If Topshop did weddings x

If I was to have a Kate Moss meets Cool Britannia, meets runaway bride wedding this summer (sorry Mum) I would be heading to Topshop for My Richard Nicoll dress. 

Nicoll's current collection for the Green empire has me dreaming layers of chiffon styled back with super soft leather jackets and Olsen grunge knits.  Or for a cleaner look Marants suede boots and military jackets would give it the french look I can't seem to shake.

Favourite styles includes the floor sweeping gown with boudoir details and feminine edges.

 Floor-sweeping dress with a silk bodice & georgette underskirt x

'I loved the idea of doing wedding dresses with Topshop because I wanted to offer a younger, cooler alternative to meringue culture, something special, but not precious, like my friends, something they would wear if they were getting married,' Nicoll says of the collection. 'These pieces are perfect as party dresses too if you're not the marrying kind'.

Pretty in pink lace bodice dress - who needs a wedding x

The capsule range entitled Tie the Knot, comprises of seven dress, both full-length and short.  All beautifully wearable, feminine and perfectly priced from £75 - £350.

 Layers of sheer organza under delicate geometric lace and lightweight crepe de chine x

Fingers crossed I get to style some pieces this summer x  

Very AW12 Press Day...x

Very AW12 Folk Inspired Invite

Very's AW12 Press Day was like a shiny AtoZ supplement showcasing What's Hot for next Autumn.  They successfully pulled together the key pieces (60's Bomber, Tartan Suit), luxurious fabrics (Jacquards, Leathers), colour injections (Bold Blues, Gypsy Yellow) and the accessories to covet in one gallery space.  Key trends included a nod to Folkloric, styled in a Gypsy meets Portobello road way, think oversized printed capes and rich tapestry details.  Perfect for winter was 60's Ski, a colour pop mix of Bomber jackets and cable knits, worn back with jodphurs and printed leggings.  Next up was Desires, a play of fabric and trims, from Studded Dresses, leatherette details and Jewel Detail Leggings. Lastly and quite fittingly Very had styled a Cool Britannia collection, all Beatnik Stripe Knits, Studded Skinnies and bowler hats.  

Key Trend - 60's Ski

Nod to Cool Britannia - Love this leather skirt

Not forgetting the new collections by best friend Duo Fearne Cotton & Holly Willoughby who again produced the perfect personality pieces.  Fearne did Cool Britannia in 60's Printed Shifts, Dogtooth Coats and Stripy Knits.  While Holly brought us the perfect day to knit wardrobe, highlights being the Contrast Collar Fitted Dress with Peek-a-boo top and a Spotty Print T-Dress.  

Scallop Front 60's Shift Dress @Fearne Cotton

Peek-a-Boo Spot Detail Pencil Dress with Contrast Collar @Holly Willoughby

It's Love

Metal Toe Detail Flats @Love Label

Elephant Printed Jacket @Love Label
Matching Elephant Printed Shorts @Love Label
Tie Front Blouse with Contrast Collar @Love Label

Straight from the Catwalk
Jacquard Printed Top @Love Label
Jacquard Printed Capri Trousers @Love Label
My Must have Metal Toe Shoes @Love Label

Rose Gold Metallic Bomber @ Love Label

My Look Book Highlights

Folkloric meets Caravan
Folk Printed Bomber Jacket @Love Label
Folk Printed Trousers @Love Label
Berry Coloured Cable Knit @Love Label
5inches of Heel @Love Label

Pretty in Anarchy
Sorbet Pink Skater Dress @Love Label
Peep Toe Patent Shoes @Love Label

Straight from the Catwalk
Jacquard Printed Top @Love Label
Jacquard Printed Capri Trousers @Love Label
My Must have Metal Toe Shoes @Love Label - check them out in black too

Cool Britannia
Tartan Printed Jacket with Leather feel Sleeves @Love Label
Tartan Printed Trousers with PU Trim @Love Label
Stud Detail Contrast Collar @Love Label
Metal Toe Heels @Love Label

come out & play test shoot...x

This summer I'm having my own love affair with sugar almond brights, iridescent textures and conversational details.

When friend & photographer Emma Woolrych approached me about a London test, I jumped at the chance and started daydreaming clashing prints. The spring summer catwalks were a bag lady mismatch of tropicana florals, graffiti prints and ornate geometrics, all thrown together with pastel washes and neon highlights.  A vintage hoarders dream...

For the shoot I wanted to educate myself on new and emerging talent, therefore headed to Blow PR http://www.blow.co.uk/, a boutique mecca for innovative talent. I took to the rails at Blow like a shopaholic in a sample sale...I pulled pencil drawing prints from Saffron Knight, super eccentric peplums from Fam Irvoll and luckily bagged (opps I mean pulled) a trophy jacket from Soojin Lee. On leaving I spied some Bug embellished accessories by Sorapol and with a little begging (me) and cool aloofness (Danni, Blow agent) I got the pieces.

As a high street girl I wanted to mix the pieces back with affordable trend staples.  I did a Neon raid at H&M, a shoe haul at Topshop and Zara and then headed to Oasis for pastel separates.

Below are some sneak peek behind the scenes pics and the Final Edit...let me know your thoughts...x

The Team

Photographer - Emma Woolrych http://www.emmawoolrych.com/
Model - Adeele @Models 1
http://www.models1.co.uk/details.aspx?nav=1&modelid=502850&sexid=2&subid=7771&mainsubid=7771&indx=&ltr=&num=1
Hair&Make-up - Erika Swinn http://erikaswinn.co.uk/
Stylist - Moi

Behind the Scenes

New Face Adeele @Models 1

Natural beauty was the theme of the day for hair & make-up, a pretty canvas to showcase the clothing.

Iridescent sequin jacket by Soojin Lee x

Rail of clashing dreams x

Sun shined down for March Test x

Every girl needs a teddy to rest her elbows on x

When a model feels beautiful, its priceless x

The Final Edit

Print Clash Scoop Back Cami @Saffron Knight
Sugar Almond Lace Peplum Skirt @Fam Irvoll
Lace gloves - something borrowed from Emma W
Pastel Pink Sunnies - Stylist Own :o)

Neon Peplum @H&M
Transparent Block Necklace @H&M

Peplum & Necklace as before
Print Clash Silk Capris @Saffron Knight
Pop of Neon Socks @Topshop
Snake Detail Peeptoes @Zara 

Touch of Neon Dress H&M Pink Label
Bug Detail Metallic Clutch @Saropol
Bug Detail Metallic Gloves @Sarapol

Lace Teddy Detail Bandeau @Fam Irvoll
Pastel Ribbed Socks @Topshop
Disco T-Bar Wedges @Topshop

Acid Knit Jacket @ Ekaterina Kukhareva
Satin Stud Tee @Oasis
Metallic Capris @H&M Pink Label
Hot Pink "i need these in my life shoes" @Topshop

New Mermaid Sequin Jacket @Soojin Lee
Full Skirt Sequin Skater Dress @Topshop

a little bit about me...x

#todayimwearing Vanessa Bruno Basic Tee & Whitney Eve Printed Trousers...


My personal style is...

still evolving. I'm yet to establish my own signature look, however I love looking to Parisianne chic for inspiration.  I love the cool elegance of actresses Vanessa Paradise and Clemence Posey and designers such as Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno. 

Fashion to me is...

is like a glove, looking for that perfect fit that is effortless and as much as part of your personality.  It should be fun as well as being the perfect opportunity to discover who you are.  To be a stylist I get to play dress up every day and find new discoveries in fashion.

My favourite fashion moment has to be...

my Olsen at the Met Ball dress.  Purchased from Love Label and designed by my friend Lynn Carlin, I felt beautiful.  The dress had a 30's meets 70's feel about it, fully embellished with ruched long sleeves. It was highly inappropriate for the Bistro New Years dinner, but I didn't care, it was my moment.

If I had to choose 5 key wardrobe pieces...
1. Indigo Skinny Jeans
2. Grey Marl Cashmere Knit
3. French Sole Ballet Pump
4. 1920s Original Beaded Dress
5. A loved hand bag - it should tell a million stories from its travels

My go to designers are...

different every year.  Each season I look to all the shows across the 4 major cities and I absorb details from each.  I think it's important as a stylist to know what's happening in trends, not just the clothing and accessories, but hair & make up also.  For AW12 I will be obsessing over Chloe's super soft palette of slouchy knits and blood red drop waist trousers.

If I had to choose a style icon...

for past it would be Audrey Hepburn, in particular in the movie Funny Face.  She is a typical clothes horse and a stylists dream. She would wear anything and make it look effortless.  For modern it has to be Ashley Olsen, whether its her layered day look, or eccentric red carpet, I love that her palette is neutral.  Plus she just has the perfect hair...

I always find inspiration...

looking at street style, bloggers such as Peony Lim & Hanneli Mustaparta, devouring magazines, Style.com and Fashion Gone Rogue.  Twitter & Instagram are also a great source for inspiration.

xxx