Thomas Hartley: Watch this Space

One of my gorgeous girl friends has teamed up with a talented Central Saint Martins graduate to launch an exquisite womenswear line. The brand is named Thomas Hartley after the Yorkshire based designer. They jumped at the chance to exhibit their new label at London Fashion Week. I paid them a visit in the New Young Designers area at Somerset House to see the sample pieces in the flesh. Here are some pictures of my favourite pieces from the luxurious autumnal collection.

R.I.P Alexander McQueen

I hope the bloggersphere will forgive me for my tardy post on this recent tragedy which has rocked the fashion world. Conscious not to trivialise this devastating loss and overstate the obvious such as McQueen's genius for innovation I will try to keep this short and sweet. This shocking tragedy has come at a poignant time and only serves to emphasise the tremendous pressure and panic of fashion week. His death seems to drive home the message that to sustain such a level of greatness collection after collection is an immense pressure, and I hope other designers take heed from this. We love him for his creative genius and his amazing contributions to British fashion. He will be remembered as one of the greats; a true British icon. Alexander you will be greatly missed.

HOLY AFRO

The SS10 runway in Paris saw the comeback of the full-on fro at Louis Vuitton, and cartoon candy floss do's at Commes des Garcons. Meanwhile one of my absolute favourite contemporary artists Chris Ofili is currently showing at the Tate Britain. His appearance on The Culture Show the other night reminded me just how much I love his work since as a young girl going to see an exhibition of his at The Serpentine Gallery just before he won the Turner Prize in 1998. If you live in London I urge you to go see his wonderful work at the Tate Britain. His unique blend of current affairs, African heritage, hip hop culture and his use of texture and elephant dung is a sight to behold!

serious shoes

STRUCTURAL STATEMENT SHOES WITH SKY SCRAPER HEELS THAT EXCEED YOUR WILDEST FANTASIES. USING FLOWERS, PEARLS AND CHANDELIER DELIGHTS THIS SPRING'S SHOES ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!!

1. John Galliano

2. Viktor & Rolf

3. Alexander Mcqueen

Nice Day for a White Wedding

1. Chanel Haute Couture 2010

2-4. Photoshoot from Vogue Nippon March 2010

5. Carrie Bradshaw's famous Vivienne Westwood dress in Sex and the City the Movie

I (don't) Blame C0co

Here is a girl whose shabby chic style and grubby beauty I have been obsessing over for quite some time. It is the sort of nonchalance that can only be achieved through her kind of reggae infused rock lineage. She stands as the current poster girl for priveleged anarchist but I think in her lack of having to try she oozes coolness from each strand of unwashed hair. I love her androgynous voice which is spookily similar to that of famous papa Sting. Here is her brilliant video for Caesar by I Blame Coco ft. Robyn. The Diplo remix is also amazing.

sassy 60's style

With my last post about 'A Single Man' it appears from looking at recent film and television productions I am not the only one with mad love for the 60s. I am crazy for 'Mad Men' and the glitzy cosutmes in 'Nine' and cannot wait for 'Hippy Hippy Shake' to come out so that Sienna Miller can bare her boho behind again. Would you rather be go-go dancing to Cinema Italiano in a white mini shift dress or traipsing the King's Road in a floaty maxi with bare feet and beads?