A brief post will have to do now.
One word: really?
Image source: www.thefancy.com
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
louis vuitton waffle maker...
I've been extremely busy with real life- moving from London town to lovely Cambridge this weekend!
A brief post will have to do now.
One word: really?
A brief post will have to do now.
One word: really?
Saturday, 21 July 2012
lana del rey: h&m poster girl
I love Lana Del Rey. People keep ranting about her lips and how her rich daddy's management team came up with her cool stage name, but seriously, get over it already! I absolutely adore her look and she has great style. Her music is a bit hit-and-miss for me, but I do love her performance of Video Games on Jools Holland's show. I can't wait to see the rest of the campaign photos, it's a great choice for H&M, because as much as I love Daria, it's awesome to see someone new on the posters.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
what to wear to graduation: the complete guide
Yours truly just graduated on Thursday with First Class Honours from the LSE, so yes, I do consider myself a veteran in graduation day dressing. Before I begin, there are a few things to bear in mind when you plan for the big day.
1. It will be one of the most heavily photographed days of your life, with the exception of your wedding.
2. You will be going on stage in front of hundreds of other people, albeit for a few short seconds. Your trek across the stage will possibly be broadcast onto a big silver screen as well.
3. It will most likely be an all-day event... and all-night too, if you celebrate after.
I know these pointers seem obvious, but it's a good place to start. So, from here we proceed to...
Before you decide what to wear, do some research on what your academic dress is like (the LSE one for example). Most commonly, the gowns are shapeless, black and fall all the way down to your ankles, and there is a hood thing you wear over your shoulders.
Note that these hoods are meant to be hooked onto a button so that they stay in place. The last thing you want is your hood sliding all the way down your shoulders as you stride confidently across the stage to shake your university director's hand. Hence shirts are recommended, but who would want to wear a shirt and a pencil skirt to their graduation? Shirt dresses are an alternative, and that was what I went with in the end, and after much trial and error, I settled for one with a lovely draped tulip skirt. Another choice is to use safety pins to clip the hood onto your dress, but remember your gown is borrowed before you pierce holes all over it.
Another thing to remember is that these gowns are HEAVY and can be extremely warm. It wasn't much of a problem for me because it still feels more like autumn in London right now, but if you're graduating in warmer parts of the world, make sure you go with something light.
Colour is obviously mandatory. I saw a brilliant range of colours at graduation, and you'd want to wear something other than black if you don't want to look like a shapeless sack, and you'd end up wearing your robe open most of the time. But a white and orange horizontal striped knit dress? No, no, no (true story). Keep it classic, keep it clean.
Just remember you'll be walking around the entire day and hopefully you'll arrive at a sensible conclusion as to what footwear to choose. There were some insane choices that day, including this monster and some stripper-worthy heels, but most kept to classy mid-heels, including myself. These LK Bennetts are the best investment I've made in a while.
The mortar board! The annoying piece of hatwear that I just couldn't put on right. Sadly the hat precludes the possibility of doing anything overly fancy with your hair, but you can't go wrong with a good bouncy blowdry or pretty sidebraids.
I absolutely love these ladies for hair inspiration. If I had the talent (or more hands) I'd have worn this to graduation.
Trust me, you won't have time to go running for the powder room in between the ceremony and all the photo-taking. So wear something that you're comfortable with, and something that will stay on for pretty much the whole day. Again, keep it classy, it's not a night out after all.
Obviously, you deserve lots of flowers because it's graduation! Congratulations for surviving university, off you go, it's party time!
1. It will be one of the most heavily photographed days of your life, with the exception of your wedding.
2. You will be going on stage in front of hundreds of other people, albeit for a few short seconds. Your trek across the stage will possibly be broadcast onto a big silver screen as well.
3. It will most likely be an all-day event... and all-night too, if you celebrate after.
I know these pointers seem obvious, but it's a good place to start. So, from here we proceed to...
The Dress
Before you decide what to wear, do some research on what your academic dress is like (the LSE one for example). Most commonly, the gowns are shapeless, black and fall all the way down to your ankles, and there is a hood thing you wear over your shoulders.
Note that these hoods are meant to be hooked onto a button so that they stay in place. The last thing you want is your hood sliding all the way down your shoulders as you stride confidently across the stage to shake your university director's hand. Hence shirts are recommended, but who would want to wear a shirt and a pencil skirt to their graduation? Shirt dresses are an alternative, and that was what I went with in the end, and after much trial and error, I settled for one with a lovely draped tulip skirt. Another choice is to use safety pins to clip the hood onto your dress, but remember your gown is borrowed before you pierce holes all over it.
Another thing to remember is that these gowns are HEAVY and can be extremely warm. It wasn't much of a problem for me because it still feels more like autumn in London right now, but if you're graduating in warmer parts of the world, make sure you go with something light.
Colour is obviously mandatory. I saw a brilliant range of colours at graduation, and you'd want to wear something other than black if you don't want to look like a shapeless sack, and you'd end up wearing your robe open most of the time. But a white and orange horizontal striped knit dress? No, no, no (true story). Keep it classic, keep it clean.
The Shoes
Just remember you'll be walking around the entire day and hopefully you'll arrive at a sensible conclusion as to what footwear to choose. There were some insane choices that day, including this monster and some stripper-worthy heels, but most kept to classy mid-heels, including myself. These LK Bennetts are the best investment I've made in a while.
The Hair
The mortar board! The annoying piece of hatwear that I just couldn't put on right. Sadly the hat precludes the possibility of doing anything overly fancy with your hair, but you can't go wrong with a good bouncy blowdry or pretty sidebraids.
I absolutely love these ladies for hair inspiration. If I had the talent (or more hands) I'd have worn this to graduation.
The Makeup
Trust me, you won't have time to go running for the powder room in between the ceremony and all the photo-taking. So wear something that you're comfortable with, and something that will stay on for pretty much the whole day. Again, keep it classy, it's not a night out after all.
 |
| Cos everyone loves a Nasty Gal! |
And.... The Flowers
Obviously, you deserve lots of flowers because it's graduation! Congratulations for surviving university, off you go, it's party time!
Monday, 9 July 2012
valentino, qatar and couture fall 2012
The first thing that I saw this morning when leaving the Liverpool Street tube station on the way to work was the newsflash that Valentino is in talks with the Qatari royal family for the latter to acquire the Valentino Fashion Group from private equity firm Primera.
Of course, we all remember the drama that accompanied the change in ownership in 2007, with Alessandra Fachinetti being sacked after 2 seasons despite an admirable effort to bring some youth to the maison.
Hopefully if the deal follows through, there will be much less turbulence at the creative helm, jointly held by former accessories designers, Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri. With Valentino's stamp of approval, the brand's return to profits this year and a critically successful fall 2012 couture show, they are more than likely to stay put.
Of course, we all remember the drama that accompanied the change in ownership in 2007, with Alessandra Fachinetti being sacked after 2 seasons despite an admirable effort to bring some youth to the maison.
Hopefully if the deal follows through, there will be much less turbulence at the creative helm, jointly held by former accessories designers, Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri. With Valentino's stamp of approval, the brand's return to profits this year and a critically successful fall 2012 couture show, they are more than likely to stay put.
Thursday, 5 July 2012
couture fall 2012 review: elie saab
Elie Saab isn't the most talented designer, but he does make the most heartwrenchingly beautiful dresses. The Elie Saab brand is stranded on the most elegant of inertias- we've all seen the dresses before, floor-length, simple shapes, an exceptional eye for embellishment. As long as the designer keeps on churning out these gorgeous dresses, and his clients keep buying them, the chances are he won't be pushing the envelope to propel himself to fashion greatness.
couture fall 2012 review: Christian Dior
Raf Simons is an interesting appointment to Dior. Simons' sharp sartorial architecture for Jil Sander is more than well-known, though I'm not personally a huge fan. From the brilliant, over-the-top Galliano to the rather understated Simons is, I think, a brave move on the part of Dior.
To be honest, I didn't expect to like this collection. How could anyone replace Galliano, who has produced some of the greatest couture pieces in history?
Well, Simons wouldn't. He doesn't intend to either. The first look, a sleek black pant suit, could easily slot into a Jil Sander runway show. I guess it was a clear statement that he'd be doing Dior his way. The Dior references were indeed present. There was the occasional dip into floral and bright hues, but only paired with tuxedo pants and simple silhouettes. The New Look was revived in the most amazing white organza strapless dress, 'embroidered with Pontillists degrade chiffon', a surprisingly refreshing look.
But the ultimate homage to the house of Dior was the insanely beautiful set made up of a million flowers. Cue a million sighs.
To be honest, I didn't expect to like this collection. How could anyone replace Galliano, who has produced some of the greatest couture pieces in history?
Well, Simons wouldn't. He doesn't intend to either. The first look, a sleek black pant suit, could easily slot into a Jil Sander runway show. I guess it was a clear statement that he'd be doing Dior his way. The Dior references were indeed present. There was the occasional dip into floral and bright hues, but only paired with tuxedo pants and simple silhouettes. The New Look was revived in the most amazing white organza strapless dress, 'embroidered with Pontillists degrade chiffon', a surprisingly refreshing look.
But the ultimate homage to the house of Dior was the insanely beautiful set made up of a million flowers. Cue a million sighs.
Source: Dior, www.style.com
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
couture fall 2012 review: Versace
Real life has been busy- just started interning with the marketing department at a law firm yesterday, which I think is an excellent excuse for being late on the Paris Couture Week, Fall 2012.
Let's start with Versace. I'm a big fan of the maison- Donatella knows how to design for the sexy, confident woman.
The up-to-there slits, bold prints and colours are all Versace signatures, and some dresses suggested more RTW than CTW to me. But the refinement of the beading, draping and corsetry of others certainly speaks the language of fine couture. I especially love that the thigh-high slits on evening gowns were made more subtle and feminine by clouds of opaque fabric. I would have liked to see more of the sharp and glamorous tailoring like the opening look, a beige suit jacket threaded in gold and clinched by a femme fatale belt.
The couture collection shared the limelight with the Atelier Versace Jewellery collection on the runway. The jewellery line comprises 16 hand-sculpted rings mounted with a range of precious stones, and Donatella has sparkling big plans for the future- the chief executive of Versace has announced the brand's intention to launch standalone stores for the Atelier Versace Jewellery.
My only critique? The shoes. The straps are awkward and would look extremely unflattering on normal-sized calves. But I'll choose to turn a blind eye to them.
Let's start with Versace. I'm a big fan of the maison- Donatella knows how to design for the sexy, confident woman.
The up-to-there slits, bold prints and colours are all Versace signatures, and some dresses suggested more RTW than CTW to me. But the refinement of the beading, draping and corsetry of others certainly speaks the language of fine couture. I especially love that the thigh-high slits on evening gowns were made more subtle and feminine by clouds of opaque fabric. I would have liked to see more of the sharp and glamorous tailoring like the opening look, a beige suit jacket threaded in gold and clinched by a femme fatale belt.
The couture collection shared the limelight with the Atelier Versace Jewellery collection on the runway. The jewellery line comprises 16 hand-sculpted rings mounted with a range of precious stones, and Donatella has sparkling big plans for the future- the chief executive of Versace has announced the brand's intention to launch standalone stores for the Atelier Versace Jewellery.
My only critique? The shoes. The straps are awkward and would look extremely unflattering on normal-sized calves. But I'll choose to turn a blind eye to them.
Image source: www.style.com
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