Preppy

So I was just browsing through STREETFSN and just found amazing image after amazing image. A few that struck a chord were from the Thom Browne collection at Paris Fashion week. I was a bit confused why I had never seen their preppy stylings and bold stripes before, but it turns out they only started showing in June 2010. I like to think that explains it, otherwise I feel totally ignorant as I love the little details that they seem to slip in anywhere they can.
During my dissertation research I've looked at bespoke tailoring, embossing, personalisation etc and then the type of brand that usually comes hand in hand with that, so heritage brands with traditional and classic shapes and fabrics. Although this is a little bit American Ivy elite styling the attention to detail is comparable with that of British bespoke tailoring. Also, Thom Browne won WGSN's Most Influential Designer in Menswear award last year, so I personally think that speaks volumes.

I love the tabs on backs of shoes and blazers, to the strips inside of cuffs on suit jackets and shirts, watch straps, cardigans and tie clips. The red, white and blue stripes set a more exciting tone to suiting. It's great.

I would quite like the trousers above.

The above book cover  image was taken from somuchtotellyou.co.nz, and I sort of linked the two up as their post on preppy style reminded me of the Thom Browne images. I think I might have to get this book, sometimes I sort of forget how interested in certain things I am.

Internship bust?

I found this article today on Elleuk.com. Finding it particularly poignant as this is a situation I find myself in, or will be once I graduate. I don't have a particular avenue that I'm dead set on at the moment, so hope to get a few internships under my belt before I am certain what line of work I would like to delve into. So, what do you think? Should companies pay their interns or is it enough just to be working for such a successful brand/designer, and that we should be grateful for it?

Lana Del Rey

Recently on the cover of Wonderland, Lana Del Rey seems to be hitting the big time within the fashion world, and so she should.
In the video, she performed at the Chateau Marmont for the Mulberry Mix Tape Tour, and there is an interview here, where she talks about her inspiration for the selection of clips that feature in the video for Video Games. I can't wait to see what else she does both in music and her influence in fashion.

Lisbeth Salander

From the Girl with the Dragon tattoo trilogy. I've already read all the books, seen all the first set of films, and can now wear the clothes!

http://www.hm.com/gb/dragon-tattoo?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-20111208-_-GB-_-dragon-tattoo_D

A link to the preview of the collection. All looks very reasonably priced which is what I love about H&M. Good job by Trish Summerville. This is actually just what I imagined Salander wearing right down to the dark burgundy shade. The leather trousers and white vest are probably my favourite.
Out on the 14th December online and in selected stores...just hope they have it in my nearest one. PLEASE.

The first Girl with the Dragon Tattoo film featuring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara is out on the 26th December. Something to look forward to after Christmas!

Steps for 2

Well done to Victoria Beckham for winning best Designer Brand of the year. And for producing even more clothes everyone wants to buy. I say wants because I can't afford to. 

Denim is my downfall. That clever, clever woman. 

The collaboration is with AnOther magazine and the music is by Pete Duffy.

VB has seriously upped her game with this one. 

Also I love the Frenchy look. Apparently the mini-film was inspired by French New Wave cinema. I won't pretend I know all about it but might be something worth pursuing in that. Loving films and all!

When I am a grown-up.

Well, I guess I should be already. But for when I have pressing and important things to do. 

I love the sleek design, and red is kind of my favourite colour - see Trench coat below! - and that gold 'slide closure' buckle reminds me of Céline.

http://www.smythson.com/diaries.html

Little White Lies

Forget Empire, my favourite film magazine, possibly my favourite magazine for interesting content and layout and illustrations...and I could go on, is Little White Lies. I've been meaning to find the time to buy the 'Drive' issue, so I waltzed into WHSmith today fairly confident it would be there. And it's now 'Another Earth'. I cannot express my disppointment. Mostly because Ryan Gosling was illustrated in all his glory on the cover. And I missed it.
It's sold out online, and is £19.99 on eBay. It's a £3.95 magazine.

On the plus side.

You can buy this, in print. £17.50

Other favourites...

Amazing! The Marie-Antoinette one is going on my Christmas list as we speak.
http://shop.littlewhitelies.co.uk/

Crockett & Jones

There's this little shoe shop that I always walk past on my way to get coffee. Most of the time, if I'm meeting someone I'll stand outside and stare through the glass at the albeit small but beautiful selection of ladies shoes.
It's one of those shops that smart dressed businessmen get their classic brogue or oxford lace ups for the year.
They're all hand-made and take up to 8 weeks to produce. They also offer a bespoke service so you can have shoes hand-crafted to your feet's specifications!
It turns out though that the brand are not so small and have three stores in London, two in Paris, one in New York, and have now opened one in Brussels. Oh and they have a concession in Selfridges. Phew.

A selection of my favourites. They even come with shoe trees!
I won't even try to deny my obsession with Jodphur or Chelsea boots. I love that equine look. A bit too much tbh. I even bought actual horse-riding jodphurs instead of those fake Zara/Amercian Apparel ones.

http://www.crockettandjones.co.uk

Selfridges & Liberty Christmas 2011

Whistles Resort '12 Preview event

In the name of dissertation research, me and my friend Becca took a trip to London on Thursday for a little taster of what is to be hitting Whistles stores later this season and for Resort early next year.

It took two cancelled trains, one missed connection and and hour and a half stood up.
Consequently, we were not feeling too perky by the time we got there.
I actually felt gross, I feel sorry for people who have to commute that every day.
We also walked to Oxford Street from Euston during rush hour. Oh the thrills.

However, it definitely made up for the atrocious journey. The clothes were beautiful (and the models of course) we drank mini bottles of Pommery champagne (through straws, naturally) ate Pierre Herme macarons, and had a run-through of the styles from none other than Jane Sheperdson, CEO of Whistles and Sophie Ferguson Jones, Shopping Editor at Grazia.

We even got a little chat with Jane Sheperdson, despite being mega nervous (I hate to think I'm bothering important people, and Becca got a bit starstruck) and she was lovely, making time for us mere students.

It could of gone better, but only in the sense that she offered me a job on the spot, which wasn't up there on the scale of not happening to very likely.
We left feeling elated, my bank balance a little lighter, and my love for Whistles even stronger, swoon.
And, I can't wait to buy that colour block striped jumper.

Images from http://www.facebook.com/thisiswhistles

Kirsten Dunst

I found this image on one of my favourite blogs www.somuchtotellyou.co.nz

I love Kirsten Dunst as it is, and she looks stunning in the shoot for NYT's T Mag by Terry Richardson.

Would sell a limb for this red leather trench by Louis Vuitton and got me thinking about the sort of products I want to provide in the hypothetical (at the moment!) store I'm currently working on for my dissertation. 

More on that later!

The article about her is also a great read and just shows how down to earth she is. Need to see Melancholia now!

P.S. That navy Carven coat (above left) is on my Christmas wishlist...maybe slightly more realistic than the LV. 

Victoria's Secret Show 2011

Image from www.graziadaily.co.uk

LOVE the Victoria's Secret show this year.
All the VS Angel's - including Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Chanel Iman, Karlie Kloss, Alessandra Ambrosio - looked amazing and also appear to be enjoying themselves!


Although apparently what they had to do to look that good sounds slightly less appealing.

Personally I think more catwalk shows should be this much fun.
31 custom made pairs of wings took 7(!) years to make.
With performances from Kanye West, Jay-Z, Maroon 5 and Nicki Minaj, can't wait to watch the whole show. Really did look like the event to be at.

Victoria's Secret are also expanding into the UK early next year which is good news for us British ladies. I think I might just stick with the cozy loungewear though. Or maybe that's just my hibernation mode kicking in...

Gym Class Magazine

Everyone likes a good magazine. I'm particularly fond of finding new ones that really draw me in. Sometimes I even 'discover' a magazine that has been about for ages. Although it makes me feel a little bit behind that I didn't know about how great it was earlier, it's great when you can read/look at it front to back and not feel bored.

I found Gym Class Magazine whilst browsing the Elle UK (a favourite) website and noticed the illustrated cover of their A/W 2011 Elle Collections magazine.
Their #8 issue is dedicated entirely to magazines and their design.

http://www.gymclassmagazine.com