Celebs Toughen up in Leather and Spikes at Burberry

Celebs Toughen up in Leather and Spikes at Burberry

(Getty Images)

At New York Fashion Week, flirty spring-winter hybrid looks were all the rage, but at the Burberry show during London Fashion Week, the tough-o-meter was turned up to high. Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe and Kate Bosworth all turned up in the brand's urban chic style.

Alexa kept her look casual, with a navy sweater paired with luxe leather leggings. Daisy opted for a splash of bright pink, contrasted with a biker jacket and boots. Kate veered away from black and opted for camel, but don't the paler color had any less attitude—her skirt was fully decorated with some seriously sharp studs!

All in all, three awesomely cool looks!

 Alexa Chung attends the Margaret Howell Show during London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011 at the Margaret Howell Studio on February 20, 2011 in London, England.
(February 19, 2011 - Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images Europe)

 

 See more pics next page...

(UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Alexa Chung arrives at the ELLE Style Awards 2011 held at The Grand Connaught Rooms on February 14, 2011 in London, England.
(February 13, 2011 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe)

Model Alexa Chung attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 Official Coverage at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2011 in New York City.
(February 9, 2011 - Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America)

 

Model Alexa Chung attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 Official Coverage at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2011 in New York City.
(February 9, 2011 - Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America)

Model Alexa Chung attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 Official Coverage at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2011 in New York City.
(February 9, 2011 - Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America)

 

Alexa Chung attends the Chanel Haute Couture fashion show, held at the Espace Cambon, Paris.
(January 25, 2011 - Photo by PacificCoastNews.com)

Alexa Chung arrives at the Etam Fashion Show Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Launch at Grand Palais on January 24, 2011 in Paris, France.
(January 23, 2011 - Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)

 

 

Zimbio

 

This Dress Looks Better on… Blake Lively VS Alexa Chung!

 This Dress Looks Better on… 

Blake Lively VS Alexa Chung!

2 finalists on Vogue’s Best Dressed Celebrities list, both wearing the exact same dress, but in very different ways: Blake sexying it up with heels and fabulous legs and Alexa playing it chic & relaxed.

This Dress Looks Better on… Blake Lively VS Alexa Chung!

2 individual pictures after the jump!

Alexa Chung Is Frustrated, Says: ‘I don’t have an eating disorder’

Alexa Chung Is Frustrated, Says: ‘I don’t have an eating disorder’

26 year-old trendsetter Alexa Chung is featured in the November edition of British Elle – with this occasion, Alexa responds (once again) to the overwhelming ‘she’s so skinny, she must have an eating disorder!’ rumors:

“I cannot express how frustrating it is to not be believed when you say, ‘I don’t have an eating disorder,’ “I am naturally very thin. I get even thinner when I’m stressed. And you cannot imagine how stressed I was last year.

“It angers me because I don’t want to be a pin-up for young girls just for being thin. I don’t want to be admired for being thin as opposed to being dressed well, and I don’t want the two to get confused.”

… says Alexa.

Sloane Style and the World of Jilly Cooper

Jilly Cooper is a writer of fiction, non-fiction, novels, and romance.  But it is her stories centering around the fictional Rutshire countryside and character Rupert which are the ones I love the most.  I always have one of these books on my bedside table and even though I may be reading other books at the same time, like an old friend, she keeps me comfort.  

Jilly Cooper with her husband Leo.

Jilly has been the single most important influence on my writing since I was 22 years old.  A flat-mate gave me a copy of "The Man Who Made Husband's Jealous" because after completing my final university exams I was desperate to read something other than pre-18th century literature.  I passed on my copy of "The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous" to another friend, and then went about searching book stores for copies of her other books in the series which, in the end, were all passed around from friend to friend as we all became obsessively hooked on Jilly's stories of Rupert Campbell-Black - her most infamous character and the descriptions of life in the English countryside which she so beautifully depicted.


I picked up my very tattered copy "Polo" last week and began reading it for what is most likely my tenth time.  True!  She is always the writer I turn to in times of need.  When my gorgeous girl friend Kirsty moved recently she had a copy of "Riders" with her because "It brings me comfort in a time of stress and uncertainty", she said.  

So in love with her stories, I once wrote to Jilly because I just had to let her know how wonderful she was and how her books made me laugh, cry and wish for a life in the English countryside.  I never believed that she would even get my letter, but she did and she wrote back too!  She loved my letter - you couldn't imagine how it made me feel!

My letter from Jilly Cooper.

My friends and I all agree that we feel that Jilly's characters are close friends so well we know them, often referring to them in conversation and even naming our pets after them.  


When writing this post I realised that I could inject a style note here after all because in her books, Jilly often refers to the ladies at the polo matches and the horse jumping shows that all remind me of a look that I became all too familiar with at University.  


Girls who were called Sloan Rangers there where so because of their Laura Ashley and Liberty print blouses, antique fob necklaces, RM Williams' riding boots and an air of snobbishness about them.  Their hair was almost always long and thick and perfect.  They had a family with money and had spent their highschool years at exclusive boarding schools in Sydney where they built up a vast network with other Sloane Rangers.
  

Dolce & Gabbana

The term Sloane Rangers originated in London's Chelsea.  The girls were named after their main shopping address - Sloane Street.  Sloane style is typically conservative and usually features tweed, velvet, blazers and headscarves - all trademarks of the look with a predilection for the countryside. 


Trends recently have seen a throwback to the styles of the 80s, among them ballet flats, bows, blazers,  head scarves and pretty blouses, even Liberty has a collection for Target in America.

Kate Middleton has become the poster child for the return of the Sloane Ranger (but really, did they every actually leave?) and she is right up there with Trinny Woodall, Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Jemima Khan, Elle McPherson and even Gwyneth Paltrow (some people might think I'm wrong here, but oh well).

But it was Princess Diana whom essentially brought the Sloane Ranger style into the mainstream by wearing her traditional country style from the early days of her engagement to Prince Charles that made her the archetypal Sloane Ranger.  Those pictures of her taken at Balmoral on after returning from their honeymoon show her in true Sloane Ranger style.

Hx

Sources:  Jilly Cooper's 'Polo', Telegraph.co.uk. , The Sartorialist, The Guardian Newspaper, Garance Dorè, Style.com. 

Style Crush: Alexa Chung

While researching for this blog on Alexa Chung, I was astounded by the sheer number of links and images available relating to her.  She is one hot topic out there right now, having been picked up by the fashion radar and her star is rapidly rising.  British Vogue has picked up on this because in June this year she became a contributing editor.   


I like Alexa because what you see is what you get.  Her style is so accessible, a mix of girly and tomboy, understated and quirky.  She mixes designer, wardrobe staples and High street brands so effortlessly.  She comes across as this adorable, chic and sexy girl/woman.

She knows herself well and this shines through in her consistent choices which feature her favourites such as blazers, satchels, plaid, skirts and knee-high socks, brogues and the nautical theme which she admits to being obsessed with.    

Alexa is a British TV presenter living in New York and she can be seen on MTV in her show It's On with Alexa Chung. Previously she was working for Channel 4 in London working on shows like Gok's Fashion Fix where, apart from being a roving reporter, she also got to interview designers such as Roberto Cavalli and Vivienne Westwood.  Before being made a contributing editor of British Vogue in June this year she previously wrote for Company magazine and had a weekly newspaper column in The Independent.  

It's her subtle highlights that add to her over all look.  Giving her hand-me-down look a luxurious boost with a pair of killer heels.  Or wearing brogues with tights and a sexy designer dress.

She has featured on the covers of Elle and Harper's Bazaar in the past year and she has appeared at all the major catwalk shows - even appearing in the odd one for Vivienne Westwood at London Fashion Week.  

There's an effortless "I didn't really bother" vibe to everything Alexa wears and a laid-back London street chic infuses her entire wardrobe. 

Alexa says that she doesn't like to look over dressed or too neat.  

"On TV I wear dresses mostly. If I'm not wearing a dress, then I'm always wearing jeans and band T-shirts. I have doubles of everything because I keep buying the same thing. I have lots of cable-knit cardigans and a variety of blazers".

Alexa prefers to look like a boy rather than get all dressed up and look overtly girly, which is interesting because I think her look is actually very feminine, and not overtly boyish at all.  

"I never think I look that nice. I prefer it when I look like a boy to when I have to dress up like a girl."

Alexa is all about low-key, low-maintenance, no fuss.  She is not obsessed with designers or trends but does fall in love with particular items in her wardrobe.

"I usually just put on trousers and whatever I've been wearing in bed. My cupboards are ridiculous. I've got too many clothes and not enough space, so I forget what's at the back of my wardrobe and I end up wearing the same thing for months, while the rest gets pushed further and further back."

Dressed up by the team at Elle (top) and Harper's Bazaar.  

Whose style do you admire?

I'm kind of obsessed with the Olsen twins. I find them amazing because they look like little well-dressed animals.

What would you never wear?

Probably a unitard. And I don't like T-shirts that are cut for girls.

What's your grooming routine?

I'm definitely low maintenance, but I need liquid eyeliner with me at all times so I look more like a cat. Without makeup, I look about five.

Alexa likes to shop randomly, and by that I mean she is an accidental shopper.  Unintentionally picking up something for her wardrobe when not actually out shopping for clothes.  I have the same problem myself, which drives my husband nuts because I am forever window shopping, 

"My life is one ongoing shopping trip. I can always manage to find something to buy - if I'm in an airport, I'll buy one of those dog-breed bags or something. Yesterday I bought a hat. When I leave my house to get a coffee, I end up wandering into a nearby vintage shop and buying something I don't really need, or already have." 

Alexa has in the past had her own issues about her looks, but she doesn't feel that way now.  I think it's because she has learnt to be herself and it is herself that has gotten her where she is today.

"When I was young I wanted to be blond. I was gutted that I had dark hair. When I was modelling, I always wanted to look like another girl, because you were always being given reasons why you didn't get something, such as "If you were two inches taller ... " or, "If you were blond ... " but now that doesn't matter."

She's not a typical beauty, but she is beautiful. She doesn't dress conventionally, but I am inspired by her sense of style.  She is lucky, she gets to do what she loves working in two industries, tv and publishing, - amazing.  I wonder where she'll go to from here? 

Expect to be seeing a lot more of Alexa.

Ciao for now,

Hx

Sources: Garance Dorè, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, Denimology, Zimbio, Listal.  If I've left anybody out, please forgive me.