Darcel Disappoints: '150/50' at Colette

It's not every day that you see a one-eyed portrait of Yves Saint Laurent paired with a similarly unusual interpretation of the late Coco Chanel. However, as part of their 15th anniversary celebrations later this year, French fashion store Colette have called upon New York based artist Craig Redman to give friends of the store his signature 'makeover'. The exhibition immortalizes Redman's 'Darcel Disappoints' character in the guise of 150 portraits, including the likes of Rihanna, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga (see below).

Juergen Teller, Susie Bubble, Diane von Furstenberg and Joseph Altuzarra have all previously been given the  Darcel Disappoints treatment and each one perfectly captures the essence of that individual. The exhibition runs at Colette until the 31st of March so if you're lucky enough to be in Paris for Fashion Week or if you'll be visiting the French capital in the next month then it's worth a trip! Check out the video below for more information.

   

Look of the Week: Leopard Print

Leopard print is one of my favourite fashion statements. This gorgeous photo from a recent editorial in Elle Turkey is a great example of how to wear leopard print...

To me, this outfit is near perfection: casual yet chic. Not wanting to go all Gok Wan on you, I've put together a couple of looks incorporating a leopard print harem from Motel; what do you think?

Parka from Rokit, bag from Topshop. Leather jacket from Topshop, shoes by Burberry. Top from Topshop, shoes by YSL

These particular trousers are a little bold for my liking but you get the idea. Look 1 is my take on the Elle editorial - finding a decent parka proved rather difficult but they definitely are an investment, I've worn mine all winter! Look 2  is more of a going out look - a decent pair of black heels and leather jacket will never let you down. Look 3 would see you through day, night and even the office (depending on your tolerance for wearing 5 inch heels all day); seeing as fashion week is fast approaching, I think it's time I tried some of these looks out!

Is anyone else as excited about Fashion Week as I am? Obviously seeing the collections is amazing in itself but I can't wait to check out the model's street style this season too. What will you be wearing over Fashion Week?

photos from fashiongonerogue.com and individual store sites

Pre-Party Inspiration

This gorgeous photo of Carey Mulligan from this evenings Moet British Independent Film Awards got me thinking, what on earth should one wear to a Christmas party?!

Prabal Gurung has been worn by every hot-young-thing in recent weeks and this dress looks as though it was made for Carey. Unfortunately Prabal Gurung is a little out of my price range (OK so it's massively out of my price range) but I really love the simplicity of this look and think we should all take a leaf out of Carey's book this Christmas. 

I've put together 9 going-out looks for the inevitable onslaught of festive parties and although I'm a creature of habit, mainly a LBD habit, I've experimented with a touch of colour. What do you think?

Topshop never fails when it comes to party dresses, cheap and cheerful is definitely going to be my motto this season and these outfits won't break the bank. Unless you've got superhuman powers then black tights are an essential this time of year and all of these looks are great with or without. 

From left to right: Antonio Barardi dress, Charlotte Olympia heels. Christopher Kane dress, ACNE wedges, Mary Katrantzou dress, YSL heels.

Matches, although on the slightly expensive side, has more amazing dresses than you can poke a stick at. I'm particularly fond of the Christopher Kane number and have been drooling over all of the shoes since I first clapped eyes on them; the ACNE wedges have been in my sights for quite some time now, early Christmas present to myself? I think so.

From left to right: 3.1 Phillip Lim dress, Marc Jacobs bad. Issa dress, Valentino bag. Marc Jacobs dress, Herve Leger clutch.

The OutNet has some great party-pieces but I wasn't so taken by the shoes and have instead replaced them with bags instead - a girl always needs a good bag, right? These dresses scare me a little because they're so colourful but I'd happily wear any of them because they're so pretty. 

I definitely think its all about fun mini-dresses teamed with black tights for Christmas because everyone's so god damn depressed at the minute. If you want the designer label but not the designer prices, head over to Girl Meets Dress where you can find hundreds of gorgeous dresses to hire. You only need wear something once and they have a massive selection - perfect for partying! Check it out, you might be pleasantly surprised.

What will you be wearing this Christmas? Will you keep it simple like Carey or go the whole-hog and don all the tinsel you can find?

photos from matches.com, topshop.com, theoutnet.com and justjared.buzznet.com

Airport Chic

I never used to like Victoria Beckham's style (although I don't know anyone who actually did) but I've been converted to the Posh side.

I absolutely loved her AW10 collection at Fashion Week and think she's really emerged as something of a style icon over the past year or so. It's very much a love/hate thing with Victoria and you either get it or you don't. Even though that whole WAG phase (circa extensions, tan, boobs) was horrendous, you can't deny that it created a following - mainly of gypseys but a following nonetheless.

At least her latest phase is generating a stylish following, myself included (I'm not really a Victoria girl, but that doesn't mean I don't think she's cool - which she is, by the way).

Here's my interpretation of Victoria's airport look - notice how airports bring the best out in her?

Leggings, Shoes: Topshop. Balmain Jacket, YSL Cuff: Net A Porter, T-Shirt: French Connection

Admittedly the t-shirt isn't great (I'd wear a plain American Apparel V-Neck with this outfit) but the rest is something I'd definately wear. Well, who wouldn't wear Balmain? I've developed an irrational fear for wearing trousers but Victoria (and Rachel Bilson) have made me re-think my phobia, sort of.

What do you think, Victoria Beckham: stylish or not?

photos from justjared.buzznet.com, topshop.com, frenchconnection.com, net-a-porter.com

On the 18th Day of Christmas...

With half of my Christmas shopping done - remind me never to go anywhere in London at Christmas ever again - I've started thinking of a couple things I'd like for next season.

Having been hunting for a red jersey maxi dress since I saw Abbey Lee in one at LFW, I'm still at a loss: however this black Fendi one is just as cute and would look amazing with scruffy jacket and boots. It's a bit ridiculous of me to put a Judith Leiber bag on my wishlist, however I'm pretty certain the high street will have a decent variety of imitations any day now.

The whole sleeveless leather jacket is a bit old hat now, but this pastel yellow number from DOMA is adorable. I'm pretty sure I'm only getting money and a hangover this Christmas but there's always next year...

From L-R: ACNE £400, YSL £115, JUDITH LEIBER £3260,

FENDI £775, DOMA £350, YSL £530

photos from net-a-porter.com