{balmain}

. . . a glimpse inside the enchanting world of balmain at {this is glamorous} . . .

Current style obsession- Stud it up

My current style obsession has to be studs. It all started with the Balmain heels (above) used in the SS09 collection and since then my love for all things studded has grown.

In the past I would associate studs with either some punk rebel types or the classic female rock chick look as worn by Kate Moss and Taylor Momsen.
But now studs are everywhere; from the cat walks to the high street which means that they have predictably lost some of their original rock star connotations.
However I see this as a very good thing for me, a person so goody-too-shoes that the most rebellious thing I do is jay walk.
So because studs are absolutely everywhere at the moment it means that anyone can wear them and they don’t even require any rebellious rock star attitude to go with them like they used to.

The key is to keep the stud trend simple. Don't go for a head to toe studded look unless you want to look like a Johnny Rotten impersonator.
Instead stick to one key piece such as a sprinkling of studs on a pair of heels or a few encrusted on the bottom of a bag just like the gorgeous Alexander Wang 'Rocco' bag below. Another example is just a couple of weeks ago I bought a lovely black studded belt from H&M. Low-key but awesome nonetheless. And finally never wear these Louise Goldin for Topshop spiked heels on an aeroplane or they will without a doubt be taken off you at airport security. These are literally a pair of killer heels:

Beth Ruby xoxo

List Mondays- Top 10 RTW Collections From Autumn Winter 2009

A post on my favourite collections from Spring Summer 2009 here (and also my roundup here) were very popular- and also very fun to compile- so I thought I would do another similar one here. But this time I am looking back at the best (or my personal favourites) from Autumn Winter 2009, with brand new contenders:

1. It was all Parisian gorgeousness including stunning LBD's and pretty draping at Lanvin complete with perfect shape and fit.

2. How could I possibly leave out the Louis Vuitton bunny ears that sparked their own unlikely trend.

3. Lust worthy sequins and silver sparkle at Balmain which proved that the shoulder pad trend was still going strong. (This was back when I still loved Balmain)

4. Pure and simple monochrome looks at Bottega Veneta with plenty of wardrobe staples to last you a life time.

5. Clinched in waists with a sprinkle of sequins were all the rage at Balenciaga.

6. Gorgeous prints and exquisite detailing at Jason Wu.

7. Donna Karen was all about the large statement necklaces, ankle boots and belted coats.

8. More beautiful floral prints from Erdem with quirky bubble hem shapes.

9. Christopher Kane just gets better and better. Here he went for strong structure and muted tones and let the detailing do the talking.

10. Full on elegance and glamour at Dolce and Gabbana with hyper coloured shaggy coats, huge ball gowns and lady like bags. Bows, frills and pearls were the icing on the cake.

Which was your favourite collection from Autumn Winter 2oo9?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Beth xoxo

"I'm not the same kid from your memory. Now I can fend for myself."

Gutted. I just found out that I am missing Halloween this year. Which means no excuse to dress up. Sob.
However I am going to France to stay with my BFFL in her holiday house there (woop I can finally go abroad this year!) so I can't really complain. Instead I have compiled what I probably would be wearing (all from Topshop oh and the photo above is from weheartit) and what I wish I would be wearing for Halloween. Which for the record I only like because it gives me an excuse to get all dressed up. And is the only time you can go out dressed as like a fairy or Harry Potter or something and not get weird looks.

My dream halloween outfits (above).
If money was not a problem then is what my halloween costume would something like; either the SS09 Balmain (left) or the AW09 Maz Azria for Herve Leger (right)
*Sigh*
If only...

So if you had an unlimited budget what would you wear for Halloween?
Or what are you planning on wearing?

Virtual blogging kisses, Beth xx

Balmain Blasphemy...

*Sigh*
Balmain, Balmain, Balmain...
I was so looking forward to seeing this collection and frankly it isn't live up to my high expectations. I LOVED the SS09 collection so much that this one just couldn't meet the hype.
Their latest collection is:

a) Very costume like with lots of gold latex and of course a sprinkling of trademark sequins.
b) Alot pirate- think Keira Knightley from Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest in her big military style coat.
c) A bit of glam-meets-tramp with lots of distressed t-shirts and denim in dark hues.
d) NOT AT ALL Spring Summer-esque. There is no colour and the designs just don't jump out at me like they usually do.

EXHIBIT A:
EXHIBIT B:

EXHIBIT C:
EXHIBIT D:photos from forums.thefashionspot.com

Thoughts please?

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."

Love that quote from Jack London (an American author)

How wonderful would it be to find the one. The Jacket You Wear With Anything. This is the stylish black jacket which you can work with a little floral dress, rock up with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or to dress down a glamorous dress. Its appeal is that you can wear it day and night, with flats or heels and it will look amazing with literally everything in your wardrobe. Of course I will let you know when I have found that perfect little black jacket (LBJ if you will) but for now here are some very good examples and ideas:

Kate Moss queen of the jacket over a little floral dress look.

My favourite's from Twenty8Twelve which is Savannah and Sienna Millers label.

Beth xx

Lets go down to the fashion show, with all the pretty people that you dont know...

What with all the magazines and blogs going crazy about the autumn winter collections I thought I would look at my top 10 favourite looks from Spring Summer 2009.
I mean still is summer y'know...

1. First up is Christopher Kane, who definitely stole the show for me this Spring Summer. The whimsical shapes and structures of his clothes and his wonderful use of materials are divine. He managed to effortlessly mix fierce black primate inspired clothing with bright bold colours.

2. For me Luella was never going to disappoint. From the moment I laid eyes on her first ever collection I knew that she was a designer to be reckoned with. The florals, the bright colours (and of course the fascinators!) screamed summer.
3. As opposed to Luella's feminine fest of girly dresses Balmain went for a more edgy tomboy look with distressed jeans, military style jackets and a whole loada studs. I still cannot get enough of the clothes from this collection.

4. Lanvin S/S 09 was all about bold colours, asymmetrical sleeves, luxurious silks and a bit of sparkle. And how could I forget those fantastic advertisements- so far its my favourite ad campaign of the year!

5. Alexander McQueen is in at number 5 for his fantastic jewelled creations. These head to toe embellished designs are gorgeous.

6. Breezy flowing fabrics, soft tailored jackets, scalloped edged shorts and lots of bows, the S/S Chloe catwalk was pure prettiness.

7. Marc Jacobs was a winner with clinched in waists, stacks of bracelets and very cool boater hats. 8. The House of Holland collection was like a bomb of polka dots and florals had exploded on the catwalk. Henry Holland did what he is best at; quirky and cool clothing.

9. I was in love with the nautical theme at Dolce and Gabbana earlier on this year.

10. And last but not least Gareth Pugh. You can't really wear his architectural monochrome creations to the super market (though I would take my hat off to someone who did) but their impracticality does not stop me from marvelling at these designs.
Whats your number one S/S 2009 collection?

B xx

{inspiration: balmain tulle skirt}

. . . tulle skirt, Balmain, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC

{via hudson}

{inspiration: balmain again}

{images: 1 - printemps ad via le blog de betty; 2 - Vogue US May 2009, daria shot by david sims via delightful}

{inspiration: sexy shoes}

{see also:}
* everything in heels
* always rodarte

{studded leather sandal, Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; image via ffffound!}