A MODERN TAKE

Wearing: Religion blazer, Aquascutum shirt, Charlie May wrap skirt, Nicolas Andreas Taralis skirt, Chloe sandals

There is something about black and white together that is just too perfect, leaving the focus on the design and folds of the fabric. This outfit is also kind of a modern feminine take on the classic white shirt and jacket, all I want to be wearing lately is a loose white shirt or a plain tshirt, it just feels perfectly summery and fresh. I hope you're all having a great weekend! I've been so chilled.. I'm kind of looking forward to getting back to work!

BECAUSE LONDON

Incredibly excited to be featured in Because online's latest fashion film, entitled The Quiet Duel (credits below). To be paired with Margiela is too amazing to put into words. You all know how much I love monochrome, and any of these looks would be very happy in my own wardrobe! 

 In the meantime I'm working on SS13, went out and bought all the final fabrics yesterday ready to be dyed next week. I think I've created my dream jacket, I can't wait for you guys to see in September! Sorry you have to wait that long!

Credits:

Black look:

jacket MARGIELA

skirt CHARLIE MAY

shoes TENZIG CHARKVIANI

White look:

plastic jacket MARGIELA

skirt MARGIELA

Polo neck AMERICAN APPAREL

shoes J JS LEE

Hair by Ayo Laguda using 3 more inches by Michael Van Clarke

Make-up by Ciara O'Shea using Nude Skincare and M.A.C Cosmetics

Hair assistant: Jessica Hurley

Model: Ebba Lidvall@FM 

BACK TO THE STUDIO

Beginning work in the studio for SS13 this week, with some of my favourite fabric swatches and colour inspirations; also a David Shrigley post card to keep me smiling. The easy part is designing what you want your collection to look like, as the reality is it's been floating around in my head for months, I love choosing fabrics and textures, the most rewarding part is seeing the collection start to come together! With fashion week only two months away, it's going to be a hectic period, with moving house - worst timing, redesigning the blog and pulling a collection out of thin air, but I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life. 

If you've been following my Pinterest boards, you might just have an inkling of what the collections going to look like; quite different I'm sure, but fresh and exciting as always!

CEREMONIAL DRESSING

Wearing: Charlie May dress, A.F. Vandevorst top, Acne shorts, Celine shoes, Naked Label captured necklace, Dominic Jones rings

It's hard to have favourite piece after you make an entire collection, but this 'ceremonial dress' from my AW12 is a strong contender. It can be worn as a dress (with sash) - looks killer with a shirt underneath, or open as a summery jacket. It's not often I get time to make actual pieces for myself but I'm planning on changing this. I think this is going to be a wardrobe staple for me from now on. 

This dress won't be selling on Bengt in September, so if you would like to buy one, I'm happy to offer it at wholesale price. Just drop me an email at info(at)charlie-may.co.uk for more details.

Thanks to Jen for the photos! 

WIN A PIECE OF CHARLIE MAY SS12!

Photo by Bengt

Super exciting news! Not Just A Label has launched a facebook competition where you can win the SS12 tie back top! All you have to do is comment on the post to be in with a chance of winning. Read the interview here too, (don't ask about the sleeping comment - I don't know either!)  

Even more exciting news; if you live in London I am holding a private orders evening this Thursday at HPR headquarters, come along, grab a glass of bubbly and shop the collection for wholesale price! I'll be there with Jen, so come along and have a drink with us and see the collection with your own eyes. I look forward to meeting you all! 

UP ON HIGH

Wearing: Ann Demeulemeester blazer, Charlie May tie side top, Acne shorts, Miu Miu sunglasses

Enjoying the views on my last day in Zurich! Doesn't the view of the city look so beautiful? Planning a photo diary for my next post so I can share with you all my favourite hang outs. Unfortunately, I got totally sunburnt whilst swimming in the lake, (still suffering now) so the last day was spent covered up and hiding in shady areas. That will teach me to only bring factor 15! Back at home now and working on a special project in London, I can't wait to show you all when it's finished! 

Photos by Jen 

PEAK INSIDE MY WARDROBE

 A few weeks ago I invited the Muse TV into my home to show them some of my favourite pieces from my wardrobe. Like my favourite Ann Demeulemeester dress that I would save from the burning building, and of course some Charlie May pieces! 

I hope you enjoy and have a good weekend!

Thanks Simon, Darryl and team of Muse TV!

FULL PAGE SPREAD

Thank you to the guys at No Cigar who put me in this crazy four full page spread interview feature! Seriously the coolest thing to happen to date. It's their first time in print and is available to buy worldwide! 

You can read the interview and flick through the mag below. 

STYLE OF THE TIMES

How excited was I yesterday to see my SS12 studded headband in the Sunday Times Style!? What an amazing feeling. 

Thank you so much to Flossie for the beautiful summery feature!

Buy your studded headband here!

Photos by Jen and I via instagram 

MANY SHADES OF GREY

Wearing: Helmut Lang twisted crop and half cuff bracelet, Nicolas Andreas Taralis skirt with Charlie May satin wrap skirt underneath, Converse shoes and Miu Miu sunglasses

It's been a hot 27 degrees here in London for the past few days, and it's seriously made me realise how winter my wardrobe is. I managed to find this amazing Helmut Lang top stuffed away in a drawer from last year; it's time it went back into circulation I think! My brother's staying with me in London for a few days, which means; serious chill time in the sun, showing him around the neighbourhood and visiting favourite eateries, all before my birthday tomorrow! 

PEELING

Wearing: Charlie May tie side shirt (now available on Bengt), Unknown gold collar, Vivienne Westwood trousers, Dr Marten shoes, Miu Miu sunglasses

The weather was finally nice enough the other day for me to start wearing some of my SS12 collection, which as you can now see from my tidied side bar, is now available to buy online. Jen's been in town for the last few days and I've been enjoying relaxing in London; going to newly discovered coffee shops, eating cupcakes for breakfast and generally doing things that I don't usually get to enjoy!

Photos by Jen-wen

SPRING INSPIRATION

Some images I'm finding inspiring for SS13, being frantically pinned on my Pinterest boards. I'm getting excited about starting the new season and have plenty of exciting design ideas coming to mind, with HPR meetings and possible designer collaborations on the headlines; it's all just a few months away, but for now let's just look at these relaxing images and think fluffy thoughts. Hope you all had a great weekend!

SWATCHES

This is what happens when I'm left to my own devices. Sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than buying a new sketchbook and slowly filling it with beautiful things. When it comes to fabric scraps, I'm a bit of a hoarder; never sure what to do with these few beautiful inches left over from the cutting process, so I decided to make this little sketchbook filled with swatches of the fabrics I've used each season. The little scraps look so beautiful side by side and I feel the texture stands out even more than when on an actual garment. I can't wait until I've completed 20 seasons and I can flick back through, satisfied at the fabrics I've used throughout the years.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH BENGT

Last weekend Bengt invited me along to be a fly on the wall during the SS12 and AW12 shoot. There were so many things to feast my eyes upon, I'm always keen to see what goes on on the other side and it was fun watching the Bengt girls style the looks together, whilst Lou Lou strutted back and forth in the insane platform Finsk shoes! 

I'm so excited to announce that key pieces from my SS12 collection are available to buy on Bengt as of today, along with the other beautiful accessories you see accompanying the collection! The AW12 pieces you see snippets of will be available from September. I can't wait to see you guys rocking the pieces! I'll have to finally make some for myself too - crazy that I haven't done that yet.

See more on BENGT.