Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood

D.O.B: 4th April 1941
Grew up in: Derbyshire
Nationality: English
Education: University of Westminster, Goldsmiths
Children: 1
Awards: British Fashion Designer of the Year 1990, 1991, 2006
Labels: Vivienne Westwood

Trademarks

Tartan

Safety Pins

Mock-Croc Sky High Platforms

Fig Leaf Nude Tights

I haven't blogged in so long, i miss it! It really is down to the stress of college life... Make that the stress of life full-stop.

I just thought i better do a brief profile on the Queen Of Fashion herself before I bombarded you all with pictures from her latest collections. I'm obsessed.

Maybe it's my expressive taste but in my opinion her collections were by far the best this season. I do, however, always say that... My one single exception was Spring 2008 John Galliano (AH, don't me started... so beautiful).

I also felt that Vivienne's hair was convenient for my Halloween post.

Have a good one :)

PD x

listening to: fight for this love - cheryl cole

Lily for Chanel Coco Cocoon

Hey everyone! Look what i found...

How beautiful are these campaign photos?

The rundown: Lily Allen is the face of the eagerly awaited Coco Cocoon collection by CHANEL that launches this month. Karl Lagerfeld created the collection. It contains sleek, casual handbags and other accessories which all bear the signature CHANEL quilted pattern.

I love how we see Karl behind the camera :)

And she looks SO much like Audrey Hepburn in these snaps it's unbelievable! Seriously...The dark hair with the fringe and quiff... The sunglasses... The hair pieces...

See for yourself:

uncanny likeness!

Most of the items are a little too plain for my liking but I LOVE this white lambskin bag and sexxxy keycase... if only! -->

Ooo... and i also adore that frilly black and white wrist cuff Lily wears in one of the photos up there... Anyone know where i can find one of those beauties?

Anyhow... you can see the entire collection at http://www.chanelcocococoon.com/

Lots of winter love,

PD x

listening to: whatcha say - jason derulo

1.Wo/Man at London Fashion Week

About three words sum up Monday 21st September for me -

Crazy, happy and surreal...

Aindrea Emelife, the girl behind fashionista du jour, gave Camilla two tickets to her exciting fashion show of which she was the Project Manager (at 15 years old! She's amazing).

The project, organised by BBC Blast, ran for 5-6 months in which a group of 13 to 19 year olds designed, produced and styled a brand new collection, PLUS organised the fashion show itself (phew..)

On arrival we got wristbands and grabbed the last two copies of The Daily before we got sat front row, next to the art editor of Amelia's Magazine - Satu Fox.

She was so nice. Like, SO nice. How-are-you-in-the-fashion-industry nice.

So amazingly nice that she put her trust in US (us meer, small fashion bloggers) to take over her job for the evening and write a next-day report on the entire show.

We acted cool about it. But we really weren't.

We did the article at 8 in the morning the next day (dedication!) and you can find the link in the column to the left - we were so proud!

Aindrea was adorable and nothing like a 15 year old - sweet, mature and stunningly dressed. (I say this because my sisters are 15 and really not...)

We also met Sophie (fashion editor of The Dish) & Claire (from Young Shields) who, i swear, we did not stop laughing once in the company of! Like us, they were your average sixth formers so had just commuted from the depths of teenagehood to be placed in the middle of Fashion Week : the same scary boat.

The show was really impressive, especially for a group of teenagers. The structures were innovative and on-trend but the fabrics fairly simple. It was extremely urban in most places and the shoes were AWESOME (sequined brogues and floral wedges).

Here are my favourites from the show:

(PHOTOS STILL TO COME)

PD x

now on blog lovin'

follow me :)

LFW report soon, i promise!

although the fashion world takes my mind off on wild tangents... i'm now obsessed with what's going on over in milan. Roberto Cavalli. 'nuf said...

PD xx

Big Brother Contestants On The Catwalk!

YES. Okay... had to post this.

What the actual?

Channel 4's Big Brother Contestant Lisa was a model at this season's Vivienne Westwood Red Label show... wha?!

I checked 3 websites in total to confirm that what I was seeing was actually true.

However... slightly confused... where's David? (nanoo nanoo) If my BB memory serves me well then it was he who screamed 'I LOVE YOU VIV' at every given opportunity... (i would too). He should have been up there!

Anyhow, strange Vivienne revelations aside... I had the most amazing amazing evening last night in London with Camilla :)

So much to say... I will post all soon.

PD xx

new background - sweater dressing at vivienne westwood red label s/s10

London Fashion Week S/S Day Two

Plus-size models. Sharp ruffles. Optical illusion, psychadelic prints. Day Two at this season's LFW saw them all.

My two favourites were Mark Fast and Mary Katrantzou.

'plus-size models' at Mark Fast

She's hardly plus-size! But i love this 'body concious look' which is everywhere.

Origami-esque ruffles from Mark Fast
This dress is divine. Powder blue and grey are so pretty together and the ruffles add perfect drama to the delicate knit.

Psychadelic colour splash at Mary Karantzou
I am crazy over these prints... Every dress has the widest colour palette and the most extreme pattern combinations: water effects, zebra print, optical illusion-esque spirals.
And the models are wearing chunky bangles on their ankles - SO cool.

images from style.com

Day Three's Schedule:
09:00: Betty Jackson
10:00 - Louise Goldin
11:00 - Nicole Farhi
12:00 - Jasper Conran
13:00 - Matthew Williamson
14:00 - Eley Kishimoto
15:00 - Unique
16:00 - Antonio Berardi
17:00 - Julien Macdonald
18:00 - Vivienne Westwood Red Label
19:00 - Richard Nicoll
20:00 - Issa London

OH my god. I swear Day Three has THE best day -
Matthew Williamson IS BACK! And i bet it's with a bang...
One of 'the London Four', Richard Nicoll, is on the schedule.
And, heaven help me, Vivienne Westwood Red Label. I'm a Westwood addict to the very core... i love her i love her i love her. And i'm sorry if i bore you with an extra long post on how amazing she is.

PD xx

PS. i am getting so psyched for mine and Camilla's commute to London to see the 1.Wo/Man collection! Caroline's also coming with us to attend the book signing for 'The Sartorialist' - Scott Schuman. Pre-order the book here:
http://www.borders.co.uk/book/the-sartorialist/1490020/

listening to: waiting on a sunny day - bruce springsteen

London Fashion Week S/S10 Day One

The first day didn't hold the biggest names in fashion, but it still held some beauts and i have officially found a new love - Eun Jeong. Apparently the Korean designer took the winning prize at last year's Fashion Fringe with a similar all-white collection and her latest collection, 'White Reverse' is ice cool (get it?..) hm.

Here are my favourites from LFW day one : -

Bora Aksu - Neural lace, bows and billowing fabrics with awesome leggings

Eun Jeong - An icy wonderland; grey, white, fur and lace with an urban twist


Caroline Charles - Not one of my favourites, but i love this ultra-feminine outfit


Day Two's Schedule:

09:30 - Mark Fast
09.30 - Mary Katrantzou
11:00 - John Rocha
12:00- Margaret Howell
13:15 - Kinder Aggugini
14:15 - Danielle Scutt
15:15 - Osman
16:30 - Jenny Packham
17:30 - Ashish
18:45 - Charles Anastase
20:00 - PPQ

Your favourite from Day One?
PD x

London Fashion Week S/S10 Starts

I'm sitting with Camilla in my college common room getting SO excitable.

Why? Because London Fashion Week has officially started! (and also because i'm on my second cup of coffee).

It officially kicked off this morning at 9.30am with the Paul Costelloe show (that sweet old man) and the capital is now in for a straight 7 days of sexy, studded, chic, sleek fashion.

I CANNOT wait.

Because it's the 25th anniversary of LFW, we're going to be even more overwhelmed by new details and designers (seriously) but i'll be doing my best to extract the 'best bits' from each day.



And the countdown has begun for the LONDON FOUR:

--> Christopher Kane
--> Richard Nicoll
--> Marios Schwab
--> Erdem (love love love times a million)


The best thing is that i'm actually attending London Fashion Week this year. Camilla invited me on her plus 1 to see the brand new '1.Wo/Man' show on Monday :). I'm too excited about it and i'll be documenting our evening right here...


Today's Schedule:
9.30am - Paul Costelloe
10.30am - Headonism
11.30am - Caroline Charles
13.45 - Eun Jeong
16:30 - Emilio de la Morena
18.00 - Bora Aksu
19.15 - Sass & Bide
20:30 - Aminaka Wilmont

Looking forward to... Paul Costelloe and Sass & Bide.

PD x
listening to - number one sex, r kelly & keri hilson

READ THIS.

'Two terrible threats define the 21st century. One is imperialist war and all that follows in its bloody train. The other is the accelerating threat of catastrophic climate change.'

I found this fantastic article on capitalism and climate change which everyone should read. Or atleast dip into.

The article was written by Paul McGarr, a socialist political activist, and i found it on the International Socialist Journal.

http://www.isj.org.uk/index.php4?id=119&issue=107

PD x

Is that Ashley in big knickers?

Marie Claire US September 09

New York Vintage Bra ; Southpaw Vintage Bottoms

Yes... that is Ashley Olsen in big. white. knickers.

Somehow i don't think this new 'chic' way of styling magic pants is going to last. It'll only work for ultra-skinnies like our Ashley (and she does look fabulous) but doesn't that rather defeat the entire point of magic -suck in the flab- pants?

It's like 'You don't need those! What are you trying to squeeze in?'

On the other hand, fashion and logic don't always go together.

What do you think? How are you liking this new style of lingerie?

PD x

currently listening to: my love - ciara

Say 'Hey' to Hey Pilgrim.

To all wonderers with a purpose...

Here's a fabulous idea for your Tuesday evening:

Take a pilgrimage over to http://www.heypilgrim.com/ and pay homage to a pack of geniuses in Bangkok (well duh, they're asian) and pick up a load of their pretty/statement clothes.

Their pieces are so beautiful. The slogan tees especially. One in particular has been on my wishlist for too long!

Check them out. They're definately one to watch.

PD x

valencia valenthia

the countown has begun for my mini-vacation!

4 days in beautiful valencia... technically i don't know if it is beautiful or not as it is my first time,

but these pictures have swayed me.

photo credits: Angel Salguero on Flickr ; Keith Mason

so on sunday at 5am i'll be off to l'espagna!
sun, sea, sand ... without askim... but im sure it will be blissful...

where is everyone going away?
1 more day until the summer!

PD x

Blake Lively...

...is SO effortly glamorous in these pics of her at the CFDA 2009 awards!

That dress!
That tan!
That annoyingly luminous hollywood smile!

The dress is a Michael Kors hot hot hot creation... One day i may be able to afford.

-Sigh-

5 days till the summer! Woo! :)

xxx

listening to - first day of my life, bright eyes

brown-eyed girl

Sister looking immensely pretty!

I love these pictures. I took them quite a while ago now...

Though she's majorly ruined her hair since then after dying it a million times.

SO amazed by fashion show 'Lost in Paradise' on friday night :)

Well done Caro who modelled and Camilla who organised the night, it was fantastic!

Happy Monday!

xxx

New background - Donna Karen Fall 09

Dame Viv in the war against climate change.

"The AR manifesto reveals that in the pursuit of art the art lover becomes resistant to propaganda. This ethic arms him with a sane outlook on life."

Vivienne Westwood at the Royal College of Art in October 2008

Vivienne Westwood will be performing the Manifesto at this year's Latitude festival, followed by a Q & A session. For more information, visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk/tickets

She will speak about the world waking up to the disaster that climate change will bring and what we can do to change it.

PS On a lighter note...The bountiful blogging of Naomi Reid Davis is my new love. 'The Rockstar Diaries' illustrates her adoration for her husband, Josh, cupcakes, life, staying young and everything pretty.. Here is a wonderful little intro:
http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/12595.html

Reading: On the Road - Jack Kerouac

Listening to: Knock you down - Keri Hilson ft. Ne-Yo and Kanye West

It's all because...

...we live our lives in fashion.

read the dress...

My sister, Molly wears : dress - made by me ; black patent heels - new look ; fake pearls - topshop ; anchor neck scarf - primark

This is the result of my AS textiles coursework project. I made the dress from scratch and the inspiration was from tartan obsessed Vivienne Westwood, Tracey Emin and the significance of the fashion industry.... (sincerely don't suggest you take that on as a project topic - bottomless pit!)

As soon as i cut the last loose thread I put the dress on my sister and snapped these pictures of her in my garden.

Next week i'm onto the next dress... OH yes. The joys of AS exam stress.

PD x

ps. Apparently the UK's gonna have a long, hot summer, whey! This calls for extreme summer shopping. ASOS.com here i come...

listening to: stephen fretwell - new york

Unlikely Icon.

Gucci, Fall 09

Boy George

I think i missed something... either that or I'm about 30 years in the future.
Maybe this means we'll be wearing coloured ropes and ribbons in our hair! I'm up for that.

listening to: Halo - Beyonce

'The New Modesty'

Long gone are the days where we stare at a snapshot of Lily Donaldson strutting down the D&G catwalk in head-to-toe tartan and think ‘That? Really?’ and proceed to desperately try and conform to a maddening trend. Let’s be honest: there’s only so much clueless-Mum-In-Law-at-the-Scottish-wedding one can stylishly get away with.

Yes. The times are a-changing and following the recent London Fashion Week it’s clear that your regular fashion house can no longer afford to send blindingly elaborate attire down the catwalk – the global recession has officially taken its toll on fashion planet.

So what does this mean? Well, for us that are deprived of throw-away money (aka everyone normal), we can ACTUALLY chuck on a white t-shirt and leggings and not feel like regular victims of the Primark Sale rail. In the modern day, this makes us have taste. Hoorah!

If you just can’t consider it, then get on to some websites (I recommend www.style.com) and witness the catwalk colour deficiency and the complete lack of print and pattern.

However, if you just can’t manage the thought and need some sheer brazen up-ness in your style life then look into Kenzo and Blumarine who shone in this season’s Fashion Week and clearly didn’t let the economic climate swallow their ingenuity.

I’d personally take style advice from the experts whilst we can, when such a thing doesn’t empty our bank accounts. And with Karl Lagerfeld, overseer of creative direction at both Chanel and Fendi, dubbing it as ‘the new modesty’, you can’t really go wrong. ‘We are entering a phase of reality fashion’, he declared. ‘Bling is over.’


























'The New Modesty' at Fendi
























A minimalist LWD at Giorgio Armani

listening to: T-Shirt(Remix) - Shontelle ft. The Dream

tweet?

Seriously... how cool are these?

Infact the whole McQueen skeletal collection is ironically good looking.










And where is twitter in my life?? The college network keeps flashing 'access denied' in my face... annoyinngg





twitter.com/georgiatakacs... for those of you who can social network as you please... damn you.


I'm really feeling the need for some wise words from Mr. Karl Lagerfeld(That's right... the big guy tweets :) ... how sweet!).

GO AWAY TOPSHOP.

I took an impulsive lunchtime stroll around Topshop on Friday... and (surprise surprise) i walked out with a dress and three hairbands... really weren't essentially needed in the grand scale of things. And eventhough i did bound back in to college with a beaming grin on my face at the utter joy of some new beautiful things, i do now realise that it ate in to my fund for this Summer. Lord help me.

Benicassim ticket : £175
Return Flight to Valencia: £250 .. And going up at about a tenner a day...

At richer times i could have cheered myself up with these...
And yes, they're from Topshop. (sshh.)



listening to lucky soul - ain't never been cool

Fashion on TOAST.

For my sunday breakfast...

















............http://www.fashiontoast.com/ - CHECK IT OUT NOW.


The gorgeous girls, Caroline and Camilla, got me reading this cool cool blog and gosh is it ever addictive...

With some beautiful photography, oh-so-chic styling and splashes of fashion advice from Rumi herself.. what's not to love?

The way the editor mixes vintage and designer, individuality and commercialism is really spot on. And after reading her lastest post, that Mary Quant black velvet skirt i almost threw out doesn't seem like such a bad idea!

It's a blog you've just got to follow. And when you're done reading, check out her endless list of other fashion blogs you can check out.

Doesn't look like that English essay is getting done today... I'm tracking down a pair of those Sam Edelman boots...



















.............Note To Self: Actually USE your gym membership (woah.) and achieve legs like those of Rumi's ... I'll start using it again on Monday... (maybe.)

EGYPTOMANIAC.

You'll be proudly claiming yourself as one of these after you check out this new, elaborate micro-trend that Spring 2009 has in store for us.

Forget Anglomania this season... it’s time for the royalty of Egypt to rise again and take to the streets. Hieroglyphics are the new tartan. Ropes are the new leather accessories. Giant gems are the new oversized pearls. This season we’re to forget big bold pieces and pay more attention to elegant detail.

Autumn/Winter saw us parading the streets in head to toe tartan a la Westwood. The colour palette was small. Neutral greys, browns and slick, chic black occupied our wardrobes. Well it’s now time to clock an extra 1000 years in the flux capacitor, break all colour boundaries and look like a walking tomb of ancient riches.

Think lavish gold and silver; turquoise with forest green; royal blue and metallic bronze.

Still need convincing? Then just take a look at what this season’s catwalks were effortlessly teeming with. Hemlines were high, necklines were embellished and limbs were weighed down. Zac Posen tainted models with bank busting bejewelled accessories with gigantically glamorous earrings. Elegant, arm hugging gold cuffs were seen at Ralph Lauren. ‘Nefertiti Chic’ empowered hairstyles at Christian Dior with sleek, ornate top knots and crimped detailing.

But how, you say, do I achieve the 'look'? Well here are the key pieces you need:

• The Gold Dress (try http://www.fashionspace.com/shop/view/17507/)
• An Embellished Neckline
• Bejewelled Heels (check out these Jimmy Choos: http://www.fashionspace.com/shop/view/8269/)
• The Rope Belt (try this statement version: http://www.fashionspace.com/shop/view/17068/)
• As many gems that your body may carry. (try these http://www.fashionspace.com/shop/view/17507/)

As for beautifying, it really couldn’t be simpler: Tie up that hair, Slick on the black liquid eyeliner and bronze those cheeks. It’s time to really Walk Like An Egyptian.

A Contemporary Cleopatra at Zac Posen
Photo: Marcio Madiera

Nefertiti-Chic Ornate Top-Knots at Christian Dior
Photo: Greg Kessler