Happy Pants

I have been massively loving harems of any size, shape or colour ever since last summer but shamefully couldn't find a single decent pair in this country but thankfully found a lovely comfy pair in Spain last august and that was the start of my harem hoarding days. Now I have quite a healthy collection but here's a few pairs that are sporting new and unusual shapes that I think look pretty cool for this summer. Literally.



*Cerulea- rose print harems*




*American Retro- Silk printed harems*





*Chloe- silk crepe draped harems*






*Sir Alistair Rai- Tie Dye harems*



*Proenza Schouler- Silk Shantung*



*Loeffler Randall- Silk seashell pocket yoke pants*

*How cute...*

Found these cute prints on PaperFunkPress thought I'd share them because they made me smile :)

*Jewellery For The Unruly*

Being a keen jewellery designer myself, though I don't have access to equipment to produce anything at the moment, I was really intrigued to learn who was behind the quirky necklaces that I've spotted several of the style queens wearing lately. That is when I found out about Zena and Me, pop and retro inspired jewellery 'treats' created by a girl with a love of all things small, shiny and symbolic, Zena Mckeown. What attracted me to her pieces is the individuality and simplistic creativity behind each design, you could own one and feel like its a one off piece.

Zena Mckeown wearing *Deer Boy*

Ha this is so fun *YEAH* the wearer of this necklace is bound to enjoy wering this as much as Miss Mckeown did designing it

*Unicorn*

The *Should I....?* necklace which you can choose in a variety of colour combinations and either silver or gold.

*Lightning Love*

Maybe this is the the answer to all that time wasted trying to find your Prince Charming in the form of the *Love-O-Meter* necklace.

*TakeMe Down Anchor*

My order's in the post for this little beauty as I type. As well as a little outlet in London's Backyard Market off BrickLane, Urban Outftters have recently become a stockist, so go out and choose yours.

*The Big G*

Giuseppe Zanotti is fast becoming the next Jimmy Choo with these oh so cute summer salvations. I stumbled across his designs when I was having a naughty but nice 10 minutes of internet shopping temptations and am really rather glad. Take a look, I think you will agree that he pretty much solves all possible footwear problems for spring/summer 2009. Go Guiseppe go!

I can see these suede gladiator sandles matching perfecty with either casual or tailored harems, to produce a very sophisticated looking outfit for night or day.

The Guiseppe Zanotti for Balmain collection is, in a word- beautiful. These leopard gladiators are outrageous and are sure to create a frenzy!

I would quite happily live in these studded thong sandles all summer long.

Ahhhh I LOVE THESE the most, I actually need them, these fringe suede ankle sandles are perfect in every way. They are for Balmain.

These gladiator platform sandles are so quirky, the black leather loops at the sides run up to just above the ankle are are more comfortable take on YSL's cage shoe.

*The Fabulous F.I.T*

Well a visit to New York isn't really complete without checking out what the Fashion Institute has to offer, so here's a taster of the garments they have in the Seduction and Gothic Dark Glamour Galleries. There was pieces of collections from the infamous Westwood to Gaultier and classics from Mainbocher to Ceil Chapman in the Seduction Gallery.

The Dark Gothic Glamour rooms evoked an all together more mysterious and vampy atmosphere, with pieces from Valentino, Givenchy, Hussein Chalayan to name a few.

I just could not tear my eyes away from these sparkling Christian Laboutins (Fall 08) from the Seduction gallery at F.I.T.

The association of fashion and death is central to this gothic style.

Alexander McQueen feather dress.

Fashion: I am Fashion, your sister.
Death: My sister?
Fashion: Yes, don't you remember that both of us are daughters of decay?

Giacomo Leopards
'Dialogue of Fashion & Death' 1842.
Slightly depressing but I think relevant dialogue.

This is a template dress used by students so they can see how the original was made without causing it wear and tear.

* ♥ New York♥ *

Just thought I'd share a few of my snaps from the Big Apple, I can't wait to go back and experience it all over again.

As if there is actually a Fashion Avenue- only in NY!!

Thought this YSL dress was perfect for the transition between winter and spring.

This backless dress is the epitome of sexy, we can always trust Karl.

Infamous Black and white.

You cannot actually stroll past Prada fifth ave store without noticing their visual merchandising. The mirrors caught the sun and twinkled all day long or reflected all the street lights at night. Very innovative way of screaming for attention.

Ah Miu Miu, those bags were truly scrumptious, shame the budget had already been blown before I discovered this trove of treasures. But the sales assistants were so rude!

These Alexander McQueen leggings are amazing, I wouldn't usually wear bottoms with this much cerise, but I would happily totter down the town in these little beauties and wouldn't care who was looking at me because I would be wearing McQueen!

Sale at Stella McCarthy, Guess the credit crunch is hitting everyone! Have to say how lovely the staff were here, I would have bought everything just to make them happy.

I would just like to point out the weather outside was about -3 and snowing so it warmed my little heart to see Diane Von Furstenberg's Spring collection, it really brightened my day (did nothing for my frostbitten fingers though).

We walkied past Comme Des Garcon bout three times before realising it was through this egg shaped, cave like door way. The store was very minimalist which allowed the clothes to sell themselves really.

We were so surprised when we walked onto Balenciaga,I don'treally know what we were expecting but it certainly was not a very minimalist, reclaimed factory looking interior, but some how the smart, quite formal collection transformed it into shabby chic.

Ahh that bag...just touchng it made me smile and it was displayed on a tree stump! I think we may see a trend occuring here.

Louis Vuitton- you couldn't miss it.

Maybe they should turn it in to an exclusive club at night?

Perfect lighting.

Beautiful dress.

I really wish UK stores paid as much time and money on visual merchandising as US stores, even H&M does it, sometimes you just have to spend money to make some, I can see a way out of the recession....

If even a chocolate delicatessen can create displays that make you want to stop and stare then UK retailers really have no excuse. We need to be excited more when it comes to the UK shopping experience, so retailers get on the US bandwagon and make us spend more money with galvanising displays.