THE BIG LFF SS15 SANDAL EDIT!

I don't mean to hurry you, but now really is the time to snap up for S/S15 sandals, before the best styles sell out. But what are the trends to look out for this  year? The 1970s trend is unavoidable this summer, and lace up sandals are the perfect accessory for floaty, bohemian smocks. A perennial trend, jewelled sandals come back into fashion every summer. Look out for chunky embellishments to get the Marni signature look at a fraction of the price. Sporty styles are still key - even trekking sandals get a look in.  Chunky soles are key to nailing this look; on the high street, Clarks is my go-to for this trend. Colour-block sandals were seen with frothy tulle skirts and denim jackets on the Burberry SS15 catwalk. If you can't afford the cool £395 for a pair of Prorsum originals, check out Boden's footwear offering which is joyfully kaleidoscopic this season. Which trends will you be trialling? 

Top row L-R: £££ Gianvito Rossi lace up suede sandals, Net-a-porter.com, £565. ££ Black leather lace front sandal,Office, £38. Heaven tan gladiator sandals, Topshop, £26. 

Second row L-R: Marni embellished calf hair sandals, Net-a-porter.com, £270. Navy flat jewelled sandals, Zara, £39.99. Black satin jewelled sandals, Next, £38. 

Third row L-R: Sophia Webster Yayoi slides, Net-a-porter.com, £195. Netrix Rose snakeskin sandals, Clarks, £50. Dusty Soul white leather sandals, Clarks, £55. 

Bottom row L-R: Burberry colour-block sandals, Net-a-porter.com, £395. Tan colourblock sandals, Boden, £59. Teva mosaic orange sandals, Office, £34.99. 

LFF OUTFITS: A BOMBER & BROCADE

The ultimate fashion dilemma? What the hell do you wear to London Fashion Week IN A STORM. Turns out I wasn't the only one baffled by the weather - the street style offering on LFW days one & two was a washout (excuse the pun) with practical parkas & umbrellas concealing the best looks. So, here's what I went for

LFF OUTFITS: EMBRACING BROCADE

Brocade may have had it's fashion 'moment' last autumn/winter, but it will always be one of my favourite fabrics to wear. When H&M launched its collaboration with fashion heavyweight Marni last year, I picked up a skirt and the below t-shirt in opulent gold and purple brocade fabric - and have worn both countless times since (remember when I wore the skirt to London Fashion Week?). The collection was a sell-out, but you can still find pieces on eBay and designer resale sites like Vestaire collective from time to time. When my lovely bloggy friend Annie invited me to the BBC proms at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday, a short wardrobe panic ended up in me wearing my failsafe brocade tee with some hastily pulled together accessories. My chain-strap bag is a recent purchase from Vince Camuto - a New York accessories brand that has recently opened its first UK store on Kensington High Street. Are you a fan of brocade?

Tee- Marni at H&M {try Ebay!}. Trousers - Zara. Chainstrap bag - Vince Camuto. Metallic flats - Dorothy Perkins. 

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LFF'S GUIDE TO: CHRISTMAS PARTY OUTFIT 2012

I've noticed my blog post on Christmas party outfits from last December has been getting quite a lot of traffic recently, so I decided it was about time I put together an updated post for 2012. Over the next few days I'll be sharing the looks I’d wear for those tricky sartorial occasions the festive season throws up- starting with the office Christmas party.

 

1. Spot Jacquard trousers, ASOS, £45. 2. Lurex Jacquard top, Mango, £34.99. 3.  J.Crew Crystal encrusted earrings, Net-a-porter.com, £86. 4. Marni two-tone leather clutch, Net-a-porter.com, £280. 5. Metal toe detail heels, ASOS, £33.50.

 

LFF CELEBRITY STYLE CRUSH: LILY COLLINS

Who'd have thought that after producing Easy Lover and Another Day in Paradise, Phil Collins would also go on to (re)produce an A-list, fashionista daughter with supermodel good looks? Lily Collins is a rising star in Hollywood, and not only does she have poise, elegance and beauty, she also has a super-stylish wardrobe to boot. 

Collins' red carpet style is unique in that it is quite fashion-forward and bold yet completely feminine and demure. She can pull off full-length and fabulous gowns from leading fashion houses Alexander McQueen and Valentino just as easily as more edgy styles from youthful brands Carven and Marchesa, even throwing a cool leather bomber jacket in the mix from time to time. With her doll-like features and porcelain complexion, Lily has the world as her fashionable feet, and I think it's about time Chanel took notice and made a muse out of the next superstar Collins!



From L-R: In Collette Dinnigan, Marchesa and Alexander McQueen.

From L-R: Zac Posen, Monique Lhuillier and Valentino.

From L-R: Carven, Marni and BCBG MaxAzria Images: Zimbio

Are you a fan of Lily Collins' style? Which look do you think she works best?

SIX OF THE BEST STATEMENT EARRINGS FOR SS12

When it comes to earrings for SS12, the bigger, brighter and brasher the better! The statement earring is a huge trend for the season; as seen at Dolce and Gabbana where the design duo sent pasta-bow shaped earrings down the catwalk, and Prada where oversized resin rose and crystal pieces complemented the 1950s-style collection. Once the preserve of Pat Butcher and your kookily-dressed high school art teacher, the statement earring is now well and truly on-trend, so to get you started here's six of my favourite pairs.

1. Miu Miu plexiglass lightning bolt earrings, net-a-porter.com, £90.

2. Tom Binns small dot dash Swarovski crystal earrings, net-a-porter.com, £155.

3. Circle triangle drop earrings, Topshop, £8.50.

4. Rose and faceted tear drop earrings, ASOS, £10.00.

5. Marni at H&M earrings, Ebay.

6. Bijoux Heart opal and Swarovski crystal earrings, theoutnet.com, £155.

SS12 TREND: SPORTS LUXE

With the Olympics just around the corner, it's no suprise that sport luxe will be a key trend for 2012. But this isn't akin to the dire sportwear trend instigated by Spice Girl Mel C in the 1990s, 2012's interpretation is sophisticated and chic; think subtle sporty details in the form of zips, go-faster stripes and performance-wear inspired panelling. So to get you started, here's my pick of the sports-luxe pieces that are definitely worth sprinting to the shops for.

1. Knitted Mesh sleeve dress, Topshop, £46.00.
2. Isabel Marant Uden track trousers, Matchesfashion.com, £330.00.
3. Jason Wu Varsity wool sweater, Net-a-porter.com, £950.
4. NW3 Hayle trouser, Hobbs, £23.00.
5. Diane Von Furstenberg Sporty-Drew tote, Net-a-porter.com, £660.
6. Ash Bowie wedge trainers, ASOS, £149.00.
7. Marni paneled sweater, The Outnet, £252.50.
8. Karl metallic leather high-tops, Net-a-porter,com, £295.

MY MARNI AT H&M SHOPPING LIST

It seems like just yesterday that I was blogging about the Marni H&M annoucement, when in fact it was way back in November. Now the big day is just one week away, and I'm very over-excited to see the collection in the flesh (or fabric if you like). In preparation I've booked the day off work, sharpened my elbows and compiled a shopping list of my favourite pieces. Wish me luck....

View the full collection and campaign over at Look.co.uk.

SS12 COLOUR TREND: YELLOW

A major colour trend for SS12 is yellow. As seen on the Derek Lam SS12 catwalk, nothing says spring time like a zingy pop of citrus in your new season wardrobe. I'd love to own Derek Lam's buttercup yellow a-line dress in picture 2, it simply is the perfect frock for summer. Alternatively if you're not brave enough to wear the trend head-to-toe then you can add a flash of daffodil yellow to your look with a pair of bright sandals or a colourful earring.

This trend is an instant mood-enhancer too, just like the gorgeous spring sunshine we're experiencing in the UK at the moment, a pop of sunshine in your outfit can lift your look and spirits. Here's my pick of the best yellow buys to add a shot of the trend to your SS12 your wardrobe.....

1. Cacharel printed cotton pants, theoutnet.com, £148.50.
2. Erdem Yanne printed front cardigan, Matches, £480.00.
3. Marni sunflower clip earrings, netaporter.com, £250.
4. Vinnie flatforms, ASOS, £40.00.
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs brass and yellow glass crystal studs, net-a-porter.com, £40.
6. Premium coloured pony shopper, ASOS, £44.00. 
7. Speckle T-shirt mini dress, Topshop, £25.00.
 8.Joey yellow necklace, Kurt Geiger, £50.00.  

H&M'S NEXT DESIGNER COLLABORATION WILL BE MARNI!

Start saving your pennies now because H&M's next designer collaboration has today been revealed as Marni. And the important date for your diary? The 8th March is when the Italian brand's collaboration is due to hit 260 H&M stores nationwide. As an uber-fan of the brand I'm already giddy with excitement, I have long lusted after a Marni statement necklace with that coveted black ribbon printed with the iconic white lettering. H&M designer collaborations have produced some amazing high street fashion hits in the past (although the Versace collaboration was definitely not my cup of tea); when the high street label collaborated with Lanvin last year I went as far as to book the day off work to get my hands the embellished t-shirt from the range..! The said t-shirt now proudly hangs in my wardrobe but rarely gets worn because it's far too beautiful for every day wear, god forbid I may spill red wine or tomato sauce down it (which I most likely would do).

Anyway, just for fun I've picked my favourite pieces from Marni's recent collections that I hope H&M can bring to the high street at purse friendly prices prices.

From L-R: 1. Cotton blend dress, £666, theoutnet.com. 2. Acetate and vinyl floral necklace, £175, net-a-porter.com. 3. Embellished platform sandals, £575, net-a-porter.com. 4. Mint print dress, £769.00, Farfetch.com.

POP YOUR COLLAR: STATEMENT NECKLACES FOR EVERY POCKET

A simple way to refresh your look this season is with a statement collar necklace. Whether you opt for a pretty ribbon-tie bib necklace or an edgier, chunkier chain number, a statement necklace can 'fashion up' simple shift dresses, sweaters and shirts. My dream purchase would be a Marni collar; Marni necklaces are a worthwhile investment because they are classic collectors pieces that will never date. But for now I'll have to put the dreams on hold and settle for some of stylish high street alternatives that tap into the trend without the hefty pricetag.

1. Beaded Collar Necklace, Dorothy Perkins, £15.00
2. Ribbon and Gem necklace, New Look, £17.99
3. Bib-style Necklace, Mango, £39.90.
4. Jade Chunky Stone Necklace, Tallulah Tu, £28.
5. Midnight Purple Margery Necklace, Marc by Marc Jacobs at mywardrobe.com, £225.00.
6. Lucite and Horn Embellished Bib Necklace, Marni at Net-a-porter.com, £340.