'Trashion - we are the Goon squad and we're coming to town'



As seen in last Sunday's Style Magazine.

 Ha, yes! I said to myself when I saw listed in The Sunday Times, Style Magazine 'Going Up - Going Down' column - 'Trashion - it ain't cheap, but it's a cheap look' Especially since it was illustrated so perfectly with a pair of horrid hooker platform pumps. I was thinking the very same thing whilst walking past The Bank of England the other evening . I spied a city chick wearing a similar pair of atrociously ugly footwear and thought - 'why here in the financial centre of London, a place where billions of pounds sterling are traded daily, should somebody right in the middle of all this money, look so cheap? It's not a new thing though. Who could forget the British ex-soap star dressed head to toe in Burberry check with matching child and pushchair? Her look must have totalled to a tidy sum - but, god damn, she looked a cheap mess! So why do people with plenty of disposable income repeat these fashion crimes? I think, put plainly, it's an addiction. Addicted to wanting and needing more until its exhausted, ruined and looks quite frankly comical.  Paying through the nose (see ex-soap star here) only to end up looking cheap and trashy is not clever or cool. It shows up a million insecurities of the wearer, and not that you might have a million in the bank.


Trashion Icon 


So in this era of double dip recession and austerity measures, let us remember, people to look more stylish, modern and expensive.... LESS IS most definitely MORE 2012.

Totes Amaze

This week on The Style Eye we are very excited to introduce a new, luxury accessories label who have recently launched in London.
Liliyang is the brainchild and brand of Chinese born, Lily Yang Li and Goldsmiths graduate Lucy Dyer.




The Sianna Tote in the luxurious shade of Crystal Blue



Between them, they have a created a line of high-end, beautifully made handbags where east meets west. This new, asian-fusion label is a mix of smart British design combined with ornate oriental styling. The range comprises of gorgeous totes, clutches and purses in stunning shades and fabulous finishes. Certainly one of the most Style Eye-catching is the Dragon Clutch bag from the brand's Special Edition series. To celebrate the Chinese year of the Dragon, the duo have created this masterpiece from croc print red calf leather and handpainted gold hardware. 

Expect to see Liliyang in prestigious worldwide department stores and chic boutiques very soon, although for now the entire collection can be viewed and purchased exclusively on the official Liliyang website.



Thats so 2012. The Dragon Clutch from the Special Edition range.



The Future's Bright....

..But it certainly is not Orange!
Not with the amount of skin brightening products available on the beauty market this year.
Brightening lotions are the buzz word of 2012.

Paul and Joe Brightening Lotion

 Last year it was all about the BB cream, that is, basically a 5-in-1 beauty balm that aims to protect, prime, moisturise and add a little base colour - all in one tube. I was sold.  Especially for an inward facing day (ie scruffy day working from home sans make-up). And when the school run hour looms BB cream plus sunglasses and a slick of lipstick definately does the trick!  

Brightening creams, serums and lotions are for a different purpose though. Their aim is to clarify the skin and (hopefully) eventually diminish the dark pigementations and blemish scars over time, leaving you clear and fair of face.

But when to fit it all in? 

Already my morning consists of moisturing with a sun factor 50 and the recently launched wonder product, Hourglass no.28 Primer Serum then followed by make-up (for an outward facing day - you get the gist - hair done, heels on, uptown top rankin')

And then I discovered Paul and Joe Brightening Lotion . This acts in place of a toner with added benefits. Those being the brightening aspect plus it can also be used on a cloth as a face mask.

A perfect solution for a perfect complexion.
Visit the Paul and Joe counter in Fenwicks, Bond Street for a skin consulation on the full range of Brightening products.

Here We Go Loubi Lou....

The shoe circus has come to town, courtesy of The Design Museum and Christian Louboutin!

A 20 year retrospective of this modern Shoe-Meister's work is now on display in London until July 9th.
Before becoming one of the world's most respected footwear labels, Louboutin, spent time working behind the scenes at Les Folies Bergere in Paris. This is where Christian found his love for theatrical design, which is still predominant in his collections today. Famous for being the shoes with the red soles, Louboutin isn't just an expert in this chosen field. Louboutin took gardening leave to become a,.. err..gardener, in fact, in the nineties.
A show well worth a visit. A black curtained section of the exhibition space is parted to reveal the Fetish aspects of his work. Open to all, is a space dedicated to Louboutin's sketchbooks, swatches and inspirations. And a must see at the exhibition are the film installations and the Burlesque show on a big screen. Sit back on the plush red seating and watch Dita do her thing, and finally metamorphasise into a giant sparkly shoe! Que Spectacle!



Lets take a moment to return to the classics. Of all the shoes on display these simple Helmut shoes from 2004 in calfskin specchio were my favourites.