Fashion Against Aids

I love ethnic influences form different countries on different continents. The colours, patterns, the shapes and the materials all have way to excite me and inspire me. But above all, I love me a pair of clothing which carries a message, either because it's vintage, a special gift, or in the case of H&M because it's a collection to raise funds and create awareness about HIV/AIDS among the young. "Safe sex is a message that each new generation needs to hear, which is why H&M is launching its fifth Fashion Against AIDS (FAA) collection," to be found in roughly 200 H&M Divided departments from the 26th April 2012 onwards. Online, this culturally inspired collection, will also be available.


My favourite picks:

 Pair this tight-fitting dress with a nice cropped (or long) black blazer. You can pair it with flipflops or heels depending on the occasion that you are wearing it for.

 Sort of tie-die, but not really. The bright nu-disco colours got me excited and in the summer mood. A simple white tank-top would look stunning, as well as a white blouse with all the buttons done up.

 A sporty jacket is an absolute must-have even for those of us who have a gym-phobia (not pointing fingers at anyone). With all the colours it's easy to pair with your favourite coloured sneakers.

 This takes me to hippie-scenes at festivals or Ibiza. Feathers look great in a mane of hair and add that little extra touch to your outfit. 

 If the pink shorts were too bright for you, then these shorts are another option. With just a pop of colour in the pocket area, they are easy to combine with anything and everything. 

 This pattern reminds me of my beloved Africa so much. Wear these with high-waisted shorts or a high-waisted maxi skirt (I would go for black in either case). Or wear it under a see-through blouse.

 Although tribal tattoos are so 90s, the tribal print on this shirt for me is a go-go-go. Love the simplicity of it just being on one sleeve (excuse the pun).

 Loose fitting jacket to throw over any outfit. Covers your shoulders so therefore idea to go over that summer outfit which is a little to baring for restaurants or other places as such.

Then finally, the legging. For those of you who love leggings, dare you try this print on your pins too??

Arm Candy

Craving something sweet? Oh yes, I always am. Having been treated to delicious cupcakes from LOLA's various times this week, it comes natural to pick some of my favourite arm candy: sweetness for around your wrist.

I love me some rose gold around my wrist, and this Marc Jacobs is a winner for me. Get it here.

Love the dark side that Alexander McQueen always portrays? Get it cheaper but just as cute here.

Arm cuff's are a fantastic way to embellish your arm in a modest yet statement way. Get it here.

We know how to tie silk around our head, neck and even wear it as a belt. Now wear it around your wrist too (you get a leather strap with it to alternate) once you've gotten your Moschino here.

A nonchalant bracelet by Just Access, mixing chain with leather. Get yours here.

Get that rock 'n roll side out, slightly gothic, but easy to combine with everything. Get it through Asos.

Love the subtleness of a petite bracelet. To get silver just click here, and otherwise there's a gold version too.

Thats enough sweetness for now! Send us your pictures of your favourite bracelets too, let's share the candy!!! XO

Kurvy

Love your kurves, love them in your Kardashian jeans. 

And the Kardashians manage to do it again. New product, new musthave. Each body type, be you more like Kourtney, Kim or Khloe, has a pair of (slightly) flared jeans (named after their namesake body). The jeans are up for grabs at Sears.com for under $50 on February 4th. Flares from the 70s are current now, so if you fancy a KK pair of jeans, now is good. 

Hurry, its 48 hours only!

I know you just had your paycheck, 'pinch punch first of the month', and there's no return. Also want to spend your hard-earned pennies? Type: TREAT25 at check-out, but click on the picture first.

Out of Africa

I've just completed my African moodboard for a schoolproject I am currently working on, combining the aesthetics of Africa with the well-established brand Louis Vuitton.

This is a moodboard the menswear fashion director of Louis Vuitton, Kim Jones, recently did for the collection. You literally put on anything and everything which inspires you, and from there you add or remove things as you go along. Try it, its a nice way to actually get your creative thoughts on paper!!

I'd like to introduce you (that's if you don't know her yet) to Jessica Ogden. She has collaborated with Asos and donates 5 British pounds per item bought. Just another reason to buy one of the beautiful items.

My favourites of her items are included below:

These khaki green roll-hem trousers, casual but edgy. Get them here

These exposed lining cropped jacket, orange but also available in navy, you can get it here.

These very comfortable side panelled trousers, up for purchase here.

Quilted bomber jacket, to show your cool side. Up for grabs here.

Winter hasn't even arrived yet,

but we do already dream of and are preparing for summer...

According to Emelie Faure (BE Magazine), Natalie Hartley (Instyle Magazine) and Ann-Sofie Johansson (Head of Design at H&M) we shall be seeing pastel colours (think baby-ish), a new wave of colour blocking (post-winter style) and a very modern and grown-up look this Spring Summer season of 2012. Want more ins-and-outs? Watch the video below, or scroll down for lookbook images.

touch of orange, combined with neon turquoise

bright colours, matching outfits

pastels and cream whites

 various purple hues

neon, or creams, simple tailored dresses

japanese influences, loose fitting

Iris van Herpen 3D future haute couture

Please some attention to our own dutch fashion designer, no I must say artist Iris van Herpen!!!

With her metalwork, model-making techniques and plastic cut-outs (all borrowed from the architecture and product design world) she really blows you away on the catwalk.

Van Herpen brings fashion to another level, as the effects created were purposely reminiscent of 3D effect, and the digital world at large: glitch-inspired dresses, screensaver animation-like cropped dresses, and a weaved metallic cape so fine it created a perfect mirror!!!!! Bodices with spiked hems and hand-carved wooden dresses made the collection an unlikely choice for everyday life, but challenges the boldest of fashion followers. Her biggest fan is Lady Ga Ga.

here some impressions of her show in Paris this week;

 

The Dutch designer was invited by the French Chambre Syndicale de La Coutre, this is the institute that certifies designers to haute couturiers. Van Herpen has to show five times to become a member. At this moment the house has only eleven members including Dior and Chanel.

Unnecessary to say: We are so proud......!!!

Grace xx