A magpies dream; BaubleBar

You know those suggested pages that Facebook keeps throwing out on your timeline, well mine are usually for Cypriot property developers, holidays abroad and some wonderful beauty cream that has goodness knows what benefits since i'm to bored to google translate from Greek. And then one day, one actually caught my eye for all the right reasons.....because it was about beautiful shiny things like statement necklaces and earrings (not that I wear earrings but you get my point). The name is BaubleBar and they are a fantastic New York based jewellery business. 

Ever since I have spent hours gazing through the pages and pages of wonderful creations, wishing that I lived in New York so I could go visit their showroom and gaze in person. They do ship internationally, but the countries are limited and this little island did not make the list. Which kind of works out well for my bank balance huh!

That doesn't mean I cant spend the hours browsing their website without any real purpose. Although this blog post is my sole reasoning behind said hours wasted on the internet. But when the necklaces are this good, who can judge.

Emerald Palm Bib $48

Pastel Feather Bib $36

Amber Renaissance Collar $42

Torch Blossom Bib $36

Alaqua Bib $36

Pink Phoenix Necklace $36

Find their full collection of necklaces, rings and bracelets at their shiny website here, and be prepared to loose a few hours of your day!

Autumn Style

So it turns out that I like the colder seasons more than I thought. Maybe that has something to do with the several sweaty years I have spent on this sunshine island. Or maybe it is just a case of wanting want you can't have. But this expat girl wants skinny printed trousers, jumpers, wintery dresses and cute shoe boots. Unfortunately the weather is more fit for sandals, cropped trousers and t shirts. 

And the new collections in-store at Zara are teasing me to no end. I am lusting after so many items right now that I have mentally spent next months paycheck. I can live off bread and cheese for one month right!?

The Trouser

The Dress

The Top

The Boots

all items from Zara

fashion education

It has been a long time since I wrote about fashion.

Which, thinking about it, is quite odd since it is my roots. It is where I started. I guess the whole expat side of my life on this sunny island took over a little. Apologies if any of you couldn't give two hoots about fashion. But I am kinda excited to tap away at my laptop about this one. And you never know, maybe this will interest more of you than you thought. 

Fashion. A perpetual minefield of controversy, culture and couture. Yes fashion is pretty clothes, brightly lit runways and glossy magazines. Yes, people think it is superficial, materialistic and I guess sometimes vulgar. And yes fashion is an influential industry.

But I think fashion is seriously misunderstood. I guess that is easy for me to say since I studied it. My Writing Fashion and Culture degree taught me to write, taught me the sociological theories behind fashion and taught me the practicalities of the fashion industry from photography to photoshop editing.

So I was over-the-moon to read this article about a new initiative from British Vogue editor Alexandra Schulman. She wants to educate young girls about the tricks the fashion industry uses. She wants the 10-minute film to highlight the process of a creating a fashion image, from make-up, to shoot, to post-shoot editing, to magazine. The film will be sent out to 1000 schools in the UK.

Ms Shulman told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "The idea was to try and demonstrate all of the skill and resources that go into making a fashion image, so young girls can see clearly how the model is changed by Vogue magazine."

I think this is a good step forward because the fashion industry for me is a very misunderstood place. People assume the industry is a negative place and has nothing but a negative effect, but if you start to dig a little deeper and understand the foundations of fashion, you will see it is more than pretty clothes and airbrushed magazine covers. I guess Meryl Streep says it best in The Devil Wears Prada.

black friday

excuse the weird look of my hands....I never know what to do with them in photographs.

I should know better by now. Over two years in Cyprus and I still haven't learnt that black at this time of the year is a big NO NO.  I thought the maxi skirt would be a good option as temperatures reach nearly 40. But black was not my smartest move. Black friday has pushed me into this post. 

So what should one wear for Mediterranean climates?

White/Light colours. 

Anything loose and flowing

Dresses/Skirts/Shorts 

Slouchy t-shirts/vests. 

Flip flops (my best friends come summer)

Other essentials include an adequate selection of swimwear is a must when your weekends are spent by the sea or a pool, preferably the mix and match kind so the options are endless. Sunglasses are also a must unless you don't mind being blinded by the sun and walking into lamp-posts. And a hat (which I learnt the hard way after several burnt scalp and dizzy-too-much-sun scenarios) should also be on your list. 

when Primark met ASOS

I had heard a rumor from a friend "in the know" shall we say, that ASOS were going to start stocking Primark. Yes you read that right. 

Primark, the UK high streets, somewhat bottom line brand that has caused controversy yet maintained a huge appeal due to its affordability, has now joined the fashion holy grail that is  ASOS. 

The offering is pretty small with just 25 pieces, but I guess it's a starting collection and will grow depending on how it is received by the ASOS crowd. They have, however, covered all bases with the Primark must haves; skinny jeans, denim shorts and shirts, printed T-shirts and dresses. No accessories just yet ladies but let's wait and see what the future holds. 

In the meantime head on over to ASOS to find a little piece of Primark waiting just for you. 

men & style

With the impending nuptials of our closets friends in Cyprus, I have been thinking of outfits for months and months. And now mine is coming together, it is time to turn our efforts towards the boyfriend.

When it comes to style, my boyfriend has oodles. Well, its kind of a prerequisite when your a visual merchandiser for Adidas. Even before that, when we were living in London, he would always bring home these obscure and cool underground street style brands; it is just one of his passions. 

However when it comes to formal attire it's a bit more of a minefield. I mean, he has worn the same Zara suit to every wedding, christening and semi formal occasion for the past 4 years. So its about time to invest in an update. 

And where better to seek inspiration than the internet. 

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LONDON fashion week favourites.

So I didn't experience the glory of garments up close and personal at said LONDON FASHION WEEK, however with live screenings galore I had a front row seat for all the fashion action! Favourite is a strong and selective word which seems to invoke the idea that the leftover pickings were not like-able. Implausible surely that London has nothing but fantastic fashion to offer up in its contemporary, classic and edgy nature. Contradictory words I know, but somehow London's host of fashion frontiers seem to effortlessly [although having worked with a British designer before I know it certainly is not effort-LESS!] combine contemporary edge and classic style season after season [the debate of the classical will follow later]. So without further ado, I have compiled my favourites from London Fashion Week 2010.

Newbie to the London Fashion circuit was HAKAAN who wowed the crowds with his debut collection.  His collection had a futuristic feel with a classic edge; real attention to detail had been paid to tailored pieces and an eclectic use of leather, fur, lace and mesh really tantalised those fashion taste-buds.  

 

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Fresh from winning the first prize at the "Young Fashion Designers Contest" which was organised by the Instabul Textile and Apparel Exporter Association, HAKAAN is a name to remember. His gorgeous collection combines textures and  exquisite detailing with strong shapes creating a sense of femininity and power in equal measure. 

BODYAMR produced a collection with a feeling of luxury with classic cuts and bold, solid colours. Simple and wearable but far from boring.  

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sass & bide always offer fantastically feminine garments with stunning detail and oh so subtle masculine touches with tailoring. Inspired by "perfectly placed chaos" for their AW/10 collection, striking aztec style prints and embroidery on a background of cream, black, grey and gold, with feathers, leather and lace, the ladies have combined clashing components for a wonderful outcome of ladylike glam with a modern edge 

Blink and you miss it

We continually celebrate the best of British fashion, and we're not shy when it comes to blowing our own trumpets. Luckily London Fashion Week is an excuse, actually more of an opportunity for platform for us to show the rest of the fashion world what we Brits have to offer. 

Now some lost their faith momentarily, but most have seen the error in their ways and many, this season will be returning to show in London. 

Participating in LFW last season, with a small and extremely promising British designer it was over before I knew it. A lot of much needed preparation goes into LFW with military style organisation and then suddenly, its over. Literally blink, and you'll miss it. No sooner have we packed up from the last one and its back. London, and in particular Somerset House will be a buzz with a right fashion furore as the Brits show how its done. 

And as a sort of early christmas present, The British Fashion Council confirmed last week provisional dates for LFW as the 19th-23rd February 2010. 

The usual culprits will be back with a vengeance, ready and waiting to cause fashion chaos in Somerset House. And with some long awaited reunions, Matthew Williamson is returning to London and Burberry back on the schedule, LFW 2010 is set to be a show-stopper. 

Don't blink. Or you'll miss it. 

"Twiggy: a Life in Photographs"

From the beginning Twiggy had a memorable name and a mesmerising face. The original supermodel, she emerged with that oh so iconic and avant garde hairstyle as the sixties got into full swing. 

One of the first faces of British fashion, twiggy became synonymous with the sixties and the cultural shifts which were creating an enigmatic youth orientated society. Now, the National Portrait Gallery is showing a new photographic exhibition, "Twiggy: A Life In Photographs" to celebrate Twiggy's 60th birthday and the release of a new photographic biography of her life. 

The godmother of Marks and Sparks, Twiggy emerged with that infamous crop and those mascara caked eyes staring through the lens of Barry Lategan's camera, earning her fashion stripes and becoming the worlds first supermodel. 

The National Portrait gallery exhibit runs until the 21st March 2010, and encompasses Twiggys life as a fashion frontrunner from beginning to present day. 

"Made In England"

Foale and Tuffin aren't names that roll off the tongue of most, but in the sixties, they were leading the fashion pack during the cultural revolution. The cool girl's choice when it came to fashion in the sixties, Foale and Tuffin were creating vibrant pop-inspired mini dresses and innovative colourful trouser suits, providing practical yet desirable fashion. 

Fashion and Textile Museum "Made in England" Foale and Tuffin Retrospective

Now the Fashion and Textile Museum are celebrating Foale and Tuffin's fashion achievements with an exhibiiton entitled "Made in England". An inspiring and exciting retrospective, the FTM has produced a vibrant representation of two key British designers who appeared at the forefront of British fashion and influenced the dynamic landscape of sixties fashion. 

The exhibition runs until the 24th February 2010, and sees the FTM recreating the design duos boutique, showroom and design studio, taking you through the personal journey of two women fighting through the fashion frenzy of London in the sixties. 

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