London Fashion Week Street Highlights

Yesterday I went up to London for my third season of Fashion Week. It was probably my best one yet. I will never forget the first time I attended; I had no idea what to expect and was just so buzzing to stand in the grounds of Somerset House next to Hilary Alexander and Henry Holland, but I think maybe this season beat it. I felt more comfortable than before, more at home I guess. I knew my way perfectly from venue to venue, there was no last minute rushing, and I couldn't have asked for better weather. I remember thinking my fingers were gonna drop off if I took any more photos last season. God that was awful. This season attracted yet another stylish crowd. I've uploaded only a tiny percentage of street style shots, the rest are to be used in our Mpdclick street report. But come back next week for an update on my LFW highlights. I really think the above girl's hair is just so cool, although I for sure could not pull it off. 

Image copywright: Amy Trayford for MPDClick

Out & About During LFW

I spent the whole of yesterday in London's glorious sunshine, our belated summer perhaps? Joshua kindly agreed to accompany me on my trip. Obviously a lot of snapping was involved. Josh will moan that he didn't want to take part, but really, I think he was secretly more into it than me. 

New York Fashion Week Highlights

Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Theysken's Theory, Vivienne Tam

Image source: style.com

NYFW SS12: Sports

One trend particularly dominating New York Fashion Week shows is a sports-inspired aesthetic. The retro theme previously seen in both Paris and Milan S/S 12 menswear shows has been dropped in favour of a more urban vibe at NYFW. Alexander Wang finds inspiration from NASCAR, BMX and motocross, presenting a collection with mesh hooded jackets and sheer with leather panelled tops. Rag & Bone's collection featured exposed zips and long-line hooded jackets, while Victoria Beckham surprisingly adopted an urban sports style with mesh panels and nylon straps. 

monday blues

After a wonderful weekend, it's official. I have the Monday blues. It's no surprise really, considering I spent the weekend in London with beautiful friends, beautiful food, beautiful wine and a beautiful round-the-world plane ticket; which I actually booked, parted with money, signed a contract, the whole lot. I could not be happier. Whilst I may be grinning from ear-to-ear, it has not been forgotten to remember those friends and family of victims of 9/11. For them, their weekend will have been worlds apart. I am thankful to be reminded how lucky I am. 

1. Delicious crab and rice dish

2. Friday night

3. A dream house off Kensington High Street

4. Signature hot chocolate and chai tea latte courtesy of Starbucks

5. Burgundy Vans. Finally purchased after months of want

6. The perfect way to spend my Saturday night- with best friends and good wine.

time to book

Today has been a very exciting day as I finally gave in my notice and can now tell everyone about my plans to TRAVEL. I've known for years that I would love to leave England and see the world for 6 months but before now it's always seemed a hopeful dream. But alas, today that all changed. Handing in my notice (which I finally did today) means I am even closer to making the dream a reality. So what's left is for me and Phoebe (my very best friend and travelling partner) to book our flights, which we are hopefully doing this weekend! Our proposed route goes: India, Camodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Fiji.

Although I am very sad to be leaving my job and new found responsibilities, I cannot express how excited I am! So this evening has been spent searching just some of the amazing sights we are going to see. Please don't get too jealous ;)

1. Kerala backwaters in India

2. Camel riding in Jodhpur, India

3. Phi Phi beach in Thailand (yes the place where The Beach is filmed)

4. Fiji

5. Melbourne at night

Nottinghill Carnival

For my birthday I went with a group of my friends to Nottinghill Carnival. It was my first time at the carnival, in the past I've always been at Reading Festival bank holiday weekend, so naturally I felt a little nervous after hearing stories about all the trouble that goes on. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find how nice everyone was. There was a real sense of community spirit, it was such a lovely day. In the evening we all went to Liverpool Street for drinks, followed by a few of us going to some warehouse club at Waterloo Bridge. It wasn't until I was sober the next day that I realised paying 20 quid to get in with the only option of a toilet being a portaloo, that it wasn't the best place I've been to. But hey-ho, I can tick off another lovely birthday.

I'm wearing a black shirt from Topshop; backpack from Topshop; vintage denim shorts from Beyond Retro; black boots from Topshop, Casio Watch, silver snake bracelet from Paris; silver rings from Topshop and Forever 21

That Time of Year Again

So tomorrow is my birthday. This year I turn 22, I remember thinking 22 was so old but now I've reached it, I still feel like a bratty teenager. Today, my wonderful Mum took me to Brighton. One day I WILL move there; I think it's one of the coolest places. We did a lot of shopping, hopping in and out of the numerous vintage stores in the city centre, and had lunch outside at one of the restaurants down the laines. Below I'm wearing a turban (found in a thrift store for a fiver. Bargain compared to the high street's £10 alternatives); and a vintage 80s shirt I bought for a quid at a charity shop back home.

Friday Afternoon

So this Friday was Josh's birthday. I took the day as holiday, (which for anyone that knows me, knows this is a big deal.) We spent one of the last of the English summer days soaking up the sun and enjoying a very tasty lunch by the lake. The breaded things you see are mushrooms- and possibly the best breaded mushrooms I've eaten. The garden was packed but that didn't stop a photo pose of the happy couple. Oh and the above image- my, very unhealthy but delicious none-the-less, dinner. I wish all my Fridays consisted of this instead of sat at my desk rushing to meet weekly deadlines.

cosmic love

I've been meaning to blog about this for a while now... I absolutely adore the cosmic print trend that's been so present in both womenswear and menswear in the past few months. Christopher Kane launched his debut menswear line for s/s 11 inspired by details and colours found in space pictures.The two orange prints below are just a couple of examples of Kanes collection, one taken from the original lookbook and the other from Copenhagen fashion week. Other designers also featured galaxy-inspired prints in their shows for this season including Juun J and Paul Smith. Now the intricate patterns have made their way into the wardrobes of the stylish folk; the lookbook.nu image above is a personal favourite. Must-have items definitely include the Christopher Kane dress (on the list for my birthday next weekend), the high-shine leggings from Black Milk and of course the Jeffrey Campbell cosmic Lita's.

All Black For Summer?

I think I was feeling a bit pessimistic (or gothic) today when I got dressed. An all black ensemble for the English summer? Maybe not the greatest idea I've had. Spent most of the day hiding from the not-always-present sun. Oh well. I'm wearing circle shades from H&M Vegas; oversized crop top from American Apparel; black maxi from Primark; wooden cross necklace made by a friend of mine, Corrine. 

Vintage at Southbank Street

The main reason I attended the vintage festival was to snap the coolest people for an Mpdclick street report. Although perhaps not a true vintage look, I can't help admiring the above girl's ensemble. She wears a 60s-style beehive and compliments a pair of tan suede shorts and feather neckline tank with an oversized cowboy style fringed jacket (which, i might add, i need in my a/w wardrobe.)  Oh and one last thing, how cute are the couple below?!

Image copywright: Amy Trayford for MPDClick

Vintage at Southbank

 

Last weekend I attended Wayne Hemingway's vintage festival held this year at London's stunning Southbank, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain held at the Southbank in 1951. The majority of the event was held across the 6 spacious floors of the Royal Festival Hall and encouraged visitors to partake in a number of vintage activities including dance classes, creative workshops, and tea parties, as well as the opportunity to buy the finest vintage clothing, jewellery, music and bric-a-brac. In addition, pop-up hair and make-up salons authentic vintage styles including 60s bouffant beehives and thick 50s-style winged eye liner. The event also included mimic clubs such as The Blitz Club and Wigan Casino injecting a nostalgic ambience of said classic venues. 

One thing I particularly loved was a bunting-style wall that featured in the accompanying exhibition on the original 1951 festival. The wall titled 'What did you do in the Festival of Britain? What did you do today? invited people to write down memories from 1951 and the present day. I lost track of time while stood at that wall, reading everyone's thoughts and experiences. My favourite read "Came with my boyfriend, now with my husband 57 years later and still happy together at 80-years-old." That makes me so happy.