Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom-Tommmmmm

At present there is an epidemic sweeping the nation - luckily for once its something good to shout about. For the past few weeks I've noticed an influx of a certain type of shoe popping up on the feet of people everywhere I go. The shoes I'm referring to are the uber trendy, 'too cool for school' Toms.

Available from Office, Schuh and a multitude of other retailers Toms are definitely the shoes of Summer 2011. Not only are they fiercely on trend and come in an array of colours, they are also a simple solution to help a worthy cause.

Toms are part of the One for One movement. For every pair you purchase, Toms will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need - One for One.

With these shoes being so comfy and light on my feet, I'm already trying to scope out another pair to purchase! Great for women and men, Toms are fast becoming my favourite shoe!

I spy with my little eye something beginning with .......fashion!

On Thursday evening a couple of us wondered down to Millennium Point to see the end of year show for fashion students at Birmingham Metropolitan College. The students are part of the Matthew Boulton Campus and boy was I thoroughly impressed.

It's always good to see what fashion's next generation has in store for us, but I was quite literally blown away by the design and craftsmanship of the collections. So here is a rundown of some of the striking pieces that caught my eye from the 2011 Graduates at Fashion:Lab.

First up is Itemised Biomimicry. This jumped out at me as soon as it appeared on the catwalk, just its shape and structure was clever and amazing. The basis of this collection is based on entomology - the scientific study of insects, which is reflected in the manipulation and structure of the fabric.



Itemised Biomimicry



I lurrrrve the look below, I just love how simple yet feminine it is, dare I say it's a little girly but in a good way, a powerful way that makes you stand out from the crowd rather than blend in with the background!

Throwing in a bit of menswear into the mix - although I would certainly rock it given the opportunity. I am a true fan of the chunky knit and this is no exception. This look was part of a collection called Forget Me Not, drawing inspiration from the many goodbye's the designer has said over their lifetime, in their words 'its a juxtaposition of African fabrics and patterns with British knitwear all incorporated into a menswear collection.'

Last but by no means least is a collection called Childhood - of course it had to be the head piece. It speaks for itself, bold, brash and quite literally in your face. Such a genius creation!

Red Carpet Madness

The official colour for the month of February is the colour red. The reason? Well, I can assure you its not because its Valentine's Day, it's because of the abundance of red carpet celeb events. This week alone will be jam packed with the Grammy's, BAFTAS, ELLE style awards and the Brit Awards. Red carpets inevitably bring out the good, the bad and the just plain crazy (yes, I am referring to Gaga)!

So for those that don't have time to watch the endless hours of red carpet commentary provided by uber glamorous celebrity presenters that are polished to perfection, I've chosen my best dressed and not so best dressed from the red carpet at the Grammy's.

First up.....It may seem like a random choice, but I thought that Nicole Kidman looked fantastic! Her mermaid Jean Paul Gaultier dress gave her a figure hugging silhouette with dainty ruffles. Nicole's look is always slightly temperamental but in this case she got it spot on!

Now for the 'not so great' look, and those of you who know me will realise that it actually pains me to say this....but I was a little disappointed with Rihanna. Whilst everyone else thought she looked stunning, I just didn't 'get it' - which is weird since she too was wearing a Gaultier dress. To be honest, its not the easiest dress to model, and if there's anyone that oozes distinctive style or has the confidence to carry it off it would have to be Rihanna, but alas for some reason it has to be a thumbs down for me - so sad but true :(

One mans junk is another womans couture!

Today I randomly stumbled across a catwalk show with a difference...allow me to divert your attention to Krakow, Poland. The country's second largest city played host to the Junk Fashion Show, and these creations are ridiculously amazing! They are made from recycled rubbish, which goes to show that if you're creative enough you can find inspiration anywhere. 

Over the top, yet still stylish and crazily appealing, they are the result of thinking outside the box by students at Krakow's School of Art and Fashion Design.

What I find the most interesting, is that although the garments are made from recycled junk, you can really see the attention to detail that has been applied to each garment.

Considering I can at times be a major germaphobe, I wouldn't mind strutting down the street in one of these fabulous bad boys!

A students creation at the Junk Fashion Show

Rain rain go away......let's bring spring out early!

Apologies for my lack of posts, the run up to Christmas caused me to get rather distracted to say the least.....but now I’m back fighting fit and true to form.

I don’t know about you, but I have had ENOUGH of the cold weather...bring on summer (or at least a few rays of sunshine, so that I can start wearing my sunglasses without people on the bus thinking I’m a diva!!!)

A few weeks ago myself and a couple of chums went to the Vogue Selfridges evening; Calgary Avinsino , Executive Editor of  Vogue was presenting a talk on the upcoming trends for spring summer......and boy can I hardly wait!!! Granted, I’m not in the position to afford all of the designer selections that were displayed on stage - but one can only dream! If I were a rich girl, na na na-na na-na na na na-na naaaaaa.

Sports couture, artisan detail, stripes, bold print, even louder and more bold colour, you will certainly see me coming this summer. So, a rundown of what I can’t wait to be wearing?

1.  Block colour – in fact the brighter the better, think tangerine (yes that’s right, tangerine not orange!),  blue,  pink, red. In fact, according to the fashion gods that be, block colour works even better when you mix clashing colours, so wear a bright pink dress with a big red handbag…..sounds crazy my dears, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes and it worrrrrrkkkks!

Zara hot pink dress

2.   Floral – but not sissy, weedy type flowers, more like ‘over the top and in yer face’ floral prints, its feminine with an edge. Take a looksee at the t-shirt from Jonathan Saunders, its floral mosaic in the form of a baggy boyfriend tee. If this is too casual looking, try this jumpsuit from ASOS.

3.    1970s – yay!!! Super high wedges, halter necks, dresses and skirts with full on volume and glamour! If I was a gazillionnaire I’d be rocking pieces from the Marc Jacobs SS2011 collection, in particular this little number!

Marc Jacobs SS2011