Big Girl, You are Beautiful...

Well, I say 'Big Girl' but since when has size 14/16 been BIG? Highstreet stores stock up to a size 16, the average UK women is a size 16...So I ask myself, Whats the fuss about Mark Fast using 'plus size models'?

Thank God somebody in the fashion industry can see that a women with curves can wear a dress just as well as a size 0 rake - if not better?!

As a curvy girl myself I love that these women have shown that Mika was right, Big girls - you are beautiful!

His latest A/W 2010 collection was shown at London Fashion week, and caused quite a stir. Fashionista's waited for his show with baited breath after last years controversy, when a stylist walked out on his show after finding his use of larger models in short dresses too much too handle! But as his collection features alot of body-con, why not use it on a body that has something for it to hold onto?

Now don't get me wrong, as a stylist in training, Skinnier models are often easier to dress - and in industry samples only come in small sizes so its catering for the industry I want to work in, but my god I wish a size 14 wasn't considered 'plus size'...lets be honest its just as hard to hide a 'muffin top' as it is to disguise a set of bony, exposed ribs!

So, Mark Fast, Thank you for giving all us girls with curves in all the right places (and a few extra in the wrong places!) a little glimmer of hope! Now, where did I put that cream cake?

RIP Alexander McQueen

February 11th, A sad day in the Fashion world, Lee McQueen (Founder of Alexander McQueen fashion house) tragically committed suicide, following the death of his mother.

Just days before London Fashion week, and a month before the unveiling of his new collection at Paris Fashion week, Tributes for the star came through from thousands - his work had truly inspired so many people & his talents knew no limit, such a loss to the fashion industry.

He will be greatly missed.

Move it babyyy!

Stunning image by Corrine Day, I love how the image has lot of movement!

The styling makes the image so strong, due to the striking colours of the layered dresses, they clash & make each other stand out.

Although the models have ballet shoes on, the image reminds me of flamenco dancing, because of the strong movements and body sculpting dress with voluminous skirting.

Shoes, Shoes & More Shoes

“It's really hard to walk in a (single) woman's shoes -that's why you sometimes need really special shoes!”...Carrie Bradshaw, a girl after my own heart!

Men will never understand a women's need for shoes.
Shoes will always make you feel sexy,
Shoes will always fit after the Christmas binge,
Shoes will never answer back, moan at being dragged shopping
or tell you 'Yes your bum does look big in that!'

This is why they are my ultimate accessory, I'm not going to reveal just how many pairs I own, But lets just say I could wear a different pair everyday for several months!

These beauty's are my latest edition, Paid for by the fella as a late Christmas present (after I returned the original pair!) I got these beauty's from Miss Selfridge for £45. I love that they have a small heel as I can wear them during the day to dress up a simple outfit, but also wear them with bare legs and a dress in the evening. I've been looking for a pair of heeled biker boots, but they don't seem to be very flattering on my calves - this pair will toughen up a girly dress, whilst adding a vintage feel due too the slightly distressed material and pale pink lace up front...I love them!



















I also have my eye on this pair! I reallyyyyy want them, but the student loan doesn't stretch to far - do i really need to eat? Lets hope Cupid directs the boyfriend to Miss Selfridge...

I got thinking, how far would I go for the ultimate pair of shoes? Check this selection I've found - is this a step to far? Is this less Jimmy Choo & and more Jimmy-screw-loose? I'll let you decide, in the mean time I'll start looking for a larger shoe rack...

I love Grace

As I write this blog, I'm watching 'The September issue' - If you havn't seen it I would recommend you do!

For me, and many girls on my course, its an inspirational film. Styling for Vouge is the ultimate sign of 'making it' in the fashion industry, call me superfical but its my dream!

Anna Wintour, might be one of the most respected women in Fashion, However its Grace Coddington that really steals the show - creative director of US Vouge, she's eccentric, stylish and pretty much runs the place behind the scenes. She's hillarious! A true stylist, dedictated & knowledgable, she has a true passion for fashion!

Check out the trailor here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9-bAwz9uWk

Hands on styling...

When studying editorial styling I discovered this shoot in Elle magazine.

I really like how it conveys a style without the use of clothing - it shows the work of a great stylist! Using objects such as the mobile and nail varnish add a personal touch which i think is lovely as it shows personality, plus us girls, myself in particular, can totally identify to the importance of the mobile & having your nails done!

I think its clever how they have made two separate shoots look like one, over a double spread. I would like too see the whole shoot as i wonder whether the original image was bigger and they just cropped it down to this part? The lighting looks like a spotlight, as its not very bright, the shadows suggest the lighting is coming from the left hand side of the set.

Fashion is a lifestyle, and I believe this shoot is starting to show this.

Need Need Need...

I need photoshop back in my life!
Since a mis-hap on my laptop, It somehow disappeared - as you can tell technology isn't my strong point!
Here's a piece of first year work I edited on photoshop, admittedly its not fantastic but my skills have improved, Practise makes perfect! :)

This image was for an ASOS campaign, for a new range of eye-lash enhancing glasses.

Ooh La-La, Lula...

I've just subscribed to Lula,
The magazine is my favourite fashion magazine!
I think the images are beautiful, I find them very inspirational.

This is a shoot from a recent copy, I fell in love as soon as I saw it!
Quirky miss-matched Feminine styling with a range of scenes create a out-going party girl image, which is opposed by the models elegant hair accessorised by an over-sized flower. Its just a stunning set of photos which I think are by Elen Von Unwerth.

Summer loving

Oh when will the sun shine?
I think my winter wardrobe has been out worn, the cosy knits and chunky scarfs are just getting a tad dull...I need my flip flops!
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate not having the summer beauty routine of mani's, pedis and the dreaded waxing, but seriously how long is winter this year? Snow in February?!


So I may be building myself up for a fall with this, but I created a capsule of my future summer wardrobe, with help from Polyvore.com! :)
Just the sight of a pastel colour, and a pair of sunglasses got me all in a flutter!


I've gone for a fresh & feminine look, with hints of nautical. I expect I'll mix & match trends over summer, but it will always be accompanied by the faithful flip-flops, aviator & large tote combination!
Summer loving, Ohh those Summer Nights! <3

Made you look, made you stare...

Thanks to my friend Bex, I have discovered Looklet
A style website that allows you to play dress-up all day long - and I'm getting a little addicted!

Here's a few of my outfits I've created...

Outfit 1:

Perfect Daytime outfit,
Stylish, easy to wear and gorgeous! The loose fitting dress is flattering, and easy to dress up with a military jacket/blazer, Over-the-knee boots were a massive trend for A/W 09 - I'd wear black tights underneath to slim the thigh, as this is wear the boots cut off.

As for the YSL necklace, well a girl can dream....

Outfit 2

Date night, Drinks with the girls

Sassy, fun & fashionable! I love this dress - the polka dots are very on trend, as are the big shoulders, the dress is playful and a nice change from the LBD. Oh my, the shoes are So amazing, Vivenne Westwood can do no wrong, but these shoes really are incredibly cute. I thought they added to the fun aura, and the red works great with the blue & white. Finally I added a clutch in a similar shade to the shoe to tie the outfit together.

Now all I need is my boyfriend to take me somewhere nice...

I really-really-really wanna zig-a-zig ooohhhhh....

Victoria Beckham, Posh Spice, Vicky B, evan Vicsterrr...Call her what you like, but David's other half has certainly earnt that name 'fashionista!', with her 4th collection in selected stores and net-a-porter.com she has worked hard to be accepted in the fashion industry.

Lets be honest, it could have been easy for her to have given up at the first hurdle when she wasn't welcomed with open arms, or when her first collection wasn't the massive hit she'd hoped for - although it was a hell of alot better then Lindsay Lohans attempt at a collection for Emanuel Ungaro, What was that all about?!

However slowly, VB dresses have graced the red carpet on the likes of Blake Lively, Katherine Jenkins & Elle Macpherson.

Her dresses have a sophisticated persona, and a lovely body sculpting effect - and her latest collection is no exception. The new S/S10 collection also includes a denim range this season, featuring some beautiful bright skinny jeans, shorts and tailored waistcoats. Now, Vicky B isn't known for her casual style but these beauty's are amazing, my personal favourites are the pink jeans, with the zip detailing.

As much as I love the spice girls, finally leaving her 'singing career' behind her has done wonders for her style, less of the 'wannabe' & certainly 'spicing up her life' (Oh I'm such a 90's child!)

Here's my favourite few pieces,

I need higher heels...

After spending the day with 6ft models, at the UCLAN fashion show, my 5'5ft self felt a little bit inadequate - I think this Corrine Day image sum's the feeling up quite well...





I'm not bitter, just a little bit jealous! X

Style Crush

Alexa Chung...
What can i say about Alexa Chung?!
Well to be honest, she started as a cringy & slightly annoying T4 presenter with a quirky, indie style - Hardly crush worthy material?
But its her recent style transition that I've fallen for, its still edgy but with a vintage twist.
Gorgeous broaches, pendants mixed nautical stripes, and florals with masculine brouges or blazers...Its no wonder she topped the 'Vouge best dressed of 2009' is it?
Like Alexa, I'm very much a dress girl so I looking at her style - i just wish i could carry off the low hemlines and shoe boots like Miss Chung, Oh well a girl can dream...
Alexa's effortless hair & make-up is also something I admire, I have a similar approach to my own - Hopefully I'll master the 'natural beauty' look too!
In the mean time, Heres a few of my favourite looks...


Laid-back casual, with a simple pendant - her hair looks effortless but gorgeous!

Such a girly look, I have a similar dress (and i did have it before her - copy cat!) her look is fresh & feminine, but toughen up by ankle boots - well she's got the legs!

This look is similar to my style, I like light dresses combined with chunky night cardi's, or socks. Its perfect for winter as its cosy with style - and lets be honest, in these freezing conditions in Preston I need to wrap up!

Finally, another girly look, and again another dress I have an emulated version of - Her stunning Luella dress, (A label we both love with a capital L!) has a quirky heart cut-out, unfortunately mine is a high street version from Oasis, but i still adore mine!

She may say "Its on, with Alexa Chung" but I'd say "Alexa Chung has got it going onnnnn..." X

Lights, Camera, Shoot...

So, after a few weeks of prep, sourcing clothing, models and equipment we finally did our group Photoshoot...

The morning was cold & full of rain, but we were all in high spirits as we arrived at the studio, Myself & Jess arrived full of clothing, shoes, clothes rail, steamer, styling kits - you name it we had it, Gemma & Gemma had a little bit if an issue with picking up equipment (No fault of there own i might add, lack of staff in the media factory!) but eventually we were all set!
I'm so glad we used the studio, as the weather continued to be miserable all day! So we started preparing our scene, putting back drops up and adjusting the lighting when we discovered our original plan didn't quite look how we had hoped - but never fear, we managed to resolve the problemo with a few adjustments and some practice posing from Gemma! After that slight hiccup the day ran smoothly, and we were all really happy - if not a little tired!

Models: I'd like too thank all 4 models for there help! We used 2 professional models(one male, one female), and 2 girls we thought would be suitable for our idea.

Hair: Again, thanks too both hairdressers for taking the time to drive too Preston to help!

Make up: Our make-up artist couldn't make it so we all helped with the make-up, and i was impressed by our efforts, Maybe we've discovered a hidden talent? Or maybe its maybeline! :)

Lighting: Well this was where our dilemma started, we kept finding our backdrop created unwanted shadows - we were all getting a tad stressed & worried, then we realised we could make this work to our advantage, and after a few retouches to lighting we worked our magic with the shadows!

Styling: As fashion image students, we all wanted the stying to remain fashionable but not to stereotypical, out idea had a dramatic aspect and i think this was mirrored through the chosen outfits.

Cameras: We borrowed a camera from the media factory, as well as using Gemmas, this meant we could take a variety of shots in the same time space. Snap Happy!

Were going too go through all the images tomorrow and select the ones were going too submit! I'm excited too look our hardwork on screen, I'll post the final images in the next few days! X