Limited Edition Festival Fashion At Miss Selfridge

Miss Selfridge have just launched their Limited Edition festival fashion collection filled with an eclectic mix of vintage inspired pieces reinterpreted to bring the right up to date ready for the summers hottest festivals. This collection is ideal not only for festivals though, it also makes great summer wear for holidays, parties or even everyday.

The collection combines some amazing details including embroidery, beading and fringing to make your festival fashion look really special. With delicate tops that are perfect for wearing with denim cutoffs, kimonos, kaftan and tunics, it strikes just the right balance between luxurious indulgence and festival fashion. All you need to add is gladiator sandals or a pair of boots depending on the weather forecast.

Orange Neck Trim Maxi Dress

Sequin Poncho

Floral Embellished Top

Black Golden Fringe Tunic

Cream Embellished Kaftan

Peach Lace Back Jacket

Vintage Fashion Fair London- Free Tickets

As soon as you enter the fair situated in the heart of Primrose Hill you are met with an atmosphere of chic well-styled calm. Not the usual scrum that one may expect at a vintage fashion fair.
This event has a variety of tip-top quality vintage sold by stallholders who are knowledgable and will be able to answer any questions you may throw at them about vintage fashion through the era’s and how to wear it.

In June you will be able to seek out an abundance of vintage swimwear and beach costumes. The most gorgeous summer dresses in stunning fabrics. For a boho look find fringed waistcoats and crochet tops and skirts. There will also be a large range of denim – shorts, shirts and jackets.
Unusual jewellery can be found – large bangles, bohemian necklaces pieces that can make any outfit kooky and your own unique style. Experiment with different pieces for an arresting and edgy look that will make you stand out from the crowd……This can be so easily achieved with vintage buys.

A very welcome newcomer at the fair is Nanna Sandom who specialises in alterations and repairs specifically for vintage clothing. So if you find that ‘ must have ‘ item that requires a little tweaking then Nanna will be on hand to do this, no matter how small or large the alteration may be.
All this shopping can be tiring so revive yourselves at the pretty vintage cafe downstairs at the venue. The Nice Green Cafe offers delicious snacks and lunches, everything is homemade on the premises with natural ingredients, and for summer a variety of unusual flavoured ice creams are on offer….mmm!

Entrance to the fair is £3.00. Some free tickets are available prior to the fair from our website http://www.vintagefashionfairlondon.co.uk/
Open from 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7 AY

Designer High Street Collaborations - Five of The Best

There have been so many designer high street collaborations, it has been difficult to keep up. Whilst some have arrived with a huge burst of publicity and hype and sold out just as quickly only to pop up later in their hundreds on ebay, there are a number of slow plodders in the designer high street collaborations arena which are around constantly and provide more of a slow and steady opportunity to get  a piece of our favorite designers.

Debenhams was the first to do the designer high street collaborations constantly taking away that hype that urges you to grab a piece quick before it all sells out. Of course their collections lack the exclusivity that the Lanvin and Matthew Williamson for H& M collections had but they still have a lot to offer with a range of designers and something to suit anyone. Just recently they have launched / Edition which helps to keep up with the times with a constantly change bank of contemporary designers. Other high street retailers and equivalent online retailers have also caught on now and we are starting to see lots more continuous designer high street collaborations.

Whilst some love these designer high street collaborations as they represent the only chance they will have to be able to afford a piece by a designer that they have always admired, other dismiss them on the basis that they are a watered down and lower quality version. I think as with everything in life it is really difficult to generalise and each of the collections need to be taken on their own merit.

What do you think? which are your favourite designer high street collaborations?

Here are my 5 favourites.

+J - Jil Sander for Uniqlo

Shiny Back Gathered Sleeveless Dress

This collaboration was  a match made in heaven. Jil Sander's simple minimalistic approach fits perfectly with the Uniqlo's dedication to providing simple pieces and clean lines at great prices. This collection is  a bit more expensive than some of the other designer high street collaborations but they are great quality pieces in contemporary but classic styles that won't go out of fashion and represent a great investment. I always think that if you are going to do the minimalist look you should go for the best pieces that you can afford as cut and quality wil really show. That is why this collection is so perfect. This collection was also winner of the Brit Insurance Fashion Award 2011.

Preen for Debenhams

Red Lace Trim Mini Dress

Part of the Edition range at Debenhams which features contemporary designers, Preen for Debenhams features some great affordable pieces which are very characteristic of the Preen look. This is quite a large collection which contains something for almost any occasion from party dresses to jackets.

H! by Henry Holland at  Debenhams

Black Jack Knitted Dress

The Henry Holland collection has been runnning for a while and has become a firm favourite amongst young fashionistas for stocking up on fresh trendy pieces for each seaosn. The collection usually features some colourful and unusual prints as well as great separates. The collection also includes accessories and is overall very affordable.

Vena Cava at Uniqlo

Vena Cava for Uniqlo Dress

The Vena Cava range at Uniqlo is part of the designer invitation project and features a small but perfectly formed collection of modern and very wearable daytime pieces. This collection is highly affordable and a great way to get a piece of the action designed by these American graduates of Parsons who have made a name for themselves by being twice nominated for the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund and being runners up in the fashion Finalist Fund. They have also in the past collaborated with Gap and Converse.

Davis Koma at Topshop

Tube Dress

I love this collection for its sculptural shapes and bodycon designs. The collection is made from great quality materials but I will have to admit with prices starting at £100 for a belt it is quite pricey. Worth it though if you want to invest in a future classic.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies

The summer is almost upon us and this week, our weekly shopping and goodies friends have some great posts to share from the latest nail colours to beautiful handbags. Enjoy!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is loving Roger Vivier's black patent Cubiste Pochette!
RedPoppy is so loving OPI's purple shade of No Spain No Gain!
Shopping and Info is giving away a Dylan Linea Pelle Handbag! Enter to win.
StyleMaven simply adores the Rodan + Fields ANTI-AGE AMP MD System's non-invasive skincare roller, it's clinically proven to achieve results, Enter to win the entire system today!
The Fashion Buzz is loving the Floral Palazzo Trousers at Boohoo a great way to wear the summer's seventies style
TheFind is flashing pearly white smile with thanks to the techno state-of-the-art at-home whitening device, GLO Brilliant!

image from Red Poppy

Fashion Offers - Up to 40% Off Dresses at Missguided

We are pleased to share with you more fabulous fashion offers, this time up to 40% off dresses at Missguided  which gives you the perfect chance to get kitted out for the summer whether you are looking for festival fashion, a party dress or something to wear to a day at the races. 

Choose from a beautiful range of dresses in a range of colours, prints and styles, with intricate details like embelishment and embroidery. Most  of these dresses cost under £20 so represent a little treat for you that won't break the bank.

Floral Palazzo Trousers At Boohoo

Boohoo is one of my favourite for on trend and affordable pieces. For summer 2011, their website is packed full of beautiful floral palazzo trousers. These are the perfect alternative to a floral dress for those who love their floral prints. They are also a great way to work the summer's seventies style, just add a plain blouse and wide brimmed hat and you have a great festival fashion look or a fitted top for a more contemporary style. Palazzo pants are incredibly elegant and ideal for those who don't want to show off their legs. For maximum impact just add some wedge sandals. The Boohoo collection features some of the boldest and brightest floral print that I have seen around for the summer.

Kelly Floral Palazzo Trousers - Buy Now

Carrie Floral Palazzo Trousers - Buy Now

Sissy Jersey Floral Print Trousers - Buy Now

Kelly Floral Palazzo Trousers - Buy Now

Lola Rose Print Trousers - Buy Now

Get Diana Vickers Style With Her New D- Vee Collection

The new Diana Vickers collection Dee-V has just launched at Very.co.uk and is perfect for those who want to get Diana's very stylish look.

The singer song writer Diana Vickers rose to fame after reaching the semi finals in hit TV talent show the X Factor. Since then she has enjoyed huge success and has become known for both her music and individual style. Her kooky boho look has led to her being named as the fashionista of week ion the Guardian in 2010 and being nominated as  "Best Dressed Woman of The Year" at The Clothes Show Style Awards 2010. Grazia also named her as a fashionista in the making.

Diana Vicker's style icons include Bridget Bardot and Marilyn Monroe and her messy backcombed hair is part of her signature style. Her clothes are often vintage bought from Camden and bricklane but she also loves designer clothes with Julian J Smith, Markus Lupfer and Stella mcCartney being some of her favourites.

The new D-Vee range at Very.co.uk is the first ever collection designed by Diana Vickers and features 8 key women's wear pieces for spring and summer. I love it as it is fresh, fun and a little bit different. Here are my favourite pieces.

Sequin Mini Dress - Buy Now

Bird Embroidered Skirt

Corset Top

Mesh overlay dress

Festival Fashion 2011

With Coachella in the US all over for this year and Radio One's big weekend in Carlisle on the weekend, it is time to get ready for the summer with a little bit of festival fashion inspiration. At summer festivals, the fashion is almost as important as the music and almost anything goes when it comes to style. There are some key looks that seem to emerge at the festivals year after year with denim cutoffs, playsuits, fringed accessories and hats all being popular choices.

Part of choosing what to wear for a festival depends on practicalities especially the weather but it is possible to achieve a very cool balance of practicality and style. The celebrities  manage to look completely perfect whatever they choose to wear, but do remember that they don't actually camp, so don't face some of the style challenges that us normal folk do. If the weather is hot, you will want clothing to keep you cool and also protect you from the sun. Sunglasses are an absolute must, not only because they add a  hint of mystery and rock and roll to any look but also they will help to ensure that you get a glimse of your favourite band. Bright colours and patterns are less likely to show the dirt, mud and creases that you are likely to accumalate over the weekend. If you are planning a minimalist outfit, forget it, this not a great look for festivals.

Boots are the most practical footwear think cowboy boots and workman boots, both of which are also great for adding an edge to a floral dress or playsuit. If you are expecting really wet weather conditions (remember the Glastonbury mud of 97 or the rain in 07?), then wellies are perhaps the only way to go, Hunter wellies seem to be the current Wellington Boot of choice but there are plenty of other coloured, patterned (perhaps a little last year) or plain alternatives out there so take your pick. If you are lucky enough to get really hot weather swap your boots for some flat strappy sandals.

Looking stylish is all about feeling comfortable in what you are wearing. It is impossible to look stylish if you keep having to pull your top down or your feet are hurting. Choose clothes that are easy to wear and low maintentance and accessories that don't get in the way. In wet weather opt for shorts, cutoffs or knee length skirts, anything else will be quickly coated in mud.  Across the body bags are particularly useful and also look the part.

Floral Playsuit - Missguided

The key too dressing for festivals is not to wear anything that you will worry about if it gets ruined. Leave your designer clothes at home and instead treat yourself to a very affordable dress or floral playsuit from the likes of Boohoo, Missguided or New Look.

Don't forget some warm clothes too. It is likely that you will reach a point in the evening when you no longer care what you look like and warmth is your only concern.

Here are just a few looks that proved popular at Coachella this year:

• Oversized shirts with cutoffs
• Maxi dresses with floppy hats
• Stripes
• flower garlands in the hair
• chunky statement jewelery
• unusual sunglasses

So are you ready for the festival season? what festival fashion will you be wearing?

Image credit

Weekly Shopping and Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdrops is so excited! We're giving away a vkoo Cashmere Draped Vest in frost. Enter to win!
Bags, Bling & Beauty posts a Father's Day 2011 Gift Guide that will work for almost any budget!
Fashion Cents shares how to wear the bandage dress and how to get a Herve Leger bandage dress centsible price.
Fashion Hippo is running a fabulous Rebecca Minkoff giveaway. Win Rebecca Minkoff Covet Satchel.
Handbag du Jour features 8 nifty neon bags to get your color fix for Spring!
Raging Rouge is dabbling in a wide variety of spring lipstick shades by MAC.
Shopping and Info loves the colorful Missoni printed swimsuit with the attached scarf!
StyleMaven continues her Anglophile obsession with all things British, including this brilliant body-con Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Ruched Jersey Dress.
The Fashion Buzz share some amazing Boohoo Floral Playsuits perfect for festivals, daytime or evenings
The Well-Heeled Society shows you why she is gaga over Boutique 9's ChiChi wedge espadrilles!
TheFind says, enter now! for a chance to win a $250 gift certificate from eDressMe - for that perfect graduation, prom, end-of-year formal, or wedding guest dress.
What's Haute is giving away a limited-edition silk scarf and 'Inside' book by best-selling author Brenda Novak!

Image- A few goody Gumdrops

Fashion Offers - 20% Off At Oasis

Today we have yet more offers for you.  Oasis are offering 20% in conjunction with Look Magazine until 24th May when you enter the code 20LOOKSS11 at checkout.

Oasis is probably my favourite of all of the high street shops. Their clothes are on trend but also very wearable and great quality.

Oasis is a great place to find a colourful floral dress or sophisticated playsuit. They also have some great separates for the season ahead including pussybow blouse and floral print skirt. Here are some of my favourites.

Sateen Print Bandeau Floral Dress

Border Polynesian Flirty Print



Spot Print Jumpsuit

Seventies Flares Jeans



Crew Neck Cardigan

Pussy Bow Blouse

Boohoo Floral Playsuits

Floral playsuits are becoming something of a summer favourite. They are fun, feminine and more practical than a dress. They make especially good festival fashion and look great with a pair of chunky boots and a denim jacket or cardigan should the weather turn.

Playsuits can look cute, kitsch and retro. They are also flattering and look great for the daytime with flats or glammed up with heels for the evening.

This summer Boohoo have an amazing selection of floral playsuits at some really fabulous prices. Here are our favourite Boohoo floral playsuits.

Gemma Floral Print Playsuit

Shola Rose Print Playsuit



India Rose Print Playsuit

Laura Floral Playsuit

Tori Ruffle Floral Playsuit

Emily Rose Print Playsuit

Charlie Cape Detail Playsuit

Fran Floral Ruffle Playsuit

Fashion Discounts - Dorothy Perkins VIP Week

We all love fashion discounts, they are the perfect chance to stock up on goodies for your summer wardrobe. This week Dorothy Perkins have VIP week, a fabulous event when you can have 25% off everything. All you need to do is enter the code DPVIPE at checkout. The offer is valid until 22nd May.

Here are some of my favourites from Dorothy Perkins.

Yellow Flower Pot Print Dress

Cream Butterfly Print Dress

Orange Sleeveless Lace Dress

 

Taupe Spot Sundress

 

Orange Embroidered Sun Dress

Charlotte Ronson For Uniqlo

If you love designer collaborations then Uniqlo is a retailer which you should definitely keep an eye on with their latest collection by Charlotte Ronson just launched. The retailer also has a very successful ongoing + J collaboration with Jil Sander. Other designer collaborations happening with Uniqlo this spring as part of their Designers Invitation Project include CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Vena Cava, who collaborated with Gap back in 2009 and Costello Tagliapietra, who is known for his minimalist staples.

Charlotte Ronson is a New York based designer and style  icon. She gained instant attention from Vogue and Elle  with her debut collection in 2000 and has continued to be hugely successful with her fun, feminine and wearble designs inspired by family, friends, music and travel. Her clothes have been seen on plenty of celebrities including Kate Moss, Beyonce and Blake Lively.

We love this collection, it is fresh, fun, summery and very affordable.

Blue and white sailing boat dress

Patterned and plain dress

Abstract floral print dress

Charlotte Ronson Striped Dress

Weekly Shopping and Goodies

It is that time again when we share with some great links from our weekly shopping and goodies friends. Check them out for some great reviews, giveaways and style guides.

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a gorgeous vkoo Cashmere Draped Vest. Enter to win!
RedPoppy reviews some of the best fashion moments at the MET's Costume Institute Gala last week honoring the work of the late Alexander McQueen...
Shopping and Info is loving LeSportac's new look...the sequined cross body bag!
The Fashion Buzz checks out the best denim flares and kickflare jeans for summer 2011
The Well-Heeled Society shares her HOT heist with a discount code from Shoe Thief!
TheFind is keeping the UV rays at bay with Clarins line- UV Plus HP SPF 40 Daily Shield, an every day lotion with triple the protection

Image - Shopping and Info