Monki-ing Around

The other weekend. There I was, happily pootling about, catching up on the new Alabama Shakes album and returning a gigantic pile of clean washing to its rightful wardrobe when a startling realisation hit me mid-hang.

Someone's nicked all my plain clothes and replaced them with a great big jumble of print and colour!

That someone being me of course. Bar a sprinkling of denim, a smattering of faux leather, generally speaking my wardrobe is a riot of print, deck chair stripes and elaborate designs. When I'm searching in haste for day-job-appropriate or in need of a basic top to fling on with a jazzy skirt, pronto, I'm clutching the closet doors and shaking my head in puzzlement. I'm battling through a cacophony of colour. I'm looking for a plain white tee that's not there.

It's entirely my fault. I'm a sucker for a bold, beautiful print and a lover of vintage patterns and blooming floral bouquets. Often I get the urge to make like the experimental street styling girls and work a print clash with swagger - but bottle it at the front door because (a) I'm a great big scaredy cat and (b) there's a fine line between chic and clown.

All that confessed, I greatly admire women who sail through life in a minimal grey Sandro tee. Those clever girls who purposefully build capsule wardrobes based on stripped back white, navy and black separates from Cos. That use nothing more than a colour pop accessory, a killer heel, or a citrus clutch to make a sensational impact.

A recent Stylist magazine offered some welcome advice in their New-Season Update. 'Stock up on crew necks to wear with wide-leg trousers or a suede skirt', they recommended, and I nodded to myself and thought, yes. Yes you're right. It's time to get minimal. I shall take your advice (and ignore the vibrant trouser from Stella McCartney leaping off the page. Which to be fair at £485 a pop wasn't too difficult). I will cleanse my colour palette with a slouchy tee or two. I'll chuck on a taupe coat in a nonchalant manner. Hell, I'll condense all my stuff into a navy backpack if that's what it takes! This is the year I become MINIMAL and unembellished.

Then cheeky Monki reopened on Canarby Street after a refurb and all thoughts of minimalism went out the window. 

My eye was turned once again by a flirty print. I fell in love with Swedish womenswear brand Monki a couple of years ago. They've been in London for three years now and Monki is the cheeky sibling in a family of other cool brands including two of my high street faves, Cos and & Other Stories and the formidable Cheap Monday.

The products are excellently priced and unique and fresh. Monki doesn't take itself seriously but maintains credibility with forward thinking yet wearable fashion. It's a festival chicks haven, but working girls will succeed too with perseverance; trousers and shirts offer Scandanavian minimalism with edge. Smart with a cheeky wink.

Monki runs the gamut from clothes, underwear and accessories and all in a rainbow of colours. The newly added denim area brings fresh blue ideas in dungaree, jeans, jumpsuit and dress form. The sunnies come in 25 different designs so I hear - from classic wayfarers to kooky cats' eyes - so if you're feeling gluttonous you can knock yourself out and get a few.

Monki is one of the shops where, on arrival, I roll up my sleeves, inhale a deep breath and take my time to scour every.single.item thus ensuring no potential gems are overlooked. Don't take it personally, but I quite like going on my own. Absorbing the colours and styles that whizz past my eyes, slowly gathering a load on my weighed-down arm to take into the changing rooms and secure in the comfort that anything I buy won't shatter my bank account to smithereens.

One of my favourite dresses ever is from Monki - a long-sleeved patterned creation that accompanied me to Latitude Festival in 2014. It proved versatile for the roasting hot/freezing cold combo that England loves to chuck at us all in one day thus making it REALLY EASY TO DRESS FOR (NOT). I found it also went well with glitter and beer and withheld some tipsy dancing in fairy light illuminated woods and being bashed into while hanging out of the overspilling comedy tent.

My most recent Monki haul included the Rinda Shirt, the Beata Blouse and the eye-catching Moa Shirt Dress.

So, on reflection, maybe it's not so bad to be a bit barmy in print. Putting the smile back into fashion with something a bit more flamboyant.

Let this brilliant brand be your sartorial guide, and have some fun along the way. Maybe you'll also find yourself bewitched by some Monki magic...

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*Oh, Monki does plain stuff too. It's terrific.

Dressed up in all your finery

As the years roll by and I ricochet towards my, ahem, more advanced 30s, it is time to face facts that some high street shops just aren't age-appropriate.

Don't get me wrong, and to use the first example that springs to mind, Topshop will always hold a dear place in my heart. I still get a little giddy when I descend the escalators at the flagship store in Oxford-Circus-hell and mildly panic at all the goods ripe for the picking, but, Kendall Jenner I am not and in my early twenties I no longer am.

More recently I find my eye drawn to a beautiful top and then on closer inspection release it is smaller than my bag. Skirts have been discarded on sight because I know the slightest movement will cause bum-cheek exposure, and quite frankly no one needs to see that. You'll find me instead poking about downstairs in the concessions area (Oh My Love is a fav), drooling over the Topshop Boutique delectables, or perusing my most favourite section, Topshop Edited. Here, it's calmer and a provides a haven from the baying O-Street crowds and I feel at home here. There's wearable colours (oh, hi navy) that don't scrimp on style, STATEMENT PIECES (my wardrobe loves a statement piece, I'll tell you) and specially selected items that offer something a little bit more subversive.

However, despite my age and reservations about neon laser-cut crop tops, I am not ready to be carted off to some of the more 'sedate' high street shops. I won't name names as that's a little bit mean and I'm very much a champion of the British high street; but they are the kind of places where they generally cater for professional women in their 30's-50's, the price tag is extortionate but the goods leave a lot to be desired in the style stakes if you catch my drift.

Therefore, this can create a bit of a problem when you need (want) a wardrobe overhaul, fancy a treat, have blown your Net-a-Porter budget on christ knows what as there sure as hell is nothing to show for it but you realise there's nowhere really to go. At times I feel I'm stuck in fashion no-woman's land.

Then The Finery London was brought to my attention and my fashion dilemmas were answered. Hallelujah.

Any label founded by a team of former Topshop and ASOS big players was always going to be a winning fashion formula, but the pieces I have seen so far are even better than I imagined would come from such a style-fusion.

Described as 'luxurious, concept-driven design at a genuinely affordable price point' and 'a combination of contemporary-modern with a more vintage, feminine feel' by Brand Director Caren Dowie, the designs are utterly covetable and the look feels grown up and chic without a whiff or dowdiness, swagger not stuffiness; up there with my other high street favourites COS and & Other Stories in terms of affordable, sophisti-cool fashion. Pieces that have the 'forever' feel rather than fair weather trends that come and go.

The debut collection presents some lovely pieces; the Hemming Satin Trapeze Dress in dusty pink satin, the Sumner Striped Shirt with in a semi-sheer fabric provides a subtle but classy 'reveal and conceal' look, proving that sensual doesn't always have to mean flashy.

Emilia Wickstead recently said she loves women to dress where 'sex appeal can come from wearing something fitted without showing off so much skin' and as someone who has always remained firmly in the 'boobs or legs, never both' camp, The Finery London does sexy in classy way. A kind of I'm-in-my-30s-and-fabulous way.

So far, I've ordered the Capella Funnel Neck Tee in Ivory and the Corruna High Waisted Trousers in Pink and I await their arrival with an excited anticipation.

I fell in love with the Knox Camofleur Print Cami Dress at first sight, but alas, someone else in my size must have got their greedy mitts on it and they've run out. I emailed The Finery London Care Team to enquire when it would be in again, and I was super impressed when I got a reply (at 1.43 am no less, they must be shattered) to say it will be in stock again towards the end of the month. Hurry up the end of the month, I have a party to go to.

So, ladies (all the ladies) of a certain age who love great fashion and aren't ready to pack it all in just yet, but don't want to flash your bum cheeks, you'll do worse than heading to The Finery London.

I can't wait to be age-appropriate in my new finery.

Finery London's pop-up store at 35 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials

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Go forth and Wang

Another day, another dollar, another H&M collaboration with a top-class designer for me to get in a tizz about.

This time it's the prestigious Alexander Wang x H&M limited-edition collection which is available to purchase from tomorrow, Thursday 6 November 2014 and marks the 10th anniversary of H&M's designer collaborations with a big stylish bang.

It will undoubtedly be a complete sell-out. I have already resigned myself to the fact that I have no hope of bagging any wares from Alexander Wang's collection, despite my recent success in securing Kate Moss x Top Shop and Peter Pilotto at Target. I should be brimming with confidence and new-found esteem, but alas I fear I will be out-Wanged, left only with a singular boxing glove. Which is a bit daft.

After all, the collection has had a ton of the requisite publicity (Joan Smalls, Natasha Poly and Andy Carroll of West Ham fame in the promotional film!) and was recently launched at the Armory on the Hudson River with a FROW of stars, the Stadium covered with black glitter and an athletics track (on which Wang did a lap of honour. Major!).

Mostly, because it's bloody good and I really, really like it. I am a huge cheerleader for the sports-luxe trend - give me a mesh panel, over-sized sweatshirt and leather joggers any day - and Wang's sporty aesthetic is stylish and wearable. The logos are subtle and not in your face and the monochrome and grey colour palette is grown up and not too shouty.

Unless a miracle happens and, in the only spare time I have available between 9.00 am and 9.03 am tomorrow, I luck out in cyber space and nab something brilliant, woefully I'm sitting out of this one. If anyone happens to be up at 5.30 am in a queue somewhere in the UK or if anyone in fashion authority has heard my pleas, I would really love the Perforated Pattern Dress, £79.99 please. It is striking and I would pair it with an oversized jacket, Acne Studio's Loma Metallic Chrome Boots or in keeping with the sporty vibe, the Men's Parka with a down gilet as coolly worn by @nataliehartleywears in this month's Glamour Magazine.

So, good luck.

 Go forth and Wang.

Alexander Wang x H&M

Styling the invaluable

When it comes to beautiful jewellery, I am hooked.

The inimitable Coco Chanel once said (in words that have been rephrased over and over), 'Once you've dressed, and before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off'. Ha! Coco, you are a genius but I laugh right in the face of that statement, peek in the mirror and add one more piece for good luck.

My jewellery style is varied and can change with the wind; depending on how I'm feeling, what I'm wearing and what's influenced me that day. Sometimes it's all over-sized, plump beads in vivid colours, bold lapis lazuli rings and a mass of silver embellished bracelets piled high - influenced by my travels across South America and Australasia and my never diminishing wanderlust. Often I'm in the mood for something a bit more minimal and understated - delicate gold chains adorned with stars draped elegantly across the décolletage, slender gold rings worn on each finger and teeny ear studs, letting the clothes do all the talking. Every so often only Rose Gold will do.

I'm always on the lookout for an alternative way to add some beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces to my collection or, at the very least, seek some fashion inspiration and practice my styling skills. After poking around online for a bit the other day I discovered invaluable.com and in particular the rings collection. Every piece is undoubtedly beautiful and desirable, but something just clicked into place when I saw this beautiful ring, nestled in the Gemstone Rings section. I knew exactly what I would wear it with and the components of my dream look quickly assembled in my head one morning on the way to work; I knew exactly what to style it with.

With one of the most beautiful dresses ever of course.

This Autumn / Winter 2014 is all about artistic, floral prints reflecting the modern art movement and breathing life into wardrobes everywhere. The beautiful violet shade of the Amethyst with Diamonds ring complements the stunning muted tones of the dress but with its unusual pear shape it is by no means dull. This is the dress that I would wear in my own personal style dreams. I love brave, bold prints and there is something quintessentially 'London' about this dress. Its languid light-weight silk fabric, tie detail and button closure at the deep V neck is juxtaposed with the sexy thigh-high split and sheer sleeves.

I love how the brilliant Alexa Chung has added her own signature cool to it, wearing this to a party in London in August 2014. Now THIS is how I would love to make an entrance to a party, swishing and swirling, feeling light as air, with a dazzling ring as the centrepiece.

This is how I would style the Lady's Fancy Pear Shape Amethyst with Diamonds Sterling Silver Ring:

From left to right

(1) Go bold and wear Sophia Webster's Simi Ankle Boots  with pastel lilac binding 

(2) Add a shock of midnight blue with Queen Heeled Pumps in Ink Suede by Stuart Weitzman 

(3) Compliment the stunning muted tones of the dress with Lucy Choi London's Madeline leather pumps in Lilac 

(4) The dress. Floral Print Layered Silk Smock Dress by Burberry 

(5) With hints of his signature cool, choose the Safety Buckle Leather Shoulder Bag in Grey from Christopher Kane's first collection

(6) Sheepskin has enjoyed a cool resurrection this season. Be brave and add a pop of bright blue with the Fendi Be Baguette Mini Shearing Bag in Teal

(7) Alexa Chung looking sensational at Nick Grimshaw's party in August 2014.

(8) Lady's Fancy Pear Shape Amethyst with Diamonds Sterling Silver Ring from invaluable.com

(9) MAC Lipstick in Sin

(10) Makeup as seen at Kenzo Autumn / Winter 2014

(11) Cosmic textures will pair beautifully with the amethyst ring. Add your own take on metallic with Smashbox Pallette in Smokebox and (12) Max Factor Shock Effects Eyeshadow in Pink Opal to off set the black-cherry lips.

This is the sophisticated but sexy dress of my dreams with a precious, invaluable ring to accompany it.

Without fashion dreams, what is there?

Invaluable is the world's largest online auction marketplace, and everyday brings a new variety of fine and decorative arts, antiques, and jewellery pieces, giving collectors unprecedented access to the items they are most passionate about. Invaluable’s live online bidding platform allows collectors to bid in real-time on auctions held around the world. 

http://www.invaluable.com

http://www.invaluable.co.uk

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Simone Rocha

There are a ton of fashion designers I admire from afar, keeping up to speed with their latest collections, style forecasts and general élan through the medium of magazines, Twitter and savvy bloggers.

For me, Simone Rocha is definitely up there with the best of them.

Admiration from afar, of course, as sadly her collections are a galaxy away from my tightly managed Fashion budget (from which funds are currently being used for Moving Into New Gaff and Being a Grown Up budget).

The AW14-15 Ruffled stretch-scuba Straight-leg Pants are beautiful (oh go on then, throw in the matching top and you've got a deal) but at £925 a pop, that means missing mortgage payment, goodbye food, no duly paid tax to Waltham Forest Council, no Netflix. No nothing.

Frivolous me says, 'Pah, go for it! What are you worried about? HSBC will definitely be sympathetic if you miss one payment and I bet they don't reeeaaally mean it when they say 'Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage'. Besides, you'll look fancy and will stay completely dry in water'.

Realistic me says, 'Oh, get over yourself. Get yourself down to COS where you belong. Besides you're always hungry and you're part way through Season 2 of Orange is the New Black and will therefore be bereft if you chuck in Netflix'.

See, it's always a conflict. So for now it's back to wistfully perusing vogue.co.uk and scrutinising simone.rocha.com to get my Rocha fix. I have been curious about the designer for a few years now and a certified Rocha fan girl since her SS13 show at London Fashion Week where she showcased one of the strongest trends - great big splashes of punchy neon in yellow and pink.

Her designs have stayed firmly on my wish list ever since and even more so in September 2013, when Cara Delevingne popped from the pages of British Vogue in the Pink Lady feature. Captured by Walter Pfeiffer in a variety of blush toned pieces, Francesca Burns wrapped Cara in Rocha's bubble gum Candy Mesh Coat from the AW13-14 collection which I lusted over all season (and settled begrudgingly for the Zara imitation). Lovely all the same, but no Rocha.

So who is Simone Rocha? Born in Dublin in 1986 to the hugely successful designer John Rocha CBE and his wife Odette, style was always going to be in her DNA. She graduated with a BA in Fashion from The National College of Art and Design in Dublin and then in 2010 from the acclaimed Fashion MA course at Central Saint Martin's College in London. She showed her MA collection as part of the CSMC show at London Fashion Week in February 2010, showcasing her SS and AW11 collections with Fashion East. Further achievements soon racked up with the presentation of her SS12 collection as a solo catwalk show at London Fashion Week in September 2011. Her AW and SS13 collections were shown at Somerset House during London Fashion Week to critical acclaim and she won the 'Emerging Talent Award - Womenswear' at the British Fashion Awards in 2013.

In the past, her signature look has included mannish, oversized tailoring and crochet and lace and she is synonymous with brogues that receive her unique treatment. I love the youthful, feminine yet tomboyish allure of her designs that have a definite edge; there's nothing saccharine about her sweetness. Her AW14-15 collection had an Elizabethan influence with ample proportions and contrasting fabrics, and showcased a fresh, cool aesthetic with her own specially developed house tartan.

Oh to swan about in Simone. How fierce it would be to rock a Rocha. Clad top to toe in Simone Rocha is the woman I wish to be; coolly serene, keeping it firmly together in minimal masterpieces with sharpness and interest. Rocha's designer's profile on the London Fashion Week 2014 website cites the ideal client as 'A woman who wants to wear beautiful things.” That's me, Simone, that's me!

OK, so I'm not there yet; I realise the Simone Rocha woman would not have hastily superglued together the broken strap of her Top Shop Chunky Platform Sandals before scooting madly out the door for work, only to hear the ping of the strap a mere two minutes later as they fell apart with a too-enthusiastic power walk to the station. The Simone Rocha woman certainly would not have continued to wear them all through the working day and then dancing into the boozy Shoreditch night, walking with a noticeable limp and removing a lot of skin from their ankle in the process. No way.

The Simone Rocha woman would have popped on some gold metallic textured-leather brogues or chain-embellished calf hair point-toe flats and cast those broken sandals aside with aplomb.

There's clearly work to do. For now, Simone remains an impasse for me; no progress can be made in this matter as quite frankly there ain't nothing going on but the mortgage. Besides, I have radiator valves to fork out for. Yep, that's right. Radiator. Valves.

So instead, I will keep admiring. I will keep poring over the photos and clucking with admiration at the S/S15 collection described by Vogue as 'fashion poetry' with its nude mesh, bodices with fluff and red flowers (fluff!) and translating the Rocha look into something a bit more accessible for the time being.

Because I absolutely adore fashion.

Because it makes me very, very  content to do so.

  References:

1. 22 March 2010 – www.independent.co.uk – Daddy's Girl: Simone Rocha
2. London Fashion Week 2014 - Designer's Profile
3. Vogue.co.uk - Simone Rocha

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UK Stockists

Browns Focus Dover Street Market Net-A-Porter Selfridges

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

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

Goodbye Company Magazine (and farewell style and substance)

Bad news reached me via social media last week - Company Magazine will be ending its print run in October 2014.

Admittedly, placed alongside the world's global atrocities this newsflash pales in comparison; but I'm still sad and in a bit of a panic.

First up, the sad bit.  It's fair to say I am a total fashion magazine freak. There is inadequate room for my magazine collection in my current lodgings. They spill out of boxes and lean defiantly against anything unyielding and upright, creating a Domino Rally effect around the room if accidentally knocked into - and that's just the fashion weeklies. Don't even get me started on the fashion monthlies; my husband stubbed his toe on my 2014 Vogue back catalogue the other day and his language was neither elegant nor tasteful as befits the content. I am seriously considering investing in extra storage in my new gaff to accommodate my dirty habit.

Please don't think I'm strange or put me forward as subject matter for Britain's Biggest Hoarders. You see, magazines provide me with a trickling stream of fashion-inspo, useful knowledge and cultural fodder to feed my inquisitive mind. My wonky right shoulder and slightly loosened Michael Kors Tote bear the brunt of my addiction as newly purchased magazines get hoofed around London, along with their best mate A Proper Book, ready to devour whenever a gap in the day permits.

Company is undoubtedly high up the list of my favourite monthlies and I'm disheartened by the news that the Hearst UK magazine will cease print publication after 36 years and go digital only.

In my opinion it's one of the best reads out there. I love how it resembles a beautiful picture book but with impressive material to accompany the imagery. The front cover is always a riot of colour and adorned with fierce female leads (Hi, Haim in the We Love Paris February 2014 issue) and each spine declares a quirky little message to steer you through the most difficult of days, such as You're Gonna Need a Bigger Wardrobe!' and See You at the Style Stage.

Its matte-finish, scrapbook-style layout and splashes of complimentary hues are charming. The blog-like photographs are stunning but there's also a whole lot of substance among the pages. Company's Features Writers give good feature - engaging articles that inspire and I read the entire thing from cover to cover rather than flick through aimlessly.

The fashion is incomparable and like me, Company fully appreciates the terrific collision between music and fashion. Sumptuous mood boards, smart edits and photos of fashion idols that valiantly lead the style tribes - like the inimitable Julia Sarr-Jamois - always co-exist with hot pieces from the high street, a cool new website or a lusted-after designer. It never feels exclusive or unobtainable though; clever styling and writing tricks you into believing the style editors are just like you - rather than über-stylish fashionistas.

Arguably, Company is educational with new-season books, apps that enhance your life, career tips for bloggers and stuff that is #trending - like actual brand-new restaurants, books, gigs and fashion launches that make you believe they've been cherry-picked just for you. The magazine remains, to the best of my knowledge, a Kardashian-free zone and in the age of hyperbole and celebrity-saturation that's no mean feat. It champions women who help make the world a better place with creativity and talent and who carve the way for the next generation of smart young things eager to make their mark.

Finally, it's honest and really funny - like having your best mate at your side. Columnist Jameela Jamil completely won me over in April 2003 when she was brave enough to defy the army of Rihanna fans. Her hilarious article about the artist's constant flashing of her, ahem, bits and potential impact on younger fans who may believe getting naked is the only way to prove your worth, was inspired. It mirrored my own thoughts about this subject and any article that closes with Rihanna, I love you, but put your m*nge away will you? 'is a winner for me. You must read it, it's brilliant.

So, the panic bit. Sadly, the printed version of Company magazine joins the list of my favourite things now discontinued and never to be seen again (like Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Fawn - an outrage!) and this leaves me a bit concerned about what's left fluttering around in the magazine market.

Amongst the torrent of appalling weeklies that lurk on the shelves - you know the sort, crammed with salacious non-news and diet and exercise obsession that leaves women feeling awful about their bodies - Company is a beacon of sense and positivity. A cool best mate among a gang of mean girls.

It never bitches or focuses on the inane, it celebrates the pioneers. Magazines that belittle, objectify and pit women against other women are not cool. "Lauren Goodger is branded 'tragic' for her boob selfles" was a heading that shrieked from the page of a well-known weekly the other day. Is this really what we've got to look forward to instead? If so ladies, we're doomed. It's money-making meanness and it drains my brain. Boobs, bums, diatribe against women and obsessions with how we look rather than what we achieve does not a good magazine make.

We're entering into a new phase and I guess it's time I faced facts and accepted that reading habits are changing. According to Anna Jones, Hearst Magazines UK chief executive “As a standalone digital brand, Company is well placed to provide a unique and dedicated service to this dynamic 16-24 old female demographic" - which is great news (and  hope 30-somethings are allowed in too). Company already has a notable social media presence across all the well-known channels and so if I can get my fix online now then it's not all bad.

So farewell printed Company magazine, you have been influential. I look forward to your legacy continuing in digital form but will definitely miss your colourful, matte print version - and opportunities to re-create a Domino Rally topple which, let's face it, is pretty awesome.

References

13 August 2014 – the guardian.com – Company magazine to go digital-only amid falling sales April 2003 – company. co.uk - Put It Away RiRi!

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Coachella - Early festival fashion forecast

The desert dust may have settled, but with UK festival season warming up nicely on the sidelines … I still have Coachella on my mind

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Reference: Coachella Street Style - Style.com