Following my dreams... You never know! ;)

So a long time has passed since I lost blogged on the 30th May, and a hell of a lot has changed! When I last wrote, I had just finished a 2 week placement at Gok's Fashion Fix, and although it had given me a hard shove into wanting to following my dreams of becoming a fashion stylist - I still had no idea HOW to go about achieving it. On the 2 hour journey back to Sheffield, I wracked my brains as to what to do next in order to make steps in the right direction. I decided that as well as completing my Fashion Styling and Image Consultancy course, I needed to gain some hands on experience in order to show my creativity. This lead swiftly on to what I like to call Project Portfolio (ok, so I just made that up but it sounded good!). Within a month, I had located a fantastic photographer, Holly Booth, and a budding model, Chelsea N. We discussed themes, concepts and locations, and then I began styling my first ever fashion shoot. It was an immensely enjoyable experience, something which I knew I wanted to do again and again! Below is one of my favourite images from the day.

Fast forward to August, and I got what I believe was my 'big break'. After a shoot I was styling got cancelled the day before, photographer Steve Robertson rescued me and told me he would help me set a shoot up with himself and the mesmerizing model, Iveta Niklova. Following this, things took off in a way I would never have imagined, and I feel I owe my progress to Steve and his generosity and willingness to give me a chance. Below is the image that I believe, if any, people will recognise my styling by! Iveta was pure brilliance that day :)



Come November, and I now have 6 fashion shoots, 1 PR shoot and a fashion show up my sleeve. I have worked with some of the most incredible photographers, models, make up artists and hair stylist in the business, and I have many more in the pipeline!

Instead of simply using this blog as a trend guide, I know want to use it as a way to record what I am doing in terms of projects and shoots aswell. I have just recently accepted a post as a voluntary Creative Director for a community interest company named United Team Media, so over the coming week or so I will have lots of news to report :D I hope I haven't bored you, so thankyou for reading!

Loves...

XOXO

A taste of what could be...

I haven't written my blog for what feels like forever now, but I think it's high time I got into it again. But, before I start my usual blogging about the latest trends and styles, I want to let you all know where I've been hiding over the past few months!

As some of you know, my ambition is to become a stylist, and I am also organising a charity fashion show to raise awareness of disability within fashion. Because of this, I have been looking for work experience within the area of styling, and on the 19th of April, I recieved an email from the producer of Gok's Fashion Fix inviting me to go to London and work on the show for a couple of weeks. Within 24 hours of recieving the email, I was checked in at an aparthotel planning my outfit for the following morning - my first day at the Fix! I was told I would be working in the fashion cupboard, which I imagined to resemble an oversized closet containing a hundred or so items of clothing and a few to-die-for pairs of heels. Ohhh how wrong I was! The cupboard was absolutly huge; it could easily house my bedroom 3 times over, and it was packed full of the most amazing clothes, shoes and accessories. I had officially died and gone to heaven!

For the next few weeks, the inner workings of that cupboard became my life. I was handling the clothes that were to be used on all aspects of the show, from the Fashion Face-Off to the capsule wardrobes given to the make-over clients. There were 2 of us on work experience, and our main responsibilty was to organise, document and return everything to the right PR company. Sounds pretty simple, but when you're sorting over 1,000 different items, it gets incredibly confusing! Working in the cupboard at the Fix has taught me how important it is to have a system for keeping check on all the clothing that you deal with when you are a stylist, and this will be invaluable when it comes to the fashion show in October.

Whilst I was in London, I also got to meet some of the most amazing people in the business. As I am a massive Gok groupie, meeting him was definately one of the highlights of the whole placement. Although I didn't get to see him for very long, I am genuinely glad I got to meet him in a more 'professional' capacity, as the first time I met him at a book signing I was a gibbering wreck! In addition to that, I got to meet some truly incredible stylists who were not only wonderful people, but also remarkably talented with absolutely unbelievable careers.

From my time in London, my hunger to fulfil my dream has grown even more. As I have been allowed a sneaky peek at what life could be like, I now know I need to strive to get where I want to be. My passion has been fuelled and I am more determined than ever to ensure the fashion show is a success and not let anything hold me back!

Glamazon - The new tribal trend.

As the grey clouds are beginning to subside and make way for brighter days, the designers are paying homage to the sun and giving their girls a Glamazon feel. The tribal trend has traditionally been made up of garments featuring geometric patterns in earthy tones, and although they are still very prominent, the Spring/Summer collections for this year have had a few suprises up their sleeves. This season, the designers haven't restricted themselves to classic tribal patterns, instead the runways were also showered with modern digital patterns, bold animal prints and a more exotic colour palette. Take a look below for just a handfull of examples from the catwalk this year.

Diane Von Frustenberg

Giambattista Valli

Dries Van Noten

As always though, you don't need to be a millionaire to cash in on this trend as the High Street isn't far behind! Of all the stores that I have seen stocking this look, I have fallen in love the most with the collection on ASOS. They have an extremely diverse range of pieces that can cater for those wanting to simply dip their toe in the trend or those who want to submerge themselves in the look and go native! See below for a few of my favourites :)

The easiest way to go Glamazon is to head towards simple cuts and feminine lines in the form of a summer dress, tunic or a maxi. Tribal prints and earthy colours speak for themselves without needing complex and rich tailoring. As the clothing in this style tends to be busy and heavily patterned, avoid piling on the accessories as you may run the risk of looking cluttered. Instead, opt for metallic cuffs or thick wooden bangles to compliment the look. If you choose a dress in a block colour with minimal pattern, you can afford to be a little more adventurous with your jewellery. Bib and thick metallic necklaces are a winner for giving a tribal edge to simpler clothing. For daytime wear, add flat gladiator sandles, but to give a shot of glamour to your after-dark outfit, stack on some height with chunky wooden heels to keep that native feel.

Have fun, go glam, and above all, get native!

The 'Disabled & Sexy' Fashion Show bags its very own fashion expert host!!

It's official guys - the 'Disabled & Sexy' Fashion Show is to be hosted by fashion agent and TV presenter Jonathan Phang!! After being in talks with Jonathan for a while, he has confirmed that he is extremely eager to host the event for us as he is very enthusiastic about spreading the message that fashion should not discriminate against disability. Jonathan has worked with disabled models before and feels very passionate that the fashion industry should be more accessible to those with disabilities.

Most people will know Jonathan from presenting the shows 'Britains Next Top Model' and 'Britains Missing Top Model', but aside from this, he is one of fashions most influential figures. Before presenting, Jonathan worked as a top executive with agencies on both sides of the Atlantic. He represented some of the worlds most famous models, including Tyra Banks and Liv Tyler, as well as launching the careers of Naomi Campbell, Jodie Kidd and Christy Turlington.

Jonathan is the perfect host for the 'Disabled & Sexy' Fashion Show as he has always strived to push the boundaries within the fashion industry; in 1986 he was the driving force behind getting the first black model on the cover of UK Vogue Magazine.

Today, Jonathan owns and runs one of the industries top hair and make-up agencies, producing glossy photo shoots for a vast range of advertising and PR clients.

I am so excited to be working with such an amazing figure within the fashion industry, and simply cannot wait for the show to take place - Roll on October!! :D

Clogs: Hot or Not??

Ok, so I'm guessing the majority of people out there will be thinking 'YUCK!', but I have to admit, clogs and mules are my new guilty pleasure. When I first saw the Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 show, the footwear instantly caught my eye.

Now, I know they won't be to everyones taste, but one thing is for sure - they are set to be everywhere this summer. Celebrities are already donning them with floaty florals, faded denim and hardwearing leather to create a sexy boho-chic look. High Street stores are quickly catching on to the new hate-it-or-love-it trend; I have already spied them in River Island, Office, ASOS and Topshop, and I'm sure many more will follow.

White Wear

Sunny days, golden skin and warmer weather - there's no better excuse to start buying in the bright whites! A recurring summer favourite; white is back on the fashion radar yet again, but this year the emphasis lays in shape, form and fabric. Designers used white as a blank canvas to focus they eye on a mix of fun, feminine detailing and sharp, exciting lines which ultimately created this refreshing and elegant trend for 2010.

The Spring/Summer collections saw a wide number of takes on the 'whiteout', from pretty prairie and cute macrame slips, to glamerous sports wear and structured architectural shifts. Although the styles ranged, they were all clean, crisp and chic. The white blazer made a huge comeback on the catwalk this year too, with the tailoring varying from fitted and smart, to slouchy and casual.

A must-have for this style is the white shirt dress. Whether you prefer frilly, fussy and feminine or smart, starched and sleek, a white shirt is the easiest place to start with this look. The shirt dress can be worn oversized with a thick belt to cinch in the waist and killer heels to provide a show stopping evening outfit. A standard white shirt is also a key piece to a womans wardrobe as they are so versatile, simply wear with jeans or high waisted trousers for a casual yet sexy daytime outfit.

White dresses of every shape, style and fabric can be found in most High Street stores at the moment as it has been a summertime rule for many moons that a girl owns at least one. However, if you're feeling behind and need to get in on the trend - then ASOS have some beautiful pieces to choose from, whether you're wanting a long flowing maxi or a slinky bandeau mini, they have it all. Keep white at the core of this trend and try to avoid adding to many accessories, maybe just adding a gold or silver necklace and/or bangle to step up the sparkle.

This style can be easily achieved, but can be a little difficult to maintain - stain-prone women be aware, extra care maybe needed when sipping red wine or slurping spaghetti!

Fendi

Chanel

Gucci

Debenhams embraces disability!

This week, Debenhams has become the first High Street store to feature a disabled model within one of their advertising campaigns. Shannon Murray is now appearing on advertisements in the Oxford Street flagship store for the new Principles range by Ben de Lisi. Alongside her, there is also 5'4" petite model, and a plus size model whom wears a size 16 - to me, this is a brilliant starting point in terms of reflecting the population in a realistic way within advertising.

The groundbreaking use of a visibly disabled model within High Street advertising campaigns has come from a partnership with Gok Wan's 'How To Look Good... With A Difference'. He has set a president in terms of getting disabilities to be recognised by other High Street retailers, which in my eyes can only be a positive thing. By putting a fashion conscious disabled woman in the public eye, I hope this will be the key to challenging misconceptions and stereotypes about disability. All women (and men for that matter!) have the right to look and feel amazing, regardless of height, weight, race or disability.

Although Debenhams' actions are a big step for inclusion and representation of disabled people within the fashion industry, I can't help but wonder whether they will end up being a one off. All the right intentions are there, and I think that what Principles have done is amazing, but I hope that other High Street advertisements follow their lead and embrace disability and diversity too. In order to broaden peoples perspectives on disability, it has to be in the forefront of the publics mind at all times, which to me means that more retailers need to be hot on the heels of this campaign; one store simply isn't enough.

I'll finish by saying I have my fingers firmly crossed that this campaign keeps moving forward, as I really believe it could aid the acceptance of different disabilities within our society. It has put an even stronger fire in my belly to ensure that the 'Disabled & Sexy' fashion show is a success and raises awareness of fashion forward disabled people everywhere. At the end of the day, we are all equal and all deserve to enjoy fashion :)

All aboard and anchors away, Captain!

Ok, so I can't ignore it any longer - the High Street has gone Nautical bonkers yet again! The sailor inspired style has been a Spring/Summer favourite for fashionistas everywhere for as long as I can remember, and I see no signs of it slowing - this is one truely timeless trend.

Some of you may still have pieces from previous years that you've lovingly held on to, but for those of you that haven't, this chic look is simple and easy to achieve. The main thing to remember is not to go over the top and risk looking like you're attending a fancy dress party.

To keep your Nautical wear looking authentic, stick to a base of red, navy blue and white. The main patterns used within this style are stripes or polka dots, but more recently prints with maritime motifs such as anchors and sail boats have become popular for a more laid back, casual take on the trend.

If you don't want to dive in at the deep end, simply accesorising your outfits with seafaring style jewellery, bags, shoes and oversized sun glasses will give you a subtle sailor style. A set of chunky bangles in gold, red, white and blue paired with a gold anchor pendant and patent heels will give an instant sailor twist to a plain white tee and skinny jeans.

A simple white dress can also be easily transformed into a sophisticated outfit that would be worthy of the Riviera on a glamerous summers night. Add a thick belt of red, navy, or even polka dot to give you that essential pin-up girl waist, and throw in a pair of sexy heels to match. Put on a pair of oversized shades and finish with hot red lipstick and you're good to go!

Brass buttons are also an easy way to add a Naval edge to an outfit; sewing them onto cardigans, light summer jackets or wide legged trousers is a cost effective way of re-inventing your old clothes and bringing them up to trend.

For those of you that are wanting to add a splash of sailor girl to your clothing collection, I personally think a classic navy or white blazer, a pair of red patent heels and a stripey tee are the essentials for this trend. These can be mixed and matched with jeans, wide legged trousers or skirts to create a great capsule 'Captain' wardrobe.

In terms of make-up, this trend is all about looking polished and fresh, so keep the eyes to a minimum with neutral lips for the day, and adding a little liquid eyeliner and bold red lips come night time. A high pony will give a very chic, screen siren look, while wavy flowing hair will give a more relaxed, natural feel.

Think chic, stay sophisticated and you'll be looking like the Riviera's most stylish in no time.

Summer Sweethearts...

For those of you that prefer a prettier, girlier look than that offered by garish, bold prints and the Military uniform, then this is one Spring/Summer trend that could be for you.

Last summer saw runways bursting with block colour, but this year has given way to a much calmer palette of subtle ice-cream and nude tones. Pastels are set to be the colour of choice for all feminine beauties, with sugary shades such as pretty peach, powder blue, baby pink, pale yellow and soft lilac at the top of the essentials list.

Wear these super-sweet shades in thigh-high cuts with provocative splits, sheer tops, ruffles or heavy drapery to highlight the femininity of this trend. Keep the shoes strappy and girly, but with the heel height cranked up to avoid looking twee.

Here is a few of my favourite runway shots... The outfits really do speak for themselves in my opinion!

Versace S/S 10

Louise Goldin S/S 10

Christopher Kane S/S 10

Soldier Girl... Attennntion!

The Army trend is back with a vengence guys! As Jean Paul Gaultier and Balmain demonstrate below, mixing utility fashion with strong military references is the new way to look smart and powerful, yet remain chic, laid back and sexy. This hardwearing yet sleek look is definately a force to be reckoned with; just a few cleverly selected pieces will have your wardrobe standing to attention in no time!

In terms of where to find this look on the High Street, River Island have a wide variety of Army inspried pieces at the moment. Another way to achieve this trend in an affordable way is to search local markets and also Military clothing websites. Khaki, stone and black are the essential colours for this look, keeping camouflage at the forefront of your mind at all times! Heavy, hardwearing details such as gold and silver buttons and zips are also a good way to accentuate this style.

The biggest must-have for this trend is the tough Military jacket. This can be paired with anything from a pair of cargo pants, to tight fitting ripped jeans. A good way to ensure this look remains rugged and Army like is to bag yourself a pair of worn, calf length worker boots. If you're wanting to glam up your Soldier gear, take a leaf from Balmain's book and wear your jacket with a micro leather skirt, a sequined vest, and finish with studded platform heels. Adding a touch of sparkle will bring the femininity back into such a masculine look.

Keep make-up to a minimum with glowing skin and lightly glossed lips for the day, maybe stepping up the lip colour at night for a more glamourous hit. Also, keep hair looking natural and not too tame, I shouldn't imagine real Soldier girls have much time to spare for correcting the do ;)

High Voltage Prints

It's finally time to start preparing for Spring and Summer by ditching those dull and boring darks and getting in those funky colours and bold prints. On inspection of the Spring/Summer 2010 catwalk collections, it is clear to see that attention-grabbing digital prints and exotic floral brights are set to steal the spotlight.

Perfect for exhibitionists, digitally manipulated images decorated many of the runways most memorable pieces. Gucci (see below), Versace and the late Alexander McQueen approached this vibrant trend from many different angles, but all celebrated a (hopefully!) hot and joyful summer with clashing colours and edgy prints.


For those of us that don't earn an A-list wage package and can't quite afford an expensive designer piece, the trusty High Street are offering their own take on the catwalk inspired trend. Here, you can indulge in the look as far as you like, whether you simply want to go for a high energy tunic and skinny jeans, or a sexy summer thigh length dress and killer heels.

If you choose to work this look on the maxi dress or maxi skirt skirt (another of 2010's Spring/Summer trends), be careful to ensure that the pattern isn't too small or intricate, and instead fairly large and bold as this ensure you are looking fresh and fashionable. If this rule is ignored, you may run the risk of looking too busy, cluttered and intense.

However you choose to rock this style, have fun, be bold and crank up the colour!

"I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!"

It has to be said, if you haven't seen these on your recent shopping spree's, you must have been walking around with your eyes closed! Clock pendant necklaces have made it big on the high street since D&G introduced multiple clocks on their chunky bling collection (below).

The thick chains give the necklace a rocky edge, while the clock-faced pendants add a fresh and fun element that shows Dolce and Gabbana's take on Surrealist art. The clock pendants are also reminiscent of the very current Alice in Wonderlands 'Mad Hatter', whom is famous for his oversized pocket watch.

For me, the clock pendant is a welcome change from that of pearls, which have been lining the shops jewellery stands for a long time now. They can be found in a number of different styles and finishes, from elaborate vintage gold with multiple chains to one simple polished silver chain with a single pendant. I've posted some of my favourites below for your viewing pleasure :D

Underwear... The daring new outerwear.

Up until now, catching a glimpse of the bright white bra strap could be considered as one of the biggest fashion faux pas, but 2010's Spring/Summer collections have turned this blunder into a whole new trend for women. Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior and Marc Jacobs each played on the lingerie inspired look in a different way, but all took on a very romantic feel, some taking a slightly vintage, burlesque angle, yet some were more modern and masculine. Corsetry, boned satin bra cups, and pretty lace details were mixed with layers and jackets in order to achieve this sexy-sweet style.

In terms of how to rock this style on the street as opposed to on the runway, it is actually a lot easier than many people may first anticipate. This trend is suprisingly versatile, and can be approached with varying degrees of dare. For those who do not want to leave the house in simply a bra and those super sexy big Fifties knickers, begin with pieces edged in lace, or step it up to a more racey bustier top.

If you still feel too exposed, play around with lace bodies, tulle layering or sheer chiffon tops to reserve ones dignity! Also, slouchy, fine knit cardigans and jumpers tone down the sexyness of the overall look, which may be more well suited for a day time outfit. Masculine jackets (see above) also compliment the blatant sex appeal within this style, giving a very powerfull, feminine image. Corset style dresses are another easy way to achieve this look, with many high street stores re-creating the hot designer must haves.

To keep the trend fresh, avoid red or black, and instead go for the Spring/Summer's favoured neutral and pastel palettes for a more girly, romantic edge. Nude tones are very now and will keep the look up to date.

Now with Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I'd say it was about time to show those guys just how hot you really are... Whether you have a date or not! ;)

'Disabled & Sexy'

So I mentioned very briefly in the 'About Me' section that I'm planning a charity fashion show to raise awareness that people with even the most severe of disabilities can be sexy, display individuality and follow fashion. I basically wanted to take this opportunity to tell you guys about it, and hopefully gain a few more supporters along the way!

I am working along side a group of volunteers from a charity called The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Our little group is made up of a bunch of very fashion forward, passionate, gorgeous girls... Some of which are in a wheelchair, some of which aren't. During the Jennifer Trust's annual conference last year, a few of us were interviewed by Natasha Wood for Gok Wan's 'How To Look Good Naked - With A Difference'. From this, we were inspired to do a little campaigning of our own. We decided to put together a charity fashion show, not only to raise money for a well deserving charity, but also to push the message that disability CAN be sexy.

We want to break the stereotype that people with severe disabilities are introvert and do not need to take pride in their appearence, but infact that we are just the same as everybody else and desire to look and feel good. In order to do this, we will model ourselves alongside able bodied models in an effort to prove to the world that fashion is for everyone and should not descriminate. We strongly believe that disability is ignored within the fashion industry, and that the only way to change this is to put it in the forefront of the public eye.

The show itself is to be held in London at the latter end of the year. We are currently in talks with a top TV presenter who has offered to host our show for us! (Sooo excited!) But I don't want to say too much about that just yet until everything is confirmed, so I better shush!

Below is just a few of the girls (and me!) who are modelling in the show.

Anyway, I'd love to know your opinions on the campaign :)

Perfectly Parisienne...

If you're anything like me, when you think of French fashion, the first thing that springs to mind is the sophisticated glamour of Chanel. The classic monochrome and signature simple lines seem to embody the essence of all things Parisian. The unmistakable Chanel suit and pearls will no doubt be a must have for all high fashion, elegant women for many years to come.

Although this look has always been a hit with women of all different ages, the new 'Parisienne' range by Topshop really caught my eye recently. Instead of going for a classy, formal feel, the range is more relaxed and playful, using a much broader colour palette. While the classic Parisian look can be described as sexy, the modern take on it sees a more flirty and fun side to it. The floaty dresses and playfully embroidered tees show a more comfortable, innocent aspect of the style. Polka dots and stripes still remain high at the top of the Parisian check list too!

In terms of accesorising, the more playful and girly the better. Pile on the pearls with an embroidered tee and skinny jeans for a day time French feel, or take your floaty dress out for wining and dining with an oversized bow and patterned/spotty tights. Whether they are ballet pumps, sandals or heels, keep shoes feminine and pretty to really emphasise the girly, cutsie essence of the look. Voila!