Interior Inspiration

Mary Katrantzou Fall15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/mary-katrantzou/slideshow/collection#12]

I have always been influenced by interiors when it comes to designing clothing, this was made even more prominent when I met my boyfriend, an interior designer. One of the most talented fashion designers that focuses on interior design as an influence is Mary Katrantzou. 

Dries Van Noten

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/dries-van-noten/slideshow/collection#62]

For Fall 2015 many other designers have taken inspiration from tapestries, brocades, and really the whole contents of houses through the centuries. Marc By Marc Jacobs, Erdem, Dolce and Gabbana, Celine, Tods, Louis Vuitton, Giambattista Valli, Suno, Dries Van Noten, Etro, Vivienne Westwood and Burberry Prossum are just part of the list of top designers that have joined the work of Katrantzou for the season, although often slightly less event garde!

Burberry Prorsum

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/burberry-prorsum/slideshow/collection#7]

So think flocked florals and prints of Liberty and LLB style and you're sorted! 

Laurence Llewlyn-Bowen designs for Very.co.uk

[http://www.very.co.uk/laurence-llewelyn-bowen-queen-of-the-night-bedding-range/1438749483.prd]

A/W 2015 Clothing Colour Pallet

Black- A favourite for many season after season, especially in the winter months, black has the boldest presence this A/W for email fashion. A decadently dark collection by Donna Karan displays this obviously. 

Donna Karan A/W15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/donna-karan#collection]

White- Outerwear has the biggest claim on this colour. It may not be the most practical colour for the garments it features on, but they do look magically marvellous! Fendi's collection features many fairytale-esque, white and wonderful pieces of clothing. 

Fendi AW15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/fendi#collection]

Greys- All shades of grey have gone down the catwalks for both men and women this season and so are set to have a significant presence in stores this soon. Balenciaga have used this colourless tone brilliantly; adding beauty and excitement to the  grey garments. 

Balenciaga AW15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/balenciaga/slideshow/collection#34]

Reds, Pinks and Blues- These three colours also have contributed to the catwalks aiding the bold 80s trend among others. Alexander McQueen is the perfect collection to show how these colours have been used successfully. 

Alexander McQueen AW15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/alexander-mcqueen/slideshow/collection#3]

Orange, Yellow, Purple, Green and Brown- Elements of these less conventional colours will appear in high-street stores in someway or another. So if you're a fan of being a little different yet fashionable, these colours could be used to make you outfit pop! Balmain have produced some gorgeously glamorous garments using these brights in their colour pallet. 

Green is also a prominent colour for menswear AW15!

Balmain AW15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/balmain/slideshow/collection#7]

It's Not All About The Clothes

Time to talk accessories. Granted garments are very glamorous themselves this autumn/ winter: bling, bows and big, bold block print, but that does not mean an outfit should not be decorated even further with fabulous fashion finishings. 

 Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy A/W15

[Marie Claire Runway Autumn/ Winter 2015, Fashion]

Have a nosey at these nose rings- Riccardo Tisci has attracted a lot of attention with the Givenchy jewellery collection this season. Exceptional emeralds surrounded splendidly by beautiful diamonds, these elegant accessories are every magpie's dream. The most interesting pieces of the collection for me were the nose rings: elegantly alternative is not a combination that works successfully often! 

Roberto Cavalli A/W15

[www.tumblr.com]

Glass heel - Ok, we are not quite talking Cinderella here, but Perspex heels sauntered down several catwalks for the fall collections. Simone Rocha has tackled this trend by combining it with that of shearling, whilst Roberto Cavalli has created a luxurious velvet boot with an embellished perspex heel. But my favourite boot by far has to be Christian Dior's baby blue boot with translucent pink heel. 

Christian Dior AW15

[https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ab/60/0c/ab600ca45239a64be7abd0c725a83841.jpg]

The bag- For each of the dominant trends currently there is at least one brilliant bag to be bought... But one of the hardest hitting handbag styles for the season is the classy classic clutch, shoulder and basic bag ... Really you're safe as long as your bag boldly brings sophistication to your style ! 

Jil Sander

[http://dynamic.forzieri.com/is/image/Forzieri/354X490TMPL?layer=comp&wid=354&hei=490&fmt=jpeg&qlt=100,0&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=1.0,0.18,7,0&iccEmbed=0&$fz_prd=is%7BForzieri/js130415-037-1x?scl=1%7D]

Belt- This autumn/ winter addresses the hourglass figure as a favourite. J.W.Anderson has produced a gorgeous geometric design to clinch the waist.

J.W.Anderson

[http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-HB400_LFW022_GV_20150222162724.jpg]

It's A Shearling Thing

So yesterday I had my locks cut and coloured like many fashionable sheep have for this season. 

No I'm not going mad(der), shearling is a... or I'd even go as far as saying... THE thing right now. In fact there are so many designers looking to lambswool that I can not specify key brands for this style. 

Sonia Rykiel A/W 15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/sonia-rykiel/slideshow/collection#24]

However I can dare to discuss my favourite approaches to the trend. Sonia Rykiel has produced a beautiful patterned pink suede Mac with shearling lining that looks so snug, yet stylish it's 

almost dreamlike. 

As for Marco de Vincenzo, well the patchwork and carving of these creations are nothing less than pure genius.

Marco de Vincenzo A/W 15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/marco-de-vincenzo/slideshow/collection#28]

Quick! Invest this woollen vest for winter, after all it is not very often being warm is stylish! 

Fashion Focus and an 80s Evolution

The past few weeks I've been trying to bring myself to write more about experiences in New York, however, no longer in that concrete jungle it can be rather heartbreaking... Especially with Uni work deadlines! Furthermore this blog was loosing its fashion focus... So let's reel it in people! 

I'm now aiming for a blog 60% fashion 25% art and 15% other fabulous subjects of living. 

New York City

So now the explanation is over let's get to the fun bit... Fashion! 

With the biannual big big fashion capital runways currently being strutted along, with awe inspiring collections of the highest quality and creativity it's easy to forget the current season's styles...

Especially when you're a designer and are working several seasons in advance! For the next few days I hope to recap and remind you of where you should direct your retail therapy in order to be on trend. 

By no means am I saying stick rigidly to this blogged brief ... Personality is key-never forget that in fashion... Add your mark to the marvellous makings and mouldings of the greats, and style them so you feel comfortable. 

Today leaving Newcastle, friends and a fabulous boyfriend at 7.30 am, I feel I need a bit of sparkle to excite me for  the hair appointment I am travelling to (about time I go blond again I feel)...luckily enough sparkle is something that is set to dominate this party season. 

The 80s have hit this season hard with an explosion of bold prints, sheen and of course the power shoulders! Sequins lurex and velvets, what more could a girl want?!

What's the colour pallet? Well for this trend think Christmas chocolate tins and candy wrappers. Golds,

silvers, greens, purples and reds, all with a metallic touch. 

Christopher Kane A/W15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/christopher-kane/slideshow/collection#34]

Christopher Kane is king of trend this A/W. Splendidly supported by the prince of the popping power shoulders this season, J.W. Anderson. But my favourite outfit has to be the tiered,metallic magenta, rara skirt, with a navy top and a Quality Street purple belt by Balmain. 

Balmain A/W15

[http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/balmain/slideshow/collection#44]

So that's your party pieces sorted for sure, but why not be bold, brave and stylish this season by dressing down this 80s evolution? Go girl, I dare you! 

Breaking Ankles Beautifully

Why do we do it? My knees often hurt after walking in flats: in heels, well that is another degree of pain! To add to that I will openly admit that I cannot steadily walk (even ten steps,) like an average human being in anything higher than 2 inch heels! I may be more clumsy than most, however you do not have to go far to see women stumbling in stilettos. I would love to know the injury statistics of such stylish shoes. But would that stop us from stomping around in them? I highly doubt it! We may have a giggle or two as we recall our personal shoe predicaments ...But at the end of the day beautiful footwear just has to be worn and is worth the pain! 

[http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/shoes-pleasure-and-pain/about-the-exhibition/]

The history, of the hellish heel has been explained extensively but excitingly in an the exhibition:Shoes Pleasure & Pain at the V&A, London. 

Some spectacular shoes, including iconic designs and cultural creations wall the wonderful space. 

Upstairs describes the design and production process of producing the perfect pair and the future fashions for footwear. 

The perfect size. I highly recommend those with a love for shoes or design to make time to visit this visually vibrant collection. 

[http://www.channel4.com/programmes/louboutin-the-worlds-most-luxurious-shoes]

Can't get to the spectacular shoe showcase? Or maybe you need something to inspire and accompany an opulent visit to the V&A? If you haven't already, I highly recommend all fashion fanatics watch the Channel 4 Documentary: Louboutin - The Worlds Most Luxurious shoes. The designer's dedication to his job - his life - is admirable, inspirational and astonishing. His beautiful creations cry quality which more than justifies the fame and fortune the footwear brand bestows. Wear-ability isn't key for all of the decadent designs, but the desirability definitely does not falter as

a result, proving the pleasure is worth the pain! 

Economy and Cake, Past and Present

Sometimes I have too much to write about ... that often means I struggle to find time to collate all my thoughts into posts. 

Like exercise, blogging is hard to return to after a break... especially when that break includes living my last few weeks in New York, and then mourning my move away from the city that never sleeps!

[ https://www.facebook.com/JenniesTeaRoom?fref=photo ]

However, today I took my Grandma for a typically British morning delight, consisting of tea and scones. This is when my kick start story surprised me.  Unfortunately I was made aware Jennie's Tea Room on Wellogate, Grimsby sadly closes its doors tomorrow. "A real family business offering premium quality teas, fresh coffee & delicious cakes" has been a favourite of mine with its old fashioned music, style and good service.

Enjoying the pleasant atmosphere today with the even more pleasant scone and hot chocolate that I devoured, it was clear to see how much the cafe will be missed by its regulars of all ages. 

 [ https://www.facebook.com/JenniesTeaRoom?fref=photo ]

It is a real shame how much loved, independent businesses are those that struggle most in the current economical climate. Grimsby and the surrounding area is a prime example of this economic struggle for many businesses both independent and otherwise. 

Come and support the truly tremendous tea rooms in its final day of service, and grab a scrumptious sweet or savoury snack... I definitely intend to go one last time to this cute coffee shop, so I may see you there! 

Thank you Jennie's for your fabulous service!

 [ https://www.facebook.com/JenniesTeaRoom?fref=photo ]

Sentimental customers can also grab a piece of Jennie's at the closing sale Thursday 11th August also at the old shop.