Saffron Tones, London

Asymmetric & Stripes, Covent Garden, London

Sometimes, a sharp haircut really makes the dress. Akiko wears asymmetric striped dress & accessories, all by Cos...possibly one of my favourite stores on the highstreet.

Grazia's Angela Buttolph in "The" Skirt

So its only fitting that fashion journalist extraordinaire Angela Buttolph should wear one of this season's key pieces...but the pure highlighter pink, the pleats...the sheer playfulness of the Whistles Carrie skirt that I have been lusting after for how long now? I've still not managed to bag one in my size but I will keep searching and keep hoping.

I adore the way Angela has paired it with a simple white T, allowing the fabulous skirt to be just...well, fabulous!

An Afternoon with Ben de Lisi

I had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful Ben de Lisi yesterday afternoon. Famed for his timeless and elegant dresses, the afternoon was set in an equally elegant setting in London's The Ivy. I was invited as Ben was showcasing his fourth collection for Principles as relaunched by Debenhams a year ago.

The collection for high summer has been designed using a neutral and monochrome colour palette and then infused with bold purple and orange accents. As well as key weekend-wear pieces, the collection has some classic smart day-wear...the type of staples that will complete your summer wardrobe and that will allow you to accessorise perfectly. However, don't think of accessorising to much...well, not according to the fashion connoisseur himself. Ben and I talked fashion tips, trends and even Kate Middleton's wedding dress. Here's what he had to say...

Exsoteric: You originally studied sculpture at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. What made you decide to make the transition into fashion?

Ben: For me it was just switching the medium. Whether you're sculpting in stone or fabric, its a similar sensibility but with fashion I sculpt using the female form as opposed to alabaster.

Exsoteric: What are your top three tips for a woman getting ready to go out?

Ben: Never over accessorise, don't buy anything with mediocre detail - instead buy something that has one focal, flawless piece of detail and don't underestimate the power of looking simple and effortless

Exsoteric: Which highstreet brands do you hold in high esteem and which are translating key trends most successfully?

Ben: Principles by Ben de Lisi of course as the range is elegant and classic whilst being designed for the modern woman. I think highstreet brands should focus on key pieces with a twist as opposed to following trends. Cos and Banana Republic do this so well and I don't even consider them as highstreet brands as such.

Exsoteric: Are there any celebrities you have yet to work with and who you would love to dress?

Ben: Absolutely - Julianne Moore, Kristen Scott Thomas and Sandra Bullock

Exsoteric: You've just listed three very timeless beauties. Does that encapsulate your whole design ethos?

Ben: Exactly

Exsoteric: And finally - if you were (or indeed are) to design a dress for Kate Middleton, what would it look like and why?

Ben: I did actually sketch for Kate but the designs weren't published. The dress was modern but also celebrated the pageantry of the day. A fitted bodice to accentuate her long figure. The bodice was covered in French ribbon which was frayed and knotted to give it a really modern but classic twist

View the whole Principles by Ben de Lisi collection here 

My Evening with Karl Lagerfeld

So...possibly the most glamorous event of 2011 (apart from my wedding that's coming up in August of course!) I had the pleasure of going to Paris yesterday as creative genius, Karl Lagerfeld unveiled his hottest collection yet for Diet Coke. Celebrities from Lily Cole to Lou Douillon attended the glam event at Le Georges at the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

But it was seriously a stylish trip from start to finish, from our plush carriage on the Eurostar, settling in to our rooms of the boutique L'Empire hotel to kicking off the night with a scrumptious dinner at Kong (as in THE Kong restaurant featured in the Paris episodes of Sex and the City!)

I've had 3 hours sleep, have the most horrendous bags under my eyes but it was SO worth it!

Lily Cole and the creative genius that is Karl Lagerfeld

Giant versions of the Diet Coke bottles designed by Karl himself

Dinner at Kong restaurant pre party with Emily from Fashion Foie Gras and Pat from Cosmo.co.uk

Hold the front page...photographic proof that karl Lagerfeld has his own Diet Coke butler!!

Hanging out on Portobello Road

Colour Pop!

How delicious was the weather yesterday? It was the perfect excuse to dig out my new Sunettes...I'm so predictable with my colour choices and a bit of a leftfield magpie in that rather than being drawn to all things shiny - I want all things candy. Candy pink, candy blue...(you see where I'm going with this!)
Liberty has an amazing selection of the Sunettes range in all the colours of the candy rainbow.

 

Orange jumper: Zara

Cream cardi: Vintage customised with pink Dylon fabric paint

Bag: Vintage Chanel

Stacked - Rings...and Lots of them

I'm digging layers at the moment, only not with clothes but accessories. There are so many stacked rings in the shops at the moment at various price points. This bronzed set of woodland animals caught my eye and I couldn't help but treat myself (even though payday is still a week away). Good news is they were my bargain du jour at...wait for it...£5.99 from H&M.

With Pom Pom's in her Hair

Kitsch and cute headgear is still a must to add a little kooky interest to a monochrome outfit. This pom pom haidband stood out and I want one SO bad!

Regal/Casual Chic, London

Leopard print bag, London

Still digging leopard print accessories in a BIG way!

True Blue, Street Style at London Fashion Week

Who knew all these shades of blue could make such a fashion statement?

More Street Style from London Fashion Week

 How much did I lust over this double-dose of Hermes Birkins...

Yellow Shoes, London Fashion Week

I've always found back-seam stockings a bit 'obvious-sexy' but paired with these ankle socks and bright yellow heels, I think I may have just developed a new hosiery crush! I'm always with the view that something overtly sexy should be paired with something 'prim' and vice versa. Dichotomy totally rocks.

Winter Maxis, Somerset House London Fashion Week

 

I noticed so many winter maxi dresses at London Fashion Week this year. Love the way this model teamed her maroon version with a furry trapper hat and aviator jacket.

A Night with Alexander Wang at Liberty, London

Another day, another London Fashion Week party. This time Love Magazine was hosting the Alexander Wang event at Liberty London. There's nothing nicer than when you admire a designer's work but when they themselves don't disappoint when you meet them. He was exceptionally lovely posing and chatting to all the party-goers.

His collection of clothing, shoes and buttery-soft handbags were simply divine...I plan to buy-up the whole range as soon as I'm not carrying a camera in one hand and champers in the other!

Some of the style-savvy party-goers who also attended........

Blue Mac & Celine Bag, London Fashion Week

What a gorgeous smile to accompany an equally stunning baby blue mac and to-die-for bag by Celine!

London Fashion Week Street Style

A selection of some of the most stylish people out and about at London Fashion Week so far...

Carrie from Wish Wish Wish

Carrie from Wish Wish Wish heading to the Osman Yousefzada show

The Head Is Where Its At: London Fashion Week

So many cool hats and headgear at London Fashion Week today.

Vivienne Westwood Party, The Wallace Collection, London

I was invited to the launch of Vivienne Westwood's exclusive new jewellery collection made entirely of palladium - a metal more precious and valuable than platinum. Cast into her trademark orbs, delicate earrings and necklaces glimmered under their spotlit cases.

There couldn't have been a more fitting setting to showcase the range. Set in the old historic house which is now the Wallace Collection, the jewellery range was set against the unsurpassed collection of French 18th century paintings and furniture.

Vivienne Westwood at the launch of her new jewellery line

Olivia Palermo at The Wallace Collection

Extraordinary Westwood dresses set against the 18th century French Paintings of The Wallace Collection

Guests were also treated to a very special acoustic set by the talented Jessie J, who wore a specially created palladium tiara designed by Vivienne Westwood herself.

Jessie J performs at the Vivienne Westwood party wearing a specially created palladium tiara

Another guest wearing Vivienne Westwood

All this party going is thirsty work. Me taking a break and handing over the lens to my friend Louie