i went to a party with a dapper little racoon

Doing this was sooooooo much fun. Having your face made up so dramatically and the feather lashes!!! WOW!! Is all I can truly say. It was an amazing experience from the start. Meeting Matthew, who very kindly did my makeup (he also does a lot of other work too, the latest being Britain's Next Top Model!). I am so humbled by the experience and learnt a lot. The outfit was inspired to be the opposite of the normal black garb that Illamasqua subscribes to. But nonetheless, the theatre of it was not compromised - I hope. So, dapper Mr. Racoon, was my date to this launch party which took place last night in the heart of Soho. The experience was totally awesome including all the people I met and came across. Amy, who was my chaperone was absolutely amazing and made sure I really had a blast. Thank you Amy!!

And last but not least, the master who wound his magic Illamasqua wand on me - Matthew. Thank you so so much!

All makeup by Illamasqua available at Illamasqua, Beak Street, London.
Makeup by: Matthew Pimm

(Dress from Topshop Unique, Open toe boots from Zara,Cuff from Mango, Rings from various high street finds)

cammina con me

These were taken while rushing from one location to another during London fashion week. It is a reminder how quickly time flies. Little did I suspect that this kind of trend is to hit us for Fall/Winter (very obvious in Paris - the colour beige & tailoring) as I try and brush up on my Italian while rushing in between appointments in the lead up to Milan fashion week.

(Top & earrings from H&M, Jacket & trousers from Amanda Wakeley, Scarf from Zara, Shoes from New Look, thrifted clutch bag)

you had me at.......

Aaaaahh... tell me which part of this collection do you not want? This is total chic non? As I gaze at the looks on perfectly groomed models streaming down the catwalk, it was like a much needed reverie. I want these clothes now! It looked perfectly tailored for the smart, powerful businesswoman. It was clean, polished, and chic—three buzzwords of the season. Naturally, the tone is set as we prepare with baited breath (ok, maybe just me), for the sequel to Wall Street. Yes, the boardroom has never looked so sexy since the 80s. About time! And of course the don himself, Michael Douglas reprising his Oscar-winning role as Gordon Gekko. Greed is GOOD! (Well......that is if you really really really want to own every bit of lusciousness that I've just witnessed during Paris fashion week!!)

deluxe proportions

This season, Fendi's collection has caught my eye. The collection showcases some of the best designs when it comes to fur. The proportions are just right and difficult to choose as they are wearable and practical. Karl Lagerfeld seemed less interested in showcasing the furriers' storied technical fireworks than pulling back to work on swing coats; soft, billowy blouses; mid-calf dirndls; and a slightly countrified, muted palette of gray, navy, beige, and mustard. Even the footwear was a play on the sensible and utilitarian. Not teetering statement platforms but high-heeled booties detailed with ribbed rubber toe caps and top lacing akin to Wellingtons or the muckers that horsey girls wear in the stable yard.

These are my choice of accessories and coats for the AW10 season. The bags, the chic coats and fur coats and the shoes. Molto chiccisimo.

walk this way, talk this way

To wear this collection - you need curves baby! I love it when Miuccia harks back to something that is quintessentially Italian. The full length skirts, bee hives, curvaceous silhouettes....... Prada does this best every time. Remember the 90's when it debuted some of it's best A/W collections? Most of those pieces still very relevant today.

This is a tribute to being womanly. The ample bust was the unavoidable focal point of the silhouette, picked out in balconies of lace ruffles and upstanding pointy-bra formations on raised-waist, wide-skirted dresses and coats. Any girl on the runway who didn't have the natural Bardot-esque equipment was bestowed with it by means of frothy fabric placements, but the eye naturally migrated to the ones who did. The others, young and pretty as they are, marched on in the usual kind of anonymity. In fashion, appreciating the exceptional is always more interesting.

It was nice to see that Prada envisages this being worn by women other than the zombie army of teen models that has roamed her runway recently—and that has influenced others to mimic that uniform aesthetic. Customers, she can be assured, will like that shift—but will it have a bigger ripple effect than that? Miuccia Prada is a fashion-industry influencer. Let's see who scrambles to follow the leader.

sleepwalking through El Paso to Marfa,Texas

Here once again, a collection that has me in awe. The Mulleavy sisters have done it once again. Like Marc Jacobs, the serenity, not darkness, was the abiding impression. Under the dark light during the finale, the models' candlestick heels suddenly glowed as if lit, Nicholas Kirkwood's towering shoes, the heels this time cleverly designed to look like melting wax.

Rodarte's latest trip - a long drive from El Paso to Marfa, Texas, got them thinking they might like to explore their Mexican roots. From there, they became interested in the troubled border town of Ciudad Juárez; the hazy, dreamlike quality of the landscape there; and the maquiladora workers going to the factory in the middle of the night. And that, according to the designers, who certainly know how to romance a pitch, led to this conclusion: They'd build a collection off the idea of sleepwalking.

no to racy, yes to lady

A big leap away from all that is OTT. This season, Mr Jacobs, has yet again pushed the envelope, or shall we say gone against the grain. Personally, I am loving the new hemlines, a breath of fresh air from the cringe-worthy past two seasons where real interpretations on the everyday outfit has made it difficult to manoeuvre your way past pavements and streets without noticing some form of exposed underwear!

The mood now is very much serenity.... and I think we all secretly agree that we crave that sense of normality back. This is is the new seduction. Jacobs, subversive as ever, said after the show. "There's so much striving for newness now that newness feels less new. Cynics might argue that he took the easy way out this season. Let them; Jacobs would probably argue right back. These clothes are money in the bank not because they're "safe," but on account of their built-in resonances for the house's many followers. For all our technological advances, it's the emotional connection that makes the sale these days.

kiss me in colour

When I heard that Lulu was opening a pop up shop off Carnaby Street, I was très excited. The shop is filled with all of Lulu's signature goodies. Like a bag and accessories kind of candy store (love, love the lipstick keyring!!!!). The main attraction is of course the Lip Clutch in every colour imaginable! So, whilst chatting to Gemma, Laura and Zoe who were so so lovely and welcoming, we decided to take a group photo. I call it kissing in colour.

PS: To Gemma, Laura and Zoe, it was a pleasure to get to meet you all. Hope to see you again soon!

mcfancy??!!

I totally refuse to believe that anything Hermès can possibly be bad for you--even if they are deep-fried frites. Meet McFancy, an upmarket temporary McDonald’s location launching during Fashion Weeks around the globe, from New York, London, Milan, and Paris to Sydney and Hong Kong. The Big Macs and sundaes might taste the same, but somehow, a Burberry wrapper is infinitely that much more delicious. Let's hope they keep the price of the menu in tact.

lulu goes pop!