The Cambridge Satchel Company's Brand Evolution: S/S14 Looks Bright

Today I received some of the shiny new images from the S/S14 collection by the Cambridge Satchel Company, which has gone from strength to strength since its formation around a kitchen table back in 2008. This latest range shows just how determined the brand is to achieve longevity and not just be part of a short-term satchel trend. No wonder it's just had a cash injection of over £12 million from Index Ventures. Peach Pink and Bellflower Blue are going to be it-colours for the season, mark my words.

 [Images via Cambridge Satchel Company S/S14 launch and Google+ profile].

These longer strap options won't hang around for long this season.

 I would snap up this navy clutch in an instant.

Candy clutches (and traditional black) are sure to be successful.

Whilst I'm yet to get my hands on one of these bags, I can definitely see the appeal of their latest evolution into clutches, two-tone variants and long shoulder strap numbers. The key to keeping the brand fresh is to offer something desirable and different, as well as the same reliable models that the public knows them for. 

 Two tone works well in both of these colour ways.

Even small adjustments, such as panels made from leopard print or tartan fabric, Vivienne Westwood designed prints or iconic Harris Tweed, show that there is more than one ideal CSC customer and they will all be catered for. I've seen the Accessories Editor of Elle carrying a neon number at London Fashion Week, but I've also seen grandmas, students and mums buying into the brand as well. 

 There's nothing like a bit of punk spirit from a British brand.

Admittedly the designers could have easily become stuck in a rut of continually reinventing the wheel and trying not to shake up tradition, knowing how well the standard styles were selling, but instead they've tried new innovations and colour combinations regularly. Fluoro, double colour and metallic options have all proved popular, suggesting there's no let-up in satchel fever, and the company's products are stocked in over 100 countries. 

 These fluoro music bags would certainly brighten up a dull music lesson...

Taking a look at the latest styles, I have a feeling that Bellflower Blue is going to look great with S/S14 outfits, whilst the patent croc print clutches are real investment pieces for smarter occasions. The Cambridge Satchel Company has come a long way from its humble kitchen table beginnings, and I'll be eagerly anticipating its next move.

Newsflash: Primark is available at ASOS!

I can hear the sigh of relief being breathed by cash-strapped fashionistas across the land: finally, Primark has dipped its toes into the scary world of online retail, bringing its pocket money-friendly prices to an even wider audience. 

 Bargain-hunters, your prayers have been answered. 

[All images via ASOS.com]

As someone whose home town doesn't have a Primarni to its name, I'll be relieved not to have to schlep my way to the nearest store in order to get my fix, especially when the items I've been lusting after in magazines aren't always reliably stocked in my local branch (but rest assured, there will always be an inexplicably plentiful supply of comedy onesies doing the rounds and being abandoned on the shop floor, amid the detritus...). It can also be maddening knowing that Primark offers the product that I want, but for some reason its entire stock is in sizes 8-10, for no apparent reason other than to taunt me. Pfft. Well, with ASOS to the rescue, surely things will turn a corner, knowing how efficient and successful the web retail giant is - even at a content marketing event last week, two speakers chose to use the website as an example of great strategic marketing, and rightfully so. 

 One of the six products currently available; the parka.

To those who think that Primark might seem like a very low-end acquisition for the brand, you only have to consider ASOS' target market (young women who want to stay on-trend) and its origins as a provider of celebrity-infused fashion. It's not long since the website began stocking high street labels like River Island, Motel and Lipsy, so Primark feels like a natural addition to the brand directory as ASOS continues being relevant to, and in the price range of, recession-crippled Brits. Whilst its high-end efforts such as the Black range are laudable, what keeps the site at the top of shoppers' online bookmarks is its affordability - the idea that you, too, can have a piece of the pie for less, even if you're a student or you're on a very tight budget. 

I definitely feel that this is a step in the right direction. Having Primarni on the books can only add to ASOS' reputation as the go-to site for British women, especially if it means you can replace the jumble sale feel of rush hour Primark with the sleek and sophisticated feel of the online retailer's homepage. And as for the perfect first purchase from this shopping marriage, I'd have to choose the studded parka (£22) - great for festivals, taking into consideration the high risk of crap British summer weather along the way...

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!

Fred Perry x No Doubt: A Supercool Collaboration for 2013

Be still, my beating heart - it's time to rock steady as one of the most perfectly matched collaborative efforts of the fashion and music world hits stores in early 2013. Say hello to a meeting of stylish minds as the talented team at Fred Perry fuses with the unutterably cool band No Doubt, whose recent revival could not be more welcome in my eyes. Having had much of my childhood and teenage years defined by songs like Don't Speak, Hella Good and Ex-Girlfriend, I was really excited to see what this collaboration would look like. 

Not your average bomber jacket - this one has the edge of Gwen Stefani (£150). 

[All images via FredPerry.com]

What I'd style it with: 

Feel free to mix up your look with this one, as the jacket combines a classic American shape with British tartan. Bombers are great for teaming with black miniskirts and Doc Martens, but if you want to smarten up the look then team yours with oxblood or navy heeled ankle boots instead. Keep make-up minimal: just add a slick of lead singer Gwen's failsafe red lipstick - I've heard that she uses MAC's Russian Red.

 The classic slim fit shirt (£60) gets its reggae on.

What I'd style it with:

There's no question that this piece works best with trousers, but the style is fairly flexible - skintight, drop-waist with braces, capri pants or even one of this season's single-stripe trousers, seen everywhere from George at Asda to J. Crew. Just make sure you don't wear it with flares under any circumstances, or you really will be taking things too far. Instead, be playful with make-up and add liquid eyeliner in one of the reggae colours from the No Doubt stripe - red, yellow or green - before either slicking back your hair or adding a quiff.

 There's a colourful but preppy edge to the v-neck sweater (£90).

What I'd style it with:

I would dress this down for daytime with a vintage calf-length skirt in a plain colour - either a 50s-style full skirt (perhaps with a petticoat) or something a little more figure-hugging from the 40s. Alternatively, tailored charcoal trousers with low-heeled court shoes or slouched boots would also work. If you wanted to accent the magenta in the pattern then now's the time to do it, as both Sonia Rykiel and 3.1 Phillip Lim are currently selling trousers in this colour.

The pieces won't be available until next year, but that isn't going to dampen the enthusiasm for many of us, especially as you can pre-register your interest online to be notified about when each product goes on sale. As with any Fred Perry range, the price point can seem prohibitive, but you are paying for a heritage label which has die-hard brand advocates from all backgrounds: it's just that some of us save up for a little bit longer than others in order to pay for that coveted laurel wreath. 

There's a whole sub-section on their website discussing emotional attachment, which is something that is much rarer with today's in-your-face labels who have to chuck special offers at you every five minutes and run re-tweet and follow competitions to get your attention. The fact that Perry has its own entire music-filled subculture, enjoyed by people of all ages, is a testament to its enduring appeal. By joining together with No Doubt, the brand has proved that it still knows what the people want.

Top 3 Illogical Celebrity Fashion and Beauty Lines of 2012

There's nothing like a celebrity scent. Who knew singers had such great olfactory skills?

[Image via Digital Spy].

Without further ado, it's time for a little 2012 review of those strange but true celebrity product launches that sometimes make you wonder if you're just having a strange dream. 2011 was the year of Myleene Klass' nail wraps, but this year these famous names excelled themselves when it came to hidden talents. 

1. Cher Lloyd's perfume - If there's one person I hope to smell like, it must surely be Cher Lloyd. Her intoxicating blend of top notes including whining, pouting and being difficult in interviews, mixed with base notes of chav and reality TV, made for a memorable combination that was bound to be a success. Apparently One Direction will be the next out of the starting blocks to conquer the market, though no word as yet whether the most prominent top note will be Harry Styles' little black book of older women or Zayn's fags. Let's just hope none of the boys watch the film Perfume and take inspiration from Ben Whishaw's dedication to the cause of a perfumier, or the Twittersphere would truly implode with underage girls offering themselves up for sacrifice.

Robbie wished his mates would be a bit more talkative sometimes.

[Image via the Daily Mirror].

2. Robbie Williams' clothing line inspired by his granddad - Those of you with a spare £500 will be pleased to know that you needn't let it burn a hole in your pocket any more. You can exchange it for a Pilot's Leather Jacket, or perhaps dip into it for a cable knit cardigan which will set you back a paltry £135 from the Farrell brand. Ok, so kudos to Robbie Williams for using quality materials in his clothing, such as lambswool, but not many a fan of Rudebox and Candy will have the disposable income to match his price points. Meanwhile, those of you who regularly drop half a grand on a jacket will probably not see Williams as a style icon. 

It Starts With An Idea (ISWAI) clearly wanted its models to be totally unique. 

These three slightly horsey looking blondes tell me that Caggie is the one on the right.

[Image via MTV].

 3. Caggie from MIC's fashion brand - Posh reality TV star Caggie Dunlop (you know, the one who hangs about with people called Binky and Hugo), is all about keeping it real, apparently. That's why she has launched a fashion line that's all about being unpretentious and involves working with upcoming designers (plebs, yah), and - according to MTV - deals with 'themes close to Caggie’s heart: New York, Rebellion, Religion, Da Vinci and The Universe'. That's right, guys, she just can't stop thinking about Leonardo Da Vinci's anatomical studies and black holes and Brian Cox, in between filming that deep thinking existential show, Made in Chelsea. If only the producers would let her have more screen time to discuss her thoughts on Stephen Hawking or perhaps to incite a current affairs debate on the issue of women bishops. Oh, and if you'd like to buy a less cerebral piece from the ISWAI collection then there's a bright pink 'Keep Calm and Caggie On' t-shirt for just £22.

I really do despair for humanity sometimes. Here's to 2013, when we should brace ourselves for yet another onslaught of stylish celebs astounding us with their entrepreneurial nous.

How to Approach Fashion Bloggers: An Outreach Guide for PRs

 You need to stand out against the competition and be unique.

[Image my own, taken at London Fashion Week S/S13].

'Tis the season to be bombarded by PRs and marketing departments... yes, Christmas is upon us and many agencies and companies are approaching bloggers and needing their press release to be noticed. I've sat in both camps, PR/outreach and blogger, and I can safely say that it's easy to forget what it's like to be at the receiving end of your emails when you've spent ages working on a campaign and you have a never-ending list of people to contact. I totally get it. With this in mind, I've put together a few tips to make it a bit less stressful as you make your way through that blog list, and hopefully help you to achieve great results. 

1. DO make it personal

One of the laziest things you can do is to email without finding out the name of the blogger. Presumably you spent a few milliseconds/seconds/minutes looking at their posts, so it shouldn't take long to figure out their name, unless they deliberately prefer to remain anonymous. Simply writing: 'Hi, I love your great blog!' means you might as well admit that you're copying and pasting the same template email over and over again, and it doesn't matter how many kisses you put at the end to soften the impact (preferably none). Which blog do you love? Who has a bloody clue?! If you really loved their writing or photography so much then spend an extra two seconds referencing the post that caught your attention.

Most importantly, remember how annoying it is to receive post through your letterbox that's addressed to 'The Homeowner', because that's what you're effectively sending to the blogger. It's even worse if you don't even put any kind of greeting on the email at all, because that is being rude as well as being spam.

2. DON'T make us watch the party without an invite

Some PRs have an unusual strategy which is to prey on the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) culture by sending bloggers images of press launches that they were not invited to. Perhaps the target audience will be so impressed by the sheer coolness of the fashion party that they were not cool enough to attend that they will be spurred on to create a brilliant blog post about the ones who were invited? The more likely option is that they will just stare in bemusement at the sheer audacity of the PR. 

Let's put it in a scenario: the most popular girl in your school hosts a party but doesn't invite you, then asks you to help distribute her photos from the night, as you might just be lusting over what some of her chosen few guests were wearing. Madness. The difference between these events and the ones that we willingly write about without the chance of an invite (such as the Met Ball in New York) is that I know the organisers of the Met Ball are not trying to squeeze me for publicity; I can look from afar and admire, without having my face rubbed in it that I'm at home in my pyjamas. I knew I wouldn't be walking the red carpet in New York but I was happy to go along for the ride.

3. DO make sure your product is right for the blog

The scatter-gun approach of targeting contacts may get you points for enthusiasm but it doesn't get you anywhere in the long run. If you're flogging anything and everything then don't send out a press release that covers your extensive range of gifts for babies and husbands unless your bloggers write about families and marriage. Seriously, I don't care how bespoke your Christmas presents are, I cannot feasibly write about them unless I become pregnant or engaged overnight which, let's face it, would be highly unlikely on both counts (though that would be a show-stopping blog post). 

Doing that little bit of research can save you a wasted email and will allow you to stop getting distracted with the pursuit of easy targets when you should be focusing on building quality relationships with interested bloggers who you can work with again in the future. And remember, you can be more specific with your target audience, so don't aim at a die-hard vintage blogger if your client's product is brand new and smells slightly of plastic. It's okay to be picky in order to cut out all those irrelevant pitches, because you're unlikely to get a great uptake rate if you're barking up the wrong tree in the style stakes.

4. DON'T forget the geography

It's an obvious one, but you'd be surprised how many emails I receive that are geographically irrelevant to me, bearing in mind that I don't make a secret of the fact that I'm based near London. New York Fashion Week looks fantastic and I'd love to go, but inviting me with a week's notice means that there's no way I can scrape together the money for a hotel, let alone a flight, much as I'd like to accept the invitation. Closer to home, I've been invited to events on the other side of London at short notice - presumably as a last resort, I'm under no illusions here - which are basically impossible for me to get to without arriving as the last revellers are heading home. I know a lot of my peers are in the same position, wondering why they've been asked to go to a city that is hundreds of miles away without much warning, and it is much more common in the travel industry where I work, but then that comes with the territory as travel is now full of adaptable digital nomads. Fashion? We're a bit more settled.

By all means ask someone on the off-chance if they can attend your event, as you never know when people might be travelling, but be honest and admit if you know it will be out of their way ("Paris to Edinburgh? Yeah, should be a doddle. Dunno why she's making a fuss."). All it takes is a quick look at their author bio or their Twitter feed to see where they're based and then you can work out if they should be able to attend without setting out on a two-day trek to reach you.

I honestly hope these tips help to reduce some of the mad panic surrounding this time of year for those of you in PR and outreach. If you want to share your own tips or insight then get in touch, as I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Calculating Blogger ROI: Why Travel Bloggers Are Lightyears Ahead

Last week I headed off to World Travel Market (WTM) 2012, as part of my work, and it was a brilliant opportunity to find out what one of the blogging world's most innovative sectors is getting up to. Travel bloggers are some of the best networkers and negotiators, as well as being incredibly nice people, and they know how to make an impact. When I attended a seminar on how to measure a blogger's Return on Investment (ROI), I was fairly intrigued as to how this could be done, as a fashion blogger as well as a travel industry insider. 

I figured this photo had the wanderlust/style crossover covered.

[Image my own, taken at a vintage fair in Brighton].

Knowing that the seminar was being run by Melvin Böcher of Traveldudes and Keith Jenkins of Velvet Escape, I felt that I'd be in pretty safe hands - these guys are two of the most successful bloggers in the travel sector and they certainly know what they're talking about. It was chaired by the head of TBU (Travel Bloggers Unite) and showed just how supportive and well integrated these bloggers are.

A Gap in the Market

"It seemed strange that there was no way to calculate ROI on my press trips, yet I had 80,000 unique visitors to Traveldudes," said Melvin, reflecting on his website. "In contrast, I worked on a local newspaper which had 30,000 unique visitors but also had 50 members of staff; I have assistance with Traveldudes but I am the only full-time person running it."

The idea was then planted to measure your blog's success based on a combination of factors such as your AVE (Advertising Value Equivalent), Google Analytics statistics and your impact on others, such as your scores on Klout and Peer Index as well as how much you could charge for a sponsored tweet. The overall rating, applying AVE principles to content and social media outreach, would then help organisations to work out if it would be good value to collaborate with you on press trips or other opportunities. 

No, you don't need to be psychic to calculate ROI.

[Image my own, taken in Boston, USA].

Jo Johnson,deputy MD of 4BGB, said: "This is what has been missing in terms of evaluation. The travel industry really wasn't sure of the value of bloggers vs. print media. For example, the value of getting re-tweets hadn't ever been calculated, but it is important, such as if Melvin [with 100,000 followers] re-tweets you."

I can see why the travel industry is keen to improve evaluation and pinpoint those key bloggers - if you're working in fashion or beauty then you can easily send out samples or organise a press day and work to a smaller budget, whereas the travel industry is investing a lot more money in detailed press trips. What's also worth bearing in mind is that the majority of fashion bloggers are happy to post about product launches and deals, but their travel equivalents are a lot more wary about working with brands and often ask for payment. This means that developing a relationship with a blogger in travel is much more of a long-term investment and is not as simple as sending out a press release.

Your Search Visibility

Meanwhile Keith, from Velvet Escape, brought up an interesting point about how consumers find blogs and how they behave on them. "People might not cite bloggers as reasons for buying a holiday but if they use Google then, chances are, they will come across a blog in the results. They just don't realise that's what they've found, as more and more blogs look like online travel guides, so they think it's a website. Also, consumers don't tend to leave comments, but other bloggers do. Consumers tend to talk more on Twitter and Facebook."

In light of Keith's comments, it's worth bearing in mind that social proof is one of the best ways to target and grow your audience. That means if someone genuinely recommends a blog to their friends it is more trustworthy than a company, which people might assume had a hidden agenda.

What can we learn from the ROI calculator?

Now is the time to start finding out more about ROI. The calculator is currently free but will be available from €15 a month in the future, which is pretty reasonable for something that you can use to negotiate your future collaborations with brands. Plans for development include measuring newsletters with click-through rates, YouTube and Google Hangouts. 

The seminar definitely proved to me that travel bloggers are the savviest group when it comes to understanding their own worth and projecting their potential. If you're not in the sector but you want to follow their lead in terms of marketing yourself to brands then the ROI calculator is a great place to start.

What to buy a fashion lover for Christmas, on a budget: the gift guide

Well, this post needs little introduction. Like those Ronseal adverts, it does what it says on the tin - find some inspiration for appeasing the fashion monster inside your loved one with these gift ideas. There's a protest t-shirt for the activist fashionista, a free exhibition worth checking out, and a designer jumper that is incredibly good value for money. It's my excuse to play personal shopper, so enjoy!

Cost: I need change from a fiver

 [Image via Selectism.com].

One of the simplest ways to get into style at the moment is to pick up one of the limited edition Diet Coke cans or bottles designed by Jean Paul Gaultier (for inspiration, think stripes, sailors and corsets with lashings of bare flesh and copious tattoos). Perfect for adding a bit of thought to a Secret Santa present, unless you really want to give them that Selection Box. These little JPG beauties have been selling well on eBay as collectors flock to get a piece of the action.

Cost: under twenty, please

 [Image: Free Pussy Riot T-shirt at Amnesty].

Not only do you get a cool protest t-shirt designed by the very quirky illustrator David Shrigley, but you're actively supporting a leading human rights charity and standing up for women worldwide by promoting this cause. All this for £14.99? Yep, and it's available for men and women, so everyone's happy. Just make sure the recipient reads up on Pussy Riot before they wear it outside, in case anyone asks for an explanation - nobody likes a faux protester. FYI, two members of the controversial punk group are still in prison, despite the fact that they did nothing illegal in playing a gig at an Orthodox Christian cathedral in Moscow.

Cost: keep it under thirty

[Image: Tim Walker at Amazon.co.uk]

Tim Walker: Storyteller examines the work of a fashion photography legend with this huge coffee table book that ties into the Somerset House retrospective. If you know someone who gets giddy over magazine editorial and practically lives on the website Fashion Gone Rogue (ahem, me) then this will float their elaborately decorated boat and costs £24.30 from Amazon, saving you over £20 off the RRP. 

P.S. If you're utterly skint but like this idea then head up to Tim Walker: Storyteller at Somerset House and witness the free exhibition up close in one of London's best fashion exhibition venues. It runs until 27th January 2013 and promises to be a treat for fans of set design, creative photography and theatrical style.

 

Cost: under fifty but looks like I spent a lot more

 [Image: Michael Kors at theoutnet.com].

This Michael Kors jumper is a bit of a bargain at £43.75 reduced from £125, so you can keep label lovers happy without going bankrupt yourself. The sort of woman who'd wear this could be anything from a Nirvana fan who has recurring dreams about meeting Kurt Cobain, to someone who wants to add a bit more of a casual edge to their girly wardrobe.

It's also not one of those blatantly branded items that can leave you feeling a bit jaded (if you come out in hives at the thought of Juicy Couture tracksuit bottoms, you might know what I mean); this is versatile and wearable, but certainly not naff enough to be consigned to the 'dodgy Christmas jumpers' pile in the attic.

 [Image: Smythson at Net-a-Porter.com]

Smythson is known these days for producing nearly as many fashion accessories as stationery items, so if you're struggling to afford the latest bag from the brand (at least a few hundred quid, in case you're wondering) then downgrade to one of these journals instead. At £45 it isn't small change to most of us but it will definitely make an impact on anyone who appreciates the prestige behind the name and the cheeky slogan on this leather notebook.

Hopefully these ideas will help you cut down on pre-Christmas shopping angst and leave you more money for spending in the Sales.

A/W 2012-13 at Yumi, Part 2: A Closer Look

A cosy but fun swing coat in mustard-tinged yellow.

What I love about this coat: the bold button fixtures are practical but they also add clout; the rose print is abstract enough to resemble polka dots from far away, which is more forgiving than a tight ditzy floral pattern; the contrasting collar works so much better than keeping things the same, and it makes the colour more forgiving for people like me who have a sallow complexion.

Ready for a close-up? 

The pink jumper seems to have a touch of mohair/angora, which I think makes it even more tempting. As for that big gold button, it's a simple vintage touch that helps to make this coat look extra special.

'Prints charming' with these bird designs.

The owl blouse is what I often refer to as Holbein blue: a bright teal shade that was often used by the artist Hans Holbein the Younger, which really stands out. The simple print isn't too complicated and it uses little bows in between the owls.

Inside the showroom

You can just catch a glimpse of the fashion film made by Fleur from the PR team. It was also vintage-inspired, with that sort of dreamy sun-drenched feel (think California or Carnaby Street).

Those finishing touches...

I love a good retro accessory, so you can see why I was drawn to the radio, satchel and case on the shelf above the new collection. I like how the satchel's floral print mirrors that of the coat and blouses with their black rose motif.

Chintz and knits

Having worked previously in White Stuff and been involved in creating window displays and visual merchandising in-store, I felt right at home with the china plates, old lampshades and woodland wallpaper used here. Everything worked well together and helped to show off the collection without dominating it.

Duck, duck, goose

I'm a little bit in love with this print. Not being up on my bird species, I want to say it's a mallard, but I have a feeling that I'm way off the mark. Birdwatching aside, this is a fun print that isn't going to make you look too girly as it has an arty edge.

Specs appeal...

A classic range of monchrome prints featuring glasses, bow ties and top hats was highly effective and made a great focal point. The whole Mad Men vibe is going to have that spectacle cardigan flying off the shelves.

Putting on the Ritz...

This shirt doesn't actually glow - it's just me playing around with photo effects. However, it really shows off the moustache design and I'm sure this will be another big seller.

Colour block corner.

Some girls are indecisive about colour, but this clutch does the hard work for you. Channeling Celine, it's a wearable piece that looks sturdy enough to survive a good few nights out.

Nailed it.

Nail artist Sophie Harris-Greenslade of The Illustrated Nail, whose work has been featured in Stylist, ElleUK.com and I.D Magazine, was on hand (excuse the pun) to provide amazing designs. Not only was she incredibly accurate and inventive, but she was also great fun to talk to. I came away with a beautiful set of nails featuring polish by Essie and Barry M alongside intricately painted heart and lipstick motifs. Stay tuned for the photos.

Shop Review: Monki, Carnaby Street

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

Space-age bubbles in the windows of Monki.

It's always exciting when a new flagship store pops up in London, but Monki is particularly tempting thanks to its lineage (the sister brand of H&M and COS) and its reasonable prices. What this brand is offering is something between its two successful relatives - the sassiness of H&M's spring brights and its loud Divided range, crossed with the minimalist cool of COS. Case in point: the mannequins were dressed in putty and black Aztec prints with shift or batwing dresses and futuristic boots. I was excited to walk in.

 The neatly scallop-edged shop fittings.

On entering, things did feel a little bizarre. Although it was a massive space, the shop certainly felt more claustrophobic than it should, thanks to over-the-top fittings and garish fixtures such as ornate chandeliers, mirrored ceiling tiles and some very odd pink, yellow and green decorations on the stairs. This is not the place to come with a hangover, unless you're a sadist. If you can ignore the young teenage girl's boudoir that the interior designer seemed to be replicating, you can get to the good stuff: the stock.

 Well-draped basics were par for the course.

Colour blocking was the name of the game in Monki, with bold and largely plain items across the store that would be easy to pair with each other. Even the patterns seemed to be secretly harmonising with the garments either side of them. The main shapes were boxy jackets, batwing jersey t-shirts, crossover draped skirts and retro 3/4 sleeve anoraks, with prices starting from £6.00 for basic tees and £25-£35 for silk shirts. 

The accessories were also very strong, and I can see them being a major attraction for shoppers. Prices varied from £4.00 for green apple earrings and £6.00 for a leather purse, to £15.00 for an angular clutch bag in black or neon green.

A riot of colour and some beautiful buttery leather.

I couldn't resist these boots (£35). Available in three colourways across the shop - mustard, red and putty - they were so simple and yet incredibly flattering, with a platform wedge. After a bit of wavering, I plumped for red and squeezed myself into a size 39 (note to staff: applying the security tag on the elasticated section makes it a bloody good achievement to get them on your feet, regardless of being a theft deterrent).

So, will Monki survive in a recession? The shop fit is garish enough to attract attention from younger crowds, and the fashion weeklies are sure to love the clothing shapes, so I think it's safe to say that the brand will continue to be on the radar for some time. As long as the prices are kept reasonable there will be a place for Monki on the British high street, and I'm sure us Brits will style the clothes in our own eccentric way. Just remember to wear sunglasses if you're easily offended by bright colours.