Manolo Blahnik Shoes: Spring/ Summer 2011

"You can take my Fendi baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but don’t take my Manolo Blahniks.” Carrie Bradshaw.

 When we first saw Manolo Blahnik shoes for this years Spring/Summer collection, we instantly thought of our favourite character from the famous television programme 'Sex and the City', the one and only Manolo Blahnik shoe queen, Carrie Bradshaw.  


This years Spring/Summer collection continues the trend of Block Colour and each shoe would go perfectly with each Spring/Summer outfit we have in mind. We have picked our favourites from the bunch which show the true Carrie Bradshaw style, so take a look and some of the most inspiring designer around:

We can all see how Carrie Bradshaw was in love with Manolo's now. Pricey as they are, you will still be getting a statement shoe, and for what it is worth, you will be getting a Carrie Bradshaw-to-die-for pair of shoes. And who could blame any girl for wanting to say 'why not?' to a pair of Manolo's (putting aside the fact that finance may be involved, of course)so we shouldn't necessarily see Carrie as a bad influence in over-the-top-shoe-loving, but something to learn from- always pick the best shoes, then at least you will look good being out of cash.

Fashion Week: Milan

Even though we couldn't be there personally (as much as we wanted to!), Milan Fashion week really stood out to us. The aqua shades from Gucci and Alberta Ferretti surprise step into the sixties with some classic styles, this years Spring/Summer collections looks magnificent! We have picked out a few of our favourites from Milan's fashion week, featuring some of the greatest designers around. There were many to choose from, but we have only chosen a couple which are our favourites. 

Gucci, like Alberta Ferretti, also had a glance at the past trends and styles as it had a 70's vibe going on. The block colour theme was surrounding and it really makes you excited for summer to come and get out some vibrant shades and put the winter colours away.

 

Even though there were many block colours on Gucci's catwalk, there were also some classic designs which used the block colour of black, which gave a dramatic effect and a new twist to evening wear.

'Creative director of Gucci, Frida Giannini, presented a collection for an 'intellectual tribe of exotic women', fusing dazzling colours with tribal-inspired finishing touches'(The Telegraph) He has succeeded in this as he has pulled a collection together which would inspire any spring/summer wardrobe this year. Coming up in Spring/Summer fashion trends is block colour, and Gucci's designs reflect this perfectly. 

One of my favourite fashion designers from the Milan Catwalk is Alberta Ferretti, who caught my eye by the beautiful prints and materials used to make the designs. The material flows perfectly and looks worth the amount of money you would spend on it. Beautifully handmade, all of her designs reflect the beauty which is in Italy and must be truly inspired by her country. As an Italian designer, it was inevitable that the clothes would be beautiful, but this is another level! 

Guest Blogging on The Affordable Vintage Fair Style Blog

We had a lovely time at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair, and found many items that we couldn't resist. On The Affordable Vintage Fair Style Blog, we have given our review of the Fair when it came to Nottingham. To find it, the link is:

http://theaffordablevintagefair.blogspot.com/

So check it out!

Below are some pictures we took from the fair when it came to Nottingham, enjoy!

I wanted this bag soo bad!

This beaded top was an amazing price of £8 from a stall called 'Some Girls'. Hopefully somebody bought it, its beautiful!

This stall was called Tullula. Adele who owned the stall makes her own clothes, and loves the style of re working leather. We also found out that Pearl Lowe once wore one of her Tullula Dresses!

Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair: Abi's Purchases

I think I buy way too many shirts.

This print shirt was a nice price of £3! Its from a shop named Kathleen and Lily's, which is unfortunately closing down in Nottingham. However, never fear as they will still be selling clothes in a variety of different stores throughout the country. They will still be selling online, so click here to check it out! They have some beautiful handmade jewellery also, and a variety of vintage clothing. 

This shirt was from a stall named 'Frank and Fearless'. They are a Southampton based home and clothing vintage store. They also have an online store if you dont fancy travelling to Southampton for the day for their store, so click here to check out their goods!

This shirt had a nice price of £3, which made me want to buy it even more. I had been dying for a navy shirt and the detail on the left side made it even more worth it as it gives it more of a vintage touch.

I had a quick talk with one of the owners of the stall and I was surprised when she told me it was their first time at the fair. Hopefully they will be returning to the next Affordable Vintage Fair, as many other vintage lovers seemed to like their items too! 

I simply couldn't resist this sheer blouse from a stall called 'Some Girls'. I had a lovely chat with the owner, Laine Tomkinson and she said she named her Vintage business 'Some Girls' because of different sizes of different girls. This shirt was £6 and she had many more beautiful items and a gorgeous black blouse with an amazing price of £8!

Even though the she is Nottingham based, this was Laine's first fair and she hasn't set up a website or shop yet. So we will just have to wait for the next vintage fair to take a look at her lovely items!

Dorothy's Wardrobe

Soon to be a permanent fixture at Hopkinson Gallery Dorothy’s Wardrobe is truly a delight; opening on the 1^st March it is full of handpicked vintage clothing, for both men and women, but also home ware and handmade jewellery. The price tags are definitely a hit and their old till is just divine. Jessica snapped up a sheer shirt whilst Abi was off pining for the cute little tea cup candles. 

We'll have more to say in March.

Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair: The Interview

It has finally come back- Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair has come to Nottingham!

Packed with Vintage goods, this fair should not be missed. So get yourself down to:

 Hopkinson Gallery (Formerly The Art Orginisation)

21 Station Street

Notts

NG2 3AG

Its on tomorrow (Sunday 6th Feb) so get yourself down there and grab a bargain!

We have had the privilege of interviewing the creator herself- Judy. Who has very kindly given us an insight to her fabulous vintage fair.

• You have a passion for Vintage, so where did the love begin?

''I really can’t pin point it, though my mum dressed me in hand-me-downs and charity shop clobber from when I was a toddler so something must have stuck [although my older sibling is a boy and so I don’t think the army jumpers and cords were a good look for me during the early 80s at the tender age of four!] I studied fashion at Art College and really embraced the flea market finds I would buy and alter -  I loved the rummage, and I loved to look unique.  I’ve been through quite a few different styles from the early 90s when I decided to be a punk (though only halfheartedly) into the mid-nineties when I leaned towards the 70s through to a present-day Mad Men wardrobe.'

• ·         Prior to Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair, you created the ultimate ‘Swap Shop’. Would you ever consider bringing this back? Because we have worn out our friends wardrobes too!

'There will always be a tiny, niggling part of me which believes I could modernize and re-configure the swap shop process.  I loved that business - it was born from a real passion to change the way women look at how they acquire their clothes – but it just wasn’t commercially viable.  Maybe someday in the future, when I’ve run out of vintage steam I’ll return to it – however I’ve got a myriad of other business goals to go before that occurs.'

•   Affordable Vintage came to Nottingham in 2008, but why the wait?

'At the time I was a one-woman band - it’s very difficult to create a business and grow it quickly without losing sight of why you started it.  I had to tread carefully and launch new cities without jeopardising the cities already in existence.  Nottingham was always in my eye line - by 2008, I was sure I could bring a great event to the city.'

• ·         We love the idea of being ‘In Vogue, but not out of pocket’; do you think that popularity may affect the prices?

'There is a definite correlation between popularity and prices and it’s one of the principal reasons that I set-up shop. From 2004 – 2005, I saw prices sky-rocket, leading me to create a vintage business that was affordable and grounded.  My affordable vintage fair will always remain true to its roots and will always be competitive regarding the price of stock - the only reason why some prices may fractionally rise is due to the price of petrol; with traders coming from the four corners to sell at different events,  they have to cover themselves as far as costs are concerned. That said, it’s a minimal difference and ensures we have the most eclectic selection of traders in the UK.   I will always ensure prices are never raised due to popularity – it’s just not the Judy’s way.'

• You were curator at summer’s ‘Vintage at Goodwood Festival 2010’ by invitation from the man himself, Wayne Hemmingway, designer and Red or Dead founder. It must have been brilliant working with him; are there any other designers you would like to work with?

 'Of course I would love to work with Barbara Hulanicki, founder of Biba.  Not only were her prints, designs and shops the inspiration for 60s Britain but her shop was a cool hang out for artists and rock stars like Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithful and David Bowie.  I bet she could tell a tale or two!'

• New Year. New beginnings. What have you got in store for us and fellow vintage lovers this year?

'We’ve taken on a lot of new traders, so we’ll be changing the format of our fairs to include young designers who create new fashion from vintage clothes.  We’re also adding in some more homewares and of course our new venture The Vintage Furniture Flea will begin to tour the country to deliver mid century homewares.'

We would like to say a big thanks to Judy for taking the time to answer all our questions. 

We will be heading down to the fair tomorrow to snap some of your outfits and purchases, hope to see you there! 

Chanel: Spring 2011 Campaign

As we all know, Chanel is known for its style and class; and as for the upcoming Spring collection, it expresses just this. 

The various chic designs and perfectly matched material show how the clothing is tailored to perfection with the exquisite detailing. How the material falls, shows how when Karl Lagerfeld designs clothes, he has each customer in mind. 

Even though Chanel clothing in the modern day is seen as traditional, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel revolutionized haute couture fashion by her belief and idea that clothing should be about comfort, as well as fashion. Her unique style of simple suits and long slender dresses took the place of the traditional corset silhouette. This idea came from the way she saw men's clothes, and how she could interpret them into a style for women. Which would be adored all around the world, and still adored today. 

Not only Chanel is known for its beautiful clothing, but also for its glorious accessories. The fabric and leather is widely recognised for not only its quality, but for also how when the fabric or leather is used it has a 'secret' quilting pattern, which helps keep the material strong. This idea was inspired by the jackets worn by jockey's.

Chanel's designs are an inspiration to this day. The designs have the sophistication and chic look all the designers are looking for. 

I am (like most other people) in love with Chanel designs, but not the price tag. I have picked out Five Fashion Favourites which are available on the high street:

1. Master Bow Apron Pointer Patent Pumps, Topshop, £25

At a price of £25 they are the ideal pair of shoes. The shoes have a similar design of Chanel as they have the same chic black and white effect. I have a pair myself, and they go well with every outfit for any time of the day and even wearing them out at night. They also have the effect of looking more expensive than they actually are, which is a bonus in itself!

2. Suedette Bootie Wedge, New Look, £24.99

Another one of my favourite pair of shoes on the high street at the moment, and I think these are going to be a big hit. Wedges have come back into fashion for this Spring and they are perfect lace-ups as they fit your feet well and they do not slide off (which is a problem I always have with most heels). Not only they look amazing, but in true Chanel style, they are also about comfort. These shoes are honestly the most comfortable pair of shoes I have owned! And at £24.99 (without student discount!) is a price that you can now allow yourself to fall in love with!

3.Pleat Collar Blouse, Topshop, £38

The colour in itself screams Chanel. The detailing on the collar gives it that something extra that makes you love the blouse overall. I really love this colour, as it will suit any skin tone or hair colour. This colour is really in for the upcoming spring collections as it makes us look forward to the summer even more. (and yes, I know it is only January, but it is something to look forward to!)I think that Topshop is influenced a lot by Chanel's designs, as their clothes also seem to fit for comfort. This blouse gives it the sophisticated edge, but it also allows you to move about in it. 

The colour should be a key piece in your wardrobe for this Spring, as it is soft, and it gives the Spring effect of adding some colour!

4.Skinny Trousers, Zara, £39.99

Every Wardrobe must have a pair of black skinny trousers. Whether they are made from cotton or are just black jeans, they seem to go with just about everything! 

These are from Zara, and even though it is a bit pricey, they will last you (hopefully) a lifetime. You can team them up with a simple white t-shirt, or if your going out at night, you can pull it together with a nice detailed shirt. 

Chanel's designs are pretty and plain, and these trousers express just that. Chanel is also known for its suits, and tailored trousers (which, unfortunately for me, properly costs more than everything I own) BUT never fear, there are alternatives than selling your most prized possessions on eBay to grab a pair of Chanel's trousers. Zara has a wide collection of different types of trousers, perfect for in the day or going out in a night. The material used is also beautiful, so its worth the money!

5.Black suede chain bag, River Island, £29.99

                     

Chanel is known for its chic black and white style, and I think this chain bag would complete a Chanel-inspired outfit. It will look good for any occasion, such as going out shopping in the day, or to complete a going out dress. 

It is also ideal because it will fit all of your things in there (purse, phone, headphones, house keys, lipstick, touch up make up. You know, the usual). 

The bag is also not OTT, as it can complete a outfit that has a lot of prints on it, but it also can add to a jeans a t-shirt combination. Its just perfect really!

On the Catwalk:

The Chanel Spring collection 2011 reflects what is to be expected of the Spring and the (hopefully) upcoming Summer: sunshine! We have all had enough of the dark winter days and the freezing cold nights, and how the collection shows the bright whites and the flowing material, we expect nothing less than a little (at least) sunshine here in the UK. 

The photos above show that with the 60's style theme, simple chic mini dresses and tailored trouser designs have proven that Chanel have outdone themselves once again with this years Spring collection. Keeping to a traditional spring colour scheme of pastels, golds and whites, Chanel's designs are perfect for the upcoming Spring.  

As the 1960's theme continues, the chic Chanel designs become more unique and a must have for any Spring wardrobe. The photos from the catwalk show how the simple 60's mini dress design has been given a modern twist by adding a simple vintage print. 

The photo to the left encourages experimenting with different colours this Spring as the colour of Mustard is beginning to have a comeback! Teamed with a 60's print Pussybow shirt and Roman sandals, the colour is flattering among the colour of red and gold. The waistcoat gives it the masculine edge that Gabrielle Chanel got her inspiration from, but keeps it feminine with the vintage-look 60's mini skirt. 

As prints become the 'must have' for any wardrobe this Spring, the two photos above express just that. Chanel have kept it simple with a chic black and white and a touch of pastel in their designs this Spring. This, I feel, it gives it just the right vibe for this Spring, as the winter days are coming to a close, Chanel is making us look forward to a (maybe) sunny Spring.