Monday 28 February 2011

The LOOK Show Winner...



Move over Oscars ... I only went and bloody won The LOOK Show competition! I'm completely over the moon! This is just a quick post to say thank you to everyone who has followed me on here and on Twitter since I became a finalist! I have had the loveliest comments from my LOOK Show posts and the past 2 weeks have been crazy - and amazing! Probably the best experience of my life!

Massive thank you to Lara for everything (stay tuned for my winner post with all the goodies!!!) and obviously Kate the online-ed for choosing me! I don't know how she did it, I had some very stiff competition!

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!



Amelia xo

The Oscars: How did I do on the outfit predictions...



Oscar time again! You may remember this post I did back in January, Paris Spring Couture vs Oscar Outfit Predictions. So how did I do... Well 3 of the actual dresses I predicted appeared on the Red Carpet, and 1 complete outfit/person combination came true! Not too shabby.



Natalie Portman in Rodarte. Similar cut to the Alexis Mabille SS11 couture dress, perfect for flattering that baby bump! Apparently Rodarte was a last minute choice - she had planned on wearing Dior, but as she is Isreali she changed her mind (rightly so!)

Mila Kunis - How annoyed am I. At the last minute I changed the Elie Saab dress for Mila and put it on Blake Lively? (Why did I think she would even be there!!!?)

My Predictions:





Scarlett Johansson in an an all over lace Dolce & Gabanna number. I like the wine-red shade of the dress, but I can see her pants...

Florence Welch at the Elton John after party wearing the Valentino that I envisaged on Anne Hathaway! It looks just as beautiful.

My Predictions:




Michelle Williams in Chanel Haute Couture (as seen below) Although I think it's been slightly tailored for her. It looks amazing!

Nicole Kidman wearing Dior despite the John Galliano Controversy. Can't say I'm a fan of the dress! Think she could have done a lot better!

My Predictions:



My Favourite Oscar Picks
:



Hailey Steinfeld in a nude Marchesa gown. Rumour has it the 14 year old helped with the design?

Florence Welch in another Valentino gown on the Red Carpet. Love the tiered silhouette and the shade of pastel yellow.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture! It looks absolutely incredible, when I saw the spring/summer couture collection I loved it, but didn't think it would be wearable!

Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott. She has an amazing figure and this really does it justice. I love the colour with her hair. Very glam!

Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier. I think nude and sparkly is a common/boring choice for oscar dresses, but she pulls it off and looks so demure and elegant!

Hilary Swank in a Gucci sequined and feathered masterpiece!

My 'You should have tried harder' Picks:



Halle Berry in Marchesa. Strapless, Nude, Tulle, Sequins, Next...

Reece Witherspoon in Armani Privé. I think it adds years on her!

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein. Like the cut and the fit of the dress but the metallic appearance isn't working for me. I was expecting better things Gwyn!

Anne Hathaway in Valentino. Just a bit bland really. Although she did have 7 other outfits to redeem herself. I haven't seen them all. If you get a chance google her hosting job - cringe!


PS. The madness of Helena Bonham-Carter in an ensemble not too dis-similar to the Jean Paul Gaultier Couture I predicted. Well I suppose anything 1880s vampire-esque would work for her!



Hope you enjoyed my predictions! My ultimate favourites are Cate Blanchett, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams! Did you have any? Which red carpet dresses were your favourites?

Amelia xo


Wednesday 23 February 2011

The LOOK Show Part 3 - The aftermath...

Trends from the LOOK Show...



If you live and breathe fashion you'll know the Seventies is one of the biggest influences of spring/summer trends. If not I will excuse you, that rock you've been living under must have limited fashion resources. The 70's era has inspired Palazzo pants, midi skirts and jumpsuits to claim their rightful place in the forefront of fashion. Not to mention the ditsy floral and polka dot prints. Not just in clothing, accessories take on the 70's with floppy hats, oversized sunglasses (not that they ever really went anywhere) and cork wedges and chunky heels!

Top tip - Create a high waist. It will give new dimensions to an outfit and add a retro feel.

Best Place to buy on the High Street
- Monsoon, Mango and River Island.



The perfect colourways for Spring and Summer, fruity hues are making an impact on fashion in a big way. The perfect choice for a feminine outfit and extra cute in a floaty fabric. The palette can be layered with sheer fabrics and even lightwear knits, to acheive a perfect cocktail of colour. The light shades are also good for clashing prints, as nothing looks to heavy in a lighter colour.

Top tip -
Peachy pastel shades with deep reds make an excellent colour combination.

Best place to buy on the high street
- Mango, New Look and French Connection.



Double Denim. One of those trends you can easily get wrong, but get it right and you look oh so chic. With this season being big on the 1970's we can't escape a denim ensemble. Although it doesn't have to be 70's inspired. I loved the way Uniqlo used denim in a preppy/nautical way. Nothing new, but very wearable!

Top Tip - Double it up with dark skinny jeans and lighter shirts. Denim in a similar wash in jeans and a jacket can look a bit Justin Timberlake and Britney rather than the more desirable Chloé.

Best places to buy on the High Street
- Marks and Spencer, Uniqlo, Mango.



Animal and tribal prints are great for day wear, evening wear and even beach wear! Not just the usual leopard prints but also snake prints, heading into a more western direction like the Mexian/Navaro fringe trend i recently blogged! Tribal influences are featured heavily in jewellery and accessories with aztec inspired pendants and bracelets! Not to mention the amount of tassles and saddle bags there are about!

Top Tip
- Animal prints, in my opinion, look better either in subtle shades or looser fits. And the higher the quality of the fabric the better!

Best Place to buy on the High Street
- Warehouse, Next and Marks and Spencer.(All great quality!)



There's no better way to stick your middle finger up at the rain than a bright colour. Just like Jil Sander take a bright colour or 3 and wear them all at the same time. Just like Prada take multi-coloured stripes and rock it! Colour blocking can be acheieved with rainbow stripes or more subtle blocked colours! Mini trends within coloured clothing are pleats for a more 3 dimensional texture, stripes and bows!

Top Tip
- The brighter the better!

Best Place to buy on the High Street
- Warehouse, River Island and H&M.



Florals are an amazing way to incorporate lots of trends in one. You could have a 70's floral, in a bright colour with a clashing alternative print and boom 3 trends in 1! Florals will be seen in lots of midi lengths and cute tea dresses for the ultimate feminine summer party look. It's a trend for anyone, it was great to see the Curvy Model finalists in this trend! Just looking at all these ditsy prints makes me want to go flip flop shopping!

Top Tip
- Wear the print accordingly to match your body shape. For example, Pear shapes wear print on top and blocked colour on the bottom and vice versa for top heavy girls to divert attention!

Best Place to Buy on the High Street
- Dorothy Perkins, New Look and Mango.

Goody Bag.




The contents of my goodybag took up a whole lot of carpet space when i emptied it out! I've shared out a few bits with my mum already, the New Look scarf and Monsoon Jewellery were right up her street - on the basis that we can share it of course...

This Galliano perfume is yum! I think that and the Sunglasses and Label M mousse really got the OMG's out. I might do a give away of some of these bits, which would you like to see in a give away? I've had so many new followers in the last couple of weeks I feel the need to reward you!!


Shopping the LOOKS...

The day after the LOOK Show I spent a fair few hours in Westfield shopping centre! As it was just across the road from the hotel it would be rude not to, and I had so much inspiration from the show! I wanted to look in the shops that had impressed me the most - unfortunately didn't take many pictures because some of the shops look at you like your a loon if you get your camera out! The accessories in Next and Dorothy Perkins really did it for me, some gorgeous floppy hats in next and I need these nude shoes from DP. Only £38 - bargain!


Dorothy Perkins.

Next.

Next.

L-R: River Island and Hilton Slippers.

What I bought...

Following the current trends throughout the show I was in love with this peach colour, the blazer was £14.99 from H&M. I saw a girl at the show matching a peach blazer with a deep berry red jumpsuit. I tried to find these tapered trousers from New Look, but to no avail! I will keep looking!



I also bought the outfit above from River Island, colour blocking brights - check! It also had a preppy feel to the outfit, somewhat reminiscent from the Uniqlo show! Now all i need is a massive purple umbrella...

Over and Out...

So that's all from me on the LOOK Show blogging. I've had an amazing time as a finalist for this competition! Thank you to everyone involved, and I hope you have enjoyed my LOOK round ups. I'm so excited to be able to write about this competition on my CV! I finish uni in May and I'm looking to get into fashion online - so if anyone wants to snap me up, I make a great cup of tea and I am a LOOK Show blog competition finalist don't you know...

Amelia xo
(Best viewed in Firefox)

February 14th - Summer Inspiration and LOOK Show.
February 15th - Festival Fringe and LOOK Show Ramblings.
February 16th - LOOK Show Outfit Potentials.
February 20th - The LOOK Show: Part One.
February 22nd - Bare with me (Featuring LOOK Show video).
February 22nd - LOOK Show Part Two - The High Street's Hottest.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

LOOK Show Part Two - The High Street's Hottest...


New Look.


Opening the show for New Look was Victoria's Secret model Petra Nemcova. Capturing the playful brand image by strutting her stuff with a constant smile. New Look delivered ditsy floral prints and beautiful bright colours to give you that summer feeling! Incorporating the shades of the season - Tangerine and Berry reds - into sophisticated tapered trousers and sheer shirts. Loosely tailored blouses and crochet knit jumpers were tucked in to a high waist to accentuate the feminine form. Creating light layering and playing with the infamous Seventies trend for Spring/Summer 11. For the accessories New Look represented brightly coloured duffle bags, gorgeous gold necklaces and sunglasses in a size Mary-Kate Olsen would be proud of.



Colour Palette: Shocking Pink, Acid Orange, Electric Blue, Tangerine, Berry Red and Crisp Whites.



Dorothy Perkins.

I've never seen High Street do floral that could look so designer, but the Spring/Summer range for Dorothy Perkins could give Christopher Kane and Jonathan Saunders a run for their money! Taking on board the summer colours with a pastel/acid twist yet still in completely wearable summer shift dresses. The cute Scalloped edge makes plain white tops and block coloured shorts stand out against the average hemline. Similarly to New Look, everything is sinched at the waist, giving the collection an elegance - as well as the crew cut neck lines and 50's style shirt dresses. My favourite piece from Dorothy Perkins was the mint green uneven hemmed dress. With minature floral embellishments and a sheer fabric that pratically floated down the catwalk.
Accessories to match the floral prints with brooches, floppy hats, boxy handbags and elegant strings of pearls.



Colour Palette: Tangerine, Aquamarine Green, Orange Sherbert, Crisp White and Sky Blue.



Uniqlo.


Uniqlo is a shop I rarely shop in, as there is no store in or around Bournemouth! I was aware of the preppy nature of the label and this range at the show did not disappoint! I love preppy chic, and uniqlo used a combination of bright colours against neutral shades to highlight a new kind of spring styling. The brand used a variety of ditsy prints and nautical stripes to create the clashing print trends arising this season. Loose fitted chinos and more tailored coats and knits gave the collection a casual yet classy element...with a hint of double denim. One of the more realistic collections for an English Summer, not only because models walked with Umbrella's, but for the appropriate lengths and styles of clothing. Accessories were minimal and preppy with clear lens glasses and plaited tans glasses.



Colour Palettes: Creamy floral prints, Khaki's, Beige, Stone, Denim, Navy, Lilac, Baby pink and teal.



Monsoon.

Monsoon to me is towards the higher end of high street stores. Which was totally evident in the quality and craftmanship of the collection! Luxurious fabrics in silks, and manipulated chiffons into pleats bought to life a floaty spring/summer range. The models walked tall in glamorous silk jersey jumpsuits and cute paisley printed shift dresses. Prints were styled amongst dip dyed basics to give the 70's edge. The swimwear definitely perked up Shayne Ward - yeah i saw where you were looking Ward! Accessories took a tribal influence with feathered headbands, gold necklaces and tassled bags. Also a sophisticated glamour with hand held fans and heavily floral embellished belts!



Colour Palette: Navy, Violet, Aquamarine blue, orange sherbert, and pastel shades in pink and lilac.



Marks & Spencer.

Marks and Sparks! The kind of place synonymous with Percy pigs and Bridget Jones pants...Well not anymore! Easily one of the collections that had impressed me the most!! The collection went down a 'Nu Egypt' kind of route with Grecian style swimwear, crisp white shirts and blazers and animal print in bright colours (Think Burberry Prorsum SS11). They played with different textures including denim and leather for a variety of spring/summer looks each with an air of sophistication! Accessories made the most of gold with long line necklaces. Dark sophisticated sunglasses to rival Victoria Beckham and bright pink beach bags - a must have for a fashionista on holiday!



Colour Palette: Neutral shades - pale terracotta, beige, crisp whites, indigo, camel.



H&M.

H&M was colour central. Epitomising the word Summer. Did you know Olivia Palermo's dress was an H&M number? The Striped cropped tee reminds me of a Marc by Marc Jacobs collection! I love it paired with the two-tone pleated skirt, perfect for daytime chic. Satin and silks form the perfect looks for evening wear. The tangerine pastel colour strikes again bringing a two piece skirt suit into 2011 with retro stylings of knee high socks and T-Bar shoes! Cute bows incorporated into the outfits in belts and jacket fastenings for a demure playful feminine style. Colour block trends were evident throughout the H&M Range, with combination's of yellow, blues, greys and terracotta reds! Accessories were retro Vs tribal!



Colour Palette: Aqua Blue, Pastel peach, Turquoise, Indigo, Grey, Lemon Yellow, Pink sherbert, Terractotta.



Mango.

I must admit Mango nearly took my breath away. The asymmetric pleated dress alone was enough to make you go 'oooh' (Just watch it in Slow-mo on my video!) I found the styling of mango incorporated just about every trend going for Spring/summer!!! Floaty fabrics, Ditsy Florals, Midi Lengths, Peach Blazers, Accentuated waists, animal print and that 70's edge. Definitely a favourite for me. I love the layering of stripey luxe knits and floral shirts, not to mention the clashing prints. The yellow ditsy dress is to die for, and the python print silk shirt is the kind of glamour I'd love to pull off. The use of neutral shades vs Bright colours gives the range a vibrancy and sophistication I would associate with European chic - Well it is mango. I'm definitely shopping here more often! Waist belts galore in the accessories list, as well as oversized sunglasses and bright coloured clutch bags!



Colour Palette: Dusty pinks, Chambray Denim, Beige Grey, Canary Yellow, Camel, Peach.



Next.

Next love a print or two! In my notes from the show I've written what could roughly be translated to 'leafy' - well if by that I meant an ethnic/tribal arrangement of patterns then yes. Leafy it would be. I'm in love with the playsuit - the shape of it was everything you want in a playsuit. Good sleeve length, Good hem length, good neckline! And the Bow waist belt topped it all off! I shall definitely be purchasing this one and wearing it with my cropped leather jacket! The burnt orange sheer shirt is another favourite - the creative use of the contrasting neck tie illuminates the outfit - Palazzo pants at their best! Another concotion of tribal accessories with the added use of bows and tanned belts! I have about 8 tan belts - they are essential after all!


Colour Palette: Burnt Orange, Vibrant purple, moss green, dove grey, crisp white.



Warehouse Luxe.

Warehouse luxe oozes a sense of sophistication, crisp white tailored jumpsuits with cut out detail, and colour blocked midi dresses give an 80s vibe. As does the use of Flourescent yellow, stripey rainbow brights and animal prints! I'd call it 80's luxe. They even have crimped hair! I love the soft tailorings from the collection, It all looks so easy to wear. The majority of the garments are made from jersey, a spring/summer staple fabric! Definitely a brand you could make the day-to-night transition with nearly any outfit! Floppy hats and boxy satchels are about as far as the accessories went! But the fabric does the talking for you!



Colour Palette: Rainbow Brights, Canary Yellow, Berry Red, Crisp White, Animal Print, Dusty Pink, Black Leather.



River Island.

River Island is one of my favourite high street shops. In my opinion, the quality of their clothing has gone from strength to strength recently. I work part-time in a rather large R.I store and you still get the odd diamontéd garm or two, but the majority has developed in an elegantly stylish manor! I see elements of Marc by Marc Jacobs in outfits with clashing floral and striped prints. Influence from Jil Sander with colour blocked brights, Miu Miu style swallow prints and Erdem with classic floral shift dresses. I want want want the polka dot jumpsuit, but I think it will need a foot or two cut from the length (If you read this R.I a petite range would be much appreciated!). I love the crochet knit jumpers as dresses with bright vests underneath. Perfect for the phase inbetween Spring and Winter, where it's too cold for bare legs, but too warm for coats! There is so much wearable stuff from the range seen at the LOOK Show. It makes up half of my wish list! Love the envelope style clutch bags, Big sunglasses, oversized floppy hat, and scarf tie waistbelts!


Colour Palettes: Vibrant Violet, Navy, Acid Orange, Yellows, Peach, Florals.



French Connection.

French Connection was the OOOOH and AAAAH collection of the show for me. The perfect finalé! The crisp white pleated maxi dress was divine! I love the powdery colours that make up the colour palette. The utilitarian blue boiler playsuit would be a great night time outfit for a hot summers night! As well as the floral printed jumpsuit. French Connection's use of leather and scalloped edge combination is a good contrast between hard and soft. The pretty embroidery on the shift dress was the perfect detail for a formal dress. Accessories in gold, bright orange, white and blue make for a colour co-ordinated collection.



Colour Palette: Crisp White, Navy, Pastel oranges, tanned leather, colbalt blue.



I think my favourite collection has to be Mango. I was so impressed by all though, and suprised by many! Marks and Spencer and Next aren't places I would usually shop in, but after seeing the show I'm going to make more of an effort to check them out! The same with Mango and Uniqlo!

Which is your favourite?
Amelia xo