Print a Rainbow

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."
-Coco Chanel


If there is a season to wear print, this is it.

The digital print phenomenon has truly taken off, and here are some of the front runners:

Mary Katrantzou

The Greek designer and her extraordinarily intricate prints-upon-prints and beautiful tulip dresses have grown in popularity since the launch of her label in 2008.
She hit the high street this year with a collaboration with Topshop.

Peter Pilotto

This design duo use a combination of tribal prints, black-edged detailing and sleek, futuristic shapes with metallic eyes and slicked back hair to create a sporty collection that has inspired the high street.
I love the curved necklines and exposed shoulders on these dresses, and how refreshing and new the collection feels. One of my favourites this season!

Erdem

A collection full of romance, with super-feminine fabrics, pleats and mirrored floral prints in a calming pallette of blues, yellows and white.

I am sometimes quite reluctant to wear particularly loud, bright prints, but the shops are so full of beautiful interpretations of them at the moment that it's pretty hard to resist.

Here are some of my favourite printed pieces at the moment:


Next

Scarf Print Dress
£48
http://www.next.co.uk/g3734s5

The 'scarf print' was seen at Dolce and Gabbana and Versace, and is literally inescapable on the high street.
This dress from Next, modelled by Arizona Muse in their summer campaign, combines clashing scarf print and spots. I would dress it down with some clean white sandals and minimal jewellery.


Warehouse

Black Pattern Palm Mirage Pencil Skirt
£40
http://www.warehouse.co.uk///fcp-product/307623

This gorgeous Warehouse skirt would look great for evening with a black shirt and neon-bright stilettos.
Also available as a shift dress.

Zara

Tropical Print Bomber Jacket
£29.99
http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/199003/779505/TROPICAL%2BPRINT%2BBOMBER%2BJACKET

Zara is one of my favourite stores on the high street for its classic, luxe designs, good sizings and extremely reasonable prices.
The bomber jacket appeared on the runways at Versace and Stella McCartney, and this offering from Zara is a beautiful example. Wear it casually with bright skinny jeans and white high-tops, or more grown-up with sophisticated courts and pencil skirt.


Topshop

Co-ord Poppy Print Pyjama Jacket
£50
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&langId=-1&storeId=12556&catalogId=33057&parent_categoryId=&categoryId=&productId=5487809

Poppy Print Frill Pocket Shorts
£35
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=5049179&langId=-1&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=&searchTerm=poppy%20print%20shorts&resultCount=1

It might seem like a print overload, but matching short suits are becoming increasingly popular thanks to being seen on those such as Caroline Flack and Alexa Chung.
I like this one at Topshop in particular because of its dreamy grey and white florals and lovely soft material. They're a great alternative to an evening dress; just wear with a crisp white shirt with an embellished collar, and sky-high nude heels.
Also available in matching jogger trousers.


Thanks for reading!

Sophie.

Music Review: Alex Clare and The Civil Wars

I know I haven't done a blog post in quite a long time.... I'm not sure why, it just seems to keep slipping my mind! Either that or nothing has inspired me to write one. Until now.

With music, I tend to go through phases of listening to it non stop, to not at all, and everything in between. Currently, I can't put down my iPod, and have added a load of new stuff to it including The Black Keys, Emeli Sande, Ed Sheeran, Maverick Sabre, and the addictive Azealia Banks.

Two albums I came across recently are so good, I wanted to share them; The Civil Wars' 'Barton Hollow' and Alex Clare's 'The Lateness of the Hour'.

You may know Alex Clare from the new Internet Explorer advert, featuring his song 'Too Close'. I'd seen the advert and was seriously interested by the song, so put Google to use and discovered Alex Clare, then decided to go ahead and get the whole album.

"It feels like I am just too close to love you...
so I'll be on my way."

-Too Close


'The Lateness of the Hour' is an incredibly interesting album. It doesn't stick to one genre; there are elements of dubstep looming underneath the poetic melodies, hearty guitar riffs, piano ballads and soulful vocals. Think a mix between Bruce Springsteen and Nero and, odd as it sounds, you're almost there! There is a perfect balance of upbeat summery tunes and slower songs of heartbreak, even a cover of Prince's 'When Doves Cry'. I most definitely recommend the album, and can see it becoming one I'll listen to on repeat.

"Words are clever,
hands are better,
so let's put them together.

I like cashmere, I like your sweater,
but if you take it off we'll both feel better."

-Hands Are Clever

Favourites:
Treading Water
Too Close
Hands Are Clever
I Won't Let You Down

Rating: 4/5


Next, The Civil Wars' 'Barton Hollow'. I first heard this band on Fearne Cotton's Radio 1 show with their lead single of the album, also named 'Barton Hollow'. I instantly loved it.

"Your mouth is poison,
your mouth is wine,
you think your dreams are the same as mine.

I don't love you, but I always will."

-Poison and Wine

This album proves you don't need anything more than a guitar and beautiful voices to create stunning music. The two vocals are the best part of the album; the gorgeous harmonies seamlessly intertwine with each other over the intricate guitar and piano to provoke images of porch swings and sunsets. One I particularly liked was 'The Violet Hour', an instrumental that I can't wait to try and play myself.

After hearing the single 'Barton Hollow', full of punching guitar chords and soaring notes, I must say I was almost let down when the rest of the album took on a much slower pace. However, I would still recommend a listen, if only for its refreshing simplicity.

"Swan dive down eleven stories high,
hold your breath until you see the light.
You can sink to the bottom of the sea,
just don't go without me."

-C'est la Mort

Favourites:
I've Got This Friend
Barton Hollow
Poison and Wine
The Violet Hour

Rating 3/5

Enjoy!

Sophie.

Music Review: Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

"Now my life is sweet like cinnamon,
  like a fucking dream I'm living in.

Baby love me cause I'm playing on the radio."

-'Radio'

I was a bit slow to catch on to Lana Del Rey. I'd heard about the single 'Video Games', but never really listened to it until a few weeks ago. I listened to the album in full around 2 weeks ago, and I pretty much haven't listened to anything else since.

"Blue jeans,
  white shirt,
  walked into the room
  you know you made my eyes burn." 

-'Blue Jeans'

Because I'd heard such good things about the album, I went in to the first listen almost expecting to love it, and I did. It isn't the sort of thing I might normally listen to, but that's partly because it's not really like anything I've ever heard before. To put it in a genre is impossible; it's part hip-hop, part orchestral, part indie... to be honest, I'm not even sure how to describe it!

Lana's vocals seem to have a split personality; one side is a seductively low, melancholy drawl, and the other is a sugary falsetto, with plenty in between. The whole album has a very dark, ominous feel to it, almost uncomfortable at times, with the off-beat, poetic lyrics often adding a sense of irony or sarcasm. Listen, and you're automatically transported to downtown New York City, images of red lipstick and bright lights running through your head.


"Red, white, blues in the sky,
  summer's in the air and baby,
  heaven's in your eyes."

-'National Anthem'

I love this album. It's interesting, beautiful, emotional. I can see why it might not be everyone's thing, but it's definitely mine. Some of the songs in the middle of the track list do start to sound a bit same-y and are weaker than the rest, but they all add to the story and dynamic of the album.

"Choose your last words,
  this is the last time.
  Cause you and I...

  we were born to die."

-'Born To Die'


Favourites:
'Off to the Races'
'Blue Jeans'
'Summertime Sadness'
'Lolita'

Rating: 4/5

Enjoy,

Sophie.