Saturday 31 October 2015

Autumn Wishlist

Feeling spendy as of late, I have put together my ultimate Autumn wishlist. With fashion and accessories high on the agenda, some of these products I have been dreaming of for a while, whilst some are recent spots which I have just got my eye on.
1. Burberry £1695
2. Gucci £1220
3. Rosie Fortescue £85
4. Carven £340
5. Matthew Williamson £575
6. Etro £355
7. John Lewis £22
8. Topshop £75
9. Susan Alexandra $90
10. J Crew £98
11. JewelleryBox.co.uk £4.50
12. Marks and Spencer £79
13. French Connection £85
14. Sophie Hulme £475

Phillippa x

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Wednesday 28 October 2015

New Brand - Rosie Fortescue Jewellery

The best dressed MIC cast member, and front row favourite at London Fashion Week, Rosie Fortescue has just launched her eponymous jewellery line. These elegant pieces are perfect to wear both day and night and will add a stylish sophistication to your outfit. Coming in a range of different metals with different coloured stones, the rings in particular are ideal for stacking. Packaged to perfection in beautiful boxes, I couldn't think of a more perfect gift to give to a jewellery loving friend...or just a treat for yourself. The price point also makes each piece super accessible. I am already lusting after the Heart Trilogy bracelet, it is going straight onto my Autumn wishlist.
The full collection is available to shop now from www.rosiefortescuejewellery.com

Phillippa x
 
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Monday 26 October 2015

A/W15: On Trend Now - Eyelets

Seen on the A/W15 runway at Proenza Schouler, Mugler and Anthony Vaccarello, eyelets made a serious impact on the A/W15 catwalks. Adding a subtle element of daring sex appeal to an outfit, eyelets are a popular way to make your look more edgy. Keeping things predominantly black, white and red for a rock 'n' roll feel, I have found some of the best designer and high-street pieces incorporating metal eyelets. So whether you wish to opt for bold eyelets showing some flesh, or you prefer eyelets that just add a small amount of interesting embellishment on the hem of a skirt, there is plenty here that should appeal to you.
1. Christian Louboutin £2295 / 2. Topshop £35 / 3. Mugler £340
4. Alaia £1030 / 5. Topshop £60 / 6. Alaia £740
7. Nicholas Kirkwood £950 / 8. BooHoo £25 / 9. Topshop £85

Phillippa x

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Saturday 24 October 2015

Halloween Fashion

Ok so I'm not talking about fancy dress, but rather cool everyday pieces inspired by the fun of Halloween. There is only a very short time frame in which it is deemed 'acceptable' to wear something so date specific, so you better jump on-board with this theme pretty sharpish. Whether ghouls are you thing or spooky slogans are more your style, here are some of the best Halloween inspired separates which you can incorporate into wardrobe this coming week.
1. H&M £5.99 / 2. Zoe Karssen £60 / 3. New Look £17.99
4. Zoe Karssen £60 / 5. New Look £7.99 / 6. BooHoo £12
7. Tee & Cake £22 / 8. AndFinally £25 / 9. H&M £5.99

Phillippa x

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Wednesday 21 October 2015

SS16 Print Trend Report - Part 1

The SS16 shows wrapped up two weeks ago, and since then I have been super busy analysing what I saw on the runway and compiling trend reports. As my job is trend based, fashion month always keeps me extremely busy and I have already gained a unique insight into the emerging trends which retailers are already buying into for next year. I relish in the opportunity to spend my days going through the catwalk collections with a fine tooth comb and understanding the inspiration behind each collection. Once this information has been absorbed, it is much easier to see trends emerging. Over the next few weeks, I will be bring you a series of trend reports which will be broken down into 3 main categories: print, apparel and colour... starting today with part one of my print trend report.
Poppies
The most prominent floral print seen on the SS16 runway was the poppy motif. Literal interpretations were seen most notably at: Dolce & Gabbana, No.21, Gucci and Michael Kors whereas brands such as Burberry used the flower as a starting point to create something more abstract. The poppy prints came in different forms, some were very graphic with clean lines and others were oversized and more loosely painted. The poppy has several symbolic meanings, most commonly being associated with wartime remembrance. This delicate flower has romantic qualities making it appropriate to adorn long flowing dresses in pretty seasonal colours.
Tie-Dye
Tie-Dye prints flooded the runway at NYFW, emerging as one of the main trends from the city and the trend continued to gain momentum with notable showings in each city that followed. Blue and white came out on top as the main colouration of choice, but darker tones were thrown into the mix to add a more dramatic element. Forever having hippie vibes this carefree style of print is perfect for summer, think festival season and beach holidays, however this season tie-dye crosses over to everyday ready-to-wear pieces. Some prints were very matter of fact, whilst others were more experimental which created something more modern. Key designers to reference: Altuzarra, Issa, Thakoon and Valentino.
Animated Animal
For SS16, traditional animal prints were long left behind making way instead for this new collaged style interpretation. Versace took the lead, with Kenzo following suit, creating oversized vibrant prints which packed plenty of punch. Animal prints were dissected into individual shapes and then magnified with eye-catching effect. With this trend the lines have been blurred between animal skins and camouflage. Definitely emerging as one of the most upbeat trends from the season, it may not be the easiest look to pull off but it certainly will be one of the most coveted.
Textured Stoke
Harking back to traditional hand-rendered print techniques, this season textural prints are large scale. These painterly brushstrokes are both expressive and abstract, interpreting leaf motifs in a new way and reimagining plaids. These one or 2 colours prints work well on solid separates and will add a sophisticated edge to your wardrobe.
Maritime
It wouldn't be Spring/Summer without some form of Maritime reference. This revamped nautical trend covered everything from fish to shells, rope to boats. The trend itself is nothing new, but this season motifs and prints were injected with vibrant pops of colour and beautiful embellishment. Over at Anna Sui, Zandra Rhodes created exclusive shell prints based on her archive of iconic designs. It was also a bold showing of all things maritime related at Emilio Pucci, with large scale tropical fish embroideries contrasted with small hand painted shells, the latter making for a more commercial interpretation of the trend. Blue, red and which featured heavily...how appropriate.
Part 2 of my print trend report will follow very soon...
Phillippa  x
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Monday 19 October 2015

The Best of A/W Knitwear

Don't you just love it when the cold weather arrives and you have the perfect excuse to pull on your favourite cable-knit or cashmere sweater and dress all cosy? For styling, I will layer a sweater over a shirt and team with my favourite A-line mini, or I opt to go for ultimate comfort and team with skinny jeans and a pair of mid heel ankle boots. When it comes to knitwear I like to invest in quality, in the same way I would with finding a pair of trousers that fit like perfection. Quality knitwear will see you through the next few months so it is well worth spending a little extra money to ensure you get the ultimate warmth and comfort. I have done some serious knitwear label lusting and selected 9 of my favourite sweaters which I am pining after this season. Whether you like a chunky knit or a splash of colour, I have found some of the best knitted sweaters on the luxury market.

1. Elizabeth and James £395 / 2. MM6 £355 / 3. Isabel Marant £435
4. Opening Ceremony £285 / 5. Theory £220 / 6. Peter Pilotto £385
7. Tods £760 / 8. Milly £350 / 9. Jonathan Saunders £395

Phillippa x

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Saturday 17 October 2015

Selena Gomez Covers FLARE Magazine

Hitting newsstands this month, the beautiful singer and actress Selena Gomez covers the November edition of FLARE Magazine. Wearing some of the best looks from both the A/W15 catwalks and Resort 16 collections, Selena pull these looks off with effortless style and sophistication.
"Ultimately, I am 23 and figuring out my life. I feel confident, I feel empowered, I feel in control"
"I want people to really be inspired, to believe they can do whatever they want."
"I have compassion, I have forgiveness, I have understanding, and this is my life—this is how I choose to live it. I’ve never been disappointed in the choices I’ve made, which i'm proud of."
"My strength is translating emotion, because I’m such a feeler. I’ve felt so much in the past two years, from being super in love and then dealing with things to getting older and all these beautiful experiences that were complicated and exciting."

Selena's new album 'Revival' is out now.

For more celebrity fashion editorials follow my Pinterest board of the same name (details below).

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22
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Wednesday 14 October 2015

Resort 16: Celebrity Most Loved

Working in the fast paced world of trend, the Resort 16 collections almost seem like a distant memory. Taking place back in May/June, the mainline Spring/Summer collections have now taken place and designers are looking ahead to Fall. One place that serves as a reminder of these past collections, even though they are not even available for sale yet, is the red carpet. Very often collections make their red carpet debut just a matter of days after an initial showing. For Resort 16, two of the most loved collections were Louis Vuitton and Valentino. Probably coming as no surprise, as these two brands have celebrities and consumers pining after their designs season after season, we have seen some of the biggest names in showbiz wearing these collections. For Resort, Louis Vuitton had an almost Medieval feel to it with leather maxi skirts and cross-body harness detailing, whereas Valentino was based on the concept of freedom and followed a more carefree and bohemian vibe with Native American motifs and beautiful meadow florals. 
Valentino Resort 16
Elizabeth Debicki, Kristen Wiig, Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz, Imogen Poots, Lizzy Caplan
Dakota Johnson, Franca Sozzani, Kiernan Shipka, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rashida Jones
Louis Vuitton
Selena Gomez, Rachel Weisz, Zoe Saldana, Alicia Vikanda
Jennifer Lawrence, Cressida Bonas, Karlie Kloss, Miranda Kerr, Alicia Vikanda

If you love both the runway and celebrity style, then be sure to head over to my Pinterest page (details below), where you will find boards full of the most inspirational imagery from the catwalk and red carpet.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22
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Monday 12 October 2015

bareMinerals Christmas Press Launch

Christmas came early last Thursday with Cocktails and Canapés at the bareMinerals Christmas press launch held at The Aviary Bar near Oxford Circus. Showcasing this fab brands seasonal Christmas gift sets, I found plenty of products which would make the perfect gift for a friend…or yourself! 

This years Christmas theme is 'Enchantment', so expect some seriously luxurious products but at a super affordable price point. Keeping within the Christmas theme, UK based illustrator Sarah Coleman has designed the beautiful and whimsical packaging. Ranging in price from £14-£50, the full product range is available from different outlets; some gift sets will be available exclusively at bareMineral boutiques and others will be available from leading department stores and online. All the products seen here are either available now or will be hitting a cosmetics counter near you in November.

My favourite product is the Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara, with ProTwist180 spiral wand. It really does grab each lash individually and coats the lashes evenly. Not to mention the silver packaging which makes it look super stylish.

So whether you love: lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow, lipgloss, powder or makeup brushes, bareMinerals has you covered for the party season.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22
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Friday 9 October 2015

Paris Fashion Week - Top 10

Kenzo
With 90s references and a cool sporty feel, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon created one of the most vibrant collections that we saw in Paris this season. Bold prints that screamed 'look at me' adorned several of the looks in the collection, and pieces that were not printed were still electric in colour. Overall inspiration came from the notion of a well-travelled modern woman on a never ending summer vacation. 
Alexander McQueen
This was one of the prettiest collections we have seen at McQueen in recent years. The exceptionally beautiful collection came in a range of soft hues and featured the most exquisite embroidery and detailing. 17th Century Huguenots were a key source of inspiration, and this historic context was brought to life in the most romantic way possible: Cascading ruffles, lace, fine stitches all with couture level of finesse. The soft florals were inspired by French flowers woven onto silk and were an ethereal dream!
Dries Van Noten
Faded Hollywood Glamour in jewel tones showcased by a continued use of luxurious fabrics such as Jacquard, brocade and opulent shot silk. The collection was rich in it use of colour and in it theme, tribal and tattoo-esque motifs. Winglike prints also featured heavily in the collection. All in all, this was Dries Van Noten doing what they do best.
Valentino
The 90-strong look collection was music to my ears, with each runway look filing me with excitement. Tie-Dye has been one of the main emerging print trends, and Valentino delivered one of the best we have seen. The collection had African safari influences, which came in many forms: the colours, the fabric and most prominently the safari animal prints in a traditional woodblock style. Signature delicate embroidery and tailoring will please the Valentino clientele.
Stella McCartney
McCartney has always applied an 'effortless' approach to her collections, creating easy to wear pieces which are both comfortable and stylish. There was an air of fluidity in the silhouettes of the dresses which came pleated, with knitted inserts, and in acidic hues. There was a very strong emphasis on summer knitwear in the collection, which we saw on tunics, oversized pullovers, tube skirts and slouchy track pants. The checks were a key feature and perfect for that laid-back vibe.
Chloe
I can't recall a Chloe collection which have not fallen in love with. No brand does summer dressing better than Chloe, led by Clare Waight Keller, and this season was no different. Chloe being Chloe, we saw peasant tops and billowing off the shoulder dresses but this season there was major 90's throwbacks in the form of tracksuits, frayed denim pieces and dungarees. The colour palette was super feminine as always. The 2 colour paisley print which was constructed of small linear florals was one of the most commercial prints we saw on the catwalk in Paris.
Christian Dior
Raf Simons stated that this collection was fuss free, steering away from bold colours and embellishment opting instead for quieter pieces. Soft rainbow stripes, Victoriana style nightdresses and scalloped hemmed shorts and dresses created the perfect everyday ready-to-wear sophisticated summer wardrobe.
Elie Saab
Known for evening wear, this season the focus was more on a mix of day and night separates. Bomber jackets in wide candy stripes added a very youthful flare to the collection. Broderie anglaise, macrame lace, exquisite embellished dresses and feminine pussybow detailing will please loyal Elie Saab fans, whereas the lace pants, leather mini dresses will attract a different kind of Saab consumer. The sketchy floral print with splashes of vibrant colour was one of my favourite prints of the entire SS16 season.
Louis Vuitton
A merge between digital technology and nature was the order of the day for Nicolas Ghesquiere's latest collection at LV. The model 'cyberpunks' sported leather biker jackets, metallic embroidered dresses and some killer accessories. The standout spaceship prints featured on pants and jumpsuits. For all it's attitude, the collection still had a feminine undertone with soft pastel pink and flouncy skirts with plenty of bounce.
Balenciaga
Alexander Wang took his final bow at Balenciaga with this all-white collection. A much quieter showing than we have seen from recent Balenciaga collections, Wang made the collection his own with his signature sporty style. Lingerie dressing was the key theme, with slips and bra's featuring throughout. There was a relaxed elegant ease in the collection and the attention detail in the simple stitches and ruching detail made this one of the best SS16 collections from Paris.

So that is a wrap…fashion month is over for another 6 months. Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting a series of trend and colour reports so be sure to follow me on my other social media accounts to be kept informed. If you didn't already know, I post 3 times a week on my blog so I will have lots of additional exciting content coming soon as well.

Phillippa x

Twitter - @Phillippa22
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Wednesday 7 October 2015

October Outfit Wishlist


Phillippa  x

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Monday 5 October 2015

New Brand: Hill & Friends

Former Mulberry Creative Director Emma Hill has just launched her own hotly anticipated accessories label, with her collaborator Georgia Fendley who also hails from Mulberry. After showcasing the debut collection at a presentation during London Fashion Week, the line is already available to purchase on the brands own website and Net-a-Porter. Each bag is made in England and this debut line is inspired by classic satchels with a lighter contemporary feel. Bright colours and leopard print styles offer  playful twist on the more traditional black and burgundy versions.

Phillippa x

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Friday 2 October 2015

Exhibition - LVSeries3

I recently attended the Louis Vuitton Series 3 exhibition, which is currently on at 180 Strand in London. I have been a long time fan of Nicolas Ghesquiere since his days at Balenciaga, and since his appointment as Creative Director at Louis Vuitton back in late 2013 he has brought the brand to a new audience. The exhibition is a unique experience enabling visitors to discover the LV Fall 15 collection and learn more about the strong heritage of the brand. There are several rooms in the exhibition, each with the most incredible sets and lighting. Booking tickets is essential as the exhibition only runs until October 18th, there is no admission fee.
Phillippa x

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