What a fun weekend – I spent it in the company of a very good friend, drinking tea, eating cake and checking out the vintage stalls at the Bristol Fashion Fair. Set in St Paul’s Church in Portland Square, Bristol, there were around 35 stalls of wonderful and affordable vintage clothing, jewellery and homeware. There were even vintage inspired makeovers available, where stylists created gorgeous vintage up-dos and applied cheesecake girl inspired make up.

However, my favourite thing to do at the fair, apart from rooting round for a bargain, was enjoying the kitsch tea party serving tea in chintzy china and delicious homemade cupcakes. The tea really hit the spot as it had been a particularly cold January day. However, over 800 people ventured out and braved the cold, to take a look around.

Can’t wait for the next one in late Spring. To check out the dates or if you are interested in becoming a trader, visit the Bristol Fair Facebook page

MA Fashion courses – Why not pursue your passion for fashion and check out MA Fashion courses at Middlesex University

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I am too excited by this; gorgeous Parisian fashion house, Lavin, has joined forces with high street giants H&M to bring an amazing, luxuriant collection to the masses. Well, maybe not entirely to the masses – it will only be available at selected H&M stores across the World – hitting the UK high street on the 23rd November 2010. All designed by Lavin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz.

You may be under the impression that the collection has a purely monochrome palette but you would be wrong! There are dresses in rich reds, pinks, canary yellows and brightly coloured floral patterns available and accessories galore, including vintagesque beaded jewellery and leopard print court shoes.

You can see the full collection in the following youtube clip:

Out of all the other H&M collaborations (Stella McCartney, Sonia Rykiel, Jimmy Choo, Comme des Garcons and Viktor & Rolf) this one, in my opinion, has to be the best so far. I love the looks and it just feels like a cared for and well thought out collection.

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Hot on the heels of this year’s Britain’s Next Top Model finale – where Tiffany Pisani was crowned the winner of Britain’s Next Top Model series 6 – an ultimate weekend shopping extravaganza comes to London for the first time ever. Britain’s Next Top Model Live – from the 22nd – 24th October 2010.

Taking place across three days from 22nd – 24th October 2010 at the ExCel Centre in London’s Docklands, dedicated followers of fashion and beauty will be able to experience the ultimate in retail therapy – an event designed to bring to life the lifestyle and glamour of Britain’s Next Top Model, with a range of fashion shows, exhibitions, shopping, beauty, health and fitness, and interactive features for this Autumn and Winter trends.

This year’s event will also host a series of stunning hour-long Catwalk Shows. Featuring an inspiring range of fashion, designer gowns and unique creations from up and coming talent, and with special appearances from all of the girls from Britain’s Next Top Model series 6.

In other exciting news – TV Presenter and former model Emma Willis, 33 will join a panel of celebrity talent and the contestants from Britain’s Next Top Model Series six to open the first ever Live event on Friday 22nd October, as well as hosting the Kiss Open Catwalk where she will present a packed schedule of entertainment Live.

This year’s event will also offer visitors the unique opportunity to win a place in Living TV’s Britain’s Next Top Model Series 7 in 2011 with the BNTM Application Studio. Living TV will be recording Live auditions for applicants for the next series of BNTM. Alternatively, if you prefer to be behind the lens than on a catwalk, you can head for the Live Casting Couch where Models 1 will be seeking out the new faces for their future fashion and beauty campaigns.

Standard Tickets are £18, which includes entry to the event and a seat within the Main Catwalk. Premium Tickets are £25 which includes entry into the event, a Premium seat within the Main Catwalk Show & a Show Guide, or VIP Tickets – a VIP £39 ticket gives you entry, VIP seats in BNTML Catwalk, showguide, VIP goody bag and entry into VIP lounge.

To book your tickets, click here

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“Multicoloured in a natural palette that was reflected in the food on offer and the patterns around the catwalk entrance to further underline the point that we were being welcomed into the Etro world (everybody gets a cushion to take home from an Etro show), they came in mustard or plum, green, indigo, turquoise, khaki, yellow or brown: cotton dresses falling off one shoulder from soft peasant necklines, tunic dresses striped in black and white prints alternated with gold mesh and trousers that were fitted and flared over block heeled platforms under matching strapless tops – the Seventies are never far from an Etro girl’s inspiration.”

Ultimately, my favourite piece from the collection were these gorgeous horizontal stripped shorts in burnt orange, blue and indigo. In theory, a clashing nightmare but they actually looked ultra chic – great with a tan and wedges. Roll on summer 2011!

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A running theme throughout the show was a fringed collar, which looked stifling and uncomfortable on the models. Definitely a case of just because you can doesn’t mean you should! The fringed detail was seen more successfully on skirts and shoulder pieces.

My favourite look of the collection was a simple strapless black jumpsuit which was cinched in at the waist with a bronze metal belt and tucked into platform black suede ankle boots. This will probably be the biggest seller of the collection.

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Yesterday, Victoria Beckham showed her Spring/Summer Ready-to-wear 2011 collection at New York fashion week. Speaking to Vogue UK, Victoria explained why she chose New York Fashion week to show her line:

“I LOVE New York, and I live in America now; this is my home,” – so said Victoria Beckham when we asked her why she shows in NYC as opposed to London, Milan or Paris. “Well, this is closest to my home,” said the LA resident with a laugh.

The collection did have an Upper East Side feel to it and there were some classic “Victoria Beckham” silhouettes in the collection – fitted, body conscious dresses designed to show off a woman’s femininity. You can easily imagine Mrs. Beckham being snapped in most of this collection.

“So there were exposed zippers tracing the spine and delicate seams highlighting the small of the back or the curve of the torso and abdomen to subtly sexy effect, done in luscious shades of Cadillac (aka, blush) pink, mandarin orange and a great holographic silver lame.”

But there were also a few surprises; living in LA has obviously had a knock on affect to Mrs Beckham’s design aesthetic. Victoria showed a gorgeous, loose fitting, purple silk shirt dress which tied loosely in the front. This dress looked both effortless and stylish. I would definitely like to see more of this in future collections. She also played tentatively with volume and shapes, giving a little nod to the 1960s.

“Beckham also channelled the Sixties in a suite of body skimming shift dresses, and paid homage to the classic fit-and-flare silhouette in several very pretty cocktail frocks.”

All in all, a very successful, inoffensive and well thought out ready-to-wear collection.

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Victoria Beckham was in also attendance, showing some love for British fashion stating that: “I love British fashion. I love the way people in Britain will really push the envelope, and it’s always really exciting to see who’s going to be the young British designer”. Victoria, as canny as always, wore one of her own creations at the event, and looked stunning. A great walking advertisement for her fashion line.

The highly publicised London 25 Award, which went to public vote to recognise the “individual who embodies the spirit of London”, was given to Kate Moss (no shock there then!). Christopher Bailey walked away with the “Designer of the Year” award for the second time, winning it previously in 2005. Georgia Jagger, daughter of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, was named “Model of the year”, beating off stiff competition in the form of Daisy Lowe and Rosie Huntington Whiteley. I would have preferred it if Daisy had of won as I think her look is far more interesting but that’s just my opinion.

My heart does go out to the fabulous Karen Elson, who took a tumble off stage and fell into the orchestra pit when presenting the “Isabella Blow Award”. Afterwards, Karen declared that:”I am the clumsiest person on this earth. I cannot believe I just did that.” Keep your head up Karen and laugh it off – these things happen to the best of us.

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