Happy Halloween

Embrace the gothic trend dominating the shops this autumn; lace, velvet and jewels - this year is going to be the most stylish halloween yet.

1) Gucci velvet gown 2) Velvet cut out body - Topshop 3) Necklace - Asos
4) Lace crop top - Topshop 5) Embroidered blouse - Zara
6) Charlotte Olympia Loafers 7) Nail Rock wraps

Fairytale Christmas

Harrods' are injecting some extra magic into christmas this year as a designer Disney Princess window display is in store to dazzle. Renowned for it's impressive window displays and a reputation that needs to be upheld, some of the biggest names in fashion have designed their fairytale-worthy dresses which will be on display from 1st November.

These beautiful dresses, really are fit for princesses and encapsulate a modern twist on the iconic outfits of the characters they are designed for, whilst retaining the timeless elegance every little girl aspires to. If these illustrations are anything to go by then there's the possibility of the most enchanting christmas window yet.

Rapunzel by Jenny Packham

Princess Jasmine by Escada

Princess Aurora by Elie Saab

Ariel by Marchesa

Images from vogue.co.uk

For the first time... Chanel N°5

"'Where should one use perfume?' a young woman asked. 'Wherever one wants to be kissed,' I said."

- Coco Chanel

 The iconic brand is all about pioneering and consequently in less than a week we will all be treated to Brad Pitt becoming the first male face of Chanel N°5's advertising campaign. They've released a short film which captures the ongoing success of the perfume: from it's original vision, to all the other famous faces who have represented the fragrance. So whilst we wait for Brad Pitt's performance let's learn  about the chronicling history of this timeless  scent because by the looks of things it won't be going anywhere in a hurry.

Teatime treats

Sister by Sibling have collaborated with the hotel W London for the Fashion Week Tea Salon. As if the average afternoon tea isn't enough of a treat, this has taken things to the next level. The typically british occasion still includes the classic scones and cream alongside a pink bespoke leopard biscuit which also compliments the cushions decorating the interior of the lounge. So if you can drag yourself away from the shows this seems like the ultimate indulgence and the perfect excuse to refuel.

Mulberry Magic

If only it was as simple as it looks...

The process of making a Del Rey

The greatness of Gatsby

The 1920's is renowned for glamour and the highly anticipated film remake of The Great Gatsby is set to live up to all expectations.  I don't think you can go wrong with elegant old-school glamour, beads and sequin embellishments are an instantaneous winner for evening wear and this fashionable era has influenced the catwalks for both seasons this year and is predicted to stick around until the movie is released.

The allure of the costumes grabbed my attention in the action packed trailer and the fashion potential of the film has just got even greater. Miuccia Prada has reworked over 40 dresses from Prada and Miu Miu archives to be worn by various characters throughout the film and they join Tiffany & Co (the jewellery providers for the film) - ensuring the outfits will match the star-studded cast. Having postponed the release date from December until summer 2013 we can continue to wear trends inspired by the most decadent of decades to ensure we look great whilst we wait.

Carey Mulligan on set of The Great Gatby

1) Anton Heunis Ring 2) Olga Berg bag 3) Temperley London

4) Valentino necklace 5) A-Wear skirt 6) Frock'n'Frill dress

Jenny Saville

"There is a thing about beauty. Beauty is always associated with the male fantasy of what the female body is. I don’t think there is anything wrong with beauty. It’s just what women think is beautiful can be different. And there can be a beauty in individualism. If there is a wart or a scar, this can be beautiful, in a sense, when you paint it." 

- Jenny Saville

The massive expanse of a fat naked woman's flesh in front of you shouldn't be appealing but in Jenny Saville's paintings it somehow is. My interest in the artist began in sixth form looking at her earlier work and how she challenged the typical aesthetics of female beauty, essentially by painting female subjects that were the exact opposite of those often idolised by media. Seeing Saville's work first hand at Modern Art, Oxford made me realise that books simply can not do the art work justice. Even when you read the dimensions of the canvases it's hard to visualise their vastness until you see the figures encompassing the whole wall from across the gallery. It's hard to imagine working so close to a painting for years when ultimately it is designed to be viewed from a distance.

Saville's work is paradoxically ugly but beautiful. It captures the contours of flesh through unblended and textural brush strokes and the paint is built up in layers as if she's sculpting the skin herself. I think the artwork relies partly on the shock factor upon the audience, perhaps a flesh carcass may not be your cup of tea, but there's no possibility that you can see this work and not be seriously impressed.

Images from Modern Art Oxford