Tag Archives: Topshop

Hot on the Highstreet Week 139

Posted on by

Isabel Marant – £370 buy here

ASH – £149 buy here

Topshop – £48 buy here

 ASOS – £38 buy here

Wedge sneakers or heeled trainers have been on the rise for a while now, and like most trends this odd combination of styles once deemed mad now seems marvellous.

Isabel Marant is the lady to thank for this ridiculously great new type of shoe. The trendsetting French designer has serious fashion intuition, and season after season she wows the world with genius creations, marrying comfort and style. Speaking about her wondrous shoes she says: ‘It’s something I did since I was a teenager. I would cut up cork and put pieces of cork into my sneakers because I wanted to look taller. To have a little heel in it makes a difference, it gives your legs–I mean, I know women, I am a woman, so I know what we are searching for!’

I was not a fan when I first spotted these quirky trainers on the high street, they just looked wrong, much like skinny jeans in the beginning. There is also the issue of price… an Isabel Marant pair could set you back £400, a very hefty price tag in comparison with Converse. But after scouting around in the sales, I have found some brilliant alternatives, so you can have your wedge trainers without carving a wedge out of your wallet.

Wearable, warm, flattering and comfortable heels are something I have been searching for my entire life, and after trying on various pairs of these amazing shoes I can firmly say this is a trend definitely worth investing in… awkward trends may come and go, but anything providing comfort is likely to last.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 129

Posted on by

I don’t like spending money on jewellery, it doesn’t feel right. My favourite pieces (and I rarely rotate) have either been given to me by family, bought cheaply in Portobello market, or acquired from the magical glittery costume jewellery shop, Butler and Wilson. So I love it when high end jewellery designers collaborate with high street stores, offering incredible design for a fraction of the price.

Sydney-born, Brit Fashion Award nominated designer/jeweller/sculptor Jordan Askill has collaborated with Topshop on a seven piece capsule collection inspired by Ancient Egyptian artefacts. His striking jewellery has recently been seen on the red carpet, adorning the neck of Skyfall’s Bond Girl, Naomie Harris who wore the amethyst swallow neckpiece from the SS2012 collection.

The limited collection revolves around carved panther faces (a favoured Askill motif) rendered in black rhodium and gold plate on cuffs, rings and a large panther-head pendant that opens to reveal a hidden gem. It is mysterious and romantic jewellery with a gothic edge. I particularly love the detachable charms and locket style openings… I’m most excited about the gold plated panther ring (£40) with the detachable heart dangling from its mouth.

Askill says simply, “I wanted to reach girls who couldn’t afford the designer stuff” and now we all have the chance to feel like a Bond girl… the collection is available in UK stores mid-November and is likely to sell out fast! Prices range from £20- £120.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 90

Posted on by

Not much longer to wait till Mary Katrantzou’s exclusively designed Topshop capsule collection arrives in stores. This famous highstreet brand has kept quiet about this hot collaboration refusing to tell us a release date, but I can now reveal it will be on sale from 17th February. There has been very little information from Topshop but details are being whispered across the fashion blogosphere and excitement is rising.

The Queen of Print has created a 14-piece range of unique garments, it is a bright and colourful collection with her trademark futuristic look and her exuberant personality projected through the designs. Mary hopes to not dilute the signature style in this highstreet line offering young girls the chance to wear an original item at affordable prices.

I hope to get a piece of this vibrant range to add to my wardrobe; there is certainly nothing like Mary’s quirky floral prints anywhere else on the highstreet. The star piece of the collection, the Pheasant Dream Dress, pictured above, will retail at £350, a flattering sculptural dress that ticks all the S/S 2012 trends.

Available in stores and online from 17th February, let’s hope it is not as manic as the H&M collaboration, it would be nice to buy a piece without the frenzied rush.

See collection here.