Nicole Richie and the Alexander Wang Plait

I know I keep going on and on about the plaits in the Alexander Wang S/S 2010 collection, but I really love this hairstyle. Last September, when the collection was first shown, I had just gone for the Ashley Olsen bob and I've been trying to grow my hair into a plait-friendly-length ever since.
I'm still a few inches short, and have resigned myself to the fact that when my hair is eventually long enough this style will be so over. So I'll just have to admire Nicole Richie, who wore the S/S plait at a Hollywood event last night.

Nicole gave the plait and LA twist, wearing an oversized white shirt, a scarf tied as a belt and a long gold necklace. It's like the "Zoebot" days never ended, isn't it?
Even though I love the way Nicole has worn the Alexander Wang style braid I still think the sporty runway styling is unbeatable. Anyone working the sport luxe look on this sunny day should definitely think about plaiting their hair. It should hopefully keep you cool too.


What do you think of Nicole's braid? And is anyone rocking a side plait of their own today?

images from picapp.com and style.com

Twenty8Twelve A/W 2010

If I'm completely honest Sienna Miller's label, Twenty8Twelve, has never really wowed me. I love Sienna, and I think she has killer style, but up until now I haven't really taken to her design efforts.
But the collection, which she designs with her sister Savannah, is looking good for A/W 2010, and it looks like Twenty8Twelve has a new fan. The colour palette is a bold selection of black and grey, and the jackets look gorgeous. When I visited My-Wardrobe last week I heard that Twenty8Twelve clothes are always beautifully made, so these pieces should be real keepers.


The three-quarter-length sleeved black jacket [above right] is easily my favourite piece in the whole collection. It fits the overall mood of A/W perfectly. I also think the leather dungaree dress [below left] a fantastic design - it would look great on Chloe Sevigny types.



And although this is a celebrity designed collection it doesn't feel like a run-down of Sienna's greatest hits. There are a few looks that are totally Sienna (especially those below, on the Sienna lookalike) but the majority of the collection is very androgynous and hardly touches the boho style she championed.


It looks like Sienna and Savannah are taking Twenty8Twelve in an interesting direction. Do you like the look of the collection?

images Twenty8Twelve

This Way to Paradis




It's a beautiful sunny day in London, which is making it difficult to focus on blogging. So until I think of something worthwhile to write about why not stare adoringly at Vanessa Paradis in the July issue of UK Harper's Bazaar?
The issue should still be on newsstands for another week or so, so if you don't have a copy yet snap one up quickly and read it in the sunshine.

Editorial: "This Way to Paradis"
Publication: UK Harper's Bazaar July 2010
Model: Vanessa Paradis
Photographer: Cedric Buchet
Styling: Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou

images from thefashionspot.com

Katie's High Waisted Jeans

I know this outfit isn't going to be for everybody, but I think Katie Holmes looks pretty amazing in these high waisted jeans. Her legs are enviably long.

And just when I thought that the obsession with plaid shirts was finally coming to an end Katie goes and makes them look really wearable again. Maybe I should get mine out of storage...

What do you think of this look? Does Katie have her fashion mojo back or are these jeans your worst nightmare?

images from picapp.com

Anna Dello Russo and the Little Lace Dress

Anna Dello Russo, the fashion director at Vogue Nippon, is the kind of woman I'd like to be. Her style is totally fearless; quirky but in a sophisticated way. Occasionally when people try to make a statement with their clothes they end up looking cartoonish (see Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and at times Rihanna and Victoria Beckham), but this never happens to ADR. She has that rare ability to wear insanely tricky clothes and look completely natural. When SJP is Carrie Bradshaw she has this gift too.



Anna Dello Russo is currently in Milan for the Menswear S/S 2011 collections and her look has mostly consisted of big Bridget Jones style knickers and lace Dolce & Gabbana dresses. I've never (knowingly) gone out flashing my pants, but I'm rather tempted to buy a little lace dress of my own and try this look out.
This is obviously a rather risky plan, as I don't have half the pizazz Anna does, but I think it's a fun look.

What do you think of the little lace dress? And which of Anna's lace looks was your favourite?

images from alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com and teampeterstigter.com

Net-A-Porter Sale: Best Under £150

I've always loved bagging a good bargain in the sales, but I think since the introduction of The Outnet my discount expectations have reached a new level. That's why when looking through the Net-A-Porter Summer Sale this morning I was being especially picky. After all, we know we can get discounted Marc Jacobs year round now at The Outnet, so those end-of-season sales have to be extra special.
After a good look through the Net-A-Porter sale I've put together my list of the eight best buys, all of which are under the £150 mark:


Halston Heritage bag £135 & Elizabeth and James top £70: These pieces would actually work really well together, but if you're just going for the one then I'd pair the Halston bag with an LBD for an evening and wear the Elizabeth and James top with a pair of cropped skinnies and sky-high sandals.


T by Alexander Wang dress £78 & 3.1 Phillip Lim bra and briefs each £46: I'm 80% sure I've seen Rihanna wearing this T by Alexander Wang dress, and if she hasn't then she should think about snapping it up quickly, it's so her. And though I'm not one of those girls who gets particularly excited over underwear this 3.1 Phillip Lim has caught my eye. I love the colour.


Rosa Cha shorts £90 & Markus Lupfer jumper £130: I adore these Rosa Cha shorts, if I was going on holiday this summer I would definitely buy these. And though they're very 'on trend' at the moment I think they'll work for years to come too. But as I won't have much use for shorts in the UK this Markus Lupfer jumper may be a better investment. I always love his designs.


Paul & Joe Sister dress £45 & Miu Miu headband £60: This Paul & Joe dress is a great buy if you love 1920's flapper dresses. Not only is it much cheaper than buying vintage from that era you also won't have to worry about fringing getting caught on everything that comes near you. And for those the Gossip Girl fans out there this Miu Miu leather headband is a must - it's so Blair!

What do you think of my selection? And have you picked up any pieces in the summer sales yet?

images from net-a-porter.com

Versace Resort 2011

Long time readers of Coco's Tea Party may remember how much I loved the Versace S/S 2010 collection. I've always been a fan of Versace, but the slit-to-the-thigh red carpet dresses they're so good at creating (and then getting on the red carpet) have never inspired me. Which is why the Spring collection, with all its teeny-tiny shift dresses, geometric prints and zingy pastels, really got me in a fashion frenzy.
I'm surprised the Spring collection barely touched the red carpet, as those pieces would really make a bold statement, but I guess celebrities like to play it safe in the classic leg-flashing numbers. Red carpet action aside, though, and it looks like Donatella refuses to give up her love affair with sherbet shades, with the resort collection picking up where S/S left us.


The silhouettes are familiar, with body-con minis here, there and everywhere, but Donatella adds some beautiful boxy jackets to the mix too. I'm particularly fond of Look 7 [above right]. Also do the gladiator sandals remind anyone else of Balenciaga S/S 2008?


Whilst there was no shortage of leg in the Resort collection, things did get a little more grown up with a few knee-length pieces. The orange dresses really caught my eye, and I'd like to see Gwyneth Paltrow or Thandie Newton give them a go.


And as a die-hard Clueless fan (best movie ever!) I fell for the matchy-matchy skirt suit [above left] which is so Cher. It's a look I'm dying to give a go.

What did you make of the Versace Resort 2011 collection? Which has been your favourite Resort collection?

images from style.com