| Matt & Nat - Motiv |

'I think I'll take the Berry Sunrise with added Sun Warrior Vegan Protein and a Goodness Bowl to go' 

Said no one.

 Not at least this side of the Atlantic but give or take a year and a half et voilà!

Meat is out. Veg is in.

Safe to say your best friend's now a 'vegan', your mum's a 'vegan', you're a 'vegan' and even that sausage sitting in-between your dad's rolls is made by Quorn.

My dears, welcome to the age of the GOOD LIFE

Never before has the nutritive state of one's social network scored so many dairy-free brownie points!

Eat clean, be seen, repeat.

And yet, whilst that 'accidental' bite of popcorn chicken that no one saw you buy from KFC hits the side of your stomach like sweet nirvana, we can't help but start to wonder.... ' when will this meat-free phase ever end?!'

Veganism. Easy right?

A little insight before making any serious lifestyle changes - don't do whatever a # tells you to.

Do however, feast your eyes onto my post-appropriately placed purse. 

Looks like leather, feels like leather, maybe even smells like leather but boy, it ain't leather!

Made using only (and I stress) 100% vegan and sustainable materials - let's talk recycled plastic bottle tops - the latest addition to my rekindled Matt & Nat love affair allows not only for guilt-free splurging but paves the way for a style of living that's easy enough to swallow. Would ya hashtag that?!

A long overdue comeback from the Canadians straight to the UK. Guys I've missed you.

| Shop Matt & Nat here |

Vingil Collection Moroshka

Soon to be migrating in a north-Easterly direction, so whilst those back on British soil slowly but surely begin to shorten hems and remove layers, I can continue to engulf my entire self in pure wool.

Somebody has to like the cold.

 And, my dears, that short straw was picked by me.

 Translate 'Chunky Knit' into near-on perfect Russian and you'll find you're left with Muscovite Xenia Kigaeva and her seemingly high-profile outerwear and accessories label Vingil. 

Sourcing heavy-wollen cardigans, sweaters and cosy accessories; a collection of opulent layering that is custom made and can also come in your favoured hue.

Ship. Me. Over.

 

Then again, I can't help but think... 

The sheep in Russia. They must be bleedin' freezing.

| Shop Vingil |

| Images c/o Vingil |

And so as the law of Universal Balance states...

If you are so much as to pilfer a bag of Brazil nuts whilst intoxicated, then the Universe will rob you of a Comme des Garçon classic right at the scene of the very same crime. 

Carelessness and cosmic principality have resulted in an unwelcome awakening to my current state of 'Stale-bag Syndrome'. Whilst some lucky Central-liner is about to have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year with their new found goods; I have come to the conclusion that my arm could do with some sweeter tasting candy.

Small Tan | Shearling Large | Black Strap

But at a time when the high-street is in an annual state of consumer overload and Polyvore has become known as Poly-so-unhelpful; what else can a bag-less lady do but turn to social media for a little Depop-ing and InstaShopping?

London-based but appearing on news feeds the world over; Ante Memoria is a label new to the scene only just this year but is already expectant to become a well known name amongst minimalist aficionados.

Brainchild of London College of Fashion MA student and 'one to watch' Jessica Wakeman; the brand produces a line of ready-to-wear, simple but beautifully hand crafted clutch bags, that not only look good with your everyday wardrobe but I'm guessing even better strategically placed next to a soya mocha.

Nothing wrong with that...

Promising myself never to be so negligent with my belongings ever again; my order for the small shearling Open Ceremony-esk number arrived with its very own message of thanks and a slightly subliminal 'drink responsibly'.

| Shop Ante Memoria |

| Images - antememoria.com |

The Row SS15

A round of applause for fashion's most adroit designing duo...

Proving that two heads are considerably better than just one; The Olsen Twins have once again upped their game ahead of Spring/Summer 15 with a 'Raw-Silk' collection of both illusive and minimalist inspired couture. 

Showcased in a stripped-back Soho warehouse, the sisters have mastered the art of experimental wrapping superbly. Note the lack of naked skin as lengthy portions of luxe fabric twist around the torso and drape down the legs to give an understated appeal of seductiveness, whilst the colour palette has been kept clear of conventional pastels in favour of rich navys and metallics not often worn during the S/S change over.

With hair left poker-straight and sliced down the centre, make-up has been made to look sumptuous, dewy and almost angelic - a final yet fitting representation of what is an undeniable collection of pure simplicity.

Girls - Bravo!

| Stella McCartney - Britt Shoe |

Leading a life unencumbered sure has its plus points. 

Stepping out in what McCartney's calling her reconditioned salute to the androgynous and all without the 'I'm not going out with you looking like that' is... heaven.

Glossed-leather, wedged-carved wood and a rubber sole fit for some seasonal practicality - now all I've got to do is don a knitted two piece et voilà!

A walking, talking Stella ad right in the centre of London. 

Let's see if the same applies to other city gals during that event they're calling LFW...

Thakoon Panichgul Resort 2015

The dilettante population of London are experiencing something of a 'Matisse binge' at the moment and I am heedless to say that yes... me included.

The artisan bug has sunk its urbane teeth so far into my amateur behind that it's becoming unrecognisable.

An evening of voluntary seclusion (1 month and every surrounding tourist becomes nothing a but simple hum in the background) spent ogling over Henri's greats? Yes please.

And then, what's a feast for the eyes if you can't treat your wardrobe to the same goodies?

With an already dendritic infatuation to design, as well as penchant for cutting out clean lines and an altogether feel for weightlessness; Thakoon Panichgul's Resort 2015 collection dexterously covers references to the former French artiste, specifically towards Matisse's most notable works - cutouts.

Evidenced as anything but overt throughout Panichgul's use of movement and Pantone adoption; the artistic aesthetic continues to transpire in the 'beatnik striped' two piece and craft-club knife pleats. Overall, the collection is a sure, subtle but ingenious nod to artisanship and feminine simplicity. 

Although when you've got cruise collection taste and stay-at-home money; trips to the Tate's gift shop for a quick fix will for now, have to suffice.

| Shop Thakoon Panichgul |

| Images via Vogue |

For the moment let's forget Stella, Phoebe and even Alexander. 

The only fashion designer I'd like you to recognise is that of half Scottish, half Afghani, New Zealand born but Aussie resident - Dominique Khan.

Imaginative background? I'll say.

The brains behind the visionary men's and womenswear brand that is Queen Khan; we first digitally met back in 2012 and since then this girl has been delighting me and other QK Fans with fictitiously printed avant garde.

This is one 'pen-pal' I'm very lucky to have....

P.S. Those lizard print shorts haven't left my (excuse the French) backside so far this Summer.

Friends indeed. If you like you can call me Dom, Domi or Queenie... I'll keep Dominique for the professionals and my mom.

I guess I started at a very young age.

When I was a kid my next door neighbour just so happened to be one of New Zealand's most famous fashion designers in the early 1940's; I used to go to his house everyday and he'd talk me through all the different textures in fabric and show me how to use one of those old fashioned sewing machines. Then, after I'd moved over to Australia from New Zealand, I went on to study a BA in Fashion at the Whitehouse Institute of Design in Melbourne and graduated in 2011. Three years later here I am with the title of Designer and Founder of Queen Khan.

You know what I never really had a concept for my first collection out of Uni. I moved to Sydney straight after graduation and began an internship with 'Romance Was Born'. During the days that I wasn't working, I'd go shopping and collect imaginative pieces of fabric and then start sewing. I'd upload what I'd created onto Instagram and it's there that I found my niche. 

What I was sewing slowly lead into Summery fruits and bright colours, then it turned into banana prints and gorillas, until finally my own ideal comical version of 'The Jungle Book' started to emerge. 

From there I decided that every collection was going to be based on a children's book. 

The sense of having a past and creating a garment people would love kept me going on the right path.

Yvan is lovely! I had the pleasure to meet him through my best friend, so now every time he's in Melbourne we always catch up for a drink and end up taking snaps the next day with a sore head! He is a great guy and he most definitely has a good eye for street wear clothing.

I'm currently working on a future collaboration with a dear friend of mine.

Without giving away too much; the gorgeous collection will feature pieces based around the book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. 

At the moment we're in the States to fabric source items for this collection - it's all happening! 

I'm still tossing up the idea whether to have my collections fully stocked in stores nationally or internationally. They're online for the time being.

 

 

Amazing!

I was a little sceptical at how my first collection would turn out and it was a sort of trial to then see if I should keep doing what I love. I'm extremely fortunate that a lot has happened to me since I started the business almost 2 years ago. 

Meeting bloggers and photographers from the industry, having Yvan snap my items and even having my creations featured in British Vogue and appearing at New York Fashion Week - It's been a real blessing.

 

Once I get the ball rolling I will be heading to your shores! London is the first on my list and then afterwards I hope to slowly extend my list to the likes of Japan! 

So keep your eyes well and truly peeled because I'll be there very, very soon!

|Shop Queen Khan|

|Images c/o Queen Khan|

Jessica Campbell | Sami Armstrong | Lauren Davies | Amelia Ashley | Sarah Fisher | Rosie Fowler | Manchester School of Art Graduate Show 2014

Despite my very best efforts to so far pronounce all my 'As' like an 'Arse'; after just a handful of days residing at my newly appointed southern postcode, I've come to find myself in dire need of some good 'ol northern hospitality. Clearly you can take the girl out of Manchester but you can't take Manc out of the girl - ever.

And just when another episode of Corrie will do anything but suffice; what else is a girl to do but place herself front row at the Manchester School of Art's final year show at GFW?  

Well, when in London....

Arriving as fashionably late as this post (how else?), last Sunday saw the optimum of fresh Mancunian talent take ownership of the prestigious London catwalk to show industry insiders, journos and the rest of the country just how it's done 'Oop North'

Presenting Texan inspired contemporary tailoring, Pugh-esk uniforms and modern effeminated cuts; it's no surprise the fash-heads of the capital have gone 'stir-crazy' for the imaginative handiwork put up by the school's future young designers.

 Unsurprisingly, in some respects, it was extrovert and fellow comrade Sarah Fisher's collection who really took centre stage with her ingenious play on theatrics and how should I say... 'so far out the box there isn't even a box' designs. Already dubbed as the new Jeremy Scott; the garish horns, western clown-boys and toy pistols added a nice touch to what is an anything but practical approach to menswear.

Comical and borderline bonkers? #watchthisspace

| Images c/o www.styleldn.com |

Dominique Khan by Elisenda Sofia Russell

If you weren't already well acquainted, then allow me to introduce you...

 Exclusive Q&A with the Queen of Aussie quirk - Dominique Khan

| Coming Soon |