LFW SS11 Day One: Jacob Kimmie Presentation

The thing that grabbed me about this collection, more so than the clothes, was the intricate jewellery and accessories, which had been laser cut from paper. It was so beautiful, bold, yet delicate, all at the same time!

The collection was called "Eternal Delight" which is taken from the William Blake plate "Energy is eternal delight. He who desires but acts not breeds pestilence." The dresses were loose fitting and flowing, cut from silk. The most interesting piece though was the last one shown: a wool crepe tailored jacket covered in a cage-style shrug using the same laser-cut paper technique as the rest of the accessories. I'm not a big fan of trapeze shaped dresses but they looked beautiful, both futuristic yet ethereal, on the models.

There is an interesting quote from David on his inspiration for the collection: "This collection is for daughters, not for mums. I was horrified to hear so many young British designers embracing the idea that mums and daughters could wear their clothes, the same clothes. This is England!"

It reminded me of the couture houses of the 1950s, still dressing mothers and daughters, battling the boutiques of the 1960s who were only interested in the young, the new, the modern. Back then England is where this revolution began. Are we witnessing the beginning of a revolution, yet again, against the one style suits all trend?

Love, Tor xx

LFW SS11 Day One: Daily Wear

Hi guys,

So, London Fashion Week is finally here!! As usual i'll be rushing around like a headless chicken (and enjoying every minute!) It's such a fun week: meeting other bloggers, being emerged in fashion, being surrounding by people that think it's ok to wear 6 inch heels for 8 hours in a row...

I wish I was the kind of person that could prepare outfits in advance (you read about such people on twitter!) but my preferred method is to plan on planning outfits in advance then get distracted, and end up getting dressed in a blind panic ten minutes before I need to leave the house! Nonetheless, here's what i'm wearing:

Primark, Long black dress

River Island, Beloved leather jacket

Joy, Over body bag

New Look heeled desert boots

Ahhh, my old friend black: always good to turn to when you're in a rush!! I didn't have time to do all my nails in my favourite leopard print pattern, so I just did one on each hand: I love the colour combination of the turquoise with the browns!

Yet again, my coverage from London Fashion Week will be sponsored by Style Compare, which is great, as they were really fun to work with last year! I will also be doing a guest piece for the TKMaxx blog about Day 1 of London Fashion Week, so i'll share the link to that as soon as it's live!

Looking forward to a great week!

Tor xx

Slap on some lippie, and away we go!

Hi guys,
As I start to get excited about Fashion Week (and mildly panic about what to wear!) i'm thinking about family and rituals: about things you would see your mum do every day that you're indvertantly started doing yourself, traditions that were hers that you've taken as your own.

My mum's ritual is her lipstick: putting it on is the last think she does before she leaves the house. It's such a routine that even our dogs recognise it: they hide under the table when mum reaches for her lippie, because they know it means she's going to leave them for a few hours! Mum seems more confident with her brave pop of colour on her lips: it's how she prepares to face the world.

I think this sends a powerful message when you're a little girl, and as a grown-up big girl, I firmly believe in the power of the lipstick! I put mine on before job interviews, special occasions... fashion week shows. It makes me stand taller, just like it made my mum a bit taller (well a bit, she's only 4ft11!)

I didn't even start thinking about this whole concept, until at 6pm this evening when, on my way home from work, and worrying about what to wear tomorrow, I popped into boots and bought a new lipstick: fromBourjois in Parisian Rouge. I must have inadvertantly known that a flash of colour on my lips would make me feel confident in whatever I decided to throw on!

My own ritual is my nails: I don't feel good unless they're immaculately painted, so you can guess what my next job will be! Can't wait for the mayhem to start tomorrow!

Love, Tor xx

Fashion week fun: Maybelline/Marie Claire pop up shop

You all know my favourite price is free: so I was ecstatic when I received an email from Marie Claire telling me about the worlds first Maybelline New York pop up shop they were launching on Friday. The event runs from Friday to the 26th September, and there will be nail maintenance from the in-store manicurist (daily), complimentary threading (daily) and the opportunity to buy a Limited Edition copy of Marie Claire.

If you're looking for more cool free stuff, Friday in the store is New York treat day! Enjoy a day of complimentary treats, Big Apple style. There are donuts and brownies by day, then evening shopping accompanied by Cosmo and Manhattan cocktails and the laid-back vibes and New York sounds from an in-store DJ.

If you're a Marie Claire reader, there's also a chance to win loads of prizes: Take a trip to Covent Garden with a copy of Marie Claire’s October issue in-hand, follow the location clues on the Marie Claire UK Twitter page and if you find a ‘Marie Claire fashionista’ or a ‘Maybelline Make-up Maven’ you stand a chance of bagging yourself a Marie Claire and Maybelline dollar. If you're lucky enough to receive one of these dollars, you will be able to use them to redeem and bag yourself one of the New York inspired prizes. The prizes include: fashion goodies from Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Banana Republic, BCBG Maxazria, Gap, Ray Ban and a fabulous Guess watch. Or one of the many Maybelline Get the Look kits.

You'll also have the chance to win a fabulous overnight stay for two at the loft style Shoreditch hotel The Boundary and enjoy an evening of fun New York inspired cocktails. And last but not least there is also a chance to win a weekend for two at the Plaza Athénée in New York famous for being the sets of Sex and the City.

And of course, if you intend to be part of the action you'll need an address! It's: 18 Shorts Gardens Seven Dials, Covent Garden. I'll be there for the cocktails and the manicures: hope to bump into some of you guys too!

Love, Tor xxx

A quick trip to Primark

Hi Guys,
Taking a quick detour from the high-fashion world of the various fashion weeks (has anyone else been glued to Style.com this week?) I decided to pop to Primark before work this morning, to have a quick look at their new season clothes without the hustle and bustle of the afterwork crowds. First thing in the morning is my favourite time to go to Primark: there was only me and four other people in the whole shop, everything is neat and tidy on the shelves and racks, and you have time to browse, and make your selections, without getting an elbow in the ribs: it's a much more civilised experience!

I was in and out in less than 30 minutes (like a shopping ninja), including the time it took me to try on six dresses! Here's what I picked up:


Deer Tshirt dress, £9
Black jersey Maxi dress, £15
Tree patterned ruffle trim dress, £15

Obviously I love all three dresses (or I wouldn't have bought them!) but for different reasons: the T shirt dress is slouchy, and a longer line at the back than it is at the front. This will look great smartened up with a boyfriend blazer and brogues. The jersy maxi dress is perfect for day to night; it has flattering sleeves and a deep decolletage which means a change of jewellery or shoes will take it to just about any event. And the ruffle trim dress? This is my favourite! It reminds me of one i've seen in topshop that looks very similar, but at a third of the price: perfect for a trend led piece like this that I probably won't want to wear again after Christmas!

I know I said no more fast-fashion, and I haven't been to primark for months, but I just couldn't resist these great winter dresses: they've just had all their new season stuff arrive, so if you too need dresses with sleeves, jackets or coats, and winter boots on a budget, it's definitely worth checking out!

Love, Tor xx