From Me To You

I'm literally giddy with excitement over Gretchen Jones' jewellery and nail art, the combination of the two is AMAZE! I simply had to share it. Another beautiful image from Jamie of From Me To You, check out her blog if you haven't already.

Bring McQueen Home!

Melanie Rickey of Grazia Magazine and 'fashion editor at large' blogger has put together a petition to bring the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Exhibition back to London, to McQueens roots. I think this is a fab idea and had already blogged about how gutted I was to be missing out and how it should go to the V&A Museum. Luckily I wasn't the only one and Melanie Rickey has got the ball rolling. Due to its record breaking success it would seem a shame not for it to be seen elsewhere, particularly in London where the man started. So I'm doing my bit, here's the link for you to sign the petition to Bring McQueen Exhibition Home! Fingers crossed people, only time will tell.

Find out more here.

My Style - Frayed Shorts

My favourite Topshop shorts. Frayed scruffy boyfriend shorts - a go to for me this time of year. Guess watch and thrifted sheer blouse. These images have clearly been in the back of my mind;

images courtesy of elin kling, unknown, sartorialist, unknown, unknown, alexander wang @ style.com

Sophie Bille Brahe

New jewellery designer alert; Sophie Bille Brahe. A relative newcomer on the scene but someone I'm sure will be around for years to come. I'm in love with her new collection Le Fenétre particularly the earrings, knuckle duster and stacking rings. Her miniature cityscapes are divine! A Royal College of Arts graduate who's fine jewellery is sure to be a hit and snapped up by buyers the world over after her preview in Copenhagen part of fashion week this week.

I just love these earrings, Petit Croissant Lune in 18 carat gold. Check out her website here.

Kate and Lila

 Had to post this image of Kate Moss and daughter Lila Grace. See more photo's from Kate Moss's wedding here. Titled 'Kiss Me, Kate' images by Mario Testino of the fashion wedding of the year. Never has there been a more fashion-star studded guest list or wedding photographer!

Romantic Schizophrenic

This soundtrack, location, glamour and elegance of the Met Costume Institute Gala has me all excited for a summer party. I love the location but more so the video had me excited by the glimpses of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition. It is still on but not for long - it finishes August 7th, so go and take a look at what the stars got to preview at the Met Museum. I so wish I lived in NY to visit what looks like a fantastic exhibition! I hope it tours and comes to the V&A at some point? I live and hope. Whilst I may not be able to visit I can indulge...

Andrew Bolton the curator of 'Savage Beauty' shares his insight and expert view on the exhibition and the self titled 'romantic schizophrenic'. Get a room-by-room sneak peak into the 'romantic' world of McQueen with this video. McQueen was a true genius and someone who never failed to inspire me. This only makes me want to see it more, like I said, I can live and hope. For now this will suffice.

Follow the link for more information.

Project Wedding Outfit

I'm due to go to a wedding this summer, and typically have "nothing to wear," yet my wardrobe is bursting at the seams.

This weeks Grazia Look of the Week feature's Olivia Palermo in a simple Topshop midi dress perfect for the conservative occasion of a church wedding but still pretty, elegant and on trend plus versatile enough to wear on plenty of other occasions. Sadly Topshop has run out of my size so I'm contemplating making it.

Its essentially a waisted shift dress with gathered a-line skirt and chiffon top layer - relatively simple right? Maybe I'll make it in a red, I've been seeing a lot of dresses that I want in red too - I'm thinking Halston Heritage orange reds?... However mustard, yellow shades are going to be big come next season. Oh what's a girl to do? 

Sheer Brilliance

If like me your a little bit shy/self concious and always struggle to feel comfortable for an evening occasion when the legs have to come out! I spotted this pic in a magazine a while back now and thought I was a genius way to get your legs out without feeling totally bare.

I've blogged about sheers before, but this little skirt would be easy to make up as a little DIY project to keep for any occasion, to add layers and interest to an outfit. I'm not sure who this was by but Givenchy did something very similar. Also its a way of adding length and conservatism to a dangerously short number! Sheer brilliance what a bit of fabric can do.

Lagerfeld Cuffs

Flicking through the latest Vogue I came across the latest ad campaign from Kurt Geiger.

I love the styling, simple and chic with a POP of red. Anja wears it so well doesn't she? One of the details struck me though, and it was those Lagerfeld cuffs. Synonymous with Mr Karl Lagerfeld himself and a styling tip always mimicked within his shows for Chanel - Coco Chanel herself did love the tomboy style. Here are Caroline Sieber and Poppy Delevigne sporting the archetypal look.

Its all in the details, and whilst it could look very masculine those cropped jacket sleeves with blouson extended cuffs underneath soften the look. Mix it up with texture like lace, leather, velvet and lurex. Whilst I mostly live in black and white I'll happily reinterpret this look with the pop of red... maybe a lick of nail polish, lip stain or ballerina's.

Mac Russian Red lipstick.

 Chanel Dragon red nails.

Ballerina flats from Office.

Net-a-Porter Live

I found this truly amazing! See the power that is Net-A-Porter.

At Net-a-porter live you get a glimpse of a selection of potential orders placed, what's been added to consumers shopping bags and online users (always eleven thousand plus), proving that they are real hard hitters in designer e-commerce and a force to be reckoned with. This was something I'd read about in British Vogue a while back - a screen like this can be seen by members of staff at net-a-porter hq. Natalie Massenet must grin with glee to see how her business has developed since she launched it over a decade ago. What a wonderful achievement and inspiration.

Fashion Enigma

Daphne Guinness: Undressed on Nowness.com.

So I've been trying to catch up since my Venice vacay and I really recommend watching this mini film found on Nowness.com. Daphne Guinness; Undressed. Haunting eerie beauty is my favourite kind, and this has it by the bucket load, from the jerky filming by director Brennan Stasiewicz, the classical score, the pause and of course the clothes by McQueen and from some of Isabella Blow's personal collection. The eccentric is captured at work and getting ready at Barney's in a window display/performance art of a kind. Big love from me to you Nowness!

Venice Bienalle

Reflection in 'Tulips' by Jeff Koons

Back from holidaying in Venice for the week and wow what an experience - absolutely a place you must see! Whilst we were there taking in the scene's, getting lost, drinking Bellini's and riding the vaporetti we visited many a palazzo part of the Venice Bienalle. Plenty of the exhibitions were free and open to public and with the abundance of art in such a beautiful city it was the perfect way to spend the day - Fondazione Prada was my favourite.

If you are planning to visit Venice I recommend taking a trip out to the other islands, of Murano and Burano. FYI - I wander whether the colour blocking trend was inspired by a trip here? Burano is the crayola box of the Venetian islands.

I will be uploading photo's shortly - when blogger lets me!

Pleated Perfection

 

Its a summery day today and this looks just perfect! I'm selling a great pleated skirt at the moment but would love one in this colour. Any ideas where people?

www.garypeppervintage.blogspot.com

The Same But Different

I have always loved this image from The Sartorialist (I think) - are you like me and keep stock on your computer of every image you find inspirational for whatever reason? Well my computer hates me for it, and runs very slow because of that very fact! But I do and this is an image I love, colour blocking is obviously a huge trend for spring summer, but here's colour blocking autumnal stlyie. I was reminded of it today when I was busy listing stuff to sell on ebay and by chance happened to be wearing something - the same but different. I am selling this Indian leather envelope clutch bag another huge trend! I hope it sells well as I love it and am not really sure if I want to part with it. 

Check it out here. It used to be my mothers, we had a huge clear out the other week and I think is safe to say my mum was a crazy bag lady but hey aren't we all at some point? We discovered a ridiculous amount of bags, most of which I am now selling but I have kept a few goodies I will post on here later. Please check out my ebay shop for some genuine vintage evening bags!

I'm Back

 So I'm back after a month away on work placement. Oh how I've learnt, and oh how I'm now...skint. Trying desperately to catch up on all things I've missed in the blogosphere. Whilst down in London and the surrounding areas I just couldn't find anything, clothes-wise I really liked, perhaps I was missing my daily inspiration but today I found it! I am obsessed with this photo, that coat - I LOVE it, no... I NEED it, beautiful hot pink - on trend cocoon shaped coat by Zimmermann and exactly how I'd wear it clean and simple. Worn here by Ruby of Oyster Magazine. Yes its a coat and its approaching summer but this is England!

Back Soon

...Away on work placement. Will be back soon!!!

How To Wear It

 

The midi skirt - in relation to the skirt available here, net-a-porter and friends share their tips on how to wear the midi length skirt. And I concur- heels all the way.

Get The Look

Saw this image over on Elin Kling's website...

A Whyred jumper - lovely I'm sure but slightly above my price range. It reminded me of a jumper I tried on yesterday.

A similar budget version from New Look in yellow but I thought I'd prefer it in a more wardrobe friendly colour and to my surprise they are selling it in navy blue. Its super soft, a great relaxed fit, boxy shape and  its that brilliant fisherman's rib knit. And for only £24.99!!! I might channel my inner Alexa Chung as she loves a navy blue jumper, she recently told Net-a-Porter she can't actually admit to how many she owns. Well this may be my first.

Bold Braids

Loving today's Who What Wear daily beauty board feature particularly Diane Kruger's hair. I love braided hair for that boho-ethereal look - however I look about 5 when I try it. WWW also link to the Charles Worthing website which is definitely worth a look. It has great styling tips and step-by-step techniques to get a variety of catwalk and red carpet hair styles.

The Skirt Of Spring

The skirt of Spring 2011- as coined by Grazia Magazine this week. Referring to the 'Carrie' skirt (below) from cult label Whistles, the knee length pleated number in hot summer colours is a high street smash. In case you don't know about the label Whistles, its from the great British high street - a 'go to' label for fashion industry insiders and turned around by the great Jane Shepherdson who's also worked over at Topshop. 

Pleats were all over the Spring Summer catwalks and with the warmer weather on the horizon they're hitting the high street and the pavement, photographed everywhere by street style photographers and bloggers and  available on almost any budget.

The Carrie skirt has become the sell out piece of the season over at Whistles available in pink, yellow and blue in knee and midi length's. Due to demand and tweeting explosions over at Grazia the stock has run out. I picked up this little beauty (above) which I'm selling over on ebay. A vintage midi length accordion pleated skirt in turquoise green available here - I would wear it with a nod to the Michael Kors version and the Jil Sander colour blocking trend. Here's some inspiration for 'the' summer skirt;

Images from Whistles, Polyvore, Jil Sander, Anon and Michael Kors.

Great Read

My usual browse of the internet resulted in this;

Rediscovered Marta's blog - I read it along while ago and loved this Parisian girls style but lost her website but I am glad to say I have found her again, check her out here;

Life of Boheme

Such inspiring images makes me want to travel and do very Parisian things.

l'elegance du herrison

Wanting to travel lead me to the National Geographic and where to travel for 2011 - hmm where to go? Always such influential photography.

National Geographic

I'm noticing a bit of a theme this week, think I'm craving past traditions - our annual trip to France. We used to go every year, but I have not been for about 6 years now so think a trip to France may be on the cards.

Think I may have got myself some work experience sorted out, in fashion buying! Exciting times and much needed.

And fyi - take a look at my ebay shop and stay tuned in I've got some great bags to sell. Raided my mum's cupboards the other day - and I think its safe to say she was a bit of an oniomaniac at some point, haha, but boy there's some good stuff and all vintage! So if you fancy something one of a kind and rare have a look. Hope you've had a good weekend!

Shu Pei Qin

Absolutely loving this girl - not only is she a great model she's also got great 'model-off-duty' style. Such a natural beauty.

H&M Love

New in from H&M my navy chiffon shirt dress. I'm in love with this shirt, very Acne in style - the details really inspire me and have forced me to put my designing hat on. I'll keep you posted with my developments.

The Same But Different

Lucy In Disguise - FrostFrench. Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen bare a striking resemblance to Sadie Frost and Jemima French. FYI - Watch Lily and Sarah try and make it with there new business venture on Channel 4 tonight at 10pm. In Lily's own words she's 'deluded' - lets hope they are more of a success in fashion than their look-a-like counterparts' well documented business struggles, but I think its safe to say so far not so good. However I'm very interested to see how this turns out especially as Mary Portas has decided to be their consultant. The retail guru, is on hand - but for how long? Not sure she was too keen on the new business women's 'nice idea'. I'm hoping the title 'Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags' means just that and is not also a metaphor. I can't wait to tune in to find out.