Tolly Dolly Posh

Look who’s back-back-back again! Both myself and our good little friend Scrap Social! I totally forgot of this series over the past few months so I’m back and I hope to still be doing it in the New Year! This is actually a showcase of the last few pages of this scrapbook. You’ll probably be mad at me for this but this scrapbook was finished in March… *gulps* so I will definitely have a new one to show you after this… don’t worry!

These pages unintentionally matched… I just suddenly realised after finishing them up that the model on the left page, had very similar sandals on to the ones from the postcard on the right. I loved the free spirit of the editorial piece on the left, so I added some fun little doodles around it… which sort of adds a contrast to the rough edges that I decided on to go with the natural backdrop and colour palette. To match the doodles, I added a border of ‘HAHAHAHAHA’ to the edge of the postcard (this one was featured in my Scrap Social Essentials post actually!), and some extra outlining as per usual. I love the colours of this page combo!

Another page combo with a nice colour palette are these two which I made up from a Claudie Perlot advertorial. I absolutely love the aesthetic it had, so I added a few other elements to it and I’m really happy with the effect. As I mentioned above, as per usual, there is some of my well known outlining again, which I think adds the finish touch. Sometimes pages don’t have to make sense in terms of telling a story, they just make sense in an artistic sense. Matching colours and creating a ‘vibe’ is what is important. Don’t ya’ think? Also – note the Hozier lyrics!

Yes, that is indeed the final page. It’s an odd one, once again using some postcards which have an old/retro vibe to them. Sometimes I genuinely have no idea where I’m going with pages so they end up being really odd and this is a great example. I like it though, it has a nice message to it in a sense, even if the picture has no relevancy to it whatsoever. The bottom postcard I used was kind of weird and gross in some aspects (sloppy hot dogs from what looks like the 90s in a public swimming pool?!) but adding some captions and the BORING sign made it tie in nicely.

It’s actually interesting to compare the first and last page of my scrapbook because they’re so vastly different in colour scheme and style. You can see I stuck to Biro scribbles throughout, but you can definitely notice a change. You can see it for yourself if you like, take a click through this year’s Scrap Social scrapbook!

~ CATCH UP ON #SCRAPSOCIAL ~

So, yup! That’s it 🙂 By the way, in case you missed it, there’s a #MooiEnLiefbyTDP give-away going on ight now! It ends in 2 days so make sure you get entering before it’s too late. Good luck and happy holidays everyone! Speak to you soon…

So Christmas is now right around the corner (22 days people, 22 days!) so I thought it would be a perfect time to share some little gift ideas for those of you who are need that last bit of inspiration in the form of a Christmas gift guide. For some reason I’ve been really struggling this year – why are you so hard to buy for Papa Posh?! 🎅 Each set of gifts are inspired by my collection of socks with Mooi en Lief because I thought it would be quite fun to put together. According to The Telegraph Gift Guide 😉 socks are a great gift idea… Top Of The Pops magazine think so too; you can spot them on the wishlist page on January 20th 2016! Also, scroll on down for a give-away! 🎉

~ HOMO SUPERIOR ~

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For the Homo Superior pair of socks, I decided to stick with a very gold based colour palette as the yellow is more of a mustard tone so it works really well. Although the design is pretty fun, it’s also really versatile which means it works well with other prints and more simple items like this super cute Monki beanie from ASOS. The Vagabonds are the ones I wore in the Mooi en Lief by Tolly Dolly Posh lookbook, so if you know any big 70s fans, I’m sure they’ll love a pair of these as a treat (they’re on sale at the mo’ too).

There are also a few miscellaneous items like the Hunky Dory album by David Bowie which is actually one of the inspirations behind this pair of socks (hence the name – Homo Superior – from Oh You Pretty Things), as well as this super cute little Instax frame from Urban Outfitters (I’ve already put this on my own Christmas list!).

~ BLUE BOOTIN ~

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I’m not going to lie, this is probably a Tolly gift guide rather than just a general one because… I love every item. I think bold block prints always work well with either a contrasting colour or monochrome… it just seems to compliment these sorts of prints really well. I had to include at least one Skinnydip item in this gift guide as they have so many exciting pieces now… I mean, look at that ZAP bag?!

Speaking of bags, this awesome Dr Martens number is so beautiful. My black backpack has had so much wear already so I can definitely recommend their bags as much as their boots… who wouldn’t want Dr Martens under their tree, though?

I’ve also included some adorable stocking fillers like some holographic stickers, a book for budding photographers and a keyring incase the ZAP bag is a bit too much for your gift receiver.

~ CAMP BLANC ~

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I think when styling up primary colours, it’s best to stay within the primary colour spectrum, so that’s why for these socks I went with some red and blue pieces that compliment the socks really well. Plus, most people like reds and blues especially when it comes to winter and Christmas, so these gifts might be great options. There are quite a few stocking fillers listed too, if you’re looking for smaller gifts. Belts, hats, scarves, gloves and even socks, are great for simple gifts for friends when you’re really stuck for ideas – even if it does sound boring!

I’ve seen lots of these mittens now, going along with the 70s trend, and they look super cosy! Match them with a beanie and you’re good to go… you could even jazz it up with a matching floral crown (I’ve done this with floppy hats before – it magically transforms your hat!). Also for an extra touch of cosy – mugs and hot chocolate are always a great combo!

~ MOOI EN LIEF BY TOLLY DOLLY POSH ~

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I know, kind of cheeky for Electric Blue, but hey, if The Telegraph thinks these socks make a good gift, then you should too 😉 *cringe* The other reason for this part of the gift guide though is to introduce the give-away! I wanted to give you guys a bit of a Christmas treat this year so why not enter and win yourself some socks of your choice? Enter with the widget below! Good luck and… Merry Christmas! 🎅

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules + T&Cs: This give-away is open worldwide and will close on the 17th December 2015. The prize will be sent out by Mooi en Lief and the winner will be chosen randomly. You must enter all/as many as possible entries into the Rafflecopter widget above. The prize is one pair of #MooiEnLiefbyTDP socks of your choice.

What do you think of my Christmas gift guide? Has it given you any ideas for your friends and family? Let me know in the comments… make sure you enter the give-away too!

As you will have gathered over the past few months on this blog, I’m a huge advocate for second-hand shopping. Ever since I picked up a turquoise floral dress from a charity shop when I was about seven, I’ve been in love with the idea of recycling clothes and keeping them in the world for longer, because, why not? When I found out about the Traid #SecondHandFirst week, I knew I had to write up a little something-something to share…

SECOND-HAND OUTFITS: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

The point of this week (23rd – 29th November 2015) is to raise awareness of the power of second-hand shopping. It’s a chance to get more people on board with the idea and let people know that it’s more than just old dirty clothes in a dingy little charity shop – it’s a chance to recycle clothes that are perfectly usable and stop them from ending up on landfill sites. Traid want as many people as they can to make a pledge to source their wardrobe with second-hand clothing, whether that’s vintage, hand-me-downs, charity shop donated or re-vamped one-offs.

~ TAKE THE PLEDGE ~ FOLLOW @TRAID ~

I’ve commited to sourcing 50% of wardrobe second-hand, just like Susie Lau (Style Bubble) and I’m sure, many other people. You don’t need to commit as much as that (you can commit more if you like!) but setting yourself a little target can really make you more motivated to becoming a savvy shopper – thinking more about being ethical and sustainable, rather than being splurgey and spendy. The outfits in the first image are all outfits featuring second-hand items so yes, you can still be stylish and shop second-hand. We just need to all start proving it!

How much of your wardrobe will you commit to sourcing second-hand? Have you already taken the pledge? Let me know your thoughts on second-hand shopping in the comments!

P.S If you’re in the UK on Saturday November 28th, please pick up a copy of The Telegraph Magazine as there maybe a little feature of my Mooi en Lief by TDP collection in it! Eeep! 🎅🎄

Howdy folks! How are you? I haven’t done a producty/wishlisty post in a very long time mainly because I’ve tried to steer away from that sort content but today I just wanted to do a relaxed post that you can appreciate with all it’s simplicity. So today I thought I’d look at a bunch of iron-on embroidered patches because I’m a pretty big fan. They can add a really cool touch to a denim jacket (dress, dungarees or shorts) and most of them are pretty inexpensive. Here are my favourites… 🙂

MOOI EN LIEF // JESSWARBYSHOP // COUCOUSUZETTE // BELSART // SICK GIRLS OFFICIAL // STRANGE-WAYS (1 – 2 – 3)

My personal favourite style of patches are either bold slogans (like the #MooiEnLiefbyTDP one – FREE with every order of socks!) or the selection from Strange-Ways… they’re simple yet bold and would look totally awesome with different aesthetics (that chill pill would look awesome on a plain sweatshirt). But I also absolutely love the more detailed versions (like the SPACE OUT patch from Etsy) because they’re so intricate and beautiful.

I have a real thing for intricate embroidery as you will probably already know *cough* Valentino *cough* so you can probably tell why I love these patches all so much. Also a lot of these sellers (especially on Etsy) do pin badges on their sites too which is pretty awesome… is it me or do tiny illustrations look way better than big ones sometimes?

Plus, it’s pretty awesome I kind of have my own “Dare to be Different” patch floating around, am I right? Every order peeps, every order!

What did you think of this little round-up? Do you know of any funky patch designers/shops? Definitely let me know in the comments! 

Happy Halloween! I’m not a major Halloween person but for the past three years now I’ve published a little Halloween themed photoshoot and even after having the worst internet, almost losing the camera with my lens on it (okay, I embarrassingly admit it was in the cupboard the whole time) and being distracted by fanfiction (why is it such a thing?!), I finally have this year’s little edit… it’s short and sweet but I hope you like it… 🎃👻💀

WHAT I WORE: Faux Fur Coat (Jumble Sale) // Floral Jumper (Peacocks)* // Necklace (Claires)* // Floral Headband (Claires)* // Make-up (Claire’s)* & (Mixture of brands)

After receiving an awesome package from the lovely people over at Claire’s, I knew that I had to use the absolutely gorgeous floral headband from their Halloween range. The first thought was to use it as part of some sort of ‘evil queen’ style look so that’s what I’ve tried to achieve. It’s not quite as exciting as my previous costumes (2013 + 2014) as I didn’t have quite as much time and I basically made it up as I went along but I think it works and it could be some really last minute inspiration for anyone heading off to parties!

I think I might actually remove the spiders from it and use it through out the whole autumn/winter period as the colours are so pretty; what do you think? In terms of the rest of the outfit and look, I went for my big faux fur coat to create the sort of ruffled/high collar that you often see in spooky costumes. It’s sort of a gothic vibe but with a touch of vampireness to it as I just randomly decided to smudge the ombre lip I’d created. Did it work? Who knows… let me know in the comments, yeah?

Happy Halloween once again! See you soon… 🎃👻💀

It’s been a while since the last Changing With The Seasons post, hasn’t it? I unfortunately had to skip out August’s summer outfit so I’m back at you with an autumn edition! This is actually the penultimate outfit in this series for 2015 as we covered winter back at the start of the year, so I hope you enjoy it! So, this is how to dress for autumn…

WHAT I WORE: Jacket (Jumble Sale) // High Neck Shift Dress (ASOS) // Blue Pleated Skirt (H&M) // Socks (Disney) // Wanderlust 101 Boots (Dr Martens)* // Ring (Jumble Sale)

I know this outfit is slightly cheeky again like the last one (you can read that CWTS here) as I have hidden the majority of the dress away, but I think it works. It’s an outfit that has enough sleekness to it that the casual jacket and fun touches from the Dr Martens make up for the lack of excitement in their own way. The colours all compliment each other really well in my opinion and it all starts with that dress.

I actually picked up this dress from ASOS for my Mooi en Lief by Tolly Dolly Posh lookbook (FREE with every order plus a FREE iron-on badge… heh) and now I’ve worn it like this, I’m obsessed. I even wore it the same day with some cosy stockings in the evening because it just look so bad ass. Also, doesn’t it look way more expensive than it is? I believe it was in the £25 price range so it’s doing a pretty good job…

Let’s talk about the jacket that’s taking up the majority of today’s post; I love it. I actually wear it a lot more in real life than on my blog so even if you only see it a couple of times… it gets a good amount of wearing. It was only €5 at a jumble sale and it looks awesome. My family call it my ‘Grandma jacket’ as my Grandma had a jacket in a very similar colour but I don’t mind because it’s just one of those weird but wonderful pieces that I can’t let go of.

Speaking of the jacket, it’s another appearance for my floral Dr Martens which compliment my outerwear rather well. The little patches on the sleeves just pick out the right colours in my boots meaning I can get away with the sudden burst of colour and print. Any excuse to wear Dr Martens, really…

~ STAY TUNED ON YOUTUBE ~

Now the thing is, I do have a CWTS YouTube video fully edited together but our WiFi is pretty darn awful, so it would currently take me over 6000 minutes to upload one, therefore I am leaving my link and putting in this picture to be replaced by a video in the very near future (hopefully). Fingers crossed on the ‘very near future’ part. I’ll let you know ASAP!

What do you think of this outfit? How would you have styled the skirt for autumn? Leave a comment below, letting me know! 🙂

So I decided for today I wanted to move away from my normal style of content and try something new. After watching Arcade Fire’s “Reflektor Tapes” film by Kahlil Joseph at the cinema, I came away quite inspired by the art that they produce. I’m no major fan, but after being introduced to the band by my brother, they have always intrigued me and the film definitely got me interested even more… (Images via Tumblr – Scroll for sources)

For me the part that inspires me the most is the whole aesthetic (of Reflektor). In an exclusive ‘after-credits interview’, Win Butler even stated that it was the first time that they really focused on the whole spectrum of a tour in terms of how it looked and in my opinion it looked pretty darn awesome. There’s something so inspiring to me when art is so in sync and so purposefully put together, but it still somehow shows a story with it’s different elements.

As I said in this post’s intro, this is a different sort of topic for me but it can definitely merge into fashion in terms of costume and set design, and actually, even the music itself. It’s probably quite a personal thing as I am a bit reluctant to shiny things (I wore holographic shoes to the cinema), but I just have to express my thoughts down in… typing?

One of my favourite elements of Reflektor is Arcade Fire’s “Mirror Man”, who actually was created by Gustav Troger who works with glass and mirror as his main material and I definitely want to look more into his work. I genuinely want to cover my Dr Martens in broken shards of mirror and become my own version of the ‘living sculpture’. And if you go into detail of the actual Reflektor album, you’ll soon understand it’s importance.

Have you seen the “Reflektor Tapes”? Are you a fan of Arcade Fire? Did you like this style of post? Let me know!

(Tumblr sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6)

Hello! *cough cough* No, that isn’t a way of adding a remark in here, it’s actually me coughing as I type. Unfortunately I’ve been under-the-weather the past few days with a cold so my blog has been a little bit behind! I’ve mainly spent my days tucked up in bed re-watching Community because seriously – #ANDAMOVIE? But now, I finally have a new post for you in the form of two new designs… enjoy!

~ EMBROIDERED JERSEY TWO-PIECE & TWISTED ROPE BELT ~~

My first ideas for these designs was to think about ‘letting go’ because I’ve been trying to do a lot of that recently. Sounds weird, huh? I mean like, letting go of TV shows because I tend to get rather hooked and letting go of little things that can get me all worried and stressed. So with that thought I realised that letting go isn’t all about being loose and free (you might be thinking of loose flowing fabrics?), it’s also got a lot to do with keeping things close. Hence, this rather tight fitting jersey two-piece.

On the contrast, the embroidery is inspired by the stars which I personally look to when trying to let go of all the little things (well I mean, you won’t catch me star gazing to try and forget Community…), because it reminds me how small we really are… ahhh. The rope signifies both holding things close, and the opposite, because within a moment of untying a knot, you can let things go.

~ STRUCTURED SCUBA DRESS WITH MIXED METAL (PLASTIC) SHARDS ~

It was when I was doing this, that I realised that the two designs actually match very well. I was creating this idea of the little pieces of life that don’t fit together when I realised that the idea in my head actually sort of looked a bit like space ‘rubbish’. All the satellites and debris floating around the earth… it worked with the stars. All the pieces that we as humans let go of without even really thinking about (I mean, NASA do of course but when was the last time you thought of space debris?).

The shards would be attached liberally in three different tones of metal (they’d be plastic but with a metallic coating); copper, silver and gold. It would be quite bulky and perhaps more of a show piece but I think the 3D effect and the layers and tones would make for a really interesting dress. I also love scuba for structure and it would definitely hold the plastic well.

What do you think of these quick fashion designs? Do they fit well with each other? Give me some feedback in the comments! I’d love to know 🙂

I should be back soon with another post, quite possibly a Changing With The Seasons, so stay tuned! I scanned in my final pieces for these designs so that’s why they’re a little different – what do you think? I quite like it. I’ll see you soon people! *cough cough*

Whilst reviewing and watching over London Fashion Week SS16, I realised that the industry has a lot to learn. I don’t mean in terms of design; I think that’s rather subjective and you can’t really say what’s wrong or right (more, I like that, I don’t like that). I mean more in terms of the actual selling of the shows; things like the atmosphere and the models. So when I watched the ASHISH SS16 show, I felt truly inspired. (Images via VOGUE.co.uk)

~ WATCH THE SS16 ASHISH SHOW ~

If you look at the majority of shows, they’re usually just standard presentations or catwalk displays. I’m not saying I’m uniterested because the clothes do most of the talking but there is just something lacking from it all. The main disappointment really is the whole model issue.

Seeing 30 or more white, slim and slender models walk down a catwalk in a line with blank faces and a ghostly walk, really does put you off sometimes. I often feel like you see the word ‘aesthetic’ thrown around when it comes to this topic but I don’t believe that is quite a good enough excuse. Okay if you want your model line-up to look like a symmetrical army it might work but where is the realism?

This is where I believe ASHISH get it spot on; they have fun with there shows and they make things look more alive in such an attractive way. I know that not all design houses would send their models down the catwalk on skateboards but why doesn’t anyone else really go for it?

I’m sure there are many examples of fun and diverse shows (in fact, I was watching Alexa Chung’s VOGUE series and Body Map was mentioned but that was back in the 80s) ASHISH just seems to stand out season after season.

Speaking of diverse shows; diversity plays a big role in the importance of ASHISH in the industry. Their model line-up is always diverse in terms of racial acceptance, and even genders with men and women strutting their stuff to be accepting of the unisex trend. It’s just SO refreshing and it really does just wake you up when you see it in action. You realise that what we are seeing in magazines or on the runways is just. not. enough.

I will be honest and say I’d love for ASHISH to go one step further next season and cast models of all different shapes and sizes to broaden the diversity, because that would be the cherry on top. But on the whole, I don’t see many other designers making such a big mark on the industry.

Plus, the SS16 show was incredible. It was collection full of such a beautiful mess that just shouted out loud “I DON’T CARE!”. It was a collection for anyone and everyone to express themselves in, which sums it all up really. That my friends, is why ASHISH play a big role in bringing diversity to fashion.

What are your thoughts on the topic? What do you think of ASHISH SS16? Let me know in the comments!

It’s that time of the year… the fashion month is coming to a close, all my thoughts are in my notebook and I’m ready for my big London Fashion Week SS16 review to be shared with the world! It’s a bit longer than usual mainly because I’ve really started to dig a little deeper into each collection rather than just say what I like about each piece. I hope you like it and to make things easier, I’ve added some handy links for you to skip to certain designers… enjoy! (All marvellous images are via VOGUE.co.uk)

Anya Hindmarch // Bora Aksu // Burberry Prorsum // Christopher Kane // Erdem // Fyodor Golan // Holly Fulton // House of Holland // JW Anderson // Mary Katrantzou // Molly Goddard // Paul Smith // Peter Pilotto // Topshop UNIQUE

~ ANYA HINDMARCH – RATING: 6/10 ~

Part of me wants to love this collection, but part of me is realising that novelties are simply just, novelties. Anya Hindmarch once again put the ordinary in luxury with logo covered handbags from familiar UK brands like John Lewis, Nationwide, Mothercare and Boots (Boots boots… get it?).

Of course it’s clever and it works well but do we really want to see another novelty collection of designer handbags? It’s a bit like Moschino’s latest ranges… it’s fun, quirky and it works well, but is it really enough? RATING: 6/10

~ BORA AKSU – RATING: 7.5/10 ~

I’d say for SS16, Bora Aksu took a slightly masculine, “equestrian” route. Although it still has it’s mainly feminine routes with neutral shades of soft flowing tulle. It’s almost so neutral it could be classed as failry bridal which works out well seeing as the other colours that are included are combined into floral prints and textures.

But then, as I mentioned, the more masculine themes of dressage come through (although I could be totally wrong), with tightly belted blazers and buttoned up blouses. Overall the collection is perfect for spring and summer but personally (and subjectively) I wasn’t overly as excited as previous seasons. RATING: 7/10

~ BURBERRY PRORSUM – RATING: 9/10 ~

Burberry are one classic brand full of heritage with an innovative plan. New ideas never seem to fail, whether that’s on the catwalk, or off. This rather dark SS16 collection was launched not only at LFW but also, on Snapchat.

If you know Burberry, you’ll know how they harness the online world so it’s really interesting to see. It’s also interesting to see how the collection that was broadcasted over Snapchat is the one that is rather wearable and versatile… you see? 💰

Full of intricate shapes and textures, biker jackets and rucksacks it’s definitely a seller. The use of mesh and tulle make up for the lack of summery colours for summery layering. It’s bound to be an SS16 favourite for everyone. RATING: 9/10

~ CHRISTOPHER KANE – RATING: 8/10 ~

Inspired by repair from old to new, Christopher’s Kane’s collection is another beauty. Full of colour amongst darkness, artistic looking shapes and details (inspired by sculptor John Chamberlain) and scraps of different fabrics; it’s a beautiful mess.

Neon brights to match the emerging SS15 trends, and a hint of tailoring. It’s artistic and it definitely has me hooked… just like any collection with a meaning does! RATING: 8/10

~ ERDEM – RATING: 8/10 ~

I often forget Erdem when it comes to talking about designers but I’m honestly always impressed. I’ve noticed a lot of monochrome for next summer and Erdem has impressed me the most. The collection is dark and mysterious… as if every girl (look/model) has a strong story to tell about how she got here.

Well, actually, we already know that… by boat (yup, I believe a boat was part of the dramatic performance). There was a softer side though, flowing tulle in pastels with soft floral embroidery scattered all over. It’s a beautiful collection and you can definitely admire it as artwork. RATING: 8/10

~ FYODOR GOLAN – RATING: 10/10 ~

The collection is expressive and fun and is a perfect fit for a “summer party girl” with bright neon shades throughout each look, shimmery metallics and fun daytime florals on transparent PVC. The classic digital style from Golan’s latest collections are still a key feature with robots hidden throughout.

It’s a great example of the “wearable art” trend that has been floating around, with a nod to the Great Wave of Kanagawa. It’s as if each looks is a different life form with such varying artistic visions… but somehow, it flows together beautifully. It’s as if each girl (look/model) is on the same mission, but they’re taking on the task in their own individual way. RATING: 10/10

~ HOLLY FULTON – RATING: 7.5/10 ~

This season brought familiarity with a twist from Holly Fulton. Full of classic Fulton features like applique and sleek shapes. It was slightly different though, with denim jackets and neon brights. It felt full of glamour but with a casual edge to it. It even had the slight familiar vibes of the 2015 seventies trend.

Apparently the collection was inspired by surrealist artists Eileen Agar, which makes sense. Surrealism after all is about the familiar… but a little bit off. RATING: 7.5/10

~ HOUSE OF HOLLAND – RATING: 7.5/10 ~

I know what you’re thinking… that’s not House of Holland/! But it is… depending on who you are, depends on whether you would put “sadly” before “But it is…”, so I’ll leave it for you to decided. The shapes are familiar, they’re laid-back and loose… nothing too extreme, but the dresses are free of cartoonish prints and neon brights… everything is slightly more mature and intricate.

I’m probably exaggerating a little because the fun is still there with the striped socks (hey, look who’s trendy?), mixed prints, faux fur and colourful bags. It’s as if House of Holland has started something new… perhaps a gradual transition? RATING: 7.5/10

~ JW ANDERSON – RATING: 7.5/10 ~

It’s interesting to know why designers do certain things especially when a set style has been noticed across other collections so when I read what Anderson looked into upon creating this collection, the answer of “survival” intrigued me. Tight knitted pieces (I think the figure hugging silhouette will be big for SS16) and overly padded suits that resemble army uniforms and armour are a key focus point.

Feminine pieces like ruffled tea dresses and even rather skimpy bras reflect the power of a woman on her own (sans armour etc). Each piece ammits a sense of power that translates to every kind of woman. It’s not the usual kind of collection that I’d be interested in but the meaning behind it draws me in, a bit like Christopher Kane. RATING: 7.5/10

~ MARY KATRANTZOU – RATING: 8/10 ~

For me SS16 at MK brought the “best bits”. It’s a simple and sleek selection of designs, all with features that are classic Katrantzou. My favourite pieces are of course the highly detailed and embellished party dresses. They feel familiar but in a more exciting way. Although I believe most of the detailing is fairly floral, it reminds me of far away galaxies with the shimmer and sparkle. It’s a perfect party collection and a great move for Mary Katrantzou. Plus, after reading up on why she’s shifted away from digitalised styles, it’s made me appreciate her work a lot more. RATING: 8/10

~ MOLLY GODDARD – RATING: 9/10 ~

After watching the latest episode of Alexa Chung’s VOGUE series, I had to include Molly’s collection. She seems so genuine and her success is no surprise. For her SS16 presentation, Molly opted for a sandwich factory theme (perhaps a nod to the fashion industry?) with her signature tulle dresses that I would die to own.

Among the tulle and bread crusts were tartan and ruffles in light and loving colours to suit the usual British summertime. Smock style midi dresses also featured among the intricate ruffles. It’s a perfect little range of perfect colours and shapes. I really would love to know about the sandwiches though… RATING: 9/10

~ PAUL SMITH – RATING: 8/10 ~

A rather 1980s inspired collection comes from the one and only Paul Smith. It’s a very simple collection as usual but that’s what I like to see. It’s wearable but it still looks interesting and eye-catching. It features 80s tailoring and bright block colours in satins and drapy dresses.

A print that I have noticed across several collections so far is floral pointillism. Small, intricate and dotty, it adds that note of interest and finer details that Smith is known for and it will of course be a big wearable hit. RATING: 8/10

~ PETER PILOTTO – RATING: 9/10 ~

I couldn’t quite pin down the inspiration behind this collection but for some reason I keep getting pulled back to the technical side of fashion. It’s as if the designer duo took what they knew and actually applied it to the physical designs… I could be totally wrong though.

It’s another collection with that sort of uniform/armour feeling to it. Strapped jackets and white stitching to highlight the making of darker simple pieces. Sporty like zip up tops that could have come from some sort of dystopian movie… it’s such a jumble as everything sticks to Pilotto’s feminine and signature style. I’ll call it a pastel fashion army for now. RATING: 9/10

~ TOPSHOP UNIQUE – RATING: 7/10 ~

If I were to review this from a very subjective, personal view, then I’d probably say I wasn’t that bothered… but stepping away from that I think it’s rather interesting. It still feels like a Topshop show, edgy and casual with those hi-low budget vibes but this season for me… it seems more like a designer show. It feels somewhat separate to the Topshop brand we all know and love, but in a fitting way.

I believe it’s probably the sharp tailoring that does it and the almost Valentino-esque numbers. The collection is obviously 80s inspired (a decade on from SS15) with broad shouldered pieces and big voluminous hair to match. Like I said, it’s not necessarily to my personal taste but I can definitely see it’s potential. RATING: 7/10

What did you think about the collections from London Fashion Week SS16? Let me know in the comments!