city. This time last year, I had begun writing my dissertation and was somewhat excited to come home for three weeks for the Christmas holidays. 

So, I thought what better time than to share with you a series of somewhat beautiful, magical and aptly 'festive' images. I predict that blogging will slow right down when I rediscover lie-ins and too many bottles of anything have been emptied- plus I will be working from home- so I shall leave you to enjoy these until we are officially into the New Year, in which case I will be posting a brand new batch of festive delights in the form of amazing editorial photographs, like these beauties. 

I hope you all have brilliant Christmases and remember, it's not all about the presents. Reflect on the good times throughout the year (for me it was an amazing holiday, meeting new faces, graduating and gaining paid work), make the most of your families and being at home, keep safe and most of all have a really good time and enjoy yourselves the best you can. This year has been a great one, but I also cannot help but think of those who I have missed too...

Enjoy the images and have F U N  ! 

Where will you be spending Christmas Day? What are your plans for the lead up? 

What are you hoping for on the big day?

All images from fashiongonerogue.com

Ttile: Lyrics from It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

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MERRY CHRISTMAS 

& A HAPPY NEW YEAR

x

A fashionable Christmas

As I posted earlier, I didn't ask for much this Christmas but I did get the 2 things I really wanted- the leopard print dress from TOPSHOP and of course, the retro fur collar jacket. (The Mulberry pouch and floral dress I have had for a while now and the camel ZARA dress and uber high black leather platforms from ASOS were presents to myself!) The rest I unwrapped on Christmas morning, rather excitedly. The best surprise were the cork platform sandals, which I were given after dinner (a family tradition), especially as I never did manage to get my hands on them over the summer as I thought they had sold out.


On that note, I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and exciting New Year. Let's make it even more fashionable and eventful than the last...




What surprise additions were under your tree this year?

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The Best Holiday ever

I recently watched The Holiday, which is one of my favourite films, as it never fails to make me smile. It began to spark off my excitement for Christmas and reminded me of how touching and amazingly written the dialogue is. Such a feel good film, it is hillarious to watch and literally makes you laugh out loud all the way through. Such genius.


Some memorable quotes include:


'It's Christmas Eve and we are going to go celebrate being young and being alive!' - Miles


'You know Graham, I just broke up with someone and considering you just showed up and you're insanely good-looking and probably won't remember me anyway... I'm thinking we should have sex... If you want.' -Amanda. 'Is that a trick question?'- Graham


'Iris, if you were a melody... I used only the good notes.' - Miles


'Don't blow away.' - Iris


'Okay, sorry about that. Boob graze. Accidental boob graze.' - Miles


'I have a cow and I sew. How's that for "hard to relate to"?' - Graham




Plus, the cast is perfect- Kate Winslet is the classic English Rose beauty and Cameron Diaz, the ultimate Californian Girl. As for the males- Jack Black is a comedy genius who really shows a certain sweetness to the male side, alongside the sexy smugness Jude Law brings on screen. Those glasses. That smile. Oh, wow.


It really is the best combination of comedy, Christmas and of course love. It is emotional and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy- everything needed in a chick flick come festive film. And the added bonus- it completely made me forget about my hangover and was the perfect cure for a cold, dull Wednesday morning.

Amongst the romantic encounters, reckless driving and gas-sniffing, my favourite scenes by far include Cameron's character Amanda's sudden rock out to The Killers' dance floor filler, Mr. Brightside and the poignantly warming ending with New Year's Eve in the country- all glasses of Champagne, canapes, party dresses and dancing around the living-room.

Utterly perfect.



Other favourite romantic comedies of mine you must watch this Christmas include:

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OH. MY. GOD.

How exciting! Just seen the advert for the new Lanvin and H&M collaboration. T-shirts with faces on, ruffles galore and lots of fun frolics in hotel rooms. Will definetly be checking out the collection soon, before everything has whizzed off the rails with the ferociousness of every fashionista. Love, love, love the look of it and might even be tempted to invest in a couture piece in time for the coming festive season.

What do you think of the collection?

 

 That's my New Year's Eve outfit sorted, then. 
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