Liverpool and Essex Fashion-Off

Liverpool and Essex.... Two cities in the country known for their sense of style more than anything else. So what happens when they go to head to head? A true battle of fashionistas.

That is exactly what happened wen Designers and Boutiques from both area's showed at the fashion-off in Newz Bar Liverpool on Friday night, organised by TOWIE twins and Essex Fashion Week founder's Adam and Simon Ryan and Liverpool based management company G-Lamorous Present.

Guests included Opera singer Pippa Langhorne, from Britain's Got Talent, who also performed on the night as well as Joey Bevan, designer for Britain's Next Top Model.

Everyone in Liverpool were very friendly and welcoming, the dress makers there had amazing collections, like nothing I have seen in Essex. They also throw quite a good party.

The models for Ella Tino lined up

Pippa Langhorne performing... Amazing Voice

Some of the beautifully crafted dresses by Liverpool designers

Loving our Latimer bracelets from Latimer Couture, hand made. 

The lovely and hilarious Joey Bevan

Simon, Joey and Adam

Putting Essex on the Fashion Map

Although I am an Essex girl myself I have always been one of those people who when on holiday tell people I am from London 'Just outside, more East London'. Being just a short train ride away I have always preferred to spend time in London be it shopping or just hanging out.

I hate acrylic nails, hair extensions and fake boobs, wear minimal make-up, and despise that whole WAG look. You're more likely to see me in my DM's or Nike high tops than heels.
I remember watching the first episode of TOWIE and cringing and being more embarrassed than ever. Mean while it seemed that the rest of the nation were embracing it, and were maybe even a little bit jel of us Essex folk.

However, since I have started working at Ella Tino, my perceptions have started to change, we recently became official sponsors of Essex Fashion Week and last Friday held at a Catwalk show at Faces in Gants Hill and it was so much fun.

I am lucky in that I finally got a job loving what I do, right now I am covering everything from PR, to styling shoots and shows, having the freedom to choose the music I want for the catwalks, blogging, having a say in what we buy and put on the website to menial tasks such as uploading content on the site.
Meeting and working alongside founders of EFW who also featured on TOWIE Simon and Adam Ryan has been great (and they are all really nice people too).
So next time I am asked 'Where are you from?' I will reply proudly 'Essex'. Amy Childs is in Vogue don't you know!

 The lovely Ella Tino models - all clothes can be bought here.

 With Simon and Adam Ryan

Meeting the lovely Diversity 

Ibiza Wish List

Ever since visiting Ibiza twice over the Summer back in 2008, I have been longing to go back, and today I have finally booked to go back to the White Isle.
For anyone who has never been, I cant recommend it enough, even if partying til' dawn isn't your thing.
With just over a month to go, I should really start working on a bikini body.... but get important things out the way first... THE CLOTHES!!

Here is my Ibiza wish list: 

Loose vests - Ibiza uniform

I do love an American Apparel bodycon dress.

Can't go wrong with this beautiful maxi from Topshop

This Crochet dress, also from Topshop will get me through festival season too. 

Adore aztec print for the beach. 

All about stacking up bracelets, ones that are versatile for the beach and pool... just watch out for tan lines.

Vintage tops so you have something different from the rest.

I must have this  H&M tropical banana print bikini 

This hat.... sipping on a Mojito at Cafe Del Mar watching the Sunset... PERFECT!!

Love a logo tee...

Feathers are everywhere, so many different styles to choose from, but these earings and head dress both from 'bitchin & junkfood' are just the best. Also perfect for the festivals... as seen as Coachella earlier this year.

Im determined to have a go at goth, inspired by Lady Gaga's new album 'Born This Way'

Coachellaaaaa...

Coachella Arts & Music festival took place this past weekend in the Californian dessert, and from reports it was bigger and better than ever, probably one of the most celeb filled and fashion focussed festivals with Rhianna, Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworth, Whitney Port and Diane Kruger just some of the attendee's. The star's didn't disappoint in giving festival season a stylish kick off. 

Even Mulberry held a pool party in the nearby Palm Spring's Parker Hotel, where Nicole Richie, Alexa and Eliza Doolittle were all invited for a barbecue and to sip on Mojito's (Probably three of my most favourite things...ever)

Going to a festival this year? Then think 70's. There were many at Coachella who looked like they had just stepped out of Woodstock. Expect Crochet, Lace, Maxi skirts, and Suede, not forgetting denim cut off's, preferably short short's. If you like me, are a fan of hats ( they do wonders covering up dirty festival hair) then go for a masculine fedora or  trilby. 

Now we can only hope for the CA weather in Britain.... otherwise it's back to Hunters and Barbour's. 

Festival goer in Crochet 

Eliza Doolittle @ Mulberry Party 

Mulberry Party 

Isabel Lucas in a maxi skirt and floral headband

Kanye closing Coachella in a Celine shirt

'Snapped' at the National Portrait Gallery

Friday night saw the Fashion crowd pour in to the National Portrait Gallery for the Late Shift tour of Snapped: A celebration of fashion, beauty and diversity. The event was curated in partnership with All Walks Beyond the Catwalk's Erin O'Connor and Caryn Franklin, who posed the question: 'Has fashion become the lens through which we evaluate identity?' Which was heavily debated on the night by model Erin and Elle magazine editor Lorraine Candy.
Tickets to see the talk sold out in record time and unfortunately we were one of the unlucky ones, however there was still lots to see and do. There diverse portraits by Rankin dotted around whilst the models who posed for them mingled with the crowd.
Female DJ's the Work It Girls were there to get everyone in the mood for Friday night as they played some of our favourite tracks by Jay-Z, Missy Elliot, Pharrell and People Everyday. (We LOVE a bit of old school hip-hop) as we were treated to a special secret recipe 'Fashion Fix Cocktail' that just tasted of Summer, and Fashion Photographer Alistair Guy was there shooting those who had been 'spotted' on the night to be featured in i-D online.

As well as all the special events taking place, we also had free reign to explore the rest of the gallery. Frankie was happy to stumble across drawings by Illustrator Michael Langley exclaiming "This is right up my street"
Whilst I want the portrait of Anna Wintour by Alex Katz (2009) on my living room wall.

However the one that shocked us most, was the 'Head of Isabella Blow' by Tim Noble and Sue Webster, a mix of a crow, a mouse, a shoe and other everyday objects that when the spotlight shined, the shadow reflected the outline shape of Blows face.

It was a great night, and the late shift tours are the perfect time to visit, it's a great idea holding events for people to socialise and see the gallery too as we know for sure, you don't always get the time to visit as often as you should.

Fashion Fix Cocktail - Yummy. 

Portrait of Anna Wintour by Alex Katz 2009 - Oil on Linen. 

Head of Isabella Blow by Tim Noble and Sue Webster