Coachella Dreaming

Sun, Style, Desert Sand, Sweet Euphonics and Melodic Memories...The music festival season begins with the most popular and trendy, Coachella. Whilst most people attend for the entertainment, celebrities and fashionistas go out of their way to dress for the occasion in 'free spirited, hippie chic, anything goes, festival-appropriate clothes'. These looks are seeped in bohemian tones with floaty printed dresses, edged with fringing, crochet and lace, and topped off with fedoras, cowboy boots and Daisy Dukes. I have personally never dabbled in festival wear, but with some editing and fine tuning, I think boho doesn't necessarily have to look hobo. This is my style inspiration guide on dressing (elegantly) for Coachella, or any other music festival.

 Coachella Celebrity Style

Emmy Rossum and Nina Dobrev attended the festival in printed maxi looks, whilst Vanessa Hudgens opted for a paisley printed romper with leather ankle boots. Selena Gomez went sheer in a white crochet dress.

Free People Festival Wear

These are some fantastic festival worthy looks I found via Free People

These celebrities bring black and white to life with a bohemian chic spin.

H&M Festival Wardrobe

These are my Coachella inspired picks from H&M

Denim cut-off shorts are the ultimate music festival must, seen on Camilla Belle, Hannah Simone & Julianne Hough.

Nasty Gal Festival Looks

Nasty Gal have a wondrous range of bohemian pieces to inspire your entire summer wardrobe. I love the kimonos, lace dresses and patterned jumpsuits. You can shop these looks here. Click the image for a larger view.

ASOS Festival Hair Styles

No festival outfit would be complete without a complimentary hairstyle and ASOS feature some beautiful hairbands, hats, clips, floral crowns and fascinators to put the finishing touches to your Coachella look. 

Are You Inspired to Try Coachella Style This Summer?

An Essentiel Spring 2014

Possibly some of the best shopping-related news this year, my favourite Belgian-born brand Essentiel now delivers worldwide, yes, even to the bottom of the earth here in South Africa. I love this label for their playful tweaking of runway trends and modern interpretation of classic silhouettes. Every piece has been designed with wearability in mind - not just for the trend-obsessed but for anyone looking for a chic day-to-night, office-to-outerwear look.

This Spring, Essentiel colours our closets in paradise pink, sunrise orange, cream blush and minted green. Leopard prints and unpretentious abstracts pave the patterned component of this collection with overcoats, skater skirts, leisurely-fit pants and flaired-out tops. An endless range of elegant shift dresses can be recharged for an afterwork affair by swapping flats for heels, adding some bling and a colourfully beaded clutch. These statement accessories are also part of the label's repertoire. Essential doesn't present us with just any ordinary sweater, each one is given the intricate eye with rhinestones, studded and sequined detailing.

I feel a shopping surge coming on, with this glance into Essentiel's Spring 2014 collection.

Set 1

1. Pink printed drop waist dress €225 2. Striped Godiva sweater €145. Pink printed Granted pants €175. 3. Black puffer jacket €195. 4. Pink printed top (same as previous look) €155. Black skater skirt €165. 5. Oversized striped Giro cardigan €175. Burgundy PVC Gourde bow clutch €55

Set 2

1. Leopard print Giocomo coat €365. Neon peach Gohone gathered dress €145. 2. Ivory embroidered-sleeve Gairy sweater €145. Leopard print skater skirt €185. 3. Glossaire leopard print dress with ruffled sleeves €195. Grasspop tribal print clutch €85. 4. Leopard print pink zipper jacket €195. Gasoleo print sweater with sequined 'E' print €165. Cropped denim jeans with studded sides €195.

Set 3

1. Pastel pink sequined sweater €135. Printed Gerard pants €145. Gratin tribal beaded bag €95 2. Pink printed tshirt €145. Strass crystal studded blush trousers €165. 3. Cream blush top with attached yellow stone necklace €145. Floral Glinglin skirt €165. 4. Pastel pink printed 3/4 sleeve shift dress €185.

Set 4

1. Mint knit cardigan €135. Leopard print Gelatine top €95. Ginger popping print pants €145  2. Glamrock leopard printed maxi dress €195 3. Gandle popping print green belted shift dress €145 4. Lime green rhinestone studded Garaje top €115. Green plastic tote bag €110 White ribboned pants €125. 5. Grey Garatoi sequin embellished sweater €145. Mint green denim shorts €95. 

Set 5

1. Lace insert Gaterie dress €225. Metallic mesh Galipette clutch €55 2. Gold sequined Granada sweater €135. 3. Rhinestone studded Great top €145. Multi-layered tulle skirt €185. 4. Printed Getch shirt dress €185. Cotton jacquard beaded Gratin bag €95. 5. Black & white Geopolitics lace insert dress €225.

Set 6

1. Pink short-sleeved Guts A-line top €145. Black skater skirt €165. 2. Multi-coloured sequined Giani top €285. 3. Pink Giacomo coat €365. Robot intarsia sweater €145. Gathered printed skirt €165. 4. Grey printed sequin detail t-shirt €65. 5. Sequin sprayed t-shirt €145. Powder blue Getout skirt €165.

Set 7

1. Orange printed Gabba bomber jacket €345 2. Black biker jacket €365. Sequined applique 'E' Sweater €175 3. Orange printed Galaxy overcoat €395 4. Lurex shimmer sweater €145. Ginger printed pants €145. 5. Black peplum top €175. Orange printed skirt €175.

I have my eye on Set 1 and 2.
Which of these Essentiel outfits would you like to shop?

You can shop the entire collection here.

Shopaholics Series - Suite Blanco

One of my favourite places to shop at abroad is at Spanish brand Suite Blanco. They stock clothing that is trendy, well-made and very reasonably priced. It's always impossible leaving their stores empty handed. I also love their stunning collection of jewellery, bags and comfortably fit jeans. These are a few looks and outfit ideas I have selected from Blanco. I've arranged them so that each set is interchangeable and can be worn in different ways.


Grunge Glamour

From Top Left: Cream blouse with leather collar. Strass red thread necklace. Beige printed jacquard jumper. Black quilted and embroidered cotton jacket. Red tartan print trousers. Black & white tartan dress. Red suede pumps. Houndstooth bracelet set. Two-tone bodycon dress. Red teardrop earrings. Evasé sequined skirt. Red tartan portfolio bag. Studded black ankle boots. Red bowling bag.

Biker Chic

Animal print sweater. Quilted leather biker jacket. Bow-detail chain bracelet. Beaded shoulder bag. White and black cuffed sleeve top. Low rise skinny jeans. Black and gold multi-chain belt. Leather wrap-around mini skirt. Black and gold tassel necklace. Quilted bowling bag. Black buckled ankle boots. Letters print T-shirt.

Winter Green

From Top Left: Mint green textured jumper. Mint striped flap-bag. Floral embroidered black shirt dress. Green and turquoise tweed zipper jacket. Teal furry jumper. Green bow bracelet set. Dark green and navy tartan chino pants. Turquoise crystal thread necklace. Teal green frilled peplum dress. Black suede pumps. Silver and blue strass necklace. Printed forest green tunic dress.

Urban Attitude

From Top Left: Brown furry vest. Ivory mandarin collar blouse. Two-tone metallic clutch. Gold crystal chain. Strass studded shorts. Denim shirt. Medium rise skinny cuffed jeans. Tribal beaded collar necklace. Super skinny animal print jeans. Studded brown cowboy boots. Crystal studded bracelet set. Fringed leather bag. Studded suede animal print loafers. Army green leather and cotton combined jacket.

Pink Evenings

From Top Left: Black and white jacquard print sweater. Cerise floral statement necklace. Pearl studded bracelet set. Black platform heels. Layered tulle embroidered dress. Black zipper shoulder bag. Sheer black long-sleeved blouse. Bird printed portfolio bag. Fuchsia peplum skirt. Lace halter little black dress. Pink and black two-tone platform pumps. Floral print leggings. Multi-coloured beaded necklace. Black sequined shorts. 

Blanco only ships within Spain, but if you're in the UAE, Philippines, Indonesia, Portugal, Mexico, Russia (and a few other countries) you can visit one of their stores first hand. 

Which of these Suite Blanco sets would you like to shop?

*All Images belong to www.blanco.com

The WhitePepper Fall/Winter 2013

British fashion label The WhitePepper lays down a square foundation for Fall/Winter 2013. Influenced by pixels, grids and geometric shapes, this indie brand brings us a fresh and youthful range of street wear where chic simplicity reigns. The WhitePepper has been favored by Grazia, Glamour and Look magazines for their affordability and ability to instantly update your wardrobe with just one piece.

This season, fashion and functionality meet on the corner of clean lines and classic silhouettes, where volume is key. Prints are trendily set in black and white checks, navy and burgundy plaid and leopard print. Pastel pink babydoll frocks and timeless black and cream shifts are delightfully styled with quirky unicorn bags, cartoon glasses and gem sparkled tights. The WhitePepper have also added shoes to their list of design talents, with chunky leather loafers, cut-out brogues and platform ankle boots adding a heavyweight contrast to the feminine midi skirts and floaty smock dresses.

This is a look into The WhitePepper's charming Fall/Winter 2013-14 collection. 

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You can shop all these outfits, shoes, bags and accessories at thewhitepepper.com. They also offer international shipping. Dresses work out to £55 and above, with sale pieces at £30 and below. The brand can also be purchased through ASOS or Topshop.

Which of The WhitePepper looks will fit into your Fall/Winter 2013 wardrobe?

Pinko Fall/Winter 2013

Filling up your Fall wardrobe has never been easier. After seeing the extensive range from popular Italian brand Pinko, transitioning into 2013 winter trends is guaranteed to be smooth and stylish ride. Pinko extracts the best of the runway to create modern and wearable clothes, ensuring that we too can get that designer look for less.

For Fall/Winter 2013, the contemporary labels focuses on monochromes with graphic black and white outfits in streamlined silhouettes. Pinko builds up your winter wardrobe in a blend of luxurious fabrics - ranging from jacquard and eco leather skirts, hooded gobelin parkas and bouclé wool jackets, crepe blazers, and elegant lace and neoprene print dresses. Florals, checks and animal prints punctuate the voguish collection, with a hint of metallic camouflage. Cozy knitwear and quilted coats are the ideal winter warmers, teamed with fitted leather leggings, modish mini skirts and sophisticated trousers.

Start the week at the office in a chic pin striped suit (Set 6) or white and black flecked skirt and blazer (Set 4). Attend your college classes in a cute plaid print pants and comfy knit top (Set 3 + 7). Get dressed for your dinner date in one of their sexy LBD's (Set 11) or floral frocks (Set 9). Go shopping in a cute quilted jacket & skater skirt (Set 1) and spend your weekend stylishly decked in a chic leather biker, lurex sweater and slouchy trousers (Set 8). 
And there you have it, a chic Pinko look for everyday.

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Set 8

Set 9

Set 10

Set 11



   
Pinko stores are located all over Europe, Great Britain and the UAE. Online shopping is also available at Pinko.it, although shipping destinations are limited. I do hope they extend their line of stores to the rest of the world.
Which of these Pinko looks would you wear this Fall?

Get Alexa Chung's Fall 2012 Style

Alexa Chung for Vera Moda
Fall 2012 Campaign

Model, TV presenter, contributing Vogue editor, DJ, style icon and the face of Vero Moda, British beauty Alexa Chung is multi-talented in all things fashion and PR related. She lends her style and panache to Vero Moda's Fall 2012 campaign, where sophistication comes first in an array of trend-bent looks, with a laid-back classic appeal.

Vero Moda has got you covered this season with bag loads of burgundy, military inspired coats, cozy knits, fitted pants, feminine blouses and a chic medley of black and white looks. Houndstooth makes a comeback, along with sexy pencil skirts and the must-have tailored blazer. Reasonably priced and accessible to all style appetites and age groups, Vero Moda has an abundance of elegant everyday looks to fill up your Fall closet.

Look 1

Look 2

Look 3

Look 4

Look 5

Look 6

Look 7

Look 8

Look 9

Look 10

Look 11

Look 12

All these outfits and more can be purchased via Veromoda.com or check online for your nearest store. Shipping is available to certain European countries, the UK and Ireland. I'd love to shop Looks 6, 8 and 12. Whats your favourite Vero Moda picks for Fall?

*All images found courtesy of Veromoda.com

Tuesday Thrills - Oonagh by Nanette Lepore

American designer Nanette Lepore is known for her contemporary and feminine clothing line, which is a regular feature on New York fashion week. Stepping off the runway and onto the streets, Nanette has created a diffusion line, which brings her bold, attractive designs to a wider market. The brand has been aptly named 'Oonagh', meaning 'pure' in Scottish, which happens to be the perfect term to describe it. With minimalism on her mind, Nanette presents clean, unfussy lines, saturated in bright colours and portrayed by simple prints. Anything striped and I am sold. This is a view into the current Oonagh collection.

1. Marc striped tank top with fringed neck. $98  Davis floral silk shorts. $168

2. Roy floral printed dress in icy blue and red. $248

3. Dean maxi dress with twisted neckline in red licorice. $168

4. Sassy Paul jumpsuit in a combination of red licorice and icy blue. $348

5. Oliver button-up blouse in the icy blue with contrasting red collar. $168

6. Red licorice and icy blue striped Leon maxi dress with cross-neck design. $168

7. Matthew black and white floral dress with cut-outs. $248

8. Kaleo striped sleeveless jersey top. $98  Jayden asymmetric black skirt. $178
9. Richard black and white sleeveless top with open back. $188. Worn with a striped Rocco pleated skirt. $98

10. Dennis black pleated dress with asymmetrical hemline. $178

11. Hudson colourblock gown in black with neon pink contrast trim. $328 

12. Striped three-quarter-sleeve dress, great to style up with neon accessories. $178

13. Hot pink Brody off-the shoulder silk belted dress with button-front and ruffle neck. $258

14. Cerise version of the Hudson maxi dress, with contrast orange trim. $328

15. Cove printed maxi dress. A technicolor honeycomb patterned dress with pockets. $348

16. Ricky colour-block knit dress in fiesta pink, yellow and blue. $228

17. Sigurd silk dress with front frill in seafoam blue. $248

18. Pierce colour-block bustier top with zip-up front. $128. Worn with a prettily printed Riley silk skirt. $248

To purchase one of these playful and practical looks, visit Nanettelepore.com The line is also sold on various department store websites such as Revolveclothing, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales. Being a subset of a designer brand, the price range is high, but most of these pieces are seasonless and an investment to your wardrobe.

Happy Shopping!