If the Volcanic dust cloud was a coat

Then it would probably be this one from Alberta Ferretti's Fall 2010 Ready to Wear

It has the shimmer of thousands of glass particles in an ash like colour!

High Street Pick of the Week

Mint Velvet is a new brand that is making a bit of a stir amongst stylists. It is just a great range for some really great not too expensive grown up pieces. Mmm must think of a word to encapsulate all of that! The range is available in House of Fraser and Bentalls.

I think the dress adds lots of swish and glamour at a great price. It's a lot brighter than this picture. It also doesn't say mumsy or Boden. Good enough for me.

Mint Velvet Sapphire ruffle silk dress £75.00

Oh to be Grace

Looking picture perfect in To Catch a Thief Grace Kelly is wearing my favourite style of sunglasses. Only wish I had a pair to wear tomorrow to the V&A exhibition.

The nearest available style is the Prada Postcard collection all priced £160. I actually like the Ivory Sixties style ones at £190 as well!

Prada sunglasses

Helmet Lang part deux

Knowing I did no justice to the Helmet Lang trousers/pants I quickly snapped my outfit yesterday as I rushed off for an appointment. I wore the gifted Helmut Lang's from Queen Marie with a Topshop pale pink silk short sleeve blouse (last summer purchase), Russell & Bromley wedges (2008 purchase) with large pearl earrings, hair in side bun and threw on my Wallis gold dress coat (2003 purchase altered) at last minute as slightly cooler today. In essence I'm very heavily influenced by Mad Men as I caught up on all the missed episodes before last one this week. I love Mad Men.

And then I went to the gym later to attempt to reduce the protruding pot belly the lovely trousers keep highlighting!

Ye gods, long live the Queen

Queen Marie that is and the Kingdom of Style. Truly I am humbled by a royal gift. The very generous and lovely Queen Marie aware that one of her loyal subjects had been lusting after the perfect pair of cigarette pants bestowed upon me a pair of Helmut Lang cigarette pants that had lain neglected in the royal chest. It was mainly in recognition for my services to economic duties of the no frittering kind.

Given the joy when the dashing knight delivered them to my door (ok it was only the postie and dashing he is not but it is the Royal Mail) I had to try immediately. The pictures are raw, no posing no style. Off came the denim skirt and leggings, I'd just taken the petit garcon swimming and on went the Helmut Lang trousers. At last a pair of pants that fit in the nape of the back and don't gape around the backside. The lesson I draw from this is you pay for what you get. You however are subjected to a view of my flesh as I hastily raise my grey American Apparel sweatshirt up to show the lovely unfinished (how on trend!) white silk that overlays the waistband. I did have to roll them up too.



The next royal mission is for Queen Michelle to get Sister Wolf into a pair of leather shorts. The Kingdom of Style are truly the A Team.

In a magazine but not in store?

The most annoying aspect of styling is not just your pecking order but the research for key pieces. Most of you will have experienced the spying of an item in a magazine or a newspaper and lo and behold the item is not in store.

The store doesn't know what you are talking about even if they have a look book to reference and it always turn out the product isn't due to be dropped into store until the 3 or 4th drop in the season cycles.

One of the reasons Topshop and Zara are so successful is the product is in store 9 times out of 10 the moment it appears in editorial. H&M undertake campaigns to specific designer collaborations and new collections like the Garden Collection, so editorial indicates clear availability dates.

However, there are still retailers who don't get the timing right. They are happy to promote a garment heavily in editorial and then it takes months to come into store. Very frustrating and a disappointing experience for shoppers and stylists alike.

And that is why Rachel of Borth you never did get that M&S dress you so coveted and I have now lost the will to get it as I'm not important enough (coughs).

Willing Stylist

I quite like the challenge of working with budding professionals and yesterday I was hauled over to Bethnal Green to assist a part time photographer and an ex ballet dancer from the English National Ballet build their portfolios. There is a freedom when there is no brief and I can create a look from whatever springs to mind. I persuaded the photographer to send me one image over. I'll share the others when I get them. My main obsession at the moment is head scarves and turbans - I'll probably wear this ensemble to the Sex and the City Movie numero 2 with WendyB's Cleopatra earrings!

But my favourite photos of the day were the spur of the moment ones when we stopped the lovely Liz in her gorgeous two seater with her Breton top, red scarf and those retro ray bans - the perfect poser!

Caved in

Just got back from photo shoot and watched the new SATC2 trailer here. I said I wouldn't fall for it again but just one trailer and I'll be in the cinema on May 28th no probs!


And big shout out to WendyB as her earrings feature on Samantha in the trailer! I'm tempted to buy a pair to wear to the film with a maxi dress and turban.

Max Mara Voucher

A £100 of Max Mara voucher if you spend over £200 in the Wimbledon or Richmond shops is available to anyone who thinks they might have a splurge before 30th of April 2010.

I won't be, but couldn't bare to think of it going to waste. Just leave a comment if you or a friend or family member can put it to use in South West London. I'll post it to you pronto.

High Street Pick of the Week

We've gone from blistering biting cold to almost a heatwave! It has been a delightful couple of sunny days and suddenly that mac seems pointless. However this number from French Connection is a winner on the colour front. Truly the colour is wonderful and will lift any one's spirits in the same way that sunshine does.

The only maybe factor is the buttons but these are easily changed next year and the year after. It will rain again so maybe there is a need for it after all.

French Connection Mister Magic Coat (silly name!) £160.