Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Elena

Elena Perminova, after Stella McCartney, Paris, March 2012.

Love this outfit on Elena - sure, there is a lot going on (patterns, patent/shiny fabric, statement flowers, colour) but somehow she makes it all work together cohesively. To me, it is the sort of inspiring outfit where you can find at least one piece that you really love and could see working in your own wardrobe. Personally, I love Elena's floral neckpiece - so very beautiful.

Recreate Elena's look (kind of):

Lanvin Petales necklace, Lanvin Raffia flower choker necklace or Lulu Frost triple pipeline necklace

Add a shiny jacket: Altuzarra Chameleon hooded coated nylon jacket, Lisa Perry Snazzy jacket or Miu Miu patent leather jacket

A Printed top: J. Crew Shafasa polk-dot silk shirt, Stella McCartney Wilson paisley print blouse, Acne Patti print blouse, MSGM print shirt

Some cute shorty shorts: Rory Beca Orissa silk running shorts, or  Anna Sui printed silk shorts

Jil Sander open toe heels (in white) or Camilla Skovgaard Roller sandals

Michael by Michael Kors blush pink clutch

London Fashion Week AW 2012...Donna

Donna Wallace, British Elle's Accessories Editor, before A Show, London, February 2012.

Love this casual, vaguely sporty look on Donna....especially that Burberry cap! Another look you could wear easily in "real life".

 

Recreate Donna's look (kind of):

 

Preen Line Pie Crust chambray shirt (with subtle frills on the double-collar, cuffs and yoke back), Current/Elliott The Perfect (denim) shirt, Denim & Supply by Ralph Lauren chambray shirt

Nike Lady Cortez trainers (in 3 fun colours) or Alexander Wang Dillon sneakers

Burberry Prorsum striped pom-pom cap

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Before Stella McCartney

Sharp, sleek and crisp, a white suit always looks current no matter what the season.

Keeping it pristine clean and white, however, is another matter entirely (bravo if you own and wear a white suit and have kidlets. Sticky little hands + white = a tricky combination) although the fashion editors/buyers/stylists rarely seem to have this issue (don't ask me how, they just don't!).

Wearing separates - a lovely crisp white blazer with jeans or a pair of off-white wide-leg summer weight trousers with a tank and espadrilles - halves the white induced anxiety levels :)

Recreate her fresh summery look (kind of):

Acne Tate silk-crepe blazer (with sheer back panel for interest + cooling capabilities!),  Joseph Sir stretch blazer, Thakoon suiting blazer (in ivory) or Topshop Ponte boyfriend blazer

Alice + Olivia Eric pants or Sandro pants

London Fashion Week AW 2012....Eugenia

Eugenia Silva,before Christopher Kane, London, February 2012.

An oversized clutch is fab way to introduce a pop of colour to an outfit....and it is practical as well!

Edit: Thanks everyone for letting me know that this is Spanish model Eugenia Silva! She is absolutely stunning.

Recreate Eugenia's look (kind of):

Sass & Bide The Whimsy Bag (great combination of neon yellow, orange and silver plus it has a useful shoulder strap if you prefer to wear it on your shoulder),  ASOS turquoise oversized envelope clutch or Versus pale pink and black oversized clutch (love the sporty/utility feel of this one)

Dion Lee asymmetric printed mini skirt or Torn by Ronny Kobo caden twist mini skirt

Dannijo for Vena Cava gold choker, Vanessa Mooney Akasha necklace

Sara for Grazia.it

Sara Donaldson for Grazia.it.

Sara is the last of my Aussie girls that I photographed in Australia last November (eep! This post is long overdue). Head on over to Grazia to read Sara's interview including where she shops, the girls' whose style she finds so inspiring and her idea of a perfect day in Sydney.

 

I met beautiful Sara (who is a Brisbane→Sydney girl like me) when we both went to Australian Fashion Week in May 2010. When I knew I was heading back to Sydney last year, I asked Sara if she would be up for me photographing her for Grazia.it. Happily, she agreed!


Sara, a digital Account Executive with Westfield, Australia, has the gorgeous blog Harper and Harley which she began just over 3 years ago. The name? Sara explains  'Harper and Harley' came about because I adore those two names and would love to name my children or pets Harper and/or Harley. It also rolls off the tongue quite nicely, and I like a touch of alliteration"  (how sweet is that!).


Sara's describes her style as laid back chic and she combines vintage and eBay finds with pieces from international designers and Australian labels such as Zimmermann, Camilla and Marc and One Teaspoon, with pieces from high street stores such as Witchery, Sportsgirl, ASOS and Zara.


Sara's outfits for this shoot?

Beautiful pink jumpsuit from Zimmermann

Pink shirt from Zara, denim shorts from One Teaspoon

Pale blue dress from Camilla and Marc

White shirt from Sportsgirl

Red trousers from ASOS

p.s. How cool is that car?! It wasn't Sara's (it was just parked on her street) so we were slightly nervous about the owner coming out and yelling at us. Luckily that didn't happen!

London Fashion Week AW 2012...Anna Maria

German model Anna Maria Nemetz, after Louise Gray, London, February 2012.

Recreate Anna's pretty look (kind of):

Carven cotton-twill chartreuse pinafore dress or Elkin Rosemary linen dress or Vero Moda Very tunic square neck dress  

Acne Parker silk shirt or Temperley London Bette top 



Paris Fashion Week AW 2012....Jess

Jess Blanch, Editor-in-Chief, Russh magazine, Paris, March 2012.

Love Jess's style. I found a photograph the other day I took of Jess in May 2010 at Australian Fashion Week (I didn't know it was her back then!) and what she was wearing (a caramel leather skirt) would be just as relevant (and gorgeous) today as it was back then. This outfit is the same - pieces that are wearable for many years to come.

Recreate Jess's look (kind of):

Show your band loyalty in a printed t-shirt: Chaser Grateful Dead Liberty Dead t-shirt or Chaser Slayer boxy t-shirt or Nasty Gal Nirvana t-shirt

MiH Boston slim leg jeans

See by Chloe stacked heel with cut-out sides leather ankle boots or Viktor & Rolf cut-out booties 

Stella McCartney faux leather orange iPad sleeve or American Apparel tangerine leather zip clutch











London Fashion Week AW 2012...Tala

Tala (and Karl!), Somerset House, London, February 2012.

Recreate Tala's look (kind of):

Keep Karl close to your heart (eep!) in a print t-shirt: Karl Jacinda two-tone printed t-shirt, Karl white printed t-shirt or Karl Judit printed racer-back tank

Current/Elliott boa print skinny jeans or Notify bamboo python print jeans or Textile Elizabeth and James Deb skinny jeans 





London Fashion Week AW 2012...Nadja

Nadja Bender, after Burberry, London, February 2012.

Love this 21 year old Danish model's style. In every photograph I have seen of Nadja off-duty, she looks amazing. Definitely a girl to watch.

Recreate Nadja's Look (kind of):

See by Chloe Patchwork high-rise skinny jeans or J Brand 811 ankle skinny patch jeans or Surface to Air Regular slim patched jeans

Matiko leopard print desert boots or DV by Dolce Vita mini oxford (in cheetah print) 

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Chiharu

Beautiful Japenese model Chiharu Okunugi, after Guy Laroche, Paris, February 2012.

Chiharu's outfit is perfect for the UK weather at the moment - we are still rugged up in sweaters, coats and tights. When I am out and about on the streets in London, the colours are still very sombre - lots of black, navy and charcoal. Adding a beautiful scarf for colour, and a pair of leather shorts for texture adds interest to a winter → spring transitional wardrobe.

Recreate Chiharu's look (kind of):

Theodora & Callum Majorca fringed scarf or Marc by Marc Jacobs Arrowhead scarf or Etro paisley print scarf or Pieces Nicole scarf

J Brand black leather Lola shorts, Zadig & Voltaire Pitt Deluxe leather shorts, Free People Rocker vegan leather shorts

ASOS studded leather belt or Isabel Marant star-studded leather belt

Dr Martens boots 

New York and Paris Fashion Weeks AW 2012....Homage to the Umbrella

It has been so rainy in London these last couple of weeks that I felt like posting these drizzly day photographs. Don't get me wrong, I do love London in the Rain but it is nice to see the sun once in awhile :)

p.s. I have more photographs of Peony (in the top photograph) in that outfit which I will share soon.

London Fashion Week AW 2012

For me, this look ticks all the boxes for wearability in real life (as opposed to just fashion week life): simple, comfortable, cute (love those two-tone heels with the turned up jeans) and put together with pieces that you probably already have in your wardrobe.

Recreate her look (kind of):

J Brand Aidan slouchy boy jeans or Current/Elliott The Boyfriend Cropped boyfriend jeans or River Island boyfriend jeans

Add some two-tone strappy sandals: Tibi Stella colourblock sandals  or Bottega Veneta two-tone sandals or ALDO J.W. Anderson stiletto sandals (with fluffy bits at the back!)

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Tamu

Tamu, after Chanel (I think!), Paris, March 2012.

This is Tamu with her game face on! It was raining, it was cold and I really wanted a photograph of Tamu in her gorgeous peplum top and pants and those Miu Miu taffeta gingham heels (seriously sweet and probably not entirely rain proof ;) before she got into her car. I love the way Tamu has teamed the clashing prints, bringing them together with the coral statement necklace.

Recreate Tamu's look (kind of):

Embrace the peplum trend in these cute pieces: Thakoon Tiger Lily Mikado peplum top (love this print), Carven jersey and organza peplum top, Marc by Marc Jacobs Marfa peplum dress, Topshop minty fresh peplum skirt or Paprika floral print dress with strappy back.

Miu Miu gingham heels (I rather like them in green as well as the orange that Tamu is wearing)

Kate Spade New York Gerbera Garden coral statement necklace or J.Crew bubble necklace



Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Erjona

Stunning Kosovan-born Erjona Ala, after Christian Dior, Paris, March 2012.





Read a lovely interview with Erjona in i-D online here (she was featured in The Royalty Issue as one of their new faces to watch).

Recreate Erjona's look (kind of):

A pretty, peachy/pink top: Joie Lubov silk top or Equipment peach Nixie blouse (with cute shoulder cutouts) or Topshop contrast strap vest (great under a leather jacket like Erjona is wearing here, or on its own for long summer days)

ASOS leather biker jacket or Joseph Perfecto quilted leather jacket or Rachel Zoe Jimmy Trapunto leather jacket 

Michael by Michael Kors Bedford bowling satchel

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Doina

Doina, from The Golden Diamonds Blog, before Anne Valérie Hash, Paris, March 2012.

Doina looked fabulous every day of PFW but this was one of my favourite looks. So pretty, colourful and fresh against the dull, grey Paris day.

Recreate Doina's look (kind of):

Add a soft printed top to a basic pencil skirt: Matthew Williamson Kyoto sheer print top or Graham & Spencer vintage floral top or Jil Stuart Inga Paloma print blouse or Antipodium daffodil print Freudian blouse

Christopher Kane yellow pencil skirt or Robert Rodriguez coated yellow pencil skirt or Topshop lemon yellow peplum skirt

YSL Y shoulder bag

Kors by Michael Kors Ruby t-strap wedge sandal or Belle by Sigerson Morrison Claire sandal

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Ava

Ava Smith, after Cacharel, Paris, March 2012.

One of the beauty looks I really loved from the Paris shows was the side clip/barrette reminiscent of Margot Tenenbaum (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) in Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums. Such a cute, fun look - Hanneli wore it brilliantly in her shoulder-length layered hair and at Cacharel, the models had either scarlet red or ice - blue clips (not sure if they were hand painted bobby pins?) tucked into their side-parted twisted up (but down-low) do's.

 

Recreate Ava's Look (kind of):

Rag & Bone leather trimmed chiffon wide leg culottes (these looked so great on Ava when she walked - all soft and floaty) or Theyskens' Theory Priori Flint wide leg trousers or Rachel Zoe Delfina wide leg chiffon pants

Vince shearling jacket

Chloe Marcie tote


Topshop square hair clips or Marc by Marc Jacobs Anabelle sparkly bobby pins

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Tao

Tao Okamoto, after Anne Valérie Hash, Paris, March 2012.

Love this soft, stripey, drapey/slouchy top on Tao - so pretty.

Recreate Tao's Look (kind of):

Boy. by Band of Outsiders tie neck striped top (with pretty pin tucking) or Club Monaco softly striped Jasmine shirt or Joie Alpina blouse (ultra feminine)

Yves Saint Laurent Chyc leather tote (in classic blue)



Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Corinne

Corinne Bailey Rae, after Louis Vuitton (in Louis Vuitton), Paris, March 2012.

London Fashion Week SS 2012...Julia and Hanne

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Hanne Gaby Odiele, after Christopher Kane, London, September 2011.

Crop tops, sheer fabrics, exposed midriffs, My Little Pony?!.....Summer is a comin'*!

Recreate Julia's Look (kind of):

Dare to be a (little bit) bare in: Dion Lee sheer tulle and silk dress or Nicholas Lucinda top with detachable rose-gold plated choker or Topshop black sheer asymmetric t-shirt

Moschino Cheap and Chic black leather biker jacket or Club Monaco Carlye Moto Jacket

 Recreate Hanne's Look (kind of):

Topshop Geo lace crop vest or Nasty Gal fringed crop tank top

J Brand Zoey black triple zip skinny jeans  or Superfine Tease jeans (which have a whole lot of zippity zip action going on).

*well, except in the UK where it feels like summer is still an age away (April has been a cold, wet and rather soggy month so far).

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Hanne

Hanne Gaby Odiele, after Dries Van Noten, Paris, February 2012.

Like Anna, Hanne has incredible (and unique) personal style. And this Jungle print look from Dries Van Noten is no exception.

Recreate Hanne's Look (kind of):

Dries Van Noten Carlines draped photo print sleeveless top

Dries Van Noten Jungle print dress

Elie Tahari Fiona pants or Marc by Marc Jacobs cropped trousers or ASOS cropped red trousers

Rag & Bone Cayman sandals or Miu Miu whipstitched sandals or if you prefer to wear prints on your feet, these floral wedges are really cute.



Paris Fashion Week SS 2012...Emilie

Emilie Noel, before Rick Owens, Paris, September 2011.

It is always lovely to come across photographs from previous seasons that seem just perfect for now. My friend Emilie (who is Canadian but lives in Paris) looks so pretty and fresh in her boxy top, detachable collar and up and er, down, skirt (I have no idea what these skirts are called* so I am just going to go with "up and down" for now!).

Recreate Emilie's Look (kind of):

Revitalise a basic top with Karl sequined collar or Topshop Splodge sequin collar (which kind of reminds me of a Marni collar I saw in a magazine) or Dannijo peter pan Stella collar (a keep forever piece...half necklace/half collar, totally gorgeous)


Marc by Marc Jacobs Esther Oxford Top (it isn't navy but I love the boxy shape and colour of this top), No. 21 Graphic Tee with detachable collar or Preen Honey top with contrasting pink peter pan collar

Mason by Michelle Mason dipped hem skirt or Girl. by Band of Outsiders Althea printed dipped hem skirt  (such a pretty rose print for summer) or Topshop earth printed dipped hem skirt (Topshop have a great selection of these skirts. This one is my pick).

Acne Pistol stacked heel ankle boots (Peony has just bought a pair of these. So cute and versatile) or Rachel Comey Huron perforated booties.

*So apparently they are called dipped hem skirts. Much better than my clumsy "up and down" description :)