GOING FOR GREY

Wearing: A.F. Vandevorst dress, Hussein Chalayan X PUMA shoes

I only recently found out that Hussein Chalayan was the creative director for PUMA! When choosing some pieces from the PHC collection I felt I couldn't pass up these beautiful grey leather high tops, availably exclusively at the PUMA Carnaby Street store. Having a look through his past collections for the brand, it's definitely the shoes that are continually catching my eye; minimal aesthetic but practical and comfortable, it's a perfect match I think!

Thanks to Jen for the photos! 

A TRIP TO TUSTING

It's so exciting for me to poke around a busy factory of such an established brand as Tusting; marvelling at all the different machines and jobs to complete one bag, making mental notes of the machine parts that I should be ordering for my studio; it all reassures me that I'm heading in the right direction for my own brand and excitingly, that I'll have a factory of my own to poke around in one day. Don't you love that each workspace had it's own cheesy calendar? Anyway, getting a little off the point, Tusting is the second largest manufacturer in the UK, based in the small town of Bedfordshire, the workers even walk to work from the nearby village! They started their company by importing leather from india in the 1870's and selling shoe soles to companies like Church's -which they still do today; now they have been manufacturing bags for over 130 years, giving them a timeless quality and heritage. 

They're even involved with the young British design scene, helping Richard Nicoll design his bags for AW12, with Vodafone. I went to the breakfast launch just under a year ago to hear them talking about 'an exciting new accessory' to be debuted on the runway, so it was fun to see it come around full swing. The bags on the runway were all white and have a battery pack in the botton that can charge various devices, a pretty nifty idea in theory. 

After we'd seen the factory, we went for lunch in the village pub where Tusting brought along some bags and leathers and we got to choose our own! I'm excited to show you the finished result when it arrives. We also got to discuss manufacturing in the UK and debate why it's obviously so important for brands to start bringing their factories back. Ella told me that Burberry were planning on returning their factories to England, which would be amazing! Tusting's largest export is Japan, where they go crazy for traditional Western products therefore they must be made in England; I would think this must fall on Burberry as well; when you sell your brand as heritage I think you subconsciously expect these products to be made in the original country, it's time we all realised how much this isn't happening and start bringing our brands back home.

Thank you Tusting for having us and to Louisa and Push PR for organising the trip!

NICE CULTCH

No, it's not a typo, I'm merely referencing a funny moment at fashion week where a street style photographer talking to Ivania and I said nice cultch! If you follow me on twitter I'm sure you'll be aware of my love for this Philip Lim clutch bag, right from when it was £200 in Liberty to ultimate bargain of £30 on the Corner (sorry that the sale's over now, I think it had to be the final reduction on the last few remaining). The design is so simple, with the leather folding in half to zip closed, revealing the navy neoprene on the outside. It could probably be used as an iPad case too, if I ever do get one.

SKELETON

 It's been 3 years and still since 2009 I haven't been able to get this corset off my mind. When will one appear on eBay that doesn't cost the price of one leg?

RESORT

No, I'm not in some tropical paradise, just enjoying the harsh winter sun without being outside in chilly London. Wearing leather cowboy-esque hat from Acne Resort 2011, scored at the last stock sale, and recent addition, chunky bracelet by a new favourite jewellery designer, Moxham. 

SIMPLY INTERCHANGEABLE

I was quite excited when young Italian brand CO|TE's SS12 collection landed in my inbox a few days ago; based on the concept of "the lightness of being" the collection is simply interchangeable, easily layered up and cleanly accessorised. I love the plush orange leather half skirt over the crisp white fabric, the proportions are beautifully spot on. My favourite outfit would have to be the last one I think, it's just what I want to be wearing right now.

For a closer look at the yummy accessories and more visit their website.

PERFECT SUMMER DRESS

Wearing: Dress by Topshop, shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood, Sunglasses by Versace

This dress is without a doubt my perfect summer dress! A beautiful contrast between some hard ass leather and some light summery pleats. Ever since I saw it at the Arcadia press day I knew it was meant for me. Worn to this afternoons spectacular Dr Martens event that I'm still feeling a little tipsy from. It's all in the name of work right?

Photos by Alexxsia