Look Show AW11 Blog competition entry

After toying with the idea for a few days, I've finally decided to go for it - this is my entry to the Look Magazine Blog Competition...

Why should I sit Front Row at the Look Show AW11? Discuss...

Up until a few years ago, my working life was solely based around fashion. Glorious, wonderful fashion. I spent many years in Visual Merchandising for a very well known, very fashion forward, High Street brand. I'm not sure I'm allowed to say which one, so I wont!!


'I work in Fashion Merchandising' (video courtesy of Taylor McComb)

After 10 years in retail I decided to take a break and go out into the big, bad world of Corporate IT. So I now work in a company with offices all over the world -  a company who employs people in the hundreds of thousands... It's as far removed from fashion as you can get.

Literally. 

The day I walked into the office in wedges and Palazzo's I may as well have turned up in a Bart Simpson costume. My leopard print obsession doesn't go down too well either, but I soldier on regardless. I'm just waiting for the cold weather so I can waltz in wearing my leather pencil skirt and watch the jaws hit the floor...

So, what has this got to do with sitting Frow at the show?
Answer = Everything!!

Fashion has been in my blood since I was a child. I used to lecture my (much older) sister on updated ways of wearing our shell suits - I can't have been much older than 9! Fashion is what I know, fashion is what gets me through the day. I have more fashion magazines in my house than I've had hot dinners - as Kate says, nothing tastes as good as...ah who am I trying to kid, I read Look while I eat my hot dinners!

Anyway, I started my blog because I was going crazy not being involved with fashion everyday - the trends, the fabrics, the new shapes. And shoes, I ADORE shoes!! Vintage pointy courts are my favourite so, as you can imagine, I almost passed out with joy that it's a key style for AW... I am literally beside myself! Wait till the corporate bunnies see me in that leather skirt and some box-fresh mustard courts - it will be bedlam!!

My babies!

In short, I am fiercely protective of, and incredibly loyal to, the British High Street. I believe we have the best brands in the world. I buy Look religiously because it is the best magazine for championing High Street fashion, and it never disappoints. To sit front row of the AW show and then report back on this blog would be a dream come true.

My blog may only be a fledgling one, but I'm getting there. And I love it :)



Siân xx

Epic hangover #9839850985

Ugh....

In the immortal words of Rachel Green 'I think there was a restaurant... I know there was wine'





Last nights outfit below

Siân Zzzzzzzzzz

River Island jumpsuit/Zara knit/ASOS belt/KG by Kurt Geiger shoes/Vintage bag

Saturday stripes

Short post of my outfit today. The weather is a bit weird at the moment - cloudy but warm and then raining the next minute - so choosing what to wear is a nightmare... I'm looking forward to it getting cooler so I can get my AW11 on. I love summer but I'm a big fan of layering and knitwear so Winter is better for me!

I quite fancy getting dressed up and going out tonight, just got to convince the husband that he does too - fingers crossed... I wont be posting the outfit if we end up staying in, that's for sure.

Siân xx

Sunglasses:         ASOS
Shirt:              Topshop
Vest:               ASOS
Tan belt:           New Look
Navy skinnies :     H&M
Pointyflats:        ASOS
Bag:                Zara

2011 Wedding #1

This time last week we were at the wedding of our very good friends 

Siân and James, and had an absolutely amazing time!! Unfortunately I didn't get any photos as my camera died but it did mean I got to enjoy the day, rather than be stuck behind a lens the whole time....

The bride looked stunning, the sun was shining and my beloved did a brilliant job with the best man speech. We ate, drank and danced till the early hours of Saturday and I loved every minute.  All in all, it was a perfect day.

I wore a vintage dress that I found in Frock and Roll in Reading. She fits like a glove and is the most amazing peach colour - the photo doesn't really do it justice (also, not quite sure why i look like a midget - i was almost 6 ft in my heels!!) It has beautiful pearl and sequin embellishment to the front and I got a lot of compliments... Now I just need an excuse to wear her again

Siân xx 



Me and my best man xx





Dress detail



Just married x

 

Close up #1

Another thing I am slightly obsessed with is the Macro setting on my camera. I love the images you can get from taking a really close up shot of something - especially when you can't tell what it is, but it's still interesting.

Siân  xx



Mohair jumper




Floor lights, Crystals shopping mall, Las Vegas




Wall tiles, Cabo San Lucas Marina, Mexico




'LV' wall treatment - Louis Vuitton store, Las Vegas




Skyscraper, Financial District, NYC




Dandelion




Pink rose




Peony




Wall of water - Aria Hotel, Las Vegas




Flames



Colour palettes

Although it has been over 3 years since I was a Visual Merchandiser, I still look at everyday things in terms of colour palettes and their visual impact. I like playing around with different colour stories at home and using it to create outfit choices I might not have thought of before.

I also still find myself critiquing the merchandising and outfit builds in most stores, which I'm sure is the reason why no one comes shopping with me anymore!! I am thinking of doing some posts on it - kind of like a VM mystery shop... I really miss doing the job (even though I turned down a chance to go back a few months ago) so it would be a good way to keep up to date. 

Siân  xx

Saturday night's alright

I went out for a dinner date with the husband on Saturday and decided to wear some orange peg-leg trousers I got for a bargain in the River Island sale. I also had to include some Leopard print - the lifelong obsession is still going strong it would appear...

I was hoping to take photos while we were actually out but:
1) I forgot my camera
2) We ended up staying out really late <translation: got very drunk!!>

We had a good time though which is all that counts!

Siân  xx






Gorgeous summer evening



Jacket:    TRF @ Mango
Vest:      ASOS
Trousers:  River Island
Shoes:     Primark
Bag:       Miss Selfridge
Cameo:     Vintage (via Ebay)
Earrings:  Freedom @ Topshop