Milan Fashion Week: Dolce and Gabbana AW12

This past week has been incredibly busy. In between working and dog-sitting, I managed to go to the London Aquarium, have a well overdue night out with the girls, go to the gym and have a bike ride along the beach. Good for the social life, bad for blogging. Well aware that I've completely ignored some of the best shows from London and Milan fashion weeks (I haven't even checked out McQ, Jil Sander or Prada), the first designer I looked at this evening was Dolce and Gabbana. I have a slightly biased love for the Italian duo as I once snapped up a beautiful silk top in the sale for a mere £20, but I still think their Fall/Winter 2012 collection was AMAZING.

This collection evokes images of otherworldly opulence; of the Tudors and the murdered wives of Henry VIII. It's an amalgamation of everything I love within fashion at the moment: quirky prints, luxurious fabrics, classic shapes and sexy gothic undertones. I'm a complete sucker for anything leopard print therefore the cape is pretty much a no-brainer (trend alert?) whilst the baroque embroidery, the Michaelangelo-esque prints, the ruffle necks and the tapestry all scream 'made by Dolce & Gabbana'. I love that as always, the collection is completely over the top - that's why we love Domenico and Stefano so much, right?

Not only that, I now have an excuse to finally buy the Dr. Marten's I've been dreaming about since last year:

I fell in love with these babies (from Dr. Martens Spring/Summer 2012 collection) when they came into the showroom in New York but seeing as though I already own three tapestry bags, I figured another tapestry-related item might have been a bit too much. How glad I am that Dolce & Gabbana don't agree! What do you think of these Dr. Martens and do you love Dolce & Gabbana's AW12 collection as much as I do?

photos from style.com

London Fashion Week: Kinder Aguggini AW12

There are some really lovely elements to Kinder Aggugini's collection but I can't help thinking that its about as wintry as an ice-cream. Besides the few obligatory pieces of knitwear, there's not much else in the way of 'warm' clothing. Then again, when has fashion ever been about practicalities? There's no denying that prints are fast becoming the biggest trend for FW12 and I can confidently say that Aggugini's cowboy-influenced designs are some of my favourites so far. Plus, any man that can make Dr. Martens' 'Adrian' loafer (see below) feminine, is a hero - though that's not to say I'll be investing in a pair any time soon...

What are your thoughts on London Fashion Week so far? The big-guns are still to show but there's not been anything particularly show-stopping yet, sort it out London!

Pretty in Pink

Katy Perry is one of those celebs I just can't get my head around; sometimes I think she's really great (her music definitely falls into the so-bad-it's-good category) but then others times I think she's a right idiot (the whole comment about Lady Gaga being blasphemous in her Alejandro video is a bit rich coming from someone who 'kissed a girl and liked it'). Anyway, recently, she's kind of just fallen off my radar - until I saw this photo...

And so, Katy Perry has jumped on the crazy-hair-colour-bandwagon and is currently sporting this washed out pink look. If you've been anywhere trendy recently (East London/Williamsburg/Berlin - you get the picture) then you'll already know that coloured hair is so last season; however, I'll give Katy brownie points for trying because I actually think it really suits her. 

Having coloured hair is great (mine is currently red, original I know) until you realise how much maintenance it requires. Obviously, this isn't an issue for the super-rich but for the rest of us, well, we can't all afford to go to the salon every time we have a fading dilemma. My advice then, is to invest in bright accessories that you can wear without fear of staining your white top every time it rains. Here, ladies and possibly gents, are some fun pink things to stop you from doing a Katy the next time you get bored...

Clockwise from bottom left: Balenciaga Paper A4 bag, Alexander McQueen clutch, Swedish Hasbeens, Selima Optique glasses and Topshop blush in Pinch.

It's fair to say that colour-blocking isn't going anywhere fast so mix-and-match for the best 'end of Summer' looks. For something a bit tougher, I'm absolutely obsessed with these adorable pink Dr.Martens - how great would they look with lacy white socks and denim cut-offs??

Not so long ago I mentioned that I had some very exciting news and so, on the 4th September I'm moving across the pond to New York to build up my CV within the big bad world of PR; I'll try and blog when I'm out there so keep checking back! What do you all think of Katy's new hairstyle; does it suit her or should she leave the pink locks to trendy hipsters?

Spotlight: Agyness Deyn

Oh Agyness, what happened? It's not like she can excuse the shaved head as being the result of a mental breakdown and she does look as though she's on day release from somewhere pretty insane, but my god isn't it beautiful?

This editorial shot in New York's East Village shows she is still striking as ever and although I was one of the fickle ones who got bored with the whole bleached-crop-and-DM's routine quicker than you can say Albert Hammond Junior (don't deny it, you did too), I do still think she's amazing.

It's like one glorious flashback from the 90's (my favourite decade) and although I hated the shaved head to begin with, it's kind of growing on me. The styling, although quite predictable, suits her new 'do' to perfection and she's hit Spotlight status for proving that she's more than just a fad (I'll forgive and forget the fact that she left England for America and that she's donning Cheetos not Wotsits...)

The bottom image could be one of my favourite photo's this year so far, for lack of a better (less pretentious) word, it's captivating and as Gok would say - that cable knit is "bang on trend". Do you still love Agyness regardless of what crispy snack she prefers?

Photos from models.com

Cream of the Crop

A few of my favourite shoes were made somewhat redundant over the winter due to the ridiculous weather, it was either a case of wear Dr Martens or get wet feet and clearly, wet feet wasn't an option. Because of this I got stuck in a rut and solely wore skirts or leggings - trousers were altogether out of the question.

Now that the weather's being a bit more reasonable, I can venture back into trouser territory or more dauntingly, the land of jeans. I've always been a bit scared of jeans because they're so hit and miss and the perfect denim usually is something of a myth to me. BUT with the help of my trusty brogues (think Ashish AW10/11) I'm on the hunt once more...

I recently had a look at MiH's AW collection and I couldn't believe how soft their jeans were - I'm literally in love with the panelled Vienna and The Paris is such a beautiful cut. One Teaspoon is another brand I came across on my hunt and OH MY GOD I wish I'd discovered them earlier - their jeans/clothes are to-die-for. I want everything from their online store, check it out - you'll understand why!

My brogues have already had an outing with my Levis 501's but this bunch tells me that they're going to see a whole lot more of London in the near future. What are you looking forward to wearing and what do you think of the whole panelled/coloured jean trend?

Photos from www.mih-jeans.com, www.net-a-porter.com, www.oneteaspoon.com.au, http://asos.com, http://www.topshop.com, http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/

Up Close & Personal

I'm one of those people who is awful at online shopping. The fact that I can't thumb through rails of lovliness and try everything-but-the kitchen-sink on is a massive turn off. Call me old-fashioned but I love to traipse, end of.

So naturally I was dead excited when I was invited to check out some of London Fashion's finest AW10/11 collections, in the flesh (or more accurately, fabric). Not only am I now pining for a Katy Eary cat-ear hat (the selection was so much fun) but I'm also hounding after a pair of pastel brogue Dr. Martens - they've taken the classic shape and twisted it in only a way the British could.

Brogue and Loafer: Dr. Martens style

I want everything here (visit Katy Eary's website for more info)

Basso & Brooke's signature engineered print

As you've also probably gathered from previous posts, I'm not exactly a Hunter wellies type of girl; but I think you could have a convert on your hands. Before you tell me to wash my mouth out with soap and get a horse, let me explain:

Admittedly it's taken a lot of umming and ahhing but jeeeez I want them for Bestival: super comfy, dry (ankle-height water permitting) and stylish-ish. These were also a size too big thus the slight size disproporation but regardless, they're quite exciting wouldn't you agree? My pay-day shopping list has become seriously ridiculous but just think, all of these items would equal a weirdly brilliant wardrobe.

So basically, if you see someone wearing Hunter wedge ankle-boots, a furry cat-ear hat and a reptillian duffle with a pair of pastel coloured Dr. Martens in, then say hi - it won't be me but they'll probably love it.

photos taken by me, do not use/copy without permission!