Accessories Trend - Beaded Bags

As of late, there's been an increasingly popular trend for unique, and some would say impractical handbags. Whilst a classic leather tote will always be a wardrobe staple, various different fabrications have come into play recently. Clear plastic bags have been popular (note what I was saying about impracticality) but more so beaded bags have come out as the winner. Inspired by vintage designs from the 1960's, these beaded bags come with nostalgic throwbacks and they are above all else, super cute! Sure they are fun, colourful and on trend but don't expect to be carrying many items with you. - there'll only be room to carry the essentials. If you like to have fun with your sartorial choices, and are quite happy to get onboard with short term trends, then beaded bags could be your go to accessories choice for summer 2019. The playful aesthetic, coupled with a bright colour palette and quirky motifs, would be a great fit for girls who like to inject light-hearted fun into their outfits.

1. Topshop £25

2. Delduca £617

3. Staud £195

4. Rosantica £190

5. Skinny Dip £32

6. Loeffler Randall £255

7. Susan Alexandra £274

8. New Look £25.99

9. Shrimps £440

Phillippa x

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Fashion Q&A

What is the oldest item in your wardrobe?

Mulberry handbag from the early 00's

What is the newest item?

Stella McCartney x Adidas running jacket

Most expensive item?

Balmain skirt, purchased in a sample sale

What was the biggest bargain?

Burberry lambskin leather jacket. £130 in a designer consignment store. The owner kept referring to it as a Barbour jacket and I realised she had somehow got MAJORLY confused between the two brands. These leather jackets retail at over £2000 - bargain of the century right there!

Cheapest item you wear the most?

Green a-line mini skirt. Purchased in a Housing Works thrift store in NYC for $2.50 - it still fits like a dream, even though I bought it in 2012

Most treasured item?

A gorgeous pink coat from Milly. Gifted by the brand at the end of a 3 month internship

Favourite model?

Gemma Ward - she was on the front cover of the first Vogue magazine I ever bought (August 2005). She was wearing a Missoni dress and the editorial was called 'Seduced by the Dark Side' and it was shot by Mario Testino. I still have my copy!

Favourite designer brands?
Louis Vuitton, Prabal Gurung, Mary Katrantzou, Sies Marjan

Favourite everyday brands?

Anine Bing, Isabel Marant, Iro, The Kooples, Reformation, Realisation, Rockins, Rag & Bone

Brands to keep on your radar?
Calvin Luo, Orseund Iris, Rixo, Matty Bovan, Tomo Koizumi, ALEXACHUNG

Favourite sunglasses brand?

Elizabeth & James, Andy Wolf

Favourite scarf brand?
Rockins

Favourite jewellery brand?
Missoma, Foundrae

Favourite shoe brand?

In an ideal world i'd be wearing Chloe and Saint Laurent...but thankfully Office do some great designer dupes and they also have great sale reductions

Best celebrity red carpet style?

Margot Robbie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Item you would love to own?
Anything vintage by: Zandra Rhodes, Celia Birtwell, Emilio Pucci, Mary Quant

Phillippa x

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Fall 19 Eyewear Trend - Yellow Lens

Trend - It's not so mellow yellow for Fall 19 with yellow tinted lens sunnies being a major hit on the runway. 'Sunshine Yellow' was a key colour callout from this past fashion month, with countless designers playing with sunshine hues and that colour trend seamlessly crossed over into eyewear. One of the best things to note with this trend, is that the shape and style of the eyewear plays second fiddle. It's almost irrelevant whether you want to opt for: classic aviators, fashion metals, shields or slim frames  - it's the colour that matters the most. In essence meaning that this trend can suit everyone, as you can still wear a style that suits you. We also saw 70's design references coming through on the runway, and yellow tinted sunglasses do have a vintage feel to them (think Johnny Depp's infamous yellow aviators in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas').  This look has already been adopted by models and street style influencers alike. Notable wearers include: Bella Hadid, Vittoria Ceretti, Caro Daur, Gigi Hadid, Shay Mitchell and Chiara Ferragni.

Styling - Sunglasses such as these are going to do all the talking, and be the focal point of your look, so keep the rest of your outfit tailored and paired down - black, grey and navy are great combination colours for yellow. Yellow tinted lenses also make for a great option for festivals, so if you are hitting up Coachella or Glastonbury these could be your go-to sunglasses of choice.

A/W 19 Key Designers - Michael Kors (oversized topbar aviator), Self-Portrait (large fashion metal), Fendi (d-frame), Gucci (extreme cateye and small metals)

If you love eyewear as much as I do, be sure to follow my 'Eyewear' board over on my Pinterest (details below). I post all the best eyewear from the catwalk and independent brands.

Phillippa x

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Twitter - @phillippa22

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AW19 Trend: It's All In The Name, Branding

We've long seen brands splashing their branding across apparel, for some it is their signature style -  think Supreme and Superdry for reference. A logo and strong branding can make or break a brand, becoming recognisable world over and being worn like a badge of honour by the wearer...a sort of status symbol if you will. And whilst some brands have quite literally made their mark through this type of branding, many luxury and fast-fashion retailers have steered clear of it, opting instead for producing collections based on ever changing seasonal trends. However this season, there has been a shift. Countless designer and high-street brands have been emblazoning their brand name across t-shirts and sweatshirts, something which we haven't really seen on this scale before from typically more trend driven retailers. On a recent comp shop along Oxford Street, I lost count of the number of brands who were proudly displaying their branded wares on mannequins - Zara, Mango and River Island to name but a few. Typically with branding, it opens up a whole world of marketing opportunities especially with luxury brands. Whilst the average consumer is unlikely to be able to afford a Versace dress, they could perhaps save and push the boat out and purchase a Versace branded tee at around the £200 price mark. For many this purchase would still be considered a 'splurge' but it allows the consumer to tap into the market of their favourite designer and feel 'on brand'. So it's quite surprising that lower price point high-street retailers have been getting in on the action too. Typically the average high-street consumer is not as loyal when it comes to shopping, opting for which store has the best version of the catwalk trends rather than having brand loyalty for quality or brand ethos. I'm not too sure if wearing a Zara branded t-shirt carries quite the same kudos as a Balenciaga branded one, but where the catwalk leads the high-street will follow and that is what we have seen this season. Also good to note, is that this trend has very recently been seen on the catwalk at NYFW, for Fall 19, proving it shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Calvin Luo and the wonderful Rodarte both showcased runway pieces with their brand name strewn all over in inventive fonts and graphic patterns.

1. Long-sleeved jersey top - Balenciaga £445

2. Black t-shirt - Zara £12.99

3. White t-shirt - Desigual £44

4. Long-sleeved cropped jersey - River Island £14

5. Black t-shirt - Burberry £220

Phillippa x

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Twitter - @Phillippa22

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Spring Soundtrack

The Walker - Christine and the Queens

Hollow Days by Twin Shadow

No Longer Making Time by Slowdive

Kind and Generous by Natalie Merchant

Yes by Chromatics (Symmetry remix)
Fortress by Lennon Stella
My Sweet Lord by George Harrison

For Sarah by Tourist

Mile High by James Blake ft Travis Scott and Metro Boomin

Seashells by Part Time
Wide Awake by Katy Perry

No Stranger by Small Black

Mr Noah by Panda Bear
It's Not Living If It's Not With You by The 1975
Ripples by Ian Brown
Silver by Caribou

Paint Me Silver by Pond

Skies The Limit by Fleetwood Mac

Nobody Compares To You by Gryffin
You Get What You Give by New Radicals
Black Rainbows by Cut Copy
The Best Day by Taylor Swift
Staralfur by Sigur Ros

Phillippa x

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Twitter - @phillippa22

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Outfit of The Month - March

I've been lusting after a Reformation dress for a long time now, and then I spotted this polka dot tea dress - and it was love at first sight. The cut, fabrication and length are all exactly what I look for, so this one is perfect for me. I wanted to keep the look tonal, so I have opted for black accessories. This stonewashed black denim jacket, from Goldsign, is the perfect addition to anyone's Spring wardrobe. The cropped style, and relaxed fit, make it a super casual piece which you can easily 'throw' on over pretty much any outfit for a laid back vibe. The hat is from my favourite brand, Rockins. I'm a huge fan of their silk scarves and this season they have been styled on some seriously cool baker boy caps, which will inevitably give your outfit some major kudos! The past few seasons Saint Laurent have gone big on the 'Western' trend, when it comes to footwear at least. The style I have teamed this look with, are the 'Niki wedge boot'. I adore the structured cone shaped heel, it just puts a unique twist on a classic pair of black boots. The iconic Balenciaga 'City' tote completes the look. I've been coveting this bag since it was released in the early noughties. Usually when a handbag reaches 'IT' bag status, i'm completely over it but my love of the Balenciaga 'City' has never wavered.

Phillippa x

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Twitter - @phillippa22

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