AV Robertson for ASOS BLACK, and what I really want for Christmas.

December 6, 2015 Nicola

Anyone stuck for what to buy me for Crimbo? In need of help / a gentle nudge?

OK, I'd really like this dress please. It is A V Robertson for ASOS BLACK and simply glancing at it makes me feel happy. Will you just look at that craftwomanship? It is luminous.

The dress is the creation of Amie Victoria Robertson, a 2014 Central Saint Martins graduate who bases herself in London town and specialises in iridescent embroidered womenswear and bold, beautiful accessories. With an internship CV to shout about (Christian Dior Couture and Alexander Wang anyone?), and a stint at Marc Jacobs in New York and Paris as a Design Assistant, the experience has clearly stood her in good stead. Her debut collection, created in homage of the great British Summer, combined oversized black polo necks with cut-out sections and beautifully hand-crafted opalescent flowers with Swarovski crystals and pearls - and caught the attention of Vogue no less.

I saw it first in LOOK Magazine, where a model stood like a beautiful glamazonian against a backdrop of neon (God's Own Junkyard, just round the corner from my gaff). The royal blue colour is striking, I love the thickness of the woven fabric and a bit of futuristic shine and metallic is always good for the season that was made to sparkle. The 3D floral embellishment makes the price tag worthwhile and the loose fit, although appearing to fall loosely over the body, is given a slick and dressy look with applique.

The dress is part of a clothing and accessories selection for A V Robertson for ASOS BLACK, based on her graduate collection, and was launched in early November just in time for Christmas. It features her signature 3D embellishment, tunics and A-line miniskirts and prices start at £85.

So, A V Robertson for ASOS BLACK V-Neck Mini Shift Dress with Embellished Detail, all I want for Christmas is you.

Seasons Greetings.

AV ROBERTSON

AV ROBERTSON FOR ASOS BLACK

A girl from a little town called Twin Peaks and a fabulous dress

September 9, 2014 Nicola

When I was growing up I wanted to be Laura Palmer. (If she was real of course. Please give my visionary, teenaged self some credit).

Even those who aren't Twin Peaks lovers will know this was a somewhat distorted ambition. Laura was, on the surface, a beautiful, popular high school student from a Pacific Northwest logging town. An only child seemingly adored by her parents, saccharine home-coming queen and selfless volunteer for the elderly. Yet lying nebulously beneath the golden-blonde veneer Laura was crazy wild, self-destructive and manipulative with a serious cocaine habit and well, let's just say a bit of a one. She did things that would turn anyone's hair white let alone her father's; just read her secret diary where any illusions of purity are brilliantly shattered. (No honestly do, it's eye-popping).

None of this was her fault of course, what with a possessed father and the weird and wonderful world that she and the other 51,201 residents (both existent and supernatural) inhabited. Despite this, Laura was smart and enigmatic with glossy 1950s pin-up looks and I imagined slipping into a kilt and soft cashmere jumper and mesmerizing just about everyone as she did in that mixed up little town.

So any homage to Twin Peaks' tragic heroine piques my curiosity (Hi, Laura Palmer by Bastille). This includes my new favourite thing - the 'Laura Palmer's Theme' Dress.

It is designed by the very talented Maria Soromenho, who first came to my attention back in 2013 with her first capsule collection and I have been following her with a fashion-hungry appetite ever since.

Gorgeously vampy and handmade with incredible attention to detail, the 'Laura Palmer’s Theme' Dress is the perfect statement piece. Ostensibly, from the back it is a sophisticated and classy little black dress; something good Laura might wear to the Double R Diner to meet James Hurley for a coffee or two.

Yet just like Laura herself, it can metamorphose with a turn of the body and swoosh of the hair. From the front its raw design is tough and punky with a strip of fierce black leather tassels that command your attention. This is very bad Laura, drinking at the Bang Bang Bar or running maniacally into night through the dark woods.

I absolutely love this dress. I would wear it with a bashed up pair of Chloé buckled leather ankle boots, an edgy cuff from & Other Stories and fiery MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo. The sounds of Angelo Badalamenti's ingenious compositions would be my inner soundtrack.

Of course, I need to wait for the right place to showcase this beauty and the Twin Peaks UK Festival sounds like a great place to start. With a number of devotees to the TV cult classic in attendance the dress is sure to be appreciated by the Peakies, who would note the similarities with the chic black dress and blood-red lipstick worn by Laura in the Black Lodge.

Thank you Maria, you have created the perfect homage to Laura - beautiful, tough and intricate and a visual reminder that sometimes appearances are not what they seem...

Maria Soromenho Tumblr

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Twin Peaks UK Festival

You can purchase the Laura Palmer's Theme Dress from Kuji Shop

Off to the Races!

March 3, 2014 Nicola

Cheltenham Ladies Day Challenge

I have been invited to take part in the Cheltenham Ladies Day Social Voting Campaign via Ladbrokes and need your help!

I have been pitted against other fashion bloggers to put together the ultimate race-day outfit to wear to this year's Ladies Day at Cheltenham Festival on 12 March 2014. My challenge was to put together the perfect attire for this very special occasion and see if I could beat the strong competition.

I am up for the challenge.

CHELTENHAM

Off to the races! The Cheltenham Festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Race Course in Gloucestershire. Ladies Day is an opportunity to enjoy all of the exciting action on the course and wear a fantastic outfit. There is no dress code at Cheltenham but as March climates can be unpredictable, guests are advised to dress accordingly and with the weather in mind. This is quintessentially, brilliantly British - but us British women know that this is never an excuse not to have high fashion in mind. We laugh in the face of the weather.

THE LOOK

I wanted my look to be less traditional and more contemporary; to really project my appreciation and love of fashion. I wanted to keep it stylish and nail the new season look with a nod to the Spring / Summer 2014 trends with sartorial success in mind.

THE INFLUENCE

Primary colours and florals are exciting Spring / Summer 2014 trends. The bold shades of red and blue on the Peter Pilotto Red Floral / Check Print Dress are far too fun to ignore and with a splash of black thrown into the mix, as seen at Fendi, Prada and Céline, brights are more pared back. Florals are super-sized, bold and in bloom. The white belt is a nod to the understated Sports Luxe look.

Delicious candy colours are showing no signs of fading. A pop of candy pink on shoes and coat keeps it playful but chic - and who says clashing red and pink is wrong. The subtle fascinator hat? You simply cannot be at Cheltenham without a hat.

THE COMPONENTS

From left to right

1. Pink Coat by Zara

An oversized coat is a bloggers favourite and still going strong for Spring / Summer (and this is England, so a coat is a must in chilly March).

2. Rivington Shiny Croc Pouch by Whistles

A place to keep all your Cheltenham essentials in on-trend reptile effect leather.

3. Belted Dress - Red Floral / Check Print by Peter Pilotto for Target

Adored for its signature otherworldly prints and sculptural shapes, Peter Pilotto's beautiful designs are walking works of art. This is a perfect print from the hotly anticipated and limited-time only designer collection for Target.

4. Vintage Ring from Gigi's Dressing Room

All of my outfits usually include some form of vintage item. Gigi's Dressing Room in Wood Street Market, Walthamstow, London, E17 is a treasure trove of beautiful vintage clothes and jewellery.

5. Fine Mesh Fascinator by Whiteley for John Lewis

Made from two layers of fine, ivory mesh and trimmed with luxurious feathers, this is the perfect finishing touch to the all important Ladies Day Outfit.

6. Ariel Shoe from Coast

From Coast's new range of affordable, stylish footwear. The colours are classic but the stiletto heel and double strap ankle makes a sophisticated and fierce statement.

7. Charm Bracelet by Thomas Sabo

A classic charm in stylish black keeps jewellery minimal and stylish.

8. Black necklace from South of the River, Crystal Palace, London, SE19

The detail on the necklace really stands out against the bright floral print without overpowering the overall look.

9. Brass Bangles Set in Gold by & Other Stories

In my opinion, & Other Stories the coolest place for jewellery on the high street.

BEAUTY

Less is more when it comes to easy every day glamour. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation helps to achieve a clean base and Benefit's World Famous Neutrals and Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner keeps eyes simple but impactful, finished off with Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir. Lips and Nails stand out - Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Rebelle keeps lips hydrated but bold and nails painted with Chanel Le Vernis in Rouge Noir completes the look dramatically. Subtle sheen is provided by Benefit - High Beam on cheeks and Bathina body balm for a silky, glimmering effect.

VOTING

THE VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED ON THIS COMPETITION.

RACING

My dear Dad has been a dedicated race goer for many years, attending national and international meets and sometimes taking his family with him. If I win, it will make my Dad very happy indeed, so please vote. If I don't, he will still be happy as I am standing on a racecourse, with authentic binoculars and wearing a hat.