Orla Kiely A/W 2012 Presentation

The themes in this years Orla Kiely A/W 2012 presentation was preppy tailoring, pretty prints and mixed textures with a 60s twist. 


Inspired by the film "To Sir with Love" the fashion presentation was in the style of an 'Afternoon Dance'. Models sat patiently on chairs clutching their retro style handbags and purses till they were asked to waltz, twist or side-step the floor which made for some fabulous photographs for the blogosphere! 

Picture courtesy of LFW designer profile.

Picture by Zimbio.

This range was a small departure from the usual Orla Kiely collection, with a brown leather shift dress and a glitter puff ball skirt. Boundaries pushed! (We kid). 

The prints this season are inspired by nature so expect to see lots of mini fox prints and autumnal colours. Apart from the fabulous twenties art deco feel to the presentation, I would say it is business as normal for Orla Kiely. 

Mulberry Launches The Del Rey Handbag!

Mulberry's creative director Emma Hill has done it again and created another "it" bag inspired by American pop singer Lana Del Rey. Sorry Alexa! In less than a couple of hours Mulberry will be showcasing their A/W 2012 collection at London Fashion Week and for me it is one of the most anticipated shows of the season. Mulberry is a great British brand and with Emma Hill's guidance they are going from strength to strength and in this economy it is refreshing to hear and see. 

Emma Hill met Lana Del Rey last year, and said she was taken with the singers voice and the vintage nostalgia of her “Video Games” video. “I love Lana’s nostalgic references to bygone glamour and the fact that her look is retrospective, yet so modern. This inspired us to create a bag that was timeless, refined, and elegant,” said Hill.

The rectangular Del Rey handbag comes in a variety of leathers and will be available from May at a cost of $1,000. The singer will be toting a white ostrich version of the Del Rey to the London Mulberry show and will be wearing a bespoke gown from the catwalk collection for her after-dinner performance for the brand. 

A New Collection from Ulyana Sergeenko

Spotted! More fabulous frocks from Russian photographer and designer; Ulyana Sergeenko. The new collection is full of velvet playsuits, bathrobes, full skirts, bell sleeves, hats and printed gowns. Here are just some of our favourites, but to see more from the collection visit Vogue, Russia.

Ralph Lauren A/W 2012 : Downton Abbey Meets Boardwalk Empire?

The Ralph Lauren catwalk is one of the first A/W 2012 collections that caught my eye this fashion season mainly as it is supposedly inspired by Downton Abbey. What could be better than that? 

The collection is full of Edwardian influences with well tailored tweed suits, flat caps, taxidermy bird brooches and fair isle sweaters. I can't help, but also spot the twenties influence in this entire range of looks...less flapper girl, more Boardwalk Empire? What do you think? 

Ralph Lauren's 2012 collection is bowler hat heavy and possibly only perfect for the Boxing day hunt or a casino robbery, but I am glad someone covered an alternative look for the less ladylike lady. Twenties fashion is going to be a huge influence on fashion this year, but what look will you be going for? 

Vintage Style Fashion Finds

I scour the internet for days, months and minutes to find the best in vintage fashion and vintage style so it feels only right I should start sharing with my dearly beloved...YOU, my dreamy readers, all that I find. I have good weeks and bad weeks like every one else - weeks where I find great authentic vintage dresses, accessories, furnishings and weeks where I find myself browsing ASOS and the high street for something to indulge my vintage style needs. Do you know the feeling? 


Here are this weeks vintage and vintage style fashion finds:

ASOS browsing again...guilty! I am obsessed with birds and bird cages at this moment. I love flighty prints, birdy embellishments, winged brooches and this handbag. Which comes in both pale pink and mint green for only £20. A great bag for whimsical days when you want to just want to soar through your workload. 

First it was 'Midnight in Paris', then 'The Artist' and soon it will be 'The Great Gatsby'. Twenties fashion and accessories are going to be huge this year and this Etsy enamoured necklace is just the ticket to find your inner flapper girl, all for just $39.

I am over white washed furniture and love this bright teal dressing table available at Retromodern. Retromodern are an Australian based company who source and hand restore mid-century furniture to create one off, like-new pieces with a retro appeal. 

The book clutch! Why has it taken so long? Natalie Portman was one of the first Hollywood stars to accessorise with an Olympia Le Tan book bag, choosing 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov for the 'Black Swan' New York premiere. Whilst Michelle Williams recently carried 'The Misfits' by Arthur Miller at an award ceremony this past week. Check out the other classic book titles in the book bag range online, but at $1,250 a bag I may just carry the book.

What did you find this week? Did you like my list? Is this something you would like to see more of on this blog? Let me know by posting a comment below.  

The 2012 Grammy Awards : Best Dressed List

Who needs a Grammy when they are this sparkly? Carrie Underwood wore a Gomez-Gracia gown and shined on this years Grammy red carpet. 

Katy Perry wore Ellie Saab and even though she looks like she has been frosted she manages to look elegant, pretty and demure. Do you prefer Katy Perry toned down or do you miss her cupcake bra's?

Sparkles were the theme of the night and Taylor Swift's gold Zuhair Murad gown did not disappoint. Taylor normally goes for the sweet strapless gown with ruffles so it was nice to see her looking polished, poised and chic.

Adele looked magnificent last night at the 2012 Grammy awards in another sparkly dress by Giorgio Armani. She looked her best, she performed her best and she went home with 6 Grammy awards. We love Adele.

Destiny who? Blue who? Kelly Rowland looked flawless in this Alberta Ferretti gown. 

Julianne Hough wearing a Kaufman Franco dress...is Julianne becoming new the new Jennifer Aniston? 

As always the Grammy Awards were full of controversy, this year it was that Chris brown was performing. Full of outrageous costumes...Nicki Minaj's plus one was a pope...

...but the Grammy awards are always filled with great musical performances and shining talent. Adele winning 6 Grammy awards was just the icing on the cake. 

Do you agree with my sparkly best dressed list for the Grammy Awards 2012? Anyone missing? Did you watch? 

Mia Wasikowsa's 'Restless' Vintage Styling - Get the Look!

I can not help, but mention the great fashion in Gus Van Sant's latest movie release 'Restless'. Starring Mia Wasikowska and Henry Hopper as two people who fall in love whilst dealing with life, loss and love. 

Annabel (Mia) is a terminal cancer patient with a deep love of life whilst Enoch (Hopper) is dealing with a great loss in his family. They meet by chance and find an unexpected common ground in their unique experiences of life. 

Mia's character, Annabel is sweet, cute and quirky and she has vintage style to match. We cannot help, but feel inspired by this leading lady's wardrobe. Annabel mixes fantastic hats with lashings of lace, pea coats, fur and loud accessories. 

I found this fabulous red cloche hat on Etsy for £97. Handmade with a large matching red felt corsage for a modern twist on a twenties look as worn by Mia's character in the film "Restless". Match with a cute waist length cardigan and bright red gloves to replicate Annabel's quirky vintage styling.  

The cape was big news this Autumn and it will still be around for Spring when the days get mild and the nights get lighter and longer. (Sounds like a dream right now). I love how Mia's character Annabel wore hers with a bold blue ribbon and bright blue gloves. Not too matchy and enough colour to make the dullest days brighter. I love this cape from Zara for $89. Wear with your own bright blue accessories to re-create this look...if a bow is too loud for you, why not try a bright and bold vintage brooch?  

Restless is out now on DVD courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Available on the 13th February 2012.