The Monday Piece - Alexander McQueen

This weeks Monday piece is on legendary British fashion designer (Lee) Alexander McQueen. McQueen started his career as an apprentice on Saville Row, London, where he learned traditional tailoring techniques and created pieces for the clientelle such as Prince Charles. After this he attended Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design where he excelled as a pupil gaining a Master's degree in fashion design. From then on McQueen intended on creating controversy with his collections, whilst producing amazingly showstopping pieces that every woman wanted a piece of, his collections were always 'different' as well as unique and quite unreal - he made the impossible possible in the fashion world which gained huge admiration from critics, he was often known as the 'hooligan' of British fashion.
From pricey one off couture samples to more affordable pieces of jewellery and accessories, each piece is carefully designed and the eye is always in the detail. McQueen was responsible for the popularity of low rise jeans, suitably naming them 'bumsters', as well as modern classic items such as the coveted chiffon silk scull scarf which McQueen turned into his own.
There are Alexander McQueen boutiques throughout the world, with an enormous fan base and celebrity following the brand will keep growing as a result of the hugely dedicated and talented team behind the brand - and with Sarah Burton at the help it can't go far wrong. Although McQueen himself took his own life in 2010, his legacy and inspiration is still more than alive. Below are some of my favourite items this artistic genius created, I hope you enjoy them as much as me. Long live McQueen!

All pictures taken from google

What I wore today - skulls and jeans

Ola! I had a day off work today as Its my boyfriends birthday so we went shopping in Birmingham, luckily he's a mega shopaholic too and loves a good shopping trip. We also went for a nice meal last night after my yoga class, I had beef bourguigon and it was so yum - so happy birthday Glyndwr! We got some pretty cool stuff shopping today, Glyndwr got a few bits and bobs but my favourite were some amazing red Ralph Lauren chinos he bought (ill try and get a sneaky photo as he just looks too cute)! Although it was his birthday I got a few treats too, some perfume, a pair of amazing leather/wax coated jeans and a boucle type cardigan from Zara - I'm sure I'll be wearing them soon and I'll definitely be showing them off to you guys! We're just having a cosy night in tonight (our favourite thing to do), so it'll be nice to chill after a hectic day in the city. It was so busy considering it was a Wednesday, I guess it's because of the school holidays, they seem to be lasting forever this year, wish I had six weeks off...
Hope you've had a good week so far, it's gone super quick and I can't believe another weekend is just around the corner. Any nice plans? My outfit is a pretty relaxed casual one today, I needed to be comfortable and practical for storming around Brum, I do love these wedge trainers but they make the balls of my feet site after a little while. They were cheap though so can't complain!
X

*Zara jeans £15.99 sale, vest £4.99 sale*
*eBay wedge trainers, £34.99*
*Alexander McQueen scarf, £165.00*
*Vivienne Westwood handbag, £175.00 half price in sale via Selfridges*
*Miss Selfridge necklace, £2.00 sale*

What I wore today - Olympic colours, skulls & skeletons

It's Friday, which also means its the Olympic opening ceremony today! Very exciting for all of us Brits as we are the hosting nation, the opening ceremony starts at 9pm tonight so I will definitely be watching it later on the TV - go team GB!
As you can see I wore my multi colour Alexander McQueen scarf in honour of the Olympic rings, with my new Zara grey skinny jeans - I bought them last week but was gutted when I got home and put them on as they had a hole in the side and all the stitching had come loose on the leg and back pockets :( it's frustrating as i adore the fit and style, I wish I'd seen the faults in the shop, never mind.
The weather has been totally glorious and summery, I hope it continues into the weekend. I have so much housework to do its not fair, I'm going to try to get it done now before the Olympics tonight - I think I might have steak for dinner to treat myself though so that makes it a little better!
PS. My hair is so enormous its ridiculous, time to get it cut?
Any nice plans for the weekend?
X

*Topshop top, £14.00*
*Zara jeans, £15.99 sale*
*eBay leopard print wedges, £35.00 (roughly)*
*Primark belt, £2.00*
*Alexander McQueen scarf, £165.00*

The Monday Piece - Catherine Middleton

The Monday Piece - Catherine/Kate Middleton; as it was the jubilee last week this weeks piece is on beauty, duchess, and fashionista Kate Middleton. For those of you who have been loving under a rock for the past decade, Kate Middleton is now married to Prince William who is second in line to the royal throne. Kate herself was royally named a duchess when she married William in April 2011, though now a 'princess' she led a relatively normal, middle class life - she grew up in Berkshire with her family and then attended university at St. Andrews in Scotland where she met Prince William, their relationship flourished and grew and a decade later they were married.

Fashion has always been part of Kate, she worked as an accessory buyer for Jigsaw from 2006 onwards as well as working as a catalogue photographer - Kate is always seen in the latest styles, photographed for magazines, and appears frequently on 'best dressed' lists worldwide.
Kate's life is portrayed through the media and for millions she is a fashion icon in the making, she is publicly known as 'Thrifty Kate' as she recycles her wardrobe and outfits from previous months and even years. The 'Kate Effect' has swept through Britain with many girls and women trying to emulate her classic, simple style - all of this, it could be argued, is a result from her truly stunning and show stopping wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

The Duchess mixes key high street pieces from stores like Zara, Reiss and LK Bennett with British couture classics designed by Issa, Jenny Packham and Alexander McQueen.
The images below exemplify the true beauty Kate is and her fabulous choice of outfit. I love her smart but casual dressed down style in the first picture, with her favourite J Brand jeans and timeless Smythe blazer. The red and cream/gold outfits are from the jubilee weekend, both Alexander McQueen and both feature her favourite LK Bennett nude pumps. My favourite is the uber glam snap of Kate in her cream Roland Mouret gown and Jimmy Choo accessories, so elegant and beautiful - a modern day princess. And of course WHO could forget to mention the wedding dress of the century?! Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, it was such a fantastic lace creation that encompassed everything that is British, also her gorgeous bridesmaid, sister Pippa, also wore McQueen.

She truly is the best of British. We salute you!
What's your favourite thing about Kate's style?
Do you rock a pair of nude pumps like hers?


DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY TOPSHOP GIVEAWAY, SCROLL DOWN :)

All images courtesy of google.

What I wore today - grey midi dress and McQueen scarf

The weather continues to be glorious over here in the UK, it was pretty muggy though today so popped my new Primark grey midi dress on as its lightweight and airy to do some shopping in town, i also went for lunch with my boyfriend which was lovely. It's got short sleeves and sits just below the knee, i love anything in grey marl and it was in the sale for the absolute bargain price of £5.00 so couldn't resist! I've been a bit dubious of the midi dress style as I'm quite short (5 foot 4 inches), so wasn't sure if I could pull it off - would love to know what you all think please. My little wedge suede booties are from Topshop, I've had them a while and still love them so much! They're really comfy and barely feel like wedges at all, they're just the right height too. To pull the whole outfit together I wore it with my multicolour Alexander McQueen scarf - I think it's one of the best things I've ever bought, pound per wear and all that!
Would love to know your thoughts on the midi dress style.
What are you wearing to keep cool in the hot weather? Xx

*Primark dress and belt*
*Topshop wedges*
*Alexander McQueen scarf*