séduire

A lot can be said for a frustrated pair of hands. I'd been hoarding copious metres of fabric in those stereotypical expensive-looking-extraordinarily-boring shades for months (you know, a mundane crusty fawn masquerading as a divinely chic steel or camel, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet) in the hope of creating a little capsule collection of simple, functional yet wearable pieces. Ultimately, to prove my creative ability and adaption - my movements have become quite stale to date, organizing the next two years of ones life (for the second time. I can honestly confirm UCAS is a system never to be trifled with, grin and bear it. Karma - thats all I have to say) is possibly the most odious, unsatisfying and unfruitful task i've had to undertake in a while, the last one being dropping out of University, the little nugget of honesty that got me into this pickle in the first place! I must admit, as mind numbing this process has been, I have also found it as a sort of awakening. The puzzling adolescence is falling into place - fantastic opportunities have begun to surface; talents have the time, peace and inspiration to cultivate; relationships thrive and flourish with everyone and everything. Aged 19, you're too old for enemies. Its time to eat, love and sew. 

So enduring a full plate (more of a engorged, swollen tableful) of sorting, organizing, emailing and fitting (clothing, not epileptic), I felt my inspiration resurface after a few months. Time to finish what I had yet to start.

I'm inspired by everything. The simplicity and clinical sculptures of Jil Sander, brooding Dries (what else is Van Noten if not brooding? I simply cannot describe it any other way. Maybe moody would do?) but something I feel indefinetly passionate about it moving with the times. Any old cad can badger on about the current climate, overspending blah. In all wholesome honesty, it hasn't effected my spending pattern one bit (sorry dad), I believe the point has now become focused on multi-functional pieces to be worn in different ways and treasured. Those designs I eternally lust after are those that have the power and balls to stand alone in any guise - the Complex Geometries dress, the All Saints wrap - individual pieces, almost tailored by the wearer. These are the clothes that come alive, and allow the girl inside to shine. Put it on back to front? No problemo, it still looks damn hot. 

toights

During the lengthy proposal of attempting to reinvent ones self for the winter months, I decided it was time to address a problem that has affected me since my early teens - my aversion (from wearing, yet 'surprisingly', not from buying in bulk) these fantastically bedazzled, jeweled and shredded selection of legwear, that has slowly been filtering through catwalk collections, to the humble highstreet. What was once a commodity, a grey marl on a Chloe leg, has expanded into a force of its own, editions including leopard print and tartan. Usually, these brash designs do not feature in my day to day wardrobe, (favoring my Velvet De Lux Walfords with absolutely anything) however I felt it time to branch out and inject a little pattern and colour into my uniform of black on black. However leg-lengthening and flattering the black tights and black heels combo can be, I felt I was relying a little too hard on the fail safe trick, and a nice little push into unchartered tight-territory was just what my pasty, post-tan leggies needed.

So thats what I did this evening.

Oh, and my Cosmo Patent Wedges arrived today. MADE MY WEEK I SHALL HAVE YOU KNOW. I was teetering around the kitchen in my PJ's this morning, in the most terribly non-chic sense I hasten to add. These were not Prada silk lounge pants, rather Gap threadbare trackpants. I am so bringing sexy back.

Paul Smith camisole; Vintage leather skirt; Topshop tights; Zara shoes.

The rip in the simply patterned black tights adds a little something, don't you think? I was fretting about photographing them with the hole showing, although now I think paired with the leather, it looks pretty damn bad-ass. I'm all for some hole. Tried a red flower in my hair, quite liking red on red with the lippy and nails. Come on, red goes with anything.

Ralph Lauren Shirt; Gap tights; Topshop Boutique platforms; Topshop headband.

I'd been dying to try out this gorgeous colour for loooong tiiime. I don't think I can quite carry off a wild colour clash, so I opted for old faithful, Dads shirt. I love you daddys shirt. You go with everything. You're like the ketchup of clothing.

Topshop dress; Topshop tights; Cosmo Paris shoes.

In case you hadn't guessed. I dig Topshop.

This dress is FABULOUS, I've worn it once and plan on doing so again. Definitely a rarity in my wardrobe. Paired it with some silver tights and my killer wedgies. I think this look has converted me to a serial tight wearer. Arghh!

The one issue you gotta have with tights - when you whip off your dress to reveal a bizarrely bandaged crotch to an unsuspecting male, lets face it. They are going to flee to the hills. I have unfortunately yet to meet a boy who will fully embrace the tight. Unless they're crotch/bumless, but that's a whole other kettle of fish, my dears.

So stick to socks, dunno what it is about them. I usually go for the all black but I found these little things in my dressing up box. I think they were part of my Dorothy ensemble!

And my other staple - Marks and Sparks bodysuit. Seriously sexy.