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.

#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!

#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.

The Onesie

The winter months have set in and all I want to do is kick back in front of the roaring fire, tune in to some cheesy chick-flicks and dig in to some warm home-made brownies (yum yum!) all whilst sporting my brand new 'Onesie.' Yep, thats right, I said Onesie. Now before you judge, I must make it clear that I am not normally one for partaking in some crazy trend that everyones talking about, I'm one of those that would rather do something a little different. For instance, during the New York 2007 school trip all the girls flocked to the shoe stores to grab a pair of cheaper-priced Uggs as they were all the rage, whilst I went on the hunt for some sturdy leather black riding boots to last me the winter months. Or there's the time at University in 2010 when everyone seemed to be rocking a funky leather brown back-pack to lectures, whilst I stuck with my trusty black studded River Island bag (courtesy of Ebay). Obviously I adore fashion so I am forever following trends but I'm talking about those kind of trends that spiral out of control, feature on the news and grace the walls of Facebook, all because people find them, well, a little silly! So when the Onesie trend caught on, I thought nope this one is definitely not for me. Not a cat in hells chance you will catch me wearing one of them! But during an early Christmas with my family, due to them celebrating the season in a sunnier climate, I was more than surprised when I teared open another one of my presents like a 5 year old child to find a little package with 'Snowflake Onesie' printed across the front. Oh no. Not the dreaded Onesie. After my mum explained that she thought it was really funny and couldn't help buying it just to see me in it- that's what you get for being the joker of the family, I whipped upstairs and came down sporting the blue snowflake-printed giant baby grow ready to be the centre of all jokes. I was well aware that all I needed was a dummy in one hand and my milk bottle in the other, but as a giant baby I opted for a bottle of champagne and a handful of Thorntons chocolates.Thats the way I roll. Anyway, within 10 minutes of wearing it, I have to admit it was ridiculously snug, which is great for me since I'm one of those people that can never get warm and I was surprisingly growing rather fond of it. Two weeks down the line and I must have worn it at least 8 times. I simply cannot help it. Its comfy and cosy, perfect for chilling out in, the only issue I must point out is that it is prone to giving slight sharp electric shocks, either when taking it off or when the dog rubs past me. Nevertheless, it is clear that I am a converted Onesie fan. Who would have thought it? This is the first time I have succumbed to such a trend and I have to say...I kinda like it!