Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Monday, 20 May 2013

Book Review: Vintage Beauty Parlor by Hannah Wing

Are you longing to wear your hair like Brigitte Bardot? Flutter your eyelashes like the doe-eyed actresses of yesteryear, Anna Karina and Marilyn Monroe? Or perhaps you're wanting to strut the glamorous allure of Marlene Dietrich... 

Well great because Hannah Wing will show you how with her practical little manual with step by step guidance on how to master such beautiful and iconic vintage styles of the 20th century.  




As a professional make-up artist and stylist who runs her own business, Bellus Femina, and just so happens to write beauty and style blogs for The Vintage Festival, Wing is certainly the expert when it comes to vintage fashion and beauty.


Her book is an essential go-to-guide with tutorials which cover basic make-up and hair styling tips alongside several chapters dedicated to recreating looks from every decade, from the classy, sultry look of the 1920s and the 1930s debutante, down to the disco divas of the 1970s and the bold punk looks of the '80s. Every decade comes with its own colour palette (how useful is that?!) and suggestions on how to complete your look with suitable fashion pieces, accessories and even fragrances!

Wing goes on to provide readers with expert knowledge about each era and how the prevailing trends came about, like the stylish, yet practical victory rolls of the 1940s, inspired by the desire to stay feminine in the workplace as women took over the British workforce during WW11.

This book is great if you're wanting to spruce up your every-day look and add some glamour to your wardrobe and equally as good if you're in need of some advice for a fancy-dress do.

Treat yourself and order Vintage Beauty Parlor from Ryland Peters & Small for a modest £14.99.
I would especially recommend this book for any vintage fashion enthusiasts and fashionistas!

Friday, 7 December 2012

Yet another American Apparel scandal.

A couple of months back US fashion retailer, American Apparel was part of a dispute over their rather provocative 2011 Autumn campaign which pictured scantily-clad women in somewhat provocative poses. Well, they’ve only gone and done it again.

American Apparel has yet again found itself in a predicament with the UK ad watchdogs who have ruled their ads as “sexually suggestive and gratuitous” following a complaint from a mother who came across a series of risqué images whilst trying to shop for tights with her 12 year old daughter.
She said that that there digital ads are “… sexually provocative… and likely to cause widespread offence, because they were displayed on a website which could be viewed by, and was likely to appeal to, children under 16 years of age.”
Further complaints were received over the nature of their ads showing young models posing in their range of coloured t-shirts.
Naturally the ASA were quick to issue a statement on the matter stating that:
“We told American Apparel they should not use images which were likely to sexualise models who appeared under 16 years of age, and they should not use images which were likely to cause offence.
“Because her breasts were visible through her shirt, we considered the images could be seen to sexualise a model who appeared to be a child.”
After all, their perpetual use of such images seems to suggest that they really don’t give a damn about how offensive these images can be.
The execs down at American Apparel tried to defend themselves over their t-shirt ad campaign issuing a statement that outlined that all the images were a “completely fair and decent representation of their product”… Nice way to really hit the nail on the head there. Objectification of the female form at its finest.
They went on to argue that it is “standard practice” to market their hosiery in the way they do.
Oh, that’s fine then, if it is a standard practice this MUST mean that it’s all entirely ethical and not sexist in the slightest.

Sources used: www.guardian.co.uk, www.holymoly.com, www.store.americanapparel.net

Thursday, 22 November 2012

How to shop in Primark




It’s been there for us through and through; from that one time you needed that last minute - cheap- purchase for a night out, for the times you couldn’t afford to go to Topshop because you went into your overdraft, for the excuse to buy a onesie, or for the time you realised that you’re in dire need of an underwear fix.
Primark- or Primani has it all.
It’s the ultimate student-friendly high street gem lending us a cheap and cheerful alternative from the other slightly more expensive high street brands out there. Let’s be honest though, the budget king that was Primark has put its prices up. It’s also extremely messy - ALWAYS - so no matter how many people are recovering a section, it’s still a nightmare to shop in. So here are a few tips to make your shopping experience less of a mission impossible for a somewhat tolerable one.

Always check the price signs properly.
Imagine you’ve been waiting a good 10 minutes in the queue and it’s finally your turn to be served next. You walk up to the counter with a dress you believe to be £10, but low and behold, a nasty surprise flashes on the register.
“Um, excuse me but I thought the dress was £10? The sign definitely said it was £10”
The cashier shows you the price tag, it’s actually £14.00. Oh.
So you think, well I guess it’s only 4 quid and you’re in a rush. Fine. So you buy the dress anyway. But you could have sworn the sign said it was for a tenner…?
Well it did, but perhaps you failed to notice the teeny- tiny “From” strategically placed before the supposed, larger printed price. Any item on the rail or table you were looking through is from a certain price. This is especially the case for folded items like jeans or t-shirts. Always check the price tag on the item to see if it matches the price sign to avoid any disappointment once getting to the tills.
Don’t trust the hangers.
Any experienced Primark shopper knows NOT to trust the size the hanger says. Usually the store is such a mess that clothes are just flung onto any given hanger, even if it’s not the right size. Check the label before you pay for the item. It will definitely save you from coming back and queuing up for customer service!
Always check the shoes are in the correct pair.
Because the shoe aisle is the messiest section of the store (alongside the underwear section).
They don’t have your size?
Nonsense! Primark always tend to overstock and still have MORE in the stock-room. Just kindly ask an employee to go and check if they have anymore. If they don’t there’s always bound to be another delivery sometime soon. Or to save time you could check one of the many other branches around town!
The art of the paper bag. 
Is annoying. If you think your items are too heavy for the bag ask the cashier at the till to double-up your bags. The last thing you want is the bag to rip on the bus revealing ALL those cute french knickers you picked up for a £1 each...
Need to return something?
You don’t always have to go back to the same Primark you bought your purchase from if you want to return or exchange it. How inconvenient would that be, say, if you bought something from one whilst visiting your mate at uni only to find out much later (returning home later) that it is damaged. As long as you have the receipt you can return any Primark item to any Primark store.
No receipt?
It’s OK, I’ve heard Primark will still allow an exchange for the current price of the item you want to return. Go ahead.
The final and most important tip of all:
Check your items!!!
Especially if they happen to be jewellery, underwear or cosmetics because Primark do not accept these if you want to return them. If you have your eye on a necklace- check that it’s in tact. Wanna by a tin of lipgloss? Check it hasn’t been imprinted by another’s fingers. If you want to buy a four pack of underwear check they haven’t been opened or you’re more than likely to open a packet of underwear with an array of different sizes…  (I’m being serious).
Good luck!

Image from: Wikipedia.com

Saturday, 3 November 2012

Some AW12 Wants:

The goth/grunge look has got to be one of my most favourite trends this season, mostly because I love wearing black in general, but also because I just cannot get enough of the skulls and the studs and the lace and the leather. I love it all. It'll be a sad day when this trend is no more. There is just one item that I really want most of all and that is: The Leather Jacket. 

This Jacket from Mango in particular has caught my fancy. It's faux leather and I enjoy the gold zips. Black and gold is such a classy mix.    


MANGO Gold Hardware Biker Jackt £44.99


These next two wants are rather random but I'm loving TOPSHOP's latest Galactica collection: a range of "galactic glamour with a techno twist". I love the cute design of the crystal planet jumper- this is ideal for the cold winter season, adding a touch of sparkle to the day. The skeleton tee is just an awesome print.. and I want it. 
TOPSHOP Knitted Crystal Planet Jumper £55.00 
TOPSHOP Petite Skeleton Tee £20.00




















Thanks for the read!


Pictures from: www.mango.com, www.topshop.com