Friday 29 July 2011

To wrap up...

Winter is here! Or so I'm told. While the rest of the country was making snowmen I was out in the Auckland sun sipping a trim latte (I lie it was raining and it was a flat white).
I reached in to my scarf drawer (don't judge) to be greeted by an old ladies scarf collection. Black, tan, navy, houndstooth (!) and burberry tartan (again, please withhold judgement). I've been busy preaching on this blog about colour and filling my wardrobe with clothes worthy of a skittles commercial. My scarves however look like they are from the time colour forgot (2007-2010?).
It was the beautiful scarf by Bonbi Forest chosen in our twitter mash-up last post that made me really, REALLY want a fabulous scarf (that and my cold neck). Of course, the best thing about scarves is that is totally reasonable to have a few/loads.
If you want to splurge there are some amazing scarves from independent designers, each one is a piece of wearable art and could be worn all year round just bundle up a couple in winter (or team with a plainer one).
As usual, feel free to leave links to your own favourites in the comments and wrap up warm!

Silk Shibori Scarf by Origei $58 (US), Theodora & Callum Ikat scarf $146, Bonbi Forest Equus Scarf, £23.50, milleneufcentquatrevingtquatre or charlotte linton (beautiful but priceless and probably way out of price range :-D), Yes, yes shawl (Zebras!) $23.99 (US)

Thursday 14 July 2011

Your choice!

By Evie Kemp and a few others :) psst there's a pretty cool Evie Kemp give away here

Every week I put my own fashion choices here on this blog, this week was a bit different. We put a call out on twitter to send us links to things you're currently coveting, anything, no theme or instructions. It was a bit like a twitter version of that game where on a folded piece of paper each person draws a different body part without seeing the others to create a monster. In my mind, I though it would create a bit of a monster but I was wrong. Obviously I follow a lot of stylish people and the current trends for bright colours are having a strong influence. I love this mash up. I'm especially enamoured with the Bonbi Forest scarf and Orange wellies.

Remix cushion EUR 67.00, Moleskine $43, asos scallop shorts £30.00, ASOS Colour block shopper £65, ASOS tea dress £40, Hunter wellies (in festival orange) £85, Meadowlark Protea Ring $449, Friendship bracelets! Potentially free!, Bonbi Forest Big Cat scarf £23, Saben Summer 11/12 collection 'Colour Punch' available later this year from Wanda Harland, 'In the Wilds' Drawings by Nigel Peake $22.95 US

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Social/Work - a guide to using social networking for your business

Firstly a little side note to say I'm sorry I have been absent on my blog for so long. Hopefully everyone has been enjoying the great posts from Evie Kemp. I've had personal and business issues, which have been distracting me and taking up a huge amount of my time. Thankfully over the past few weeks everything has been resolved. Also I just need to say, I couldn't have written the following article without the help of Emma McCleary an artist, crafter and friend who happens to have a grown up job, which involves being the social media voice for a big New Zealand company. Thank you Emma.

This is a guide to using social networking as a business. This is nothing more than my own personal take but this post is the result of over three months research, involving talking to businesses who use social networking, talking to members of the public and reading online articles as well as real books. This is not an academic paper, more highlighted notes of what I've discovered and personally found relevant. Plus I have included some insider info that I gained
from my time working with big brands in design houses here in New Zealand and the UK.

I couldn't write a piece on social networking without also covering engagement. Engagement is one of the main buzz words in branding and marketing circles at the moment and is always linked into a business's social media strategy. This post will explain the basic principle of engagement, it's connection to social media and why these things are important. This is a long article but I have tried to keep it as brief as possible well covering everything I felt was relevant. I have broken it down into four lists that cover a basic explanation, what not to do, rules of conduct and good examples. Once again I will say this is a personal take so if you feel I've missed something out or disagree with any points please leave a comment below and share your views. I'm taking a liberty and assuming you understand what social networking is. There are many social networking platforms but the two most used currently are Facebook and Twitter, click on the links to read their own explanation as to what they do.

So Lets get down to brass tacks, customer engagement, social networking and your business
What is engagement:
Well as you might have guessed we're not talking white doves and diamond rings. The term engagement in the marketing world is actually pretty straight forward, it simply means to form bonds with your customer base so they feel a personal investment in your business - so they engage with you.

Why is engagement becoming an important marketing tool:
There are a few main reasons, firstly the public are becoming overwhelmed and immune to broadcast advertising. Broadcast advertising is the more traditional type of advertising on telly, posters, billboards, etc. Broadcast advertising on the whole tells you to buy a product and the reason why. The reason might be something obvious like it's cheaper than brand x or something subtle, for example David Beckham drinks this soft drink, you can be like him if you drink it to. Either way you are getting told. I've hear Broadcast media explained as standing in the street shouting until someone pays attention.

However marketing campaigns fail quickly on social media if they use the broadcast approach. If broadcast media is shouting in the street, engagement is all about whispering softly in someones ear. Social networking platforms such as Twitter or Facebook are akin to sitting round the pub having a chat with your mates rather than going to a lecture. Just imagine if you were hanging out with a friend and all they could say is 'I've made an awesome bag, you can buy it on my website and here's the link' then added nothing else to the conversation. I'm guessing you wouldn't want to hang out with them for very long! The same is true of that person in a social networking setting, they will be deleted or ignored. Good engagement marketing creates a dialogue between the business and the customer allowing both voices to be heard, this means a business can't be talking about it's self all the time.

Secondly, good engagement builds customer loyalty and customer loyally is what growing a strong business is all about. A loyal custom will give the best advertising there is, word of mouth. Building engagement into a business is hard work but a customer who is prepared to be an advocate for your brand is worth that effort. Think about it, who do you trust, your best friend telling you that cafe down the road is really good or a news paper ad saying the same thing! The motives are different, your friend gets no benefit apart from making sure you have a good meal, the advert from the cafe themselves clearly has their own profits at heart and there for is far less trust worthy.

Thirdly, what's great about engagement through social netwoking is that it's cheap (money wise at least). It doesn't cost you any cash to set up a Twitter or Facebook account. This is why so many small businesses have been embracing and using it so prevalently. Sadly and I include myself in this, not many manage or know how to use it in the right manner all the time.

The dangers of using engagement as a marketing tool:
I talk from personal experience that there are a great deal of pit falls when using social media for business, here are a few mistakes I have made and witnessed made by others:

Being too open and honest. Because social networking is primarily about forging links with others in a 'social' way there is a far greater pressure to be a 'real person' and knowing were to draw the line can be trickily. It's really easy to spot a fake on sites like Facebook and Twitter, so yes it is important for you to get your personality across. However ask yourself is it really healthy for your business that your potential customers or clients know you've just been dumped or that you just threw up on the sofa or you've been on a 24 hour drinking session and can't get out of bed. It's interesting in a Jerry Springer car crash telly way but I'm not sure I'll be choosing to invest my money in you.

Forgetting what you're saying is public. Once you get used to using social media as a communication tool it's easy to just get sucked into long chats with like minded people and forget that the world can see what your talking about. What gets said to a friend privately is very different to what should get said in a public and permanent way.

Venting. You work alone, you're having a bad day, you want to feel better by letting off some steam… should you do it in front of the world. No you shouldn't, particularly if it's a person you're upset about. I manage customer worries, complains and returns on a weekly bases as an online shop. Sometimes I hit a really challenging one, sometimes I have moaned about that challenging customer on twitter. This is something I will never do again, no potential customer, client or collaborator needs to feel like they are going to be publicly attacked because of their association with your business.

Misrepresentation. Things that are said in writing can come across with a much harder edge than something said in person where you can add a soft tone of voice and friendly body language. Writing is also sitting around longer to be reread and analysed, so a threw away statement can cause far greater upset when written than it would if just spoken.

Misrepresenting others. Things are a bit simpler if you are a one man band but as your business grows you might find that you take on staff or work in collaboration with other people and suddenly what you say isn't just your opinion it becomes theirs by default. So if your business represents others it's important to be a lot more neutral. Remember what you say reflects on everyone attached to you. For example if you're a shop and one of the brands you sell is a bright friendly children's clothing line it might be detrimental to them if you swear on your Facebook page, it may well be ok for your over all more adult brand but not for their child centric one.

Time wasting. Social media can be hugely addictive but as a business you should be asking yourself if the hours you are putting in are adding up to what you get out. Also do you're followers really need to see a constant stream of consciousness or are you in fact just spamming them. Now those are depressing thoughts for a self confessed twitter addict:)

Rules for good conduct and representing your business in the best possible way:
Know your target market. Your target market are the specific group of consumers that your company aims it's products or services at, the people who are most likely to buy from you. My Business 'Dear Colleen' has a clear target market, educated women 25-50. You need to know your target market so you know who you are speaking to.

Tone of voice. All big companies have a tone of voice set for them as part of their over all brand, if you don't come from a design or marketing back ground, a brand is far more complicated than a logo and set of colours. When a business gets branded it comes with a book of instructions explaining how they need to represent themselves visually, verbally and in writing. The tone of voice usually referrers to how the company writes but also can be as detailed as how staff members should speak on the phone. The tone of voice you pick should reflect your personality, well keeping your target market in mind. A hip hop radio station with a 18-30 target market of urban males might have a tone of voice that is 'Edgy, Cheeky, Passionate' where as a Cup Cake Maker with a target market of females 40- 60 might be 'Warm, Helpful, Charming'

Engage. People talk a lot about numbers of followers but numbers mean nothing if no one is playing any attention to you or your business. The only sure fire way of creating engagement with your customers or clients is to genuinely take an interest in them and what they are saying. A good non personal way of doing this is to ask, listen and politely accept feedback. Everyone likes to feel like their views are valued and understood and chances are their take on things will be helpful to you and your business. (Esty's Facebook questions are a great example of this)
Manage conflict professionally. When lots of people are talking in a public domain there are always going to be times when there are differences in opinion. If these differences in opinion are directed at your business you need to be prepared to handle them quickly and seamlessly. Firstly don't get angry. Take the conflict out of the public arena. Listen to what they have to say. Ask yourself if they have a point. Work out the facts and think about where they are coming from. If there is a problem with something you have done, fix it and say sorry. If there is nothing you can do make sure they feel understood but make it clear there is no room for the dialogue to continue.

Think before you publish. If what you're about to say to the whole world isn't something you would feel comfortable saying in a professional work place, maybe you shouldn't be saying it. Does this post add any value to your business or your followers. Ideally the aim is to represent your business in the best possible light, ask yourself does this post do that.

Fix your mistakes. Lets face it we're only human and sometimes we slip up. If you say something out of line or upset someone, you need to deal with it. Own your mistakes, apologise and do it quickly and publicly.

Strength in Numbers. If you're a venter, work alone and just plain need to speak you mind sometimes (and lets face it that's quite a few of us) The smartest thing you can do for your business is to run a personal locked account. Keep your business up beat and pro and keep everything else behind close doors.

Five general rules of thumb:
-Be friendly but professional
-No religion, no politics
-Take conflict out of the public domain
-Put your businesses voice before your own
-Think

Good examples:
Moo on twitter @overheardatmoo

Saturday 9 July 2011

Nailing it

I've been wanting to do a post about nails for a while now. I'm always collecting images of amazing nails to try and recreate (and occasionally I do when I'm feeling patient). Doing slightly more unusual nail designs is a bit easier and cheaper now thanks to a couple of tips I heard.
Firstly, Gem Fatale on her blog shows how using liquid eyeliner (just cheap stuff) works perfectly for nail art (better even than some actual stuff I bought).
Secondly, the lovely Leah Light shared a top trade secret that Jordana, the US brand stocked by most $2 shops is actually one of the best quality polishes around. I can vouch for that, I'm wearing it in orange now and it really is good stuff. It sure makes it a lot easier to change your nail colour as often (or more) than you change your sheets when you don't have to pay $20 - $30 per colour.
Finally, to do reverse french manicures or coloured ones you can buy a pack of French Manicure stickers (also from the $2 shop) but often it's easier to go slow and do it by eye. Practice makes perfect.
Nothing gets more comments than great nails.

Navy with gold reverse french
Nude/pink with gold glitter
Leopard nails tutorial
Reverse french tutorial
and the grand finale, Galaxy nails!
and a Galaxy nails tut here!
(not for the faint hearted).

Thursday 30 June 2011

10 things

This week I got my 15 minutes when I was featured in Viva's 10 favourite things. You can read it here and see the pictures here (if you haven't already, I've kind of shamelessly been promoting it (this being case in point) only stopping short of sky-writing it).

Anyway, lists are fun so today I'm doing my NZ winter fashion 10. I'm honestly writing this in fingerless mittens and if that's not reason to go out and embrace the cold season, I don't know what is.
The house of G has really picked up their game lately and actually have loads of lovely stuff in the perfect winter colour palette. I love how fashion influence has made me adore this sweater when last year I would have been calling it 'baby poo'. I revel in my own fickleness, it's very funny. The bobble knit, 3/4 sleeves and gold button detailing are spot on.Glassons sweater with gold buttons. $49.99.

Tights are obviously an essential. Did you know Columbine is the only hosiery factory still going in New Zealand? Based in Gisborne this family business has been making really nice tights since 1961 (that's 50 years). They have a beautiful range and they're top quality too. Oh and they are nearly almost always included in the Farmers sale. Win, win. For colours, I vote ditch the black and go red, maroon, rust, chartreuse, forest green or grey. Wear them with some beautiful oatmeal toned over the knee socks (Glassons has some) for added warmth and total cuteness.
Geodisic rings by Bliss in a Teacup.Every ring is different, hand carved from lovingly selected pieces of beautiful wood that Bliss in a Teacup have found as far away as Canada. I have one and it goes so well my winter style. I love the edgy style coupled with the soft wood tones and how the wood warms as I wear it. I do also want one I could take an eye out with as well though (can't get too soppy on you). Bliss in a Teacup also make gorgeouscarved wooden pendants. Check their blog and etsy shop for general loveliness.
Chester pin tuck skirt by Ruby. The pleated woollen skirt is winter's answer to pleated chiffon. Cozy and cute and yet not so floaty & flirty that it will whip up in a little wind. Over-ride your natural instinct to go for a black skirt, Vitamin D deficiency is making us all depressed so cheer up (and don't do drugs, kids). $179.
It's impossible for me not to include these bow suede gloves. They are suede, driving style, perforated, have bows and are reduced to $15 right now too. Wearing gloves always makes me want to go in to shops and point at things.
Because these boots are so cheap, I'm putting in two pairs because it would be a shame not to. Seeing as how our winter is often short and unreasonably wet it's nice to not remortgage the house on fashion boots. Instead, put your investment in to some equestrian style leather boots that will last you years and have fun with little booties. Antila black $49.99 and Razza taupe $59.99 both from No.1 Shoes.
I had to include this dress because it's so pretty. Oh and would be absolutely wearable in summer too. It's the perfect base for wrapping up in pretty scarves and coats. I'd wear it with an orange belt or some crazy necklace to mix it up. Navy is almost always the better looking and more select sister to black. Carnaby dress from Wildpair $99.Winter is not the time to forgo on a bit of baggage. When you get to the cafe/art gallery/hardware store you'll end up having to unwrap your carefully placed accessories. Don't be that person dropping gloves and tying your scarf round your waist while huffing & puffing, take a bag you can stuff a few bits in. This Saben Edie Cowboy $369 from Wanda Harland is a bit of an extravagant purchase but it's classic, lovely and worth the investment. I'm just imagining how smoothy that leather is.This tiny porcelain fox necklace is the sweetest thing ever. He just looks so pleased with himself. Eeeeee! Ultra love. There's not much else to say about him, besides 'gah!' and other cooing noises. $70 from Madame Fancypants.Honestly, as fun as dressing up is on those raining, super cold days it's nice to just stay inside with the fire on and a good book. Totally on theme and a super read is "The Dress Circle: New Zealand Fashion Design since 1940". I'm currently mid-read and finding it a real eyeopener, plus it's packed with lots of great pictures $64.99.

This has been a rather epic blogpost but still share your winter wishes in the comments below! Mid winter Santa, if you're reading, please see above.

Thursday 23 June 2011

The Humble Tee

Fashion Friday by Evie Kemp
This post is dedicated to the t-shirt in all it's forms. When thinking about clothes (something I do often) my mind often skims over the t-shirt, a mistake for sure. The humble tee should never be underestimated. Sure, for many it's a staple but in equal parts it has the potential to be a statement.
As varied as the design or print of a tee are the styles, shapes and way of wearing. I'll admit now I'm a bit of a more recent convert to the way of the tee as previously I was scared of how I would work one with my uniform of flippy skirts. I have now seen the light, that an awesome t-shirt can be worn with almost anything and done right can really add something to an outfit by giving me that "oh, this? I just threw this on this morning" cool that I'd possibly (probably) been lacking.
With t-shirts, any stigma regarding size and even gender go out of the window. Buy what ever size you like and style it your way. Walk in to the guy's section and try them on, chances are it will look better on you anyway. Can you sense my new found liberation?
Possibly the best thing about them is that they're like fashion Pokemon (though I actually know quite a fashionable pikachu…another story) in that you can collect a set, find exclusive, unique and hard to find ones. You can buy them online and they will almost definitely fit.
I'm smitten and starting to sound a bit like an infomercial so I'll stop here. Feel free to share your favourite t-shirts in the comments below or tell me I'm wrong and that they should be reserved for gym-only, if you like.

Thursday 2 June 2011

wrapped up

Post by Evie Kemp
As we come to the start of June the NZ winter is technically upon us. I know some people like to have a grumble about the colder weather, but quite honestly I really couldn't be happier. I think coats are just the best clothing item around, oh and boots…well coats and boots. No other item is so worth throwing a bit more money at, a great coat can be both incredibly flattering and practical as well as being a real statement piece. Perhaps you noticed (maybe you haven't got the right coat) but people love to comment on and covet a great coat. Choose a great one and it will last you for years.
A beautiful black or navy jacket will serve you well but outerwear is a great excuse to swath yourself in that colour that makes you look like a movie star and makes everyone around you feel like they're in a black & white film while you're skipping along in The Wizard of Oz.

If, like me, you live somewhere that remains fairly temperate even thorough the winter months (bah humbug) use it as an opportunity to go and visit friends in cooler climates and swan around in your winter splendour. Alternatively adopt a sleek and lightweight trench style to see you through.
So, do you like to refresh your winter wardrobe each year or do you choose to have classic pieces that last for seasons?

Karen Millen orange swing jacket £212

ASOS striped collarless mac £75

River Island leopard print trench £55

Wednesday 27 April 2011

A Right Royal Wedding

Post by Evie Kemp

I'm absolutely going to watch the Royal Wedding tomorrow and if you say you're not, I won't believe you.

The wedding of the 'century' (just 11 years in to it) has been hyped to within an inch of it's life but I'm still excited. Grumble about the Royals all you like, they are still the closest embodiment we dreamers have to a real-life fairytale. Dear William is Prince Charming and Kate is Cinderella (with a lot more money and better schooling, but still), their relationship has already stood the test of time and they really do look very happy. It's romantic. We love romance.

Oh and we love the opportunity for a party. Any excuse right? Next Friday has become a huge excuse for a party, get digging out the tea set, the bunting and the gin and party like it's VE day all over again. I rather think that party girl Kate would say 'Hoorah' to all that. So get in the spirit, dress up and gather your friends round the tele. To her credit, noone quite does that classy, appropriately gorgeous formal dressing, quite like our Katie. So, for a little inspiration for your own outfit on Friday here are some of her key looks.

Don't forget your hat.

We'll do royal maternity next year (Jokes…I think…)

Thursday 14 April 2011

Leaving on a jet plane

I spend far more time waiting at the airport to pick up/drop off people than I do travelling myself. Don't worry I'm not too sad about it, I make myself feel better by scrutinising the attire of everyone who comes through those arrival doors. Looking good while sleeping upright and eating off your lap for 20 hours is no easy feat and most people either look totally awful or ridiculously over dressed. I believe looking good after long haul (or even short haul for that matter) is a fine art but totally worth perfecting. There are a lot of people on a 747 and you really do want to be the one the hundreds of other passengers stare at enviously as you strut down the aisle to depart (that's right, you strut now). Also, at the end of a long journey there are usually old friends waiting and you don't want their first thought to be ' Wow, she's looking a bit rough these days'.


So where to start?

• Firstly don't wear anything that will get excessively crumpled.

• Don't wear a skirt or dress, if you insist on it make sure you wear leggings. It doesn't matter how many times you walk up and down, you might still get swollen ankles (cankles) and will look totally awful. A nice pair of trousers or jeans will hold you in much better stead.

• Wear a pair of shoes that are easy to slip on and off, are casual but not slippers. Ballet flats are great for this. Heels are terrible and try hard.


• Wear a nice jumper/sweater. A stripy one always looks nice, cashmere is always great for that first class feeling (and budget). It won't crumple, you can pull it over your crumpled top and you'll look all casual and cosy which will help create envy amongst fellow travellers.


• Do take a neutral coloured pashmina/giant scarf. It's what magazines tell you to do but it makes sense. It can double as an extra blanket and an extra cover up while whizzing past the paparazzi (of course).

• Don't try and get on the plane with numerous plastic bags and don't take on carry-on luggage you don't really need. A nice, big lightweight handbag is the best because you can get everything you need it and still squish it under the seat in front of you. You can always add a proper carry on bag full of shopping on your return journey. You want to move through the airport effortlessly and you don't want to be that person dropping things from the overhead locker in the middle of the night.

• Never underestimate the power of mascara to make you look refreshed. Ditto, never underestimate the power of a dry shampoo (a travel can of Batiste) to make you look (comparably) like you just stepped out of a Pantene commercial. Also, I can personally vouch for those weird little disposable toothbrushes called 'Wisps', they are actually quite great and you can brush your teeth without water if needs be.


• Always buy yourself an indecent amount of m&m's or your preferred snacks. You're essentially going to be watching movies all day, you may as well make the most of it. Besides, you never know quite how bad the 'fritatta' is going to be.


Finally, if you've finished a magazine. Leave it in departures for someone else. They will love you for it.


What are your travel tips?


Linkys

Topshop striped jumper and Topshop apricot cable jumper both £38

Aqua canvas shoes £18 and Leopard print flats £25 also from Topshop

Skinny Jeans $34NZ

Pieces Virabello Canvas Travel Bag £38

Thursday 7 April 2011

The important role of Project Runway

fashion friday by Evie Kemp

Here in New Zealand, the arty crafty fashion posse that we all (albeit unofficially) belong to, go gaga for Project Runway. Last night, season 8 began on our screens (if you already know the outcome I BEG you to keep your lips sealed!) and I actually did a little dance when I found out it was playing.

Project Runway really is just your typical reality TV show. The contestants are for the most part melodramatic airheads and half of them seemingly can't sew. The projects are more often than not tasteless and tacky and the entire show is one hour of hardcore product placement (yes we noticed you HP, BlueFly now Piperlime, L'oreal and Mood). So, what makes it so enjoyable to watch and so hard to look away from?

The answer is simple really. It's the ability to sit there and cringe, bitch and criticise. In this lovely handmade and indie designed world we are just so nice to each other. Don't get me wrong, I love that and I think we should be nice to each other. But it is so refreshing and fun to sit and mime throwing-up in front of the tv while yet another Project Runway catastrophe comes down the catwalk. It all gets very critical but then when something genuinely good comes out we can get all excited about that.

When you create your own designs/art/jewellery/clothing for a living you can get caught up in feeling like you're the one being judged. Once a week, Thursdays at 9.30pm to be precise, it's fun to be the judge.

If you want to join in with some healthy criticism at that time, feel free to come on twitter and follow me @eviekemp, Colleen @DearColleen and our merry group of PR critics.


Is this why you watch Project Runway?

Friday 1 April 2011

the 30's

fashion friday by evie kemp
Colleen was lucky enough to go the re-opening of The Roxy, a Wellington Cinema that exemplifies the glamour of the golden age of Hollywood. It has been painstakingly restored to it's former 1930's glory and now in super-modern 2011 it appears absolutely opulent, lavish and over the top. It is a total novelty to us to imagine a trip to the movies as something so glamourous.

The 30's did dressing up so well but in ways that we can relate to. It wasn't the roaring, frivolous decade of the 20's nor the entirely somber and restrained 40's. The 30's had style and a modern attitude. Designs were simple but refined, elegant and sophisticated even by todays standards.


The aspects of 30's fashion that I especially adore, is the way in which women wore the trousers. High waisted, wide legged ones that gave a silhouette not all that different to an evening gown. Trousers were still not common female clothing so weren't worn with the kind of day-to-day mundanity we tend to now. I love the way that an underlying practicality was given such a fashion focussed twist. See: Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich.


The 30's were 70 years ago now but in so many ways those times weren't all so dissimilar to the present and today in 2011 much of the style and fashion would still look incredible and contemporary. Imagine walking into the office dressed as Katherine Hepburn, I'd argue that everybody would consider it a pretty modern take on corporate attire. That's the beauty of fashion and design, as time passes, aspects and influences come back and are re appropriated. And, if you're asking me, the 30's could do with a bit more of a comeback.


If you're looking for some great 30's fashion cinematic action spend the weekend watching Atonement and The Aviator.


What's your favourite fashion decade?