A/W Trend Report 2013

There seems to be a poignant divide in the two key trends of Autumn/Winter 2013 and the question is posed of which of these contrasting styles you will choose... will it be the colourful, cultural clash of Hyper Culture or nice and calm Radical Neutrality?

HYPER CULTURE

Prints have made a big impact on the fashion industry in 2012 and are becoming a ubiquitous trend. Whether it be in the form of floral shirts, Aztec skirts, or the tribal trouser, they appear to be dominating the high-street and designers alike and all possess cultural influences from areas such as China, the middle east and Africa.

Set to continue into Autumn/Winter, Hyper Culture is now introducing further prints such as polka dots, stripes, monochrome, tie-dye and shell patterns. It appears that the more complex and crazy the better and people are teaming up clashing prints to get that extra 'wow' factor. Think Jessie J and Nicki Minaj when working this trend.

Simple to dress down with colourful tees and flats for the day or easily dressed up at night with court shoes and a clutch, the print speaks for itself and gives the user an individual identity. Perhaps aimed at a more youthful audience (I would definitely forbid my Mother to wear anything of the sort), this trend is rich in art and creativity and fun to play around with.
Mismatching these prints is set to make the hardest impact and high-energy colours such as yellow and orange are popular with this trend, which also work well for an Autumnal palette. If you are feeling slightly less daring however, which would be understandable, then they can be teamed simply with a basic white shirt which is a necessity in any wardrobe now.
The best part about this trend is that is can revolutionize old season pieces that you have stashed to the back of your wardrobe. Favourites include the popular androgynous pencil skirts, cigarette pants and straight leg trouser that were popular in 2011.

Vintage shops are also particularly good for digging out some unique pieces so you don't have to pull the purse strings and splash out on a new crazy clashing wardrobe! A daring trend but this season is all about making a statement. 

vs

RADICAL NEUTRALITY

Perhaps quite controversial to the loud and proud trends of 2011, radical neutrality is the focus on softer, calmer and more neutral shades, which I for one am praising! Sure, bright, happy colours are great for summer but sometimes they can be a little too much when you see bright pink trousers clashed with canary yellow tops...

Pastels have proven much more popular this year and are available in every high street store at the moment. Also set to continue through to Autumn/Winter 2012, radical neutrality is set to be a great transitional colour palette before those dull blacks and greys that reflect the dreary English weather make an appearance again.

Colours are muted and faded, barely even there, but this will make a bold statement in itself and the main appeal of the trend is its 'throw on' attitude. Again, colour blocking and clashing is poignant but with a more subtle approach. 

Pale pinks, soft lavenders, light greens and sky blues are the most prominent colours and can all be combined together for muted chic. 

You can still make a statement while being slightly more understated....

Two very strong trends in themselves which may be difficult to choose between... have a play around though and see which you can work the best! They are both fun and exciting trends to look forward to for Winter...

Images// www.tumblr.com

I Heart House of Hackney

House of Hackney? The interior design store?! Yes, but no longer just interiors... a radical extension strategy sees House of Hackney release their debut ready-to-wear collection this season and it is NOT one to be missed. 

With a mix of floral patterns, dip-dyes, and animal prints on crop tops, tea dresses, shorts and knitwear (all of the things I love and collect), this wonderful new addition to the stylish, retro brand is already selling fast with half of the items below already sold out on the House of Hackney website! 

Dalston Rose Flippy Dress - £235

Wild Card Flippy Dress - £235

Wild Card Smock Dress - £252

Wild Card Waisted Shorts - £195

Dalston Rose Dungaree Shorts - £350

Wild Card Shrunken Jumper - £350

The perfect summer essentials...

Images// www.houseofhackney.com

I Want... Kat Maconie Boots

Luxury British footwear label Kat Maconie isn't one that I have really explored before to be honest, but since spotting the 'Hazel' boots in this week's Sunday Times Style magazine I have well and truly fallen in love...

I am an avid fan of ankle boots and own about 5 different pairs. They are just the perfect shoe - comfortable, reliable, easy to dress up or down and these 'Hazel' boots top them all.

I love the block heel and adore the gold zip and detailing, which gives them that extra wow factor. The way that they have been styled here with white socks looks so chic and this is something I will definitely be trying out.

At £245 these boots are a steal (although I may have to skip a few meals at Uni to save up for them) and they are also available in 'winter tan and black' just to lure you in to buying them even more!

Whilst browsing Kat Maconie I also came across the 'Velma' shoes...

These shoes are irresitable - they have everything that you want in a shoe; a sturdy heel, cute peep toe, a platform and gold trimming.

Launched in 2009, Kat Maconie shoes are subtle, classic, understated and designed for "the ultimate woman on-the-go". Alas! Shoes that are gorgeous AND functional, as quite frankly I don't think you could walk for long in heel-less shoes... 

Kat Maconie is definitely my new shoe lust. Kurt Geiger will have to take a backseat for a while. 

Images// londonfashionweek.co.uk

The Wonderful World of Interning...

Interning is something that everyone hoping to be successful in the fashion industry has to go through and it usually consists of weeks, sometimes months of repetitive, demoralizing jobs that make you question not only your own sanity but also your work integrity.

You're basically there to do all of the brainlessly dull jobs that no-one else in their right mind wants to do and passing this off as 'experience'.

For example, yesterday I spent the day putting about 1,000 German contacts in to an online address book... I did learn that 'vorstandsvorsitzender' is a word... who knew?

Interning is just one of those things that you have to do though because, nowadays, no matter how good a degree you get you're still not going to get anywhere without experience, particularly in the fashion industry (I don't think my previous jobs in tearooms and as waitresses quite fit the criteria).

I'm sure it could be a lot worse, however. I'm working with a lovely, friendly team and the marketing director is extremely lenient, letting me do just 3 days a week so that I can go home and work on the weekends, allowing me to come in pretty much whenever I choose and leave when I need to in order to avoid the Olympic chaos.

In a way I just feel as though I want to be contributing more so that I'm actually helping the team!

Had a chat with the menswear forecasting director in the kitchen yesterday who explained to me how the world of interning is beginning to change.

Following a complaint from a McQueen intern who was working 8am-12am every day and on weekends while, of course, not being paid, companies are no longer allowed to directly advertise for unpaid interns and they must not take advantage of this free help.

This explains to me now why I was 'awarded' my internship by my tutor at University - companies are finding new ways to get their free help!

Being in the working environment is undoubtedly giving me invaluable industry experience and I am actually starting to feel more positive about the situation.

My only advice would be to ALWAYS look for paid internships because then at least they are bearable  - plus living in London (where the only good fashion internships are) with no money is not advisable.

The only way that you are ever going to learn what it is that you truly want to do is by experiencing different areas. This is my first proper internship and I don't doubt that it will be my last...

Karl Lagerfeld - The Honest Truth

On my way to work this morning as I sat on the tube reading the Metro that is thrust on me outside the station every day (whether I want a copy or not), I came across a short article about Karl Lagerfeld's recent criticism of Pippa Middleton.

Pippa has made it in to all of the papers and magazines since the Royal wedding (usually not for much more than going out in a pair of jeans and a blazer) with particular interest being paid to her rear - the facebook page 'Pippa Middleton Ass Appreciation Society' has nearly a quarter of a million likes - but is she really a patch on her Princess and style icon sister? Karl Lagerfeld says not.

The 78 year old (yes, 78!!) stated "I don't like the sister's face, she should only show her back" - lovely! 

The creative director at Chanel is renowned for his brutally honest approach to celebrity women and once said that Adele was "too fat".

Controversial!

Today's Big Question... Tucked in or Out?

I recently bought this shirt from Topshop which I absolutely love. It may be simple yes, but aren't the best things in life? I always think that you need those staple wardrobe items. Those 'just in case' items those 'oh let me just throw something on' or the classic 'WHY WON'T ANYTHING GO WITH THIS NEW SKIRT?! oh wait...'.

On my final day at my internship for the week, yes I only work 3 days a week, I was given the tough decision this morning of deciding whether to go for the safe tucked in to the skirt look or the 'are you going to church?' option.

I must apologize in advance for the horrendous quality of these photo's - I am still yet to join the rest of the world and get an iPhone and have to put up with what was probably the first ever blackberry made at the moment and there is only so much you can edit on iPhoto...

I am obsessed with crosses at the moment - jewellary, tops, anything! I recently bought this necklace to replace a similar one that I had bought from Topshop, only for it to fall to pieces in my hand after a few days! Quality at its best..

I'm also wearing matching (well not really matching at all to be honest other than the plain similarity of being in a cross shape) earrings which are subtle yet stylish.

Wearing my Miss Selfridge skirt yet again. I might leave it at home next week as I feel people might start to think I only own one skirt... I've gone for my brown Urban Outfitters boots today too which are not only lovelyyy but they are also going to hopefully mend my feet after years of wearing flats has finally started to take its toll (there are days that I can't walk properly).

Went with the tucked in option in the end, more because a size small belt from H&M is not very small at all and so I would have had to have tied it around my waist practically which I wasn't sure would look so chic...

Stylesight Day 2

I definitely spoke too soon yesterday as today the sun went back into hiding and the typical British rain clouds came out to give me a nice morning shower as I left the house.

Found it much harder to retreat from my snuggly sofa lair today, especially as it was such a dull day and I wasn't woken by the sunshine at 5am like usual.

Decided to go with a slightly more wrapped up outfit today and put on my Vera Moda mustard knitted jumper with my black flowery Urban Outfitters skirt AND took my jacket with me.

I saw the newer version of my last season leather jacket in Topshop today. Exactly the same only this time with a soft fur collar... I was tempted to buy it again, not going to lie. I even contemplated attaching the fur to my current jacket but then thought stealing in Brixton probably won't go down too well... plus it had its own security tag on! They know what people like me are thinking...

Definitely going to invest in some fur and re-vamp my old jacket though, especially since my Mum has now bought the same one as me!

I tried to be more positive at work today and sat up straight at my desk and went about my task with strained enthusiasm. Soon after I found myself slumping back down, however. I just can't really get exciting about researching foreign textile magazines and putting their sales figures into excel...

Interning is something that we all have to do in the fashion industry, unless you are EXCEPTIONALLY lucky or your Dad is Ralph Lauren or something, but I wonder whether there is anyone that truly enjoys it? It's a bit like Emily Blunt in the Devil Wears Prada when she is constantly muttering to herself 'I love my job, I love my job'.