Pleats Please

I'm fully digging pleated pants at the moment - it took me a while to warm up to these, but now I'm a full blown (paid up and carded) fan. I've nearly paid off my Karen Walker pair - so am starting to brainstorm outfits!

I love pairing such a masculine pant with pieces that have have fun, feminine embellishment like sequins and bows - whilst still letting the cut and strength of the pant take centre stage. I love them paired with an endearingly frumpy "serious bag" - solid, reliable.

Top Row: Boy By Band Of Outsiders Double Pleat Pants, Topshop Sequin Crop Vest, Marsell Open Toe Back Strap Low Boots.

Middle Row: Chloe Bow Embellished Suede Pumps, Boy By Band Of Outsiders Paperbag Pant, Lanvin Gloria Leather Bag.

Bottom Row: Topshop Striped Gold Button Cardi, Chloe Small Marlow Top Handle, Alexander Wang Sheer Back Sweatshirt,

Sources: Topshop, Net-A-Porter, La Garconne, Luisaviaroma

More Classics

Black, white, denim and grey are always timeless. As is the subtle balance of classic pieces from the masculine and feminine ends of the spectrum. My favorite looks generally boil down to several masculine elements like a big slouchy jumper, a perfect coat; combined with a piece that is a bit girly and innocent (although not at all saccharine) like a denim a-line skirt - or polka dots!! Topped off with some blatant sexy-clunky heels - the best kind there is.

Top Row: Lover Campus Pleat Skirt, Boy By Band Of Outsiders Peacoat, Proenza Schouler Striped L/S Shirt.

Middle Row: Boy By Band Of Outsiders Over-sized V-Neck Sweater, Steve Alan Polka Dot Shirt, Chloe Elsie Lurex Shoulder Bag, J Brand Acid Wash Skinny Jeans.

Bottom Row: Boy By Band Of Outsiders Classic Tank, Alexander Wang Sheer Back Sweatshirt, Burberry Cut Out Leather Sandals.

Sources: La Garconne, Net-A-Porter

Boys And Girls

I love to contrast an uber-girly dress like a floral or an angelic white lace with a big manly jacket in perfectly dour grey tweed. The femininity and innocence plays off the masculine boxiness perfectly - toning the connotations of each down a notch. Also love to ground these looks with some playfully ironic "sensible" shoes.

Clockwise: Boy By Band Of Outsiders Long Double-Breasted Blazer, Topshop Cream Floral Skater Dress, Topshop Square Leather Chain Bag, Luella Frances Pintuck Dress, Church's Classic Burwood Brogue, Topshop Rose Print Denim Frill briefs, Luella A-Line Crombie Coat, Lover Ritual Silk Mini Dress, Alexander Wang Donna Hobo Bag.

Sources: La Garconne, Topshop, Net-A-Porter

Topshop Noir

Lets all take a moment to enjoy the calmness of the colour (well, shade technically) that is black. It's the perfect foil to more out there elements like sequins, leather and lace. It magically lifts everything - giving a chic and serious air. I particularly love the nostalgic masculinity and "finished" quality of a good black hat.

Clockwise: Fedora Down Brim hat, Stud Shoulder sweat, Lace Leather Bodycon Dress, Premium Pintuck teddy, Bowler hat, Zip Back Sequin Bodycon dress.

Source: Topshop

RUSSH September 09

I was over the moon to get my Russh early this month - LOVING the subscription I got for my birthday (thanks girls!!) as it usually hits news-stands way later in New Zealand than in Aus.

The issue is a total killer and the cover alone nocks you for six. Its the 30th issue and celebrating 5 years of Russh - I can't believe it's been that long. I have been obsessed since it first came out. I read every issue about ten times and colour code everything with post-its; pink for things to scan, green for the things to look up more about later. Every issue is devoured.

Enjoy..

"Paz For Peace"

Photographer: Stacey Mark

Fashion Editor: April Johnston

Subject: Paz De La Huerta

"Sara Emilia... In The Sun"

Love the warmth and sensuality of these. Tousled hair, summer tan - all bathed in a perfectly golden light.

Photographer: Steven Chee

Fashion Editor: Natalie Shukur

Model: Sara Emilia

Fashion News

More Emma Cook for Topshop teasers!! I neeeeed every pair I have seen so far.

"Ali To The Max"

This editorial positively drips with strength, sex, athleticism and physicality.

The hyper-saturated colours of the background and makeup combined with the multitude of sexily futuristic textured white pieces are absolutely killer.

Photographer: Benny Horne

Fashion Editor: Stevie Dance

Model: Ali Stephens

"Boys To Men"

The divine Ash Stymest was interviewed about the male modeling industry - you can read about it on Isaac Likes as well as Isaac's thoughts.

Photographer: Dounia Benjelloul

Model: Ash Stymest

"Badlands"

In 1959 she watched while he self destructed..

I adore this editorial as well. Its a homage to Terence Malick's film Badlands - one of my favorite directors of all time, his Thin Red Line and The New World are in my top ten and are guaranteed to take your breath away and move you.

This editorial captures innocence, love, nostalgia and small towns all bathed in golden light - whilst also an ominous sense of danger.

I love this shot of a tattoo on tanned skin through ripped denim.

This spread has also made me want loafers even more - and to pair them with socks asap.

Also love that the now ubiquitous and awesome Louis Vuitton bunny ears make an appearance.
I will never tire of the simplicity, earthiness and many underlying references of perfectly beaten up denim and white tees. Iconically American, yet universally relatable. Classically manly yet accessible to females as well.
And how intense is that brooding shot on the left? The colours, contrast, everything capture the danger and appeal of his character.
She however glows with innocence, naivety, warmth, femininity. Her peaches and cream complexion is refreshing - and particularly radiates in that stunning Zimmerman dress.

Photographer: Derek Henderson

Fashion Editor: Stevie Dance

Models: Millicent Lambert, Henry James Pallet

Emma Cook For Topshop

So my heart stopped today when I saw these preview images of the new Emma Cook for Topshop boots. NOTHING is going to come between these and me. I was distraught to miss out of the first lot of them. And am constantly jealous whenever Rumi rocks hers on Fashion Toast. So this time (and now that they ship to New Zealand) I will do anything! Firstborn/kidney/student loan money.

Which are your favorites? I'm definitely partial to the dalmatian and tan pair. These WILL be mine. I hope.

Dalmatian Print Lace-Up Wedge

Wine Lace-Up Wedge

Zebra Print Lace-Up Wedge

Source: Nitrolicious

Topshop Autumn/Winter 09 Lookbooks

Am procrastinating uniwork/shower.bed combo - instead perusing my favorites of Topshop's winter lookbooks and being seduced by sequins and cobweb knits...

Marianne

Clockwise: Animal Sequin High Waisted, Snakeskin Sequin Leggings, Loreta Zebra Block Heel sandal,

Source: Topshop: Marianne

Horror Girl

I neeed this jumper! Holey, but not so much that I would freeze.

Knitted Fluffy Jumper

Source: Topshop: Horror Girl

Christopher Kane for Topshop

The long awaited (and much hyped) collecion by uber-talented Christopher Kane for Topshop is finally here - well, in cyberspace anyway. It doesn't dissapoint. He's managed to apply his unique signature to a cheaper, more mainstream line without losing any of ideas and looks that make his designs so standout and covetable.

Gromets are a key feature; creating patterns, weight and an edgy, futuristic feel.

Kane has reinterpreted his already iconic "Ape Tees" in the form of crocodiles - these I LOVE.

Metal gromets on dark denim create an almost celestial pattern. And how kitschly cute is the toy croc?
I think the gromet feauture works best on the sheer black pieces; dresses and leggings. The latter of which I would particularly kill for.


Good thing Topshop ships here now!!

Source: Refinery 29

Topshop Hearts NZ!!!

So all the fashion fiends I know are tripping over the news that the mighty TopShop is now shipping to little old New Zealand. This is to be a total killer to my bank balance.

I love these shots from there latest look book; the rough knits and metallics, fine prints and colours that are all slightly off and muddy. And am dying for those hot-as-hell leopard booties.

Sequined pants are, of course, totally choice.

Source: Showroom 22

As I usually always refrained from torturing myself with the TopShop website, the minute I heard the news I jumped on line and started compiling a wish list. Top of it is definitely these booties; cute, classic, a bit weird - and totally "needed" for my poor problem feet.

Left to Right: Sandy Crepe Wedge in Grey and Black

There are also some killer cross-body bags; a style I'm loving at the moment. Being "Hands Free" is liberating.

Left to Right: Barrel Cross Body Bag, Chainmail Hard Heart Bag, Leather Stud Cross Body Bag, 

As you know, I'm not usually a skirt girl - but these are definitely tempting. Love the rugged, shredded, washed out denims. Likewise the pyramid studs. I love tight little skirts paired with great big mens shirts and tees.

Left to Right: Denim Quilted Body Con Skirt, Triangle Gem Pelmet Skirt, Ripped Denim Bodycon Skirt,  

Even some dresses took my fancy (I know!! I'm actually getting more into them of late, we shall see how this progresses in the coming weeks).

Left to Right: Ripped Denim Dress, Denim Ruffle Dress, Lace Zip Front Dress,  

And as I'm always a fiend for a good jacket - both classic and pimped out - these obviously tickled my fancy.

Left to Right: Premium Double Breasted Blazer, Sequin Biker Jacket, Jersey Boyfriend Blazer.

Source: Top Shop

Deer Emma Cook

I pretty much adore everything Emma Cook does - especially the mindblowingly patterned lace tights and dresses she did for Fall 08, and her now famous (and impossible to get) platform brothel creeper boots for TopShop. So when I heard she and TopShop had collaborated again, I knew I would love. And I do. Of the seven pieces my pick is the delicate tee (is that silk/cotton?) with a fab deer and doily print - just kitschy enough. And perfectly executed in the soft grey.

I've been obsessed with deer (and there kin of reindeers, mountain goats etc - basically anything with a sweet pair of horns and long legs) since forever. Probably because of childhood love of Bambi. So this I need!!!

Source: Refinery29

Blossom

I've been lusting after floral docs for a while now... So just snapped up these babies on the Topshop online store - cann never find vintage pairs that fit my midget feet. So excited! I can't survive winter (even the pathetic Auckland ones) without boots - I have quite possibly the worst excuse for a circulatory system ever. But good excuse for tres cute boots, tights and socks oui? 

Source: Topshop

Topshop Spring

Here is a preview of Topshop's spring trends (the ones I like best anyway) thanks to Grazia. 

Left to Right: Hope and Glory, Nouveau Sport, Memphis

I particularly like Glory Days...

And Memphis...