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Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
A Moment with a Model
05.04.13 | Permalink | Comment?

Well, peeps, Wellington Fashion Week is well and truly underway! The highly anticipated, sold-out WORLD opened WFW on Wednesday night; you can have a wee peek at the video here. There’s plenty of other news and hot goss flying around, too – you can revel in some of the best here and here.

For the third and final interview in our fashion series, I asked luminous Wellington-based model Edward Woolhouse some questions about what really goes on behind the scenes during a fashion week show. Is it really that glam? Turns out, it is!

What’s your favourite part about being involved in fashion week? Least favourite?
My favourite part about fashion week is walking tall and proud with designer clothes on. I enjoy the buzz backstage with other models and designers. It’s a very happening place, especially when it’s seconds from walking.
My least favourite would be the waiting game, but other than that, it’s all good

What is a typical work day for you?
My typical day of work consists of my day job, which is working for a Danish design company named BoConcept. Then when there are shows on that I am a part of, I will be either at the gym before the show or just relaxing going through my routine before I leave the house…

What’s it like being involved back stage in local fashion shows? Is it as glam as it seems? Must be demanding at times!
As I mentioned before, I really enjoy the buzz. It’s busy; everyone is slightly manic. Female models are running from hair to makeup with final touches to apply. As myself and other male models are usually done a good hour or so before the show, we get to relax. We usually have worked together before, so there are no awkward silences. The glamorous side of it is enjoying being a part of a show, being able to wear clothing to represent the designer and, of course, get great photos.

Favourite book?
I do have a few books that I have enjoyed. I like to read biographies… I have read one about Kate Moss which was interesting. Also Patti Smith ‘Just Kids’.

Just kids / Patti Smith.
“*Starred Review* Patti Smith devotees know that she writes electrifying songs and spirited and spiritual poems, yet her first narrative book, a portrait of the artist as a young searcher times two, is a revelation. In a spellbinding memoir as notable for its restraint as for its lucidity, its wit as well as its grace, Smith tells the story of how she and Robert Mapplethorpe found each other, a true and abiding love that survived his coming out as gay, and the path to art in New York City during the heady late 1960s and early 1970s. As much as she succeeds in revealing little-known aspects of Mapplethorpe’s temperament, it is Smith herself who fascinates, from her earliest childhood memories of entering into the radiance of imagination; to her stints as a factory worker; to the loneliness of being 19, unmarried, poor, and pregnant; to her fortitude during her penniless and homeless days and nights on the streets of New York in 1967. A lifelong book lover, Smith works in Scribner’s bookstore as she and Mapplethorpe seek their true callings while living in the now legendary Chelsea Hotel, a crazy laboratory for experimentation artistic and otherwise. Readers can only hope that Smith will continue to tell her stories and share her visions.”–Seaman, Donna Copyright 2010 adapted from BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)

Kate Moss : the making of an icon / Christian Salmon.
“Years after her discovery at age fourteen at New York City’s John F. Kennedy Airport and her quick ascent to the top of the supermodeling world and choice luxury-brand figurehead, Kate Moss represents an unusual success story: that of a middle-class teenager who became one of the best-paid models in the world with no apparent effort. Hers is a story of endless reinvention: more than twenty years later, despite tabloid scandals, drug use, rehab, and tumultuous high-profile romances, Kate Moss appears before us as a fresh creation each time, an ideal subject able to adapt to any circumstance, recast herself ceaselessly through self-staging and self-narration, and make the world fall in love with her over and over again.
In Kate Moss: The Making of an Icon, Christian Salmon’s insightful text, accompanied by more than sixty gorgeous images, explores this phenomenon—the story of an icon, a muse, a legend, an enigma—and how our culture has created the collective Kate Moss myth.” – amazon.com
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
WFW Forecast
29.03.13 | Permalink | Comment?

Umm, guess what. Wellington Fashion Week is only one week away! ONE WEEK! Excite. To count down until glam time, I present to you the second in our series of Wellington fashion interviews. (Read last week’s here!) High-fashion WORLD staffer Freddie Aitchison is here to tell us all about his predictions for WFW 2013, his current fashion lusts and to give some sweet tips about dressing for the coming cold months (shudder).

Love. This. Outfit.

What trends are you expecting to see emerging at WFW this year?
Huge mix; all the designers showing are all very different in their own way.

Which designers are you looking forward to most?
WORLD of course, JimmyD, Ruby and Mandatory.

What are you hoping to see at WFW this year?
I really hope there will be some strong, innovative new prints emerging and maybe some tartan.

Favourite trends at the mo? Any trends you really don’t like?
I love metallics and pops of print in an outfit, so anything like that will get my attention.

Any hot tips for winter dressing?
Layering is great and works so well in Wellington; at least 4 layers plus accessories. Bold colors, just play with it; just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t dress up.

What’s your favorite fashion book?
Alexander McQueen “Savage Beauty” is a must read!

Alexander McQueen : savage beauty / Andrew Bolton ; with contributions by Susannah Frankel and Tim Blanks ; photography by Sølve Sundsbø.
“Focusing on the most iconic and acclaimed designs of his prolific career, this stunning book examines McQueen’s inimitable technical virtuosity and its subversion of traditional tailoring and dressmaking practices.” (Syndetics summary)
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
Love Hotel AW 2013
22.03.13 | Permalink | Comment?

How cool was the fashion show last week?! I know you only got to see the pics and a video, so you’ll have to take my word for it – it was SO cool; very chic, edgy, glamorous and sooo fashionable. Loved it!

This week, I’ve been lucky enough to score an interview with the very lovely ladies behind sweet young label Love Hotel (who I’ve told you aaaall about before). The label is run by two sisters, Harriet and Ella. I asked them some questions so you get the goss on this super hot label.

Harriet and Ella, of Love Hotel.

How and when did your label start out? Have you always been interested in fashion?
We have always always been interested in fashion and have started other creative projects together. We officially launched Love Hotel at Wellington Fashion Week 2012 but had been working towards it for a while.

With the two of you in different cities, is it difficult to keep in touch and work together? How frequently are you in contact?
We are in contact most days, and we prioritise Love Hotel so we do spend large amounts of time together, despite living apart.

NB: I would very much like Harriet’s outfit. The whole thing, exactly as is, please. So hot.

Are there any designers you’re inspired by?
We are big fans of Sonia Rykiel, particularly the way she puts on a show. We adore Romance was Born, the way they draw from inspiration and obsessions. John Galliano is a guru. We love Miu Miu and their attention to textiles.

Which aspects of fashion and the fashion industry are important to you as designers?
It is important for us to create clothing that women feel good in when they wear it. Accessible clothing that makes the wearer feel feminine, flattered and a little bit sexy. We design with the mindset that we want a range of women to feel gorgeous in Love Hotel – beginning with ourselves. Fashion is a fabulous way to express identity; it is about feeling a certain way when you put something on, not just the way it is projected to the viewer. Timeless, rather than on-trend.

What were some of the ideas behind your winter 2013 collection?
It was based on the sometimes sinister world of orchid cultivation; the eeriness of glasshouses, the pedantic manicuring of plant cultivation, hobbyist dens, misty stark windows fogging up at dusk, with references to times of opium dens and layers of overcoats and satins.

Can you tell us about a typical day for you at Love Hotel?
Every day is very different. At the moment it is all about the summer collection, which will be showing at Wellington Fashion Week, so very much the fun stage.

Do you feel as though you have different roles within the company, or do you both do a bit of everything?
We tend to do a lot together but have been defining the roles more and more. We work together through all stages of design, Ella does the photoshopping and graphics things and I work through the production side of things.

Is it sometimes tricky to balance Love Hotel business around other commitments? For example, I know Ella is at uni, which must be demanding at times!
Yes it can be very demanding, but we have recently pushed a lot aside to get into doing what we really love. Ella’s final year seems to be complimenting our work so far, there is still so much for us to learn.

I really love your maroon cherry blossom singlet dress. Can you tell us more about it?
Thanks! The subtle black print on maroon really captures the feel of the winter collection. The vintage chiffon is a key feature in all of Love Hotel’s collections. We love the feminine beauty of the fabric, and it is great to wear. The cherry blossom print is our new AW screen print for this season. The hand-drawn detail is what sets this dress apart.

♥ this dress also! Be mine.

What trends are you enjoying at the mo? Any trends you’re looking forward to for winter?
I am enjoying the new textiles that designers everywhere are playing with…

Any trends you really don’t like?
The bare-all trend at the moment turns me off; sexy can be subtle, drapey and soft. I am curious to see how fashion bends gender boundaries in the future as it seems the lines between womens and mens fashion are becoming increasingly blurred.

What other collections would you like to get into in the future?
We are looking to move into lingerie in the not so far future; we love the idea of blending divisions between under and outer wear. Exciting things coming to you soon!

What are your favourite books?
I have always adored Caroline Quartermaine’s book “Unwrapped” which features a house dressed in her beautiful handpainted textiles. We have both recently read “Just Kids” by Patti Smith, which has become an huge inspiration for our summer collection. Also a fan of Egon Schiele’s sketches!

Just kids / Patti Smith.

Egon Schiele, 1890-1918 : the midnight soul of the artist / Reinhard Steiner ; [English translation, Michael Hulse].

All photos (apart from my instagram effort!!) taken by Chris Park at NZ Style Collective. Huge thanks for sharing your work with us!
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
Winter Showcase 2013
15.03.13 | Permalink | Comment?

Omg, last Friday night was sooooo cool. I was lucky enough to receive a VIP invite to the Winter Showcase 2013, held by young Wellington fashion labels Love Hotel, Mardle, highnoontea and phillipa&alice. Each label debuted their Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, which are all currently available online or in store.

It was held at Willis York Salon and, my word, did it get PACKED OUT! It was so busy that, unfortunately, some show-goers even had to be turned away. So busy. I don’t know if you’ve ever been up there? The salon has a very chic, edgy vibe; much like a New York-style loft, which complemented the fashion show incredibly well.

A T-shaped runway was edged with fairy lights (gorgeous) and at the end there were four chairs, each with a label name above it and done up beautifully – you could really see the designer’s touch on each of the displays, and I felt that each one really reflected the label’s style. (My fave’s on the left – that antique phone is BEAUTiful, and I neeeeed a chair like that! Love the colour tone that the glass brings in, too).

To start the show, four models came out in lingerie and got dressed from the piles of clothing that were on each of the chairs. It was such a great start to the show – so much more interesting than the standard walk-out. A full runway show followed, and my goodness, the looks were sooooo cool. I loved the models’ hair – it was big and volumous, clipped into gorgeous 60s styles but still with a contemporary edge. If I could do that with my hair, I’d be rocking it daily. The clothes were gorgeous, too, naturally - I saw plenty that I wanted to buy!!

Which was lucky, because everything that was modelled was available to buy straight afterwards in a temporary pop-up shop, which was open at Willis York Salon for the evening and also all day the following day.

The music was amaze (they had their own dj) and there was such a great vibe. Check out the video on this page to see for yourself! I had the best night, it was so fun and sooo chic. Also, it was incredibly re-assuring to see such brilliant and promising young talent in our fashion industry.

The fabulous designers, left to right: Sheryl (highnoontea), Ella and Harriet (Love Hotel), Philippa & Alice (philippa& alice) and Shiana (Mardle).

All of these photos (apart from my own instagram wonders) are brought to you courtesy of Caroline Atkinson at Caroline Atkinson Photography. Big ups for the beautiful shots! And a huge thanks to Love Hotel for the invite. Stay tuned for more deets on these lovely ladies next week.
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
Go Gucci!
08.03.13 | Permalink | Comment?

I have exciting news for ya’ll! Luxe Italian brand Gucci has made a strong move towards ethical fashion, creating a handbag range using only legally-produced leather from the Brazilian Amazon. This is the world’s first collection of zero deforestation handbags, and they were debuted for the very first time just two days ago at Paris Fashion Week. Woo to the hoo! Their new range will feature three styles and is strictly made with responsibly-sourced leather from cattle ranches that guarantee no deforestation. You can see the sweet new goods (plus read more about them) here.

Good for Gucci, I say! As you know, I love a brand with heart and an ethical conscience, and I think this is an epic move for such a massive luxury brand. Full respect!

Diana Zanetto, Gucci’s executive vice president and chief merchandising and licensing officer, says: “We know that consumers are changing. Consumers are not satisfied only with beautiful products – they want to know where the products come from and how they are made.”

Word up! Each bag from the new range will feature a GCC brand mark, and will also come with a ‘passport’, which documents the origin of the bag and also informs the buyer about exactly where the bag’s materials were sourced from. At the mo, Gucci is sourcing the leather from five cattle ranches which are certified by the National Wildlife Federation and Rainforest Alliance, and is seeking to increase this number.

While I don’t have the… resources to rush out and buy one, I do think this is a big move towards eithical and sustainable style, especially considering the epic scale of Gucci. Here’s hoping it’s a the start of many beautiful (and ethical) things.

Gucci : the making of / [editorial coordination by Gucci].
“An unprecedented publication showcasing Gucci as never before, including thought-provoking essays, commentaries, and authoritative anecdotes along with previously unpublished contemporary and archival photographs. Published in conjunction with the opening of the new Gucci Museum in Florence, Gucci is the ultimate celebration of the world-renowned fashion house. Gucci: The Making Of is a dynamic record of a much-coveted brand that will be a must this season for anyone with a love of fashion and an interest in contemporary culture.This gorgeous book designed by Arnell offers an in-depth look into Gucci’s origins, identity, influence, and innovation, including fabrication methods and appropriation of signature materials, past and present, and its influence among high society and Hollywood. The book is a heartfelt and personalized tribute to the heritage and influence of this iconic, multifaceted brand.” – adapted from Amazon.com

Gucci by Gucci : 85 years of Gucci / creative direction by Douglas Lloyd ; texts by Sarah Mower ; editorial coordination by Gucci.
“From paparazzi photographs to full page spreads in Vogue, this aptly lavish pictorial history chronicles Gucci’s evolution since its 1921 inception in Florence, Italy. The range of shots and locations tells the story of Gucci’s ubiquitous place in popular culture, without the aid of captions or credits (both relegated to the end of the book). Aside from a lengthy introduction recapping Gucci history, the collection allows the images to speak for themselves. The mix of old and new Hollywood celebrities shows Gucci spanning time, from Audrey Hepburn, Liza Minelli and Clark Gable to Brad Pitt, Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna. Taking out the distraction of celebrity, the vibrant Gucci ad campaigns focus on the decadence of the many shoes, handbags and jewelry lines. After 400 pages, the show of luxury and opulence may overwhelm the uninitiated, but for fashion students and enthusiasts, this is a volume worth studying. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.” – adapted from Books in Print.

Also!! I’m attending an exciting fashion event this weekend, which I can’t wait to share with you next week. STAY TUNED.
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
Overdressed
01.03.13 | Permalink | Comment?

I have a… treat for you this week. My utterly fashionable and very well-read workmate, Emily, did what I wouldn’t couldn’t – she read this book:

Overdressed : the shockingly high cost of cheap fashion / Elizabeth L. Cline.

She’s kindly written a wee spiel about it for us, so read on and conquer!

Confession: I’m addicted to cheap fashion. Despite an otherwise strident sense of social justice, I’ve tended to block off the part of me that worries about where my clothes are coming from in favour of snapping up bargains.

It was with a sense of trepidation that I picked up Elizabeth Cline’s Overdressed, nervous that my worst fears would come true. Cline explores the dangers of the way that we shop, exploring the phenomenon of fast fashion, dwindling quality of construction, conditions for garment workers and the afterlife of our charity shop donations. Conversations about cheap fashion are hard, often coming across as preachy and striking fear into the heart of those, like me, who relish the fun and creativity that comes with clothes. Overdressed isn’t going to make you feel good. At first. But Cline manages to turn a dour subject into something of a manifesto for the ethical fashion enthusiast, acknowledging the fun that comes with dressing well even as she addresses the problems with our taste for ever-cheaper goods.

Image courtesy of Carrie Harwood.

There are too many scary trends highlighted in the book to recount in detail but the most striking point for me was the huge slump in quality in modern clothing. Amazingly, a bargain basement woman’s outfit at the turn of the twentieth century was around US$200. In today’s money, a huge investment! Well into the 1960s and 1970s clothing prices for the everyday outfit strike the modern reader as staggeringly expensive. Modern clothing has ditched the sharp tailoring and quality fabrics that make the outfits of Mad Men so covetable in favour of simple, synthetic pieces with pretty shoddy sewing. It’s not just the planet, workers and retailers who are getting a rough deal from modern fashion, it’s the fashionistas themselves. Future generations will begrudge us the gorgeous quality vintage that we can snap up now when we leave behind a legacy of raggedy, polyester clothes.

The good news is that Cline’s recipe for becoming a more ethical shopper doesn’t involve the dire commandment to build capsule wardrobes stocked with crisp white bamboo shirts and tailored pants. Here are some tips that I picked up and (hopefully!) want to put into practice:

• The most important point! Get a feel for quality. Next time you’re shopping take the time to feel fabrics, check out buttons and seams and read labels. I had a neurotic trip to the mall after reading Overdressed in which I madly felt up clothes all over the place, it really helped to curb those impulsive spends on cheap, throwaway items. Set your own benchmark and don’t settle for the barely sewn on buttons and seriously flammable looking polyesters.

• Work out roughly how much you spend on fashion each year and figure out how you could make the same amount of money go further on items from quality retailers and secondhand or vintage buys. Stores like Savemart offer secondhand gems without the pricetag.

LOVE this! Truly a second-hand gem.

Image courtesy of Carrie Harwood.

• Shop what’s already in your wardrobe and have fun experimenting with outfits and unusual combinations. Organising your wardrobe into shirts, skirts, dresses etc will help reduce the “I’ve got nothing to wear” panic that causes constant shopping trips.

• Think carefully about charity shop donations as they receive a lot of broken and flimsy donations that are no good for anyone. Repair any flaws in the garment, try it out in different combinations with your other clothes or offer to your friends before donating.

• Learn how to sew! Girls in the past would alter most of their clothes to get that perfect fit whereas now we tend to accept clothes the way they come. Our library is full of guides for the absolute beginner. Learning how to repair and alter your wardrobe is a huge asset and Overdressed already has me lusting after my own sewing machine. If you’re not into DIY sewing look out for alteration services.

Get your stitch on!

Image courtesy of Mandy Ferrugia.

The moral of the story: something needs to change pretty soon but ethical fashion doesn’t have to be uninspiring. Face your fears and give it a read.
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
The Times Fashion List
22.02.13 | Permalink | Comment?

Do you read The Times? Neither. That’s why I was pre-tty happy when my workmate drew my attention to four full pages of fashion sites! They have shortlisted (I say ’short’listed – there are 50 items on the list!) the very best fashion sites. Soooo, I took it on myself to check them all out (the sufferance) so I can give you a rundown of the very best; the creme de la creme of those 50 sites. An actual shortlist!

I recommend, in no particular order:

♥ asos.com, who needs absolutely no introduction, was voted number 1. Word. Up.

♥ shopstyle.co.uk is decribed as being like Google but just for clothes shopping. I tried it out and it is indeed pretty whizzy. A search for ‘fluffy jumper’ brought back 63 results, all from a huge range of retailers worldwide. Many of them do international shipping. Definitely a good resource if you’re on the prowl for a particular item.

♥ the-frugality.com is a blog about making smart (not cheap!) purchases. The idea is to make savings where you can so you afford some luxury, as well – the blogger gives save and splurge options for loads of different items, from hats to clothing to lamps to meal ideas. Check it.

♥ getthegloss.com is pretty much an online beauty mag. It has a range of features and articles, and gives loads of make up, health and beauty tips. They do refer to many rad products which aren’t available here in NZ (sob) but is still a great read with many interesting features.

♥ However, if make up videos are more your thing, I recommend you check out lisaeldridge.com instead. Her videos are really nicely put together and are full of tips for achieving particular make up looks (Marilyn Monroe, Hitchcock Heroines and Beach Brights, to name only a few. There are heeeaaaps).

♥ And I didn’t forget the guys! Of the 15 best men’s fashion sites which The Times listed, my favourite was valetmag.com. It’s full of tips about “style and grooming for the modern gentleman”. Swoon! It gives how-to guides on lots of topics, such as keeping white shoes white, abolishing bad breath, shopping for jeans and getting a date. Important stuff!

If you’d like to check out the full 50 top websites for fashion and beauty from The Times for yourself, you can come and read our copy. Monday January 28, 2013. Just ask at the desk on the 2nd floor of the central library and we’ll gladly help ya’ll!
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
Library Style
15.02.13 | Permalink | Comment?

Geek chic, or ‘library style’ (haha!) has been quite the thing for a while now, so I thought it was about time I showed some love for the stereotypical librarian wardrobe staples.

And, my goodness, there are so many nice ones!

This round-collared shirt started it all for me. I tried it, loved it, bought it and have been on the look-out for beautiful shirts ever since.

I think this is my fave of the ones I’ve seen lately; am in love with the slightly acidic pop of colour and the contrast of that with the sweet crocheted collar and pearl buttons. This is another fave, and I also really enjoy the slightly sweeter detailing on this one. This shirt is one of the cutest things I have seen in aaaages.

But what’s a shirt without a pencil skirt? I really like the Brit preppiness of this one and would like to see it with the acidic yellow shirt above. Love the tropical vibe of this skirt, and the yellowness! (Just in case you haven’t noticed, I very much enjoy bright yellow.) This skirt is a huge nod to the comic craze that’s hot right now. While I totally love it, I’m not sure that I could rock this.

Believe it or not, we do have books on this in the library! Yep!

The chic geek’s fashion, grooming and style guide for men / Marcus Jaye ; foreword by Paul Smith.
The geek look (casual, comfortable, and just a little offbeat) is in! And Chic Geek is the online magazine that teaches today’s geeks (and geek wannabes) how to achieve it. Marcus Jaye, men’s style guru for the magazine, takes the guesswork out of achieving geekness in this comprehensive guide, covering all matters of fashion and grooming for every occasion, from an all-nighter in the cube to a formal wedding. Includes up-to-the minute advice from leading designers, a Geekipedia (glossary of fashion terms), and lots of photos to show how it’s done. -Amazon

I realise this book is aimed at guys, but I totally recommend it for the girls as well. It’s a well-written and quirky read; and the pics are great.

The Spring 2013 collection from Valentino is feeling the preppy, geek chic vibe, too, with crisp, high-buttoned collars and prominent shirt cuffs. The pics below are from fashiongonerogue but you can view Valentino’s full ready-to-wear Spring 2013 collection here. (love it!)

So I do hope you’ve enjoyed this very quick guide to Library Style! Cardi, glasses and bun optional. (Although I vote you go for it!)
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
Vintage Glamour
08.02.13 | Permalink | Comment?

Image courtesy of Carrie Harwood

If you enjoy beautiful photos, impeccable outfits and a dash of vintage glamour, then I have a treat for you! Check here to visit my new favourite blog. I totally realise I’m more than a bit late to the party with this – after spending aaaages ogling the deliciousness on this blog, I decided to follow wishwishwish.net on EVERYTHING – instagram, facebook, pinterest, the lot. This talented lady has some serious followers - 1,645 on pinterest, 11,000 on instagram and 6,767 on facebook. Yeow! So clearly I’m totally late with this, and I apologise if you’ve been revelling in the awesomeness of this site for some time.

Both images courtesy of Carrie Harwood

However! I totally recommend you have a look, it is beautiful. (Fair warning – be prepared to want stuff! This site inspired a serious shopping lust for me. Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely something to be aware of.)

We also have some beautiful books here all about vintage glamour, and how to use it in your daily wardrobe. I recommend these in particular:

Wearable vintage fashion / Jo Waterhouse & Clare Bridge.
“Wearable Vintage Fashion presents desirable, affordable and accessible vintage clothing and accessories in a new and fun format. Covering the looks of the twentieth century from the 20s to the 80s, this insider’s guide will feature the clothing, accessories and styling to recreate the looks of each decade. By presenting timeless, classic vintage pieces, the items will always be stylish regardless of the era they came from or the fashion trend of the moment. The book will, therefore, serve as a visual reference guide to collecting as well as to wearing classic vintage clothing.” – adapted from Amazon.

Vintage menswear : a collection from the Vintage Showroom / Douglas Gun, Roy Luckett & Josh Sims.
Classic workwear, sports, and military apparel. Curated by connoisseurs of vintage clothing, The Vintage Showroom is a vast collection of rare 20th-century pieces that fashion designers and stylists pay to view, using the cut and detailing of individual garments as inspiration for their own work.

Vintage fashion
This stylish introduction to vintage fashion showcases the key designs and styles of the main vintage eras of the twentieth century. It includes photographs of film stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly modeling classic designs, as well as garment illustrations and authentic model photo-shoots from all eras. It will be an inspiration to vintage enthusiasts and general readers alike. – Amazon
Fashion Friday, Style Catalogue
Fashion Finder
01.02.13 | Permalink | Comment?

Two things I wanted to share with you this week! Firstly, if you’re online and have some time to kill (or… you are in the mood to shop but have no money to actually do so; story of my life!) then I recommend you have a wee look here. If you join their Fashion Finder community, this site lets you submit your own photos of outfits you love, or even lets you create your own fashion spreads! They also run loads of competitions with sweet prizes. Or, if the process of signing up is all too much for you, you can simply enjoy the screeds of entries. I think it’s such an awesome way to get all the fashion inspiration you need, without leaving the comfort of your desk / bed / couch. Sweet!

Secondly, we have two fab new Bobbi Brown books in our collection. This first one is yet to arrive, but can be reserved now.

Bobbi Brown makeup manual
“This is the book that Bobbi Brown’s fans have been waiting for: her 25-plus years of makeup styling experience distilled into one complete, gorgeous book. Bobbi looks at everything from skincare basics to every aspect of facial makeup–from how to find the right color and type of foundation for any skin tone to how to apply every detail of eye makeup (Brows, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, and Eye Lashes) no matter your eye color and shape. Of course there are never-before-seen tips on blush, bronzer, lip liners, lipstick, etc. And Bobbi looks beyond the face with informative chapters on “Hands and Feet” and “Body Skin Care.” Plus, there’s a groundbreaking section of the book that will be of special interest to women who’ve wanted to know how makeup stylists do what they do: the top beauty secrets only these artists know, essential equipment to keep on hand, how to break into the business, and how to work with photographers and celebrities. BOBBI BROWN’S MAKEUP MANUAL will be the only book any woman will need to look absolutely fabulous.” – adapted from Amazon

Bobbi Brown, pretty powerful : beauty stories to inspire confidence : start-to-finish makeup techniques to achieve fabulous looks / by Bobbi Brown with Sara Bliss.
“From best-selling author and global makeup mogul Bobbi Brown, this beauty guide presents Bobbi’s Pretty Powerful philosophy and inspires women to use makeup to be their best selves. With step-by-step application instructions, face charts breaking down the different looks, and personal stories from real women and celebrities, this book outlines the best tricks and techniques Bobbi has culled from her remarkable career in the beauty industry”. (Syndetics summary)

Perfect if you’re wanting to look your best for an up-coming Valentines date… ♥

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