White Collar Working That Look!

I would like this Husam El Odeh necklace please. It's almost official enough to wear with a tshirt at job interviews instead of actually investing in a proper shirt. Not that I plan on getting a job any time soon, of course. Too many French words to learn (today's favourite is papillonner) and too much metaphysics to [attempt to] understand.

On an unrelated note, my I take this opportunity to apologise for my unfunny blog titles, I get carried away sometimes.

Bea Fashionable

I have already professed my love for Sweden, and more specifically my love for Stockholm Street Style. It is this minor obsession with our Viking friends that caused me to discover Bea Szenfeld, a rather adorable designer. Although originally born in Poland, Bea moved to Sweden at eleven and learned her craft at both Cutters Academy in Gothenburg and Beckman’s College of Design in Stockholm. She started her own label in 2002, as well as her very own vintage line.



I saw this photograph and though "is that a blackbird on her hat?" which of course led me to google her name and discover her fashion label.



The above pictures are cited as "inspiration" and, to be perfectly honest, who couldn't love a designer who understands the importance of rabbits and their carrots?







The pieces are all wonderfully simple and remind me of period dramas and children's history books. Two very prominent fashion sources, I'll have you know.

Delving into the archived collections, the simplistic edge remains, as does the childish touch. I personally adore the paper dresses collection, although I do have slight reservations about how well they would preserve my modesty, and what would happen if it rained...

A Perfect Outfit

I think this girl's outfit is perfect. Not too overdone, it looks comfy and stylish and I love her hair. The bloomers do slightly concern me, but I'm willing to overlook that since the outfit as a whole is so good.

I do love facehunter

Statement Shoes

I am more and more coming to the conclusion that statement shoes are all that are needed to make an outfit pop. Nina Hjorth's creations are perfect for doing just that. Bright colours and quirky shapes are merged together into simple yet striking designs that are screaming out to me to be worn day-in-day-out. I especially like the interesting heel shapes, my personal favourites being the black pair below which remind me of lego.



Sometime I worry about when the time comes that I actually have money to spend on designer shoes, my wardrobe won't know what's hit it!

To Buy or Not To Buy

Should I buy this from Topshop? I have a real weakness for tulip skirts and this one is seriously nice, and not overly costly. I'm planning outfit combinations already (mainly involving grey; a cardigan, a tshirt, a wifebeater would be good), but I get shopping guilt and I really need to think of justification for buying it.

Gory Bling

Is it gruesome to want jewellery of amputated limbs? Not fleshy ones, obviously, but beautiful vintage porcelain.







I would very very much like to purchase some of this lovely M. Graves jewellery. My student loan did arrive into my bank account today...

Hail Cesar!

The latest copy of Indie Magazine includes a rather delightful shoot with the rather delightful Cesar Casier, who may just be edging in on Cole Mohr in my affections. For one thing he's Belgian and has an adorable accent when speaking English, as demonstrated on the 'Elevator Pitch' video of him made by his modelling agency, Dominique Models, and God knows I love all things francophone. Also he is absolutely beautiful. If he ever does own his own restaurant I will most certainly be booking a table!

Knit one Purl one

After her recent big breakthrough onto the fashion circuit, it would seem that Louise Goldin is the current queen of knitwear. She does things with wool that I didn't even think was possible - cycling shorts and sheer fabric as knitwear?! It defies logic, but really makes me want to invest in some knitting needles.


image from style.com


image from style.com

But now perhaps there are contenders to her woollen crown...

Sandra Backlund also creates amazing knitwear, although her knits tend to be chunky where Goldin's are futuristic. I can imagine Backlund's collection actually keeping me warm while also looking amazing.





I think Backlund's collection, like Goldin's, is very reminiscent of armour. If a war ever breaks out between knitting circles I think we can safely guess what they will be wearing.

For less heavy-duty knitwear, Mark Fast creates beautifully delicate woollen dresses, although perhaps for those more daring than myself as they do tend to be quite see-through. I particularly like the flapper-esque skirts, I can imagine they would add amusement to a night's dancing!

It's raining men

Yesterday I was thinking, as I often do, about the state of men's style. It seems that too many men are content in wearing the most boring and/or unflattering outfits they possibly can, with no thought to flair or fashion. Of course, the stereotype I could use here is that of gay men, the flamboyant and fashion-conscious members of the less-fair sex, but I'm talking about finding a nice, well-dressed man who wouldn't know more about heels than I do.

Now, I think that perhaps facehunter has been listening to my pleas for some well-attired gentlemen as yesterday's post was Brick Lane Boys. The outfits weren't of my particular and very very specific taste for men, but my it was lovely to see some gents who had made a bit of effort.



I always think it's nice to see men dressing smartly. This guy's blazer is very dapper, and his hair is impressive, if not actually to my taste.

I was already planning a post on men's style before facehunter came up with his lovely choices, one of my pointless habits is scouring Topman for the best clothes - really I should have someone to buy for, although I would be entirely broke by now if I did! So here's a little taster into how I'd dress a nice boy...




As you can tell I have a serious cardigan obsession!

I suppose it must be quite difficult for men to be too fashion forward without also being mocked, but really the sort of men who mock are also the sort of men who look like boyband rejects. It's always appreciated when a man puts some effort into his outfit, although I suppose it should all look quite effortless! In all honesty it's much like the trials and tribulations of women's fashion but without the allure of high-heeled shoes.


image from facehunter


image from stockholm streetstyle


image from the sartorialist

...of course there are always the men who go all out, and look pretty darn amazing for doing so! I love this guy's moustache, and neck tie and wonderful quiff. He is quite the epitome of dapper.


image from facehunter

I want! I need!

Just a quick post to tell you how much I want and need these boots by Manolo Blahnik for Christopher Kane


photo courtesy of Jak&Jil blog

I want and need them a lot. However white trash and tacky they look, I still would love and cherish them.

Wishlist #1

It's that time of year again, the time to make some brilliant new additions to your wardrobe to brighten up the boring half of winter, the half without Christmas but with the most depressing day of the year; Valentine's Day. I digress.

Here is a lovely overview of things I want but cannot afford from Topshop...aaahhhh, Topshop, how I love and adore you...

Grey Boyfriend Blazer

I have been coveting this blazer ever since I saw it's black sibling. After deliberating over them both for a long time I think, should I ever decide to actually purchase one, grey is the better option. I can just see myself wearing it with a nice crisp white shirt and black leggings combo.

Lace Bodycon Dress

Bodycon is the most unforgiving fashion ever created, but I would gladly stick to a cabbage soup diet to fit in this lovely dress. I think I'd want to try and wear it in a non-feminine way, play down the lace a bit with some biker boots.

Black and Gold Heels

*sigh*

Pale Denim Skirt

I like the stonewash feel of this skirt, very white trash. I reckon you could probably dress this up or down for different looks. Probably I'd just end up wearing it every day until I spilt something on it.

Studded Black Boots

My current boots have a hole in the sole. This generally isn't very useful for footwear (and also sounds like the title of a bad country record), thus I need a new pair. These are a likely candidate as, if you squint a lot, they resemble a rather lovely pair made by Chloe.

Grey Bodycon Dress

Yes, yes bodycon again. I've tried this one on though, and it's lovely. It doesn't even make me look like a sack of potatoes, definitely score! I have a soft spot for strapless numbers, shoulders are sexy.

Cropped Sweatshirt

Very Fame.

Giraffe Bracelet

In all honesty I saw this and thought of my sister, if I ever buy it I'm sure I'll lend her it from time to time...

Off-Black Cardigan

My name is Ciara and I am a cardigan addict.

Belt

This one reminds me of a Chanel belt I saw Cheryl Cole wearing. One of her better outfits, I'll have you know, I'm not a massive Cheryl Cole fan usually.

Blue T-Shirt-Dress

Something classy to slob around in, just what every girl needs on a fat day. And any other day since this dress is such a wonderful shade of blue.

ILU Iloa

I am utterly convinved that Scandinavians have the best fashion sense. Sweeping statement, I know, but I'm continually impressed by everyone featured on both Hel Looks and Stockholm Streetstyle.

A brand new reason for my love of all things Scandinavian is my discovery of the fashion label Iloa, by Finnish UIAH graduate Anu Salonen. Her designs are simple with clean lines and a childlike feel to them. The sort of clothing you could wear when you want to look cute slobbing around the house as well as out and about.

New Year's Fasholutions.

It has been a rather long time since the last time I blogged. I would like to blame this on three main culprits (in chronological order); university exams, Christmas and flu.

And now it's 2009. A whole new year to fill with glossy magazines, shiny shoes and, with the current economic situation as it is, a lot more debt than originally expected. Just like countless others who kid themselves into thinking the new year really is a time for turning over a new leaf, I have made my resolutions and plan to stick to them for at least the next week.



I have, of course, made the obligatory resolutions of losing weight, drinking less (or at least spreading out the drinks over more time) and keeping on top of my university work, but on top of these I have also made a fashion resolution.



Last month I turned twenty. Sadly I still look twelve, which is where my resolution comes into play. I feel my wardrobe includes far too much colour. I shall no longer dress like a clown-lite. My fashion resolution for this year is to increase the amount of grown-up shades I wear. Greys and navys and beiges, and of course black and white, will all be making a more promenant appearance in my wardrobe.

This time next year when I will be twenty-one, living and working in France and a stone lighter with beautiful long shiny hair (well, a girl can hope anyway) I will also have a wardrobe which doesn't give off the impression that I've spent too much time paintballing and not enough time being a proper grown-up. Well, grown-upish anyhow.



Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying goodbye to colour for good. Obviously a splash of fuscia here or some cyan nail varnish there is essential to any wardrobe, but I'm looking to streamline my clothing choices this year; only buy things which I think I'll be wearing for a long while yet (thanks not only to my poor student status, but also to the credit crunch). And I really really do want to look my age for once, even if I can't always act it.

Happy New Year. Word on the grapevine is that 2009 is going to be the best yet...