H&M STUDIO COLLECTION A/W 2014

Well I am back to the blog after taking a little over a week off following the death of my Grandad; if I had continued my heart would not have been in it and I didn't want to churn out some rubbish because I felt I had to. His funeral was yesterday and it was really touching to see that he meant so much to so many people.

So now that I am back, I couldn't think of a better place to start than with my high street favourite, H&M. This week the Swedish brand had an amazing catwalk show to show off their Autumn/Winter 2014 studio collection, which attracted the attention of many a celebrity beauty, with the likes of Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr and Solange Knowles, sitting in the front row. Those of us not lucky enough to get an invite could watch the show anyway, via a live stream thanks to the miracle of the internet.

The show at Paris Fashion Week, held inside the gorgeous Grand Palais, was an absolute triumph, with each piece being as desirable as the last. H&M's head of design, Ann-Sofie Johannson explained the collection: “We had a lot of different influences when we started. We though about something sporty, something a bit more rock and roll, something bohemian. In the end it came back to how does a girl want to dress for the coming season, what does she want to have? We looked at early Kate Moss from the 90’s, we had Charlotte Gainsbourg there. She always had that little bit of a tomboy feel. We also thought about club girls running to and from the club in their little slip dresses with a heavy coat or top.”

I just can't wait for Winter to come around once again, check out some of my favourite looks.

If you want to see the whole collection, you can watch the video below...it is worth it.

 

What is your favourite piece from the collection? And make sure you tell all your loved ones you love them this weekend, you certainly wont regret that.

Gems x

TOPSHOP UNIQUE - Spring/Summer 2013

London Fashion Week is here and there is always one collection that I look forward to - TOPSHOP UNIQUE. The main reason of course is that Topshop have an absolutely amazing design team, who really relish the opportunity to push their boundaries to create something entirely amazing. Additionally, some of the fab unique pieces make it into stores, making their collection the only one to hit the runways that I can actually afford...Thank you Topshop.

Always a brand to go innovative on the catwalk, for the Spring/Summer 2013 collection Topshop Unique went truely interactive when showing their collection on the 16th. You didn't have to be in the front row to catch all the action as it happened, the show streamed live with a clever little Facebook app that allowed viewers to click and capture their favourite looks from the comfort of your sofa...take that Olivia Palmero (yeah you look great, but what do you actually do).

If that wasn't enough Topshop gave viewers the chance to customise the catwalk by changing the colour of the looks and accessories and share them the very moment they hit the runway. It was like running your own catwalk...I tell you it was fantastic. I only wish I had took advantage of ordering some of the looks direct from the catwalk to have them delivered to my door way before they arrived in store...damn this being poor lark.

So here is the fantastic Spring/Summer 2012 collection from Topshop Unique...you will not be disappointed! The Space Age silhouettes, palette and fabrics interspersed with pops of vibrant yellow...yes please!

To see the collection from Topshop Unique in it's entirety, just follow the link.

What is your favourite piece? I am dying over the silver and white trousers.

Gems x

NEWCASTLE FASHION WEEK - BARBOUR SPRING/SUMMER 2012

London, Paris, Milan and New York amongst others, are quaking in their designer boots as Newcastle Fashion Week is back - woo hoo! There is a host of events occurring all over Newcastle until the 3rd of June so make sure you check out the website, to make sure you won't have to kick yourself for the rest of the year for missing something fabulous.

I'm glad I managed to drag myself into Newcastle at midday on Sunday to catch the Barbour Spring/Summer 2012 collection, shown on the catwalk in glorious sunshine - although I did feel a bit sorry for the lovely girls in their wellies - their feet must have been on fire. The spectators were given the an extra cooling treat though with male models working the crowd with their Barbour umbrellas and specially designer Barbour T-shirts, which are being sold exclusively through Fenwick to raise Cash for Kids.

Introduced by Gok Wan's legendary right-hand woman, Brix Smith-Smart and her super cute Barbour-sporting pooch Gladys, the collection featured a gorgeous range of light weather proof jackets the South Sheilds brand is so well renowned for, as well as, quirky printed tees and fine knitwear accessorised with elbow patches. The looks were finished off with hair from Gary Hedley and make-up from Benefit.

All photos taken terribly by me with help from Mr Well Done...

 So what do you think of the collection from Barbour? I am drooling over the white belted jacket!
There were so many stylish chicas in the crowd I felt quite trampish in my maxi skirt and tee, but anyway here is what I was wearing, an outfit post will follow soon!

Has anyone else out there caught any of Newcastle Fashion Week? I really wanted to see the final year show tomorrow at the Baltic but I have celebrations for my Dad's birthday, but I will be checking out the fun times in Eldon square on Thurs, before I go and see the first showing of Prometheus at r minutes past midnight!

Gems x

TOPSHOP UNIQUE - SPRING/SUMMER 2012

With each season that goes by, I look forward to what Topshop Unique come up with - being one of my favourite high street brands, I love how the awesome design team further pushes the boat out for their Unique collection.

For the Spring/Summer 2012 collection, Head of Design Karen Bonser, was inspired by the glamour and opulence of Ancient Egypt - those mothers loved the bling bling. The collection explores what a modern day Egyptian would wear in urban London - I don't know about a modern Egyptian, but I know I would wear almost every piece.

For your deliberation, here are some of my favourite looks.

As ever many of the pieces from the Unique collection will appear in store, so head down to your nearest Topshop now...I SAID NOW!!

Or I guess you could check out the Unique collection online, here.

What do you guys think of the collection?

Gems x