Fall Favourites

The Fall collections that have been on your mind since seeing them on the runways in February have finally hit the stores and the streets. Coats and boots can now be pulled from under the bed and everyones favourite word in fashion 'layering' can be used. I have put together my list of my favourite fall items, from clothing and accessories to candles and art, this is everything I'll be wearing and buying this season. Remember to click on pictures and links to shop. Stay warm and chic. 

Vintage Shopping at Your Finger Tips

To every cool kid in London dressed in early 90's Champion and Polo Ralph Lauren this is nothing new and as common as a trip to the charity shop or going for artisan coffee. However, for myself Depop is a whole new world of shopping, with better finds in two minutes of scrolling than a whole day at Value Village. To explain, the app is set up wholly like Instagram, with followers and clean aesthetics, but instead of just liking you can now also shop. There is anything from barley used Saint Laurent to 1970's glasses and all the in-between. It is completely addicting and completely wonderful. I have been inspired by the British outlook on vintage style and how that relates to the growing topic of sustainable fashion, and I will be staring a project related to this new found inspiration very soon....stay tuned.

Snake Skin

​Maybe it’s the influence of “Gucci snakes” or the Air Jordan Premium Snake Skin shoe, but grey and brown snake skin is slowly beginning to pop up in street wear and on high street. Knee-high and ankle snakeskin boots are no longer cowboy and much more chic. Paired with a dusters jacket and turtleneck they’re an easy why to up a cold weather look.

The Colour Red

​I saw it all through A/W16 fashion week, in Paris and London, and being someone who strictly does not wear colour I have to admit it was a big step to buy a red sweater. Red is the colour of the season. From coats to blouses that Valentino red has replaced your burgundy skirts and blue collard shirts. Personally I’ve never wanted to be a blonde in a red dress. However, I do love good knit so I’m trying the trend out with a lovely turtleneck from Wilfred. 

Le Duo Illustrations

​This French illustrative art is entertaining, innovative and now fills the walls of my room. I stumbled upon three works in a home store in Shoreditch Box Park, depicting nine famous designers, trainers, and drinks. I gravitated towards the works firstly because they made me smile and secondly because they were a different way of displaying famous and beloved images. They were a mix of pop art and graphic design. I was not surprised to later find out that the Le Duo illustrations haven been seen in Karl Lagerfeld campaigns and rail way information videos. I plan to keep a close eye on what popular items are depicted next and add to my collection. 

Puffer Jackets 

​They have been popular in Canada, solely for the purpose of staying warm, for years but last season Balenciaga made them fashion and they are appearing on every trendy Londoner in Soho to Peckham. If you’re not one to wear a bright red ski jacket with diamonds underneath there are plenty of puffy jackets appearing in every high street store and boutique.

​I went with a snow white oversized jacket with gold detailing from Zara. While it has not got quite cold enough in London to wear it, I can’t wait to put it on and feel like a high fashion marshmallow.

Bus Driver Hat 

​Also known as the ‘sailor hat’ this head piece is beginning to pop up everywhere. From Saint Laurent to Gigi X Tommy Hilfiger to now being able to find one at Forever 21, they are an ‘it girl’ accessory. I grabbed mine in August from Aritzia and wore it to the Sid Neigum show this London Fashion Week. I am also finding that the hat is a great way to make a t-shirt and jeans a more high fashion look, paired with a pair of black booties and a suede chocker. I am excited to see how the trend piece is worn this upcoming fall and winter.

Boulangerie Candle

​Meaning ‘bakery’ in French these candles can transport you to a Paris bakery cooking with sweet vanilla and cinnamon or your grandma’s house making oatmeal cookies. The jars are elegant and the scents homely. The only problem with them is that you find yourself craving cake while lighting them. 

Blazers and Sports Jackets

I saw this trend in first on the Burberry men’s runway. I didn’t pay much attention to at first thinking, “Sports-wear inspired with a twist. Seen it a lot. Here to stay. Love it. Move on.” It wasn’t until reading the Esquire’s September Issue, a must read, that I really paid attention to the pairing. Jeremy Langmead noted the look saying, “the trackie top has been adopted by designers as a casual item to wear…. under a blazer or smart coat (almost as you would a cardigan or sweater.)” This was a look I was instantly able to visualize on a man. What was exciting to me was how this look may look on a woman, even myself. And with picturing that the trend clicked. It is a look I myself will be trying to incorporate and master over the coming months. 

Louis Vuitton Perfumes

​​Reading the September issue of Harper's Bazar I found myself fascinated by the article regarding Louis Vuitton’s upcoming launch of their first fragrance since 70 years prior. Many high-end brands have clutched onto the idea of producing a mass of perfumes and matching lotions, with bottles so gorgeous they could be carried down the catwalks. However, Louis Vuitton has been out of the market for decades, uninterested or waiting for the perfect moment? Well it seems this moment is now, right now, and selling out. No detailed was spared creating the signature scents, on the website each bottle is paired with lengthy disruption along with an artistic video of either flowers or leathers, stimulating the senses. I went to Harrods, one of the few locations supplying the seven scents to test them all out. They are each different yet cohesive. My personal favorite was Contre Moi, a blend of vanilla and orange flower.