Cannes - Red Carpet Round-Up

Now that the Cannes Film Festival has drawn to a close, I have put together a selection of my favourite red carpet looks from this years event. The festival is one of the main places designers want their dresses to be seen. You can always expect to see couture gowns and plenty of diamonds!

Riley Keough - Valentino/ Jennifer Lawrence - Christian Dior Couture Spring 14

Marion Cotillard - Maison Martin Margiela Couture Spring 14/ Rosario Dawson - Sportmax Fall 14

Jourdan Dunn - Balmain Fall 14

Natasha Poly - ODLR Spring 14/ Nicole Kidman - Armani Prive Spring 14

Chloe Grace Moretz - Chanel Couture Spring 13/ Chiara Ferragni - Elie Saab

Rosie Huntington Whiteley

Victoria Beckham Spring 14/ Cushnie Et Ochs Fall 14/ Gucci/ Emilio Pucci Fall 14

Cate Blanchett

Valentino Pre Fall 14/ Givenchy Fall 14/ Armani Prive

Blake Lively

Gucci Premiere/Gucci Premiere/Chanel Couture Spring 14/ Giambattista Valli Couture S/S 14

Suki Waterhouse

Christian Dior/ Peter Pilotto Fall 14

Who was your best dressed from the 2014 Cannes Film Festival?

Phillippa x

Trend - Pineapple Prints

Recently I have noticed lots of pineapple prints and motifs on garments in several high street stores and luxury fashion retailers, so I thought I would put together a few boards showing the selection that is currently out there.

Do you like these pineapple prints or are they too bold for your style?

 Phillippa x

Beach Ready with 'Kiini'

Kiini is a NYC based bikini brand which offers customers swimwear with a difference. Unlike your average swimwear, Kiini uses: crochet, elastic and high tech fabrics mixed with colourful stitching. They do not have any clasps or fastenings, which ensures they are super comfortable for your day at the beach and swimming in the sea. The brand is inspired by global travel with nods to bohemian style. All bikini's are hand-made with the brand highly admiring craftsmanship. Tops are $155 and Bottoms $110.



Celebrities including Dree Hemingway and Cara Delevingne are fans of the brand

 

For a full list of Kiini stockists visit the website www.kiini.com, where you can also shop online if you wish.

Phillippa x

Banana Republic X Marimekko - *Collaboration*

The latest high street x designer collaboration to hit the shop floor is 'Marimekko for Banana Republic'. The Finnish design company renowned for their signature prints and colour palettes, have teamed up with the American retailer and produced a limited edition collection which is available in store and online from today. A pair of shorts from the line will cost £39, and you can expect to pay £85 for a dress. The stylised floral printed tunic, in blue and white, is my favourite piece in the collection, it is just so perfect for summer and the long sleeves will protect you from sunburn.

Olivia Palermo and Jamie Chung are already fans

Do you like this new collaboration? How would you style a garment from the collection to suit your personal style?

Phillippa x

*Fitness* - Workout Trainers

Following on from my last blog post about the latest fitness craze, I have picked out some of my favourite Workout Trainers. Sure to be the most stylish person at the gym if you wear these colourful delights!

Asics - approx £100

Adidas x Stella McCartney £120 / Adidas SpringBlade £145

Reebok - £85-£100

Nike - £85-£180

Phillippa x

The New Fitness Craze - Cycling

The cycling craze started in the USA with SoulCycle opening their first studio on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Fast forward to 2014, and SoulCycle has 25 studios across America with plans to open more worldwide... and there's also a retail line as well.  The idea of SoulCycle, involves a full high intensity 45 minute workout on a specially designed exercise bike whilst listening to an ever-changing playlist of high energy music. No need to worry about the paranoia of looking bad in front of your fitness buddies, all classes take place by candlelight. Its not cheap - one class costs $35, which means a yearly total of 48 classes would set you back around $1,700.

SoulCycle

London has a couple of cycling offerings - BoomCycle (Shoreditch and Holborn) and Psycle (Mortimer Street). Both follow the same style as SoulCycle. You can pay per session, so you don't get locked into a 12month contract, which is usually the case if you work out at a fitness centre. Be sure to book in advance, these classes are extremely popular but with classes taking place all throughout the day there should be a time to suit everyone.

BoomCycle

Psycle

Stay tuned for my next blog post - I'll be showing you some of the best fitness trainers. Who said working out couldn't be stylish?

Phillippa x





On Trend Ombre!

I really like ombre effect fashion. It can be very flattering on the figure and adds an injection of colour into your wardrobe, without being as bold as wearing print. Here are some of my favourite pieces I have found which are available to buy now.

Edition by Jonathan Saunders at Debenhams £65 / The Kooples £170 /  Paul Smith Black £195

Jonathan Saunders £565 / Milly NY $525

Jonathan Saunders / Karen Millen £160/ Phase Eight £120

Phillippa x

Anya Hindmarch / Artist Stephen Newby

One of the coolest bags I've seen recently is the 'Crisp Packet' Clutch by Anya Hindmarch. Priced at £995, this unique shaped bag has been carried everywhere: from the catwalk to the red carpet, to exclusive parties and events.

Poppy Delevingne, Miroslava Duma and Emma Watson are all fans



When I first saw the bag it instantly reminded me of the work of artist Stephen Newby, whose work I was introduced to whilst studying for my Foundation Art course back in 2008. Newby, based in Newcastle, creates all his wok using metal and has developed a range of products including: furniture, radiators, mirrors and art installations after patenting the technique of inflating metal in 2001. His work can been seen around the world in restaurants, corporate and public spaces. He has also been commissioned by the likes of Louis Vuitton for in store displays. 



I really like the work of Stephen Newby and when you actually see the work close up you realise just how brilliant the concept is. If you have been inspired by Newby's art then be sure to visit his website http://fullblownmetals.com/

Phillippa x







Met Gala 2014

Last night the annual Met Gala took place in New York, to mark the start of the new exhibition 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion', which runs from May 8th - August 10th. The event, which costs $15,000 to attend, is the ultimate red carpet event in the fashion calendar. All guests are invited by Anna Wintour, who also approves or denies all outfits prior to the event.

I have put together a few boards, showing the variety of different looks the stars chose to wear.

'Purple and Pink'

Michelle Monaghan - Altuzarra, Selena Gomez - Diane Von Furstenberg,

Reese Witherspoon - Stella McCartney, Emma Stone - Thakoon,

Kate Bosworth - Stella McCartney

'Embellished'

Amanda Peet - Marc Jacobs Spring 14, Gabrielle Union - Prada, Lupita Nyong'o - Prada

Sarah Paulson - Prada, Leighton Meester - Emilio Pucci Fall 14, Margot Robbie - Prada

'Short'

Michelle Williams - Louis Vuitton Fall 14, Marion Cotillard - Dior Spring 14 Couture,

Elizabeth Olsen - Miu Miu, Rosie Huntington Whiteley - Balmain Fall 14,

Imogen Poots - Proenza Schouler Fall 14, Rosamund Pike - Louis Vuitton Fall 14

'Texture'

Kristen Stewart - Chanel Couture, Shailene Woodley - Rodarte Fall 14,

Florence Welch - Valentino Spring 14 Couture, Naomi Watts - Givenchy Couture,

Chloe Grace Moretz - Chanel Pre Fall 14 Couture

'Volume'

Katie Holmes - Marchesa Fall 14, Solange Knowles - 3.1 Phillip Lim,

Emmy Rossum - Carolina Herrera, Karolina Kurkova - Marchesa Spring 11

'Volume'

Kendall Jenner - Topshop, Suki Waterhouse - Burberry, Dita Von Teese - Zac Posen,

Hailee Steinfeld - Prabal Gurung, Arizona Muse - Ralph & Russo Couture

'Long'

Maggie Gyllenhaal - Valentino Fall 14, Kirsten Dunst - Rodarte Fall 14

Joan Smalls - Vera Wang, Chloe Sevigny - Kenzo Fall 14, Jourdan Dunn - Topshop

'Hollywood Glamour'

Taylor Swift - Custom Oscar De La Renta



I really liked the variety of gowns and dresses at this years Met Gala. We saw different lengths, different styles and varying colours. Whilst some opted to play it safe and keep their look classic, others went all out to make an entrance and ensure all eyes were on them.

My personal favourites: Lupita Nyong'o, Rosie Huntington Whiteley (Does she ever look anything other than incredible?), Emmy Rossum (for being brave enough to wear both colour and print!), Dita Von Tesse ( I'm not usually a fan of her style but this gown had the 'wow' factor for me)

Who was your best dressed from this event?

Phillippa x

Milly 'Sorry For Partying'

As you may know Milly is my favourite Stateside brand, having previously interned with the label for 3months post graduation. Now I'm back living in London, working in a design studio, my Milly clothes, handbags and purses are amongst my favourite pieces in my wardrobe. Bringing NY chic to the streets of London!

Recently I spotted Cara Delevingne wearing the Milly 'Sorry For Partying' Tee and had to share it with you. Brit model Suki Waterhouse has also posted the Tee on her instagram page, as well as DJ Chelsea Leyland. At $90 (£53) this t-shirt is the perfect little investment piece to have in your wardrobe. Styled with skinny jeans to keep the look casual, or dressed up with a cute skirt, the 'Sorry For Partying' Tee is so versatile and a #MillyMustHave



Phillippa x

Kate Moss X Topshop

Kate Moss last collaborated with Topshop back in 2007, fast forward to 2014 and Britain's most famous supermodel is back with a new collection for the high street retailer. The collection is comprised of 4 main styles: Balearic dressing, Pyjama dressing, Cocktail Hour and Tailoring Noir - all of which perfectly reflect Kate's personal style. The collection launched last week with an event at the brands flagship store in Oxford Street, London.

Suki Waterhouse, Cara Delevingne, Sienna Miller, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss at the launch

Several pieces from the collection throw back to some of the most iconic looks we've seen Kate wearing over the years. See the silver dress from the collection which is similar to one worn by Kate in 1993.

There are garments which would be perfect festival attire with nods to Kate's love of Boho dressing - see the Zandra Rhodes esque tops and suede jackets with fringing.

Re-Worked Little Black Dresses - for day or night

...the best of the rest

You can expect to pay between £65 - £90 for some of the dresses and playsuits, but leather and embellished pieces are priced up to £600(like the dress worn by Sienna Miller in the first picture). Despite these hefty prices for a mainstream high street retailer, many garments in the collection are already sold out.

 

There are definitely pieces in the collection with I like, but not enough to pay the large price tag for, and as for the little shorts and hot pants, I'd be staying well clear of those unless I had perfect pins like Kate!

Phillippa x