UNITED COLOURS OF BENETTON

Here's a secret. Although I never shop there, I am actually a really big fan of Benetton.

When I was around 7 or 8 my most favourite jumper in the WHOLE WORLD was a bright yellow Benetton jumper with a pale blue seahorse and pink bubbles on the front. I swear, I used to wear that thing everywhere. In fact, every childhood birthday from the age of 6 was marked with a brand-new, garish Benetton jumper and I absolutely could NOT get enough of them.

While I was growing up and not particularly interested in fashion, only the singing Gap adverts and controversial Benetton ads under the direction of Oliviero Toscani really stuck out in my mind. Since his resignation in 2005 it's been a long time since I've seen any ad campaign that's had as much impact as 'Unhate.'

But yeah, Benetton rocks. Aaaanyway...

While the SS12 lookbook doesn't set out to shock or provoke, it is still remarkably pleasing to the eye, focusing on muliti-coloured basics and sticking to the the rulebook they pretty much created back in the 90s.

Loving that last Asian model SO much!

It's weird, I can only assume that Benetton must have a huge following in its native Italy or elsewhere in Europe because in the UK it's presence is virtually nil. The shop in Silverburn is always totally deserted which is a real shame because these are quality, fashion-forward essentials. The whole candy-coloured denim, bold prints and nude & neon trends are ones Benetton could easily get on board with, and yet I only rarely see the brand advertised in magazines.

Come on Benetton, time for an overhaul. Get your finger out!

STRIPED BASICS FOR SPRING

I absolutely love stripes for spring. Well, for any time really, but especially for spring - they just channel a sort of laid back, causal, sunny, beatnik vibe, doncha think?

Weirdly enough they never really say NAUTICAL to me, no matter how much ELLE tries to persuade me otherwise (unless the chick is wearing a straw boater or posing on a yacht). Instead I find striped basics perfect for throwing on as it starts to warm up, layering effortlessly with denim or leather and adding colourful accessories if I can be bothered or just some huge black sunnies if I can't. Perfect.

Here's some pretty striped basics from Urban Outfitters:

(Tyra would be proud of that stare guuuurl!)

Casually cool, aye?

OH, and if you're coming to the International Women's Day fundraiser on Thursday, go YOU, you are awesome, AND also try and get there for 6pm if you can as the lovely Laura from Oxfam Scotland will be popping along to say a few words and answer any questions and all that kinda goodness.

Leighton Denny Nails, John Frieda, Schuh, and ROX goodies all added to the raffle today :)

So excited, see you all there!

MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF SS12

...also known as the reason I'm getting excited about summer!

Back in September this was really the only show that got me pumped for sugary-sweet pastels, cartoon prints and quirky girliness for summer. Shame on me, I'd sort of forgotten how fierce a collection it actually is!

The show was the ultimate in performance-femininity - the models strutted down the catwalk to a mashup of Hole hits (sadly missing in the video below), and sashayed round Courtney Love lookalikes applying lipstick and jerking around in 90s-style babydoll dresses. The hair and makeup were so extreme that towards the end the girls looked less like models and more like living dolls.

Strangely, the collection itself is oddly similar to MK's SS11 offering (that show even started with part of a recorded interview with Courtney Love) but rather than use the girly, feminine aesthetic to channel feelings of anger and hostility, it instead exudes a genuine sweetness - a real charm and warmth. There are reports that some front-rowers found it all so moving it brought them to tears.

I also love it because it reminds me of some of my favourite bloggers like Tavi and Marlena.

Watch the vid and enjoy!






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MULBERRY LOVES SCOTLAND

Y'all know how much I bang on about Mulberry, right? Well, last week I was very kindly invited to a fabulous event at the Mulberry store in Ingram Street in Glasgow - Mulberry Loves Scotland -  in celebration of the brand's Spring Summer 2012 collection. 

HOW ON EARTH could I pass up an opportunity to schmooze with press and customers alike, be wined and dined by the PR team, and spend quality time in the company of some of THE most gorgeous bags and accessories ever? I couldn't. Obviously.

What follows are about ten squillion photos and some ramblings about the collection.

Here is the lovely Carrie (stylish stylist who I work with at the Herald & Evening Times Group) looking WAY chic in her signature stripes-and-Alexa combo.

During the schmoozing and boozing in store, the lovely Jack from Mulberry HQ in London showed me a few of the stores best sellers (Bayswaters, Alexas and a particular leopard-print Evelina he couldn't keep his hands off) along with some of Spring Summer's newcomers.

Afterwards, we all trooped across Royal Exchange Sqare to the UBER posh 29 Private Members Club for wur tea. Well classy, and check out the awesome Mulberry decorations!

Animal balloon craziness.

Those OOOH! glasses were such a hoot and allowed for many hilarious photo opportunities, but I was also MASSIVELY impressed by the food! I had myself a Caesar salad, one of the nicest steaks I've EVER tasted and a scrummy pear tart. But the stand out food of the night had to be the freshly-baked bread to start. I genuinely couldn't believe bread could taste SO GOOD!

Bread deliciousness. MMM!

Um, tasty.

Spread out all over the lavish table were the sweetest wee Polaroid cameras to capture the debauchery. Here's a few of the photos we took up our end. Jack collected these up at the end of the night with a view to putting them on the official Mulberry blog - EEK! can you imagine my mug on there? Keep yer peepers peeled!

Stuffing my face. I'm so attractive, right? Wearing my red velvet Monki frock, the black version of which I am still GIVING AWAY but only until the 4th of Dec so get entering!

Oh hey there, DRUNK EYES.

Oooh bantz!

After the meal we got to leave with an animal balloon - I took the tiger which caused muchos taxi hilarity and scared the crap out my cat - a press pack and a TRULY EPIC goody bag! Here's a sneak peek at the BOOTY:

Cute, individual press pack canvas bag. Ooh, I say!

Lookbook made to look like a ice-cream wafer. UM, awesome.

General contents including all the relevant lookbooks, some more OOOH glasses, leather friendship bracelet, sticks of Mulberry rock, stickers and a stunning Mulberry scarf featuring the cutest embroidered doodles.

Like, WOW.

Some of my favourite bags from the accessories lookbook.

Please note in particular the pale pink Alexa and leopard-print Bayswater. I'm in love.

Absolutely adore that first outfit on the left - yes to shimmering metallics for next summer!

Some more favourites from Spring Summer 12, described by Mulberry as "inspired by the Great British summer and seaside shenanigans; donkey rides, ice-cream on the beach, sparkling pier lights and kiss-me-quick chic. Our new season is oh-so English, from the of ‘Carry On Camping’ to the quirky English habit of enduring the beach no matter the weather, raincoats and nostalgic fun all! Add plenty of eclectic Mulberry charm and wit, luxe detailing, signature season prints and strong layered silhouettes for our most bonkers and beautiful season yet!

Most bonkers and beautiful season yet? Couldn't agree more, Mulberry!

I'm really glad that Mulberry decided to host an event up here. As a quintessentially English name, it shows great brand initiative and integrity by branching out and making key press connections north of the border. After all, we are AWFY FOND of a Heritage label in Bonnie Scotland, and it's important for us all to get behind BRITISH fashion so the immense amount of talent we harbour in this country can continue to make an impact on a global stage.

And when the pieces are as expertly-crafted, luxurious, innovative and easy on the eyes as Mulberry's world-renowned accessories and garments are, it's not a hard task!

Thanks to the PRs, 29 Members Club Glasgow and Mulberry Ingram St Glasgow for an awesome evening.

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