Look Du Jour: Green Jeans & Faux Fur

As you know, my 2 year hiatus from formal education came to an end this month. Naturally I’m over the moon to be studying at Central Saint Martins, my course is fascinating and on top of that all my lectures are at sociable hours (nothing before 10am, ever). However, adjusting to the “student lifestyle” and by that I mean, student budget is a little more difficult than I anticipated. In a city like London temptations lurk around every corner and my inability to resist the allure of Selfridges, Starbucks and a large glass of Pinot Grigio has resulted in my student loan disappearing at a terrifying speed. I decided to try and curb my spendthrift ways but after a few days of extreme (ok, extreme-ish) frugality found myself going on a crazed shopping binge at the end of last week. Well, I may have pretty much undone all my penny-saving efforts in the space of about 15 minutes but seriously, could YOU have resisted this faux fur trimmed coat?

Coat: Topshop, Hat: Accessorize, Jeans: BDG, Loafers: Russel & Bromley

I’ve always slated faux fur as the real thing just tends to be immeasurably more desirable but with everyone from Gucci to Roksanda Ilincic offering up animal friendly AND covetable creations this season, I was forced to eat my words. When I spied this ultra cosy tweed and faux fur number in Topshop I decided to tap into the trend myself. Teamed with my new green jeans and favourite cable knit sweater it’s a recipe for easy chic on those crisp autumn mornings when you just can’t face freezing your toes off.

Love Ella. X

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Look Du Jour 7 Comments

La Petite Party Diaries: Firetrap by Sunday Girl Launches in Style

If there’s one thing I love about fashion it’s the fact that the entire industry leaps at the slightest excuse for a party. New season, mid season, collection launch, store opening… Whatever the reason, if something remotely new or exciting happens you can guarantee there’ll be a lavish bash thrown in celebration. Said soirees are not exactly few or far between and some are little more than an excuse to drink copious amounts of champagne (not that I’m complaining) but one of Londons’ hottest up-and-coming music talents teaming up with a major international brand? If ever there were a good cause for a knees up, this is it.

Moi
Jade Williams AKA Sunday Girl
Diana Vickers
Laura Whitmore

Last night the fash pack congregated once again to toast the launch of Jade Williams AKA Sunday Girls’ first ever collection for Firetrap. The party was held at breaktaking 18th Century townhouse, 33 Portland Place and attended by an eclectic mix of musicians, designers, socialites and of course the usual gorgeous fashion faces. Zara Martin and Amber Atherton were their usual stylish selves both working printed silk shirts from Jade’s Firetrap range. Other guests included Professor Green, Diana Vickers, MTV’s Laura Whitmore and Chloe Green who left us all green with envy with her super cute sparkly short shorts.

Zara Martin
Amber Atherton
Professor Green
Chloe Green

Jade looked effortlessly elegant as always (not hard to see why she’s always on the FROW) and wowed us with an incredible live performance of her new single, “Love U More”. We got our groove on to the sounds of Dalston DJ, Disco Bloodbath until the delicious (and unlimited) Mahiki Coconut cocktails got the better of us (ok, me) and it was time to pile into the nearest cabs and head home to bed.

Love Ella. X

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Parties 1 Comment

Look Du Jour: Burgundy Blues

After weeks and weeks of berating the bizarrely warm October weather it seems that Autumn has finally arrived! In about 3 days I’ll probably start bitching about it being too cold (what can I say, I’m a Brit) but for now I’m relishing the opportunity to indulge in cosy fabrics, rich hues and knitted accessories galore. As you may have noticed, I’m head over heels in love with burgundy at the moment. In the past I foolishly dismissed it as a colour reserved solely for coach seats and mulled wine when in fact burgundy is seriously flattering to pasty skin – like mine – and a rather chicer but equally eye-catching alternative to scarlet. I firmly believe that you can never have too much of a good thing (hence my daily itsu Salmon boxes and Pinot Grigio obsession) so I invested in nail polish and an adorable beret to match my beloved burgandy corduroy skirt.

Coat: APC, Top:Whistles, Skirt: American Apparel,
Bag: Anya Hindmarch, Shoes: Russel & Bromley,
Necklace: Anne Bowes Jewellery, Beret: Topshop

Navy on the other hand is not exactly “un nouvel amour” but when it comes to fail-safe autumn elegance you just can’t beat it. I invested in this simple navy wool coat from APC (top) last year and on a cost-per-wear basis, it’s paid for itself at least ten times over. Insulating it ain’t but it’s a bit much to expect a garment to be warm and stylish, don’t you think?

Love Ella. X

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Look Du Jour 3 Comments

Animal Magnetism

Remember the time not so long ago when animal print was strictly the domain of Essex girls and characters on Eastenders? When opulent furs were worn only by Russian’s and prostitutes? If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be lusting after all of the above (not to mention those fab faux-Python skin boots I saw in Zara the other day) then I probably would have laughed in your face. But that, my friends is the beauty of fashion. The things that we once deemed trashy and outdated can, with the help of a skilful designer or two, feel fresh and desirable all over again.

From left: Roberto Cavalli, Topshop Unique, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana

When animal print reappeared on the runway a few seasons back many people (myself included) dismissed it as a flash-in-the-pan trend that would disappear before we’d even had time to wear our leopard print French Sole’s. Several years on I think it’s safe to say that those pumps wouldn’t have been such a foolish investment after all. Big cat prints cropped up on the, ahem, catwalk yet again this season. Never one to shy away from a bit of drama, Roberto Cavalli lead that way with a post-apocalyptic medley of animal prints, feathers and fur. But the call from the wild certainly didn’t stop there. With Tiger stripes at Dolce & Gabbana, Dalmation spots at Topshop Unique and Snakeskin galore at Chloe the AW11 collections were a veritable menagerie of animal-inspired styles.

From left: Gucci, Roksanda Ilincic, Isabel Marant, Donna Karan

But print isn’t the only way to take a walk on the wild side this season. The AW11 catwalks were awash with plushy pelts beyond Cruella De Vil’s wildest dreams. From unadultarated glamour at Gucci to left bank chic at Isabel Marant, if there were ever a perfect moment to sport a four-legged friend around your shoulders, this is it. If you invest in anything this season I highly recommend you make it a good quality fur (or faux fur) coat. Not only will it’s timeless elegance render it a total bargain in the long run (on a cost-per-wear basis, obviously) but you can also find one to tap into every single one if this seasons’ hottest trends. For 60′s chic take your queue from Miuccia Prada who nailed the look with her playful, sequinned numbers. Fancy yourself a 1940′s lady? Look to Donna Karan whose luxurious fur stoles are just perfect with a pencil skirt. Love 70′s style? Check out Just Cavalli. Jewel tones, see Roksanda Ilicic. I could probably go on forever but basically, I think you get the gist.

Love Ella. X

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 3 Comments

La Petite Party Diaries: Uniqlo Celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary

Yesterday evening Regents Street was flooded with the city’s best dressed who headed in to Central London for the Uniqlo 10th anniversary celebrations. In my opinion there are 3 essential components which determine whether or not an event is a success: the people, the drinks and the music. Uniqlo certainly ticked all three boxes and their birthday bash was one of the best I’ve attended in a while. The fash pack were well and truly out in force and everyone from Bip Ling to Rosario Dawson pitched up to check out the brand’s new and improved flagship store. BFF’s Jade Parfitt and Jasmine Guinnes did casual cool as only models can and uber stylist Grace Woodward left us all green with envy in a stunning floral print jumpsuit and seriously killer heels.

Rosario Dawson
Jameela Jamil
Moi
Bip Ling
Zoe Kravitz
Jade Parfitt & Jasmine Guinness

The evening began with champagne (obviously) and progressed into an endless supply of Belvedere vodka cocktails and lethally strong Saki served in custom made Uniqlo cups. All three floors of the store were packed fit to burst with beautifully dressed guests and so many familiar faces that it felt like some kind of post-fashion week reunion. As the evening went on we headed to the top floor were hotter-than-hot Parisian label Kitsune were on the decks. We danced, we mingled and we drank way too much Saki then all too soon it was time to go home. But not before we’d picked up our enormous goodie bags each of which were filled with Uniqlo booty including adorable puffa jackets! Freebies, Saki and music from the best DJ’s in Paris… What more could you want in an evening?

Love Ella. X

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Parties 3 Comments
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