July 2013 – Page 2

Think pink

Published on July 12, 2013September 26, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska1 Comment

Ah pink! The colour of rose petals and sunsets and healthy flushed cheeks, and traditionally, the colour most associated with young girls. Furthermore, as decreed by Vogue’s AW13 trend guide (aka the fashion bible) head-to-toe pink is this season’s top trend, with Lanvin, Celine, Mulberry and Dior all opting for rosy hues in their catwalk collections.

Vogue Autumn/Winter 2013 catwalk edit (August issue)

Supremely feminine and particularly striking on blondes, this season’s top garments include oversized outerwear, 60s inspired skirt suits and slinky silk dresses. The high street has been quick to pick up on the trend with Oasis, Jaeger and Marks & Spencer all producing baby pink cocoon coats ready for the autumn chill.

Jaeger AW13 press day

Dress, £42, Topshop; Fake fur stole, Warehouse; Pearls, vintage.

Tying in with the theme are 2 personal items:- my shoot for this month’s Country & Town House magazine (aptly titled Pretty in Pink) featuring a Roberto Cavalli SS13 pale pink leather lace dress & floral garland hairpiece; and my outfit for a forthcoming 20s inspired wedding party (see above). My friend Danielle – who dons pink on many an occasion and is not shy of declaring it her favourite colour – will be most pleased. This one’s for you hun…

Pretty in pink, shot for Country & Town House Magazine. Photography: © Clara Copley. Styling: Alicja Jasnikowska. Beauty Editor: Nathalie Eleni. Hair: Laura Lawson. Model: Fifi Newberry

What I’m wearing

Published on July 11, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today’s post is a quickie of a few snaps of my outfit. I am a huge fan of charity shop shopping! NB. not overpriced vintage stores, but bargain-basement, mildly musty charity shops. I love rooting around for a good bargain. Today’s top and bag were both recent purchases in the lovely shops in Wimbledon town, which has Oxfam, Scope, Cancer Research & The British Heart Foundation all within a stones through. I highly recommend a visit. They are a little pricey in this area (I generally prefer charity shops in villages out of London for the best finds) however, I managed to buy a knitted Chanel inspired jacket, this blouse & bag and a preppy cardigan all for £25.

Shirt £4, and bag, £6.99 originally from Marks & Spencer, bought in Scope and Oxfam, Wimbledon. Teamed with cobalt skirt from Topshop, studded slippers from New Look and printed scarf (in hair) from Miss Selfridge.

Hitchcock heroines

Published on July 10, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today sees the opening of ‘I Only Want You to Love Me’, a retrospective of the work of London born fashion photographer Miles Aldridge. Launched to coincide with the book of the same name, the exhibition highlights Aldridge’s bold use of colour and glossy yet dark images of women. Part Hitchcock heroine, part airbrushed Vogue model, Aldridge references both cinema and photography, citing film director David Lynch and fashion photographer Richard Avedon as influences.

I am a huge fan of these surreal, almost plastic looking shots, and the large scale on display is an assault on the senses. Aldridge’s female models – and he only really shoots women – often appear troubled, vacant or distressed, and there is a clear cynicism towards the perfect Stepford wife imagery that dominates advertising. This he feels, is something most people can connect with – “I think that’s why my work is collected and enjoyed,” he said. “It’s not black and white though – we don’t exist within an evil empire. It’s complicated. The world is a strange and troubling place and we live in the middle of it.” Stunning, glossy images that belie a deeper, darker message, this is thought-provoking fashion photography at its best.

Miles Aldridge – The Rooms, 2011

Miles Aldridge – Chromo Thriller, 2012

Miles Aldridge: I Only Want You to Love me runs from 10th July – 29th September 2013 at Somerset House
http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/miles-aldridge-i-only-want-you-to-love-me

English Country Garden

Published on July 9, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today’s post is a behind-the-scenes video of a shoot I styled for August’s issue of Country & Townhouse magazine (out tomorrow). It was shot at the stunning Cannizaro House in Wimbledon and features the gorgeous Fifi (check out her blog on http://fifislookingglass.com). Make-up was by renowned Beauty Editor Nathalie Eleni, with photography by the talented Clara Copley. I adored doing this shoot – it was so much fun and such a fantastic team. & it looks so pretty and serene. Hope you enjoy.

Clothing by Roberto Cavalli, Alberta Ferretti, Temperley London, J. JS Lee, Stills and Jean-Pierre Braganza. Accessories by Julia Clancey, Erickson Beamon and Bally, with ribbons, butterflies and flowers supplied by Barnett Lawson and McCulloch & Wallis.

Country & Town House – Summer Beauty Story – Behind the Scenes from Andrew Mackay on Vimeo.

Pastel palette

Published on July 4, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

It’s not often that I partake in a nail trend (my grooming routine is particularly low maintenance), but as the sun is planning to show it’s beautiful face this weekend I am going to share my current obsession – pastel nails. Chalky hues are a big trend for Spring 2013 – on one occasion I noted a game of nail varnish snap with two rocking fashionistas both touting a very chic baby blue.

Part 80s Miami beach, part fun-time Barbie this trend can be both pretty and punky. Initiated by 2009’s obsession with the now famous Chanel Jade green, the trend has since spread across the pastel colour spectrum to include lemon yellow, powder pink, sky blue and my current fave-lavender. If you’re usual go-to is red or coral, then give it a try. Like a sugar rush for your nails, you’ll be converted to these candy colours in minutes.