New Obsession Alert II

Paris-based super stylist Catherine Baba is rather fabulous.

Old Hollywood glamour teamed with Parisian chic, how can you go wrong?

Footnote: This does not mean that my love for Anna Dello Russo has subsided in any way...

... just so we're clear.

Camel Grows Up

Gucci

By the looks of the latest pictures from Milan Fashion Week it seems that this season's it-colour "camel" will evolve next season and make way for more golden, earthy hues, a deeper and richer nude palette, and hints of (dare I say it?) khaki...

Versace

This new colour trend which is set to be hot for spring/summer next year is the chicer, more mature big sister of the camel shades that have graced both the runways and the high street (thank you Zara) this year. With Gucci, Versace, Gianfranco Ferré, Alberta Ferretti and Etro showcasing this colour scheme, it is sure to become unavoidable.

Gianfranco Ferré

From nudes and gold comes the inevitable graduation into the more "khaki" shades of the colour spectrum. As Tim Gunn would muse, this worries me. With khaki comes the whole "camo" aesthetic, multiple shades of dark green and outfits that take the military trend a step too far and have you resembling a legitimate member of the army, or a zookeeper. Not cute.

Alberta Ferretti and Etro

Thankfully Alberta Ferretti veered off that path and edged slightly towards a more yellow tone. Now this interests me. As yellow is possibly the most difficult colour on Earth for a person to wear, this simplifies it, but still doesn't make it an obvious yellow. It's yellow without being too yellow. I think this colour scheme is the complete antithesis to what we (or at least I) were expecting. Other designers please take note that this is the route you should all be taking and then we can all breathe a sigh of relief that "camo" (and God forbid camo print!) is dead a buried.

Grazie Alberta!

Worth The Effort

The "Apples on Trees" theory has been circling the internet for quite some time, I have no idea who wrote or said it, I simply stumbled across it on someone's Facebook profile. It spoke to me, it really did resonate with me, it's pretty much what friends and family have been trying to tell me for months and I never really took much notice. Reading it in black and white however, the message came through loud and clear.

I related to it, not in an egotistical way, but because it is often how I feel about myself and I've never really been able to verbalise it in an eloquent and clear way. There was a time, not so long ago, when my opinion of a certain someone was far higher than any opinion I have ever had of myself... never again.

For those of you who have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, here is the "Apples on Trees" theory (aka the story of my romantic life thus far) :

"Boys are like apples on trees, the best ones are at the top. Other boys dont want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as nice, but are easy. So the apples up top think there is something wrong with them, when in reality they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree."

I'm worth the effort, and he'll be worth the wait.

Summer 2010

Being British I spend a large amount of time complaining how awful the weather is. However when it does improve I seem to spend that time complaining that there are far too many insects and people on the Earth and not enough beaches. Having said that, as a self-confessed sun-worshipper and welcome any form of summer with open legs. Especially in Britain.

This summer has been pretty incredible. I've got closer to existing friends and made so many new friends who I know will still be in my life in years to come. Good friends are hard to come by in the city, particularly in the fashion crowd and this summer has certainly been an eye-opener, I've learned a lot about myself and those around me. My biggest and most useful lesson has been to prioritise. As much as I adore my lifestyle, I didn't move to London to party and/or fall in love. I moved here with the intention of making something of myself, building a foundation, meeting people, carving out a career for myself and to start the journey towards becoming the man I have always wanted to be. I'm much more focused, determined and at peace now. With a few internships under my belt and more to come, this summer has been a constant education. I'm going into winter not only enveloped in chunky knitwear and cosy shearling, but also feeling stronger, more confident and more optimistic about the future than I've felt for... let's just say a very long time.

My trip to Egypt was good for me on so many levels. I needed to get away for a while, I needed good weather and good times and some worry-free time, which is exactly what I got. Escaping emotional and career drama and also the ongoing house-hunting drama, I was simply existing for 2 whole weeks. I returned to London relaxed, with a clear train of thought. I had gained a new perspective on things, new priorities, new goals and a new outlook on my path in life.

I'm ready to take on the world.

I just hope the world is ready for me.

My mantras this summer come from two of the most inspirational people to have ever graced the Earth.

Abraham Lincoln -

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

And Lady Gaga -

"Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you're wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn't love you any more."

Thank you to everyone who has made this summer so amazing and so memorable (next summer has a lot to live up to!) and thank you to those who actually take the time to read this blog. It does mean a lot. I put a lot of time and effort into it and try to be as open as I can without blabbling about every minute detail of my life. (Another thing I've learned this summer - albeit the hard way - is how to keep my mouth shut when necessary). With the fashion weeks drawing to a close and the new uni term starting in less than a week, this month feels like a second new year to me, a second chance for a fresh start. Let each year be even better than the last!

Here are some pictures from this summer. Some of me. Some of me with friends. Some are just pictures that have inspired, caught my eye or meant something to me over the summer of 2010.

And remember kids, don't be afraid to fuck up occasionally. Making certain mistakes could be the best thing to ever happen to you...

NYFW III: Three Gowns

Will Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman ever get it wrong?

I love me some Marchesa.

NYFW II: Menswear

My first impression on New York Fashion Week this year wasn't massively astounding. But as the clock ticks by and more shows take place I am finding myself getting more and more excited. The menswear looks in particular, I am now coveting and am already inspired to start building my spring/summer wardrobe for next year (regardless of the fact that I am yet to buy much for this year's impending winter).

Marc by Marc Jacobs was a definite highlight. The soft, floaty, slouchy, effortless tailoring was executed brilliantly. Not sloppy or lazy-looking. I adore the belted "potato sack" style trousers, definitely buying into that trend next season.

The Chuck Bass/Talented Mr. Ripley, nautical/preppy aesthetic is perfect for spring/summer and something I've been trying to evoke all this year. It's the perfect balance of smart/casual. Comfortable and relaxed, yet subtly formal.

Oh and Marc, I'll be needing this coat -

And perhaps the matching trousers too...

... actually that coat ain't half bad either... feeling generous?

Next to impress (admittedly, unexpectedly) was Phillip Lim's 3.1 Phillip Lim Mens S/S 11 collection.

Clean-cut tailoring seasoned with accents of sheer fabrics, leathers and suedes made for an interesting take on spring/summer casual wear (a combination of hard and soft is what I am all about). With a subtle Asian influence on the details (cut, patterns, belts etc.) there's a true sense of exotic and rare designs, yet with them still being functional, practical and very wearable.

Black suede short shorts?

Yes please.

Suede belted jacket with pockets & shoulder details?

Go on then.

This look (below) in particular stood out to me and I would liken it to Gareth Pugh meets Burberry Prorsum's S/S '11 collection (a particular favourite collection of mine).

Tan leather short shorts with a nude grandad collar shirt anyone?

Delectable.

This entire outfit?

Gimme.

Keep it coming NYC!

NYFW - The Story So Far...

I'm very underwhelmed by New York Fashion Week, a few more days to go I suppose, but Monique Lhuillier is definitely the stand-out for me so far. The LA-based Filipina designer is known for ethereal elegance and stand out glamour (and for designing Heidi Montag's wedding dress... perhaps not her proudest moment, but it was a beautiful dress nonetheless).

Below are my three favourite looks from her ready-to-wear show. Delicate, simple but yet still intricate, romantic and very chic. I can just hear Rachel Zoe shrieking "Oscars! Oscars! Oscars!" from the front row.

Another stand-out for me was the sighting of style icon Anna Dello Russo (below) sporting Balmain's version of Style.com 's 10th Anniversary T-Shirt. Other versions included in the collection are designed by Lanvin, Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, Prada, Givenchy, Christopher Kane, Rodarte and Proenza Schouler. Can we also point out that Balmain skirt -

I die.