February = Flip-flops. Really?

Depending on where you are in the country, you may or may not be experiencing an unusual burst of hot (okay warm-ish) weather this week. At the weekend, we saw the well-missed sun, and without surprise, the majority of the male population decided that the t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops were ready to emerge from the back of the wardrobe. I really don't understand men. Just because it's sunny, it doesn't mean it's significantly warmer. I personally think they don't feel the cold. Or at least that's what they like us to believe. Even in mid winter, they don't feel the need to go out with a jacket or coat because it's "not that cold". Uh huh. That's why there's snow falling and ice forming on the windscreen. Primary example, my postman who insisted on wearing SHORTS throughout the winter months. Baffling.

So where does this leave us 'normal' people when deciding the appropriate time to shed the winter clothes and boots and swap them for floral dresses and sandals? With all the spring clothes on the highstreet at the moment, I can't say I haven't been tempted to buy something. But then the logic kicks in and reminds me that it's still under 15 degrees outside and probably will be for the near future.

On the plus side, I have longer to plan what I'm going to buy when it finally warms up. A few of the things on my wish list are -

This beautiful skirt from River Island. Even though the colour is quite dark, I can imagine wearing it with a simple vest and denim waistcoat on a summer's evening or at a casual bbq. Boy am I looking forward to summer...

If by any chance I get the hopeful wash-board stomach by summer (unlikely), this would be a must. So cute. Luckily for me there's a dress and playsuit in the same print; well done New Look.



A bargain for all of you on a student budget like me, these wedges are a bargain! £18 at Matalan and on trend with crochet; what more could you ask for?? 

I desperately want these. Everyone needs a pair of denim shorts, and these from Topshop are great. Loving the stars and stripes! Now just to find the money for this new summer wardrobe...

BAFTAS Vs GRAMMYS - The Fight for the Fashion Crown

It is that time of the year again. The battle between celebrities to be crowned Fashion Queen as they strut down the red carpet in their show-stopping gowns. And with the Grammys and Baftas being held on the same evening, it seems that there's definite rivalry to the award ceremony with the best dressed celebs. This year, by far, the Grammys have taken the top spot.

As much as I dislike her, Taylor Swift's gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad definitely stood out for me; his Eastern-European cultural influences are clear in the fabric and design which makes it very individual amongst other long dresses on the red carpet. Another classic, but beautiful number was by Gomez-Gracia worn by Carrie Underwood. Such a simple silhouette but the sparkling white fabric makes it very hard to take your eyes off of it. It's great to see smaller designers taking the limelight at awards shows; as a fashion student it's great to find new inspiration.

In the whirlwind of stunning dresses, there's always a few outfits that leave us all with blank faces. This year, the award goes to...Nicki Minaj. Famous for her outrageous fashion sense, I know, but really what is this?? Completely and utterly odd, not to mention the fact she turned up with the Pope as her plus one... (check this link out)

 http://www.metro.co.uk/music/890138-nicki-minaj-brings-pope-to-grammy-awards-as-she-performs-exorcism-during-roman-holiday

The Bafta celebrities somewhat disappointed me. Most dresses were either dull, drab or borderline disgusting. However, Michelle Williams bespoke H&M dress was very cute, and it was great to see a highstreet chain being a big contender at the Baftas. In contrast, Ferne Cotton's dress designed by Moschino was totally individual, yet suited her perfectly. The peachy colour is vibrant and youthful, which is nice to see amongst the majority of nudes, black and white.

Now, if I was in some alternate reality and I was going to the Baftas/Grammys, I would love to wear this Zuhair Murad dress, I have completely fallen in love with it. Ah well, dream on Holly...

Victoria Beckham: Just another Celebrity turned Fashion Designer?

I have always been very sceptical of celebrities, (well if we can call them that...) that have turned their hand to a bit of fashion design. As if it's just a little thing on the side, you know, nothing too difficult. Personally I find it a bit insulting. I mean I spend three years studying a fashion degree, having to prove myself worthy of being an original designer, skilled pattern cutter, and immaculate sewer, without any reliance on actually getting a job at the end of it. But no, not celebs. They obviously are just born with the skills which enables them to swan into the fashion industry and create their own brand of designs, just because they're famous. Colleen Rooney - started her collection for Littlewoods in 2010. Lets be honest, she's a footballer's wife, since when does that suggest that she would be a dab hand at designing clothes? As a matter of fact, does she even design the clothes herself?? Katie Price, Emma Watson, Kelly Brook, Ferne Cotton, Lily Allen...the list is never ending. Why is it so difficult these days for celebrities to stick to just one profession; are they not happy with being just a millionaire actress or worldwide pop star? (I've just realised this post is beginning to sound like a rant, so will quickly edge back to my point).

I began thinking about this after seeing Victoria Beckham on the cover of i-D, looking stunning if I do say so myself.

Victoria Beckham was one of the first popstars to turn to fashion, and at first everyone thought it was just a fad and it would soon fade into the background. In this case, no. I think it's about time to admit that Victoria Beckham can be rightly referred to as a fashion designer; the overwhelming success of her recent collection at New York Fashion Week just about proves it. She has upped her game; her designs have stepped up a notch from the fitted feminine dresses to casual bomber jackets and relaxed silhouettes expressing a sporty, modern feel.

It's something new, and if it truly is her that designs her collections (which I do hope so), then it shows that she has progressed as a designer and is passionate about what she does. After nearly four years in the business now and many years prior to this experiencing being a model, fashion editor and ambassador for Dolce and Gabbana, I think we can rule out that Victoria Beckham is ever going to fade into the background...

The Importance of Marketing

Currently we are working towards our photoshoot, where we have the opportunity to professionally get one of our final collection outfits photographed for the purpose of advertising ourselves prior to our catwalk show in June. Without thinking too much into it, it seems quite simple. A model. Hair and make-up. A man who knows what he's doing with a camera. But it seems through a week of research, there is a lot more to it.

Hair and make-up has to fit the style of your collection. It has to compliment, but not distract from the clothes; it needs to look different, but not over the top. Flicking through Vogue this week has proved that getting inspiration for the hair and make-up I want is really difficult! Plus with only one shot of getting the 'perfect' image that will sum up my collection, there's a lot of pressure to get it right. Essentially, it will be the image that pinpoints me as a Fashion graduate and what employers are either going to be drawn to, or be put off by. Looks like I better get it right...

Poses. By this I mean how the model is positioned in the photo. Standing, sitting, lying down, looking away, looking at the camera, arm up, arm down?? Far too many options, but again it's essential to getting the ideal marketing image. It is about creating a story; if you saw the image you would know what the collection is about, what type of woman would wear it, her age, personality, hobbies... A couple of ads that are successful at this in my opinion are for Giorgio Armani and Mulberry's Spring/Summer collections.

The way the woman is standing in first image collates a feeling of sophistication and serenity; she creates mystery by looking away and the hat covering part of her face suggests she has something to hide. Okay, maybe I'm looking into it a bit much but can you see where I'm coming from? Mulberry's seaside image is fun and cute - it fits with the pastel colour palette of the relaxed floaty maxis and casual outdoor macs for those spring showers. Perfect story, perfect marketing tool.

Well I hope I have informed you all on the in-depth process that is preparing for a photoshoot! I have to admit it is only in the last week that I have realised all this myself so feel privileged to have joined me in this revelation. Next time you find yourself flicking through a magazine full of adverts (really annoying I know), you can now think to how much time and effort was taken to create them!

So here we go, the dreaded first post.. I thought I'd start with something that has been inspiring me for my final collection. Burberry Prorsum has been a main focus for my market research and inspiration recently , initially because their latest collections have been beautifully British and capture the essence of outdoor chic.

Being a womenswear designer myself, I tend to focus on the women's catwalk show, more so than the men's. However, when I realised that the effortlessly sculpted face of Eddie Redmayne featured on their most recent advertising campaign, things changed. I will take this opportunity to say that this man, first brought to my attention in the film 'My week with Marilyn' (a very good film by the way), is extremely beautiful, and will very soon be pinned on my wall. For inspirational purposes obviously...

Back to the designs. Trench coats clearly a must; fur lined parkas and a running theme of feature fastenings and chunky belts. Bold prints and stripes enhance the spring coloured palette of olive greens, orange, yellow and sky blue. I particularly like the voluminous draped and folded skirts, and the key parka in the collection - modelled by Cara Delevingne here in their marketing advert.

Always on top of the fashion scene, Burberry have once again pulled out all the stops for a stand-out Spring Summer Collection.