A woman's right to shoes

Ever since I witnessed Carrie hop over that puddle I have dreamed about those silver Sedaraby Manolos. Never for a minute did I think I'd own a pair let alone have them signed by the man himself but guess what I did tonight? Oh yes. The man himself visited Liberty tonight to open his new show collection and I made sure I was in that queue. Let the drooling commence...

The androgyny debate

I saw this today.

In answer to that question, I really hope not. The fashion industry, and beyond for that matter, is walking a very fine line these days with what it promotes as the 'ideal' body type. Remember the 'No Anorexia' ads? I wouldn't want to see that happening again because androgyny has all of a sudden become flavour of the month:

Isabelle Caro, the face of anorexia, dies at 28

Bring back The Big Six, I say!

- The Big Six minus One -

(Kate Moss was inducted later) 

Sunday listening

Love a good Sunday instrumental.

Caledonia, you're calling me...

Completely inspired by all things Scottish this week - thank you, Rabbie Burns!

 Alexander McQueen once said:

'The reason I’m patriotic about Scotland is because I think it’s been dealt a really hard hand. It’s marketed the world over as...haggis...bagpipes. But no one ever puts anything back into it.'

I, for one, enjoy the haggis and bagpipes Scotland however, coming from someone who wasn't a true Scotsman in the most literal sense of the word, I appreciate the sentiment. Known to fight Scotland's corner (and dressed for the occasion, too!), one of his first collections entitled Highland Rape was an undeniably explicit dig at the English for the part they played in the Highland Clearances. People were shocked in 1995 and when I look back on it now, over 16 years later, I still think it's one of, if not his most controversial shows. Check this out:

I love it. Strangely serene.

A few years later, and by this point a huge household name, he bookended the Scottish story with the more triumphant Widows of Culloden. Thankfully, no scary eyes or ravaged women in this one - how terrified would you have been of the Highland Rape models? Anyway. It is so hard to pick a favourite piece - like choosing a favourite child, I'd say. I'd probably go for this one though:

When I watch the video of when it first came down the runway I'm nothing short of amazed. The movement in it alone is unbelievable - look: Widows of Culloden show. Love the natural colours of the pheasant feathers but I can imagine this in all sorts of crazy colours in my head. I'd love to see it done in simple black duck feathers like The Horn of Plenty dress. Although I'm probably best not to think about how they manage to collect that many bird feathers. So I'll move on.

The best thing about being Scottish? Being able to say I'm Scottish! There are only about 5,222,100 people who can say that, and wha's like us?

Tackling biker chic

Yesterday I was having a bit of a meltdown in the middle of Debenhams. Having learnt my lesson from my trip last month with less than practical pumps and miles of walking resulting in what can only be described as ballerina worthy injuries, I was desperate for a pair of flat boots which I could wear out on the streets of London (as a student, not a streetwalker despite the way that came out.) Unfortunately, for a person of my stature (I'm 5'2" with the curse of the short legs) practical and attractive normally exist in parallel universes. I'm definitely a fan of the comfort concept but surrounded by the likes of these:

can you blame me for feeling a bit disheartened? I'd wear heels every second of every day if I could do so without the threat of completely ruining my body (read this at the risk of contemplating never wearing heels again: Doctors: High heels are bad for you). So, I finally gave in and bought these:

Possibly the most masculine of the lot but a bargain at £33 (orignally £110). Plus I'm in good Choo company - check these out: BIKER STYLE LEATHER BOOTS WITH FUR LINING. Similiar, no? But at a fraction of the cost.

Then there's the problem of what I'm going to wear with them. I want to look less Hell's Angels and more like Victoria's Secret Angel:

- Gisele Bundchen -

I'm thinking lots of jewellery, patterned tights, floaty chiffon and skinnies of all colours to create a softer look.

Oh, and if you see me walking around looking a bit miserable, remind me that I have lots of heels to go home to.

Looking forward to Spring

Today's purchase was a grey knitted raglan tee from Topshop.

In the sale and British-climate perfection, I will be wearing this all the way through spring teamed with a pastel pencil skirt and cat's eyes sunglasses for true 1950's daytime sophistication. Spring is all about easter egg pastels and delicate florals for me so I'm loving the S/S colour pallette and detailed applique designs. If ever the dreaded peach bridesmaid dress was going to have a facelift and make a respectable comeback, now's the time. I especially love these beauties:

- Dolce & Gabbana -

- Louis Vuitton -

- Oscar De La Renta -

(Ok, so that last one's not exactly pastel but look at it! Oscar De La Renta will forever be grandmaster of the ballgown.)

Back to my humble buy, for an edgier look I'd love to try it with neon yellow and chunky tribal jewellery. In my opinion not everyone can pull off yellow the way that model is, above, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Frankly, my dear, I don't know what to call this post

Who knew that not having seen Gone With The Wind before the age of 23-years-old would draw such gasps of horror? But everyone I've mentioned it to over the last few days has been absolutely horrified. I'm fully aware that it's a classic but I just never got round to taking the time to watch it. Now that I have, though, I say do it! Even if it's just to swoon over Clark Gable - I'm sorry, George who? I was so smitten Clooney wouldn't have gotten a look in. Rhett Butler is the original not-so-silver fox.

Apart from the handsome man though I was totally taken by the costumes in it. Of course, you're probably not going to catch me walking down the street in this tidy ensemble:

But you've got to admire Scarlett for her loyalty to fashion if not for her utter thriftiness - this is the famous velvet 'curtain' dress she had made in the midst of the American civil war when fashion was very much an unneccessary luxury. Ok, so maybe I wouldn't wear the curtain creation but I LOVE this similar Dior Couture A/W 2004-5 piece:

Doubt I'd be able to make that out of a pair of curtains, mind you.

It got me thinking though, about how much of today's styles are indebted to fashions of bygone eras. I recently bought the book Vintage Fashion (foreword by Zandra Rhodes - you can find it here: Vintage Fashion) which tracks the evolution of fashion throughout the 20th century - every new shape and lifted hemline is covered and backed up by some amazing fashion photography. My favourite is this vintage Tom Brigance outfit:

Look familiar? Yes, we're still coveting fashions long after their first debut - this is the perfect vintage Americana outfit seen in so many S/S 2012 shows. It makes me wonder what legacy 2012 will be leaving for the future.

For a look at some of the silver screen's other famous costumes check out Vogue's article on the new V&A exhibit coming in October - Hollywood Costumes

Don't you just hate technology?

After a lengthy attempt to book rail tickets for my trip to London followed by trying to get this blog to function correctly, this is my current mood. I am seriously considering letting Jackson, our miniature Schnauzer, do this to my mum's iPad.

Hopefully I'll have better luck tomorrow. In other news, I have managed to create a mobile friendly version thanks to the help of my good friend over at Fashiondarlin. If I knew how to tag her in this I totally would.

Golden Globes 2012: a good place to start

Well, what greater start to the new year and to my blog than a selection of one of the finest displays of fashion the celebrity world has to offer. We'll just ignore the men for now because, let's be honest, we're all looking at the dresses, and honestly I'm not your woman for men's attire. I want glamour, I want surprises and I want them now! Before I begin though, can I just say thank goodness for fishtails. I loved that so many stars opted for that silhouette and, apart from Kelly Osbourne's grey-haired disaster, I thought they were all stunning.

So, without further ado here are my best and worst dressed lists.

Best Dressed

I think the dress that will be remembered from the night will definitely be Charlize Theron's amazing Dior creation. She pulled out all the stops on this one so she definitely deserves all the attention she's getting. Maybe she is getting a bit old for decolletage and leg but it's the statement dress of the night for sure.

And, the other star who was nothing short of glowing in her elegant Gucci number was Jessica Alba. She was rocking the pale and interesting look covered by Vogue's 'Collections' supplement this month. Love the embellishments, love her simple jewels and especially love the fact that she doesn't look like she's just been chilling in a morgue drawer for months. Aren't the Golden Globes held in LA? Why all the pale skin?

Worst dressed

Two sins for the price of one photo. Tie dye is very rarely a good look, especially on the red carpet and masses of parachute material ruched into a bustle doesn't bode well as a fashion hit either. It seems that misery does love company.