The Rise of the High-Tops

Get your feet into these Pumped Up Kicks…

I’ve previously mentioned the rise of the ‘Sport Luxe’ trend, due to adorn many high street and designer stores from Spring onwards. With this, we see the comeback of hi-top trainers.

French fashion designer, Isabel Marant has released a bekket hi-top collection, which feature a concealed 2-3 inch wedge. These have become hugely popular within the fashion blogasphere and with celebrities alike. Even the one and only ‘independent woman’, Beyoncé has adorned the famous footwear in her recent video for soulful tune ‘Love On Top’, if only the serious dance moves came with them.

 

The colourful trainers have spread worldwide, adding a sporty edge to any outfit to keep you on trend for SS 12′. Team them with a pair of printed leggings if you’re going for a daring fun look, or tone them down with a simple pair of skinny jeans for a more unassuming fashion statement. On the top half, grey marl works perfectly. Remember the attention is on your feet so be sure to keep the rest casual. Hi-tops should always be dressed down with an ‘off-duty cool’ attitude.

Celebrity Style Spot:

Kate Bosworth

Anne Hathaway

Miranda Kerr

    

A form of trainer is fast becoming the “it” shoe of the season. Unheard of, some might say. But I’m not complaining, for how often do looking stylish and feeling comfortable at the same time mix? However, if you, like me, are a student on a budget these Isabel Marant’s may only be a dream to you as they’re priced between $600-$700. That’s a hefty dent in the student loan!

Something else has caught my eye though, and they’re a little more in our price range, between £65-80. Hallelujah! These affordable alternatives, I reveal are the beautiful Nike Blazers. My attention was first drawn to the shoes after I caught sight of Liberty’s collaboration with sporting superbrand Nike Sportswear. The Blazer’s are the third outcome of the two major brand’s collaboration. The combination of Liberty’s signature vintage prints on their fabrics, complements the classic Blazer’s purposely ‘worn’ style to produce footwear of pure genius.

Available at: Liberty, Nike and Office.

After careful consideration of how to wear the stunning Liberty Blazers, I reluctantly decided against them. For the practicality of everyday wear I opted for the simpler, classic Nike Blazers. It was a struggle choosing between the Abyss Blue/Sail and the Gym Red/Sail but in the end, the Red won. I bought them last week, have worn them every day since and have gained a lot of compliments,  I could not recommend them any more.

 

Here’s a short film I made based around Nike Blazers. ‘How do you wear yours?’

 


GG


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Trend Report: Sport Luxe

It's 2012, and in London we mean business...

Alexander Wang S/S 12

Sportmax S/S 12

Marc Jacobs S/S 12

It’s 2012 and with the London Olympics nearing, it comes as no surprise that Sport Luxe is the trend to watch for SS 12'. A versatile style that can be taken from running track to club dance floor, with only a simple swap of accessories. We might not all be in training for marathons or the big games, but it doesn’t mean we can’t all dress the part. After all, that's the sporting spirit, isn’t it? Think modern silhouettes, acid brights, chic jumpsuits, exposed zips…and that's just the beginning!

When the news leaked of Stella McCartney being appointed Creative Director for Team GB’s outfits (naturally sponsored by Adidas), it became clear that in London, we mean business. Haute couture and the Olympic games; a winning combination to define a whole season of fashion. "The Ultimate Mix of Sport and Style". The predictable has occurred, from catwalk to high-street, sporting inspiration in SS 12' clothing everywhere is undeniable.

Here are a selected few items from Stella McCartney's collection at Adidas that are available for the public to purchase and feel a part of the experience:

 



However, if the gym's not your place of preference but you want to work the season's key trend, then there are many more versatile pieces of sporting inspired clothing floating around many high-street stores and online retailers. Take inspiration from the collections I have put together and get a sense of how to fit the trend around your personal style:

Topshop

Draw stings on skirts and dresses are a running theme through many a Topshop item, as well as runner shorts and printed leggings. A look of simplicity is made aware in the various coloured hoodies, boxy jumpers, crop tops and even joggers in the Jersey range.

ASOS

ASOS has truly pushed the boat out in embracing the trend by releasing a whole "SS/12' Game On" collection of neo sporting articles. Laden with flashes of acid brights,  snippets of mesh detailing, scuba-zips, racer-front vests and heeled hi-top trainers;

 

 

So, for all you fashion fanatics out there, now its your turn. Whether heading to a class of legs, bums and tums or a night clubbing with the girls, there is no excuse to shy away from this season's biggest trend. A look that will truly suit every age, shape and style woman.

Sport Luxe; fashion AND practicality, what more could you want?


GG

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David Beckham Bodywear for H&M

Becks for H&M Superbowl Commercial…

Oh David, what are you doing to us? So many girls all over the country, dropping to the floor as they go weak at the knees falling for the OBE awarded, England footballer. After increasing numbers of football scandals have broken out across the vast amounts of tabloids and gossip magazines in recent years, Beckham has managed to avoid such bad press. He has stayed true to his ‘Mr Nice Guy’, affable, family man aura – enabling us to let his, shall we say, ‘lack of public speaking skills’ to let slide. For talking is exactly what he doesn’t need to do in his latest collaboration with high-street clothes brand H&M.

In the past, we have seen Becks strip down to his undies with his equally attractive other half Victoria, for Emporio Armani. He has also been the face of Gillette, his stupendous good looks succeeding in convincing the nation that Gillette really is ‘the best a man can get’. So it was only a waiting game before we saw who snapped up the 36-year-old stud next, to be the face (and body) for a new campaign. In the past, H&M have seen collaborations with the likes of Jimmy Choo, Karl Largerfeld, Stella McCartney and most recently, Versace. This time, Beckham has been part of the creative process, accordingly spending around 18 months developing the ideas and turning them into a tangible bodywear collection to be sold in 1,800 stores.

Tonight, as we speak we see the annual return of the American NFL Super Bowl: a huge facilitator in the world of advertising. Brands literally having bidding wars to confirm their slots in the ad breaks. So begs the question, will David Beckham be making his H&M debut tonight? The answer is yes, and most certainly at a price…a whopping $3.5m (£2.2million). The advert shows Becks filmed in black and white, modelling in just his £7.99 ‘Bodywear’ to The Animals' 1965 blues cover of Nina Simone’s ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’. The slow panning and extreme close up shots of his large assortment of bodily tattoos and muscles of steel are certainly not a mistake in advertising techniques, if the YouTube hits its raking up are anything to go by.

We will have to wait and see if the the sales in the shops share the same success. David is certainly not shy in expressing his grand plans for the collection, saying  “I want to be as big as Calvin Klein, to achieve something like that.”

 

 

GG

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DIY Chalk Dip Dye

A cheap and temporary fix to update your locks…

I have previously talked about the increasing popularity of ombre/dip-dye on my blog, and my gradual development to obtaining this hairstyle myself. However, more recently I have been seeking another change to my hairstyle, evolving the whole idea of dip-dye even further. I have noticed a forthcoming trend of rainbow bright dip-dye so I wanted in, I want the ends of my hair coloured something a little in your face. For instance…pink.

Celebrity Style Spot:

Kate Bosworth

Dakota Fanning

Nicki Minaj

Jessie J

I have previously talked about the increasing popularity of ombre/dip-dye on my blog, and my gradual development to obtaining this hairstyle myself. However, more recently I have been seeking another change to my hairstyle, evolving the whole idea of dip-dye even further. I have noticed a forthcoming trend of rainbow bright dip-dye so I wanted in, I want the ends of my hair coloured something a little in your face. For instance…pink.

Yes you heard correctly, I did say PINK! And I’m talking Avril Lavigne style back in her ‘Sk8r’ days. I can telepathically sense the readers ‘palm over face’ gestures in cringe, but guess what? I’ve done it. I’vecoloured my hair pink.

When I say coloured my hair, I mean it in the most literal sense. Chalk dip dye. Here’s how…

What you need:

• Hair 

• Water

• Chalk Pastels (I recommend Sennelier Soft Pastels, I bought them from Ken Bromley Art Supplies)

and THAT'S ALL.

How to:

Take strands of hair and gradually twist them as you rub the chalk pastel up and down the strand. The twisting, creates a deeper, even colour. Take the colour as high up as you like, it is all personal preference –as is your choice of colour.

Be warned, pastels can be messy, dropping onto the surface you do your hair over and even on your clothes. So, make sure to put a towel or paper down to collect the shavings and hairspray lots after to avoid smudging on your nice outfit.

To remove the colour, brush through your hair thoroughly. Repetitive brushing separates the hair strands, taking the majority of colour out. After this, wash as standard and your hair will be back to normal. However, this is not a process to be repeated regularly, as the colouring in the pastels can take out the moisture in your hair, resulting in dry, or even split ends. So make sure you condition well.

For dark hair or just to keep the colour in for a few washes, rather than just one, repeat the exact same process but with damp hair. This intensifies the colour, making it stand out more on a darker shade of hair.

I used this technique for one night out, and all of my friends thought it was really dyed. Everybody was shocked when it was gone the next day! Now your turn, it can be our little ‘Goodness Gracious’ secret.

Give it a go and let me know how you get on. I’d love to hear your feedback.

Some of my readers have sent in images of their chalk dip dye, after reading my post. Take a look for more inspiration:

@GG_FashionUK

@felthem

@BridgetMarieee

@LucyyElizabethh

GG

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