12.12.11- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

My pick of Must-have Christmas gifts this week focuses on presents which fall under a £50 price tag. Whilst this array of gifts may be a touch more expensive than the under £20 picks I posted last week, I've tried to choose a selection of things which will last and which I think make for really special presents:

Whilst this lovely little lot might appear more than a little make-up heavy, Christmas always feels like the perfect occasion to invest in some appropriately festive cosmetics! This gift set from Nails Inc. consists of three beautifully glittering shades, and at £25 is pretty good value considering that their individual varnishes retail at £11 each. The Chanel eyeshadow has become a really coveted product, and I think this shimmering white shade is gorgeous- the perfect luxury treat for a make-up obsessive or someone who needs spoiling this Christmas. This set of eyeshadows from MAC is another really great value item as the six shades which are included are really versatile- it's also perfect for throwing in your handbag for emergency en-route make-up application, so I think it would really suit someone who's always in a rush. After spending the last six weeks entranced by Frozen Planet, I can think of nothing better than re-living the series again, and this book and DVD gift set (which is exclusive to Amazon) is amazing value- surely the perfect present for the infamous 'difficult to buy for' relative. This adorable set of cake tins from Cath Kidston are a fantastically practical present, and are ideal for someone who wants to develop their skills in the kitchen in 2012. Alternatively, this collection of Luxe City Guides is a great gift for someone resolving to broaden their horizons next year, encompassing top tips on a range of global cities including New York, Paris, Dubai and Sydney. I'm tempted to buy it for myself and work through a book per year! This stunning wall art from Urban Outfitters would make a really unusual present, and again is something which would last for ages. Finally, these Marc by Marc Jacobs earrings are amazing value at only £30- perfect for any fashion conscious friend.

Would you pick up any of these presents? And are you looking forward to Christmas?

(Image credit: Nails Inc., Amazon, Chanel, Cath Kidston, MAC, Urban Outfitters and my-wardrobe.com.)

04.10.2011- Under the Sea

Whilst I'm yet to get round to posting about my highlights from London Fashion Week, the sartorial circus has hurtled into Paris, which today played host to the Chanel SS12 presentation at the Grand Palais. An underwater themed set consisting of giant clams, coral and bright white shingle combined with a collection evoking all things subaquatic firmly set the seaside as style inspiration for next season:

Pearl details, iridescent fabrics and mollusc inspired accessories all brought Karl Lagerfeld's vision of Atlantis into vivid, vibrant detail. I love how clearly the concept is translated into the designs, from small details such as the just-stepped-out-of-the-sea hair styling through to shape and colour. And, as if this beautiful collection wasn't enough, Florence Welch became a mermaid for the morning, performing throughout the show from a giant clam shell:

Although I'm not confident that Ariel from The Little Mermaid was the muse for this collection, stranger things have happened, particularly when you consider the Cruella-esque stylings of the Topshop Unique AW11 presentation. Could cartoon characters be becoming unlikely style icons in their own right, I wonder? Anyway, regardless of whether Karl is a Disney fan, I can't post about this collection without including this song (and wondering whether Florence included it in her set!)

What did you think of the Chanel SS12 show?

(Image credit: style.com. Video credit: Youtube.)

22.12.2010- Scenta Claus

You always know Christmas isn't far away when you suddenly see perfume being promoted during the ad break of nearly every television programme you stumble across, regardless of how cheap and nasty said programme may be when compared to the rather more sophisticated fragrance. This kind of clever product placement also gives us all the chance to elbow our parents/boyfriend/neighbour/cat, oh so subtly hinting that we might just be needing some new more eau de toilette loveliness for Christmas. And, when you're sitting on the sofa in your pyjamas, hair askew and with your novelty slippers on, a little touch of designer magic in the ad break of Corrie does have a way of making you feel slightly less slob and slightly more chic. So, to celebrate this, and to get you feeling even more festive, I've put together a selection of my favourite perfume adverts:

Chanel No. 5, starring Audrey Tautou

  

Directed by Jean Pierre Jeunet, and starring the beautiful Audrey Tautou who was the quintessential Coco in Coco Before Chanel, this advert was filmed on the Orient Express and features the beautiful vocals of Billie Holiday. The amber-filtered images look like they're being view through a bottle of Chanel No. 5, and I think this beautiful advert really captures the essence of what the scent is all about; mystery, romance and classic style. Plus I much prefer it to its predecessor, which, in spite of the fact that it was the most expensive advert ever made, feels slightly tacky if you ask me!

Flora by Gucci

The inner hippy in me adores this advert, shot by Chris Cunningham. Take Abbey Lee Kershaw, a sun-drenched field full of flowers and a haunting remix of Donna Summer's I Feel Love, add a touch of Gucci magic and you've got an advert which will make you long for summer even more.

Miss Dior Chérie

Sofia Coppola captures the magic of Paris for this Dior advert, set to Brigitte Bardot's Moi je joue. The pastel hues and cine-film feel give the advert a really quirky lightness. If wearing Miss Dior Chérie means I can run away to Paris, take in the sights and shop until I drop, then I think I'll definitely have to put some on my wish list. Dior have also recently announced that Natalie Portman is to be the new face of Miss Dior Chérie, so I can't wait to see how Natalie's advert compares. 

Liv Tyler, Very Irresistible Givenchy

  

  
From 2003, this black and white advert feels more like a short film, as we see Liv capturing the fun and elegance of Givenchy's Very Irresistible fragrance, which remains one of my favourite perfumes. Classic and tres chic, non?

  
Keira Knightley, Coco Mademoiselle

This beautifully shot advert sees Keira cavorting around in the streets of Paris, with a starring part in her very own film romance. The Joss Stone cover of L.O.V.E which plays in the background always has me singing along, and again I love the classic feel of this ad.  

What do you think? What's your favourite? And are you hoping for any perfume for Christmas? 

(Video credit: Youtube.)

10.10.10- From Paris with love

As promised, here are my picks from the SS11 shows at Paris Fashion Week:

Alexander McQueen
 

Sarah Burton's beautiful collection for McQueen was sumptuous, romantic and fantastical, bearing all the hallmarks of the late Lee McQueen's genius (as particularly evident in the tailored coats.) For me this collection struck the perfect balance between old and new, with a nod to classic shapes invested with a fresh sense of purpose and direction. I can't wait to see more of Burton's work for the label. 

Miu Miu

The Miu Miu collection really reminded me of a graphic novel, with almost cartoon like prints, and exaggerated superhero shoulders, but I love the way the pieces retained a sense of femininity through repeated emphasis on the waist and line.

Paul and Joe

A gorgeously bright, fun and girly collection, which felt really evocative of summer. 

Celine

Uncomplicated minimalist chic at its best.

Valentino

As you may have guessed by now, I absolutely adore dresses, so this collection was my idea of heaven! I really love the detailing on each of the pieces above, as well as the repeated use of shape and line at play here. 

Stella McCartney

Again, I really like the simplicity and muted tones of this collection. 

Chanel

 How could I write about Paris and not include Chanel? Although I'm not sold on the clumpy looking footwear, I love the 1920's influence at play here, with the tiered fringing and longer lines, as well as the dramatic eye makeup. I'm also obsessing over the camellia print! 

Chloé

 Beautiful Grecian style draping, simple yet so elegant. 

So, the fashion circus is over for another few months. What were your favourites from Paris? I've drawn up a top four, with my favourite shows from each city:

* New York- Mulberry

*London- Erdem

*Milan- Dolce and Gabbana

*Paris- Alexander McQueen

Which collections have been your favourites from the last month overall? Do you agree with my picks? And which Autumn/Winter shows are you most looking forward to?

(Image credit: style.com.)

06.10.2010- Belle Chanel

Yesterday saw Chanel's SS11 presentation, which, from what I've seen online so far, looked very impressive. Set against the backdrop of Paris' Grand Palais and featuring a staggering cast of models, including former Chanel muse Inès de la Fressange, the collection featured some absolutely breathtaking pieces, which I'll include in my Paris round up at the end of the week. Meanwhile, the star-studded front row saw the lucky attendees showcasing their own sartorial acumen:

Alexa Chung

Lou Doillon

Vanessa Paradis

Clemence Poesy

Keira Knightley

Lily Allen

Leigh Lezark

Rachel Bilson

I was disappointed not to see Diane Kruger in the front row, but no doubt she'll have first pick of next season's collection for the red carpet. I'm also in love with Clemence's new darker hair colour!

What did you think of the Chanel presentation? And who do you think was the most stylish in the front row?

(Image credit: ELLE UK.)