Party feet by Sophie Gittins

I don't know how about you, but I can't wait for spring. Especially as today is such a lovely bright (cold) day in London. I can't wait to start shedding layers of clothing and wear sandals and open toe shoes. Seeing SS 12 shoe collection by Sophie Gittins got me even more excited. I want every style! This pair called Riviera is to die for. In two great colour combos, I dare you not to like at least one of them. You can read more about Sophie here next week.
Have a stylish day.

Neon - the future is bright

I've got some great news for you my stylish readers. The future is bright! At least this spring summer in fashion. Remember me going on about yellow being everywhere on the catwalk during last fashion month? Well that wasn't the only colour that was going to be big. And by big I mean huge! It's neon! This trend keeps coming back ever since Christoper Kane interpreted it marvellously. I've done the hard work for you and found three great dresses in neon pink (what else?). There are in three budgets so there is something for everyone.
Of course one of them, the middle one, is by the man who started it all - Mr. Kane. I love the simplicity of that dress. It's very versatile and can be dressed up or down for many occasions. You can buy it at Matches for £655.
Number one - on the left - is by McQ by Alexander McQueen. I have seen it many websites, but the cheapest option was at Shopbop.com £182. Do shop around as you can save lots of money. Again it is simple but dressier. I love it. And it comes in orange too, if pink isn't your thing.
Last by not least - on the right - is a very dressy, evening option by Stella McCartney. For £1795 you can buy it at MyTheresa. I am also loving the clutch they styled it with, by the same designer. I have featured it on my blog before.
As you can see, with neon dresses, it's best to keep the rest simple. Neutral accessories and maybe a bit of gold jewellery is all you need. So how do you like this trend? Are you going to be sporting it?
Have a stylish day.

Party feet by Michael Lewis

What can I say. I'm a classic kind of girl. And these gorgeous stilettos are a proof that classic is anything but boring. With a contemporary twist and signature sky high heels, I'm dying for these beauties by Michel Lewis. All in my favourite colours, it's hard to pick my favourite, but as a true Miss Pink, I'd say the ones in the middle. Taken out of Michael's SS 12 collection, there's many more to lust after. What do you think?
Have a stylish day.

Funmilayo Deri - the interview

Recently I wrote about Funlayo Deri, a label set up by Funmilayo Csilla Deri (if you missed the post read it again here), and I promised you an interview too. Well here it is! I hope you enjoy it.
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1. You're based in London and Budapest, why those two cities? Where are your collections produced?

Both of these cities are home to me. When establishing my label, it was natural to continue to have a base in both. I’m in London most of the time, but spend time in Budapest overseeing production when collections are being made. In addition to being home, London is a young designer-friendly environment. There is a lot of support and encouragement here for emerging talents.

2. How they both inspire you, what inspires you?

Inspiration for me can come from any and everything – movies, theatres, museums, my emotions, experiences, my background, people, to mention a few. London is one of the world’s fashion capitals. I get so much inspiration from daily life here. There’s just a great creative feel to the city. Budapest is a beautiful city, rich in history. The historic buildings and the art scene inspire me.

3. Your label is very young, what have been the highlights so far?

There have been many highlights, and I keep learning and discovering new things about running a fashion business. Some of the highlights this year were when the collections were launched and the results of months of work were showcased to an audience. The first was the catwalk show at Africa Fashion Week in New York which received good coverage by CNN. The second was the exhibition with Felicities Presents during London Fashion Week.

4. What are the plans for the future/goals/dreams?

My ultimate goal is to build a brand that stands the test of time. I will continue to design womenswear and will incorporate accessories, children and menswear.

5. Who is Funlayo Deri woman?

The Funlayo Deri woman is confident, sophisticated, captivating, with refined taste, a woman with a strong sense of style who is not afraid to stand out from the crowd. She is passionate, cultured, loves life and new experiences.

6. Is there any person/ celebrity you would like to see wearing your designs?

I would like to see my clothes worn by women who love fashion, who have their own style and want to wear stand-out pieces. Their clothes don’t define them, but they use what they wear to make a statement. With regard to celebrities, it’s difficult to pick just one, so Zoe Saldana, Halle Berry, Michelle Obama and Blake Lively among others.

It all sounds very exciting and I wish you best of luck.

Introducing: Danny Tang

Danny Tang was born in Malaysia, where he excelled in Fashion studies and started working with a fashion designer when he was 16. He moved to London in 2004, where he attended London College of Fashion and worked as a succesful freelance designer and stylist. In 2009 he launched his label Danny Tang, initially a line of accessories, that was so popular that it led to designing a full clothing line.
His debut AW 10 collection was shown with the help of Vauxhall Fashion Scout and was a huge success. He now shows internationally at New York, London, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo.
The SS 12 collection was inspired by Danny's travels through Japan. The sculptural designs were influenced by Japanese architecture. Danny Tang's signatures like texture, volume of fabrics and combinations of hard and soft outlines are well visible. All finished with delicate hand beading, the result is quite striking. Here are some pictures of outfits I loved at a press day, but make sure you check out DT's website too.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Flik Hall

Flik Hall is definitely one to watch. After graduating at Central St. Martins and interning at names like House of Holand and Giles, she decided to start her own label in 2009. Her love for digital print is very visible and it's one of the things she's known for. Flik worked closely with octopus for her jewellery line, which she also designs, and it inspired her SS 12 collection. You can expect structured pieces in mostly soft muted colours. It's very romantic but full of contrasts, combining feminine fabrics with leather and neoprene.
When I saw the collection up close, it looked so equisite, I loved every piece. You can see how many pictures I took. The attention to detail is great. Flik's label is still very new, but she has already plans for footwear and much more. So far her work has been featured in Vogue Turkey, Elle US, Grazia, InStyle to name just a few and I think there will be many more in 2012. Stay tuned.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Funlayo Deri

Funmilayo Csilla Deri is Nigerian born, London/Budapest based designer, who launched her label in March 2011. With two collections under her belt, you can already expect big things from her.
Hers are real stand out pieces, without being over the top, more in classy timeless way made in luxurious fabric with great cut. The signatures are great attention to detail and interesting detailing like cut outs.
The Labour of Love collection is full of draped, structured, asymmetric and fitted dresses and separates in silks, lace and leather, they are supposed to make you look and feel great and feel nice on the skin. Think rich colours and textures. Amazing!
Watch out for my interview with Funmilayo coming up soon.
Have a stylish day.

Jasper Garvida SS 12

After winning Project Runway, Jasper Garvida founded his namesake label in August 2008. Since then he's got himself an extensive celebrity following. I was fortunate enough to attend his last two shows at London Fashion Week and they were quite spectacular. And last week I finally got a chance to see his clothes up close at a press day and can tell you, they feel as great as they look.
The SS 12 collection is full of contradictions: light and shade, day and night, hard and soft. The colour palette is kept simple - black and white are the two main colours alongside metallic silver and gold. The silhouettes are strong, but soft fabric keep it very feminine. It is also full of prints and embellishment, yet remains clean and striking without being too much. I love how it's romantic but very modern thanks to all the detailing. Sequins as you have never seen them before. I absolutely adore it and believe that you will too.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Lako Bukia

In the recent weeks I've discovered quite a few amazing new designers and I'll be introducing them over the coming months. If you, like me, are interested in new talent, you're in for a treat.

First of them is Georgia born Lako Bukia. After studying design back home, she continued her studies in Milan and London both at LCF and CSM. Her signature are strong silouetthes, luxurious fabrics and attention to detail.

For SS 12 you can expect lot of chiffon, silk and light wool and for the first time she introduced hand-drawn flower print, which is absolutely striking. The inspiration behind this collection was Asian culture and architecture, you can definitely see the influences and it just looks great.

Lako is based in London and all her clothes are produced in UK. She's highly acclaimed by the international press and I expect to hear a lot more about her. Check her awesome page here.
Have a stylish day.

Jewelled Wednesday - by Maria Francesca Pepe

I first discovered MFP designs in February at London Fashion Week's designer's exhibitions. Her designs really stood out for me, but I lost my notes and never really wrote about her. Thankfully she was again exhibiting this September and finally I got round to writing a proper post she deserves. I'm in love with her SS 12 collection. So interesting and fresh. It really proves Italians are masters of design.
Maria Francesca Pepe is London based Avant-garde label of high end jewellery, set up in 2007 by Italian designer Maria Francesca Pepe. The Central St. Martins graduate's designs became a hit straight away with international press and buyers like Dover Street Market. Today she gets sold all over the world, having done some interesting collaborations with Amanda Wakeley, Emilio De La Morena and Topshop to name a few. She also designed four head-pieces in collaboration with Nicola Formichetti for Lady Gaga. The list of her achievements goes on. Hers are real stand out pieces and I really need some in my life.
In UK you can buy Maria's stuff in aforementioned Dover Street Market or at online places like YoungBritishDesigners.com - great platform for young talent and amazing place to discover new up and coming designers, Topshop.com and many more. Discover more about this great label at MFPepe.com.
Have a stylish day.

Party feet by Alexander McQueen

Earlier this week I already wrote about Alexander McQueen's show in Paris but because I am such a big fan of his work( and now Sarah Burton's) I think they definitely deserve another mention. The SS 12 collection was of course spectacular, but I wanted to obsess a bit more about the shoes. Oh the shoes. Super high and super glamorous. I am a massive wedge addict, but those aren't just any wedges. Interesting shapes and cut-out detailing make them instantly more chic. The petal ones are so pretty I can imagine feeling like a princess wearing them. And what girl wouldn't want to be a princess at least for a day.
They say every woman should have at least one pair of red shoes in her wardrobe to give her outfits that special something. Can you imagine a better pair than McQueen wedges with intricate beading and gold metallic touch? I can't. Season after season they bring collection of must haves and I am really looking forward to spring now for when these hit the stores.
Have a stylish day.