Celebrating Individuality

You know  the moment when you feel like you've being given a sign ...

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This incredible illustration was done by my former lecturer and friend Richard Gray as the invite for the fashion show that Alexander McQueen dedicated to Isabella Blow. 

I've never seen it in reality until this last week when I have seen it in the homes of two unconnected friends of mine.

 I'm taking it as a sign to never forget the beauty of individuality.

We have lost some amazing flamboyant fashion characters from this world in recent years, Isabella Blow and Anna Piaggi but we have also had some new ones born into the world in Gaga and Daphne Guinness

I'm lucky to have some amazing characters close to me Johnny Blueeyes for one, complex, sometimes challenging but fiercely loyal, supportive and kind and mind blowingly inspirational.

Whether your individuality is expressed through your clothing or your lifestyle choices, maybe your musical tastes or sexual preferences providing it doesn't hurt others it's part of what makes 'you' so why don't we celebrate it more?

What makes someone truly interesting?

Lanvin started to explore humour in humanity in its last ad campaign and for its latest it celebrates the individual.

I'm hoping it's the start of a trend that encourages more of us to stand alone and yet be together. 

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself 

Friedrich Nietzsche

Rosie for M&S Lingerie: Behind the Scenes

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley launched her anticipated lingerie collection for M&S this morning

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The Collection ranges from sophisticated silk bra and knicker sets through to coordinating feminine and cosy cashmere loungewear. True to her name the collection is full of lovely Rose inspirations, from the rose prints to rose colours and a rose logo.  

It was great to hear Rosie acknowledging the expertise of Soozie and her in house design team for the creation of the Collection.

The design of lingerie is a complex skill, especially to create affordable bras that range from an A to a G cup and with the breadth of customer that M&S appeals to this is part of their daily challenge.

My favourite pieces are a gorgeously simple 1930s inspired silk French Knicker in a sophisticated mocha colour and a pair of super soft cashmere lounge pants.

Bring on those cosy Winter evenings 

The Collection is available in 229 M&S stores in the UK with new pieces added throughout the Autumn Winter season

or shop it online here

Superhuman: The Future of Disabilities

Tonight is the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics in London

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In 1998 a model that had no legs below her knees stepped onto the Alexander McQueen catwalk. Incredibly no one noticed, because the specially crafted beautiful carved ash wood boots she was wearing were designed to work in perfect harmony with her body.

This was the first time I had ever heard of Aimee Mullins, an incredible woman who has since that moment become a continual inspiration to me.

 At 17, the youngest person to hold a top secret clearance at the Pentagon, since then Athlete, Actress, Motivational Speaker and Model and some. If ever there was a Superwoman Aimee ticks all the boxes. So it's apt that the tide is turning on the perception of disabilities as it becomes a new opportunity challenging us to enhance the body to bring us ever closer to a bionic human race.  Prosthetic running legs are already in the realms of TRON and Blade Runner to me. Good riddance to fat calves and thick ankles and why not add a bit of that height you've always dreamed of? Who doesn't want legs that are inspired by the limbs of a cheetah, the fastest mammal on earth!

Watch the video of one of Aimees inspirational talks below. Theres not much that holds my attention for 10 mins these days but just start watching it and see.

and as Aimee rightly says "Pamela Anderson has more prosthetic in her body than me and no-one calls her disabled"

find out more about AIMEE MULLINS here

Dress up, glam up and shake it: Notting Hill Carnival 2012

Never one to pass on a dress up occasion the Carnival came a calling over the weekend  

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Waking up this morning I realised yet again that I had spent far too much time enjoying myself at the Carnival than documenting it.

Thankfully up popped my friend Paulas facebook page with these incredible photographs of intimate details of the event, far surpassing any snaps I may have taken anyway.

So I thought I would share the love and some of the incredible costumes on show over Bank Holiday weekend to inspire you. 

There is nothing like the Carnival to inspire you to dress up, glam up and show a bit (well, a lot more) flesh than usual and feel comfortable that everyone will pretty much find you irresistible no matter what your shape or tone.

One ♡

see more of Paula's shots of the Carnival and other work

on her blog here

or her Facebook page

and check out here for Tweet Me Up! at Tate Modern for her latest collaboration 

Stella: Far from Basic

A last the much anticipated 'affordable' collection of lingerie essentials from Stella McCartney has arrived

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There's nothing more comforting than be able to reach for a simple, comfortable and perfectly functional old faithful bra as that first layer of dress in the morning.

  Undoubtably it can be much more difficult to design something beautiful that is perfectly simple and functional than something that wows you with its frou frou confection colour pzazz.

I'm thinking this Stella range has potential to be my new old faithful.

I haven't tried the shapes on yet so am trying not to jump the gun, as we well know fit and comfort is pretty high up on the need list with this kind of underwear.

The prices look good, on a par with Victoria Secret and Elle Macpherson so top end of the high street, £40 ish for a bra and around £20 for a knicker. 

As far as I can see, one style goes up to an E cup, another couple to DD and some to D, so it's a start on the size offer.

What I absolutely love is the bonded elastic edges on the back of the bras and knickers to minimise VPL and smooth out any 'back fat' (gross but reality) and the gorgeous detail of a pretty mesh fabric combined with the slinky microfibre to give a hint of sheerness over bums. I am all about the idea if you offer women comfort and sexiness combined the world can definately be a better place! 

Get in there quick, last time I looked some bra sizes selling out already!

SHOP STELLA HERE

Bras out: Topshop A/W12

Great to see 'The Bra' as an integral part of the fashion looks at TopShop this Autumn

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Hints of a Tint

I'm not ready to embrace winter colours yet

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and the great thing with lingerie is that you can always feel summery underneath your clothes whatever the weather.

Treat yourself to some new underwear pieces with just a touch of colour that will see you into winter and they are still pretty enough to flash a strap whenever the sun happens to peep out.