Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress

Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton

Kate & Pippa Middleton

There has been a lot of speculation about what Kate Middleton's wedding dress was going to be, and to day, all was revealed. When she emerged from the hotel, we caught a glimpse of the dress as the train was bundled in behind her. On the car journey more was seen and I made a guess that it was Alice Temperley , judging by the light, romantic lace that you could see through the car window. I was desperate for it to be Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, but in an ealier interview it had been said that Sarah Burton was to dramatic and theatrical. I had googled frantically for Alice Temperley dresses and I had thought that I had found a near match to the dress. When the newsreader confirmed it was Sarah Burton, I was so happy. When she stepped out the car the dress took my breath away. The train was not to elaborate like Diana's, but a few embellishments on the bottom of the skirt just brought the dress together. The lace had been so intricately made using the finest skilled craftsmen in the country. The dress paid homage to the late Grace Kelly, clearly inspired by her iconic gown and has been praised by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Hubert de Givenchy.  Kate did not let us down, and congratulations to the couple!

Princess Diana & Bruce Oldfield

Diana, Bruce and Joan Collins

Designer Bruce Oldfield first made a big piece for Diana at a Banardo's Gala night in 1985. Joan Collins and Shirley Bassey were going to be there, so she asked Bruce to make her 'glamorous'. The dress was a pleated silk lamé number and looked great on her. Diana danced with the designer that night and even smuggled cigarettes in for him before a speech he had to make. Could they have been a perfect match? 

Diana At The Albert Hall

   For a long time after that, the Princess was spotted in a number of Oldfield outfits day and night. His trademark design for Diana was a deep V-shaped back cut out such as this gorgeous red dress worn to a ball at the Albert Hall. 

Inspired by the past...

Recently I have watched a TV adaptation on Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes'. The fashions of those times could not be more different than what is in fashion now, but certain elements have been used in ways that transform the old-fashioned look to a modern feel. A great example of this is the corset worn as outerwear in fabrics such as denim and velvet. Big skirts and thin waists were taken straight from the Victorian times and put into iconic looks in the 40s and 50s like Dior's New Look 1947.

50s dress

Victorian corseted dress

Denim Corset

Dior's New Look 1947

Paris, My Diary Part 3 of 3

Day 3 - 19:00 - French Time



The Glass Pyramids at Louvre



We had a great day today as well! We went to the Louvre and had to wait in a long queue for tickets, but we saw all the glass pyramids. In the Italian paintings we saw the Mona Lisa and some Bottecelli fresco paintings on plaster. There was also Monet, Delacroix and Canaletto. They were all amazing. But the best part of the day was seeing the 'Museé de mode et textile' which showed lots of contemporary designer collections from 1990 onwards. This included Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.

Day 4 - 17:45 - British Time

Just got on the train to Derby and I am sad the holiday is over. In St.Pancras International Mum bought a necklace from Fat Face and got me a London Postcard from Foyles.

My Favourite Holiday of my life yet :)

Paris, My Diary Part 2 of 3

This is the second part of my holiday diary:


Day 1  22:51  French Time

Galeries Lafayette

Having a great time here with my Aunt and Uncle just outside Paris near Versailles. We have driven round the Versailles Palace to see it all lit up and it looks amazing! We have had a 4 course meal for tea already! Starter was salads and baguette, then main was pasta and ratatouille and then a cheese board and then ice cream and meringue for pudding. We have planned a great day for tomorrow including seeing all the Paris shops! 


Day 2   22:35  French Time


Today was actually the BEST DAY EVER! First we went up the Eiffel Tower! Right to the top! then we saw the Arc du Triomphe and then walked along the Avenue Champs Elysees and saw Louis Vuitton Store and the Cartier jewellery shop! Then we had pizza for lunch and as we walked we saw Pierre Cardin and Prada! At the end of the day we walked all around Printemps and Galleries Lafayette. 

Paris, My Diary Part 1 of 3

This 1st part of my diary is not much fashion interest but I would like to display my journey form the start.

Day 1- Monday 21st of February  10:12 British time

Just got on the train from Derby to St.Pancras International Station in London and I am very excited. After struggling to find room for our suitcases, we have settled down for the 1hour and a half journey. We will be stopping at Leicester soon and then it will be full speed ahead to London. I am facing backwards in the train which is weird.


St.Pancras International Station & the Euro Star



12:30 British time

We have boarded the Euro Star to Paris and I am listening to a podcast revising the french alphabet and key phrases to use in Paris. We have no yet set off from St. Pancras Station, but I am admiring the unbelievable architecture of this building. The roof is especially spectacular. We walked through the shopping centre in the station briefly and I have already spotted several London shops including Carluccios food delicatessen and a mini Hamleys toy shop.

12:50 British time

We are on set for Paris and we keep going through tunnels which makes my ears pop and I have to suck on a mint to help. I am listening to Iggy Pop on my ipod and reading the Euro Star magazine......(time gap) We may have now entered the channel tunnel...

In Paris during London Fashion Week...

This last week, as you may know, was London Fashion Week. Meanwhile, I was taking the best holiday of my life so far. Me and my family took the Eurostar train to Paris, the home of haute couture! I wrote a diary of my trip and will post that on here soon.

London Fashion Week February 2011




Vivienne Westwood Red Label



Using http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12578541 as my main source - unluckily I couldn't be there- these are my thoughts on the top shows. Vivienne Westwood's Red Label show presented glamorous evening gowns with the classic Westwood touches like dramatically patterned fabric and twists in the fabric around the neck. My other favourite show was Ashley Isham's production. He uses elegant bridal styles and mixes them with the edge of oriental passion.



Ashley Isham



Dancewear, but cooler.

 

As a keen dancer and fashionista I am always trying to think of ways to liven up old leotard and tights. I am loving harem pants at the moment, and I can't wait to get my hands on a pair or 2! they are loose and comfy so are perfect to dance in. Also, I usually just wear a hoodie over my leotard but end up having to take it off because I get too hot. Shrug cardigans are just the thing to wear over your leotard as they look smart for dance uniform and keep you cool.

Jo x



Logo Tees!

I am loving logo tees at the moment and these are some of my favourites! :


 

Lanvin for H&M



As you can see, I like Bench.!! 



Vero Moda



Superdry

Bench.

Bench.

Bench.

Inspirational...

Inspiration is key to the mind of any designer. Here a few things that have inspired me as a person.

 The Victoria and Albert museum (V&A) is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The fashion galleries are astounding, showcasing the artistic talents of the most influential designers of the 20th century.
I would recommend this museum to any person who is interested in fashion and wants to see some breathtaking articles of clothing.

Gok Wan - as I have mentioned before - is a fashion GOD! He is capable of making any person in this world into a fashion GODDESS! His TV programs 'How To Look Good Naked' and 'Gok's Fashion Fix' have been hits over here in Britain, and I can see why. Affordable, gorgeous and most of all have Gok's secret touch with accessories.

London...what can I say? My favourite place I have ever been in my life. The lights at night, the hustle and bustle of workers in the city and most importantly, THE SHOPS! Oxford Street and Regents Street are home to some of the biggest designer department stores such as House of Fraser, John Lewis and Selfridges. One of my personal favourite shops is Liberty. An old Tudor type building coming off Regent Street contains an emporium of fashion wonder. With a massive haberdashery section and all sorts of designer ranges this shop fill all your fashion dreams.

All these places have inspired me to reach deeper into fashion and persue a career in the business however hard I have to work (and I think it will be quite hard!)

Jo  xxx