Wishing Away April

Roll on May
Life is far, far too precious to wish away and I would hate to waste a second of it, but if I could just fast forward it a little to mid - May that would be excellent ...

What's so special about May you ask? Well in May not only will all my work be handed in but I will get a lovely little dosage of student loan to see me through the long, lazy summer. (Before anyone starts hating on students and how we 'waste' tax payers money on our frivolities - my long hours slogging away at Gap and Sports Direct heavily supplement this loan so don't worry!)

Anyway, when I get my loan and all my overtime from the Easter holidays, I plan to stuff my wardrobe silly with gorgeous new summer purchases. And as I won't be chained to the library anymore I will actually be able to show them off. Here's just a few items on my wish list ... (and no I don't care that by the time I pay my rent, phone bill, water bill and credit card I will realistically only have enough for a brief spree in Primark - a girl can dream can't she?)

Stripes

Nautical clothing marks the arrival of warmer weather, so I plan to celebrate the sun in stripes.

Playsuit: Missguided

Quite possibly the best summer dress ever: Motel (available with Topshop)
Can you say longevity?

Ethical Tees
Also on my wish list, is one of these organic fair trade tees brought to my attention by The Guardian's Fashion Statement (of which I am a devout follower). Ethical clothing is big news at the moment which to be honest I think is long over-due: it will be nice to make a purchase with only the personal guilt of my battered bank balance and not of social responsibilities as well.

The T-shirts are the love child of Collective (fair trade clothing company) and the late photographer Bob Carlos Clarke and The Little Black Gallery. I actually cannot wait - I will have to though, as I can't find the date or location of launch just yet, but my point is I am very excited!

Espadrilles
While I'm here I'd like to give a little ode to espadrilles. I myself cannot wear them because I just look plain wierd and I have a sneaky feeling that they make my feet look the size of a canal boat. But for those of you who can wear them - enjoy - because they are quirky cool (in both the temperature and slang sense of the word) and comfortable. Plus they go with dresses, skirts, shorts, chinos, carrots, jeans ... (point made?)

New Look has a really good range of espadrilles in a few colours and patterns. The 2 for £10 offer is finished but at only £6.99 they're still a bargain. Here's a couple of example espis ...

Or why not push the boat out and get heeled espis like these Topshop ones:

Blouses

And last but not least I will for sure be buying blouse of two. Chiffons shirts are pretty and girlie. They are great for summer because they are nice and breezy. I already own a grey Gap one (pictured below teamed with a leather Zara skirt, Topshop bag and New Look wedges - (ignore the ridiculous facial expression).

me and shaunna

But now that it's nearly summer, I think a few sleeveless ones are in order. And the best bit? If your body isn't 'beach ready' yet, then they flow brilliantly over any excess lumps and bumps that you don't feel like showing off.

Pussybow: Topshop

Horsey: Republic

And here's another long sleeved one just in case, because let's be honest, British summer doesn't necessarily mean sun

L/S: Desire Clothing

I'll let you know if I actually manage to make any of these fantasy purchases!

xxx

Keep It High

I've noticed recently that a lot of mags have been picking up on the high top trend, despite it having been around for a long time now. Going from chav to chep, a lust for high tops was a natural and welcome progression from my pink air forces. Here's my ode to all things high ...



so cute but could be higher

Above: One of Elle's best buys of the week by Spring Court found in The Goodhood Store £97

Also by Spring Court ...

proof that a bit of leopard print makes everything better

Candy Colours:

sweet enough to eat

BURST of COLOUR

Tell me this is not the coolest footwear you've ever seen in you're life?





Just admit that ...

Inspired by Glamour's "Hey, it's ok if"

• You encourage you're friends to eat/shop/drink more so that you don't feel so bad about doing it
• You 'give up' smoking/drinking every time you run out of money but start again the second you get paid
• The first thing you open when you get to work/uni is facebook followed closely by twitter
• You only got twitter because everyone else did, even after swearing you never would
• You said the same thing about facebook ...
• You agree with you're girl friend when she's arguing with her boyfriend, even if she's being a complete psycho: "How dare he ask you if he can go out for the second time this month? No it doesn't matter if it's his sister. He's being an absolute prick babe."
• You still haven't reeeally learnt you're limit with alcohol ...
• Or you've learnt it but regularly exceed it anyway
• You still watch disney
• When you're on you're period, homicide becomes a rationale option: "Yes but judge, he asked me if I'd put on weight."
• You haven't had any fruit or veg for 3 days - apart from the grapes that you're pinot is made out of
• When you watch one born every minute you feel a little bit angry towards men
• You've run out of things to sell ... other than you're body ...
• And that's becoming tempting
• You never end up making that really expensive, really beautiful purchase because you feel bad but end up spending the same amount of cash on 3 cheaper, uglier items a months worth of Boots meal deals and 6 bottles of wine

AbiLu Creations

Allow me to introduce you to my new jewellery crush and boss AbiLu Creations. Abi's designs are so up my street, I can't even tell you. Cute, quirky, and quintessentially British.

New to the jewellery making business, Abi has had more than a warn welcome, with Diana Vickers and Paloma Faith already big fans of her stuff: Diana requested a custom made hair piece for her UK tour and Paloma, always a fan of putting random objects on her head wore a a peacock feather fascinator, made especially for her by AbiLu.

All Abi's pieces are handmade and if you want something you can request a custom made piece. Here are some of my favourite pieces picked out by me and my house mates.

Some of these charming necklaces to feed your inner Brit eccentric?

Abi's stuff can appeal to the rock chicks amongst us with a quirky plectrum pendants or an ode to rock&roll

Aside from the rocky vintage feel that so many people have already fallen for, Abi's jewellery has a soft side with pretty girlie pieces

Charming charm braclets

How about a 'summer loving' charm necklace for all you festival go-ers this year ...

In fact, speaking of festivals AbiLu will be selling her vintage inspired pieces at several festivals this summer: full list coming soon.

If you can't wait till summer, please feel free to take a look at Abi's website and order online now!

http://www.abilucreations.com/index.htm

And finally, here's a birdcage to wet your accessories appetite just a little more - it's random and I love it. It would have offended my inner - fashionista not to feature this little beaut



AbiLu Creations is also available at Camden Lock Market and selected Debenhams

Harajuku Heaven

Always a fan of anything extravagant, it's no surprise that I am a bit of a harajuku groupie. My own accessories collection is full of unnecessarily big bows and loud patterned tights and leggings. Some call it tacky. I call it art.

In the early 1980s, independant shops began to spring up in the Harajuku district of Tokyo and the area became popular for students and young people. Today it is one of the most vibrant representations of youth culture in the world.

Could I get those shorts delivered to my wardrobe asap?
(Tokyo Girls Collection)

Japanese street style is full of fun, harajuku girls are fearless, there's no such thing as clashing, only experimentation and for that I salute them.

Here are pictures from a recent Tokyo Girls Collection show:

http://tokyofashion.com/tokyo-girls-collection-pictures-2011-fashion-brands/

Celebs like Lady Gaga, everyone's favourite 'harajuku barbie' Miss Minaj take inspiration from these crazy girls, for example ...

The Bow

Below is Gaga, in her tamer days, with the infamous hair bow; these days she just puts any old thing on her head, cute or not. Below that is Nicki Minaj with just one of her many hair colours. Conventional hair colours appear to be frowned upon in the Minaj/Harajuku world. Any 'normal' hair colours will need to be supplemented with over-sized hair accessories or an extra extravagant outfit.





                                                                                                                                                                                                              

  

Gwen Steffani used to carry round little troups of Harajuku girls and paid homage to them in videos like Hollaback Girl. The group, who actually call themselves the Harajuku Girls were originally hired as back up dancers but then became like a mini entourage, accompanying her everywhere she went. Note to Gwen: they may be small and fashionable but they are people not accessories.

Gwen and her Harajuku Girls

I'm such a fan of this style because it is innocent and fun rather than in your face sex appeal or try-hard sophistication. Childlike aspects are mixed with crazy quirks to create totally original looks with every outfit. They definitely do not dress for men, or fit in to the pretentious Western fashion industry: they dress for the love of fun and the love of fashion; two things that mix beautifully.

OFW 2011 - The Article

Here's the article I wrote for the Oxford Journal, a cut down version will appear in the paper and online at http://www.oxfordjournal.co.uk/

Last Monday, the events for the third Oxford Fashion Week (OFW) kicked off with exclusive late night shopping at some of the best high street retailers including Gap, French Connection and Reiss.

Guest were treated to a taster of what the rest of the week had in store, which included fashion debates, boutiques, a photography exhibition and a whole host of glamorous shows including the renowned Couture show, drawing guests and press from all over Oxford and the country. This year’s fashion celebrations have been the biggest and best yet, with the week still in it’s infancy, it seems to expand and excel each year.

The face of OFW 2011, stunning 19 year old Emma Appleton, from Witney, told the Journal how excited she was to be a part of the week: “I got cast for the lingerie show last year and loved it,” so naturally she was thrilled when she was chosen out of hundreds of hopefuls to front the whole week.

The events took place in a range of landmark venues around the city including The Regal, the O3 Gallery, and The Living Room, concluding on Saturday at the prestigious Oxford Examination Schools, which was the perfect backdrop for the theatrical Couture Show. Models swayed down the run way in breath-taking gowns and striking Cruella-like black lipstick, all to a fitting dark and moody soundtrack. Hair and makeup for the week was provided by London Muse Makeup and Mahogany Hair.

Designer Emelia Penny, who showcased pieces from her feminine, vintage inspired range La La Loula, in the lingerie show at Malmaison said: “I think it’s a really good platform for young designers, I’m only 20 myself. It’s really good for Oxford and the community here, and anyone interested in fashion.”

Although the main body of the week is over, any fashionistas still hungry for a taste of the action, will be pleased to know that there are 2 more events due to take place over the coming weeks, in the form of The Ethical Fashion Gig  on March 17th and The Oxford Style Show on March 19th. For more information visit the official website at this address: http://www.oxfordfashionweek.co.uk/home

The creative director and co-founder of the week Carl Anglim, who announced that this year would be his final, has been key part of OFWs phenomenal growth since the start of the project in 2009; it can now boast 18 events, 25 partners and thousands of attendees. “Creating and leading Oxford Fashion Week has been an incredible experience. I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of fantastically passionate and hard-working people.” Carl feels humbled by the amount of support that OFW has received and has no doubt that the week will continue to flourish, “I will be setting up the team that will take Oxford Fashion Week forward and there is still so much space for it to grow; what is clear is that Oxford Fashion Week has really only just begun."

Oxford Fashion Week - The Couture Show

And here's the one you've all been waiting for ...

When I was taking notes at Oxford Fashion Week's Couture Show all that would come out of my pen was 'stunning ... stunning ... stunning.' Even now I think it is the most fitting word to describe the evening, but I will try to elaborate.

When I arrived at the Oxford Exam Schools, the venue alone was breath-taking, more like a castle than part of a university. Once I had hung my coat I was greeted by OFW's seemingly never ending supply of champagne and canapes. Press, designers, organisers and guest socialised for well over two hours, despite the reception being only intended to last an hour. One of the organisers joked in an announcement that they had over ordered on champagne, so that we would be forced to stay to drink it before the show could begin.

live music was played for guests while they waited

As the time approached half nine, two of the organisers, Alyx Barker and Erin Berman (pictured below) assured me that it would be worth the wait. At this point, after a long week of late nights, I was beginning to become sceptical. But as the show finally began, any feelings of doubt were replaced with awe as the first model walked down the runway.

Alyx (left) and Erin

The striking black lipstick, combined with moody, mysterious music, and the historic hall with it's vast ceilings created a dark Narnia-esqu feel. The models walked with a sense of regality like evil ice queens. Later the tone change slightly, still regal but less dark, the lipstick changing to a bold red to reflect this.

The dresses themselves were quite literally magical, fit for princesses and after a while the crowd began to clap for every creation.

The model in the link below looked like a mermaid: the gown's elaborate beading and colourful green-hued ruffels, shimmered like scales with each step she took

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5505448681/in/set-72157626089707877/

As an aspiring fashion journalist, it would be almost illegal to overlook this big colbat blue ball of fantasticness that strutted down the runway

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5506039214/in/set-72157626089707877/

And for every girl who ever wanted to be a princess: this dress is for you

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5505457815/in/set-72157626089707877/

The night, like the rest of the week was a complete success, ending with speeches and a charity auction that included several exclusive pieces including an Alexander McQueen, yes Alexander McQueen, clutch.

me before the show

Annie, an Art History student from Bulgaria

team members of OFW injecting some colour into the black tie event

Viv Whelan, pictured here in one of her own designs, designed pieces for OFW and also appeared on 2008's Project Catwalk

an organiser of OFW: <3 her outfit



The Oxford University Jazz Orchestra