Sunday, 10 February 2013

DESIGNER DOUBLES : Valentino for the Valentina






The love bug has officially swept across the high street, infatuated with the Valentino touch.  The it label adored by fashionistas across the globe, this designer brand has redefined romanticism, as demonstrated in the 2013 Spring collection. Reinforcing the classic beauty of the feminine shape with a subtle touch of androgony and structure, Valentino brings Ms Valentina into the 21st Century, with high street brands following suit.


The true definition of finesse, Valentino continued their legacy of feminine romance within their 2013 Spring collection, exhibiting faultless craftsmanship and precision within each look. Exuberating a sense of infinite beauty, the haute couture range rejoiced Romanticism in conjunction with the  season of love, with intricate embroidery, and lace detail to give attention to the feminine silhouette, whilst maintaining an austere simplicity.

The fashion guru has truly reinvented the definition of love with a modern twist, and the high street have followed suit in true admiration. Still reinforcing nude and white palette, Valentino focuses on the radiance of the Valentino women, with midi length dresses, and faultless templates. The High Street’s Spring Collection range has clearly grasped inspiration by the Valentino’s monastic, yet romantic collection, with lace, sheer, and nude colours becoming a recurring fashion trend in stores.  Lipsy have done a solid enactment of the Valentino flair by not swaying away from his trustee palette of classic nudes and whites to add emphasis on the natural hourglass shape, subtlety coveted with sheer, and lace to complement the natural subtle seductiveness of a woman. Reminiscent of the Renaissance Age, the High Street brand injects some needed modernization by using the bodycon dress; the new LBD in town!

Inevitably less intricate and embellished rendition of the 2013 Houte Couture Collection, Lipsy in particular seemed to grasp Valentino’s sense of feminine radiance, by injecting classic statement pieces to draw attention to the natural feminine curve, which neither needs nor requires embellishment for assistance. 

The Valentino touch trickles down into daywear and accessories, with Topshop embodying the Baroque trend, giving every woman the chance to strut down the street with the poise of a fierce fashionista! Topshop replicates the divinely studded nude shoe, as seen on fashion icon Alexa Chung, emitting the Valentino charm a woman yearns for.

The High Street rocks the Valentino legacy in true style, at a snip of the price. The spring pieces are a true embodiment of the classic female hourglass shape, showcased with tailored yet simplistic nude dresses, and sheer panelled garments to add a sensual touch .A feminine touch for the Valentines season. Whether or not a fan of the Valentine season, embrace your inner Ms Valentina at a budget price!

JustJode xox 

Saturday, 2 February 2013

STYLE SINS : Thou shall not be a scruffy student!

Although  fashion trends are becoming more wild and abstract , I am utterly perplexed by the new fashion trend hitting the uni scene like the plague: the 'Scruffy Student' look. Meeting to the expectations of its name, students would deliberately step out onto the streets with a jumbled  assortment of  of clothing to appear fashionably edge, but instead would look like a jumble Sale found in Camden Market. Being a student myself, I can understand why students may become less conscientious on the way they project themselves at university, being lumbered with colossal amounts of work, and neverending readings to do. But does this really excuse a lack of passion for fashion?

Passion? Yes. Fashion? Kinda. Style? Hell to the No. 

Fashion can be brought, but style is free. Its a unique feature manifesting inside all of us, a by-product of our personality and interests Despite the tight budget and even tighter work deadlines we face, it is never excusable to step onto the streets looking like Courtney Loves double act. 


Style Sin Number 1 ladies :Thou shall not look deliberately scruffy and unkempt! 

This is not a moment to be preaching Drake's "YOLO" excuses ladies. No "Hell Yeah, Hell Yeah", its not "F***ing Right"! 


University is the perfect opportunity for you to explore life and find yourself, both in a philosophical and fashionable sense. But looking like unkempt (and well...dirty!) has never written in anyone's destiny, and it never will be.


I'm a firm supporter and believer in expressing your individuality, and being comfortable with your look, but there is always an exception to the rule, and this is definitely one of those special exceptions. Yes, comfort is a vital factor when constructing an outfit for the day, but that doesn't suddenly make it excusable for you to look like a Jeremy Kyle cast-off in public. A long day of studying and lectures on a Monday Morning may feel like you've done ten rounds with Mike Tyson, but it doesn't mean everyone else has to know - or in this case see for their very eyes - your personal perils. 

The general message: being a 'Scruff' will not benefit you in anyway! So save those creased up tees and trackies for indoors, and more importantly save yourself from being a fashion offendee! Replace these garments with simple,yet versatile fashion pieces, that can be adapted and be worn in a multiple of ways.  Here are some of the key pieces you can adapt and wear numerous times that both tick the comfort and stylish boxes. Talk about two for one! Now thats a bargain a girl can't resist!

-The Simple White Tee; a fail-safe garment, you can never go wrong, whatever the season!

-A good pair of jeans; note the word "good" - you need a pair that fit good accordingly to your personal body shape! Shake what yo' mama gave you and invest in a simple tailored pair of jeans; I guarantee it will remain a key piece in your wardrobe for years.
-Leather Jacket; your trustee friend, whatever the weather!
-Leather look leggings: an upgrade from the legging sensation that will immediately update your outfit!
-A simple LBD; can be worn both day and night, with the right accessories!

Being a student doesn't make it acceptable to dismiss the fundamentals of fashion!

Justjode xox