You need to add a belt to your new season shopping list. Why? Because they should be worn with everything including your coat this winter. Also an essential to gather the 'oversize' trend for baggy t-shirts, tops and jumpers, the most fashionable belt to buy right now is the Burberry bow belt or a very similar style. Shop a selection of our favourites below.
We are almost in a new season which makes us want a whole new make-up look as well as wardrobe! But of course this can be expensive. So, make-up palettes are great when you want to create a new look on a budget. They're also practical for travel and will help you achieve a more streamlined approach to your make-up application in the morning! The Urban Decay Naked Palette (£36) is still a must-have, but there are plenty of other fantastic sets to look out for from a number of brands including this gorgeous Stila Lovely In London (£12) one. Because we are still Team GB after all!
We were given exclusive access to the Fashion Fringe final three's studios at the London College of Fashion to look behind the scenes and find out about their experience so far. Our first meeting was with finalist Teiha Eilola.
How would you describe your collection?
My inspiration is a Northern Scandinavian forest which translates into clean and natural fabrics. I want to achieve a really versatile collection of clothes - something that works well during the day, but that you can also dress up at night.
I want my clothes to have a classic design. Like a mac for example, a piece you can hand down and when you get older it will still look great. Because clothes that are well made live on, like a really good quality pair of shoes which I like to invest in.
I like to mix sturdy fabrics with organza, using tailored or what could be described as masculine fabrics to create something femnine. When I think about design, I want to create something that is intelligent to look at and unique. For example a lot of my pieces have volume but also a stuctured shape, so they still fit and flatter the figure. A controlled billowy shirt for example. The garmet should look good and feel good too.
How easy do you find the creative process?
I'm always thinking and sketching - dresses often evolve. Sometimes I have too many ideas so I do like to ask my friends who have great fashion tastes what their favourites are!
Where do you find your inspiration?
I love to shop at Spitalfields market, find clothes that are old and worn out and learn something from them. I also love to visit exhibitions at the V&A, I read old Vogues and vintage fashion magazines. I also like fashion blogs because they help make high fashion accessible to everyone, which is how it should be.
How would you describe your fashion fringe experience so far?
The Fashion Fringe experience has been a truly amazing opportunity. I have been working with some great interns who have been extremely helpful. The two weeks at Burberry were really incredible - Christopher Bailey helped me to see the brand as a whole, how it is looking, to look at things from a different angle. I'm really thrilled to be part of this and am enjoying every minute.
Last week we were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the Alice Temperley's latest work. The British designer has teamed up with John Lewis to create an incredible High Street collaboration. The collection is called Somerset which is a nod to the designer's roots and includes pieces in her signature designs. Alice commented, "I wanted it to be very much a collection of essentials and to design a collection that would provide a feminine and functional wardrobe for women in their everyday life. This collection is all encompassing, effortless and draws on our classics. John Lewis is a great partner as it stands for quality and is a trusted staple in everyone's lifestyle. Integrity is paramount and as an independent British brand."
We love the knitwear and the leather jacket both which are perfect for the new season. To keep up with the quintessentially British vibe, Alice recruited top model Lily Donaldson and her sister Aurelia to front the campaign. The 60 piece collection launches on 4th September. To see more images of the collection and a video preview starring Lily, just read more
As much as we hate to admit it, the season is changing and autumn is upon us. We have already been working on our new season wishlist and this definitely includes boots. Fearne Cotton was spotted in a pair of cool black ankle boots with a summer dress which is a great way to introduce new season pieces to your wardrobe. Follow her lead with this zip detail pair (£150) by Carvela. You can shop more ankle boots below.
We're so excited about the Fashion Fringe final which is coming up very soon. It will take place during London Fashion Week next month and it's not too late for you to get involved. We're looking to discover an amazing fashion illustrator to sketch the final designs live from the show on 18th September. The catwalk show is one of the hottest tickets in town with a packed front row including fashion commentator Colin McDowell MBE and Burberry's CCO and Fashion Fringe Chair Christopher Bailey.
If you want to win the chance to sketch at the incredible Fashion Fringe event and to showcase your winning illustration in the official show programme, simply submit a “catwalk fantastic” illustration inspired by an AW12 trend of your choice and email your entry to: euadvertising@shopstyle.com before 2nd September 2012. The winner will be chosen by the fabulous Zarina Liew (who created the illustration below) and Vogue magazine’s One to Watch. Good luck!
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We love former Hills star Witney Port and her designs even though she came under a little controversy in recent weeks after asking fans to help fund her fashion line. But we think she is super talented and her gorgeously girly, printed floral designs make any woman look and feel beautiful. And at the Whitney Eve show last week at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival in Sydney her latest designs were no exception!
Gorgeous dresses and playsuits in pretty floral fabrics and relaxed summer separates made Whitney's collection a must-see. You can shop for Whitney Eve on ShopStyle at Very and we have found some similar style pieces below - the perfect pick for a late summer holiday or even better an Indian summer right here in the UK!
If you're dying for a wardrobe update, but are struggling to find the budget to fund it, then this is the competition for you. Dorothy Perkins are giving you the chance to win £250 to spend on new Autumn/Winter pieces to update your style for the new season. To enter, all you have to do is click here before midnight on 31th August and you will be entered in to our prize draw. Then you can sit back and start dreaming about how you'd spend £250 in store. We have already chosen our favourite new season pieces below. Good luck!
Breakfast at Tiffany's may be one of our favourite movies because of Audrey Hepburn's socialite style, but here at ShopStyle HQ we are loving her flat too. It might be a little empty and quirky touches everywhere (bathtub sofa, anyone?), but we just love the look. Suitcases that act as strorage and side tables, ornate mirrors for touching up your make-up and glasses for that tea-time tipple.
Holly's decor is perfect for maximizing space in a small New York or London flat. We recommend a zebra rug, black telephone and either pretty plates to store your jewellery or a glamourous mug for extra style. We're loving these from Kate Spade (£27.50). With our Hepburn picks you can add little touches of Holly Golightly to your own home. Shop them below!
My Style
Surfer girl in the city - I'm from the coast and love the beach and lifestyle but have lived in central London most of my life. It's a look that I can wear all year round because of my usually unruly blonde hair! I really admire the Victoria's Secret models style, very casual but put together in the day with an equal love of dressing up 'very sexy' at night!
Clothes
Although we have had some gloriously sunny days, my summer wardrobe took quite a practical turn this year! I have literally lived in TopShop high waitsed denim shorts, jeans or long floaty skirts worn with black vests and a pair of Dune leather pumps. When the weather was cooler I also prefered to team everything with Zara black knit jumpers instead of my leather jacket for comfort. My most worn handbag was a Chanel style chain shoulder bag from Mango which always adds a little glamour. Also due to Olympic fever I was inspired to get fit so spent a lot of time in my gym kit and Nike trainers.
Jewellery
I love fine gold jewellery - skinny bangles, coin necklaces and in particualr dangly earrings. My favourite finds for these are Whistles, TopShop and Accessorize.
Beauty
Like my clothes this month, summer was about creating a confident, simple go-to look. On my eyes, Mac Mulch Shadow (£11.50) the perfect earthy brown and lashings of Mac Zoom Lash Mascara. A long wearing foundation from Estee Lauder and Nars Laguna Bronzer (£25) are essentials. My latest beauty discovery is Essie Ballet Slippers (£7.99) a white polish that gives your nails the perfect bleached out beach manicure. I switched up my fragrances between a limited edition Summer H&M one that smells like sun cream and Chloe Love (£39.50), a milky floral that works all year round.
Shopping List
It has been fun wearing flats this summer - but they're not really me so I can't wait to invest in some high heel ankle boots 3 inches minimum! Probably with some on-trend buckle detail. I have a new pair of waxy effect Citizens of Humanity jeans from Selfridges which I know I will wear with everything and of course I'm already keeping an eye out for my perfect winter coat!
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