Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day x

I spy: Mary Katrantzou

Anyone who knows me would know I absolutely love Mary Katranzou!

For her autumn winter 2010 collection, she took inspiration from 18^th century portraiture, with particular focus on Madame de Pompadour and the paintings of Fragonard and Nattier. Incorporating her signature trompe l’oeil prints, Katrantzou managed to translate the fanciful and romantic elements of historical costume for the 21st century woman. An eccentric collection of asymmetrical cuts, layered graphics of regency jewels, brooches and pearls with plentiful ruffles of tulle and adorned with chandelier inspired necklaces and bracelets. This fragmentation of what women used to wear in the 1700’s is also imposed in the sophisticated palette of antiqued gold, fragrant greens, amber and sheer greys.

Rosamund Pike recently wore a dress from Katranzou's AW10 collection to the Made In Dagenham film première in London's Leicester Square. I just think it is absolutely gorgeous!

Claudia Schiffer was also clad in a Mary Katrantzou creation for the British Fashion Awards earlier this month. Love!

Dip-Dyes & Two-Tones - Candy Hues, Extreme Contrasts & Natural Combos

An unmissable hair trend for this winter is dip-dyed or two-tone highlights. I've been seeing some pretty bright locks recently so thought I'd delve in our celebrity pool and pick out a few to share...  

 

© aaa-fashion

Ellie Goulding (above) and Kelly Osbourne (below) have both opted to put their locks through a silvery lilac wash. Although this is normally a look we see sported by our older generations, it actually works for these two, giving them a fantasy-like appeal.

  

© rex features the gloss

Katy Perry chose to be quite discreet with injections of purple and electric blue. This look could easily be replicated with a few clip in hair strands and is a safe option for those of us too chicken to pick up hair dye!

© glamour

Dree Hemingway was one of the first to sport the dip-dye trend with her hair streaked with a coral pink for the Giles spring/summer 2010 runway show. Does anyone remember those mascara hair brushes?...just had a mini flashback...

© a-nothersalon

One of my favourite models, Abbey Lee Kershaw, rocked half a head of fuschia pink for Australian Vogue 

recently - very punk.

© wantwhatsheswearing

For a softer head of pink, Audrey Kitching has washed her white blonde hair through with a baby pink wash and dipped the tips in a light aqua blue. A bit too much for me but Audrey is a crazy one so suits her personality perfectly.

© broadwayworld

There's no surprise to see Lady Gaga in this line up. At the MTV Music Awards back in September this year, Gaga sported a head of soft white curls with aqua blue tips.

© iluvgaga.blogspot

Similar to Gaga, Peaches Geldof chose to have aqua blue dyed tips. Paired with her headband, and true to her personal style, Peaches as turned this look into a free-spirited boho representation.

© azhotgirl.uni.cc

From two-tone to a whole rainbow, Nicki Minaj has really gone to town with her locks! Well, saying that, we all know Nicki favours a blonde wig but she has recently taken to dying the ends in a range of bright and bold colours. Not really my cuppa but at least she's bang on trend for SS11 with colour blocking!

© sugarscape

Drew Barrymore, always a rock chick at heart, is a perfect ambassador for experimenting with her hair colour. From the luscious Californian sun-bleached locks, she's now styled her hair in a clean cut bob, boldly dying her ends black. Being critical, some could argue that away from the candy shades, these styles look slightly like overgrown and outgrown roots, but whether dip-dyed or gradually two-tone, they actually are quite quirky. Quite fond of the black / blonde contrast!

© PA photos /  © post-beautiful.blogspot

Finally, we have the gorgeous Alexa Chung who has just bagged herself the BFA British Style Award. (Stay posted for an up-to-date style guide on her very soon!) Alexia has also taken a subtle approach and allowed her roots and mid-section remain brown while the tips are dyed blonde. The result is a seemingly natural graduation of colour that compliments her complection and softens her features. 

© disconaplondon.wordpress

I spy: Michael Kors - Hamilton Bag

Firstly, I have to apologise for the lack of posts recently. I will be updating regularly from now on :) x

So, with Christmas round the corner I've started to day-dream of all those pretty, shiny things I'd love Santa to deliver...and one happens to be a lovely Michael Kors Hamilton bag, at $298. 

It's a shame to admit that I have been using the same beaten down bag for the past 4 years and with that much devotion to one bag, I'm starting to feel the time is right to move on to bigger, better things. Of course I'm still dreaming of that Prada tote, but the Michael Kors Hamilton seems to be a winner among the faces of the fashion world and as it goes, I've fallen in love with it too.

© altamira: models off duty

The top row features French model Constantine Jablonski, with the second shot of her leaving the SS11 Chanel Show back in Paris Fashion Week. The bottom left is the beautiful Swedish model, Frida Gustavsson, and to her right, Karmen Pedaru. 

...I've been a good girl all year Santa! Or if all else fails, a girl needs to treat herself once in a while.