Like something out of a fairytale

I am completely entranced by these fairytale-esque models that seem to have become all the rage since Ruslana Korshunova. I absolutely love the story of how Ruslana was found and Debbie Jones’s (Senior Booker for Model 1)quote:

“I saw her by chance and she looked like something out of a fairytale! We had to find her and we searched high and low until we did!”

Ruslana, was just completely bewitching with her feline features and Rapunzel hair, and, although I am not one of these people that mourns the death of a celebrity as though they were a close friend, Ruslana’s death did strike a chord with me, as it was literally like something out of a Shakespearian tradegy. She has clearly inspired models, their bookers and designers all over the world as long, cascading waves of hair start to dominate the catwalk once again.

Another model that I’m fixated with at the moment is Sasha Pivovarova, who also looks like she jumped straight from the pages of some archaic myth! I love her super icey blue eyes.

Sasha is classic new age supermodel – lanky, alien-like, other-worldy and utterly striking….. In which sense you care to use the word striking is up to you – I’d imagine the boys with the Kelly Brook posters on their walls wouldn’t use it positively, but editorially speaking, and to me, she is strikingly beeeyoootiful! I’m digging this new brigade of long haired fairytale models – Agyness Deyn may be the padded shouldered jacket, but Sasha Pivovarova is the shearling aviator.

Which models do you find fairytale-like or really striking?

Socks and sandals (but in a good way)

I have been really enjoying and embracing the whole visible socks thing this spring/summer. Finally we no longer need to be ashamed of our socks! Remember back in school – you wore trainer socks or, if you weren’t cool enough to own a pair of those, you folded socks back over your foot, either way UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES  were socks ever allowed to be seen … or you risked being ostracized or bullied out of town. I hated those days of sock embarrassment, not because I liked socks – all my socks were M&S, navy, 5 in a pack beauties – but mainly because the double layer of folded over sock meant that my feet were constantly squeezed into tight leather school shoes – and that hurt. Oh what we did for fashion! So now, a long way from schoolyard, I have been looking back at some of the gorgeous socks and heels combos on the s/s catwalks and seeking out beautiful socks in the stores to try and recreate the look.

Miu Miu bejewelled socks.... mmmm

Burberry Prorsum

Christian Dior

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

(These little monkeys are only £3)

And thank GOD the end is not nigh! The trend continues into Autumn, with a whole new emphasis placed on cosy dressing! I can’t wait to wear something other than tights / trousers this Autumn to blanket my legs.

From Topshop Outsiders collection

Topshop Dark Nouveau Collection

Well my weekend’s decided then, I’m heading straight to Topshop to get my paws on some chunky knit socks / leg warmers.  

 

 

 

 

Today I’m Wearing…

I bought this dress about 3 years ago from…. (dare I say it) Primark. I’ve recently rediscovered it with all its vintage-style shift brocade glory, and I am not ashamed to admit that this is a dress I am proud to own… even if it did only cost twelve pounds. Twelve pounds!

And 10 out of 10 for the mother figure from whom the lace waistcoat came as a birthday present.

Hat, Vintage // Dress, Primark // Lace waistcoat, Warehouse // Socks & Platforms, both Topshop

Get Cape Wear Cape (and Parka and Camel Coat) Fly

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited by Autumn. Moreover I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited by… coats. Urgh is that pathetic? Maybe not if you feast your eyes on the coat bonanza that is Autumn 2010. We can take our pick… from grungy parkas and sheepskin aviators to cosy camels and fairy-tale capes.

I picked up this little Tommy Hilfiger number on my travels in Asia last year. As a parka virgin, I quickly become obsessed, refusing to take it off despite the sweltering heat inside restaurants, and ignoring its padded, restrictive nature which made delicate sushi eating difficult.

Sometimes I worry that my excitement over a trip to The Great Wall was mainly down to the fact that I could get away with legitimately wearing my parka and use it to it’s full potential! (We were there in December, and to say it was cold is an understatement) My parka is not the flimsy, canvass, Topshop kind, (though I do like those too) this is a robust jacket, kitted out with tartan fleece lining, ready to take on the elements with you!

Parka takin' on those elements

So normally I want to cry at the thought of the summer’s end, when all the ease of floating out of the house in just a dress gradually becomes unfeasible and frantically scrabbling around for your jacket, scarf and gloves, late for work becomes the norm. Well now with outerwear as the main event on the Autumn catwalks, showcasing some amazingly cool and intricately made coats, wrapping up for outside will be my favourite part of the day.