Monday 31 August 2009

FabFrocks reviews: Mark Hill refresh your blonde!

There's vanity, there's uber vanity, and then there's the way I feel about my hair! No matter how fat or thin i'm feeling, or how awful my skin is, I can always manipulate my hair into looking perfect!

It's not easy having bleach treated locks; they dry out quickly, break easily, and turn to looking brassy almost within the blink of an eye. It's a constant battle, but I fight it because although my hair has been every colour under the sun, I just love the way I look when i'm blonde!

I have been using the Tony and Guy lightening shampoo and conditioner, which contains colourant to keep hair constantly lightened. It makes my colour look great but it's so harsh that even when conditioned twice my hair still feels brittle and is a nightmare to comb through. So when I was asked to try the new Mark Hill refresh your blonde anti yellow shampoo and conditioner, I thought what have I got to lose!!
The first thing I noticed was how great they smell; normal blonde shampoos have a subtle chemical smell but this one smelt yummy! It formed a really thick creamy lather even without using a full handful (my usual shampoo amount!) Initially the conditoner was a minor shock; it was a lot thinner than the conditioners i'm used to using, which I thought would be a bad thing. But actually it meant that a small amount went further and evenly covered my whole hair. And once I had rinsed, it was lovely to still be able to smell the products I had used (as i've mentioned it twice you can see that the scent was a major selling point!)

The biggest suprise though was that I could pull a brush through my hair without crying; and given that usually I have to have my boyfriend help my comb the back because it is too rough and knotted to do myself, this is a major discovery! And once blow dried my hair feels like silk; and looks the colour of milk, even without the harsh lightening power i'm used to!

I'm sold, and relieved from his daily battle with the frizz ball that is my mane, I suspect the boyfriend will be running to the shop to stock up on enough of this stuff that he never has to approach me with a brush and a steely look in his eyes ever again!

Love Tor xx

Thursday 27 August 2009

To jegging, or not to jegging?

Since the word jegging was first coined, I began to wonder if jean leggings are jeggings, are jean dresses jresses? Anyway. You may or may not have noticed that I very very rarely wear trousers; in fact, I only own two pairs of trousers (both jeans) which I wear occasionally for slobby weekends around the house and erm, DIY. However, despite myself and my initial dislike, I have started to like the look of jeggings. I feel that they would add extra interest to my layered outfits and i'm starting to get a little fed up of the predictability of wearing my black leggings under everything! So imagine my delight at seeing these incredibly affordable jeggings (just £15) from New Look's new Yes Yes denim range! In sizes 8-26, this range is affordable in the extreme; the range starts at £10 and tops out at £2o!
I am a big fan of the super skinnies from the range; I just don't think I want to get used to having tight bulky fabric around my waist again (I wore jeans everyday when I was a teenager and had to be coaxed out them by my mother once to go to a wedding-it took a long time to wean myself off them and now i'm used to the feeling of freedom you get with a dress!)
But if they were in a softer gentle stretch fabric, I would definitely be prepared to give it a go; especially as winter approaches where a thicker fabric legging/jean under my floaty dresses would be perfect for keeping me warm and still looking stylish!
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Only time will tell if the low prices mean poor quality, but in the images the collection certainly looks impressive; i'm sure this cliche will be all over the tabloids, but it really is like credit crunch jean shopping isn't it? But whilst still managing to look all gorgeous and glamour: love it!And despite my initial reservations I think I will be popping down to Oxford Street tomorrow to give those jeggings a try!
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Love, Tor xx
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Only two weeks to go.....

...until we can all rush to the cinema to see the September Issue (yay)....unless of course you're reading this in America (or at least New York) where you get to see it much sooner. Grrrr, damn you all (i'm shaking my fist angrily!)
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I saw the trailer for the first time today and it looks like it's going to be awesome; reality tv that is actually real, a sneak peek in the most important magazine and the most important person in fashion, and lots of laughs (because you have to laugh at all these people who take themselves sooo seriously!)
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Check it out for yourself:





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I love the way the movie unquestioningly positions AW (yup, i'm giving her initials!) as a demi-god; all together now, swoop and bow! Oh, and what the hell does "September is the January of Fashion" actually mean??? Either way, I can't wait to watch the movie and find out!
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Love, Tor x

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Topshop + Miss Selfridge + Evans +++ = Arcadia!

Tonight was the Arcadia online press event and (in my typical "Tor-is-going-to-gush-now" way) it was super super fun! I met loads of my favourite lovely bloggers, got to see all of the new season collections from Topshop, Evans, Miss Selfridges et al, and best of all, got to try some of the lovely clothes on. Actually, best of all was that a lovely photographer took photos of us trying all the lovely clothes on and we got to take them home to show to you!
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One problem was that the vast majority of the clothes on show were in sample sizes. Which I most certainly am not. But the up side of this was that I got to try on some of the sample size Evans stuff, and as I rarely pop into evans, this was a definite bonus; especially given the sequinned glamour-puss nature of their new season collection!
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So here I am:
Sequin zig zag dress: Evans, Sequin snake top: Evans, Fur jacket: Topshop, Shoes: Topshop, Jewellery: "models own"(that's a fancy way of saying it's mine!)
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On my definite "want" list are the sequined snake top and the cobalt blue ankle boots. Actually, the zig zag dress would also be a complimentary addition to my wardrobe too! I would never need more incentive to shop with the Arcadia group, but if I had, then tonight would have been it. Fun fun fun!
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Love, Tor xx
PS - I meet Susie Bubble (!) and was so star struck I had nothing to say! I don't think i've ever met anyone who made me like that before!
PPS - Miggy from Miggy likes the internet is one of the prettiest people I have ever seen (and her blog is great!) and other new (to me, obviously, not really new!) blogs that I can see myself falling in love with are Diamond Canopy and Young Shields!

Kate Moss A/W 09 launches tomorrow....

...but do we still care or not? (or, indeed, did we ever care?)

*Photos stolen with love from topshop.com
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I love the jacket in the top picture (in all its wonderful textured feathery loveliness), and Kate is still looking gorgeous! But I wonder how much of the rest of the collection is standard topshop fare (not neccessarily a bad thing!) dressed up on a supermodel with some very clever styling thrown in for good measure!
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What do you think?
Love, Tor xx

Monday 24 August 2009

Daily wear: Big shoulders!

I picked up this dress from Oxfam: it fell to my ankles and buttoned up to the neck, but I loved the ditzy floral pattern, so I diy'ed all over it! I changed the buttons to these cute gold sailor numbers, lowered the neckline to a deep v and cut of the hem. The hem looks a little wonky when you look at it close up, but it isn't tooo noticable! I decided not to remove the shoulder pads because I liked the boxy shape they gave to my upper body: a nod to this season's 80s trend, but on my terms!
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I teamed it with a vintage cream handbag (which is sadly starting to fall to pieces and I have to be verry careful with it) topshop white gladiators with gold studs and my black and gold aviators. I feel good in this outfit, which lulls me into believing this could be a good day too!
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Happy Monday everyone!
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Love, Tor xx

Saturday 22 August 2009

COMPETITION: Come on a shopping treasure hunt with me!

Fancy coming on a real life treasure hunt with me to find £60 worth of JoY shopping vouchers? Well, to celebrate the launch of the new Ford Ka, all you have to do is enter my competition and you can!
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13 other bloggers and their readers will also be getting involved! You have to be available and in London on the evening of the 3rd September when we will head to the bankside JoY store (behind the Tate Modern) and go on a treasure hunt for miniature Ford Ka's: when we've found them we will be able to swap them for £60 worth of JoY vouchers, do some shopping, and meet all the other fashion bloggers and their winners.
Fancy getting involved? Well if you want to get your hands on those vouchers (and meet me of course!) all you have to do is tell me whether I have hidden the car (or should that be KA!?)above in the left or right side bar of the blog, and let me know what you would do on a two day road trip in a Ford Ka.
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I would pick up my mum and my sisters and head to Bicester village for a day of crazy discount designer shopping: I love it there but it's a pain to get to on the train!
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ENTER NOW and good luck! I look forward to meeting the winner on September 3rd!
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Love, Tor x

Seeing stars with Jasmine Guinness!

Whilst at the LGPout party on Thursday night I met the wonderful PR ladies from fashion (and everything!) online store very.co.uk. They told me all about the Jasmine Guinness collection that they are currently stocking on the site, so naturally I had to pop over and check it out. And I was impressed: a cute shooting star motif everywhere = yum!
Despite it's simple shape, I am a big fan of this black dress: it's hard to decide whether I love the dress or the way she wears it though! And of course that sweater would be perfect for teaming with boyfriend jeans and blazer for a slouchy saturday afternoon of shopping (because what else can you do with your Saturdays!?) It's very "me": I just wish that it didn't have the turquoise bands around the wrists and waist! Oh, and the ditzy floral dress? Perfect for teaming with an insanely oversized Tour de Force bow for a late summer wedding methinks! The first dress (the shooting star one) is the weakest piece: like so many things I have seen on the highstreet before, but overall I think the collection is solid.
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Oh, and i'm not sure why I am having such a hair obsession this week, but this is also on the long list of hair I would like to sport! Gorgeous!
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Love Tor x

LGPout Party: Fun fun fun!

Thursday night was the latest Pout party, sponsored by the new LG phone. It was held in fancy pants London club Movida, and I tripped down with my date for the evening, Mark. Here we are looking super sexy: I am wearing H&M top and boyfriend blazer with a topshop necklace leggings and a madame butterfly chain handbag. I also wish you could see my shoes which were black heels with brown laces and in my opinion, very cool! Mark is wearing a checked shirt and jeans: also looking good!
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The cocktails were as delicious as the company and the whole night was like a great online fashion love-fest. It was a brilliant night and we met some very interesting people: thank you to Miggy for inviting us!
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Love Tor xx

Friday 21 August 2009

Designer of the day: Kristinit

It's hard to get excited about sustainable fashion: T shirts in organic cotton and stiff patterned skirts are what I immediately think of when someone says their collection is 'sustainable'. So I was delighted when Kristinit send me the lookbook for her lastest sustainable collection entitled Love: It is created with social and environmental responsibility in mind, and in collaboration with Zoe Melo, the LOVE Campaign uses custom, handmade lace from artesenatos in Brazil, supporting fair trade and linking women and beauty across the globe. I think it is this aspect that appealed most because, lets face it, who doesn't want to do something admirable that could change the world simply by shopping!?
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Kristina Lenss, the designer of Kristinit says: "This collection is about complementing fashion with sustainability — without sacrificing style." And from the pictures below, i'm inclined to agree:
I think the collection is very sleek and very grown up, but with a quirky fashion twist. There isn't a piece here I wouldn't put my (ridiculously fashionable, by the way!) mother in and she would look fabulous in the whole collection! But that doesn't mean I wouldn't wear it too: just in a different context I think. For a lady like my mum this is probably daily wear, but for me it is the stuff that you save for work appointments and meetings at the bank! I love the gentle ikat pattern of the prints, and the handmade lace peephole on the black dress hints at the wearer being a little bit naughty: much nicer (and sexier!) than yards of flesh on display in my opinion!
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I can't decide out of the top three which is my favourite, but I do know that they would all slot perfectly into my non-exsistent work wardrobe!
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Love Tor
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Ps - Is anyone else looking at the dark haired model and suffering serious hair envy?!

Thursday 20 August 2009

New Look A/W09 - Behind the scenes

Check out this awesome video which goes behind the scenes at the photoshoot for New Look's new Autumn/Winter collection:

The video has been created from still images, hence the amazing effect. Watching this makes me so glad I invested in my boyfriend blazer, which I suspect is still going to be a massive all the way through to spring. It also confirms what anyone with eyes will have already noticed: the biker look is going to be MASSIVE this winter: those clever folks at New Look even threw in a couple of motorbikes to drive this point home! Overall i'm really impressed with the look of the collection which is sleek, fashion forward and wearable. Sometimes I overlook New Look (probably because i'm such a topshop monster!) but I think to do that this season would be a big mistake!
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Oh, and in case you're wondering, the soundtrack to the video is called ‘Through the Ice’ by an unsigned artist: Danimal Kingdom. I've never heard of them, but the tune sure is catchy!
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My final aside is this: does anyone know where they filmed the amazing American diner scene. Because in my diet induced haze, those candy pink milkshakes are looking seriously good right now!
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Love, Tor x

Wednesday 19 August 2009

How do we feel about Toywatch?

...I ask because, as I never wear a watch myself, I don't know! On the one hand, I enjoy the vibrancy of the colours and the chunkiness of them and on the other hand...well....they look a tiny bit tacky don't they? I guess that's the point!
I'm not a fan of the chunky metal and sporty ranges, but I must admit to having a secret weakness for the plasteramic range: Chic ceramic looking plastic watches. The way I see it, if you're going for the oversized neon tack factor, you might as well go all out for it! And Michelle Obama agrees with me it seems: she rocked the oversized lilac version on a recent holiday in France.
If I was going to get involved, it would be with this bright canary yellow jelly watch. It's an unmissable wrist adornment of sunglasses-required brightness; what's not to love? But of course, no matter how cool it is, I wouldn't wear this watch: despite my constant bangle wearing, I find having a watch strapped to my wrist very distracting and irritating!
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So why all this talk about watches from someone who doesn't even wear a watch I hear you ask? Because maker of above mentioned neon watches Toywatch is set to launch its first ever flagship store on London’s Regent St.
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Coinciding the opening with London Fashion Week, ToyWatch is also collaborating with LFW to produce an anniversary Limited Edition style celebrating 25 years of London Fashion Week. Apparently "details of the style are firmly under lock and key, but soon to be released…"

The fashionista version of the fluoro watch is coming. You have been warned.

Love, Tor xx

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Etsy shop of the moment: Artlab

Call me a bloggy-copy cat if you will, but I have been coveting this nude coloured artlab bustle since I first saw Queen Michelle wearing it on the Kingdom of Style. It is such a beautiful looking, and I suspect strangely versitile piece. I want to layer it over my peach ruffle dress and team it with studded boots and collar; that, it how I roll. However it has taken me far too long to get round to looking at some of the other wonderful pieces in the artlab store, and now i'm left wondering which of all the pieces I love most. The shop is like a haven for anyone who (like me) is obsessed with ruffles. The second piece (called the Charlie Chaplin bib) is magnificent; these aren't ruffles as we know them but fabric expertly folded and pleated to perfection. I would wear this bib over every t shirt I owned: I might even stop eating lunch for fear of the spillage; thats how lovely I think it is!
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In her profile, artlab's creator says "My inspiration comes from dreams, memories, the urban landscape, film.... I also do photography, sculpture and installation art." And it is very easy to see these pieces as a hybrid between art and fashion; it's enough to make me think its time to fill more wardrobe with more beautiful conceptual pieces that excite me like this, and less highstreet! I recommend you check out the shop: even if you don't have money to burn, its worth a visit for the pretty pictures!
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Love Tor x

Monday 17 August 2009

Does anybody else....

....Look at this picture from Alexander McQueen A/W09 and immediately think of David Walliams character Vulva in awesome comedy (and one of my personal favs) Spaced?


Well, they do say that designers can find their inspiration anywhere! I actually love all of the hounds tooth and exagerated shapes of McQueens A/W '09 collection, but i'm pretty sure that the "wearing loads of lipstick and then snogging like a teenager" look won't be catching on any time soon.

Sorry for this absurd interlude, I saw the McQ picture on Tavi's blog, thought of it and had to share. Normally semi-serious fashion service will resume shortly.

Love Tor xx

Saturday 15 August 2009

Satur-daily wear

Today is a lazy day: I have popped to the post office to send off some ebay parcels, designed some new business cards, and had a lovely lunch in pizza express. The weather is also being lazy, and has been from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, making deciding what to wear a nightmare. In the end, I went for summery florals with lots of black and comfy boots thrown in:


Floral playsuit, river island, belt and biker boots, primark, bag, vintage.
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I think that adding the black sweaters and leggings will be the perfect way of getting a little more wear out of all the summer dresses I brought in anticipation of some sunny weather! And I love this playsuit - even if I am just wearing it to lounge around my living room writing this and watching E.T!
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Have a great weekend everybody!
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Tor

Thursday 13 August 2009

Abercrombie and Bitch

This morning a friend sent me an interesting article about Abercrombie and Fitch, and more specifically the "eccentric" A&F CEO, Mike Jefferies. The article was written in 2006, before A&F opened their first UK store (or store outside of the states in fact) in London's Mayfair. I've never been impressed by or interested in the A&F all-American preppy look, either on myself or the attractive men that often wear it. It always struck me as bland and uninteresting. But by the end of the article my apathy had turned to blind hatred: A&F is now a brand I will never be able to view positively again.
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If we ignore the continual contraversy around their hooker tees for teens and suggestive thongs for 12 year olds, Abercrombie and Fitch attract media attention at every turn and they are not known for their openness or tolerance. Just last month I got a sick taste in my mouth when I read about Riam Dean who was banished to the stores stock room because her prosthetic arm didn't fit the A&F "look". The Abercrombie and Fitch look has always been clear; A&F don't hire shop assistants to work in their stores, they hire 'stock models'. The girls should be tall and thin, preferably blonde, and pretty. The guys should be muscle bound, tan, and have model-good looks. (As as aside, did you know that the company maintains a strictly enforced dress policy which includes rules on the length of women's fingernails and even advice on what colour of toenail polish is acceptable?)You aren't buying a top, we're told, but a lifestyle. And who can buy into that lifestyle? Well not everyone, that's for sure!
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I, for one, would surely be excluded. As would at least 29% of you, my dear readers (that I believe is the percentage of under 25s in the UK that are classed as overweight or heavier) Because as far as A&F CEO Jefferies is concerned, the unattractive, overweight, unpopular or otherwise undesirable teens can shop elsewhere. I'm sad to write that this is a direct quote: "In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids," he says. "Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don't belong [in our clothes], and they can't belong."
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Who know that a T-shirt had so much to do with determining whether your school experience was a happy or an unhappy one? And thank God so many schools in this country (my own included) insist we all wear uniforms!
Ironic that I keep writing about t shirts but none of their models will wear one, right?

They're only clothes at the end of the day, and I know we live in a world with bigger problems. But maybe one of those bigger problems is all the young people that feel they have to hide behind this bland uniform, blend in, preferably become a little bit invisible, to be popular or at least fit in? There are increasingly more and more of them. Even the topshop look which I so admire has become a uniform, with girls walking to the shops in matching leggings, checked shirts and studded pumps. Will these A&F followers, with their air of superiority become our future world leaders, doctors, kings of risk and industry? I can't help but feel that by never learning to think for themselves, instead immersing themselves in an easy to follow fashion-perfection driven culture, the answer is no. If you need someone to tell you what colour your toe nails can be, how can you ever make a decision that could change the world. And without those kind of people where will we be in 20 years time?
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Ever notice how its the kids at school that stood out, that didn't conform, that dressed how they wanted, who make it when school is over? I bet Bill Gates didn't wear an Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirt to blend in with the "in crowd. " I think everyone should dress how they want to. And if, on an independent whim you decide you want to wear an A&F muscle tee, then I might judge you a little but so be it. Good for you for making your own choices. Just don't wear it because you think you should, because all the "cool kids" are doing it. This same advice by the way goes for buying an "it" bag or louboutin heels: I cant count how many women I know that would sell their souls for the status that goes with that shiny red sole!
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My one fear is that writing this post isn't highlighting how important it is to dress how you like rather than conforming to a tribe uniform, but the opposite. Abercrombie and Fitch's marketing is driven by "uncool" people like me complaining about them; what is it they say about all publicity being good publicity, after all? I'm frightened that I just played right into their hands...
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...but what do I know. With the jacked up prices of their London store i'm quite sure I couldn't afford to dress in abercrombie even if I wanted to. Meanwhile, Mr Jefferies laughs all the way to his crammed full swiss bank!

Love Tor x
UPDATE: 10 minutes ago it was announced that Riem Dean has won her court case about Abercrombie and Fitch. She was awarded £8,000.

Be there or be square!

Morning guys,
Well, you won't need two guesses to work out what today's post is all about...
...The front of liberty has been transformed into a wonderful liberty print delight, dressed in finest ditzy floral pattern, and now it's our turn to get involved:
I am hoping to make it down to enjoy the spectacle and take snaps of the best dressed liberty-ites (can I make that a word?) that London has to offer. I'd love to meet you, and if you see me then please come over and say hello!
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Although I am aware of the flash mob craze (you'd have to be living in a cave not to be, sadly!) this is the first time i've felt like getting involved. Dancing to the beat of the music in my head in front of a crowd of people might not be my thing, but getting dressed up and looking pretty certainly is!
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I should've posted this yesterday but sadly I had a hangover to nurse which demanded all of my attention: sorry for the short notice!
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Love, Tor xx

Wednesday 12 August 2009

LFW approaches: Vauxhall Fashion Scout merit award winner announced

The buzz has begun and London Fashion Week is officially approaching as Georgian born David Koma is announced as Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Merit Award winner. In it's second season, the Award offers the best new fashion designer the opportunity of a sponsored stand-alone show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s catwalk during London Fashion Week.
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David Koma graduated in March 2009 with distinction from Central Saint Martin, and his collection immediately grabbed the attention of buyers and media. David was also presented with the prestigious Harrods’ Design Award (previously won by Christopher Kane) which led to boutique Browns Focus stocking the collection. So of course, I decided to check him out:
Seriously sexy or what!?
Can we please note that on the last dress the nipples look like eyes and the skirt detail like a massive gaping mouth. Given that these pics are from last years AW collections, it stands to reason that there is a massive emphasis on the shoulders and black dominated. I love the sexy and futuristic shapes; now that Koma has won the Merit award and will definitely be showing this season, I am excited to see the new collection!
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Vauxhall Fashion Scout's off-catwalk shows have become a massive part of London Fashion Week; this September will be their seventh season.
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Love, Tor x

Monday 10 August 2009

Monday morning lust!

It's a Monday morning. It's back to work. Which means its time to cheer ourselves up with a little "if only I were shopping" lust! If I were shopping (and wealthier than my bank account currently dictates) then....

....I would be preparing for winter in this Rikkemai sequin-bibbed cardigan and wonderful wonderful tassled scarf.
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I have visions of buying a series of curtain ties and sewing my heart out in a bid to replicate this, but I know it wouldnt look anywhere near as wonderful. Although I think it is this "was it or wasnt it made at home" aspect that makes it so appealing. I stumbled across Rikkemai whilst attempting to do some catch reading around Copenhagen Fashion Week, and i'm so glad I did.
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I wish I was better at hunting out new brands; Rikkemai was launched in 2005 and it's taken me 4 years to notice!
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Still, the urban folklore and patchwork(both literal and not) themes woven throughout this collection means that, now discovered, Rikkemai is a designer I will keep coming back to: Especially as a welcome distraction from the thought of all the copy I have to write today!
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Love, Tor x

Friday 7 August 2009

Primark pick of the week: ankle boots

If the highstreet has anything to do with it, we will all be wearing flat ankle boots this Autumn and Winter. Which is why i've chosen these as my Primark pick of the week.....


Primark have got alot of there Autumn/Winter stock instore this week. Knitwear, boots and shoes, leather jackets and coats...And these boots which I picked up for a bargain £15. And having worn them for the past 2 rainy London days, I can confirm that they are so comfortable they're a blessing!
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The crazy flash on my camera has made the boots look slightly shiny, but they really aren't!
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Compare these to the £65 from Topshop and the £75 versions from River Island (see below). No doubt the quality and finish is much better for your money, but the look is shockingly similar:
The only difference as I can see is that the Primark ones are slightly taller: which on my cunky calves is actually a much more flattering thing! The more I think about it, the more impressed I am. So much so that i'm thinking about going back to get the brown pair too. The problem is, if I go to primark, I know I won't just come out with the boots....

Love Tor xx