Essex Fashion Week

London Fashion Week still has people talking about it as the new spring/summer collection prepares to hit our high streets in the upcoming weeks. Fashion fanatics are still shocked and wowed by collections such as Vivienne Westwood and her dramatic make-up selection, Paul Costello’s crazy red wigs and Holly Fulton’s building shaped block designs. London is the number one city if you’re looking for unique fashion, classy bars and clubs, fancy restaurants, boutique shops and luxury hotels and it is equally famous for its fashion week. Designers such as Christopher Kane, whose garments you can find in Topshop, was praised for his ‘out of the comfort zone’ pieces along with Jasper Conran, who was awarded designer of the year for his contemporary British style. Women all over London have been ‘papped’ for their leading styles taken from the catwalks, and turned into affordable high street trends.

There are many simple and handy tips to keep you looking glam at all times without any effort. For example, if you’re having a bad hair day, throw a silk scarf on and tie in a pretty bow – they’ll never notice. Not enough time to do your make-up? Get hold of Max Factors new ‘Lip Finity’ pen in the colour of your choice and is guaranteed to brighten up your face and smile. However, try to avoid anything too outlandish such as super gluing 1000’s of Swarovski crystals to your face or wearing a bright yellow hat to big to fit through the door.

The last few weeks have been very busy for fashionistas all over the world, with events such as the Paris and Milan fashion week. However, one event that has just hit the fashion world is Essex fashion week.  For those of you that have managed to miss the most successful show of this year, The only way is Essex, the series follows the lives of eight ordinary people in their day to day lives gossiping, driving expensive cars, getting spray tans and not to mention ‘Vajazzles’. Just to be clear, the Vajazzle trend started in LA with celebrities and then moved over to its competing city Essex. In a nutshell, it is the use of diamanté crystals to decorate your lady parts!

Yes girls, Vajazzles were at the ready as the cast from the hit series ‘The Only Way is Essex’ hosted the fashion event lasting four days and three nights, which promised to be bigger and better than London fashion week, with their speed boat and helicopter arrivals. Not to mention their celebrity charity auction, modeling competition and a one off performance from the legendary James ‘Arg’ Argent from TOWIE cast, who kicked off the opening night with his singing performance during a champagne reception. OMG babes!

Kate Middleton: The Style Queen

Kate Middleton and Prince William have been dominating the headlines for weeks over their upcoming wedding on April 29, but there’s something else fashion fanatics are a lot more interested in: Kate Middleton’s wardrobe.

Her involvement in the fashion world has been clear since her early appearance at a charity catwalk show. Kate is a former history of the arts student at St. Andrew’s University, Scotland, and during her time there she became involved in catwalk modelling. She strutted her stuff in a see-through knitted lace dress for the charity show in 2002 and although the dress only cost her friend £30 to make, it has now been sold in an auction for a whopping £78,000.

The auction started off with a £20,000 bid, but quickly shot up to £50,000 and then became a tug-of-war between two mystery bidders. The dress was eventually sold to a mystery male buyer who was said to be ‘very happy’ with his purchase. Prince William, who was also a student at the university, is said to have first seen Kate as ‘more than chums’ at the fashion show while admiring her from the front row.

To add to her fashion points, a royal top trumps card game has been released this week and the newest must have souvenir shows how Kate is the leader of the pack beating Victoria Beckham and Princess Diana. The wacky cards giving ratings on VIP status, age, style, celebrity status and big day turnout, which players can use to compete against each other. Kate Middleton has been rated top for style, VIP status and big day turnout, blowing everyone else out of the water.

There is no news yet as to what Kate Middleton will be wearing for her big day, only whispers, yet it is the most highly anticipated fashion moment of this year. It has been said that she is most likely to be wearing something from a British designer, going for the classic wedding dress style. Deborah Joseph, Editor of Bride magazine says: “She is a very independent modern woman, who could forge her own way in the style stakes.”

Vogue have also released three bridal vogue covers in celebration of the Royal Wedding complete with possibilities of what she may be wearing. There is also a style and tip guide as to what the guests will be wearing, including predictions such as floral patterns, fascinators and very high heels. Over the years Kate has favoured many style brands such as Issa and Mulberry, but has never been a stranger from the high street, famously wearing a Topshop dress to celebrate her 25^th Birthday.

Students from London Metropolitan University have expressed excitement with regards to the wedding and plan to show their support for the forthcoming ceremony.

Fashion Marketing and Journalism student, Sasha Bradshaw, told the Holloway Express: “I have already bought my outfit and can’t wait to stroll around in it on the big day to show my support and dedication to fashion and hopefully it should be a big fashion event!”

Kate Middleton wears Alexander McQueen

The rumors were true – Kate Middleton did in fact wed last Friday wearing an Alexander McQueen wedding dress, made by creative director Sarah Burton and designed with input from the bride. Kate kept the design traditional with sprinklings of signature McQueen features, such as the bodice top and exaggerated hips.

The dress was made from hand-cut English lace and an ivory satin gazar, completed with flower design lace in cuts of actual flowers: rose, thistle and shamrock. The dress contained padding at the hips in reference to the traditional, Victorian dress in a McQueen style, with 58 organza buttons up the back. Kate would have definitely required some help getting dressed that morning.

Kate Middleton's dress was praised for it's traditional vibe. Once the dress was unveiled, Clarence House released a official statement, saying: “Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen’s work.”

Kate also wore a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara made in 1936 for the Queen’s 18th birthday, which was given as a gift by Her Royal Highness for the special day. Her veil was made of ivory silk tulle – just light and delicate. Middleton’s shoes were hand made by the McQueen team, and made of ivory duchesse satin with hand-embroidered lace.

Her earrings, by Robinson Pelham, were diamond set oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond in the centre. The inspiration came from her engagement ring and the Middleton’s new coat of arms, which was styled to match the tiara. The earrings were a personal gift to Kate from her parents for her wedding day.

One of the most notable observations about the dress was its striking resemblance to the gown worn by Grace Kelly in 1956 when she married Prince Rainie, with the same the intricate lace sleeves sewn into the fitted bodice accompanied by a lace veil. The only significant difference was the plunging neck line and the McQueen style – it was a modern day Grace Kelly.

Anneka Butt, a student at the University of East London, said: “It was very sophisticated and elegant. Even though it had a low neck line it wasn’t too flashy or revealing, perfect for a princess.”

Emily Wilson, a student at Liverpool John Moore’s University, said:  “It reminded me of Grace Kelly’s wedding dress, very similar with the same fitted bodice but gorgeous and traditional.”

Kate’s sister Philippa Middleton wore a bridesmaid dress also designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. It was made from ivory satin-based crepe,  with a cowl front and the same button detail and lace trims as the bride’s dress. She also had matching diamond earrings to Kate by Robinson Pelham, however, her earrings were more floral to compliment her headpiece.

Vajazzled!

Vajazzled!

London Fashion Week still has people talking about it as the new spring/summer collection prepares to hit our high streets in the upcoming weeks. Fashion fanatics are still shocked and wowed by collections such as Vivienne Westwood and her dramatic make-up selection, Paul Costelloe’s crazy red wigs and Holly Fulton’s building shaped block designs. London is the No.1 city if you’re looking for unique fashion, classy bars and clubs, fancy restaurants, boutique shops and luxury hotels and famously known for its fashion week.

The last few weeks have been very busy for fashionista’s all over attending other fashion events such as Paris fashion week and Milan fashion week. However, one event still to come is Essex fashion week. Yes girls, Vajazzles at the ready as the cast from the hit series ‘The only way is Essex’ are said to be hosting the fashion event lasting for four days and three nights, and promises to be bigger and better than London fashion week, with their speed boat and helicopter arrivals. A one off performance from the legendary James ‘Arg’ Argent from ‘The only way is Essex’ cast will kick off the opening night with his singing performance during a champagne reception.  Before you even think about attending you will need to get yourself down to ‘Amy’s salon’ for an Essex style makeover ‘babes!’