Accessory Lust: McQ Pre-Spring Collection

This week Alexander McQueen launched their pre-spring McQ collection and ever since I've been finding myself clicking on to the website quite a bit. The dresses are amazing form fitting bodycons in bright neons and contrasting navy, but it's the accessories that have got me going a bit crazy.  From scarves emblazoned with razor blades and graffiti, to studded purses and gorgeous popper snap shoes - the McQ accessories steal the show. 

Black Stepney Tote | Black Graffiti Print Scarf | Bone Collar Stud Wallet | Neon Navy Snap Sandal

Handbags are one of my biggest weaknesses, if I had it my way I'd have some of the iconic shapes in my collection.  The beauty of McQ is that it's the more affordable sister label to Alexander McQueen, with the same amount of edge to it.  The Stepney tote is made from beautiful black leather and has silver detailing, including a silver razor blade hanging from the handles. The perfect everyday bag at a more affordable £560.  McQueen are known for their scarves and McQ is no different, boasting three different designs, priced at £110.  My favourite was this black and white graffiti print number, which is versatile to any look.  Every bag needs a purse and from the transparent coloured wallets to the studded leather ones, this was certainly my favourite.  This design comes in three different colours and are priced at £145 each.  Of course, we can't forget shoes (my motto is 'the higher, the better').  These navy sandals will cost you £370 and feature popper fastenings, a cylindrical heel and neon pink rubber piping, which adds a burst of colour to an otherwise plain look. 

What do you think of the McQ accessories? I'll still have to win the lottery to be able to have any of them (student life) but a girl can dream!

Designer Lust List: The Pink Edition

Every now and then, I find myself browsing the online designer rails, which usually ends in a basket of items, accumulating to a rather large sum of money.  Lately I've been lusting after the colour pink (more than usual).  Here are a few of the things I've been drooling over lately.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1. DVF Mini Harper Bag; £224 - When I originally saw this bag for the first time, I knew I needed it in my possession.  It's the perfect size to take out in the evenings on Holiday and just out and about.  This would be the statement piece of your outfit, so something simple would be ideal. 

2.  Marc by Marc Jacobs Glitter Mouse Pumps; £228 - I've known about these shoes for a while, and as much as I'd like the black pair to ensure I'd wear them, there is something about these pink glittered pumps with fuchsia and rose gold detailing.  Again another statement piece, perfect for a night out if your feet can't quite hack the five inch heels for another evening.  

3. Vivienne Westwood Tiny Metal Orb Pendant; £60 - Not pink, but would go lovely over a pink cami or dress.  The orb is becoming iconic of Viv these days.  

4. Alexander McQueen Enamelled Skull Bracelet; £150 - A sweet little bangle to wear alone or mix with a gold watch and a few other pastel bracelets.  The skulls toughen up the pretty and prim blush enamel.

5. Preen Hutchinson Cutout Wool-Blend Jacket; £1,025 - Definitely an investment piece that would require a mortgage of it's very own.  Something about bright, neon pink, blazers has caught my attention lately.  Pair with a LBD, clutch and heels for a night out or a shirt and tailored trousers for eye catching office attire.  

Do you ever find yourself lusting after Designer goods?

The Frock Factor

You all know me by now, I'm a bit of a Royalist, especially when William and Catherine come in to play.  My obsession (although, I feel that's too strong a word...) has gotten so bad that Team Push have begun calling me Kate and claiming that I should don the Dressrail.com Erdem look alike and get a Royal Blow Dry.  I'm very tempted by this, but think I could settle on seeing the dress that declared Kate a British fashion icon. 

Buckingham Palace will be unveiling their Royal Wedding display tomorrow (23rd July), which will include the dress, complete with veil, tiara, shoes, earrings and even the Royal Wedding Cake (probably not the McVities one though, Wills has most definitely polished that one off).  Along with the dress will be a 5 minute video featuring an interview with Sarah Burton who talks through the ins and outs of the dress - a definite must see for any fashion lover or journalist.  The dress will be on display until the 3rd of October, and I've already told my best friend (who, I should probably start referring to as Pippa?) that we are going.

Are you going to pop to the Palace and see the dress, or are you sick to death of all this Middleton chatter?

Princess and McQueen

The love affair began with the most perfect wedding dress Middleton could have dreamt of, then the newly titled Duchess chose a second McQueen for her reception dress.  Catherine has been supporting British fashion on her Royal tour with husband Wills, but i've come to notice that the Duchess is having an affair with one fashion house in particular....

If you know me (or my tweets...) well enough, you'll know I have a serious style crush on our Duchess of Cambridge.  So serious, that I will call her Kate, cause Duchess or Catherine feels too formal for my liking.  McQueen has been her designer of choice quite a lot recently and it feels like a match made in heaven.

That dress.  There are no words except *wow*

The bride let her hair down and slipped into something a little easier to move in for her reception party at Buckingham Palace.  

On the Royal tour of Canada, Kate chose a knitted McQueen number, something slightly different to her usual attire, but a good different.  

Whilst they attended the BAFTA's in Los Angeles, amongst J Lo and Nicole Kidman to name a few, Catherine chose another McQueen.  This elegant piece fits both her body and personality just right.  I love how she's come back to the belted detail, seen on her reception dress.  She chose Jimmy Choo's over her usual LK Bennett choice.  

Enough of the Kate gushing now.  I've heard they want to keep a 'low profile' now they're home for the next year.  Are you lusting after the Catherine's style or have you got your own Fashion Princess?

A day out in London.

If you follow me on Twitter then you'll know that I went to London today to visit Oxford Street with my best friend.  It was a lovely day, we had lunch followed by a naughty cheesecake from Selfridges, washed down with a Starbucks during happy hour (half price fraps from 3-5pm, bargain!).  We got off the tube at Marble Arch and made our way down through the shops, until we eventually hit H&M and thought 'enough is enough'.  

Primark; £15.00

I've admired these dresses since I saw them in Grazia so I was excited to finally get my mits on one.  Miss Impatient that I am, I didn't want to queue for a good half hour to try it on, which would have saved some heartache doing so.  I'll be taking this back as I hate it on, I think i'm a bit too big chested for it to suit.  

Primark; £10.00

Bargain!  I absolutely adore these shoes, although I originally wanted some canvas wedges.  I thought these would be great for when I intern (although I will be wearing flats for the commute!).  On the label they were priced £14.00 so was pleasantly surprised to see they were actually £10.00. They have pretty floral detailing on the inside, which although you can't see when on, adds a nice touch.  

Primark; £9.00

I needed a bigger bag than my beloved Chiltern when I intern as i'll need to take a notepad with me for meetings and such.  I liked this faux leather bag, which was a bit different to all the other tan bags.  The green as a bit brighter in real life.  

VO5 Instant Oomph Powder; £4.07

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Starter Kit; £13.25

La Roche Posay Effaclar M; £13.79

I got some beauty products today.  I was most excited about the Liz Earle product as I've heard so many amazing things about it.  I've already used it this evening to take my make up off and on first thoughts it's incredible! My skin felt extremely soft after use and less red.  I also got a full size version of the Effaclar M moisturiser I mentioned here.  And in a bid to get big hair, I am going to try out another of the VO5's new range.  It's already had great reviews so I have high hopes.  

Purse - New Look; £7.99

Ring - New Look; £4.99

Belt - H&M £7.99

Bracelet - Primark; £2.00

I picked up some random accessories, including this purse which I immediately fell in love with.  It has a floral crochet pattern and it solid, a bit like a clutch.  I have changed all my stuff over into it and it's not as roomy as it first seemed.  

These are just the leftover randoms I bought/picked up.  I couldn't go to London and not buy some Nerds from Selfridges and I also wanted to pick up the new loyalty card from Superdrug.  I ended up grabbing a Costa clubcard because, well, I spend most of my time there or at Starbucks so...

Here are some more photos from the day, including a couple of sneaky photos from a small couture exhibition in Selfridges.  

Quite possibly the best combo!

There were some great McQueen pieces.

All in all a fantastic day, minus the dress hiccup.  It's an extra £15 to spend elsewhere...

How was your day?

I Spy! A right royal commoner to style icon.

The Middletons have been centre of attention for the past week and a bit thanks to Kate and Wills Royal knees up, but it wasn't just Kate making headlines.  Pippa, the younger sister to the new Duchess, has certainly been turning heads since the Royal nuptials, even getting a website dedicated to her mighty derriere (if you don't believe me, click here).  Of course I am far more interested to the garment covering her modesty than what is underneath and Vogue seem to think she's fashion worthy, giving her, her very own style file.  

Looking a bit drab.  

Gorgeous in chiffon.

Similar to Kate, Pippa's style has dramatically changed from country bumpkin to princess (Harry wishes) chic.  Although Kate's style is more tailored to be appropriate for Royalty, Pippa seems to keep on trend, opting for a colour block dress the day before her sisters wedding.  

An heir and her not-so-spare.

And of course, I would be a failure of a trainee fashion journalist if I didn't mention Pippa's most iconic look to date.  That gorgeous Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress.  

So what do you think of Pippa's style, Yay or Nay? I certainly think it's enviable and screams 'classy' without looking too arrogant.  I give it a yay, also if any of you know the girls brother, please pass my email on...

To check out more of Pippa's style, go to Vogue.com

 

Debutante chic.

With the prom season coming up and the last five episodes of Gossip Girl to begin airing next Monday, I thought I'd do a quick look. I love this dress, it's so elegant and flowing and it stops from being plain but having embroidered detailing at the bust. Pair it with a some simple heels, like these cream pumps and an Alexander McQueen (if you have the money) clutch. For the hair how about you try the high 'birds nest' bun (see below) seen on the Chanel catwalks? You'll look like the belle of the ball.

N. xox

Going Gaga for fashion.

Nicola Formichetti wowed the Parisian fashionistas yesterday with his first collection for Thierry Mugler.  In one word, it was fabulous.  The collection was inspired by Nicola's muse, the one and only Lady Gaga, who actually walked the walk herself along with all the other models.  If you didn't see the show you can watch it here, courtesy of TheGiantSheep (not sure why, or even how, sheep are managing to youtube).

Of course, she wasn't there just for Nicola, the track used for the show was a preview of a new song for her new album 'Born This Way'.  She made a statement as always and she looked gorgeous.  Back to the clothes, this has been one of my favourite collections yet.

I'm a sucker for a pronounced shoulder and with a decollete neckline, this is a true 'girl power' statement.  

Sheer chiffon and latex, going for a bondage feel.

Gaga in a leather ensemble.

Cobalt blue dress with chiffon body.  Softer lines on the pronounced shoulders and a high neck. 

One of the more wearable looks from the show, I really love this colour, a soft off yellow.  I'm all for bodycon dresses/skirts so I could see myself in this look.  Plus I LOVE killer heels, look at those bad boys!

It wouldn't be an Autumn/Winter collection without a hint of fur.  Loving the animalistic nature of this outfit.  

Again, this colour is gorgeous and so feminine.  I really love the shoulders, it almost looks to me like armour.

An extremely delicate look from the entire night.  The dress is cut on the bias allowing it to flow gently down the models body.  

Gaga finished the show in a Edwardian inspired hat, corset and maxi skirt. 

I really could show you more as it was a great collection with a terrific amount of potential.  It even made Anna Wintour smile! That hasn't happened since 2004, when McQueen showed his 'They Shoot Horses Don't They' collection.  Nicola Formichetti looks to have a promising future with Mugler.

February Favourites

Already, the second month of 2011 is over.  We've had the Baftas, the Oscars and our beloved LFW.  We saw snow storms at Burberry, Dalmatian fever at Topshop Unique and a McQueen documentary paying tribute to the great talent.

Here are my February favourites, a mixture of videos, pictures, TV addictions and products/clothes i've been using all month - enjoy!

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

Directed by Fashion Photographer Nick Knight

What are your February favourites?