Seconds of Style #23: Style Inspire 4 - Vintage Leather and Fur

I decided that since December is 'party month' I would go a bit glam for this weeks Style Inspire. I personally always need loads of inspiration during this time of year or I just end up wearing the same thing to every party, which is definitely easier but no where near as fun.  I'm wearing a vintage fur cape that I got at a flea market in London, vintage leather panel mini skirt, Country Road silk blush cami and Zara heels.

I have to say that styling myself for this blog is really encouraging me to experiment with my wardrobe. Sometimes it can be a bit scary to wear something 'out there' but I'm really starting to realise that life is too short to wear jeans and t-shirts every day. 

I am a vintage girl through and through but I still love good old Country Road for basics, especially their little silk cami's. They generally use a very muted and gentle colour pallet making their collections wearable and easy to blend into everything you currently own. I think a blush camisole is an absolute must for summer. 

My heels are from Zara and I LOVE them. The neutral tone means I can wear them with absolutely anything yet the criss crossing and weaving of the straps mean they still make a statement.

A few quick tips...match your lipstick and nail polish, it always makes you look very 'finished'. Try tucking your tops and cami's into whatever you are wearing on your bottom half, it defines the waist and really dresses up a look. Lastly, use necklaces to wrap around your wrists, the twisting of chains always looks glamorous and polished.

So for the next event you attend, have a second look at what you have in your wardrobe and jewellery box and choose something a bit more exciting than you usually would, I promise you will enjoy yourself!

Seconds of Style #22: Ponsonby Rd Welcomes the Delightful Miss Starnes

Myself and the lady of the evening, Ingrid Starnes. Ingrid wears Miss Crabb Dress and her own Silk Lace Cami

Signature print Ingrid Starnes accessories

A fellow photographer, I love the floral/stripe combo

The Boys looking dapper

The label makes it's mark on Ponsonby Road

Myself wearing Ingrid Starnes Bustier, Zara Shorts and Vintage Jacket, my gorgeous sister wearing Ingrid Starnes Cream Pleat Dress and Silk Lace Cami,

Julia Wetzel wearing Ingrid Starnes Lace Bustier under a powder blue tee - a very dreamy combo

Last night both Ponsonby Road and Auckland's fashionistas welcomed new designer Ingrid Starnes with open arms and full glasses of Champagne. Taking her first well heeled steps into retail during her third season, Ingrid Starnes has opened a 'store within a store' in the exposed brick, warehouse style space that is home to well established Auckland label, Miss Crabb. Divided into two sections, the shop took on a department store feel offering a fresh dynamic to the retail experience. The two collections, although uniquely different, blended seamlessly in the space complimenting one anothers feminine draping silks and blushes of colour. The racks were well dressed, the guests were well dressed and the cocktails a sweet shade of baby pink. I can't wait to see this collaboration grow and evolve over the next few months.

Seconds of Style #21: White Lace

I'm getting all excited about summer now that the days are getting hotter and a lot of that excitement is about being able to wear all the beautiful vintage dresses I bought while travelling. Here are a couple of pics of a vintage cotton and lace dress I bought at the Portobello Road Markets from a lovely French woman. A little tip for wearing vintage maxi dresses, use a bit of cotton roping or a distressed leather belt to bunch the dress up around the waist when you don't want to wear it long. 

Wearing vintage white dress, boyfriend cardi from Zara, sunglasses from Max and vintage chains

Seconds of Style #20: Louise Douglas, Devine Little Treasures

Louise Douglas Jewellery is that special kind of find that doesn't come along every day. It is delicately unique, lovingly handcrafted, fine, feminine and each piece has a design quality that can only come from an equal measure of passion and experience. Louise's love of nature and everything organic is prevalent in her collections and I think it is this that draws me to her work - I am a kiwi after all. My favourite piece is the Gold Sea Lace Pendant. We have been chatting back and forth over the last few days and Louise was kind enough to answer a few questions about inspiration, blogging and what's next for her. See below for the interview.

By the way, if you haven't already trawled the crowded malls for Christmas presents, why not stay at home with a glass of wine and pick up something from Louise's beautiful collection available online at Clever Bastards

Coral Branch Collection - Branch Bangle - Peacock

Coral Branch Collection - Coral Clutch Earrings - Gold

Coral Branch Collection - Coral Branch Pendant - Gold

Sea Pod Collection - Sea Pod Choker - Gold - Rose

MY FAVOURITE! Sea Lace Collection - Sea Lace Pendant - Gold

Caviar Collection - Caviar Necklace - Gold

 

Seconds of Style: How long have you been designing and how did you get into jewellery design?
Louise Douglas: Well, it has been eighteen years. Wow, that sounds like an awfully long time ago! I have been fascinated with jewellery since I was a little girl, my mother and grandmother both loved jewellery and I was always digging through their jewelry boxes and dressing up. I started making jewellery when I was 18 years old and selling it to fashion and design stores throughout NZ. I then moved to New York when I was 21 and started to work as a designer for large fashion jewellery houses. I have done a few classes along the way, but really I learnt most of my skills on the job or from experimentation.

SOS: What inspires your design?
LD: I have always been inspired by the intricacies of the ocean and the natural world in general. I love art and fashion too, but the truth is, what I am always most inspired by stems from nature in some way.  I look at a lot of old scientific botanical style drawings when I design but I stylize things to fit my aesthetic. The main aim of my work is for people to feel closer to the beauty of nature when they wear it.

Seconds of Style #19: The Sweet Smell of Vintage

I thought I should put up a few pictures taken during my recent travels through Europe. These images are from a perfume factory in Grasse on the Côte d'Azur in France called Fragonard. The Walnut, propeller and berry were vessels to hold swabs soaked in perfume. They would be worn in pockets, as necklaces or attached to a pin on the wearer. I have to say, I think these are simply beautiful. I would love to see some necklace charms made with these in mind.There is just an unlimited amount of inspiration to be taken from the past.

This walnut shell would hold a swab soaked in perfume

An incredibly interesting shape and design

Unique perfume bottle

Seconds of Style #18: Style Spot, Newmarket

I just popped into Newmarket at lunch and spotted this gorgeous tuxedo jacket wearing, effortlessly cool window shopper. Notice the tie around the neck of her jacket. I love how she makes this boyish look seem feminine and I want those tights! 

Seconds of Style #17: Feet First For Summer

For me, summer shoes are one of the best parts of the season. Strappy sandals, bright ballet flats, cotton espadrilles, I love them all! Inspired by the presence of flats on the catwalk for Spring Summer 11, I have put together a collection of my favourite 'everyday' styles. Pale, light and airy colours are the ticket, we get enough months to wear black I think. My pick from the bunch, well pickS - Repetto Powder Blue Ballet Pumps and F-Troupe White 4 Strap Sandals.

Stella McCartney SS11

Twenty 8 Twelve SS11

Chloe SS11

Paul & Joe SS11

Shop Topshop Red Lace Up Pumps

Shop Topshop Kacy Soft Pink Fringed Loafers

Shop French Connection Cut Out Bow Pumps

Shop Lanvin Embellished Sandals

Shop Pedro Garcia Crystal Embellished Sandals

Shop F-Troupe 4 Strap White Sandals

Shop Melissa by Vivienne Westwood Flower Sandal

Shop Repetto Powder Blue Ballet Pumps

Shop Jeffery Campbell Kelly Oxford Flat

Shop French Sole Henrietta Pump
Shop Mymu Canvas Espadrilles

Shop Tory Burch Striped Canvas Espadrilles

Seconds of Style #16: Grey Lynn Park Festival

The day was Grey Lynn Park Festival and the look was all about summer denim. There were cut offs galore, some shorter and some longer but all distressed, vintage and customised. Thrown in the mix were bohemian vintage dresses, cute prints and an array of girly headgear. Here is a little selection of the day. My favourite look is the breton stripes with vintage cut offs and ruby red slippers.

My favourite look of the day. Effortless and cool.