So very true...

No one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they had plenty of sleep.

I think this may be my new motto for life

xxx

Milan

It's taken me a few days to get round to this but I've found a spare few minutes to do a little post about my trip to Milan last week. I have to admit I wasn't too excited about going at first, mainly due to uni messing up flights, hotels, and just about everything else they could, but I actually had a great time once we had arrived. Despite ending up in a hotel an hour away from Milan in the middle of an industrial estate, we made the most of visiting all the different shopping areas in the city and checking out the great visual merchandising around. The best place for this by far was Via Montenapoleone and Via Della Spiga, which make up the designer district of the city. I really noticed the simplicity in all the window displays. No fancy technologies and trying to be too clever, just simple displays of the products which worked so well for the majority of the brands without being boring. Here's a few of my favourites...

Stella McCartney

Missoni

Bottega Veneta.
Clever use of 'a window through a window' concept.

Ralph Lauren

Salvatore Ferragamo

Alexander McQueen

Not sure what brand this is but the very cleverly used mini versions of the collection for the display.

Blumarine

Lanvin

Paul Smith

Prada Flagship store

Louis Vuitton

We also did a few tourist-y things such as visiting the top of the Duomo Cathedral and having a champagne lunch at the Armani Restaurant. All in the name of 'uni research' obviously!

Champagne lunch at Armani Restaurant

On the roof of Duomo

Fashion Marketing & Branding Milan 2012

Zadig & Voltaire

I remember the first time I saw this ad for Zadig & Voltaire a while back and its stuck in my head ever since. I think its the laid back styling, hint of jewellery, wavy beach hair and sunlight room that made it so memorable. For a French brand, I think they do the 'California Cool' look very well.

Erin Wasson has been the face of the brand for a few years now and I think she fits the brand's personality perfectly. Below are some images from the Spring/Summer 2012 ads.

I'm in love with the white cut-off shorts and metallic slouchy jumper. Every collection from Z&V manages to portray casual cool, with relaxed denim, loose fitting knits and the odd sequin blazer (my favourite piece every time by far!)

Toodles xxx

Victoria Beckham by Greg Williams

I never really know where I stand with my opinion on Victoria Beckham.

As a massive Spice Girls fan I loved her as I was growing up, however as she began to reign as an uber wag I began to dislike her. Thanksfully she's now much more sophisticated and more recently she's started to win me over with a few great collections at Fashion Week and now this editorial for French magazine Madame Figaro.

Shot by photographer Greg Williams the pictures have an almost doll-like quality to them, with a slightly dark edge. I like the gritty feel of the photographs and love the simple styling. VB could definitely do with scoffing a few cupcakes though!!

What does everyone else think of Victoria?

Let me know
Toodles xxx

Ron Pope

Last night my flatmates and I took a trip to a trendy little club in Nottingham called Bodega. Its a tiny venue that always has loads of small gigs by little known bands and dj's but has also been host to a few big names such as Coldplay, MGMT and Arctic Monkeys. The reason we went was to see American singer/songwriter Ron Pope who was supported by Caggie Dunlop (of Made In Chelsea fame!). I have to admit the main reason most of us went was to see Caggie, but having downloaded Ron's album a few weeks beforehand I was rather excited about seeing him too, and I wasn't disappointed.

The gig was simple and intimate, just Ron and his guitar and keyboard. He played about 12 songs and finished with my favourite song Drop in the Ocean. I'll definitely be downloading his new album when it's released in April and would go and see him again if he ever comes back to Nottingham :) Had a cheeky chat with Ron at the end and he seemed like a genuinely lovely guy.

Caggie was great too she sung a covers of Rihanna and Jessie J as well as a few songs she had written herself. I loved what she was wearing. Stripped leggings with a beautifully simple coral shirt, wrists and fingers adorned with gold jewellery. 

Lacking Inspiration

I've not been on top blogging form recently and to be honest it's because I just haven't come across anything that has inspired me or interested me enough to sit and write about it. I know it's fashion week season but even that doesn't seem to have been enough!

One thing that I always love to do is look at pictures of amazing places I would like to travel to and so this post is dedicated entirely to that. A bit of sunshine dreaming to while away the grey February days that seem to be dragging more than ever at the moment.

Muscat is a city that I have always wanted to visit for its rich culture and incredible resorts, like The Chedi. Since living in Dubai I have been intrigued about visiting other countries in the Middle East that I had never considered before and Oman is just one example. I can't describe how perfect this place looks, I can just imagine having to make the tough decision whether to spend the day by the pool or by the beach or exploring the surrounding Al Hajar mountains, that look like some kind of red moon landscape! Amazing!

Hope these pictures bring some brightness to your day. I'll definitely be here in my dreams tonight :)

Toodles xxx

Paris Couture Week

For the past 2 weeks I've been hooked to Twitter following the instant updates from Paris Couture Week, My favourite of all the fashion weeks. I admire how much time and effort goes into making every single one of the outfits and the perfect craftsmanship that makes every single detail impeccable.

The futuristic, structured pieces at Versace are a personal favourite and I think the scraped back, high pony tail polishes off the look perfectly. The biker jacket of lazer cut flowers is just fierce!! 

Christian Dior's collection was oh so very ladylike with models wearing sophisticated, curled under bobs and perfectly tailored dresses. The red organza finale dress is divine as is the hand printed nude silk dress.

It wouldn't be Couture Week without a splash of Chanel and with Karl Largerfeld promising the biggest show yet, he certainly didn't disappoint! The dramatic show took place in a space designed like the inside of a Chanel aeroplane, with the aisle being the runway. Inspiration from cult TV show Pan Am maybe?! The collection was just as awe inspiring as the setting, with models strutting down the catwalk (sorry aisle!) in pale blue, sparkly embellished numbers. Peplum frills and pointed black heels with ankle straps were key items. 

images courtesy of Graziadialy.co.uk

I can't wait to see what the rest of the shows have in store... I'll be sure to keep updated!

Toodles