MAGAZINE - Spa Secrets Interview With Dita

Spa Secrets Summer edition is out now featuring an exclusive interview with burlesque artist, Dita Von Teese who talks about how to keep in shape and taking time out to relax.

“I never, ever go to bed without washing my face and brushing my teeth. I don’t smoke, and I use sunscreen on my skin to prevent wrinkles and sun damage,” says Dita Von Teese.

For the full interview pick up your copy of Spa Secrets Magazine or sample a taster of the magazine available at www.spasecretsmagazine.com/summer09

Look out for the special summer promotional edition at Borders with a FREE £13 beauty gift from Pevonia UK while stocks last.

Also in this issue:

• Expert tips: Make-up artist Ruby Hammer and hairdresser Mathew Alexander give us their top tips on this season’s key looks.
• Ayurveda and destination reviews: The ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda and destination features focusing on Jersey’s top spas and discovering the Caribbean spirit.
• Competition: Win a seven-night break to Crete with a free spa treatment every day.
• Read in-depth interviews and discover the truth behind the latest innovative skincare treatments and latest fashion trends.
• Reviews on products, treatments, spas and hotels worldwide and a range of exclusive offers for the discerning traveller and recreational spa user.
  

For more information visit www.spasecretsmagazine.com

LOOK - Sequins Galore From French Connection

Got a swish party to go to this summer? Want to stand out? I have the perfect dress for you. The Fast Femme Dress from French Connection is sequin-o-rama in a different colour palette than their usual sparkle dresses. I have included a look below that shows how I might accessorise the outfit. Keep things fairly simple because everyone should be looking at the dress, it is a showstopper. Pick out an accent colour from within the dress to highlight in your accessories, I chose bronze for the shoes and bag. Love those chunky wooden wedge heels from Debenhams too.

The Style PA

If you are on Polyvore, why not let me know how you would have styled the dress. Post a link to your look in the comments below...

DESIGNER - Vivienne Westwood Anglomania

The Grand Dame of British fashion and originator of punk rock styling launched her Anglomania line in 1997. Its contemporary draping and casual edge has become a signature feature. Vivienne Westwood was awarded an OBE in 1992 and has received Designer of the Year accolades twice. The latest Anglomania collection does not disappoint. I was wandering through Selfridges last week, and the Vivienne Westwood clothes always stand out as being quite 'me', in that they are both classic and modern.

Jersey tops and dresses have low cowl necks and asymmetric styling. A floral print, ruffle collar detailing and a moody palette on more tailored pieces are strong features. I always notice the strong shapes in Vivienne Westwood clothing, with sharp tailoring which flatters the female form. Take a look at the pieces below, available at my-wardrobe.com

Navy Monroe Taffeta Belted Dress

Aubergine Scarf Jersey Dress

Grey Propaganda Jacket


Blue Cap Sleeve Dress

NEWS - Victoria Pendleton Goes for Green

Green is the new black for Olympian Victoria Pendleton. EDF Energy announced the inaugural Green Britain Day in style with Wayne Hemingway designing a special green Union Flag dress for stunning gold-winning Olympian Victoria Pendleton (above).

The dress, which has been made entirely from recycled fabrics, is designed to reflect the symbol of Green Britain Day, a green Union Flag.

Green Britain Day takes place each year and aims to inspire the nation to work together and lower Britain’s carbon footprint by the time of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the first sustainability partner of London 2012, EDF Energy is using the Games as a platform to inspire people to embrace a low carbon lifestyle.

As part of Green Britain Day, people will be asked to do something green for the team and join ‘Team Green Britain’. By going to www.teamgreenbritain.org and joining one of five teams that relate to a different lifestyle area, people can find actions to undertake that may help them reduce their carbon footprint.

For example, fashion lovers could join Team Swap which encourages people to exchange old and unwanted clothes with friends and family. Swapping clothes rather than buying new can be more environmentally friendly as it can reduce landfill and may save on the carbon emissions generated by the transport of new items. It’s also a great excuse to get together with your friends and get a whole new wardrobe without spending a penny!

Victoria says, “I love making my own clothes and shopping in charity stores so I jumped at the chance to have a dress designed for me by Wayne Hemingway using recycled materials.

Established British designer Wayne Hemingway of Hemingway Design has long been an advocate of sustainable living, having designed everything from eco products to working on green housing projects. Wayne says, “I was brought up in a ‘make do and mend’ culture and sustainability is very important to me. That’s why I’m delighted to be working with EDF Energy and Green Britain Day .

What will you do to mark Green Britain Day on 10 July?

INTERVIEW - Tamzin of Tamzin Sparkles

Hand-made brooches by Tamzin

This week is the turn of Tamzin who writes a blog and sells fab handmade brooches at her Etsy shop. If you have a moment, head over there and browse the gorgeous items currently on sale.

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I live on the south coast of England in a small seaside town called Hastings. I have lived here all my life apart from a year and half when I lived in Barcelona (an amazing city I advise everyone go!) I work as phone pusher part time which is definitely not for me but pays the bills and lets me have time to study. I am studying to become a Nutritionist and Personnel Trainer which is my dream job and is going really well. I also like to spend my spare time making pretty brooches which I love to wear, they make me smile plus brighten up any outfit, I am a definite magpie for glittery things!

Why did you start blogging/open your shop?
I started blogging a couple of months ago because I find writing down things that happen in life really helps figure them out and put you in the right frame of mind. I like to share my recipes too. I am coeliac and dairy/sugar intolerant so like to share what I have learnt about eating in this way. You can still have treats! I opened my shop ages ago but hadn't kept up with restocking, then recently a friend of mine has been working in Australia and wore one of my brooches out and the girls over there love them so asked me to start the shop up again so the girls could buy some, and of course I couldn't refuse!

What inspires you?
Colours, anything sparkly, Dior, Chanel, my sister, pin-up girls, 1950's, Carrie in Sex and the City, and being different.

If you had to wear just one fashion designer's clothes for life, who would it be?
Oh what a question! I really just can't choose between John Galliano or Karl Lagerfeld its too hard please can I have both!?

What are your top 3 high street stores and why?
First is Topshop I love pretty much everything in store especially Topshop on Oxford street, many find it unbearable as its mayhem so busy with people, but for me its heaven so many treats very bad for my bank balance though! Its great if you love following fashion trends at affordable prices or if you like to dress alternative definitely something for everyone. Ooooooh secondly has got to be M&S, they have the best knits at great prices and the fits I find are really nice and the fabrics they use are really good too. Plus they have a really good selection of underwear for the more cleavage blessed ladies! Third is a toughie I'm torn between H&M and New Look as both have some great bargains, I think I'll go with New Look as I have bought some really pretty summer dresses from there recently, I am obsessed with dresses especially ones with flower prints and this year New Look has got some really cute ones.

What has been your biggest ever bargain?
Gosh, my biggest bargain that's another tough one, I think it's got to be the navy blue mac with big gold buttons I bought from Zara (another favourite shop of mine!) I bought it a couple of years ago and it has been worn ever since, come rain or shine it is a mac for all seasons. It looks great with any outfit and makes you look a really good shape all this for only £49.99. A very good investment I feel.

And what has been your biggest ever splurge?
Dear me, there have been so many I guess it would have to be the 2 coats I bought in Barcelona again a couple of years ago. They were from the Penelope Cruz collection - one leopard print, the other tailored black. They have been worn to death so it was money well spent, the credit card may have disagreed though!

What is your beauty routine?
I am quite strict about my beauty routine, I always always take my make up off even after a few drinks it must always be cleaned. So I remove make up, then cleanser, toner, pimple cream (if needed!) eye cream, moisturizer, I try to exfoliate once a week too, only once though as it can be harsh for the skin and as mine is very sensitive I don't like to overdo it. Morning is the same other than removing the make up.

My brooch from Tamzin's shop

What do you collect?
As I said before I am a magpie for glittery things so I do collect diamante brooches. I collect flowers for my hair too; I love to dress my hair day and night. I also collect lip balm, my sister always gets me a new one on her trips to New York and I quite often treat myself if I see one in a pretty package that just can't be left in the shop. I don't go anywhere without one in my bag and I was once told by a man friend I had the softest lips he had ever kissed, I have my obsession with lip balms to thank for this.

Which celebrity would you love to dress and why?
I think my chosen celeb will have to be Britney Spears putting recent events aside I do think she is very pretty but some of her outfits should be against the law! She's got a great body and could look super nice but most of the time she just looks cheap and with all the money she has she could have the best wardrobe ever.

Which celebrity do you think has the best style?
For me there is no contest it has to be Sarah Jessica Parker I love the way she dresses always eye catching, with best accessories. I love her as Carrie in Sex in the City and think she has got a lot of ideas from playing that role. Whenever I watch it, and if I confess is quite a lot, I just want to put on a dress and heels.

What is your favourite trend of the moment?
That has to be dresses, floral, plain glittery any kind really I am a dress lover.

How do you turn around a bad hair day?
Flowers and hairspray can turn around any bad hair day.

What would you wear on a first date?
Gosh it's been so long! Probably, yep you guessed it, a dress - but I would make it casual wearing some pumps and a cardie and flowers would have to go in the hair too.

Thanks to Tamzin for answering these questions. She was also the winner of a recent competition here on The Style PA. If you would like to be interviewed for The Style PA, just get in touch.

BOUTIQUE - Save 10% at Aspire Style

Inspired by Audrey by aspirestyle featuring Poetic Licence shoes

Aspire Style is a small chain of 3 shops owned by Emma Woodward and Samantha Yair, childhood friends with a creative and entrepreneurial streak. After a few years of dreaming they opened their first shop in 2004 in a sleepy backstreet in the small market town of Warwick. Since then, things have grown considerably from this one small shop with just the two of them, to owning 3 shops and employing over 20 staff. The other shops can be found in Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, in busy high street locations.

The quick growth of the company is owing to the 'boutique' feel of the shops and a key philosophy to sell unique fashion and gifts at affordable prices. Treasure hunters will marvel at the pretty jewellery laid out on vintage furniture, fabulous fashion and girly gifts you won't find anywhere else.

Brands stocked include: Fever, Yumi and Darling clothes, Poetic License shoes, Orla Kiely, Nica and Ollie and Nic bags. Emma and Samantha also support small and local designers who produce something a little bit different but still at great prices.

Visit www.aspirestyle.co.uk or join the Aspire Style group on Facebook. You can also get a discount on any purchases made by 1 July 2009.

Enter STYLE09 at the checkout to get a 10% discount

I loved these items which, at the time of writing, are available to buy on the Aspire Style website...

Vintage Envelope Purse - £12.95

Tan Platform Shoes - £29

SALE - Big Discounts at Kurt Geiger

Carvela Geranium - Was £110, now £79

We all love shoes right? Well, I do... and a shoe sale is just about as good as it gets. Especially when the shoes are as covetable as those from Kurt Geiger. There are big savings to be had at the moment, so head on over to the website and order your size before they run out. I have included some images of my faves for inspiration.

Fashionistas Embankment - Was £200, now £49

Carvela Anemone - Was £90, now £59

NAILS - Renovate Your Nails

Leighton Denny Renovate Kit

Fellow Independent Fashion Blogger, Ondo Lady, talks about how to keep nails looking tip-top this summer.

It’s that time of the year when you need to get your feet out and show off your hands. That means a pedi and mani which translates into an hour or two of buffing, soaking and massaging at the beauty spa getting all primped. To me this is heaven as my local spot enables me to sit back and relax in a chair that massages your back while drinking tea and flicking through magazines. Oh bliss. But hang on, what if your nails are not quite up to scratch and are flaky or brittle? What do you do then?

Well what you do is invest some time and a few pounds on giving your nails some TLC. This means using a nail repair kit which consists of a buffer to rub against your nails, a nail file to shape them and nail repair cream that nourishes your nails and protects them. So as my nails were feeling a bit fragile I used a Leighton Denny nail kit to strengthen them so they look nice and pretty. The kit came in a cutesy lace pouch - thank you very much and I found the cream to be really cool and refreshing as well as light. The buffer was great, not too tough but not too soft if you get my drift and just right.

Two weeks later and my nails have grown and I get comments from work colleagues complimenting me on how long my nails are. Nice work Denny Leighton and so it is off to the nail salon for that mani and pedi. Summer here I come!!!

Ondo Lady is a freelance journalist who also has a fab blog, The Musings of Ondo Lady. If you have some time to spare, do check it out.

LINGERIE - Wonderbra's Ultimate Strapless Bra

Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless bra

Most women have heard of a Wonderbra; in fact, most have probably tried one. When it comes to push-up bras and enhancing what nature gave us, Wonderbra has always performed. But regardless of that reputation, when I heard about the new Ultimate Strapless bra developed by Wonderbra, I was a little skeptical. In all my years of searching, I have never yet found a strapless bra that I feel fully comfortable in. In fact, I shy away from strapless tops and dresses altogether to avoid the resulting underwear dilemma. But, with an open mind I decided to put Wonderbra's latest product to the test...

Looks

The bra looks fab on the model, but does it also look good on us mere mortals? Well in short, it aint half bad. The bra is seam free and made from microfibre, intended to give a smooth line underneath clothing. Because of the structured nature of the bra, I felt it was still visible but no more than your average T-shirt bra. The uplift you get from this Wonderbra is something that no woman without surgical enhancement could possibly achieve from most strapless bras, and that is one of the biggest selling points. Available in black or nude means most wardobe needs are covered and the plunge shape is an added bonus. The simple, unfussy styling is perfect for what should be a lingerie draw 'must have'.

Support & Staying Power

The claim is that the bra stays up while jumping and dancing as well as with general wear. The design incorporates a hand-shaped structure that lifts the weight of the bust and gives support where it is needed. It also uses silicone banding which gives extra hold and keeps everything in place. I ran up and down stairs, did the hoovering, and jiggled about a bit and all claims are justified. The wide polycarbonate support underneath the cups is what makes the bra stay firmly in place and what makes it different from other brands. No underwire here! Extensive research and development showed Wonderbra that they needed something new and that is what they have created.

Comfort

The sun was shining this weekend so it was the perfect time to throw on a strapless top and test the new bra. A day of walking and driving is probably not what the bra was really designed for and I wondered whether a full day of wear might end painfully. As it turns out, walking around was not a problem at all. No movement, no slippage, no cup-runneth-over - I was contained and perfectly comfortable. Driving was not quite as comfortable though. In order to achieve the uplift and a good fit the bra does need to sit snugly. This is fine all the while you are standing up, but might be a problem if you are sat down for long periods of time. But ladies, it is a small price to pay for the impressive cleavage you get to go with it, and at least it encourages good posture.

The Verdict

If you are anything like me, and have enough up front to make strapless bra buying difficult, do not give up hope yet; give the Ultimate Strapless a chance. I have tried many different styles of strapless bra and none have ever come close to the results of Wonderbra's latest creation. Uplift and staying power from a strapless bra are hard to come by, but this one definitely manages both. Simple but incredibly effective, with the same great uplift that Wonderbra is famed for - every woman should have one. You could happily dance the night away, safe in the knowledge that wardrobe malfunctions only happen to those without Wonderbra's Ultimate Strapless Bra.

The Ultimate Strapless bra by Wonderbra is available to buy at Debenhams priced at £32 and comes in a choice of black or nude.

NEWS - Elle Macpherson Opens Lingerie Exhibition

Elle Macpherson opening the media preview of the exhibition

Last Thursday the media preview of the eagerly anticipated exhibition, 'Undercover: The Evolution of Underwear', was officially opened by Elle Macpherson. The exhibition traces the evolution of underwear, from health garment, shape definer to fashion ‘must have’. It covers themes such as boudoir, everyday glamour and ‘Stars and their bras’, looking at celebrity branding.

From the risqué to the radical, pieces include an original Merry Widow corset inspired by Lana Turner in the film of the same name; renowned burlesque artiste Immodesty Blaize’s corset; a spectacular gown made from bras and briefs by designers Vin & Omi and a La Perla bra encrusted with Swarovski crystals. I am scared to visit in case I fall in love with all that beautiful underwear.

An exhibition display

An exhibition display

Held at the Fashion & Textiles Museum, the exhibition runs from Friday 12th June until Sunday 27th September 2009 and is open from 11.00am-6.00pm Wednesday to Sunday. Ticket prices are £6.50 for adults, £3.50 for students and concessions, with entry free for under 12s.

Photographs courtesy of Kirstin Sinclair

WINNER - Paul Labrecque Hair Products

Paul Labrecque is a Hair Stylist with two New York salons. His star studded clientele includes the likes of: Renee Zellweger, Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Swank, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Helen Mirren, Naomi Watts, Sting and Trudie Styler to name a few. I recently ran a competition for one reader to win some products from his range, and now is the time to announce the winner.

I chose Tamzin's entry as the winning tip.

"My hair tip is when dying your hair if you are to stain your skin use milk to remove the stain, milk will even remove red dye from your skin its a miracle!"

I regularly dye my hair and end up scrubbing my skin to get the dye off it. I googled Tamzin's milk idea and found a few other people had recommended it too. Next time I get in a mess while dying my hair I know what to try. I will send out Tamzin's goodies to her soon.

I have included some other entries below which I thought were worth a read...

Samantha suggested we give our 'tresses a break and lash on a generous helping of conditioner after washing it as normal and leave it in' while Eoina reckons we should all get a colour consultation at the hairdressers then dye our own at home to save some pennies. I also liked Joby's Hair mask recipe:

"I crush about 10 strawberries and mix with a tablespoon of mayo. I gently massage into my hair, add my showercap and then wrap my hair in a warm towel (try tumbledryer for fast warmth). Lie back and relax for 15 minutes, then wash off and shampoo and condition finally. This not only smells divine, it leaves my hair with a beautiful shine."

Zuhamy swears by using ricino, almond or coconut oil once a week for strength and shine and Shan Shan Style uses a Bounce tumble dryer sheet to avoid static and enhance shine. Nicola had the perfect tip for mums to be:

"Never have anything radical done on your first visit to the hairdressers after having a baby. My hairdresser advised me to just have a good trim in a wash and go style for the first six months. As not only will your hair change quite a bit the first year after giving birth (it may go thinner or thicker) you just won't have the time to spend on it in that first six months that you used to. This is true! My stylist gave me a cute fringe, which looked great when my hair was up in a pony tail. No fuss, and with a bit of mascara I managed to look half decent despite the endless sleep deprivation."

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and do keep checking back for another one soon.

JEWELLERY - Parcel From Swell Vintage

Look what arrived yesterday... It is my necklace from Frankie of Swell Vintage. She wrote about it at her blog, as I sent her some bits and bobs to use in her jewellery making. She kindly popped it in the post to me and I will have pleasure in wearing it.

I also went for a wander in Tenterden yesterday, mainly mooching in all the charity shops. I came across these bargains which just had to be purchased. Two purple glass perfume bottles at £1.25 each and some lovely green beads for £2.50. You can't say no at those prices, and at least I was giving something to the charity shops.

What bargains have you bought recently? Why not add the images to my new Flickr group Shopping Trip Treasures and give everyone else some inspiration.

CELEBRITY - Sarah Brown Attends GFW

She may not be able to compete with Michelle Obama in the style stakes, but our very own 1st lady showed her support for the talented graduates at Earls Court 2 today. Sarah Brown, wife of Gordon, made a visit to the exhibition which showcases the work of final year students. Today was the education day featuring fashion shows and careers clinics. Budding fashion designers found plenty to inspire them and direct their future studies or careers.

The Gala Show

The gala show which took place on Wednesday evening featured all the best designers from the week with awards for specific categories. This year's judges included fashion designers Matthew Williamson and Giles Deacon, who are both very much men of the moment. Other celebrity guests included Claudia Schiffer, Erin O’Connor, Amber le Bon, John Rocha and
Caryn Franklin. Prizes were presented to the students below for the categories noted:

Textiles Award:
Calum Harvey, Ravensbourne College of Design

Hachette Filipaachi Media & Design:
Charlotte Webb, Middlesex University

Fashion Innovation:
Nicola Morgan, Northumbria University Fashion

Lyle & Scott Strategic Marketing:
Laura Booth, UCLAN

Mulberry Accessories:
Verity Pemberton, Winchester School of Art

Per AQUUM Creative Marketing:
Christina Duggan, Northumbria University Fashion Marketing

Jon Adam Fashion Portfolio:
Dulcie Dryden, Northumbria University Fashion

First Word Journalism:
Yuka Maeno, UCA Epsom

Pringle of Scotland Visionary Knitwear:
Sarah Burton, Manchester Metropolitan University

Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles:
Charlotte Simpson, Northumbria University Fashion

Menswear:
Mehmet Ali, Ravensbourne College of Design

Womenswear:
Myrto Samou, UCA Rochester

River Island Gold:
Myrto Samou, UCA Rochester

Giles Deacon explains why Myrto Samou's collection was deserving of the top prize, which includes £20,000 and business advice:

“We chose the winner of the River Island Womenswear Award because we felt her collection had a very strong signature style. It was a cohesive range which could easily be sold tomorrow.”

Sarah Burton (Manchester School of Art)

I was really glad to see Sarah Burton winning a prize. Her fringed collection blew me away with its sophisticated colour palette, not to mention the elegant movement of the tasseled garments. I thought the shorter dresses were incredibly wearable and loved the twenties influence. Claire Waight Keller, Creative Director of Pringle of Scotland said:

“Sarah was chosen because she has an outstanding degree of creativity and workmanship. Her attention to detail, silhouette and technical capabilities were excellent and very directional.”

A limited number of copies of the 2009 Gala Show and Awards will be available to buy on DVD from August 2009 at £15.00 each + £2.50 postage and packing. Please phone 01903 885 930 or email enquiries@gfw.org.uk to find out more.

DETAIL - GFW Our Feathered Friends

Feathers featured in a few collections on Tuesday at Graduate Fashion Week, and although they show a great deal of skill on the part of the designer, they are not very practical for most situations. The effect on colour and texture though means that practicality can be firmly cast aside for the benefit of dramatic aesthetics. I spotted a fab bag created by Clare Vincent which is shown below. The rich tan colour of the feathers sat alongside purple and sage green garments with a military feel.

Clare Vincent (Manchester School of Art)

Another graduate, Jackie Mok, used feathers to make a skirt. I love the cropped jacket that has been teamed with the skirt too; I need to get me one of those. The skirt was definitely a stand-out garment from Mok's collection and had a sheen that matched the other sleekly midnight hued items in her range.

Jackie Mok (Manchester School of Art)

I decided to ask my Twitter followers what they thought about the practicality of feathers in fashion. Here is what they had to say:

Your view - Twitter

@theLondonista "Practical, no. Beautiful, I think so!"
@laurafleur "probs not, but who cares as they look amazing. I spose enough could create warmth, bird style!!"
@ShopaholicGuide "No. Never. Mustn't get wet. So can't be washed. A disaster at the cleaners. Maybe trimming on a scarf. Otherwise......."
@LouMorgan "Remember Fred Astaire nicknamed Ginger Rogers "Feathers" after one of her dresses moulted all over his tux..."
@Poshswaps "I'm guessing they would be easily lost/ detached, not great for those with allergies but then since when was fashion practical"
@sammyj80 "practical? WELL-in Irish weather that's a definite NO! I'd look like I was having a pillow fight!"

FASHION - GFW Tights Trends

Hilary Wells (Somerset College)

Colourful tights were the order of the day with two-tone, Chanel style tights in contrasting hues and bold statement legwear. Many students chose to show off their pieces with tights - some plain, some highly patterned. The orange tights are always one to avoid though I feel, everyone automatically thinks of Oompa Loompas, blue also reminds me of smurfs and green of Robin Hood. If that is the influence you are trying to convey then great, if not, opt for a different colour. The colourful tights are a way to throw another colour into the mix and can work to create contrast and make the garment stand out even more. The fashionistas of Gossip Girl are regularly seen sporting coloured tights in the programme.

Carol Tai (Manchester School of Art)

Daniel Pollitt (Manchester School of Art)


Abigail Williams (Somerset College)

Something else that you couldn't help but take note of, was 'tights over shoes' as worn by the ladies modelling Katie Webb's (Manchester School of Art) collection. I personally thought this looked really cool, and helped to show off the clothes. Clearly not a practical option for the mere mortal though; you would go through a pair of tights a day with the muck and grime that would be picked upon them. If you are going Ice-skating, then the look is more likely to work in real life. Chictopia talked about wearing tights over shoes last year, check it out.

Katie Webb (Manchester School of Art)

FASHION - GFW Going Full Circle

Catherine Duncan (Manchester School of Art)

Featuring heavily on the runway at Graduate Fashion Week on Tuesday were round and circular details. Some subtle, some not so. Pom poms were present in several of the knitwear collections including that from Catherine Duncan (Manchester School of Art). Pom-poms were added to the necklines and sweeping hems but I also noticed more than one collection using the bobble hat. Circular or disc like sequins and embellishments found their way into a fair number of garments too. Catherine Angus (De Montfort) even had her models stroll along carrying knitted and crochet covered balls. They looked to me like something that could work in an interiors setting too.

Catherine Angus (De Montfort)

Round jewellery inspiration was certainly present. Natasha Bosworth (Somerset College) used over-sized pearl jewellery in her 'Vintage wrapped in pearls' collection. Models clutched pearls in their hands, and one wore them draped at the back of her dress. Another graduate from Somerset College, Kimberley Startup, accessorised her circus-like outfits with bright pom-pom style wrist adornments.

Natasha Bosworth (Somerset College)

I didn't get to take any runway pictures of her collection, but April Schmitz's (Epsom UCA) collection really stood out for me. So much hard work must have gone into her garments as the details were incredibly complicated. The eyelets and metal rings were an original idea and teamed with leather and metallics, they made for a striking and memorable show. Circle details also appeared on the exaggerated shoulders in one of her jackets with the reference even going down to the finger loop attached to the cuff of the jacket and zipped pocket sections on the front of the shoulders.

April Schmitz (Epsom UCA)

Kyley Dodd (Epsom UCA) whose work was photographed in the Epsom 09 brochure used large discs on one of her skirts presenting an almost mirror ball effect. Other gowns used circles in the pattern and print of fabrics, like the medieval inspired dresses from Diana Mateeva (Somerset College). I loved the way that Jackie Mok (Manchester School of Art) used circular embellishment on her gowns too, I am a magpie for sparkle and just love the mixture of black and navy or indigo to make a sleek, midnight colour palette!

Diana Mateeva (Somerset College)


Jackie Mok (Manchester School of Art)

INTERVIEW - Lara Long of Plaid Pony Vintage

Another week, another interview. This week Lara Long, owner of Plaid Pony Vintage tells us all about scavenging for vintage finds, collecting toasters and being inspired by design.

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Philadelphia PA with my husband who is an artist. I guess I'm kind of a scavenger, and I've always had a penchant for vintage. I especially like things that are a little quirky (like ridiculously cute animal planters), but I'm also drawn to clean minimal design (I love mid-century modern furnishings). With my website I've been able to combine all of my passions into a business. It's my full time job and I love it.

Why did you open your shop?
I spent a lot of years working in retail with a good percentage of them working for Urban Outfitters. I always planned to start my own business, and 5 years ago I came to a turning point in my life when I decided to take the plunge and go for it. It was really just a matter of everything being in the right place at the right time. My website went live at the end of 2004, and I've just recently started a blog.


What inspires you?
Overall what I'm really inspired by is design. It might be a print on a fabric, or the fabric itself. It might be a quirky ceramic piece, or a beautiful lamp. I love color and I find certain color combinations to by very uplifting. I like things that have a sense of humor or a sense of fun. Basically, I guess it's just anything that causes me to react on an emotional level. Sometimes it can be something very classic, and other times it might be something that's completely out there.

If you had to wear just one fashion designer's clothes for life, who would it be?
Hmmm - that's a tough one. I tend to be pretty boring in how I dress myself. I'm really a jeans and a t-shirt girl. I always think I want to try to be more girly, but it doesn't seem to stick. If I could have a closet full of clothing from The Vested Gentress I would totally rock it though. They made hand screen printed clothing that is along the lines of Lilly Pulitzer only a little more twisted. I love their prints. For shoes - Fluevog hands down. I have way too many pairs and I love them all. I have a thing for colored shoes.

What are your top 3 high street stores and why?
I was only there once about 15 years ago so I have no idea...

What has been your biggest ever bargain?
It's hard to say as far as clothing goes, but the best overall score I ever made was a vintage Leica camera I got in a box of camera equipment for $5. It was worth about $500.

And what has been your biggest ever splurge?
My biggest splurge was a metal handbag I bought from the designer Wendy Stevens years ago. I think it was about $300. I had never spent so much on an accessory before, but I fell in love with it. I have it on my dresser and I see it every day. It's like a work of art.

What is your beauty routine?
I'm super low maintenance when it comes to a beauty routine. I don't know that you can actually call it a routine. I won't leave the house without lipstick, but aside from that I'm not much of a products girl. The few products I do buy are from Aveda - I love their face wash and lotion.


What do you collect?
My husband and I have a collection of vintage toasters on the wall in our kitchen. I love the designs. It's sad to me that so little effort is put into the design of everyday products now, although there has definitely been a shift where mass market stores like Target are focusing on design now. We also have a lot of art and ceramic pieces we've collected from friends. I used to collect tons of tchotchkes, toys and kitchen stuff, but my house is very minimal now so I funnel all of my collecting passion into my business.

Which celebrity do you think has the best style?
I honestly don't pay attention to celebrities. Is that bad??? I'm much more satisfied by matching a regular person up with something they love and that looks great on them and having them be really happy with it.

What is your favourite trend of the moment?
I'm usually not big on trends. I tend to like designs that hold up over time, and aren't going to make you look ridiculous two months down the road when the magazines all declare the trend over. That said - if you can pull off an adorable little romper, go for it!

How do you turn around a bad hair day?
I usually clip my hair up. It goes along with the minimal beauty routine.

What would you wear on a first date?
Geez - I've been married for 10 years now. I'm not planning to have to make that decision ever again, but if I did I'd have to say jeans. They're what I feel most comfortable in. And some kind of shirt of course...

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FASHION - A New Nautical Look

If there is one thing that New Look has always done well, it is the nautical trend. Each season we see a new version of the nautical look; it always seems to creep into the fashion consciousness with the style savvy adopting and adapting the style to suit them. The great thing about the look is that it works on everyone. Just avoid too many cutesy details, or you will end up looking more 'toddler' than 'trendsetter'.

This circle, high waisted skirt with flower buttons, looks as if it were thrifted straight from a vintage store, but no. You can pick it up in New Look for £18.

If I didn't already have a fab pair of red wedges, then I would buy these wicker wedges for a bargain £20. Not only are they bright and cheerful, the wedge heel makes them much easier to walk in after a few post-office cocktails.



And to finish the look off, pick up these white cutout sunglasses for £15. Perfect for deflecting the sun on the beach this summer.

SKINCARE - Jergens® Take Over London

Masses of avid natural beauty fans took to the streets of central London recently to support Jergens® Naturals™, a new range from America’s best selling bodycare brand, Jergens®, in a lively march to highlight the importance of Natural Beauty.

The parade, which was fronted by International Make-up Artist Ruby Hammer, started along Carnaby Street and quickly gained momentum, finishing at Leicester Square. The message was clear - ‘Plastic is Out, Natural is In.’ The fans spread the word that the natural revolution had begun.

Ruby Hammer has been a keen supporter of the brand for many years. She explained, “I’ve always been a strong supporter of natural products, and it was great to be part of the day. The amount of people that came along just goes to show that natural beauty really is the way forward.”

As part of the campaign, mannequins were seen in and around the capital highlighting the ‘Your Skin Is Not Synthetic’ message. Several Londoners even reported spotting a mannequin riding around in a grass-covered rickshaw. Sounds like good fun and an inventive way to promote the new range in the UK. I have also noticed a big push in advertising of these products too - keep an eye out for in-store promotions to try them out.

EXHIBITION - 100 Years of Selfridges

I, perhaps foolishly, decided to take a stroll round Selfridges yesterday. There is far too much in that store that I want to buy and far too much that I can't afford. For inspiration, it is the perfect place to go; just make sure your bank balance is looking healthy before you visit because it sure as hell won't be looking that way when you leave.

Down in the Ultralounge in the basement you will currently find a Centenary exhibition to mark the milestone of 100 year's trading. You can visit this display up until 31 August 2009 and I definitely recommend you do. Throughout the store there are products that also mark this momentous occasion with many designers having designed products especially for Selfridges in their signature colours. Just take a look in the shoe department for starters. Harry Gordon Selfridge's original 'showmanship' vision is still as strong in Selfridges today as it has ever been.

I also wonder whether Pantone chose their colour of the year based on the anniversary of Selfridges. I suddenly realised while walking around that this yellow, Mimosa, is a very similar colour to Pantone's 2009 hue of choice. I mentioned this to the store assistant who looked at me rather blankly - I don't think she had even heard of Pantone before, and certainly not the term mimosa.

FASHION - Agyness Deyn for UNIQLO

UNIQLO’s latest advertising campaign features world renowned model Agyness Deyn, celebrating Sports as everyday wearable items. Alongside top model and partner of Halle Berry, Gabriel Aubry, and up and coming model Luke Worrel, Deyn features in a series of bold, bright and vivacious images designed to convey the vibrant mood of UNIQLO’s sportswear designs.
Providing contemporary everyday sportswear, the UNIQLO Sports collections are eye-catching in acid bright pink, blue, orange and green colours, with versatile ‘smart’ quick-dry mesh fabrics, designed to optimise movement and stretch. Jersey, stretch cotton, pique cotton and soft towelling, feature in a range of designs from short sleeve hooded zip tops, sweat cropped shorts and trousers, polo t-shirts, a-line T-shirt dresses and vest tops.

The global advertising campaign featuring Agyness Deyn launched in the UK on Monday 1 June. Prices start at £4.99 with the collection available in all UNIQLO stores and nationwide online at www.uniqlo.co.uk.

Readers of The Style PA can get 10% off their purchase, just visit the link below...

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