Bunch Of Tarts

No, I'm not talking about Mr Kipling's sweet jammy delights that we all like to munch down on every once in a while (there's an innuendo in there somewhere..) but I am talking about the rise of scottish print this season.

You may relate tartan to either an Mel Gibson screaming 'FREEDOM!' at the end of Braveheart (great film), or a mohawked punk with more piercings than sense, but tartan is not one to shy away from this season with many high street retailers producing garments with the print design on.

Type in 'Tartan' to the search bar on the Zara website and you will be given 56 tartan print pieces of clothing flash up in front of your face, my favourite being this tartan zipped tube dress, even if the weather is in minus temperatures. I imagine it would team well with some black tights (100 denier, I don't cope with the cold) heeled boats, and a black oversized collared peacoat with gold accessories which would really jump out, a winter warmer for the Christmas party season. (i'm not a huge fan of the tied jumper around the waist that Zara have teamed it with, my Mother always told me that looked scruffy).

Do the same with Topshop and you'll get a grand total of 136 tartan delights to peruse upon, from trousers to pyjama bottoms, River Island 121 items, Forever 21 a disappointing 3 items and ASOS unsurprisingly taking the lead with 154 tartish wonders, so it's safe to say you're spoilt for choice on this one.

So why not pay homage to William Wallace this season and tart yourself up, whether it's in a scarf or a two piece suit, you'll be playing the bagpipes and eating short bread before you know it.

Berardi, Born and Bred.

With this Christmas party season fast approaching, I'm sure a lot of you out there will be looking for that certain party dress that makes you imagine Westlifes 'When you're looking like that' playing behind you as you strut through your office shindig. 

Well Ladies, a man creates those exact type of dresses, one that fit and form any body shape making you the apple of every co workers eye to try and get under the mistletoe, and he goes by the name of Antonio Berardi,

              
   

Firstly a quick biography of Berardi; Born from Sicilian descent his parents moved to England in the 1950's and Berardi was brought into this world in 1968, growing up in the same sticks as Maggie Thatcher (they probably weren't neighbours) Berardi was raised in Grantham in the glorious county of Lincolnshire (so not only is Lincolnshire famous for it's sausages, flatlands and me, but it has also produced one of the most influential and credited womenswear designers of our time). Berardi studied at Lincoln College of Art and Design before going onto Central St Martins whilst also working as an assistant to John Galliano. In 1994 his graduate collection caught the attention of Angela Quantrell, a buyer for Liberty (London fashion holding group), and from there on his career skyrocketed.

Berardi once stated that his ideal client is “a woman who is aware of her sexuality, sensuality and who appreciates the meticulous nature of what I do” and that his trademark pieces are “dresses that fit like a glove, and tailored jackets that don’t close but which also fit like a glove”. This is all illuminated in Berardi’s collections, using advanced fabrics and manufacturing techniques he creates sensual, figure loving and striking pieces that help enhance and transform the female silhouette. Below is a form-fitting and complimenting structure panel detailed sleeveless dress by Berardi, and a black and cream panel dress. They are perfect for both the body conscious, and those looking to highlight their assets.

                       

  

               The other superb element to Berardi’s design is that it focuses on making a woman sexy without having to show too much skin; not only is the idea of displaying too much surface area unwelcome for some, but winter is upon us ladies, and Berardi provides the perfect solution to both of these problems. Less is definitely more with him, showing less flesh but still creating a sensual presence by strengthening the contours of the female shape with his designs.

His designs are well loved by a wide variety of celebrity clientele including; Victoria Beckham, Julianne Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth wore a Berardi dress to the 2008 premiere of Two Lovers, a gorgeous silhouetting white body and black lace panel, that went onto win Harpers Bazaar ‘Dress of the Year’ in 2009.

It’s safe to say that Barardi is a pioneer of body form and hard tailoring, making his pieces an essential staple for any woman’s wardrobe to crack out when those festive invites start coming around again.

Little Boys Lost

           

For the past 3 months I have have been learning the ropes at a luxury clothing boutique in the kooky area of Shoreditch, so I thought I would introduce to you 3 of my favourite men in London.. Ben, Gary and Mao-Cho (the dog)..These three are the clever and creative team who have brought Lost Laundry to the edgy East End of London.
 
However, many of you may browse the online site or shop not knowing the journey that this lovely little business has been on, so I am going to enlighten you on how it has grown from a small weekend stall in Camden Market to the exquisite boutique it is today.
 
The Lost Laundry begun back in 2006 when Gary has his own stall in Camden Market, selling second hand pieces of clothing. Around a year later this evolved into an online business, which Ben joined in 2008. The name ‘Lost Laundry’ derived from the concept behind the business, which is the idea that everyone has something in their wardrobe that they have bought but never worn, lost at the back of their closet (we are all guilty of this, I have several items which have gathered more dust than my windowsill). So their original business was like a shelter for clothes, re-homing all the beautiful yet unappreciated attire from around London.
 
From this the business developed into the boutique you’ll find if you stroll along Cheshire Street (just off Brick Lane) today, keeping the name but expanding the stock, opening in 2012, which instead of selling on second hand items brings new past season designer clothing with an emphasis on runway collection pieces to the streets of Shoreditch.

                                        
 
The shop itself is an inviting and quirky establishment, with an inviting atmosphere, stunning stock and luscious smelling candles Lost Laundry is one of a kind and a fantastic break from the over large and over crowded high street stores you curse and swear at on a Saturday morning. Selling mainly one off individual pieces, it’s more a treasure trove than boutique, and a great place to find one off mesmerising pieces that no one else is likely to own.
 
Male or female, if you are looking for something that is going to be original, unique and an investment then Lost Laundry should be your first port of call in London! Not only could you be introduced to that coat you’ve been searching for the upcoming winter or THE dress you’ve been seeking for your works Christmas party, but also you’ll get to meet a really friendly dog!

http://www.lostlaundry.co.uk

                                                            

Queen of Cakes and Clothes

Having been bed bound of late I've found myself being caught up in a bake off bonanza, fashion may be my first love but in joint position with that is baking.

This has consequently resulted in me, amongst many others, being an all time (number one I'd like to think) Mary Berry fan. Having bought all her recipe books, any magazine she features in and watched every bake off episode, cooking programme, or biographical documentary on her (remember 'fan' not 'stalker') I have also come to notice than not only is she an goddess in the kitchen department, but the wardrobe department as well.

Mary (like her cakes) always manages to look elegant and stylish, ageing gracefully unlike no other. Wearing eye-popping and floral blazer, boot cut jeans, delicate and pretty scarves and accessorising with dainty pearls Mary modifies 'prim and proper' - decorating herself as well as her baked delights.

                                      

So if you're if the age where you feel that you should be wearing more function over fashion, and want to compliment your now wise and cultured self, I would take a look into Mary's wardrobe as well as her cook books - looks like we can learn more than how to make the perfect Vicky sponge from her!