POA STYLE: 2010

Monday 6 December 2010

It's almost Christmas...

Have you done ALL your shopping?

We want you to end this year with a bang, and sparkle whilst you're at it.This Rococo nail varnish with 24 carat gold flakes will look great when you have that glass of champagne in your hand during the holiday season.
Available at space nk.

Still thinking of gift ideas? For yourself or someone else, Look no further, we have some suggestions...
This Asprey regent wallet made from crocodile in berry is an ultra luxe gift, beautiful, elegant, and a gift I'm sure any lady would be happy to receive.

The monogram plume shawl is as beautiful as the feathers of a peacock, except, it's a Louis Vuitton Shawl, could a girl ask for more this Christmas? I don't think so.

This circus child cowri necklace is a beautiful piece of jewelry, and its proceeds go towards community based circus groups worldwide. Available from Coco de Mer. Read more about circus child here

J4786QZPV9W6 No one makes a candle like Diptyque does, it lasts forever, its smell is concentrated yet perfect. They make wonderful presents, I remember when Tanner Krolle was situated on Sloane Street, they were constantly burning a Diptyque jasmine candle, it was such a beautiful smell it made me want to stay in there for a lot longer than I needed to.

Finally, here is an excellent way to start off the next year, with the Hermès Globetrotter agenda. I know that these days everyone has a blackberry and are so technology driven but there is a slightly different feeling when you say, let me check my agenda and pull out your beautiful orange Hermès agenda and pencil in lunch. J4786QZPV9W6

Thats all for now folks, Happy Shopping.

Sunday 14 November 2010

Dripping in Luxury: Ethan K.

It's not often that we come across a designer who's pieces take our breath away. Ethan K. jumps to the top of the list in becoming a new obsession.

Using exotic skins such as crocodile and python in a masterful way, his handbags and accessories are truly an art.

It's a funny story how I came to find out about Ethan K. Despite his recent growing success, I was sitting on a terrace with a friend and we asked for the bill, she pulled out a beautiful ostrich leather tan coloured cardholder which is where I almost shrieked, where did you get that? I must know.

It's clear that Ethan has had a huge amount of experience working with exotic skins, and has an extensive background in design . Originating from Singapore, Ethan was raised surrounded by the work of his father who ran a family owned crocodile skins business. He has worked with the exotic skins team in Hèrmes, Prada and Louis Vuitton. As well as studying design at the prestigious London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins.

And... he does bespoke too...

So, are you drooling yet?

http://www.ethan-k.com/

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Getting graphic.

T-shirts these days don't cut it for me unless they have a bold graphic print on them.

I've been all about statements, bold statements for a while, and I love the fact that if you have something to say, you can wear it, whether it's something as bland as "I <3 Paris" or "Metallica," to prints of photos, movies, art, what you choose to wear and show on your t-shirt reflects your personality.

I'm sure you all remember the hilarious Naomi Campbell T-shirt. Need I say more?

When you're looking for something funny to wear, David and Goliath are playful and have some pretty funny prints on their tees.

When you're looking for graphic art, Carbon Tee's Couture range has graphic art prints that are organically printed on different styles of tee shirts. The company source environmentally friendly made t-shirts and combine their own prints using organic water-based dyes.

Music is a funny thing, we all love our own tastes and it seems a lot of us want to share that love with others. I personally collect Iggy Pop T shirts, Zadig and Voltaire did one last season, but they are constantly coming up with rock infused t-shirts with a twist. Its different to the kind you pick up around Camden town. Of course there is also urban outfitters.

Mick T shirt Zadig and Voltaire...

Urban Outfitters Tee

Super superficial has prints that make me smile, and it's very hard to make me smile, I'm a pouter, trust. Victoria Bekham ain't got nothing on me.

Maybe that's what you want, A t-shirt, or a sweatshirt that will make people smile when you walk down the street?

Lazy Oaf have some very sweet designs, I am especially fond of their drawing club collection.

Last but not least, American Apparel and its "Legalize Gay" t shirts encouraging the legalization of gay marriage, and "Legalize L.A." t shirts supporting the undocumented immigrants in L.A. and immigration reform.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Ivy League...

I have witnessed, wherever I have lived, that the way you dress, not only defines you, but gives others a stark impression on who you are and who you want to be.

There is a certain look. Which Americans will call the Prep look, khaki Burberry pants, a tucked in Ralph Lauren striped shirt or a Lacoste Polo shirt with a sweater draped around your shoulders and tied at the front and either Tods or Loafers. You know who I'm talking about right? Those guys you see at the Polo Club. The guys you bump into outside Scotts in Mayfair, well, sometimes they're wearing mustard coloured cords and they call that the English country look...

The term to define the person wearing this style of clothing shifted from the word "Prep" to other slightly less eloquent terms which I will not specify as I am a lady.

It seems to me that some form of clarification is needed. This 'Prep' can look rather dashing when pulled off. There is a very similar category that goes right next to it which does exist and classifies as a not so great and tacky look.
Take this as a do's and don'ts of how to successfully achieve the Prep look with a few other brands to consider than the standard Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Hackett...

What to do...

- It's not all about the big pony. It's about coloring. What will go with your whole outfit and what will suit your coloring. If you're very pale and know that Orange isn't your color, now isn't the time to start.

- A good blazer is an investment.

- Mix it up, experiment, but check yourself out in a full length mirror before stepping out, keep to a neutral palette.

- You have my blessing to go and buy some vintage Cutler and Gross reading glasses if applicable to you.

What NOT to do...

- No popped collars. Way to ruin a good shirt and a brand name.

- No over logo-ing.

- Try and make sure your hair looks decent, not like you're a party boy that just came back from Cyprus.

- There is no point in achieving this look if you are going to ruin them with Nike's.

The other day I fell in love with a grey Blazer from La Martina. For a while, not just me, but my entire family have been attracted to the Argentine Polo brand. http://www.lamartina.com/
This wonderful brand is of course sold in Harrods.

Ede and Ravenscroft, situated on Savile Row and on Chancery Lance hold three Royal Warrants, they carry a small but good selection of country casuals, cords, sweaters, accessories p.s. They also bespoke. http://shop.edeandravenscroft.co.uk

Last but not in any way the least, my new obsession has been the Kitsuné shop. I have already purchased one item from there and I will be buying a lot more.
This season's look of for the Kitsuné boutique is Ivy League, which has that draws influences from the prep look and the back to school fall feel. Its sleek its clean and if I were going back to school I would want the entire season's collection to be my wardrobe.
http://shop.kitsune.fr/

Sigh, I want everything from that site. :(

So here it is, or a well cut shirt, with a good blazer, that is worn with those burberry khakis you've had forever (or alternative Massimo Dutti ones.) and loafers = prep.
If you use the same formula and wear a Polo shirt instead with corduroy trousers, you'll have a Casual look.

And with that I leave you to go and people watch in St. Johns Wood.

Friday 1 October 2010

Designer Profile: Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

JC/DC is the Andy Warhol of the fashion industry. There is no doubt about the POP factor he's maintained over the years. I absolutely adore everything by him.

Now that the store in London's Conduit street has closed down, it was one my favorite spaces. Two floors of heaven, the launch of the new online store is something to celebrate http://jcdcstore.com/, this is good news for people across Europe.

I remember my first love experience with Castelbajac, a yellow sequined dress on a mannequin with a big smiley face. I turned to my best friend and said "I could get married in that." Then of course French singer Yelle was seen in that dress and it was featured in Ugly Betty, alongside with a lot of other JC/DC dresses...

I started to take all my friends to the JC/DC store and one friend of mine was very close to buying the credit card dress, but was afraid that she would give the wrong impression...

Castelbajac never ceases to impress, be it with Mickey Mouse shoes or with a stunning sequined dress. The homewear is also quite interesting, rugs, plates with sayings and colorful graphic designs on them.

So now one of our favorites is available online and you can own a playful fun JC/DC item too in no time...

Check out this seasons South Park collection.

Thursday 30 September 2010

Children at heart.

The trend for wearing a print that represents a favorite childhood character on clothing has been around for a while, but never has it been more apparent than now, this growing trend allows us to indulge in those old school favorite characters that once fascinated and comforted us. Jean-Charles de Castelbajac has been featuring different Disney characters in his clothing for a while, every season with a sequin dress, Mickey mouse, Donald duck, Bambi, with some beautiful Bambi shoes to go with, and this season the brand is carrying prints of South Park characters.

Oysho, the lingerie, nightwear store owned by the Inditex group launched a nightwear range this season with words and pictures of the "Le Petit Prince," My favorite item were a pair of slippers with writing and tiny crystals on them, only for 17 eur.

Many stores carry Tee shirts with prints that bring back that blast from the past, however its not always something that you fully relate to. Hell, I'd probably get incredibly excited and pay extortionate amounts of money over anything Bambi related or any memorabilia that is Archie comic related.

Remember These Guys?

A few seasons ago, Zara's teenage brand TRF had a small Hannah Barbera collaboration of T-shirts and within that were a range of T-shirts with prints of the Jetsons.

The T shirt brand Junk food has also produced T shirts with Disney Characters on them, as well as the Little Miss series...
Their print have a sexy fit and a worn look.

Ok so maybe we had to abandon our soft toys... There is no reason why we cannot still proudly display our love for Superman, Wonderwoman, Snow White or even Pocahontas...