February Street Style Inspiration

This month I really want to get back into wearing my leopard fur coat that I got last year - I definitely don't wear it enough! I'm hoping the really cold weather continues so I can pile up the layers with a super cosy blanket scarf on top. I've also just realised that I need to pick up a new pair of Converse soon because they look so great paired with camel coats!

For more street style inspiration check out my Pinterest board, my Tumblr blog or check back next month for the March instalment.

January Reads

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This is the third Jane Austen book that I've read and by far my favourite. I loved the overall plot and the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy! 

Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
Neither of The Raven Cycle sequels have been quite as good as The Raven Boys but I still enjoy them. Blue Lily, Lily Blue follows the group as they continue to try and wake Glendower. Although I don't think the plot is as good as the first book, there's something about the characters that makes this so loveable and enjoyable. Now I just need to wait until April for the last instalment...

The Woman I Wanted To Be by Diane Von Furstenberg
I'm so glad I picked this book up. I've followed the DVF runway shows but I never knew much about Diane. The Woman I Wanted To Be begins by telling the reader about Diane's early life, and the life of her mother who was a concentration camp survivor from WWII. Straight away I knew this books would be incredibly inspiring. This is definitely one of my favourite biographies that I've read!

Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht

This was my first non-fiction book of the year and it did not disappoint. I hadn't heard of Aliza Licht beforehand but now she's one of my role models! Leave Your Mark is all about landing your dream job and killing it, with a little help from social media. Although this book is full of helpful tips and tricks that Aliza has learned along the way, she also includes her own experiences and shows us how she got to where she is now. As someone who wants to work in the fashion industry, I found this book really helpful and motivational - definitely an all-time favourite.

Vogue On: Alexander McQueen by Vogue Magazine/Chloe Fox

I love the Vogue On series and the Alexander McQueen edition was just as good as the others I have read. These books are really quite short, with half of it being full of beautiful pictures, but they still give a great insight into the designer and their history. Although I'm a fan of Alexander McQueen's work, I didn't know a lot about him as an individual and I think this really showed what inspired him and why he got into fashion.

Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
I quickly made my way through the Heroes of Olympus series, which is the follow up to Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Heroes of Olympus follows a new set of demi-gods, along with Percy and Annabeth as they complete the great prophecy and defeat the Earth Godess, Gaia. Although I didn't enjoy this series as much as PJO, I did love the new characters - particularly Leo - and reading more about Nico!

I managed to read 10 books out of my 65 book reading challenge this month! What did you read in January?

Paris Haute Couture Week SS16 Day 1 & 2 / Atelier Versace, Schiaparelli, Dior & Giambattista Valli

ATLELIER VERSACE

Donatella Versace produced an up-beat and energetic show to kick-off haute couture week on Sunday evening with the models, including Joan Smalls and Rosie Huntington-Whitely, showing off sporting looks. Calling it 'athletic couture', Donatella created the perfect balance between sporty and sophisticated with bright, white suits with electric neon accents. In addition to neon, other sporting details included roping and hi-vis lacing. Although the outfits looked as if they'd been easily thrown together, it was one of Versace's most complex collections with some dress panels taking up to a month to complete.

SCHIAPARELLI

Elsa Schiaparelli once said 'Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy of life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale.' It's clear that this is where Bertrand Guyon's inspiration for the new haute couture collection comes from. 

With a backdrop of china plates, gowns featured unique patterns and designs consisting of citrus fruits, three-course meals, root vegetables and porcelain cups. Amongst these unique pieces, there was also simpler and modern garments, such as the chic black gown.

With stylish stars such as Kate Bosworth, Carla Bruni and Olivia Palermo gracing the front row, the Schiaparelli show was definitely worth a second look.

CHRISTIAN DIOR

In Dior's first show since Creative Director Raf Simons left the label, it was the very capable in-house team that had responsibility for what came down the catwalk. The collection was focused on the modern woman, and how she wears garments in a new and interesting way. The overall feel was contemporary and relaxed, with off the shoulder dresses, swishy skirts and oversized jackets. 

However, not even the beautiful collection to take away from Dior's issues. With the audience gossiping over which talent will take lead of the couture house, and names such as Sarah Burton being mentioned, an announcement is expected soon.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

Although a relatively newcomer to Haute Couture Week, with the first collection in July 2011, Giambattista Valli is always one to watch. Valli said he was inspired by the gardens of Paris, which is clear when looking at the collection - embroidered flowers with plenty of sequins or the alternative of delicate gathered chiffon working it's way up the dresses.

Reminding the audience of the bright pink gown that Rihanna wore to the Grammy's, the collection also showcased Valli's signature look - beautiful (and big!) tulle gowns.

With the Oscars just around the corner, it won't be a surprise to see the stars walking down the red carpet in a Giambattista Valli gown.

SS16 Fashion Campaigns

A few weeks ago, the SS16 campaigns from the biggest fashion houses began to trickle out and I thought it was finally time for me to have a good look at them.

Louis Vuitton

This is one of my favourite campaigns. Starring Jaden Smith, this campaign made a big impact with it being praised by Willow Smith for breaking gender stereotypes.  The campaign features Jaden and three female models, all sporting the lazer-cut looks and platform sandals from the SS16 runway show. Not only have LV appointed Jaden at the face of there womenswear campaign, they've also a Final Fantasy character to model the new collection. I can't wait to see what they do next!

Versace

The Versace campaign features Gigi Hadid, Natasha Poly and Raquel Zimmerman, in an urban jungle. Each woman represents a separate identity and self-belief, but what they have in common is that each individual is a Versace woman.

Saint Laurent

Another of my SS16 favourites. The Saint Lauren campaign features models in grunge inspired looks with plenty of sequins, fur and metallics. The looks are given a feminine touch with the models wearing tiaras.

Balmain

For the Balmain campaign, Olivier Rousteing managed to reunite Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. With three iconic supermodels and the campaign images in polaroid form, it was a true throwback to the 90s paired with Balmain's typical style.

Dolce and Gabbana

I always love the D&G campaigns and SS16 is no exception. Following the traditional family feel, this campaign features a family gathering with plenty of selfie taking - a nice throwback to their SS16 runway show. In even more exciting news, D&G have also debuted a line of haute hijabs and abayas for 'the modest Muslim woman'.

The SS16 campaigns showcase the increasing diversity in the fashion industry and the awareness of issues beyond fashion. I can't wait to see the AW16 campaigns and I hope they continue to promote diversity in the industry.

What's your favourite SS16 campaign?

Ways To Wear: The Aviator Jacket

The aviator jacket has made quite the resurgence in recent months and today I'm going to show you two different ways to wear this latest trend.

LOOK ONE

Jacket // Jumper // Jeans // Bag // Hat // Trainers

This first look is a more casual look - perfect for every day wear. This is the type of outfit that I'd definitely wear to university. Super cosy for dark winter mornings and comfortable enough to sit through a day of lectures before running for the train home!

LOOK TWO

Jacket // Top // Skirt // Boots // Bag // Hat

The second outfit is still quite casual but is definitely a more sophisticated look. I'd wear an outfit like this on the weekend, to go out for lunch or dinner! 

How do you wear your aviator jacket? Which look do you prefer?