Like A Boy

Never one to get too easily excitable about a 'celebrity' fashion line, or models trying their hands at playing designer, I was over the moon last night to see the preview shots of Title A, a capsule collection  of menswear influenced separates and nonchalant dresses for girls who like to wear boys clothes designed by none other than Agyness Deyn.

Aggy has always been my #1 model girl, and probably the reason I ever cut my long hair off, there is just something so effortless and devil may care about her personal style. Something you long to replicate but can never seem to, until now....

Launching in March, the line features androgynous tailoring, simple 90esque shift dresses in velvet cotton and jacquard and the classic white tee.

Title A is available exclusively from www.titlea.com launching in march, prices £63+

Roulette

Just after getting back into the swing of things in the blogsphere, I find myself being mugged. Frustrating is an understatement. Thank god they only took my phone (counting my blessings for my health and happiness), but after the initial shock of what happened had worn off I found myself absolutely livid that some vile excuse for a human being had actually made an impact on my life.

It also made me realise how technology dependant we are; this past week I've been very aware that my connection to social media is decreasing, and while I'm starting to enjoy that break, friends and colleagues are getting frustrated, how post iPhone, I'm not that easy to reach.

Its a shame too that I've had some really interesting things going on this week which I would have loved to have shared on Paper Lashes, but without a camera to do so, it doesn't seem the same...

So, I'm going to make the most of my iPhone free time, concentrate on my deadlines and enjoy the moment, rather than living life through a phone screen.

In the mean time, check my Tumblr. Full of inspiration, street style and obligatory cute animals.

Technicolour

Yesterday morning was spent buried in line sheets and range plans, so it seemed only fair I spend yesterday afternoon indulging in a good bit of procrastination and making the most of the early afternoon sun. 

 This Zara Coat (similar here) has worked out as a real hero piece in my wardrobe; an oversized belted style with narrow lapels. Here, I've worn it with a simple black Equipment silk t-shirt (Net-A-Porter), black leather pants (Topshop), snakeskin courts and several cashmere jumpers I've stolen from my mum over the years... (sorry mum!)

I walked around my favourite parts of Shoreditch, stopping off by the florist to grab these gorgeous tulips to brighten up my apartment. And thankfully made it home before the down pour!

Japanese, If You Please

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Now that we have some semblance of blue skies, I'm turning my thoughts to my summer wardrobe. Enter this stunning kimono dress by Topshop Boutique. Marking the jungle prints and white trends nicely, the silhouette is stunning, structural but not too boxy. I'm going to style it as a cover up with leather trousers and court shoes now and belted with bare legs and plimsols as soon as I can brave the temperatures (I'm northern, so that will be much sooner than you think...)

Street style from Paris Fashion Week 2013 (Tumblr). Relaxed and effortlessly chic. Definitely the cover up of choice for 2014. Roll on payday, and above zero temperatures!

Pumped Up Kicks

The It Girls wardrobe staple for months now, the humble trainer saw its latest reincarnation in the form of Chanel Couture the day before yesterday. Whilst the majority of the fash pack (and the entirety of east London) are content to rock Nike Air and New Balance, Mr Lagerfeld upped the game introducing bejewelled sneakers worn by every single model on the catwalk.

In a crash course in Couture 101, Chanel have firmly placed the trainer on the fashion map. Referencing old school styling paired with diaphanous chiffon, tulle and tweed ensembles, these truly pumped up glittery kicks had every editor talking.

So is this the next big hype in footwear, or just a passing craze? It looks like the glam trainer has firmly cemented is reputation as the next big thing. Isabel Marant Wedge who?!

Handmade by Chanels legendary master Ateliers, these beauties will set you back upwards of £2700, however, there are plenty of more purse (and gym) friendly alternatives kicking around the high street:

Kurt Geiger- Londres Slip on £85 go skate friendly on dress down fridays with KG's Vans inspired slip on. Vulcanized rubber sole and leather upper means it rainy day friendly too. 

Nike Air Max 1 from £95- The ultimate classic and fully customisable with Nike ID. Low top, air cushioned sole and performance built without letting your style kudos down. Everyone from Cara Delevingne to Barack Obama has been seen in various incarnations. 

Eytys Mother £90-£140- cult scandi brand just arrived in the UK available at Dover Street market and LNCC. Converse you say? Almost. Like the old faithful Chuck Taylor, Eytys have redesigned the plimsol for uber desirability. Fully unisex the style is made in canvas, suede and leather in a handful of colour options and is very much numero uno on my wish list right now!

What's the Story

I had to share these beautiful images from the other week. I was lucky enough to find myself having breakfast at Aqua Shard on one of the only clear days we've had during 2014. 

Not only was the food incredible (not that you'd expect any less, those of you who've visited sister restaurants Aqua Nueva/Kyoto in Central) but a view like that, especially when you're feeling a little bit down can make all the difference.

Happy 2014, to many more glorious London mornings like these.

Intransient

At the start of the year I lost my Nana, and regardless of conventionality it would only be right for me to pay tribute to the woman who unknowingly inspired me.

You taught me three things in life;

To always wear lipstick

Always wear heels

And most importantly, always stand for what I believe and to never let anyone tell me otherwise.

Because of this, I find myself on the brink of achieving my dreams, and utterly devastated that my beautiful grandmother will never know how much she meant and will never see the next milestones in my life.

 However, I take solace in the legacy she left me, namely photographs of her at my age, an intransient beauty I can only long to replicate. These tiny, grainy black and white images are something I value beyond belief, physical proof of true love and true happiness. 

RIP.

Another Girl

....Another Planet by The Only Ones. This song goes round and round in my head every time I find myself travelling. I've been back and forward London to Leeds more times than I care to think about recently.

However, I've always been one to shun convention, and 3 hour northbound journey seems ample time to break in a new pair of courts right?! And the courts totally excuse the fact I'm wearing sweatpants.

Coat- Topshop Unique (old season)
Vest- Zoe  Karssen
Clutch- ASOS
Trackpants- Alexander Wang
Courts- Topshop
Jewellery- vintage silver and mother of pearl cuffs

Some Nights

Ever feel like the more promises you make, the more you end up breaking? Not consciously of course, accidentally, always. These past 6 months have been beyond hectic for me, and in course I've found myself absolutely burnt out.

At a point I gave serious consideration from walking away from my blog; when all the hours I seemed to have in the day were consumed with work/drama/blaaaah etc. But although it distressed me that my baby Paper Lashes has been hideously unattended and left to fall apart, the idea of leaving something I have thrown myself into distressed me more.

So, this time no promises; no deadlines of twice daily posting, and dictating I must be a better blogger, but just something casual, things maybe i've appreciated that someone, somewhere might too. 

Maarten Van Der Horst

After seeing the static preview of Maarten Van Der Horst's collection for Topshop over LFW, it was incredible to see it make the transition into stores.

A blend of graffiti print and bad gal attitude, worked out in monochrome, sportswear influenced shapes, the collection just about has every aspect I could ever want from an item of clothing. And, praise the lord Topshop, is actually within my price range.

If the leather running shorts could just make their way into my wardrobe now, that would be appreciated.

Drops of Jupiter

The seminal red crystal encrusted dress from Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2013, look 58 to be precise, worn by Kate King sweeping queen-like down the Milan runway has just gone live on the Net-a-Porter  website. A staggering £32,000.00 live. 

One of only 6 in existence, the dress is hand embellished resin crystal on silk tulle and chiffon, designed to mimic lava and reflect the light. 

A trophy dress in every sense of the word, what I wouldn't do to be of Dolce's ladies in red.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/383936

Shock Tactics

I found myself ushered into the G Shock 30th anniversary party last week after a casual friday night stroll down Brick Lane. Part of 'G-Sessions', a series of pan-European events featuring local artists as 'ambassadors' across a range of disciplines including art, fashion, design and music. After touring Milan, Paris, Berlin and Barcelona, London brought the event series to a close.

Holding up in Dary Walk in temporary premises, the pop up store showcased all the G Shock classics plus the limited edition anniversary timepieces . London based producer/singer Ghostpoet featured as London ambassador bringing together  team of creatives who have 30 days to create an artistic piece and watch to mark the anniversary date.

“CREATIVITY TO ME IS A COMBINATION OF NOT ONLY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX BUT ALSO CONSIDERING THAT THE BOX MAYBE NOT A BOX AT ALL, NOT LIMITING ONE'S THOUGHTS AND GOING WITH WHAT'S IN YOUR GUT ALSO COME TO MIND." 

Ghostpoet

Having only G Shock branded water available in a totally alcohol free environment, the event had an amazing vibe, fuelled by new music talent and kids freestyling and dancing inside and outside of the warehouse space. The pop up space will be used by G Shock throughout August for events and workshops.

Club to Catwalk

Perhaps the ultimate in Throwback Thursday, I spent my day off this week being taken (yes, taken, chivalry isn't dead sugar) around Club to Catwalk, the V&A exhibition charting the rise of club culture dominated fashion.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, the obvious to the unexpected, the V&A takes you on a magical tour of the seedy underworld of early 80's London fashion scene and the impact it has had on modern day dressing today.

So I might be a total 90's baby, but thats not to say I don't appreciate a journey back a decade further, fully immersing myself in the dugeonesque video space watching old film footage of the london club scene and glimpses of glam fetish and new romantics and being in total awe of Adam Ants gold fringed leather jacket- my inner fetishist was in heaven (!)

All the usual suspects were in attendance, Westwood and McLaren, the New Romantics, a handful of Goths and Cyber Punks with a sideline of political satire from Catherine Hammnet.

Crop To It

Throwback Thursday
Miley, Beyonce, Coco... Its obvious what Im talking about, the sudden outbreak of crop fever. Pixie cuts, paige boy cuts, high fades, short hair isn't just for the boys anymore.

But this isn't a new craze, despite the sudden celebrity hype and media outcry (remember the VS backlash when Karlie went high fashion with her tousled bob?!) It was a whole other generation of leading ladies that started this one. 

It was way back in '67 that the pixie cut first broke global headlines when Vidal Sassoon cut Mia Farrow's hair for the film Rosemary's Baby. The media reaction so strong a line in the film was even included to mention the Sassoon cut, and in the 40+ years since actresses' have sighted Mia Farrow as their hairspiration; Emma Watson, Carey Mulligan, Natalie Portman to name a few. 

Scarlet Fever

Topshop Beauty SS'13

Its rare, that a cup of weak sugarless tea can inspire a blog post, or rather the lipstick stain upon it, but thats exactly whats happened.

After spending the past few weeks of glorious sunshine in London and some shameless sun bed sessions (forgive me alabaster skin, for I have sinned) I have found myself with what I can only describe as a surprise tan and a multitude of freckles.... And now the dismal english summer has returned I'm finding myself pulling every trick in the beauty book to hold onto my 'fresh back from holiday' glow.

Enter Chanel Rouge Allure. Shade no 97 to be precise. 

I picked this SOS shade up in Paris, back in February while running around Chanel like a child in sweet shop. It was matched perfectly to the colouring of my skin (orangey base tones) so works a treat on this little tan of mine. 

Im keeping my skin as light as possible, and sweeping a layer of dark bronzer under my cheeks, my eyes defined with mascara only and a strong brow. It means the lip colour can really pop and I look fresh and healthy, something thats always hard to do on the 7.28am from Leeds to Kings Cross.

Im heading back into London as we speak after visiting family up North (I'm a country girl don't ya know) and this week is shaping up to be pretty hectic already which I cant wait to share!

Working 9-5

I was invited up to Hobbs head office for work last tuesday, and was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the new season collection launch. Having just revealed sales growth of 11.1% to £125.1m, with a team adamant on revamping the brand,  Hobbs London autumn winter 2013 targets the modern woman with fresh tailoring, beautifully cut silk separates and a focus on exceptionally crafted leather goods.

A lot of time and consideration has gone into reevaluating the brands image and targeting towards the modern woman; formerly renowned for good quality but sometimes dowdy suiting and separates, Hobbs London now offers more directional trend led designs and minimalist silhouettes whilst still retaining more traditional wardrobe staples worn and recommended by our mothers.

Its not unusual when working for a brand to lose sight of what made you passionate about it originally (sales floor dramas, customer tantrums, the stock room in sale) and seeing what autumn winter has to offer has made me all excitable again! I love the combination of the heritage looks with a strong nod to the catwalk (androgynous outerwear and dusky pinks) and the soon to be unveiled baby blue leather tote makes me go weak at the knees.

Top of my wish list is the mannish car coat pictured and the leopard pony skin clutch. I'll wear the coat as shown with slouchy angora knits and skinny leather trousers as a nod to grunge, while the clutch will be new go to carry all, giving me the best excuse to travel light!

A collection as strong as this also provides good faith in the British high street, which sometimes I feel is dying on its knees. Injecting new blood into brands like Hobbs keeps the British design aesthetic flag flying, but ensures it is absolutely current. I mean, we don't want British heritage design becoming part of British history.

Pieces available from now, visit www.hobbs.co.uk and make your very own wish list, or visit the flagship store in Longacre, Covent Garden

Modern Day Marilyn

Numero uno on my girl crush list, aren't these photos of Michelle Williams in the new Louis Vuitton ad campaign stunning? She looks like a brooding, gothic Marilyn Monroe for AW '13/14.

This is William's first foray into fashion endorsement, if you bypass a quick stint as brand ambassador for Band of Outsiders.

While always stunning this is one of the only Louis Vuitton campaigns I've fallen head over heels for (bar L'invatation au Voyage). I think its the simplicity of the images shot by Peter Lindbergh. They suit Williams modern-sirenesque features and the new bag Capucines and W tote make the brand accessible to a new minimal modern generation less concerned with overt branding.

The Capucines Bag

The W Tote

Visit Louis Vuitton for all the stunning colour options, the campaign launches internationally across September Issues.

Marant's World

Just a little note to express my delight at seeing the first sneak peek twitter snaps of Isabel Marant wearing dress and boots from her forthcoming collaboration with H&M!

Set to launch fall this year, this is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated collection in the H&M history, running on the success from the most recent release with fellow Parisian design house Maison Martin Margiela.

With the existing mainline, and diffusion E'toile spawning multiple fashion must-haves and cult products, suede high top wedge sneakers anyone? Or embellished print jackets for easy going trans-seasonal chic, my hopes for the high street include super skinny jeans, cowboy boots, textured leather and printed chiffon blouses. J'taime!

Isabel Marant for H&M launches November 14th in selected H&M stores and online only.

mad about the boy

As well as realising when I graduate I want to pursue luxury Menswear, a friend of mine also  pointed out just how much I love wearing boys clothing (!) I guess its something I picked up whilst working for Van Mildert. My go to labels are very androgynous and to some extent maybe my everyday style. I am a walking contradiction- make up and nails, but short hair and boys tshirts.

The core of my wardrobe being ripped skinny jeans, converse (or Celine type sandals) Zoe Karssen/ T By Alexander Wang tshirts and my ever faithful leather jacket. Other key buys for me are Topshop Boutique silk shirts and shift dresses and boyfriend jeans from Zara. I know I very rarely post pictures of myself on here but as part of my return to blogging perhaps I should?

Luckily my boy meets girl look seems to be right on trend for this season so here is my wish list for spring summer 2013....

Rag and Bone boyfriend jeans, Rodarte T-Shirt, Topshop Premium Sleeveless leather biker, Charlotte Olympia dice clutch, Celine fur sandals and Nike leather Blazers. 

Actually, i was fired twice, in two weeks.

Last Thursday as part of the Topshop Talks I attended an evening with Alexandra Shulman. For those of you who don't know, -you should, she is the editor of British Vogue.

Part interview regarding her 20 year career at the helm of Vogue, part promotion for her new book Can We Still Be Friends, it was well worth the 1 1/2 hour queue outside the teeny Edited space on Regent Street, already packed with the journos and sound recording equipment. On entrance we were seated on the 2nd row and given bottles of Vita Coco and boxes of Lola's Cupcakes as well as beautiful design notebooks featuring print samples from Topshop UNIQUE SS13. It felt much more like shows and press events I've attended than a public talk.

Talking to Justin Cooke (Topshop's marketing chief if you like to put a title on him) mixed questions were fielded, met with mixed responses. I can't say that Alexandra Shulman was the most personable woman in the initial stages of the interview but warmed quickly and was very frank and honest with her opinions on young women entering the industry and highlights (and lowlights) of her career.

As an aspiring Fashion Buyer I was relieved to hear that her journey to the top was marred with less successful endeavours in finance and the music industry (hence the title of this post), and afterwards I was privileged enough to spend a few minutes discussing the industry and my career hopes with Ms Vogue herself, ending in receiving a signed copy of her book.

For the full article visit the Topshop Blog, the book Can We Still Be Friends is available nationwide and is perfect for wiling away an afternoon or blocking out the early AM commute with tales of friendship, fashion and cracking 80's reminisces.