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Home > London Fashion Spy
The London Fashion Spy is a fashion addict who shares her views of London's high street fashion, with updates on what's hot and who's wearing what. Sign up to receive our Fashion Files and keep up with our London Fashion Spy. |
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12/12/12
- MARGIELA MANIA
Maison Martin Margiela Mania:
This offering was always going to be risky. Put a fashion forward designer in charge of designing an “affordable” mainstream collection for H&M. We held our breath and then slowly let it out when it seemed as if the collection actually worked. ‘What are those?’ asked a colleague peering over my shoulder, pointing out the stirrup leather trousers. ‘They might be nice?’ I wondered? ‘They might but right now I’m looking at those trousers and I’m thinking Navy Seal, you know like in the movie, “The Rock”.’
After checking out the website ALL SOLD OUT, I popped down to oxford street to see what all the fuss was about. Grabbing a couple of the navy seal pants I went to queue and queue and queue. Finally in I attempted to pull on the size 8. Nothing doing; then the size 10, which ripped, around the ankle. Feeling demoralised and annoyed (and fat) I went back out and settled on a couple of tops and leggings. But we had the last laugh watching people try on the duvet coat. Which incidentally looks exactly like a duvet but with zips. Nice one Margiela.
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The duvet (coat)
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And the nice stuff...
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The brights have it:
It’s a pretty simple formula, have sun, will wear bright colours. Here in Blighty we try it even when the idea of sun is just that, an idea. If you weren’t in your brights then you were out. Black and black banished to the winter wardrobe for another season and with a spring in our step we hit the streets. Colour-tastic.
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Mango Yellow Dress
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Animal magic:
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Zebra jumper
H by Henry Holland
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River Island Owl Sweater
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Forever Kate:
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Bright Yellow Quilted
Chanel Bag
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Paul's Boutique
'Chanel' Bag
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BINTM (Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model) BACK!:
Elle was back again with a smoother then ever face and after being a bit bummed that Charlie Speed (world famous fashion model) was axed for being dull, we soon realised that Tyson (an even more world famous male model) was more than a match for him. Julian Macdonald was as bonkers as ever and declared that Letitia would never fit his clothes.
This may well be true but as Julian hasn’t eaten sine 1987 we reckon his views on sizes might be distorted. Sizeism aside, I got pretty excited to see Julian in my spin class. Yup, exercising. Maybe now he can have a salad, or something.
Here goes Lisa, the winner of the treseme catwalk challenge shoot, channelling this season’s brights. You should have won overall Lisa. You were fabulous and you were robbed. #justsaying
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KX
10/07/12
- WINTER 12
Geek truly will inherit the earth:
Geek Chic was massive in 2011 and shows no sign of slowing down in 2012; the more geek you give the cooler your inner geek. It’s a geek’s world and it reminds you that not only will geeks inherit the earth, step forward Mr Zuckerburg, but also you probably should’ve paid more attention to the geek who fancied you at school. You didn’t fancy him back but I can bet you if you ran into him in the street today you’d kick yourself. Big time.
I got involved with the geekness by investing in a pair of large tortoiseshell rimmed prescription glasses. I need them, they’re prescription, but this doesn’t stop every second person asking if they can try them on and then wincing when they realise they’re actually ‘real’. The glasses get a lot of attention and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. A teeny bit.
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Oasis Leather Sleeved Coat
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Marni Mania:
Marni has long been a big big love of fashion folk all over the world. It doesn’t do trends, it does Marni, big bold silk patterned fabrics that never go out of fashion and make you feel fabulous just knowing they’re in you wardrobe. You can imagine the excitement when H&M announced their collaboration with Marni for a launch in March. Such beautiful things and such was the enthusiasm that the entire collection was sold out in a blink of an eye.
The savvy folk at H&M decided a second shipment was the only way to satisfy the disappointed Marni fans and hoorah Marni landed for a second time, and this time we were on hand to snap up some key pieces featured and available in our store.
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Marni Print Top
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Just fabulous Darling:
It’s no secret that winter’s a bit of a slog. Yes we’re excited about the winter stuff that’s appearing in our fav shops but we’re not really feeling being wrapped up like a swaddled babe in arms for 3 months; I don’t care how many fabulous Isabel Marant winter jumpers we’ve got tucked away. We still want to look hot. Fear not. Bright colours in fabulous dresses were the order of the night and we never looked back. Winter; we’ve got your measure.
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Oasis Jewelled Dress
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Burberry Prorsum: British Chic
A Burberry show never disappoints, their Autumn/Winter Town & Field collection at Kensington Gardens certainly lived up to expectations. Opening with full length and cropped fitted tweed jackets with gorgeous bow belts cinching in the waist, we fell in love with their boldy striped flared skirts, fitted owl motif knits, exaggerated peplum tweed skirts, skinny-heeled ankle boots and studded gloves.
Watch the full show and yes that is artificial rain from the outside.
http://www.youtube.com
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Oasis Tweed Skirt
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Mac attack:
Do you wonder sometimes if it will ever stop raining? Was there ever a day when you didn’t need your wellies and your mac? Dull.com? Fret not wet weather wear ahoy with a particular favourite of ours in the shape of Sophie Hulme’s mac. Sophie a young London designer making quite a name for herself in womenswear. Her mac, beautiful and practical. Just the way nature intended.
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Sophie Hulme Mac
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Draw in Light:
We hotfooted it to super cool Whitechapel (deep down the west Londoner in me was afraid, very afraid) to check out the super lovely Draw in Light duo, Harry and Polly and their sample sale party. Sneaking into the room where they make it all happen we tried on their bones dress and another pair of truly amazing leggings which I wanted to wear right there and then. Throw in a miniature bull terrier puppy, gin based cocktails and cries of, ‘I’ll take it all’, rang through the air.
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Men, the rise of the chino:
The chino has been breaking into a younger fashion crowd, turning this once old school classic into a fashion staple. They’re becoming the smart alternative to denim, offering comfortable style and an individual look. We think it’s the new skinny leg coupled with the fabulous array of colours that’s breathed life into this old classic.
Frankly you can’t move for the brightly coloured chino, it’s everywhere. Roll them up, or keep them long. For the conservatives out there, grey, black, navy or brown work; add tee, cardigan, mac and sneakers and you’re good to go.
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KX
25/11/11
- COLOUR BLOCKING
We were blinded by colour this spring/summer. Not that orange thing in the sky, rather the shop windows and girls everywhere blasting away with as much colour as they could throw at a London summer’s day. Even Cheryl Cole got in on the act; admittedly with limited success. Zara’s window displays were a sight to behold and warmed the cockles of everyone’s slightly damp hearts. SUMMER HAD ARRIVED!
Cole-tastic
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Mango Colour Block Skirt
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Vintage: Just how good is it really?
I’m a late convert to the HUGE craze that is vintage (that’s second hand tat to our folks). But I’ve taken to it like a rat up a drainpipe – with speed. One person’s rubbish is another’s treasure. It’s a great concept and I wonder why it took me so long to tap into this deep well of fabulousness, which while not right for X, is brilliant for Y.
My list of favourite vintage stores is long but the one that stands out from the crowd is Rellik at the edgy end of Portobello Road. So edgy that when you leave with your distinctive blue shoppers loaded with beautiful things from Westwood through to Lanvin, you sprint to the safety of your car and lock the doors with a sigh of relief. High risk fashion indeed.
http://www.relliklondon.co.uk/
WorldWear is very pleased to announce its own online vintage offering sourced all the way from London. Some special pieces that could probably tell you a story or two.
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Topshop Handbag
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Vivienne Westwood
Purse
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London Fashion week!:
Excitement as we got invited back to see Aminika Wilmot. Even more exciting when LFS got photographed in my Tod, Rellik, Pleats-Please mishmash.
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‘Try and keep your eye open this time, he pleaded.’ NOT photogenic then.
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Mmmm florals:
When you think of florals you can probably remember that dress you wore to school, that you loved and never thought you’d see again. Wrong. Florals were so of the moment that the once fussy fusty Liberty print shirts were suddenly hip and floral pinafores a must have. Yes. I convinced myself that floral wedge espadrilles were the way forward. I love them. Sadly they make me 6 foot 4. Still they are very ornamental and have pride of place in my flat; just not on my feet. Celebs got in on the act as they/re prone to. Key instigators included Rihanna and Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester below.
Imitation. Flattery or forgery? You decide.
Marc Jacobs' autumn/winter 2011 line translated into Topshop garments - both costing under £50
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14984468
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Victoria B: Heels help me concentrate:
Good old Posh shocked a sensible nation when she stepped out with baby Harper Seven whilst wearing sky high heels. Everyone held their breath as they watched her trot across the road with her tiny bundle of joy slung over her shoulder. ‘Heels help me concentrate, she declared.’ Right.
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Latest celeb man-crush:
I’m not sure what I did with my time before Drive the movie and Ryan Gosling. Gosling is probably the hottest man to grace our screens and he is handy with his hands, can fix cars and drives fast for a living. In short a dream man-crush. His style is simple, jeans, tee, and jacket. The jacket gets grubbier throughout the movie but we don't mind...
The soundtrack’s not bad either. Ryan, we salute you.
http://twentyfourbit.com/kavinsky-Lovefoxxx-nightcall
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K X
28/07/11
- KNIT 1 PEARL 2
Keeping the gloom at bay in winter, I’m all in favour of knits brightly coloured or otherwise so was delighted with psychedelic shawl gifted by a friend. If anything will get you through the winter months it’s the sight of fabulously cosy wool.
Liberty’s haberdashery is a veritable safe haven in a winter of discontent. Amy Hall, a home-grown London knitwear designer knows all about wool. As timeout magazine said: ‘When we clapped eyes on Amy Hall’s exquisite chunky knits, we wanted the temperature to plummet. Fast.’ Take a look at Amy’s website and you’ll see why winter’s not all bad.
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How many jackets/coats is too many?:
It’s no great secret that I’m obsessed with clothes – here we are after all. But I surprised even myself with the grim determination to wear my favourite jacket as much as was humanly possible. The most expensive item of clothing I’ve ever purchased came out so often that cost per wear was soon negligible. Ok not really but it got so I could look at my bank statement without having a stiff gin first.
London is brilliant for jackets and coats in winter. Duh. Of course. What are you wearing? Does it suit the frankly without warning rain or no rain territory? Is it on trend? And finally, would Kate wear it? That’s Moss not Middleton. Middleton mania has reached such fever pitch here in Blighty that it’s enough to make you go cold turkey fashion mag wise. Rein it in already. We like the fringe trend below where H&M have outdone themselves and produced this fabulous jacket – with a twist and a fringe.
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50s glamour:
We’re over a half a century beyond and yet we can’t get away from the glamour of the 50s dress. It never gets old and we never tire of it. Coco defined it and Karl continues it alongside the likes of Louis Vuitton et al. Mad Men reminded us all about being fabulous but more importantly looking fabulous. As Vivienne Westward said recently, “I just think people look awful these days and it depresses me. I so wish they looked better.’ QUITE. So swing that pony tail and do your best twirl in your circle skirt. You know you want to.
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Boyfriend cardigans:
The craze for nicking your boyfriends clothes continues apace. Boyfriend cardigans are perfect for most anything really. Wear them over jeans, leggings, anything but make sure you don’t have to give them back.
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New favourite website:
Not sure what style you are? Take a look at the new stylist website that puts you through a fashion quiz to show if you’re more Posh then Kate. It’s brilliant and surprisingly accurate. www.dressipi.com
I laughed until I cried and earned myself some weird looks on the tube but no matter, whoever wrote the following for Sunday Style magazine is a genius: On Toni Terry (wag) and her swim outfit, ‘Less of a onesy more of an up-your-bumsey, this cheek-hungry, halter necked, skimpy-sided, camel-toeing, keyhole necked swimming costume etc etc.’ Check out said swimsuit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk |
Crimes against fashion, for blokes:
We’ve all seen it, the bloke who wants to please the girl and wears an outfit so absurd you wonder how he got out the front door without someone calling the fashion police. Some are more of a surprise then others.
I give you Shane Warne and Liz Hurley. Um yup. They’re together and something strange has happened to Mr Warne. He‘s swapped that rugged Aussie look for a super smooth forehead and a slightly startled expression. Is he bewildered by how well Liz’s swimwear line is doing or are we talking something more permanent. You decide.
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Liz Hurley and Shane Warne |
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Men, bring on the heavies, double breasted jackets that is:
Gone are the 80s styles, the DB jacket is making a comeback in a shorter sleeker version with less dramatic shoulders. One just has to look at the runway from the recent autumn winter 2011 Lanvin show to see how the new appeal of the double breasted look is back. Whether you're a trend-setter or a follow the packer you know you want to snuggle into that snood.
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The shirt:
You know it, they know it. Nothing beats a good shirt. Striped, plain, paisley or checked we love them. The shirt is always in and always a classic. Ok maybe not the tropical version.
I got myself in trouble recently when commenting on my Italian friend’s rather extensive white shirt collection. ‘Why is it so difficult to believe that one white shirt can be so different from another? The collar, the material, the fit, the buttons. There’s a great difference.’ It’s hard to disagree in the face of such passion for the white shirt but I’d take a checked one any day of the week.
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David Beckham |
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KX
30/03/11
- THE LONG AND THE TIGHT OF IT
Maxi dresses ruled my wardrobe this autumn winter. Not massively cycle friendly, but no matter. T for Alexander Wang, Urban Outfitters, Acne, Warehouse, Zara, H&M - I tried them all. Like jeans the search for the perfect maxi dress became all encompassing. Suddenly I went from worrying about the long frump factor to worrying how I would be able to afford my next maxi fix. Word to the wise; one won’t be enough and stairs are tricky.
London was so cold this time round that often you’d get to work and realise you hadn't worn enough so you'd have to go shopping at lunchtime. Sigh. I know - it was tough. I got my favourite fabulous leather and cotton leggings this way on a desperate mission to Urban Outfitters and I’ve never looked back.
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Royal Watch: a fashion farce
Poor old Kate - speculation that Westwood was designing her dress prompted Viv to speak frankly. 'I would have loved to have dressed Kate Middleton but I have to wait until she kind of catches up a bit somewhere with style' Ouch. No SJP moments for Waity Katy then. A nation mourns.
Not to be outdone Matthew Williamson reckons he's not bothered either. He told the Telegraph ‘Kate isn’t a fashion bunny. I don’t know why everyone in fashion is waiting to see what she wears. I’m, like, thinking: get over it.’ Quite.
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London Fashion Week:
Delightful reminder of how bonkers this city becomes. Running late for kindly gifted tickets to Aminaka Wilmot, we got the VIP treatment and were fast-tracked past the queue of fidgeting and frustrated queens - all desperate to be noticed by anyone.
The dude sitting to our left ticked this box with ridiculous hair that obstructed people’s view of the models (clothes). One jaded youngster was heard to sigh - 'For god's sake when is it going to start?'
Check out this power couple at: www.aminakawilmont.com
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LFS at London Fashion Week
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Singers turned designers: STOP THE MADNESS.
Leona Lewis. Good singer. Good initial makeover. Nice girl. 'Humph', someone muttered at work, 'The most exciting thing that ever happened to Leona Lewis was being hit by that random during her book signing.' OK unkind but kind of true. Until she turned her hand to 'designing' that is. Bring on the bow on boob dress and the lips on boob dress. I’m not sure what the blue one is. Sports bra? Whatever, Leona needs to cease and desist before she offends the world. Leona, no one is laughing with you.
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Where to start on the wrong-ness level
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A more subtle use of the bow
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Mini me: Romeo where for art thou?
Romeo has long been the one to watch out of the Beckham kids. 'That Romeo's hot.' I declared at work. 'He's 8', was the slightly judgmental response. Vindication then when GQ magazine named him on their 2011 top 50 best dressed men list. OK slight poetic licence with the 'man' tag - he's still in single digits after all - but nice to see I'm not alone in my adulation.
Victoria says Romeo takes after her with his love of fashion and one day she envisages handing over her fashion empire to him. One wonders what her much longed for daughter (due in May) will think about this. Could we have another Giovanni and Donatella brother sister combo in decades to come?
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Men: Trying stuff.
I was in Paul Smith recently, in menswear looking for a jacket for a friend. A tall friend, a tall friend of slender build with long arms. Our shop assistant was not tall and so wasn't a ready and able model fit for purpose.
Luckily my shopping pal launched a charm offensive that made even me blush and before you could say - please try that jacket - we had two delightful gentlemen only too pleased to model options. Ok it was PS but it made me wonder again about men’s supposed reluctance to try on. Please - a little flattery goes a long way. Such a successful outing we bought shoes to celebrate.
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Spotted by LFS
A fox hat with an ENTIRE fox tail.
Alex Munro - jeweller extraordinaire at Liberty. Thoroughly nice bloke.
Overheard by LFS
Style and clothes determine pecking order.
I only shop once a year. I make it count.
Who would have thought that a love of brands would bring us together?
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