Age is just a number

In retail, we no longer judge ‘target audiences’ by age, but by attitude.  It has been proven that women in their twenties have more in common with single women in their fifties than they might like to admit – living similar lifestyles and having similar attitudes towards what they wish to spend their money on. Combined with evidence that, as a country, we are living to a much older age, this is good news for all of us.  I fully intend to be dancing on the tables for my 100^th birthday, even if someone has to lift me up to get on it! 

So the good news is that, with the right attitude, women never have to fully grow ‘old’.  But I think we knew that.  And I'm enjoying seeing a different image of 'old age' through television programmes such 'Off Their Rockers' and the ad for vodaphone. 

Here are some fabulously dressed women proving that age really is just a number. 

A Romantic View

Thinking back to my school days studying art and photography, I always had a massive love of beautiful portrait photographs - and still do!  I love the stories they tell and the fantasies they create.  Oleg Oprisco is my most recent discovery (and also popped up on my facebook homepage this morning).   This Ukrainian photographer uses his film camera to create surreal images of women in dream-like/fairytale settings.  Using film means that everything in the shot has been created for real, rather than relying on post-production, and makes his photographs even more special.  I love, love, love, love, his work and thought it definitely worth a share!   

Take 5, Metallics

"Shiny is my favourite colour" - Ed Burstell, Liberty of London programme.

They may have been around for a while but my love of metallics just keeps on growing! Here's some shiny stuff to brighten your weekend.

Bored with the High Street

Today, I literally picked up the same item of clothing in three different chain stores on the high street.  The only difference was the price. 

When, for goodness sake, will we start to see a bit more variety across the usual group of chain stores that make up our High Street?  Those of use who can’t afford designer labels, but still love to shop, don’t want to see repeats of the same clothes – we want to see some individuality in the stores; to know that a particular brand is pursuing its own fashion identity rather than copying the runways and regurgitating the same stuff as everyone else.

It is such a shame that 30% of independent fashion boutiques have been lost from our high streets.  This is where those of us who can’t afford designer, but want something more special than economy, would go to find special pieces to express ourselves as individuals. 

Message to the high street chain of retailers: Let’s risk a little imagination please!

Revisiting All Saints

 

I first fell for All Saints when I was fourteen and would stretch my budget to buy something from this very different and fascinating store whenever I had the opportunity.  I just loved their visual identity from day one.  But in the last few years I felt their designs were simply getting too dark and gothic and, as for the price, just really silly.  So I stopped buying there and then even stopped going to browse.  And it seems I wasn’t alone as we heard in the press that the brand was suffering and at risk of collapse.

But All Saints on Regent Street caught my eye again the other day.  I was really happy to see that they have completely transformed their brand – and for the better!  The SS14 collection has introduced bold lines, clean cuts and strong silhouettes - perfectly bridging the gap between luxury and high street whilst keeping their strong identity. 

Let’s hope this is the start of a brighter future for All Saints.  I’m back to saving for a few pieces already!  

Take 5, Think Pink

Lets all take a minute to think pink!  If you haven’t noticed baby pink is here, there and everywhere at the moment, and quite frankly I love it! Here’s some pictures to get you in the pink. 

Hello my name is Paul Smith

If you’re planning a visit to Southbank I strongly recommend you take a little diversion to the Design Museum to see the Paul Smith Exhibition (15 November 2013 - 09 March 2014).

You enter the exhibition through a tiny room which represents the size of his first shop and emerge into a huge corridor filled top to bottom with framed artworks Paul Smith started collecting as a teenager.

The exhibition continues in a series or rooms; there are examples of clothes he has designed, examples of his shops around the world, mock ups of his work rooms, a room of abstract film images and another of ‘a day in the life of Paul Smith’ showing the build up to one of his catwalk shows and the end result.  

Although I have never been a huge fan of Paul Smith’s clothing designs, this was a great insight to how one of Britain’s best designer’s works and an brilliant chance to see all the amazing collaborations he has made.    

This is a very visual and interactive exhibition – definitely a good recommendation for a Sunday afternoon when you want to immerse yourself in a different experience.