During Fashion Week, Look Magazine put on a spectacular fashion show at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. It was a star-studded event with the likes of pop princess Pixie Lott and catwalk veteran Erin O'Connor in attendance.

Top fashion brands including Dorothy Perkins, Mango, Reiss and French Connection combined pieces to create fabulous looks for the new season, including an oh so pretty floral playsuit by ASOS. Bring on Spring! Here are some highlights.

Web: www.look.co.uk

Cult leisure brand Fat Face recently added a new style of denim to their collection entitled Carrot. The relaxed boyfriend fit denim is in a heavy vintage wash and sits low with a slouchy fit on the hips yet slim at the calves and ankles.

Perfect for pear-shaped girls like me who find skinny jeans less than flattering, the Carrot denim is a brilliant alternative; with angled front pockets and cinch back waistband, it's tapered to fit like skinny jeans and I love the fact that I can adjust the waist for a snug fit.

I've always had trouble finding the perfect skinnies; thanks to my wide hips and a smaller waist, the proportions never seem to work, but I think I've found the perfect match. Here's a snap of my carrot denim, it's so comfy I live in them most weekends. Carrot denim is available to buy online, now reduced to £44.00.

Web: www.fatface.com

What do you think of the new Carrot denim?

The BODYAMR show was one that I was particularly looking forward to, and it was well worth the wait. The signature draping that I love still played a huge role in the collection as well as an abundance of luxe fabrics and beaded embellishment.

A predominantly monochrome collection with splashes of bold print in rich purples, Venetian red and green, made for interesting viewing. Free flowing white and cream dresses with nipped in waists had a Grecian goddess feel and black cutaway dresses were real statement pieces.

The hero pieces that stood out for me were the dress with contrasting print panelling and the structured numbers with gold chain detailing; incredibly sexy and chic. It was also interesting to see mohair box cut jackets paired with gold belted harem style pants. The gold mini with matching long-line jacket were really quite powerful.

BODYAMR's collection from start to finish was incredibly strong and engaged you in an element of fantasy. Yet all pieces were instantly wearable. This was impressive but no surprise to me as I've long been a fan of the label for this very reason.

Web: www.vauxhallfashionscout.com
Image Credit: Vauxhall Fashion Scount

The challenge was on for ethical label Prophetik to bring sustainable fashion to the catwalk and excite us with something a little different. Well, the live band that played at the show was a really cool touch to what was otherwise a very simple style offering of laid back layers, grey, denim and black.

Simple isn't necessary a bad thing, it's just for me, fashion week is about presenting something that packs a punch or two, a collection that 'pops' on the catwalk and grabs my attention, and in this case, the collection failed to excite me hugely.

In fact, it was all very practical. And I completely get it - the inspiration behind the collection was the American Civil War - a time where fashion understandably underwent rationing. So simplicity is key.

On a more positive note there was plenty that I could appreciate; I liked the high waist trousers, the slim tailoring, the boleros pinned with a solitary button and the short waistcoats. I also thought the injection of blood red hues in a select number dresses and accessories helped to brighten up the catwalk. However, no piece or ensemble stood out as the next big trend.

Prophetik's collection clearly flies the flag for ethical fashion and remind us that sustainable can be stylish, I just wish there more luster. See video for a snippet of the show.



Web: www.vauxhallfashionscout.com
Image Credit: Vauxhall Fashion Scout

It was an interesting first day for me at London Fashion Week. I attended the David Koma show, which was short to say the least but an interesting collection of vampish leather, cutaway dresses, geometric shapes and one shoulder numbers. It was a dark, warrior-esque collection where goth met power dressing and body con shapes were in full effect.

The pieces made me think that Koma's muse is a modern day Xena Warrior Princess; the gold and silver embellishment that played an important part throughout, added a distinctly military feel to the pieces. If Xena was on a hot date with Hercules in 2010, she'd definitely be wearing a dress from David Koma's latest style offering. It's so very her!

So this is a taste of style to come? I wonder which celebrities will be endorsing this new trend first? We saw Beyonce in David Koma at MTV European Music Awards and Cheryl Cole during X Factor last year. Most likely Rihanna or Lady Gaga (who is also a fan). Both artists seemingly push the boat out on being fashion-forward and this new collection would be right up their street.

The colour palette was somewhat predictable for the season; fail proof hues of stone, tan and black were obvious staple colours for the winter months. Overall, the collection wasn't my idea of amazing, but I did find the bold embellishment and his angle on geometric shapes really interesting and strong. I'll be keen to see how this look translates to the high street. For the collection in a nutshell, check out this quick video of the show made by ASOS.

Web: www.vauxhallfashionscout.com
Image credit: Vauxhall Fashion Scout

What girl doesn't love a pair of 'bang bang' shoes? You know; the kind that make you feel like you're Queen of the world.

Londoner Aruna Seth has been designing 'It' shoes for celebrities and women with exceptional taste for several years. Her luxury embellished footwear has earned her the title of the 'pretty' shoe designer. I've been a huge fan since discovering her work at the start of 2009, so it was quite an honour to chat with Ms. Seth and discuss her love affair with shoes, her plans for 2010 and why she's inspired by the city.

When did your love affair with shoes begin?

My love for shoes began at a very early age. I was surrounded by shoes day in, day out. I remember doing work experience with my dad and it was fascinating to go into the factory and sample rooms where I'd see the drawings right through to the actual production.

When you're going through the design process who is your muse?

I have to say that I base my shoe designs on what I personally love, I have to passionately adore the shoe I'm designing.

Your ballerina shoe Rochelle was picked up by stylist to the cast of Gossip Girls - Eric Daman. How exciting was that for you?

It was very, very exciting - a big highlight for me. Actress Goldie Hawn recently wore my Cinderella shoe to the Nine premier in New York and that was an amazing feeling.


How does the city of London help inspire you?

London is a very diverse place with different cultures, I love that fact that you can experience totally different things on any given day. I think that's why a lot of designers reside in London actually. A good example of the way cultures intertwine is my background; my mother is Jamaican and my father Indian, so it's definitely the merger of all experiences, all together that influence and inspire my work.

If you had to pick one design from your collection, which would you choose as your favourite?

It would have to be the one that I wear the most - the Cerise; it's a wedge covered in Swarovski crystal. I love it because it's a real head turner; if I wear it any where in the world, no matter where I am, I'll be paid a compliment. But even though they have wow factor, they are still wearable; that's what I aim for; I want my shoes to have elegance, wow factor and remain comfortable.

2009 was a major success for you, what's next for Aruna Seth?

The first Aruna Seth boutique will be opening in Chelsea just in time for the Summer and we'll be busy with award ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars. The shoes will be stocked by Browns and also in a US department store very soon.

Web: www.arunaseth.com
Become a fan of Aruna Seth on facebook


Web: www.arunaseth.com
Become a fan of Aruna Seth on facebook

Here's my little Seasons greetings to you all. Here's wishing that your Christmas is filled with good food, family, friends and plenty of laughter.

This is a special Christmas card that I created just for my readers. I fell in love with this scenic image taken from JOY's Christmas collection look book. JOY is a brilliant boutique chain featuring quirky, eclectic fashion and accessories, there are four branches in London and several dotted around the UK so visit the website; www.joythestore.com to find your nearest store.

I hope that you've enjoyed my series of festive posts and I'll be back shortly with all your favourite things; Fashion, Beauty, What's on, and of course more fabulous giveaways to kick-start the new year.

Until then, don't forget to check out my first ever podcast! Giving you some food for thought on the best restaurants to see the fireworks in London town this New Year's Eve. Would love to know what you think about it! If you like it, I'll continue to do more in 2010, so please leave a comment and give me your feedback.

7 Ribbons is a new website that launched this week selling accessories, hand-picked from around the world.

The independent boutique is well known by shoppers astute to popular London summer festivals, as the brand regularly exhibits at shows throughout London, and their pieces are creating a buzz among fashion editors and stylists.

The online shop has an impressive collection of eclectic and contemporary pieces; most great for everyday wear, others for occasions and making a statement. There's also an ethical collection of handbags, hand woven and made in Kenya.

If you're a fan of high street chain Accessorize, then I think you'll like what 7 Ribbons has to offer; their range is a happy medium between premium fashion quality and high street prices.

Web: www.7ribbons.co.uk

I've always believed that a good pair of tights can do wonders for the legs and these designs from Wolford have just reconfirmed that.

The brand is well known for its innovative, luxurious hosiery, and the latest collection of legwear holds true to the brand's creative edge. I'm loving the work on these Fringe Tights, they rock don't you think? And below, the Parisian inspired Hot Dots is oh-so opulent; with delicate tone-on-tone diamonds and knitted-in bow. The cutest of all has to be the Zora; made with an opaque effect to create the illusion of laced boots.



Wolford Partner Boutique London
3 South Molton Street
London, W1K 5QB

Tel: 020 7499 2549
Web: www.wolford.com
Fringe tights available at: www.tightsplease.co.uk

A new website has launched which may just change the way you shop online. It's called Sososher “Savvy Online Social Shopper”, and it combines four popular things that we tend to do via the internet; shopping, socialising, watching videos and bargain hunting.

Sososher offers a unique way to shop online with friends via the shopping buddy tool so that you can interact with other members and share product recommendations. There's also Video/Picture reviews to browse the purchases that others have made giving you the added confidence to make an informed purchasing decision.

But the best bit about Sososher is the cash back; every time you shop, you receive cash back on your purchases and there's over 2,000 stores participating in the scheme including Karen Millen, Agent Provocateur, La Senza, Dorothy Perkins and Kurt Geiger. With the current recession still causing many of us to tighten our spending, the website and its perks couldn't have come at a better time.

Its free to join and thankfully there are no tedious forms to fill in, bank details to give or contracts to sign. As well as being able to receive cash back at stores across over 40 different categories they have a huge Health and Beauty section where you can earn cash back from Avon, Champneys and many more.

Web: www.sososher.com

News just in! Designer Samantha Cole is offering Pretty Stylish London readers an exclusive 25% off her new collection via samanthacolelondon.co.uk and the items listed on Catwalk Genius too.

How generous is that? So if you've been swooning over the fabulous pieces featured in my recent Label Love post, here's how to claim your discount:

For 25% off the new collection
Email: sales@samanthacolelondon.co.uk quoting offer code: SCL/PST

For 25% off items listed on Catwalk Genius
Email: sales@samanthacolelondon.co.uk quoting offer code:PST

One of the lovely representatives will take your order and reduce the total price by 25%. Simple!

Happy shopping darlings! xx

It's been a while since I've posted about a designer that has caught my attention. This month, the 'Label Love' accolade goes to Samantha Cole; an award winning designer whose latest collection features structured layering and a play on textures for a powerful look.

Samantha Cole speaks to Pretty Stylish London about her new collection, the designers that she loves and tips for wearing her clothes during the festive season.

1) What inspired your latest style offering?
The collections influences were drawn from the current social an economic climate that we are facing today. This interpretation through my work represented a darker more aggressive collection with harder edges, structured layering and inspiration drawn from modern architecture not built from indulgence but reminiscent of medieval buildings; powerful, sobering and stark.

2) Who is your muse for this collection?
My Muse or should I say Muse's would have to be the female characters that I drew inspiration from to reflect my interpretation of the power, determination and strength that a woman reveals in times of hardship which is why the collect is called "WARRIOR".

My muse is where Kate Beckinsale in "Underworld" meets Tina Turner in "Mad Max" sprinkled with Jane Fonda in "Barbarella" set against a futuristic backdrop. A woman can show strength, power and dominance an even be aggressive without loosing her femininity, the point is that it's her prerogative.

4) Which designers inspire you?
Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Yohji Yamamoto; all exceptional!!

5) What are your ideas for spring/summer 2010?
Since we are coming out of the recession it will reflect this through a form of cleansing, purifying, re-newing almost a re-birth...Okay, I think Ive said enough on that but i think you get the idea!

6) What advice can you give for wearing your clothes during the festive season?
Keep it simple and de-clutter. The clothes speak for themselves do not over-accessorize.

Samantha Cole studied at London College of Fashion also did a stint at Burberry where she further developed her flair and passion. For more information and to make an order visit the website: www.samanthacolelondon.co.uk.

I've recently discovered a new online boutique Runway Route, hosting a range of independent fashion labels that you'd be hard pressed to find on the high street.

You'll find clothes by Jam, Liquorish, Miss Fisher, Ruby Rocks and Rosie Fox - all UK based labels as well as international brands such as Jesse New York from Hong Kong and Neta Livne Jewellery based in Israel.

Whilst the website is isn't as slick as some of the leading online fashion stores like Brittique and Bohemia, I love that collection of clothes available feature both on-trend designs and classic styles priced affordably between high street and designer.

I have my eye on the Jewelled Neck Detail Luxe Velvet Dress by Jesse New York (£105.00), it looks ideal for the festive parties ahead and its simplicity means that it can easily be dolled up or dressed down. With the antique metal finish detailing around the neckline, it works as a statement piece, so there's no need for added jewellery, except maybe the pretty Black Enamel Flower Ring (£19.00) which would compliment perfectly.

And for something a little more rock n' roll, their range of tops, particularly the 80s Vintage Style tank will help you channel your inner Gwen Stefani, at £18.00, I think that's quite bargain.

Runway Route is also a charitable company, they kindly donated towards my efforts in raising money for Cancer Research UK for Breast Cancer Awareness. Thank you Runway Route!

Web: www.runwayroute.com

Fashion label Eyola has launched a new high-octane collection entitled Tarcotsira. Eyola is the brainchild of designer Aloye, a recent alumni of the prestigious Istituto Europeo di Design (IED Moda Lab). I recently received images from the new look book photographed at Beach Blanket Babylon restaurant in Notting Hill, London.

The venue with its lavish surroundings, was the ideal backdrop for Eyola's iconic designs; where fashion meets fairy tale. In this case, the new collection seemingly tells a story of modern vampish glamour and vintage charm.

Just in time for the party season, the series of power dresses featuring rich jewel hues and plenty of sparkle is truly about making a bold statement. Aloye stays true to the opulent style we've come to know and her inspirations still reference the femininity and grandeur of the Victorian era.

Since the last time I wrote about Aloye, she has been hard at work taking her luxury womenswear label to new heights and the work is clearly paying off. The Londoner showcased her pieces during Africa Fashion Week and won the 'Most Promising Designer of the Year' at the Arise Fashion Awards this Summer.

The new collection Tarcotsira is the 5th Octette in the Eyola family, and the label remains firmly on my style radar. Here's a peak at my favourite shots from the look book:




Web: www.eyola.com

Date: 15th October
Time: 4pm-Late
Participating Stores:
West One Shopping Centre (nearest station Bond Street tube)
189 Oxford Street (nearest station Oxford Circus tube)

Dorothy Perkins and Look Magazine are hosting a fashion soiree for late-night shoppers in Oxford Street. The event features a number of top beauty and well-being brands who will be providing products for the obligatory goodie bag and activities on the night.

There's an exclusive 20% discount across the Dorothy Perkins range and when you spend £40 or more and receive the bag full of goodies from Simple, Nails Inc, luxury chocolatiers Lindor among many others.

Free drinks will be flowing and there's also a chance to win a year's worth of shoes! (I'm sold!) Experts from Benefit and Toni & Guy will be on hand to offer beauty advice and provide complimentary makeovers.

If you're not in London, check the Dorothy Perkins website for participating stores throughout the UK.

Web: www.dorothyperkins.com

Here's an exclusive offer for Pretty Stylish London readers. Studio TMLS will be reserving a VIP 20% discount for your first order!

To get 20% off your purchase, all you need to do to is leave me comment with your full name and then register your details on the TMLS website creating a password that starts with PSL.

Today's post is dedicated to a footwear brand that you really need to know about. It's likely that you already own a pair of Studio TMLS shoes, albeit without realising. If you've bought shoes from Top Shop, Kurt Geiger or French Connection, chances are that the shoe was supplied by the footwear brand. Now after 20 years of supplying shoes to the high street, the brand has stepped out to create an exclusively signature collection, currently sold through their website, also via Selfridges and Harrods.

The new collection for Autumn combines luxurious platform sandals, quirky modern heels and provocative ankle boots alongside the staple flats. The inspiration came from vintage classics, using tactile materials and contrasting shapes. The colour palette is right on-trend featuring rich hues of dark red, emerald green and muted tones of black and grey.

The brains behind the new collection is Veronica Pistolesi, a graduate from the University of the Arts in London and a woman who has always had a passion for super sexy high heels. She talked to Pretty Stylish London about her love footwear and the style icons behind the latest designs.


Thinking back to her childhood she reminisces on her first encounters with shoes and how her experience unknowingly shaped her career path into design. She explains:

"I remember being little and always wandering around the house with my mom towering heels, which of course were so big for my small baby-feet but they appeared to me as the most incredible things to wear. It was like the most beautiful of the transformations...seeing my skinny legs taking that sexy shape made me feel like I was entering a new world."

As for the vintage inspirations behind the new collection, Pistolesi marks London as one of the key places she draws creativity from. Moreover, it was style icon Audrey Hepburn that helped her channel elegance and sophistication into her recent work. She recollects:

"For my inspiration I mainly look at the world around me and London is a great place to observe and to take inspiration from. My style icon is Audrey Hepburn, I always loved her style and spontaneous elegance, she is the perfect balance, she is the perfect beauty."

Studio TMLS hopes the new designs will offer the wearer a journey of luxury with power and modernity. Now that's no mean feat. But with their extensive years of perfecting footwear for the high street, I suspect they know a thing or two about what women look for in their shoes and judging by the new designs, they are well on their way.

See the full collection online: www.studiotmls.com

Cutting edge designer Emma Griffiths has recently completed her new collection for SS/10. Her label e.g... is quickly becoming the new cult fashion brand, empowering women with ultra sharp, sexy shapes and modern detailing. Griffiths' latest designs can be viewed in the video below, showcasing a series of pieces that I believe is her best work yet. Watch it, you'll love it.



Web: www.egfashion.co.uk

Online retailer Littlewoods Direct has had a style makeover and is now Very.co.uk. There's over 6,000 new lines on the new swish website, featuring collections created by UK TV presenters Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby.

As you may have read, I was unfortunate enough to have the lurgy and missed a good chunk of the fashion week antics. Luckily, Very enlisted style reporter Louise Roe to share the gossip whilst securing interviews with LFW designers and capturing the buzz of the front row. The girls at Very have kindly sent me the videos to post as part of my London Fashion Week highlights. See the videos below.

When I received an email from BODY AMR inviting me to check out their latest collection, I knew that I'd be in for a treat. For those of you who read my ramblings on myfashionflirt.blogspot.com, you'll know that I've posted about the fashion label back in May when they had their Spring sale.

The London based fashion house recently unveiled their style offering for SS/10 at London Fashion Week and it's a beauty! BODY AMR have set out to create relaxed, comfortable and easy to wear separates of fluid skirts and silk knit T-shirts alongside the brand's seductively draped evening wear.

The collection has been inspired by the clean lines of early ready-to-wear American Fashion combining luxurious fabrics with simple, understated silhouettes and structured separates.
The palette of peaches, corals, aqua, and metallic achieve a look that's very Saint-Tropez. I'm loving it.

BODY AMR is available Harrods and Net-A-Porter.com.
Web: www.bodyamr.com