Sneak peek of the Belle Sauvage film

Hi guys,
I'm a big fan of Belle Sauvage (their show was one of my favourites at LFW this time last year) so i'm really excited to be able to share some stills of their fashion film which will be showcased at the next London Fashion Week (Which I think i've already said a million times starts on Friday!)



I've very excited for the show this season, as it sounds like it's going to be better than ever: "Belle Sauvage return for Spring/Summer 11 adding dimension to their signature vivid, abstract digital prints and slick sculptural silhouettes with full length red carpet style gowns, and flowing ethereal layered silks. Contemporary shoulders and necklines combine with classic draping and floor-length dresses presenting a new yet entirely recognisable direction for the brand. Prints this season are inspired by American abstract expressionism paying reference to artists such as Frank Stella and Jeff Koons. Blended printing combined with appliqué creates relief and texture within the print and the appearance of gold and copper tones running through the prints alludes to the glamour with exotic stones and precious metals as a key theme throughout."

I can't wait to see the full length gowns, and how the prints they use adapt to red carpet styles. I'm also slightly obsessed with the models frizzy thick fringe: it's cool but ugly all at the same time!

Don’t miss the unveiling of the film which is scheduled this Friday at 11.30 am UK time on www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Love, Tor xx

Shoe lust: My Ferragamo

Hi guys,
You know I can't resist shoes, especially when they come in a bright pop of colour. And I am desparately seeking a new pair of pumps for the Autumn, as my sandals are ready to be packed away, and last years pumps seem to have been worn to death! So I was interested to receive this press release from Salvatore Ferragamo.

My Ferragamo is a new collection from Salvatore Ferragamo that arrives in store this week. It seems to be aimed at enticing a younger audience. The shoes were designed considering comfort as a basic contemporary need and elegance as an absolute must for every woman. Comfort is an absolute essential for me too, and i'm pretty sure my fundementally scruffy wardrobe could use a touch of elegance. So far so good!

There are four shoes in the collection:
-My Charme is the new signature pump. It's a mid heel court-style shoe (and is the one in the picture above!)
-My Joy is a fun ballerina with a shoe bag to carry along with you. This is my favourite of the four: it's modern, colourful and practical: it would slip in your handbag after a night out in crippling heels! This shoe is shown below!
-My Slipper is the elegant and comfortable ballerina slipper in velvet.
-My Sweet is a modern boot, with a heel inspired by Ferragamo’s historic Rainbow.

Salvatore Ferragamo began its journey into aesthetics at the end of the Twenties,and grew further in the Sixties, when fashion took to the street and prêt-à-porter. The company continues to change at a fast pace, as concepts of elegance and aesthetics evolve to meet the changing lifestyles of the most active and dynamic women.

I have a vintage pair of Salvatore Ferragamo court shoes that I got from a car boot sale (for the bargain price of £5!) and I have to say they are some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, so I have a big soft spot for the brand. However the price point for these shoes is a little high for the younger market they're targeting: in the US the cheapest pumps are starting at $279. I, for one, won't be able to afford to indulge! But if you do, let me know how you find them, because I think they look great!

Love, Tor xx

Enough to make you wish you could change your phone contract?

Hi guys,
I want to preface this post by saying that my phone contract is with Orange; I was tempted to the bright side by their cheap iphone and free cinema tickets on a Wednesday. However, if I could change my contract for just one day it would be to Vodafone, so I can sign up for their new awesome competition!

Vodafone VIP, a major new reward scheme for Vodafone customers, is giving fashionistas unrivalled access to the world of top designer Christopher Kane via tickets and unique ‘money can’t buy’ experiences. Vodafone UK customers who register at vodafone.co.uk/vip before 9am on 14 September (That's tomorrow guys!!) get the chance to enter a competition to win tickets to Christopher’s show at London Fashion Week. AND the prize includes a pair of bespoke shoes straight from the catwalk show. You get to view the latest collection while at the show, give Vodfone your shoe size and Christopher Kane will make a bespoke pair of shoes just for you! Could I be more jealous of the winner?! I don't think I could!

Did I ever mention that I sat next to Christopher Kane at the press showing of the Scottish National Ballet's anniversary performance? It's true, and made me giddy with excitement (whilst Mike, who was sat the other side of me grunted and had a little nap!) Still, winning shoes and seeing the catwalk show is much better than fidgeting in a chair being too nervous to say hello!

I don't normally post competitions that not everyone can enter, but I think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that's too good to miss. If you have a vodafone phone then get involved; then when you win tell me about it, and make my sick with jealousy!!

Love, Tor xx

Events: Get your fashion on, and get involved!

Hi guys,
As always when Fashion Week approaches, a whole bustling host of fashion activity emerges, as brands clamber to get involved and reach out to potential fashionistas whilst fashion is at the forefront of their minds. And I say, who are we not to take advantage?! I will be exhausting myself and turning September into fashion month! Here are some of the great events happening throughout the month (i'm sure there will be more to add as the month progresses) Unleash your inner fashion addict; you know you want to!


- If you really want your own piece of London Fashion Week action, then off schedule catwalk event A La Mode sells a limited number of tickets to their shows to the general public, for £20 each. There are still a few tickets available, so visit their website to find out more. (I took the picture above at last years A La Mode show)

- Bigwardrobe.com are hosting a National clothes swapping week. You're invited to be the master of your own fashion destiny and host your own swishing party with your friends/collegues. I'm a big fan of swishing: it's a great way to refresh your wardrobe absolutely free of charge! Visit the website to download the National Clothes Swapping Week party bag and poster and to receive a 25% reduction on membership.

- Speaking of swishing, The Big Swish and stylist Lupe Castro invites you to the Big Swish on the 30th September at Amika, in Kensington. There'll be a big swishing event for clothing and accessories, and a separate event for designer goodies, plus complementary make-overs and beauty trial offers from premium Swiss botanical beauty brand Arbonne. Tickets cost £5, or you can get VIP tickets which include a goody bag and early entry to the swish for £20; visit the website for more information.


- Westfield shopping centre are holding a car boot sale (but the fashionista version!) From 21st to 26th September over 20 Hyundai i20 cars will be hijacked by big highstreet brands, including Topshop, Oasis, Whistles, House of Fraser, and loads more (too many to list!) Here you can share experiences with other car booters, try and buy the new collections from your favourite retailers, enjoy personal styling and beauty sessions and have a bite to eat. You may even pick up some amazing bargains if you get in and rummage through! Plus on the closing weekend of the event (Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September) they will be holding exclusive fashion shows. Four shows flaunting the very best of autumn winter fashion will be showcased four times on each day over the weekend!

- Because, as you've probably worked out by now, I manage to get the word wedding into everything, My Sugarland are hosting a vintage wedding evening on the 15th September. An evening of ideas, inspiration and pampering for budding brides-to-be, engaged couples and wedding guests alike, to help prepare for the big day. Spaces are £10 and need to be booked in advance.

- Finally, my StyleCompare competition is now running until the 20th September, so if you still want to get involved in some fashion fun, but don't want to leave your computer, why don't you put together an entry for that!?

I'm sure there will be lots of other events too - I'll update this list as more things come in! It's going to be a fun September!

Love, Tor xxx

Brand Alley and the Little Black Dress

Hi guys,
My love of a good LBD is well documented (in fact, at last count, I had 13 of them) so imagine my delight to discover that Brand Alley was releasing a whole new range of the lovely classics, from up and coming designers no less, but at affordable prices.

Last month Brand Alley launched an exclusive design competition with Fashion Enter which saw a range of up and coming designers present their take on the iconic LBD. The 10 best designs have been selected by BrandAlley and a panel of industry experts and are being produced and sold exclusively via the BrandAlley website from September 15th.

Here are some of my favourite LBD's from the collection:

From left to right we have: the Batmobile dress by Alice Palmer, and the Audrey dress by Celia Fernandes. There was always going to be a classic "Audrey Hepburn-style" dress; she is the celebrity symbol of the little black dress! I love the sharp angles of the Batmobile (i've never knowlingly said no to a peplum!), and of course, its name: my dad and I were delighted to discover recently that you can hire the Batmobile for weddings and other such events! Both dresses have a classic simplicity that means you can keep them in your wardrobe and wear them forever, but enough fashion forwardness to stop them from looking dull or ubiquitous.

From left to right we have: the Charlotte by Evelyn Front and the Alia by Olga Papadopoulos.The Charlotte must have been designed with SATC's Charlotte in mind: this is my favourite dress from the whole range, I love its 50s styling, pleated details, and swingy skirt! The Alia has the kind of structure perfect for flattering curves, and although I wonder how you'd walk in the tight narrow skirt, the shoulder pleating makes it worth finding out!

I love all these dresses: I can't be trusted with my purse when there are black dresses around! The exclusive ‘10 Little Black Dresses’ collection will be produced by Fashion Enter’s UK workshop and will be on offer at www.brandalley.co.uk in an exclusive two-week sale, from 15th - 30th September on a made–to-order service. Prices from £60 - £275 with limited edition dresses up to £650, delivery times will be a maximum of 3 weeks. Get in quick and snag yours before my willpower disolves and I take them all!

Love, Tor xx