Lipsy Panel Mini Tote Bag Review

The jewel of Lipsy's current handbag range is this tote bag with a nude, black and gold colour scheme.

The structure of the tote is very Céline-esque which is one of the features that drew me to the bag. Classically elegant and chic is what this bag screams with the gold metal detailing on the front of the bag. 

I didn't just buy this bag because of it's style, I bought it because I needed something practical and sturdy enough for my start at university this September. The space inside is enough for a laptop and some books, perfect!

The gold zip is ideal to keep everything securely tucked away. I tend to prefer zips than button details just for security and peace of mind.

I'm also keen on the limited patent fabric that the tote has. I find that excess amount of PVC adds a cheaper feel to an item but a little on the frame of the bag is a lovely touch.

The colours are perfect for all year round and the bag can be matched to many outfits which is something to look for when it comes to a handbag choice. Although we've been seeing a lot of neons and brights considering the summer weather, often they are hard to team up with outfits unless you're wearing something toned down.

This beauty is available for just £48.00 at Lipsy.

Giveaway Time! Win a £50 Spend!

Loyal readers, as you may know, I am currently writing content for www.styleclone.com and they have a fantastic giveaway! 

To enter, click here:

http://styleclone.com/23913/competition-win-50-spend-at-petasil-kids-shoes-fashioncompetition/

You have a great chance to win a £50 spend at Petasil shoes, a brand with a huge celebrity following. They sell stylish, yet comfortable and quality shoes for children. 

Elie Saab Fall 2013 Couture Review

By far, Elie Saab is my favourite designer to review during Couture season, as well as Valentino and Dior. The glamour and classiness that ooze throughout each and every collection produced is simply unbeatable. The standards for Haute Couture are high and Elie Saab has never produced a design, nor a single piece that I haven't found to be gorgeous.

Just when I thought Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture collection, reviewed here: http://www.therebirthoffashion.net/2013/01/elie-saab-spring-2013-couture.html?q=saab, would be impossible to top, the uber-talented designer has managed to present another flawless, exquisite collection showcasing some of the finest designs in the world right now.

Opting for a deep, rich colour palette with ruby shades, creams, golds, sapphires and emeralds, the colours selected for Fall were perfect and certainly are fit for a queen. Opting to change things up from the black and gold combinations as well as the aquamarine tones we saw in the last Fall collection (http://www.therebirthoffashion.net/2012/08/fall-2012-couture-whos-best.html?q=saab), every single collection is like an exciting present to open as the images are released. I know I'm going to be blown away every time and as I've said over and over again, Saab has a way of bringing back that old Hollywood glamour with a modern touch. Tradition can be a good thing and I disagree with Style.com's review- print may be something Saab plays around with in the future but I don't believe his collections get monotonous, I believe his beading and embroidery speak volumes and excessive use of print will shift the creative direction quite drastically.

Stunning, red-carpet perfect ruby gown with red embellishing. The flared skirt and three-quarter length sleeves  add dimension. 

Shorter and sweet, yet elegant and striking. A nude-shade ballgown-style dress with a shorter hem. 

In a deep shade of sapphire, a one-sleeved, floor-length gown is beautiful to the highest degree possible.  The non-embellished chiffon skirt sways as the model walks, whilst the fitted bodice enhances a flattering figure.

A tighter, more straight fit to the other gowns. A sweetheart neckline and a more figure-hugging fit would make any wearer look svelte and daring in this number. 

A richer fabric would not be possible for this piece. The emerald tone looks gorgeous with the sheen and the plunge neckline is simple but a nice touch.

As with all Saab shows, the last and final, awaited bridal gown will always leave cameras flashing and fashion-fanatics going crazy. Crystals and quartz are embroidered on this layered gown which leaves an enormous trail from the sides and the back. The veil is floor-length and is also clearly glistening with embroidery all the way through. 

Rihanna at River Island: The All New Autumn Collection

Read my thoughts on Rihanna's streetwise, luxe collection for River Island here: http://styleclone.com/23694/rihanna-at-river-island-all-new-autumn-collection-with-attitude/

Maison Martin Margiela Fall 2013 Couture Review

Margiela has become a designer that I tend to admire, simply because of the consistency in the designs itself and its uniqueness to others. Margiela has naturally increased in popularity in the mainstream world, with rappers such as Kanye West constantly mentioning the brand in lyrics and wearing pieces from the range.

In my eyes, Margiela pride itself on creating almost "unisex" pieces which would fit the body types of males and females. Risks are things which the brand is not afraid to take at all, yet some of the best pieces are very simple and luxurious because of the rich fabrics and quality of those fabrics.

This is the third season that Margiela will have graced the Couture runway after gaining the Couture label. Joining Christian Dior and Chanel, Margiela is now up there with the major, major designers and clearly has an atelier capable enough of delivering the standards needed.

This collection was definitely something original to the Couture runway. We saw latex fabrics, splashes of colour in one look and the renowned masks on each model. A trademark for Margiela.

I almost felt as though the mixture of "strange" latex looks with then "pretty" gowns towards the end represented Margiela perfectly. It can now do both. It can produce these oversized, Alexander-Wang like pieces and use uncalled-for fabrics to do so and then go ahead and create gowns that are red-carpet worthy for celebrities who like to have something a little different to the Ellie Saab's etc.

StyleClone- New Position, New Articles To Check Out!

Hi everyone, rare that I post anything personal here but just wanted to inform readers that I am now also writing fashion articles on www.styleclone.com. It's a great website for trends, news etc. and it is definitely on its way to becoming a staple fashion website. Check out some of the recent articles I've done:

http://styleclone.com/23533/46-year-old-nicole-kidman-looks-fierce-as-the-face-of-jimmy-choo-age-is-nothing-but-a-number/

http://styleclone.com/23467/cara-delevingne-adds-a-mysterious-twist-in-the-new-mulberry-campaign/

http://styleclone.com/23501/kate-middletons-royal-baby-steals-the-limelight-again/

I will be following the Paris Couture collections and will try to update on here too!

x

John Galliano Braces Media Coverage- First Time Since 2010!

Recently, John Galliano, the designer who was shamed by his anti-semitic rant in Paris in 2011, appeared on Charlie Rose in order to confront the demons which forced him into a downhill spiral.

The interview can be watched online here: http://www.charlierose.com/view/content/12975

In January, Oscar de la Renta announced that he would seek the help of Galliano for a Fall collection which surprised the fashion industry in its entirety. To remind yourself, have a read of this post: http://www.therebirthoffashion.net/2013/01/john-gallianos-return.html?q=galliano

Oscar de la Renta & Galliano- Fall 2013. 

Although the YouTube videos gained thousands of hits and the headlines received thousands of views, I don't believe anyone truly understood the psychological reasoning behind the comments he made. In a video recorded by a member of the public, Galliano was seen making some very offensive remarks including "I love Hitler". Following this, Galliano was practically made an outcast by anyone who was anyone. 

In this interview, I believe it took great strength and courage for Galliano to properly explain the addiction which led to the comments. It shocked the world at how a creative genius who produced exquisite designs for the House of Dior and the House of Galliano could possibly ruin a reputation so renowned. The interview gave an in-depth insight that finally revealed all.

In my opinion, Galliano appeared nervous, yet humble and calm throughout. After discussing the bullying that occurred at a boy's school he attended in South London, he mentioned his transfer to Central Saint Martins, home to many designers including Christopher Kane and Zac Posen. 

"You draw like a God", he was told. 

Then, the deeper side emerged. Charlie Rose dug into the question everyone wants to know- why? "I was a blackout drinker", explained Galliano. His excessive drinking released "paranoia" and triggered frustrations from his childhood. This may explain his aggressive nature in the Paris recording. A "self-defence mechanism", he called it. 

Galliano, bravely claimed that he was a "slave" to his addiction.

What members of the public and in fact, anybody who does not have high-end fashion designing experience, is that designing equals immense pressure:

"I was producing 32 collections a year between The House of Dior and The House of Galliano." Just looking at the number 32- I can only imagine the stress and struggles that the sheer demand must of put on him. 

From valium, to sleeping pills, to alcohol, Galliano cried "My life became unmanageable". 

One particular point of the interview struck me. "I was acting like God", he admitted. Luckily, he now understands that he is not in the driving seat of his fate and has reconnected with God, in order to seek forgiveness for his behaviour. I can only admire him for attempting to change and recognising how grateful he should be that he is alive today. 

When the suicide of Alexander McQueen was mentioned, Galliano simply exclaimed " I understood". This powerful statement made everything into a blank canvas, I believe. 

Throughout, Galliano recognised that he could not mask nor excuse his behaviour in any way, with any psychological tendencies or explanations, yet he knew that the person seen in the video was not him, in any way. In fact, he claims he has no memory of his being there as the alcohol took over his memory and his subconscious acted as reality. The triggered comments about him being "arian", by the recorders definitely provoked an uncalled-for reaction. 

By the end, I saw a changed man, despite not meeting or knowing him personally. I believe he fully grieves his actions every day and if it wasn't for Oscar de la Renta giving him that chance to shine again, his gifted ways of design may have escaped him forever. Anna Wintour has also played a vital role in helping reform his ways. "She's amazing. She inspires me", he praised as he smiled blissfully. 

Overall, I commend Galliano for opening up and perhaps shedding some hope for other addicts who are too ashamed to seek help. After rehabilitation in Arizona and many attempts to make amends with clients, friends and family, I believe Galliano can recover one step at a time. Perhaps the breakdown allowed him to finally realise that he needed to say "no" occasionally and seek the full support of his team. Health is the most important thing here and I can only hope that one day soon, Galliano will be given the forgiveness he requires and the platform to create the designs we miss so dearly. However, as long as he continues to make his years sober, a great accomplishment has stemmed from this tragedy.