Meet the Older Ladies Taking the Fashion World By Storm

As much as I admire the fashion industry and the young women who graft their way to the top of the modelling world, something saddens me about the shelf-life of women in the limelight. By the age of 50 they seem almost sidelined, as the media conveyor belt churns in a younger, fresher face for a worldwide campaign. 

What a welcoming relief I felt at the emergence of experience-laden, quirk-filled fashionistas, who are now taking the style world by storm, 65-year old Twiggy, who just bagged a contract for L'Oreal, at the forefront. 

Let's meet the campaign Queens who prove they've still got it: 

Joan Didion

Author, writer and essayist Joan Didion became the face of a Celiné campaign. The 80 year-old wore a simple black top with a statement necklace and sunglasses. A documentary is also planned on the life and works of Didion, told in her own words. 

Iris Apfel

Embodying all I imagine in a fashionista, Iris Apfel was picked to design and model her own range for MAC cosmetics in 2011 (at the age of 90). She definitely defies that patronising sentence "Too old for that". 

Catherine Deneuve

For Marc Jacobs' final campaign as creative director at Louis Vuitton, he decided to pick French actress Catherine Deneuve (71) to star alongside a number of women including model Gisele Bündchen- she seemed to outshine them all. 

Dolce & Gabbana's Three Ladies

Always keen to stick to their Italian roots, Dolce & Gabbana's latest campaign depicts elements of a Sicilian family- these three women with rich, embellished tiaras and bejewelled clutches are my favourite (This is my desktop background!)

                        Jacky O'Shaughnessy

American Apparel has attempted to provoke in a recent campaign which featured 62 year-old Jacky O'Shaughnessy, the face of their underwear line. In a lace bandeau bar and knickers, O'Shaughnessy was featured next to the quote "Sexy has no expiration date. Jacky in Floral Lace Lingerie."

Twiggy 

The world's most successful haircare company couldn't wait to sign up Twiggy, who has been a model since 1965. Thrilled to have become their ambassador, the company said of her: "What is there not to love about Twiggy - she has always inspired women to look and feel their best." 

L'Oreal Paris has also seen a boost in sales since having actress Helen Mirren (69) as the face of their brand, as they hope to base their ethos around ageing, as oppose to pushing the prevention of it. 

Source: The Telegraph. 

Galactic Glamour: Valentino's Space-Inspired Pre-Fall 15 Collection

As pre-fall collections go, Valentino has stunned, reaching new heights to create true galactic glamour. Under the genius of designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, the collection felt crisp, but the varied prints maintained their chaotic charm.  

Shapely cosmic capes made way for constellation print midi skirts and intergalactic mini's are teamed with knee-high boots in a 70's style return to retro- very much in-keeping with the trend soon to grace the catwalk this coming season.

Oozing couture, Valentino's twinkling gowns boast elliptical galaxies on layers of thick tulle. Maxis flaunt macrocosms and with the label being known for their heavy embroidery and embellishments, this theme seemed to suit them perfectly. 

Adopting the earth's atmospheric hues of midnight blue and late night noire, the collection displayed the perfect mix of wearable style with couture touches. We salute you, Valentino.

Spring Wishlist

It might still be winter but I just want to jump into spring fashion after looking at what is on offer. From crazy paisley dresses, sassy slogan tees and exotic fruit print fancies, I can't wait to embrace the sunshine and the new season clothes that come with it. 

Spring is a transitional season for clothes, as the furs get packed away and the lighter trenches, cropped jackets and the dust coats are awakened from their wintry slumber. My spring wishlist incorporates streaks of winter trends- cleated heels and ripped mom jeans- and fuses it with new season shades- Grafea's crisp ivory backpack and Moschino's rose gold wristwatch step into spring, while River Island's lime ribbed top that says "I'M HERE". 

Top: River Island // Jeans: Topshop // Boots: La Moda // Grafea backpack: ASOS // 
Moschino watch : ASOS 

Book Review: The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse

When it comes to great novels, I crave that one I won't be able to put down, the one I can't wait to finish but will be sad to see the end, the one I will be willing to lose sleep over. Searching for the weird, wonderful and ultimately acclaimed, I stumbled across Kate Mosse's The Taxidermist's Daughter.

A deep-rooted thriller shrouded in mystery, the story sets itself in the gothic period of 1912, in rural Sussex to be exact. Beginning the tale in a ghostly graveyard, we meet heroine Connie Gifford, who spends her daily life looking out for her alcoholic father and failed Taxidermist. 

Tiny details add pace to the steady plot as it uncovers murder, madness and mutilation, all watered down with a tinge of romance. A real winter read, I truly recommend Mosse's dark tale for anyone who loves a spine-tingler. 

I give it: ☂.☂.☂.☂.

Do you have any books to recommend or share? 

Irresistible Iridescence

From sweet wrapper clutches, to petrol-hued pumps, to intergalactic pencil skirts, the iridescent trend is shimmying its way into our wardrobes. Whether you want to add a touch of sparkle with a metallic accessory, or go all out with 3D croc-effect prints and sequin packed pieces, there are endless styling options.

Sequin crop top, Topshop // Pencil skirt, Boohoo // Metallic court shoe, ASOS // Croc phone case, Topshop// Gold scrunchie, Topshop// Two-tone leather clutch, Topshop // Rose gold watch, Olivia Burton

Back to Black

Halter leotard: Buytshirtsonline// Bomber jacket: H&M // Trousers: River Island// Cleated Heels: La Moda

Slimming and highly versatile, leotards really are the go-to piece this season. Underneath printed bombers for a casual look, or haphazardly layered beneath jumpers, they provide endless styling options. I got this low slung American Apparel leotard from Buytshirtsonline and teamed it with ripped River Island jeans, a H&M bomber jacket and cappuccino-hued cleated heels

Faux Pas Christmas Wishlist

The festive season is well and truly here and it's time to write those letters to Santa!

Although I'm not overly excited when it comes to writing about reams of products I want for Christmas, there are a few pieces I'm coveting this season.

Pilgrim tee, Teds Draws// Milkshake clutch, New Look//Pom pom earrings, Vida Kush // Kick Push platforms, La Moda // Mint to be lipstick, Limecrime// Slip dress, Motel 



Ted's Draws is a small online boutique that I fell in love with a little while ago, with illustrated caricature tees seen on the likes of model Jourdan Dunn and singer Jessie Ware. I'm a massive fan of his Wednesday Addams top, £25 online. 

No girl can ever have too many clutches and New Look's recent batch of culinary inspired bags caught my eye, my favourite being this milkshake themed one. With a zip to the top of the piece and a metallic finish, it's hard to resist. Timberland's and their counterparts have been trickling onto the high street and my favourite boutique La Moda has these swaggerific platform boots. The thick sole and honey-toned hue make them the perfect shoe for a shortie like me.

As accessories go, I'm always slightly disappointed by how similar high street pieces look, however Vida Kush always gets me excited. These pom pom earrings in baby blue are a vintage-inspired nod to '90s chic. Perfect.

Green is my favourite colour, and there is nothing like a silky dress to accentuate the emerald shade. Motel Rocks has this vibrant, iridescent dress for just £40 in a silky, slip style, perfect when accessorising with chunky chains and cleated heels. For the ultimate in quirky make-up, Limecrime answers my prayers with their shade 'mint to be', loaded with pigment and long lasting, it really is my favourite beauty brand.

My Little Box Review November 2014

Investing in monthly packages seems a real rite of passage for the modern day beauty/fashion blogger, and I found myself in a slight conundrum as to whether I really wanted to invest my money in one. After a long search, I found myself adhering to the stereotype and signing up for a 'My Little Box', a monthly bundle filled with lifestyle, fashion and beauty products all with a French feel.

The Little Box may be au contraire, but the products you receive are trés chic. After last months impressive collaboration with American fashion designer and former princess Diane Von Furstenberg, this month's theme was My Little Cosy Box, apt for the chilly change in weather.

A My Little World magazine is included in each box, filled with interviews, lifestyle and fashion inspiration, beauty tutorials as well as pull-out recipes (French in nature, of course).

I look forward to the cute postcard-sized quotes that are often included with a debonair illustration, this months was all about time, and making the most of it.

Getting me all set for winter was Tsumori Chisato's small heated cushion, perfect as a little warmth in bed, or to heat the hands after a chilly afternoon outdoors. 

Aptly labeled with the phrase 'All you need is coffee', a tiny box encasing an espresso cup surprised me this month, along with beauty essentials I had been craving. For an intense smokey eye, Yves Rocher's deep cappuccino brown encapsulated the winter eye look. My Little Beauty volume and care mascara was also included, which (I was excited to see) came with an extra thick brush as well as Arcancil Paris' black eyeliner with waterproof features, perfect for battling that winter wind and rain. 

With beautiful packaging, and that magical French feel I know and love, My Little Box will never disappoint. 

Visit My Little Box here

Week One: 31 Nights of Horror

Seven days into my fright fest and you will be happy to know I am still alive! 

The Best of the Rest

The Loved Ones (2009) 

My ultimate dream is to find the perfect indie horror- a fusion of beautifully bloody cinematography, with a coming-of-age storyline- The Loved Ones came pretty close. An Australian movie that had me wanting to watch and wanting to switch off simultaneously, the story followed teenager Brent Mitchell as he struggles with the death of his father through self-harm. Whilst at school, his classmate Lola asks him to prom and after a polite refusal, she plots epic revenge torture. Sickenly wonderful on-the-edge-of-your-seat viewing, this is definitely a film I will be revisiting. 

Average Joes

You're Next (2011)

You're Next is fundamentally a bad horror film, but for many reasons I enjoyed it. It's storyline is mediocre- man tries to kill off his family in order to gain inheritance. His use of completely ridiculous Neanderthaloid men in animal masks made it all the less scary. Yet a huge twist in the ending, as well as the concept of invaders in the home chills the bones, and the Home Alone-inspired gadgets used to kill the assassins makes it all the more entertaining.  

V/H/S (2012)

Think Inception, but with mini horror stories and you have V/H/S. The movie tells a series of at times, rather confusing tales of demons (supernatural and human) who kill a number of people. After an hour of this formula I had to say I grew bored- a rule of thumb with horror- never be more than 90mins long. 

The Horrifyingly Bad

Tell (2012)

I'm always into trying low budget, or short horrors and I must admit I had high hopes which were immediately stabbed five minutes into the film. Forever waiting for the storyline to improve, I hoped for a glimmer of the supernatural bit was sorely disappointed. After having an argument with wife Jenny, Taylor picks up a hammer and beats his wife to deal- what follows is yawn-worthy, and definitely missable. 

Absentia (2011)

A movie poster scattered with film festival awards, I assumed there would be something special about Absentia. A woman whose husband goes missing for seven years, begins to dream about him days before she must declare him dead by absentia. In a ridiculous twist, an unexplained creature living in an underpass near their house has something to do with his disappearance/ reappearance. *Sigh*

Chanel Fronts Feminist Fashion for SS15

How many celebs need to join the feminist bandwagon before people start listening? 

A few more it seems... 

Photo credit: Lea Colombo (Dazed Digital)

After the welcome pleas of equality from English rose Emma Watson, who created the He for She campaign aimed at targeting men to support feminism, fashion juggernaut Karl Lagerfeld decided (very wisely) to use the Chanel catwalk as a soapbox for a display of equal rights during Paris Fashion Week. 

Photo credit: Vogue

Making history, Lagerfeld created a street protest on the runway, with his models holding signs such as 'Ladies First', 'Be Your Own Stylist' and 'History is Her Story' as well as 'He for She' in support of the equality campaign. 

Supermodel of the moment Cara Delevingne fronted the march armed with a megaphone as she exclaimed 'What do we want?' and 'When do we want it?' with her fellow models screaming 'NOW'. Other fellow femme supporters came in the form of Kendall Jenner, Edie Campbell, Joan Smalls, Edie Hadid and Georgia May Jagger. 

The collection itself was vibrancy personified, with excited, magnified florals in draped, oversized cuts. Outer prints clashed with spirited linings and models approached the runway in twos and threes as if out for brunch with friends. Classic tweed and tartan was made modern in two-pieces and the iconic double 'C' logo was subtly sprinkled among some of the pieces. 

The manly brogue was given a girly makeover with cut-outs , ankle straps and a gold theme with black caps.  

Photo credit: Lea Colombo (Dazed Digital)

Strong and striking, androgynous suits emanated the motif of a strong, independant woman as chic work attire became a fitting link with the feminist support of the show.