Japanese Streestyle Fashion

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge fan of Japanese fashion and of streetwear in particular. The streets of Harajuku and Shibuya in Tokyo are full of girls with a totally creative outlook to fashion. Nowhere in the world will you find people with such differing styles. Now unfortunately I'm not in Japan so I can't hunt down and photograph this eclectic mix of style but luckily the internet is a wealth of information so I've gathered together some of my favorite streetstyle looks. Enjoy!

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H&M to Collaborate with...Marni

Hot on the heels of the Versace collaboration H&M have announced yet another designer collaboration.

This time it is with Marni. The Italian brand is famed for it's original print based designs. The collection has been created by Marni Creative Director Consuelo Castiglioni and will hit stores in March next year. The collection is aimed at both men and women and will include clothing and accessories.

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”. Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director.

“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“. Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M.

 

British Fashion Awards - The Winners (with video)

As expected Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton walked away with the prestigious acolade of Designer of the year and Christopher Kane was awarded The New Establishment award.

The Savoy Hotel was a hotbed of Fashion talent with celebrities, designers and models all present for the awards. Other winners on the night included Mary Katrantzou and Victoria Beckham.

The full list of winners are below:

Designer of the Year: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

Designer Brand: Victoria Beckham

New Establishment Award: Christopher Kane

Menswear Designer: Kim Jones

Accessory Designer: Charlotte Olympia

Red Carpet Award: Stella McCartney

Emerging Talent Award - Ready-To-Wear: Mary Katrantzou

Emerging Talent Award - Menswear: Christopher Raeburn

Emerging Talent Award - Accessories: Tabitha Simmons

Model: Stella Tennant

BFC Outstanding Achievement: Paul Smith

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Charlotte Gainsbury

British Style Award: Alexa Chung



See videos below for footage from the event!

Fashion News - 21st - 28th November

Stella McCartney to Show at London Fashion Week A/W12



Leading fashion designer extraordinaire Stella McCartney is to show at LFW in February for the first time. The designer will show a one off collection on February 18th during the LFW schedule. Stella is going to be a busy girl next February as she'll also be launching a fragrance as well as an exhibition in Selfridges. All this along with the opening of her second London store. This show won't replace her biannual one in Paris however as she'll still be showing her A/W collection at Paris Fashion Week.

Alexander McQueen at LFW A/W12



Alongside the announcement that Stella will shows at LFW comes the announcement that a 2nd big British designer will also show at London Fashion Week. But it's not the label's main line that will be shown, it's the brands younger more affordable line McQ. The show will coincide with the opening of McQ's flagship store on London's Dover Street which is quickly becoming a mecca for the fashion savvy consumer.

British Fashion Awards Tonight



Tonight anyone who's anyone in the fashion world will gather at the Savoy hotel in London for the annual British Fashion Awards. The most coveted award in British fashion - British Designer of the Year will be awarded to either Sarah Burton, Erdem or Christopher Kane. The British Fashion Council have also introduced a brand new category - The New Establishment Award. This award recognises those designers who have migated from rising stars to established designers. Christopher Kane, Erdem and Jonathan Saunders have all been nominated. Stay tuned tomorrow to find out who won.

M&S Returns to Paris



British department store Marks and Spencers has returned to Paris after a ten year absence. Customers queued up for the opening on the Champs_ Elysees to snap up British fare and the brand received a great reception. The iconic brand closed all their European stores amid a drop in profits back in 2001 but has plans to open more stores in Europe. Model Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley turned up at the opening and caused a bit of a frenzy.

Lanvin Designer Alber Elbaz Designs Claridges Xmas Tree

Alber Elbaz of design house Lanvin this year replaces John Galliano as the designer of the Claridges in store Xmas tree. It even includes Lanvin dolls dressed in a Claridges uniform. If your a londoner like myself you can check out the tree in person up until January 2nd.

Lane Crawford A/W 2011 - Featuring Asian Models Liu Wen, Fei Fei Sun,Ming Xi, Shu Pei, & Xiao Wen Ju

Images via Models.com

I've spoken in depth before about my love for Asian models and in the last year I've seen a big increase in the amount of Asian models being used. So I was delighted to see the Fall campaign shots for Lane Crawford. The campaign was shot by world renowned photographers Mert & Marcus and features models Liu Wen, Fei Fei Sun, Ming Xi, Shu Pei and Xiao Wen Ju. The imagery is beautiful and edgy with a distinct toughness. I love that the styling is simple and the images are all about the clothes. Asian models exude a certain sophistication and subtlety that I adore. The rise has been a long time coming as even in alot of Asian countries they've been using caucasian models instead of Asian ones. But times are a changing and Asian models are becoming more prevalent. It's good to see and I hope the rise in Asian models carries on.

Shopping Heaven - Vogue Online Fashion Week

 

Credit cards at the ready girls!
So who remembers last years Vogue Fashion Night In? For those of you not in the know FNI was Vogue's way of raising money for charity while giving readers the chance to enjoy discounts, prizes and offers from a variety of online retailers - all from the comfort of their own homes. Well it's back! The newly renamed Online Fashion Week will provide you with even more fashion and beauty offers and it lasts for a whole 5 days.

Online Fashion Week will run from Dec 5th to Dec 9th and participating brands that are already confirmed include Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Topshop, Prada, Miu Miu, H&M and Burberry.

I picked up quite a few items in last years FNI so I can't wait to see what discounts and promotions the brands offer.

For more details click here.

Hola - Coolway Hits the UK

From the country that brought us Mango and Zara comes another affordable high street fashion brand. Coolway are well established in their native Spain and now they've launched in the UK. Their shoes and accessories range has pieces suitable for both men and women. Their footwear collection is extensive and ranges from ballet flats to cute ankle boots and knee highs. Whether you're a fan of casual van style sneakers or maybe you love a bit of animal print Coolway has something for you.
I particularly loved the leopard print booties and sheepskin bags.
I attended the launch was on Thursday night and we were treated to top DJs including Zara Martin. We sipped on tasty cocktails and nibbled on delicious canapes while we browsed the store and created mental shopping lists.
I was surprised and delighted by the price points of their footwear. I didn't once spy a pair over £50! The quality of them is far superior to other similarly priced shoes available on the high street. Coolway is a must visit for all you fashionistas hunting style bargains on Oxford St.
Coolway is located at 153 Oxford Street, Oxford Circus, London.

Rabeanco Arrives in the UK

Like most girls I am obsessed with handbags. If there's one motto that I live by it's that a girl can never have too many handbags. So when an invite dropped in my mailbox for the launch of handbag maker Rabeanco's first UK store I of course had to pop along and check them out. The launch was held in their new Covent Garden store and was a handbag lovers paradise. Made from the highest quality Italian leather, Rabeanco offer Luxury handbags at a non luxury price. Shape, texture and quality are key considerations during the design process. These considerations are vital in creating timeless, elegant handbags that will look good for years. Their AW collection includes corals, electric blues and chocolate browns. The beauty of these bags is in the details - zip lined pockets, chain straps and a variety of shapes and styles.

















 

Wah nails were also on hand to prettify our nails with their extensive collection of nail art designs. Yummy cocktails were drank (one too many in my case) and tasty canapes were consumed.

 

Those lovely people from Rabeanco also gifted me my very own bag which I love. It is in a lovely chocolate brown hue and is large enough to fit my laptop in and it is made from high quality buttery soft leather and came with a detachable strap. Can't wait to give it an outing this weekend.

Big thanks to our hosts Rabeanco and Because magazine.

Laura Ashley Spring Summer 2012 Press Day

On Tuesday I popped along to the Laura Ashley press day to check out their Spring Summer 2012 collection. Now you all know that Laura Ashley are fab at creating beautiful floral pieces but their SS12 collection is so much more than that. Crochets, ruffles, 50s and 60s silhouettes, gorgeous leather jackets and so much more. Laura Ashley have really upped their game in recent years, they used to be just for middle aged women but this collection has a distinctive younger feel to it. The floral dresses are still a particular fave of mine but I'm also adoring their well designed crochet dress. But it isn't only in fashion that this brand is excelling they've also created a collection of lovely fragrances that smell divine. Laura Ashley are definitely a brand to watch in 2012 they keep getting better season upon season and I expect that this collection will appeal to a wider age range than in previous years. Take a look!



















So tell me - which is your favorite piece?