bloomzy /

Trend: Shine Bright

S/S 2013 Trend – Shine
 
It’s a trend post – long time no see!
As London Fashion Week started yesterday it only seemed natural.
I feel like doing more trend posts lately, so I thought I’d start with one of my faves.
The catwalk saw models shine as they went down the runway this season.
Thankfully that’s going to translate to the high street too, so we can all stand out!
That means we’re going to see lots of iridescent & holographic fabrics, as well as foils, glitter & precious-metals.
This trend hasn’t made as big a splash on the high street as I had hoped, but it’s there!
It can be worked into most styles and whether you go all out, or add accents, you’ll shine.
My favourite example on the high street has to be H&M’s Iridescent High Tops, which I had been lusting after for a good month or more. They hit stores and went into the New Year Sale – lucky for those who knew that they would be perfect for one of this season’s big trends. I managed to grab mine for only £5 – I’ll be rocking them soon!
Designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin, Alexander Wang and Versace paved the way.
If you want to recreate the trend on the high street stores such as ASOS, Urban Outfitters, H&M are representing.

 

bloomzy /

Review & Nail Art: Mavala

Mavala Spring Trend Nail Polish*
You guys know how obsessed I am with nail polish by now.
So I was very happy to receive these lovely spring shades by Mavala, a Swiss brand.
I’ve not tried the brand before but have heard good things and I completely agree with those views.
The bottles, although small, hold quite a bit of polish.
I prefer to do a couple of coats myself but really only one is needed with these.
I was actually very surprised at how opaque it was, as I thought the shades would make it difficult.
The colour of the polishes themselves are very pastel & spring like, but I still felt they were quite vibrant.
I was inspired by Mavala’s nail art for Holly Fulton’s S/S 13 Collection and tried out my own nail art.
I used:
1. Manicure Stickers
2. Mavala Polish in Lemon Cream
3. Mavala Polish in Lagoon
4. Mavala Polish in Aquamarine
5. Mavala Polish in White
I used the White as a base for my nails, and then once it had dried, placed manicure stickers over top. I did this is several different ways so that no nail was the same. Then I took my polishes and painted over top of the white, making sure to only paint over part of the nail and stay within the border of the manicure stickers. I think the final result wasn’t too bad.
I’ve never been much of a fan of white nail polish but I didn’t mind this one paired with other colours.
I still don’t think I would wear it alone but I would definitely layer it with a glitter polish or other shades.
The polish applied easily, and very well and was opaque with just one coat.
The Mavala Spring Trend Shades will be released later this month.
You can purchase them from various UK stores, find your nearest here.
bloomzy /

Like, Totally Clueless!

Wildfox 2013 Spring Collection

I was just a youngster when Clueless was released into cinemas. However that didn’t stop the movie going on to become one of my all time favourites. It’s safe to say that Cher, Dionne and Tai were my fashion idols, and I aspired to be them. My personal style was very much influenced by them and in recent years I’ve often hoped for a comeback. Luckily for me, Wildfox just released the lookbook for their Spring 2013 collection – based on Clueless.

I’m not a fan of Wildfox, but I have to give them a thumbs up for how well they have done here. I would gladly add a few of the items to my wardrobe, however I fear the price will not be so charming. Favourites include Cher’s red dress, and yellow suit. Tai’s plaid shirt & boyfriend jeans, and floral workout crop top. As well as Dionne’s daisy dress & shirt combo – and yes that is America’s Next Top Model’s Fatima Siad.

Now I’m just waiting on a brand to bring out a lookbook inspired by The Craft.

Source; 1

bloomzy /

Discuss: Can make-up represent a clothing brand?

Today I want to get discussion going about something that is popular in Japan.
I will be featuring one of my favourite Japanese brands, Murua, to help explain.

In Japan, clothing brands spend a lot of time representing themselves and their staff.
The presentation of the staff reflects on the store and brand, which makes a lot of sense.
This is done through not only their clothing and accessories, but make-up and hair too.

So with every new season some of the brands and stores send their shop staff (usually the store manager) off to a special meeting. Here, they are taught the key make-up and hair looks for that season, for the brand. The looks compliment that season’s collection, and make the brand and staff stand out. The manager then goes back and passes on this information to the shop staff, who are then expected to use these key looks in their everyday make-up & hair routine, whilst at work.

The shop staff are not forced to re-create the looks step-by-step and are allowed to add their own personal flair.
This means that they can retain their own personal style within the brand, much like those who work for clothing stores are expected to wear clothing from that store, or make-up counter staff are expected to wear make-up from that brand.

I personally would love to see something similar in stores like Topshop that have their own make-up line. I know a lot of clothing and department stores have rules on what kind of make-up to wear (subtle etc) in the UK, and are asked to be on-trend, but it’s not usually like this. I think it would inspire the customer more and help represent the brand too, whilst adding a little something extra. I do fear that it restricts people’s personal tastes a bit, but I think there’s always room to be inventive. However I think this works so well in Japan because of customer loyalty, so I’m not sure if it would catch on.
What do you think of this idea?
Do you think it would work in the UK, or Europe?

Source; 1
bloomzy /

Wish List: H&M Fashion Against Aids Collection

H&M Fashion Against Aids Collection

This year H&M’s Fashion Against Aids Collection is back with a bang!
This time round inspiration comes from several continents (South America being the most prominent) and the tribal print trend, with some fringe and dip-dying thrown in just for fun. According to H&M “special prints were commissioned from international artists and illustrators for this collection to create pieces bursting with colour, pattern and authenticity.”

Once I saw the collection I automatically started putting together a wishlist.
I think my favourites have to be the fringe top & kimono jacket (pictured above).
I also love that 25% of all sales from the collection will go towards a variety of international youth HIV/AIDS awareness projects. More big name brands should also jump on the bandwagon!

The collection is released on the 26th April.
Check out more images of the items that will be available, 
and the charities that will be helped with your money – here.

Source; 1

bloomzy /

Wish List: Wandering Minds

Items from Wandering Minds
Wandering Minds is a new webstore set up by a group of friends.
The items in the store have been hand-picked by the girls themselves, who have flown to 
some amazing fashion capitals, such as Seoul, Tokyo, and Paris. 
In fact, they travel all year long, finding new emerging designers. 
I think you can tell why this store called out to me.
Fashion + Travel = ♥

The items from their new ‘Seoul Collection‘ feature some wonderful basics that would suit most styles.
As you probably guessed, these items are from Korean designers. The girls chose these as they loved the simple, but effortlessly fashionable looks they saw on the streets of Seoul. I personally, want their job!!
To me, the looks are reminiscent of American Apparel, Topshop and some of the stores on Gmarket.
I definitely want to add all of the above items to my wardrobe!
You can shop the collections here.
bloomzy /

Wish List: Topshop & Regal Rose

Topshop 2

Regal Rose
Regal Rose by bloomzy featuring green jewelry

Just a couple of Wishlists, this time from specific stores; Topshop & Regal Rose
I think the Topshop wishlist proves that I do like colours other than black, I just need to take the plunge and actually add them to my wardrobe. Maybe this Summer will be different!
I definitely can’t live without the bralets & studded sweater. I think I’ll have to make a trip to Manchester next month to check out the Topshop there as the one here didn’t have any of them.

The Regal Rose pieces are items I’ve been lusting after for a while.
I love their store, and I know I would get good wear out of their jewellery.
I haven’t ordered from them before, and their prices aren’t bad, I just worry about quality.
That said I’ve only heard good things about them, so maybe I should just go for it.

If you have Polyvore, you can find me here.