Dress Up - The Best Of 2015

"Pearls & boas, dressed to the nines,

Lipstick on pursed lips, trying to stay in the lines.

Big wobbly high heels, on tiny, precious feet,

Little girls playing dress-up, aren't they sweet!"

~ Laura Taylor Mark

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©
Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©
Mike Lawrence © 
Additional Photos: Phill Griffith & David Ufton   

Nothing Gold Can Stay

"Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf,

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay."

~ Robert Frost

I have this lush shirt in a few different colours, and I wear them all the time. They are the coolest, most versatile, easy to wear shirts in the history of shirts. So if you're thinking of buying a shirt, spare yourself the hassle of searching and just treat yourself to this one. You won't regret it, I promise.

From Emma Manley's wonderful AW15 collection, the 'Maya' shirt is available this season in black (so chic), navy (it's the new black) and gorgeous gold (so opulent). I chose the gold one this time as it's very different for me, and it's the perfect colour for Autumn. It's such a decadent shade, and it immediately makes me feel very glamorous.

I styled my shirt very simply with a great pair of skinny jeans, my favourite Autumnal coat (blogged here, without the detachable faux fur collar), and the hugely coveted 'Andrew' boots by Isabel Marant. I love dressing for Autumn, it's my favourite season by some considerable way!

Get The Look:

Shirt: Manley 'Maya' Shirt in gold

Coat: Antipodium 'Intersection' Leopard Print Coat (similar)
Jeans: J Brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black
Photos: Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©

Mermaids Are Real

 

 “I would be a mermaid fair

I would sing to myself the whole of the day;

With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair;

And still as I comb'd I would sing and say,

Who is it loves me? who loves not me?

I would comb my hair till my ringlets would fall

Low adown, low adown”

- Alfred Lord Tennyson

This stunning dress from Antipodium's S/S14 collection has already achieved iconic status. It has been THE dress of the season, featuring in pretty much every fashion magazine you can think of.

In an iridescent nude organza, the 'Hot Knife' dress features short sleeves, a round neckline and a hidden zip to the back. It has a flattering fit and sits elegantly just below the knee. The skirt has razor sharp pleats called 'knife pleats' where the fabric is folded back and forth continuously so that the pleat creases all appear to point in one direction. It comes with a seductive matching under-slip that sits shorter than the pleated skirt and gives a flirty glimpse of leg with every step.

It is a glorious dress, a shimmering, translucent, dreamy Mermaid-esque vision. Mermaids are real. True story.

Get The Look:

Dress: Antipodium 'Hot Knife' Dress in pink sand (skirt version available here)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle 120' Shoes in nude
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

After Dark All Cats Are Leopards

Antipodium's 'Intersection' coat, in a fabulous, mixed leopard print tapestry, is quite simply the coolest coat of the season. I was lusting after it from the moment I spied it online! 

A great transeasonal piece, it is made from an easy-wear woven fabric and features hidden buttons, side paneling with two large pockets and is finished with a detachable shearling collar (not seen here).

I wore it for a rainy day out with a cute black dress from Twenty8twelve, my 'wear them with everything' black patent ASOS brogues & a great black satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Co.

Get The Look:

Coat: Antipodium 'Intersection' Coat

Dress: Twenty8Twelve 'Denise' Dress in ebony (similar)
Shoes: ASOS 'Marky' Patent Brogues in black

Photos: Kate Carpenter

Flowers In My Hair

Rock ‘N Rose is a British vintage-inspired jewellery brand that has quickly gained a huge following amongst celebrities, fashionistas and retailers around the world. They say their typical customer is "part vicar’s daughter, part rebel without a cause. Jewellery and headwear by Rock ‘N Rose is for the pure girl with a punk heart".

I fell in love with 'Beatrice', their oversized floral crown; it is absolutely stunning, featuring seven oversized red roses sitting on a braided vine crown. The crown measures 58cm and can be gently shaped to fit any head. A black ribbon tie is included to secure the crown in place.

The language of flowers goes back thousands of years and today flowers are still worn for Weddings, Festivals and traditional Spring and Harvest celebrations all over the world. And in my case, for a very special photoshoot; I felt like an ethereal Woodland Nymph in my beautiful floral crown!

"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair" - Susan Polis Shutz.

Get The Look:

Headpiece: Rock 'n Rose 'Beatrice' Over-sized Floral Crown Headband

Dress: Antipodium 'Dearly Departed' Maxi Dress in black

Photography: Sandy Greenway Photography