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.

from Paris with Love

So, this is me back in the blogging sphere. I returned from Paris at the end of this month from a mix of trade and fashion shows. Controversial as it may sound but i don't like Paris. City of romance blah blah, I don't get it, its cold, its dirty and only occasionally chic.

Putting aside my feelings on the weather the main purpose of my visit was to attend Who's Next 2013 a prêt-a-porter trade fair. Whilst the fair itself wasn't revolutionary (compared to Pitti Uomo for example its far from directional) it did confirm something I've been thinking over for a while. I want to return to Menswear.

After nigh on 3 years as a Manager in Designer Menswear retail, I've definitly picked up a trick or two and that knowledge doesn't count for nothing. Having some time to clear my head over the past few months has put that into perspective. I love womenswear, but I can keep that for the weekend, Menswear is something I know.

Also, I saw Carine Roitfeld outside of the Armani Privé show, LOVE.

Video Killed the Radio Star

Apologies in advance for the lack of posting, I'm having a bit of a crazy time right now and being entirely truthful, sitting down to my laptop is one of the last places I want to be. December has left me feeling a little burnt out and I'm not particularly well so I'm going to take a few weeks off.

In the mean time, my tumblr (cheating on blogger with tumblr yup!) is a lot easier and spontaneous for me to update to feel free to have a browse if you fancy.... Self indulgent selfies, pug dogs and questionable erotic art included.

www.paper-lashes.tumblr.com

Once upon a time...

Despite being head over heels with the bright city lights, sometimes it all seems a bit too smoke and fog for anyones taste.... and when that happens to me there are some places I love to retreat. A new found getaway for me is Somerset House, perhaps most famed for hosting LFW but also home to some brilliant galleries.

I visited Tim Walker: Storyteller the other week very early on a tuesday morning and found myself absolutely enthralled. Every image, every iconic installation (remember Lily Donaldson sat astride that Spitfire in Vogue 2009) in dreamy hyper-real beauty. Thanks to the grey day outside and the early hour I was left almost completely alone to enjoy this Alice in Wonderland paradise.

The fusion between model, costume, set and wonderfully imaginative props is something truly unique, not to mention the way it is captured by Walker on film.