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.

SS15 Work Wardrobe

Working for Next has it's advantages: a generous work wardrobe allowance for one. Choosing an outfit to take me through SS15 can be challenging when it's still sub-zero temperatures outside in the morning. But this dress turned out to be a pretty clean cut choice.

As you may have gathered from some of my posts and lots of tweets, I'm a tennis fanatic. I love watching all the Grand Slams and ATP world tour series. I'm also an admirer of the tennis style, especially the women's outfits which they collaborate with designers. Caroline Wozniackis' dress choices designed by Stella McCartney for Adidas are always my most anticipated outfit to see at the championships.

So my pick of dress this season for work is a homage for my love of sports style dressing, a smart tennis dress which makes me feel like I could walk out on centre court at any moment. The dress is made of two components, so it does look almost like a skirt and top combined, in classic grey and white it can be mixed with accessories and colour throughout the season. A hint of yellow on the shoulders makes it feel fresh and the cut of the dress is flattering and stylish. I'll be pairing mine with tights for now during these chilly days, but hope to be able to wear it with some block heels and a bright clutch bag during the summer evenings.

Available for £38 in stores or online here 

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? 

Wimbledon 2014

 

Here it is, my favourite time of year. For two weeks I'm blissfully happy knowing that there will always be something for me to watch on TV and keep me entertained. Wimbledon; two weeks of fantastic tennis, enthralling matches and competition, all in the beautiful surroundings of SW19 (with a Pimms in your hand at all times, it's practically mandatory at The All England Lawn Tennis Club)

I just wanted to take this time to reflect on Andy Murray's euphoric win last summer and the emotions that came with it! It was great to see him come out onto Centre Court today as defending champion, breeze through his first round match and look delighted (and if not just a little bit relieved) to have started the tournament well. In the lead up to this year’s Wimbledon I have been looking back on some publications/books and news articles about Murray before and after his glorious triumph. It's so interesting to look back and read about how he was feeling before Wimbledon 2013, before his life changed and the weight was lifted off his shoulders, knowing now that he is the defending champion. 

If you're interested in reading up on Andy Murray's career so far and his road to Wimbledon 2013, then I highly recommend: Andy Murray Champion and Andy Murray Seventy Seven -My Road to Wimbledon Glory. Both fantastic books which really open your eyes to the world that Murray lives in. Also a great read is an article in the July 2013 issue of GQ, just before his Wimbledon campaign began, and they have recently followed up with an online article you can read here.

 

For a fashion fix, check out Mr Porter – The Look: Mr Andy Murray, where Andy Murray shows off that he is more than just the man behind the racket, he is a rather stylish gentleman too.

 

Wimbledon 2014; ones to watch:

Andy Murray; it would be wrong to think that Murray will be anything other than determined to hold onto that trophy and defend his title.

Rafael Nadal; last year he was one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, being knocked out in the first round by Belgian Steve Darcis. But this year, I think he's back to full fitness, he'll be feeling great after his French Open title and in all honesty I can never write Nadal off (especially not after watching him full power on the practice courts up close at the Australia Open in January, what a man!)

Grigor Dimitrov; my third one to watch is the young (and handsome) Bulgarian. At the ripe old age of 23 he is looking powerful and inspired. He won on grass at Queens Club, just a week ago, and is improving at every tournament. Back in January he got his first taste of a Grand Slam quarter final at the Australian Open (yes, I was there to witness this moment, makes me a bit giddy to think I was actually there!) So I think this could be Dimitrov's year to really make an impression at Wimbledon.