Vivienne Westwood

It seems that recently fighting climate change and couture fashion go hand in hand in the eyes of best british designer Vivienne Westwood. In her recent Ready-to-wear 2013 collection, Westwood strode onto the catwalk sporting a T shirt with the slogan "Climate Revolution" splattered across the bright oversized T-shirt, this fashion statement has been "the talk of the town" during the busiest time on the fashion calendar, this revolutionary designer has been taking risks and making statements since she fist opened her store on Kings Road in 1971 called "Let it Rock". You may think how can a fashion designer promote fighting climate change when it is such a throw away business? Fashion is so disposable. However Westwood has always lived by the ethos that if you don't need it, don't buy it. She uses her designs as a statement as most famous artists do, she sees fashion as art and believes that it is her most powerful tool so uses it to promote her beliefs and start this campaign to stop climate change, which has been a personal interest of hers for a very long time. 

This collection features beautifully bright colours and brings out the baroque trend, appearing like fantastical costume in royal colours and beautiful embellishment, these pieces are definitely fabulously artistic.

Lana for H&M

Okay so anyone that knows me know that I have an unhealthy obsession with Lana Del Rey, so when I heard about her new line at H&M naturally I was so excited! Living in Manchester means that my shopping opportunities have increased significantly, the H&M in Manchester is massive and the Lana collection is the first thing you see when walking in the door, so I couldn't resist:

This is me doing my best Lana impression! The blouse was £14.99 and I also bought a new LBD from the Lana collection that was only £20, so anyone who loves Lana Del Rey needs to check the collection out, its full of classy but girly romantic pieces in pastel colours and warm fluffy jumpers that can look effortlessly glamorous when pieced with costume jewellery. 

Lana performed at the opening event in New York and the advert featuring the song "Blue Velvet" its all over the TV at the moment, this beautiful star seems to have taken over, in fashion and on the radio, she does it all right.  

New Look's New Look

So because I recently got a job at New Look in the Manchester Arndale centre, I got to attend a training session last Sunday. When they told me about it all I knew was that the meeting was called "concept". But it turns out that New Look are spending £25million per year on revamping and changing the look of their stores, I got to see what the new stores will look like and I have to say, as someone who doesn't shop there that often I think I will when they change the store around.
There is already one concept store in Leeds and a few others but the one in Leeds has seen sales increase significantly (can't remember the figures exactly) everything looks more classy, with new stands for the clothes, to put them on display in trends with tables that show the accessories that you can wear with the outfits. I know I always feel like New Look looks cluttered and like it needs some TLC but with these stands, everything is spread out so that the focus is just on the clothes.
They have also spent millions on reevaluating who their customers are, they came up with 4 girls and gave them names,

Zoé- The Individual, a Zoé knows what she is looking for, wants those one off pieces and always keeps up with trends, reads Vogue instead of celeb magazines and doesn't need any assistant with her look. (I am a Zoé)

Holly- Glamorous, Holly is a real girly girl, loves to look sexy and pretty, she is friendly and loves to talk to sales assistance, loves celebrities and follows everything they wear.

Sarah- Casual, Sarah doesn't follow trends and generally just wears jeans and T-shirts, her top priority is comfort and she is always willing to take advice and she is probably looking lost as she hates shopping and sees it as a chore.

Lucy- Smart, always dressed to impress a Lucy needs to look smart, even when dressed down she wears a blazer, she likes simple styles and may be open to advice if there are new suit lines coming in.

These are the girls that they will target with this new concept, they are concentrating a lot more on trends, they put on a fashion show for us featuring some of the latest trends featured at LFW.

They are also changing their logo to something more simple, a little like this- N E W  L O O K, so watch out for the new concept stores and see what you think!

Birthday/ First Freshers Night Out

So it was my birthday on the 17th and also the first night of Manchester Met freshers week, so I went into town and bought a new dress, I have always loved the black t shirt dress that features each season in the Topshop Unique collection, however it is £75 and for an LBD that is a bit much, but the other day I saw pretty much the exact same dress in River Island (obviously not as good quality material) for only £30!

I wore it with a gold necklace from Topshop and my black ankle boots and the lipstick is from Topshop, in Hazard red. 

House of Fraser: Competition

I heard about this competition when reading someone else's blog, for this competition fashion bloggers have to pick from the House of Fraser website, an outfit that features next seasons up and coming trends, so these are the pieces that I have picked out! 
Enjoy

The Phase Eight coat is perfect for next season, it brings out the heritage trend and the oversized trend whilst still looking feminine

The Mary Portas leather tote bag is beautifully made, next season is all about big bags, shoppers that fit everything but the kitchen sink in! This bag definitely fits the bill and black leather is making a comeback massively in accessories.

The Carvela shoe boots are perfect when you're on the go and they go with everything, and shoe boots are all anyone will be wearing next season.

The gold Marc by Marc Jacobs watch brings a designer feel to the outfit and adds a bit of bling (which every girl loves!) it also goes with the French connection necklace that i have picked for this outfit. Because I have chosen the main theme of this outfit as black, the accessories needed to stand out, and I think gold accessories always do that. 

Finally the Mango black shift dress, this panelled dress has a leather trim down the sides and round the collar, this simple detail makes this dress effortlessly stylish and also fits with the black leather trend. 

Thank you for reading my picks, if you want to try this competition here's the link:http://blog.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/blogger-style-challenge-win-200-worth-of-hof-vouchers/

Vogue's Fashion Night Out

The Annual Fashion Festival 

I've just been reading through the new and improved Vogue website at the news from the annual Fashion Night Out, I'm on holiday at the moment and was gutted that I couldn't attend, according to the videos posted on the vogue website it was the biggest so far.

The streets were filled with some of the biggest names in fashion, including Henry Holland, Matthew Williamson and Daisy Lowe. It seems this year that the focus was to bring fashion and music together portraying how well they compliment each other, New Bond Street was closed off as fashion followers took to the streets to watch the likes of Delilah in Topshop and Labrinth for Armani. The swing dancers provided by Hermes had people dancing in the streets, it must of been a site to see! 

According to the Vogue.com website, the opening ceremony featured a Korean themed street party with impressive DJs and stylists that were giving people the opportunity to get their hair done like "manga girls" which sounds fabulous! The whole of central London seemed to be buzzing with excitement and flowing drinks.

The Talk on Coco Chanel given by Francesca Burns (who I love) sounded inspiring, they also gave a surprise fashion show featuring Pixie Geldof and Edie Campbell! 

The food stands attracted most, with Missoni's ice cream van it sounded like a real "fashion festival" according to Portia Freeman. It sure did look like it! I advise you to go to Vogue.com and watch the videos, they will definitely inspire you to go next year if you couldn't attend this year! I know I'm hoping it's going to be even bigger and better!

Cheryl in a sexy lace peplum

Victoria Beckham in tangerine heaven! With Anna Wintour

Alexa Chung in a beautiful LBD by fashion house for the occasion

The stunning Miranda Kerr in Erdem promoting her skin care range of Kora Organics

Daisy Lowe in a Christian Dior skirt at the Mulberry event

Edie Campbell and Pixie Geldof at the Mulberry party 

Lizzie Jagger, Amber and Yasmin Le Bon at Westfield London

The beautiful Alessandra Ambrosia greeting her fans at the New Bond Street Victoria Secret store