Three Reasons To Be Excited About & Other Stories Launching

Fans of COS and H&M rejoice: there's a new sister brand joining the family. & Other Stories is the latest offering of Scandi cool that will be making an impact in wardrobes all over Europe, with the launch of a British store on 8th March in addition to branches in Paris, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Berlin, to name but a few.

Not only do they cover clothing and accessories, but you'll also find cosmetics. Look out for the cobalt blue and bright orange eyeshadow. Here are three key reasons why you should be clearing some space to fit the brand into your life:

 [All images: & Other Stories, collaged by me].

1. The minimalist cuts are bold and beautiful

It doesn't matter whether you like your minimalism a bit space-age, metallic and sleek, or full of bold colours and soft fabrics; either way, expect cleverly cut pieces combining different textures, such as the iridescent clutch bag with a chunky tassel. I think my favourite piece in the whole preview so far has been the pink long-sleeved dress (£65), which sits on the hips.

Check out those accessories.

2. The price points are pretty accessible

Expect prices that sit more in the region of COS than H&M, meaning you maybe won't be doing a Primark-style Supermarket Sweep, but you'll be able to indulge now and again, with sunglasses at £17 and rings at £12 and a bargain blue clutch at £19, but also there are investment buys such as directional heels for around £80-90. As with COS, the most expensive items tend to be jackets, dresses and shoes, whereas in H&M the rule of thumb tends to see premium knitwear and dresses being more expensive than most shoes or jackets.

Flattering shapes from the collection.

3. You'll be able to hide your flaws

Judging by the lookbook, there's not a body-con item in sight. Instead you get pencil skirts that don't cling and tailored trousers that flatter without cutting off the circulation. I only wish that I'd be able to pull off the black maxi dress with the very, ahem, minimalist top panels, but I guess it does help to narrow down my ever-increasing wishlist...

If you want to find out more, pop into 256-258 Regent Street from 12pm on 8th March, or visit stories.com. I already know that my first story will end with me getting out my wallet!

Illustrations: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

Tonight I'm off to the Vogue and GQ preview event to celebrate the launch of Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, which will be available online and in store from tomorrow morning. This has to be one of my favourite collaborations, especially as MMM is so intelligent as a brand and creates clothing that makes people think (rather than treat it as disposable). The archives have been well and truly raided to put together this much cheaper line, and it's your chance to get your hands on a piece of designer history.

I whipped up a few quick (read: badly executed) illustrations to celebrate, and to help put together my wishlist.

 This dress is available in black or a really bright cerulean blue.

I loved the redundant sleeve detail (on the left hand side here) which just hangs in the air.

 Plexiglass heels are having a bit of a moment right now, from Celine to Office.

I'm sure these will be a big seller on the shop floor as they're really minimalist.

The half-maxi, half-mini dress isn't one for the faint-hearted.

If you're up for the challenge then this would look great with tons of rings and bangles.

Three Margiela trademark touches to look out for across the whole brand:

• Unfinished edges and obvious oversize tailor stitching on jackets
• Unexpected use of materials - think emulsion in the main line, and fake hair on necklaces and belts as jacket material in the H&M range
• Carefully used bursts of colour - you won't look like you've been attacked by poster paints. Colour is used to accent (such as the tattoo-print top) or in blocks

If you're planning to shop the collection then I'll meet you in the queue...

Photo Essay: Fashion's Night Out, London 2012

 One early-bird shopper waiting for friends.

I liked his style...

 H&M's window became a live photo studio

 I'm really pleased with how this photo turned out - 

a girl having a make-over in H&M. 

Her headscarf is amazing.

 We made a bid for styling the newest drop of H&M clothing... with military hats

 There was a huge crowd to see Delilah perform in Topshop

 The woman herself, performing to her fans

 There's nothing like having your name in lights

 Bershka's balloons and 20% off stock

 Get thee to Chanel!

 One of the customising workshops in Miss Selfridge

 Let's get studded

 Studs up close

A shopper in Topshop - loved her nose ring

These ladies in Topshop were so stylish - I loved how they put their outfits together.

That red dip-dye is definitely on my wishlist too!

I also visited COS, Banana Republic and several other shops, but found myself grabbing a cocktail rather than my camera (sorry...). Basically, at some point you have to put down the camera and actually get into the action! However I loved putting together this photo essay and I couldn't believe how stylish the shoppers were - walking past AllSaints was like stepping into a lookbook. 

If you enjoyed #FNO then share the love! I can't wait for 2013's events. I'm off to a Vivienne Westwood warehouse sale tomorrow, so expect another shopping report from that trip...

[All photos my own. Please ask before reproducing.]

When All Else Fails, Dress Like Human Candyfloss

 Screw the 30 Degree weather, I'm wearing a sodding cape.

 I hate outfit posing and I loathe sticky summer weather, but last weekend I bought the most amazing top-slash-cape thing with ombre dye from H&M, and couldn't wait any longer to wear it (despite being called 'The Caped Crusader' by my colleagues all day - cheers, guys!). It's part of the Fashion Against Aids range, which is not only incredibly stylish but donates 25% of the profits to charity. It was incredibly easy to chuck on with some black leggings, which gets a big thumbs up.

No plants were harmed in the making of this photo.

To top it all off, I splurged on some creepers (also from H&M - I basically did Supermarket Sweep in there) in candyfloss pink, which have an amazing foam sole that makes them a bit like those chunky platform flip flops from the 90s that served me so well on family beach holidays as a child. 

Obviously when teamed with the top then everything goes a bit too pink and girly, but when you're in the grip of a furious summer heatwave (read: sweaty, flabby and grumpy - not what they tell you about in summer magazine editorials) then it's probably a handy distraction.

I promise not to make you endure any more photos of me for at least another month or so...

[All photos my own.]

H&M's Conscious Collection S/S12

 [Images via H&M]. 

 Even ethical clothing now involves 'doing an Angelina'...

This image reminds me of a cross between Peter Som's peacock blue dress as worn by Lea Michele, and Jil Sander's flashes of bright pink from S/S11. It's also a brilliant start to H&M's lastest drop in the Conscious Collection, which uses organic and recycled materials without compromising on fashionable shapes and details. I'm a big fan of the range (and I've blogged about it in the past), but this was a triumph in its use of designer influences.

 It's a floral cornucopia.

With fashionistas going bananas for intense flower-saturated fabric (take your pick from the very in demand Mary Katrantzou, Proenza Schouler, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Stella McCartney's petal-heavy adverts across the page of every high-end glossy magazine this season), H&M hit a no-brainer here. The garment's shape, with its below-the-elbow sleeves and short collar, keeps things retro and neat, which contrasts to the frenetic energy of the repetitive print.

 Beyond amazing, this dress is the cream of the crop.

I cannot describe how much I love this ruffle number, as hideous as it would probably appear on me. There's something amazing about making a life-size crinoline lady's outfit seem appealing, and the endless layers of rough-edged fabric running into each other are pretty spellbinding overall. This will definitely be getting some red carpet wear, especially as H&M has recently been enlisting A-listers to wear its designs for premieres. If you're not a film star, don't panic. This would make a great alternative wedding dress or an eye-catching evening look with a minimalist clutch and Paperself false butterfly lashes.

My own collage of product snippets, with original images from Perezhilton.com.

As you can see from this sneak peek of other designs, there's an emphasis on vintage styling and ultra-feminine dressing. I really think that S/S12 will be Conscious Collection's best season yet, with so many strong offerings that should be snapped up for their fashion credentials and their ethical origins.

H&M Shop Report: Futuristic Sportswear meets Fetish

[All images my own, taken at H&M Oxford Circus]. 

A blazer the colour of tennis balls? Yep, it can be done. Not sure I'd wear it, but it's definitely ticking the sportswear box. Great for girls who want waist definition - just stick a skinny belt over the top. Avoid if you have swimmer's shoulders.

Black tunic top with iridescent sleeves.

Asymmetric cream blouse without collar - very turn of the century. 

Embellished collars are a good alternative if the collarless thing does nothing for you. 

Mannequins clad in black. 

Detail of fetish-style dress with punctured leatherette. 

Kind of looks like a sports vest.

Another piece in perforated leatherette - this time a top. The paper bag waist works really well, though the cardigan is less flattering.
All clothing from H&M - www.hm.com/gb

Fashion Blogger Photography in Shops - What are the Rules?

Yesterday I was up in London for some family time and managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping (well, ok, I deliberately scheduled some in). Was happily browsing through the rails of H&M in Oxford Circus and managed to find a totally amazing collection hidden downstairs in the main womenswear section. Of course, I automatically reached for my camera, as there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to document this - the range was basically a mash-up of fetish and sportswear, which somehow worked brilliantly. I was lusting after most of the items and was merrily snapping away, when a slightly blunt shop assistant interjected with, "Excuse me, NO PHOTOS,". Naturally I stopped and apologised, but then I thought about the situation afterwards and couldn't work out why it was such a negative thing for a mainstream high street fashion brand not to have people talking about them on a grass-roots level. I didn't want to hassle the assistant by asking specifically why I couldn't take more photos (okay, she scared me), so I've worked through a few thoughts around her comment, and why I don't agree with the no photos policy.

1. Fear of Copyright Infringement - "What if that woman steals our designs?"

This is a valid question, really. Brands are always going to be afraid of copycats and people who will rip off their products at a cut rate - I get that. What I don't understand is why a massive fashion chain that can afford to sell at brilliant prices would ever think that a lowly average Joe could compete with them? How could I produce a top for £7.99 with such a quick turnaround and a certain standard of sewing? What's more, if I was a fashion design student, why would I want to reference a high street store and not a legendary designer or fashion house? It's also slightly futile for H&M to be worried about copies of their designs when they already base large amounts of their collections on Couture and Ready-to-Wear pieces from Fashion Weeks around the world. They do not pay the designers that they have imitated, or acknowledge the link between the original and the H&M version. How exactly could they challenge me morally, even if I was planning on churning out copies of their clothing?

2. The H&M Website Has Hardly Any Stock

One of the reasons why I was so desperate to get out my camera was that there is too much disparity between the range of clothing on offer in stores and online. The website always seems to have a pitifully small selection of items and it's very rare for me to find one that I liked in store and can share with my friends via the internet. Basically I want to have a record of the pieces I covet if I can't afford them, so that I can start saving now, or send an image to my friends asking for their opinions. If I am not allowed to take photos then I will just have to end up mumbling vaguely about 'that top with the peplum thing and the sort of weird sleeves'. If the brand took a leaf out of its sister company COS' book, it would constantly update the site with lookbook images, visual inspiration and examples of as many key styles as possible. It's really not that hard to give your customers what they want.

3. Social Sharing Benefits the Brand

If I did want to rave about a particular object from the collection then I don't see how that can be a negative thing. What's more, being a fashion blogger, I am essentially giving H&M free publicity by telling everyone to go and buy into their new line, without any inkling of corporate sponsorship (rest assured, if I was paid by a brand to publicise something, you'd know). H&M must get this kind of thing all the time, especially in the Oxford Circus store, as it's a stone's throw away from the main campus of the London College of Fashion, my alma mater. I find it hard to believe that they would consistently discourage bloggers or members of the public who love fashion from taking photos. It's not like I was messing around in a silly hat with a group of mates - I was genuinely excited about this collection and I wanted to spread the word. What's more, not all of the pieces were suitable for my body shape, so I never could have bought them, but I was still keen to show people how great they were.

4. If I'd Had a Sketchbook I'd Be a Bloody Nuisance

Let's say I didn't use my camera. Instead I produced my trusty sketchbook and pens and proceeded to set up camp in the middle of an aisle to draw a certain dress in detail. Arguably this would be more disruptive to the running of the store (blocking everyone else from getting to the stock) and it could be quite messy - let's say my artist's permanent marker pen falls onto a top or a pair of shoes. Product ruined. In this situation, a quick photo is surely the better option.

Basically I've felt a bit flat after yesterday's trip to H&M, but I do have some nice photos of the collection which I would like to share with you, unless another shop assistant would like to accost me. Stay tuned for the images, and let me know if you have any thoughts on the issue.

A Look Back at 2011: Fashion Moments and the Year in Blogging

It's been quite a year on the blog. Thanks to all who've been following my adventures over the past 12 months (and those who were there previously), as I've really enjoyed getting your feedback. I started the year as a postgraduate student at the London College of Fashion, which I must say I really do miss, and now I'm greeting 2012 providing content and destination advice to British travellers, whilst keeping an eye on travel trends. Here are some of my highlights of 2011:

• The maxi skirt was a slow burning trend with me, but I've now embraced it. At first I was reluctant to get into 'granny chic', as I'm normally a miniskirt kind of girl, but it's been refreshing to shake up my wardrobe a little.
  
• Trips away from the daily grind included a holiday to Boston, which was freezing but very stylish, and my usual jaunt to the Edinburgh Festival. I discovered a brilliant vintage shop in Edinburgh which may become one of my favourite places.
  
• I spent the year writing for various publications, including Pigeons and Peacocks Magazine, the current affairs website This Affected Youth and the art website Artface. Pigeons and Peacocks was my first print piece, which was very exciting, and involved being on the same page as the legendary Susie Bubble.
• Aside from writing, finishing my postgraduate course, working in retail and moving on to destination marketing, I spent much of the year interning for the ethical fashion brand Esther Porter. This was a valuable experience and I loved helping Esther to build up social media, potential stockists and customers. My interning stint culminated with London Fashion Week and a Parisian trade show, which were both amazing.
  
• This year I also met several idols of mine, which left me pretty speechless. Donna Wallace, Accessories Editor of Elle UK, was at Fashion Week (the woman has serious style credentials and is also really friendly), and I also spotted Brix Smith-Start with her pugs. Later in the year I met Sasha Wilkins of Liberty London Girl, who was a real inspiration. Who knows who I'll bump into in 2012?
• Shop-wise, I loved New Look, Republic and Topshop this year and was impressed by H&M's Conscious Collection and Gareth Pugh for MAC (the latter of which made an appearance in my Christmas stocking, thanks to my one and only sister).
• Designers to watch in 2011 included Rodarte (whose S/S11 collection thrilled, but whose SS12 did not look too promising), House of Holland (I even invested in Henry Holland's underwear collection at Selfridges) and Charlotte Olympia.
  
• My inspiration for A/W11-12 style came from the raciest trend of the year. That meant no Kate Middleton references (I know she's supposed to be fashionable, but the pearls and twinset look just isn't my thing) and certainly no conservative leanings (phew). Tis the season to be daring.
  

I hope you'll continue reading in 2012. Now I've also finished my guest blog stint for the fabulous Bitch Magazine, hopefully a more frequent blogging schedule will be resumed! I'll keep you updated on all my sartorial ramblings for the year.

Hell for Leather

It's not often I post outfit shots, as you know, but these faux leather trousers needed their own shot because they look so flat on a hanger. When I saw them in H&M I was keen (I've been looking for a good pair for ages) but I was worried that my legs would look like over-stuffed sausages. Fortunately the synthetic fabric is very forgiving - perhaps more so than genuine leather - and I feel pretty confident in them because they are genuinely flattering.

Pro points: Comfy, warm in winter, understated enough to work with basics (not trashy), cut on the waist, zip pocket detail that makes them seem edgy rather than slutty.
Negative points: A little too hot if you're out and about (I was burning up wearing them on the Underground), they tend to give a little too much at the knee and the fabric goes thin, which might lead to splitting in the future. I'm unsure as to how I can stop this happening because I don't exactly have lots of faux leather knocking around the house. My solution will probably be to either buy another pair in the sales or look out for anything made in a similar finish from somewhere like Primark, which I can then cut up and patch on as necessary.

Faux leather trousers, £24.99, H&M.
Worn with vest top by River Island.

Versace for H&M: Menswear Looking Fierce

[All images courtesy of H&M].
What with Versace being incredibly luxurious and unobtainable for us plebs, and with H&M being a powerhouse of global high street fashion, it seems only right that the two companies should have a meeting of design minds and develop a one-off collection. Previous collaborators with H&M have included Viktor & Rolf (intelligent style), Madonna (quite chavvy, most ended up in the sale) and Lanvin (flirtatious and fun), so Versace is joining an illustrious list. As you can see from the image above, the menswear drop is looking particularly exciting - it's edgy and moody, without alienating the more mature man. You could wear that leather jacket aged 20 or 50 if you styled it right, i.e. no accompanying mid-life crisis motorbike and bimbo. I also love the cut-off shorts, but there is definitely an age limit on those.

I'm strangely attracted to this all-pink ensemble, even though it's quite attention-seeking. There's just something cool/vaguely OCD about being this freakishly co-ordinated, and the suit just looks expensive. It's a great cut.

There's something distinctly fun about this shirt and I like it, despite (or maybe because of?) its potential to make people's eyes hurt. The pattern is sharp and it would look brilliant with a dark jacket and some tailored trousers. Although not everyone would find this print wearable, it's a lot easier on the eye than much of the ladieswear, which was sequin-heavy and full of lurid colours that were a little hard to stomach.

Out of the female choice, there were two dark looks that I loved (the rest I would struggle to justify buying in Primark, let alone at the price of this collection, which tends to be £50+ per piece). The black dress seen here has a gorgeous bodice top with ribbon edges, and its flared skirt will be flattering for big stomachs or boyish frames.

A less forgiving number, this studded leather dress is highly dramatic and perhaps worth splashing the cash. With the studs arranged to highlight the body frame, it's going to make you feel special. Sadly the rest of the ladieswear was just too gaudy for me to enjoy, but if you want to invest in some Versace on a budget then head to H&M from 17th November for palm print leggings and bright orange.

H&M's Conscious Collection AW11: Eco Fabulous

[Images via H&M online].
Now available online and at Selfridges London, the current Conscious Collection from H&M is heavy on florals and soft fabrics but light on environmental impact. H&M is really into its stride with this deep patterned dress, skirt and shoes, which use organic hemp. At under £50 for the dress, it doesn't break the bank and yet it could be designer.

I cannot describe how much I love these ankle boots - they're flirty and feminine but they could easily be worn for a crucial meeting with headstrong, minimalist tailoring. The background colour on this print is a gorgeous blue-green and it feels really fresh. Meanwhile, the sturdy heel isn't going to snap off and it will give your feet plenty of support. I'd wear these with cream ankle socks and a midi-skirt, or maybe a t-shirt dress in a plain colour.

It's safe to say that the lace effect won't die as a trend any time soon. We're still being given bright colours on the high street, but this ivory shade is much more grown up. Made of a delicate organic cotton, it boasts a scalloped edge and 3/4 sleeves which give it a 60s vibe. If only my hair wasn't so blindingly platinum blonde then I'd give this a go.

The full range can be seen (and bought) at:

http://www.hm.com/gb/conscious-collection#1/0

You can also see a behind-the-scenes video with the models from the promotional shoot, and find out which pieces they had their eye on. I really feel that H&M is investing properly into this initiative and I'm so glad that it can combine ethical fashion with the high street shopper's price point.

COS and classic British school uniforms

COS (the sister brand of H&M) is now available to buy online, which has excited me but not my bank balance. In fact, the bank staff are probably rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of my over-spending, so I'm trying to just window shop at the moment (if you want to have a look, it's www.cosstores.com/Store). The simplicity of the garments really struck me, but I also found a strong similarity between the tailoring of a certain dress and belt and the uniform of a private school, Christ's Hospital, near my home town. The belt from COS, seen above, is about £9, and uses the same lurid mustard as the Christ's Hospital socks, although they prefer their belts in tan. The fastening is similar to the gold buttons that Christ's Hospital pupils have on their trademark coats.

Here's the COS dress in all its glory. With a simple cut, slightly A-line, it's wearable and forgiving. The zip detail on the waist is much like a belt, in that it draws the eye to the centre of the figure. Retailing at over £100, it's not an impulse buy, but it's certainly bound to last you a long time.

The Christ's Hospital uniform, seen above (taken from the Independent online), gave the rise to its nickname, The Bluecoat School, as the coats were dark wool and much bluer in origin. Now in a sleek black, they are loved and loathed by its pupils - great for covering up in winter, but not so useful in a heatwave. It's a lot more traditional than most British school uniforms, and I'd never really thought of it as trendsetting until now, but it fits in nicely with AW/11-12's key trends of minimalism, mustard, heritage and classic tailoring. It seems that we could all learn something more from school, then.

Fresh from the shop floor

[All images my own. Please ask before reproducing.]
New Look has my 'fashion bargain' alarm bells ringing with this youthful take on the feathered cocktail dress. It's probably going to be indecently short, it's one-shouldered and it's not made of silk, but it's a quirky alternative to saving your best clothes for certain outings. At £22.99, it's not going to break the bank, but the feather trim will turn heads at a bar or club.

New Look's shoe department (which I have blogged about in the past) is a firm favourite with me. Their footwear is sturdy but fashion-forward and this pair definitely caught my eye. The python print is very AW - it's set to replace other animal patterns - and the black suede adds a touch of glamour. If only I could walk in them.

Leather accessories are a staple trend for AW, but this year there's an even bigger emphasis on heritage pieces, as seen at Zara. With Chelsea boots in scarlet and black, and the possibility of matching your feet to your bag here (or should we call it a document wallet?), things are looking undeniably chic. This is the grown-up way to greet the passing of summer.

Tailoring at Zara is also strong, with the masculine/androynous edge proving popular. This royal blue jacket, with its clean lines and tuxedo-esque edges, is bound to be a sell-out. The colour works well with black, but I think it would be equally interesting over white or grey tailored trousers or some colourful silk palazzo pants.

They call me mellow yellow... or mustard, to be precise. If there was one item I could pick from Zara at the moment, it'd be this jacket. It's very 1980s, but minus the irritating shoulder pads or frizzy perm that might have accompanied it back then. You just know you could chuck this on over a shirt and skinny trousers or leggings and instantly feel powerful. It'd be best suited to strong eyebrows, a dark lip and a minimalistic bag. As for the python-print ankle boots? They'll be in all the magazines. Personally I'm looking for over-the-knee numbers this season, but these are a nice alternative.

Urban Outfitters' accessories really do go from classic pieces to modern pop culture references. The Casio watch, in my opinion, seemed like a fad, but now seems to be back with a vengeance, whilst the skull decoration is more timeless and could still be a feature piece in 20 years.

Topshop's leather detail mac is to die for. At just under £100, it's not exactly cheap, but it does make you stand out from the crowd where coats are concerned. I'm going to try and replicate this with some leather offcuts on the cuffs and base of a charity shop piece (just gotta keep my eyes peeled for the perfect one!).

Topshop's shoe department has workwear covered. From patent Chelsea boots to low-heeled pumps, there seems to be a decisive nod to formal dressing here. I'm also deeply in love with the gold chunky heel in the centre - it's a brilliant detail on a simple shoe.

River Island is a great place to find directional accessories. For the last few years they've been incredibly good at producing shawls, snoods and scarves that are ladylike but not too fussy, and 2011 is no exception. They've gone the extra mile with a fur trim on this pashmina (bottom left).

H&M's bags seem to be surpassing their footwear this season. They've chosen to give in to the satchel trend (it just won't die down, because women and men still seek practical arm candy that will last more than a few months), but their new colour-ways are fresh. That zingy orange is most likely referencing the recent neon versions of The Cambridge Satchel Company's popular pieces. I'm really drawn to the deep green bag on the far right, though - it's very roomy, has a great gold zip and two styles of strap. At £29.99 it's hard to walk away from.