Beauty

I was flipping through the magazines I picked up the other day and came across this beauty feature in the January 2011 issue of Elle U.K. (Carey Mulligan covers the issue). I was so excited when I laid eyes on Charlotte and and Rosa-Safiah (on the same page, for me a huge coincidence), because I had the lovely opportunity to shoot them during London and Paris fashion weeks. It's nice to see that their personal beauty looks are exactly what they describe in the feature.

THE LONG and short of IT

I'm so impressed with the way Veronica (above) and Columbine (below) layer their top coats over a pair of shorts or a dress. And, I love how they've both rolled their sleeves to perfection.

Maxi love

Great proportion play of a maxi sweater and maxi tote combined with a little fedora, cuffed-cigarette trousers and sleek booties.

hi-lite

A pop of color, by way of this fun yellow turban, emphasizes an already chic look.

Velvet

Fifi Newbery in London, September 2010

Drape and Flow

Do you think the title of this post could work in the context of a hip-hop song? Yes? Really? Cause I've been listening to Nicki Minaj for the last 24 hours and my inner lyricist is fighting her way out of selective suppression. But back to the lovely Maria of Vanillascented. How incredible is the draping details of her Veronica B. Vallenes cape and Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair midi-dress? They flow effortless into a striking silhouette.

Studs, chains and dolls

Ha ha ha. What did you think this post was about? Naughty, naughty, naughty. I was just referring to the studded patches on Aneta's Top Shop sweater and the details of her Moschino tote. Come on now, get your mind out of the gutter.

ooh that mix of texture

and tones. Shini of park and cube's look is so impressive. So tactile. The combination of the lines of her Alexander McQueen sweater and the criss crossing of her Zara sandals combined with the netting of her knit dress is total eye candy. And that sheet of sea foam green... hmm, so good.

Lucy

This is Lucy. She's a fashion assistant at InStyle UK. She's got amazing style as you can see from her outfit. Every item is covetable: her hat, cozy sweater, Zara pleated skirt, LV bucket bag and lace-up booties.

Worth it!

I was a totally bummed out that I missed out on snapping Joanna during NYFW. So, I can't tell you how happy I was when I bumped into her during LFW. Even if it were for only one pic, it was surely worth it as she looked gorgeous in this Lisa Marie Fernandez scuba dress and Mawi "Jade Tusk" necklace. In case you're wondering her shoes are by Miu Miu and her bag is by Chloe.

Maxi love

Rowan's maxi-dress/motorcycle jacket combo is an all-time favorite look of mine. It's chic, it's feminine and it's got the right edge. And topped with this fedora, the look is downright fierce. In fact, this is one of the looks I feel most effortless in. I can't tell you how many times I've worn my personal combo of midnight blue maxi-dress and motorcycle jacket. I've worked the look day and night and several times a week. Hey, when it works, it works.

country charm

I fell for Nadia's style on first glance. I love the way that she's styled her total vintage look. Equal parts cool, equal parts feminine and equal parts outdoors. In fact, I fell for her when she told me that she's living between the countryside and London. I've been looking for a country house for sometime now. Somewhere close enough to Milan where I can whisk my little man off to at a moments notice. Nadia and I already promised each other that she'll visit once I find my little country nest. For more of her incredible style, drop in on her at FrouFrouu.

Y

Such a fitting handbag for lovely Yasmin. And God, how I would live in her look. Totally uniform worthy. Everyday material.

Is it legal

to be so darn beautiful? O.k. so I am majorly embarrassed here. I can't recall the name of this gorgeous girl. I know, it's totally unacceptable. But, no, you really don't know just how unacceptable. I'll share. First of all she is one of the nicest people I have ever met on the street. Second, she's a twin. Yes, there are two of them roaming around the U.K. Third, she's lucky enough to have access to all of her mother's vintage Equipment blouses. Fourth, she is absolutely adored by her boyfriend who ironed the Equipment blouse that she's wearing. And finally, her boss, Holli Rogers of Net-a-Porter thinks she's brilliant. And Holli did mention her name to me in Paris after I gushed on about how incredible I thought she was. Blah for me. Can I blame it on the fact that my Black Berry battery died as I was writing her info? Or that I was sleep deprived? Or that basically after the birth of P.J., my memory has been reduced significantly (my gynecologist says she gets this complaint all the time)? No?

I do remember, however, that her name starts with a K, and I want to say it's Kerry or Kiera. But aside from my faulty memory, I'm 100% sure that I love her combination of nude, olive, army green and wheat. Is that acceptable?

Frances

One of the things that I loved about LFW was how the city's girls interpreted the trends. Frances' look is a perfect example. Could her vintage shearling, hat and lace-up boots be anymore spot- on?

the blouse

The iconic Equipment blouse is certifiably having a major comeback. With reason, the styles, colors and motifs are easy and chic and translate well into all the fashion needs of this season's girl. But if there is one girl who won't settle for just silk, it's Kate Lanphear of Elle America. The fashion-forward fashion director takes the comeback to another level and moves the revival into leather.

London Fashion Week

So far I am totally impressed with the feel of LFW. Even though my experience is abbreviated (I'm only here for two days), I feel that the pace of the week is just right. In fact, the pace is perfect to enjoy the loads of super cool girls on hand and personally owning the current trends. Like Phillipa here, who is brilliant in a transparent blouse, maxi-skirt, vintage bucket bag and brogues.