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Showing posts with label Spring summer 2013. Show all posts

18/04/2013

Modern vintage

Vintage lovers and new-only-fashionistas alike will unite as one with a new shoe collection launched this April.


agnes & norman is a stunning collection of footwear, taking its inspiration from a bygone era. Designed by designer Rachel Simpson and carefully handmade by skilled craftsmen in Spain, the emphasis is on simplicity and quality. 
If you like the style, shape and idea of shoes from past decades, but want the endurance of a good quality shoe, or you just simply don't like the feeling of wearing shoes that have been worn by others before you, then agnes & norman might just be the collection you've been looking for.

The spring/summer collection is made up of fifteen styles; perfect for work, play and everything in between, the range is full of spicy, rich tones and earthy neutrals in leather and suede, finished with delicate stitching, metallics, flattering straps and cute bows.



Much more affordable than a designer collection, but with no compromise on quality, the agnes & norman range is available exclusively online and already counts Izzy Judd - wife of McFly's Harry, and star of Mr Selfridge, Lauren Crace amongst its fans.

The best thing about the collection? The range includes footwear for men AND women - so for once you guys can get in on the exciting action!

 Visit agnesandnorman.com to see the full collection!
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01/04/2013

Summer fashion: all bright on the night



I blogged recently about attending the Harvey Nichols (Birmingham) spring/summer 2013 fashion show - the annual, and increasingly well attended catwalk event that sees most of Birmingham's best trend setters, media and fashion pack seated side by side, cooing over the best the designer store has to offer.

This year was no different, aside from its move to a much needed, larger venue within the Mailbox complex.

So, what were the key looks on display for our summer wardrobes this year?

Keeping a light and airy feel to the season (here's hoping the sun decides to make an appearance) were a selection of all-white ensembles for both men and women, from the likes of Alice + Olivia (see jacket below), Roland Mouret, Alexander McQueen, Finders Keepers, Givenchy and more.


Much of the colour was a clash of brights - from tangerine hues to flourescent yellow, cobalt blue to scarlet, along with the ever returning (and my all time personal favourite) monochrome look.



Shapes for women ranged from cropped trousers and jackets, shorts suits and dresses ranging from short and structured through to long and flowing, with a range of textures from leather and luxe to satin and chiffon.


Details included over-sized bows, as seen on one of my favourite pieces of the evening - due to its rich colour and ultra flattering, un-fussy style - this beautiful blue dress by Phillip Armstrong:

Image courtesy of  Matt Ford Studio, Liverpool

Lace, embroidery and cut-out details also featured.

For men, as always the selection was much more limited - an issue many designers appear to struggle to overcome and no doubt due, in part, to the fact that it is not generally 'acceptable' for men to be seen sporting a skirt or dress - unless, perhaps, they're David Beckham and quite frankly, even he didn't manage to set that trend.

Limits aside, there were some bold slogans, illustrations and details on T-shirts and jackets, bold colour blocking that fit well with colour trends in the female collections and, as you would expect from the rails of Harvey Nichols' designer collections, some very sharp suiting. See below for a selection of my favourites:
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22/03/2013

Next Season, According to Mr Selfridge


Now that 'Mr Selfridge' is on our screens (although I must confess I didn't watch it - instead I caught up on Twilight so I could see the latest released one... I know, I know), I think it's time to talk about a little trip I took to one of his iconic 'Selfridges' stores. In fact probably the most iconic store in Birmingham, based purely on it's widely recognised exterior design.

 Back in December, myself and a few fellow bloggers were given a sneak peak ino the trends Selfridges Birmingham are, and will be helping you fill your new season wardrobes with. As much as I'd like to say I got to test drive some of these, unfortunately I didn't, although I did get a lovely smokey eyed mini make-over on the Illamasqua stand in the beauty hall, and a glass or two of prosecco and some lovely food courtesy of Itihaas in the foodhall (one of the more recent, and welcome additions - their restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter is fab).

 So, what's on offer? Well, much to my delight I was already wearing a (slightly tamer) shade of one of the big colour trends for spring/summer this year: tangerine. For the full effect, look to Roland Mouret and Victoria Beckham and one of their super flattering dresses, and you're onto a winner.



Also to my delight, black, white, monochrome, shiny and sheer are set to be big news too, along with big, bold accessories, and some in one of my personal vices: snake.

 Black and white, either seperately or together in monochrome have long been a favourite of mine. Crisp, sharp, and unless you're doing it in leggings or shapeless jersey/sweat styles (I'll let you off for duvet days) the cominaion, when done well can often be super-flattering. The monochrome also fits in with the geometric prints as seen on the catwalks of Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Missoni and Sportmax

 White and black were both featured on catwalks in shiny and sheer fabrics, which you will find on the rails of Selfridges, as well as in the trouser (cropped and slim) and suit silhouette. Now, since I put on weight over the last few years, I have been a little scared of buying trousers. Having being dealt a generous portion of a body part called buttocks, I find trousers rather difficult to buy - particularly in a size I would like (as opposed to skirts, in which I can always find a much better fit). So as much as I like this trend, I think I need to take me own advice, which I would give to you all, and that is to get over the size label on your clothes, and look at the fit instead. There is no point in squeezing into something too small, as it will only make you look bigger, having the opposite effect of what you were hoping to achieve. 

 You could of course become a runner which, count my words, soon gets you into shape. This is my plan for the next few months - driven partly by the fact I just signed up to a half marathon in April - my first in over two years!

 Accessories I am pleased to say are big, bright and bold... my favourite was from the selection on offer on the top floor: Chloe, snakeskin with chain 'stitching' and handles.



For the boys, it was a 'Preppy Riviera' look: think pastel and white, tailored trousers or shorts, teamed with polo shorts and light coloured blazers.

 Block colour, geometric and bold prints and shiny fabrics were also the order of the day, much as with female fashion (so those of you who like to dress 'his and hers' can do so if you wish!).

 There was also an extension of the popular streetwear trend, to luxury streetwear - oversized jackets, tops, shorts, in luxury fabrics and luxury embellishment. A word of caution on this trend though - don't go overboard - it can be a hard trend to pull off if it is too different from your usual style!

 All in all, I think the big trends from the s/s 2013 catwalks have filtered down well across the selection within Selfridges, and I certainly had a good giggle with my fellow bloggers during our preview evening.

 As with any trend, make sure it suits you before investing, and if you're not brave enough to do block colour, or print (for example) head to toe, then don't. Do a couple of pieces, or just do the accessories. And remember, you don't have to spend a fortune. It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it. The pair of shoes I always get complimented on in the street at the moment were a tenner from Primark. There, I said it!

 (9 Jan 2013)
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