London Wonder

festivities!!

just a quick one to say hope everyone's had a wonderful christmas and I hope you have a fabulous new year!!
now, I'm going to get back to my Pad Thai and The Big Bang Theory :)

Carnaby Street is Stone Crazy!

Just had to make a quick post for the amazing decorations up this year on London's Carnaby Street. Celebrating 50 years - it's British, it's classic, it's rock & roll, it's the Rolling Stones.

Huge clusters of gold vinyl records, featuring photos, artwork and album covers, are hung all through the Carnaby area. The Carnaby arches are also dressed with the Stones’ iconic tongue and lips logo. The outdoor installations tell a visual story from the band’s creation in the 1960s to the present day, and will be in place until 6 January 2013.

Spectacular lighting by Patrick Woodroffe – who’s designed the stage lighting for every Stones tour since 1989 – will turn the street red at night.

It’s a fitting tribute to both the band’s 50th anniversary and their association with the area, they rehearsed for their very first gig in nearby Broadwick Street, as well as Carnaby Street’s music and fashion heritage. - rollingstones.com

The Olsen Era

It's no secret that the Olsen twins have had their fair share of ups and downs *coughMary-Katecough* - from starting their careers at a ridiculous six months young for television sitcom Full House, to how I know them best, in Two of  A Kind, to a string of straight-to-video movies including Billboard Dad, Passport to Paris, Our Lips Are Sealed (personal fave) and New York Minute.


Ahh, they looked so cute before they adopted that 'deer-caught-in-headlights' look...

As the girls have gotten older, a spotlight and fashion focus has appeared on the twins - Mary-Kate (the winning twin) has shown an outlandish and unique take on clashing styles, colours, and materials - she somehow made 'hobo-chic' a thing, and I love it!!

Fave MK Looks: (NEED those Chanel sunglasses!)


On the total opposite end of the spectrum; though Ashley also likes to experiment with colours, styles and materials, she's much more composed, sleek and professional. Her clothing is usually quite tailored and clean cut, whereas MK makes scruff-bag look fierce. Whatever she wears, it's clear why Ashley has, along with her sister, earned the title of 'Style Icon'.

Fave Ashley Looks:


I guess one thing about what they wear (most of the time) is that it's very practical and wearable; jeans, loose tops, flat shoes, hats, huge bags and fur coats are some of their staple and characteristic pieces. Most body types could take something from their style - and worn with confidence, can look great! One thing everyone should take away from the Olsen style, is that they aren't afraid to experiment and try something new.

Quoting Mark Holgate, Vogue Fashion News Director and Editor: "The Olsens get it right a lot of the time and then sometimes they don't get it right. That's actually great because it shows that it's their hands reaching into their wardrobes. They don't have someone telling them, 'This is cool, this is hot, this is what you should be wearing.' It comes from within them. It's instinctual."

With regular appearances on the front row of top Fashion Week shows such as J.Mendel, Kayne West's PFW debut and others, it was only a matter of time before they took the catwalk into their own hands.

The fashion moguls have taken the world by storm with their couture fashion label The Row, inspired by London’s, Savile Row, with stockists that include Harvey Nics, Net-A-Porter and Bergdorfs. Other successful lines of their empire include Elizabeth & James (named after their siblings), Olsenboye and StyleMint.

The Row A/W11.


It seems the only way is up for this unstoppable duo. They've been able to gain the respect and accreditation of some of the most influential people within the fashion industry.

Always on the look out for the next big project, I for one am excited to see what comes next.

On another note, slowly making her way into the limelight is mini Olsen. Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Olsen is now 23 years of age, and is a strong contender for the new kid on the block award. She's been in a couple of independant films, and out and about her style represents exactly what she is; young, fresh, classy and, like her sisters, not afraid of colouring outside the lines.

Dino Couture

It's no secret that Dinosaurs are my most favourite thing in the world. The word fascinated doesn't even cover it!

You can imagine my absolute glee when some of my favourite little dino's re-hatched on the catwalk.

Sophie Hulme. Her début collection showed at LFW AW12/13, and boy was it a good'un! The RTW collection featured our gigantic dinosaur friends in lace, belts, charms and intricately embroided jumpers. ‘The whole collection is based on toy dinosaurs and fisherman’s jumpers. The overall look is quite luxury but with a sense of humour and real wearability' explained Hulme. A boyish charm to the collection see's the start of a very bright future for this Londoner.



Back in 2010, everyone went wild for these ridiculously cute bags by Giles Deacon in his SS'10 Collection.


Known for their fun, quirky and statement designs, I couldn't of missed out Tatty Devine's Dinosaur Necklace, which retails for £114-£132, depending on size and material. CUTE!


Then we had the nOir for Walt Disney Signature collection, that celebrated Fantasia's 50th Anniversary with the T-Rex ring as below.


These DSQUARED beauties also remind me of dino's - they're fun, quirky and oh so fabulous! Here the classic pump has been upgraded with osteo detailing


If anyone knows who designed the cuff below, please let me know! It's a treat!

Christmas Windows 2012!

If there's one thing I love, it's a ruddy good Christmas Window Display - I've taken to twitter (@strawberry_dani) and been trawling the streets of London Town to find the very best of the Christmas Windows of 2012.

They are creative, fun to look at, and speak volumes about the store behind them. And it's pretty much the best chance a VM would get to really get those creative juices flowing - here are some of my favourites so far this year.

Selfridges. A bit out of character for the usual Selfridges Christmas Windows, they've taken inspiration from Bruce Webber's 'Not Your Usual Christmas'. Hundreds of wrapped presents, and an air of magic, Selfridges haven't dropped the bar for this years display. Love it and give it a 6/10!


Harrods. Words cannot describe how much I adore Harrods' Disney Couture themed displays. Featuring classic Disney Princesses' dressed in the most lavish of lavish gowns, this is a window that is sure to stop a passer-by in their tracks.

First up; Rapunzel wearing a beautiful Jenny Packham gown. Cinderella wears Versace, Snow White works Oscar de la Renta, Pocahontas rocks Roberto Cavalli, Aurora dazzles in Elie Saab, Jasmine shines in Escada, Tiana is a knock-out in Ralph & Russo, and last, but by no means least, Belle wears a jaw-dropping Valentino piece.


Shoes were shown off by Valentino, Versace, and of course, the Cinderella Slipper by Christian Louboutin *swooooooooon*


Some other faves...

Fortnum & Mason - Cabaret. Glitz, glamour and showtime! A really fun display!


Harvey Nics took inspiration from the Orient



Jimmy Choo. Shiny baubles, and lots of them! This Bond Street shop window is enough to make any passerby stop and have a looksee!


Christian Louboutin. The red! The redddd! It's every girls dream - a Louboutree! Topped off with the classic Pigalle shoe, this tree is a foresty force to be reckoned with. Aaaah, the red!


Tiffany & Co. Romance at Christmastime; a great theme, bringing to life a decadent and lavish lifestyle. Each miniature scene brings to life a beautiful Tiffany's piece, surrounded by the most intricate and detailed New York setting - from the traditional Manhatten Brownstone, to a pimped out Tiffa-tree at the bottom of a sweeping staircase. Gorgeous.

Once Upon A Time...