"BACK to BACK"

This is a post I have been wanting to do for a while. Finally I have managed to find three woman who are perfect examples of how to pull off a backless number. Back to Back I give you Miss Tillie Smith, Miss Laura Grice and Miss Heather Twaits…

 Miss Tillie Smith demonstrates how to really pull off a backless number by wearing this floor length, block coloured and panelled dress. A dress she won at a fashion auction, designer unknown, is stunning. The dark panels run front to back creating a slimming silhouette then you are surprised by a lighter shade of blue which meets the lower back taking the full length of the body down to the floor. It was just a Saturday night when I took this picture of Tillie but I truly believe this dress could be used on a red carpet.

Occupation: Pole Dancing Instructor @ Pussycat Poles

Miss Laura Grice demonstrates a classic look with this little black number by ASOS. With its figure hugging cut and roll neck, this dress is a master of disguise. She strolled in wearing a little black jacket which gave me the idea this dress is perfect to go from winter day to winter night. Simply pair this dress with a tailored jacket and a string of pearls and you have a meeting room ensemble. You can discuss figures, percentages and work all day without people knowing that you have a backless number under. A cute jumper would do as well. Whip it off when you leave and you are set to dance the night away.

Occupation: Horse Riding Instructor
 

Miss Heather Twaits demonstrates this by being the glitterati herself. Dress by Motel Rocks @ House of Fraser. The way this dress shone amongst the crowd really stood this stunning girl out. With body contouring it is a perfect way to highlight her gorgeous figure. Regardless of where you are this dress is bound to get you some attention. The detail of the sequins is really well done and the quality of it looks very good. Definitely a good investment into your wardrobe.

Occupation: PA to Insurance Company CEO

 

Thank you

 

xoxo

　

"The happiest glove in the world"

This glove, laid down in its place of rest was the first glove that I felt sorry for. Why? Well it had a face, a face of a panda bear...

 

Although he was alone he looked ever so happy laying on our cold earth. Then I thought to myself. Typical Panda bears always at it alone, never doing it together.

 

"Buddie it's just you and your paw tonight."

 

xoxo

"Boyz got a presence!"

It is not often you come across a little East London, away from the streets, cool havens and bustle of it, but I did, in Maidstone. The hair is what struck me first then his style confirmed that I should snap this marvellous ensem-BLIST. Boyz and Galz I give you Thomas Waterman...

The question I had was the inspiration behind the hair style. The answer, quick and in two words, Fantasia Barrino. Nails splashed and armed to slash! Glasses from Jai Kudo. Jacket from Tailor and Ross. Scarf from a friend who bought it in a "boutique" in India.

Thomas works in Drama Production and Teaching in the historical city of Canterbury.

Must be where he gets his presence!!

Thank you

xoxo

"To beanie or not to beanie?"

Armed with my Ports 1961 glasses, I decided to team them with a plain grey beanie from H&M

The questions is; to beanie or not to beanie?

At the end of the day if it makes you happy blah, blah, blah do it!

 

 

xoxo

 

 

"A LITTLE HUMOUR"

Whilst reading the Metro this morning (a free newspaper found at train stations in the UK). I came across this little comic strip...

 

 

 

 

I thought it was funny...with only two followers, appropriate!

xoxo

Masahiro Murase

When does “beyond cool” stop? It doesn't! Some people are born to be forever cool. Whilst at the Vivienne Westwood MAN Installation in collaboration with Harrods, with beats by Junkie XL bursting from the speakers, my next ensem-BLISTS walked in and boy did he turn heads. Ladies and Gents I give you Masahiro Murase...



Where to start on an ensemble that took your breath away as envy crept in and you realise, that no matter how hard you try you will never be that cool. Lets start to feed and digest our inspiration to one day achieve been "too cool for school".

In Art lessons, when drawing, my teacher used to say, "start with the negative spaces (the shadows/ black areas) and the positive spaces (the colour) will fall into place". Lets start by taking away the negative spaces of his ensemble and talk about the vast amount of positive spaces. Thanks to Celine this overcoat with rolling shoulders, extreme panelling and colour work is bound to grab anyone's attention. From nude, burnt orange and sky blue, think outside the box at how many ensembles you could dress with this! Just the thought is exciting! One shivers in anticipation. The deep and wide lapel of the overcoat is gorgeous for so many things. Add another touch of Lanvin, perhaps a broche, and it will “shine bright like a diamond” against the dense black or simply just keep the lapel classic as intended.

Your jewelled accessories depending on the colour will pick up the colours of the coat just like his Lanvin necklace does. The gorgeous frame work around the green stone is true to the Lanvin style. Forever free and organic in their design. Ladies and Gents if you ever want to invest in some costume jewellery, Lanvin is the brand. However imagine what a piece of Mahwi would look like?!

Loyal to his brands the hat Mister Masahiro Murase sports is Lanvin. Not many people can pull off a hat especially like the above but boy oh boy I take my hat off as you can "leave your hat on!"

To be perfectly honest I was too in awe of Mister Masahiro Murase I totally forgot to ask what he does. So I Google him…

Oh my days…this man is a living legend! He is the contributing fashion editor for GQ Magazine in Japan. Forever true to himself this man has rocked some incredible looks throughout the various fashion shows, presentation or installations he has attended. You know they are cool when you look them up and they are sitting “frow“!

Hopefully in my future I will have the chance to revisit Mister Masahiro Murase ensembles and talk about them on ensem-BLAH.

Arigatou gozaimasu Mister Masahiro Murase.

www.Lu-en.com

xoxo

"SAY IT WITH SAM"

I have been a proud blogger since October last year but now I am officially a proud owner of my very own "SAY IT WITH SAM" tote. Let me tell you it's TOTES amaze!!!

 

Look at it...

Mrs Samantha Bourner is the creator and owner of Say It With Sam. A fountain of flowing talent and inspiration. Self employed and the only person who works 24/7 in her little studio tucked up above the high street of the gorgeous town of Tenterden.

She created her business back in 2009, a place where you can buy something unique in its design. Everything is handmade and she also makes to order. The item you order has its own personality, adding to the vintage style she promises to deliver. Her product is tactile and made with LOVE.

 

 

Thinking of ideas for a Hen Party, a Thank You present, spreading that Christmas feeling, or just simply wanting to promote your blog for £13.99 and two lines of wording, a 100% cotton tote bag is yours. If you have something else to say and don't know how to say it, for £16.99 and four lines you have yourself a tailor made with LOVE product. Quintessentially British she will post your item to a UK mainland address. Proud to be British!

Whilst writing this I got inspired and thought up some slogans...

"1, 2 look at my Choo"

"Saving for my Chanel"

"Shopping since 1985" (the year I was born)

To view more of Sam's product follow the below link and buy, buy, buy.

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/sayitwithsam/product/personalised-cotton-shopper-bag

Sam I think your bags are TOTES amaze!!!

xoxo

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD AW13 #LCM

Below our cold concrete city, in a loading bay, lay the stage for the Vivienne Westwood MAN collaboration with Harrods. From the entrance beats by Junkie XL burst out into the atmosphere. The gold and green light shone and immersed you into a pre-war world in which Gaia and the economy meet! Prepared in their ensembles of armour, the models stood, prepared and aware of their surroundings.

 

 

 

Protected only by pipes and the famous green Harrods trucks. The rebels draped themselves over RUSTANG SALLY, sculpture by artist Joe Rush, genius behind the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics 2012.

 

 

 

 

The ensembles helped the warriors stand out amongst the wreckage in true Vivienne Westwood style of organic, contemporary cuts and loud prints. Fabrics revisited like the famous hounds tooth in bright, vibrant colours. The exaggerated POW check in deep, rich waves of burgundy and neon trims, adding to the futuristic atmosphere. The "look", captain or soldier, is demonstrated by make up which has a hint of The Mighty Boosh.

 

 

 

The arrival of Vivienne Westwood and designer Andrea Kronthaler, her partner, was discreet and endlessly cool. The lights from the flashes of cameras blinded you shining on the decadence that surrounded.

 

 

 The message of the installation really rings true:

"What's bad for the planet is bad for the economy."

 

Or you decide…

"What's good for the planet is good for the economy."

 

Forever an inspiration and hailed as one of the shows to see at this past LCM, Vivienne Westwood we thank you!

Follow the below link for more on Joe Rush:

 

http://www.joerush.com/#Vehicles

xoxo

 

 

 

"Read Between the Lines"

Last night I photographed Dominique Lescott, a trainee manager for the local council, as I love her use of colour and the contrast fabric of her dress. She was the birthday girl and was amongst the crème de la crème of the upper east side of…wait for it…Maidstone, Kent. Future ensem-BLISTS I give hive you Miss Lescott…
 

Later you will see how clever the design of her dress is but first I would like to speak about her use of colour. Black and White are strong tones together but throw in a strong colour and you get a whole lot of…WHAM!!!! Dominique’s hair is a very avant garde style and she has personally thrown a splash of red that just gives it the WOW factor. Her earrings, that she bought from a vintage boutique in NYC, are a good match as they stand out against her dress. The red feathers stand out against those Black and White stripes and the strands that drop from the tear shape fall into them.

The dress which Dominique bought from River Island is a clever choice. This is key to having a wardrobe look timeless. Buy classic and use accessories, your hair and shoes to BRING IT!!

 

http://www.riverisland.com/women/dresses/shift-dresses/Black-striped-bodycon-tube-dress-630987

This dress is a purchase as mentioned from River Island. Good choice Miss Lescott and clever design River Island. The dress is body contour which will nip and tuck, really holding you in all the right places. River Island have gone a step further. The clever use of fabric and panelling. The vertical lines that cover the top half are wide at the top then gently narrow down towards the waist. This broadens the shoulders and slims the waist. The lines that run horizontally from the waist down are narrow to begin with then they widen giving you that pencil skirt, figure hugging look. The real genius part of this is the use of black panels along the side of the dress. Black is a slimming colour and where they have used it on the side helps slim those curves you don’t necessary want to exaggerate. You’ve got those gorgeous curves but you want to streamline them!

Just to show you how timeless this dress can be I chosen other bits and pieces to go with it.

1940’s Hollywood Glamour

Irregular Choice “Tapetastic” Shoes:

 

 http://www.irregularchoice.com/shop/search/product/3721/tapetastic.html?offset=0

Irregular Choice “Flick Flack Clutch” Bag:

http://www.irregularchoice.com/shop/search/product/2766/flick-flack-clutch-bag.html?offset=3

Or

1970’s Disco Fever

Christian Louboutins “Very Prive Patent” Shoes:

 

http://eu.christianlouboutin.com/uk_en/shop/women/very-prive-patent-9.html

Lulu Guiness “Red Persplex Lips” Clutch:

http://www.luluguinness.com/ProductPage.aspx?productId=LULU
0148720239600

Or

The Present “Glam Rock“:

Maison Martin Margiela “Geometrically Constructed Classic” Stiletto:

  

  http://maisonmartinmargiela.tumblr.com/collections#/en_US

As I struggled to provide you an image I decided to draw one for you:

Maisin Du Posh Leather Clutch:



http://maisonduposh.com/

 Dominique, your look was fab and I can tell you one thing. I would vote for you as Mayor of the town…dressed for success!

Thank you

xoxo

"Who's that girl?"

Amongst work colleagues this girl really stood out. Chloe Bradbury a Sales Assistant at Pandora clearly knows how to work her wardrobe. Future ensem-BLISTS I give you Chloe…



Not many people can pull off a hat, and often there are a lot of people I want to pull the hat off. Chloe really works her ensemble under this forest green bowler hat from “Urban Outfitters“. The bohemian chic print of her maxi dress works really well with the colour of her main accessory, her hat. The dress could be mixed up with so many other garments. A real cute sweater over this for lunch with the girls or, as Chloe has demonstrated here, a vintage cropped leather jacket for a night out with colleagues.

Senorita, mas fina, Who’s that girl?

 

Thank you

 

xoxo

"knot NOW!!!"

Knot NOW, then when? I suggest this Monday, as I have already started practicing. What am I talking about? The feeling of accomplishment when you first learn to tie your laces properly or get complimented on the Windsor Knot in your tie by a colleague is great. Wait until you see the “Trinity Knot” or the “Eldredge Knot”!

This is my first attempt at the “Trinity Knot”. I have to say, although it is said that you can use any thickness of tie, I recommend a thin one is best. It looks a lot more delicate and tidy. This is a matter of opinion of course.
 

 

 

Now lets set a trend and bring this into practice. Learn how to do this by following the man who taught me, Alex Krasny…
 

 

 

I have tried to attempt the “Eldredge Knot” but I will admit that I prefer the “Trinity Knot” as I am not a fan of having a large lump around my neck.

Follow again Mister Alex Krasny who will teach you how to get yourself in a knot…
 

 

Enjoy getting tied up!

 

Thank you

xoxo

"Small Town Boy"

Have you ever heard the song, “Small Town Boy” by Bronski Beat? The first thing that came into my mind when I saw Mister Jayson Gray was Jimmy Sommerville (albeit a more stylised and modern version) in his role as the young man who leaves town after his continued battle against the small minded bullies. I had to feature Mister Gray on here as I really appreciated his styling. Ladies and Gents, Jayson Gray…



Having picked up our lunch at Harvey Nichols, “Bubbleology” aka Bubble Tea I noticed Mister Gray amongst the queue forming at the till. I asked if I could feature his ensemble on my blog and obviously he obliged.

From under his vintage “flat cap” peered his Tom Ford sunglasses with an orange tint, a very 70’s tribute. His multi-coloured blue plaid shirt, being his first layer, stuck out against the stone grey double breasted overcoat - which was also vintage. You notice a layer of black being his second layer, which upon revealing was an exaggerated lengthy cardigan. I learnt that the shirt and the cardigan are from his partners brand, known as “Bone Idle and Rich”. His indigo jeans and their turn-ups really help compliment his “Kenneth Cole” lace boots.

I always ask my “ensem-BLISTS” where they work, as it forever fascinates me what people do and it turns out that Mister Gray is the Creative Director of Toni and Guy. Brilliant that Toni and Guy have someone with such style manning the creative machine.

I looked Mister Gray up on Google and images came up, sure enough this man is forever gracing our streets with style. Mister Jayson Gray I have to say you are further away from being a “small town boy” and closer to being a “big time style icon”.

Here’s a little music to get you in the mood:



Thank you

xoxo