Helena Bonham Carter - Red Carpet Chic or Freak?

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I went to see 'The Kings Speech' at the cinema and I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of Helena Bonham Carter as the young Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
I never really rated Helena Bonham Carter before seeing this film, sure enough she was funny as the Red Queen in an otherwise lacklustre version of Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton, coincidently, her husband. And I began to wonder whether she just got roles in films that he was invloved in making.
Needless to say her portrayal of the young Queen Elizabeth in the Kings Speech surprised me, she was a breath of fresh air within an otherwise male character driven piece, and she had great comic timing, often stealing the show in some cases.

Much has been documented about Bonham Carters fashion sense. Just recently she turned up at the Golden Globes with two different shoes on. Her explanation? 'Who says we need to wear the same shoes?' - Fair comment I hear you say.
She seems to have a rather thrown together look, like she just found the first thing in her wardrobe and thought 'I can work that' and put them on. As you can see from the image above, for everyday wear, her hap-hazard style isn't that risky. But at a preimere? That's a whole different ball game...

The two images above show Bonham Carter at two premieres for her more child friendly films; Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland. Maybe it is the nature of the films she is attending that enables her to tap into a slightly more child-like fashion sense, having a bag with each outfit that you would not see out of place in the Disney store. I don't think that these outfits are as hideous as some critics would suggest, far from it, if anything the only thing wrong with them is that they don't suit her body shape - the white dress in particular.

At the end of the day, her style is that she refuses to conform to the fashion and trend norm, many a-listers can say that they do that, but she actually does.
It's like she's saying to us women; 'Who says we need to wear what someone else tells us looks good' - why can't we women decide for ourselves? She seems to and it works.

We are always told that we should feel comfortable in our own skin. So why not do that with our clothes?

Whatever people think of Helena Bonham Carter, I have now seen her in a new light and whatever she wears, whatever films she stars in, she gets people talking about both her fashion and her acting.
Isn't that the whole point?

Becoming inspired by the 70s

Before selling my soul to the devil... I mean, becoming a teacher, I was a poor Fashion Student taking a national diploma in Fashion. The very same course I teach my lovely year 12 class now.
I had never done any textiles before as my school didn't offer the subject, but I was really interested in it, so I thought I'd give it a go on the basis that if it's something I enjoyed, I would be good at it, or more inclined to get better if I wasn't good. That advice I gave myself turned out to be the most valuable piece of information I ever had. Advice which I believe in so much, I tell my pupils today.

When I began my National Diploma I knew very little about Fashion in general, my mum had always bought my clothes and I had tended to follow the crowd when it came to trend. Which is why I have the most hideous passport photo of my dressed as a Chav - I thought I was cool. Obviously, I was wrong.
Nowadays I tend to actually follow trend and read magazines and newspapers, along with shopping for myself so I follow no crowd and have my own sense of style.
My first lot of designs were anything but good. They were awful. But when I found my own point of view I realised I wasn't influenced by trends current or previous but more the decade and what happened within that time. I believe alot of what happens in the media and news effects not only fashion but art aswell. Take the 1980s; power dressing and Margaret Thatcher? You see what I mean.

So my first lot of designs for about 5 years proved to be inspired by yet another decade; the 1970s. Whilst researching a previous blog I found an image of some vintage 1970s fabric and fell in love.

So, feeling inspired by the floral pattern I got out my pencils, watercolours and paper and began my work.
After so long of having to design for a specific purpose, to a design brief, for someone else; it was nice to just do it for me.
I had no one to show them to, to ask if I was doing the right thing - because I didn't have to. They were mine, almost like a secret I would never show the world.
Obviously I am showing the world, and therefore, they no longer become a secret, but I'm proud of them and the peace they bought me whilst doing them.



So, if you haven't designed, drawn or painted for a while. Find the time - you won't regret it, if anything, you will feel so much better afterwards.

Here are my designs; feel free to comment, or not, it's up to you...

Topshop SS11 - A Love Story

The lovely people at Topshop sent me one of their newsletter emails the other day with the preview of their SS11 collection and I must say, I fell in love instantly. The collection is right on trend taking inspiration from the 1970s theme seen so heavily on the catwalks and shows us lots of vibrant colours and sumptuous fabrics, however, unlike the H+M collection that was previewed last week, Topshop uses lots of pattern and volume.

As you can see from the picture, Topshop has been inspired by Free Love, Peace and Hippies, perfect for a lazy Summer holiday spent on an exotic beach. The design shown uses patterns mixed with vibrant hues of pink in an ethereal design.

This design shows another design that makes the theme perfectly; wide legged trousers are teamed with another volumous top and the key piece to have; open toed platforms. I especially love the the mixture of textures with the sheer blouse, denim trouser and the chunky knit poncho-wrap.


This collection certainly is a dream come true, Topshop takes all the essence of 1970s fashion and combines it with their modern edge to make something simply sublime. Almost a masterpiece, I for one can't wait till these hit the shops!

Looking forward to S/S 2011 - Getting that Seventies vibe!

As we begin to look forward through the gloom of the rainy weather, we can see a silver lining in the distance... the trend report for S/S 2011.

The forecast for ready to wear has a heavy influence from the 1970s, and if the newly released H+M S/S collection is anything to go by; the UK high street is going in the same direction.

Forget mini skirts this spring, what you want to be looking out for is the maxi and the midi. The Maxi has been a staple on most designers hit list for a fair few seasons, however, the Midi is making a welcome return in the form of forties and seventies inspired midi dresses (shown below).

Disco fever makes a comeback in the form of hotpants, along with platform peep toes, wide legged trousers, satin blazers and blouses. Tops and maxi dresses are influenced further by the addition of halter neck tops. All of which feature heavily in the H+M preview (below).
Take a look at the full preview for yourself here:
http://tinyurl.com/3yeshdj

Sale Update: Today's hot topic: ASOS.com

Another flick through the online sales bought me to ASOS, where a veritable array of bargains awaits the potential shopper. In some cases some of the items have been discounted as much as 75% - and when you think that you could have been paying £100 for one item - it makes it worth you while to have a look.

I've put together some of the sale items to make a great smart casual outfit for you to while away the winter of 2011, whilst still looking stylish and on trend.

Bag: Mischa Barton Chelsea Fabric Detail Clutch; Was £39 Now £20
Ankle Boots: Shellys Montgomery Lace Up Suede Heeled Ankle Boot; Was £75 Now £45
Necklace: ASOS Mesh Tie Necklace; Was £20 Now £11
Leggings: Mango Seamed Jeggings; Was £37.90 Now £19.90
Cardigan:Trapeze Hem Cardigan Was £34 Now £14

But you don't have to take my word for it ladies, there are literally thousands of bargains just waiting to be bought by you! Check out their website at www.asos.com

Looking forward to the year ahead...

Well, 2011 is nearly upon us and I thought I would look forward to the year ahead in Fashion. Mainly A/W 2010-11 and the key trends for now - so you all know what to buy in those January Sales!!!
There are 2 main trends for women at the moment:

'Hitchcock'
Inspired by Hitchcock's femme fatales and 'film noir', this trend was mainly encapsulated by the Prada and Lanvin collections. 1940's austerity influences come in the form of wool skirt suits and double breasted belted jackets.

Accessories and Key Pantone Colours for 'Hitchcock'
 

Key Colours: Camel tones, mixed with a hint of masculine in grey and black. Key Pieces: Woolen Pencil Skirts, Structured Handbags made from Patent Leather and Driving Gloves.

High-Waisted Karen Millen Woolen Pencil Skirt with Chiffon Blouse

'Renaissance'

Natural meets man made in Renaissance with the warrior-like essence of Joan of Arc. Natural Wool and Fur trims are mixed with chain-mail and metal studded leather. 

Elements and Key Pantone colours for 'Renaissance'

Key Colours: Earth rooted forest colours such as leafy green and berry red are blended with tanned brown leathers and black. Key Peices: Slim fit trousers, Leather riding boots and cozy cardigans in Chain mail knits.

An example of Chain Mail knit.

So, enjoy the sales Ladies!! 

For more information - check out www.fashionsnoop.com