The Past in Vogue - 1970s

This is the first post of a series – The Past in Vogue. Obviously, by Vogue, I mean the magazine and by Vogue magazine, I mean the fashion bible! As I have detailed on many occasions through my blog, I love previous eras of fashion and researching them. I asked myself, what better way is there to gain an insight into fashion history, than collecting vintage Vogue magazines? So, that is what I am going to do!

My first buy was a fabulous Vogue magazine from March 1974, it has a Bianca Jagger cover, photographed by Eric Boman.

 

The editor at the time was Beatrix miller, who had an incredible rein, with 18 years in the position. She was only to be succeeded by Anna Wintour, who enjoyed a brief time as editor, before she headed to American Vogue.

Favourite Article

The issue was an international special and has features on each fashion capital and the star girl of the moment in each location. Not dissimilar to something you would read today.

My favourite being ‘Rome Sweet Rome’ featuring Vittoria Gaetani d’Aragona, the beautiful 17 year old pictured with her 6 month old son, it is just Bellissimo!

Favourite Advert

A Guinness advert, with a target audience of... yes wait for it, ‘The new women’. One who wears ‘his trousers’ and yes, drives ‘his car’! Enough said I will leave it at that.

Obvious differences in advertising in 1974 adverts focus on fur, cigarettes and tights! Although my September 2013 issue shows and abundance of designers using fur, so I guess fashions will always continue to reinvent themselves.     

Favourite Quote

I love this description of the latest evening-wear ‘wrapped, silky, tied, bare and terrific...’ (p131)

Overall, the looks that are pictured are what you would imagine for the 70s. Long dresses, in floaty or silk fabrics, with a wrap round belt and the essential head scarf. Over-the-top colours, prints, silhouettes, the 70’s in a nutshell and I love it!

Lizzie x

Autumn/Winter 2013... Pink Pink Pink

So, I haven't worn pink since a wedding I attended over two years ago. I wore a bright pink skater dress from Zara which I still adore! I dress my daughter in it most days so, it looks like we will be matching this season!

I am very excited that pink is having a moment and I am going to go all out! 

My first pink purchases were; a pretty skirt from the Topshop sale and some bright pink L K Bennett heels. I will not be stopping there either! 

Are you excited to see pink in the stores and in your wardrobe? 

Lizzie x

Style at 25

I know being 25 is still young, but I am torn between where my fashion head is at and where it should be at my present age. I know I don’t feel comfortable dressing how I did a few years ago, when I was a student (the first time around), but I am still young after all. I am trying to find a balance between my individual style, the style my job requires, the obvious mummy duties and all the young, fun styles that appear on the high street.   

I find myself drawn to classic and sophisticated styles (perhaps because of my fascination of past eras), but every now and then, I tend to have the odd, mad moment, where I will buy something only a 17 or 18 year old should be seen in! Being a mum, evenings out are planned well in advance and happen a lot less often than in the past. And, I can honestly say, this is a welcome change to my life. The horrific hangovers, every weekend, are long gone and having to find a different outfit 3 nights of the week is also (thankfully) a thing of the past. Not to mention all the amazing things that come along with being a mum.

My point being, I often have time to plan and buy a particular outfit for a particular occasion, but why do I still find myself regretting my choice a few months later?

I think I am figuring out why this may be. In the past I have paid too much attention to the fleeting fashions of a particular moment, rather than concentrating on my individual style. More recently I have been developing this style and feel I am getting to a place where I am comfortable, but also, still following present fashions, just in a way that is true to me.

I am sure, most similarly thinking people will have come to this point as their style evolves, I cannot be alone.  Any more twenty-something’s out there, with a style dilemma alike to mine?   

Lizzie xxx

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Lizzie xx

Harvey Nichols Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Show Round Up

Harvey Nichols Leeds truly put on a spectacular show for their Spring/Summer 2013 fashion show. The Prosecco was most definitely flowing and everyone seemed to be having a ball, myself included. After a little mingling, we were seated for the show (front row no less!). On each seat, there was a Harvey Nichols goodie bag - we all love a few free samples, right?



The first song choice - White Noise, by Disclosure - was very apt for the pieces about to hit the runway. The models wore all white outfits, a personal highlight for me was a stunning fur coat, as seen in picture 2 below. The white theme also saw the comeback of the white stiletto, securing its place in the current seasons must have list (Not just for the Essex girl!).

A shoe trend that featured heavily throughout the show was the ankle strap. I personally, have never taken to ankle straps, I am fairly short and feel that they accentuate this, but I will most definitely be revisiting them, hoping to find a style that suits (I feel another blog post coming along...).

White Noise 

1. Malene Birger Jacket, McQ top, Isabel Marant boots, Alexander Wang bag. 2. Acne dress, Finders Keepers jacket, Isabel Marant shoe. 3. Polo Ralph Lauren bag. 4. Alexander McQueen Shirt, Tiger of Sweden trouser, Gucci loafer, belt and bag 5.Gucci suit, Saint Laurent shoe, Dior shades.

Next, there was a flurry of prints, neon and metallics. It was an absolute spectacle, where each outfit screamed sun, fun and good times. Some notable pieces were; a Mary Katrantzou print dress (see picture2), a silk neon Malene Birger pyjama suit (see picture 3 below) and a stunning Philip Armstrong dress (see picture 4 in Matallic).

 

Colour Popping

1. Gucci top, Malene Birger skirt, Alexander Wang bag. 2. May Katrantzou dress, Saint Laurent Paris shoe, Gucci bag. 3. Malene Birger top and trouser, Sophia Webster Clutch. 4. Paul Smith Black Label dress, Sam Edelman shoe, Diane Von Frustenburg clutch. 5 and 6 BCBG Maxazaria dress and necklace, Sam Edelman shoe.

 

Metallic

1. and 2. Alice + Olivia dress, Sam Edelman shoe, Isharya earring. 3. Burberry trench, Faith Connexion dress, Sam Edelman shoe, Prada sunglasses. 4. Philip Armstrong dress, BCBG Maxazria shoe. 5. Diane Von Frustemburg jacket, Malene Birger trouser, Saint Laurent Paris shoe.

The last song choice - Adele’s Skyfall - meant the pace slowed down and the models sashayed down the runway in some breath taking evening wear.  My favourite piece by far, was the black Malene Birger dress as seen in picture 4 below.

 

Skyfall

1. Dolce and Gabanna Jacket, Shirt, tie and sunglasses. 2. Catherine Deane dress, Celine cuff 3. Amanda Wakeley dress  4. Malene Birger dress, Christian Laboutin shoe, Jimmy Choo Clutch. 5. Malene Birger dress 6. Amanda Wakeley dress, Jimmy Choo Shoe.

What a fantastic evening, well done Harvey Nichols Leeds, can’t wait for the next one.

 

The Photos are by A.W. Photography. Amy Webb is a student at Batley School of Art and has had her work exhibited in Flannels, Leeds.

Contact details for Amy:

Phone: 07943923226

Email: acw_22@hotmail.co.uk

A Double Cuff Obsession

So, I know I'm late to the party on this one, but I am loving the double cuff action that seems to be popping up everywhere.

From Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra to the genie in Aladin, the double cuff is definitely an old favourite. But, with Queen Beyonce sporting the trend recently and many models on the catwalks, I'm giving it a go myself.

I purchased a pair of silver owl cuffs, as seen in the picture and a pair of gold cuffs, both from Primark at just £3 each.

I think it is definitely a way of adding that little bit of something, to an otherwise ordinary outfit. what do you think?

Have you tried the double cuff trend?

Lizzie x

The 1940s

OK, so call me fickle, but after watching the film Pearl Harbour again, I may just have fallen in love with another era.  This love is mainly for the fashions and after a lengthy amount of time flicking through Google images, I can safely say, I love it all! Don’t get me wrong, the 1920s still captivates me completely (see The 1920s blog post), but I feel I am allowed to love more than one period in time, right? Or is that classed as cheating?

The 1940s style became more practical in comparison to the 20s, although the silhouettes could be argued to be more feminine, with emphasis on a tiny waist. This practicality of course, is mainly due to the influence that World War II had. The women of the time were pushed to the forefront, especially in terms of employment status.

I think what really gets me, is the hair styles. The set curls, Hollywood waves, clips and hats are truly art-forms in their own right.  I feel some experimenting coming along...

What do you think of this era?