Feeling Tropical.

For someone who dresses in so much dark clothing i've developed a real bad appetite for tropical prints recently. I think it's the influence of the sun coming back into dreary old England as well as the thought that June-July-August (my three favourite months!) are only a short wait away. I'm also learning to drive again, which at the grand old age of 21 is a touch overdue really, but a licence means unlimited beach trips in the summer and i can't wait! I've included some garments on my 'Feeling Tropical' wish list that really sell the idea of cocktails and sandy beaches to me and would add a little sunshine to my own wardrobe!

Kate Moss X Topshop.

I need to get this out right from the very start of this piece so we are on a level understanding about my views of this collection - I am not impressed. At the risk of sounding a hypocrite, as I do in fact shop there from time to time, Topshop is slowly veering down a rather slippery slope into the deep abyss of uninspiring fashion. For such a long awaited reunion of two iconic names in the industry I would have thought that this collaboration would be the revival of Topshop and its saviour, but alas - I was wrong. Even I have to be honest with myself however and admit that there are a few pieces that I have my eye on and that I would be very likely to purchase, but the collection as a whole just doesn't really feel like a collection.

Source: Vogue.co.uk

Topshop states on their website that there are four separate themes - Tailoring Noir, Balearic Dressing, Cocktail Hour and Pyjama Dressing - my only question is that is this really necessary? I imagine this is to allow a breakdown of the collection including between casual and formal wear, but instead what I feel this has done is broken any ties that were binding the whole thing together into a cohesive collection. There is far too much to take in (there are 61 pieces!) and if I were to go into Topshop I’d be lost in amongst it all. As a former fashion student I know far too well that a collection must be cohesive even if you are going to add a few separate themes into the mix, this can allow for a storyline or an idea to manifest in the collection but it has to be done right. I am seeing no correlation between the pant suits and suede jackets or the sudden appearance of 'pyjama dressing' which sort of came and went a few seasons ago now. My other qualm is that whilst the whole thing is very 'Kate Moss' and allows the consumer to buy a style icon's wardrobe, have we not seen this all before? If Ms. Moss is trying her hand at designing again I would have liked to have seen something more from her, a growth within her individual style. Of course everybody loves some bohemian festival style, but every collection she brings to Topshop is laced with tassels, beading and short shorts, it's as if they are just reworking her previous collections.

The reason why the big names within the industry are so big is because they are always adapting and growing their ideas, yet still keeping to their brand, change can and has proven to be good. I'm probably being a tad bias here and I apologise to anyone who is loving this new collection and I will admit through gritted teeth that there will be some genius stylists out there who will make this collection look good but I just can't say right now that I am feeling it. Maybe I am just bored with the direction in which fashion is going these days which could be the effect of the constant turn around in high street stores meaning we are always waiting for the new. The problem is - nothing feels new anymore, every store seems to be selling the exact same things and I for one am mourning the diversity of fashion both on the runway and in the high street.

As i previously stated there were some things that I couldn't deny i liked and so here they are, go to Topshop's website - here - to see the whole collection and decide for yourself whether you love it or loathe it.

Haul.

Obviously a major part of visiting your friends in another city is to go shopping! Especially when you've just been paid.....oh yeah. We were breaking our backs getting final pieces stitched together and after it was all shown to an industry panel we decided to take a little time to ourselves to go out and spend some hard earned money. Pretty sure we spent 6 hours trawling around every store we could find, but it was so worth it!!! Now one store that i need to commend for their current selection is H&M (two posts in a row!) there was sooooo much that i wanted, it was hard to just put it down to a few items otherwise i would have been busting my bank account. Regrettably, not all the money in there is for clothes, sigh. Here's what i bought -

Now you can probably tell i have a large soft spot, or maybe just a complete infatuated love for cats! I used to buy everything i saw that had a cat on it, however i have since trained myself to stand back and mull it over first. That being said i did buy two things that pay homage to our furry friends. The t shirt is far too cute to handle and i felt like i needed something a little more fun in my wardrobe and the bag came in a choice of black or leopard print. I went for the latter due to my collection of black items, i have far too many and i'm pretty sure my mother would disapprove at the thought of another black bag in our house. The blouse you can't see so well but it is sort of a snake print, i just thought it would be something sophisticated for work.

Moving on, we also took some time to look in some beauty stores where i purchased some new nail varnishes and also received a free No.7 gift set, yay! As well as some hair clips and some lipcote, which keeps your lipstick on fantastically. I spent so much money on everything i almost lost count but i'm pretty pleased with my new items, not so much getting them home however. My suitcase was already very heavy, oops.

H&M w/ Alexander Wang.

Source: Vogue.Fr

So as everyone is now aware H&M announced at Coachella that their next designer collaboration is with none other than - drum roll - Alexander Wang. Now, I am very excited about this collaboration as i feel this is going to be one of their most marketable. We all know Mr Wang for his sleek sportswear collections, containing staple pieces that can be re worn and re worked into a number of different outfits and this is where i believe H&M have bounded onto the right track. If previous seasons of his own name brand are anything to go by, then we can assume that in November H&M stores will be stocked with a collection that lends pieces to all styles and tastes. After all, sportswear is stripping fashion back to it's basics...but in a cool and sophisticated kind of way of course! I think i speak for all fashion lovers when i say that i am excited for a slice of urban New York style to spice up my wardrobe and a piece of Alexander Wang innovation at a cut price!

P.S I couldn't help myself with that picture, it's fantastic!