LABEL L♥VE: TUCKER BY GABY BASORA

Gaby Basora launched her label Tucker back in 2005 with a collection of the most fabulous peasant blouses I’d ever seen. Their simple, chic cut in the softest of silk was a winning combination from the offset, with the blouse’s elegant silhouette acting as the perfect canvas for her vibrant prints. 

Seven years later, New York based Tucker is stocked at sought after boutiques and online destinations the world over and Gaby’s gorgeous application of whimsical prints has extended to dresses, trousers, skirts, tunics, blouses and shirts- in all their many varieties, even outerwear has had a look in!
But besides their major hanger appeal and fabulous fit I love how Gaby’s clothes encourage women to wear colour and make rocking a print a real doddle.
And you know what they say...the proof is in the pudding (though I hope I don’t look like one!) Here’s me wearing some of Tucker by Gaby Basora’s current Spring/Summer ’12 collection and one of my old Tucker faves too...

Old favourite: A Tucker signature peasant blouse worn with 18th Amendment jeans.

From the Spring/Summer '12 collection: 'the mini dress' in poppy print, worn with metallic Ked's trainers.   

From the Spring/Summer '12 collection: a 'slim-fit shirt' in abstract floral print, worn with (just seen) MiH Jeans jeans.

From the Spring/Summer '12 collection: a 'button wrap skirt' in butterfly print, worn with a Topshop blouse
and Chrissie Morris shoes. 

WHAT'S NOT TO (LADY)LIKE?

Up close and personal with the Smythson Antonio bag

TA-DA! Feast your eyes on Smythson’s new Antonio North/South bag. In super soft ivory goatskin leather with contrasting navy side panels, it could well be the most gorgeous bag I’ve ever seen! The supersize yet structured shape makes it one helluva ladylike statement, in fact it oozes that much sophistication I'm a little afraid to take it out the house! Well, that combined with all this horrid rain, but I do honestly feel obliged to dress-up in honor of it, for this starlet belongs on the Upper East Side (not so much Upper Holloway where I call home!), with an outfit so fabulous ladies who lunch would clamber after it! ...Mmm, I think I better go shopping.

The Antonio in all its glory. Note the super handy, long, detachable strap.

A peak inside: yummy navy satin-finish lining, a special iPad compartment and the Smythson signature 
clasp. Divine.

MEET STELLA, GRAZIA'S MOST FASH-TASTIC INTERN...EVER!

It's my pleasure to introduce Stella Kattermann; Grazia’s current fashion intern, history student, Blogger and all round fashion enthusiast! Every morning I look forward to seeing what Stella’s artfully dressed in and her wonderful ensembles, fabulous crop (this girl has major bangs- I love them) and standout eye make-up receive smiles and nods of approval by all in the Grazia office, especially the fashion team. So much so that I felt compelled to share a working-week in Stella’s wardrobe with you...

Monday: Stella wears, blouse and skirt by Mother of Pearl, American Apparel black tee,
Topshop earrings and Carvela boots.

Tuesday: Stella wears,  Jonathan Saunders dress (as a top), Topshop dress (as a skirt),
ASOS belt and boots by Jeffrey Campbell.

Wednesday: Stella wears, jacket by ASOS, Miss Selfridge blouse, Topshop embellished
top and velvet dress (worn as skirt), River Island boots and Mulberry bag.

Thursday: Stella wears Topshop hat, blouse (collar just seen) and dress (worn as skirt), 
Warehouse T-shirt, vintage belt, and boots by Dorothy Perkins.

Friday: Stella wears, Tophop Unique dress, belt and earrings also Topshop and boots by 
ASOS.

I ASKED STELLA...

WHAT INSPIRES YOU WHEN GETTING DRESSED IN THE MORNING?
"My blog is a photographic diary of outfits for me which I then rotate around. It sounds silly but this way its pretty easy to get dressed in the morning (as I use it as a reference) and simply put on one of my outfits that hasn't been worn in a while."

WHO ARE YOUR STYLE INFLUENCES?
"I think Daphne Guinness is a great style inspiration purely because she dares to wear haute couture as if it was high street. As a whole however I don't necessarily look at other blogs or magazines for inspirations but just find certain pieces that inspire me to build an outfit around them."

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE SHOP/LABEL/DESIGNER?
"With my student budget I basically live in the Oxford Circus Topshop, as Topshop manages to incredibly quickly adapt catwalk looks at high street prices, and even though it is mass wear you can make it look unique with a bit of creativity! I generally love all the young British designers and the few designer pieces that I do own are by the likes of Mary Katrantzou (I got my hands on that famous Topshop collaboration frock), Jonathan Saunders and Christopher Kane (I am lucky enough to own one of his galaxy print skirts, which I fought for at his sample sale). These designers have their unique signature style and employ handicraft, skill and creativity that sees them push fashion into new directions every season."

WHAT'S THE MOST TREASURED ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE?
"I think it has to be my vintage Chanel 2.55 bag that I found in a little secondhand shop in Germany when I was 16 and which I managed to get at a ridiculously good price. It is absolutely timeless and has since accompanied me on many adventures and will hopefully continue to be for many more to come! Its proof that great design can outlast trends and can provide that finishing touch to an outfit."

For more of Stella’s wardrobe wonders, check out her blog, here.

BRILLIANT TOM BINNS & A LITTLE DIY...

A Tom Binns cameo necklace snapped by Tommy Ton for Style.com at Paris Fashion Week

Every season when I’m in Paris for fashion week I go and see New York based jewellery designer Tom Binns’ new collection and each time I’m bowled over by his amazing use of colour. Since the launch of his label in 2004, Tom’s rock ‘n’ roll meets feminine, debutante aesthetic has gathered major following with the fash-pack and Hollywood alike and his unique technique of applying paint by hand to everything from cameos to Swarovski crystals is powerfully modern indeed. 

Feast your eyes on these Tom Binns Spring/Summer ’12 beauties...

Unfortunately a thousand pounds plus for a necklace (as glorious as they are) is wee bit out of my reach right now (being pre-lottery win and all) but look where a high street necklace and a little fluro pink acrylic paint gets you... granted the workmanship and sparkle is somewhat lacking but the concept still works and a pretty neon necklace is now mine! 

GETTING TO THE POINT

By Malene Birger 'Dasila' shoes.

I have to say I never thought I’d wear pointy shoes again. I, like most of the trend-keen spent the early noughties (copying Carrie Bradshaw and) cramming my toes into sharp stilettos... and kitten heels for that matter. Then along came Louboutin’s gorgeous round-toe pumps and suddenly all those right angles felt so wrong I could hardly believe they were ever in fashion-favour and so (almost overnight) I cast my pointy shoes away. Easily done as all my pointy numbers were of the high street variety; there were no urban shoe myth Manolos in my closet that’s for sure! But alas this season I’m eating my words; pointy shoes have been bubbling for a while now but for Spring/Summer ’12 they’ve gone stellar. Both Blahnik and Valentino definitely have something to do with it, and when I spotted these beauties online at Monica & Joe I was walking the pointy line once again. Clever By Malene Birger with their uber chic combination of cream canvas and black jewels!

In suburbia: dressing down my pointy shoes with MiH Jeans 'Breathless' jeans and a polka dot Benetton cardie.

J'ADORE JESSICA DE LOTZ

Jessica de Lotz in her studio, photograph by Phill Taylor.

London-based jewellery designer and maker Jessica de Lotz’s sentimental and totally gorgeous jewellery has been pulling on my heart strings since one of her hand-stamped wax seal bangles landed on my desk at Grazia a few years ago. Her unique aesthetic is spellbinding and the passion Jessica pours into her creations comes to life through her amazing attention to detail; from the minute engravings to be found in hidden places on some of her pieces to the wonderful packaging in which she presents her jewellery. Buying a piece of Jessica’s work invites you into her world; its a 360º experience. And it's her flare for making things from a bygone era contemporary without diluting their history that makes Jessica’s designs so powerful, from developed flea market finds to her bespoke and highly personal designs, Jessica’s special jewellery makes you feel just that!

My sister Charlotte and I own matching Jessica de Lotz hand-stamped wax seal ‘C’ bangles.

For Valentine’s Day this year Jessica updated her stacking, initial rings collection to include ‘LO’ and ‘VE.’ I wear the ‘LO’ on my finger and my boyfriend wears the ‘VE’ around his neck on a chain...

Our 'LO' and 'VE' stacking rings.

My boyfriend Gary with his Jessica de Lotz ring on a chain. 

Treasures on display at Jessica's London studio.

The designer modelling her own creations, photographs by Phill Taylor.

Check out Jessica de Lotz's full collection here.

TROPHY TROUSERS

All hail the trophy trouser! A catwalk sensation and high street sell-out, printed pants are where its at this season with everything from tailored strides to the humble jean getting in on the action. Brilliant for standing out from the crowd with minimal effort, here are the trousers doing the talking in my wardrobe right now...

Paradise print jeans by Oasis.

Mary Katrantzou for Topshop’s High Street triumph.

I even got the top to match Whistles’ Wisteria print beauties.

Printed jeans pioneers Sass & Bide’s feather design rock.  

Paige Denim’s tie-dye skinny jeans have been known to stop traffic. 

I’m dotty for Current/Elliott’s Stiletto polka-dot jeans.

ANIMALS OF FASHION WOOD

Me, wearing my new most treasured possession- a Hillier squirrel Paperclip necklace.

I’m blaming the very talented Katie Hillier for my new (and rather expensive) penchant for all things animal-tastic. It all started with a bunny hair slide from her jewellery and accessories line Hillier, then before I knew it I was in the possession of another of her woodland creatures- this time a totally gorgeous sterling silver squirrel paper clip pendant, decorated with a gleaming onyx eye- its adorable! (And not completely random- my boyfriend says I look like the full-cheeked rodent so it was essential I wear one around my neck, you understand...) But it didn’t stop there, it wasn’t long before a pair of burgundy glitter mouse pumps from Marc by Marc Jacobs caught my eye at Matches (I think I can still blame Katie for this...she does consult for the label after all) And then finally, and this really is totally my doing, I let the Victoria, Victoria Beckham red cat print dress tickle my whiskers too! So its official I’m an animal lover now. 

From the top left: Hillier Bunny barrette from the new Dotty In Love Hair collection, Victoria, Victoria Beckham Spring/Summer ’12 cat print silk dress, Hillier sterling silver squirrel Paperclip necklace with smoky quartz stone eye, Marc by Marc Jacobs glitter mouse pumps.