Foxy fur and film noir for fall '11 at Gucci

Every single season there is always one trend that makes me say "really...?" and this one was no different, I was definitely having trouble coming to terms with this whole seventies vibe. That was until I saw the Gucci fall '11 in which Frida Giannini had matched the seventies trend seamlessly with a forties edge.

The old school glamour, decadence and opulent immediately had me hook, line and sinker. Vampish fur and film noir-esque silhouettes in emerald, mustard, ruby and turquoise all added to the luxe and seduction. And of course all the pieces were complimented with Gucci's signature sexed-up skin tight leather, crocodile and lizard skin.

And according to Giannini our very own Florence Welsh was the inspiration for the collection. “She influenced me in this kind of lightness and the colors, her red hair and her energy,” Giannini said backstage after the show. A starlet in the making.

Who are Belle Sauvage and where can I get them?

I stumbled across these guys whilst browsing my 'who to follow' suggestions on Twitter and only have one word -

WOW.

Why these guys aren't yet a house hold name I do not know but I think it is only a matter of time. I fell in love with their space age prints and unique shapes the moment I saw them, all projected onto jumpsuits, capes, iPhones, you name it.

Launched in 2008 and stocked globally, Belle Sauvage count Lady Gaga, Kelly Osbourne and Katy Perry amongst their fans. Virginia Ferreira and Christian Neuman, the designers behind the label work in perfectly together combining Chris' vivid digital prints and Virginia's sculptural silhouettes. It is this fresh look which immediately attracts your attention and has since become their trademark aesthetic.

Find out more here

Shop here

If I had £2133 in my pocket...

I would be wearing the following

Light peach edie shirt from Mulberry at My Wardrobe

Oak loafer high heel from Mulberry at My Wardrobe

Skinny patchwork leather and stretch-crepe pants from Preen Line at Net a Porter

Optical acetate glasses from Linda Farrow Luxe at Net a Porter

Happy large python wallet from Lanvin at Net a Porter

A Cult Classic of British Fashion

Ever since I came to London, in fact before I came to London, I have had my eye firmly on kooky jewellery brand Tatty Devine - named one of the "coolest brands in the world" by Dazed & Confused magazine.

Set up by two artists - Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden - the brand has gone from strength to strength, loved by the press, pop stars and public alike. Go into any high street store today and you will see at least one Tatty Devine 'inspired' piece in every jewellery collection. Always ahead of the game they were one of the first retailers to open on Brick Lane - back when it was really cool.

Today they are stocked globally and understandably massive in Japan - fitting in perfectly with the unique sense of style over there. Something that has kept me a loyal and faithful Tatty devotee is that their price point has remained reasonable even when they have expanded. Sure they do slightly more expensive collaborations for the like of Mrs Jones but you can still pick up a birthday present for £20.

Although always very current, their pieces are also timeless. Tatty is one of those brands that everyone loves, mostly because in their own words, they have "always been motivated by fun."

Prism Light Earrings £33

Glasses Necklace £33

Egyptian Pharaoh Brooch £42

Items and many more available at tattydevine.com

Paper Girl

So Debbie Harry - where to start?

You could start with the fact she was in one of the most legendary bands of the punk rock/new wave era - the ever so aptly named Blondie, whose hits still ring out across a plethora of dance floors today.

Or that she is so totally hot and a real style icon - especially kicking ass in the movie Spun.

Or you could mention the fact that she was in fact a Playboy Bunny and regular at Studio 54.

My favourite though is that she has had not one but two paper dolls made in her honour. Maybe you guys even know of a third?

Available now at Webshots and I Love Mel.

Love Animal Music Baby

Regular readers of the blog will know how much I love Gwen Stefani (swoon) so I am delighted to showcase some animalfantastic pieces from her latest L.A.M.B collection - her very own flirty rocker label for those of you that don't know...

L.A.M.B is defined by Gwen's innate sense of style which often features a playful juxtaposition between classic Hollywood movie star glamour and casual street influences, and this collection is no different. A mixture of vintage inspiration mashed up with futuristic elements. In her own words "L.A.M.B just keeps on getting better every season" and I totally agree.

Ladies? Nasty boys don't mean a thing.

I don't know about you but I always find that you get the best vintage Stateside. So let me introduce you to one of my favourite e-shops - Nasty Gal.  They offer desirable and coveted vintage clothing along with new designer pieces. And not the kind of vintage you find littering the rails at your local vintage shop - this is stuff that doesn't smell and stuff that you actual would buy new.

Perfect I hear you say? Wouldn't it only be perfect if it was also affordable? Well guess what - it is.

All of Nasty Gal's vintage pieces are handpicked and each unique, with an individual history specific to the piece - each having a personality. All buys are also tailored each season to satisfy runway trends and often ahead of the game—offering not only just what the fashion doctor ordered, but a truly unique item that won't be found elsewhere.

In her own words Sophia Amoruso has been combing the racks, pressing the pleats, and snapping the shutter for Nasty Gal since its inception. The clever styling tactics and photography style is something that Nasty Gal is known for. In her free time, Sophia enjoys a good Salade Nicoise, a sturdy pair of platforms, and twirling around the studio every so often while blasting disco.

Loving their Dynastyesque offering at the moment...

Tadashi Rhinestone Blazer available here at £105

Pueblo Suede Vest available here at £48

Gonzo at the beach

Now I am not one for bigging up Alexa Chung - purely down to the fact I just think she is a little contrived however for those of you that know me, I simply couldn't resist the plam tree nail art she has been showing off at New York fashion week.

A nod to summer with a simple white background, I am making my appointment at Wah Nails immediately...

The return of the slogan tee

 

A friend gave me a Zoe Karssen t-shirt recently and I have to say I have fallen head over heels with the brand. Their latest collection 'Rock and Rule' is inspired by various icons from the music and fashion industries such as Alison Mosshart and Blondie with 'easy to wear tongue in cheek graphics for the cool girls in town'. She has also added three extra base colours to the collection this time around - black, grey marl and navy, with white making the offering four options in total. So simple it hurts - and looks fantastic.  

This season’s imagery was the result of a collaboration between Jolijn Snijders and Zoe. Casting models with imperfect beauty, Jolijn Snijder’s photographs exude sensuality but also have a feeling of risk, the perfect match for the Zoe Karssen brand.

The 'diamonds are a girls best friend tee' has been released as an exclusive to Matches and is available here.

Sweet Home Alabama

It's got to that period in my life when I get just as excited about homeware as I do about a trip to Topshop or buying a new CD.

Thank god that Diane von Furstenberg has just realised a playful home collection that makes those of us at this age still feel a little 'with it'.

Now I just need to buy a home to put it all in.

Get yours here

It's gonna be a party y'all

Cult L.A brand Wildfox has the ability to make the rest of us feel like it's a summers day in California even if its cold, raining and there is a tube strike on in London.

Get your hands on Wildfox S/S 11 here.

Do it like a dude

I come across pictures like this and I can only dream of the power wearing this footwear offers.

Not only am I too tall to wear such beauties everyday but heels like this just cripple me. Ok so they would cripple most people but even a kitten high is often a push for me. Not only do they not work with my lifestyle of carrying laptops and hauling heavy bags around but to get real stablity out of a pair of heels you have to invest - so yes that is my purse you can hear sobbing quietly from my bag.

So you see my point, although I have gay friends that profess there is no excuse for flats, heels are just not practical. But then fashion never is.

Feet friendly black boots by Surface to Air at Net a Porter £305

To Trench or not to Trench?

It's got to that time of year when you can almost feel the sun waiting around the corner - ready to remind you of what it feels like to ease gracefully out of bed every morning whilst butterflies, baby deer and other woodland creatures flutter around your dressing table like Sandy in Grease  and everything is right with the world. Nothing like the harsh reality of cowering in your bed in the pitch black not daring to poke even a toe out of the covers.

So this leaves me with every girls dilemma - what outerwear is going take me from my heafty winter coat to my light summer leather jacket? Normally I just skip this middle phase, inevitably shivering or sweating as I get it wrong. But this year I feel a little older and a littler wiser and I think it's time to get myself a trench - the perfect solution to these troubling times.

Now all that's left is to decide how much to invest in this key piece - I know what my head is saying but my heart might just win over.

Women's long trench coat at Uniqlo £69.99

Franca multistitch raincoat at Aquascutum £270

Cotton satin double breasted trench coat at Burberry £995

Foxie Roxie

Now imagine my delight when my boyfriend emailed me yesterday to ask what bra size I was. Immediately I rebuked him for 'wasting his money' but he then assured me this was for 'future reference.' He is not to blame of course for not knowing as we all know no one lingerie brand size is never the same as another plus you have to factor my weight going up and down like a yo yo depending on which diet/detox/exercise regime I'm on that week or if I've been out partying all weekend. But back to the point - secretly I was hoping and wishing that he just might be looking at the new Agent Provocateur range. And perhaps even praying that his eyes had settled on the new Roxie range.

I mean the name Roxy alone has connotations in my book but to swap it for the ever so sexy ie? You've got me sold. And hopefully my Valentine...

Available at Agent Provocateur starting at £45

Color is crucial in painting, but it is very hard to talk about...

So I don't know about you but I find these recurring safari/floral/whatever trends that we get shoved down our necks by every magazine 'summer trend' report going, very boring. Thank god then this year for a bit of colour. Especially on these still long dark days. The sun is coming though, I can feel it.

What better way to bring it out than a little retail therapy rain dance?

Best not worn all at once.

Purple platforms by Marni at Net a Porter £365

Green bra by Stella McCartney at Net a Porter £65

Pink dress by Mara Hoffman at Net a Porter £235

Yellow knickers by Deborah Marquit at Net a Porter £95