Alter Ego on the High Street

Lest I should be accused of looking only at the aspirational here is an 'Alter Ego' look at a more Earthly price.

I am all apurr about this Pins and Needles shirt from Urban Outfitters (£45) and would love to see it with this seasons staple, the leather mini (Zara £69.99).

Pair it with opaque black tights, your geekiest brogues and a men's watch for an easy work-to-bar outfit.

Alter Ego

It’s easy enough to like a trend when the gorgeous Alexa Chung is wearing it but I have always rather liked the buttoned-up look. See her here in Chanel.

Vintage website Atelier Mayer recently sold a Balmain dress from the 1960s in a similar style (see below). This was a dress I bought in my mind. My alter ego wears this kind of thing to work in a Parisian fashion house with a tape measure draped round her neck. It’s prim, it’s done right up to the top button and it might even make you want to start bossing all sorts of boys around

And they wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.

Foot Fetish

My feet hurt like the Little Mermaid’s.

Solution: Buy custom-fit inner-soles.

Result: Renewed interest in all shoes.

I have been shopping around looking for comfortable, supportive shoes that don’t scream geography teacher. I want beautiful shoes that I can wear all day. There are two labels that I always go to for reassurance that those two must-haves are not mutually exclusive: Chie Mihara and Tracey Neuls.

In fact, these are Chie Mihara’s guiding principles of design too. Her credentials include having worked at an orthopedic shoe shop, ‘learning about foot anatomy and common foot problems.’ I bought a pair of her shoes for when I was out personal shopping with clients so I could spend all day on my feet whilst looking credible.

Below are my favourites from her current line. Shop or browse online at her lovely website Chie Mihara.

Tracey Neuls is another designer that I admire enormously. I was drawn into her Marylebone Lane shop by a gorgeous display of shoes hung with ribbons from the ceiling and have since been a closet fan always aspiring to own a pair of her distinctive creations. The shoes are beautifully crafted and I have always cursed a missed opportunity to buy a hand-painted pair of low heals there.

Below is my favourite pair from her Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. Pony skin. Would look enviable with a vintage tea dress...

Those Mermaids amongst us are also thrilled with the popularity of brogues. I love these white Church Brogues from Matches. Geeky but super good, especially with coloured socks or tights.

P.S. If you are interested in getting some custom-fit inner-soles I recommend Footbalance.

P.P.S. If you have a style-conscious man in your life, he could do worse than a pair of Chie Mihara's collection of men's shoes. Very Sartorialist.

Going Ballistic

Amy Westcott's costume design in Black Swan (Rodarte only collaborated in the design of the tutus) artfully taps into a childhood fantasy of being in a ballet corps; of behind-the-scenes stretches in layers of scooping jersey, shrugs, and leggings. As Westcott found in researching these modes amongst New York dancers, these are not however mere nostalgic notions. The clothing is very functional. It protects, it accentuates, it flatters, it warms and it is easily de-layered as the body warms up.

Where am I going with this? Well, I'm thinking of anyone who wants to get straight into the UGGs and pyjamas after a hard days work. I am thinking there might be a way to feel comfortable and keep warm without abandoning all hope of remaining attractive or indeed presentable.

Staple look, all Swans: scoop-back leotard by handmade dancewear designer Yumiko - as worn by Mila Kunis in the movie and grey/black cropped leggings (Topshop or any).

For the Black Swan.

Above: I know it's super pricey but I am including this Rick Owens grey top (£820 at Net-a-Porter) as an idea. Lovely, much cheaper option available at M&S online for £19.50.

Ballet pumps at French Sole (£85) or get the real thing at Repetto. Both super comfy for padding round.

For the White Swan

Above: Expensive dream option by Vivienne Westwood: Anglomania £185 at Net-a-Porter. For a more pocket friendly option how about the sale price All Saints Clio top (with built-in layering) £26 down from £65.

Above: Splendid waterfall-front cardigan also at Net-a-Porter £79.

Or look up the All Saints Jerry Wrap Top for £60.

For the Duplicitous Swan in all of us; the beauty of this look, Mix and match.

'It's like so whatever' - Claire Danes

Awkward teenaged non-flirtations struck a cord with anyone who grew up glued to My So-Called Life. We'd all been there and Claire Danes was our hero. She was ethereal in Romeo and Juliet and was a dream opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. Below, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last night, she wins my favourite outfit of the night hands down.

Flowing and belted in Louis Vuitton the loaner shows that there is so much more to Louis Vuitton than logoed luggage. See the rest of the 2011 Cruise Collection at Louis Vuitton.

To be fair

I love vintage fairs, antique markets, charity shops and car boot sales. You can, if you are strong-willed, leave empty handed but more often than not you find a gem that is not only beautiful and original but also a bargain. I always advocate going as early as possible because I can't face missing out. A nine o'clock wake up this morning was rewarded two-fold.

Straight off the stall and onto my arm was a vintage Mulberry Somerset bag at a snip of the price you'd pay at the shop

.

Second up, a matching black leather and brass-cased 1970s men's watch. Too drool for school.

Up for a rummage? I recommend the following sites to check upcoming events.

Hertfordshire Vintage Fairs

Hammersmith Town Hall vintage fair

Chiswick car boot, W4 3UN, London (first Sunday of every month)

Affordable Vintage Fair - York Hall, Bethnal Green (next on 27th Feb)

The Vintage Furniture Flea - York Hall, Bethnal Green (on 27th March)

Black Swan

I cannot wait to see Daron Aronofsky's new film Black Swan featuring a reportedly epic performance from Natalie Portman but more excitingly, costumes designed by Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Out on the 24th Jan. Book now to find out...

Golden Globes: The Good

When I started scrolling through the images from last nights Golden Globes I started to despair. Catherine Zeta Jones are you hoping to bring back taffeta? Helen Bonham-Carter why not surprise someone and wear Calvin Klein? Angelina and Ann Hathaway in horrible sequins straight from an 80s Gospel church - why stop before putting on a ridiculous matching hat? And I am not even going to talk about Minnie Driver. I am just not.

But then I found some true gems. While much is being made of the emerald trend on the red carpet I think the only trend to take from the evening was demure glamour. Full length and gorgeous gowns with discreet twinkles. A flattering fold. I have included my favorites below for you delectation.

The ever luscious Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab
Olivia Wilde in starry Marchesa
Mila Kunis working discreet pleats of a Vera Wang confection.

Yummy.

Trend: Boardwalk

High gloss Vanity Fair’s shots for the HBO series Boardwalk Empire have inspired me to cherry pick the best of vintage-look swimsuits for your sojourns beside the seaside.

Splash Out

Above: Diane von Furstenburg 'Zane' bikini top £133 and bottoms £102. Sold separately - sorry! (In fact the whole Resort collection is mouth-watering). High-waisted bottoms flatter the curvy girl and the bikini top is a supportive yet stylish option whether you need it or not.

Modesty Blaze

Above: If you are 'pale and interesting' and are happy slathering yourself in Factor 20 plus, this £125 Miu Miu one piece is ideal - otherwise I shudder to think of the tan lines!
Cheap and Chic

Above: Coming in at just £32 this Topshop swimsuit is a more affordable option that will have you feeling every bit the Boardwalk girl.

Don't overlook the importance of accessories to complete the look. I found some beautiful Roundhouse sunglasses by Sunettes (exclusive for Liberty £85). Team with the go-to for every London fashion girl, bright red, matt MAC lipstick Russian Red £13.50.

Alison Mosshart

I can’t help but get all starry-eyed around Alison Mosshart. She stalks around the stages singing with The Kills and The Dead Weather. She flicks her mane to the beat. Style-wise she splices typical London style with an apache-look that stylists feast on when working with her.

It’s not easy to look stylish alongside friend Kate Moss but sharing Jamie Hince’s time with the supermodel does not leave Alison Mosshart looking the ugly sister. They both share that rock star, car-crash attitude that compounds our Grazia style fascination with these icons. Massive style crush.

Get the look...

The Dreamcatcher Route:

Legs: Black skinny jeans from 7 For All Mankind at Liberty £165

Kitschy T-shirt: Sour Cherie cotton/wool t-shirt Sonia by Sonia Rykiel

Gold chains: Annina Vogel at Liberty or Net a Porter around £2,000

Feather headdress: at Little Doe stocked at Church Boutique, CA. USA

Poncho top: Lotta Stensson’s Nairobi printed silk top £305

Feet: Vanika leopard Ankle boots at KG by Kurt Geiger £140

The Honest Indian Route

Legs: Panelled PU leggings at Topshop £32

Beaten up t-shirt: Lucky dice t-shirt at Beyond Retro £14

Gold chains: short ‘Love’ necklace Accesorize £5 and Tassel chain necklace at Mickey £25

Feather headdress: shop around on Ebay for current auctions or on Urban Outfitters

Feet: Brilliantly ridiculous Blue tassel boots from ASOS £39

The Cover Up

Last week snow was everywhere and all the chat about it was boring. But I am loving girls stalking the streets, eyes barely showing beneath hefty scarves that backbrush their hair as they go.

Fitted jacket. Get one anywhere. Zara is always good. Jockey trousers, if you can pull them off. Skinnies if not. Towering heels or boot wedges for the day. Done.

P.S. First forray into the Drawn element of Hung Drawn. Thank you for your patience.

Archive: Dark Heart

A little scrap of paper passed over the counter when I was but a shop girl appears in a sketchbook I'm using. Helena Horstedt.com is all it says.

I am thrown backwards two years when I pawed over the most beautifully created pieces I have ever seen. All handcrafted. All black. All sumptious. Satin, Velvet, Leather. Pleated, concertinaed.

I can't find anything on where this girl is now but if you have five minutes go to the website and feast your eyes on true artistry. I wish it could go on and on...

Alley Capellino

Stars collide.

I park on Calvert Avenue on the way to Leila, a favourite cafe in Shoreditch and happen across a cool little shop, which happens to be Ally Capellino HQ. Stripey summer holdalls catch my eye. Like every fashion girl I am a sucker for a stripe!

Same week: I get a newsletter from menswear shop Tonic and it features Ally Capellino bags for men.

A month later she has a stand in Liberty.

Her designs are charming. They mix a little of the doctor's bag with the school satchel and I'm so thrilled to see her label being championed by people in the know. This label is one of those gems you hope no-one will catch onto but that you can't help but hope does well.

The Twlight Saga

In the twilight of their liaison with Kate Moss, Topshop has launched a Limited Edition collection available only in it's Oxford Street, Brompton Road and NY branches. Beautifully styled outfits on the promo shots belie what I suspect is an overpriced collection akin to the £200 beaded pieces that 'Kate Moss' created for her Topshop stint. But I suppose it is bringing a bit of the magic of vintage to the mainstream whilst limiting, although not eliminating, the chance of finding someone dressed in the same thing as you at the next big party.

I'm not a fan but I think, love it or hate it, the highly commercial 14 Kate Moss collaborations with the high street brand set the bar very high for high profile partnerships. If this is the best they can come up with though, I think they should hold back on the ad spend until the hype of the much-anticipated collection Lanvin/H&M passes. Tough night.

Simply entitled: Drool

Should I?

Helpdesk: Beautiful and the Damned

Say for example, you are going to a party. This month. Theme: Beautiful and The Damned. Here's a mood board and source directory to put your mind at ease if you are struggling with what to wear...

In the book of the same name, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote about the excesses of life in the Jazz Age. This period conjures up images of casually strewn furs and swaying beads; winking sequins and long silhouettes. Shimmying tassles and feather fans. Kate Moss' thirtieth had the same theme and she was a beauty in blue sequins from vintage specialist Atelier Mayer (below).

First off, don't panic, the high street is glimmering with perfect drop-waist dresses so there's no need to go for the original. Below are some ideas...

Topshop: £120

All Saints: Bex dress £75
Biba (House of Fraser): £195

Biba (House of Fraser): £155

There are also accessories aplenty to accesorize shop around for headbands, beaded bags and marabous. The best I have found were at topshop and Claire's Accessories. See you on the 27th.

Tilda

A recent ‘who-was-wearing-what-at-some-event-or-another’ prompts me to write about how much I am enamoured with Tilda Swinton. The press’ fascination around her unconventional love-life is tedious. Tilda is fascinating; they should just say so.

This is a woman with inimitable alabaster skin and marmalade hair, she is statuesque and angular and at 49, she is a great example of how you can still be extremely stylish as you age. I love the recent shots of her in a campaign for Pringle.

But what comes across so strongly in all images where Tilda Swintons’ steely eyes peer out is that she is open to being portrayed daringly. She can be androgynous easily, she plays the part of redhead and albino fittingly, she is tall and slim. In short, Tilda Swinton looks great fun to style and would be my ideal client.