• HOME
  • Writing
  • Podcast
  • Testimonials
  • ABOUT ME & CONTACT
Menu

NICOLA GREENBROOK

Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number

Your Custom Text Here

NICOLA GREENBROOK

  • HOME
  • Writing
  • Podcast
  • Testimonials
  • ABOUT ME & CONTACT

Chanello

January 26, 2016 Nicola
CHA1467_426x639.jpg
_CHA0869_426x639

Ah, fashion. My great love. My escape from the quotidien.

You've been overlooked recently what with some terrific music opportunities and my attentions turned to whether full-belly or demi-belly maternity jeans are the most snug and offer maximum coverage - rather than what's exciting and progressive.

Temporarily neglected, perhaps, but never replaced. I still get the same giddy sense of excitement when I clap my eyes on some magnificent fashion. This time it was Karl Lagerfeld, and his Chanel Spring/Summer 2016 Couture show in Paris, that had my heart all a flutter.

Cara and her puppy Leo on the FROW, the new breed of supers in Gigi, Bella and Kendall-form and an entirely recyclable wooden eco-structure on the Grand Palais complete with manicured lawns and a lily pond were all good and well, and perfect Insta-fodder. But for me it's the clothes. Always the clothes.

The collection featured a muted and elegant palette of ivory, my absolute favourite colour taupe, mushroom and navy. There were dirndl skirts and a more voluminous take on the Chanel bouclé two-piece suit we all know and love (AND REALLY WANT BUT WILL NEVER HAVE) with a classic fitted jacket and over-sized elliptical sleeves. Models, including Edie Campbell and Lindsey Wixson, wore stunning dresses pared with billowing capes twinkling with rhinestones and some had sleeves embellished with feathered bees and applique petals.

_CHA0031_426x639 _CHA1089_426x639

For me, the show stopper was worn by Kendall Jenner, a floor-length sculptural black gown with elegant lace layers that showcased the shoulders.

_CHA0935_426x639

Accessories included wooden-soled wedges, a nod to the surrounding eco-structure, and hair beautifully rolled into a style that was, apparently, inspired by a Picasso sculpture. Makeup was dramatic with double liner in an elaborate shape.

_AG14875_426x639_AG14892_426x639 _AG15048_426x639 _AG15817_426x639

Glittering, enduring and classy.

A world away from maternity jeans, but comfort must prevail. For now...

In Fashion Tags Bella Hadid, Boucle, Chanel, Couture, Edie Campbell, Gigi Hadid, Glitter, Karl Lagerfeld, Kendall Jenner, Lindsey Wixon, Spring/Summer 2016, Suit, Taupe
3 Comments

Coachella - Early festival fashion forecast

May 25, 2014 Nicola
coachella-street-style-11.jpg
The desert dust may have settled, but with UK festival season warming up nicely on the sidelines … I still have Coachella on my mind

Sienna-Miller-and-model-Poppy-Delevingne-3407865

Coachella, the Valley Music and Arts festival held annually in the Colorado desert, informs my festival fashion choices.

Paying close attention to what the cool girls and boys are wearing at Coachella is the equivalent of an early fashion forecast - the heads up for what's on the style horizon, something to chew over for a few weeks and inspiration for your own custom-built festival wardrobe.

Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival is first up on my summer festival programme. Described by The Guardian as 'the British jazz world’s Glastonbury', Love Supreme combines a class jazz, funk, soul, fusion and blues bill with a modern, green field boutique experience and top class DJs. This year's line up includes De La Soul, Gregory Porter, Soul II Soul and Incognito and if last year's inaugural festival is anything to go by then my confident prediction is that it will be epic. Cannot. Wait.

Festivals have many awesome components. Essentially, amazing live music you can dance to without abandon, singing in cheery unison with the crowd. Cold beer and cider in plastic cups that goes down just a little too easily. Quite good food, especially with veggie and street food options. Mates you know and love and new weekend mates you make.

For me, without question though, Festivals are about FASHION. A fantastic platform to express yourself and experiment with new looks - after all, it's a festival, not work, and you have sartorial free rein. For the past few years I have meticulously researched, planned and plotted my festival outfits, accessories and makeup weeks in advance. Sometimes, it's worked. Other times, I've looked like a plonker and I'll spare you the photos. But, it's intrinsic and I take influence from a variety of sources: Kate Moss, Stevie Nicks, Grace Potter, Kate Bosworth and Solange to name a few.

Here's what I learnt from Coachella this year...

 1. Denim cut offs and white look good together, especially with a print belt. Probably best for the beginning of the day though, and take a stylish layer for warmth and spillage-cover up later on when the sun goes down. We do not live in the desert and we'll have a beer rather than a water, thanks.

Emma Roberts at the Lacoste Beautiful Desert Pool Party

Plain Light Polo Top by Lacoste - £90.00

Slouchy Shorts Authentic California Mid by 7 For All Mankind - £140.00

2. Any type of scuffed boot - be it Cowboy or Chunky Lace Up - is great and guaranteed mud / water / stamped-on-foot proof. However, utilitarian practical flats, chunky 'fuglies' and sliders have emerged as a covetable alternative. If it's good enough for my other favourite Kate then I'm willing to give it a try.

Kate Bosworth at Coachella 2014

Hydrate Two Part Pool Sliders by Topshop - £22.00

3. Tartan is not going anywhere soon and Jared Leto wears it well, casually pared with ombre hair and clash-print trousers. Gingham is summer's alternative to tartan and looks particularly good in sugary shades of lilac and pink or vibrant red. A roughed up battered leather jacket and boots will help it avoid looking too saccharine or that you're off to see the wizard.

Jared Leto at Coachella 2014

Louce Marge Gingham Skirt  - JOY, £45.00

Mini Slip Cami Dress in Pink Gingham by Motel - £35.00

4. 90s-cool is showing no signs of abating which is music to my ears. Chokers and vintage T-shirts make interesting additions to your festival wardrobe. See Francis Bean looking effortlessly cool circa 1993.

Francis Bean at Coachella, 2014

90s Woven Chocker by Stinnys -  From £3.00

5. Fringed leather whether in jacket or bag form looks great with shorts, dresses and bared legs. Reference: Poppy Delevingne at her envy-inducing hen do at Coachella (oh to be part of the #Popchella crew) or my favourite Kate in her Kate Moss x Topshop version.

Poppy Delevingne - Coachella 2014

Tassel Biker Jacket by Superdry - £199.00

kate-moss-for-topshop-spring-summer-2014-campaign-3-vogue-8april14-pr

6. Coordinated top and bottom sets provide a great alternative to the trusted festival dress or playsuit. It is a look I have coveted for months and is fun and stylish. What Would Beyonce Do? She'd wear a matching top and bottom set from Topshop Boutique, of course.

Harley Viera-Newton at the Superdry Coachella Brunch

Beyonce at Coachella 2014

Top by Libertine

Skirt by Libertine Libertine

7. Let your inner tomboy loose in understated sports chic. Possibly my favourite look to emerge from this year's Coachella and channelled effortlessly by Zoe Kravitz. It looks chic, understated and insouciant. You: 'oh, this old thing?' Reality: spending hours deciding exactly which shade, length and fit of tank dress will work with those boots. They'll never know.

Zoe Kravitz at Coachella 2014

LAIE Dress from Second Female - £60.00

Grey Sleeveless Dress from & Other Stories - £29.00

House of Malakai Baseball Cap from Far Fetch - £188.87

8. Kimono coats made an appearance. Floaty, fringed and printed they look great with denim or clashed with a print. Helpfully, they can be squished into a bag and popped on later when it gets a bit nippy. I'm still partial to a slogan sweatshirt but may just dabble on one of the festival nights to mix things up a bit.

Kendall Jenner at Coachella 2014

White Oriental Bird Print Fringed Kimono by River Island - £40.00

9. White lace looks pretty lovely, and accessorised with simple jewellery is uncomplicated but still striking. Same rules apply, keep it interesting with sliders (see 2), leather (see 5.) and plenty of jewellery.

Jamie Chung at GUESS Hotel Party at the Viceroy, Palm Springs

Two-Piece Lace Dress by Front Row Shop - £37.00

10. Never ever underestimate the power of a great dress. Especially one with an unusual print, that covers you up tastefully but still makes heads turn. Vintage is always a winner as there's less chance of outfit clash.

Photo by Annie Powers - Style.com

Vintage Leaf Print Tropical Midi Dress by Peekaboo - £50.00

So, ladies, the fashion forecast is looking very fine indeed at this stage.

Coachella provides a great source of inspiration, a covetable look-book and a chance to see what the cool Californians are wearing. Now it's time to turn what you've seen on its head...English-style.

Good luck with your research.

Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival takes place from 4-6 July 2014 at Glynde Place in Sussex.

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Reference: Coachella Street Style - Style.com
In Fashion, Music Tags Beyonce, Blues, Chic, Coachella, Fashion, Festival, Festival Fashion, funk, jazz, Jazz FM, Kate Bosworth, Kendall Jenner, Love Supreme, soul, Style, vintage
1 Comment