My Kimono Crush

Alice Archer, British Designer, Alice Archer Kimono

Channel your inner Geisha but think 2017. My message to y’all is one that Mrs V pounds on a lot about, in words of lots of syllables, always imagine more than one destination that one single item of clothing can take you to. In other words, can this item save you time and money? Can this item validate a place in your wardrobe? Kimonos can and are doing that right here, right now. Welcome to a 24 hour period in my currently trending life. Walk a mile in my Kimono with me and when you’ve fully appreciated the full gamut of my social obligations, including the one where I commune with my toothbrush, and when you’re good and ready, just before I say’ Sayonara’ I’ll be your best Shopping Buddy and reveal my source.

Kimono, Housecoat, Dressing Gown, New Look, New Look S/S 2017, New Look Kimono, floral Kimono
New Look S/S 2017, Kimono
New Look Kimono, Floral Kimono, Kimono, Electric Toothbrush

In the morning, super lovely… I put on my Kimono.

 

New Look, New Look Women's Fashion, Kimono, New Look Floral Kimono, frayed jeans, Levis, Trainers, El Vaquero bag, vintage leather handbag
New Look Floral Kimono, Kimono, Frayed Jeans, Trainers, Levis
New Look Women's Fashion, New Look Floral Kimono, Fraed Jeans, Levis, www.themodeledit.com, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing

I grab Esmeralda Violet’s vintage  El Vaquero handbag. She’s really taken her eye off the ball, I’m home free! I have my next reveal stuffed ( rolled actually) in ze handbag and go all trendy to the train.

New Look clothing, New Look Floral Kimono, Kimono, Monki, Monki Trousers, H&M Corset, H&M, Choker, Bandalero, Belt
Kimono, baggy trousers, Monki, gladiator sandals, silver shoes
Kimono, high street Kimono, New Look retailers

Meetings in town. Monki trousers. H&M Pinstriped corset ( I’ve linked a more summery corset belt that I totally approve of as mine was from the A/W range),Uniqlo Henley T-shirt, Mrs V’s 25 year old silver platform, gladiator sandals, cameo performance.

Hopefully you’ve suspended your disbelief as quite clearly I am demonstrating these looks and suggesting how, where and at what time you could wear them, but on this occasion never really leaving the compound.

New Look Floral Kimono, Carine Roitfeld, Carine roitfeld black skirt, Pencil skirt, tailored skirt, Dune shoes, high heeled shoes, scrappy sandals
Kimono, Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, high heels, Dune shoes, yellow shoes
Kimono, Model, Modelling, New Look, CARINE roitfeld

End of frenetic day, but no stratifying style stress because I’ve essentially cut and pasted all day long. I am happily home and up for all that polite Dorset society can throw at me of an evening, that doesn’t involve a Muck Spreader. Reinforcements include Carine Roitfeld squeezy,  tight, divinely tailored, Pencil Skirt and H&M Bralet. Make up remover to manual, rinse my teeth, go to bed and repeat.

Alice Archer A/W 2017, Alice Archer British Designer, Alice Archer Silk Kimono, Alice Archer Womenswear, designer clothing

Alice Archer Silk Kimonos

Here are other suggestions for Kimonos and their happy place in your style scrapbook. They truly can be all things to everyone. Timeless and transcendent. Truly Kimonos are utter magicians, transformers and a transcontinental treat. Thank you China and Japan, and in return please help yourselves to our traditional garb of Crinolines and Farthingales…

I’d like to thank New Look for their £27.99 properly perfect Kimono that took me from toothbrushing to Cocktail quaffing in four easy steps.

You badasses need this!

Lip Glossy

MAC cosmetics, Lipgloss, MAC Lipglass, lips, Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, make up artist, cosmetics, photographic studio, fashion shoot, style shoot, magazine shoot, Material Girl Magazine

When Mrs V  is accosted by a beauty product that just won’t stop, it’s time to get the gossip going. I spy a very fabulous product from MAC that for me, spearheads a new breed of lip glosses and replaces a pretty hardworking forerunner of this genre, Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream . I remember every single Make Up Artist and Model had a tube of this gloss. I also remember that it has a sort of Fairy Liquid scent to it. Won’t miss that, but thanks for the memories. I’m all about the questions and on your behalf I hardly ever shut up when I’m in the hands of industry experts. Make Up artist Molly Portsmouth could barely get me to shut my gob as she tried to access my lips, and the superhuman effort it took for me to suspend my disbelief that I needed a top layer of gloss was epic. That was then, this is now. MAC Lipglass Never has a product been awarded a moniker that better describes its life’s mission. Not only are my lips glossy enough for you to check your make up in them, the underlying lip colour remains where it’s put and doesn’t look like you’re post  party hysteria and into the crying, face wiping, self recriminatory period. You may well be there, but appearances will bely that status.MAC, Mac Cosmetics, Lipgloss, MAC Lipglass,

MAC Lipglass £15

Here are the best of the rest, all tried and tested by me. You may have your brand favourites and that’s to be respected, but Mrs V is there, hopefully to enlighten and encourage you to sometimes think outside of your own particular make up box. (I suggest Muji’s Acrylic stacking drawers, don’t let me have to tell you again – currently on sale, click the link). In this case, even in a blind testing, I’d have selected the MAC Lipglass option, and for once, it’s the cheapest of the lot of them. Also, The fact that it’s in a tube elates me, as there is the ‘no residue colour on a wand’ to contaminate the rest of the product, so you can squeeze a little out onto your finger or a lip brush, and you’re out of the water concerning that gross little eventuality. I buy clear Lipgloss. I want it to remain clear Lipgloss. Stat.

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YSL, YSL Cosmetics, YSL Gloss Volupte, lipgloss
Chanel, CHANEL cosmetics, lipgloss, Chanel Gloss Volume
Dior, Dior Cosmetics, Lipgloss, Dior Addict Ultra gloss, beauty products, Dior beauty products

Bobbi Brown Crystal Lip Gloss £16.50  Chanel Volume Plumping Lipgloss £27   YSL Gloss Volupte £22.50  Dior Addict Ultra Gloss £24

All of these topcoat Glosses are our unctuous, gloopy, viscous lip PR products. They promote beauty, confidence and sensuality, no denying.  The concept of lip locking could become a reality, choose wisely and if you run through a cloud of midges whilst wearing it, think Fuzzy Felts Flocked Backing Board effect.

Your lips will speak volumes without you saying a word.

 

Check Me Out

 

Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, gingham, boiler suit, jumpsuit, white boots, ankle boots, gingham Spencer jacket, gingham jacket, redhead, long hair, all in one

Just so’s you know;

Gingham is a medium-weight balanced plain-woven fabric made from dyed cotton or cotton-blend yarn.[1] It is made of carded, medium or fine yarns, where the colouring is on the warp yarns and always along the grain (weft). Gingham has no right or wrong side with respect to colour.

A question that I need you to answer is; When does an every day checked shirt, dress, tablecloth become a Gingham checked shirt, dress, tablecloth? Haunting.

Literally checking out. Forget what’s trending or ‘in’ somethings are never out. This is a story of two halves; the gingham I already have and the Gingham I want to have. Off I go, little Ging-er that I am.

My reversible bomber/jean jacket type-y thing. With me since I was very little. At least 25 years. How cool is that? No Wardrobe culls here at Mrs V’s house.

Boyfriend style, Gingham, Gingham men's shirt, Ralph Lauren, Pink Gingham Ralph Lauren shirt, Levis, Jeans, baggy jeans, denim

Marry me, I think I love…your pink gingham Ralph Lauren shirt.  Pick a partner  with great taste and get all the advantages of literally rummaging through their drawers and borrowing, not buying ‘boyfriend wear’. The heart and soles of my marriage, my 23 year old Gingham, wedding shoes. I’m loving being my own fashion visionary. See above AND below.

Vanessa Voegele-Downing, Tim Voegele-Downing, Vanessa and Tim Voegele-Downing, Wedding Dress, Gingham, Tulle, Tutu, Tutu style Wedding Dress,

My dress was Haute Couture designed and made for me by Vincent LaRouche, now Creative Director at Lafco New York, thereby having made me look heavenly , now makes me smell celestial too. My shoes were customised with the same Swiss Cotton Gingham as the Corset of my dress and made by Diane Hassall

 

Navy Gingham man's shirt, Gingham shirt, menswear, vintage shirt
Gingham waistcoat, Gingham, tailored waistcoat, brown sued ankle boots, PRADA eyewear, skinny jeans, redhead, classic women,

If you want to be on the  selvedge side of this style statement, there are no encrypted passwords preventing you accessing the trend code for Gingham. The Press Shows are our window before the shop window. They are your cue to decide whether you’re in or you’re out with the trend. If you’re in, there are two choices; How much do you like it conjoined with how much do you care to spend on it?  Flinging this classic little cheeky check at you now and hoping that some of it will stick.

gingham, Topshop all-in-one, summer clothes
H&M Summer top, Gingham clothes
Boiler suit, Topshop jumpsuit, Gingham, H&M, H&m gingham top, M&S, M&S shoes, high heels, blue velvet ankle strap shoes, summer tops, women's fashion, Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing

Don’t look at my previous season’s Topshop jumpsuit, you can’t have it. Pull focus instead on the little nicety peeping out from under it. I swear to God that this top will rip through the red traffic lights of your wardrobe by jumping on top of dresses, t-shirts,jackets  and shirts, and getting under dresses t-shirts, jackets and shirts. Thank you H&M for getting it right, style + price. Only problem with this item is that it’s not available online which may mean that stocks are low. I suggest you put your running shoes on. If you think that it has  restrictions, well doesn’t everything ? Anyway, I have a response…

Gingham clothes, H&M, monk clothing, Monki women's trousers, H&M Gingham shirt S/S 2017
Gingham wraparound shirt, H&M summer 2017, Monki trousers, Monki
Gingham wraparound shirt, H&M, H&M gingham top, women's fashion, summer Gingham, Monki, Monki trousers

H&M Blue Gingham Wraparound Shirt £ 29.99

This top is the Bee’s and the Dog’s. Truly tremendous in it’s drop shoulder and swooping hem tailoring. You can tie it tightly to show off or mask your assets ( I have quite wondrously achieved both objectives ). Conversely you can do the same with tying it loosely. Marvellous. Merci H&M again. I’m wearing Monki massively enormous, cinched waist trousers bought last season but how very this season. Btw, I’m wearing both tops in a size 12.

Now loads of other Gingham stuff, and not nonsense.

Zara Pink gingham Skirt, Zara S/S 2017
Marques Almeida S/S 2017, Bikini, Marques Almeida designers, Marques Almeida Orange Gingham Bikini
Zara Red Gingham Dress, Gingham, Zara S/S 2017

Zara Fuchsia Gingham Skirt £25.99 Marques Almeida Orange Gingham Bikini  £115  Zara Red Gingham Dress £39.99

 

Zara Gingham, Zara S/S 2017, black ruffled trousers, Black Gingham tunic
Zara S/S 2017, zara Blue Gingham Smock Top, Gingham
Mango Black Gingham Skirt, Wraparound Black Gingham Skirt, Gingham S/S 2017

Zara Black Gingham Tunic  £12.99  Zara Blue gingham Smock  £25.99  Mango Black Gingham Skirt £25.99

I have gone entirely demented whilst writing this post (Easter, Easter Egg Hunts, Guests, Spring cleaning, is it a movement or a phenomenon? complete immersion into all three daughter’s lives and the ridiculously tiny amount of hours in a day). It feels as though it has taken three decades, however, you’re worth it and it’s kind of my pleasure.

Go forth and Ging’em

Sidesplitting Pleats

ZARA pleated skirt, rainbow pattern pleated skirt, Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, Bally of Switzerland Denim Boots, Brandy Melville v necked t-shirt, shirtsleeved t-shirt

Here’s something not many people know about me, I’m not on the long pleated skirt team. At The Model Edit, if there are pleats to be considered, they have to answer more than one question i.e. do more than just be.They absolutely must induce me to near ecstasy, promise not to be a uniform and unusually for our pleated mates, be a little sexy. Bored of being trammelled by 10,000,00 non variations on the same theme, but definitely happy to take advice from Miuccia Prada on any level I remembered some of her suggestions on pleats and the wearing of.

Prada, Prada pleated skirt, fashion show, designer clothes, Milan Press show
Prada, Miuccia Prada, pleated skirts, midi skirts, Prada pleated skirts, Prada handbags, clutch baga, accessories
Zara pleated skirt, rainbow coloured skirt, pleated skirt, midi skirt, summer skirt
Zara S/S 2017, pleated skirts, pleats, Zara, women skirts, styleblogger,

.Brandy Melville V Neck t-shirt £17,  Zara skirt (see link below), Bally of Switzerland Vintage Denim Boots Mrs V’s own, which just goes to show you that you should not ruthlessly edit your wardrobes every 6 minutes!  Quick question, Do I look like I’m sitting on a toilet here?

What I’m getting around to, and the reason for my delving even slightly deeper into the plethora of pleated skirts was that whilst waltzing and wafting through the style maze that is a Zara Store, I saw a wifty, wafty, ‘kick you in the crotch, spit on your neck, fantastic’ pleated skirt. Bloody marvellous and totally unexpectedly,  I point you towards nirvana in a pleated skirt, my way.

Zara Skirt, pleated skirt, Carine Roitfeld Uniqlo collaboration, tailored evening jacket, womenswear, style, trend, designer fashion
Zara pleated skirt, Carine Roitfeld lace tights, Carine Roitfeld Uniqlo collaboration, Yves Saint Laurent evening shoes, high black velvet shoes, Yves Saint Laurent ankle tie high heel evening shoes, black velvet shoes
Forever 21, Forever 21 Denim jacket, Jean jacket, Zara pleated skirt, Maison Margiela shoes, designer trainers, pleated skirt, rainbow pattern skirt, Zara S/S 2017

Zara pleated midi skirt £25.99

Mrs V shouts ‘yippee’ as this skirt is restaurant and beach worthy. It ticks my boxes, and not me off. It comprises pleats, splits, transparence ( come back, stop screaming, its not ‘see through’! There’s a difference) and insouciance due to its lack of zips and buttons. Yes, we wiggle into it, think sweatpants arrangement without drawstring. Loving it, and don’t worry it doesn’t sit on the waist it sort of hangs out on the hips. Best pleated skirt ever.

Now that I’ve found my hussy heart’s delight which is obviously side splits, another piece of why wouldn’t you? clothing, spotted me.

H&M S/S 2017, H&M midi dress with belt, spotty dress, midi dress, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, www.themodeledit.com
H&M midi dress, H&M S/S 2017 midi dress with spots, H&M S/S 2017 midi dress

H&M spring fashion trends

 Again, this flimsy running through the meadows, pass the scones, type dress doesn’t normally ignite my credit card. Maybe I’m mellowing because, as with my leniency towards pleated skirts, I feel that this dress could be appearing in the unfolding drama comedy of my life. Side splits are very alluring and they surely and subliminally lured me inside these trending pieces. H&M are floating, literally a few Spring suggestions and there are other variations of this dress. Click on the link and wander around their very pretty video that unfolds its ideas whilst taking you on a walk.

The moral here Ms’s, Mrs’s and Miss’s, is that that Mrs V especially, should never say never.I’m ever so grateful that you carried on reading and helped my clothing catharsis.

Fake News

Black Sliders footwear, Topshop Sliders, Jack Russell dog, www.themodeledit.com, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, Jeans, distressed Denim, frayed jeans, red hair, long hair

When you can tear your eyes away from the enormity of my mouth, check out my feet. I know that they’re placed on Arnold ( who by the way, longs for this kind of attention, positively courts it), but look at the fur enveloping my toes. Fact is, my fancies are tickled when I’m wearing this season’s fun footwear. Fake Fur Sliders. Don’t rain on my fur flip flops, just sit yourselves down and work out how they can fit into your approaching summer. Mrs V will be seen at the following venues wearing these little foot gloves; school run, restaurant, London Underground, all high street retailers, beach, poolside, airplane, pub, club, cinema, all over my natural habitat inc bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, garden and near the dustbins, and quite likely I will wear them to your house too, and you will want a pair! Fortunately they’ll be at a high street near you, so no saying ‘it’s alright for you’ I’ve even selected and linked some pretty little possibilities. It’s nearly Easter, dress your feet up as the Easter Bunny. Feast your eyes on the following

New Look faux fur Sliders, grey fake fur Sliders, New Look footwear
Pink faux fur Sliders, Schuh footwear, Schuh Sliders, Schuh pink fur Sliders
Zara Sliders, yellow feather Sliders, Flip Flops

New Look Grey Sliders £19.99   Schuh Pink Sliders £20    Zara Yellow Feather Sliders £29.99

Sliders are so amenable. They are unapologetically fun from their appearance all the way through to their price. They can zazz up an outfit without a huge commitment, emotionally or physically.

Zara pinstriped coat, Wallace Sewell scarf, Topshop fake fur Sliders
Topshop faux fur Sliders, fur footwear, fake fur Flip Flops, Flip Flops, Sliders, Topshop footwear
Faux fur Sliders, Topshop footwear, Fake fur footwear, Sliders, Topshop fake fur Sliders

Topshop ‘Fierce’  With Gucci-esque chrome snaffle £39   Topshop ‘Harissa’  Mink Stole lookalikes £29

  Some of the ways that I slip and slide this trend into my life.

I wouldn’t be your best friend if I didn’t point out that these Flip Flops of delight exist somewhere in the world. Possibly Titania the Fairy Queen is wearing them.

MiuMiu Feathery Sliders, jewelled Sliders, MiuMiu Footwear, orange feather Sliders

Miu Miu Ostrich Feather Slides £755

One small step for womankind…

Airing My Views

 

TOOGOOD A/W2017, unisex clothing, Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, Press Show, designer clothing

Concentrating on being your style muse

SO, so excited to share  (aka to impose, on you)  two of my recent media moments.

Firstly I was contacted by The Radio Gorgeous team and asked if I would like to chat to Josephine Pembroke, founder of Radio Gorgeous? Let me think about that… YES, you’ll have to gag me long before I run out of insightful and fascinating opinions. Radio Gorgeous has been created for bold, intelligent and vibrant women who want talk radio. In order to prep myself fully I listened to some previous podcasts from Radio Gorgeous, which didn’t really help as they have a fabulous portfolio of seriously interesting interviews, provoked by utterly, devastatingly good questions. Panicking Much! Turns out that Josephine is the best interviewer in the world, because she made me feel so relaxed, and asked insightful questions which helped me vocalise views that were probably innate, but sounded solid when spoken. Welcome to Mrs V courtesy of Radio Gorgeous

Just when you thought you’d had enough of my total media domination, I give you  my Bold Moment which is part of  Shine 4 Women  tribute to International Woman’s Day. With many organisations recruiting a 50:50 split at junior levels, yet women still only accounting for around 25% (at best) of senior positions, it’s clear that laws and policies aren’t working on their own.   So Anna and Cal set up Shine to help create the change we all want to see. Here is the answer that I sent in response to Anna’s invitation to participate in this project;’ Having been forced, simply by the utterly cruel and relentless voyage of time that has taken me from contractions pushing, pram pushing, tricycle pushing and Pony pushing and more recently email applications for internships pushing, to realise that unless I got my shit together, I’d become the Empress of The Empty Nest Syndrome. This niggling thought was with me when I attended my Shine course. Epiphany time because when I finished that course and with reactions from other women on the course who saw things in me that I had neglected to celebrate, and against all Information Technology odds, I massaged my mojo and created a new baby to nurture. My blog The Model Edit. I now run with the pack that includes my three lovely daughters who applaud my writing and encourage my boldness, my friends who are supportive and honest, and all the new amazing, gifted, generous, inspiring and frankly bloody glamorous friends that I’ve met along the emotional and physical journey that my blog is taking me on. I’m currently feeling bold enough to inspire others to achieve their style potential.’

Here is the complication of Shine Stars Bold Moments, including mine

I like to keep it current and  when I’m not blogging, I’m doing things related to The Model Edit from me to you, with love.

Thank you and Good Day

In Denim and In De Know.

Mrs V London Fashion Week, London, Prada sunglasses, Zara Jeans, Black Denim

Running around during London Fashion Week so that you don’t have to. ( wearing black denim jeans from Zara btw)

Mrs V, Somerset House London, International Designers Exhibition, LFW
Minki, Zara pinstriped coat, Minki A/W 2017 Presentation

I have been so buzzed and my mojo is so motivated, all due to London Fashion Week. I love the energy that exudes from the pores of the pavement. It’s a very positive time in London, and the streets are lined not with fashion victims, rather people of every single demographic seizing the opportunity to present themselves how they’d like to be perceived. All bets are off and all accessories on. Good old London, it’s the metaphorical and synonymous style wardrobe of the world. Thanks Nike, we were just doing it before you gave us the permission. Watching the Press shows can be a wistful experience for me because in the past I was astride those catwalks. Worse than me pining for my glory days, there is the terrible Tourettes fiend in my head that wants me to jump up, just as the first pulses of music start and shout so loudly with my horrible voice ‘It should have been me’ ( circa I can’t remember, but sung by Yvonne Fair ) Embarrassing much?

 Girlfriends, I have news. You may need to print this out or at least take notes as I couldn’t possibly say this twice, but am not above saying ‘I told you so’ when we’ve all arrived at the Style Station having successfully bought out ticket and you are stranded on the platform. We wave our denim clad arms having boarded the Fashion Express to any destination that we like. Climb aboard mates. Denim has it’s own invitation to the party, not a ‘plus one’ anymore. In fact Denim is the guest of honour.

I see some overriding trends but can’t fling ’em at you all at once. I’ll begin with Denim which, like love, is all around. This utilitarian twill strides stylishly through  every economic strata. It’s a chameleon, a scene stealer or at worst a best supporting actor. The reality is that you can and must get it at any cost. Cancel all engagements until you have wedged denim into most every outfit that your 24/7  demands of you. Sucks to be me as I’m not really inventing the wheel here, but I aim to be that niggling voice that just won’t let you sediment into low style esteem. Yes we’ve all got Jeans, but are we wearing them with style and bravery. The thing here dear Squad, is that there is a Milky Way full of naughty and irreverent ways to push the power that denim has in today’s style scene. Rip it, fray it, pleat it, ruffle it, expose yourself, cover yourself up, peepholes and cold shouldering are legit statements on the Denim does it better, terms and conditions.

Denim is the great leveller and Mrs V sets you free to roam at large, go wild in the aisles and get your credit cards to manual. You can go high, you can go low. Choose your budget and then choose your piece. Marc Jacobs A/W 2017, Denim suit, Marc Jacobs Denim suit with Faux Fur lining

Marc Jacobs A/W 2017

Chanel A/W 2017, Distressed Denim, Chanel A/W 2017 distressed denim coat, belted denim coat, denim coat

Chanel A/W 2017H&M Denim skirt, Jeans Skirt, Ankle boots, t-shirt, Vanessa Voegele-Downing

H&M Jeans Skirt

See what I mean?

marques Almeida A/W 2017, denim, designer denim, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, www.themodeledit.com

Marques Almeida, Denim, Denim coat, Marques Almeida A/W 2017

Marques Almeida A/W 2017

This label is a crush of mine and whilst I can imagine that I’ve scared some of you. Their disregard for style and tailoring safe havens extend to their use of Denim. It becomes a suit, a shredded, sloppy, swishy trench coat, Oxford bags trouser suit. They ape the denim conventions and are actually sewing and styling the way for us to enter in, a denim ticket will get you there. I’d like you to look carefully and see if you can possibly go there, even just a tiny bit.  Take one piece at a time and imagine pairing and accessorising it with something that you already own. Funny how it becomes less scary isn’t it?

Alice Archer A/W 2017

Alice Archer has beautifully sophisticated collections. The refined and rare art of perfect embroidery is Alice’s stock in trade. Her women are feminine, heralding the movement that girlish aesthetics are a powerful rebellion. We are to celebrate our femininity and not be stereotyped by it. Little women we are not. Mrs V is very happy with the Kimono and divinely embroidered Jean symbiosis. Where aren’t we going with this? Alice Archer clothing is available at The Place London where there are luxury and labels to mash up with your Denim delights.

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Ashley Williams, Ashley Williams A/W 2017, Denim, Jeans, floral shirt, press show, London Fashion Week

Ashley Williams A/W 2017

How easy has Ashley Williams made life for you? Nothing untoward here, just the possibility to be ‘with it’ permission granted by one of the grooviest and fan-followed young designers that ever did book a model. Come on, as I said at the top of this blog, schmooze the suggestions that I’ve presented here, then run screaming for your wardrobe, just to make sure that you really did hang on to that perfect partner piece for any of the looks parading across my page.

Asos, Asos distressed Denim jacket, Asos Denim ruffle Jacket, Denim
Levis Jean Jacket, Levis Trucker Jean Jacket
ASOS, Asos Cropped Jean Jacket,

A . Helene Berman Raw Edge Ruffle Jacket £110

B. Levi’s Line 8 Boyfriend Fit Denim Trucker Jacket £35 ( mega bargain)

C. Chorus Daydreamer Cut off Denim Jacket £12 ( I’m tellin’ ya)

Beige Denim, ASOS Denim, denim trousers, denim corset

ASOS Denim in Tobacco

 Remember Denim is not only blue…

ASOS Denim corset, Corset, Denim

ASOS corset

Corsets are us this season, and a Denim corset? Manna from heaven

These little treats are all about the price tag/trend equation and are positively being given away by ASOS at the moment and considering that unless you actually have the grubby habits of a Miner 49er, they will live your life to the full, enjoy brief respite care in your wardrobe from time to time, and then out for another romp…They owe you nothing but a good time.

Go get ’em.

Friday Fashion Throwback

Yves Saint Laurent, French Fashion Designer, French Couturier, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, www.themodeledit.com, women in suits, women in trouser suits, models, Loulou de La Falaise

Yves Saint Laurent, Marita and Me.

Yves Saint Laurent gentle genius, is the reason that I ever took a plane alone to Paris in search of work and wonderment. Yves Saint Laurent was my first casting thirty minutes after I arrived in my agency. Yves Saint Laurent saw something in the very nervous, overawed and underprepared, freckled and frizzy redhead and pressed ‘go’ on my modelling career. The next day I was being photographed on a great big building site that’s now know as ‘Les Halles’ wearing velvet knickerbockers and a hat with a plume and feeling on top of the world. Merci Monsieur.

Give or take the hats and the shape of the heels, the french phrase ‘Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose’ springs to mind.

Fashion, Hair and Life Styling

As your style consultant, personal shopper, sifter of trends and alerter to unmissable style happenings I give you my four next-to-be attended exhibitions in 2017.

Molly Goddard, Molly Goddard exhibition, Molly Goddard What I like exhibition at the Now Gallery, embroidery, interactive art

Molly Goddard’s ‘What I like’

Now Gallery

Molly Goddard is a cherished creative, top of the milk, makes you proud to be British, gorgeously talented young designer. Mrs V has been up close and personal with her clothes and can confirm that they are beautiful in execution, design and their intent to make a woman lovely. Molly’s ‘What I like’ is an interactive exhibition at the Now Gallery and if you have even a passing interest in fashion or have a daughter, goddaughter, godson or friend of any persuasion, do as I tell you and grab them and your Oyster card and get yourselves over to this original exhibition.You will collect a magnificently large needle and thread from the central podium, you then chose a blank space and then just stitch away directly onto the sea of foamy tulle  suspended from above. There is no suspicion that you’ll endanger any top designer’s livelihood  you should simply let any creative juices pour out. Just experiment and let your imaginations get the better of you. Stop reigning them in.

 

 

The Vulgar exhibition, The Barbican, fashion, style, clothes, Exhibition The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined at The Barbican 2016/2017

The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined

The Barbican

‘Vulgarity exposes the scandal of good taste’

 Provocatively the constantly evolving notion of vulgarity in fashion always makes me re-examine what it is exactly that makes something vulgar and why it is such a sensitive, personal and sometimes contested term. I was told by a designer that I admire and respect that there always needs to be a smattering of bit of bad taste in any truly beautiful piece of clothing. Whether it be the horn buttons on an Hermes suit, Burberry in-your-face logo check or the completely over the top kitch-ness of the queens coronation gown. On close scrutiny isn’t that true? Its what stops clothing being ‘nice’  The Model Edit is team Vulgar and I bet that’s news to you, but it might just be the reason you follow me (thank you, thank you, thank you from every particle of my body and soul).

 

Fashion On The Ration, The Imperial War Museum, fashion during the Second World War, fashion on a budget, fashion exhibition
Silk Scarf, Jacqmar of London, Fashion On The Ration exhibition at the Imperial War Museum

Fashion On The Ration

The Imperial War Museum North 

This exhibition aptly hosted by The Imperial War Museum North ( Manchester) takes us through the rigeurs of trying have a bit of style autonomy and individuality in any small way whilst juggling trying to stay alive on an eating, dodging air raids and financial kind of a level. I love that it mattered for the simple reason that a personal style and sartorial shop front satisfyingly set out, can make for a happy and confident individual, and the domino effect that this mindset can engender. Loving the Beetroot lipstick stain idea. Makes me think of a tonne of vegetable names for various make up hues. Gotta get me some Butternut Squash tinted lippy for the summer.

Onwards and sometimes upwards, and  having been interactive with Molly Goddard, conflicted at the Barbican and resourceful by digging in our garden for make-up victory, we now book an appointment with Sam McKnight at his retrospective hosted at Somerset House.

Tilda Swinton, David Bowie, Sam McKnight Exhibition at Somerset House 2017, hairstyles, celebrity hairstylist, Sam McKnight
Kate Moss by Nick Knight -Vogue UK-September 2000, supermodel, hairstylist, Sam McKnight

Hair by Sam McKnight

   Somerset House

Hair by Sam McKnight is the first exhibition to contextualise the wider cultural significance of hair and the role of the session stylist within fashion. It’s also a good chance to have a look at some of the most iconic fashion, beauty and style images from the last 30 years. There is always something to be derived from this genre of exhibition. The images can often inspire and unblock ideas your for your own style. Many of these photographs have become timeless due to the revolving route that fashion takes, and there are always nuggets that can be dusted off and buffed up to suit you.

Brings new meaning to the words ‘Making an exhibition of yourself’ don’t it?

Highlights and Low Converse

Carine Roitfeld, Carine Roitfeld A/W 2016 Uniqlo collaboration, Carine Roitfeld grey pinstriped women jacket, grey pinstripe double breasted women's jacket, pinstripes, women's tailored jacket, leggings, Urban Outfitters, skinny scarf, Chuck Norris Converse All Stars, White Canvas Converse, glass beads, bead bracelet, red curly hair
A very successful writer friend of mine gave me some advice when I pronounced  two  years ago, that my future would be in the written word. He said that writing is like a muscle and it must be exercised everyday. Well here’s a post Christmas and New Years larks and capers, heads up. I am currently doing writing lunges and downward facing dogs, in an effort to be a prizewinner in the race to bring you style gold this year. Ain’t no big thing…

Just for my own comfort and to make sure that you all really listened to my helpful, possibly bossy recommendations, I am giving you a quick round up of stuff that stayed! These pearls may span over a couple of posts. Yeah.

Converse, Chuck Norris Converse All Stars, Black Leather Converse High Tops, black trainers, sports shoes, athletic wear, athleisure

Black Leather Converse

My precious babies, my go-to style shoes. Some of you have already dipped your toes into a pair of these. Couldn’t love you more. They are a Wardrobe must and you will not need to show your passport when you purchase. They are for everyone who would like a pair. Without deviation or hesitation I could insert my plates into one of my many pairs of these truly iconic style items and even if I was blindfolded and had no idea what I was wearing, my trusty  Converse trainer will define my look and shove me out the door looking the business. They are financially a very low entry item that can party with the rest of your fashion pack. They will elevate or ease any style statement. I was at a Christmas  drinks party down in Dorset and someone there was wearing her bestest, bestest new, one time only, super expensive gown with a pair of well loved white canvas Converse. She looked cracking. Let that be a lesson to you.

Carine Roitfeld, Carine Roitfeld Uniqlo collaboration, Carine Roitfeld Uniqlo collaboration A/W 2017, grey pinstriped trouser suit, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, www.themodeledit.com, androgyny, Androgynous style, black leather Converse high tops, Converse trainers, Converse basketball boots
Kenzo, Kenzo H&M collaboration A/W 2017, leggings, Kenzo leggings, Kettlewell Sacha Cardi
H&M A/W 2017, H&M satin tunic, white Converse trainers, navy blue tailored trousers, pinstriped trousers
Tutu, Topshop Tutu, fishnet tights, white Converse trainers, Christmas tree, pink silk t-shirt

Now to the underpinning of the vestiges of beauty that I insist on hanging on to…

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