Brief Encounters

A quick photo diary of my trip to London this week for my University Interviews. Ive been rushed off my feet these past weeks to have taken to Twitter and Instagram to blog on the go. These are some of my photos from the past few days.

Sadly i arrived the day after LFW ended (sob) so i didn't see anything or anyone in the Fashion World, but my interviews gave me the opportunity to meet some really great people with some fierce looks. It was also really lovely to spend some quality time with my mum who bless her came with me for moral support.

Top to bottom, left to right:
1, my Emilio de la Morena dress that i wore in to interview on the catwalk. 2, image of a Russian Convict in Tattoo history book- i love tattoos and black and white photography, this book was stunning! 3, self portrait of my very tired eyes on the train home after Westminster. 4, the gallery ceiling in the V&A resturant, the V&A is one of my favourite places in the world, i can't go to London and not spend at least a morning there.
5, Jack Daniels poster in Gloucester Road Tube Station, love the LFW theme! 6, from the V&A galleries a human skeleton standing next to an ape skeleton. 7, Mocktail in the Hard Rock Cafe, i took my mum here for dinner on the first night to celebrate passing the maths test and also for the amazing atmosphere. 8, window shot from Harrods of there current window display- taken on the way back from my Buying Merchandising interview i thought it was appropriate.
9, raspberry white chocolate latte and cheeky afternoon donut from Krispy Kreme, i am ADDICTED i got these whilst waiting for the 2nd part of my LCF interview in the Holborn shop to calm my nerves and the boy gave me a freebie one too yay! 10, little bit of afternoon shopping on the last day after Westminster got some lovely things but the service in Oxford Circus Zara was appalling. 11, map of the LCF campus in Camden taken on my phone. 12, attempting to put far too much in very tiny case on the way home! i had to buy the neon flats whilst there as my feet couldn't cope with heels 24/7.
13, 2nd part of the Harrods window installation- its so dreamy and atmospheric (rather like the cecil beaton shot next but one). 14, reading material on the train down to London. 15, Cecil Beaton from the exhibition at the V&A, i also saw the images of the Queen which were so stunning and made me see her in a totally new and beautiful way. 16, last but not least the epic picnic i had in my hotel room the 2nd night after being exhausted, if only i could eat like that everyday.


Overall i loved my few days away, its so nice to be in the capital again. Both interviews were challenging especially the maths test from LCF- it was brutal watching more than half the people get turned away then and there I'm so lucky it wasn't me. I know that I've done the best that i can so its just a case of watching and waiting now to find out. I managed to fit so much into the 3 days which is inspiring; seeing the Cecil Beaton exhibit at the V&A, all the major department stores new season collections (Harrods, Selfridges, Libertys, Harvey Nichols), being able to shop for while and get some great unique things without having to spend a fortune and having some quality time with my mama.

Black Mirror

16/02/12 For the past week or so I've been doing a project for London College of Fashion for interview in Fashion Buying Merchandising. Anyone knows me knows I've talked about this place since I was little girl so this is big new that I've got this far! And it means another cheeky outing for my Morena dress!

Ive been asked for a Portfolio of work on a Brand of choice and analysis of the performance, target market, current collection etc etc- with only 2 weeks notice (trauma) I chose the launch of VICTORIA VICTORIA BECKHAM. I found it really challenging project just because I've been unable to take time off work (14 days straight with difficult boys- no thanks), but I'm really pleased with the outcome. I went super formal with presentation style- A3 mounted on card, professionally printed, I wanted LCF to know I mean business.

The amount of time I've spent exploring the Collection has meant I've ended up falling in love with it! Until the interview I'm living and breathing Brand Beckham. The sister line she's has created is so unexpected and different from the mainline minimal glamazon, but so chic and Beckham nonetheless, its full of tongue in cheek personality and quirk which j'adore. A huge departure from the corset dress she's famed for, but so much more accessible than the Mainline and cheaper too, about £400 for a shift dress. Meaning in the not too distant future i could have my very own if i save save save. Ive fallen head over heels for the cutesy film that filmmaker/animator Quentin Jones has made for her, to the extent it gets stuck in my head on repeat.... OBSESSED.

The Lady is a Tramp

Dress by Emilio de la Morena, from Rocca Boutique in Harrogate. This has to be my most indulgent purchase ever, it was a true cinderella moment when i tried it on- i absolutely fell in love!

The fit is unbelievable, its made of such a heavy weight silk that despite it being a little too large on my waist and hips it hangs and moves perfectly, the peplum looks really fresh and it doesn't really need accessorising as the print does all the talking already. Morena trained as an architect before doing an MA in design and it really shows in the construction, and his Spanish heritage makes for a subtle sexy take on contemporary womenswear.

Originally £861 from SS'11 despite buying with a hefty sale reduction this is still the most expensive thing  I've owned but I see it as an investment. I'll style it with black tights, boots and leather sleeve blazer for my interviews and then for upcoming family occasions i'll add some earrings and wear bare legs and sandals. Job done.

Although i know it wasn't necessary to wear Designer to my interviews, in no way am i a 'Fashion Victim' there was just something about it i had to have. Of course, if i don't get a place i'll be kicking myself for the spend, but in the mean time, its been hanging in my wardrobe for just over a month and i can't wait to wear!

Emilio De La Morena SS11

just after writing this i tweeted my love of the dress and Emilio de la Morena tweeted me back whoo! EXCITED. posted in retrospect as I've been so busy with work and travel.

Lick and a Promise

Thats what my mum always used to say to me when i was poorly and tired and just to exhausted for anything. She'd stroke my hair, wash my face and put me to bed.... And thats what i could do with  right about now. I am EXHAUSTED.

So, a few days after my last post i discovered i'd been offered an unconditional place at Manchester Met for Fashion Buying, which came as a total shock, especially as i didn't even have an interview(!), and then  the day after that, i was offered an interview with London College of Fashion! For the past two weeks I've been putting together a Retail Brand Analysis presentation portfolio whatever that means, slaving away at the library every spare hour. It really reminded me that whilst I'm used to reports and figures for work, its been 2 years since I've been at 'school'. I chose to focus on VICTORIA VICTORIA BECKHAM for the analysis, as as soon as i saw that cat print i fell in love but I've got another post to follow on that lil' treasure.

Ive had what i can only describe as the 'flu from hell, whilst working 14 days straight, needless to say I've had a lot of tears, tantrums and temperatures but I'm off now to recover so I'm catching up with my blog and staying wrapped up in bed.

Ive also found my perfect dress for the interviews; it was a true Disney princess moment, as soon as slipped it over my head it just felt 'right'. But likewise, after costing me a small fortune, post to follow!

So thats what I'm leaving you with, a cheeky taster of how upside down my life seems right now but also the promise of what i hope are a lot of wonderful things to come, and also, big love to mama for running me a Molton Brown bath and giving me freshly ironed bedding!