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.

Put your back into it

Published on February 8, 2014January 11, 2026 by Alicja Jasnikowska4 Comments

It’s official, the backpack is definitely BACK! Having bubbled as a trend on catwalks and in streetstyle snaps for a few seasons, the Hoxton hipsters carryall of choice for has now hit the mainstream. Whilst perusing yesterdays hot-off-the-press New York Fashion Week AW14 pics, I spotted too many backpacks to count. Forget nylon rucksacks full of gym kit and leave the kitsch cartoony versions for the kids, the modern backpack is chic, clean and comes in luxurious leather.

Rag & Bone AW14 catwalk show (Image: http://www.style.com)

Here is a selection of my favourites available now – I particularly love the Grafea ones, which come in a wide selection of colours. I predict we’ll see many more of these across the coming fashion weeks and this trend will run and run (as will you with your new hands-free bag). Invest early and team with miminal oversized tailoring to avoid being mistaken for a schoolgirl.

Grafea ‘Piano’ White and black leather backpack, £165. http://www.grafea.co.uk

River Island white quilted rucksack, £30. http://www.riverisland.com

Topshop perforated monochrome backpack, £36. http://www.topshop.com

Alexander Wang Prisma Skeletal backpack £915. http://www.alexanderwang.com/

Marks & Spencer Autograph Leather Rucksack, £89. http://www.marksandspencer.com

Proenza Schouler black python PS large backpack, $3,050. http://www.barneys.com

3.1 Phillip Lim Orange Pashli Leather Backpack, £745. http://www.liberty.co.uk

ASOS leather luxe backpack, £75. http://www.asos.com

Topshop mock-snake zip front backpack, £36. http://www.topshop.com

Grafea ‘Smurf’ blue leather backpack, £180. http://www.grafea.co.uk

Holding image: Rucksacks £198, Chris Van Veghel at http://www.etsy.com/

Petal perfection

Published on February 7, 2014 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

In the interest of defying this miserable weather I am posting all things summery on my blog this week – witness Sunday’s feature about the gorgeously bright Peter Pilotto for Target collection. Today’s piece is a feast of flowery loveliness, featuring the latest manicure offering from innovative nail polish experts Ciaté.

Ciaté Flower Manicure in Strike-A-Posy, £18

Ciaté Flower Manicure in Bada Bloom, £18

Available exclusively from Selfridges & Sephora this month, the adorable Flower Manicure comes in two options – the bold Strike-a-Posy in pink or the pastel Bada Bloom in blue (such great names!). Each pack comes with a 5ml polish and top coat, along with a nail file, tweezers and a selection of natural dried pressed flowers to add to your nails. Yes that’s real flowers, so there’s no need to pick up a paintbrush and channel your inner Van Gogh, although you may need a steady hand and some skills with a pair of tweezers. So be inspired by this Spring’s bold floral trend and adorn your nails with a plethora of petals. And just in time for a weeks practice before London Fashion Week. Fabulous!

Dried pressed flowers (Bottom image: http://www.pixiwoo.com)

Ciaté Flower Manicure kits retail for £18, available exclusively from Selfridges www.selfridges.com and Sephora www.sephora.com

Printastic Peter Pilotto creates collection for Target

Published on February 2, 2014March 17, 2015 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Those who know me will attest that I am rather partial to a print (I’d say love wouldn’t be too strong a word) and the more abstract and bold the print the harder I fall. From painterly patterns to African batik, I have always been a champion of colour and pattern. Therefore you can imagine how excited I am about the Peter Pilotto for Target collaboration, which launches exactly one week today. Designer garments at rock bottom prices are my kryptonite and what’s more, for the first time ever, this Target collection will be available beyond the US shores as Net-A-Porter is stocking an edited selection. And they have promised international delivery. Perfect!

US discount store Target has long been an advocate of designer collaborations, with a huge list of notable cut-price ranges dating back to the 90s – the likes of Mulberry, Philip Lim, Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs have all designed pieces for the store. Add to this Net-A-Porter’s international reach, and this month’s collection looks set to be their most successful yet.

Ever since its first on-schedule catwalk show at LFW back in 2009, Peter Pilotto has been the go-to label for punchy printed statement pieces, beloved by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Emma Watson, Miranda Kerr and Kristen Stewart.

Cate Blanchett in Peter Pilotto

Miranda Kerr in Peter Pilotto

Kristen Stewart in Peter Pilotto

Emma Watson in Peter Pilotto

A firm favourite with fashionistas and bloggers alike, the Target collection will allow those with a more modest budget to sample a piece of the Pilotto pie.

Dress £45

Top £25, skirt £35, trainers £30

Dress, £80

Tee £20, bikini bottoms £15, towel £25, trainers £30

Shirtdress £35, bikini top £23 and bottoms £17, trainers £30

Sunglasses £17, playsuit £55, trainers £30

As well as signature clashing-print fit-and-flare dresses, assymetric minis and neoprene tops, the 57-piece collection also includes swimwear, bags and some fabulous sunglasses. And all at purse-friendly prices. The only downside is that half the world will be purchasing these pieces online, so you may have some hefty competition. Best set the alarm early next Sunday and have your best trigger finger ready for some serious statement shopping.

Jacket £60

Cardigan £35

Skirt £35

All clothing: Peter Pilotto for Target, which launches in-store on 9^th Feb. For more information go to: http://www.target.com/c/peter-pilotto-for-target-brand-shop/-/N-55hsm.

Net-a-Porter will be selling an edited 38-piece collection on the same day at www.net-a-porter.com

Becks’ pecs make headlines

Published on January 24, 2014 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Ah David Beckham! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… Yesterday saw the announcement of the new David Beckham Bodywear at H&M advert, which brightened up my dull January afternoon no end.

This year’s TV campaign sees David sharing his toned torso with the world as he jumps across the rooftops of East London’s Truman Brewery, having been locked out a photoshoot in only his undies (as you do – thanks to H&M). What’s more David insisted on doing all the stunts himself including zip wiring across buildings and jumping over walls barefoot. Filmed by acclaimed director Nicolas Winding Refn – he of Drive and Only God Forgives fame (which both feature another undeniable hottie Ryan Gosling) – the new advert will premiere at the US Super Bowl on 2nd February 2014. In an added twist there have been two alternative versions filmed, titled #Covered and #Uncovered, and from 27th January the public can head to hm.com to vote on which ending they would prefer to see.

Although the full adverts are yet to be shown, H&M have released this teaser video and I think the titles are self-explanatory. So which would you prefer – to see Beckham covered or uncovered? Hmm…

All images – David Beckham Bodywear at H&M. The new collection will be available in-store and online from 30th January 2014 http://www.hm.com

A diet’s always worth breaking for a roast

Published on January 5, 2014January 5, 2014 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Ah January… The month of new beginnings, optimistic resolutions and unbridled expectation. If December’s excesses have driven you to a new fitness regime and stringent diet (and you have thus far managed to keep on track) then I salute you. However, on this bleak Sunday, if all you crave is a generous roast dinner with a side of style then I think I may have just the pub for you.

Located in SW19 (don’t be fooled by the glamorous Wimbledon postcode) the recently revamped Charles Holden pub sits just the wrong side of Tooting. But don’t let that put you off. With it’s generous portions of fresh food, spacious interior and a surprisingly good vegetarian nut roast, this is a funky little pub that’s perfect for drowning your January sorrows (yes I know it’s only the 5th, but why make life harder in the gloomiest month of the year).

Situated opposite Colliers Wood station – previously famed only for its Wacky Warehouse and an unsightly black tower block (once voted London’s most hated building) – The Charles Holden defies it’s surroundings with boldly coloured printed wallpaper, kooky artwork, pretty fireplaces and a great selection of real ales for pint lovers.

And, as I say, the Sunday roast is very good with meat and not two but three veg, plus roast potatoes, red wine gravy and a generous Yorkshire pudding. All for between £10-£13. Staff are friendly, the service is great and we didn’t have to wait too long for our food (one of my biggest bugbears with a Sunday lunch). And whilst most of my table opted for a roast, the beer battered fish and twice-cooked chips were equally delicious. As is often the norm, it’s advisable to book if you’re in a large party, but the venue is sizable so this shouldn’t be a problem. I am also told that come the summer (which currently feels like a life-time away) the beer garden is quite fabulous. So what are you waiting for? Surely a good roast doesn’t count as breaking your New Year diet? After all it’s at least 3 of your 5 a day…