What's new, pussycat?

What's new, pussycat? by sianconway featuring kate spade

Short sleeve dress
topshop.com

Manolo blahnik
marissacollections.com

Chanel
malleries.com

Kate spade
dillards.com

Maison michel
net-a-porter.com

Vintage eyewear
etsy.com

Paul Joe lip makeup
asos.com

My dream Halloween outfit, though I'd fain wear it every other day of the year - ears and all!
Loosely inspired by Hepburn and Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.

Summer Wishlist

Summer Wishlist by sianconway

It's clear to see where this wishlist derived its inspiration. Summer by the seaside has been a permanent feature of my summer holidays, as it is for most people. Despite it's annual predictability, being whisked away to the ever-sun-drenched beach town of Castlegregory, Co.Kerry never ceases to instill any less than utter excitement in me. This particular wishlist is allowing me to pack my fantasy tan, leather, sticker-adorned suitcase for this year's trip, deliberately excusing my barren bank account.

• Tortoiseshell cat-eyed sunglasses: I'm not a Ray-Ban girl, nor do I suit Aviators. The solitary style of sunglasses I would ever dare to don are these mid-century darlings. Parfait for keeping that blinding Irish sun (yes, it actually exists) out of my eyes.
• Charlotte Olympia Kitty slippers: Myself summed up in shoe form. I feel like these are a smidgen out of place, considering a cat's disdainful attitude towards water but I couldn't resist. I much preferred the navy pair but finding a photo of them in full proved fruitless.
• Woolen Miu Miu cardigan: For those evening strolls along the beach, parallel to the brilliant orange sun dipping beneath the sea's horizon. To drape around the shoulders when it get's a little "nippy" to aptly quote my mother.
• Lanvin shell bag: Simple, compact and would effortlessly compliment any outfit. I am also a sucker for anything clam-shaped.
• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov: It is a mortal sin to neglect toting a good book along with you on holidays. I'm determined to get the "classics" read. This, alongside The Catcher in the Rye, feature at the very top of my list. I'm open to extending my list so suggestions are more than welcome!
• Chanel Mademoiselle: Recently, I have been catching whiffs of this distinct, girly, summery scent everywhere, sending me reeling into bursts of nostalgic yearning for another bottle. No perfume compares - the same can be said about their concrete price tag. Christmas it is, so.
• Versace starfish ring: Tieing back in with the sea theme, I have been voraciously searching for a starfish ring for years only to constantly be acquainted with disappointment. Polyvore tells me that H&M does a knock off of this which I'll have to further investigate.

The deep pain in my heart caused by the realisation that none of this wishlist shall be mine is partially being soothed by the beautiful weather Met Eireann has just promised! Until the next quixotic list of wants...

Rihanna: Monochrome Simplicity @ LAX

Rihanna's fashion reign is showing no signs of coming to a halt. No matter where she's headed (LAX in this instance), the paparazzi posse lap behind her, eagerly snapping her up. Monochrome simplicity was the word as Rihanna strolled through the international airport after taking a well deserved break in the Bahamas following, what can only be described as, a successful as hell year.

The look consisted of a plain white tee bearing the Céline brand name complete with rolled up sleeves for added "DIY", a maxi skirt as figure flattering and light as a sarong but in a colour less "holiday" appropriate, simplistic gold jewellery, modest open toe sandals and thick rimmed glasses that look like they've been taken right off the face of Wally (from Where's Wally fame) and further shrouding his whereabouts in a cloud of mystery. The cherry on top (pardon the pun) is a pop of pillarbox red on the lips breaking the black and white theme.

The logo tshirt hails from Céline's 2012 Resort collection and would set you back $405. According to rational Sian, a tshirt is merely a tshirt and is not worth but thankfully rational Sian is not as dominant as the fashion adoring Sian who, although lacks in sufficient funding, would rather go the whole hog and wear the real deal over some knock off.
There must be a triumphant air of pride that fills you up, in knowing that what you're wearing is genuine. I often wonder, on my quotidien travels, whether or not the bags, adorned with the infamous interlocking double-C symbol of Chanel, that I see girls toting around with them, are real or simply a counterfeit souvenir from a back alley market in Spain on a random holiday.

But for now, I'll just have to sit back and drool in a state of envious lust.

Farewell, 2011

As we transcend from 2011 into the unknown of 2012 (fearing the supposed ending of the world and the general  uncertainty of what this new year entails), reflecting on the past year and it's ups, downs, and downright unforgettable (whether in a good way or a bad way) is, in most cases, the first activity when embracing the new year. I am no different and decided, as generic as it is, that I would compile a list of 2011's fashion highlights and heroes, the trends and people that rocked the ever-evolving world of fashion and captivated us throughout the year. Unfortunately I can't afford an extravagant ceremony to celebrate the following, or have gongs to distribute so hopefully a brief paragraph devoted to each shall suffice. And the winners are...

FACE OF THE YEAR - CHARLOTTE FREE

2011 has, without a doubt, been the year of the 18 year old beauty, Charlotte Free, an aspiring music and circus performer. Ms. Free was discovered in an arcade by an agent in 2010, and her modelling career has since gone from strength to strength, dominating Jeremy Scott, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel catwalks to name but a few. Her signature grunge style and candy-hued hair has really made her stand out in the fashion world, and continues to determine her success. She recently appeared in Topshop's F/W makeup collection and Uniqlo's S/S campaigns and has followed the likes of Kate Moss, Lindsey Wixon and fashion's other famous faces to bag her own shoot with Terry Richardson. All the best for 2012, Charlotte - not like you need it.

OUTFIT OF THE YEAR - KATE MIDDLETON'S WEDDING DRESS

AKA the most talked about outfit of the year. I must admit, as a proud Irish woman, the Royal family has never interested me but on April the 29th, I found myself parked in front of the television, eagerly anticipating the unveiling of The Dress. I'm pretty sure the collective sigh of awe expressed by every other member of the female, and probably male too, gender could have been heard in the next galaxy, quickly followed by worldwide envy. It really was the ultimate fairy tale dress, designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen (proving correct the bets by many people, including myself). The lace upper body, the classic shape and the not-too-long train paired with Kate's natural beauty and elegance was simply divine. The dress managed to confirm the fashion houses future success after the uncertainty following McQueen's suicide, and will inevitably influence many brides to come.

TREND OF THE YEAR - CREEPERS

An unlikely trend. Brothel creepers began to emerge following WW2 by George Cox, who's inspiration derived from the thick, crepe-soled boots worn by soldiers stationed in desert areas and went on to be favoured by Teddy Boys during the 50's. Their popularity surged once more during the 70's, and the the height and style of the sole became more extreme. More recently, they have been a very underground trend until this year where they became a predominant feature at fashion shows for Prada, Sonia Rykiel, Ashish and sported by the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Alice Dellal, Cher Lloyd and many others. Since I purchased my own pair of these unpretty "it" shoes, I have practically lived in them. Their raised soles add height to my otherwise tiny stature and slim unwanted, chunky legs.

TREND I'M BLOODY SICK OF - VARSITY JACKETS

Don't get me wrong, I find myself longing for the leather sleeved, oversized, clashing coloured jackets worn by stereotypical jocks in 80's movies (or the Mathletes in Mean Girls) but when these jackets are replaces by a watered-down version and worn by nearly every single teenager in Ireland, I think it's plain to see how easily they lose their appeal. The jacket worn by the character of Andrew Clark, the typical macho sports fanatic, in the Breakfast Club would be turning in it's grave if it ever had the displeasure of being acquainted with it's cheap successor - all over cotton and open to anyone, even those who don't actually play a sport which defeats the jacket's entire purpose. Following the bandanna trend of 2010 and the ongoing appeal in Adidas tracksuits, which I shall never succumb to or understand, the varisty jacket has become a staple in the wardrobe's of this country's youth, and stripping it of it's initial originality. I honestly hope to never see one again.

And that conclude's my pathetically slight list of what made this year, fashion wise, in my eyes. Other contenders include the current velvet craze, Lady GaGa's ever-constant fashion musings (we shall see in the coming months whether or not her prediction of the colour mint's popularity for spring is fruitful or not) and the love affair with ombred hair that captivated the female population. Here's to another year, full of surprises. Happy New Year, everyone.

Chanel: Paris Bombay Pre-Fall 2012

"It's much more inspiring not to go to places than to go" 
Karl Lagerfeld on India, a place which he has never been but is clearly captivated by, judging by the Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 show in Paris. So much inspired was he, that the show was aptly titled "Paris Bombay" effortlessly capturing the collection's merge of the two cities. The Grand Palais was transformed into a feast for the eyes, and literally for the lucky spectators, as the catwalk was bordered by a lavishly decorated, parallel banquet. An occasion fit for a raja, perhaps?

What a wonderful collection this was. All senses are evoked simply by beholding the stunning images. The feel of silk saris against the skin in explosions of golds, burnt oranges, brilliant magenta's, the colour of the sweltering, setting sun. Exotic spices and inscences invade the nostrils and is that your mind just playing tricks on you or do you really hear the enticing melody from a snake charmer's pungi? Lagerfeld invites us to visit the enigmatic country of our dreams without booking a flight. We get to experience a culture so very different from our own, with very Indian characteristics featured throughout the collection; turbans adorning the men's heads, extravagant headpieces, humble sandals and ethnic jewelry. 


The contrast between Western and Eastern culture is simply divine, as typical Chanel tweeds, luxe jackets and accessorizing of pearls are littered throughout to create the culture fusion. The very "un Chanel" black rimmed eyes and dreaded updo's signify this as a step in a new direction for Chanel, without losing it's signature aspects.
Such a beautiful collection. I shall be dreaming in a vision of the mysterious far east tonight.

       

                                         

ABBEY LEE KERSHAW'S LUX HIPPY STYLE

Back in December 2009, when I was beginning to curb my growing hunger for fashion, I discovered a model known as Abbey Lee Kershaw. Pictures of the stunning, gap toothed, mousy haired girl littered the first copy of Vogue I ever bought (Australian Vogue as I was in New Zealand) and I was hooked.
Abbey's popularity has boomed since then and she is now a regular on catwalks and is in nearly every bloody fashion campaign at the moment, including Gucci, Versace for H&M, and Versace's fragrance Yellow Diamond to name but a few.

The Austrailian model's hair has also morphed from her plain, natural hair into a Chanel bob to, finally, her shoulder length platinum blonde 'do she's been sporting for a good while now.
Along with her boom in popularity over the past few years, Abbey's style has really started to emancipate. She has a unique, kooky style but not in a "deliberately zany" way. Favouring floor length skirts in a variety of patterns, glamorous jewellery and at least one luxury item, Abbey's style is like a smartly dressed hippy.
Her look is always topped off with barely-there hair either left down or pulled into a low bun.

I admire Abbey's style. She hasn't let herself succumb to conformity, and at the same time, doesn't try so hard to be different. Kudos to you, Abbey.

Lady Gaga Out and About in London

This is slowly becoming a Lady Gaga Outfit Appreciation blog but you cannot deny, the woman is fabulous. Whether you love her, hate her or are a farmer in county Down who thinks she needs to put on more clothes, her style is a chameleon, ever-evolving to accompany new trends.

Tottering about London before her Jonathon Ross appearance, in those mint skyscraper boots (the texture and colour looking very much like the Chanel boots worn by Lindsay Wixon at Paris Fashion Week, see my previous post), the singer best known for her eclectic fashion donned a see through lace dress from Simone Rocha's 2012 SS collection, a Baby Spice-esque fur coat, kooky retro glasses and the cherry on top - a pastel green beehive.

This look captures the recurring trend of pastels seen in SS 2012 collections, like House of Holland, Chanel, Meadham Kirchhoff and others and typical Gaga, she's ahead of them all.
That's why the Lady is a tramp.

Chanel Spring Summer 2012 @ Paris Fashion Week

You are cordially invited

Please forgive me for my use of a terrible pun, but there was definitely something fishy going on with the Chanel S/S 2012 collection at Paris Fashion Week.This show was too perfect to escape a blog post. Hosted under the glass-domed roof of the Grand Palais, it was very much under the sea (I hope you're all humming that for the rest of the day now) with a very tranquil looking catwalk which was the length of two football pitches; an underwater inspired paradise with clumps of seaweed, shells and "bubbles".

One by one, the models began to emerge from a bubble-infested cavern. The first few monochrome outfits are pretty basic - knee length skirts, structured shape and practical. A minute or so in and we start to get a taster of the pastels that seem to be so popular for Spring/Summer, after Daphne Groeneveld, in a glitter adorned white ensemble - the perfection being that it doesn't end up looking tacky. When they zoomed in on her, that's when I noticed, all the model's had pearls adorning their slicked back hair. A cute, fitting accompaniment to the underwater theme.

The outfits were very much sea inspired, the shapes and patterns reminded me very much of fish; the use of metallics symbolizing the metallic sheen of a fish, the criss crossed patterns that resemble a fish's scales, chiffon skirts flaring at the bottom recreating the shape of a fish's tail.
A fusion of very 90's transparent, plastic rain coats, chiffon, florals, metallics, and of course, the trademark tweed jackets and quilted, chain bags.
As if this wasn't a spectacle for the lucky front-rowers, the life sized clam opened itself up to reveal Florence Welch, concealed inside. Welch proceeded to sing What the Water Gave Me (another cleverly suiting addition) looking like a modern day, Chanel-clad Venus, while the models continued their rounds along the "seafloor".

On the beauty side, were pearlescent nails with matching eyeshadow and natural groomed brows. It was a very metallic affair, and natural like the sea itself.
All in all, a very cutesy, mermaid inspired show. My favourite was the minty coloured outfit worn by Lindsey Wixon.

I don't know about any of you, but this show was most aesthetic to behold. Ya done good, Lagerfeld.