Azzedine Alaia, Tina Turner and Mrs V.

Azzedine Alaia, body con, sexy dresses, womenswear designer, couturier, moroccan designer, Paris

We have lost a torch bearing designer who’s designs celebrated our shapes in all their forms.  Alaia put the Body into Bodycon     

My hommage to this gorgeous human being comes in a music video. Bizarre choice? Not really. Look at the clothes. Look at me. Look at at Naomi Campbell Azzedine gave us a shape, before nature had settled on one.  The song is sung by Tina turner, a disciple of Azzedine Alaia and someone who spotted a winner when others of her age wouldn’t have. I’m sensing some sceptics out there who may assume that such body skimming clothes are not for them. Non(style)sense! I shout. One thing is to not feel happy with that much disclosure, another thing entirely is to disbelieve that these creations are for you. Actually being a slender model with barely a curve, north or south, Mrs V wasn’t the straight up, sure fire candidate to rock these divinities either. Wrong! Lordy and lands sake, put on a skirt and have your bottom told where to be and the rest was obvious for any passerby. That man totally understood what needed to go where and how to get it there. Not a vertebra or a sinew left to its own devices but with better effect than a Deep Vein Thrombosis stocking, these babies should have been handed out as a safety requirement on long haul flights.

A gracious and beautiful human has left his atelier.

Exposing Camouflage

mvthun21, Instagram, @mvthun21, camouflage style, camouflage fashion, shacket, older model, grey hair, classic woman, instagram influencer

Overriding the faux fur and lace effects appliquéd on to most everything right now, I was smacked around my fashion face by Camouflage print clothing as ‘eye spied’ my way around London this week. It’s rough, ready, smart sexy. Get out on manoeuvres and capture your target piece My Instagram friend @mvthun21 illustrates perfectly how to incorporate a piece of Camouflage clothing into your ever evolving if I have my way, style lives. Monumentally stylish Mercedes. Don’t we all want to be in her squad? Camo. It’s gone guerrilla up the high street and should be launching a sustained attack on your wardrobe.

Moschino, Versace, Camouflage print fashion, catwalk, camouflage on the catwalk

Pre Fall A/W 2017  Versace  Moschino  Nili Lotan

I could list a whole slew of stockists and styles for the charge of the Camo brigade. But I won’t as it’ll take me ages and I want to send this with love from me to you asap, but primarily because you should browse either by foot or finger to find out how you intend to get in on the crusade of this season, last season and next season.

TOPSHOP camouflage print Shacket, Camouflage fashion

Stradivarius High Street clothing brand, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, www.themodeledit.com, camouflage clothing fashion, came print shirt, women's cams fashion

 

Topshot Camouflage Shacket £45  Stradivarius Camouflage Shirt £25.99

My idea of a ‘good buy’ is an item of clothing that is working hard for its place in my Wardrobe. Don’t translate that into ‘must be worn at all times’. Whatever the piece of clothing, big or small, ostentatious or ordinary, there must be an intrinsic value to it. In Mrs V’s wardrobe there are many tiny weeny bit part players that underpin much of any big blousy outfits appearing on any of The Model Edit’s social network portals. While I’m on a roll I’ll offload another of my beliefs, an iconic item spanning the spectrum between a Burberry Raincoat to a Rolling Stones ‘sticky out tongue’ graphic T, will always, always validate your ticket. The Camouflage print is a prince among prints. I wish I was re inventing the wheel or even put the ‘wire’ in ‘under’, but what I am doing is having a sort of ranty crusade to draw your attention from what’s under your nose, to what’s coming over the horizon, and to ensure that you invest well in pieces that won’t let you down this time next year. I’m pointing you in the direction of Camouflage clothing. It defies it’s original purpose, i.e. to hide things. Camouflage prints are the foot soldiers of fashion. Their colours answer all tonal combinations. Accessories or entire looks. Get into step with this phenomenon.It’s going everywhere Parkas, Jackets, Shackets, Shirt, Hats, Coats, Gloves, T’s, Scarves and Lingerie. Catwalk and Sidewalk.

Chanel Camouflage Jacket, Came fashion, Women's Camouflage jacket, Chanel

When Chanel sends out a call to action, choose your weapons. Visa, MasterCard, Amex…

Men Behaving Badly…At Buckham Fair

Buckham Fair 2017, family Day Out, things to do in Dorset, Pony and Dog show, Horses, Dogs, Arena, funfair, charity event, Dorset and Somerset Air ambulance

 

Wafting myself back into your ever loving inboxes with an invitation to the event of the year. I offer you dogs, ponies, food for days, shopping for days, spectacles to make you gasp and stretch your eye, and the two legendary best bad boys in TV comedy history. Read on. I hope that I’ve set in motion this years trending mania, FOMO. Do not miss out. Do be there ringside, tea side, hillside. We have been mentioned in Traveller Magazine as a fab happening on Summer’s agenda. I’m telling you it’s a very cool place to see and be seen at. This year we’re holding our event in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Buckham Fair Committee 2017, committee, charity event, team members , www.themodeledit.com, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing

We have been working on this years Buckham Fair, since last year’s Buckham Fair, so no wonder it’s truly tremendous and that my blog posts are erratic…and my house is a little untidy…and I forget to call you back…and there’s nothing in the fridge (rare, I’ll give you that). So much scope for so many excuses. Here’s the thing, our committee could organise the The United Nations and our names are less silly. We’re the best that money can’t buy.

Buckham Fair, Buckham Fair Map, event map, Buckham Fair 2017, hand drawn map

We have it all going on and a little site map may give you an indication of the whimsy of our Fair and the traditional curtsey we offer to bygone events. You could not want for more. You will have views that will make your heart happy and your eyes a little squinty because the sun will be reflecting off the sea at West Bay and Lyme Regis while you sit as long as you please on our grassy knolls and on our  slightly scratchy straw bales, true dat! ( I don’t want to be had up for ‘trade descriptions’ ) Wear festival gear because it’s a party, a celebration and a festival of food, shopping, cream teas, dogs, ponies and people. Need more ? I’ve got more. What would you say to a Pre loved Clothing marquee that flings more designers at you than The Octavia Foundation, but throws in a side of celeb nonsense too? We have for the first time, since the last, very long time ago time, reunited the Men Behaving Badly  bromance that is Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey. Ask a dog owners permission to borrow one if you don’t have your own, and get yourselves entered into the ‘The Dog That Most Looks Like Neil Morrissey’ … in any of his incarnations. Neil and Martin will be getting judgemental.

Men Behaving Badly, www.themodeledit.com, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, TV Stars, actors, Martin Clunes, Neil Morrissey, sitcom, BBC1

Look they’re just checking out the Pre Loved merch…

PJ's, Pyjamas, Ladies Pyjamas, tartan, Tartan pyjamas, nightwear, women pyjamas

Seeing that sub zero Summer centigrades are all around me,  I’ll be making a bit of a bolt for a pair of Tartan Jammies kindly donated by Bonsoir of London,

I shall be stylishly rocking fluorescent tabard fashion, and if you can get past that look on me, I’d love to meet any of you there on the day.

 

Skincare, Go There.

 

320724-1001217565-1

Chantecaille Biodynamic Lifting Serum £198

Those of you with Ermine lined purses, read on. Forever converted and doomed to live in a dustbin, I glow with the epidermis of a post acne apocalypse,  teenager. I care nothing that to sustain my newly emerging Skincare habit, my children will never eat again, I am seduced and convinced by Chantecaille that their bijou, artisanally created skincare line helps me achieve my best dermal self. Again, for your lives only, I rummage metaphorically through make up and beauty bags of the gurus whose stock in trade these potions are. In this case I have been pointed towards two products from the Chantecaille skincare range. A philanthropic French brand known for using uniquely high concentrations of natural botanicals, Chantecaille’s skincare, makeup and fragrances are the epitome of luxury. Their purity of ingredients ensure utter luxury across their products. There are many options for similar products to these, a sort of wannabe mates scenario at a lower entry level, but if you have the means, treat yourself or allow someone else to. I can’t imagine for a second that you’ll be disappointed . I have used a week’s supply of this double act of creams, and am impressed by every aspect really. The serum is potent, kindly lifting and  smoothing wrinkles and and if that wasn’t enough, taking matters into it’s own hand, broadening it’s remit, this Biodynamic Lifting Serum also builds and protects collagen. Awesome, thank you. DNA is repaired with the newest combination of natural stem cells, which is a technicality, but translated, it’s shoring up the skin’s youthful longevity and all hail that!

Chantecaill Bio Lifting Mask, beauty, moisturiser, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, Mrs V

Chantecaille Bio Lifting Mask £140 

This next product trialled by a frizzy, freckly redhead covered in opinionated skin, came portentously packaged in a platinum coloured pot, and was described to me in a conversation with top beauty blogger  Anna Shearer @lefashionfetish  as ‘a facelift in a jar’ Cue me curtsying.  Chantecaille’s soothing Bio Lifting Mask mask virtually irons out the face. Love us some of that. Our, Non? It’s so fabulous to have access to people like Anna as ordinarily I wouldn’t just take a punt on such an expensive product. Truly industry experts and access thereto, are just divining opportunities. Instagram Idols that I have come across are holding their ground because of their insights and integrity. When you find one that you trust follow them just close enough to avoid a restraining order. Their words are gold dust. Mrs V sobs for the preclusive price point, but simultaneously  and honestly, believes that Chantecaille is a beautiful skincare company using insanely well sourced base ingredients that deliver addictively fine results.

With reference to the ‘facelift in a jar’ recommendation, rather you go over your skincare budget than under the knife.

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!

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…

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.

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…

Continue Reading…

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