How to do....

Socks and shoes.

I use the term 'shoe' loosely. The socks and shoes looks isn't for the faint hearted and I got quite a few discerning looks from girls on the high street yesterday (easy girls, they're just socks!) and I am quite sure this is a look that men will not get.

But I've never dressed for the benefit of men (or bitchy girls alike!) and I personally love this look. It's been a bit of a slow burner, but that's given me some time to assess what works and what doesn't. I think you've got to be careful and stick to a few rules.

• Knee high socks are a no unless your legs are super skinny - it's all about the ankles.
• Avoid the Ann Summers schoolgirl look at all costs. You know what I mean.
• Socks work well with chunky shoes, not dainty peep toes.
• If teaming with ankle boots (which is a big yes from me) make sure they sit close to the top of the boot. You don't want the look to make your legs look chunky.
• I really like this look with ankle grazing trousers. Tight on the ankles, not swingers people!
• You can scrunch down knee high chunky socks for a slightly different look.

I've thrown in a few yes and no photos. I'll let you be the judge of these!

Madame Hawke

Stolen Girlfriends Club

Riddled by Ruby

Writing the previous entry on Stolen Girlfriends Club got me doing a bit of thinking.

I love New Zealand. I've been there a couple of times and absolutely loved it. It's beautiful, it's green, clean, the people are lovely, the boys are lovelier and the surf is a lot less hazardous than in Australia. But....the one thing I didn't have it down as is being fashionable. Or having any sort of cutting edge fashion scene whatsoever.

But then, I discovered Stolen Girlfriends Club. Then, I got to thinking. Then, I turned to Google. Which then, told me just how wrong I was.

I turns out that when it comes to fashion in New Zealand, there's a lot to shout about. 

New Zealand Fashion Week runs from 21st-25th September and features collections from brands with really cool names, such as Riddle Me This (based in Mount Maunganui, a beautiful place) and Sable and Minx (based in Auckland).

Another featured designer at NZ Fashion Week this year is Ruby of Ruby Boutique. I was made aware of them by Fashion Toast and got very excited upon Googling...see below

Yummmy! Don't mind if I do. And if you like this, you'll love their collection of bone necklaces - so quirky.

You can find this particular outfit and many, many more at: http://www.rubyboutique.co.nz/

(oh, and the blog is as cool as the clothes)

And whilst you're at it, have a peruse through some of the other NZ brands showcasing their collections at this year's fashion week at http://www.nzfashionweek.com/NZ-Fashion-Week/Home_IDL=20_IDT=811_ID=5994_.html

Art punks, fashion drunks and movie stars in shitbox cars.

Whilst perusing the internet, I stumbled across a brand I've never heard of before (but probably should have). 
 

Stolen Girlfriends Club is the brain child of New Zealand based trio, Dan Gosling, Marc Moor and Luke Harwood. The boys have a strong background in surfing and no professional design training....
 
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Sorry, they had me at 'surfing'.
 

Anyway, the boys loved designing clothes for their friends so much that they decided to start a label. The name Stolen Girlfriends Club originated from a theme for one of their art shows and was so popular, they decided to use it as the official name for this new label.
 

I would describe their current collection as edgy and a little bit dark, whilst managing to maintain an effortlessly cool and relaxed vibe. They would describe their current collection as "A nomadic biker gang of sherpa mountain climbers, with their kidnapped trophy girlfriends."
 

And it looks like I'm not the only one who's a sucker for a surf boy. Juliette Lewis is a huge fan of Stolen Girlfriends Club and the label is said to be popular with Kate Bosworth, Beyonce Knowles and Agyness Deyn. Stockists include ASOS, www.buydefinition.com and www.capolla.com and can be brought in store at Liberty London and Start London.
 

Given the current trends for A/W 2010, I think these surfer boys are going to be hugely relevant!


Read more at: http://www.dazeddigital.com/article/7449/1/scrap_club_in_peckham