Black & Navy

 

So, is it really true that you can't wear black and navy together? Well of course it isn't true! It is merely an antiquated, ye olde worlde fashion "rule" that is complete nonsense.

Black and navy, so similar yet so different, are two dark neutral colours that compliment rather than compete with one another. Neutrals almost always work together, particularly if you combine different textures as I have done here with the leather skirt and the silk shirt.

The skirt and shirt are two more glorious pieces from Ireland's Emma Manley. The bright navy of the silk shirt works perfectly with the black patent leather skirt (it's important to point out that when mixing black and navy, there should be an obvious difference between the two colours. Don't choose a very dark navy or you might look like you've paired them by mistake or dressed yourself in the dark!).

To compliment the gold leather collar of the gorgeous shirt I added a third colour to my outfit with funky leopard print shoes by Alexander Wang and a gorgeous, oversized clutch bag by my favourite accessories/handbag Designer, the wonderfully talented Nadia Minkoff. Tan/nude, call it what you will, the colour offsets an otherwise dark vibe and it all adds up to one very chic, elegant look.

Get The Look:

Shirt: Emma Manley 'Elsie' Metallic Shirt in navy/pewter

Skirt: Emma Manley 'Abbie' Patent Midi-Skirt in black

Bag: Nadia Minkoff 'The Cut/SE1' Clutch in nude

Shoes: Alexander Wang 'Natasha' Booties in leopard print (similar)

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 ©

The Writing's On The Wall

 

“What is love,

But a form of,

Physical graffiti”

~ Johnnie Rae

When I love something, I really love it and I really reeeeally love the gorgeous 'Rylie' dress by Emma Manley. So far I have three versions of Manley's signature dress, in a Bellini-esque peach & champagne colour (blogged here), in cool silver (blogged here) and now in chic, classic black.

A simple, easy to wear shape, 'Rylie' is the perfect day to night piece that can be worn pretty much anywhere, for any occasion. The dress has 3/4 length sleeves, a cute button detail to the front, pockets on the hips and ties on the side seams to give the dress a more structured shape. The most wow detail is the stunning patent leather collar and bodice; it toughens the dress up and immediately takes it from girly cute to impossibly cool.

I styled my dress with the most ah-may-zing shoes; the 'Natasha' pumps by Alexander Wang. These leopard print hair-calf heels feature a pointed toe, an angular 4.5inch heel with a mirrored panel & a flattering low V-front that makes legs look like they go on forever. Half shoe, half bootie, 'Natasha' is a fabulously fierce addition to any girls shoe collection!

Get The Look:

Dress: Emma Manley 'Rylie' Patent Dress in black

Shoes: Alexander Wang 'Natasha' Pumps in Leopard print (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Right On Target

Target is a US value superstore who are known for their amazing Designer collaborations. Stella McCartney, Missoni, Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jason Wu and Joseph Altuzarra are just some of the legendary brands that Target can list as collaborators.

Fashion brands like these create collections that mere mortals like me can only dream of wearing so designer partnerships like this, when done well, can be the fashion equivalent of the Holy Grail, inviting a much broader audience into their wonderful world and making their fabulous Designs just a little bit more attainable.

One of the Target collaborations I was most excited about was the Peter Pilotto for Target range. Peter Pilotto & Christopher De Vos launched their label in 2007 and have subsequently become one of the most successful, lust-worthy brands in the fashion industry. Known for it's colourful digital prints, the label is loved and worn by some of the biggest stars in the world.

As you might guess, most of the collection sold out within minutes of the online launch on Net-a-Porter but the fashion gods were smiling on me that day and I managed to buy one of my favourite pieces; a cotton-blend jersey mini dress, it features a pleated front, 3/4 length sleeves and a multicoloured floral-print that is typical of the colourful Peter Pilotto aesthetic.

I styled my pretty dress with an exquisite pair of Chanel shoes in a black & white colour-way & matched my scarlet lips with my favourite Nadia Minkoff clutch bag, my treasured 'Aldwych'.

Get The Look:

Dress: Peter Pilotto for Target Jersey Dress (similar)

Shoes: Chanel Shoes in black/white (similar)

Bag: Nadia Minkoff 'Aldwytch' Clutch in London Red (similar)

Partners In Style

When I first saw this outfit in the Manley SS14 Lookbook I knew I was going to have both pieces. I fell in love with everything about this elegant, glamorous look.

The 'Abbie' skirt is irresistible; the midi length I've only recently started to wear and love, it is a show stopper in every sense of the word. Made from patent leather, in a completely unexpected white colour-way, it features a cross-over front, snap fastener detail on the waistband, is fully lined in silk and has secret pockets on the side seam. The front panel sits flat while the back and side panels are cut to give plenty of flare.

It's perfect partner in style is the gorgeous 'Lee' sleeveless shirt. Featuring the same white patent leather detail on the collar, the teal colour of the bodice makes a stunning contrast. The back of the shirt sits slightly longer & it has antique gold button detailing down the centre front.

Abbie & Lee work perfectly together but trust me, each piece looks equally fabulous without the other. I've worn the shirt with jeans and shorts to great effect this Summer and the skirt will be an Autumn Winter staple paired with fine knit sweaters, distressed rock n roll t-shirts and cute crop jackets.

I added towering heels to complete the look (heels are essential to making the midi length work when you're a shortie like me) and I was good to go. This is quite a different look for me, I'm usually all about getting my legs out, but I really love this slightly more grown up outfit. It makes me feel immediately glamorous, ladylike and sexy as hell.

Get The Look:

Skirt: Manley 'Abbie' Patent Skirt in white

Shirt: Manley 'Lee' Patent Shirt in teal/white

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' Shoes in black (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Wonderland

 

“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.

“Oh you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “We’re all mad here.”

~ Lewis Carroll

I couldn't resist doing a little blog post about this very very different, special, mad, wonderful outfit!

My gorgeous friend Amy has just turned 30 and her Husband organised the most fabulous Alice In Wonderland themed party to celebrate her big day. It was a complete surprise for the beautiful birthday girl who was dressed (blindfolded) and led (still blindfolded) into a very magickal Wonderland.

There could be only one Alice (Amy of course) so I wore the craziest, maddest 'Sexy Pretty Playing Card' fancy dress costume; I styled my outfit with black Christian Louboutin shoe boots and the cutest faux fur White Rabbit handbag. I partied the night away with Cheshire Cats, White Rabbits, Mad Hatters, Pink Flamingos and Queen(s) Of Hearts; and what a surreal, wonderful time we all had in Wonderland!

Get The Look:

Fancy Dress: Sexy Pretty Playing Card Costume

Bag: Miss Wonderland White Rabbit Bag

Shoes: Christian Louboutin "C'est Moi" Shoe Boots (similar)