Vogue's Online Fashion Week!

Some of my fave items shown in the OLFW!

Victoria Beckham Ipad Case

True British: Alice Temperley and ALICE by Temperley Tiger scarf

Limited edition Bayswater Mulberry bag.

Mint Velvet A/W 11

Linda Farrow  Raf Simons sunglasses - as worn by Lady Gaga in her Marry The Night music video.

Charlotte Olympia

Sara Berman Gloves

Some Vintage Channel Earrings from  www.highfashionsociety.co.uk

Vintage Calvin Klein Sunglasses I NEED to own! From  www.highfashionsociety.co.uk

Vintage Chanel 1980's scarf www.highfashionsociety.co.uk

Zadig and Voltaire- The Alpaca Wool Sweater

 The 'recycled paper' dress making competition was also fantastic, this was my personal favorite; The Octavia dress by Danica Tancic.

The Octavia dress by Danica Tancic

OLFW was great and I wish I had more money!! Bring on the next one!! :)

The English Dresser loves Motel Rocks.

Growing up in Bristol meant that I was lucky enough to have the Motel store within my reach. The steep ascent up Park Street was a must most weekends for me, my sister and my friends, so we could experience the eccentric and excitement of the many one of stores. One of these was Motel. 

Throughout the years my love for Motel has not faltered and I do count myself as a true and dedicated fan. Watching the brand grow and grow has been great; becoming a brand in Topshop, Cult, House of Fraser and more shows that women love the unique and versatile style that Motel produce.

The vintage influence on the clothing means that every piece is a statement piece. whether its a dress, skirt, top, leggings, jeans or a jumper. This influence is mainly seen through the patterns and prints that are used, they are very unique and immediately recognisable to the brand. The use of these bold prints transform a simple bodycon shape into the statement piece and thats way each item is so versatile. A dress can be perfect for a night out dressed up with heels or can be dressed down with tights and boots for a statement day look. One item can be utilised or prioritised to suit you. Each item can be worn in may different ways to create your personal look. 

For me personally I like the way the dresses can be dressy but not in an over the top way, the prints and cut of the dresses suit my style in a way that a lot of other dresses don't. They create a 'sexy' look in a subtle way by celebrating the female form with the bodycon, cut out and backless design which gives a more elegant yet playful feel to the dresses. 

An example of me utilising the versatility of my Motel Dalphine dress in Cosmic:

Me getting glammed up for my Drama Leavers Ball (with my beautiful friend Kate)

Me getting ready for a night of Drum&Bass at the Cavern. (Vans and a Motel dress? I think so!)

Perfect for every occasion!  

The Motel shop also boost an eclectic vintage section which is always a wonderful playground of jumpers, tops, bags, boots, belts and more which indulges my vintage obsession!

Some of my purchases old and brand new from Motel that I love,

My Motel Shirley Wallflower shirt, worn with my Vintage tweed jacket and high waisted shorts.

My BRAND NEW Winnie playsuit in Black Placement Rose worn with my vintage oversized knit from Motel vintage.

Playsuit on its own with tights and heels, the perfect party outfit! Clink on this link to buy: http://www.motelrocks.com/shop/products/Motel-Winnie-Playsuit-in-Black-Placement-Rose.html

My BRAND NEW Motel Rebecca Dress in Japanese Cherry. The detail is beautiful, NYE dress I think! Clink on this link to buy: http://www.motelrocks.com/shop/products/Motel-Rebecca-Dress-in-Japanese-Cherry.html

An old classic, I just love the seagull print on this classic strapless bodycon dress,. It can be so easily dressed down like this or dressed up. A favorite wardrobe piece. 

As you can see I am a bit of a Motel obsessive, but rightly so. Motel is a great brand and I am so happy to have witnessed their emergence onto the fashion scene and their growing popularity. I may also take a tiny winey bit of credit for spending all my wages there from the age of 15, thats 7 solid years of support and continued dedication!  

Tweed Tweed and more Tweed…..a perfect revival.

Finding a great Tweed jacket and how the designers and re-creating it this A/W'11.

My mother and I decided that it was time to sort through her overwhelmingly large collection of coats. Not only were we deciding what disasters she had that needed to go, but also what could be revived and reworn. I didn't have the highest hopes (sorry) as I was expecting lots of long 1980's style coats, that although were fashionable at the time, should not come back. Ever! It was of course a hilarious exercise, nearly all the coats having delightful shoulder pads….a trend that should again should stay in the 80's! 

The oversized trend, however, is a great look when done well, but no-one wants to go around looking like they have the shoulders of a weightlifter. So after putting the first few into the awaiting charity bag we stumbled on her old tweed jacket, this one i did not laugh at! Not only does it look great on her, the plaid compliments the autumnal colours of reds, greens and brown. Tweed has always been a great material and has been used from designer clothing, to country classics as well as copious amounts being used in Scotland! 

My Mum's Jacket. 

As a trend this A/W '11 designers have reinvented the original colour design of most tweed by breaking out of the traditional colour box with bright bold squares, giving new colours to offer more alternatives. Designer are also suggesting the we should double up the plaid, as long as we acquire some check, we are on trend! 

Moschino- Cheap and Chic

Burberry Prorsum

  

I have been hunting for a tweed jacket for a few weeks now all over the place so mum offered me the jacket, I refused, however, as I thought it looked far too good on her and it was her exciting find. Apart from a slight moth hole which can be easily stitched (an unfortunate truth when things get forgotten and left in a wardrobe) it is a great jacket and i am of course rather jealous! I am sure she wont mind the occasional jacket share though. I myself managed to find a great tweed jacket on Ebay, it only cost me £6.50 and I LOVE it! 

My new old man style oversized tweed!

I was also after a new coat as well and could not help myself when i saw this beautiful tweed coat in Topshop, Although it was a lot more expensive I just had to have it as it was the perfect example of what i was looking for. I wanted a black coat that could be dressed up or down, a boyfriend style with a bit of a twist and something that would last me a long time. I dont regret buying it for a second!

Tweed is a great addition to your wardrobe, if you dont want to double tweed up then just choose one key piece and wear it as you central trend piece with block colour background. Check out Burberry Prorsum, Mulberry, Daks and Christian Dior to see how they use statement pieces  to transform an outfit! Enjoy :) 

Inspiration; Where does it come from? Magazines such as Vogue? Topshop's window display? Celebrities new looks? Family? Friends? Style Icons?

I would say all of the above. I think inspiration for fashion and style comes from everywhere, especially if you are someone like me and constantly on the lookout. As a drama student  i was lucky to be surrounded by constant inspiration in art, theatre, people and the costume department! What i feel is most important when looking for inspiration for an outfit or a new season must have, is not to mistrust your own judgement. If your not going to wear it, or its not going to suit you….then don't buy it (even if seven magazines are telling you its fabulous). You must have an awareness of what is right for you and spend some time searching around to find it. I guess what i'm getting at is the art of personal styling, finding the inspiration from the current trends and suiting them to you, just because fetish/S&M is a A/W '11 trend doesn't mean we should all buy leather all in ones and chokers….it is just inspiring us to re insert sexy style back into our wardrobes as well confirming that black is back, in a big way!  

As a lover of colour and a an avid supporter of the colour block S/S '11 trend, going back to black was a rather hard transition for me so i decided that for me i would indulge in this trend through some H&M wetlook leggins and return to my faithful black stilettos from Office. These matched with anything would add the sexy element to the outfit, yet avoiding the crisis of over styling!

Alexander McQueen's A/W 11 collection, embracing everything from fur, leather and lace up stilettos to fully commit to this trend.

A big inspiration to for me are members of my family, my Mother, Grandmother and Nanny. My Nanny in particular has always been the fellow clothes lover in my family and the person who really inspired me growing up. She is a woman of classic style, she always looked immaculate, elegant and sophisticated. It was her who told me that my birth stone was diamond and that it was extremely fitting as i had always been obsessed with anything glittery or expensive growing up! Her style does really come from the classic hollywood era or Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, figure heads in all things chic and classy. Their simple cuts, shapes and colours resounded in feminine glamour and created a real impression on the women of the time. In an interview with Jill Taylor, from thevintageseekers.com, about the costume selection in the new Marilyn Monroe film, Jill comments that "She was a Calvin Klein girl before there was Calvin Klein." Marilyn knew how to show off her femininity in a classy yet sexy way. 

Marilyn Monroe in her classic day wear.

Grace Kelly looking chic and glamourous 

Audrey Hepburn in her classic black silhouette. 

Grace Kelly glamour, the height of elegance.

Marilyn taking one for the team! Always  keeping her feminine glamour with highwaisted figure hugging shorts and of course HEELS! 

Audrey looking classic and feminine in a simple shape and print. 

The white oversized shirt, a classic sexy look that will always  capture style at its finest.

Grace Kelly in a chic white blouse  and red lips, sexy and elegant.

One of my favorite pictures of Marilyn, so elegant yet vulnerable. 

My Nan, in the same way that these famous women also did, taught me that dressing up and using clothes as a way of expressing a part of yourself could be done all the time. She continues to always look her best, although she has now hung up her high stilettos, in an effortless way and it is that which to me is most impressive. She has been a great inspiration to me, and reminds me that style is always about confidence and simplicity. As Alexander McQueen said "British fashion is self confident and fearless. It refuses to bow to commerce, thus generating a constant flow of new ideas whilst drawing of British heritage" (Alexander McQueen in British Vogue Oct 2011)    

Aztec Leggins.......I need a pair!

Some lovely Black and White design Aztec Leggins.

Dress up with heels or go casual with a chunky knit!

I have decided that I am in desperate need of a pair of Aztec leggins. This has unfortunately come at a rather unfortunate time, im a little too late! Its not usual for me to admit to being behind the times....but in this case I really should have jumped on the leggin bandwagon quicker this a/w. I think my main opposition was that I am not usually a leggin wearer. Dont get me wrong, when they first came out i was ALL over the leggin feud but i quickly moved on to shorts, tailored trousers and highwaisted everything. This sudden decision to go legs out leggins again has come from my new obsession with my wet-look leggins, a cheeky way to set off the kinky and sexy s&m trend that has featured this A/W 11. Now I have committed to them, Why stop there?? Well I havent and am now on the avid search for some cheeky aztec leggins! Ebay, again for too many times this month, here I come!!!!  

Beckham, Barton and well of course Rihanna looking sexy in their wet-look leggins!

Handbags; Mulberry, Longchamp, DKNY, YSL, Miu Miu, Chanel, did i mention Mulberry?

I guess you could say my obsession with owning a Mulberry bag is rather worrying, I however think it makes complete sense and I am sure those who are lucky enough to own one do feel their life is slightly more complete. I admit whole heartedly that I have succumbed to their advertising and merchandising over the last few years and am now besotted. I think they are truly classic and offer all a women needs from a bag. They are not over the top, they go with everything and you can dress them up and accessorise them without ruining their elegance. My personal favourite is the Small Heritage Bayswater Satchel in burgundy new in for the A/W '11 collection. I have been visiting it (an unhealthy amount) just so for a few brief minutes I can carry it around House of Fraser pretending it is mine. I know you may be thinking crazy much?! But when you fall in love with an item its hard to resist. All I know is that when I can afford a Mulberry it will be a proud moment- Lets hope the blog takes off hey!

Check out my Favorite through this link!

http://www.mulberry.com/?gclid=CJyrhsWZm6wCFUtB4Qodtm0BxA#/storefront/c5481/6525/moreviews/ 

Of course when talking about handbags you can never just talk about one, I don't think i know one women who only has one handbag. That is because we do not simply see them as places to keep all of our many items that we insist on carting around with us! They are part of the outfit, they are a necessity, as well as the head to toe look and that is why we cannot resist owning as many as we can. I love leather bags in all shapes and sizes. I have managed to acquire a few favourites shopping around markets and charity shops. This is a great way to shop for leather bags as you wont end up spending a fortune and there is nothing better than stumbling upon a new bag for under a tenner! A little bit of wear and tear can be expected when buying second hand, but that is all part of the all important charm and history! 

My newest purchase is a beautiful vintage Clarks envelope style bag that has all the gorgeous compartments and extras that every women's bag should have, the mirror is a personal favourite. This bag was won on Ebay, and i am extremely happy that i won!! (a quick note: you can get rather carried away and must keep a clear head when it comes to bidding, make sure you are sure about how much you are willing to pay for something you haven't actually seen!!)

The real beauty of the bag is that you can accessorise the accessory and really chose ones that suit you. I will keep you posted on any new purchases and places to purchase! 

Bristol, a Vintage Wonderland…

On Saturday in my lunch break i went to St Nicholas Market, just off Corn street. This is a market that only runs Friday and Saturday outside but is open most days inside. There is a awesome vintage stall called RePsycho which had everything from tweed coast, high waisted cut off shorts, fur coats and of course my favourite, SCARFS! I picked up this beautiful silk one for just £2! Not only are the colours perfect for this season, it didn't break my bank balance. This is a perfect example of how awesome it is when you find these amazing stalls and shops and how well you can (and cheaply) fulfil your desire to own something with a history.  I was extremely happy with my purchase and if not on such a tight time limit would have loved to have stayed trying everything on and having a closer look at what was on offer! The next step is to get my self up to  Gloucester Road and visit the shop where the stall originates and see what treasure i can find up there. I asked the lovely gentleman who owned the stall about the shop and he told me that there is of course much more stock and a collection of women's tweed jackets (I made sure i checked as i am still on the hunt). He also mentioned, however, that the stock from the stall and the shop is different, which is something i have found before, so it is always worth visiting both! 

RePsycho :)

My Beautiful £2 Scarf!

A link to a description about RePsycho I found on a Bristol website: http://www.itchybristol.co.uk/review.cfm/4/208455/Bristol-City-Guide/review/Repsycho-Retro-Superstore

Opening the Costume Box....

Growing up I was never an avid follower of current trends or really aware of how large and influential the fashion industry is, i was far more interested in the dressing up box and my grandma's clothes. This love of using clothes as costume and dressing up in oversized shoes and dresses, however, must have been the start of my ongoing love affair with all things material.

What i have discovered in the last few years however is that not only do i love immersing myself in the current and dynamic world of fashion's trends, designers, news and more, i am rather obsessed in all things vintage. Its the search i think that really excites me, finding that one off piece, or pieces that can really transform an outfit.

Finding those pieces you love is a treasure hunt, and hunt really is the definitive word. Although some pieces i have acquired have fallen into my hands (mainly from family), most have come from hunting charity shops, markets, vintage shops and online. 

Vintage, however, is not all i want to talk about. I also have a great passion for getting to grips with how we as the consumer wear and want to wear clothes and how hunting round the retailers may pay off better than buying the first thing you see! 

I will also be looking at all things that inspire us to style ourselves, where that inspiration comes from and  how we can make the most of it!

I do not simply want to write about one aspect of the fashion world that i enjoy, but everything that catches my attention along the way, in shops, magazine articles, films, books, blogs and of course the catwalk shows. For me you must own your style and be confident with it, for fashion is really an excuse for raiding the largest dresser and costume box and playing dress up.

I hope you enjoy x