Loving Ladylike Chic

 

If you, like me, love everything ladylike, then you should buy one of these:

Floral taffeta dress from Jigsaw (£295) is simply a full-on 50s glamour.  Finish with patent courts, full-length gloves and a lady bag for a look straight off the runways.

Wow, this Marks & Spencer's dress (£59) sums up the ladylike trend perfectly.  Full skirt, cinched-in waist, floral pattern - 3 YES's.  It is the perfect dress to be seen in this autumn. 

Another great bargain from M&S is this black leather skirt (£99).  Leather, full skirt and the right length - it could not get more on trend for the new season! 

For the ultimate Mad Men chic wear with the nude, pussy-bow blouse from Primark (an absolute bargain at £10) and some pearl earrings.

It is getting colder so if you are looking for a coat that is super on trend yet warm and practical, this super-chic coat from Reiss (£325) is your answer. Ladylike perfection!

 

I LOVE these square toe Mary Janes shoes from Topshop (£60).  They are nude coloured and they will go with just about everything.

Complete your outfit with a gorgeous Gene shoulder bag by Marc Jacobs (£850). This arm-candy finishes the ladylike look to perfection. Its boxy shape and pared-down palette mean its an understated classic that will dress up any outfit.  It is a great investment piece!

Don't forget accessories.  Windsor lace gloves by Diane Von Furstenberg (£112)
will not only bring your whole look together but will also look oh-so pretty clutching your lady bag!

The Ceaser vintage necklace from Accessorize (£20) looks ever so expensive and can be worn everyday.  When wearing a choker-type necklace like this make sure you stick to high-neck cuts.

Have fun shopping and transform yourself into sassy Joan Harris from Mad Men series.

Alice Temperley Rocks!

 

Looking for the store..

 

 

..found it.

Here is me very excited waiting in front of the store.  Once inside, we were told we were not allowed to take any pictures which was a shame.  We were offered refreshments and were told that Alice will be doing a short presentation in about 20 minutes time. That gave us just enough time to have a quick look at the clothes and we were also able to put our name down for free manicure by Nails Inc, make-up lesson or a makeover with the Benefit Cosmetics make-up artist and threading eye brown trim by Shavata.

Suddenly there she was, Alice Temperley herself, in the middle of the room, dressed from head to toe in her designs and looking SO gorgeous.  She told us about her latest Autumn/Winter 2010 ALICE by Temperley collection. 

"It is a paean to the English eclectic, a youthful remix of the magpie style that is as much a tradition in England as tea and cake and cricket. It is full of graphic abstract and ethnic prints, military silhouettes and embellishment and rich textures of velvet and hammered satin. Vintage drawing room sophistication is summoned in tailored waistcoats and draped jerseys. A bit of punk sneers back in studs and denim. Intarsia-knit tunic dresses and crop tops capture the insouciance of England’s Bohemia, from Hampstead Heath to Bloomsbury Square to Carnaby Street to Hoxton".

The ethnic inspired ALICE knits are perfect for fall, great for casual days or to throw on over a simple black dress.

When asked what was her favourite piece of this collection, the designer said the Chara Cardigan is definitely her favourite.  

It is such a versatile and practical piece of clothing and you can wash it in the washing machine! 

A must for the forthcoming winter months.

After the presentation, Alice was mingling with people, chatting to everyone, so I found my courage and asked her if she wouldn't mind having a picture taken with me. She was very friendly and said YES!

I really liked the Iatest collection but absolutely LOVED the bridal collection she designed.  Each dress is so breathtakingly beautiful and different.  I have a 6 year old daughter and I can't wait to go shopping for her wedding dress one day and believe me, Alice Temperley store in Notting Hill will be my choice NO.1!

On the departure we were given a goodie bag with some lovely items. 

One of them being the Aztec Scarf by AT. 

Myself and  Maria with our goodie bags on the train back home. 

What a great day had by all!

Who wore it better? Jamie Lee Curtis + Sigourney Weaver or ME?

Both Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver looked amazing when they arrived at the “You Again” Premiere last night wearing the SAME beautiful David Meister turquoise satin one shoulder cocktail dress (source: Red Carpet website).

People probably thought: OMG whose stylist is going to get fired first!?  

However it was deliberate as apparently the same thing happens in the movie (must go and see it).

I love that turquoise bluish greenish colour.  It will look great on blonde, brunette or even red head. Age doesn't matter either, anyone from 20-100 can wear it.  Jamie looks beautiful with her natural grey hair and they both have incredible bodies!

I prefer Sigourney's shoes as they add a bit of a sparkle to the outfit.   

I have a similar fitted satin cocktail dress by Karen Millen in the same gorgeous turquoise colour.  I finished my look with leopard print stilettos by Faith.

So who won it for you?  And what shoes would you wear?

Styling evening with friends

What fun I had last night!  I organized a photo shoot with my friends Maria and Helene. This time I had to take the pictures in the evening because Helene works during the day.  It was a bit more challenging as you don't get the natural daylight BUT the atmosphere was great and we didn't have to rush off to pick our children up from school.

I did Helene's make-up first and then I put together few different outfits for her to wear during the photo shoot.

 

Here she is before...

 

...and after. 

  

I took lots and lots of pictures and here are some of my favourites:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

And here is Maria with her brand new funky Dr Marten's boots!

  

We did have a fantastic girlie night in.

If you fancy a fun evening with your friends then get in touch. I can do the make-up and scan your wardrobe to put together few outfits for yourself or your friends. They can bring a selection of outfits with them if they wish.  I can take the photos myself or if you are after the 'real thing', I will arrange a photo shoot with professional photographer Gary Bagnall (http://www.garybagnall.com/).

If you want to go solo, then I can arrange for you to have an individual styling session with myself.

For more details see 'CONTACT' column. 

Unleash Your Inner Rock Chick

Well, autumn is nearly here and I think it's time to get over summer's florals and frills and to discover your dark side.  Does it sounds scary and you don't know how to make a statement without saying a word?

Shop online and visit Firetrap's edgy new autumn collection (www.Firetrap.com).  
Why not to spice up your wardrobe with sexy, urban essentials such as biker jacket, trench coat with military detailing and distressed denim.

Layering is the key this season so go ahead and wear long coats and parkas over structured skirts and fitted vests. 

Don't forget to add the rock'n'roll factor with leather handbags, embellished tops with slogans and classic iconography splashed all over them and some faux-fur accessories.

                                          (images copied from Firetrap.com)

Here is one of my mood boards I put together for all you Rock Chicks out there just to give you an inspiration.

Come on, give it a go!  It might be easier than you think!

There's first time for everything!

Hello to all you Bloggers out there! I'm writing my first ever blog and I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, quite the opposite! But as they say, there's a first time for everything so here we go...


Last weekend I did my first professional photo shoot.  I was the Stylist, the Make-up Artist and the Model - Yes all three and it was such an enjoyable experience - it definitely exceeded my expectations.  In addition to me in the role as a Model, I also had to find another model to style, so that was my first job.  Then I had to choose a selection of outfits and accessories. Next was to find the location for the photo shoot.  That was all going to be straightforward for me but then I realised I needed someone to take the photos as photography is not one of my things! So I was very pleased when my Sister-in-Law introduced me to her work colleague Gary, a keen photographer, who was at the same time looking for some new faces to add to his portfolio (www.garybagnall.com).  We agreed the location would be a village hall in the sleepy Surrey Hills and the model was my 16 year old niece Lily.



Everything went smoothly on the day of the photo shoot. Lily and I arrived at the location on time, Gary was already there setting up his equipment, so I had about 20 minutes to get Lily's make-up and hair done - no pressure then!

I had a suitcase full of clothes, shoes, belts and other accessories to mix and match to create different outfits.


The first outfit I chose for Lilly to be photographed in was my personal favourite - a purple maxi dress that Lily's Nanny had worn in1967! As we all know fashion designers constantly seek inspiration for their new collections and more often than not they look to the past so trends are forever repeating - the fashion cycles!  I especially love the stunning embroidery on the collar and in the waist area in different shades of blue, purple, silver and gold - a true piece of art.

Next outfit was another blast from the past - this time we are talking Paris 1989.  Lily's Mum bought this gorgeous velvet dress in some little boutique.  I love the print and the combination of colours. I must say Lily was made for this dress, it hugs her at all the right places.  She is such a pleasure to style as she has got the model figure that most of us mortals only dream of! 

 
'Miss Attitude' outfit below is something different and funky.  I especially like those zebra print shoes - they bring a real wow factor to the outfit.

Next 2 outfits I put together were a mixture of styles.  Lily looks her age - sweet 16 - in the pink t-shirt and a flower print mini-skirt.  Khaki harem trousers go so well with the silky yellow top.

And here is me trying to look cool and pose like a model.  Hats off to all the models out there, I couldn't be one myself. 

I LOVE styling people, making them feel good about themselves and allow them to express themselves through clothes - that is what I am here to do.