Tuesday 29 March 2011

Summer-ready with Warehouse

I'm really excited about a new purchase of mine - this multicoloured, silk top from Warehouse. It's bright colours and loose fit make it perfect for Summer, and extremely flattering.

From the front it looks quite simple, but the silk fabric makes this ordinary vest silhouette feel instantly dressier, and I love the surprise of the cut out back.

My love affair with Warehouse began seven years ago on a trip to Aston University in Birmingham. A friend and I got a little distracted, and found ourselves separated from the group and wandering around the Bullring. It was on that day that I paid my first visit to Warehouse. I fell head over heels in love with an emerald green, silk, sequined vest. The top still boasts a prominent position in my wardrobe today.

That's something I will say about Warehouse clothing - it does cost that little bit more than the usual high street brands, but boy oh boy can you tell the difference. The items have longevity, and not just in the quality of production, but also in the designs. Items are created that tie in with the season's trends but also manage to be timeless classics. What more can a girl ask for?!

I'll be teaming this tropical number with skinny jeans and gladiator sandals.

Magnolia Floral Cape Back Vest, £45, Warehouse

Last Night

I've just seen the trailer for Keira Knightly's new film and have immediately added it to my 'cinema trip' list.

As you all know, I'm a fan of Knightly's anyway, but this film really does look intriguing. Despite the common story line - the film follows seemingly perfect couple, Joanna and Michael, as their relationship is tested to new limits when they spend a night apart - the trailer left me unable to predict the ending and yet desperate to know.

Starring alongside Knightly is Eva Mendes, Sam Worthington and Guillaume Canet (of The Beach fame). Rather than a typical romantic comedy, the trailer hints more at the classic and artistic tones of films such as Atonement, and as a story of lust it is sure to have an edge of darkness to it.

Have a look at the trailer below, and let me know what you think.


Friday 25 March 2011

The Lookbooks...

As it was payday this week, I'm in the mood to shop. I've just had a nose online to get some ideas and have to say I'm finding River Island's styling features quite fresh and inspiring.

I love the clashing prints included in this look - stripes, florals, and a dash of colour blocking thrown in for size. The look is not one I would usually chose, but it does work. I think the addition of the pale pink frilly socks and heels is particularly cute, and ties in this season's preppy trend.

The key to this look is the belt. The mannish, long length blazer would swamp the 1950s full skirt, making one appear rather like a tent, if that belt did not clinch in that waist.

This is a difficult look to pull off - it's all about clashing and being daring, and can so easily go wrong. The most important part - have fun with it!

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Theatre: Antony and Cleopatra

Last night a friend and I took a trip to Stratford to see Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. It was the first time I have been to the RSC's Swan theatre, and I have to say that it is a small but fantastic venue. It had an intimate and traditional feel, and looking around I couldn't see a bad seat in the house. What's more the tickets were a bargain, and the seat's relatively comfy.


I always enjoy Stratford at night - I think there is something rather magical about it. As we walked along the river and into the old church (which is now the theatre), passing various Shakespeare-inspired bars and restaurants, my friend and I marvelled at how lucky we were (particularly as English students) to live near a town with such literary heritage and beautiful surroundings.

As for the play - wonderful. Neither of us had seen or read Antony and Cleopatra before. We had hoped the production would include a traditional setting as we were excited by the prospect of a stage alight with the numerous rich colours and fabrics of the Egyptian costume. However, Director Michael Boyd, opted for a modern-dress version. The staging, was also modern and minimal, including only a few chairs that were carried on and off, and scaffolding in the centre of the stage creating a higher, bare platform. Yet, somehow this worked. It served as an entirely blank canvas that the performers could bounce off.


And bounce off it they did. Katy Stephens was spellbinding as Cleopatra. Her energy onstage was something to be admired, she skipped, jumped and walked on stage with a light-footed grace and captured all the contradictions of Egypt's Queen. Stephens' Cleopatra is feisty, dramatic and calculating, yet romantic, weak and tender. One thing the audience can be sure of is Cleopatra's sexuality. Stephens ensures sex is in the essence of her Cleopatra, from her walk to her clothing to her deliverance of lines.

As one of Shakespeare's tragedies, I was surprised by how much comedy this play had to offer. Rather than just an examination of the devious nature of politics, the play explores love and emphasises how Antony and Cleopatra lose their way to lust and even self-delusion. Moments such as Cleopatra's summoning and interrogation of a messenger over Antony's new bride Octavia, adding light to the play, making it more accessible to the modern audience, while showcasing the ability of the cast for all genres.


The incorporation of dance in the battle scenes was mesmerising and unusual. I watched in awe as Cleopatra and her army took slow but steady steps off stage, waving white scarves above their heads. This repetitive movement served to represent Cleopatra's fleets abandoning Antony at sea in the heat of battle. But this form was used on such rare occasion that it sat at odds with the rest of the production; if more had been made of dance it would have been an eloquent addition.

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Fashion Tidbits

So much has happened in the world of fashion in the last 24 hours that I couldn't resist posting an update for you all.

There's been much talk this week of who will be replacing John Galliano at Dior. And if the Twittersphere is anything to go by, then the answer to this vital question is Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci. The social networking site was abuzz with talk of the designer after fashion editor Derek Blasberg tweeted: 'I was just told backstage at the @Katy Perry concert (of all places!) that Riccardo Tisci is CONFIRMED at Dior. I leave #PFW for a second...'

I'm not sure Tisci has it in the bag just yet, Lavin's Alber Elbaz is also rumoured to be in the running and Style.com added fuel to the fire yesterday with the tweet: 'Not to add to the Dior rumor mill, but people in Paris are asking, why has the Lanvin team been in tears all day?'

Other news... Kate Moss returned to the catwalk today for the first time in years. The supermodel retired from runway fashion in 2004, and has only made a couple of appearances since, most notably at last year's Fashion for Relief show to pay tribute to designer Alexander McQueen. Ms Moss took to the stage to close the Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2011 collection. Clad in black high waisted, leather gloves, a fur trimmed jacket and knee high lace boots the star met a rapturous applause.

The first photos of the gorgeous Gisele modelling for high street giant H&M have just been released, and I have to say she looks so spectacular that I want to purchase every item she wears. I love the white background of the photographs as it creates a fresh and Spring-like feel to the images.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

A New Leading Lady

I just had to post this picture of Amanda Seyfried at the premiere for her new film, Red Riding Hood. Miss Seyfried is spot on in the fashion stakes in this plum coloured Lavin dress.

I love the t-shirt style shape of the dress which adds a grungy, youthful feel to an otherwise sleek mini.

Accessorised with a fabulous statement necklace by Tom Binns, a messy up-do, dark nails and natural make-up. I'm not 100% sold on the shoes though. Usually, I can't get enough of items in nude. But for some reason, this pair leaves me a bit cold. I would have preferred something brighter and without the ankle strap - to me these look like ballet pumps with heels, and it just doesn't work.

Ever since Mama Mia and Dear John I've been a fan of this leading lady, and am looking forward to watching this fairytale flick when it hits cinemas from 15th April.