Some of the S/S 13 collections

Thought I'd talk about this now rather than back in October because we are much closer to actually following these trends. I can honestly say that I absolutely adore the trends of S/S 13. More than I adored the S/S 12 trends- and I thought nothing could top those pastels, veg prints, the vintage americana look etc... turns out I was wrong. I will focus on 4 brilliant collections... see what you think.

Burberry Prorsum- Show

I usually dislike this kind of thing, because it can often look tacky. But.. This works.. like really works. The materials used in this are satin and cotton sateen, giving the garments the shininess. The show uses a lot of metallics, and gives off futuristic vibes.
To be honest, watching the show is kind of like being in a sweet shop. Bailey makes a hot pink shiny trench coat and completely succeeds in making it look glamorous and not tacky, which seems a pretty difficult to do. As always, the clothes fit well, and cling to the frame.
I adore the use of peplum, building up on 2012's trends but with a more exaggerated look. The colours are bright, but do not give off gaudy vibes, because they are not mixed up, as proved above. Green is something to definitely watch out for this season.

Prada- Show

This is an interesting collection, its consistent flower theme not only gives off oriental glamour, but also toughens up the collection. Perhaps it is due to the monochrome, or it could be because the colours used are quite dramatic- white, black, red.
It seems that every year florals are featured in trends, but they have always been quite pretty. Here, florals are portrayed in an edgier way. Metallics are touched upon in this collection, and some of those clutches and tote bags give the looks some interesting angles. Running shorts were a mini trend last year.. will they be bigger this year?

Dior- Show

In general, the clothes of this collection aren't as fitted as other collections in this season, they are quite different from the feminine silhouettes and the soft purples and tutus from Dior's s/s 12 show. Imma watch the show as I type this. This collection focuses on variations of the LBD and shift dresses. Amazing shiny satin tops in spearmint and candyfloss and violet- like Burberry. This is again, like stepping in to a sweet shop. 

Oh wow some of those models legs.. okay. sorry. clothes. (I am so jealoussss!!!!!) Sheer fabric is used for layering.. oh wow. Some of these garments are ludicrously pretty. Boldly coloured sops are simmered down with the use of plain black mini-shorts. Neon pinks and yellows are slightly touched upon in this collection. Sexy tight fitting black tops are complimented by the use of long, shimmery skirts with vintage floral prints, making a nice change from the oriental flower prints featured in Prada.

Jason Wu- Show

This collection is sexy- no doubt about it. Sheer fabrics. Black leather. Exposed midriff. Deep V-necks. Just super sexy. Thin studded belts accentuate the waist, while short cuts lengthen the legs. Cropped trousers are also included, and long skirts made out of chiffon add volume without heaviness. And lots of straps, everywhere. Very varied collection, I am impressed.

I will do another post soon about the main trends.

Vogue India!

Namaste.

My mother came back from Dubai and brought me back a copy of Vogue India (there is no Dubai Vogue and there are billions of Indians there, so that's the one that is referred to).

I have a good collection of Vogues (and Elles and a couple of Harper's Bazaars under my bed), all of which I have read and looked through and admired. However, after reading through the Nov 12 (mum didn't look at the date..) issue of Vogue India, I have never been more... transfixed by just how detailed the clothes are. More than all the Western Vogues I have looked through. This could be due to a number of reasons.

• I am a half Indian person, and my aunts and grandma etc. wear Indian clothes or Indian style clothes all the time, so being around them has probably made me develop a taste for them. I remember wearing mini Indian clothes when I was little and feeling like a princess, because they're all so embellished and colourful. My expression is a bit blank in this picture but it proves the fact that I used to wear Indian clothes. Not the nicest.. maybe.. but still Indian.

• If you have ever seen this blog before, you are probably aware that I have a fascination with really embellished clothes. Elie Saab does fantastic long gowns with sequins and jewels, and Balmain do more embellishments and cool patterns. Consequently, these are my two favourite designers. The Indian designers adopt the same kind of designs, which kind of remind me of ES and Balmain.

• It's so different to British Vogue. Don't get me wrong though, in general, Indian Vogue is heavily westernised. Not only does it feature Chanel etc (which is to be expected), but also Asos, Debehams, Topshop Unique.. And Western/American celebs appear too. But you are reminded that it is an Indian Vogue. For example, gold jewelry is featured a lot because gold is so much more popular in India and Dubai etc. than here. 

• It is also similar. As you will see below, I couldn't resist adding an amazing Dolce & Gabbana dress... you get to experience the Indian designs while keeping well up to date with influences from the West and America etc.

Left: Blouse, Skirt; Rimple and Harpreet Narula.

Necklace, Alpana Gurjal. Bangle, Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur

Right: Lehenga, Ritu Kumar. Earrings, Jewels by Annu Chadha. Bracelet, Bholasons

Lehenga, Cape; Suneet Varma. Pumps, Christian Louboutin.
Ring, Alpana Gujral

Jacket, Skirt; Manav Gangwani. Earrings, SM Jewellers

Sabyasachi

Sunaina Puri

Rimple & Harpreet Narula

Dress, Dolce & Gabbana
Necklace, Pebble London
Bracelets, Ring; Alex Monroe

Whatever the reason, reading Vogue India really opened up my mind to new designs. I predict that Indian fashion is going to get more and more popular, you mark my words.. maybe this post will help it! ooh. People will realise how majestic it all is. And remember that the people making their clothes come from fashionable countries too. India's economy is growing so much.. it will start to have a real effect on the world in not too long.

Well-dressed for Christmas! (part 1)

I got 8 inches of hair cut off yesterday, feels so weird.

Anyway, I think I will talk about christmas over the next few posts, and what you can wear for it. I know I have already done a separate post on christmas jumpers... but I will discuss this topic on a broader level today.

Will be taking high street examples here.

Work Christmas Party
T'is the time to ditch the apron/pencil skirt/space suit/stethoscope that you must wear. Yes it is a celebration, but don't forget that you're still going to be around the people you have to work with everyday, especially the boss. So don't go for anything too revealing. You may think that you can pull it off, but when you've got a few glasses of rose in you, I'm not sure you'll be able to 'pull it off' any longer.

Obviously, it is still a party so you want to look glam, and if you have to wear a uniform at work, you are probably looking forward to feeling liberated and looking appealing to your co-workers.

Clothes: French Connection, New Look, Topshop, Asos (maternity), New Look, Missguided
Shoes: Office, Asos, New Look, Dune

Christmas meal with family/friends/coworkers who are your friends

Clothes: French Connection, Asos, River Island, Asos, Topshop, Zara, Miss Selfridge
Shoes: New Look, Schuh, Topshop

TO COME:
Christmas morning walk (I've heard that people actually do this)
Christmas Day with the fam
and
New years eve
New years day

ooh!

IT ARRIVED!!!!! 

Took this pretty quickly. I was going to do my usual thing of doing a silly face. But that takes time and effort and I have got lots of work on at the moment. But when I do have time, I know exactly what I want to talk about! Bet the anticipation is killing you. Whoever you are. Anyway, will love you and leave you. Will be more dedicated to this blog soooooon!!! 

Tiara withdrawal symptoms

I broke my tiara </3

I wear it sometimes, around the house etc. because it puts me in a better mood. As you can see, I tried to mend it but it didn't work, so I ordered another one. Should be here tomorrow.

I think many people think that tiaras look tacky.. but I think that when designed nicely (i.e. nothing like the above) and worn appropriately, they can be very attractive.  

In honour of my new tiara, I am going to dedicate this post to Garrard & co, who were appointed as the Crown Jeweller in 1843. The company served the Royal Family well and was responsible for maintaining these Crown Jewels until 2007, when G. Collins and Sons took their place.

Name: Butch Pansy Tiara

Made: 1875.

Worn: Rosalie, Countess of Buchan

Fun Fact:  Each flower is detachable and can be worn as a brooch.

Name: Burmese Ruby Tiara

Made: 1973

Worn: Queen Elizabeth II

Fun Fact: This Tiara includes 96 rubies. 

The Burmese believe that 96 diseases can affect the body, 

and rubies are seen as a guard against evil and illness.

Name: Cambridge Lovers' Knot Tiara

Made: 1913

Worn: Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II from 1953

Fun Fact: The jewels on this were already owned by Queen Mary

Name: Poltimore Tiara

Made: 1870

Worn: Lady Poltimore, Princess Margaret

Fun Fact: Breaks down in to a necklace and 11 brooches

I never knew that tiaras could be broken down like that. It's useful though, saves you having to take different sets of jewellery everywhere.

This is the most expensive tiara in the world. It was property of Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
It was purchased in May 2011 for $12.76 million. It consists of emeralds and diamonds. Oddly enough, I wouldn't wear it.

A tiara must have diamonds on it. Rubies and emeralds look lovely on tiaras, but in my opinion, the clear, white diamonds are effortlessly beautiful and will go with any gown! And the diamonds shouldn't be too big, you don't want it to look gaudy. Well. Gaudy for a tiara.

Having said all this, if I had to choose any tiara, I'm not sure I would go for any of these. I prefer more simple ones, which aren't too.. tall? An example would be Kate Middleton's wedding tiara. Very classy.

Kate Middleton's wedding tiara was actually made by Cartier in 1936. It is owned by Queen Elizabeth II and was Kate's 'something borrowed'. Man I wish I could borrow that. I guess the one I ordered from Midco Toys Direct will have to do!

Some fashion thoughtz

Congratulations Manolo!

Let the fashion mentality commence:

• To be honest, I am not sure about skinnies because they can be a bit uncomfortable, and make you feel fat after you've accidentally eaten a lot, or just fat generally. I feel I am not alone in this. And when you get home you have to take them off because it's all uncomfortable and with super skinnies your knees cannot bend properly. Think is, they go with most outfits and are useful for tucking in to boots. And investing in a good pair can really flatter your legs. So I'm 50/50 on those. 

Bootcutz

• I wish bootcut jeans would come back on trend. For people like me who absolutely hate their upper legs, they are a godsend because they really balance you out. 

• I disapprove of fashion blogs which don't say much, or anything... and just contain lots of posts with endless pictures of random girls on the high street or copied internet pictures of catwalk models. That isn't a fashion blog. That is a pictures blog. 

• I am not enjoying Louis Vuitton summer 2013 collection. The 2013 SS show was pretty cool- just not the actual clothes. The polka dot collection was also poor.

• Having said this, Marc Jacobs, however gay he may be, is beautiful.

• I hate counterfeited designer goods, as established earlier. So unclassy.

• Not a fan of the Karl Lagerfeld collection. Not a fan of his mentality- he is so critical. He is far from perfect, he looks so creepy. Although he is pretty good with the fashion side of things (Chanel).

• It is stupid that more shops do not sell size 4. Yes, obesity is high in Britain.... however, people who are size 4 do exist too. Sort it out.

If you hate them, that is.

• Not a fan of Ugg boots. I cannot express why because there are no suitable words- err. Ugly, and I see it as taking the piss out of fashion. they are slippers!!!!!!! so frustrating.

• I love anything that is space inspired!! Be it metallics or actual space/star prints. And shiny clothes! It also includes all things futuristic- like angular clothes or transparency.

• Hate fake leather. To be honest, I probably own fake leather in the back of my wardrobe somewhere, but whatever it is, I don't wear it. Save up for these things! It will last longer too if it is real leather.

• However, fake fur, I will wear. 

• I love the Style Magazine that is part of the Sunday Daily Mail collection. (Only get Daily Mail on the weekends, and it is literally just for those magazines. I am aware that it is an overall unreliable source for current affairs), in particular the what are you wearing? section at the back.

• I feel that Vogue should have a Jackie-esque page/small section in every issue, where the clothes are drawn instead of photographed. That would be pretty cool. Or maybe just one issue to see how it goes.

Aw

• You should save your clothes (providing that they are nice) and wash them, put them in a box. Give them to your daughter in 20 years or whatever when all our current fashions are in again. Firstly, she will benefit from saving a ton of money and secondly she will own clothes that no-one else has! Cheers mothaaaa. (Thirdly, you will feel flattered that she thinks your clothes are nice- providing that she does. Fourthly, it could improve your relationship. No brainer.)

• I really want a princess coat! I think the shape and length is very cute and flattering (providing that it doesn't go out too much). And it would probably make me feel like a princess because it is called a 'princess coat'.

• If you care about how you look to others, do not decide to be 'daring' and attempt to wear clothes that you are most likely going to look bad in. For example.. plus sizes please stay away from high waisted shorts, and shorties, big prints are not the way forward (unless you are teaming it with heels). Unless you have confidence the size of.. I dunno. Wales.

The importance of knitwear messages.

I hate the season of winter. I hate the cold, I hate how expensive knitwear and coats are, I hate how hungry the cold makes me, and I hate how no-one can see my clothes outside because I am always wearing a coat. I hate that sad feeling after christmas is over and I hate the depressing feeling of how much work I have to do when I'm supposed to be all happy because it is Christmas. I would say that I hate the rain/snow, but this is the UK... that stuff is certainly not limited to one season.

However, there is one aspect of winter that I absolutely looove! No it isn't family time, or the festive songs  (in particular the annual christmas Killers song), and no it isn't the vegetarian nut roast that I get to eat when everyone is eating a proper roast (even though these are all certainly pros). It is in fact the christmas knitwear that we all wear during this festive season, to enhance the festive spirit!!!!!!!!! We are all fans.

However, this post is going to teach you that sometimes it is necessary to analyse what may seem like a harmless festive jumper, and consider its positive and negative effects on the wearer, the viewers and society.

Cute: The one on the left. An asos original. This is the one that you would wear in public, not as a joke. The colours make it quite versatile. They do it in red too. How cute. The 'harmless' one. However, the reindeer are all following each other, which could make the wearer feel as if they must follow others in life and discourage them from behaving and feeling like an individual.

Costume: This one is.... festive. Wearing this would definitely make me feel like an elf- the designers have gone all out. Check out the bells. Everyone would know where you are if you were trapped in darkness! This makes it the most practical jumper of the bunch. The use of the belt on this jumper will make the wearer feel secure, both in life and in jumper, which will inevitably promote happiness. The bright green makes me think of neon, and therefore sport- and it will remind me to exercise. Very handy indeed.

Crazy: Another practical one.. Everyone would know where you were in darkness if you wore this too. Notice how there are no presents under the tree, which could encourage the wearer to not be greedy this christmas. And the upside down trees at the top resemble weapons, giving the message that you should always be very vigilant, and try to keep safe when walking alone at night.
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Calm: This jumper provides a truly inspirational message. The reindeer is clearly tired out from the stress of Christmas, and from looking at the nose, seasonal illness. However she still looks glamorous. This can improve self-esteem issues amongst all wearers, because it tells them that you are still beautiful on the outside when unattractive and gross on the inside. Also, the female wearer of this shirt will look in the mirror and be reminded that she needs to apply eye make-up before going out. It will therefore encourage even more consumption of goods this christmas, which is a good thing for the economy. Red is also the colour of love, which seems to be a strong theme at christmas time.

Complex: This fancy knit contains so many graphics. On one hand, the theme of love isn't forgotten as the penguins are paired up. This is consequently the middle pattern level in the jumper, suggesting that love is key. The jumping reindeers at the bottom resemble happiness, but the fact that they are at the bottom suggest that they are either drug users or drunk.. which should be everyone's lowest priority. Another positive message there. The message at the top is lovely 'I'll keep you warm'. It is the first thing the viewer sees when facing the wearer. It gives the idea that clothes can speak louder than people. Or that the jumper is almost protecting the wearer. Either way, teach someone a lesson this christmas and buy them this jumper.


Consluion (brief): I hope that you are now starting to realise that you must be careful when buying a christmas jumper. It can give out the wrong message to the viewer. However, most of them encourage positive thoughts- which I suppose is the point of these novelty knits. And they all make excellent christmas presents. Analyse your christmas jumper today!