Wrapped In Style

“Style is the answer to everything.

A fresh way to approach a dull or dangerous thing.

To do a dull thing with style is preferable to doing a dangerous thing without it,

To do a dangerous thing with style is what I call art”

~ Charles Bukowski

Rat & Boa, a brand by Valentina Muntoni and Stephanie Cara Bennett, was born out of a desire for the two good friends to create pieces that are wearable, eclectic, sexy and fun. They say that the brand is for the bold, the spirited and the experimental.

I came across them completely by chance on Instagram, and leapt straight onto their website to check them out properly. I snapped up this beautiful wrap dress the moment I saw it. Silky, and sensuous, the ‘Anja’ dress has a deep v neckline with a glossy black collar, and kimono style sleeves that finish in a contrasting black panel. A white floral motif is set against a bold blue background, and the tie belt can be pulled in for a sexy figure hugging look, or left a little loose to create a more relaxed silhouette. It can be dressed up with killer heels, or worn open, jacket style, over a white tee and skinny jeans combo. It’s a classic, forever piece, that can work in any situation; the perfect day to night dress.

I wore it for the first time on a magical date night when my love took me to a very schmancy New York restaurant. Paired with classic Christian Louboutin heels and a my favourite Nadia Minkoff London clutch, I felt like a million dollars on a very special, romantic night.

Get The Look:

Dress: Rat and Boa ‘Anja’ Wrap Dress

Bag: Nadia Minkoff 'Newington' Clutch in pony black

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

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Willow

“Somewhere the timing will all come together

The mishaps will turn into sunny Decembers

The lovers will be able to find their willow

I wouldn't leave you

I would hold you

When the last day comes”

~ Jasmine Thompson

One of my favourite pieces from Manley’s Spring/Summer collection was the gorgeous, embellished, green Tabby dress (blogged here). I was beside myself with excitement when I heard that it was returning in the brands A/W17 collection, in black, and “not quite as you’d expect” Emma Manley teased.

She wasn’t kidding; featuring the same 1960s inspired silhouette, the newly named ‘Willow’ dress is made in a much more Winter friendly wool and cashmere, almost fleece-like material. For Autumn/Winter the embellished flowers were replaced with the coolest gold, silver, and black studs on black patent leather inserts.

‘Willow’ is a beauty alright, a much more dramatic version of her Summery counterpart, and I will be wearing her throughout this seemingly neverending Winter; as a Mary Quant-esque dress with towering heels, and layered as a long-line waistcoat over jeans and classic tees.

Get The Look:

Dress: Manley ‘Willow’ Dress in black

Shoes: Dior ‘Extreme’ Shoes (similar here and here)
Photos: Jason Connery ©

Fashion

"Fashion, turn to the left

Fashion, turn to the right

Ooo, fashion

We are the goon squad and we're coming to town"

~ David Bowie

Few things look better with a pair of jeans than a Bella Freud cult knit; her jumpers are quite simply the coolest, most stylish, most rock and roll of all jumpers. The Designer draws her inspiration from some of fashion and music’s most enduring and iconic stars, from Jane Birkin to David Bowie to Anita Pallensberg, and the result is a brand that, season after season, produces fashions most coveted jumpers.

This bright, sunshiny yellow sweater is from Bella Freud's AW17 collection. One of her best ever collections, it was full of unexpected colours for that time of year, ballet pink, and sunshiny yellow; gorgeous knits that slip effortlessly into every modern girls wardrobe. This fantastic colour brightens up even the most gloomy Winters day, and the 'Fashion' intarsia emblazoned across the front is me to a tee.

I teamed my jumper with a new pair of jeans. I can't believe I have found another pair that fits me so well. J Brand has become my brand; it is the one brand I know will work for me every single time. I'd been searching for a lighter blue denim and this pair is perfection. They have that low-rise I always look for (I have a short torso so high waisted jeans will never look good on me), and distressed details throughout, for a well-worn look. They are technically a cropped style but being such a shortie the jeans are the perfect full length on me. No alterations needed at all!

This bright, cheery ensemble is very easily dressed up or down. I kept things relatively laid back though, by adding a pair of 60s inspired flats by UK brand Ops & Ops, and the most coveted sunglasses of the season from Rayban.

Get The Look:

Jumper: Bella Freud 'Fashion' Jumper in yellow (similar here and here)

Jeans: J Brand 9326 Low-Rise Cropped Skinny Jeans in remnant

Shoes: Ops and Ops No.10 Bumper Car Flats in cream

Sunglasses: Rayban rb3447 Round Metal Sunglasses in gold/classic green

Photos: Jason Connery ©