London Fashion Week: Holly Fulton's Collection

It was that time of year again when upcoming designers took the chance to profile their new collections at London’s Fashion week. Each year thousands of designers create pieces to show off their talent in one of the most important weeks in the industry.

Designer Holly Fulton has come a far way since studying art at university, creating her own unique and likeable collections for women. Graphic prints are her main signature design, and she prides herself on creating “strong, cohesive collections” for women everywhere.”

Holly Fulton: AW 2012 Collection

Her Autumn/Winter 2012 collection showed a range of bright colours with even brighter and graphic prints to flatter any figure.

Holly Fulton slim fitting pink and black dress

This stunning black dress with pink patterns is perfect for a slim line figure. The pattern does not take away the boldness of the block colour, and would be perfect to wear at a cocktail party this spring.  You could accessorise with simple silver bracelet and ring, as not to ruin the impact of the outfit.

Holly Fulton bright blue ensemble

This outfit is one of my favourites in this collection. Its shear boldness is striking yet you could easily accessorise with big jewellery, or wear in the daytime with flat heeled shoes. The colour strikes you straight away but it is not overwhelming, as the top and jacket match well with the high waisted trousers.  Wear with matching clutch bag or darker colours.

A more simple look from Holly Fulton

As simple as this outfit is, I think it is the most causal for daywear. The plain black jumper works well with the trousers, as the pretty butterfly pattern does not steal the focus. The jumper would suit the cold winter days, and you could wear the trousers with a simple white top and heels for the evening.

Ms Fulton’s designs are flourishing with each collection and I’m sure her styles will continue to thrive.

Plan UK Ad Campaign: Uplifting Women or Alienating Men?

"As a girl you know what its like to have choices." reads the board.


http://ind.pn/yNyJe4 - link

So it would appear that London is attempting to uplift and support women's life choices in today's society! Yesterday, Charity Pan UK chose a bus stop at London's busy Oxford St to feature their new ad campaign, that can interactively distinguish men from women! 

Once they have scanned a face and recognized it is a female, they will play a short video clip of 13 year old girls from the UK, and as far as Mali and Thailand. The video will show these young girls telling their hopes and dreams for the future. The ad is believe to been created to "raise public debate" in our society. 

The ad has already caused controversy among men and women, some thinking its a good idea and some saying they believe its "alienating" men.

I think this is fantastic idea to help women believe that they do have choices, and that they are as equal as men. I realize that this isn't the 1960s, where many women were housewives and it was deemed "wrong" to consider having a career. Times have changed and more and more women are choosing to have successful careers in any profession, but it is still an issue for some women, and some are insulted by sexual harassment in the work place. 

In my opinion, if you are a female and you want to have a look at the ad and view the clip then you can. However, if you are not keen on the idea before seeing it, then there is no need for you to look at it in the first place. It is a campaign that is trying to raise debate and show how girls as young as 13 are ambitious and have dreams of being successful in anything they want to do, be it a career or to stay at home. 

BAFTA 2012 : Best and Worst Dressed

Best Attire For The Awards

Every year, honoured actors, producers and directors are commended for their work in Film at the BAFTA Awards in London, and every year the stars turn up looking their best. And this year was no exception!

The men were looking smart as ever in their suits and the women looked stunning in their Designer dresses.

Rising star of “My week with Marilyn”, Actor Eddie Redmayne looked terribly handsome in a simple black suit and matching bow tie.

British Director Terry Gilliam, famous for his Monty Python sketches looked less sophisticated and more casual for the cold February evening, but managed to look rather good for an older gentleman.

Unfortunately, I do think that Actor and all round gorgeous man Colin Firth tipped the post at best dressed man. He looked simply dashing in a black suit and was even compared to “Mr Darcy” as Actress Meryl Streep’s shoe went flying on stage; he went down on one knee, picked it up and saved her. A knight in shining Armour!

The women of BAFTA looked wonderful as well, with Actress Gillian Anderson looking stunning in her Vintage Sybil Connolly Couture. The plain colour suited her skin tone and her use of simple jewellery completed her outfit.

Winner of Best Supporting Actress that night, American Octavia Spencer kept it casual with a plain white shirt and a long black feathered skirt and a matching red clutch, and after a few glances it suited her well.

Unfortunately some of dresses were a little disappointing, as Actress Zawe Ashton stepped onto the red carpet in a black patterned V neck line dress with what looked the white winged feathers of a Swan as sleeves.

Designer Celine styled Actress Tilda Swinton’s plain white dress, which covered her slim line figure. With her colouring, I believe a bolder colour such as red or dark purple could have enhanced Ms Swinton’s look.

Fashion 2012

Tropical Print

Tropical prints are the latest trend hitting the British high street fresh from the Catwalk. 

Dolce and Gabbanna models showed off their high fashion and high priced tropical print outfits that have already influenced the high street to stock their stores in time for spring.


Topshop boasts a range of bright, tropical clothes to suit everyone.
This playsuit is perfect for late Spring/Early Summer weather. It's light and would fit perfectly for the petite ladies.
You could accessorise it with simple jewellery to keep the focus on the bold print. 

Playsuit £46.00

These slim fit trousers are perfect for every day wear. They are slimming and elongate your legs to help give you a smooth shape. You could wear with a short top or with a smart looking blazer.

Trousers £35.00

 

River Island has an impressive Miami look this Season.

This stunning cropped top with a cute bow detail at the back will look fantastic if you are confident to show off your midriff this summer.

You could wear it with matching shorts, or wear it with slim jeans to compliment your figure.

Top £18.00 Matching shorts £20.00

 

This top is perfect if you would rather cover up this Spring. These light colours contrast well with the black, and is suitable if you would rather cover your shoulders, and would work well with light jeans.

Only £20.00

Whatever your style, the high street has a variety of outfits you could mix and match to look fresh and fashionable this spring.

Church fights for compensation as Homs fight for freedom

http://ind.pn/zCT1iE

The Independent newspaper published an article today (link above) titled Singer Charlottle Church "stands alone" as she has not been settled an amount from the Leeveson inquiry. The paper also shows how other celebrities have already been given a substantial amount.
Ex footballer Paul Gascoigne has received £68,000 and Comedian Steve Coogan has received £40,000 compensation. No ones so far has received less than £25,000.
I understand how frustrating it must be to live in a world where you can't go to the local shop in your comfortable clothes without being photographed, but does Ms Church or any celebrity really need to to win so much money on compensation? The hacking scandal has had Britain talking for months on end, and some of the cases e.g reported hacking into the Madeline McCann case is truly awful, and I agree that the McCann's should receive compensation for this, but does the multi millionaire Performer really need more money in her bank account? I doubt she would notice if it wasn't there, as she is till earning thousands every day!
The Madeline McCann case shocked the world, and I completely agree that they should receive justice and compensation for the alleged phone hacking into this case! Why? Because their three year old daughter went missing 5 years ago! Gerry and Kate McCann are missing their daughter, and have no idea as to where in the world she is! The thought that phone hacking was happening while this case was being investigated is despicable!
I believe this Leeveson inquiry has been blown out of proportion as to who should win what and how much! Yes it is awful that celebrities had their phones hacked, but it is much worse that this happened to normal people such as the McCanns or anyone else who isn't deemed a celebrity in our society!
Having read the article it seems that Ms Church has said that the article written about her father lead to her mother trying to commit suicide which is obviously an awful thing to happen to anyone, but personally I do not see why she should be payed a hefty amount to help her recover form this ordeal. These celebrities have enough money as it is, and certainly spend it as if its going out of fashion!
To compare this article with another in today's Independent, does make you wonder why they are lusting for so much when on page 28 under the World section, an article describes how the people of Homs are suffering, showing pictures of people injured, fighting and dying.
"Newborn babies are among the latest victims of the Syrian government's brutal attack on Homs" reads the article. These people are dying every day, as thousands of innocent people are attacked and even more lives are lost.
Personally, I think this puts the argument over compensation into perspective. How dare people argue, as if its almost a race to see who gets the most money, when there is disaster striking the world every day.
There are worse things than not getting a pay out to add to your ever growing fortune.


Below: Gerry and Kate McCann.

Katie Piper: the science of seeing again

Katie Piper: the science of seeing again



Channel 4 aired a documentary last night on the Beautiful and brave Katie Piper and her journey to see again after a horrific acid attack four years ago left her with third degree burns and completely blind in her left eye. Since the attack Katie has undergone several operations and fought hard everyday to get back to what she knew was normality.
Last nights documentary showed Katie researching into the surgery she would undertake to regain the sight in her left eye. Katie explored many issues, by consulting the doctors who would perform the surgery, and even traveled to Minnesota to learn a little more about the human eye, and what needed to be inserted into her eye in order to repair it.
Katie also spoke to a woman who had already undergone the surgery and warned her of the side effects such as over eating, throwing up and showed her the tablets that she would have to take daily for nine months post operation. This frightened Katie a little,however she kept a positive mind that it would be worth it in the end.
Stem cells were being created for Katie, and she was told that her cornea transplant was donated by a man who recently died and she overheard a conversation on the phone by the son of the man who died. She was told how healthy he was and how he wanted to donate his organs in order to help others.
Katie sat in silence in listened intently to the conversation, realizing this man had died less than a day ago and they only had a 24hour window to organize the procedure and finalize plans.
I myself found it hard to listen to the conversation, and you could see how it hit Katie hard hearing this.
Katie researched as much into the procedure as she could, but was still afraid during the operation.
Her bravery and positive attitude was overwhelming during the healing process. It took her a while to notice a difference,but it did not seem to dishearten her. She laughed and joked and waited patiently to see results.
Three weeks later Katie could count the fingers in front of her, and her confidence grew and grew.
It was wonderful to see how happy she was and her smile beamed as she shared the fantastic news with her parents who were equally as delighted.
The documentary showed how Katie was embracing her life, and kept optimistic throughout. It even showed her shopping online for attractive eyewear.
This woman is truly a beacon of hope for anyone who is going through any pain or suffering, to show that with faith and optimism there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"You can't let your injury own you, don't make it a negative thing"



http://bit.ly/4CZd0e - link to Katie Piper foundation

Chelsea, Settles?

Has anyone else been watching MTV's new reality show Chelsea Settles?
I watched the first episode, and feared it may be another "teenage weight loss" program, but there's something about it that makes me want to tune in every week!
So Chelsea is a 24 year old woman who moved to LA to follow her dreams to work in fashion.
Good for her I thought, LA is known for its glamorous lifestyle and skinny wannabes, so this would be quite a challenge for the 325 pound female! The move seemed tough on her,leaving her mother, who she clearly has a close and loving relationship with, but she soon settled with a down to earth skinny roommate.
After a few failed interviews, she finally landed a job in a fashion retail store and slowly started to enjoy it.
The biggest issue was clearly her weight, which affected her confidence and lifestyle in the city.
She didn't go out on her own, hang out much with her roommates friends, or go to the crowded nightclubs in fear of what others would say or think.
I really like this girl, I think she so brave and she is confident. Its a big deal leaving home for the first time, especially to a city like LA where it is almost deemed illegal to be a curvy girl! I dont know how far the US is into the series but the latest one on MTV was where Chelsea fell out with her roommate Jenna, but finally plucked up the courage to go to a Comedy club to watch her handsome friend perform!
As much as I like Chelsea, I have to say I was completely on Jenna's side. From what I have seen Jenna is a confident and friendly person who helps Chelsea and does not judge her by her looks only by the character that she is.
Chelsea refused to spend time with Jenna and her friends one night, and seemed almost annoyed that she had friends over, even though she was invited. Jenna accused Chelsea of spending all her time in her room talking to her boyfriend online. Her personal trainer even sided with Jenna, saying that what Jenna was saying was reality and Chelsea should face up to it.
I get how tough it must be for Chelsea, but a part of me wants to give her a good shake! I admire her for seeking out a personal trainer to lose the weight she wanted and was taking walks on the beach, going to restaurants and so forth, but she still cant see the help and support that she receives!
If you want to lose weight, then you should do it the right way, which she is! So she should be more confident because she is doing it the right way!
I feel like she should get a grip and swallow her pride and realize that she has a lot more help than she thinks and get on with it!
LA is a beautiful city, but one that is fast paced and fashion changes from day to day. She comes off a little naive sometimes which I find more annoying than anything else!
I wish her all the luck in her LA dream, and I will keep watching the series to see if she reaches all her goals, I just think she needs to grow up a little. Shes a good looking, bubbly, friendly girl who doesn't need to change herself to fit in but needs to adapt to her new home as we all do when we face change!

Too "fat" for Fashion

http://bit.ly/yPdBAb

Having read this article (above link) it is just another reason why the fashion industry has a negative impact on young women.
In 2008, Ananda Marchildon won Hollands Next Top Model at the young age of 21, winning €75,000 and  a position with Elite Management.
Two years into her position with the company the 6ft model is suing the agency for claiming her92cm waist was too big for the catwalk deeming her "too big".
Elite Model Management took the title off  of Ananda and only payed her €10,000 out of cash prize she was promised because her hip measurement was a mere 2cm over the allowed  "limit".
This news has sparked rumours and controversy throughout the Netherlands and Ananda's case will be judged in an Amsterdam court on March 7th.
Lawyer Dieuwke Levinson-Arps is fighting her case after being described as having a "pretty face with a fat arse".
Having seen Ms Marchildon's pictures, her body before and during the Next Top model looks painfully thin and many have said they thought the model was anorexic.
In some pictures you can clearly see her ribs through the skimpy short tops and many of her pictures show the model posing and looking as thin than ever.
How can anyone say that this model "gained weight" at all? What kind of message is this sending to young girls and women who are body concious? That there should be a limit on your hip measurement or even on the weight you gain in your life? Why does it matter?
These models are thin enough as it is and should not be insulted and ridiculed for gaining a little if any weight at all!
How on earth are young women meant to believe that weight isn't everything in this body concious impressionable world? Fashion is art and yes the models are beautiful with bodies thy are "desired" by many women worldwide, but since when did it all become about the size?
The infamous Marilyn Monroe was far from being anorexic and made millions from her beauty and her fashion!! Why is it that thin models are admired so much these days? Why do we think they look so good?
The Fashion industry surely knows its impact on their audience, so why are they impacting negatively on them? Tyra Banks hosts Americas Next Top Model, and she is infamous for her looks and for her fluctuating body image! Ms Banks is a beautiful woman whatever her size, and shows that young women do not have to be borderline anorexic to model!
Ms Marchildon's case is just over a month away, and Im sure young girls and women everywhere would agree with what I have said in this article, and how I hope she receives the justice she deserves!