London Student Style: The REAL Side of Fashion #LFW Special!

As London Fashion Week approaches, our attention is often focused on top designers and catwalk trends, as opposed to the 'real' side of fashion. I'm talking about students! London is a hub of academics and full of buzzing students from 45 different universities. 

Whether we realise it or not, their style is what makes the fashion industry boom. Top designers and high-street stores often get their inspiration from street style, especially in London as we are known for pushing the boundaries a bit. 

I'm so excited to do a street style post but what I love even more is that the 4 gorgeous ladies featured today are some of my close friends. I'd like to let my readers have a look at what students are really wearing and what they think about fashion as a whole. 

Let's see what they had to say... 

The Models Students

Name: Kiana Nicole
University & Degree: King's College London, Pharmacology
Outfit: Kimono- H&M | Crop Top- Miss Selfridge | Joni Jeans- Topshop | Shoes- Nike Air Hurrache Black Safari

Her Fashion 411: 'I would describe my style as practical, preppy and modern. I'd like to think my style stands out from the others but with so many students, there's bound to be different outlooks on fashion. I like recreating trends that I see bloggers and celebs pulling off, but being comfortable is important to me- I need an outfit that I like but won't be getting annoyed with throughout the day.'

Kiana is open to modelling opportunities and she may even be one to look out for in the blogger sphere!

Name: Isabel Conde
University & Degree: King's College London, Hispanic Studies with English
Outfit: Cardigan & Mom Jeans- Urban Outfitters | Top- Zara | Bag & Glasses- Camden | Shoes- Vans

Her Fashion 411: 'Dressing stylishly everyday is important but I'm not obsessed with every little detail. I would describe my style as quirky, practical and warm! My style doesn't always fit in with the others but in London, you do see lots of students going out of their way to be different. I guess you could say that London is one of the most fashionable places in the world with all the diversity in people's looks.'

Name: Laura
University & Degree: University of Leicester, History (Deferred)
Outfit: Dress, Earrings & Shoes- New Look | Cardigan- Market Stall

Her Fashion 411: 'My style is simple but I love to experiment with colour blocking and patterns from time to time. I guess I'm still figuring out my style! The nice thing about London is that style varies so much that it's hard not to fit in! Whether I decide to wear a hoodie or a tea dress, highstreet or hand-me-downs, I'm bound to fit in somewhere. One of my favourite things about fashion is when clothes have a story. The blouse my Grandma got married in has been passed down to my mum and then to me. I absolutely love wearing it!'

Name: Fatima
Degree: Pharmacy
Outfit: All abayas from Dubai & Sharjah, UAE

Her Fashion 411: 'My style is elegant and modest. I wear an abaya everyday. An abaya is a full-length, outer garment traditionally worn by some Muslim women. I love to wear abayas for occasions also. My everyday abayas tend to be simple and practical. The ones I have for special occasions are nicely embellished, elegant and embroidered. I notice a lot of new styles people go for at uni, but one good thing about wearing an abaya is not having to worry about what to wear everyday!'

If you would like to contact me regarding opportunities for these students please email manitarughwani@gmail.com.

Bloggers Love Fashion Week Day 2: Fever London!

This week, I had the pleasure of interning for Fever London at Day 2 of Bloggers Love Fashion Week (#BLFW) at The Penthouse, London!

As we overlooked the gorgeous London skyline, the room filled with drop-dead gorgeous models, bloggers and industry professionals. It was time for them to see what Fever London really brings to the table this AW14. Bloggers browsed through the rails of vintage-inspired patterns and vibrant, colourful dresses perfect for the colour-blocking trend!

They were more than impressed!

See the action for yourself....

Here I am wearing a gorgeous Folklore Fit and Flare Dress in Black from the Heritage collection. It was SO flattering and comfortable! Perfect for accentuating the right bits and hiding those you hate, cough that would be my midriff! The dress has a pretty vintage print that makes a statement but is still subtle enough to transition from day to night!

Our set-up! How chic!

Couldn't resist a quick Snapchat pic!

Our rail filled with lots of elegant pieces. My favourites include the sapphire dresses, like the Getty Square Neck Pencil Dress. You have to check it out, it's so versatile and will easily become a staple piece in no time.

Fever London is known for recreating past looks and adapting them for today's fashion-forward women. The Avebury Top in Navy/Red really pops, as you can see here. The polka-dots are inspired by the 40s/50s but a piece like this can be worn in so many ways today, from a lunch with the girls to a spontaneous shopping trip!

What I really love about Fever London is the sheer amount of choice they have! You can find exquisite designs for special occasions such as weddings or be spoilt for choice whilst looking for a couple of staple AW14 knits!

Warning: you may need someone to carry your bags if you pop in!

Donatella Versace: The Most Luxurious Ice Bucket Challenge

As everyone has been noticing, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has gone viral all over the world, with everyone including high-profile celebrities jumping on the bandwagon.

I think it's great that something so simple can raise awareness and money for the cause, although I am in agreement with some of the arguments against it, especially those who claim people are now doing the challenges for their own personal recognition.

Another important thing to remember is to always put the correct donation information in your video. There's no point doing something like this and donating to a non-reputable foundation.

Okay, rant over!

Donatella Versace, one of my all-time fashion idols, has taken up the Ice Bucket Challenge in the only way she knows how: glamourously.

In the video with over 2 million views on YouTube, we see Donatella in a beautiful garden with two ripped hunks standing on either side whilst she forms a goddess-like stature.

With her signature tousled blonde hair and all-white clothing, she screams minimalist-chic, as if she just came from a beach in Santorini.

'I'm not just here to ruin my makeup, please donate to ALS', she says before getting drenched by two classic Versace vases with the iconic, golden print.

She's such a graceful woman and despite all the negative comments out there, I appreciate what she's done for the fashion industry and how she overpassed tragedy in her life to leave an unforgettable legacy behind.

I give Donatella props for giving back and doing this challenge with elegance and class!

To donate to The ALS Association, please click here.

Looks Good On Me: The Most Revolutionary Shopping App EVER?

I'm really excited to let you guys know about a new app, 'Looks Good On Me' which will undoubtedly make your shopping experiences 10x more stress-free.

As we browse through the rails on the high street, we often grab several items and spend minutes, even hours (yes, hours) deliberating on the following:

1) Will I look fat in this? Surely there's a reason why that Zara model is staring at me disapprovingly, right?
2) Is this trend too outlandish for my office job?
3) Do I really want to pay for another cocktail dress that will end up in the back of my wardrobe?

Co-founder, Tatjana battling a serious fashion problem: Shopaholic Syndrome. 

Well, an innovative new app is set to take those pressures away!

The best part is that it's SO easy to use! Co-founder, Tatjana Apukhtina is confident 'anyone will be able to use ‘Looks Good On Me’ effectively'. I would take her word for it.

'Looks Good On Me' really does aim to put the fun back into shopping. Say goodbye to fashion faux paus...

So How Does It All Work?

How cute is the logo?

All you have to do is pick a group of trusted fashionistas to be your own personal fashion advisers. They could be your friends, family or colleagues. It's completely up to you and for me personally, this is my favourite part. There's no need to feel self-concious or nervous if you're only asking people you can trust, right?

Next, you can take some selfies of your potential new outfit whilst you shop and send them to your chosen advisers. You can even set a time limit so you won't have to wait around too long for them to make up their minds.

It really is as simple as 'yes' or 'no'.

After a straightforward 'yes' or 'no' vote, you will be shown an overall verdict at the end and all of a sudden, shopping just got easy!

The app is so entirely versatile. It can be used to choose your next job interview outfit, dinner party jumpsuit or even your bridal gown. The possibilities are endless.

You heard it here first, I think this app will take the fashion industry by storm and if you ask me, it's a retailer's biggest dream come true.

Great, Where Do I Sign Up?!

In order to achieve their goals, there is a Kickstarter campaign that you can get involved in to fund their final development stages.

First, let me take a selfie!

The co-founder, Matthew Blakemore says that they have been 'overwhelmed with the support' they have received so far and that 'it’s imperative they hit their target to make this project a massive success'.

You can donate as much as you want, although they do have some pretty impressive rewards for certain donation amounts. The campaign is live until September 10th 2014. Go check it out for yourself! 

The app is set for release in October 2014 and will be free to download firstly on Apple IOS and then later on Android. 

The Haute Couture of Trainers: AW14 Rundown

Okay, so today an idea randomly popped up in the circus I call my mind- why not write a post about trainers. No, wait! Why not write a post about trainers that are one step above the average pair of Converse. So, does that make them like... couture trainers? Yep, that's what I've decided to call them anyway. 

I am by far no expert at all on streetwear or trainers, I think I own three pairs altogether, one of which is probably about 5 years old. I am definitely more of an ankle boots girl. However, sometimes a girl's just got to have some comfortable throw-on shoes in her closet. Yeah, well I have flats for that. You must be thinking... what is the point of all this. Well, what if comfort and high-fashion combined in a strange, innovative, sports-luxe type of way and luxury trainers actually came about. I wish I could have invented this wacky concept but I'm a few years too late I'm afraid. 

I've been aware of luxury trainers, or sneakers for you Americans, for a while now but I've never paid any attention to them whatsoever. As I've been browsing online, I'm absolutely in awe of some of the styles out there that I felt it was only right to give you my personal rundown of best designs on the market for AW14. As it's turning colder, we sadly do have to say goodbye to our peep-toe wedges and think about some other types of footwear. I know, what a vile thought, but it doesn't have too be that bad... 

The Picks that are Oozing of Luxury...

What? Lacoste Bernelle Peeptoe 
What's the Damage? £130.00
Why Should I Wear 'Em? Trainers with a peep-toe and a wedge, are we sure these are even trainers anymore?

What? Nike Dunk Sky Hi, Blue Recall Liberty
What's the Damage? £120.00
Why Should I Wear 'Em? I adore the subtle floral pattern and the colour combinations, it just makes the design so much more feminine!

What? Nike Air Max 1, Metallic Bronze Cut Out
What's the Damage? £105.00
Why Should I Wear 'Em? These are my personal favourites. Whilst they may be hard to wear, I would suggest teaming them up with plain black or white, i.e. a white tee and black skinnies. The all-metallic in this style is to die for!

What? 3.1 Phillip Lim Trance High-Top 
What's the Damage? £340.00
Why Should I Wear 'Em? These certainly don't come cheap but the addition of the shearling patches adds such an avant-garde edge to a classic pair of black trainers. 

What? Golden Goose Superstar Low-Top
What's the Damage? £295.00
Why Should I Wear 'Em? At my last internship, Press boutique in Primrose Hill stocked some gorgeous pair of Golden Goose trainers and since then, I have loved seeing their new styles. The leopard is always trendy but what makes these so stylish is the worn, purposely dirty look to them. 

What? Carvela Kurt Geiger Laurel
What's the Damage? £99.00
Why Should I Wear 'Em? Bright red slip-ons. Comfortable, eye-catching, statement pair needed in any wardrobe!

What? Guiseppe Zanotti Bucklewedge Heels
What's the Damage? £675.00
Why Should I Wear 'Em? These are a huge, cult celebrity favourite. Zanotti trainers have definitely had mixed reviews but I adore the designs. They're so luxurious that you forget they could possibly be under the trainers category. At £675, they are one of the most expensive pairs on the market and will probably break the bank unfortunately.

What? Converse All Star Quilted-Leather High Tops
What's the Damage? £69.99
Why Should I Wear 'Em? These are such a simple, yet stylish twist on the classic Converse design. These will literally go with everything. Quilted leather is a huge staple and I don't see it going anywhere for a very long time.

Photo credits: Office, Selfridges, Farfetch, Kurt Geiger, GzanottiUKMall

It's Our 2 Year Anniversary! + 2 OOTD's Just For You! (Internship + Coffee Meetup)

Pop the Champagne...

I seriously can't believe that today marks two years since my very first post on The Rebirth of Fashion. I remember being 17 with a huge desire to get online and start something I could call my own, with my very own ideas and concepts. There have definitely been hiccups and moments of lack of motivation, I'll admit. However, today I can honestly say that I am proud of myself for taking the time to continue on and focus more on my ambitions.

I'm working on a few things to grow and develop this site into something a lot bigger and I know that I will get there eventually but I wouldn't be posting today if it wasn't for the views of you guys!  Everybody around the world reading this, yes you, you have helped me to achieve my goals so you should be proud of yourselves too! I am thankful for every single read and I hope that you will continue to visit this blog to get your daily dose of fashion inspiration, a laugh or even to sit and criticise everything I do. I don't mind 'haters' at all, I wouldn't have the drive today without you guys too! xoxo

#1 Outfit of the Day: Fashion Website Internship 

First things first, I have started a new fashion internship with Fever London and I am super excited for this amazing opportunity. I've just begun and already, I'm loving it and getting stuck in with everything. In fact, I've just written an article on their blog if you'd like to have a look at some of their beautiful, vintage-inspired designs that I picked out:

Post by Fever London.

For the second day there, I wore a simple black miniskirt teamed with a classic, monochrome striped blouse with flats and my spacious tan Michael Kors handbag.

What I love about the blouse is that it's slightly oversized so it goes really nicely with a shorter skirt and tights. Stylish, yet perfect for getting down to business.

#2 Outfit of the Day: Coffee Meetup

If you've been following my recent OOTD posts, you'll already recognise the handbag as it's from River Island and I have been wearing it to death. Seriously, I can pair it with almost anything and it will add that oomph that a staple outfit will need.

For a recent catch-up with a friend, I wore a simple, oversized blouse which has a slightly cropped hem and teamed it with ribbed leggings and tan ankle boots.

The darker green is gorgeous as it gives the outfit a pop of colour and to be honest, the leggings are very flattering on my curves. As for the boots, they have a mid-heel so they're both comfy and stylish. Another item which goes with literally everything!