Photography by Liz Wolfe

Weird and cute - two of my favourite things.

Hand Punctured by Candy Stick 

Bunnies in Blood

Baby Octopi and Green Flowers

Doll Wearing Squid

Yellow Shoes and Sardines

You can check out the rest of her work HERE

Trend Report: Lace is More

Fashion Journalism LCF, April '10 - Brief 3

Christian Lacroix, Autumn/Winter 2009

Dating all the way back to the fifteenth century, lace has always had an impact on fashion and of course our wardrobes. Whether it was the lace collars of the Victorian era or the lacy biking shorts popular during the '80s; lace is a trend that manages to recycle and reform itself no matter what decade it is. 

All you have to do is take one look at Eva Herzigova at the Cannes Film Festival to see why lace continues to fly the flag for timeless elegance. The great thing about lace is that it can be worn in so many different ways. Maybe you'll choose to go full on glam like Eva, or maybe you'll choose to channel the darker undertones prevailing from the latest trend for all things a little bit Goth.

Popular with designers season after season, our favourite luxe fabric never fails. Repeatedly finding its way back onto the runways, designers have applied laced-pieces not only to dresses, but to handbags, shoes and hair accessories. Lace patches sewn to jeans were seen at the Spring/Summer 2010 D&G show, whilst Valentino attached whimsical lace wings to sky-scrapingly tall stilettos alongside achingly seductive lace masks.

Christian Dior Couture, Spring/Summer 2010

On a lighter note so to speak, white lace can have the complete opposite effect to that of black. Innocent and slightly theatrical at the same time, fairy tale white was seen all over Dior's summer runway. This enchanting look was one also favoured by the late Alexander McQueen, whose fairy tale-inspired pieces incorporated the elegance of lace with a slight Marie Antoinette feel to his Autumn/Winter show back in 2008.

There are endless ways to work this patterned textile into your wardrobe. Whether you go dark romantic Morticia Addams style or choose to embrace the '80s vibe of Madonna circa Desperately Seeking Susan, you're guaranteed to add just the right amount of sultry appeal with a look that has been reinventing itself for centuries.

A Walk in the Park: Kew Gardens

Oh Boy

Back in the 1970s Stephane Raynor and his iconic label Boy London provided punks and new romantics alike with exactly what they wanted. Now he’s back on the scene delivering a look that features clean design with bold logos made to be worn with attitude.

Urban Outfitters have teamed up with Boy London to bring you this original range of cult t-shirts, tanks and accessories. With fans such as Chloe Sevigny and Jameelia Jamil, these simple but impressive designs are already in high demand. 

Shop the Boy London collection online at Urban Outfitters Europe

Twit-Twoo

PJ By Peter Jensen

Urban Outfitters have joined forces with their favourite Danish designer to create this exclusive PJ By Peter Jensen collection. Drawing inspiration from past collections, the line features all the playful animal motifs and classic bright knits that we’ve come to know and love. From the trademark Jensen rabbit to familiar polar bears and foxes, the new capsule collection is packed full of colour and fun with gingham print blouses and skirts that remain true to Jensen’s whimsical style.

Shop the PJ By Peter Jensen collection online at Urban Outfitters Europe

Missoni Love

Catwalk Report: Luella RIP

Fashion Journalism LCF, April '10 - Brief 2

Over the past ten years Luella Bartley has built up her label claiming that growing up outside of London has contributed greatly to her success. Describing her designs as "the type of clothes you can get drunk and fall over in", it's easy to see why she has such a dedicated following of young British singers, actresses and party girls all keen to get their hands on her prim yet edgy offerings.

Unveiling her autumn collection to the eagerly awaiting crowd where the front row never fails to impress, we’re pleased to say that Bartley manages to deliver yet again. With "cute utilitarianism" at the heart of the collection, just what will we be running around in next autumn according to Luella?

Prom dresses in gold brocade designs appeared next to sophisticated tweed tailoring, a contrast Bartley continues to deliver show after show – just take one look at the pastel dresses dotted throughout the much darker Pagan-themed Autumn/Winter show last year.

There was a slight school girl vibe to some of the outfits with navy and black pinafores featuring gold zip detailing teamed with military style hats; a look that certainly stood out in the show. This back to school feel was echoed through childlike plaits and pigtails draped over the model's shoulders. However, this wasn't a running theme throughout as backcombed quiffs and vibrant headpieces were also sported, demonstrating how Bartley likes each look to be its own.

Other memorable looks included classic checked pencil skirts with delicately embroidered cardigans for the more preppy amongst us, whilst crystal bed-checked gold stockings added a punk-esque touch to the primmest of outfits.

Strutting her stuff down the runway was the youngest of the Geldof sisters - Pixie, adding to the already apparent connection between the label and young modern socialites. Miss Geldof looked classy and elegant with just the right amount of punk appeal as she paraded Bartley's glamorous gold brocade prom creation down the runway.

Not quite as remarkable as the eye-popping candy dresses seen at her previous Spring/Summer '09 show; Bartley’s Autumn/Winter collection still remains true to her ever successful style. With school uniform inspired looks, a splash of military and her signature British punk spark, she's pleased the masses once again.

To Be Adored

Launched in 2009, Binbin McNiven's label tba has gone from strength to strength, offering attire that is both playful, modern and elegant. 

This season, McNiven draws inspiration from the ultra-feminine illustrations of Sara Moon. Mirroring Moon’s female forms and laidback ‘70s style, the collection projects a sense of calm and innocence with barely there hues combined with flowing silk and woven knits alongside tba’s trademark Peter Pan collars.

The Miramash Panel Pattern Dress has my name on it.

You can shop the new collection online at Urban Outfitters Europe

Think Pink

Dip-dye hair is going no where. Never one to cease tampering with my chemically challenged locks, I'll no doubt be tickling myself pink this summer.

If Jeremy Scott says it's ok, then it's ok.

Jeremy Scott, Autumn/Winter 2011

Pen to Paper

Holga Holga: Paris, 2009

A Little Slice of Home

As we all know, Britain is a tea drinking nation, but what about the city of Nottingham? You would be forgiven for not naturally boxing great tea making and the midlands into the same category, but If you have ever had the pleasure of visiting Robin Hood county, then you're sure to have walked the Bohemian streets of Hockley. Between all the vintage shops, quirky jewellery stores and vegan eateries you'll find the much-loved authentic tea room that is Lee Rosy's. If there's one thing that makes me happy it's a well made cup of tea, and of course a slice of cake on the side; Lee rosy's has all this and more. 

I worked across the road from this cosy little hang out for more than two years at Nottingham's first ever vintage store - Wild Clothing. On a cold rainy day in November there was nothing better than running across the road to the friendly faces in Lee Rosy's, sitting my bottom down at a rustic wooden table and wrapping my palms around a warm mug of traditional tea. If you're a little bit more adventurous than me, they of course have a huge variety of other teas available by either the mug, pot or to takeaway. They also sell coffee, but why would you order that when you can taste the best tea in town? The menu also offers wheat-free and vegan friendly options, this alongside their selection of eye-popping, mouth-watering cakes by the slice makes Lee Rosy's the number one stop for all tea time enthusiasts.

Aside from offering the best cup of tea around, the venue puts on great live music and events with artists such as Anni Rosi and Slow Club under their belt. Hosting underground bands to mowtown nights as well as successfully claiming its position as one of the venues at Nottingham's well known Dot-2-Dot festival, the downstairs event room will satisfy all tastes. Not only this, but those clever people at Lee Rosy's also hold regular games nights, exhibitions, even embroidery and knitting classes for the twee at heart. Situated a stones throw away from Broadway cinema and just down the road from The Screen Room - top tip for all art house film buffs; this little treasure in the heart of my home city ticks all the right boxes for me.

Hello Alexa

Feeling Blue

From dalmatian prints at Burberry to a mish-mash of prints and textures at Erdem, LFW overwhelms me once again.

After clicking my way through extensive catwalk reports, image after image, the one thing that catches my eye? Cobalt blue. 

Bold and rich, my favourite shade of blue was seen at Prada and Jaeger for Autumn/Winter '11.

Now, how to get my hands on a pair of these YSL dream makers?

Net-A-Porter, Editor's Photo Diary

Paradise: Indonesia, 2011

Tanah Lot Temple, Bali

Balinese Offering Basket

Traditional Balinese Fire Dance, Ubud

Gili Trawangan

Red wine and sunset

Sunset on Gili Trawangan

Kuta Beach, Bali

How Do I Look?

Fashion Journalism LCF, April '10 - Brief 1


New Years Eve, weddings, birthdays - they all send a little shiver down my spine. Yes, this is partly due to excitement for all the obvious reasons, but that little shiver also stems from a slight twinge of worry. Special occasions mean special attire, and as much as I'm partial to good old knees up as the next person, can I not just celebrate in my hat and pumps?

When I lived with my parents I would never get the obligatory 'you're not going out dressed like that!' Instead my mum would always say to me - 'are you not going to wear heels with that?' or 'I think you should lose the hoody'. Now, I would never class myself as a tomboy, any person who knows me will tell you that my clothes rail reads as an A-Z of floral dresses, but can I really not wear them with my hat and pumps?

I have little flashbacks to days of living with my mother when my friends tell me off for wearing a large slouchy tote bag instead of a sophisticated handbag on a night out - I'm sorry, but they just fit more in. Who wants to fiddle with zips, buckles and little pockets when you have more important things to be doing on said night out such as drinking and smoking?

Tote bags aside, I think the main culprit is my hat. During the winter I have a great excuse for donning all kinds of knitted beauties, but now that the sun is slowly putting his hat back on, I have to quickly take mine off. I attempted to wear my hat during a trip to the park on the hottest day of the year so far, as you can imagine, I got told off.

The person doing the majority of this telling off has just recently announced her engagement. The wedding has been set for next year and she has kindly asked me to be her Maid of Honour; there's that shiver down mine spine again. Would it be silly to ask her where she stands on the hat and pumps?