The Best of Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2014

As the fashion world swooped into Italy last week, all eyes were on Milan to see what they could contribute to AW14 trends. The penultimate fashion week didn't disappoint, with all the Italian fashion power houses pulling out all the stops. Below are my four favourite shows from the past week...

Roberto Cavalli

As I adore all things 1920s, this was probably my favourite show from Milan. With beautiful, intricate embellished flapper-esque dresses, big fur coats and stoles and a black, white and grey colour palette the pieces were high fashion but also very wearable. A front row including many Brit stars including Ellie Goulding, Cheryl Cole and Samantha Barks watched on as models strutted down the runway.


Dolce and Gabbana

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's theme for their AW14 collection was named 'Enchanted Sicily', the whole show having a fairytale feel to it with the models walking down the runway to Tchaikovsky's 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' and a collection including a red cape resembling that of little red riding hood, a colour palette of deep forest greens, reds, purples and blues and a finale featuring an army of 'fairies'. The make-up was minimal apart from a subtle winged eye-line and the hair was swept back, with soft curls framing the face.


Dsquared²

Dsquared² isn't usually a show that stands out to me during fashion week, put this season some pieces really caught my eye. I like the deep purples and electric blues thrown into the monochrome and neutrals colour theme and the show displayed many wearable items. I particularly liked the block-coloured shift dresses, the embellished camel dresses and the white skirt suits.


Emilio Pucci

Peter Dundas' tribal themed show for Emilio Pucci has been one of my favourites throughout the fashion show season so far. The show started with some more casual looks, with detailed tribal prints plastered onto dresses, jumpsuits, coats and jumpers with deep oranges, reds, blacks and whites. Towards the end of the show Emilio Pucci showcased some of the most beautiful, intricate and daring dresses I have seen so far in the AW14 collections.

What have been your favourite shows from Milan or any of the other cities? Look out for Sophie's review of Paris FW next week and also don't forget to check out my review of LFW (click here) and Sophie's review of NYFW (click here). 

Haul #2: Beauty

On Friday the 31st of January me and Jess went on a big day out to celebrate the end of our exams and to have a good catch up. We had such a good day in Nottingham starting off with some essential beauty shopping. Then we went to see The Wolf of Wall Street (which was so good!) and then we did a bit more shopping and then went out for a delicious meal at Piccolino's before going back to my house to watch The Great Gatsby on DVD. On our shopping trip we bought so many beauty products so both me and Jess decided to do a haul each (Click here to read Jess' haul). Here are the things that I bought:

MAC
MAC Eyeshadow in Retrospeck

The first product that I bought was a refill palette eyeshadow from MAC in the colour Retrospeck. I have a 15 eyeshadow palette and I had already filled 12 of the slots and I'm slowly building it up to complete it. Jess already has this shade and she recommended it to me so I thought I'd try it out. I absolutely love this shade, it's so glittery and I love a good neutral eyeshadow colour. It goes well with the other colours I have in my palette too, only 2 to go until it's finished!

John Lewis
YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Rose in Tension

After MAC we went to John Lewis which has one of the best beauty departments in Nottingham, in my opinion. I had been wanting a new lipstick for a while so I thought I'd treat myself to a luxury brand lipstick. I decided on a YSL one because I love the gorgeous packaging and the texture of the Volupte Shine Lipsticks. I also really love the colour Rose in Tension. It's a really unique pink colour that can be worn both in the daytime and at night. I haven't stopped wearing it since I bought it!

Boots and Superdrug
Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celeste

I bought the Apocalips Lip Lacquer because I had heard so much about these lip glosses and I've heard a few good reviews about them so I thought why not try one of them out? (I think they were on offer too which helped me to decide to get one). There were so many colours to choose from but I thought I'd go for a more natural colour and ended up choosing Celeste. I love the pink colour and the wand is such a good shape for application too. The Apocalips Lip Lacquers have some gorgeous shades but the smell of them is quite distinct so if you don't like strong smelling products I wouldn't recommend these.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

When we were in Boots I picked up the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent because my current one has smashed and the lid had broken too so it was impossible to carry it around with me on the move. I decided to get transparent because I use the powder to set my foundation and minimize shine rather than using it for coverage. I love this powder because it looks light and natural on the skin and works so well for the amazing price of £3.99!

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

I am such a mascara lover, so love experimenting and trying new ones out all the time. I love trying both high end and drugstore mascaras and I've had many favourites over the years including the YSL Babydoll mascara, Diorshow mascara and Lancome Drama Hypnose mascara. I have to say that the Maybelline The Falsies Mascara is among those favourites. It really elongates and separates my lashes but also thickens and volumizes them at the same time and it is relatively cheap at only £7.99. If you are looking for a new mascara then definitely try this one out!

Essie Nail Varnish in Shearling Darling

I have blogged before about how much I love Essie Nail Varnishes from how long they last to the colours, I can't get enough of them. I also love the limited edition shades that Essie releases on a regular basis. The most recent limited edition collection was the Winter 2013 collection. I loved all the colours from a sparkly pink to a lilac colour but I decided on a dark purple called Shearling Darling (I also love the names of Essie Nail Varnish). This nail varnish is so pretty and it dries really quickly too.

Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser

I bought this moisturiser from Boots because I love the idea of a moisturiser you can use in the shower and wash off without having to apply moisturiser once you've gotten out of the shower. Although I love some normal moisturisers like various Soap and Glory and Laura Mercier ones, I hate having heavy moisturiser on my skin that I have to wait for ages to dry meaning sometimes I have to not bother at all when I'm in a rush, however this Nivea moisturiser is the perfect solution! I got the one for normal skin and when I got out of the shower my skin felt so smooth and silky after just one use. It was also on offer in Boots with a third off the original price for the 400ml bottle. The scent is sea minerals and isn't very strong or distinct but it is a lovely fresh smelling moisturiser. Overall I would definitely recommend this product for those who are always running out of time in the mornings like me!

Soap and Glory No Clogs Allowed Deep Pore Detox Mask

Recently I have been having problems with my skin and even though it has been clearing up I've been trying to discover new products to help clear my skin and keep spots away without spending too much money, as I already use a few Dermalogica products that can add up to quite a bit of money. After watching Youtuber Fleur De Force, I came across the No Clogs Allowed Deep Pore Detox Mask which intrigued me. The formula heats up when applied and turns blue when you apply it to the skin. You can feel it working as soon as you apply it and my skin felt clean and refreshed after one use. Also Soap and Glory was also a 1/3 off in Boots which encouraged me to try it out.

House of Fraser
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers

I didn't buy the products from House of Fraser on our shopping trip but I thought I'd include them in my haul anyway because I ordered them online around the same time. I bought these eyelash curlers because I'd lost my previous ones and I've heard so many good things about the Shu Uemura ones. Although they are a little pricey at £20 they are supposed to be THE eyelash curlers to have and my first impression of them is that they are amazing! I can't wait to carry on using them and trying them out, especially with my new The Falsies Mascara.

Jo Malone Perfume in Peony and Blush Suede

This has to be my favourite purchase from the entire haul. I have wanted this perfume ever since I first smelled it in Selfridges over Christmas and I haven't stopped thinking about it since! Finally I decided to stop obsessing over it and I actually bought it, and I'm so happy that I did. The fragrance is floral with notes of Peony, Suede, Apple and Rose and it is the perfect spring fragrance. It is one of the most recent fragrances from Jo Malone and has had some raving reviews since its arrival. It came in such a cute box with a nice bow and black tissue paper inside too. I will proudly display this bottle on my vanity table!

Best Dressed at the BRIT Awards 2014

This week has been the week of all things British, starting with the beginning of London Fashion Week (see Jess' favourite runway shows from LFW here), then the BAFTA Awards (see my best dressed at the BAFTAs here) and finally ending with the BRIT Awards. There were so many star studded guests at the awards this year including Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Katy Perry and Beyonce. Here are my best dressed from the BRIT Awards 2014.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked incredible in this sparkly red and black dress Saint Laurent dress showing off her famous long legs. The supermodel presented an award to One Direction on the night. 

Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams was one of the best dressed men of the night in this metallic Lanvin suit. He performed with Nile Rodgers at the end of the ceremony (which was so good!). Unfortunately he wasn't wearing his famous Vivienne Westwood  Mountie hat. 

Pixie Lott

Pixie Lott looked great in this long white DKNY dress with a slit. I love the silver shoes and the small white handbag she coordinated with the dress. Also this style is so flattering on her. 

Kimberley Walsh

Kimberley Walsh looked beautiful in this see through Blumarine rose printed dress. Her makeup and hair looked fantastic as well, as always. 

Ellie Goulding

Although I disliked her red carpet Vivienne Westwood dress, Ellie Goulding looked great at the actual ceremony. She wore an embellished Julien Macdonald gown when she accepted her award for Best Female Solo Artist. 

Beyonce

The best dressed of the night had to be Beyonce, hands down! She looked stunning in a turquoise sequined Vrettos Vrettakos dress. The dress hugged her figure perfectly and her hair and makeup looked just as good. Her performance was the best moment of the night. 

Worst Dressed - Kylie Minogue

One of the worst dressed of the night for me had to be Kylie Minogue. The shiny latex William Wilde dress was just terrible and the huge bow across the front made it worse.  Also the bits of white made it look even more tacky. 

Who do you think was the best dressed at the BRITs 2014?

The Best of London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2014

With London Fashion Week drawing to a close on Tuesday, I thought I would share my best shows from the past week. Unlike Sophie, whose favourite fashion week is New York (click here to see her best from NYFW), London is my favourite of the 'big four' fashion weeks- I love seeing British designers on the global stage and this year they didn't disappoint.


Burberry Prorsum

This show is the one I always get the most excited for every season, with the added benefit of being able to watch the show live online it makes you feel a little bit more of the action. The clothes were as exquisite as always with hand painted floaty floral dresses, sheer lace skirts and of course the classic trench coats. For the finale, the hottest models including Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn, Edie Campbell and Suki Waterhouse also sported a personalised cashmere scarf; that will definitely going on my wishlist in the not so distant future.


Temperley London

Slowly earning its place along side fashion's power houses, Temperely London has a strong reputation, a big red carpet presence and the seal of approval from the Duchess of Cambridge. The show displayed feminine dresses with bold prints, beautiful fabrics and intricate embellishment.


Topshop Unique

Blues, yellows and blacks seemed to be the main colour palette for Topshop Unique AW14, with a range of different materials and textures throughout the whole collection, from patchwork fur coats to sheer tops and a few cosy jumpers in between. An impressive FROW including the fashion matriarch herself, Anna Wintour sat next to reality star Kendall Jenner, Kate and Lottie Moss, Poppy Delevingne and Sir Philip Green.


Anya Hindmarch 

Anya's supermarket themed 'Counter Culture' show was certainly different, but none the less enjoyable. With a catwalk reminiscent of a conveyor belt and a back drop resembling a barcode, the theme did not stop there... With handbags the shape of a packet of digestive biscuits, the famous Kellogg's cockerel and Tony the Tiger plastered on her Ebury totes; Anya's show was bright, colourful and a lot of fun.


Tom Ford

Tom stuck with his usual monochrome colour palette for his AW14 show, there were sharp and elegant dresses, with jewels, leathers and fur. The beauty for the show was in control of make-up genius Charlotte Tilbury who created a dark smokey eye on the models, including Georgia May Jagger and Liberty Ross. Tom showcased his designs in the magnificent Lindley Hall in front of an impressive Front Row including Anna Wintour, Bradley Cooper and Suki Waterhouse.


Holly Fulton

Edinburgh-born designer Holly showcased her collection full of graphic prints and printed motifs, the show had a more grown-up feel to her earlier work and full of nudes, dusty pinks and powder blues. The show was based upon a theme of silent movies but she still managed to pay homage to her Scottish roots with Scot-made knitted kilts and wool coats. Although high fashion, a lot of Holly's looks and dresses would be very wearable straight off the catwalk.

What were your favourite shows and looks from LFW? Keep an eye out for our favourite shows from Milan and Paris over the next couple of weeks!

The Best of New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2014

Last week it was New York Fashion Week, kicking off the beginning of fashion weeks across the globe for Autumn/Winter 2014. New York Fashion week is always my favourite week for runway shows, especially for Autumn/Winter, and this year was no exception. These were the best runway shows from the week.

Donna Karan

Donna Karan's collection was incredible as always with a focus on black, sheer, sparkles and some daring red pieces to fill the collection. Karlie Kloss, who made many appearances on the catwalk throughout NYFW, walked the runway sporting one of the more daring flowing red dresses. 

Tory Burch

Tory Burch showcased some wearable and casual outfits on her catwalk with cosy oversized jumpers, and dark colours like blacks, greys and dark blues. Tory Burch showcased many patterns and embellishments with some metallics making an appearance. I loved the playfulness of this show with a mirrored catwalk and most models wearing knee high socks and heels. 

DKNY

DKNY was another favourite of New York Fashion Week. This collection was tailored to a younger audience, compared to the Donna Karan show, and the whole collection showed attitude. All the models wore Yankee Baseball Caps and most of the designs featured black too. I love Donna's work as she really shows what it's like to dress like a fashionable New Yorker. In fact the model's weren't professional models but actually creative locals of New York.

Diane Von Furstenberg

Diane Von Furstenberg showcased some unique prints on her catwalk. Many of the prints were mixed with other prints and even the catwalk featured the one of the prints. She also showed some glamorous golden and sparkly dresses towards the end of the show. But don't worry, she still paid homage to her classic wrap dress. Models on the runway included Jourdan Dunn and Karlie Kloss.

Prabal Gurung

Once again fur made an appearance in Prabal Gurung's show. There was also a noticeable selection of grey mixed with jewel tones like sapphire and garnet. Prabal Gurung's show was not only noticeable because of the clothes. A streaker in a crown and trench coat decided to steal the show by hijacking the runway! However Gurung showed a sense of humour towards the event by handing out plastic crowns at the show's after party. 

Rag and Bone

Rag and Bone showcased wearable items of clothing with a stylish twist. The show has been said to be typical of Rag and Bone's "advanced contemporary" style. The clothes were youthful and were all about mix and match with different patterns and textures. One of my favourite looks was Karlie Kloss sporting a silk bomber jacket mixed with a plaid skirt. 

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacob's runway show was one of the most talked about shows of the week. This show was Marc's main concern during fashion week due to him stepping down as creative director from Louis Vuitton and taking a step back from Marc by Marc Jacobs. The clothes were incredible yet muted and included furs and chiffon dresses. The show was also talked about because Kendall Jenner appeared on the runway in a sheer, and rather revealing, top that had everyone talking about her debut fashion week catwalk.

Jason Wu

Jason Wu's runway show was perfect for the modern and elegant woman. With fitted dresses and slicked back hair, these clothes exuded class and sophistication. The collection seemed timeless and wearable due to the blacks and greys throughout. I also loved the shoes and makeup that went with the clothes. 

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham's runway show was one of my favourites from this year's fashion week. I loved the sleek and classic designs and neutral colours of black and white. Her designs showed elements of both masculinity and femininity including both ruffles and chains with strong silhouettes. The collection seemed high fashion but also wearable too. Her show was also talked about because her whole family were in the front row supporting her throughout. 

Vera Wang

Vera Wang's was my favourite catwalk show from New York Fashion Week. The clothes ranged from extremely wearable to extremely glamorous. The whole collection was made up of blacks and greys and included patterns, embellishments, fur, oversized jumpers, leather and metallics. The designs of the dresses towards the end of the show were just incredible too. 

Overall I really loved the designs this year at NYFW. There were so many great shows that I struggled to narrow down my favourites. The most popular trends included blacks and greys, patterns and embellishments. I can't wait for Autumn/Winter 2014 now! 

Which runway show was your favourite from New York  Fashion Week? 

The Best Dressed of the BAFTA Awards 2014

Last night was the 67th BAFTA Awards ceremony. Many stars turned up to the event including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and many more. There were some great dresses (and tuxedos) last night, and here are my best dressed from the red carpet. 

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita has been the best dressed across all of the award ceremonies so far, and for a newcomer that is so impressive. She chooses such beautiful colours and dresses and none have been similar but all have been special and fashionable in their own way. I love this gorgeous green coloured Dior dress on Lupita and the gold accessories go really well with it. I can't wait to see what she'll wear to the Oscars!

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

Brad and Angelina impressed in their matching tuxedos. Angelina looks fantastic in her Saint Laurent suit and her's certainly upstaged Brad's!

Amy Adams

I'm so happy Amy Adams chose this Victoria Beckham dress. I haven't been impressed with her dresses so far but this one is so beautiful. It looks so flattering on her figure and the dark lip and scraped back hair go so well with this look. 

Leonardo DiCaprio

Best dressed man of the night was definitely Leonardo DiCaprio. He looked fantastic in his Armani suit. He didn't win an award at the BAFTA's but let's hope he has better luck at the Oscars!

Helen Mirren

The Fellowship Award winner, Helen Mirren, looked amazing in this sparkly Jacques Azagury dress. She proved that you can look amazing on a red carpet no matter what your age is!

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris looked great in this pink Gucci dress. I love the plunging neckline and the slit showing off her legs matched with the long sleeves to make the dress look so elegant on her. 

Samantha Barks

Samantha Barks stunned in this chic white Calvin Klein dress. Her simple but effective makeup and hair went so well with this look too. 

Worst Dressed

Lily Allen

The worst dressed of the night has to be Lily Allen in this Vivienne Westwood dress. The bright pink and orange do not go well together and not only clash with each other but also the red carpet. To top off this bad look Lily included a strange bright pink headpiece that just wasn't suitable for a red carpet award ceremony like the BAFTAs. 

Who was your best dressed from the BAFTA Awards?