Louise Gray’s Sequined and Colourful Topshop Collection

Since its announcement in May, London-based designer Louise Gray’s debut collaboration with Topshop has been one of the most highly anticipated collections of the year. A capsule range of dresses, shirts and trousers, with an accompanying collection of make-up, will be landing in selected stores across the UK and USA on August 23rd. And by the looks of things, it’s a collection for the most daring, bold and colourful fashion personalities out there!

The pieces, almost exclusively adorned in sequins, interpret the “colour and fun” of Gray’s designs, creating a vibrant collection for “the Topshop girl to stay out all night in.” Humorously named eye palettes, lipsticks and eye liners compliment the outlandish and whimsical designs of the clothes.

While it’s all not quite my personal cup of tea, I am totally in awe of the craftmanship, and these photos are so playfully styled they make me want to save all my pennies and splurge on, say, the sequin-covered dress in the last photo above. The art of Gray’s designs is bright and avant garde, further sentiment to London’s reputation at the forefront of creative fashion.

Images from the Telegraph

Wednesday Wishlist – 27/06

This has been a bit of a crazy week. Crazy, but good, for sure. I started a new internship on Monday, at an online fashion publication called Fashion 156, and have spent the last three days frantically covering the SS13 menswear shows (from the comfort of a desk, that is.) However, I managed to find time to do a little Wednesday wishing, and here’s what caught my fancy.

Playsuits are perfect for summer, and this sequined beige one, £50, River Island, is the perfect balance of daytime cool and evening glam.

I’ve been yearning for a grey t-shirt or vest of some kind (no idea why!) and love the casual design of this asymmetric tee, £14, Topshop. Its long back would be great for wearing over leggings and shorts.

This swan and starry sky print dress, £29.50, by Billie and Blossom at Dorothy Perkins is my favourite find of the week. I love the print, and it would be perfect come rain or shine, summer or winter. Definitely one for the payday list.

Another pretty dress that tickled my fancy was this studded bodycon, £27.99, New Look. And lastly, these H&M moccasin shoes, £14.99. Animal friendly imitation suede, these are a timeless design, perfect for festivals and summers in the city.

That’s it from me for now. Enjoy the rest of your Wednesdays!

Wednesday Wishlist – 13/06

I’ve been working hard this week at my new internship at LUX FIX, a website dedicated to providing deskbound fashionistas with a daily dose of luxury. But I always find time to muse over the newly arrived clothes and accessories from my favourite high street stores! Here’s this week’s very dress-dominant wish list:

The elegance of this white belted dress, £65, Warehouse, really appeals to me. It would be perfect for daywear over the coming summer months – I’d team it with simple sandals or wedges and understated accessories.

After spending weeks lusting after this Tara Starlet mix and match outfit, I was delighted to find this similar (and much more affordable) version at Topshop. For just £32, it’s an itch I simply have to scratch!

Warehouse have really nailed the occasion dress this season, and this gorgeous pink chiffon prom dress, £90, is sentiment to that. Just look at the detail on the skirt! Beautiful!

I’m not normally a fan of jumpsuits and have never been known to wear one, but when I spotted this sexy cerise jumpsuit, £45, Miss Selfridge, I knew it would be one for the wish list. Definitely this week’s number one wish.

Finally, a more casual piece to round off the wish list, in the form of this embellished heart print tank top, £22, River Island. Perfect for lazy summer sleepovers and late lunches with friends.

Wednesday Wishlist – 30/05

I spent the best part of today trawling the shops at Westfield – unfortunately, to no avail. A combination of too-hot weather and too many people just made the shopping trip a chore, and I came back empty handed. But there were a few pieces that caught my eye on the rails.

Summer is all about florals for me, and these floral print shorts, £35, Topshop, have a particularly pretty pattern. River Island were also on trend with this mixed print mini-skirt, £30.

Marc B bags have been a favourite of mine for a few years now, and their Lolita bag, £49, Topshop, is the epitome of ladylike style. Also a bag worth a mention is this adorable bow detail bag, £25, Topshop.

Last but not least are these pink patent wedges, £24.99, from the new Kelly Brook collection at New Look. Perfect for summer!

Only two days til the weekend everyone!

Feeling Inspired – Clothes Customization

I’ve always been a pretty creative person. As a teenager, I’d make my own bracelets and necklaces (even earrings, once!) out of beads and string, and every new pair of Converse I bought was subject to my customizing skills. Then, education and work got in the way, and that side of my creative nature took a back seat.

As my interest in fashion deepened, and my creativity blossomed again towards the end of my degree, I started to see the possibilities of clothing customization. Now more than ever, trends are so easy to recreate in a unique style. Not only is it cheaper than the high street, it’s fun and easier than you might think.

Studded, ombre and dyed shorts are top of the fash pack wish list for summer this year, and they’re easy and fun to create with a pair of old jeans and some bits and bobs. Studs – whether square or star-shaped, silver, gold or multi-coloured – are available for a pittance on eBay. Fabric dye is also easy to get hold of at craft shops, art shops and online as well and there are lots of different techniques to be learned, to create an individual effect.

Peter Pan collars have also enjoyed some time in the fashion spotlight this season. And what do you know? They’re a piece of cake to make too! Stock up on beads, jewels and ribbons in craft shops, haberdasheries and online, then get creative. Check out this tutorial to recreate a Louis Vuitton scalloped collar in four easy steps.

Given the costs of items such as these, doing it yourself really is a no-brainer. It’s fun, easy and inexpensive, and the perk you get from creating a one-of-a-kind piece of fashion really is like no other. Give it go!

Top Image courtesy of Ask Jackie B // Stargazer Shorts, £60, Batoko.com // Pearl Collar, £30, Topshop // Beaded Collar, £16.50, Topshop // Iggy Shorts, $168 (£104 ), Runway Dreamz

Friday Five – 50s Trend Essentials

Fashion is always turning to bygone eras for inspiration, and this season has seen a revival of several decades gone by, from the 90s grunge look to the pretty, retro 50s style. For those among us (myself included) who’ve yet to fully venture into vintage clothes buying, there’s no need to worry – the high street has it covered!

A staple of the 50s look is a full, knee- or midi-length skirt. The apricot pink of this belted skirt, £22.99, New Look, adds a modern twist to the trend. High waisted jeans and shin grazing cut-offs (remember ‘peddle pushers’?) are an alternative, if you’re not into skirts.

Bralets are cropping up all over the shops at the moment, in various colours and fabrics. While I wouldn’t normally bare my belly in one of these, when worn with a high waisted skirt, there’s hardly any skin on show. The adorable print of this denim bralet, £25, at Topshop, is too sweet to miss.

And now, for accessories. Hairbands are an absolute must-have if you’re going for an authentic look. The dark colour of this Hawaiian print headband, £2.99, New Look, pairs perfectly with the black jelly peep toes, £40, River Island, bringing the outfit together nicely. Last but not least, a ladylike, classic handbag to finish: the very girly Lady Bag by Aldo for ASOS, £40.

Will you be rocking the retro 50s look sometime soon?

Wednesday Wishlist – 09/05/12

My oh my, isn’t this weather horrible? What better way to cheer myself up than by lusting after the week’s best pics of new arrivals? Having gone a bit of a spree last week to ‘reward’ myself for finishing my studies, my funds have run a little dry…and with rent and bills due I’ve definitely got more important things to spend my money on! But one can dream…

Ignoring today’s yukky turnout, the weather should hopefully be getting a little warmer soon. For me, that means I can finally wear pretty shirts without layering cardigans and jumpers on top. This mint green blouse by Goldie for Topshop, £49, is pick of the pack for me right now. I love the bead embellished collar…definitely a crafty customization idea to think about.

I love hummingbirds, and they offer a pretty alternative to the usual prints of the tropical trend. This Oasis t-shirt dress, £45, is the perfect summer dress, ideal as day wear, and smart enough to wear in the evening too.

Pink is one of my very favourite colours, and the ‘utility’ dress is a fave shape of the season. River Island combine these two loves in this simple but stylish light pink utility dress, £30. Once again, an ideal piece for any occasion.

Scarf print – also known as baroque – is big news this season. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s a little too bright and bold for me, but this sleeveless shirt, £26, from Next, might just tip the scale. It’d be perfect with skinny black jeans and boots.

On my travels yesterday, I came across this jumper, displayed temptingly along the wall of the stairs down to the menswear section in River Island. Short of time and being a little silly about going to the menswear floor alone (I know…) I resisted, but I might just have to indulge. I love, love, love the space print trend this season, and this cozy looking jumper, £30, definitely gets it right.

Enjoy your Wednesdays people!

Wednesday Wishlist – 02/05/12

This week is another mish mash of items that have caught my ever-browsing eye. Despite the less than perfect weather, I can’t stop myself from looking at pretty summer clothes, as if by buying them I might somehow coax the sun out from behind its clouds.

Ombre is definitely a trend that has grown on me this season. As it’s been pretty much all over the high street, it’s been a hard one to ignore. Warehouse always boast beautiful, high quality clothes and this striped silk blouse, £50, is no exception. I love the pink and yellow together, and the batwing arms emphasize the feminine appeal.

I practically live in jeans, so I like to have a fair few pairs to choose from. Topshop is my first port of call when I need/want a new pair, and these acid wash skinny jeans, £38, are a welcome departure from my usual style. Teamed with a bright neon top and some high top trainers, they’d complete any 90s look.

River Island also offer some very lovely clothes, although their basic items are usually a little out of my price range. However, this tribal print crop top, £15, seems a worthy purchase. It’d see me through the summer months and would be a keeper for festival season. Ideal for casual day wear.

Denim’s revival continues with this belted shirt dress, £45, from Oasis. Perfect for summer days spent in the park (be careful of pesky grass stains though!) and just in time for barbeque season. I like.

And today’s piece de resistance is this gorgeous tropical print dipped hem dress, £29.99, from New Look. Being quite short, I’ve always been wary of dresses or skirts that fall very far below mid-thigh, but the pattern and style of this dress has won me over. I can already see myself wearing it for evening strolls along the beach, and summer nights garden parties…

Bring on the shopping!

Holiday Picks – Part Two

I’ve been getting a little bit (over)excited about my upcoming mini-break to Barcelona, and have been busy scouring the Internet to see what my favourite high street stores have to offer. In Part One of my holiday clothes musings, I went for an edgy, bright and bold look, with statement t-shirts and accessories and bright tropical prints. But on the flip side of that is a love for all things feminine and chic. So here’s where Part Two comes in…

White, regretfully, just isn’t my colour. But I love it anyway. And once I’ve built up a bit of a tan, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. These pretty white dresses will be perfect for sight-seeing, al fresco lunches and evening beach walks. I love the crochet detail of this sleeveless shirt dress, £40, and the cut-out design of this jersey prom dress, £55, really steals my heart (hehe?) Both from Topshop.

Shorts are an absolute must-have for any holiday look as they’re comfortable, tan-friendly and go with everything. The tribal print of these high waisted denim shorts, £32, Miss Selfridge, set them apart from the rest.

H&M have some great stuff in at the moment, including this turquoise jacquard-weave top, £19.99, which will jazz up the shorts and add a sexy edge to any day look. The simplicity of this stylish, zip detail bikini set, £17.98 altogether, is also a winner.

I love anything woven at the moment – picnic baskets, straw bags…count me in! This woven satchel, £37, River Island is comfortable and casual, and will feed my addiction nicely!

I’ll be wearing wedges like these floral patterned tie-up ones, £24.99, H&M, for romantic evening dinners. But for exploring the city and hitting the beach, I’ll stick to flats. These very pretty sandals by Grendha for New Look, £39.99, really caught my eye…I might just have to treat myself come pay day.

And finally, eye wear. You can never go far wrong with a classic style, and these light pink shades from Warehouse, £18, are just right.

What will your holiday look be?

Wednesday Wishlist – 18/04

Today’s wishlist is a bit of a mash-up of various pieces I’ve scoured from the high street stores’ online offerings. There’s not much continuity or common ground between these items – I guess that’s a reflection of my current state of mind!

Hailstones aside, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking ahead, and am almost exclusively just shopping for summer clothes now. I love the feather print of this tie-front cropped shirt, £29 by Oh My Love at Topshop. It perfectly channels the 50′s fashion vibes that paraded down the catwalks for the S/S season.

I’ve been on the search for a nice denim shirt for some time now. This light blue denim shirt, £32, Topshop, is one of the best that I’ve seen online. Being a little higher than my normal price range for such an item, I’d hope it was of a staying quality and would see me through a good few seasons.

There’s never a good or bad time to buy a party dress! This Urban Bliss dress, with dip-hem skirt and PU top, £29.99, New Look, incorporates the new season trends and is a perfect mix of classy, sexy and stylish.

I love anything cropped when it comes to summer trousers – jeans, chinos, etc. and these pink cropped trousers, £25, Miso at Republic, are fun and summery and will go with just about any casual outfit.

Lastly, with the thought of summer handbags in mind, this purple and beige contrast bag, £30, Accessorize, caught my eye. It’s just the right size for sunny park days, and is chic enough for evening wear too. I do love a multifunctional bag!

What’s on your wishlists this week?