nolla andrean

How to... rip or fray jeans, Part 2!

So, after I (very kindly, I thought!) wrote the post on "how to rip jeans", Hannah finally did her pair! The results can be seen below. I think she did a very good job too.

She told me earlier, "I used a grater as sand paper wasn't strong enough. I am very happy with the results! I didn't do them too much as I know they'll get worse the more I wear and wash them!"

Thanks for letting us know how you go on, Han!

LUST LIST: Top 10 PARTY earrings

Topshop Shoulder Duster Earrings, £25

(these come in six different colours!)

Topshop Stone Pearl Chandeliars, £20

Topshop Disco Ball Earrings, £10

Dorothy Perkins Crystal tear drop earrings, £12

AND all Dorothy Perkins jewellery has 25% off at the moment, in store and on line!

Dorothy Perkins Huge gem chandelier, £10

Dorothy Perkins Chandelier earring, £8

ASOS Statement Colourful Bead And Stone Chandelier Drop Earrings, £12

ASOS Enamelled Fan Drop Earrings, £8

ASOS Statement Vintage Style Metal And Pearl Tassel Earrings, £15

10.

Accessorize Noir Chunky Chain Tear Drop Earrings, £12

And one more for luck!

11.

Accessorize Vintage Gem Chandelier Earrings, £10

LAST DAY!!!

If you haven't voted yet - please do vote for me for Blog of the Month - every single vote counts and today is the last day.

10 things I like... from my winter wardrobe!

I decided this morning to write this post as I stood in front of my wardrobe trying to find something that didn't feel tired and old. The problem with my shopping ban is that because it started in the summer I have not bought any new winter clothes since last year now. So here are the top ten things I have been wearing and learning to love (again) from my wardrobe so far this winter:

1. My over-the-knee boots. Not actually old and tired at all but a gift from the boyf. I am literally living in these. Love love LOVE!

2. Leggings. A little warmer than tights and so versatile. They are the perfect summer-to-autumn-to-winter cross over piece!

3. Jumper dresses. I have two H&M rollneck jumper dresses and have been living in them.

4. My cape. I loved this when I bought it in the sales but had little chance to wear it until this autumn. It dresses up an outfit perfectly.

5. Tights tights tights. My love for them is still alive!

6. Knee high socks. Great under jeans or over leggings with knee high or over the knee boots! Good winter warmer.

7. Arm warmers. Colourful. Warm. Funky. What more could you ask for?!

8. Knitted beret. I bought a cream knitted beret for my trip to New York last January and have brought it out of its summer hiding place.

9. Scarves. Always look chic. I think they are great for pulling an outfit together. Have a lovely black one with silver running through it from the "in laws" a couple of years ago. Wear it constantly.

10. Vests. Not the sort that old men wear or that my mum used to make me wear when I was little. But it is now cold enough to put a cute little vest under my clothes and I love it.

More soon. Love, SG

BARGAIN HUNTER: Beautiful bargain arm warmers!

Check out these gorgeous babies! £3 from Matalan and with wool and angora they are so warm!

Spent all day yesterday working on a stall at a Christmas craft market with my sister, selling cushions she'd made. It was freezing. These arm warmers were perfect for keeping me warm. Thank you mum!

The Great Fashion Designers: Brenda Polan and Roger Tredre

Over to London College of Fashion this week for the launch of a new book by Brenda Polan and Roger Tredre. The authors - both respected journalists and academics (and they still had time to publish a book?) - have chosen the 50 greatest designers of the twentieth century, 'through much debate, sometimes learned and courteous, sometimes outrageous and alcohol-fuelled.' From Charles Frederick Worth in the early days, to the nineties and Nicholas Ghesquiere, this is a timeline of commercial and creative success.

What started off as a collection of interviews; Polan for The Guardian, The Financial Times and The Independent on Sunday, Tredre for The Independent, The Observer and WGSN, morphed into 'the book we wish we had in our hands when we were feeling our way into fashion.' Each designer has a comprehensive profile followed by a handy list of books for further reading, making this perfect for students and fashion-followers alike.

And yes, there are loads of twentieth century fashion books out there but with over 30 years in the industry, Polan and Tredre give fashion history a personal spin - including an interview with Azzedine Alaia, conducted in 1982, whilst Polan was sitting on a (closed) lavatory!

Cristobal Balenciaga: 'Unquestionably the greatest fashion designer of the twentieth century.' Colin McDowell

'I decided to bring into women's wear that sort of practical, rational way of dressing that really did not exist,' Giorgio Armani told Brenda Polan in 2000.

On Calvin Klein: 'Apart from Gianni Versace, no other upmarket designer has used sex to sell in quite such an up-front (and up-front more than describes his ads for men's underpants) way.'

'Perhaps I want to question people's prejudices about what is beautiful, what makes a lady beautiful. Through fashion I try to re-evoke the past and reflect on it,' Vivienne Westwood told Polan in 1991.

On Azzedine Alaia: 'There were no press cuttings for some basic research so the bread-and-butter questions had to be asked. In response to one of the first Alaia was evasive but charming. 'How old? Does it matter? I am as old as the pharoahs.'

Photos:
Balenciaga photo: Getty Images
Cover photo and catwalk shots: Chris Moore

Waffles, politics, six and a little boy peeing

There is a smell wafting through the open office window at the moment that smells just like a waffle stand in Brussels. Amazing.

Did I mention before that I lived in Brussels for three months a few years ago when I was doing an internship at the European Parliament?

I learned to love Brussels in that time. I'm not sure it is a city that you immediately fall for, like Paris or Rome but it certainly grows on you. Indeed it is a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is famous for beer and the city's "mascot" is a little boy peeing and on the other, it is home to the European Parliament and European Commission offices. It is also home to French Belgians and those from Flanders which makes it a clash of cultures. Of course, it also houses an international population, from the African quarter to those in Brussels who work in one of the international institutions. The clashes and contrasts make for an exciting and interesting place to live and as I got to know the city better, so I learned to like it and finally, love it.

Belgium is not a very big country and, as I have found whenever I have travelled in continental Europe, rail travel is relatively cheap. So during my three months I endeavoured to see a little more of the country. One Sunday afternoon I found myself in Antwerp. Again, like most places in continental Europe, much of the city was closed for Sunday but it was a cool place to wander around. Since visiting I have read up more about it and really want to go back. Antwerp is the breading ground of a many a fashion designer, most famously the "Antwerp Six", Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries van Noten, Dirk van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee. These six - with a seventh in tow (Martin Margiela) - graduated from the Belgian Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the city at the beginning of the 1980s and travelled to London and Paris together, showcasing their unique avant-garde style of fashion.

The city is home to MoMu - ModeMuseum - the popular fashion museum. The building (above) is also home to The Academy of Fashion and the Flanders Fashion Institute. If you are ever in Antwerp, check it out - I intend to!

Whilst researching the city and finding photos, etc, I came across this blog - Antwerp Fashion Observer. I think this demonstrates how Antwerp has produced such amazing designers and will continue to do so.

Hope you've enjoyed this. More soon. Love, SG

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Skate at Somerset House

Friend and fellow blogger AskHat once asked me to go ice-skating at Somerset House. This wasn't just any old skating, it was Time Out Singles Skating, and fortunately being able to skate wasn't essential. We were single and that was what really mattered.

During our session on the ice (I use that term very loosely), my confidence grew and suddenly I was teaching a poor young man to skate. Must have been the novelty of finding someone even more pathetic than I was, clinging to the barrier. Hey, at least I was moving! Needless to say, new friend, Marco, landed flat on his face, and promptly left the rink. Hat and I followed to apologise and offer a conciliatory plastic cup of mulled wine. Skates off and dignity intact, we headed to the bar, where we met Marco's friend, the lovely Dan.

That was seven years ago, today! Hat and Dan are married now, with a bump (due in January), so how about that for a real-life love story on ice?

Oh and Tiffany sponsor the rink. This charm bracelet is a holiday gift, the ice skate is very cute, not cheap (£115) but I think Hat would quite like one....

Somerset House photo from Time Out

Hooray for Vionnet!

Yesterday's issue of The Times featured a selection of gorgeous red party dresses - two from designer du jour, Madeleine Vionnet. And isn't it lovely to see an older model, looking gorgeous and sexy, rather than mutton-y and freakish, as in The Guardian Weekend magazine? (But that's another post!)

Anyway, rant over, now for a bit of history. Vionnet's fashion house closed in 1939 because of the Second World War and also, 'Because I'd had enough,' madame said later. The label relaunched in 2006, in collaboration with Barneys, New York, and designer, Sophia Kokosalaki - another mistress of elegant drapery - seemed like a perfect match. Not so. Several designers later, and now under new ownership, Vionnet showed a cruise collection for 2010 at Paris Fashion Week. Rudolfo Paglailunga (ex-Prada) is currently working his magic at the drawing board.

Photos: Zac Frackelton, as featured in The Times

Styling: Eve Thomas

Dresses by Vionnet from Selfridges (0800 123 4000)

Blog of the Month - quick reminder and plea and THANK YOU!

V quick post to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has already voted for me. To anyone who hasn't yet but was intending to vote for me, please please do!! The poll closes on Sunday. You can vote here. And check out the British Style Bloggers site while you're at it. Including my weekly guest column; this week's can be found here.

How to... Dress for work in the winter

Does anyone else have the same problem I do in winter, when dressing for work in the mornings? I walk to work and therefore need to be wrapped up warmly but often get quite warm whilst walking and then when I get to work, the office is often quite hot.

I have put together my top ten tips for dressing for work in the cold weather:

1. The most important item of clothing you will buy for winter is a warm coat. For work this should be smart (obviously!) and preferably knee length, I think. This length will work with trousers and skirts alike. Colour is also important, I think a camel, black or navy blue works best.

2. In my opinion, you can be more imaginative with your accessories, hat, gloves and scarf. Maybe try a nice bright colour that will make you feel better about heading out into the cold on those dark winter mornings. I am lusting after a fuschia pink scarf at the moment.

3. You don't have to forget skirts or dresses just because it is winter. Go for a warmer material, maybe a wool mix suit skirt, with black opaque tights and classic knee-high boots.

4. Boots are key to a winter work wardrobe. A classic black leather knee-high boot with a small heel (2 and a half inches or less). They will pair perfectly with a skirt or dress and will also fit under trousers to add extra warmth when necessary.

5. If you do not want to wear boots to work every day, I tend to pull on a pair of comfy boots to walk to work in and change once at work into my heels.

6. Layers seem to be the obvious answer but for work wear I often find that they bulk me out and make me feel frumpy. If you find you need to layer up for extra warmth, try a thin thermal vest. M&S do some very pretty vests which do not look too old fashioned.

7. Keep a spare cardigan in the office. My office is usually very warm and I therefore often wear a dress with only a scarf and coat which is fine for my walk to work but when the temperature drops in the office later in the day, I find I need an extra layer.

8. Just because it is dark outside doesn't mean that your clothes have to reflect this. The shops are filled with colourful winter clothing, use this to buoy your mood and that of others!

9. Arm warmers are very "of-the-moment". If, like me, you wear a lot of three quarter length sleeves, these are the perfect solution for braving the cold outside the office. Leg warmers (which tend to be cheaper) work on your arms too!

10. Send me your tips for number ten and I'll add the best one to this list!!

As ever, more soon. Love, SG

Art of the Trench

Burberry's site, Art of the Trench, launched last month. I completely forgot all about it until this morning. I am now addicted to it!

My only complaint is that only people wearing a Burberry trench are featured. I know that the site is run by Burberry but I would have liked it to be a celebration of the trench in general, which has obviously been inspired by the Burberry classic. Maybe that is an idea for a photo project for me...

Below are a couple of examples from the site - courtesy of The Sartorialist.

How trendy are these two little boys?!! I love their trenches! So cool.

More soon. Love, SG

Pink Flamingo Day

This is my necklace from Sunday Girl Accessories. I love it! :)

The Initial Necklaces for the girls are lovely too. Thank you Sunday Girl!

I love Paris, Madeleine Vionnet and er, Eurostar.

OK, OK so I probably don't actually love the Eurostar train - though it has made going to Paris a doddle - and this week Mr That's Not My Age did say he was thinking of taking up bird-watching, so we may turn into a twitcher and a trainspotter, who knows?! Anyway, let's leave our middle-aged hobbies out of this, and concentrate on Paris.

'It was never hard for me to create my first dresses,' said Madeleine Vionnet, 'they came out of me like a baker baking dough. It was later, towards the end of my career that it was more difficult for me. Because I had invented everything.' And whilst, the mistress of bias cut may not have been the most modest designer on the Rue de Rivoli, she's certainly not wrong. The current exhibition at Les Arts Decoratifs, Paris, shows off 125 stunning dresses from the 1920s and 30s (du soir et du jour) all of which are beautifully made and utterly timeless. Guest starring the wooden mannequin Vionnet engineered her scaled-down frocks on, and a fantastic animation of the one-seam dress (I watched it three times and still can't explain how it works, sorry!), it's easy to see why Mme Vionnet was viewed as 'an artist of fashion.'

As a special treat, I'll leave you with another quote, from madame (on good taste), some French bicycles and a lovely postcard from the museum shop (I'm saving up for the Vionnet book).

'Taste is a feeling that makes all the difference between what is beautiful and what is ugly! It is transmitted from mother to daughter. But some people don't need to be educated, they are innately tasteful. I think I'm one of them.'

'Madeleine Vionnet, puriste de la mode’, is on at Les Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris; + 33 01 44 55 57 50, until January 31 2010

Vionnet photos from Les Arts Decoratifs

Art and Photography: Week 7

Photo information: Nikon D40; 38 mm focal length; F/5; 1/60 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 18 mm focal length; F/5; 1/60 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 28 mm focal length; F/5; 1/60 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 55 mm focal length; F/5.6; 1/60 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 31 mm focal length; F/5; 1/60 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 38 mm focal length; F/13; 3 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 32 mm focal length; F/13; 2 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 30 mm focal length; F/13; 2 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Art and Photography: Week 6

I have been a little slack in posting the photos from the course and have just realised that I have not put up week 6 or week 7 photos. So here are some from week 6.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 55 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/50 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 52 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/50 sec exposure; ISO-400.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 55 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/50 sec exposure; ISO-400.