Spring Fling!

Spring is approaching, even though most days it doesn't look promising! I'm hoping all this rain means Summer will be lovely but this is the UK I'm talking about so let's not hold out for much.

I love Spring and as a textiles student, I'm currently looking at a mass of floral prints for my conceptual project, collaborating my German and Scottish family heritage (through looking at folkloric motifs) and the Garden of Eden. Florals galore! The floral trend is a recycled one used practically every season for fashion and interiors, currently being scouted out in the large masses of magazines I buy every month week. The intentions of my tutors over the years probably thinking I am obsessed with florals are too definitely correct.

Below I've put together some of my favourite pieces from current fashion and interior retailers...

L-R:
Swing Dress With Floral Applique & Embroidery (£44)
Skater Dress With Floral Embroidery (£65)
Skater Dress With Floral Embroidery (£75)
Reclaimed 60s Vintage Print Shift Dress (£35)

L-R:
Duvet Set (£19.99)
Plate (£3.99, how cute!)
Daisy Skirt (£9.99)
Cushion (£12.99)
Curtains (£24.99)

L-R:
Sunburst Print (£10)
Rosie Cushion (£35)
Wildflower Print (£10)
Olivia Cushion (£45)
Sew Lovely Cushion (£35)
Tulip Cushion (£45)

L-R:
Nica Alicia Satchel (£49)
Jones and Jones @ Topshop Floral Organza Dress (£60)
Floral Print Jumpsuit, River Island (£30)
Floral Laser Cut Purse, River Island (£17)
Floral Boxy T-Shirt, New Look (£14.99)

AW13- The Trends

Fashion Week is fast approaching and fashionistas around the world are preparing for yet another intake of what trends we'll be inspired by and wearing in Spring/Summer 2014. Like many, I anticipate what direction designers and brands are going to take next and lust over the designs that grace the catwalk and beyond. 

The fashion world witnessed Autumn/Winter 2013 collection shows back in February and I'm looking forward to reviewing some of my favourite looks from Spring/Summer 2014 shows in an upcoming post. With the introduction and development of high street brands now hitting the catwalk such as Topshop Unique, H&M and a collaboration between Rihanna and River Island, many of us can now shop the trends at a reasonable price. Whilst we hold onto the last of this year's Summer fashion, I've put together some of my favourite pieces that are shaping key looks for the months ahead.

Topshop: Tartan Tee- £30, Trousers- £42, Skull Scarf- £22, Miss Selfridge: Printed Tee-£32, Printed Playsuit- £39, ASOS: Shredded Jumper- £28

 

Miss Selfridge: Floral Print Dress- £45, Printed Organza Dress- £25, Topshop: Ruffle Top- £34, Zip Satchel Bag- £32, Zara: Floral Blouse- £25.99

Topshop: Cobweb Snood- £16, Mini Block Heel T-Bar Shoes- £35, Fashion Union: Rabbit Knit Jumper- £18, Primark: Pastel Coat- £25, Zara: Trousers- £29.99

Forever 21: Floral Jumper- £19.75, Boohoo: Leather Buckle Wedge- £25, Dorothy Perkins: Floral Necklace- £12.50, River Island: Check Tee- £28, Sandals- £55, Accessorize: Bag- £13.50, Fashion Union: Jumper- £15

Summer Lovin'

Here are some of my current loves and lusts for Summer! I'll be reviewing A/W 13 preview collections very soon, so watch out!

♥♥♥

Holographic Nails In Moondance- £6, MOTO Pink Crochet Hotpants- £35, Spotty Casual Crop Top- £29, Rachel Dress by Jones and Jones- £65, Martie T-Bar Geek Shoes- £32, Nano T-Bar Clog Sandals- £45, Dip Dye Crochet Cami- £32, Edge Paint Satchel- £28

Black Floral Mini Dress- £25, Black Suede Cross Front Wedge Shoe- £28, Navy Pinafore Playsuit- £10, Tan Buckle Cross Wedge Shoe- £32, Multi Florence Floral Headband- £3

 Print Top- £9.99,  Jacquard Skirt- £12.99, Denim Waistcoat With Crochet Back- £9.99, Oriental Print Jumpsuit- £19.99, Embroidered Dress- £19.99, Fantasy Twist Jersey With Open Back- £12.99, Oriental Print Trousers- £15.99, Jacquard Linen Dress With Full Skirt- £15.99

Pleated Floral Print Dress- £18.75, Floral Print Wedge Sandals- £24.75, Cat Graphic Cropped Tee- £12, Lace Trim High-Low Dress- £19.75, High-Low Georgette Dress- £24.75

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A Little Gatsby Never Killed Nobody

It’s official- Although I’ve yet to see the latest film adaptation, I have become insanely in love with The Great Gatsby and all things 1920’s glamour. Last night I went a bit mad and starting saving a load of Leo DiCaprio pictures onto my computer! But back to the actual topic now..

I’ve always been intrigued by the “flapper” look and lifestyle of Western girls in the 1920s and those who popularised the image of a somewhat modern woman in a pre-Second World War era. F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of the original 1925 Great Gatsby novel was one of many criticised for popularising a brash attitude to women who wore excessive makeup, divulged in excessive drink and drugs and liberated social and sexual normalities. Documented in Gatsby, flapper girl Daisy Buchanan is an intoxicating character drawn to the excessive lifestyle of the Roaring Twenties. I’m really interested to see how Carey Mulligan portrays the role of Daisy in the latest film as the character is so intriguing. Mulligan herself states,

‘She’s difficult to crack because she doesn’t really know herself. I always imagined her as someone who, with everything she says and does, it’s as if she’s watching a movie of her own life.’

The opening of the film itself has brought a lot of attention to rejuvenating 1920s glamour, making not only the film but also 20s fashion one of the biggest trends for Spring/Summer and beyond.  

These knee length 1920s inspired dresses represent the liberation flapper girls endured from previous constraining garments, to where waistlines dropped considerably and hemlines rose. I adore the colourways used in these 3 garments, the middle dress from Miss Selfridge has a beautiful juxtaposition of the salmon pink and delicate metallic silver Art Deco inspired embellishment. 

If you know me, you'll know that I'm partial to a collar and this lace inspired one from Hobbs is a statement piece that will set off any outfit. It's available in 2 other metallic colours, but at £29 it might be better to dip into Jay Gatsby's wallet for one!!

Wouldn't it be amazing to have a clothes rail full of beautiful evening gowns like this? I absolutely adore the fringed 1920s dresses and the sequined ones are also to die for!

These Art Deco inspired nails are so simple yet extremely effective. I love the contrasting tone of the red and gold patterns and if it's too difficult to apply the patterns with a nail pen, there are a wide range of nail wraps available online. I can't wait to try it out!

Original 1920s Dresses: