Style Spotlight - Johannes Huebel

Another guy edition of Style Spotlight. I have posted before about my love of classic dressing for men, which is so easy to do in my opinion, but it does mean that the individual man needs his own sense and understanding of fashion. This is something your girlfriend/wife can't teach you but will be innate in the man in question. To me Johannes Huebel has just this quality. His sense of style is so classic, elegant and immaculate. He is boyfriend of Olivia Palermo, which makes for one painfully attractive couple. He incorporates statement jackets/blazers with stylish shoes and classic tailoring, balancing tradition and modernity. Shirts, pocket handkerchiefs, and sweaters casually draped over the shoulder make for a manly way of dressing without being too obviously masculine. A ++

Current Crushes

I got a few pieces from Zara last week, could not believe that I found the perfect t-strap heels that I have been waiting to add to my wardrobe. I love neutral coloured heels as they just go with everything, and this peachy, rose-tea coloured pair are so feminine and delicate.



 I also got this adorable tee, my own little piece of the Dolce/Vuitton inspired, pastel coloured palette. I am obsessed with this pistachio-esque shade, it is so light and will be perfect once the weather warms up - which I hope it will soon, as I'm so over grey clouds!

 Now I know this is an awful picture, but I wanted to show these amazing silky pyjama trousers. This is one summer trends piece I really wanted to try, and I love how classic these stripy trousers are, so excited to wear them! They fall really beautifully and create an elegant silhouette with some serious high heels.

This weekend my Dad took the fam down to London for one of our little traditions - afternoon tea at The Gerogian in Harrods. My favourite blend changes every time I go there as they always have some amazing new teas, and their delicate sandwiches, cakes and pastries are delicious. The best thing has got to be the scones though, perfect with their rose petal jam. <3

Elle Magazine UK / River Island Summer Trends Event

So tonight,  Rosa from Elle magazine UK was at River Island in the Bullring, Birmingham to host an event. There was a mini catwalk show, where Rosa presented four key trends for this summer, on models wearing clothes and accessories all from River Island. Rosa is the Fashion Assistant at Elle and was kind enough to give me a few minutes after the show to talk summer fashion. So I've put up pics from each of the trends she presented, as well as snippets from our conversation below. There was a mini bar set up in store, alongwith free manicures, and it was great way to spend the evening shopping, after, quite frankly a busy week with essay deadlines and endless Victorian novels to finish for uni. Fashion makes it all better.

So the above trend, was the Miami-inspired, print trend that Rosa said was all about clashing tones and turning brash into beautiful with bright colours and carefully selected accessories. In the first picture, upon the stage is Rosa, the editor, btw guys! :) And, model number two in the jeans I blogged about last week which I bought - also being worn by Rosa herself, lol.

This trend is the classic, nautical trend taking on a more English twist, as described by Rosa. Chic staples of blue and white are punched up with powerful, yet timeless, red accessories. I personally love the red wedges!!

This trend was also quite Americana inspired, with references made to Mexican and Navajo prints, and utilitarian denim staples, updated with accessories that have a slightly boho feel, but not in a 'Sienna Miller wearing a skirt as a dress' way from a few years ago. More like Pocahontas meets rockabilly, feminine yet cool and relaxed.



Okay, this trend was my personal favourite - the utterly girly colours from Vuitton s/s 2012, as well as the sorbet shades from Phillip Lim and Dolce re-interpreted for the high street. The pistachio, almond, lemon and mint shades that you can wear from this trend are so delicate and look amazing even when paired together. Dresses are an obvious way to showcase the trend, but as styled by Elle, a cute top with a Peter Pan collar and tailored shorts are equally stunning.

So, a little bit more about Rosa. She was, as I said, kind enough to share a few thoughts after the show, here's what we got talking about...

Me: I wanted to ask what you are most excited about this Spring. [...] We just saw a kind-of Elle point of view of River Island clothing, but what do you personally feel excited about?

Rosa: It's really hard [...] because as you can imagine my job, I've looked at these trend for 6 months, and I've just seen the new collections for for Autumn/Winter, so I have to think what I'm still excited about! I really, really like this futuristic trend that's happening. I really like plastics and all the metallics around, and I really like sportwear as well. We haven't seen much of that here but [...] that really is my taste. [...] I like brands like Balenciaga, Alexander Wang...

Me: So kind of downtown, New York cool...

Rosa: [yeah] and I think Acne did an incredible show, for Spring Summer, that [really] encapsulates how to wear all of [the futuristic pieces] and downtown urban wear. I do like the whole bright colour thing that's happening, it has been happening and is still happening in the new collections. It's incredible [because] for as long as I can remember, most normal, real girls almost always...gravitate towards a monochrome palette. [...] I've been speaking to lots of buyers for big stores in London, and they've been saying that what is selling for them at the moment is the bright coloured pieces. I think that's exciting [...] It's just a kind of bravery, which I think's really refreshing. It does feel very much of-the-moment, it just feels really suitable so I like that. And I love the way you can see models from all different ethnic backgrounds, lietrally at the Spring/Summer shows - so many Chinese models, so many black models. So I think that's really cool.

As you can probably tell, the models looked great, the styling was amazing, and Rosa herself was lovely to talk to. It's great to talk fashion with someone who is, not only in the industry as a professional fashion journalist, but another huge fashion enthusiast, like me and probably you too if you're reading this blog post right now, lol!

I did make a video compilation of clips from the show too. I uploaded it on my Vimeo account - here's the link:

http://vimeo.com/38533296

So have a good end to the week people. Until next time!

X





Style Spotlight - Khloe Kardashian

 I am a huge Kardashian fan. Their show is so funny and entertaining, and forget everything else, they are a really close family and to me that is so admirable and sweet. Plus, the three main sisters have impeccable style - but I'm gonna start with Khloe's. She has a really great shoe collection, as you can see from the cray cray Louboutins she's working whilst walking in LA above. A basic sweater and leggings allow the shoes and the statement Balenciaga bag to add real impact.

 A cute summer look, giving some great ideas for when the weather gets warmer.

 Again working the drapy tops with leggings and bold accessories.

 This dress is so elegant and fits her perfectly. The print is daring and quite sinister but still has an electric femininity to it. So beautiful.

 Burberry trench and boots - LOVE. Especially wth her height.

 How to look cute at the airport 101

Love the 70's flared jeans paired with a cute motorcycle jacket and neutral heels.

Doesn't a Birkin just always work? ALWAYS.

 Blackberries, sky high heels and micro minnies - Kardashian staples. Work it girls.

Don't forget coiffed hair - I've seen so many celebrities stepping out with unkempt hair of late, and I love that Khloe's is always glossy. Little touches like styled hair and manicured nails make such a big difference, they are like the icing of the otufit and really help you to look polished.

Kany West - Moodboard

So I got a lot more views for my Style Spotlight for Kanye West, and thought I would be a little bit more creative, and give a few more images of this hip hop style ambassador, but put into a collage/moodboard. Sometimes when you put images into these formats they make it easier somehow to draw inspiration from them. So enjoy, and hope you find some inspiration in Kanye's bold looks.

X

Current Crushes

I officially began shopping for Spring this week, as I finally got time to actually chill and walk around the mall in search of inspiring new items! I fell in love with this , relaxed blazer from River Island. It will add such a punch to any outfit, and the colour is flattering on any skin tone, to add that burst of summery cheer.

 This gorgeous fragrance is the perfect scent to help you step lightly into Spring...so dreamy and light.

This is another River Island buy which I had to buy! I love the crazy print but the fact that it's a wearable item, a skinny jean. Will for sure be wearing these a lot come Summer.

 And of course... Spring fashion publications..the covers alone are enough to get you all girly and giddy. This is for sure the girliest season we've seen in a while, and I'm all for it. Embracing femininity is what I feel makes women look their most beautiful.