July 2013 – Stylitz

Going Geometric

Published on July 25, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

This week saw the online launch of the Sarah Angold for Freedom at Topshop jewellery range. With an MA in Constructed Textiles from the RCA and clients including Selfridges and Hussein Chalayan, Angold is a name to watch in the world of accessories. Her main range employs techniques such as laser cutting and acid etching to create unique architectural pieces, with her team utilising the finesse of watch-making to craft all the pieces from her East London studio.

Freedom at Topshop, £52

Angold has not compromised on quality with this diffusion range for Topshop – each item in the collection is handmade in her studio and engraved with an individual production number. Having arrived at the Oxford Street store 2 weeks ago, fashion fans outside London can now grab a piece of the action online. If you like your necklaces to make a statement then this is the range for you. Bold, graphic and futuristic, these pieces are perfect for a hedonistic night in balmy Ibiza. Or, closer to home, add one to your outfit for this weekend’s Secret Garden Party.

Sarah Angold for Freedom at Topshop. Prices range from £30-£60 http://www.topshop.com

For her stunning main collection and lighting designs go to http://www.sarahangold.com

Freedom at Topshop, £32

NB. Speaking of partying, a pair of Angold’s striking earrings wouldn’t go amiss at the V&A’s Club to Catwalk exhibition, which highlights the clothing of the crazy 80s London clubbing scene. With a resurgence of 80s influenced garments currently in stores, and neon brights doing the fashion rounds, you can get inspired by the New Romantics or warehouse party looks of a bygone era. Just leave the glow-stick at home.

Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s at the V&A London runs until 16^th Feb 2014 http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-from-club-to-catwalk-london-fashion-in-the-80s/about-the-exhibition/

Another cool campaign from French Connection

Published on July 24, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska1 Comment

Cute clothing – check. Amazing photographer – check. Great concept – check, check, check. Iconic British clothing brand French Connection has pulled out all the stops with their latest Autumn/Winter 2013 campaign. Shot by the infamous Rankin (a dab hand at injecting an element of cool into a shoot) and featuring a novel ‘Sketch to Store’ concept, the ads look set to garner similar levels of press as the notorious ‘FCUK me’ campaign. Produced by Rankin’s new creative content agency The Full Service, the ads feature near naked models with garments sketched on top, alongside corresponding images in the actual clothing.

Rankin commented: “I’ve always admired the brand for striving to push boundaries, and for their fearless approach to captivating campaign concepts. I hope the ‘From Sketch to Store’ execution by The Full Service continues their history of stand-out campaigns.”

Indeed French Connection have a history of innovative marketing campaigns – from the recent ‘I am Woman; I am Man’ to the divisive 1990s play on the FCUK lettering. There is a strong emphasis on humour in their advertising and they have often earned praise from the press and claimed awards for their marketing. Aside from being clever and striking, I also have a particular interest in this brand as I featured them as a case study in my university dissertation. Cheeky, stylish and modern – this new campaign is French Connection to a tee.

Head to www.frenchconnection.com for new AW13 pieces, or to pick up a bargain in their final week of sale (up to 70% off garments).

Hit the Lido

Published on July 22, 2013July 22, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska1 Comment

In this hot weather there is only one solution… water. Not the type you find in a bottle (although that is also very helpful in times of intense heat) but the kind you find in a deep pool or at the end of a sandy – or even pebbly – beach. If you happen to live by the coast, then lucky you (I’m not jealous at all… honest!). However in London there is only one option for those without an open entry to Shoreditch House – the Lido. Retro, kitsch and minus the 1-year-waiting-list membership policy, the Lido is your pass to staying cool this summer. Which is exactly what I did last Friday. It was heaven.

There are quite a few Lido’s in London – Brockwell, London Fields & the recently refurbished pool in Charlton to name a few. I happen to live very near Tooting Bec Lido, the largest outdoor open-air pool in the UK. With cute brightly-coloured wooden changing cubicles and a massive 90 metre pool this is The Shard of Lido living.

Top tips – get there before 10am to avoid hour long queues and be prepared for mania on sunny weekends. Also I advise bringing your own food as the selection on offer (similar to many UK swimming pools) tends to lean towards the greasy, beige, deep-fried variety of cuisine. This weekend they are also showing a selection of cult classic films in the evening including the ever popular Withnail & I, and (hilariously) Ghostbusters. Pack a picnic, a bikini and your favourite sunnies and get down there pronto.

Tooting Bec Lido: Currently open 6am-8pm. Entry: £6.20 for adults; £3.80 for children/concessions; under 5’s free; £3.80 after 6pm.

http://www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk/centres/tooting-bec-lido/

Cinema at Tooting Lido (26th-28th July 2013) http://www.tootingartsclub.co.uk/

For further open-air swimming areas in London check out this article in The Telegraph archives

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/9357593/Londons-best-outdoor-swimming-pools.html

Keep your cool in Monochrome

Published on July 18, 2013July 18, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today’s is a pictoral blog post… a little styling inspiration for dressing in the summer heat. Think clean and simple, black and white.

Left: Emporio Armani; Right: Vintage Chanel ad campaign

Left: www.annatylercakes.co.uk; Right: Rita Ora

Left: Marina Streb by Jenny Brough for Gloss Slovenia June 2013; Right: Chanel

Left: Street style; Right: Kristen Stewart in Chanel at Chanel Haute Couture show AW13

Left: Slogan; Right: Haute Couture AW 2013 Street Style featured in Harpers Bazaar

Left: Street style; Right: Model Karolina Kurkova

Left: Stripes in the home and right: On the street

Left: Chanel; Right: Amazing face art

I hope you like and are suitably inspired by my monochrome mood boards. I am loving the clean lines, the graphic checks and the decorative florals. Let me know which is your favourite image.

Street style snap

Published on July 17, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

I have just discovered that last month I appeared on www.ElleUK.com in the street style section (yay!). Above is the featured image and a couple of the pieces I was wearing. I love a print and here have opted to clash bright florals and monochrome zebra. The Urban Classics baseball jacket is a recent wardrobe addition, influenced by my styling work for Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew (Sky 1). I am a fan of the lack of branding on this jacket and it also comes in a huge range of colours for those that prefer a bolder option. The sunnies are by Jeepers Peepers and always attract attention. These are a few years old, but the label is currently selling its vintage-inspired designs on www.ASOS.com and www.jeeperspeepers.co.uk (as spotted on Fearne Cotton and Denise van Outen). At £16 a pair they’re a real statement bargain.

Jacket, Urban Classics; Floral top, Dorothy Perkins; Zebra print trousers, H&M; Sunglasses, Jeepers Peepers; Yellow bag, NW3.