Right, I’m officially obsessed with beauty-themed Christmas crackers. There has been a bit of a stampede for the Lancome advent calendar (I told you to be quick) but the Lancome Christmas crackers are still in stock. But look here, what about these adorable Kiehl’s lip balm crackers? Each £19 cracker contains three Kiehl’s #1 lip balms in original, coconut and vanilla flavours. Best crack on if you want one.
Rather handily, the H&M press day had a couple of rails neatly arrayed with the Versace X H&M collection. I managed to inspect right up close with the Lumix and guess what? Some of the pieces aren’t half bad. I tend to sidestep high street clothes as I don’t really do fast fashion – I like things to last. So my high street shopping is mostly limited to Cos, American Apparel, Topshop, Whistles …and that’s about it. But there were some pretty good quality pieces on the Versace for H&M rail that I admit I didn’t expect to find for the price…
This leather studded dress is definitely worth £179.99 as the leather is super-soft and the seams properly aligned (the PR assured me this wasn’t just a lone perfect sample)
I was also mighty impressed with the studded biker jacket – at £179.99 it’s a great cut, the leather feels and looks luxe and it’s not too much of a one-season wonder
The other pieces that caught my eye for their better-than-expected quality…
Cropped bomber jacket
Men’s crocodile print jeans *paging Henry Holland*
Love the classic cut of this knit top – very Anna Wintour en vacances, no?
I think we all agree that a wardrobe of these suit carriers would be worth queuing for…
The collection goes on sale on Thursday and the rules for shopping are here. What will you be buying?
According to PR director Lauren Stevenson, the My-Wardrobe buyers have worked very hard to make sure 95% of the buy is under the £350 mark and 75% of the buy is under £250. Which is great news if you want ‘everyday luxury’ (the My-wardrobe tagline) at accessible prices. The key SS12 labels for me are Smythson (the stationery has been understandably popular so for SS12 there are bags as well), Carven (who doesn’t love Guillaume Henry’s couture-lite aesthetic?), APC (a new name for SS12), Joseph (on a roll), DVF, Anya Hindmarch and Sophie Hulme.
I had a good nose at My-Wardrobe’s SS12 highlights at their press day, where I also discovered Hermione de Paula, an ex Alexander McQueen print designer whose surreal prints in easy shapes are causing a bit of a stir.
Smythson
Printed denim by Current Elliot and J Brand’s Maverick jean – a skinny cargo pant that My-Wardrobe predicts to be a sell out
Bionda Castana shoes … the new Manolo?
Star Mela’s global-craft bags – I expect these crafty totes will be everywhere by May in some guise or other
D & G floral blouse – print on print whether matched or mismatched is summer’s mega-trend
Preen’s ‘couture tee’. “The couture tee is a trend for all our customers to get into,” says Eleanor Robinson, womenswear designer buying manager. “It’s ageless, flatters most body shapes, and fits into the wardrobe easily”
Scarf prints – no explanation needed
Sophie Hulme’s embroidered bag – more global-craft influence
Anya Hindmarch’s city-to-beach colour-block bags and Comme Des Garcons’ playful pochettes
I also love DVF’s neutral bag with a flash of pink that can be zipped according to whether you want to show it or hide it
Choosing my favourite shops for Time Out’s 100 Best Shops In London list wasn’t difficult. I’m not a big online shopper because I prefer to make really considered purchases and I find the whole store ambience and experience adds to the value of what I’m buying. My top five stores are the ones I visit on a regular basis, not just to buy, but also to ‘keep my eye in’ and research what’s out there. (more…)
