Few things in life more satisfying than a Pantone colour swatch, so these boring but MMMM iPhone cases are perfect. Because sometimes, a gal can’t go to a meeting with her Swarovski Helly Kitty phone cover 
Via Refinery 29, available 25 May at Apple stores.
Swatch and MTV have teamed up for the Swatch MTV Playground – a celebration of fashion and music and the magic that happens when the two combine. Both brands are known for inspring and nurturing creativity, and the Swatch MTV Playground provides a shared space online to show off new talent and combine ideas across fashion, music and the arts.
From KISS to Kenickie, Madonna to Missy Elliot – it’s an established fact that the spectacle of costume and the cultural impact of clothing play a huge part in music, and one look at Karl Lagerfeld and his 476 full-to-bursting iPods confirms that the fashion industry wholeheartedly returns the mutual respect. If this proves anything, I’ve dressed up as all of the above (yes, including Karl) at various points over the last few years, and if fancy dress doesn’t confirm someone’s iconic status I don’t know what does.
So, over the next few months, the Swatch MTV Playground will see a series of guest editors from these two fields collaborate as guest bloggers on the website. The series kicked off with OMG Rankin, and next up is East London partners in crime Alex Noble and Fred Butler.
Alex Noble has just launched his first line at London Fashion Week, while Fred (that’s a she, FYI) is a designer best known for making props and accessories for stylists and shoots. Between them, Alex and Fred are the creative minds behind some of Lady Gaga’s most awesome outfits – Fred is the genius behind the blue telephone hat, while Alex most recently created the blue leather catsuit Gaga prances about in for the epic Judas video. Whatever your thoughts on the Gagaloo, it’s impossible to dispute her cultural impact – particularly in the realms of fashion.
Anyway, check out this awesome video of Alex discussing industry collaborations, wearing the same t-shirt that I think my Twinny has:
//Stay tuned for more from Swatch, MTV, Alex and Fred!
*Post in collaboration with Swatch MTV Playground*
Fringed leather number from the Idol range. Who doesn’t need a fringed leather jacket in their life?
Here’s the rest of that look – I think we can all take something from this.
HOLD UP! This dropwaist pointy collar dress just says Tina Weymouth to me. It was so beautiful, and the collar – contrary to what my wank photo may lead you to believe – is canary yellow!!
Yes, that’s another Peter Pan collar. Difference being this time, it’s leather. This dress is a lovely deep red chiffon with neat little pintucks down the front – there was so much leather at this season’s show, including loads of detailing on blouses, shirts and dresses.
HOLD THE PHONE!
`
Really nice 1920s style frocks – inevitably something will be lost in translation when these make it to the high street, but they are part of the Limited range so hopefully they should still be pretty embellished. Beautiful!
Another dress which I fear may lose something in translation, This beautiful beaded and sequinned humminbird number not only has a lovely hand-drawn quality but also had cute little bows on the waistband and a flattering wide neckline. A real stand-out, especially with their furry tippet styling.
New Look’s lingerie is always pretty neat and amongst the floral retro styles I spotted this fetching leopard set. I know Bettie Page is a tired reference, but that’s really all you can say about this combo.
We all know that New Look’s footwear is always on point and these patent loafers in camel and maroon are already on my wishlist. Tassles! Tassles!
And some more loafers. These ones are heeled though – every season New Look come up trumps with dream work shoes so I’m pleased to report they did the job this time.
Another twist on loafers – a big old chunky wedge. Heaping more praise on New Look, they always nail wedges and these woody ones look like the perfect combination of super high and comfortable. More work shoes to tick off.
What can I say? They do a good job on loafers.
Leopard print Chelsea boots are always a winner.
Everyone loves a glitter wedge. Whilst I weigh up buying these Jeffrey Campbell David Bowie boots, these glittery wedges are a pretty awesome compromise and would also be perfect for a Peter Criss-themed night out.
Obv.
There was a total 1920s thing going on throughout the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection and this diamante/feather concoction is about as showgirl as it gets. Paz de la Huerta would be proud.
So as anyone on Twitter will be aware, yesterday was New Look’s Autumn/Winter 2011 press day. Along with a billion other brilliant bloggers and ACTUAL REAL JOURNALISTS, I had a nose around One Marylebone to see what they had in store for the new season. I last went there for Elemis’s birthday party and was possibly too drunk to take in the details – it’s a spectacular building. The above chandelier shot was taken as Iso tried to persuade me to get my picture taken by Jackie Dixon of Show Me Your Wardrobe. Unfortunately, I refuse to have my picture taken unless a) I’m drunk or b) I’m doing it myself so…. didn’t happen.
Anyway, posts coming up in three parts starting with… blouses.
I do love a nice blouse and when reflecting on my pictures, it become apparent that I had taken lots of pictures of them. So here they are.
Peter Pan collars seem to be a little démodé at the moment, no doubt as a result of them being everywhere and everyone wearing them. Still, this blouse takes Peter Pan beyond the norm with a bit of lovely scalloping and piping. The pearl buttons add to the slightly 70s feel – I went Hipstamatic for reasons of wankery, but here’s a better shot and a close-up.
Another interesting collar on another lovely white blouse. A slightly 80s-inspired look with a frilled, ruff-style collar and a black ribbon bow-tie. Again, there’s a better picture here.
Something about a black ribbon tie… This white blouse also features a tux-style pin-tucked panel in contrasting camel. So much nice workwear! Once more, a better, less wanky pic here.
I’m not gonna lie; this may well be a dress. I took the picture and didn’t make a note – my bad. Still, nothing better than a sequinned Peter Pan collar eh?
Don’t panic, there’s still time to buy me a birthday present.
The Book of Tapas // 7 Leguas Tequila
ASOS Tort Cat Eye Sunglasses // Paris House Let’s Fill This Town Travel Wallet // Joanie Gold Pen Necklace
Barbour Rainbow Jacket // Rebecca Minkoff Boyfriend Bag in Dalmation
Pedlars Water Buffalo Skull // Topshop Spike Bangles
V&A Floral Hanky // Fortnum & Mason Cheese Box
Accessorize Scarf Trim Cloche // Wallis Melon Print Dress (FYI, don’t buy me this, I just did… it’s not yellow IRL and it’s utterly brilliant)
Two new rings from H&M, one old from one ASOS. As you’ll see, I used the camera effect which gives my skin the corpse effect – it brings out the lilac nail polish.
I loved this quote about jeans from Iris Apfel in a recent interview with the Architectural Digest:
Have you seen the prices? Scandalous. I mean, yes, if they are embroidered or beaded or made special in some divine way, but honestly, jeans are jeans. I live in them most of the time, but I had a helluva time getting a pair of jeans around 1940, when I was at the University of Wisconsin. I thought I’d wear jeans, a turban, and some old earrings. So I went to an Army-Navy store, but you have to remember, back in those days, all the men in Wisconsin were the size of Paul Bunyan. Then the salesman told me, ‘Young ladies don’t wear jeans.’ He wouldn’t sell me any or have them cut down. So I kept going back to the store, and they kept throwing me out, so to get rid of me, they finally ordered me some boys’ jeans. I love men’s jeans; they fit me better.
Via Fashionista
On the subject of denim, I also really enjoyed the feature about low-slung trousers in the Guardian this morning – particularly the voxpops from the men themselves. Highlights include:
My mum’s used to it by now – she’s just happy as long as I’m wearing decent underpants.
and:
I’m tall and I have no bum, so my trousers just don’t stay up.
My three saved eBay/Etsy searches are:
I know, I know.
Anyone, the third option came up trumps last week when I got this evil eye necklace, complete with palmistry hand. It arrived this morning and I’m currently in that loved-up state where I can’t imagine ever wearing any other jewellery again. TL4E IDST.
Check out CobraCult on Etsy for more of the same!
