BURBERRY: All Cried Out

SPRING/SUMMER 2016

"Classic coats and functional pieces mixed with elements of regalia. English lace and floor-length satin dresses with leather biker jackets. The Rucksack, regimental tailoring and The Belt Bag in oblong and square. Capes and weatherproof silks are practical and protective."

Fresh and sharp, the Burberry collection that debuted in Kensington Gardens was a fabulous combination of light sheer dresses, in sweet hues, and classic trench coats. Burberry always deliver a show stopping collection, and deliver they did. With natural light gleaming through the glass conservatory, the models circling the live orchestra lead with Alison Moyet singing, the collection was nailed there and then.

FROW faves, Cara Delevigne, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Anna Wintour and Mr Cumberbatch looked divine as always and shared laughter and approving nods as the new collection washed past them. Highlights include the new rucksack (form an orderly line now) personalised with each models initials, the lightweight trench coat which is perfect for spring (the lace detail was a perfect update to a classic), and the gorgeous sheer dresses paired with knits to cover up.

It was definitely my favourite show from LFW, keeping to the brands roots and adding that little personal touch, I would love to own one of everything (please… one sheer dress, the trench coat and a rucksack!). Oh and Mr Leather Jacket, yes I saw you there, and I think we would get on really well, so if you’d like to join my fun filled wardrobe then please do.

All Images from Burberry.com

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

I don't think there are enough adjectives in the English language for me to express how amazing the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition at the V&A is. I was totally mind blown by the whole experience. 

I always expect great things for exhibitions, the clothes on display are lavish and the photographs are fantastic. But what I saw at the Savage Beauty exhibition was nothing short of theatre. Each room you went into told a different story, mixing his collections but ultimately the themes focused on one of the strongest catwalk shows of his time. There was definitely an overriding quite deeply disturbing vibe throughout the exhibition which reflects the life McQueen lived and how he became inspired for his collections.

My highlights of the exhibition would have to be:

'Cabinet of Curiosities' - A beautiful room full of nooks and crannies showing of the exquisite gowns, headdresses, shoes, bodices and so much more. It felt like you were walking into the set of one of the Harry Potter films. In the middle of the room was the finished "paint dress" spinning around as it did in the catwalk show where it became painted by mechanic arms. That's a true work of art.

 

'The Window of Culloden' - I don't know if anything has ever quite taken my breath away like this illusion of Kate Moss, suspended like a ghost in a prism. The room just became quiet whilst watching her move so gracefully and looking so serene. It was a recreation of the 2006 show where Kate was projected across the catwalk as a hologram, looking just like a ghost.

'Plato's Atlantis' - This is the last full collection that Alexander McQueen created before his death in 2010. It's a vision of the future and my favourite collection. The digitally engineered prints of sea creatures, jellyfish and the huge armadillo skin boots feel very modern and 'out of this world'. To see the army of dresses side by side was a dream, I definitely can see myself rocking one of the dresses for a night out... Right?

 

 

Unfortunately you can't take photos in the exhibition but as it was a birthday day out I was treated to the exceptionally beautiful book that accompanies the exhibition. This is definitely a coffee table book, it's a heavy weight, indulgent page turner. Filled with beautiful pictures of backstage, the designs, catwalk shows and McQueens life. It's a beautiful memoir to celebrate his life and his work. It will defitnley be centre stage on my coffee table (one day when I get that beautiful Notting Hill home that I dream of). I highly recommend that you go book tickets right now to witness this fabulous collection (before it finishes at the beginning of August) which has been pulled together and presented in the most wondrous of ways.

 

I leave, breathless and inspired.

 

"I think there is beauty in everything. What "normal" people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it." - Alexander McQueen

 

 

 

 

What's your Swagger?

This birthday was spent having a fabulous girls day in London with my mum. We visited the V&A museum to see the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibition (literally amazing, more to come on this later), went for high tea and then lucky me, got to go handbag shopping! 

Ever since seeing the Coach SS15 campaign back at the beginning of the year, I have been dying to get my hands on one of the beautiful Swagger bags. This bag is my new love, the periwinkle colour is perfect for summer and brightens up my typical uniform of black jeans and jacket.

For the Coach Swagger campaign they have created a #WhatsYourSwagger tag which has encouraged designers and bloggers alike to customise their bags and show what they carry. So I have taken the time to dig deap and find all the beauties I tend to carry around on a daily outing. Now I have one Swagger, I am already desperate to see next seasons colours... One for every season right?

Dinner Date

On Friday night I consumed some fabulous cocktails and calypso chicken meal at a gorgeous Caribbean restaurant in Camden. This night out gave me the excuse to bust out my fave new accessory, the bright patterned clutch bag. Big enough for all my necessities, but small enough to look cute with any outfit it is the perfect evening bag. I tend to keep my outfits quite plain, blacks and navy, so I like to add colour through accessories. 

Friday night I paired it with high-waisted jeggings and high neck black top, and my life-saver burgundy biker boots. A mix of girly flowers with an edge. Oh and I took the opportunity to wear my Mac 'Ruby Woo' Lippy which does not get enough of an outing!

What would you pair your clutch with?

(a lil valentines loving)

 

Trends to Track

Trends to Track

I have always had an interest in fashion combined with sport. Ever since seeing the Fashion V Sport collection at the V&A back in 2009, I loved how the juxtaposition of a catwalk and the running track could actually work side-by-side. This mood board explores some current collections that are combing catwalk style with sports.

Currently loving the new collection by Jack Wills with the new creative director Richard Nicoll, you can expect to see the classic JW sweatshirts and sweatpants, with a more modern twist with shirts and dresses, alongside a new monograming tool to customise your clothes with JW & London inspired patches. How can I forget about the fabulous new Stellasport collection created by Stella McCartney for Adidas. This younger and more affordable collection is bright, fun and right on trend. Get your trainers and head outside; to the gym or to the office, you can make sports style work for you.

Take a look at my mood board and let me know how you feel about sports style on the catwalk.

The Final Showdown

Photos from @tomasberdych (these guys and their selfies together are just perfect)

The Final Showdown is upon us. That is the ATP Masters World Tour's final tournament of the year and it all kicks off in our beautiful city, London.

As far as tennis goes, it has definitely become more glamorous and talked about over the last few years. Much of this is thanks to Andy Murray's great success which finally gave Britain hope. When the top eight players embark down on London for this week at the O2, suddenly London couldn't look any more desirable; the Christmas lights are coming on, festive spirit is rising and the competition is at it's peak.

The battle to win a place in the last eight has been extremely tight this year and we see two newbies making their debut at the tournament; Nishikori and Raonic. Along with some favourites, Federer, Djokovic and Murray amongst the final eight to compete for the last trophy of the year. It looks set to be a fight to the end, with the edge probably being with Djokovic going for his third consecutive win here. But I wouldn't write off Australian Open Champion Wawrinka or US Open Champion Cilic, and of course how could I forget a favourite of mine Tomas Berdych whose form is always exceptional but sometimes lacks that final hit to knock the top boys off their perch.

Notably we will be missing Nadal who is recovering from surgery and who I hope will be fit and ready to get back to Australia in the new year and fight for that trophy that he just missed out on this year due to injury in the final.

I would put my money on Djokovic to win this tournament due to previous form and his achievements here before. I don't know if Murray has quite got enough left in the tank after fighting hard to win a place at the tournament and I will put an outside bet on Wawrinka who started the year with his first Grand Slam title, who undoubtedly wants to end the year on a high.

You can watch all the action live on BBC2 2pm each day and Sky Sports full day and evening matches.

Day trip to Wimbledon

 

 

 

 

I say trip because I quite literally bumped into Laura Robson when I was leaving Court 3 at lunchtime on Monday. I was exiting the premises, after watching the beautiful Lopez win his third round match against the giant that is Isner, as Laura Robson was coming into the court to head up to the commentators box for the start of the women's 4th round match. I must say she is a lot taller than she looks on tv!

The Lopez vs Isner match was full of excitement and big big serves. Three tie break sets, the first in which Isners powerful serve saw him break through, the next two with Lopez's graceful glide across court for some beautiful backhand shots saw him 2 sets to 1 up going into the fourth set. At 5 all in the 4th set Lopez jumped for joy as he finally managed to break Isner, the joy was written all over his face and from there he served out for the match winning 6-7,7-6,7-6,7-5.

True to Wimbledon we did experience some rain delays, which is actually quite exciting as you watch the super quick ground staff get everything off the court and the covers across in a flash. Rain delays mean a chance to stretch the legs have a look in the shops, and be able to go and look at some of the now very historical photographs and score boards... Andy Murray 2013 champion, it is just such an incredible achievement and so exciting to see the photos of him holding his trophy. 

We watched Murray on the big screen at *insert chosen title here* (Henman Hill/Murray Mount/Mound) as he pushed aside 20th seed Kevin Anderson, sat back in our seats to see Makarova dismiss Radwanska in straight sets and watched the start of a quick hit mixed doubles matched which was great fun to watch, but come 7.30pm and the heavens started to open again.... So after a full day of excitement, Pimms and weather woes we headed on our merry way home.

Stars spotted around the Wimbledon grounds:

Judy Murray up in the members balcony watching over at her 'Deliciano' Lopez

Laura Robson

Marin Cilic 

Kim Sears

Trevor McDonald

*as writing this I'm sad to update that Lopez has been knocked out by Wawrinka in the fourth round

**as predicted tomorrow will see a quarter final clash between Andy Murray and Dimitrov (can't wait!)

***new up and coming 19 year old Australian, Kyrgios, is currently at one set all and on serve in the third (Tuesday 1st July 6.30pm) against Nadal, and he looks fierce, fantastic server and very quick player! He is definitely going to be one to watch... But is he ready for the big occasion, can he handle the pressure to knock out this champion?