River x Ri-Ri & other pieces

Hello All,

So with just a week to go till we can shop it, (online and in selected stores March 5th), the campaign images are out and the wait is nearly over for the Rihanna for River Island collection.
Here’s a sneak peek at each piece, in case you haven’t seen it yet. I also thought it was about time to post the rest of River Island’s SS’13 collection too!

First the Rihanna collection: Launched during London fashion week, the collection was very much River Island given a Risqué attitude, targeted at a young market who are in possession of a seriously toned body. There are cropped tops and shorts in their dozens with the collection, but there are definitely pieces similar to those we’ve seen at River Island in previous collections. The footwear for example, huge edgy platforms are the brand’s staple but seem to ring true with Rihanna’s personal style; Bra tops, varsity jackets, maxi dresses and hi waisted shorts, again all very River Island but also pieces similar to those we’ve seen Rihanna in.

I don’t think I’m in the right demographic to be buying from this collection, I’m holding out for the Georgia Hardinge collection in April.

Until then I’ll be shopping the rest of the collection, here’s a round up of what I saw at the previews and some is in store now:

Themes

Key Pieces:

Amazing, white lace jumpsuit

Elegant pink metallic Jaquard 60′s style coat

Bohemian style, beaded, tasselled cape

50′s inspired day dresses in thick cotton with oh-so-now 2-inch-wide stripes

Accessories:

Mix kahki green, jumpsuits and rose-print = This perfect spring/summer staple:

Yours,

Whisty Xx

My Festival Essential? – A Parka

Dear Readers,

Like something that’s meant to be – a few things came together today.

1. The wettest weekend music celebrations known to man; AKA the UK / Ireland festival season, started this weekend, with Download at Donington Park.

2. This prompted someone to ask me what my one, single festival essential was, for a magazine survey*.

3. I tried this frikkin amazing parka on in River Island this afternoon.

and 4. I just got back from watching the new Noel Clarke film, 4.3.2.1. In which Shannon, played by Ophelia Lovibond wears a similar parka.

*Naturally then, my answer was, “why, a Parka of course”. I have decided that I need one of these in my life; especially for hanging around, drinking and dancing in fields. Wearing it with Hunters, cut-offs and a few layers on top will do the job. The River Island one is lined with something to make it warmer and I’m thinking, if I manage to ‘loose’ my tent, this coat will easily double up as a sleeping bag. It’s huge too.

If you’re unconvinced by my converse / Parka combination, here’s a few looks for real inspiration:

The Sartorialist

Trendtastic-ny.com – (a bit short but loving the leather trousers / parka combo)

Kate Beckinsale

Rihanna – Teaming Aran knits with hers

The 4.3.2.1. Girls with Shannon in her Parka

The ultimate Parka – as worn by Jimmy in Quadrophenia

Xx

All images via google unless stated otherwise.

Where I Come from that’s Fighting Talk

Chères Readers,

Now and again there are people who really try to bring you down and mess you around, sometimes we let them, sometimes we don’t and sometimes we don’t even know that, that’s what they’re doing… I’ve finally reached the end of a pretty tough week. By last night I was emotionally and physically exhausted, but it seems I’ve had enough now, that’s it. I woke up this morning raring to go, on many levels…

So today’s style post is different from the usual. I’ve always said I’ve the attention span of a goldfish and that might go some way to explaining my slightly eccentric and pretty eclectic dress sense. This post was inspired by the Rihanna Rude Boy video and the sports-influenced spreads in the latest L’Officiel magazine. (available at Easons O’Connell Street). Naturally the fact that I’ve had a  pretty harsh week means I’ve gone with a Boxing ring graphic, I’m a fighter… well trying to be!

More Images and all outfit details at HerApparel

Xx

New Clothing Ranges by Zuku for AWear

US labels, Aryn K., Collective Clothing and BB Dakota, will now be available in A|wear Attic on Henry Street, thanks to Zuku by K.S.O.

That’s a whole lotta names, what on earth does all that actually mean? Let’s start with A|wear, we know that this is one of Ireland leading high street stores. We also know that they have a special boutique–style section in their Henry Street store called Attic which is aimed at shoppers who like something a little different.

So what or in this case who is K.S.O.? Kate Scully-Owens, founded Zuku around 5 years ago; a fashion wholesale and distribution business that was aimed at bringing US based labels to independent boutiques throughout Ireland. BB Dakota, Aryn K. and Collective Clothing are some of her labels and they are being officially launched in A|wear this week, marking the opening of her first retail space. A|wear wil find itself in great company, Collective Clothing, a New York brand, is stocked in Bergdorf Goodman and Macy’s. BB Dakota counts Rhianna amoung its fans and Aryn K has been seen on stars like Alex Chung and Beyoncé.

Image credits clockwise from top left: BB Dakota, Aryn K and Collective Clothing, I am loving that ‘Laurie Red Mini Skirt’, from BB Dakota, it’s looking to be around €58 which isn’t too bad I guess. I’m really looking forward to having a proper look at the collections!

Kelly Osbourne and Rihanna in Marc Jacobs.

With a dress that makes such a massive statement, you may think it would pretty hard to vary the ways in which to wear it. But both Kelly Osbourne and Rihanna managed to rock this amazing, Marc Jacobs Pagoda dress in two totally different styles.

Kelly O, went for a more classic statement, wearing studded courts, large, black, wing-frame sunglasses and a thick leather belt to cinch the slightly more loosely fitted dress in at the waist.

Rihanna kept true to her edgy style, in a more fitted dress, with ghetto-style bling, leopard-print Louboutin ankle boots and bright red lips… And a train-drivers hat… (?)

I really like both of these looks, okay they both pretty much say, “I love fashion” but the way Rihanna has worn the dress more fitted ,shows of her perfect curves, but I equally like the way that Kelly has created a gathered / folded effect that complements the sleeve detail by cinching with a belt. Both the boots and the courts work brilliantly and you could rock both these looks for day and night. Though I think Kelly has a slight edge for a daytime look and Rihanna for the evening.

The dress is currently available at Harvey Nichols online for £975. If that is a little out of your price range,

How To Wear… Little Booties with Little Dresses

A week or so ago I posted about the AW09 trend for Booties and it’s high time I followed it up with a how to wear… them piece. It’s all about the little dresses when it comes to the little booties and there are a couple of simple rules;

1. The absolute max height of your chosen bootie is about 5-8 cm above the ankle bone.

2. The absolute max length of your dress is mid-thigh.

The rules mean that if you go any longer with your dress / taller with your booties you risk making your lovely pins look as short as a Gringotts Goblin’s. The idea is to make sure you show enough leg length so that the eye isn’t fooled into thinking that your legs are shorter than they are. A longer dress or taller boot will seem to cut your leg length in half.

It’s a little more demure and a whole lot more edgy to wear your evening or day dress with booties.Here a few fashionable young females setting the standard, you’ll get what I mean!

Taylor wears hers short, silver and slouched over. Chloe’s are amazing ( I need these) and from her collection for Opening Ceremony. Mischa Barton teams her sparkling dress with flat biker booties. Gwyneth keeps hers suede, short and sweet. Rihanna, who loves this trend, has fierce peep toe lace-up booties which look amazing against her day dress. Emma Roberts and V.B. keep their booties plain and simple to flatter their dress styles – though I still love the embellished neckline on Emma Robert’s short white dress.

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Jeans du Jour

Every year there are is a brand of jeans that become like the Holy Grail of denim; think 7 for all Mankind or True Religion. This year’s jean-brand ‘lust-have’, however, is Current/Elliott (C/E); their Loved Destroyed jeans have been spotted on the shapely legs of supremely stylish A-Listers like, Rihanna, SJP, Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Beckinsale, Megan Fox and Katie Holmes… the list goes on.

The brand was only started a year ago by two LA stylists but something about their soft-as-butter jeans has made them a total hit with Hollywood’s hottest. What amazes me is that not only have some the US’s most stylish stars been seen wearing C/E’s  but that all those ladies have incredibly diverse looks. From Rihanna’s high fashion punk vibe to Katie Holmes true classic chic, the jeans look awesome on all of them. The AW09 collection is just as rocking, my absolute faves are these:

Current Elliott AW09 collection: L-R The Skinny Night Wash Shredded €295. The Skinny Brass Stud Wash €365. The crop skinny night wash €260. All jean prices are from BT2, Grafton Street.

Get the look for less… here is a blog on how to rip and distress jeans, also M&J Trimmings do studs that would work amazingly to get the C/E look if  you apply them to jeans their website is www.mjtrim.com, just type in ‘Nailheads’ to their seach engine.

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Dress with maxi-mum effect

Yes maxi-dresses are still the garm of choice for summer days; they are as popular as they have ever been; you only have to hit the high street to see just how popular they are with hundreds to choose from in all colours and fabrics. This is fab news, they are the singularly most feminine and flattering piece of clothing you can wear, but accessorising them well could be an issue. The natural choices of accessories of course, are gladiators and chunky jewellery which do work wonderfully; but there is a more effective partner for your favourite maxi…

Fashion Maths: One gorgeous Maxi dress + one cropped denim jacket = great, feminine, summer outfit.

All you have to do is remember these simple rules, the denim jacket has to be light blue – a perfect summer shade, hip-length – slouchy will not work with your maxi-dress and the sleeves should be turned up at the elbow to complete the laid-back look and the collar should be worn up for an edgy feel to your outfit.

Nicole Richie (of course) Cheryl Cole and Rihanna all know how to do denim with their Maxi-dresses. If you are bored with the usual floral / ethnic / bo-ho maxi-dress prints, then go for a block neutral colour like Rihanna, or a faux two-piece like this Alice & Olivia dress that Cheryl is wearing.

New Look and Topshop both have great fitted denim jackets at €40 and €60

Summer 09 trend…How to Wear Jumpsuits…

Recent months have seen celebs encouraging the trend for jumpsuits / one-piece suits, not only on a day-to-day basis but on special occasions and especially on the red carpet. I reckon if you haven’t already indulged in a jumpsuit, then this summer is the perfect time to step in to one. Even if the idea of them makes you recoil in horror, you can’t deny that if you want to keep bang on trend this season, the jumpsuit is the only way to go.

Now before you run screaming from the high street, stop. Read these hints and tips on how to wear this summer’s one-piece in a flattering way that will have you brimming with confidence throughout the season.

• Don’t leave the store without trying the jumpsuit on, especially if you haven’t worn a jumpsuit since you were a toddler!
• If you are keen on a one-piece that you have seen on-line, try a few pieces on in the high street stores to see which types suits you best before you take the plunge. Besides, you never know you might find something