Nic's Guest Post!

Hi everybody! (Feel free to read that in the voice of Dr Nick.) My name is Nicola and I am your resident fashion blogger for today. Myself and Holly have swapped blogs, so you can find her at mine – fivethoughts.wordpress.com – talking about what I normally ramble about. So I’m here to talk to you about fashion. I feel like a bit of a cheat already, given the title of this blog. Today, it’s not so much the-secret-diary-of-a-Fashion-student, more like the-secret-diary-of-an-English-student-who-just-happens-to-like-clothes-and-stuff. Hmm.I apologise for the lack of expertise that you are so ordinarily used to...

I really racked my brains to figure out what to write today. As I am no fashion pro and I tend to rely on humour to cover up my own inadequacy, I thought I’d very vaguely write about the summer trends of 2012 and how we’re wearing them. I realise Holly your resident expert has been writing about next year’s summer for AGES now (these fashion lot, always ahead of the game!) but it’s never bad to focus on the season you’re in. Of course, it’s easy for me to happily ramble about these trends when I’m not actually wearing them due to my own poverty, but that’s what blogging is for! Behold, the most memorable trends that should be in our high streets at the mo...

Print

Yes! Summer means one thing, and that thing is colour! And with colour often comes print, also known as the time it is acceptable to walk around looking like a fruit bowl or some sort of floral garden. I love fruit! And flowers! This is the best season of all. Of course, said colour and print looks MUCH better under glorious sunshine neatly browning your already-glowing tan while you happily sip cocktails and wave fans lazily at your face – it’s just too hot, darling! – but we’re in England. Be serious, now. Wear it anyway.

Bralets

Why do magazines keep implying we should be wearing these? Yes, you CAN pair one with a high-waisted skirt to hide the muffin-top you have after binging on bread in the cold winter months (oh, just me?) but they’re never going to look great on a girl whose cup size is larger than a B. If I stepped out in one with my double-Ds on show, it’s likely the world would collectively gasp in horror and an old biddy might ask me why I forgot to put on a top that morning. Fortunately, as much as we can be told they’re a ‘must have!’, to this day I’ve never seen anyone wear one in public yet, probably because we’d all catch hypothermia. Best to leave them on Rihanna.

Flatforms

I’m actually undecided on these. At first, I was tempted to laugh at how ridiculous they look, but then I realised that they would give a person height without adding the inevitable pain of wearing heels or wedges (yes, WEDGES HURT TOO.) Willing to give these a shot, yes sirree.

Pyjamas

Now, I know Holly has dedicated some blog space to this so I won’t go too far into the pyjama trend. But I will say this... I think it can work. Not on the above picture (a red carpet, Rihanna? REALLY?) but only IF it is worn on a top fashionista with a stick-sized figure and only if the look essentially doesn’t look like pyjamas, more just like they’ve thrown on a cool printed top (not a shirt) and matching beautifully tailored trousers. But even that would look horrendous on your average British high street. So don’t bother.

Snakeskin print

Move over leopard print, there’s a new animal print in town! Well, I know it’s not exactly new, but I’ve seen a lot of snakeskin cropping up over the summer. It looks like the bold look du jour is snakeskin jeans. A risky choice, but one that can work if paired correctly. Like all patterned trousers or leggings, I think this works when your top is a little bit longer than usual. Pattern isn’t so flattering on the top parts of your thighs (certainly not mine, at least) but it can look really jazzy on the rest of your legs. Get some snakeskin in your wardrobe! I even wore a snakeskin print maxi dress for my End of Year Ball, and as I am evidently the ultimate trendsetter, I can see how it has caught on... er, just smile and nod at that...

And that is all from me, fashion followers! I’ve just realised that ironically, when I was given the chance to escape from my blog ‘Five Thoughts I’ve Had This Week’, I wrote about five things. Doh. Apparently I now think of things in groups of five.I’ve also realised that, after typing the words ‘flatforms’ and ‘bralets’, fashion words are silly. Never fear, Holly will be back for your next read. Signing out!

Men's fashion: My loves and hates

As a bit of a change, I thought I'd focus on some men's fashion - a few things I like, and a few things that I really don't. I'll just make it clear now this is just my opinion; please don't have a go at me if you own some of these things!

I'll start with the short sleeved shirt, buttoned right to the top. It's classic, and frankly just cool.

A massive turn off for me is men in flip flops. I can't explain it but it just creeps me out! I know it's a very common thing and I can't really go anywhere without the likelihood of spotting them, but if it was down to me they wouldn't be allowed. Sandals I can accept (without socks obviously), but with flip flops, there's just too much 'toe' on show. And let's face it, toes aren't exactly beautiful to look at are they...

Another like is for cosy cardigans and jumpers. If any of you have seen Channing Tatum in 'The Vow,' that's the kinda look I'm going for. They just look so cosy, and something you would definitely want to steal from a boyfriend in the chilly winter months.

Flat caps. Just no. Please leave them to the Granddads. Even Brad Pitt can't pull it off.

I have a weird attraction to men's espadrilles. Not really sure why; they're a cross between plimsolls and slippers, but they're summery. I like them.

Okay, skinny jeans. You either love them or you hate them right? Well mine's the latter. Even if they are as skinny as a pole, I don't understand why guys wear them. I wouldn't say they were flattering, and personally, my biggest worry is how everything is errr...packed in. It can't be good, can it?

The denim shirt. I love it, especially un-done with a t-shirt underneath. Most guys have invested in one, I'm glad to say. I mean who needs a chat up line when they're wearing a denim shirt?

My last male 'faux pas' as it were, is the polo neck. Even with David Gandy modelling it, I'm just not convinced. To be honest, I'm not even a fan of polo necks for women. They're suffocating, and a bit old fashioned if you ask me.

My last love is a classic. A shirt and skinny tie; you can't beat it. And the only thing to make it better is a bit of pink, which I like on a man! Smart, sexy and sharp. 10/10.

Free Range 2012

As promised here are the photos from the catwalk show we had at Free Range, London on June 1st. Saying it was an amazing experience would not justify it; it was a surreal day filled with laughter, tears and a lot of relief. Everyone who played a part in the day was great, whether it be the people backstage, the models, and of course, us designers! To see a whole year's work taking its place down the catwalk in the best part of two minutes, well, I can't really explain it. All I can say is that it was great day, one that I won't be forgetting any time soon.

The following photos are just a selection of many taken by Rob Sheppard, part of Catwalk Capture, of whom I'm very grateful to have such great photos to remember my collection by. But hey, who am I kidding, after spending weeks staring at the same fabrics, patterns and toiles everyday, I wouldn't be able to forget it if I tried...

 

For those of you who have just tuned in to my blog, my collection was inspired by the culture and architecture of Barcelona, focusing on textured, contrasting fabrics. It's an Autumn/Winter collection, so outerwear is a key feature within it, with tailored coats and waterproof capes. I wanted to create a sophisticated collection that was also practical, wearable, and affordable for the highstreet market.

 

Would be great to have any feedback, hope you all like it!

 

That BIG issue of what to wear...

So after the hectic goings on this weekend in London (photos from Free Range will follow soon I promise), I was reminded that I'm lucky enough to have a two week placement at New Look's Buying department at the end of the month! Very excited, but understandably a little nervous. I need to make a good impression, and part of that is going to involve how I'm dressed. For those with fashion-related placements or interviews, it's important to look smart, but still express a love for fashion and a unique style that portrays your personality. So that's when I had a minor panic. What on earth am I going to wear??

It doesn't feel right wearing jeans - too casual. My holey leggings are a no-no (it's only a little hole I promise), and I think I'd feel somewhat self-conscious on the tube in some short-shorts and a vest top...Then there's the issue of floaty skirts; everything in place and looking wonderful, until you meet that cheeky blast of wind and boom! dignity is nil. Flat shoes? Not smart enough? Heels? Can I pull them off? I've had limited experience of heels on the Underground, and although to this day there have been no heel-stuck-in-escalator issues (touch wood), I don't know if I'm comfortable enough to do it on a regular basis...However I do need to get the practise in for when I'm the next 'Carrie Bradshaw', hmm...

So I took to some online browsing to find a few key pieces that will get me, and maybe some of you, through any summer placements or interviews.

Love this pink blazer from H&M; I've been desperate for one for ages, and I feel now is the time I invest in one for the summer months. It's smart, has a light-hearted summery feel to it, and only £24.99. (It comes in several colours if you're interested). The chinos are from New Look; tapered and sharp, and will pretty much go with anything.

The floral blouse is also from New Look, and something that's not only interchangeable but the colour palette will work through to the Autumn months. The next blouse is classic Zara: simple and sophisticated.

Fallen in love with this H&M dress; the A-line silhouette is classic and flattering, and the print is modern and classy - something I think would create the right impression (will let you know how I get on...)

So to the shoes. My first pick are the safer option, a pair of tan moccasins from Republic at £24.99. They're cute, but more importantly comfy, especially for when you're going to be on your feet all day. The next are from New Look again (I love New Look, okay!), and are the most sensible wedges I could find. With a nautical theme that you can never go wrong with in my opinion, and a height on the not-too-high-but-not-too-low level, I like them.

So they were my top finds. Not sure if that's helped you, but it's sure made me feel a little better. Now to the difficult part - actually finding this stuff in the shops...What? I'm a try-er on-er!