Make Me Up for 2013

Clothes?  Done ü
Shoes? Done ü
Handbag? Done ü
Accessories? Done ü
Skin Care? Done ü

Make Up?   We must have it, clear looking skin won't be as good without colour.... And what is the trend on make-up for 2013?

Bright Eyes & Matte Wine Lips

Beckham & Burberry

You might think David Beckham is the new face of Burberry - nope!

Like father, like son or maybe more like "like mother, like son".  Romeo Beckham, Victoria and David's second oldest son is the new face of Burberry's Spring Summer collection in 2013.

The 10-year old boy is no doubt a great picture of a traditional Brit kid.  Besides, Burberry is British.  He reminds me of the kid in the old brown sauce advert :)

Burberry feels Romeo represents the age between kids and teenagers who want to look smart and fashionable.

So here he is right in front of your very eyes.....

Photos courtesy of Burberry.

The Royal Maternity

Yes Fashionistas, it's all over the news.. all over the world!  Our Duchess of Cambridge is expecting.

Graphic illustrations of how the Royal Baby will look like are even there.  Will a daughter be called Diana?

Name guessing and many more.

How will the Royal Fashion Icon strut her bump with style?  Can't wait to see a true blue mum to be London Fashionista in her stylish maternity outfits.  Let's also watch out for the colours and accessories that will go with it :)

I speculate a lot of 'maternity styles' that will come our way in the next months  - not just for the expecting but also those who just want the style.

Here are some quick picks online:

Not on the High Street

Carla C.

Eva Alexander

Inhabitots

Photos courtesy of the retailers.

Amazon Premium Fashion Store: The IT Online Store

Get ready Fashionistas.... Internet shopping is becoming more and more exciting.

Amazon launched its Premiere Fashion Store online featuring brands like 7 for all Mankind, G Star, Miss Sixty, Vivienne Westwood, Paul & Joe, Nicole Farhi, French Connection and many more.

Amazon Premium Fashion Store offers these exciting brands at great prices.  No need to log in different websites and check out different carts.  It's all here now. Use safe Amazon Payments with one click of a button and shop at your own convenience - open 24 hours!

Mix and match brands and accessories conveniently and find the latest styles instantly.  Want some bargains?  Visit the outlet page - save £££ on top designer clothing, footwear and accessories!

*Screen shot courtesy of Amazon.co.uk

'Tis The Season To Be Bright & Sparkly

It’s that time of the year again fashionistas.  Time flies so fast and the gloomy streets are filled with dark daunting neutrals to match the grey skies again.

Would it be nice if we see colours?  I mean a lot of colours.  If I can oblige the public on their wardrobes, this is the season to be all bright and sparkly with our colourful coats and shiny metallic accessories.  Match with bright tights and handbags to beat the depressing weather. 

Isn’t it that grey can be matched with bright pinks, royal blues, sunshine yellows and lime greens?  Whether it be your coat, shoes or tights, this is the way to be.  Imagine a mono street with colourfully dressed people on it.  Its like a “photoshopped photoshoot”.. . artistic ... attractive... a smile generating scene.

Here are my personal picks ....

Bright & Colourful Winter

What are the colors to keep you winter warm, bright and sassy?

 A play of dark, neutral and intense shades to fancy the eye and spirit and inspire stylish mash-ups, we say.  Combine seasonal practicality with a dash of boldness by wearing a merry mix of versatile neutrals and perk-up brights.

Traditional grays and blacks are complemented this season by creamy chocolate and deep shades of khaki and olive green. These richer neutrals spice up somber and heighten the comforting nature of the winter palette.

You likewise can do no wrong by wearing jewel tones of emerald and purple. They provide that exquisite, perfectly poised note for the season. On the other side of plush are royal blue and wine red, two colors telegraphing elegance.

For a shot of bright amidst the cold, opt for youthful hues of carnation pink and orange. At Pantone, the color forecast specialist, they come in the vibrant, inviting  shades of Flambe Pink and Tangerine Tango. 

This winter’s signature orange works especially well with the misty neutrals that round out the color story-- rose and peach are the milky pastels of the moment. The contrast of veiled tones and earthy brights capture the delicate enchantment of the season.

Toned down shades of bright colors, notably mustard, are a smart winter choice, warm and calming as they are. 

Black, of course, is the default option for every winter wardrobe but contrasting it with the brights of the season certainly extends its fashion mileage. 

- Joyce Fernandez

*Photos courtesy of Gossip Girl and Jimmy Choo

ECO KNITTY WITTY by Joyce Fernandez

Give it a few more seasons and sustainable fashion will come into its own. The latest outing of Esthetica at London Fashion Week saw eco-fashion longer on design and lesser on the pieties, signaling an exciting and bankable future for ethical fashion and fair trading practices. 

The 15 designers invited by the British Fashion Council to show their sustainable fashion collections at Somerset House not only gave good green but great ideas as well. This is just what eco-minded fashion needs – design-driven excitement, not just conscience.

There was certainly a lot of interest around Jerome Lorico’s collection of knitted sheaths inspired by Inca sacrificial virgins. With intricately folded bodices, robe-like protrusions and trains, the dresses would catch the fancy of any It Girl looking for fabulosity on a night prowl. Or anyone with an eye toward high feminine seduction. 

Lorico, who designs home décor and paints as well, has a constructivist’s sensibility for shape and form. He also has an intuitive feel for sensuality. The combination makes for a fresh, innovative and exhilarating collection by any reckoning - the most frequent comment heard from buyers and press who happened by his space: “Amazing”.

There’s a bit of handcrafting here, with the bodices painstakingly folded by the designer to resemble Inca armour. But the real sustainability element is how he ingeniously combined cotton with pineapple fiber, an organic fiber used for traditional textiles in the designer’s native Philippines. 

Pineapple fiber is normally made into a special, light and airy, handcrafted fabric used for formal wear (especially for the traditional men’s formal shirt, the Barong Tagalog, check any photograph of the Philippines president at work), but has limited commercial fashion use. The production of pina fabric in the Philippines is a treasured cultural heritage and a cottage industry in a clutch of regional communities. However, like most traditional crafts, it is in danger of dying out, if the craft cannot sustain the interest of the next generation of pina weavers.

By combining cotton knit with 30 percent pineapple fiber, Lorico has hit upon the idea of how to make knitwear lighter but more heat-retentive and has found a potentially lucrative commercial application for the pineapple fiber as well.  “It improves the properties of knitwear and at the same time it offers greater income opportunities for pina-weaving communities,” he says. “I truly believe this has global potential.”

Last season, Lorico exhibited men’s knitwear using the same material as part of the global fashion showcase.  

Fashion Night Out is Here

It's that time of the year where fashionistas strut the streets of London ... Vogue's Fashion Night Out happens tomorrow - 6th September all over Oxford Street, Regent Street and Westfield.

What are you waiting for? Retailers from A to Z will be splashing out on offers.

Make a difference... In style.   Vogue Fashion Night Out supports Refuge for Adults and Children - a campaign against domestic violence.

Terapiya's New Look

Terapiya's light and trendy fresh fruity floral body mists has a new look!

The new cylinder aluminum bottles are lightweight and reusable - it keeps the fragrance fresh.

You can take them anywhere and they are unbreakable.

They are available in the the following scents:

Pomegranate & Lavender - sweet scent of pomegranate balanced with the calming aroma of lavender.
Jasmine Tea - Green tea fragrance with a hint of Jasmine
Pink Cherry - floral cherry blossoms with a hint of sweet berries
Ocean Blue Jasmine - fresh ocean sea breeze with a hint of Jasmine
Tropical Flower - sweet tropical fruits with a hint of powdery floral scent

Available at JulyTwenty.com, Terapiya.co.uk and Amazon.co.uk

Get in Shape with Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney opened an Adidas Store in London just in time for the London 2012 Olympics.


Whatever sport you're into, there is a fashion piece for you.  Whether it be running, swimming, hiking, surfing, cycling, or even yoga. You can watch her latest sports collection on Youtube.


Adidas by Stella McCartney is located in Brompton Cross Fulham, London SW3.  Nearest Tube is South Kensington.

Philip Lim Pops In Selfridges

Photo courtesy of Grazia

Philip Lim's 31 hour series is now in the heart of London's Shopping District.. and right inside the recently awarded Best Department Store in the World 2012 - Selfridges!

Cool, Chic and Classic... the 3 C's I can give Philip Lim's Spring Summer Collection.   Colour-blocking styles highlight this season's collection. 

Minimalistas have less than 90 days to come and feel Philip Lim's collection at the Selfridges this summer.  The pop-up store packs up before summer ends.

Bach Therapy: Beauty from Within

South West Seven, a new brand in Beauty offers Organic Oriental Facial with Bach Flower Remedies.

Bach Flower Remedies were developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s.  He believed that dilutions from certain flowers contain healing properties that eliminate conditions such as stress, anxiety and insomnia.

A relaxing Organic Facial combined with Bach Flower Remedies is the perfect solution for those who want beauty inside and out.

South West Seven is currently located at Abella's Hair & Beauty, Lower Ground Floor, 124 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4ET.  www.southwestseven.co.uk

Transgender Beauties Strut the Catwalk in London

Filipino-British Costume Designer Neil Medina showcased his eccentric creative works at the Pacha London last 13th April 2012 featuring Transgender Beauties as his main models.

Whilst the world is still debating on Transgenders taking part in Beauty Pageants, Designer Neil Medina did not have any second thoughts making use of their beauty and grace on the catwalk.

Let's admit many of them are really stunning and really pull it off.  Some of the works featured were gowns made from crisps wrappers, London Olympic inspired gown and a Filipiniana inspired gown.

London Olympic inspired gown

Union Jack Dress

 Neil Medina's Eccentric Costume used in a Beauty Pageant

 A gown made from recycled crisps wrappers.

Dee Chanelle

Filipiniana Dress inspired gown

The models at the end of the show

Neil Medina with some of his guests

Neil Medina

The Future of Fashion

Westfield is currently hosting a Future Fashion event at the Olympic City of Stratford.

See the latest trends in a 3D Catwalk Show and style your own wardrobe in their 103" LCD Touch Screen Cubes.  That's not all.... Masterclasses in fashion and beauty are also available for you at the relaxing style lounge.  Drop by and pick up a refreshing mocktail at the bar and see the latest in hair and make up trends at the pop-up beauty kiosks.  Plus loads and loads of discounts and offers from selected retailers!  Now this is the Future of Fashion!

This is all happening till 9th April 2012! Don't miss it.

Basic Black Picks for Autumn/Winter 2012

London Fashion Week AW 2012 kicked off last week at the Somerset House and here are my black basic picks from selected designers..... You are the judge!

Corrie Nielsen

Fyodor Golan

Caroline Charles

Jasper Conran

Mark Fast

Michael van der Ham

Pilotto

Sophe Hulme

Todd Lynn

Photos courtesy of London Fashion Week

All In One Outfit for the Budgetista!

Imagine .... Friday... much awaited weekend, and at......

9am    Go to work

1pm    Business Lunch

4pm    Presentation at the Office

7pm   Best friend's 30th Birthday Party

You turn up at your BFF's city bash in a stunning outfit matched with a nice handbag and a silly ol' tote bag to carry your spare shoes and spare clothes for the day :(

These days its a bit of a challenge to find a wardrobe that will suit all types of calling in one day (+ within our budget).

I do not have the exact statistics but just so you know dear budgetistas, there's more clothes hanging on the online rail now than ever before, which is why I am here to help you find just a few of them.

Now imagine Friday.....

Wait, don't spoil the surprise.  This is your £20 frock (www.my987wardrobe.com) for your BFFs bash but you are going to be in it when you get in to work. How? Roll the belt and keep it in your handbag for the evening bash.  Instead, wear an "easy to roll" spare belt  from New Look (Stretch Beaded Belt £6.99)

Do you think I am going to let you turn up in your office with "one shoulder"?  Cover up with a decent and classic Blazer from H&M at £24.99.  Perfect cut for this frock because it won't cover the belt.

Shoes:  I checked out this pair from www.discountshoestore.co.uk:  WAS £12.00 Now £7.00!!!!

Make up: LESS IS MORE.  Please do not carry the whole wedding make-up range of Max Factor with you.  Take only the essentials: foundation, eyeliner, eyeshadow and lipstick (preferably two in one that you can smudge on your cheeks for a natural blush look!)

Now keep all these and other essentials in this classic vintage faux croc handbag £25.00 from JulyTwenty.com.  Don't forget the rolled up belt for the evening event.  It will fit, promise!

Now you are ready to go to work, business lunch and presentation.

6pm...top up your make-up and add some gold tone accessory set £25 from JulyTwenty.com.  Change the belt.  Now you're ready to party!

The above items are classic pieces and can be worn again via mix and match.  You can always change the look of the frock with a different styled belt or a patterned blazer.

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Photos courtesy of the respective retailers.  Prices at the time of blogging.