Lets Get Physical



Alexander Wang S/S12



What better way to end a long, dreary month with a big ole blow-out pay-day party.

This Saturday, Koko in Camden, hosts the first full on Guilty Pleasures party of 2012. Regular visitors to this event will know that each month the party has a fun and frivolous dress-up theme. This January, Sean Rowley and Anna Greenwood, organisers and DJs of Guilty Pleasures, are getting in shape for this weekend's 'Let's Get Physical' night. So what to wear? Go for the obvious Olivia option and sprint down to American Apparel for some stretchy spandex and a pair of legwarmers? Do a Black Swan meets vintage Madonna? for that you will need tutus and ripped tees. Or for those who are too-cool-for-school, check out the abundance of sportswear on this seasons catwalks for inspiration. The Victoria Beckham fashion label has chosen sportswear/chic influences for her summer collection. And at Alexander Wang, sportswear with a subversive, avant-garde edge fulfils the party brief in style. 

Slip Into Spring



Fifi Slip by Agent Provocateur



I can't wait for the new Spring collections to hit the shops, especially all of the offerings from Marc Jacobs, at his own line and at Louis Vuitton. Although, they are both very pastel, sweet and summery and will perhaps look a bit odd at the tail end of Winter. So we have all the talk again of Transistional. i.e how to make Spring work as it drops in the stores in January and February.  So, yes do as Alexa did this week on a US talk show and wear a summery lace dress with black opaque tights to bridge the gap between winter and spring. Or copy straight from the Marc Jacobs show and wear opaque knee socks with a pair of pointy courts to start feeling the new spring vibe. My tip for this Transistional period is to slip on a chemise as your first layer. The chemise is such a versatile under garment for all seasons too. 'In-vest' now (pardon the pun) and this lingerie cupboard essential will see you through the rest of the year. Whether under skirts and dresses during the winter months paired with knee high boots or knee socks, to then wearing sofa-lounging in the evening with a cardy over the shoulders, then at bedtime as a glam, luxurious change from tatty old PJs. For the daring out there - do as Marc Jacobs showed at his Spring 2012 catwalk presentation and throw a houndstooth coat over a silky slip - just add socks, heels and stacks of confidence for this one, Ladies. 





Marc Jacobs Spring 2012



The Style Eye LikesU

This Christmas, I have been very lucky to receive such an abundance of fabulous fashion and style coffee table books. And one of my favourites is the print version of the successful fashion website, Stylelikeu. Not only is it a great insight into the world real fashion, it is packed with beautiful images and short paragraphs from each of the subjects photographed, making it a quick, easy read for my time poor life.

The book peeks into the homes and wardrobes of cool folk, from the world's coolest cities- making it a kind of cross between The Selby and The Sartorialist. More importantly are the fashion and style quotes that the individuals live by, their own fashion mantras, if you like. Classic words of wisdom that work for them , whatever the fashion and style of the time may dictate.



"I think it's better to have a few really great pieces rather than have a whole bunch of garbage" Ashley Wick



"If you always shop to suit your style and body type, you'll always be able to wear everything in your closet" Magda Berliner

Ashley Shaw, summed up the meaning of how to dress for me - as I rolled out my French Connection sequinned shift for the third festive season in a row,  deciding how to style best to see in 2012, I remembered her words " Of course, I wear a lot of the same pieces all of the time but I never wear them the same way"



Ashley Shaw