London Baby, Part 5 - best of the rest

ASHISH SS11

Wild west was served up in bucket loads at the Ashish show. Clashing prints in sequins, leopard print, gingham and cow print. This was not an understated collection in any way. Other Americana elements were thrown into the mix, with logo printed baseball caps and cowboy boots with ads printed onto them.

UNIQUE SS11

 Everything about the Unique show was BIG. Big hair, a huge runway and voluminous fabrics. The show took its lead from the more flamboyant end of the 70s trend that has been big news on the SS catwalks. I love that unique has fun with its collections, and this was no exception. 

CHRISTOPHER KANE SS11

Fluro-bright pieces mixed with digital prints and perforated leather graced the catwalk at the Christopher Kane show. The collection included a modern take on the twinset, and a lot of the pieces were on closer inspection much edgier versions of the ladylike look. With feminine looking pieces based on yakuza tattoos, all is not what it seems with these ladies...

 

Images from London Fashion Week

London Baby, Part 3 - Vivienne Westwood Red Label

Vivienne Westwood Red Label SS11

 I am a big Westwood fan, she is one of the designers who gave me a taste for fashion from a young age. Westwood's signature draping and check patterns were in the collection alongside some gorgeous brocade pieces. Superb tailoring was also in abundance.

Images from London Fashion Week and Telegraph Fashion

F&F Trend At Tesco

My shopping radar has been having a nosey at the F&F Trend collection at Tesco Clothing. According to the Tesco Clothing Website:

F&F Trend is inspired by celebrity style and the latest trends. Available in sizes 6-18 with new styles appearing throughout the season, it is defined by strong colours, vibrant prints and playful silhouettes.

I quite like the way that a lot of high street reatailers are doing little capsule collections of late. For me it adds another interesting element to brands, whilst still being able to stay true to what they are about.

Here are some of my picks (have a look at the website for the full collection)

£18 F&F TREND

NOW £9 F&F TREND

£18 F&F TREND

Jeans for Genes Day - Friday 1st October

I love it when I can combine my love of fashion and style with good causes. What is not to love about shopping knowing that you are contributing to something good?!

Some of you may already be aware (via work/college/uni etc) but Friday 1st October is Jeans for Genes day. Jeans for Genes are a UK based charity that raises money and awareness for children with genetic disorders. Jeans for Genes day is an annual fundraising day, the basic idea being that everyone wears jeans to your college/workplace/school and makes a donation for the charity. The money raised goes towards funding the care and support for children with genetic disorders. It also helps fund research into genetic disorders and finding cures.

To get involved and to order a fundraising pack, please visit their website

But Nikki, you promised me fashion I hear you say...well for starters, you can buy T-shirts that raise money for the charity...

This one modeled above by the lovely Gail Porter & the lovely Amber Le Bon can be bought from the Jeans for Genes webshop for £12.99

Or you can get this one from ASOS for £14...

Please do you bit for this charity, it is a great cause!

Here are some images to inspire you ....

EVEN JACKIE O DID JEANS!

KATE FOR CK

MARILYN MONROE

 

BROOKE SHIELDS FOR CK 1981

70S LEVIS AD - SPOT THE SKANTILY CLAD LADY!

THE RAMONES

 Images from Dream Station, Turn over a new leaf, handbag.com, mooky chick, Boston.com, fashion rambler 

Bag Yourself A Bargain

Because I love my readers, I have been trawling the internets for some bargains for you. I am hoping to do this regularly. Hope you enjoy! Let me know about any bargains you get from these offers!

 

 ASOS

20% off Knitwear 

CARDIGAN NOW £29

 20% off Dresses

MESH PANEL DRESS NOW £22

Boohoo

Dresses from £8

DRESS NOW £8

Dorothy Perkins

2 Pairs of  £15 Jeans for £25

Fashion Union

20% off Autumn dresses & skirts (1 week only) when you enter code FA10DR20

 

Wallis 

£15 off Coats (Online only)

MILITARY COAT NOW £70

Up to 1/2 Price Sale

DRESS NOW £20

London Baby, Part 2 - Holly Fulton & Mark Fast

Holly Fulton SS11

Beautiful art deco inspired prints and patterns adorned the clothing and jewellery at the Holly Fulton show. The collection had a modern tribal feel to it but in a sleek modern way. I really love the colour and the pattern (I am a magpie for pattern!) and all the pieces just look made to perfection.

Mark Fast SS11

Whilst I was not lucky enough to be at London Fashion Week, I did manage to watch a number of shows via the live feed (gotta love technology). One of those shows was the Mark Fast show. The show was big on fringing and cut out details. The fringing looked amazing in movement (if you haven't seen it I suggest finding a video on the net to see what I mean) as the models strudded their stuff.

Image sources London fashion week, Telegraph Fashion, Elle Uk

Topshop Unique AW - My Picks

Here are my picks from the Topshop Unique AW collection (visit the site for the full collection)

Rain Rain go Away

I like to take my inspiration from the things around me, and seeing as it has been a bit wet (AKA pissing down) recently up here in the north, I have used that as the springboard for this post!
Ladies, we live in Britain. It is not known for it's sunny climate, but that does not mean we cannot face the weather with some style!

Studded Zip through Parka - £35, Clockhouse @ Very

Jelly Bean Wellies - £24.95, Joe Browns

Metallic Parka - £50, A-wear

 Leopard Mac - £16, Peacocks

Red Croc effect Wellies - £25, Miss Selfridge

Red Trench - £39.50, M&S

Leopard Wellies - £10, Tesco

Star umbrella - £22 Cath Kidston

Purple Trench - £65 Wallis

Dotty Umbrella - £18, French Connection @ Oli

 

Leopard Umbrella - £5.99, H&M

Piped Trench - £70, Lipsy

Leather Effect Trench - £35, Matalan

Wedge Wellies - £35, ASOS

Monochrome Floral umbrella - £7.99, New Look

Nikki Nakki Lou - Bitesize

Just thought I would do a little random post taking care of a few little bits and pieces!

KUKOO FAIR

Some of you may be aware that me & a good friend organised a local fashion fair recently. We wanted to start something that was not just vintage, but was inclusive of people who make their own products.
What started off as a little idea between friends has now become a reality, and the first fair went well. So much so that there will be a second on 17th October! If you would like to know more about KUKOO, check out the tab at the top of the blog or visit our facebook page (which includes some photos from the first event)
I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who was involved in the fair: the stall holders, the people who came as customers & the people who helped us to spread the word. It really is appreciated and without you all it would not have become a reality.
Here are some links to some of the people who had stalls at the first event:

LEMON FLIRT

QUIRKY BOUTIQUE 

VILLANOVA PATISSERIE (FB PAGE, WEBSITE LAUNCHING SOON) 

ALL ABOUT EVE

GEEK VINTAGE

SHAMELESS ORIGINALS

VINTAGE AND RETRO GEMS

CURIOUS ORANGE

AND THE LOVELY HOSTS OF OUR EVENT ALOHA BAR LIVERPOOL

Today I am wearing...

Yes readers I am sticking to this, 3rd day in a row! I am bearing my soul (aka my wardrobe) to you all!

Dress - New Look

Leggings - Matalan

Necklace - Retro & Vintage Gems (it says 'I love Tea')

New York New York, Part 5: Best of the Rest

Proenza Schouler SS11

A more more modern ladylike look was present in the Proenza schouler collection. Messed up hair and simple make up and fabulous statement necklaces teamed with texture and pattern galore. I loved the mix of things in the collection, and I think it really stood out.

Donna Karan SS11

 Feminine, flowing dresses in natural shades was the order of the day at the Donna Karan show. Whilst the collection was by no means ground breaking, I liked the pretty draped dresses and femininity of the collection.

 

Hervé Léger SS11

Lace and lingerie inspired pieces graced the catwalk at the Herve Leger show. The look managed to take the 'underwear as outerwear' thing and create sculptured pieces without it looking too trashy. Bare looking faces and scraped back hair made sure that the look wasn't too 'lady of the night'.

Marchesa SS11

 The Marchesa SS11 gowns are just simply works of art. I am dying for these dresses....

Jeremy Scott SS11

 I just couldn't end my New York Fashion Week posts without at least mentioning Jeremy Scott's collection! The models' make up and hair was exaggerated Monroe look, in contrast to the plastic dresses, leather bra's and bondage. Love or hate, the collection was outrageous for NYFW!

 

 

Images from telegraph fashion, marie claire, NY mag

Outfit pick N mix

Here are some more pictures of outfits I have found perusing the Internet that I love....

Image Sources - Elle, Mr. Newton, Japanese Streets, Lookbook.nu, Style Sightings, Marie Claire, Chictopia

New York New York, Part 4: Ports 1961

Ports 1961 SS11

I personally think that the Ports 1961 show was simply beautiful. Whilst not ground breakingly different, it was elegent and feminine and I love it! The collection mixed pale colours with some gorgeous jewel tones and fabric that is gathered in all the right places.

Images from NY Mag & Marie Claire