SOPHIE HULME - PART 1 - PERSONAL STYLE

Hi everyone,

I am literally just back from London town. I had a fantastic time interning at Sophie Hulme and I am so excited to show you the photographs I captured during my time there.

I attended her Presentation in the Portico Rooms at Somerset House yesterday and it was amazing. I was backstage dressing the models into their outfits. I took lots of photographs backstage of the models getting their hair and makeup done which I am really thrilled about. I will go into further detail regarding this tomorrow however, as at the moment, I wish to focus on my 'Personal Style' - as promised. 

OUTFITTING 

My boyfriend and I went to Gordon Ramsay's restaurant 'MAZE' during our time in London as a Valentines Day treat. We also visited Jamie Oliver's restaurant a few times as we enjoy eating there so much. I would really advise anyone visiting London to eat out in Jamie's Italian - especially the one in Angel. I've been to the one in Covent Garden and it was nowhere near as good. 

And for those of you wondering, Jamie's restaurant was far better than Gordon Ramsays! The difference in price between them was phenomenal too. For beautiful food and amazing customer service at a very reasonable price - Jamie's Italian wins hands down.

Here are some of the outfits I wore to go out for meals with my boyfriend/outfits I wore to work. Pretty much everything I wear is vintage accessorised with contemporary pieces. I really enjoy mixing old and new.

Playsuit - Vintage, Beyond Retro (Soho)

Shoes - Vintage, Gucci (purchased in Beyond Retro)

Necklace and hosiery - Vivienne Westwood

Belted 60's gingham dress - Vintage, (The Closet, Aberdeen)

Burberry Mac - Vintage, (Mr Bens, Glasgow)

Black embellished shoes - Vintage (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Black bowling bag - Vivienne Westwood

Hosiery - As before

Crop top - Vintage, (Beyond Retro, Soho)

Stone washed jeans - Vintage (as above)

Black velvet shoes (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Same outfit as top, accessoried with Vivienne Westwood jacket, bag and Gucci shoes.

Here are some other vintage buys I purchased in London. My personal favourites are the Diane Von Furstenberg knitted top and the Aldo shoes. Love the turban too, I need to think carefully about what outfits to wear it with. All suggestions are very welcome!

Shoes -Vintage Aldo (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Top - Vintage, Diane Von Furstenberg (Beyond Retro, Soho)

Shoe boots - Vintage, Michael Kors (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Pumps - Marc Jacobs (Rokit Covent Garden)

Knitted sweater - Vintage, Ralph Lauren (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Socks - Tabio (Harrods) 

LOVE THESE

Turban - (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Faux fur kitten heels - Vintage (Rokit, Covent Garden)

I believe I only purchased one item that was not vintage... I've had my eyes on a pair of Creepers for a long time. After photographing street style, I felt compelled to purchase a pair as I saw so many men and women rocking them. I got mine from Topshop Oxford Street.

I think that's about it regarding London buys. On a totally different subject, my boyfriend thinks I am resembling Fearne Cotton a lot recently... I'll let you be the judge.

Shirt and tartan skirt - Vintage, (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Oh, and I got my very own London Fashion Week pass. Personalised and all. Cool, huh?

COMING SOON... BACKSTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY, GRAFFITI RESEARCH, PHILIP TREACY POST AND AN EXCLUSIVE SOPHIE HULME INTERVIEW!! ... I have to keep you waiting. Sorry!

COSY KNITS FOR FALL

Ever since purchasing my vintage Jaeger cardigan, I've wanted to write a post about Fall Fashion. 

Now that September has arrived I'm beginning to get excited about the prospect of purchasing some cool Winter knits and cosy pieces - cardigans and jackets are the main pieces I'm excited about purchasing. 

Can't get enough of this cardigan. I think its the multicolour zebra print?

For reasons unknown, there is nothing I am looking forward to more than coming home from University for the Winter, teetering off to Starbucks across the slushy ice with my boyfriend and indulging in a large Signature Hot Chocolate (with cream) whilst wearing my snuggly Winter clothes.

I scanned my wardrobe and realised I barely have any Fall/Winter clothes. I was really lucky with my Jaeger cardigan as The Closet (that amazing vintage shop in Aberdeen I constantly talk about) only do two stock changes a year - Summer and Winter season changes. Prior to their Winter clothes stock being swapped with the current Summer pieces, the store manager Elane offered to take in some knits that she thought I might like. I went back to the shop the next day and she showed me two Jaeger cardigans - the one below and an edge to edge black and white one. She also showed me a gorgeous cashmere cardigan with pearls and embellishment.

 I chose the first Jaeger cardigan as it went well with some of the pieces I've purchased for London Fashion Week and its very "ME". I love it. 

I've resisted all temptation to wear it out as I'm saving it for London Fashion Week. I've only worn it for Lookbook photographs.

Here are the ONLY Winter clothes I appear to own - just the top halves, I wouldn't wear flowery Hawaiian pants in Winter. I practically live in them so we come as a pair nowadays...

Jaeger multicolour knit cardigan - Vintage (The Closet)

Black vest - Topshop

Vintage customised Levi's (Topshop Oxford St)

Tapestry bag - Vintage (Old lady neighbour gave it to me)

Little black leather boots - Vintage (ROKIT Covent Garden)

I love the look from the back the best

Shoulder padded turquoise Zandra Rhodes blazer - Vintage (Mr Bens Glasgow)

Crazy Hawaiian pants - Vintage (ROKIT Covent Garden)

Chancery bag and resin skull necklace (both Vivienne Westwood) 

Red leather fringed boots - Kurt Geiger

Its becoming more and more apparent that I pretty much live in my Westwood accessories. I will carry that bag and wear that necklace until the day I die.

The Zandra Rhodes outfit may not strike you as very Wintery, but its actually quite warm and cosy as its a few sizes too big. I love the cool-toned turquoise colour too. I'll probably wear this as a throw over on nights out during the Festive Season. 

I've always wanted to purchase a Zandra Rhodes piece since meeting her in London - she's kooky and amazing.

Feathered roll-sleeve cardigan - 'The Ragged Priest' (Topshop Oxford St)

Rest of my ensemble - as before.

I purchased this cardigan whilst I was living in London and it's UNBELIEVABLY hot. I don't know what I was thinking buying this as temperatures in London varied from 25-30 degrees when I was there, not to mention the tubes that I caught to and from work were much warmer. 

I can't wait to get good use of this in the Winter. Love the feather detailing.

Faux-leopard coat - New Look (I bought this last year when I was a Sales Advisor there and it must be the only piece of New Look clothing that I've not trashed. Its so cosy and I love accessorising it with vintage brooches to keep it looking mature and more expensive!)

I enjoy adding to my brooch collection when I can

As you can see, my Winter collection is not up to scratch, but I have plenty of time to pick up some more knits and jackets. I'll hopefully pick up some more pieces in the charity shops in Galashiels nearer Winter time.

In the mean time, here is my selection of some of my favourite Winter Pieces from Beyond Retro. Their online store is incredible. I may have to make a few Christmas present requests from here...

1970's fringe-trim vintage poncho 

1960's vintage cape

1980's vintage folk leather jacket - love this the most. 

Vintage terracotta 1990's smart jacket

Vintage chic black and crimson 1990's jacket

Vintage 1990's casual abstract print coat

...Oops. Did I say the word 'Christmas'...? I'm horrifically excited for Christmas already. I don't suppose the fact I've watched Elf repetitively in the past couple of weeks has helped. 

The other day I was hanging out some washing when everything around me seemed to turn pink. I gazed up at the sky, ran back into my house to grab my camera and took this photograph of the sun setting on my Nikon.

Seeing this made me really miss my boyfriend James. Sorry regular followers who know this but I would just like to reiterate to those of you who don't - my boyfriend works offshore and goes away for weeks at a time. Sometimes it gets a little hard as I miss him A LOT (we've been together for nearly four years and are pretty much joined at the hip). Its a scary thought that the next time I see him he will have travelled up to my new house in Galashiels and I will be a second year Fashion Communication student. 

What I want to say is this. Thank you so much to everyone who follows my blog, comments, tweets me, talks to me on Lookbook... I know who my regular followers are at it means so much to me to read your comments on my posts. 

The comments I read and the sheer volume of people who have started following my blog in such a short space of time inspires me to post as much as I do, and it really takes my mind off of being nervous about going back to University and missing my boyfriend.   

Please continue to read my blog as often as possible and recommend it to others. I try really hard to not limit this blog and make it as cosmopolitan as possible so it appeals to everyone. 

My mum has been taking my Lookbook photographs. Watching her attempt to work an SLR is hilarious. We laugh together though and I think she enjoys seeing me put together my outfits for her to shoot.

Although recently, my blog would appear to new followers that its a "personal style blog". Apologies to those of you who are not into that kind of thing, but I want to show off my new vintage purchases as much as possible! (no point in buying gorgeous clothes to keep them hidden in a wardrobe)

ALSO, please please please nominate me for the Cosmopolitan Blog Award. I'd be thrilled if even a couple of you would. The badge is at the top of my page, if you would be so kind...

xoxo