This isn't just any fashion moment....this is an M&S fashion moment

Autograph Weekend Check Wrap Coat with Wool, £99

I never thought I’d see the day where I would say this.

M&S is having a fashion moment.

M&S.

Yes. M&S. 

I know.

Ever since I can remember, M&S was where our mum’s shopped and brought our socks for P.E. 

I’m aware that things have changed a lot since the 90’s and the former Marks and Spencer has undergone a huge transformation in terms of rebranding, refreshing and reigniting the interest of the general public. 

Their advertising campaigns have been graced by the likes of Vogue fave Laura Bailey, the ever graceful Twiggy and Myleen Klass frolicking about in her bikini.

Limited Collection Harem Pants with Belt, £29.50

To be honest, all of this didn’t really persuade me to shop there; I just thought it was nice that they’d made such a significant comeback.

I then paid a visit to their newly extended Bath store and came across some absolute on trend gems, which in turn prompted me to have a little look online. From this, I discovered that M&S’s Limited Collection range features collaborations with 10 Fashion and Textile students from the RCA.  So, I’ve been a bit slow on the uptake!

Unfortunately, the price range is a little too high for my liking, but that’s probably due to the fact the clothes are guaranteed good quality. Which is in no way a bad thing. So, maybe I’ll invest in a good quality winter coat (eek, I really do sound like my mother...)

Limited Collection RCA Bird Print Tunic, £40

Camel Dress

Urban Sockery

So, in case you needed more reasons to revamp your sock drawer....

p.s. Do you see what I mean about the ultra skinny legs?

p.p.s. I am loving this girls cardi, but I don't think I could wear it to work...

xxxx

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

Radiating Inca Prints and Smugness....

Now, I'm not one to be smug (on the outside), but I brought this bikini months ago (ok, 6 weeks..)

I'm extremely delighted to see it appearing in Marie Claire's buy of the day!

Unfortunately, I've only been able to debut it in my back garden....so by the time I actually get to model it in an exotic location, this season's hottest bikini may very swiftly become the season before last's lukewarm bikini. Let's hope not.

Big gold drop earrings with this one please. And maybe some fake tan...I get the impression this isn't one to wear if you're looking a bit pasty.

xxx

A short history of Clogs

The jury is out for me on the subject of clogs. I mean, I wasn't really into them when they made a comeback in the 90's. However, I do appreciate the practical nature of them, in a non croc kinda way, not to mention their historical European connotations. Will I be wearing them? Probably not.

I'm pretty sure they won't be a lasting trend and they're not the most flattering of footwear. I have really tiny ankles, so something that clumpy on me just looks ridiculous. That and I'm really not cool enough to pull a look like that off - hence why I'm keen to leave it to the Europeans.

Another reason for my uncertainty lies within the following exert I discovered on Wikipedia on men in Lancaster using clogs for...questionable funtime. (I may add that this was in the early 1900's but still..):

Clog fighting, locally called 'purring' was a means of settling disputes. Both the fighting and the betting among spectators was illegal.

"It is all up and down fighting here. They fought quite naked, except for their clogs. When one has the other down on the ground he first endeavours to choke him by squeezing his throat, then he kicks him on the head with his clogs. Sometimes they are very severely injured." (www.http://chrisbrady.itgo.com/clogmaker/clogmaker2.htm)

Say what?! Naked? Not cool.

On the other hand, from the same source I discovered that 'clog dancing' was the entertainment of the 1800's.

I digress. Really, we should probably try and look beyond the history of clogs and embrace the now. They are hot fashion property and if you can pull them off, then why not splurge on a pair?

Having spent my sunday morning trawling the internet, I have put together a selection of  shoes that represent the clog trend, without being to cloggy. If you get my drift. Just don't go naked fighting in them.