An Artistic Approach

This girl seems to have it all. Not only is she one of the most desired models of the moment, walking the catwalk for Chanel, Givenchy, Balenciaga to name but a few, Naomi Preizler is now being recognised for her artistic sketches. These inspiring drawings give a sneak peak into the wonderful world of fashion from a models perspective. During castings or even behind-the-scenes at the shows, Naomi will be found putting pen to paper to create some truly fascinating images of her surroundings or even of her fellow famous models. These bold and beautiful images will certainly brighten up a subdued snowy sunday morning for all you fashion lovers out there.

Self-portrait in the mirror

A Calvin Klein Casting

Beth Ditto and Jean Paul Gaultier

A Palette Of Pastels

Although there is still a very bitter chill in the air and a forecast for a dust of snow this afternoon, I can't help but gaze over the new in pieces at some of my favourite retailers. My wish list for this week is all about items from the pretty pastel trend that has all females, including myself, in a flutter. This trend oozes soft, sugary sherbet tones in very simple and classic cuts. Loose fitting blouses, pleated skirts and floaty silk trousers are all must-have products I'll be filling my wardrobe with. For now, I've got my eye on these 3 picks that will be easy to wear now and will carry me through to the spring season.

1) This pretty in peach fluid blazer from Topshop, £60

2) This mint green studio shirt from Zara, £59.99

3) This lavender blue scalloped shell top from Topshop, £28

A Little Trip To Cambridge

Last weekend, I took a little trip to Cambridge to explore the delights of this city. The city centre itself is beautiful with the historic University taking pride of place, a quaint market in the town square and the little intertwining cobbled streets filled with surprises. From fashion boutiques to old-fashioned carts selling Falafel, Cambridge hosts a variety of fantastic stores and restaurants all with a quintessential twist.

From adorable interior stores filled with sweet little gifts to make your home a home

To quirky fashion boutiques with rails of fabulous finds

From favourite high-street brands located in gorgeous historic buildings (making it that little bit more enticing!)

To witty window displays

From really great little cafes crammed with books and nostalgic bits & bobs

To retro sweet shops Willy Wonka style!

Cambridge is a host to a fantastic array of under stated retailers and restaurants hidden down the side streets and around little corners. A place well worth exploring. Best of all...you can top it off with one of the best hot chocolates around. Topped with cream and tons more chocolate of course. 

Kate Moss For Mango

This week it was announced that our favourite British icon, Kate Moss, is the new face of Mango's SS 12 campaign. Not only do we get to see her in some stunning still images but she also stars in a fashion in motion TV ad called 'Spy Game.' Here's a sneak peak of the lady herself in action. The new collection consists of contemporary, timeless pieces in a soft palette of pastels and a touch of glitzy sequins and Kate just adds that extra touch of chic classic style. She's done it again.  

Scarf Print Trend

Love Love Love this scarf print shirt, £30 from Next. Working this trend has never been easier with a simple cut collarless shirt with a pop up colour at a fabulous price. Thanks Next.

Transactional Story-Telling

The retail industry is ever-changing and recently there have been some emerging stores and retail concepts that are really pushing the boundaries and making shopping that little bit more exciting. HOORAH! Shoppers these days want an experience, something innovative and inspiring to stand out to them when they hit the high-street and encourage them to part with their hard-earned pennies. So it's great to see a fresh, new take on shopping with the 'start-up store' idea that is sweeping the streets of New York City.
Retail consultant, Rachel Shechtman discreetly set up a start-up store on 1 December 2011 because she wanted to create transactional story-telling. The store is like a gallery showcasing brands yet like a store selling these products. The store will be completely re-invented every four to six weeks with a different theme at the center. The theme behind the first one was 'Beta' and featured a selection of fabulous products from five NYC start-ups:
1) Birchbox- a subscription retailer of beauty products

2) Quirky- an online community that selects products to invent based on user votes

3) BaubleBar- a jewelery range of original neckwear

4) Joor- an online professional matchmaker for designers and retailers

5) Artspace- an online marketplace for affordable pieces from contemporary artists.

Due to the huge success, Shechtman now plans to give the store a permanent name and logo, alongside launching a complimentary online shop so there will be a permanent identity for the start-up store. The store will next launch in February as a "Love" story and the story-telling will continue. Check it out at http://astartupstore.com/
I have to admit, I think this is a pretty great idea to put it simply. Making shopping more exciting as well as promoting and supporting independent brands is what the high-street needs in this gloomy economic climate. Lets see if the start-up store concept sweeps the UK.

Mulberry Goes To The Seaside

Every girl has a dream to own that one little something special at some point in their lives. A flash car, a designer coat or the popular choice- a bit of arm candy. And yep, I am part of the arm candy dreamers. I cant help it. A mulberry is at the top of my ultimate wish list. To be honest, I go a little giddy and my tummy does somersaults at the thought of getting my hands on one. It's the casual yet chic style of the bag, the understated yet stand out factor the bag seems to have, the devine and soft photo shoots seducing me that little bit more and the fact that they celebrate their heritage in true British style.

So when I saw their S/S 2012 campaign I did a happy little dance at my computer as these images certainly weren't to disappoint any mulberry fan, in fact the images sum up everything I love about the brand and more. Shot on Brighton beach infront of the classic Brighton pier, this campaign oozes feminity, fun and a fresh take on fashion photography. The sugary palette of colours, the to die-for accessories and the gigantic ice cream cones sums up every girls dream. Who thought Brighton beach could ever be so glamorous? And when it's wet, windy and a very dull sight out of the window, it's great to add a little bit of sunshine to your day with these fabulous images. Thanks Mulberry.

Paul Smiths Olympics 2012 Stamps

As everyone gears up for the 2012 Olympics this summer, designers and retailers are going Olympics crazy. Sportswear chic is becoming a big trend as seen on the S/S 12 catwalks, celebrity collaborations including Davina's trainer collection for Next are cropping up and the Union Jack flag graces the front of soft furnishings. But Paul Smith has been very smart and savvy with his celebratory idea to commemorate the big event- he has created an iconic stamp collection book including stamps and postcards inspired by his passion of cycling for the Isle of Man post office.

These exclusive stamps are set to take place from July 27th to August 12th on the quaint island. Anyone else want to hop over just to get their hands on one?

A Clever Little Idea

Polish brand Blessus have wowed the fashion industry with a very cool and very clever little idea- Modular clothing using zips. They have simply taken a garment, added concealed zips in the right places and there you have it- a piece of clothing that can be modified into different styles. Watch the video and you can see how a pretty prom style dress can be transformed into an elegant peplum top, meaning the same outfit you put on in the morning can be changed throughout the day for whatever occasion you may need and whatever suits your individual tastes. The designers Michael Hekmat and Marta Matuszewska claimed their garments are aimed at 'women with busy lifestyles who may want several stylish looks within one day.' The company has an online boutique as well as a physical store in Warsaw. Whats-more they also offer a made-to-measure service, allowing customers to further customize with color combinations or additional clothing elements they require, meaning you can have a clever little personalised number. I'm inspired.

Targets 'Store-Within-A-Store' Concept

The United States have always been regarded as a country to take lead and think ahead of the game, so it's no wonder the retail industry of the USA are the same. Target have come up with a truly unique and exhilarating idea to join up with speciality boutiques from across the country to create 'The Shops' at Target. This is a store-within-a-store concept allowing small, independent boutiques to showcase their products through Target. From home and decor boutiques to pet bakeries, there will be 400 exclusive products for consumers to enjoy. Take a look at the video to see the quirky, independent stores. A really cool idea from Target? I think so.

#4 Tropical Blossom

Get ready for the spring by adding a touch of paradise to your wardrobe with vivid tropical-inspired pieces. Exotic flowers, wild birds and Amazonian prints will grace the front of must-have tunics, pyjama trousers and structured blazers. On the catwalks, designers took inspiration from across the globe. Joseph Altuzarra made a statement by pairing a fruit-puch blazer over a simple black top and trousers, Mary Katranzou opted for abstract colourful florals whilst Givenchy created a combination of orchid and bird of paradise patterns.This trend is all about adding a pop of colour to your wardrobe to make you stand out from the crowd. I'll be purchasing this luminescent floral print shirt from Warehouse, £55 to work the trend now. I'll opt for some brighter hues come Spring!

#3 Out of Africa

Say goodbye to the cool crisp winter months and hello to the bliss summer sunshine as fashion takes you on a safari with the Out of Africa trend. This season its all about prints from the wilderness from geometric-tribal patterns to vivid animal combinations. Models hit the runway in leopard swim suits layered with utilitarian jackets at Michael Kors, Donna Karen opted for Haiti inspired body con dresses whilst Oscar de la Renta chose soft tribal print pieces. This season its all about warm, earthy colours that will add a slight glow to your wardrobe. I'll begin the trend with this Animal Dip Dye Maxi Dress from Topshop, £65. I'll simply team it with a leather biker jacket and boots to carry me through to the spring!

#2 Aquatic

This season we welcome a bit of underwater delight with the new aquatic trend. At Chanel, Lagerfeld transformed the Grand Palais into an under-water world, accompanied by a celestial harp. Down the runway models sported layered chiffon dresses in palettes of sea blues and tranquil turquoises, alongside shell-scalloped edge skirts and jackets with graphic prints resembling the ocean waves. The rest of the runways showed off their take on the trend with Alexander McQueens jellyfish inspired ruffles, Versace's sea horse and star fish motifs and Riccardo Tisci's opal sequins set into chiffon. As for the accessories, Givenchy opted for shark pendant necklaces whilst Versace showed off coral print scarfs. I'll be breaking into this trend with a metallic half moon clutch also from Asos, £35.

#1 Sports-Luxe

Make way for sportswear to become a wardrobe staple this S/S as the country get set for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London. As all of great Britain eagerly await the iconic event, the trend has already begun to sweep the nation. I'm not talking about faded baggy t-shirts and the dreaded trackie-bottoms that make up your gym gear. This is a whole new take on sportswear combining active clothing with a taste of luxury. Tailored pieces made out of light-weight fabric will form sleek silhouettes including track-style trousers worn with sky-scraper heels, luxurious hooded sweaters and racer vests. All made out of oh-so-chic fabrics, mixing silk and cotton to form a sophisticated take on sportswear. Details will definitely be key from zip fronts to aertex. I'll be heading to Asos to find a few key pieces for this trend, including a pair of canvas lace-up wedge trainers, £48, perfect for being on-the-go all day.

Spring Forward

I cannot lie, I've had my fair share of curling up in my Onesie, watching some childhood films and raiding the cupboards for anything sweet and sugary. But now I'm ready for a little bit of sunshine to brighten up my day and to say bon voyage to the dark and dismal winter months. Only 3 months to go until Spring is on the doorstep! So to bring a little bit of spring/summer into my life, I'm checking out all the new season trends and what the high-street will have in store. I'll post my favourite pick of the trends one by one so get ready for my mini guide to S/S 2012. Here we go...