River Island – Stylitz

What I wore to London Fashion Week AW17

Published on March 1, 2017March 1, 2017 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

So today I FINALLY settled down to write my post on London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2017. While the fashion editors are now happily ensconced in Paris, the capital of couture (via a stylish week in Milano), I have been stuck in front of my computer trawling through and editing a ridiculously large number of images. So you’ll have to forgive me for the week long delay. In fact there are so many pics I would love to share, that I have decided to write not one but three blogs over the next few days. Lucky you 😉

Today’s will be a synopsis of my outfits for LFW, so get ready for some serious selfies people. Details of the shows I attended and all the gorgeous clothing I saw will follow later in the week, but for now let’s talk OOTD aka ‘outfit of the day’…

DAY 1 – FRIDAY – Channelling my inner Lagerfeld

On day one I decided to opt for a Chanel inspired look combining herringbone, a pussy-bow blouse and a bold faux-pearl necklace.

Pink coat, Dorothy Perkins; Faux-fur collar, boohoo.com; White pussy-bow blouse, Uniqlo; Herringbone dress, Zara; Sunnies, Jeepers Peepers; Necklace, car-boot sale; Bag, Oasis.

My gorgeous friend Davina and I enjoying cake at the Fashion Scout Ones to Watch show. Yes that is actual cake at Fashion Week. Hard to believe I know!

Dashing photographer Paul Allen and I posing in our matching herringbone monochrome outfits at The Waldorf Hotel prior to Paul Costelloe.

DAY 2 – SATURDAY – Savage Youth

On day two I had a number of shows to attend and also was planning to party in the evening, so I opted for multiple layers of floral embroidery, customised denim and my fave pink coat.

Pink coat and collar, as before; Denim jacket, New Look – beautifully customised by Pistache Artists; Floral embroidered dress, Primark; Ankle boots, River Island (available here): http://www.riverisland.com/women/shoes–boots/boots/black-leather-wide-fit-buckle-boots-698635.

A selfie with my lovely little sis Zosia who accompanied me to shows on Saturday. Twinning in our faux-fur collars 🙂

DAY 4 – MONDAY – Checks and tassels

After giving myself Sunday off (naughty I know) my ensemble on day four was a riot of colour – grass green checks, baby pink outerwear and a canary yellow bag.

Jacket and collar, as before; Checked dress, charity shop; Yellow leather bag, Hobbs; Over-the-knee tasselled boots, River Island.

Engraved 18ct gold plated pendant, by Hurley Burley from http://www.NotontheHighStreet.com (similar available now); Star studs, Forever 21.

NB. If your ears react badly to non-precious metal then the gorgeous jeweller Laura Gravestock has 18ct gold plated star earrings here: http://lauragravestock.com/shop-by-item/earring/dainty-star-stud-earrings-1177.html

Necklace, gift; Sunglasses, KG by Kurt Geiger.

DAY 5 – TUESDAY – Leather snake-print skirt and pumps

The final day called for flats and this tonal outfit was just the answer. I balanced a leather snake-print pencil skirt with an oversized Aran sweater and simple trainers. All topped off with a masculine 3/4 length khaki coat, which I found for £5 in a charity shop in Jan #winning

Vintage wool khaki coat, charity shop; Sweater, Mango; Leather snake-print skirt, charity shop; Trainers, Lacoste.

Yellow leather bag, Hobbs; Berry heart key ring, Aspinal of London (available here): https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/heart-key-ring-in-berry-lizard.

Necklace, gift from my sister-in-law (from Accessorize); Earrings, Topshop.

I was also lucky enough to get my hair cut by the lovely Toni & Guy team at London Fashion Week headquarters. They did a fantastic job. Thanks again guys!

BEFORE

AFTER

All in all I had the most fabulous Fashion Week ever. Please let me know your thoughts on all my outfits. Do you have a favourite? Are there any you don’t think work? And also watch out for my posts later in the week with all my images from the shows and a thorough synopsis of all the gorgeous designer stands.

Oh and one more thing… I also had the pleasure of meeting the astonishingly beautiful supermodel and photographer Helena Christensen at a Lights of Soho event. Life goal achieved!

Me and my fave 90s super, Helena Christensen

http://londonfashionweek.co.uk/ http://fashionscout.co.uk/ https://lightsofsoho.com/ http://toniandguy.com/

What I’ll be wearing to LFW AW14

Published on February 13, 2014September 26, 2014 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

With one more day til London Fashion Week starts and the stylish masses descend upon Somerset House, I decided it may be time to start putting together my outfits for the shows. My style is a mixture of girly and masculine, with a strong emphasis on print and colour. And as you can see I’m quite a fan of animal print in it’s many guises. Most of these clothes are trusty favourites from my ever expanding wardrobe, but a few are current and are still available in store. Let me know what you think and which outfit is your favourite. I hope you like…

Look 1: Clashing monochrome prints – I’ll add a white roll neck under the top and pair with high-tops.

Credits: Fuchsia coat, Primark; Necklace and printed top, both New Look; Animal print trousers, H&M.

Look 2: Pretty vintage – I’ll pair this with ankle boots and a masculine black coat.

Credits: Vintage leopard print jacket; Pale pink pleated dress, Topshop; Acorn necklace, NW3.

Look 3: Boy meets girl – I’ll add gold chunky heel courts. Bow-tie or necklace? What do you think?

Credits: Varsity jacket, Urban Classics; Polka dot blouse, New Look; Boyfriend jeans, Nobody; Shoe print bow-tie, Topman; Vintage multi-strand necklace.

Look 4: Parisian chic – worn with fuschia jacket from look 1 and white Converse or flat pink pointy pumps.

Credits: Printed jacket, H&M; White shirt, New Look; Skinny jeans, Uniqlo.

Look 5: Glam meets utility – I’ll add silver courts or a chunky flat boot.

Credits: Faux fur jacket, Therapy at House of Fraser; Necklace, Primark; Boilersuit jumpsuit, River Island.

Shoes (L-R): Vintage black boots; Pink suede flats, Russell & Bromley; High-tops, River Island; Vintage gold courts; Animal print pumps, Hobbs.

Unless you have the luxury of a private driver chauffeuring you between shows, flats and comfy heels are fashion week essentials. Now I just have to decide what to wear when and hope the rain eases up, otherwise my frizzy Monica-in-Barbados hair will ruin every look.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Published on December 13, 2013December 13, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

In case you didn’t hear, today is Save the Children’s Christmas jumper day where folk are asked to wear their cute, pretty or just darn silly novelty jumpers to work and donate £1 to charity.

Even Santa would look underdressed at this party

In tribute, and in case you still don’t have one, today’s blog is dedicated to Christmas jumpers. Below is a small selection of festive sweaters that I have chosen for your sartorial pleasure.

Robin, £20 (in sale), River Island

http://www.riverisland.com/women/t-shirts–vests–sweats/sweaters–hoodies/Grey-Robin-sequin-dolman-top-645003

Reindeer, £29.99, New Look

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/knitwear/black-reindeer-light-up-christmas-jumper_288545601

Holly, £50, Topshop

http://www.topshop.com

Bow, £50, Topshop

http://www.topshop.com

Pudding (men’s), £12, Primark

Fair Isle men’s cardigan, £29, Matalan

http://www.matalan.co.uk/discover/christmas-jumpers/s2534212/easy–fairisle-cardigan

Snowmen, £12, Primark (as bought by Kelly Brook)

http://www.primark.com/whats-new/article/250

Tree scene, £35, River Island

http://www.riverisland.com/women/knitwear/jumpers/Red-under-the-mistletoe-fair-isle-jumper-650014

Penguin (kid’s sweater), £16-£17, John Lewis (too cute!)

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-penguin-jumper-red-multi/p621168

Penguin, £15, boohoo.com

http://www.boohoo.com/restofworld/knitwear/christmas-jumpers/icat/christmas-jumpers/christmas-magazine/sarah-snowflake-penguin-jumper/invt/azz40605

The Vamps in their Primark Christmas jumpers (including the pudding one above)

And for the truly festive why not apply some Fair Isle print to your nails too…

Nail wraps, £6, Topshop

http://www.topshop.com

And finally, just because I couldn’t resist, here is a picture of my awesome friend Ceri who doesn’t believe in doing fancy dress half-heartedly and today decided to shun the usual novelty sweater and dress up as a Christmas tree for work. Love it!

My friend Ceri in her Xmas ‘jumper’

Main holding image: All jumpers from Matalan

To donate money go to http://www.savethechildren.org.uk

Another darn good collaboration…

Published on November 19, 2013November 20, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Sometimes I feel all I write about is designer high-street collaborations, so sorry if you’re a little tired of the subject, but there have been so many awesome ones of late that I find it hard not to mention them all. Isabel Marant for H&M, L’Wren Scott for Banana Republic, Meadham Kirchoff for Topshop – the list is constantly being added to. Today’s announcement is about the lovely British designer Georgia Hardinge (whom I have met and can attest is both gorgeous and supremely talented) and her new range for River Island, which launches in-store and online tomorrow. If you think this sounds familiar, you’re not mistaken, as this is Georgia’s second collection for the high-street store (the first was clearly a winner) and coincides rather nicely with the forthcoming party season.

The lovely lady herself – Georgia Hardinge

An image from her first collaboration launched in-store in April 2013.

Renowned for her stunning use of digital prints, voluminous shapes and a savvy way with an origami fold, Georgia’s designs are inspired by her passion for architecture and sculpture. Her main collection has been worn by fashion icons and new label champions such as Jessie J, Florence Welch, Lady Gaga and Nicole Sherzinger – who looked stunning in her printed frock (& is that a cake pop I see there?)

Nicole Scherzinger, Jessie J & Florence Welch – all sporting pieces from Georgia’s main collection

The book sculpture that inspired her latest print (as seen below)

Georgia’s 13-piece collection for River Island includes dresses, skirts, crop tops and leggings. My best-seller predictions are the printed cap-sleeve dress, and the chic knee-length number with folded waist detail, which comes in bold cobalt or classic black. All three would be perfect for a Xmas party and would look stunning paired with a chunky gold choker and sexy stilettos.

From top: Structured printed dress, £80; cobalt blue dress, £60; black dress, £60, all Georgia Hardinge for River Island AW13.

For those that are a little braver the printed leggings are amazing and would look great with a biker jacket and long line tee. Or if you have killer abs, then pair the neoprene cropped top with the pencil skirt and shrug on an oversized white jacket to channel this season’s key minimalist trend.

From top: Printed leggings, £30; printed top, £35; cobalt blue crop top, £35, and cobalt blue miniskirt, £40 (both also available in black), all by Georgia Hardinge for River Island AW13

With prices starting at £35 for a top and peaking at only £80 for the structured dress, this is the perfect way to tap into some edgy, in-the-know designer chic at an affordable price. And with the unique prints and architectural shapes these garments will ensure that you stand out under the mistletoe this year. So go on, treat yourself, it’s nearly Christmas (well, sort of) and you’ve been such a good girl…

Georgia Hardinge for River Island AW13 launches in key stores and online on 20^th November at http://www.riverisland.com/women/design-forum

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