LFW AW'12 Topshop Unique

What i love about the Topshop Unique show is that this high street brand (albeit the leader of the pack) is one of the most hotly anticipated shows of London Fashion Week. And man, did they hit it out of the park this time. Much has been said in the press about the positive influence of Kate Phelan on this years show, which has been praised by all and described as 'Topshop grown up'. It's a real credit to the whole design team that they have produced such a coveted, yet wearable collection. By the second outfit, i knew i was in trouble - i want the whole lot! My heart aches to think it won't launch in stores until September! 










It's also worth noting that this is the 10th Anniversary of the NewGen initiative, which Topshop is a sponsor of. The scheme nurtures up and coming designers and helps them find their feet through Fashion Week, with the likes of Christopher Kane, Richard Nicholl, Louise Goldin and Mark Fast benefiting from this awesome bursary.  Did you pick up one of the celebratory tees?

Mix it up Monday...

The man and me decided to mix things up a little this week by taking Monday off, for a day of  spontaneous fun and frolics. As it turned out this included some cultural enlightenment at the Natural History Museum, a few cheeky drinks, some yummy Lebanese food and having decided late in the day to buy tickets to see Wicked, a crazy run through the streets of London to try and get to The Apollo Victoria Theatre in time! We made it...just...with more than a tad of indigestion!


It was the perfect way to finish the perfect day and I have to say that Wicked is THE best musical I have ever seen, even knocking Phantom off the top spot...and I don't say that lightly! The plot is very clever, a sort of prequel to the familiar story of The Wizard of Oz, shedding light on the background of the Wicked Witch of the West and her unlikely friendship with the Good Witch Glinda. Visually, it is stunning, with fantastic sets and incredible costumes, backed up with amazing music and lyrics by Stephen Schwarz (even the man was singing on the way home!). It's also incredibly well written and dripping with emotion, a really beautiful story that is a must for all musical lovers.

It was also the perfect occasion to dig out a certain special pair of shoes...

Swedish Hasbeens for H&M

Here is something to cheer you up on this cold January day... H&M have announced that their next shoe collaboration will be with Swedish Hasbeens - Very exciting! These wooden soled, mega comfortable shoes became extremely popular last year and are set to become even more so with this collaboration. Available from 20th April in over 150 stores, the collection ticks both the 70's and Swedish trends that are set to be key for summer. But wait...you haven't heard the best bit yet... prices will start from only £34.99! With original Hasbeens in the £100+ bracket, these gorgeous shoes are sure to create humongous queues. I am planning my strategy now, as these are a must for my summer wardrobe. I have my heart set on the red peeptoes... I just might have to get them in white as well!








These three styles will each come in two colours....decisions, decisions...

Must have - Morris dancing shoes

After watching the Morris dancers at The London Thames Festival last summer, I became obsessed by these gorgeous shoes and have since been trying to find a pair of my very own. So far, no luck, so any tips would be much appreciated! I love the etched detailing and the studs on the sole. I can imagine them making a lovely clip-clopping noise as I walk/ jig down the street. The hunt is still on!

Selfridges shoe lounge opens at last!

Shoe heaven is finally open! At 35,000 square feet and holding at least 4,000 styles at any one time, this is the stuff of dreams!  It was like some kind of reverse Narnia...I went in there thinking I had only been 20 mins, only to realise it was more like an hour! That was without even trying anything on! With six shoe galleries and eleven bordering 'apartments', housing the best of the high street to designer must haves,  it is THE place to satisfy all your shoe cravings. Now, Selfridges is a great shopping experience anyway (apart from Saturdays when I get irrepressible crowd rage), but now with this shoe emporium it is a mandatory pit-stop. Check out these pics to get a feel for the inspiring shop fits...as well as the gorgeous shoes of course!




Wooden lasts...Part of the shoe tables in the high street section





Mulberry bow shoes..firmly on my wall of want!



Warm feet at Chanel


Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte, exclusive design for Selfridges

Part of the Alabaster and Silk display in the designer section

YSL...Fierce!

Another exclusive for Selfridges by Louboutin

Oh Miucca, we love you...the Prada boutique was gorgeous, with thick, beige carpet that put a spring in your step



... oh I will!

Fashion's Night Out - Sept 08 2010

Next Wednesday sees Vogue's Fashion's Night Out come to London once more. If you missed it last year, this is a great celebration of fashion and shopping that takes place in major cities all around the world – sounds good no?? Each year, designers and retailers hold events across the city with highlights this year including... face painting and Karaoke at Mulberry, champagne, canapes and live music at Burberry with Matthew Williamson set to transform his Bruton Street store into a Moroccan Souk!


Think I will head to Chanel for the free manicure in their AW Les Khakis collection (Khaki Rose is the one for me). Then over to Liberty's to see Manolo Blahnik himself open 'World of Manolo', a pop up shop of his beautiful shoes, including new designs using vintage Liberty prints. All of this to the sounds of Motown and Soul from the in-house DJ, accompanied by specially created cocktails. I like the sound of the 'Manolo Mojito'! Check out vogue.co.uk for more details and to start planning your itinerary!



Image via Vogue.co.uk. Limited edition tote bag designed by Sanna Annukka

Selfridges shoe lounge

Carrying on with the shoe theme... I have been lucky enough to see a preview exhibition of the eagerly anticipated shoe lounge that is due to launch in Selfridges this September. It is going to be huge, with individual salons housing everything from the best of the high street to high-end designer brands. The concept (designed by wonder architect Jamie Forbet) looks gorgeous, with juxtaposing materials representing each area, such as Alabaster and Silk, as well as lavish designer boutiques selling exclusive designs. A ready-made day out in shoe heaven… Start saving those pennies!

Red Shoes

I am currently watching Hans Christian Andersen's The Red Shoes on my commute into work (on the trusty iphone) and it has given me a real craving for a pair all of my own. Here are my pick of the bunch on the high street at the moment….



(Images, clockwise from top left: bow heels by Kurt Geiger £150, Patent clogs by Topshop £40, Cut out detail peeptoes by Next £30, Suede Courts £30 by Next, Anchor espadrille by office £15, Bunny print platforms by Kurt Geiger £130, Brogues by Pied a Terre £125)


But the pair that I have really been lusting after since the SS10 shows last October, are the Chanel red clogs... now only available on ebay for crazy money, but still a feature on my wall of want!