There Are No Words.

Today I feel like winning the lottery and then purchasing this indescribable dress by Alexander McQueen. Brocade, red duchess satin, crystal and real gold thread. Retails at a mere £7, 640. Casual.

LSD* - My Drug of Choice, 2

Holly Fulton

* LSD = Long Sleeved Dress

Back in the balmy summer months (remember those heady days?) I presented on one of my first posts LSD: the Little Summer Dress, as an ultimate style staple for any wardrobe. Now that winter has well and truly arrived, please allow me to reintroduce LSD: the Long Sleeved Dress.

I would be quite lost without my collection of long sleeved dresses during the winter months and the best part is, they work equally well during the day and at night.  For daytime chic, feed your sartorial habit with jersey, wool and velvet, worn with ribbed tights and ankle boots. For evening glamour, look towards lace or embellished numbers with opaques and heels.

Baby, it's cold outside.

Konichiwa, Bitches

OK yes so I am ripping off Robyn in my post title today (love her!!) but here's something for the weekend. If you haven't already, head down to the Barbican to see their latest retrospective , 'Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion'.

This exhibition, the first of it's kind, traces the impact Japanese designers have had on our sensibilities by looking at works by prolific designers: Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe and Yohji Yamamoto, and exploring such themes as the preoccupation with shadows and darkness; and the way in which [these designers] utilised traditional Japanese design processes. The exhibition finishes by taking a look at Japanese fashion today. 

This exhibition precedes the upcoming Yohji Yamamoto retrospective at the V&A in the new year.  In terms of trend forecasting: look out for Japanese references bubbling up in street culture, fashion and music. Spotted so far: 

'Konichiwa' slogan T's in Urban Outfitters

Robyn:

Check. It. Out.

Digitalism

It is officially too cold to shop. Or rather, it is officially too cold to trawl the shops and spend any time outside and now that it is coming up to Christmas I point blank refuse to go to Westfield or any other such crowded shopping experiences. So instead, until I come out of hibernation, all my shopping shall be done on line. Here are my top 5 online boutiques for gifts and goodies galore.

1. Beyond the Valley

This online boutique specialises in under the radar labels: my go to when I want to find that unique fashion statement.

Arrow Print Jumper by Beyond the Valley

Silver Wedge Ankle Boots, by Finsk

Gold beaded necklace, by Fiona Paxton

2. Wolf and Badger

A new(ish) concept store in Notting Hill that also offers an online shop. Sadly the website is currently under construction but check it out : www.wolfandbadger.com

3. Not Just a Label

This is the best source for tomorrow's talent.

Classic Diamond Pendant by Myia Bonner

Zip maxi by Fanny and Jessy

Grey dyed drape dress by Julia and Ben

4. Austique

For luxe labels and perfect gifts for girlie girls: a Chelsea girls' favourite stop. Labels include Alice + Olivia, Alex Monroe and Winter Kate.

Camilla and Marc mini dress

Hummingbird necklace by Alex Monroe

je t'aime purse by Rebecca Minkoff

5. Atelier Mayer

The vintage specialists, with rare collectors items dating back as far as the 1920s.

Rafael Lopez brocade one sleeved dress

Rouge Allure

Jessica Rabbit

Yesterday, at a visit to the hairdressers, I hit the bottle so to speak and decided to dye my hair red. Or rather re-dye my hair - I was born a red head, but have been obstinately dying my hair for years (much to my mother's despair) every colour from blonde to deep chestnut. However now it is time to go back to my roots (or at least a deep burnished copper version).

I love the fact that red heads have always been controversial. In history, red heads were feared-the fiery colour of red used to symbolise violence. Writers have portrayed red heads as strange or unnatural characters, for instance Mark Twain believed that whilst humans were descended from apes, red heads were descended from cats. And in the great Russian novel The Master and Margarita, the female vampiress, Hella, is a red head.  There is no doubt then that this colour will always make a statement, I think that was best summed up by this unknown quotation:

Blondes are noticed, but red heads are never forgotten.

I think I'm addicted.  Here are some of my favourite fellow red heads of the moment:

Tilda Swinton - actress

Vivienne Westwood - designer

Julianne Moore - actress

Lily Cole - model

Julia Johansen - model

Pandora Lennard - fashion editor/stylist

Taylor Tomasi - editor

....red hair looks amaze with: bright red lipstick; dark lipstick; pale skin; black and neutrals.....I am looking forward to experimenting with more new looks so watch this space!

Listen Up!

What to buy now for the discerning fashionista who has everything? (Well, there is always something!) Check out these extremely cool ipod headphones from Italian based company 2ME STYLE. From rock n roll skulls; to kitsch strawberries; to swarowski-encrusted butterflies: the only problem is which ones to choose! 

Check out the full range at www.2mestyle.com. Sounds amazing 2 me! 

Silver Skull headphones with Swarowski crystals by 2ME STYLE

Swarowski butterfly headphones by 2ME STYLE

Just in

Finally, found a way to be in Wang's gang! Just in on the Outnet: iconic pieces from Alexander Wang Spring Summer 2010 at massive 60% and 70% discounts. Go forth and grab! Here are some of my favourite pieces:

Sydney Leather backpack

Trish Leather Wedge mules

Twill overlay shorts

Leather insert cut-out sweater dress

Quilted shell micro shorts