....Cosmic Costumes at ECA Fashion Show 13

In the final blog of my series on Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show 2013, thought I'd give you a glimpse into the curious world of costume design. Oh boy, is that world cosmic and another planet! Definitely some amazing creative talent on display during this part of the show.

Here are my picks & interpretation....

Olivia Hulme was simply Ab Fab! 

Stacy Jansen's Tartan Maasai Warriors

Vogue party time with the 2nd Year ECA Mascots

2nd Year ECA Mascots 

Lady Gaga even made an entrance with The School for Scandal

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Looking forward to next years crowd already!

Good luck graduates

Jx

....Hats off to the Fashion & Textile Students

As promised, some more photos from the Edinburgh College of Art premiere that I attended yesterday. I thought I would use this blogpost to focus on some stunning accessorises - namely hats and bags.

Here we go with the 2nd Edit....

Caroline Nadzanja: New age Tuareg's

Caroline Nadzanja: Knitting a knitwear hat

Aisling Duffy: Pom-pom hattinators

Clare Baird: Super sizing metallic totes

Clare Baird: More supersized totes - imagine what you could fit in there?

jx

NB Costume next....

....New Designers on the (Edinburgh) Block!

Earlier today, aspiring fashion & textile designers graduated from Edinburgh College of Art by showcasing their collections. It's a prestigious event with the students hoping that a designer (or few) may snap them up for future employment.

So much to tell you, so here's some snaps to get us started. More to follow in the next few days.

Here's my 1st edit...

2nd Yr Fashion & Textiles: Sizzling colours

2nd Yr Fashion & Textiles: Wedges & wing-collars

Aisling Duffy: Pom-pom slippers, cut-work

Shauni Douglas: Tache-sporrans, sporran whips & trews

Laura-Jayne Nevin: Downy ducklings, intricate webs

Alanna Emmerton: Sport luxe, mesh, layers

Jennifer Alexander: Rave, zig-zag, smile

Lauren Smith: China blue, pattern cutting

jx

Which is your favourite?

NB: Costume, handbags, hats and more designers still to come....

....To-Wit To-Whoo in Tweed

Well, it seems there is a lot of tweed in the shops at the moment so I thought I'd share my favourite picks with you....

Starting with this beautiful Jigsaw multicolour tweed dress.

Personally I'd go for an elegant look at team with Prada sling backs and a classic 60's style jacket....

Shoes Prada, Jacket Hobbs

Also loving Jaeger Boutique's Emma Tweed jacket in bright green-and even better, it's on sale from £199 to £125! Don't let the colour scare you - it's very lifting. It has a pretty peplum style edge and a cute cross over pleat at the back.

If budgets are tighter and you like the spring yellow theme then Zara have a yellow tweed dress for £35.99-isn't cotton tweed a bit of an oxymoron though?

If your feeling brave & want to show off your pins, then Victoria Beckham has a pair of tweed twill shorts.

Finally, how could I do a post about tweed and not mention the now infamous Mulberry mint tweed coat with daisy buttons that Mrs C (Duchess of Cambridge for those who don't know my blog) wore earlier this week. Suffice to say its sold out but here's the picture of it for us all to admire anyway....

Jx

NB I also happen to own a Jigsaw Tweed jacket that is tres Channelesque! C'est Bon?

Jacket Jigsaw

....How to Wear a "Malcolm Mowat" Scarf

Following the success of my "How to..." series, I've linked up with Malcolm Mowat's to bring you round 2, "How to tie a Malcom Mowat Worsted Scarf...".  Through the powers of Twitter, I came across Malcolm Mowat's website and got in touch straight away because their spring scarves are just lovely. Kindly, Malcolm Mowat agreed for me to borrow the Fionn Spring Scarf so that I could bring you more fabulous ways to tie a scarf. There are two other scarves in the range as seen in the photo below.

Firstly a bit about the scarves....

Malcolm Mowat scarves are made from 100% pure worsted wool. If you didn't know, the wool has many great qualities such as fine, durable and lightweight.  Worsted wool is also a bit like leather in many respects because it becomes even softer with age. The scarves are priced at £35 which I think is excellent value for such high quality garments and for what would undoubtedly be an investment wardrobe piece.

Here we go again then.....

1. The "driving a classic car look" (with roof down of course!)

2. Reverse neck tie because its all about the BACK these days!

FRONT

BACK

Isn't the highland cow label funky?

3. The bag accessory knot

Bag, Anya Hindmarch

4. The belt

Hope you like my new variations (and the scarf of course)? Which is your favourite this time? Mine is the belt - look much nicer than a leather belt and driving a classic car - obviously weather dependent  that one though!

jx

NB Malcolm Mowat's scarves would look just as good on a man as they are very unisex in appeal. The website is pretty cool too with lots of amazing Scottish shots.

....Swing into Spring with Pretty Pastels & Florals

I've lucked out with the pastel trend this SS13 - possibly my favourite colour palette. Check out my lovely new lilac skinnies teamed with a beautiful silk print floral blouse....

Lilac skinnies Gap

Silk blouse Jigsaw

jx

NB Don't you just love how the silk blouse puffs out when it catches the wind?

....An Elephant (Bag) in the Room?

Funky Little Sister (FLS) just told me the following after seeing these cute & ethical Elephant Branded bags and accessorises in John Lewis....

It seems there is an elephant in the room because she was on her travels in Cambodia last summer and brought these Elephant Branded bags below for a few pounds! So, the question is this, how much is John Lewis paying Elephant Branded for the bags??? And how much does it cost Elephant Branded to make the items??? (The website states for every clipper bag purchased, Elephant Branded will donate a school bag to a child in Africa or Asia. And for every purse or wallet brought, a child will receive a stationery kit). Something doesn't add up!

jx

....Dapper DAKS from brand new boutique

Got to tell you about a brand new Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Boutique that opened today in Edinburgh. I visited towards the end of the day but rumour has it people were queuing to get in before it opened its doors this morning!

Here's a nosey round the boutique (I did check with the manager about taking the photos)

Last but not least....my purchase, a classic DAKS London Blazer in pristine condition. Cost me £24.95!!!! Best of all is the cut and hang-perfect, but then I would expect nothing less from the brand. You have to trust me on this one. It may look a bit old school, even farmer like but once I've shown you a few looks with it you will understand my excitement at this latest wardrobe edition. Incidentally, my friend brought a brand new pair of purple and gold suede Office shoes that set her back a mere £8.50.

 

Ps check out the uber cool light fittings.

....How to Wear an "Anta" Scarf

Most ladies that live in Scotland probably have an item of clothing or home furnishing from Anta. The shop specialises in Scottish woven tweeds & uses the fabric in clothing, rugs, bags etc.

I happen to have a beautiful Anta tartan silk scarf so I'd thought I'd show you all the ways I like to wear it. It doesn't have to be an Anta scarf for these styles to work of course-just my chosen accessory for today's looks.

Here we go.....

1) "Little cravatte" is what I like to call this neck-tie

2) "Like a duchess" (similar to how the Duchess of Cambridge recently wore her Strathearn tartan scarf)

3) Hipster tie-side & front (makes bum look great and totally funky look)

4) Possibly a bit Scottish Widows advert?

So, which is your favourite scarf style? Mine has to be the hipster side tie as its so different and I never see anyone else wearing they're scarf in that style. Closely followed by little cravatte though.

jx