STYLESAGE: An alternative to London Fashion Week

Check out our latest guest post for STYLESAGE, talking about an alternative London Fashion Week event.  Click on the logo below to read the article.

Catwalk Genius Guest Post

Check out our latest guest post for Catwalk Genius - There is more to style than clothes. Click on the logo below to read the post.

STYLISA talks to Stewart Parvin, Bridal Designer and Royal Couturier

We were lucky enough to get the chance to interview Stewart Parvin, one of Britain’s most critically-acclaimed bridal designers, awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen in 2007.

Stewart Parvin

How did your fashion career begin?

From the age of 4 I knew the difference between Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, and used to advise my mother on what to wear.  After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art. I went onto work for the fabuluous London couturier Donald Campbell, and then I moved to be senior evening wear designer for a large manufacturer designing many difference collections – however the world of couture was where I longed to be, and that led me to start up my own label.

When did you launch your first collection and what was the inspiration behind it?

I launched my first collection in 1995 with the opening of my own shop in Motcomb Street, it was a fusion of nautical stripes and gilt buttons, and summer garden party florals with crisp tailoring. Very Audrey / Jackie O!

How did you come to be the Queens official dressmaker?

Prior to the golden jubilee I was approached by Angela Kelly the Queens senior dresser who was looking for a fresher lighter more contemporary approach to the wardrobe of Her Majesty. First of all I submitted sketches and swatches, of which she chose 5 outfits including her famous pale blue cobweb lace dress which has been seen on many occasions and featured in the Buckingham Palace exhibition.

STYLISA MD Lisa Maynard-Atem with Stewart Parvin

What have been the highlights of your career to date?

The night the queen wore the blue cobweb dress was the first time she’d worn one of my outfits and it received huge international attention as the lights went out and she descended the staircase in candlelight. More recently showing my 2011 collection at the White Gallery in a catwalk show was very exciting – the venue was the stunning Saatchi Gallery, and it was fantastic to be able to showcase the collection in such a prestigious venue.

Is there a typical Stewart Parvin client or do they vary?

there isn’t a typical stewart Parvin client, but the one thing they all do have in common is confidence, sophistication and an understanding of beautifully fitting clothes.

Can you tell us about you Autumn/Winter 2010 collection?

AW2010 will bring an exciting mix of crisp suits in metallic glitter tweeds, sharp pant suits in muted flannels, and sparkling evening gowns embellished with swarovski crystals.

Who are your favourite designers?

My favourite designers are Valentino for his glamour, Givenchy for his chic, and Oscar De La Renta for his park avenue style.

Is there anyone that you would like to dress?

Queen Rania of Jordan, Carey Mulligan and Reece Witherspoon would be top of my list as they not only possess great beauty but they have great individual style

Strangers in the Night
Stewart Parvin Bridal Collection, Spring/Summer 2010 

You have recentlty relaunched the Stewart Parvin website - do you have any other plans to expand the brand?

Our boutique is about to close for a major refurbishment which will be hugely exciting, there are more exciting developments on the website and we’re just planning to show the bridal collection in New York to re-establish our US presence.

Have you embraced the phenomenon that is social media yet?

With the development of our website we will soon be starting a blog – which will provide a more interactive experience for visitors to the website.

What in your opinion is the essence of true style?

The essence of true style is individuality and self confidence – combined with an intimate knowledge of fashion trends, and knowing when to embrace them or to stay well clear!

And finally, what advice would you give to up and coming designers?

Prepare to be truly dedicated, even more be prepared for a long hard slog!!

Stewart Parvin website: http://www.stewartparvin.com/

STYLISA featured in Lace Magazine

Read our latest interview in Lace Magazine - Lisa talks about the world of fashion, celebrity and plans for the future.  Click on the logo below to read the interview.

STYLISA feature on Red Rover Style

Check out our latest guest post on Red Rover Style, talking about the fab fashionista Loulou Bontemps and her Beautiful British Bags.  Click on the logo below to read the feature.

STYLISA Featured in the current issue of WorkLife Magazine

Click on the image below to read Lisa's interview in the current issue of WorkLife Magazine (pages 20-21)

Florence & Fred Couture - Harem Jumpsuit

It’s Credit Crunch Couture time again…

Harem Jumpsuit - £80.00

This piece is fabulous because it combines two of the trends of the season, playsuits and harem pants.  And as the days finally getting warmer, this is a great choice of outfit.  The artistic ‘statement’ print is beautiful and the rouching and drawstring finishes are perfectly girly.  If you wanted to break up the print, you could team with a nice brown waist-belt and some fab wedges.  If I had to choose a celeb to dress in this piece, it would be the gorgeous Kylie Minogue.  I could just see the pint-sized princess in this little number, accessorised with her just as gorgeous boyfriend.  Maybe if Carrie Bradshw decides to go back to Abu Dhabi, she could pack this jumpsuit in her suitcase, as it is very much her style.

It’s official, Florence & Fred are not only the stylists to the nation…but also to the stars!  Patricia Field better watch out!

Finally, fans of Florence and Fred now have the chance to win this fantastic jumpsuit.  Simply go to Twitter and follow @ClothingatTesco for more details.

Look out for the final STYLISA F&F couture blog post coming soon…

Hello Girls...Wonderbra Ultimate

Guest post fashion blogger Anne-Marie Lodge talking bras, more precisely...Wonderbras...

As a big boob girl, finding a strapless bra, that does what it says on the tin, is like searching for the Holy Grail. I love bandeau, one shoulder and other interesting necklines, but the support offered by lowly strapless bras, with a crazy magnetic attraction to my waist, has always prevented me from fully indulging in my love of these styles.

Me (in my amazing Wonderbra)

So, the Mission, that I chose to accept was: to find that elusive bra that would look and feel good. Actually, I didn't really care that much about the feel at this point because, you know I'm brave, if not a little vain, and I am fully prepared to suffer for my style.  I noticed that there were a few lovely Wonderbra ladies tweeting their way through Twitter, and I decided to get in touch. I spoke to (well tweeted with) a lovely lady called Sarah (Twitter name: @Wonderbra_Sarah), who recommended the Ultimate strapless bra for me.

So I raced, to the nearest department store and by some kind of miracle, there, in a small collection of Ultimate Wonderbras was lurking MY SIZE, which I often struggle to find (I am a 30E and I rarely come across it).  Furthermore there was 20% off...I felt like the universe was trying to tell me something!

I did have a bit of a fight with it in the fitting room. And it did feel a bit weird at first. But after being informed that it was a perfect fit, I snapped it up and skipped all the way home.


Now there is a technique that I have found to guarantee the performance of this bra, but you do need a helper. By nature, these bras are fairly tight, and so a little tricky to get on and get in the right position. This is where a helper comes in handy. Once you've got it on, just get the chosen lucky person to yank it up a bit at the back and then it sits lovely and flat under the bust.

Now don't get me wrong. It is not the prettiest thing in the world (especially in nude). But this bra is not about looking sexy out of your dress, it's about looking sexy in it.

I am pleased to report that the bra has now been road tested (see picture of me above, in the green dress).  I can honestly say that I totally forget that I am wearing it...now that is a big thing!

A lot of work has gone into to creating the Ultimate, to ensure that it puts in this kind of performance. In fact, it has taken two years and over 100 hours of testing to achieve the end product.

Wonderbra says:

‘Pioneering, polycarbonate, hand-shaped structures are moulded into the cups, invisible from the outside. This unique technology lifts the weight of the bust, supports and gives a trusted Wonderbra cleavage’.

I can definitely vouch for this claim...I am one happy customer!

Now here’s your chance to share in my strapless bra epiphany! In conjunction with ReallyRee; Attempts at a Stylish Life, Wonderbra are giving away an Ultimate strapless bra, in your chosen size, to a very lucky winner.

All you have to do is:

Follow the ReallyRee; Attempts at a Stylish Life blog and leave your full name and email address in the comments, stating you wish to enter.  Alternatively you can 'like' the ReallyRee facebook page  and also leave your full name and email address in the comments, stating you wish to enter.

Or you can do both if you like!

Should you prefer, you can send email addresses privately to reallyree@gmail.com as long as you have followed the blog or 'liked' the facebook page. Please leave a comment that indicates you will be doing this.

ENTRIES WILL NOT COUNT WITHOUT YOUR FULL NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS. BY SUBMITTING THIS INFORMATION, YOU ARE AGREEING TO IT BEING PASSED ON TO THE WONDERBRA DATABASE.

The winner will be chosen by random.org

Qualifying comments must be in English and entered by 12th July 2010. The Winners will be notified and announced on 13th July 2010.

Good luck!

I would love to hear your views on getting the right bra and any wonderful discoveries you have made.
  
Ree
XXX