Marks & Spencer – Stylitz

All in the name of charity

Published on January 11, 2017January 12, 2017 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Ah January! A time when we are traditionally cajoled (or perhaps even coerced) into making resolutions. I have never been one for strict rules and in reality I find resolutions an endless disappointment. I mean, why torture yourself by testing your weak will & risk hideous self loathing before the year has even really begun?

However, the New Year cleanse that often comes with others’ good intentions is something I can get on board with. And before you get confused I am not talking 6 veg juices or superfood salads here, but clothes, glorious clothes. Also I hasten to add that I myself will not be performing a wardrobe edit. Not a chance! I am a prolific hoarder and have been known to keep jumpers from my University years just in case I should ‘need’ to wear them again. What pleases me however is the quality of the stock in all the charity shops after others have performed their post Christmas/January wardrobe cull. I have never been one for fighting through Boxing Day sales but from 27th December onwards I love to get elbow deep in other people’s castaways.

Recently I had a particularly successful shopping trip at some of my favourite charity shops. These are located in Maidenhead in Berkshire, near my parents and I always try to pop in whenever I am visiting. There is a parade of approximately 6 charity shops that would satisfy any thrift store addict and over the years I have spent more time and money than I care to dwell on in these stores. However the beauty of purchasing from charity shops is that not only does it satisfy your shopping desires (and at a time when funds are usually precariously low) but also you are actually donating to charity whilst filling your wardrobe. Plus there are some real bargains to be found. Surely that’s win, win, win by anyone’s standards.

So this Jan why not try your local Oxfam, Age UK or even the more upmarket Fara. One man’s trash is another person’s treasure after all. And I can assure you there are a lot of treasures to be found. Here are the results of my post Christmas expedition to inspire you.

I TOTALLY ADORE THIS SKIRT!

Leather patent snakeskin skirt, £4.00, originally Patsy Seddon for Phase Eight.

Black poloneck, Gap; Necklace, Accessorize.

Green checked dress, £6.00, originally from AX Paris.

Brogues, Clarks; Necklace, Joy.

White print blouse, £4.00, originally St Michael at Marks & Spencer.

Black jeans, Uniqlo; Necklace, Hobbs.

Floral top, £3.99, originally Next.

Jeans, Uniqlo; Necklace, gift.

Leather desert boots, £7.50, originally Seed (a gift for a little boy)

White Out

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

In Jan I styled a shoot for Drafted magazine – the popular London based monthly mag – and it is finally out. Yay! The theme of the shoot was SS14 white and we decided to go with a futuristic architectural feel (the moodboard I made up for the shoot is above). Shot by the talented Jay McLaughlin (who directed the lovely Bethan Maye from Models 1 to channel Milla Jovovich in Fifth Element), with hair and make-up by Amy Brandon. Amy kept things modern by opting for an on-trend grungy 90s look with dishevelled hair, a brown lip and minimal mascara.

We shot 7 looks but sadly there was only room for 6 pages. Here is the shoot along with some behind-the-scenes extras. I hope you like it.

All clothing credits as listed on images

Photography: Jay McLaughlin @ Kayte Ellis Agency

Styling: Alicja Jasnikowska @ Carol Hayes Management

Hair and make-up: Amy Brandon using MAC and Nars

Styling Assistant: Joanne Mulcare

Model: Bethan Maye @ Models 1

Location: Milk @ Grace Bar

And here are some of my behind-the-scenes shots of the amazing jewellery and numerous amounts of clothing. Thanks to Whitehair Co, HPR, Varg, Trace PR, Dust PR, BPR, Bright Light PR, Kurt Geiger and Marks & Spencer.

Jewellery by Maria Nilsdotter and Cornelia Webb

Handcuff by Maria Nilsdotter

Sunglasses and jewellery from HPR

Heels by Kurt Geiger, brogues by Dune and boots by United Nude

The chicest (& whitest) cloakroom rail I’ve ever seen

Model Bethan Maye (Models 1) with hair and make-up artist Amy Brandon

Amy wearing sunglasses by Wildfox, Silk top by Filippa K at Atterley Road, pleated A-Line skirt by Jean-Pierre Braganza

Amy channelling Milla Jovovich in Fifth Element wearing organza coat by Hemyca, swimsuit by I.D. Sarrieri, brogues by Call It Spring.

http://www.draftedmagazine.com

On your Marks

Published on November 14, 2013November 14, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

It’s press day time again – the biannual month where all the brands, from River Island to Ralph Lauren, present their next season collections to the press. So, just when I have finally succumbed to a coat and scarf, I am now spending my days looking at next Spring’s sunglasses, swimsuits and tiny shorts. Such is the bizarre nature of the fashion industry.

Most press days tend to fall on a Wednesday or Thursday, which means there can be up to 20 different brands showing in one day, all at different venues across London. Clearly you have to be selective. Yesterday I managed only a handful, which ranged from Jaeger’s new offerings shown at the gorgeous Somerset House to Marks and Spencer’s at One Marylebone. I also popped by Flax PR and Reiss who each presented lovely garments for next spring (vintage clothing and homeware by Cabbages & Roses from the former, and feather prints, pistachio green and minimal white suiting from the later).

The one that really caught my eye yesterday however was Marks & Spencer. I have a huge affinity for the store. I fondly remember buying their prawn and mayonnaise sandwiches as a teenage treat on a busy Saturday shopping with my friends. Equally, my gran, who I love dearly, would give us a voucher for the store every year as our birthday gift. Whilst I possibly would have preferred one for Miss Selfridge or Next at the time, that paper voucher (this was before the current card vouchers) was carefully spent and much deliberated upon.

So to yesterday’s press day, which I think was one of the best I have seen from the brand. Not only was the venue stunning but the clothes were organised into clearly defined (and very photogenic) trend groups, which ranged from the impactful White Out to the pastel Pretty Things. Other trends included Worldwide (prints and tribal influences), Paint Box (bold brights) and 90s Luxe (oversized layers of Celine inspired minimalism). So those are the themes that M&S is predicting for next season. I loved it and I really hope that the collection is as well received by the consumer next February as it was by the press this week. Check out the pictures below and let me know your thoughts…

Trend 1 at Marks & Spencer SS14 Press Day – White Out

Trend 2 at Marks & Spencer – Worldwide (read prints and tribal) – I love this bird print bomber!

Trend 3 at Marks & Spencer – Pretty things

I love this white lace midi dress and the sheer panelled pencil skirt

M&S’s take on the Victoria Beckham oversized drop-waist dress

Bold colours dominate Trend 4 – Paintbox. The pink leather T-shirt is a stand-out piece for me.

Trend 5 – 90s Luxe is a key theme across lots of brands for SS14

The clothes seen above will not be available until next Spring. This is only a preview to give you a taste of what is to come. To shop the current collection, including the fabulous Best of British range, go to www.marksandspencer.com

Best of British

Published on October 10, 2013October 14, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today sees the launch of Marks and Spencer’s hotly anticipated and much lauded Best of British range. Available online and in select UK stores, the collection combines heritage and modern styling with a focus on strong tailoring and premium fabrics. And the best thing about it is that it’s all made in the UK. Whether it be tweed tailoring from Yorkshire, cashmere knitwear from Hawick in Scotland or leather brogues from Northamptonshire, this British institution is returning to its roots and championing manufacturers from our own soil.

Made in Britain – a map of UK manufacturers

Inspiration and illustrations at yesterday’s press launch

Best of British Womenswear AW13

Best of British leather and cashmere accessories AW13

Best of British womenswear comprises of a 34 piece collection featuring quality classics with a fashion twist. This gorgeous pale pink Alpaca wool coat is a must-have for this season and will provide an instant AW13 wardrobe update. I love it! If your taste is more refined, then opt for an androgynous tailored trouser suit in pure wool tweed. Contrast piping and sleek trims add a quirky touch to the refined structured silhouettes.

Alpaca wool coat, £299

Best of British AW13 campaign shots

Wool blend check coat, £299

Pure merino wool jacket, £99, trousers, £129, jumper, £99, leather brogues, £165

The menswear collection is modelled by Oliver Cheshire – boyfriend of pop princess Pixie Lott – whose cheekbones could cut glass. With inspiration taken from the store’s archive in Leeds, standout pieces include the gorgeous double-breasted tweed coat, and the tweed and leather sports jacket with natty buckle detailing. Suits are individually cut by hand from heavy flannel or Donegal tweed and button holes and linings are hand stitched for a superior finish.

Oliver Cheshire (and his cheekbones) modelling the collection

Tweed coat, £599

Tweed and leather sports jacket, £299

Leather tote bag, £249

There was a time that most clothing sold in this country was produced in the UK, and that wasn’t limited to one-off designer pieces. With one of our oldest high-street stores championing British mills and manufacturing once again, let’s hope this sees a growth in return to UK production. We know the prices won’t be as competitive as mass-produced goods in India – pieces from the Best of British collection are a long-term investment rather than an impulse purchase – but you can be assured that working conditions are safe, quality is high and the carbon footprint of your garment is low. I’d say that’s a fair price to pay for a well cut suit.

The collection in-store at Marks and Spencer Marble Arch, London

Best of British launches online and in 5 key stores today. Prices range from £25 for a belt to £799 for a suit. Shop online at http://www.marksandspencer.com

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