ADVENT DAY 18: FASHION FOR EARS

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Plattan Quilted Earphones £80 from Urbanears

A few weeks ago, the Fashed reported in Grazia about the new 'fashion-ear-stars' (as in fashionistas, get it? She's so proud of that pun). It's not new to use earphones as a kind of fashion statement, especially since that white wire attached to ipod earphones became such a marker of coolness. However, there are now brands which mark you out as being particularly in the loop. Beats by Dr Dre is probably the best example. It seems that posing with some Solos round your neck/ perched atop your head your hip factor goes off the scale. But then there is the retaliatory group which sees them as just too posey. The FashEd and I have become big fans of Urbanears which are sleek and discreet. They come in an array of sharp colours and when displayed look like a big pantone chart. Our favourites are the quilted plattans which have something of the Chanel about them. They appeal to those in the know, but aren't garish or branded with logos like other brands.

Today's quote and video are random things which my friends have been showing me this weekend...

'I am waiting for a really strong and meaningful pig role' Miss Piggy, of course

ADVENT DAY 17: IT'S BETTER THAN A BOOK

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large



The FashEd and I are the first ones to extol the virtues of a fabulous fashion book. We are both inspired by them on an almost daily basis. However, this week I believe the ultimate alternative to the coffee table fashion book has been revealed. And that is the full, online archive of US Vogue. Admittedly, it is considerably more expensive than a book, but the wealth of fashion reference which a subscription to this service would provide is immeasurable. Not only can you scroll through each and every issue of American Vogue published since its inception in 1892 but the archive is also very searchable, thus providing a resource for tracing the careers of photographers, models, writers and editors from the past 120 years. The privilege of access to this amazing chart of fashion and social history will cost $1,575 (that's just over £1,000) but if you want to be a favourite with a lover of fashion this Christmas then this would be utterly perfect. I coudn't put the video here, but CBS news spoke to Anna Wintour and Vogue's Editor at Large, Hamish Bowles, about what it means to be in Vogue and the history and relevance of the publication, absolutely worth a watch. 

'When I die, I want to go to Vogue' David Bailey

Me too. 

I have a bit of an obsession with 90s music at the moment. This seems apt for today. 

ADVENT DAY SEVEN: CHRISTMAS CHEZ CHANEL

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

Chanel skis £2480 (call 0207 493 5040)

I would love to tell you that in a couple of weeks, these skis and I will be off to spend days attached to one another, speeding through fresh snow and 'earning' copious amounts of mulled wine and hot chocolate. But that is mere fantasy. A girl can dream and Chanel skis are not such a bad place to begin. Although perhaps an actual skiing lesson would be more appropriate. I get the feeling that for those who do take to the pistes, it is just as much about the chic-ness of the attire as it is about the mastery of the black run. And I know that with these powering me along, I would be far more inclined to put in the necessary graft.

I do wish that Mr Lagerfeld would make a ski film- the Chanel monchromes couldn't ask for a more perfect setting than a pristine mountain top. However, he did make 'The Tale of a Fairy' to showcase the label's 2012 Cruise offering which is in store now. The short film stars many Lagerfeld (and FEAL) favourites including Amanda Harlech, Kristen McMenamy and Freja. The Cruise collection's traditional function, to provide the winter holidaying rich with an appropriate wardrobe, could easily be turned on its head to encompass the ultimate skiwear, and apres-ski, pieces couldn't it Karl? Maybe next year?

'If  you've never seen an elephant ski, you've never 

been on acid' Eddie Izzard

ADVENT DAY 5: IT'S NOT CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE JUMPER

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large



Snowman jumper £50 from TopShop

 Not so long ago, The Christmas Jumper was little more than the attire worn by the most embarrassing middle aged male at your family gathering on 25th December. It was definitely not Fashion. But now thanks to a heady mixture of irony and nostalgia, as well as The Killing, Colin Firth and Raf Simons, The Christmas Jumper has become one of the most lusted after winter pieces. The more nerdy your knit, the cooler you are. Naturally, Topshop have got in on the act. Their selection feature penguins, reindeer and, our favourite, snowmen. Luckily, the knit is a bit finer and the look a little more refined that a truly70s itchfest.

Today's chosen quote comes from the FashEd's favourite Christmas jumper wearer, Val Doonican. He strikes me as being quite representative of the original embarrassing bloke types, especially given the one and only quote which is attributed to him. Read it imagining a red faced, guffawing, beer-bellied,  sherry drinker and you'll realise how far the humble festive jumper has come...

'Golf is like an 18-year-old girl with big boobs. You know it's wrong but you can't keep away from her'

And we couldn't have a snowman jumper POST without providing you with Howard Blake's Walking in the Air from The Snowman. 

ADVENT DAY 4: OPEN THE DOOR ON THE WORLD OF CARINE

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Carine's Irreverent £42 at Amazon

It's the fashion book of the year from former French Vogue Editor Carine Roitfeld. This tome is full of fabulous photos, anecdotes and mementoes from her career thus far as well as intimate pictures with her family and friends. We think anybody who loves fashion would regret not having this close to hand.

'Fashion is all about happiness. It's fun. It's important. But it's not medicine' Donatella Versace

Lady Gaga's new video is so many things, on so many levels... but she does confirm that 'mint green is gonna be huge next season'... Her 13-minute long Marry The Night Video really needs a Sunday-like time void to be properly viewed. 

ADVENT DAY THREE: FREJA DARLING

Posted by Melanie Rickey, Fashion Editor at Large

Valentino dress £2245 at Net-a- Porter

Freja Beha Erichsen is a girl after my own heart. When it comes to style what she likes, I like. Case in point is this beautiful Valentino dress currently available on Net-a-Porter, and which Freja chooses for her Christmas wishlist. I'm a great admirer of the work of Pier Paolo Piccioli (PPP) and Maria Grazia Chiuri (MGC) who have reinvented the Valentino look for the 21st Century. When I interveiwed PPP and MGC for POP Magazine last year both were beyond delighted that Freja was set to become the face of the brand. "We want a modern girl who is beautiful but with something unexpected about her." The two make a perfect couple.

"I love lesbians. My best friends are all lesbians. It's very easy for people to live as lesbians. Men don't dislike women, why should women dislike women?" - Karl Lagerfeld

In this year-old film Freja comes across as extremely intelligent, self contained and far more mature than her modelling persona suggests.

DEAR SANTA... CAN I PLEASE HAVE A CHANEL, PRADA & MIU MIU CHRISTMAS?

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

So there might be Christmas lights going up and endless 3 for 2 offers on wrapping paper but we prefer to focus on the finer aspects of the impending festive season, namely what we dream of finding tucked under the tree on Christmas morning. But do we really dream anymore? Once you're past the age of 11, does Christmas become just a list of things to buy and do? Well, not if some of the Best Fashion Brands in the World have their way.

David Sims for Miu Miu Resort with Guinevere Van Seenus, one of the worlds best models.

Chanel, Prada and Miu Miu mostly trade on the fact that, for most people, they represent an escape from the reality of the day-to-day; I know the moment I pull on my one item of Chanel (some two-tone tights with the double C logo at the ankle) I feel lifted away like Wendy flying off to Never-Never land with Peter Pan. This is pretty much the same feeling I had opening my shiny new bike or Baby Born Doll (Ballerina Sindy in FashEd's experience). We may all be used to ooh-ing and aah-ing each February and September at the catwalk shows (just like I did at Toys'R'Us in my younger years)  but these savvy brands know that this is just the door to the Narnia of our imaginations. Once they've sown the seeds of desire, irresistible Christmas collections land in our inboxes and they know that this is the route to making Christmas just as full of anticipation and delight as back in those childhood dolly-loving days.

The selection below will cater to the woman and the girl in all of you. Crucially, each and every item shown is a classic which embodies the brand which has lovingly crafted it to give us a lifetime of satisfaction and a squeal of delight come December 25th.

An Under The Sea cuff

The Chanel Camellia- this could just as easily be from 1960 as it is from 2011. The heather shade is a wintry update
on the usual white.



I have a bit of a thing for pearl earrings- I like to think I wear them in a sort of ironic, eighties sloane ranger sort of way but it is quite likely that I don't really pull that off! Nevertheless, I cannot think of a more perfect combination than my beloved pearls, with that interlocked C Chanel logo hovering above as an explicit indicator of their provenance.

My friends and I have been unbelivably organised about our NYE plans this year. We are off to a Prohibition Party- this necessitates a full-on twenties flapper extravaganza in the wardrobe department. Thus, the shoes below are quite possibly the perfect starting point with their jewels and delicate T-bar. This image is going straight onto the mood board for my look and if I happen to come into a fortune between now and NYE then these will be mine!


All the above available in Chanel boutiques from November/December +44 207 493 5040
CHANEL.COM

 The Miu Miu seletion has a more fun element than the Chanel but then that's what the Prada's little sister is all about isn't it? All these jewels look like they're from a little rich girl's version of Claire's Accessories- in a really good way!


Miu Miu £295, available from November



Miu Miu £150, available from November

 The pearls and gems are a bit Queen meets Little Princess...


Do Miu Miu do Christmas Crackers? Can this fall out of one please?
£395, available from November



Note to anyone who knows me ;) £395, available from November

 We'll be needing this to carry about all our jewels and trinkets. I just really hope Tom Cruise doesn't buy up the entire stock for Suri...

Miu Miu £750, available from November

Even though Miuccia might like to have us think that Prada is all grown- up and ladylike, she has been messing with that very notion for some time now. Last season's banana motif and the flaming car for SS12 show that there is a very childish element to be enjoyed by a Prada woman. The Christmas collection only enhances that philosophy, mixing up modern essentials like leather iPad cases and purses with quirky key rings which could almost be stocking fillers bought in Hamley's.  This means the adult in us can justify the usefulness of the gift, while the little kid will just want to play at attaching the key ring to everything all Christmas day long (and beyond), win/win....

Happy Face Butterfly
All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November

Ahhhhhhh! Pengy.
All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November

Its Bichon Prada!
All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November

 This furry purse hints at the fraggle rock puppet fun fur theme from AW11...



Fraggle Wallet
All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November



YUUUUUUUUUUUMMMYY!

All images courtesy of Prada, Miu Miu & Chanel