Dear Santa – My Christmas Wishlist Starts Here
Posted: November 11, 2011 Filed under: autumn/winter, shoes | Tags: Erdem, fashion, Nicholas Kirkwood, Nordstrom 3 Comments »
Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem Double Gore Satin Platform Bootie $1,150 at nordstrom.com
Usually I’m one of those people who complain that the Christmas decoration seems to go up earlier every year and I’m actually not that excited about Christmas in general. I love hanging out with my family though which is particularly great over the holidays because there are always LOTS of people around and we basically have a huge party. But I refuse to get stressed out about presents or even wishing for things. That was until I saw that Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem had gone on sale!
Look at these beauties! They are super-high and satin which limits their use somewhat, especially in Manhattan where months and months of slush await us, but that doesn’t matter – I will just take cabs when I wear them. I love that they are colourful but very dark and moody at the same time. Although I often say that I’m over platforms, I still like smaller ones and the overall proportions of this shoe fits right in with my aesthetic.
Dear Santa indeed!
Should any of you feel the urge to ‘surprise’ me with these, then you can do so at Nordstrom 
Glitter Bootie Mania – Miu Miu vs ASOS
Posted: November 3, 2011 Filed under: autumn/winter, designer vs high street, shoes | Tags: Asos, fashion, glitter booties, Miu Miu 9 Comments »
Attack of the Glitter Booties: Miu Miu (left) and ASOS (right)
I recently declared on Twitter that I think I might be over those Miu Miu glitter booties. But by the look of things, nobody else is. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great shoe. I’ve just seen it too often already to want it myself. You just know for sure that they’re not going anywhere anytime soon when the High Street jumps on the bandwagon. Although the design is quite different, ASOS is clearly trying to secure their share of the glitter bootie pie here and is not wasting any time either. I like both versions and don’t have much of a problem with ASOS being ‘inspired’ by Miu Miu. In fact, ASOS might even have a bit of an edge here because their version doesn’t have an open toe. Why have there been so many open toe shoes for winter in recent years? Can we stop that please? Miu Miu clearly wins for the better heel shape and the fact that there is no platform which to me feels more modern (again). So all comes down to your priorities. Dry feet or pretty feet?
Miu Miu Glitter Booties, £555 at netaporter.com
ASOS Glitter Booties, £50 at asos.com
(I feel like I’ve said ‘glitter booties’ about twenty times in the last paragraph. It’s like I have glitter bootie tourette. GLITTER BOOTIES!)
Your Stylist Recommends – Shoe Storage Boxes by Total Wardrobe Care
Posted: October 19, 2011 Filed under: shoes | Tags: fashion, shoe box, shoes, storage solution, Total Wardrobe Care 2 Comments »
Brilliant shoe storage solution by Total Wardrobe Care
When I moved to New York earlier this year I was *thisclose* to being talked into giving up my shoe boxes because the shoes without their boxes would obviously have used up less space. But I decided against it because I already have enough shoes without their boxes and they are way harder to store. You’d also do your shoes a favour not pushing them up against each other and thereby scratching them. In fact, I could use a few more boxes to put on top of my other boxes and make some room at the bottom of my wardrobe. The only problem you might have with this method is that you can never be quite sure which pair is in which box. So imagine how happy I was to find Total Wardrobe Care‘s breathable shoe boxes with a clear front panel for quick access to your shoes. After once retrieving a mouldy pair of shoes from a box, I particularly love that they are breathable. The boxes keep everything tidy as they stack up nicely and you’ll see their contents at a glance. At £12 a pop, they hardly break the bank either. They are also collapsible so they won’t take up more space than necessary when not in use.
You can order the boxes directly from Total Wardrobe Care’s website (they ship internationally). Don’t forget to check out their other products that are equally handy to keep your shoes and clothes in shape longer!
Tom Gunn
Posted: October 13, 2011 Filed under: accessories, designer spotlight, emerging designers, leather goods, shoes, spring/summer | Tags: Capsule, fashion, Gabrielle Thompson, Shannon Gunn, Tom Gunn 1 Comment »I met Tom Gunn designers Gabrielle Thompson and Shannon Gunn (yep, there’s no man named Tom involved) a few weeks ago when I attended Capsule with Sarah from Style on the Couch. I was instantly stopped in my tracks when I spotted their booth and knew I had found something special upon closer inspection. The designers, both Australian, told me that they had met studying shoemaking in Italy. That’s also where they source their leather and exotic skins to make their shoes.
I particularly like how Gabrielle and Shannon combine different textures and always add a little contrast, too. Their shapes are thoroughly modern and I was happy to discover that they also put their spin on both my all-time shoe obsessions – brogues and Oxford boots.
The label is currently only stocked in Australia and New Zealand but is available at www.the-dreamery.com who ship internationally. Judging by the buzz they are currently creating in the industry, I’m sure they’ll be stocked internationally soon though! To find out more about Tom Gunn and to check out their current collection, go to their website www.tomgunn.com.
And here is a sneak peek at my favourites from the Tom Gunn SS12 collection:
Clockwise from top left: 1 'Prince' in black calf & orange nappa, 2 'Nico' in black calf & hunter green snake, 3 'Penn' in black perforated leather, black calf & mint nappa, 4 'Piper' in mustard suede & black calf
'Quill' in biscuit suede & black calf
'Lazarus' in pale gold calf
'Quill' in black calf & white/black karung lizard
'Hardy' in biscuit suede
'Hardy' in fuschia calf
'Hardy' in pale gold calf
Tagging along to Balmoral
Posted: August 12, 2011 Filed under: bags, hats & headpieces, shoes, travel | Tags: Acne, Alberto Fasciani, All Saints, Analeena, Archer Adams, Balmoral, Barbour jacket, Browns, Carven, Gianvito Rossi, Gucci, HeatTech, Hunter wellies, Loree Rodkin, Mango, Matches, Miu Miu, net-a-porter.com, netaporter.com, The Queen, Topshop, Uniqlo, Vionnet, Vivienne Westwood, Weekend by MaxMara, Zara, Zotter 5 Comments »The Queen is on holiday in Balmoral and, guess what, I’m fantasy-tagging along! Living in London and New York City has done nothing to curb my pumpkin tendencies and I love a weekend that involves Hunter wellies and a Barbour jacket. Those staples aside, the main question when joining the Queen is, of course, what else to wear. Which is why I’ve been working on my wardrobe for Balmoral for the last two or so weeks. Exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Sometimes we just don’t know we want something, until someone points it out to us. This must be one of those cases.
So, what do we know? Scotland is ridiculously cold, even in August. The weather forecast, which I’ve been keeping an eye on for a while now, predicts temperatures around 15 degrees and lots of rain. Rarely have I been so prepared for a trip and it’s not even real. Oh dear. What else? There are tons of rules to follow throughout an average day at the castle and my day will be pretty much pre-planned as well. It’s said to be freezing in the main house and there is no central heating.
During the day: hat £20 at Topshop, Vivienne Westwood wool blazer £395 at netaporter.com, jumper £95 at All Saints, Carven skirt £195 at brownsfashion.com, belt £24.99 at Zara, Alberto Fasciani boots £925 at brownsfashion.com
The day starts out with breakfast followed by some sort of hike or walk or horse riding. Lunch will be served at one of the cabins, so basically a Royal picnic. I guess my outfit has to be somewhat mud-resistant on that occasion. And waterproof! I decided on a modern spin on what you see The Queen wearing in pictures. She’s the one to take your cues from. The riding hat is NOT optional and must even be worn on a walk.
Cocktails and dinner: t-shirt £22.90 at Mango, skirt £42 at Topshop, Miu Miu Mary Janes £270 at netaporter.com, Loree Rodkin armor ring £18,250
After that there appears to be more hiking/walking/horse riding before everyone heads back to the castle for afternoon tea. I have no idea if you’d have to change for that. I assume yes but as I haven’t read any protocol on how this is supposed to go down, there won’t be an outfit idea. After tea, I’m expected to entertain myself with more walks. Soon after, pre-dinner cocktails are served (I probably need a large gin by then!) followed by, you guessed it, dinner. Women are expected to wear long dresses. I’d try and get away with an Jil Sander-inspired evening skirt/t-shirt combo (not as minimalist tho) – which would sure earn me a stern talking-to by some sort of butler. I’d also wear flats because I have a feeling more gin will follow later.
BBQ on Saturday: Weekend by MaxMara jumper £160 at matchesfashion.com, oversized Acne scarf £380 at brownsfashion.com, Gucci trouser £360 at netaporter.com, ankle boot £69.99 at Zara
On Saturdays there’s a BBQ where the Duke of Edinburgh insists on putting the sausages on himself and the Queen does the dishes afterwards. Rubber gloves and all.
Church on Sunday: Vionnet dress £1,313 at matchesfashion.com, jacket £79.99 at Mango, Analeena bag (price on application), Gianvito Rossi pump £595 at matchesfashion.com
On Sundays everyone goes to church which obviously leaves me with little choice. A dress, covered arms, no toes showing I feel. Sheer hose for sure. I’d take a stand by mismatching my bag. I hope this rebellious streak won’t reveal my republican tendencies.
Essentials: HeatTech longsleeve £14.90 at uniqlo.com, HeatTech camisole £9.90, artisan organic chocolates €26 at zotter.at, woolly socks £6 at Topshop, Hampstead weekend bag £390 at Archer Adams
That’s the clothes sorted, what else do we need? Before I depart, a visit to a Uniqlo store is in order. Stocking up on thermal underwear is essential! Woolly socks, too, to wear with my pyjamas. As a present for my host, I heard that chocolates are ok. I’m Austrian so this is where I give the Royals something from my home country: Zotter chocolate! It’s organic so even Prince Charles can have some. And finally, to pack it all up, I’d take along a men’s weekend bag by Archer Adams because it’s beautiful and utterly fitting as well. The Hampstead is made in the UK of Holland & Sherry Harris tweed and English bridle leather. A bag to represent the Union. I’m sure the Queen would approve.
Puh, I’m glad that we’re all prepared now. And I hope there’s someone out there who shares my sense of humour! But all joking aside, I managed to sneak quite a few trends in that will be relevant come fall.
THE OUTDOOR OUTFIT
THE EVENING OUTFIT
THE BBQ OUTFIT
THE CHURCH OUTFIT
THE ESSENTIALS
Putting that spring back in your step – Cocorose London
Posted: August 3, 2011 Filed under: accessories, easy style, shoes | Tags: Bafta, ballet flats, Cocorose London, fashion, Janan Leo, shoes 3 Comments »High heels are amazing. I don’t wear them nearly as often as I would like too. I find them especially tricky when I go out at night. The thing is you never know what will happen and how far you’ll end up walking. So when in doubt, I’ll wear flats.
‘Well, pack a pair of flats to change into then!’ I hear you said. That is a really good idea except for the fact that my handbag is never big enough to hold them. Not that I run around town with a clutch like I’m from Essex or New Jersey (just kidding!) but I tend not to take a shopper along. For obvious reasons.
From the Cocorose London AW11 collection: 'Glamour-Glitz' Black Rose with Diamante
That must have been exactly the problem that Janan Leo wanted to solve when she founded Cocorose London only four years ago. She doesn’t simply design ballet flats but foldable ballet flats. There are a bunch of flimsy ones out there but let me assure you that these are different: Cocorose London flats feature a thicker, sturdier sole that is simply split in two which makes it easy to fold them in half, pop them into the little purse they come in and store them away in your handbag. That usually should be enough to carry an emergency pair at all times but Cocorose London goes one step further and makes them pretty enough so you can – and want to – wear them every day.
From the Cocorose London AW11 collection: 'Classic Elegance' Lifestyle in Black
Cocorose have also been invited to design a special shoe for the BAFTA to go into the giftbags presenters and nominees got to take home at the 2011 awards earlier this year. Any pair of shoes usually retails for £45 and the brand is stocked at Fortnum & Mason, among others. For a full list check Cocorose London’s website.
The label also maintains a very cute blog that shows Janan ‘Cocorosing It’ in Manhattan, Cannes or Melbourne – all styles from the current collection.
When will you start Cocorosing It?
Trends On Friday: She’s a Lady
Posted: July 29, 2011 Filed under: accessories, bags, classics re-imagined, shoes, shopping the highstreet, trends | Tags: Asos, Balmain, Cacharel, fashion, French Sole, Joan Holloway, L'Wren Scott, LK Bennett, Mad Men, Miu Miu, Repetto, Roland Mouret, Stella McCartney, Topshop, Valentino, Zara 2 Comments »
The inspiration: Joan Holloway/Mad Men
Mad Men has finally caught up with us. There has been talk about the show’s influence on fashion ever since it became popular but it wasn’t until this season that the effects were felt on the runway as well. In a way Joan & Co have only been the catalysts. For Henry Holland or Jeremy Scott, there has been a Christopher Kane or Phoebe Philo. Judging from what I’ve seen when I previewed the fall collections and from what starts being delivered to the shops, there is no denying that lady-like dressing is back.
Lady-like. That’s an awful term. But I cannot for the life of me come up with a better description. To me ‘lady-like’ sounds boring and conservative. But believe me when I say that this is in no way true for what’s to come in the autumn. It is, in fact, quite the opposite of the dreaded work section at Warehouse (Sorry, Warehouse! I love you but not that bit.). Or don’t believe me and go see for yourself:
The designer version: Repetto flat €190 at repetto.fr, Cacharel top $295 at lagarconne.com, Balmain belt £499.47 at luisaviaroma.com, Valentino glove $395 at net-a-porter.com, L'Wren Scott bag $5,500 at barneys.com, Miu Miu pump £345 at net-a-porter.com, Stella McCartney coat £1,435 at matchesfashion.com, Roland Mouret dress £1,230 at www.brownsfashion.com
Links for the designer version:
The highstreet version: French Sole flat £90 at asos.com, chain belt £17.99 at zara.com, pussybow blouse £30 at asos.com, glove £20 at topshop.com, city bag £39.99 at zara.com, pump £195 at lkbennett.com, coat £119 at zara.com, dress £46 at topshop.com
Links for the highstreet version:
Chelsea Boots
Posted: July 25, 2011 Filed under: shoes | Tags: Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, boot, Céline, Chelsea boot, fashion, Jil Sander, Jimmy Choo, Kurt Geiger, shoe, Topshop, Zara 2 Comments »The pistol boot will be the shoe of the season, no doubt. But looking through what’s coming in for fall, I came across one of my long-time obsessions: the Chelsea boot. It all began long ago when my mum bought me a pair at Shelly’s on Oxford Circus. I loved them. They went with everything. I wore them under a boot cut jean or trouser, over a skinny, with a dress or skirt I was looking to toughen up. Evidently, they started to fall apart at some point. In an effort to find myself a new pair, I googled the name printed on the insole but couldn’t find anything. Shelly’s was no more at that point either so there wasn’t even an off-chance they might be able to help me. Finally, I had to face the music and bin them without a replacement. This is the one piece of clothing I still can’t get over not having so on and off the search continues for a pair that might come close to the pair I once had. They were shiny but not quite as shiny as patent leather. And they had a heel that was about half an inch high. The toe was square with rounded edges and they had a zipper on the inside. There wasn’t any embellishment which is how I usually like my stuff. (I was looking for a picture of me wearing them but gave up after about 15 minutes.) Most of the boots I’ve seen over the years were too fussy. Still, I need a pair. I’m bored of ballet flats and still haven’t found a pair of brogues that I want (although I really want a pair of brogues, too) and no, a trainer or plimsolls are not an option. So the quest of the perfect brogue rages on alongside the quest for a new pair of Chelsea boots. Oh, and a pair of penny loafers while I’m at it. This is basically my autumn shoe wish list.
So back to the Chelsea boot. Here’s what I found and what I like. I am using the term ‘Chelsea boot’ quite loosely here. None of them are perfect and I think the Topshop one comes closest to what I had. Except for the straps and the hardware but I am willing to overlook that. My old pair was cut in a similar way around the ankle. Quite wide and with the front part overlapping the back part.
1 Alexander Wang £505 at selfridges.com 2 Balenciaga £495 at brownsfashion.com 3 Celine €795 at colette.fr 4 Jil Sander £505 at selfridges.com 5 Jimmy Choo £595 at netaporter.com 6 Laurel boot £220 at kurtgeiger.com 7 arrow boots £68 at topshop.com 8 ankle boot £49.99 at zara.com
Summer Sales – BROWNS Edit
Posted: June 24, 2011 Filed under: emerging designers, London, retail, shoes, summer sale | Tags: Alexander Wang, Bionda Castana, Browns, Christopher Kane, David Koma, fashion, Future Collectables, Maison Martin Margiela, Mark Davis, Osman Yousefzada, Sonia Rykiel Leave a comment »
BIONDA CASTANA Tia suede heels was £425 now £210, OSMAN YOUSEFZADA Crystal bib dress was £1,070 now £535, MARK DAVIS Jane Bakelite bangle with orange topaz was £705 now £420, CHRISTOPHER KANE shoes with gems was £1,525 now £765
Save the best for last, right? When it come to Browns, I may be biased. I interned there and it really is fantastic what the relatively small team achieves. Compared to their competitors, they seem more adventurous to me, both, in terms of the brands that they buy and the individual pieces they choose from those collections. Granted, they have a whole shop (Focus) dedicated to young designers which probably accounts for their high representation on the website. But still, Browns likes to take risks and nurture up-and-coming talent.
DAVID KOMA one shouldered dress was £1,160 now £700, ALEXANDER WANG Addison platform boot was £665 now £335, FUTURE COLLECTABLES Sonia Rykiel Knitted dress with lips was £890 now £180, MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA leather and suede hi-tops £380 now £225
See? Amazing, right. I won’t go much into detail but I will say that those Margiela hi-tops and the Osman Yousefzada dress are very high on my personal wishlist.
It’s a wrap! This is my last post on the summer 2011 sales. Pretty sure some of you thought this would go on forever.
Future Collectables Sonia Rykiel dress
Maison Martin Margiela hi-tops
Summer Sales – MATCHES Edit
Posted: June 24, 2011 Filed under: accessories, retail, shoes, summer sale | Tags: Acne, Balenciaga, Erdem, fashion, Matches, Tabitha Simmons Leave a comment »
ACNE suede wedge ankle boots were £430 now £258, BALENCIAGA crepe volume trousers were £575 now £287, ERDEM Alula long skirt was £665 now £399, TABITHA SIMMONS linen silk stripe sandals were £705 now £493
Ah, and we’ve crawled our way up to high end boutiques! Let’s not waste our time and cash on basics here, let’s go for the fancy stuff. Matches is another case of excellent accessories for me. Especially the shoe selection is impressive this season. But shoes are a good sales choice anyway. We all know of the transformative powers they hold over an outfit and they don’t usually go out of style too quickly. Which means you’ll wear them over and over again. The first one is by Acne and is exactly what you would expect from them. They made a wedge cool again, didn’t they? I like the attached suspenders on the Balenciaga trouser. It’s menswear inspired but unmistakably cut for a woman. I’ve been going on about Erdem for ages now. And as I happen to be into long skirts at the moment, this piece is a match made in heaven. It will look effortlessly chic with a simple jumper and hair pulled back. Stylist turned designer Tabitha Simmons makes some of the most ravishing shoes out there. They are very distinct looking and always very feminine. Check out her work if you haven’t already.
