NOVO London: Effortlessly Elegant Fashion (+ A Special Giveaway!)

NOVO London is a stylish brand that prides itself on creating simple, yet beautiful pieces for fashion-forward women. 

All their pieces flatter the female body to ensure you feel sexy and confident, yet the concept of the brand is to make fashion effortless. Sometimes the show-stopping nature of an evening look actually comes from the carefully constructed details and the fit, rather than exaggerated prints or embellishments. 

I was lucky enough to have come across NOVO London at the Bloggers Love Fashion Week Day 2 Event where the lovely NOVO London ladies let me browse through some of their pieces and believe me, they were absolutely gorgeous! 

This dress is their Statement Shoulder dress which features an exposed back detail. I styled it with a pair of nude heels from M&S and my staple black clutch from Jasper Conran at Debenhams. Why? The dress really does all the talking. By teaming the dress with nude and black, the focus is kept on the figure-hugging fit and the edgy structure of the dress. 

Lucky for you guys, I'm running a competition on my Facebook Page for you to WIN this amazing dress! For details, please visit & like my page: The Rebirth of Fashion

With a red lip, slick ponytail, chunky necklace and nude heels, this model clearly knows how to work her Statement Dress. Look at how chic she looks! 

The back detail of this dress is honestly so beautiful and unique. I love it when brands really think about the small details as this can make a huge difference to the overall look. 

By using a statement structured fit, NOVO London have revamped our common conception of 'statement looks'. I often think of lots of sequins, embellishments, colour and prints, yet this dress creates a statement through its nipped in waist and streamline bottom. How innovative! 

If you liked this look, why not check out NOVO London's website & be sure to 'like' their Facebook page to keep up with all the updates!

Being a Fashion Blogger: Misconceptions, Misunderstandings & Misinterpretations

Over the last few months, my life has completely changed.

I really underestimated how much the fashion blogging sphere could change everything for me and I am loving every minute of it. I enjoy networking, going to events, collaborating with brands, attending fashion shows and learning from industry professionals. Every day is a day for development and a way to improve myself and the way I work. I'm not there yet but it's an ongoing process and I am quite honestly proud of the journey I've taken thus far...

Whilst I don't intend for this blog post to become negative in any way, I wanted this to be as real as possible. Everything I'm saying is the truth.

KCL Diwali Boat Party outfit 

I want to share with you a rare personal post which will entail a few of the things that have really irritated me recently, including the preconceived notions people have of those working within this industry.

Disclaimer: I am not targeting anyone here but if you take it to heart, oh well, I probably am addressing you xoxo

University vs. The Rest

First things first, I would consider myself as a hard worker. I attend the 16th best university in the world and I study English with Film as a degree.

Throughout my educational life, I have pushed myself to the highest point in order to attain the best grades possible. It has not been easy at all and for the people who believe that I am naturally intelligent or have a special gift, you are chatting utter bullshit. Academic success can be achieved if you work hard and actually make the effort to meet the criteria being set. Sure, there will be individual challenges for everyone, but that's not to say that I have not had any along the way and have had a smooth sailing life by any means.

I feel like I'm going off topic... the point I'm making is that I am academically focused and my intention is to balance my degree with my fashion internships and my blogging. My life does not primarily focus on fashion. It is a huge part of my life, but not the epicentre. So for people who judge me for possibly being shallow, one-dimensional or materialistic, perhaps you should get to know the real me as I do not love fashion for the branding, I love it for what it can do to a person's mood and confidence. Experimentation with fashion can change somebody's whole demeanour, and therefore their life. Whether we choose to admit it or not, first impressions mean a lot in this world. A woman who walks with confidence because she likes the fit of her clothing will undoubtedly look more appealing than one who has thrown on an average outfit. It is all in the mind too. You have to feel confident to look confident. This is coming from someone who used to feel so entirely afraid to share opinions or even speak to those not close to me, FYI!

'How's The Fashion Stuff Going?'

Next, when people hear what I do, they sometimes use the words 'fashion things' or 'fashion stuff'. For instance, I am often asked 'how is the fashion stuff going?' Now, I'm not going to make a huge deal about this because I'm sure the intention is good, yet by using the word 'stuff', I personally take that as a reduction of my work. Maybe it's because I study English so I am naturally analytic of word choices, but I do sometimes get the sense that people reduce all the things I have going on. To be clear, I am interning for two fashion companies and I run my blog. It takes a hell of a lot of work and I do not have a team running anything for me. I am my own PR representative, writer, financial advisor, marketing executive etc. etc. etc.

Bloggers Love Fashion Week Day 2

I am also frequently asked how it is that I have actually gotten to this point in life, which is completely fine. I am in fact happy to answer questions! However, it is very hard for me to reply to that question with a brief answer. All of this has taken years of work and continual internship placements for me to acquire the knowledge and contacts I can use today. Admittedly, I have had to sacrifice certain elements of life including having less of a social life but I'm content with this as I have always been very career-focused.

'How Did You Even Get Up Here?'

My next point is definitely the worst one of the lot. I absolutely loved getting involved with London Fashion Week this year and I will never forget all the amazing opportunities. Unfortunately, one element spoiled it a bit for me. I will try to be as discreet as possible here but I was at a very swanky event on a rooftop reserved for press and I met another fashion professional/university student. 'Great', I thought! I definitely expected us to get along and to support each other, considering we are both studying. 

Well, that was until she dropped the line, 'So how did you even get up here?'. 

I was in shock for a few moments. I couldn't believe the utter arrogance and ignorance of this individual. 

Being a member of the press is flexible and can vary from bloggers to high-end editors of magazines. For her to ask me that enraged me to the fullest extent and I am so glad I haven't run into her since as I would most definitely lose my temper. Being in such a competitive industry, you would think that students would support each other but there are a few people who are undoubtedly going to be ridiculously rude and lack in basic manners. 

'Is Blogging Even A Job?'

Another thing that bothers me is when people think this is an easy route to take in life. I would like anyone to explain to me how exactly it is easy to undertake so many things in life at the age of 19. I do not follow the traditional path in life, I am creating my own day by day. All my content is created by my mind and my own creativity. There is no textbook or guide telling me what to do, everything I do comes from within.

Social Media Post by designer, Delna Poonawalla

'Wow, You Must Get Lots Of Free Shit!' 

Lastly, blogging is not about getting free stuff whatsoever. I am not bombarded with samples and free items, as people may imagine. Yes, it is always lovely to receive things from brands you love as I am always willing to try things out and imagine how I would style them but my blog is not all about promotion. I will never ever promote something or include a brand's product if I don't personally like it. Money or influence will never dictate this and I believe this is a very big issue to touch upon as many bloggers have been caught up in this cycle of forced collaborations which just appear fake and staged. I often watch YouTube videos from big name bloggers who clearly only feature certain beauty products because of paid endorsement deals. This will never be me and I will state this clearly now. Anything I feature is because I love it- paid or unpaid.

So I will end my rant here. I hope this was a nice change from my usual posts and I've been meaning to address some issues for quite a while now. As always, feel free to contact me for any questions or enquiries xo

Delna Poonawalla at London Fashion Week: Karmically Fabulous!

Delna Poonawalla: Talented, Unique, Extraordinary.

Kaleidoscope Karma is the title of her most recent SS15 collection which recently debuted at London Fashion Week. Comprising of geometric prints and leather details, as well as organic materials, the collection is incredibly special.

Honestly, when I saw the collection up close and personal, the amount of detail and work was so visible. Everything has a deeper meaning- almost as though there was a mystical, hidden layer in each piece.

Meeting Delna herself was an incredible experience and I'm so thankful that I got a chance to get to know her and the pieces in person!

The collection itself is chic, easy and modern. Although the designs are stunning and elegant, the materials and fit are meant for an effortless wear, meaning you can look gorgeous without getting annoyed with your outfit.

Essentially, all the pieces have a vital spiritual inspiration to them. The colour palette, for example, includes luscious baby pinks and deep shades of aqua and purple. All the colours represent our inner chakras and if you look closely, all the designs definitely seem to have a lot of life and energy within them, perhaps representative of our inner flowing energy.

Using intricate detailing and textures, the pieces really do come to life and a 3D effect is created. What I love about the collection is that Delna took risks and chose not to blend in with the expected. By following a thought-out plan, the end result of her show and the collection was simply incredible and highly cutting-edge.

Hybrid is what I would probably describe the collection as, considering there are Indian influences, yet the collection is very modern and contemporary to appeal to a global audience. 

The above piece is definitely one of my favourites as the jacket has such beautiful embellishments all over it. It is definitely a statement piece and worn with white jeans, it creates such a sophisticated and chic look.

Below is also another one of my favourite looks, particularly as I like the figure-hugging fit of the jacket and its finish. Teamed with the graphic print shorts, the combination of deep shades of blue is gorgeous.

I was so happy to have gotten a chance to meet the uber-talented Delna herself and view the pieces up-close at her hotel room. I was so impressed! Take a look at the sheer beauty within these designs and pay attention to the range of chakra-inspired colours incorporated within each piece too as I feel that this is such an innovative concept...

Here is a pic of the white jacket shown above. Even this picture doesn't do it justice as it truly is such a glamorous piece and what I actually like is the pink inner lining which has the 'Delna Poonawalla' name all over. Maybe it's just me, but it's the little things that I like to pay attention to sometimes!

Here are a few pics from backstage at the LFW show that you can take an exclusive look at! How amazing does Delna look in the middle, posing with her fabulous models?!

I also got this really stylish cuff which I love, especially as it's textured and contains a caged look with three straps. See, every single detail within this collection is simply excellent.

If you loved Delna's enchanting SS15 collection, why not 'like' her page on Facebook :)

AW14 Hair & Beauty Favourites Part 1 + EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT!

I'm so excited to let you guys know about some of my favourite hair & beauty products for AW14! I've tended to focus so much on fashion that a vital element of creating style and elegance has been left out.

Now, I'm here to fix that!

As AW14 kicks in, I definitely think hair and beauty products need updating. Depending on your skin, you may find you need to change up your routine to keep your skin moisturised in the cooler weather... or perhaps your hair tends to look flat and lifeless day after day. Don't worry I know just the things to help you out!

My Top 5!

What? Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser
Why? So this is actually the first Elemis product I've tried, despite continually hearing about how exquisite the brand is. I have to say, it is probably one of the most impressive skincare products I've ever used. Although it's anti-ageing, it can't help to start young right ;) It's so rich and creamy so you only have to use a bit and it really removes all the dirt, makeup and clogged pores, leaving you with fresh, smooth skin. You really do notice a difference straight away. It was so good my mum uses it now! Thanks RUSH for introducing me to such a divine product!

What? L'Orėal Professionnel Techni Art Fix Design
Why? This is a fantastic product for achieving poker straight hair or pin-up curls. Whatever style you're going for, this spray will hold your style in the direction you want. It's incredibly light and a few spritzes will do you good for the whole day. What I love about it is that it doesn't weigh your hair down at all. I've been using it on air-dried hair after washing it to contain my natural hair's tendency to frizz out. It's been a miracle product for me as I'm a lot more happy to leave my natural hair the way it is now.
BONUS: Techni Art Fix Design is part of RUSH Shop's exclusive Catwalk Collection, in celebration of the buzz London Fashion Week created this year! To get 10% off items in the collection use CODE: LFW10 by 31/10/2014! 

What? ghd Style Total Volume Foam
Why? For years and years, I have loved ghd and I've literally used the same straighteners for at least 5 years. Good news: the products are as good as the tools! If you want a foam which doesn't leave any visible residue, this is for you. It gives you noticeable volume and looks great if you do a simple blowdry after applying it. 

What? Caudalíe Divine Oil
Why? This is a huge, huge, huge cult beauty product. It is highly raved about but the price has put me off for ages. Luckily I kindly received it in a goodie bag from Condé Nast International News at Vogue's Fashion Night Out event! This is truly a godsend guys. It smells gorgeous and it's multi-purpose, meaning you can use it on the ends of your hair, body, nails... you name it! It'll last you a long time as you don't have to use much and it truly is so luxurious it's incredible. It fixes dry skin and hair immediately but you can also use it on your face to add a sultry glow. 

What? Myleene Klass Lip Colours
Why? I was lucky enough to meet Myleene Klass at a press event, where I got to have a look at all the gorgeous makeup, clothing and lingerie! She is such an inspirational and bubbly woman and I loved meeting her! I got the chance to have my makeup done on the day and the Magdalena shade was used on my lips. It's a vibrant pink- perfect for creating a statement look this AW14. You can get a set of her 3 lip colours which include a gorgeous nude and sexy, classic red in a set. 3 colours a girl can't live without in 1 set... convenient much?!

Had to put this in! Me & the gorgeous Myleene :) Here I am wearing the beautiful Magdalena lip shade. It's actually named after her mother, how cute! 

London Fashion Week Part 3: Tramp In Disguise SS15 + More LFW Pics!

Right, apologies for such a late post! With the start of uni again, things have been extra busy and I have been meaning to post this for such a long time! For my final part of London Fashion Week, I got to see Tramp In Disguise's live photoshoot for their stylish new SS15 collection!

As we walked through the gorgeous ME London hotel, the luscious models posed for the camera in the new collection- not to mention some amazingly styled hair and makeup. Check out the vibrancy of that red-toned hair! 

The collection had some gorgeous colours for SS15 including subtle shades of pink and baby blue- ideal for creating feminine looks. Although what I love most about Tramp In Disguise is the edginess in everything. Whilst the colours may be feminine, the graphic prints really make a statement and this  is definitely a collection for empowered, sexy and confident females. Ladies who aren't afraid to be bold with their fashion and turn heads on the street.

I loved the idea of using speech bubbles too! The quotes are funny and humour really helps to bring out the brand's values. Sass, wit and boldness are everywhere and I am a fan of it all.

With some chunky jewellery and heels, the looks really do come alive. Everything is so aesthetically pleasing but it's almost as if you're meant to look at the looks and dig deep into every detail because clearly a lot of work has gone into the designs. I personally love the dress above with the evil eye pattern- so chic!

Check out Tramp In Disguise below & let me know what you think of the collection!

Website: http://www.trampindisguise.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrampInDisguise
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tramp-In-Disguise/217635954917662?fref=ts

My Outfit + Somerset House Pics!

So what did I wear for the last day of LFW... I decided to go girly and bright. I wanted to be bold with the neon skirt, hopefully it worked!

Basic Tee: Primark
Neon Skirt: River Island
Bag: Forever 21
Boots: River Island 

After the shoot, I met up with a couple of friends and we strolled around Somerset House which had a buzzing atmosphere for fashion week. I saw lots of fresh street style and people rushing off to shows I can only dream of going to. One day...

Me, Lizzie P, Josh Milton & Tasha Green!

Dealsy: A Shopaholic's Vital £ Saver App!

If you're like me, walking around Oxford Street is great and all but when you want to make sure you're getting some good bargains and not paying more than needed, it can be hard to figure out if you're hitting the right stores. We're only human, we can't possibly know about every sale out there... right? 

Well actually a new app, Dealsy makes things a hell of a lot easier. As a student, I am all about saving money and I'm sure a lot of you are too. Why should we pay more for the same pair of heels?!

The app itself is so easy to navigate around. Everything is made simple and very practical. You simply log in and immediately, Dealsy tracks your location within London and gives you all the deals around your local area. Smart right?

Topshop, River Island, Zara... the list is endless!

Once you've found a deal you think is up to scratch, simply click on it and it shows you all the details, including a convenient map with your location and the store's location- making it 10x easier to know how to get there.

If that wasn't enough, you can even see some 'snaps' of what to expect from the sale. So basically you get an exclusive sneak peak before you even get there. This can get a bit tempting, I have to warn you...

Once you've claimed the detail, you can rate it with a savvy colour-coded indicator! Make sure you turn up the heat and give your deal a red if you think you got some stylish treats for less £. 

You can also upload your own deals and offers! If you become a 'Dealer of the Month', you can win some amazing giftcards for some of your favourite stores. Rewards for saving money- sounds good to me!

The app definitely exceeded my expectations, it's such a handy app to have on your phone and it was so quick to sign in and get started on my savings!

Dealsy is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Dealsy Sessions

I thought I'd also let you know about Dealsy's new campaign, 'Dealsy Sessions'. It features fresh, upcoming talent in the music industry and trust me, there are some talented picks! For exclusive content from some incredible artists, be sure to check it out and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

To give you a taste, here's CJ Reardon's session, 'Acid Rain':

London Fashion Week Part 2: Bohemian Fashion SS15

So onwards with my London Fashion week journey...

I had the privilege of attending the Bohemian Fashion SS15 Show and meeting the lovely designer, Monica Nechifor. Admittedly, I didn't know too much about the brand until I went to the show but after I saw the exquisite designs, I have become such a big fan.

What I love most was the intimate setting of the show. Everyone gathered around whilst the models strutted down the edgy pub venue. I thought the venue gave everything more personality... it's always nice to go to contemporary, unique events and see things out of the ordinary.

Clearly a lot of work and effort went into this collection but it turned out beautifully and I met some lovely people at the show who loved it just as much as I did!

Not the best pic of me but who cares!

My Outfit

I really wasn't sure what to wear but I went for a pair of Zara leather leggings which I have never gotten a chance to wear. I thought they were perfect for LFW teamed with a comfortable oversized blouse. Lots of Primark here, I must warn you! Also teamed grey and black shades to bring in AW14. 

Oversized Top: Primark
Leather Leggings: Zara
Chain: Primark
Shoes: Primark 

On With the Show...

I thought the show was beautiful.

Bohemian Fashion displayed a variety of elegant, high-end pieces for special occasions as well as a lovely variety of airy white blouses with gorgeous textures and details. Everything was simple and effortlessly bohemian- ideal for stylish women who want to look good without the hassle.

The look below looked divine coming down the runway. It is a long, figure-hugging gown with a dramatic bow detail on the side. It is such a feminine and luxurious dress- ideal for special occasions where you want to turn heads!

I thought the piece below was so stylish! The clothes are loose and comfortable, yet the red pattern adds a striking edge to the blouse. Teamed with a vivid, multicoloured patterned skirt, the outfit definitely makes a statement.

A Word from the Talented Designer...

At the end of the show, Monica said a few words about the collection and what it represents to her. After she spoke, I really understood how all the pieces worked together. Everything is created to celebrate women as they are in all shapes, sizes and backgrounds.

The collection is diverse, yet simple. It is chic, yet not over the top. Everything about it is different to what you see coming down high-fashion runways in Paris and Milan and that is precisely the reason why I adore it so much and I totally agree with Monica- women everywhere should feel appreciated for who they are!

I will definitely be having a look out for updates from Bohemian Fashion and letting you guys know the latest but be sure to have a look here for all the updates:

Website: http://www.bohemianfashion.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BohemianFashionUK