A POSTCARD FROM MIJAS, SPAIN

In print: me wearing Tsubi sunglasses, Italian market-buy clutch bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs flip-flops. Hannah wears
Miu Miu sunglasses, vintage belt and bag, tan sandals.

This time last week I was back in the motherland for fellow Grazia Fashion Editor- Sophie’s wedding (more of that to come!), in a gorgeous little Spanish town called Mijas. Here’s me and fellow Grazia girl Hannah Almassi doing a little sight-seeing, whilst blending in with the locals by wearing what they love most in Spain... colourful prints! My dress is from House of Fraser (a few summer’s ago), whilst Hannah’s pretty ruffle number is vintage... Oh to be back in the Mediterranean sunshine! 

KAT MACONIE, LONDON'S COOLEST SHOE GIRL

The designer: Kat Maconie 

I first came across Brit shoe designer Kat Maconie in 2009, when she had but a handful of shoes in her collection. She’d posted me a press release to the Grazia office and her gorgeous designs grabbed me immediately.

Marketing herself as ‘everyday luxury’ Kat’s standout debut collection was also offering something rare- well made, statement footwear at a very affordable price- I was instantly hooked! And as if that wasn’t enough, Kat’s shoes also have a unique "mould to measure" insole- a girl after my own heart- Kat values comfort too!

All but three years later Kat’s brand is going from strength to strength, her collections continue to be featured in lots of influential magazines, including Grazia; she’s collaborated with Whistles, Dune and The Outnet, whilst her catwalk shoes for London Fashion Week label Felder Felder, continue to be some of the most exciting on the runway.

But more over, Kat designs footwear you want to wear and wear- in fact, I think I wore my black leather ‘Emily’ ankle boots more than anything else in my wardrobe last winter …I loved them so much I bought a pair for my sister too!

Feast your eyes on a few of my current Kat Maconie favourites…

Kat's signature black boots and gold stud heel pumps, plus some spring/summer '12 hits.

To see and shop the full collection, click here. 

LOCO FOR HUDSON'S LOULOU JEANS!

Hudson's Lou Lou jeans in Ziggy- dark navy with phosphorescent orange stripe, worn with Banana Republic blouse
and Gianvito Rossi sandals. 

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I love skinny jeans, they’re smart, easy to wear and an important pillar in my wardrobe. I have favourites, my core jeans which I wear the most (MiH Jeans’ Vienna jean and the Skyline jean by Paige Denim, to name, names) but every so often an amazing new style comes along and despite my countless pairs I have to have them- for 2012 that jean is without doubt Hudson’s LouLous Tuxedo crop skinny!
The newest style from the American denim label (identifiable bizarrely by its British flag logo), the LouLou, was inspired by LouLou de la Falaise, Yves Saint Laurent's muse that influenced the creation of the iconic Le Smoking tuxedo suit. That might sound like a bit of stretch for a pair of jeans, but the androgynous tailored fit (they’re not super skinny) coupled with details like the stitched down front pockets, do make you feel like you’re wearing a sleek trouser over a typical pair of jeans. And then there’s the gorgeous contrast stripe in eye catching phosphorescen (glow in the dark) hues; which in my book, pack equal fashion punch to the many printed styles currently saturating the denim market.
Don’t get me wrong- I love my floral, feather, leopard, snake etc. printed jeans, but the LouLou Tuxedos turn heads in a chicer, more grown-up way and that’s what makes them extra special.
However, there is one catch- in fabulous olive, gorgeous burgundy and ever sleek dark navy, it's almost impossible to choose!

Hudson's Lou Lou jeans in Chopin- olive with phosphorescent yellow stripe.

Hudson's Lou Lou jeans in Manson- burgundy with phosphorescent pink stripe.

Hudson’s LouLou Tuxedo jeans are £230 and available in all colours from Trilogy stores.

RACY LACY!

In detail, silver leather skirt by M&S, lace buckle detail shoes, Laurence Dacade.

There's no escaping it (not that I'd want to), lace is huge news this season! From modern laser cut designs to fabulously feminine Broderie Anglaise, and delicate Victorian style numbers. Lace is filling the shops in all shapes and sizes, and I couldn't help but fall in love with these two glorious buys at polar ends of the market….

In one corner is this Marks & Spencer (yes, you read that correctly) gorgeous silver skirt, a catwalk inspired number (Giles' spring/summer '12 collection to be precise) with a vintage Americana twist. And in the other, these jaw-droppingly delicious Laurence Dacade 'Rush' scarlet lace sandals; which despite their distinct au courant feel, you can be sure you'd adore forever. 

Start stocking up now, as all this lovely lace is sticking around for autumn/winter ’12 too!

ZATCHELS' PASTEL SATCHEL

The pastel satchel I designed for Zatchels earlier this year.

When UK based satchels company Zatchels approached me earlier this year to collaborate on a bag for the season ahead I was super excited! I’d been admiring their traditional designs, in super chic colour combos for a while and was thrilled at the thought of creating a limited edition design myself. 

The idea was simple- to choose the style, colour of leather, and a few finer details, to create a bag fit for a fashion lover’s spring/summer ’12 wardrobe. 

Zatchels were then going to send out the small run of bags to a selection of editors, stylists and bloggers to use during London Fashion Week (and beyond)… no pressure then!

But I have to say the process was pretty painless- for there’s only one colour palette essential enough to cover a bag this season and that’s pastel hues.

I loved the idea of making a feature of the humble satchel’s different panels too, so once I’d narrowed down the colours from Zatchels’ gorgeous (and quite large) colour range, hey presto we were almost there!

Finally, I opted for the 13-inch satchel size, large enough for an iPad, A5 notebook and all those daily essentials but still sleek, chic and not too overbearing. And I was thrilled when a prototype arrived in the post a few days later from their Leicester factory, where the bags are handmade. 

So what do you wear with a multi-colour pastel bag? If you think your options are limited, think again! For au contraire, this pale beauty is in fact very versatile in deed...

With double denim: Gap shirt, MiH Jeans jeans and sandals by Zara.

With brights: Gap tee, skirt by Whistles and Topshop jeweled sandals.

With white tailoring: skirt suit and shirt both by The Kooples, Gap shoes. 

With pastels: vintage top, Gap chinos and floral Keds trainers.

For more gorgeous Zatchels satchels click here.

KENZO x VANS... IT'S A TRAINER TRIUMPH!

The Kenzo x Vans trainers, £80 whilst stocks last(!!) at Harvey Nichols.

It’s not often that a 40-year old fashion house is hailed the coolest label around, but that’s what’s happened at Kenzo after the recent appointment of new creative directors Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (of Opening Ceremony fame). Their first collection for Paris based Kenzo, (spring/summer ’12) was an instant hit and the second, (autumn/winter ’12) which was previewed earlier this year (at March's Paris Fashion Week), was the most talked about, of the show season!

But such uber collections come with a hefty price tag, so imagine my delight when I came across these ‘Era’ Vans trainers- sporting the much loved net print that features heavily in the Kenzo spring/summer ’12 collection. In bright orange, they capture the essence of what I like most in Leon and Lim’s current work for Kenzo- their vibrant use of primary colours, and irresistible prints. Plus being a big trainer lover (something I have in common with the design duo who claim to have “too many pairs to count!”) these beauties are a total no-brainer... an American street wear classic with a big injection of Parisian chic, brilliant! 

First released last month, there are three drops in total of the limited edition collection of Kenzo x Vans trainers, which all feature variations on the colourful net print. So don’t miss them hitting Harvey Nichols stores for the final time in July, cos they won't be around for long!  

Catwalk: Kenzo spring/summer '12, the gorgeous net print in all its glory.  

'60s SIREN

Me wearing, Hedonia's Pippa vintage lace dress, with Marc Jacobs slides and vintage earrings.

As Mad Men series 5 draws to a close (I’m a bit behind- working my way through Sky+), I’m feeling very inspired by the latest Mrs. Don Draper, and her truly Swinging Sixties wardrobe. And nothing spells out the bygone era quite like a simple shift dress; Christopher Kane made it relevant for spring/summer ’12, particularly with his gorgeous jewel encrusted design (as worn by Alexa Chung to the British Fashion Awards earlier this year), so I was pleasantly surprised to find this little number from affordable fashion line Hedonia. Not only is it great for channeling this season’s Sixties mood, it’s also ideal for nailing spring/summer 12’s white dress trend. Worn here with some Marc Jacobs perspex slides (which are also having a moment), Hedonia’s Pippa vintage lace dress makes for the perfect one-shop outfit for many a summer soiree- be it day or night.... Megan Draper, eat your heart out.

In detail: Hedonia's vintage lace Pippa dress, worn with a Felix Rey clutch, Folli Follie cat ring, water pearl bracelet, and cocktail ring by Marks & Spencer.

TOUT EST MIEUX EN FRANCAIS!

Everything sounds better in French, way better. Maybe I’m bias because of my Corsican roots but if you ask me, un peu de la langue française goes a long way, and it’s not just me and Del Boy that think so, French slogans are always popping up on the fashion scene, as it remains the language to splash across your chest. Timeless and chic, naturally j’adore! 

This is a hand-embroidered vintage sweater by Laura Laura, worn with patchwork denim shorts by Gap and French Sole 
patent ballet pumps.

This printed tee is by, yep, you guessed it toi et moi! 

London Fashion Week label Ashish also like a bit of Francais...this tee is from their collection for Topshop.

GOING WILD FOR JIMMY CHOO'S GINNY SANDALS

Ginny sandals by Jimmy Choo.

Don’t get me wrong, I love heels as much as the next girl, but being 5ft.8in. and having a job that keeps me on my toes, means towering shoes aren’t de rigueur for me, and there’s many-a-day you’ll find me in flats. I love ballet pumps (a lot...I have too many pairs), high tops and other trainers too, and you can’t beat a chic Riding boot for pounding the pavements in the winter months, but in sunnier climes the flat shoe spotlight is firmly on elegant sandals- enter these, Jimmy Choo's Ginny pair... And dare I say it, the most fabulous flats I’ve ever clapped eyes on! In leopard print calf skin leather, they're everything I look for in a flat sandal- eye-catching enough to add interest to a look, but in this neutral colour palette, they’re also versatile enough to wear with nearly all of my summer wardrobe. Plus, the clever 0.5 inch wedged sole puts your legs at a brilliantly flattering angle indeed. In fact, that settles it, they’re perfection!

Me wearing my Ginny sandals with, MiH Jeans star print shirt and shorts, a Banana Republic sweater and 
Michael Kors watch.

IN FULL BLOOM

From digitally created flowers to naive '60s style designs, there’s one motif taking over this season and that’s florals. Appearing on everything from fabulous '50s style frocks to tailored shorts and bikinis, hell, even jewellery has been given the floral treatment. 

Vibrant and mood-lifting, spring/summer 12’s floral offering is both nostalgic and modern, making it the perfect summery addition to your wardrobe. Go on.... add a little flower power to your look!

Floral dress by ASOS Salon, pink patent sandals Christian Louboutin.

Tavik bikini top, shorts by Tibi, Carmen Wood 'Zuri' clutch and Missoma hoop earrings.

Earrings by ASOS, top Topshop.

vintage dress, cuff by Freedom at Topshop.

Playful Promises bikini top, Topshop shorts.

FIT FOR THE CRICKET PITCH!

Me wearing, cricket jumper by Zoe Jordan, with Fleur B silk shorts and Tibi sandals.  

I’m big into knitwear, in fact I think I own more cardigans and sweaters than I do shoes, well maybe not quite, but I have an ever growing collection all the same; and if money were no object I’d buy the ‘basics’ from Prada and Miu Miu and the style statements from Christopher Kane. He’s also into knitwear and I’ve been obsessing over his cashmere creations since the very beginning- Christopher's picnic checks and crochet collections are amongst my favourites, and I still can’t get enough of his colourful camo and leopard knit stoles, (they’re handmade in Scotland and are perfection).

For spring/summer ’12 the knitwear star of Christopher Kane’s collection is a humble cricket sweater, yes in deed, the London Fashion Week hero has sexed up the British Sportswear classic with heavenly results. In super soft cashmere, the oversized (and sleeveless sweater) was paired with a printed, metallic brocade mini skirt for its catwalk debut and predictably, I wanted one instantly!

…It’s never going to happen. But I don’t have to give up the ghost quite yet as fellow London Fashion Week designer Zoe Jordan also sought the Cricket staple as her inspiration; sending two, cable-knit designs down the catwalk- one sleeveless like Kane, but also a long sleeved, (more practical) version and the best news is, at £350, Zoe’s luxe cashmere and silk mix beauty is a fraction of the price. Now that's good innings!

Christopher Kane's spring/summer '12 cricket knit.

Scoring a piece of the action, Zoe Jordan's cashmere cricket jumper.