What's in the bag?!

Any guesses?

I think it's the first time I've hit a store on the day a designer collaboration collection's come out (N.B. omitting the time I stayed up most of the night waiting to see Christopher Kane's 2009 Topshop capsule collection go online!;)), but I was keen to see what the atmosphere would be like in my local Spanish H&M for the new Sonia Rykiel collection. I had quite a busy day, so arrived around late afternoon to encounter a much busier H&M than usual. The atmosphere was civilised (no pushing and shoving at all), much to my relief! (I think my preconceptions about exclusive collection launches have been coloured somewhat by the media..)


Anyway, I walked through the men's section, straight towards what appeared to be a treasure-trove of bright colours and glinting rhinestones. As I'd expected, there was quite a range of age groups - from girls around my age (mainly looking at the dresses, jumpers and accessories), to mothers with young daughters (a double breasted blazer in one hand, whilst trying to force a pink beret over a cranky 7 year old's head!) and a few older, very well dressed women (who were looking at the Rykiel knits.)

I was immediately drawn to the Rykiel iconic stripe dress, but looking at the price tag, I was surprised to find it more expensive than I'd expected (See previous blog for the Sonia Rykiel look-book and english prices) At 60 euros, I wondered why a random price inflation had taken place..I'm not sure what the prices are like in England, but everything was more expensive in euros! I tried on a couple of things which were nice, but nothing that particularly said 'wow' to me. The one thing I was tempted to buy, was the "Mon pull Rykiel" jumper, which I talked about in my last blog post. Priced in Spain at 40 euros, I decided that if I did buy it, I'd be paying solely for the brand and not garment quality, as it was very thin material!


I am glad, however, that I took a look at the 'accessories section' of the Rykiel collection, as I picked up a "mon pull" rhinestone brooch and a limited edition Sonia Rykiel UNICEF shopper bag. At a mere €2.95, i figured I couldn't go wrong, and I love that the bag's for charity. The proceeds go to a project called “All for Children”, which is a five year initiative from UNICEF and H&M, which aims to protect and improve children's lives in areas of cotton cultivation in India.


I love French-inspired clothing and accessories, so the "mon sac Rykiel" UNICEF bag and "mon pull" brooch are perfect for me. (The pink carrier bag my purchases were put in is also super cute and good quality!) I'm looking forward to pinning my "mon pull" brooch on all sorts of cute knitwear and jumpers (See picture below right - me with my brooch and shopper bag!)


All in all, it's been a successful day in many respects, so I'm full of 'joie de vivre'..and not just because of my Sonia Rykiel goodies :)

je-suis-style
xox

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Sonia Rykiel's new collection for H&M!

H&M has partnered up with Parisian designer Sonia Rykiel for a second capsule collection, set to storm around 250 H&M stores on the 20th February 2010! With just two days to go, the fashion pack are picking out their favourite pieces and the question on everyone's lips is whether Rykiel's collection will be as popular as H&M's Jimmy Choo capsule collection, which was snapped up like hot cakes only a few months earlier!

Sonia Rykiel's first designer collaboration with H&M launched on the 5th of December 2009, concentrating primarily on Lingerie and luxurious loungewear: 50's style bras and bodysuits, bow headbands, pillows, slippers, brooches, chic slips and bralets, using fabrics such as velvet and chiffon coupled with diamanté rhinestone detailing.

Some of the pieces in the lingerie collection included:

I personally didn't buy any of the collection, but I liked the bodysuits and zip bras the most, as they're feminine with a touch of vintage glamour! The chiffon slips and rose-detailed bras are also quite sweet and add a touch of romance to the collection.


Sonia Rykiel's new collection for Spring/Summer appears to have an even wider range of garments, which targets women of all ages - the collection doesn't just have a women's wear section, but also has one for little girls! The collection quite fittingly showcases classic Rykiel designs - trademark colourful stripes, iconic sweaters with printed words and bow and crown rhinestone motifs. Rykiel isn't called the "Queen of knits" for nothing you know!

(Sonia Rykiel, catwalk: Autumn/Winter 2009-10, vogue.com)

As you can see from the video below, the focus for the H&M knitwear collection is on very bright colours, giving the garments impact and make for real statement pieces.



And now, for the Sonia Rykiel look-book pictures (with thanks to Nitrolicious.com):


LEFT

JUMPER • GBP 24.99
JUMPSUIT • GBP 49.99
BERET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 12.99
BRACELET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 6.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99

RIGHT

FRILL JUMPER WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 34.99
SKIRT • GBP 19.99
PATENT LEATHER BELT WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 17.99
BRACELET • GBP 3.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99


LEFT

LONG JUMPER • GBP 34.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99
BERET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 12.99
BROOCH WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 3.99
BROOCH WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 3.99
BRACELET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 6.99
BRACELET • GBP 3.99
THIN BRACELET • GBP 3.99

RIGHT

FRILL JUMPER • GBP 24.99
LEGGINGS WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 24.99
BERET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 12.99
BAG WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 17.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99
BRACELET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 6.99
BRACELET • GBP 3.99
THIN BRACELET • GBP 3.99


LEFT

JUMPER • GBP 24.99
SKIRT • GBP 19.99
ALICEBAND • GBP 12.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99
BRACELET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 6.99
THIN BRACELET • GBP 3.99

RIGHT

DRESS • GBP 34.99
SCARF • GBP 17.99
SOCKS • GBP 3.99
ALICEBAND • GBP 12.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99
BRACELET • GBP 3.99
THIN BRACELET • GBP 3.99



LEFT

JUMPER WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 24.99
WAISTCOAT • GBP 34.99
SHORTS • GBP 24.99
BROOCH WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 3.99
BRACELET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 6.99
THIN BRACELET • GBP 3.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99

RIGHT

JUMPER • GBP 34.99
LEGGINGS WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 24.99
THIN BRACELET • GBP 3.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99
BAG • GBP 17.99


LEFT

BLAZER • GBP 49.99
STRAP TOP • GBP 17.99
SHORTS • GBP 24.99
ALICEBAND • GBP 12.99
BROOCH WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 3.99
BROOCH WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 3.99
BROOCH WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 3.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99
BRACELET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 6.99
THIN BRACELET • GBP 3.99

RIGHT

FRILL DRESS • GBP 34.99
WIDE BRACELET • GBP 6.99
BRACELET WITH RHINESTONES • GBP 6.99
BERET • GBP 7.99
PLATFORM SHOES • GBP 34.99


There are a few pieces of the collection that I really like, but i'm not normally one to wear loud colours and designs. I think it will sell very well though, as the prices are just a fraction of Rykiel's standard designer collections and her knits are very sought after! My favourite pieces are:

I'm above all tempted to buy the "Mon pull Rykiel" jumper in black as it's classic Rykiel and very versatile. If not, I might just pick up a "mon pull" brooch to pin on a plain black jumper!

What do you think of the collection? Will you be buying from the collection and if so, what?

je-suis-style
xox

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What a girl wants is not always what a girl needs!

It is without doubt that we live in a 'disposable' society. Every season there's a new trend and always something to lust after or buy. We are driven by the urge to update ourselves, to be modern and fashion forward. It hardly comes as a surprise that shops like Primark have exploded on to the highstreet - we are constantly searching for catwalk copies and budget knock-offs! Besides, if Christopher Kane puts a crocodile or a gorilla on a t-shirt, you can just about justify buying something in the same vein for a tenner and not feel too guilty when you realise you've been scaring little children for weeks every time you've worn it out! ;)
However, when it came to my 21st birthday, I came to the realisation that Coco Chanel had actually hit upon a concept of paramount importance; fashion comes and goes, but only true style remains a constant. With this notion in mind, I decided that it's important to invest in items that will become wardrobe 'staples' and be versatile and well made enough to withstand the passing of time (...and the change of personal taste!)
A wardrobe staple should be treated like a blank canvas and acts as a 'building block' for an outfit. A staple can easily be added to and updated with other items from your wardrobe.

Here are my top 10 of timeless wonders:

1. A pair of gorgeous court shoes - In an ideal world: a pair of Louboutins!...but if not, then something in a similar style in black or nude. This style of court shoe can be found in most highstreet stores and are perfect for any occasion - day or night. Black heels have always been a classic - timeless, sophisticated and sexy all rolled into one! Nude heels are also a great investment, as they go with almost any outfit, are great for inter-seasonal looks and give the illusion of lengthened legs!


2. Fitted jeans.

Every woman should own some - especially a black pair! Many women find jeans one of the most difficult and frustrating things to buy, but it's worth shopping around and trying on different styles in order to find the pair that most flatters your body shape. Investing in a pair of well-fitting jeans is an absolute must for creating a beautiful silhouette. Black skinnies are, in my opinion, the pinnacle, as they are the answer to every wardrobe dilemma and can easily be dressed up or down. The only problem is, once you find the perfect pair, you won't ever want to throw them away!!


3. A 'hold all' bag.

This should be the bag you can carry around all day and that will store anything you could possibly need! The Mulberry Bayswater is a perfect pick as it comes in some great shades - Chocolate and tan being my personal favourites - and it is very versatile and roomy! If it's good enough for Kate Moss, Alexa Chung and Ferne Cotton, it's good enough for me! There are plenty of great lookalikes of this bag, so if you don't fancy splashing the cash, there are an array of highstreet lovelies waiting to be snapped up!


4. A Chiffon blouse.

What's great about a beautiful chiffon blouse, is that they're perfect for work and for going out. Look for classic colours like black, grey, nude, peach, white and brown, as they will go with everything and are easy to dress up with a coloured cinch belt or bow to give your outfit fashion impact!


5. Smart knit or cardigan.


A smart knit or cardigan can instantly finish off an outfit, so it's important to find something well made and versatile. Cashmere cardigans are a great option, but a chunky knit or elegant knitted cardi can do the same job! Black, brown, navy, nude and grey are ideal colours - do buy cardis with detailing, but it should be kept minimal so as to maximise its versatility.


6. An LBD!


...Because every woman should own one! The little black dress has always been a wardrobe favourite because it forms a great base for an outfit. An LBD should be chosen carefully - it should be complementary to your body shape and enhance your best assets. The key word is structure. The LBD should be a classic cut - there should be minimal (if any!) detailing and it should not incorporate too many different fabrics. I have chosen an Alexander Mcqueen fitted bust dress, which will cinch in your waist and enhance your cleavage. It's a great length - sexy without being tarty. It might be an idea to buy a dress that has detachable straps so that you can wear it with the straps or as a boob tube dress. This gives the dress great versatility as you can pop bodies, camisoles or long sleeved tops underneath it! The other dress I've picked out is a simple black shift dress. The little ruffles on the arms give the dress a feminine look and the cinched in waist again is great for defining your figure. When you've chosen a great LBD, all you need to do is throw it on and accessorise! It's a winner every time!


7. Leather jacket or blazer.


Depending on your taste, a leather jacket or blazer are a must-have. To make a leather jacket a classic, you need to pick something that will be good for day wear and evening. I would personally suggest steering away from anything overly 'biker' and masculine. I think for a leather jacket to endure the years, it needs to be fitted. (My leather jacket is gorgeous - it's a soft, buttery leather and is feminine yet modern!) With blazers, you can't really do much wrong - pick a style in a bold colour, that flatters your figure and complexion. If you're extra clever, you could even buy a blazer that has a coloured lining, as you can turn up the sleeves for a different look! Black is always a good choice for a blazer - it looks great thrown over anything and you can wear it to work and to the bar!


8. A pair of ballet pumps/flats.


...because heels can be impractical! Sometimes a pair of comfy ballet pumps can add the finishing touch to an outfit and stop you looking too high maintenance! Pick classic designs (e.g. dogtooth, lace patterned, two toned, plain patent) that will last you through the seasons - and try to choose a waterproof pair! I'm sure we have all experienced 'damp foot syndrome' after traipsing around town in flats in an impromptu rain shower!


9. A pencil skirt.


Oui, oui - The pencil skirt is the embodiment of parisian chic and will instantly make an outfit ooze pin-up glamour. For day time casual, pair it with a simple ribbed vest top..for work, add a ruffled blouse..and for going out, be as daring as you like! (A corset top would get my vote!) When buying a pencil skirt, black is the ideal colour. The pencil skirts I have featured are slightly high waisted, as I think the perfect pencil skirt would be one that nips you in at the waist and accentuates your curves. Look for body contoured designs to streamline your silhouette, skirts with slight ruching to make boyish frames more curvy..and if all else fails, buy a plain black satin pencil skirt! Parfait!


10. A quilted chain handbag - Preferably a Chanel 2.55, but if not, a highstreet copy will do!

Of course, every girl dreams of owning one of these beautiful quilted Chanel bags, but luckily for our credit cards, there are some lovely Chanel-inspired numbers waiting to be snapped up on the highstreet! The bag pictured on the right is a Marc B bag and it channels a similar classicism and elegance to the Chanel bag on its left. The combination of the quilting and gold hardware makes for a timeless piece of arm candy that you will just love forever!

That concludes my list of 10 wardrobe must-haves! How do you think I've done? Is there anything you think I've missed out?

What's for certain, is that we underestimate the value of classics, because we're blinded by the constant bombardment of adverts telling us that we need another pair of designer 'it' shoes..just because Kate Moss wears them! If you find yourself saying "I have nothing to wear", maybe it's actually a sign that you're missing a wardrobe staple. No matter how big or small your wardrobe is, if you've got the staples, you've always got a polished outfit!

je-suis-style
xox

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