The Mighty Tartan

"These blends of blood, heather and sky,

Bring tears of pride unto the eye.

So care not if your skies start to darken,

Just stand tall, be proud, when you wear the mighty Tartan."

~ Cyber Artist

The mighty tartan, the ancient, iconic print that is a symbol of Scotland’s culture and heritage; it is eternally stylish, and quite literally, the little black dress of patterned fabric.

Jack Wills nailed the tartan trend perfectly with the very exquisite 'Delaney' dress. The fitted bodice, the nipped-in waist and the full gathered skirt make it the perfect occasion piece.

I styled it here with killer heels to show how great it can look for a special night out, but this is a versatile piece; black tights will add a sixties feel, tough biker boots a nod to 1980s punk, and smart blazer or over-sized knit will take it from one season to another effortlessly.

A man in a kilt may very well be the sexiest sight in the world, but we can’t let them have all the fun, can we?

Get The Look:

Dress: Jack Wills 'Delaney' Dress in tartan (similar here and here)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Very Prive' Peep-toe Shoes in black 

Bound Up In Leather

"Thoughts, hopes, dreams,

My deepest secrets hidden forever.

A place to put my souls desires, 

My heart bound up in leather"

~ Alyssa

My new found love of vintage clothing is definitely becoming a bit of a thing. I have discovered some of the most amazing, unique, one-off pieces, all of them bought for a fraction of the prices I've previously spent on clothes. This gorgeous leather jacket is the latest addition to my tiny, albeit growing, vintage collection.

Hailing from the 1970's, in a black and red colour-way, with an edgy Country & Western vibe, this jacket is the epitome of cool! Made from the softest leather, it features two front pockets, front zip closure, red patch detail to the front and back, and gorgeous contrasting cream stitching throughout. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind jacket from my favourite fashion era and I love it!

You can't help but wonder about the story behind such a great old jacket. Who owned it? How did they wear it? Are they still alive today? Did they love it as much as I do? How did it end up for sale at Peekaboo Vintage? My mind goes into overdrive, wondering and imagining, and I am always so happy to become the next part of the story.

I styled my jacket with one of the first Emma Manley designs I ever bought; the timeless Slasher dress (blogged here) and the most amazing Isabel Marant boots on the planet.

Get The Look:

Jacket: Peekaboo Vintage Leather Jacket (similar)

Dress: Manley 'Slasher' Dress (similar)

Boots: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Love Wins

"Keep on dreaming of the day when it all will change

Believe in the end, love wins

If you're waiting for the time when your sun will shine

Oh, look above 'cause love wins"

~ Robbie Seay Band

Dawn O'Porters' BOBbyDOP brand is a wonderful collection of cool designs & amazing vintage finds. It is fast becoming my go-to place for vintage and vintage inspired clothing (blogged here).

BOB's gorgeous new 'Equality Collection', consists of four limited edition pieces, featuring three prints by artist Karen Mabon. All three prints are beautiful and funny, but they also carry a serious message. As Dawn herself says, "Vintage fashion history is all about revolutions, and clothes representing what was going on for women at the time. Our prints look fantastic, but they also have a lot to say".

The print on the 'Women are Boss' 80s inspired dress, is an ode to women at the top, and hard working mums everywhere. The 70s inspired 'Boys Toys' circle skirt playfully raises two fingers to the gender specific toy industry, and the 'Love Wins' shirt and leggings print is a celebration of love; all kinds of love, between all kinds of people, and pays homage to the wonderful progression of marriage equality.

My favourite piece from the collection is the 'Love Wins' Shirt. A gorgeous 60s inspired design, it has a cute Peter Pan collar, quirky love heart buttons, and is made (in England) from Cupro, an eco friendly fabric that mimics silk but is machine washable. The vibrant Karen Mabon print, set against a cream background, features couples of all shapes, sizes, creeds, colour, sexes and even species. It is a true celebration of love in its many different forms.

As the lovely folk at BOB say, "fashion is politics, wear how you feel".

Get The Look:

Shirt: BOBbyDOP 'Love Wins' Shirt

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts
Slippers: ASOS 'Nessa' Sheep Slippers
Featured Album: 'Unfolding' by Balsamo Deighton

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©
Location: Momento Studio

Tuxedo Dress

"One amazing hanger holds my tuxedo.

One clever little 5 ounce piece of plastic and metal conformed into the shape of a bony set of shoulders carries the slim weight of my most formal outfit. It hangs proudly draped in shiny black, pretending to be me when I myself don't don the suit"

~ Ryan Bates

Anyone I've ever had a conversation with about fashion knows that my dream outfit is a tuxedo trouser suit. I mean the whole androgynous thing; trousers, tailored jacket, crisp white evening shirt, black bow tie, the lot! Alas, it is a look that has always alluded me. Partly because, being rather busty, trouser suits look absolutely ridiculous on me, and partly because the Dior one I especially love costs many thousands of pounds! A short tuxedo dress however, is a damn fine and very flattering alternative.

This DKNY Tuxedo dress simply oozes sophistication, and chic sharp style. Polished yet effortless to wear, the dress has a sleek tuxedo jacket bodice and a simple, straight, short skirt. It has sharp, padded 80s style shoulders, sleek satin lapels, buttoned cuffs, and a deep v-neckline that shows a sexy flash of bra. Unfortunately I absentmindedly threw on a rather tragic bra the day we photographed it, so I had to pin the front of the dress right up so as not to inflict it on you (you're welcome). Bra-gate aside, the dress is a great, rock chick alternative to the usual black tie, or red carpet look.

The dress is from DKNY's Resort 2016 collection which was inspired by US Vogue's 1991 'Wild at Heart' editorial, shot by Peter Lindbergh. That's where Kate and I took some of our inspiration for our dramatically dark and beautiful photoshoot.

Get The Look:

Dress: DKNY Tuxedo Dress in black

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Studded 'Pigalle' Shoes in black (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©
Location: Momento Studio

Je T'aime Jane

"My look is a cocktail. I'm not as nicely turned out as the French, but I don't care like the English."

~ Jane Birkin

I love Jane Birkin. No, really. I love Jane Birkin. She is my ultimate girl crush, and if I could chose anyone to immediately morph into, it would be her, with her long, lithesome body and her big Bambi eyes framed so beautifully by that cool, instantly recognisable fringe. Singer, actress, model, muse, the woman who inspired the hugely coveted Hermes 'Birkin' bag, what's not to love about Jane?

I also love British Designer Bella Freud and am more than a bit partial to her wonderful knitwear collections (blogged here), so it was a given that I would eventually own her iconic 'Je T'aime Jane' sweater.

In the 1970s Jane and her lover Serge Gainsberg charmed and scandalised the world in equal measures with their wild love affair. 'Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus' is a very successful album featuring sensual performances by the notorious pair and it is playfully referenced here on the Bella Freud sweater. 'Je t'aime Jane' is emblazoned in white embroidery across the front, 'Gainsberg is God' is on the back, and 'Serge' is very aptly placed on the sleeve, where Jane wore her heart.

Styled very simply with a cute black suede mini skirt from online favourite ASOS and a gorgeous pair of Chanel shoes (a nod to Paris, Jane's adopted home), this is my own little homage to a true British style icon; je t'aime Jane!

Get The Look:

Jumper: Bella Freud 'Je T'aime Jane' Jumper in black

Skirt: ASOS Petite Suede Mini Skirt in black

Shoes: Chanel Mary Jane shoes in black/white (similar) 
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

The Fabric On My Skin

"A thousand eyes are fixed on your glory.

The fabric on your skin narrates your story.

The metal on your hands is a tribute to friends and freaks,

And to those who analyse the colour on your cheeks.

The height on your feet are an excuse to ignore.

The gloss in your hair is consolation for your ache and sore.

You are sheltered in the aura of grace and class,

As you admire yourself in the looking glass"

~ Tokoni O. Uti

From my very first glance at Emma Manley's gorgeous AW15 Lookbook, this was one of the standout outfits for me. A chic, edgy two-piece that had my name written all over it.

The sleek pencil skirt is cut from the softest metallic leather. Two slits on the side add a touch of sexiness to its lady-like length. The matching top strikes the perfect balance between feminine and sporty. Front and back panels are cut from soft leather, and framed with textured silk.

The styling potential for these pieces is vast; imagine the top with a pair of skinny jeans, the skirt with a crisp white shirt or a cool, slouchy rock n roll tee. My favourite thing about this cool two-piece though, is the colour; described on the website as 'petrol', it falls somewhere between navy, dark blue and grey. A metallic sheen gives it a very glamorous feel, and makes it the perfect choice for any party.

I finished my look off with the most fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin studded boots. I bought these boots years ago, and they still cause such a stir whenever they make an appearance. The studs are the perfect match for this rock chick twin-set.

Get The Look:

Top: Manley 'Carly' Top in petrol

Skirt: Manley 'Maya' Metallic Leather Skirt in petrol

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Ariel' Studded Boots in black (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Poem: Tokoni O. Uti ©