The Irony of the Fashion Industry

"Sometimes, I think the people who buy our clothes live in a parallel universe. Hell, we can't even afford our clothes." - Lazaro Hernandez

The lovely Proenza Schouler designer explains to Grazia's Paula Reed that the design duo can't afford a PS1 handbag either. As far as I'm concerned the PS1 is a classic (up there with the Chanel 2.55 and Balenciaga Motorcycle Bag), and it does make me feel a little better knowing the actual designers themselves can't afford one either. Life is unfair, right?

Proenza Schouler PS1 Large suede satchel

Olivia Palermo Covers ASOS Magazine

Those of you have been shopping at ASOS for a long time will have probably noticed that the quality of their monthly magazine just keeps getting better and better. Not only do they get great cover stars but the styling and photography would not look at all out of place in a monthly glossy.
For August those sneaky people over at the online store managed to snag Olivia Palermo for their cover. Pictures of Olivia are never in short supply, and I think the majority of Coco's Tea Party readers love The City star's style as much as I do. However, it's rare that we see an editorial featuring Olivia, and she has done a fantastic job modelling the A/W trends. She can rock a cloche hat (isn't the cover fantastic?) but also looks super in Converse.
Let's hope that ASOS magazine isn't the only publication eager to give Olivia a bit of modelling work.

Continue reading to see more of Olivia's editorial...

Photographer: Tesh at ArtMix

Stylist: Zeba Lowe

Hair: John Ruidant at See Management

Make-up: Keiko Takagi at See Management

What do you think of Olivia's editorial?

images courtesy of asos.com

Thinking About the Winter Coat

I have never been that savvy consumer who buys their winter coat in the middle of August. I always leave it to the last minute and then end up buying a style I'm not 100% happy about. This year I am trying to be more prepared, and have started compiling a list of the coat/jacket styles I want to snap up.
Obviously, like everyone else on the planet, a shearling aviator style jacket is on the top of my wishlist. One style that wasn't, however, is the humble duffle coat. It was only when I saw this image of Taylor Tomasi Hill, the Style and Accessories Director at US Marie Claire, that I decided I desperately want one. Taylor rocks this look, no?

I've had a quick look online and there doesn't appear to be much duffle action going on. I did find this gorgeous black angora-blend twill duffle coat by Miu Miu (below left) for  £1,190 at Net-A-Porter. On on the highstreet side of things Topshop have produced this hooded style (below right) for a humble £45. I can't help wishing it came in a black or navy though.

What do you think of Taylor's duffle coat? And what style of winter coat will you be investing in this year?
image from citizencouture.com

Leighton's Off-Set Look

I'm the kind of Gossip Girl viewer who dips in and out of the show when I feel like it, but the pictures from the New York set are making me desperate for the new series to begin. While I'm not always a fan of Blair's style (it's too preppy for me at times) I love Leighton's off-duty look, which she has been showing off the the maximum this week.
On Monday she left her trailer in a look Blair would no-doubt hate: skinny utility trousers (I think they're Houlihan's, right?) a lightweight beige shirt and a guitar sloped over her shoulder. She's great inspiration for anyone wishing to give summer's utility trend a whirl.

And yesterday Leighton was snapped in another great outfit as she left the set. While I'm not sure the guitar case really goes with her Celine handbag it's refreshing to see that's she's carrying her own stuff. No Mariah behaviour for her. The Miu Miu heels are totally delicious too, no?

What do you think of Leighton's off-set outfits? And which is your favourite?

images from famepictures and PacificCoastNews via Picapp.com

The Jacques Townhouse

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with the lovely Stevie from Discotheque Confusion and we hopped along, like eager little fashion bloggers, to the launch of The Jacques Townhouse. The Townhouse is London's first pop-up boutique hotel, and was created by David Carter for Jacques Cider.
On arriving we were instantly whisked into the reception room where we were greeted by adorable hotel staff dressed in top hats and models wearing feathered eyelashes. We were then taken on a grand tour of the hotel, which is in a top secret location. Set Designer and Prop Stylist, Cordelia Weston, has done a great job, as all the little details are adorable.

Obviously, there is a bar, which serves Jacques, and guests can also indulge in cupcakes courtesy of Vintage Patisseries. Situated just off the bar is the Table Of Temptations - a gorgeous display of cakes that looks like it should be in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette - and the Forest Of Dreams.

Apart from just enjoying a drink with friends you can also have your fortune read by three fortune-tellers working in the Townhouse. Apparently I'll be moving somewhere new within the year, and according to the tarot reader will also become very environmentally friendly.
And then in the basement there's the Powder Room, where Benefit Cosmetics beauticians are on hand to apply flash-lashes and give out beauty tips. I had some crazy pearl embellished flash-lashes put on, which received a few odd looks on the tube, I must admit.

The Jacques Townhouse officially opens tomorrow, and will only be open a short amount of time. If you're keen to go visit facebook.com/jacques to book a (complimentary) place for you and your friends. There will be two sittings per night, the first from 6pm – 7.30pm and the second 8pm– 9.30pm and the location will be revealed once your place at the Townhouse is confirmed.

Scarlett Goes For the Heidi Crop

I've only just had a proper chance to look through the images from Comic-Con, and so far the only real style statement of note is Scarlett Johansson's haircut. Scarlett appeared at a panel discussion on Saturday, and showed off her dark blonde bob, which is very similar to the look Heidi Klum adopted this year. I've always liked Scarlett's long locks, but the shorter style suits her too. 

Heidi's original cut was labeled  "Mom hair" when she first debuted it in April. Though I always thought her look was more Anna Wintour than mumsey. Scarlett, however, decided against the fringe and is wearing her bob messy rather than sleek.

What do you think of Scarlett's new look?

image Getty/Picapp.com

Victoria Covers Vogue Turkey

I've never picked up a copy of Vogue Turkey before, but Victoria Beckham is on the cover of their August issue and I think I may just have to buy my first ever copy. Victoria has done countless photoshoots over the years (although she is still missing that pivotal US Vogue cover) so it's hard for anyone to get something new out of her. Photographer Ellen Von Unwerth has done a fantastic job though, it's great to see a full-body shot on a magazine cover.

You can check out some scans of Victoria's editorial HERE. And while we're on the subject of Victoria I had to post this adorable video of David talking about her on the last ever Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may be the most famous couple in America, but over in the UK Posh and Becks are still firm favourites, and it's impossible not to go 'awww' when he talks about her.



I love that she's down in his phone as Posh...

What do you think of Victoria's Vogue Turkey cover? And isn't David so sweet?

scan from thefashionspot.com

UPDATE: There seems to be a problem with Youtube at the moment. The link to the clip is HERE.