Style Pour Moi News

The day after I got married, I gave my wedding witnesses a little gift to thank them for being part of my life and putting up with my “bride to be” exhausting behaviour during the months leading up to the big event. This gift was a Swarosvki crystal cherries brooch…cute, refined and something I knew they would keep forever.

This season is the best time to update your evening wear by accessorising with costume jewellery. I know alot of you are totally comfortable throwing a lovely statement necklace on or wearing a pair of beautiful big earings, but I think there are quite a few of us who need a little “coup de pouce” (help) when it comes to adding something interesting to our outfit and jazzing things up a bit. I’m going to talk specifically about brooches as I think they’re very under-rated and still seen as old-fashioned despite having the ability to help make a great outfit.

So, here are just a few examples of what you can get at the moment but don’t forget that you can find lots of beautiful vintage brooches in antique shops and vintage stores (or in your old Auntie’s jewellery box!).

If you’re going out and feel slightly under-whelmed by what you’re about to wear, try adding a brooch around the collar of a simple little black dress, or attaching it to a belt, or even to a necklace.

Butler&Wilson £18

Butler&Wilson £58

Lulu Guiness £60

Tatty Devine £24

Swarosvki £35

Dorothy Perkins £10

Kenneth Jay Lane £100

Topshop £38

Swarosvki £78

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Happy Brooching!

X Catherine

Sonia Rykiel, a true French fashion icon, has joined forces with H&M to launch a lingerie collection on the 5th of December, in H&M stores worldwide.

This beautiful line of lingerie is sure to please many women (and men!) as it gives us black pieces with baby pink rosette corsages, 1920s inspired lounge-wear in velvet and chiffon as well as silk chiffon separates, including camisoles, tank tops, shorts, pants, kimono-style robes and and floor length nightgowns.

The collection will also include bras and panties in silk and lacy cotton, designed in Rykiel’s signature multi-stripe and floral motifs. Bras will be available in several styles, including unlined bandeau bras with removable straps as well as padded underwire bras, all featuring structured grosgrain straps.

Panties come in low brief, thong or hotpant style with grosgrain details. Rykiel focuses on color palettes of pale pink and black and unique blends of rose, violet and black. An array of accessories including slippers and mules, brooches, hair accessories – even a velvet pillow reading “Belle in Rykiel”.

By the way, if you don’t feel brave enough to face the crowds at H&M, the collection will also be available at Sonia Rykiel stores aswell.

Famous for her signature knits, Sonia Rykiel will also be continuing her collaboration with the high street giant next Spring as there are plans to release a second collection featuring knitwear  for women and girls as well as a line of accessories in February 2010.

SO this could be a great time to get rid of those old knickers and replace them with some of these gorgeous pieces this Christmas.

Catherine X

Yesterday, I went for a quick tour around Libertys, and, as I walked around the old wooden floors of this exclusive shop, I could feel my heart rate slightly accelerate at the site of a gorgeous Alexander McQueen dress, a killer Vivienne Westwood skirt, and even a lush Stella McCartney jacket (it’s quite sad, I know). But, while I was trying to keep my breathing under control, I thought: Thank God there are still ways women can look amazing without spending a small fortune. I mean, don’t get me wrong, what these designers do is incredible, I get excited when I see or even touch their clothes (yep!), and even more so when I get my clients to try them on. But at the same time they inspire me to try harder to find more affordable clothes that will also do us justice.

SO, I’ve been on a mini mission to pick out just a few pieces which I think are chic, sophisticated, great for the party season ahead of us, and won’t break the bank (between £25 and £80). Please bare in mind that cheap also means limited quality, so even though I’m recommending you check these out, I wouldn’t call them “investment pieces” (I’ll cover that in a another blog).

Starting with the Little Black Dress.

First up: we have a few lovely little numbers from Oasis, ranging from this rose one shouldered asymmetric dress, to more gorgeous tailored pieces, nipped at the waist with either lace or origami detailing that will leave you looking effortlessly chic. I have to say I am impressed with Oasis this winter, they have given us a few beauties (for just a few £s)!

Oasis £80

Oasis £60

Oasis £55

Oasis £70

Oasis £65

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Next up, we have some lovely bargain skirts to add to any separates you might have and to help show off your pins in style:

New Look £22

Lipsy £60

Topshop £25

Topshop £32

Dorothy Perkins £25

Topshop £38

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And finally, I thought these few one-off cheap wonders were worth pointing out too:

New Look £50

H&M £39.99

Topshop £55

New Look £25

Next £60

Next £45

Dorothy Perkins £45

(more…)

Imagine this: you own the most HUMUNGUS wardrobe in town, you wake up every morning and put together the most amazing outfit, then before you pop off to work, your lovely boyfriend takes a picture of you and posts it onto a website entirely dedicated to you and what you wear.

This is what Joe Sinclair from London did for his gorgeous girlfriend Katie MacKay. The thing they didn’t expect was the growing amount of people who now visit this site to find out what Katie is going to wear on a daily basis.What is clear is that Katie has tons of creative imagination, loves to have fun with it and always manages to look cute and stylish. Like I said in a earlier blog, we shouldn’t feel the pressure to follow trends: Katie is the perfect example of someone who has fun with her clothes and uses them to express her own personal style. So, enjoy her outfits, and who knows, maybe you will find a little bit of inspiration for your own wardrobe…

http://www.whatkatiewore.com/

I know, it’s a bit late in the year to be posting a blog about warm clothes but, if you’ve been like me, trying to wait as long as possible before getting your big “we mean business” chunky woollies out, then why not look forward to a winter of cozying up in your knitwear in style: Big knitwear is back in force this season, so there’s lots of choice out in the shops from gorgeous cardis, thick huge scarves to lovely cashmere berets. There are plenty of ways of making the most of your woollies:

Starting with Scarves & Hats:

Its good to have at least two really good scarves in your wardrobe: one for  every day wear, one for less casual occasions.Whether you opt for a snood like this one from Miss Selfridge (£25), this animal print one from Whistles (£35) or beautiful pattern print scarf like this Diane von Furstenberg one (£214), look for colours that suit your skin tone and complexion.

As for keeping your head warm, if you’re not a “hat person” (like I hear many of my clients tell me), the snood is a good alternative. You can find some nice ones now at DKNY, COS or Topshop.

Otherwise, give your ears a hug and invest in a lovely cashmere beret like this one from Autograph (M&S), or a lovely knitted beanie (you can find this one at Topshop) or this cute Pavo hat from All Saints.

Tops and jumper dresses:

There are lots of ways you can show off your best body parts with woolie knits: If you have an hourglass figure, a jumper dress (like this stripey navy one from New Look for just £25) or this grey cowl neck one from topshop for £38 , or long cardis belted at the waist like this one from Diane Von Furstenberg (£350) can be very flattering AND comfy.

If you are an apple shape, experiment with some layering and invest in a few thin knit cardis like this draped one from All Saints (£85), this grey one from Dorothy Perkins (£22) or this Waterfall cardi from Miss Selfridge for £45.

And have fun with colours too: you will find a whole range of beautiful colourful knits like these ones from French Connection (£85) , Sonia Rykiel (£169) or Missoni (£outrageous) at places like Zara, H&M and Cos to help you mix and match and complement any basic garments you already own.

So enjoy feeling snug and looking good in your woolies this winter.

Catherine x

or almost everyone who is brave enough to face the riots that will most likely take place tomorrow at H&M stores across the country as Jimmy Choo launches their collection of shoes, accessories and clothes with the high street giant. Now, like me, you most probably have a life, and other things planned for the week-end…however, if you can bare the  idea of being lost in a sea of frantic shoppers, I think it still might be worth popping into H&M to grab some of the gems this collection has to offer, whether its the beautiful black waist leather belt (£39.99), the cute studded ballet pumps (for £49.99) or the leather jacket (£149.99), these are pieces that you’ll be able to get a lot of wear out this winter! So if you do manage to go, and survive the experience, I want to hear all about it!

http://www.hm.com/gb/#/jimmychoo/
Catherine

Now you’re probably like me, you see the GOOD and the BAD in what our beloved high street stores have to offer, however I think I have just discovered one particular place of shopping worship-ism which has only heavenly goodness to offer: I recently visited Anthropologie, the American store which opened its doors on Regents street a few weeks ago.

As I walked in, I was greeted by a wide open beautiful space with sumptuous coloured garments displayed on giant wooden carved tables and perfectly hanging along the walls. In the distance, between the most exquisite vintage style  dresses, accessories and home decorations, I could see an elegant contemporary metal staircase which boarded an entire side wall covered with thousands of live plants, stretching over 3 levels of this Humongous shop. First thing I thought: Heaven….yes, I know, this type of reaction might seem a bit shallow to some of you, but for me, this was really the perfect shop for the high street. While I stood there for what must have been a good couple of minutes, with my mouth wide open, not knowing where to look,  or which clothes to go and “touch” first, I heard a sweet american voice : “Are you OK there Ma’am, can I help you?”. I looked over only to see one of the many pretty, relaxed looking women working in the store, smiling at me…yes, she was SMILING!!! I just looked at her and said: “I think I’m going to be just fine, thanks!” as I made my way through the isles of liberty print skirts, detailed crochet tops, tweed jackets and beautfiful chic patterned knits, each residing in different corners of themed deco which can only inspire…

It makes such a nice change from the big chain stores that we are so used to entering…you usually know exactly what to expect from a H&M, Zara, Uniqlo or Reiss but this was a completely new level of high street shopping…Thank God there wasn’t a coffee shop or champagne bar because I could have spent the rest of my day in there!

I was so happy when I brought one of my clients there a few days later who was as excited as me, when she saw the clothes I had specially selected for her and which suited her layed-back, quirky yet elegant style perfectly.

The only thing I would warn you about is that, if you are planning to go on a massive shopping spree, this is not the place you can afford to do a raid in (unless you have plenty of dosh to spend). So plan your budget in advance as the clothes in this place are slightly more expensive than in other high street shops. You can visit them online at http://www.anthropologie.co.uk/ and check out some of their garments there, however if you have the opportunity to visit Regents Street, do drop in and check it out, its worth the visit!

An evening of style and beauty is always needed, especially as the clocks go back and we’re edging that bit closer to winter.  Nobody recognises this more than celebrity salon owner Charlotte Murray and in a bid to keep her clients cheery she hosted a successful evening celebrating all things glamour.

Catherine de Crevecoeur from STYLE Pour Moi presents to the crowd of North London ladies

Inviting existing and new clients to the salon Charlotte introduced personal stylist, Catherine de Crevecoeur from www.stylepourmoi.com.  She advised a very attentive audience on the best way to clear out their wardrobes effectively, how to create the perfect capsule wardrobe, to shop for their body shape and finally touching on this season’s fashion trends.  Next, Britta D, professional make-up artist, took to the stage to give useful live demonstrations on how to perfectly enhance facial bone features with shading and how to create the ever so dramatic and sexy smoky eye.  She answered the audience’s questions, providing useful and welcomed advice on how to apply the right make-up for the right occasion.

Charlotte loves to support local businesses such as Catherine’s (www.stylepourmoi.com) and Britta’s (www.brittad.com).  ”I love the thought of being able to provide a platform for artists to showcase their skills.  The salon is a fantastic backdrop. More events coming soon include art classes, jewellery and make up lessons.” So keep an eye out for what Charlotte has in store for us next…

I came accross this weird but wonderful website for a new brand of clothing called Eight London www.eight-london.com and I’m so impressed by it. You’ll find 10 ensembles on show; gorgeous, simple, feminie cuts, sexy but not trashy and all at reasonably good prices (between £100 to £300) .

The website concept is really simple, so simple actually that, other than beautiful garments, there is absolutely no  information about the label, its designer’s bio, or anything else…hence I’ve got nothing more to say other than if you’re looking for something special, want to move away from the High Street to treat yourself to something unique…then check out these guys…

So that’s it, every single women’s mag out there has exhausted every autumn/winter trend, cat walk show, photo shoot, style report they could possibly cover to give us a full overview of what’s in store for us this season…in fact they’re already talking about what’s happening for Spring/Summer 2010!

So, some of you might be facing a slight dilemma, especially if you’re thinking about investing in a few pieces for your wardrobe this season; you’re probably asking yourself if it’s worth spending money on things that will go out of fashion in 5 minutes. Fear not, there are plenty of clothes that you can invest in, that will look brilliant and last you a lifetime (or a few years at least) no matter what the “Trend” is.

Having said that, we can be grateful for the return of the classic power trend; that post war, sharp yet sexy look is extremely flattering and the clothes are elegant and beautiful, of usually good quality (Maxmara have done a fantastic collection of tweed and wool shift dresses) and will always look good (a bit like the trench coat…fashion staple extraordinaire!).

When it comes to the “80s chic” trend, I have to admit that, although I am a HUGE fan of anything sparkly, I am becoming slightly overwhelmed by the excess of sequined, shoulder padded mini dresses, leggings and jackets on the high street. It’s the battle of the sequins wherever you go!

Don’t get me wrong, you can find some stunning sequined garments: if you do get THE right dress or outfit, with the right cut for you, worn at the right occasion, then it will look amazing (sequins or no sequins)!!! But it’s one thing, strutting your stuff on the catwalk for Balmain, and trying to get away with it like Rachel in X-Factor (yes, sad but true, I do watch the X-Factor, nearly religiously).

Balmain A/W 09

Rachel-X Factor

My word of advice for you this week is, if you’re looking to prepare your wardrobe for all those winter parties ahead, don’t feel pressurised to wear sequins from head to toe, instead go easy and in small doses.

For example, start with accessories: these sequined pumps from Dorothy Perkins are cute and fun and can help jazz up any outfit, or this sequined beret can also look extremely chic and modern at the same time.

Black Sequin Pumps (DP)

Sequin Beret (DP)

Or wear a  little sequin miniskirt and, if you want to tone it down, combine it with some muted colours and soft textures ( a nice t-shirt and cashmere cardigan for example).

Sequin Skirt (DP)

We all LOVE fashion (without it, I’d be lost) but sometimes its good to remind yourselves that what’s important is creating a style that is right for you, weather it’s bang on trend or not.

Voila!

Catherine