Fashion posts

New York Fashion Week: The Picks (Part 1 Marchesa, Ralph Lauren etc.)

February 18, 2016

How better to alleviate an unrelenting sense of FOMO where NYFW’s concerned, than to chime in with my favourite pieces of the season? I’d like to thank the handful of brands/party hosters who emailed me with invites over the past week but alas, I have been stuck in fair Blighty with about ten quid to my name. Maybe next time. Fly me over, yeah?

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MARCHESA

Whilst my day-to-day sartorial uniform consists of trusty black-on-black, catwalk shows that convey more than shapeless beige/tonal shades really resonate with me (*cough* sorry DKNY). The intricate craftsmanship that is endlessly apparent from Marchesa is as close to classic fine art as the fashion world gets. With a floral update from SS16’s focus on glitz and volume, this collection looks like the result of The Great Gatsby throwing a Valentine’s party. And I want an invite.

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RALPH LAUREN

Ralph Lauren was something of a mixed bag this season. Starting off with a theme that conjured images of Gossip Girls’ Blair Waldorf at a 70s throwback school disco; ending on a jewel-toned medley of evening gowns, variation was key. However, the standout looks for me had to be the monochrome offering, with slick tailoring contrasting against exaggerated blouse ruffles – think Adam Ant after a packet of face-wipes and a blow-dry.

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NAEEM KHAN

The first two dresses in this segment are some of the only ‘Ready-to-Wear’ pieces I’ve seen that are plausibly ready-to-wear – though perhaps not whilst you’re mooching around ASDA of a Thursday eve. The geometric cut-outs bring a quirky twist on two somewhat traditional styles, with the velvet of the black dress sending me back to my purple velvet catsuit days of the nineties (I was 10, don’t judge me). The latter styles scream opulence, with another insurgence of roses akin to those of Marchesa, elevating two of my favourite hues – pillarbox red and ebony black – high onto the trend ladder. Yaasss.

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RR331

A label that, admittedly, had never crossed my path before, RR331 surprisingly knocked Proenza Schouler off my list for this rundown. I love a good staple black piece, but my tendency to veer towards safer options is obliterated with this collection and I’m more than willing to take the risk. With asymmetrical hems and outlandish silhouettes, RR331’s ability to remain sophisticated and classic, whilst straddling the kooky and unique, encapsulates the contrasting ethoi of its designers Ralph Rucci and Sander Lak. The former, a veteran American couturier, creates pieces that are driven by exquisite fabrics and lines, whilst the latter – 30 years Rucci’s junior – designs with youth and a casual edge, resulting in this delightfully contradictory pairing.

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Harvey Nichols Sale Preview #GetThereEarly

June 17, 2014

Hold on to your purses and avert your eyes, ladies and gents: Harvey Nichols has a stonker of a sale starting tomorrow, both instore and online. Personally, I’m going to be trying to behave myself around the handbags – at 21, I think it’s time I owned a Vivienne Westwood, surely? Hmm, perhaps not, but I’m pretty sure I need one regardless… Make sure you check it out and here are their favourite picks for the sale, grab them before they’re gone:

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Christopher Kane Flower Sweatshirt – WAS £330 – NOW £165; Etoile Isabel Marant Tweed Blazer
– WAS £295 – NOW £148; Kenzo No Fish No Nothing Sweat – WAS £220 – NOW £110; RED
Valentino Butterfly Print Cotton Dress – WAS £510 – NOW £255; Alice + Olivia Floral Stretch Crepe
Trousers – WAS £275 – NOW – £137.50; J Brand Aiden Destroyed Boyfriend Jean – WAS £255 –
NOW £153; Sophie Hulme Spear Tab Leather Shoulder Bag – WAS £460 – NOW £230; MMK Jet
Set Stripe Travel Bag – WAS £260 – NOW £130; MCM Start Stripe Backpack – WAS £600 – NOW
£300; Alexander McQueen Heroine Red Chain Satchel – WAS £1,195 – NOW £597.50; Givenchy
Pandora Rose Print shoulder bag – WAS £1,310 – NOW £524; Givenchy Floral Print Leather Sandals
– WAS £545 – NOW £327; Kenzo Printed Leather Trainers – WAS £200 – NOW £120; Saint Laurent
Bright Yellow Pointed Leather Pumps – WAS £360 – NOW £216.

What have you got your eye on? The Michael Kors bag is calling to me – naturally. Help!

WISHLIST: Graduation

June 16, 2014

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Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial Champagne – £40.99 | Ted Baker iPhone Sleeve – £20 (usually £29) | Olivia Burton Big Dial Lilac + Rose Gold Watch – £125 | Miss Selfridge Nude Paisley Gown – £150 | New Look Nude Courts – £19.99

As you may know, I manage to claw my way out of the stormy depths of undergraduateland recently, and will be graduating (escaping) university forever next month. However, before then I also have a Graduation Ball held at Blackpool Tower which, with the addition of the questionable line-up of Chase + Status (DJ set…), Miss Dynamite and someone I can’t even recall, is hopefully just going to be a very fancy piss-up. So this wishlist is going to be a lusty amalgamation of my Graduation Ball outfit wants and my graduation gift wants. I think the dress and the pink Moët are a definite though. Be mine.

 

 

EVENT: South Beach Swim at Lola’s.

May 30, 2014

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Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a bunch of bloggers I’d never met before and heading over to Lola’s in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, for South Beach Swim’s #SouthBeachSummer event – and what a little scorcher it was! For what could potentially be the first time in my life, I was ten minutes early for the do – but not that we were complaining, as it gave us first dibs on the (terribly, terribly) moreish custom-named cocktails. I will confess now, that despite polishing off a good five of these beauties by the time I had to leave – I still didn’t don a bikini and start a conga train. Such a let down, I know…

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Our little group (Abi of Kemples, Emma of MissPond, Amy of AmyElizabeth and Beckie of BeckieRackham) settled down with our cocktails and soon after were ushered into the next room – the next room of cake heaven. Now, I’m not usually one for a sweet tooth, but for starters, marshmallow and chocolate brownies (with fizzy flying saucers on them)? They’re kinda something else. As for the cakes – oh, the cakes: one chocolatey delight adorned with what looked like the lining of a fat toddler’s stomach – but in the very best of ways, the other an adorable beach scene. After scoffing half a tonne of crisps and a cheeky nibble of cake, I’d like to thank South Beach Swim for feeding me for the remainder of the week…

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Then came every #bbloggers favourite phrase: time for manicures! I opted for a quirky OPI colour in a deep purple which dried matte with a sand effect: very strange, but very cool. Thank you to @SkinHealthSpa for the manicure – I will definitely be in for a facial soon with this post-exam face. Another bunch of cocktails and fancy nails down, we finally got to checking out the clothes – at least after a cheeky selfie with my new boyfriend – the dead tiki cocktail-mixer skeleton. Both Abi and I fell madly in love with this adorable little nautical number that I may have to invest in if only to parade around my flat wearing it, given the sad lack of holidays on my horizon. Cue violins.

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We all had a really great time, and if anyone fancies whisking me away for a cheeky sun-break: I know exactly which bikini I’ll be wearing.

Thanks for the invite, guys!


 

Ones To Watch: Rufflee SS/14 ‘Funfair’ Drops Today.

April 23, 2014

There’s something really quite special about happening upon an emerging designer – to watch their line grow and flourish from a fledgling into something majorly exciting seemingly overnight – and my latest little treasure trove comes in the guise of Rufflee. This bold new Manchester designer focuses predominantly on kaleidoscopic prints and clean cut wardrobe staples, with a twist. Recently showcased at the London Bloggers Fashion Week ’14 and Manchester Fashion Week ’14, I truly predict great things for this guy – and will definitely be snapping up a few pieces for myself from his latest collection: ‘Funfair’, which drops on April 23rd and can be found here.

Here are some of my favourite picks from the collection, taken from a recent show at Manchester Fashion Week:

Cape and Skirt Co-ord – £28 and £32 respectively

If you’re not acquainted with the terms ‘co-ord’ or ‘separates’ yet this season, I’m slightly worried for you. Once a mythical creature confined to the depths of the nineties and beyond, now a huge storm for SS/14 and found with its own category on the likes of Topshop, Missguided and ASOS, the co-ordinates are here, and they’re here to stay. Most high street labels have taken the route of matchy-matchy t-shirts and bottoms, or straight-up jackets, but Rufflee takes pride of place for being the creator of the first cape co-ord I’ve set eyes on this season. Pair with summertime bare legs (and girl, you don’t need that fake tan), white cleated platforms and fishnet socks to be horrendously on trend this season. If you don’t fancy baring your midriff, a lace camisole will do the trick.

Cotton Candy T-shirt – £36

With the pastel hues of this easy breezy t-shirt, you can insert this right into your SS/14 wardrobe – alongside jelly sandals/holographic clutches/endless cleated footwear/pastel heaven. A perfect way to get a unique print away from the samey-samey racks of high street stores – team with a clashing print for a real fashion blogger feel.

rufflee-manchester-fashion-week-rollercoaster-shirtRollercoaster T-Shirt – £36

If the onslaught of girly pinks is getting a little too much for you this season, you can always cool it down a little with this pale blue number. Throw on some ripped knee skinny jeans and some heeled ankle boots for a twist on the infamous ‘off-duty model’ look – Starbucks cup optional.

Check out the other pieces and get following on your preferred social media channels – this guy’s going to go far!

Website: Rufflee.co.uk

Twitter: TweetRufflee

Instagram: InstaRufflee

PREVIEW: Primark SS14 Collection.

February 27, 2014

Okay, hear me out on this one – as you might currently be as confused as me. I posted about Primark’s SS14 preview drop a month or so ago, but they’ve hit back with a whole host of new pieces to add to the collection. Are they all going to be coming out at the same time, or will these be out in summer itself? The answers, I do not know – but I’ll do my best to find out and follow up on this.

After sitting in a glorious patch of sunshine this morning, eating my second or third bowl of Sugar Puffs in the kitchen, I fantasised heavily about the slow but eventual onset of summer. Is it just me, or has it been winter forever now? Do sandals even exist? What IS a crop top? Ice cream? What a sick joke. I hate the cold – being ghostly pale and blessed with pathetic circulation, I can’t wait for the days where I can ceremoniously burn my winter coats and dance upon their ashes. Or at the very least, gleefully stuff them under my bed. Perfect excuse to buy a pastel pink jacket then, right?

In the meantime, I hope you’ll join me in drooling over these upcoming beauties (slightly weird image when you think about it – maybe less of the communal dribbling, eh):

Prints

  • Printed Beach Fringe Kimono – £15

  • Grid and Floral Print Shirt – £12

Monochrome

  • Tailored Playsuit – £14

Pastel

  • Jade PU Fitted Skirt – £10

  • Lilac Almond Toe Court Shoe – £12

Coming Up: Leeds RAG Fashion Show 2014

February 27, 2014

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Again, I must begin with the obligatory (and unfortunately too frequent) apologies for my absence this month: third year is really starting to take its toll on me. I’ve taken to hiding under my desk, Creme Egg hoarding and other such worrying symptoms of third-year lunacy lately. The prospect of it all being over in three months is as terrifying as it is a relief – it’s just a case of trying to keep it all together now! Can I have a life coach, please?

Anyway, on a brighter, more exciting note: I’m taking a wander over to Leeds tomorrow for the Leeds Rag Fashion Show, which is in aid of SARSVL (Support After Rape & Sexual Violence Leeds) and SUDEP Action. The committee have done an incredible job at drawing in amazing designers and companies to get on board, including Masato Jones, ASOS and American Apparel. In fact, they recently did a rather snazzy photoshoot for American Apparel – check this beaut out (click the image to see the others!):

With Block A tickets still available on the site, you’d be quite the unfashionable scrooge if you didn’t come down and help out this amazing cause – you’ll find me in VIP – cocktail in one hand, Instagram-snapping on the other…

Miley Cyrus Bares All (Again) For W Magazine

February 7, 2014

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Pretty sure I’ve seen more of Miley Cyrus’ skin than I have my own, of late. The infamous pop sensation just can’t seem to keep enough of her clothes on – despite having a bank balance that would easily dress half of Europe in Chanel. As something of a self-proclaimed Miley-cynic, I usually can’t help myself from writing scathing pieces about her latest faux-pas but today, I’ve hit a crisis: I may actually like these images.

For once, Cyrus’ new look is almost, dare I say it: tasteful. Instead of tacky barely-there Santa girl costumes, or hideously niptastic fishnet monstrosities, this shoot is stripped back in all the right ways. Yes, she may be completely starkers but this time, she’s looking more Donatella Versace than dirt cheap, right? And even better, there’s not a hint of Robin Thicke in sight.

Of course, the subtlety of her sexuality on the cover doesn’t last long, as the inner spread reveals shots of her getting back into that aforementioned ‘niptastic’ mode. However, even though I’m caught face-to-face (or should I say nip-to-face) with her ‘bangerz’, I don’t want to start pelting things at my laptop screen in disgust this time. Maybe it’s because her tongue is well and truly at bay, or maybe it’s because of the artsy monochrome effects – maybe it’s simply because those bleached brows slightly disguise the fact that she’s actually Miley Cyrus. I just can’t hate it.

If this was some foresight into a new era of Miley, I may actually end up hanging up my bitch crown and becoming – perish the thought… a fan. Admittedly, amidst jealousy and judgement, it’s sometimes too easy to forget that Miley is just a young 20-something, just like me. Saying which: you wouldn’t find me licking sledgehammers on your average Friday night. I guess all I’m trying to say is: keep doing what you’re doing, girl – we’ve all seen enough of your nether regions by now.

Over to you guys: are you a fan of this side of Miley? Have W Magazine helped change your tune, too? Drop me a comment or hit me up @Ebzo – I can talk about this girl all day, trust me…

 

 

WISHLIST: February’s Fancies and Image Overhaul.

February 4, 2014

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Revlon ColourBurst Matte Lip Balm £7.99 (on 3 for 2) – Boots | Pastel White Mini Satchel £6 – Primark

Lavish Alice Mint Green Pointed Collar Dress £41.99 – Ark | ALLSORTS Chelsea Boots £45 – Topshop | Retro Patterned Co-Ord Set £19.59 – Choies

Read more ›

LUST: Shop Dixi Stackable Rings Picks

February 1, 2014

dixi-ring-collection-ss14If you have a little scroll-y on down, you’ll spot my first ring ‘LUST’ post: Accessorize. Dixi is a bit like Accessorize’s grungy older sister, and she’s a tad more expensive too. However, when I’m feeling flush, I will definitely be treating myself, painstakingly one-by-one, to these gorgeous pieces to add to my budding stackable ring collection. There is nothing better than disguising stubby fingers with a slick of grey/black/burgundy nail varnish and some distractingly purrrdy rings.

Moonstone Poison Box Ring – £32 | My Little Moon Ring – £26

Silver Wishbone Midi Ring – £8 | Kingdom Turquoise Amulet Ring – £16


Ebony. 25. Manchester.
Marketing Manager who likes to mouth off on here about stuff she cares about. Expect mental health, Borderline Personality Disorder, and reviews - from restaurants, to books, to fashion. Talks to cats more than people, but seemingly has a lot to say.
ebonylaurenn@gmail.com