Liberty Scarf Camp

Last month in my post entitled 'Makes No Difference What They Say, We're Going On Holiday' I asked the in-store scarf demonstrators to rise to the challenge of turning a simple silk square into this season's headwear must-have, The Turban.

Those good people at Liberty of London are holding a week long Summer Scarf Camp for all the fashionistas who are looking for some extra curricular activity during the long holiday. On the 29th July, Professor Richard Weston will be holding lectures on how to fold, wrap and 'Turn it into a Turban' with his collection of wonderfully on-trend digitally printed scarves. Designers also showing during the week include The Lin Besson Project, Swash, Lousada Heyhoe and Michael Birch.

Pictures:Left- Liberty Scarf Camp Press Image

Right- Weston's Agate Print Scarf

Time To In-Vest

The soaring temperatures of last weekend had me resorting to pottering around the house in a bikini. Which is all well and good when sitting on the deck enjoying a refreshing cool drink and pretending to you are in the Med instead of South East London. But not so appropriate when you need to pop outside with a bag of rubbish to the dustbin or round the shops to pick up ice-creams. A lightweight cutaway vest is the perfect throw-over solution. Pair it up with some mini-shorts to quickly run these errands and keep cool at the same time.James Perse is a master of the casual but cool tee. His collection of tissue thin cotton vests and t-shirts are cut in such a way that their loose fits are not too baggy and just simply skim the curves to give a modern edgy feel to a wardrobe staple. Swedish brand ACNE are also from the same school of thought when it comes to their cotton t-shirt ranges, and their cleverly cut striped racer back tank top is fashion forward alternative to the plain white vest. Mint Velvet has included a soft white cotton vest in its latest summer collection. With a babydoll effect double layer and drawstring scoop neck detailing, it includes a little more design details that can be worn for a more dressy situation. Margiela's black gold clip vest has a longer hem and could just get away with being a mini beach dress for day or over glam shorts or tight jeans for evening.
Pictures: Top right - ACNE s/s10
Top Left - James Perse
Bottom left - Mint Velvet
Botton right - Martin Margiela

Mad About Margiela

There's quite a buzz around Martin Margiela at the moment. For the past twenty years he has been quitely building an enigmatic fashion brand with a cult following whilst also remaining elusive and keeping his identity hidden from the public. In March of this year, Margiela launched his first ever fragrance. Typically of Margiela, he wanted it to smell different from the established fragrances already on the market. At first spritz, the perfume smells of a masculine cologne combining a hint of dry tobacco with green, fresh notes. After a while on the skin and on the wristband style tester card the perfume moved on to a pleasing feminine scent that reminded me of a sweet-smelling version of Elnett hairspray. Different indeed. And then there is his clothing and accessories line, which cool girls and guys (especially) cant get enough of. The picks from the ladieswear collection include a pair of high waisted leather leggings and a black and nude two tone sandal with a gold strap. Both pieces are undeniably sexy yet understated. The Margiela vibe is so on trend right now. Perfect for easing the transistion from noughties excesses to today's desire for pared down minimalism. For the boys, its all about the reworked classics. A crisp white shirt with removable tux bib, a disco ball effect wallet covered in mirrored mosaic chips and absolutely anything from his T-shirt line. If this label has by-passed you all these years due to its cool and quiet nature then head down to the 'Maison Martin Margiela , 20 , The exhibtion' at Somerset House, until the 5th September and take a look at a retrospective of the collections and installations produced by the brand over the last twenty years.