Mulberry Pre SS12 Preview

It’s official, I need to start saving. No more itsu lunch dates, thrice-daily Starbucks trips and casual glasses of champagne on a weekday evening. After spending Tuesday morning shamelessly ogling Mulberry’s divine pre SS12 offerings I decided that from now until November (when the collection hits stores) I’m going to live so frugally it would put Scrooge to shame. Thought a handbag couldn’t get any more “it” than the Alexa in watermelon? Well that, my friend, is where you’d be mistaken. Just when we thought Mulberry couldn’t possibly top its’ current array of must-have bags and fabulous frocks, the quintessential British brand just goes and does it again. Excited as I am over this season’s colour-pop brights and autumn’s spicy hues, they ain’t got nothing on the delectable homage to beach chic Mulberry will be serving up next Spring.

Deciding which of the many, MANY sartorial delicacies on display to feature in this post has taken me the best part of 3 hours (yes, really), but here you have my personal pick of Mulberry’s pre SS12 collection…

First and foremost I would like to introduce you to Harriet, the latest addition to the gorgeous and ever-expanding Mulberry family. Harriet comes in a ton of equally delectable styles including the oversized tote, the everday satchel, the petite shoulder bag and the party-perfect clutch wallet.

Harriet Satchel in Summer Khaki Ostrich

It looks as though my long-running obsession with the Alexa will continue into Spring and just when I thought my dream handbag couldn’t get any dreamier, the crafty folk at Mulberry went and conjured up a whole new range of skins and colours to tempt me with.

Alexa in pebbled beige larg silky snake print

Another new addition to the Mulberry clan is the gorgeous and oh-so-practical Evalina bag. My favourite style has to be the slouchy hobo. Worked out on a cost-per-wear basis this not-so-little baby would pay for itself!

Evalina Hobo in Camel Leopard Haircalf

Whilst the Bayswater is without a doubt THE quintessential Mulberry bag, it’s SS12 makeover is anything but conservative. In eye-popping shades of hot pink and bright green this timeless classic looks set to top wish lists everywhere next Spring.

Bayswater in Grass Green Glossy Goat Leather

Before my handbag fetish runs away with me and I end up posting Mulberry’s entire pre SS12 collection, I’m going to exercise some self-restraint and move on to the clothes. I’ve always been seriously impressed with Mulberry’s ready-to-wear collections but this season (or rather, next season) they’ve truly outdone themselves. My personal favourite looks are…

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at the fashionable delights Mulberry’s got in store for us next season, and on that note I’m off to open a savings account.

Love Ella. X

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 5 Comments

Fashion

my not-so-petite Kipling GIVE-AWAY!

The brand Kipling, is one which conjurs to mind different things to different people. We all remember wearing their classic rucksacks to school, collecting the mokey key chains and probably feeling far, far cooler and more grown-up that we actually were. Since then Kipling has somewhat changed it’s tune and now has a rather different reputation in fashion circles. Don’t get me wrong they still do utility like no one else, but these days Kipling’s signature practicality has been injected with a healthy dose of style.

Over the past few seasons the brand has collaborated with the likes of hotter-than-hot London designer Peter Pilotto and blogonista extraordinaire, Susie Lau to bring us goodies so covetable it’s hard to believe they once supplied us with clumpy school shoes. Looking at this weeks’ papers it appears that Glastonbury is practically the new Fashion Week (well, almost) and Kipling’s latest range is most certainly in keeping with the current wave of festival fever. Despite their previously dubious reputation, bum bags (or fanny packs according to the Americans) have made a major comeback over the past few seasons thanks to a certain Mr Marc Jacobs. True to fashionable form, Kipling’s “New Horizons” collection includes the “Magali” (below) a fab and highly festival friendly bum-bag-satchel-hybrid that could be yours!

For a chance to get your hands on Kipling’s “Magali” bag, all you have to do is answer this one, simple question…

Which collection is the Kipling Magali bag part of?

So damned easy I’m almost tempted to keep it for myself! But I wont, don’t worry. Just send your name, address and most importantly answer to ella@ella-lapetiteanglaise.com.

Love Ella. X

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion Leave a comment

SS11

Exclusive Pre-Fall Preview… Whistles

Anyone who has so much as glanced at my blog over the past 6 months will be well aware that I have developed an almost pathological obsession with Whistles. Since Jane Shepardson took over back in 2008, Whistles has served up collection after collection of truly lustworthy pieces. Is it their trademark immacualte cuts, good-quality fabrics and perfectly chosen hues? Or could it be the fact that the brand manages to reference current trends whilst still producing fresh, distnctive pieces instead of churning out catwalk knock-off’s? Who knows. After treating myself to virtually Whistles’ entire SS11 collection I almost hoped their new season offerings would be a let down, saving me from further shopping induced bankruptcy. But after one look at the sumptuous feast of transeasonal treats that is their Pre-Fall collection, I think it might be time to extend my overdraft as these are just too good to resist!

The collection will be available from early July, but here is a sneak peek at what’s to come. All I’ll say is that you may want to start hitting the gym now as there looks set to be a city-wide stampede once these beauties hit the stores.

Love Ella. X

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 5 Comments

My not-so-petite Dagmar GIVE-AWAY!

Forget about Paris, Milan or even my beloved London, if it’s fresh and edgy design talent you’re after then it’s time to cast your style savvy gaze further afield. Whilst Scandinavia is not traditionally hailed as a major European fashion power, it seems to me that all that could be about to change. Over the past few years the fashion world has fallen head-over-heels in love with cult Swedish label Acne and been bewitched by the fantastical footwear of Danish shoe designer, Camilla Skovgaard. There can be no doubt that these nordic nations are on a fast track to becoming serious players on the international fashion scene so I thought it might be about time to introduce you to a personal favourite of mine, Dagmar.

Dagmar SS11

Since it’s launch in 2005 this brand has established itself as the hottest thing to come out of Sweden since supermodel Frida Gustavsson. Dagmar’s unique, arty chic style has made it a favourite amongst fashion insiders everywhere and earnt the label numerous prestigious international fashion awards. Whilst each collection is undeniably fashion-forward, there is something deliciously effortless and wearable about Dagmar’s designs. Think finest quality fabrics and flawless tailoring mixed up with subtle detailing, ultra chic layering and a heafty dose of low-key luxury.

Dagmar SS11

Given the impressive fashion credentials of the brains behind the brand, it’s sheer deliciousness should come as no surprise. Dagmar was founded by three Swedish sisters, former Christian Lacroix designer Kristina, brand manager and PR consultant Karin and textile economist, Sofia. Following independant success or their fashion careers, the sisters decided to combine their expertise to launch a new label named after their late grandmother… and thus Dagmar was born. Six years later, the brand is stocked everywhere from New York to Japan, has been featured in British Vogue on several occassions and earned itself a legion of high-profile fans including Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Kate Bosworth. I am also extremely pleased to inform you that Dagmar’s latest offerings are deliciously easy to get your hands on as they can be found in Fenwicks New Bond Street store, possibly THE perfect location for sneaky lunch-break shopping trips.

win THIS playsuit from Dagmar’s SS11 collection!

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for, or just skipped straight to… my exclusive Dagmar GIVE-AWAY! For a chance to win this divine zip-detail playsuit (above) all you have to do is answer this one simple question…

Question: What country are the Dagmar sisters from?

Send your name, answer and dress size to ella@ella-lapetiteanglaise.com for a chance to win this SS11 must-have… Good luck!

Love Ella. X

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 3 Comments

London Fashion

First Look: Burberry AW11 campaign shot by Mario Testino

Ever since the sun made it’s first tentative appearance some time back in April, I’ve been proclaiming my love for Summer far and wide, refusing to be seduced by the sartorial fancies on display at the AW11 press days and stocking up on all things bright and breezy. But as much as I’m loving balmy afternoons in the park and unleashing my pasty legs on the world, one look at the new season campaign from Burberry left me instantly longing for September to arrive.

Shot by Mario Testino (who else?) and featuring a bevvy of Brit beauties including Jourdan Dunn and Cara Delevigne, Burberry’s AW11 campaign is undoubtedly one of it’s finest to date. Christopher Bailey has yet to create a less than breathtaking collection and this time everyone’s favourite Yorkshire-lad-turned-designer-extraordinaire has pulled out all the stops to bring us a veritable feast of autumnal delights. Burberry’s signature style took a futuristic turn this summer, but for next season it’s back to it’s heritage best, albeit with a distinctly modern edge. Think tweeds, wools, leather and jersey in a rich palette of mustards, crimsons, camels and deep greens with splashes of tangerine and eye-popping pink to keep things fresh.

The collection and campaign are a beautiful, sumptuous homage to quintessential British style fused with a healthy dose of fresh, youthful fancy. Forget about picnics and summer holidays! Right now there’s nowhere I’d rather be than strolling the frosty streets of London clad in one of Burberry’s delicious new season blanket coats and fluffy dalmation hat, preferably with Douglas Booth in tow. Unlikely I know but hey, a girl can dream…

Love Ella. X

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 1 Comment

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