I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud...

Hello there!

Sorry for my loooooong absence! I've been off in the beautiful Lake District celebrating my one year anniversary! Just got back to London town after a mammoth drive and I am utterly zonked!

I'll be back to normal blogging this week, and there is so much to talk about...Fashion Weeks, the Oscars (Angelina Jolie's rogue leg?!) etc, so be prepared for some long over due fashion and beauty talk!

In the mean time, I've put a few piccies from our trip to the Lakes...if you've never been, I really recommend going, it is such an amazing place full of beauty, history, beatrix potter, wordsworth, the best gingerbread ever, fab food and of course, gorgeous lakes and mountains. My skin really appreciated a few days of of the London smog!

Anywhoo, hope everyone is well. Enjoy x

Chambord Teaches Fashionistas How to Pose Like a Pro!

I was sent something very interesting by Chambord black rasberry liqueur (not the actual drink - the lovely PR folk behind the drink!) who will be making a return to London Fashion Weekend (that's this weekend people) and will be bringing with it a touch of French chic to London's buzzing fashion scene.

Chambord are the spirit sponsor of the main bar - so expect lots of yummy cocktails on offer - and they will also be hosting the Chambord Platinum Club Lounge. Now why am I getting so excited about a berry flavoured liqueur I hear you ask (especially when I hardly ever drink). Well, Chambord are bringing with them leading fashion photographer Fabio Affuso, who will be teaching the stylish guests how to find their "fashion face." Affuso will share his expertise in the lounge, showing fashionistas how to strike a model-worthy pose and to ensure that you always look your most chic in photos! I like!

In the Chambord Platinum Club Lounge, guests receive a complimentary Chambord and champers, and a canape reception, while practising how to pose like a pro. Sound fun? Well, it's going on from now until Saturday, so if you fancy a fashion tutorial, here are the times to head down:

Today - between 1pm - 2pm and 9pm - 10pm

Saturday 24th - between 12:30pm - 1:30pm and 2:30pm to 3:30pm

If you can't make it, but want to know how to pose like a pro anyway, check out these top tips from the master:

1. The most important thing is to relax and feel good about yourself. If you feel fabulous you will look fabulous too!

 

2. Everyone feels most comfortable with one side of their face, and most likely that is their better side. Discover your better side and make it shine!

 

3. Light is very important too. Position yourself so that the light shapes your face and is onto your best side.

 

4. Some people love to pucker their lips and brows, but don't overdo it. It can look good with some faces, however, if you do it all the time soon your pictures will look all the same.

 

5. The best models are the ones who can offer different expressions and emotions trough their facial and body language. Try to offer to the camera something different all the time, don't get locked in one expression.

 

6. Remember to have fun!

Enjoy x

Meadham Kirchhoff SS12 Show

Time for another SS12 show update!

Today's obsession is with quirky label Meadham Kirchhoff who have really made it big over the last few years. A few jobs backed, when I worked in the world of fashion PR, I worked with the designers behind the label, and it was all lace, Gothic and deconstruction - cool but not very adaptable (and it seems that's what they intended). So I was in complete shock (and joyous rapture) when I saw the SS12 collection and how gorgeously fun and kitsch is was.

Happiness, fun and cutesey-ness (is that a word) is what I felt when I saw the collection. The runway was adorned with arches of candy coloured balloons, and a group of Courtney Love lookalikes stormed the runway en masse and applied lipstick, before breaking into dance! Sound surreal? It gets better. The models then came, strutting their stuff followed by a group of school girl ballerinas, then a cake was revealed with yet more models showcasing the collection.

The whole show celebrated what it is to be a girl  - not a woman - because isn't it more fun to be girly??

As for the collection; think check button-downs, vintage cartoon appliqués, fluffy pastel marabou coats, and little shifts and sculptured dresses with a wedding cake theme executed in broderie anglaise. Knee-high socks and cute sandals, candy coloured make-up, candy floss wigs and more colour and fun than I've seen in a long time. I must own this collection, and next season I am definitely working my inner 7 year old! Enjoy x

images from style.com

Burberry Prorsum SS12 Show

Readers of Belle of the Ball would be well aware that as much as I love fashion, I am a much bigger fan of the autumn/winter collections than spring/summer. I don't know why exactly, but I love the idea of layering, textures, accessories and I just tend to find autumn/winter collections to be more creative.

Imagine my delight then when I saw the Burberry Prorsum SS12 collection - which could easily be mistaken for a pre-fall collection. Yay! It seems that Christopher Bailey was inspired by our non-existent summer this year (and most years come to think of it), so much so that parkas, belted trenches, hats and deconstructed layers ruled his collection.

Accessories wise, we're talking wide belts, wedges, big bags and tribal influenced jewellery - lovely! I loved the combinations of prints and colours, stripes and parkas, and some gorgeous block colours in rich hues. The whole collection was a breath of fresh air, a world away from the pastels and acid brights we've been seeing, and this is definitely a collection that will be inspiring my SS12 wardrobe! Enjoy x

images from style.com

Giles Spring Summer 2012 Show

Ooh another day, another show and collection to drool over!!

Today my lovelies, it's all about Giles. What a stunning collection. As soon as I saw the images, I started daydreaming about floating to work in a sea of frothy chiffon skirts, silver lame t-shirt dresses and pastel coloured furry cover-ups...am I painting a tempting picture??

Although Giles made it adamant that the collection was not based on Black Swan, the swan reference and somewhat other-worldly feel encapsulates the whole collection. Ostrich plumes, feathers, lace and cut-out metallic gowns and dresses created an ethereal feeling as the models stomped fiercely down the runway. As Deacon pointed out, the swan may be supremely elegant, but it's also fierce and savage.

It's a completely magical collection which is both beautifully feminine yet fierce and totally contemporary. I love it! Enjoy x

Ashish and Jaeger SS12 Shows

I just wanted to drop a post on a couple of my favourite collections so far from London Fashion Week for SS12. I'm not normally that excited about the spring/summer collections, because I am so majorly obsessed with autumn/winter collections. I prefer the designs, materials, trends blah blah blah...but a couple of SS12 collections so far have really caught my eye and are making me crave my next summer holiday already!

First up is Jaeger, where the girly side of me squealed in delight! Broderie Anglaise was everywhere - cut-out details, embroidery and doily like patterns, sheer fabrics and soft feminine colours...sigh...just gorgeous! I envision Princess Kate buying out the whole collection! Front row spots included Pixie Lott, Brix Start and Olivia Palermo...nice!

Second, is favourite for the more fashion adventurous, Ashish. This collection took florals to a whole other level!! Bright, graphic and bold floral prints on dresses, shirts, blazers and skirts...and even bunches of flowers on chunky black biker boots. Mixing the girly with the masculine is always a favourite look of mine. I love this collection and will definitely be using is as my SS12 inspiration - I just hope the high street pick up on it! Enjoy x