Moodboard - Electric Colour Pop

The Chanel SS17 runway show featured several striking neon prints - strobe lights that had been transformed into a series of stunning prints which adorned dresses, shirts and coats. Strobe lights prove inspirational due their movement and electrifying pops of colour. Our obsession with neon lights pans across several design disciplines, providing dramatic backdrops to living spaces, set designs and apparel. Artists such as: Albert Irvin, Maya Hayuk and Walead Beshty all produce art with the same flair  - energetic brush strokes and layer upon layer of contrasting colour resulting in eye catching installations.

Phillippa x

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2016 Best Dressed - Top 10

This is the now the third year in a row that I have compiled a 'Best Dressed' list. If you follow my Pinterest page (details below), you will know that I have a 'Celebrity Red Carpet' board and I love seeing how runway gowns translate onto the red carpet. Once again, we have seen some stunning gowns gracing the red carpet in 2016 at countless premieres, awards shows, film festivals and the all important MET Gala. Over the course of the year I have made note of some of my favourite looks and I have now put together my 'Top 10 Best Dressed' list.

Margot Robbie - Tom Ford - Academy Awards - Los Angeles, February

This entire red carpet look was flawless. The gold snakeskin effect dress was perfect for the Academy Awards. Whilst many opted for billowing gowns, this slimming dress with plunging neckline looked elegant without being over-the-top. Styling was kept simple with a black tassel bag from The Row. My favourite look from this years's Oscars.

Bella Hadid - Givenchy - MET Gala - New York, May

A fairly classic bustier dress was given a dramatic overhaul with theatrical volume on the hem. Over the knee boots were the perfect choice for this daring look.

Zoe Saldana - Dolce and Gabbana - MET Gala - New York, May

Last year it was Rihanna who stole the show at the MET Gala wearing a Guo Pei gown, this year it was Zoe Saldana. Her custom made Dolce and Gabbana gown came with layer upon layer of coloured feathers. If there was ever an occasion to pull out all the stops to impress, the MET Gala is that occasion. A truly unique gown which Zoe wore with such grace.

Blake Lively - Burberry - MET Gala - New York, May

This Oriental inspired blush gown was custom made by Burberry. An iridescent train made this exceptional gown look breathtaking on the red carpet. Floral embroidery added further intrigue.

Kate Hudson - Atelier Versace - MET Gala - New York, May

Not your average gown, but afterall the theme of the MET Gala was 'Manus x Machina'. This unconventional dress was the most apt for the event, with intricate pieces of material carefully pinned together. Eye-catching for all the right reasons.

Taylor Swift - Louis Vuitton - MET Gala - New York, May

This look divided opinion on the night, but for me a 'best dressed' list is all about memorable looks - and this is certainly one of them. I loved this 'edgier' look from Taylor, who usually opts for prettier, feminine dresses. The silver Louis Vuitton dress, which was made to look like snake skin, was actually constructed from thousands of sequins.

Jennifer Lawrence - Dior SS17 - 'Passengers' Premiere - Los Angeles, December

As the face of Dior, you can always rely on JLaw for some stunning red carpet appearances. At the Los Angeles premiere of her latest film Passengers, Jennifer wore a beautiful white Dior bustier gown with full tulle skirt. A deep red lip complimented the embellished heart detailing. J'adore!

Jaime King - Schiaparelli Fall 16 Couture - Star Wars Rogue One Premiere - Los Angeles, December

I adore Jaime King's red carpet style, and this Schiaparelli couture gown was stunning. Gold and black is a perfect combination for a red carpet event, and the intertwined thread really made this sculptural gown stand out.  

Elle Fanning - Zuhair Murad Spring 16 Couture - Cannes Film Festival - France, May

Elle has easily been one of the best dressed stars of 2016, with countless incredible red carpet looks, but this Zuhair Murad caged gown was my favourite. The delicate embroidered flowers were beautiful. Sleek hair and make-up completed the look.

Kate Bosworth - Dolce and Gabbana - Golden Globes - Los Angeles, January

Whilst there may not be anything too different about this gown, there was no denying just how stunning it looked on the red carpet. Shimmering sequins in silver and pink dazzled on the red carpet. No need for statement styling, as the dress did all the talking.

Who was your best dressed of 2016?

Phillippa x

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Brand To Know - Dodo Bar Or

Dodo Bar Or

Dodo Bar Or is fast becoming the number one go-to brand for carefree bohemian fashion. For summer, the collection offers versatile printed kaftans and lightweight summer dresses and skirts with pom-pom trims. When I look at this collection I always think of music festivals and adventurous roadtrips evoking feelings of wanderlust. With a universal appeal stockists include: Saks, Shopbop, Le Bon Marche, MC Market and Net-a-Porter. This brand is great if you like nonchalant fashion - pieces which are easy to wear, non-restrictive and will be seasonal staples. Celebrity fans: Pandora Sykes and Mischa Barton. Price Range: £190 - £600

Phillippa x

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Colour Board - Mustard

Rich mustard tones work exceptionally well in an array of different luxurious fabrics - silk satin and velvet in particular. Gold undertones add depth and warmth, and create an overall vibrancy. Works well combined with teal and aubergine for a sophisticated Fall colour palette. Adds panache to any outfit. Translates across the board from fashion to interiors and even architecture.

Phillippa x

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London Restaurants - Shoreditch

Mixing up my content today and reviewing some of my favourite restaurants/cafe's in and around Shoreditch... 

Redemption

I discovered Redemption restaurant last month and I was totally blown away by the quality of the food. Located at 320 Old Street, everything on the menu is vegan and wheat-free. I have already tried a number of dishes on the menu - favourites include: the Buddha Bowl, Tokyo Salad and the Brown Rice Penne Pasta. Guilt free healthy food! A second restaurant is located in Notting Hill.

Lantana

With 3 locations in London - Shoreditch, Camden and Fitzrovia, Lantana cafe is an ideal choice for lunch. With a menu that ranges from French toast to burgers, there is a great selection to choose from. My top choice is the corn fritters with a poached egg - delicious! 55 City Road.

Ozone

The ultimate Old Street cafe if you love coffee. Ozone Coffee Roasters in located on Leonard Street and is great for lunch, coffee and cake. The chocolate brownies are to die for! Super cool industrial interiors also create a perfect ambiance.

Bone Daddies

Located at The Bower in Old Street, Bone Daddies brings ramen to East London. With a broad selection of dishes, this sociable hot spot is super cool. The Old Street branch is the forth restaurant to open, with 2 more coming soon.

Tramshed

Mark Hix's 'Tramshed' on Rivington Street is notably one of the most well know restaurants in Shoreditch. With an infamous Damien Hirst installation in the middle of the dining area, this chicken and steak restaurant is a bit of fun. Ok so it's not the greatest food you'll ever eat, but it's good if you want in on the hype.

Phillippa x

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Christmas Party Outfits

Christmas party season is here! Whether it be a work party, a night out with friends, Christmas day itself or New Years Eve - I have put together a number of on trend outfits that will give you lots of inspiration for the festive season. As well as some pretty standard evening outfits, I've also included a couple of alternative looks with rock 'n' roll and boho vibes.  I have used a mix of luxury and highstreet pieces, but as always these are just suggestions and lower price alternatives are readily available...

Outfit 1

Outfit 2

Outfit 3

Outfit 4

Outfit 5

Outfit 6

Phillippa x

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Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet

Who was your best dressed at last night's Critics Choice Awards?

1. Bryce Dallas-Howard - Topshop

2. Jessica Biel  - Elie Saab Pre Fall 17

3. Hailee Steinfeld - Jason Wu SS17

4. Allison Williams - Balmain Resort 17

5. Lily Collins - Elie Saab

6. Amy Adams - Atelier Versace

7. Kate Beckinsale - Reem Acra

8. Nicole Kidman - Brandon Maxwell SS17

9. Emma Stone - Roland Mouret

10. Natalie Portman - Alexander McQueen Resort 17

Phillippa x

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Fall 16 Trend - Plisse

Plisse is a fabric which has been treated to be permanently crinkled - think of it as a type of micro pleat. Issey Miyake has of course revolutionised the use of pleats in mainsteam fashion, being known world over for their exquisite use of this fabric. This material has also been the number one choice of fabric for many of the top designers during fashion week for the past few seasons, most notably during the A/W 16 presentations. Plisse can be beautifully manipulated and draped to create a number of different striking silhouettes: oversized sleeves, knotted waists and asymmetric hems. For Fall 16, designers used the most wonderful array of Autumnal colours: Bordeaux red, midnight blue and mink. These colours elevated the plisse garments and made them perfect to be worn as eveningwear. Key Designers: Issey Miyake, Mary Katrantzou, Bottega Veneta, Celine, Valentino, Roksanda, Stella McCartney, Loewe, Jil Sander and Boss.

Not necessarily considered to be the most flattering of fabrics, you do have to choose silhouettes carefully. Silhouettes, as seen on the runway, are usually loosely draped which means they can hide a multitude of sins, however they can make you look shorter than you actually are. You don't want to opt for a style that swamps your frame. If you are unsure how complimentary this fabric will be for you figure, then I would suggest to opting for a plisse top. You can team it with a pair of jeans or classic tailored trousers for a safe, but on-trend, look. If you fancy yourself as a brave fashion connoisseur, why not try a jumpsuit or midi-skirt? - definitely the hardest two silhouettes to pull off. Due to the nature of the fabric trousers tend to have wide legs, therefore you have to carefully consider your choice of shoes. I have rounded up the best plisse styles currently available from both the luxury market and the highstreet...

1. Fendi £2650 / 2. Balenciaga £1125 / 3. Topshop £39 / 4. Roksanda £595

5. New Look £15.99 / 6. Glamorous £36 / 7. Adam Lippes £1255 / 8. Wallis £48
9. Issey Miyake £325 / 10. Luisa Beccaria £2175 / 11. Solace London £225
12. Tom Ford £890 / 13. Givenchy £995

When it comes to fashion, if pleats are your thing, head over to my Pinterest (details below). Here I have an entire board dedicated to Pleats!

Phillippa x

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The Best Winter Accessories

It's that time of year again when we get to wrap up warmly in cozy accessories. Whether they be knitted, shearling, fur or suede - there is nothing better than stepping out for the day knowing you are prepared for the frosty mornings and cold evenings in your stylish winter accessories. If you can't afford to invest in luxury knitted sweaters and coats, then hats/scarves/gloves are a great alternative. I have put together an edit of the best luxury accessories available this Fall...

1. Chloe £585 / 2. Bobbl £84.95 / 3. Missoni £310 / 4. UGG £120

5. Bognor $129 / 6. Burberry £675 / 7. Diane von Furstenberg £119 / 8. Saks Potts £175

9. Johnstons £50 / 10. Weekend Max Mara £138 / 11. Jane Carr £285 / 12. Alice & Olivia £148

13. Eugenia Kim £150 / 14. Burberry £335 / 15. Ted Baker £75 / 16. Alexander Wang £245

Phillippa x

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Brand To Know - PAPER London

PAPER London

Contemporary womenswear brand PAPER London encapsulates a very modern sense of style. Structural silhouettes inspired by architecture and art, constructed from the most luxe fabrics all in a dynamic colour palette. The twice recipient of the British Fashion Council 'Contemporary Award', PAPER London boasts a global stockist list including: Net-a-Porter, Lane Crawford and Alothman Fashion. Bell sleeves, statement ruffles and off-the-shoulder detailing means this brand is on trend season after season. Invest in this brand if you want timeless classics with a modern edge and you are looking for a great mix of statement daywear and fun evening looks. Celebrity fans include: Gigi Hadid, Taylor Swift, Margot Robbie and Kate Hudson. Price Range: £125 - £595

Phillippa x

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British Fashion Awards 2016 - Red Carpet

The 2016 British Fashion Awards took place last night at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Who was your best dressed at this event?...

1. Laura Bailey - Giles

2. Abbey Clancy - Julien Macdonald

3. Annabelle Wallis - Alexander McQueen

4. Gigi Hadid - Atelier Versace Fall 16 Couture

5. Alexa Chung - Prada

6. Pixie Geldof - Zandra Rhodes

7. Olivia Palermo - Peter Pilotto

8. Alice Naylor-Leyland - Peter Pilotto

9. Jenna Coleman - Erdem

10. Bel Powley - Burberry

My Best Dressed

1. Gigi Hadid wearing Versace - The supermodel looked flawless in this silver Versace jumpsuit. The pleat detailing and train added interest to this very flattering look.

2. Annabelle Wallis wearing Alexander McQueen - This leather dress was one of my favourites from the season. This edgy LBD has the most beautiful embroidered detailing and I love that Annabelle opted for a shorter dress when most attendees opted for full-length gowns.

3. Pixie Geldof wearing Zandra Rhodes - Zandra is one of my favourite designers, so I was thrilled to see one of her stunning dresses being worn on the red carpet. We don't see her designs enough on the red carpet and Pixie wore this silk gown so well.

For more red carpet looks from this event, and many others, be sure to follow my 'Celebrity Red Carpet' board on Pinterest (details below)

Phillippa x 

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A/W 16 Trend - Quilted Puffer Jackets

This is a perfect example of a seasonal trend which is also highly practical. No other coat will keep you as warm as this one will this Fall. Dominating the runway back in March during the A/W 16 shows, the quilted puffer jacket made a huge sartorial statement. One of the great things about this trend is there are really no rules when it comes to styling. Wear with jeans or trousers for a super casual look or layer over a skirt/dress to glam up a more high fashion outfit. You can also opt to max out this trend and go for an over-the-top full length coat for ultimate impact or choose to keep things simple with a shorter version. Adding a strong pop of colour is also key to nailing this trend, but more neutral colours will allow for a more wearable look.

If you are looking to shop this trend, I have sourced the best quilted jackets from both the luxury and highstreet market in the below edit. Key luxury designers: Moncler, Stella McCartney, Acne and Key highstreet designers: Topshop, Boohoo, Joe Fresh

1. Moncler £715 / 2. Margiela £1190 / 3. Gucci £815 / 4. Topshop £70

5. Moncler £700 / 6. Perfect Moment £340 / 7. Stella McCartney £695

8. H&M £29.99 / 9. Stella McCartney £1365 / 10. Boohoo £45 / 11. Topshop £179

 12. Acne £750 / 13. Joe Fresh $39 / 14. Saint Laurent £2750 / 15. Boohoo £45

Phillippa x

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Outfit of The Month - December

One-shoulder sweaters are a huge look for Fall and I adore this nautical inspired mohair version from Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini. The waterfall ruffles add a distinct 80's vibe to the look and I love that it is a wearable, yet practical, piece. Teaming this sweater with a mid length tiered skirt from Preen by Thornton Bregazzi adds another on trend edge to the outfit. Cut from beautiful silk devore and printed with a romantic floral design, this skirt is a real wardrobe winner. The boots come courtesy of a collaboration between Stuart Weitzman and Gigi Hadid, with proceeds going to the 'Pencils of Promise' charity which builds schools in Ghana, Guatemala and Laos. Coming in 3 colours, this platinum pair are perfect for complementing the sheen of the luxe fabrics on the skirt. The Mulberry 'Clifton' bag with silver hardware toughens up this look and delicate drop earrings from Dannijo add a subtle statement. Completing the outfit is a classic trench coat from Burberry in a rich midnight blue.

Phillippa x

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