Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung, former British model, TV presenter and at just 29 years old she is definitely one of the UK's biggest fashion influences to this day!

Style Crush ♥

At the age of 16, she was scouted by a modelling agency while in the comedy tent at reading festival.  Chung was then taken on by a London based agency called; Storm Model Management and began to work for multiple teen magazines such as Elle Girl and CosmoGIRL! Not only has she modeled she has also worked for companies such as Fanta, Urban Outfitters, Sony Ericsson, Sunsilk and Tampax and has featured in music videos produced by The Streets, Westlife, Delta Goodrem, Reuben and Holly Valance. She also stared as 'Jake' in a reality TV show broadcasted on Fashion TV called 'Shoot Me' in 2005.

After four years in the modeling world, she decided to go a different direction and set off with the intention of beginning an art foundation or becoming a fashion journalist (Just like me and Becky!) However, after becoming a TV personality, she returned back to her modeling days and became the face of  Australian fashion label called Antipodium's SS 2008 collection and Oxfams ethical fashion range, Revamped. In 2009, Alexa strutted down the catwalk as part of the Vivienne Westwood Red Label Spring/Summer show at London Fashion Week.

Through a course of 3-5 years, Alexa has found herself becoming the face of many well known high street shops like New Look, Next, Lacoste and many more! She has also moved on to a new modeling agency; Select Model Management and taken part in London Fashion Week 2012 with Stella McCartney. 

With her shoulder length brown waves and her famous winged liner, and not to mention her AMAZING fashion style, Alexa is one of my favorite people to get inspiration for a 'new' look.

She can put two of the most clashing items together and make it work. Plus many of her outfits are very 60's and unusual to today's eye which is one of the things I love about her! I mean, leopard print and stripes? I would never be so daring! Not only does she go for daring prints, she also goes for big statement jewelry like huge chunky necklaces and an array of coloured gem rings.

In many of her outfits, she never seems to wear heels but I think that's one of the things I love about her. She doesn't need 6 inch glittery heels to make her style 'look good'. She seems quite happy with a pair of oxfords or boots teamed with a thrilling outfit. (Seriously wish I could see her wardrobe, I'll be like a kid in a sweet shop!)

She also dated the magnificent and so god damn beautiful Arctic Monkey's front man, Alex Turner. Well jel!

  

Here are some of my Alexa Chung inspired outfits!

  

-Olivia x

The Pointe Is

Ballet

"You don't have to know about ballet to enjoy it, all you have to do is look at it" 

- Edwin Denby

Yesterday, I attended a ballet class with two friends at the COOLEST place on Earth, Dance City. There were break dancing competitions in the reception, jazz dancers kicking down the banisters, it was like a scene from Fame!

 I hadn't attended a proper ballet class since I was around 6 ( take a look, there's me, second row and third from the right!) and I was pretty nervous that I'd have forgotten EVERYTHING.

My worries soon vanished after the OAP guy in full-on lycra walked in ( that happened! ), and it was generally just good to get back into something I used to love so much. Whilst I was there, I noticed all of the luxurious costumes the dancers were wearing, including ruffled tulle tutus, beaded bodices, delicate silk slippers and flowing ribbons.

It made me think that a lot of high-fashion designers creations are rather similar to those worn by these ballet dancers. Just look at recent catwalks from the likes of Chloe', Sherri Hill, Alexander McQueen and especially Marchesa, the reigning brand of elegant gowns and dresses. Back in September this year, Valentino hosted an amazing event for New York City's Ballet Gala, where he designed a mass of beautiful dresses for the performing ballerinas, which gained a lot of media attention for the polished dance style.

Vogue Russia have previously devoted an entire editorial shoot to the refined art of ballet, and they even feature in Kanye West's music video, Runaway. And who could forget big-time controversial movie, Black Swan, which thrust ballerinas into a completely new light.

    So, do you think designers are inspired by the graceful entity of ballet, the silhouettes, costumes and chic yet sophisticated manner? 

Here's a picture of my little brother and I at the NYC Ballet in January 2011!

P.S. My ballet inspired outfit!

-R x

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Matthew Williamson, London Fashion Week

 "I am known for my use of colour, print and embellishment."

Matthew Williamson, by far one of my favorite designers (My duvet is even one of his creations from one of his most recent collections; Matthew Williamson Butterfly), was born in Manchester and soon became a graduate from Central St Martins college of The Arts.

(Me and Rebecca have always wanted to go there!)

His style is very bohemian, laid back, extremely colorful and just something special. His first job was a freelance design project with Marni. Soon enough, he was employed by Monsoon and Accessorize, following frequent trips to India.
These trips gave him the confidence and knowledge to put his own unique swatches into development which later became his first collection 'Electric Angels', shown at London's Fashion Week in 1997.

Moving on from the old stuff and onto the new stuff, did you see his creations at this years London Fashion Week!? W-O-W. Looking at his SS2013 collection, I can't help but feel excited!

The outfits are absolutely breath-taking, using mainly blues, pinks and oranges. Symmetrical and ombre patterns are a definite must right now, every girl should have a piece of clothing like that in their wardrobe.

The models makeup was neutral and their was hair pulled back in a bun with a center parting. C'est magnifique in my eyes. Hey, take a look for yourself...

- Olivia :) x