Love by Julien Macdonald at Matalan

Hi guys,
Could Julien Macdonald be the king of high street collaborations? Not content with having womenswear, kidswear, homeware and beauty collections at Debenhams, the dancing designer has now launched a swimwear collection with dear old Matalan. The new collection is inspired by Julien’s favourite holiday destinations with two beautiful trends ‘Tough Luxe’ and ‘Floral Fusion’, both designed with real women in mind. And the price points are incredible! Here is a behind the scenes video, and some of my favourite pieces:

The collection really does stick to Julien's signature style: lots of bold colours, leopard and zebra print, and glamorous dresses. The shoes are inspired by the ones from his mainline collection and, as standard, there is lots of shimmer, diamante, and assorted other bling! If you like the over the top Julien Macdonald style of dressing then you'll love this collection.

Prices range from £8 for a pair of bikini bottoms to £35 for a pair of embellished sandal boots. Shop the new collection here, it launched today. What do you think? Will you be getting bling-tastic in the new range for a little pool side glamour?

Love Tor x

Collaboration: Ashish x Topshop (Again!)

Hi guys,
It is a little known fact that the first ever LFW show I ever went to was an Ashish show, meaning that I will always have a soft spot for the brand. And because their Topshop collaborations make the brands price point so accessible to me, it is also one of my favourite recurring Topshop collabs! I love the wearable sports-luxe finishes and the tongue in cheek slogans.

Beach, please! sweater, £50. My name is... tee, £40. Dirty beach towel, £45.
Son of a beach towel, £45. Not now eye mask, £30. Black contrast sunglasses, £35.
Please follow me tee, £40.

The collection is very much summer driven (with 'beach' themed word play the order of they day) and I know that those beach towels will be adorning sunbeds across Europe this summer. I also love the same monochrome and grey marl colour palette, which is a refreshing change for a summer collection and a break from the saturated colours we are seeing everywhere else at the moment.

The new Ashish x Topshop Collaboration launched instore and online yesterday and you can shop it now. That Beach, Please! sweater has got my name all over it!

Love Tor x

Meadham Kirchhoff for Topshop hits the sale!

Hi guys,
If you lusted after the Meadham Kirchhoff for Topshop collaboration when it launched back in November, but just couldn't afford the prices then you're in luck! Bargain hunters get excited, because there are pieces from the collection in the Topshop sale.

The bold '80s-style collection was really well received by the great and the good of the fashion world, so I was surprised to see any pieces left in the sale. Having said that, with my wardrobe full of black, I'm living proof that just because you like something in theory doesn't mean you'd wear it yourself!


Red PVC Frill shorts, reduced from £100 to £60. 
Tiger Print Jumper, reduced from £90 to £30. 

I love those PVC shorts, which would look fantastic as the focal point of a much more pared down outfit: team with a simple fitted black tee, black tights and ankle boots. Or if you just can't help being the centre of attention then why not really commit to the Kirchhoff look and layer them with even more colour? It's a look that's far too bold for me, but I'd love to see you guys pulling it off!!

Love Tor x

Accessories: Holly Fulton for Radley

Hi guys,
Radley isn't usually a brand you'd find me writing about. Whilst I have nothing against that cute little scotty dog, it's not a brand a particularly like either. I find their designs to be fairly traditional and, well, a little bit dull. But that's all about to change for me! Because Holly Fulton (a designer I really love, and often write about) has created a collaborative collection with Radley. And I love it!



Suddenly that scotty dog is looking appealing to me! But it's the graphic patterns on the tan leather that I really love. I'm not usually one for glitz when it comes to my handbags. I like simple, good quality leather, so these would be the perfect clutch bags for the party season in my mind.

Love it as much as I do? Shop the collection here. 

Love Tor x

Accessories: Well Hello Holly!

Hi guys,
One of the things you can predict every year about London Fashion Week is that so many brands jump on the fashion week bandwagon and rush to promote designers/collaborate with designers/offer fashion week related competitions to show that they're on the pulse, ahead of the curve, just still relevant. I saw a shocking example of this on the New Look Facebook page, where they had posted images in an album entitled 'London Fashion Week street style' and the images were of such poor quality it was clear they had been taken by someone with a fairly abysmal camera without the confidence to approach anyone and ask to take their picture. Sometimes it's better not to have any LFW content than it is to have content of such poor quality: really, what does that say about your brand?

One designer/retailer pairing that I am a big fan of though is the Holly Fulton for eBay capsule collection. The exclusive edit is only available for a limited period and includes a mix of great pieces either exclusively produced or drawn from AW13, including two sweaters with screen-printed motifs and art deco necklaces embellished with Swarovski crystals.The collection is fixed price, not an auction, and the pieces range from £70-£120. I really like the art deco necklaces, and I love the way they have been styled with button up shirts for the promo images:

This is a collaboration that makes sense because ebay are sponsoring the BFC's Fashion Forward initiative, so it is a London Fashion Week offering that has substance, that makes sense, and the products are actually wearable and covetable. There are only another 24 hours to shop this, so if you're interested, head over and check it out now! 

Love Tor x

The Clements Ribeiro SS13 Swan Collection for Evans

Hi guys,
I've just seen some of the images from the latest Swan Collaboration between Clements Ribeiro and Evans. I was impressed with the first drop from this collab, and now there are several pieces from this new one that I really love too! To help promote the collection Evans and Clements Ribeiro enlisted the most stylish and influential personalities within the plus-size blogosphere. UK bloggers Georgina Horne, Bethany Rutter and Callie Thorpe have been photographed alongside Nicolette Mason and Marie Denee from the US, to showcase the clothes on differing shapes, provide powerful inspiration and give a statement of the relevance of plus size voices in the world of fashion.

I thought it was a smart move by Evans to have plus sized fashion bloggers model the collection: plus sized blogs are the newest popular 'fad' in fashion blogging (about time too!) and the resulting images look fantastic! So what was the inspiration for the collection? Well, designer Inacio Ribeiro said: "After three collections in which we tried to create smart capsule wardrobes, including some serious eveningwear, we decided to come with a surprise turn by creating a holiday range that is playful and easy. "The shapes are very casual and straightforward and the prints are full of wit. It is infused with the urban energy the bloggers inspired us with, but also ready for a week of fun in Rio."

What do you think of the collection? I really like the lobster printed jersey dress, whereas the other graphic prints aren't really to my tastes. But that lobster dress has my name all over it - as does the domino clutch bag!

The collection is available in store and online now, and prices start from £35.

Love Tor x

Rihanna for River Island launches tomorrow

Hi guys,
If you've been waiting to get your hands on the Rihanna for River Island collection then its time to set your alarm clock: the collection launches online at 1am tomorrow morning. It's been a while since there has been such a fuss about a high street collaborative collection: you know something's going to be big when Rihanna turning up late for the launch makes the national news!
The collection is very much Rihanna's style, and perfect for the average River Island shopper. The styling and the catwalk show was a little too flesh-baring for my personal prudish tastes (but it was very Rihanna) however actually there are several pieces in the collection that I like and that I would wear: I'd just team them with more clothes! The vibrant yellow is perfect for summer and the floral pattern is modern and very wearable.
As a general rule, I worry when a non-designer celebrity puts their name to a collection. I'm always interested to know exactly how much involvement the celebrity has in designing the collection: do they pick the fabrics, draw the designs? Think about how the designs will suit the average customer in the store?

I know some celebs have more involvement than others, but I just struggle picturing Rihanna slaving over a drawing board somehow.... So is the collection a credit to the design team that created it? Well it's nice, this kind of urban styling is very on-trend at the moment. But it's not exactly innovative. And there's certainly nothing that will invoke me to set my alarm to go shopping in the middle of the night: I just don't like any of it enough, although I will say I don't dislike it either!

Have you been waiting for the Rihanna for River Island collection? Will you be awake and clicking frantically to get the collection at 1am, or are you letting this one pass you by?

Love Tor x

Henry Holland AW13: On the catwalk yesterday, buy it now!

Hi guys,
Last night was the Henry Holland catwalk show for AW13: And according to several bloggers and tweeters, it was the best show of London Fashion Week so far. I'm a big fan of Henry Holland and love the quirky twists and juxtapositions of his collections. And this one didn't disappoint: neon teamed with fur? Uptown city girl with downtown baseball caps? What's not to like!
Part of the new AW13 collection was the 'rave wave' print: an eye wateringly bright pattern in orange and fuschia pink. Want it? Well, the signature design is available on eBay right now as part of an exclusive collaboration with House of Holland and the eBay and it's live from now until midnight on Sunday 24th February. All the proceeds will be going to Cancer Research UK: isn't it great when shopping for something you want can help a worthy cause at the same time?!
Fans of House of Holland can get their hands on the ‘rave wave’ dress long before the AW13 collection is available in-store. And you can get your hands on some other pieces too: the dress is part of a four piece capsule collection made up of the dress (£100), an oversized slogan t-shirt (£50), an iPhone cover (£25) and a pair of tights (£25).

You can find out more about the collection and shop it here now!

Did you live stream the House of Holland show? Or have you seen any photos of it yet? I'd be interested to hear what you thought!

Love Tor xx

Maison Martin Margiela with H&M: coming on 15 November!

Hi guys,
It seems like the H&M designer collaborations are coming thicker and faster than ever! Mere moments after the Anna Della Russo jewellery collection landed instore, we're now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest fashion collaboration: Maison Martin Margiela with H&M.

I actually really really like this collection, although I can't imagine myself wearing a single piece of it: it just isn't made for my body shape. But oh if it was how I would wear that red dress! I also have a slight obsession with the leather bags that look like gloves: the burgandy glove-strap bag will be mine!! Here are some of my highlights from the collection:



The full collection launches in store on November 15: just two weeks before my due date, so sadly I'll have to sit this one out. But I do wonder if the queues and the buzz will be as dramatic as it has been for previous H&M collabs: or if people have just stopped caring. What do you think? Is there anything you'd queue to buy? And what do you think of the collection?

You can view the full lookbook over at Vogue.com

Love Tor x

Jenny Packham is the latest Designer at Debenhams

Hi guys,

I love Designers at Debenhams. The Henry Holland and Preen collabs are my first stops when I need something new. So I was uber-excited to hear that Jenny Packham was joining the Designers at Debenhams crew in April with her new collection, which is called 'No.1 Jenny Packham'.

I popped down today for a sneak preview of the range:

Once this collection launches, Debenhams really will be the go-to high street store for occasionwear! I picked up the bridesmaids dresses for my wedding from Debenhams, and as soon as I saw this collection I knew that brides-to-be, as well as stressed-out guests would fall in love with it.

I was actually really impressed. Having seen Jenny Packham's bridalwear in the flesh (then sighed a hearty sigh because of its pricetag) I was dubious about reworking those luxurious designs into something that would look good at a highstreet price point. I expected something to be lost in translation. But it really does work! The dresses are classic and beautiful with gorgeous detailing and embellishment. I spotted at least three that I want to add to my wardrobe right now!

So the million dollar question is what will it cost? Well, I was surprised by how reasonable the prices were. The prices of the dresses range from £85 6o £160. Which is a lot for an everyday dress for the office, but a bargain for a special occasion frock. The bags, jewellery and shoes range from £18 to £100.

What do you think of the collection? And designer collaborations in general? I know there are a lot of them out there! Would love to know what you think.

Love Tor xx

Shoe lust: Olivia Rubin for Dune

Hi guys,
Yesterday I went for a sneak peak at the Olivia Rubin for Dune collection. I can't resist a good shoe, so I was excited to see what the collection looked like. I was also excited by the gin cocktails and the dune branded cupcakes: officially yum! The capsule collection is made up of three bags (2 of them clutches) and twelve shoes with varying heel heights: predictably, it was the super high heels that I loved the most!

This pair was Olivia's favourite: she was wearing them with chinos at the event, and they looked fantastic: definitely the most eye catching pair out of all of the designs, with a simple shape but a really amazing print. The boldest of the three prints used in the collab. I love monchrome and I love oversized bows, so the next pair were ones that caught my eye:


Ahh, flats. The do what they say on the tin: nice enough, but it's hard to get excited about a classically cut pump. If you prefer to nod to the nude trend, and all things girly and pretty, then this next print could be for you. It's the same print as the first vibrant one, but in more muted colours:

I don't normally go for shoes with fabric heels 1. because i'm a leather obsessive and 2. because I usually manage to scuff them within about 10 minutes, but I think i'd be prepared to make the exception for some of these!

The collection landed in selected stores and online today, and is also available in Selfridges, and will no doubt sell out quick, so if you fancy any of this lovely foot porn, you should probably check it out sooner rather than later!

Love, Tor xx

Whats in the window: Diesel

Hi guys,
We all know I love nothing more than a good window display (Maybe in a former life I was a window dresser!) so when I was sent these pictures of Diesel's Christmas window displays, how could I not share?



My immediate reaction was that it was a very pagan and dark take on Christmas: not a Santa Claus or bauble in sight! I loved the climbing trees though, which reminded me of a scene from one of the darker fairy tales: think Little Red Riding Hood. According to the press release, it is "a seething mass of eldritch foliage which imagines a pagan journey to the temple of Diesel Black Gold" These pics are from the New Bond Street store.

I know everyone is talking about the Lanvin collaboration today, not window displays, but sadly I don't have a success story to share. Whilst everyone and his dog was joining the endless queue on Regents street this morning I had to be sat in the office, just a torturous 50 yards away. Do people take time of work to get their hands on these designer collaborations, I wonder, or are they only bought by freelancers, bloggers, and students who don't have somewhere to be at 9am on a Tuesday? If I had been able to get anything I would have liked the Tshirt dress with the ruffled collar, the yellow dress, and some of the jewellry. I'll be popping down later to see what's left over, but I won't be holding my breath!

Love, Tor xx

Fashion thoughts of the day....

Photo shows: Madonna's daughter Lourdes, genuine dutch clog (say with accent), tricksy jumpsuit, banned diesel ad, and Lady Gaga dressed as a man

- No doubt you've read about it, but have you actually checked out Lourdes (as in Madonna's daughter) blog? It's not actually her blog I don't think, but the blog for the tween clothing collection the pair have launched - of the three posts so far my guess would be that she's written half of one. Effectively its a corporate blog designed to sell the collection, but I can't help but wonder if its the wrong decision to put Lourdes "out there" so much when she is only 13: blogging ultimately brings you closer to people (fans and critics) and I don't know if it's fair to ask someone so young to deal with that. Interested to know what you guys think about it!?

- I'm beginning to wonder if fashion is less about taste and more about habit. I remember wearing clogs shoes the first time round back in the nineties (my mum worried they'd warp my feet and my dad used to always ask if I was from Holland) and this left me very anti their revival. I was not cool in the nineties! At one point I even insisted it was a trend that I wasn't buying in to. (and there are very few of those) Until I saw clog sandals on every blogger and in every magazine and on passing feet on my way to work - at first I got used to them, then that acceptance turned to like, and the like to desire. So yesterday I bought a pair!

- Why are jumpsuits so impossible to remove when you really need to go to the loo?! I'm addicted to my jumpsuits on hot sunny days but find myself hopping around with my elbows bent like a contortionist trying to get them off whenever I need a wee. Is there some trick that i'm missing??

-Whenever you're told somethings been banned for being offensive, do you immediately want to know what it looks like? Diesel have had two posters banned: one showing a woman flashing a CCTV camera, and another showing a woman photographing her crotch. The text on both says "smart may have the brains but stupid has the balls. Be stupid. Diesel." All I can think about is how I wish I could see these banned ads: which is why it's in the picture above. I always think banned ads are great PR for companies - it's the only way you can get so many national papers talking about your brand and product.

- I love Lady Gaga and I love her even more now i've seen the pictures of her dressed up as a man! The pics are for Japan Vogue Homme, and I love her for having the balls (excuse the pun) to tackle the rumours that she is a man/hermaphrodite etc head on, and on her own terms. I also think she makes a seriously handsome man!

This are all little bits i've noticed or been thinking about today, but none of them are big enough to warrant a post of their own. I'm addicted to Glee and want to end this with a tribute to Sue Sylvester (That's how Tor sees it!) but i'm just not cool enough to pull it off! Maybe i'll mumble something cool in "youth speak" like Lourdes did instead.....

Love, Tor xx

Fabfrocks loves...Agyness Deyn at Uniqlo

Hey guys,

Uniqlo have announced an upcoming collaboration with British-born supermodel and fashion icon Agyness Deyn (Or Aggy to the British press!) and her sister; Emily Deyn, owner of the Hussaindeyn brand. Obviously this could go two ways (given its Uniqlo): jeans or t shirts. I'm sure you can't take the suspense anymore, so the answer is, it's Tshirts. I actually really love them: the shapes, colours, and especially the images are great!

The collection takes inspiration from the punk era, using retro Polaroid photos. My two favourites are the "life in the fast lane" and the" more to life than cake" ones, although I prefer the Tshirt shape that comes with the sleeves than the vest shapes. I will refer to the "cheese" one as the fashion bloggers Tshirt: perfect for the narcassist in all of us!

I have written before about how bored I am with designer collaborations, but this is one I think I could really get behind: especially given the Tshirts are only £12.99 each. I suspect my casual summer stylings just got a little easier, these would look fab teamed with leggings or shorts. The Tshirts land in stores on the 1st May and given that I love the fit and feel of uniqlo tshirts (so soft, yet they hold their shape) I suspect there will be an orderly queue outside of the stores to get their hands on these: I also bet that i'll be at the front!

Love, Tor xx

H! by Henry Holland launch party

Tonight was the launch party of the H! by Henry Holland collection for Debenhams, so naturally I toddled down to check it out. My first thought on viewing the collection was that it wasn't quite what I was expecting; not as bold and brash as Henry's usual style. All the trademarks were there - polka dots, floral, tartan - but in a more understated, some might say more wearable, way.

The range is made up of 80 womenswear separates and a 150 piece collection of accessories and swimwear. Pieces that I especially enjoyed were the yellow floral dress, the neon colour block shoes, and the retro looking, casio-inspired, 2 tone watch. The tartan suit certainly had high impact in a light, almost pajama cotton, fabric, and was most representative of what I was expecting from the collection. Worn as separates, I thought both pieces had great potential. Lots of the pieces seemed inspired by other 80s brands - the ray ban style sunglasses for example.
Someone at the party told me that two of Henry's influences for the collection were "Clueless" and "My so called life". Viewed in this light the heavily 80s inspired collection made loads more sense!

As well as a chance to view the clothes, the evening was also a party. Fellow bloggers Style PA, Miggy and Disney Roller girl were all there and I also spotted Hilary Alexander in the crowd. Of course, Henry himself was the star attraction and I was disappointed not to have a chance to take his photo for you. The canopes were plentiful, as was the wine, and the goody bag contained the H! magazine baguette clutch; hoping to use that over the party season!

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All in all a good night was had! Unfortunately though if you're looking at any of these pieces and wishing they were yours, you'll have to wait: The collection doesn't launch until February next year. But don't worry - i'll remind you nearer the time and we can hit the shops!

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Love, Tor xx

Swim in it for charity!

Sometimes more interesting than what people do is how they go about doing them. For me, the thought process of a designer is just as inspiring as the final designs he or she produces. You can appreciate the design more when you see where it started and where influences were taken from. I hope this explains my fascination with the boards I am going to show you for today's post.


Cult British fashion label PPQ have designed a range of one off exclusive swimming caps in collaboration with the Schweppes Abbey-Well 'Get Britian Schwimming' campaign. The campaign aims to get more people swimming. Now I like to swim (its the only exercise I get if i'm honest!) but I would see these hats at the wedding before I would see them ruined in a swimming pool!






As you can see, PPQ used British heritage as the design influence for their pieces. The four caps channel four distinct British fashion traditions- Punk, 50's Britain , Rockabilly and Royal.

But because i'm a tease i'm not going to show you the final designs, but you can view then on eBay where they are now available to buy - it is, after all, for charity! Now i'm going to watch Xfactor and eat a roast dinner - enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Love, Tor xx

Jimmy Choo for H&M: What do you think?

Hi guys,
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Just over 3 weeks to go until the collection launches (14th November. Put it in your diary. Now) and the first pictures of the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection have been released.
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I have been excited to see these, because up until now Jimmy Choo have never released a clothing line, and I was interested to see how their famous shoes would translate. Especially given that on the Grazia website Jimmy Choo MD and all round gorgeous fashionista Tamara Mellon chose four of the dresses as her top picks from the collection. Dresses over shoes? This I had to see:

Turns out Tamara was right: I do prefer the dresses to the shoes, although the bracelets and belts are also on the must-have list. There is one belt which is designed to wrap around the waist 3 times: yum!! The clutch bags leave me feeling pretty underwhelmed. The buttery soft looking fringed leather dress is definitely on my must have list though. And not pictured here, but definitely just waiting for me to pick up are the zebra print ballet pumps. And at just £49.99 they're a snip: watch this space and they'll be on my feet!!
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Overall I'm expecting this to be a fairly sound collection and (quality depending!) I will definitely pick up a piece or two. I am very much over the celebrity collaborations, but the H&M designer collabs keep going from strength to strength. What do you think? Will you be buying anything?
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Love, Tor xx