Designer of the Month: Junya Watanabe

The man himself!

Junya Watanabe is a Japanese fashion designer. He is originally known as being the protege of Rei Kawakubo. He started showing designs in Paris in 1993 and after 20 years is still highly renowned for designing innovative and distinctive clothing. He is considered to be a 'techno couture' designer, creating weirdly structured clothes out of modern, high-maintenace materials. Whereas most designers will opt for the easy option. Not Watanabe!

The main reason I adore his work, is he changes each season. Taking a stab at futuristic designs that not many designers would bother with. He gives his clothes an unusual touch through tucking and pleating as he sees fit. He makes it look so simple and still elegant just by random, spur of the moment ideas.

Junya's Autumn/Winter 2013 collection

He morphed biker jackets into dresses featuring tweed as well as tartan (which is huge right now) and combining with plain leggings gave it much more intensity. I would actually buy the dress in the second picture above. Love love love it.

 The double-breasted macs were covered in zips, reverting to the punk style. Then came sporty dresses in the shape of sweatshirts (above and below) worn again over plain leggings. Many journalists loved the biker jackets and the patchwork jeans, as do I! He turned the ends up to reveal a floral underneath or embroidered patches. 
These will by the 'must buys' next season!

The hair style of all his models reminds me of Joan Jett. That and the biker style jackets take me back instantly to the punky 'Runaways' movement. His A/W '13 collection spoke to me most, due to the style combined with the simplicity of it. Its about the clothes, nothing else. It's about just wearing it, not taking the whole duration of the walk trying to figure out the message.

Simple, straight forward fashion.

Mono for SS13

Nicole Richie & Jessica Alba nailed the monochrome trend at
Paris Fashion Week this season.

Monochrome has taken over the catwalk again this season and is a huge hit as it's so simple. Block colours/patterns in minimal colours. Yes, as simple as that. Think black and white and you're there. Most high street shops have gazillions of monochrome outfits, and finding black and white clothes could not be easier. Topshop is just one of the many stores that have an awesome range of monochrome pieces. Take a look here.

Even just having a rummage through your wardrobe at home, I'm sure you'll be able to piece together an outfit. Give it a go :) 

1988 film icon 'Beetlejuice'

Even the unhygienic, exorcist, crazy man 'Beetlejuice' loved his monochrome and he sure as hell made that black and white striped suit his own 25 years ago. As a young teen I loved him and many designers since then have strutted his famous suit about the catwalk (or some slight variations).

1994 cult classic 'Pulp Fiction'

Uma Thurman rocked the monochrome in my all time favourite film 'Pulp Fiction' as drug-addled mafia wife Mia. I know, granted the gorgeous Uma can probably pull off any trend but my point being, monochrome has been around for many many MANY years and is still so classy now. I doubt that monochrome will ever die out... so how can you lose out in having an outfit? 

Some monochrome outfits from London Fashion Week. Love No.4!

Weekly Favourite: No.2

This is my second post this week, unfortunately I've been at work a lot more than usual. But should be back to normal next week :) 

My purchase this week is from Boohoo (again). I love shopping with them as it comes so quickly and the value is always great. I ordered this on Wednesday and it arrived on Friday morning. It's been too cold to wear it out yet :( but hopefully within the next few weeks the weather will get warmer so I can wear this bad boy. 

Playsuit from Boohoo. Get it here.

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The print consists of textured gold skulls on a background of red roses. It is not perfect though. The colours and pattern are great but the whole play-suit has been made in separate pieces so as you can see below the print in the middle does not match in a few places. However, it doesn't make me like this any less!

Play-suits are great in the warmer weather, although their sizing can be a little off. As I have a long body as well as long legs I rarely find play-suits that fit but this one fits nicely at a size 10. Play-suits put emphasis on the waist which tucks you in and defines your figure. I love this as it emphasizes my tiny frame. 

:)

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Denim Desires!!!

Did you know: In the early 1960’s, denim was banned by many schools in the U.S as it was seen to signify ten rebellion. Oooer.

Denim made a comeback around 2009 and has amplified this season on the catwalk. Double denim was frowned upon for many years but now its one of the hottest trends. Dungarees are the must have item on the denim list with New Look, River Island and many other high street stores selling out completely! Full length dungarees (below) are wanted by many but  with the hope of the weather getting better, short dungarees (also below) are the prominent form so far.

Similar ones to these at UK Dungarees - £45

Similar ones to these at New Look - £22.99

Some examples of Double Denim that really work.

Double denim is refusing to leave and i love it. Most people will veer away from DD but I encourage you to do it! It looks so fresh, just give it a try :) Two different shades of denim work best in my opinion but it really doesn't matter that much.

Buy Selfridges denim here.

April's edition of Vogue have a feature on denim that is very informative. It mentions Selfridges and their Denim Factory which I would love to check out. They sell denim from £11 - £11,000 and you can take the time to make your own unique jeans in store. Great idea, Selfridges!  They exclusively stock Hudson, J Brand and much more, so if you're in London this season, please check it out! :D

Weekly favourite: No.1

I haven't posted for a few days due to work :( but just so you guys know I'm still here, here's a mini-post. I'm going to post my favourite purchase of the week every Sunday night. So here is the first one!

I bought these on Monday, arrived in the post Tuesday morning (very impressive Royal Mail!) and they are wicked! I am tall anyway so I reckon these shoes make me about 6ft 2, but i don't really care :D 

They are surprisingly VERY comfortable and are so pretty! They were on sale from Boohoo for £18, which for these is an absolute bargain as the original RRP was £35.

You can get them here.

Boohoo always have some awesome bargains on shoes and their quality is so good as well. I'd recommend taking a look at their site if you haven't already.
:)

Skater Dresses for The Masses

My first request is from a close friend with a love for Skater Dresses & wanting to find one to compliment her fuller figure. Challenge accepted! :)

To start with, the Skater dress has been around since the 80s, and has been considered a re-trend for the last few years. Think fitted bodice with a circle line skirt, simple yes? Correct. They come in a huge variety of patterns, shapes and structures which allows all shapes and sizes of women to enjoy them. 

A lot of women with fuller figures assume they can't wear things models are. That's simply not true. Most trends come with variety, so whatever part of your body you hate, you'll definitely find some gorgeous clothes that hide those areas. 
You just have to look in the right places.

A few sites now have an extra feature for curvaceous ladies making finding the right clothes for you so simple! The best I've come across is Asos. They have an incredible range of 'curvy' clothes, including skater dresses, for sizes 14-26. 
With all skater dresses the length varies with the mini (mid-thigh) being the most prominent although if you aren't ready for that yet there are midi lengths available. 
The great thing about the skater dress is that it defines the waist and covers up all the wobbly bits you don't want to be seen around your bum and thighs. 
Although they are traditionally high necked, strapless skater dresses (pic no.3 & no.12 below) work extra wonders for pear shapes, taking the attention away from the bum and thighs, onto the waist and bust.

Here are a few of my favourite skater dresses with links included.
Enjoy :)

£55 - Urban Outfitters
Ox-blood is a great colour this season and the floral pattern is subtle but very pretty.

£45 - Asos
Checkered patterns are very on trend but the rough qualities of the pattern separate it from the rest.

£18 - Fashion Counts
The ombre effect reminds me of winter but also of summer. It will look good all year round.

£60 - Littlewoods
I love the tiger print on the bodice, very striking.

£32 - River Island/Asos
Lace is very on trend right now. 2 birds with one stone much?

£28 - Asos
3D flower designs are very fashionable right now and look gorgeous! 

£35 - River Island/Asos
The floral pattern and the monochrome gives this dress the edge.

£28 - Asos
One of my favourite lace dresses. Lovely colour, casual yet still so pretty!

£29.99 - Missguided
The ombre of this dress caught my eye straight away. I love the crochet effect of the bodice too.

£20 - Boohoo
Bold tropical prints are so striking and this one is exactly that. 

£18 - Boohoo
Plain, but so classy and very elegant. 

£12 - Boohoo
Strapless with a gorgeous pattern for £12 is simply a bargain!

£18.99 - Missguided
Velvet has made a huge comeback this year and I'm loving it.

£22.99 - Missguided
The contrast of the skirt and bodice is great, 
however the back of this dress is very different, and adds elegance.

A Girl's Best Friend

My first post is about my most prized possession right now.

Forget diamonds. Leather/Faux leather jackets are a must have for all women. 

For starters they look sexy. The leather look has swamped the fashion industry and you can see why! Skin tight, shiny, fitted and very very LOW maintenance. They are ideal for people with fast lives. Even wearing the most casual of outfits, stick this on top and it immediately livens up your look. A pair of boots combined with your leather jacket and you're set for a night/day out.

I know what you're thinking.. Leather is expensive. The picture above is my dream jacket. SWOOOOOOON! Its a Versace real leather jacket that you can proudly strut around for only £329.99. Ouch indeed. 

My weapon of choice.

A H&M faux leather jacket that i picked up for £29.99 and it hasn't failed to impress. Small front pockets and zips on the cuffs give this jacket the extra biker effect. I adore this jacket personally. Get it here: http://www.hm.com/gb/product/98810?article=98810-D 

Although If you're extremely lucky and have a good eye you can even find a VINTAGE leather jacket in a charity shop for less than £30! So whatever your budget you can get a sexy leather or leather-look jacket for peanuts. 

What's your excuse?

I should really introduce myself...

Hellooo :) This is me, Lucy Sharp.

Just your average 20 year old, living in beautiful Devon. Work in a supermarket which I love hate. I've always had a passion for clothes and alternative wear. Typically went through the BLACK BLACK BLACK stage when I was about 13-15 which is hilarious to look back on. Got a boyfriend at 14 and thought I want my own look to impress him (seemed to work as we're still together now!!) so wore very bright colours and made my own accessories. For the last few years my fashion sense has turned into a bit of everything. Definitely more on trend than before! I just love clothes, although my bank account hates them... Oh well, theres wonders called overdrafts ;)

I've had my menial unskilled job for about 2 and 1/2 years now and realised I lost my direction in life. A few friends started blogs so I thought why not give it a go myself.
I get inspiration for outfits from almost anywhere. High street shops, charity shops, hairdressers, parks, conventions and most importantly online.

Any clothes I feature on here will have a link to where you can get them and how much so you won't be cyber hunting for weeks! I'll do that for you ;) 

So expect to see a range of vastly different styles on here. I aim to post some fashion fails as well just to add some amusement as well as guidance on what NOT to wear.

If you enjoy any posts in particular PLEASE let me know. Or even if you have any tips, I'd be more than happy to hear them as I am a new blogger :)

Requests for clothes/trends are more than welcome. I aim to post a few times a week, so please keep checking back.

Ciao for now, 

Lucy x