Author: Alicja Jasnikowska

London based Fashion Stylist & Writer with over 10 years experience working in TV, editorial & advertising. TV credits include: Ashley Banjo's Secret Street Crew (Sky 1), Gok's Fashion Fix (Channel 4), The 21st Question (ITV), Pop Goes the Band (Living). Published editorial work: Harrods magazine, JFW magazine, The Sunday Times Style, The Guardian, Country & Townhouse magazine, Exalt Magazine, Drafted, The Sun 'Buzz' magazine, She, Velvet (Dubai), Spoil Me (Greece). Advertising: Aspinal of London, Barbour, Burton, Gap, Gok for Tu at Sainsbury's, Interflora, Marks and Spencer, People Tree, Puma, Sleek Make-up, Timberland, Tusting Luggage, Weight Watchers, White Stuff. Celebs: Danny Dyer, Gethin Jones, Sarah Beeny, Gok Wan, 911, Joe Hart.

Isabel Marant for H&M

Published on October 25, 2013January 11, 2026 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

I don’t often go in for designer/high-street collaborations as I find them a little disappointing, but this time I am so excited I may even consider joining the inevitable dawn queues next month. I am of course talking about the hotly anticipated Isabel Marant for H&M collection, which hits stores on November 14^th. Last night the crowds gathered at the disco-themed launch party in Paris and, as to be expected from fashionistas’ favourite Marant, the glamorous event was suitably star studded, with Audrey Tatou, January Jones, Bond girl Olga Kurylenko and Freida Pinto all in attendance.

The event was peppered with discoballs and burger vans creating a street party vibe

The accompanying campaign is also a roll call of fashions finest, featuring famous faces Alek Wek, Daria Werbowy, Lou Doillon, Devon Aoki and Milla Jovovich.

Isabel Marant for H&M – jacket £199.99, trousers, £69.99, t-shirt £24.99, mid-heel pumps £99.99

Isabel Marant for H&M featuring Alek Wek in wool cardigan £79.99, leather trousers, £179.99, top £59.99, boots £149.99

Isabel Marant for H&M featuring Milla Jovovich in dress £69.99 and boots £149.99

Isabel Marant for H&M featuring Lou Doillon in trousers £59.99, peasant blouse £59.99, boots £149.99

So to the collection itself, which incorporates Marant’s ethnic-meets-rock-chick design ethos and features her now infamous classics – cropped jackets, oversized knits, printed chiffon pieces and skinny leather trousers. Marant is a designer who understands what women want and is renowned for creating a look that is chic and on-trend, yet with an insouciant Parisian bohemian edge. She is the lady that put wedge trainers on the fashion map, who wowed with fringed knee-high boots and who ensured that a flippy skater skirt teamed with an embellished boho jacket is the cool girl’s ultimate go-to look.

The collection is a flood of must-have hits. The embellished textured jacket is a clear winner, as are the cropped leather biker pants in rich burgundy and the silk peasant blouse; the fabulous oversized chunky-knit cardigan and the cute little printed skater skirt. Tassled scarves, studded courts and a fringed boot complete the collection. It may sound like I’m gushing, but there isn’t a piece in there that I wouldn’t want to own.

From top: Fluffy wool cardigan, £79.99; embroidered jacket, £199.99; mid-heel pumps, £99.99; fringed boots, £149.99; scarf, £24.99; sequinned trousers, £149.99; silk skirt, £39.99; silk trousers, £59.99; wool cardigan, £79.99; sweatshirt, £34.99 – all Isabel Marant for H&M

For those, like me, who would love to infuse their wardrobe with Marant’s popular vision of chic, but are sadly hampered by the higher price tags of the main collection, put the date in your diary and sharpen your elbows. This is going to be one hell of a fashion fracas.

Isabel Marant For H&M hits shelves on November 14^th. Available in selected stores and online at www.hm.com

TK Maxx it up

Published on October 24, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today’s post is for those that love to bag a bargain, as last night saw the launch of a brand new TK Maxx store right in the centre of Covent Garden. Store openings are usually quite a dry affair, but this was one hell of a party. Attended by Eliza Doolittle, Westlife’s Kian Egan and Peaches Geldof, who, judging by her bulging shopping bag is a fan of their designer goods at discount prices. Eliza even took a turn on the decks playing her favourite tunes as shoppers partied in the aisles.

Eliza Doolittle takes to the decks in an unusual micro mini and padded gilet combo

Westlife’s Kian Egan with his wife and former Hollyoaks star, Jodi Albert

A selection of beverages and chic canapés ensured that guests were well looked after, whilst the circular, central bar saw waiters entertaining the crowds with their cocktail-making skills. Whilst there, I also had a browse and loved how organised, colour co-ordinated and beautiful the store looked (check out the purses on display below).

In-store – purses are sorted by colour

Based on Long Acre, and flanked by brands such as Reiss and Gap, the new 3-floor store houses mens and womenswear, and a whole ground floor dedicated to accessories. The fifth TKMaxx to open in London’s Zones 1 & 2, this is the one that will appeal most to central London shoppers due to the prime location in tourist hub Covent Garden. The store opens to the public today, so why not pop in and pick up a bargain in your lunch hour or peruse the aisles before attending a West End show. Good labels at prices you’ll love… who can argue with that?

TK Maxx, 15-17 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9LH www.tkmaxx.com

Oasis launches ‘Loved by Mollie’

Published on October 23, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

This week saw the launch of Oasis’ first ever celebrity partnership, with The Saturdays bombshell Mollie King fronting an edited collection of her favourite pieces for AW13. Entitled ‘Loved by Mollie’, the 45-piece selection includes leather pencil skirts, oversized pastel coats and a sprinkling of printed pieces.

Mollie, a long-time fan of Oasis, has been chosen for her ‘gorgeous girl-next-door looks and style know-how’ and takes on a stylist/model role for the high-street brand. A favourite of fashion mag best-dressed pages and a regular on the catwalk FROW, the gorgeous blonde is a natural fit for Oasis’ chic feminine style. Make like Mollie did at the launch and pair a plum leather skirt with a printed sweater in the same hue. Or go top-to-toe print with a floral jacquard top and skirt (this season matching is the new clashing).

Mollie King arriving at the launch party in ‘Loved by Mollie’ for Oasis (very Burberry AW13)

Animal print jumper, £42, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Plum leather skirt, £85, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Floral jacquard top, £45, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Floral jacquard skirt, £48, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

Pastel wool coat, £110, Loved by Mollie for Oasis

This wasn’t the only announcement of the evening, as it was revealed that Mollie has been snapped up by top model agency Next – which also represents style icons Rita Ora, Alexa Chung and Lana del Rey. Sarah Leon, head of Next Models, says of their new signing ‘you can just tell when somebody, like Rita Ora and Mollie, has that super star quality’. With great taste and a clear passion for clothing, expect plenty more fashionable pairings from Mollie in the future.

The Loved by Mollie King collection ranges from £28-£350 and is available in 17 flagship stores and online at www.oasis-stores.com

Vivid Lines

Published on October 18, 2013October 31, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today sees the second issue of Exalt magazine hit newsstands, featuring a shoot I styled way back when the sun was still shining (it appears to be the fortnight all my July shoots are published). I have been (impatiently) waiting for this 8 page shoot to come out for some time as I loved the concept and was very excited about seeing the final result. Here are a few of my favourite published shots.

All images photographed by Rossella Vanon for Exalt magazine – Issue 2

Shot by the talented photographer Rossella Vanon, the inspiration was volume with strong graphic lines. In order to focus on the silhouette of the garments, the story was shot in black and white and features AW13 designs by the likes of Jean-Pierre Braganza, Georgia Hardinge, Sorapol, Ashley Isham and Malgorzata Dudek. The stunning jewellery was a mixture of Sarah Angold Studio, Bjorg jewellery and Julia Clancey. Despite a rather manic few days of prep – which saw me travelling the length and breadth of London – the shoot day itself went brilliantly. Unique hair by Yoshifumi Masuda and stunning make-up by Beth Alderson ensured the final looks were supremely strong. Furthermore, our gorgeous model Stephanie from Storm was amazing, and really worked those poses despite the overbearing heat in the studio. Below are some behind-the-scenes shots. I hope you like…

Amazing architectural jewellery by Sarah Angold Studio

Yoshifumi preparing the wigs

The lovely model Steph

The shoot begins with paint splattered trousers by A La Disposition

Photographer Rossella takes to the floor to shoot look 2 (Jean-Pierre Braganza skirt, I.D. Sarrieri bra and Julia Clancey necklace)

The dress I nicknamed ‘The jellyfish’ by Malgorzata Dudek

A stunning embroidered lace coatdress by Sorapol

A quick hair change – this time a triple bun

Steph strikes a pose in a Maryling coat and Emmanuel Katsaros glasses

One of my favourite looks (dresscoat by Georgia Hardinge, ear cuff by Bjorg jewellery, bodysuit by Dans la Vie)

An extra look that wasn’t published made 9 in total. Phew! (Jumpsuit by Jean-Pierre Braganza, leather harness stylists own, glasses by Bjorg Jewellery)

A behind-the-scenes feature from the mag

Credits for main images as seen in Exalt Magazine http://www.exalt-magazine.com/blog/:

Photography, creative direction & retouching: Rossella Vanon

Styling and fashion direction: Alicja Jasnikowska

Hair: Yoshifumi Masuda

Make-up: Beth Alderson at Carol Hayes

Model: Stephanie Rad at Storm

Photographer’s Assistant: Drew Morgan

Brighten up your home

Published on October 16, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

As you may or may not know I am a tad obsessed with bold prints, and my current pattern-of-choice is waxed African fabrics (as mentioned in my previous post https://stylitz.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/a-riot-of-colour/). Following last month’s medley of international fashion shows it appears there is no abating the current trend for bold prints, with the SS14 shows illuminating the catwalk with a plethora of vivid colours. Today’s post however is of a more homely nature, with a focus on interiors rather than attire.

Last month I styled a streetstyle campaign for Gap and was delighted to meet a number of creative and inspiring people who were used in the ads. Each were selected for their own personal style and coaxed into Gap jeans in a ‘How do you wear yours?’ type shoot. One such person was the lovely Yinka Ilori, a talented furniture up-cycler who customises old chairs and tables using stunning African fabrics. A graduate from London Metropolitan University, Yinka hails from North London yet his use of colour and quirky twists on furniture are definitely inspired by warmer climes.

Some of his delightful customised pieces

Yinka exhibits at shows both in London and internationally, including the prestigious Milan Design Week. A solo exhibition of his work can currently be seen at The Old Shoreditch Station on Kingsland Road, in collaboration with Look, Like, Love. Entitled ‘It Started with a Parable’ he uses stories from his childhood and traditional Nigerian parables as an influence for his designs. He also holds regular workshops for Jaguar Shoes Collaboration teaching others how to breathe new life into old unloved furniture.

Yinka inspiring others to up-cycle

Working to order from his East London studio Yinka is available for commissions, so why not be brave this autumn and bring some colour to your home with one of his unique stools or tables. Guaranteed not to be available in Ikea.

‘It started with a Parable’ runs from 13th September – 24th November at The Old Shoreditch Station, 1 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AA. www.oldshoreditch.com; www.looklikelove.co.uk; www.jaguarshoes.com

Check out Yinka’s work and more at www.yinkailori.com