TOPSHOP AW12 PREVIEW

Today sees the launch of Topshop's AW12 Preview shots. They're going for 7 key looks this year - the imaginatively named Punky Checks, Master Mod, Wild Wild West, The Sweater is Eveything, Yes It's My Boyfriend's, Sixties Siren and Collared Style.

From the descriptions alone, I can safely say that on the surface I dig four of them... I do like a bit of Mod-style tailoring, love nothing more than an oversized Boyfriend coat, novelty Sweaters enjoy a sacred place in my heart, and embellished Collars have my vote. But as for Punky Checks, Wild Wild West and Sixties Siren? YAWN. Either they've done it before (sixties), I'm afraid I'm too told (punky checks) or it simply makes me boke (wild west, eeew!)

But I have to say, I think the images kind of let Topshop down. Judge for yourself...

This is supposed to embody "Punky Checks." Could do better.

They just DON'T grab me in the same way last year's collections did. Remember the brightly coloured cigarette pants, creepers, boxy tailoring and faux fur? I'm sure faux fur and dresses will come for high winter (aka work night out season) but as for the rest, it's pretty lacklustre, especially in comparison.

I DO hold out hope for a slew of awesome coats though, what with the promise of Boyfriend styles, statement collars and tweed. But as for the rest I'm genuinely a bit bummed. The images have an air of depression around them, no? Maybe it's just cos the girls are so DOUR looking...

What do you guys think, are you excited for Topshop's AW12 trends? Am I being too harsh (again)?



EDIT: I actually just found THIS LINK to another collection called Scandi Girl but the link to "shop Scandi Girl" hasn't been configured and it isn't included in this promo release for autumn so I'm guessing it'll be released later in the year. It looks like more of the type of thing you'd expect from Toppers and something I can DEFO get involved in. You heard it here first!

EDIT AGAIN: OK, on further investigation it seems that Scandi Girl is actually a trend for Spring/Summer - except that the lookbook images for it include hats, scarves and faux fur galore? Not sure what's going on here. THIS is the type of thing I wanna see for winter not spring? Confused.

PAMELA LOVE: HIPPIE WEDDING PERFECTION

So I would totes love to sit here and tell y'all that I am NOT the kinda girl who goes all swoony and mushy over weddings... But, well, I AM.

Sorry to shatter your perceptions of an icy-cool demeanor folks, but the heart wants what it wants. I pretty much love ALL weddings , especially when they're on the telly - Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, Don't Tell the Bride, Bride Wars, Four Weddings, Bridezillas... You name it, I love it. You might also remember I was BESIDE MYSELF for last year's Royal Wedding... Yuh, it's a THING.

So when I perused Vogue.com this morning and discovered that acclaimed badass-jewellery designer Pamela Love got hitched to her beau Mathew Nelson in Montauk Long Island recently, I couldn't help but drool over the photos.

You remember Pamela Love, she's the uber-awesome designer responsible for amazing rings and necklaces like this:

I DIE. My kingdom for the arrowhead ring!

Anyhoo, her nuptuals took place in an old 1950s holiday camp-turned-resort and of the hippy vibe, she said “I wanted the wedding to be about being in a natural, wild environment—which is kind of what love is.” AWH!

Tell me this doesn't look like something straight out of Sofia Coppola's dreams...

The cake included one vegan layer for her hubby

The vows...

Pamela's custom-made jewels for the day

Matching white gold wedding bands with turquoise inlay

'The couple spent the day before the ceremony potting flower arrangements in Mason jars that decorated the tables, and Love approached the chuppah to a rendition of Neil Young’s Heart of Gold. During the reception, guests played on wooden swings in the trees. “It was perfect, like hippie summer camp,” Love said.'

Could this have looked any more laidback and relaxed? So many weddings are so rigid, over planned, and it seems like everyone except the bride lets their hair down. Not here - apparently Pamela and her hubby were the last to leave the party!

*SNIFF* I do love a good wedding.

Sorry, I think I have something in my eye...

BITCHING & JUNKFOOD: NEW ARRIVALS

Because I only have five minutes until hometime, let's forget the flowery intro and skip to some of my favourite looks from Bitching & Junkfood's latest high summer arrivals...

Pretty fierce.

Now where did I put my black lipstick again?

PRADA MENSWEAR FALL 2012

Ohhh I do love a dapper suit, but I ESPECIALLY love it on the back of Gary Oldman, Garrett Hedlund, Jamie Bell, and Willem Dafoe. Especially Jamie Bell, more than a whiff of male model about him, no? I first spotted this collection ages ago and knew I recognised the mock-Victoriana, mildly Gothic vibe and today I read an article describing it as Steampunk... LIGHTBULB MOMENT! Of course, how did I not see it?!

What the hell is Steampunk? Only the weirdest genre/sub-culture ever! More on that in a minute, first lets drool over the guys clothes:

Ohhhh the tailoring! And the LAYERING! Polonecks under shirts under vests under trenches under overcoats? Why not?! Vaguely military, slightly Wild West, this collection has Steampunk written all over it...

"Steampunk is a genre which originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy."

Wanna see some cool folk dressed up all hilarious-like? Of course you do...

I wanna be friends with THEM!

Totes bizarre, but all I know is that Prada took something super weird and made it super hot. Genius!