Mensah - I.Q. For Fashion.

Vintage alongside up-and-coming fashion forward designers? Mensah has it all. Its location in Portobello Road is reflected in it's eclectic mix of designers and fashions. They also have an online store, with an amazing collection of vintage pieces, separated by style and era. Their contemporary design selection particularly interests me...below are examples from Caravana, taking beautiful billowy silks and chiffon. Please check out the e-store and if you are in London, take the time to pop to Portobello Road.

Loving Miss. Selfridge Vintage!

Well done Miss. Selfridge! Today, in their online store, we were presented with an extensive update to their vintage collection. I'd definitely offer an "A" for effort. It is relatively affordable, limited in numbers and pretty authentic in its look. Congratulations Miss. S!

Vans - One Nation Under Canvas.

I can't say I am a big fan of Vans shoes but I am a huge fan of the ethos behind their new project...

In 2007, Vans will undertake an unprecedented art program in Los Angeles, bringing together six of the area’s top emerging and recognized art talents by featuring their original work on a prominent billboard in the city. For the duration of the project these six artists’ work will appear for two months at a time and culminate with a group show at a local gallery next November, presented by Vans. In addition, Vans will make a $1,000 donation to the local charity of each artist’s choice, on their behalf, giving back to the city that has given the company and these artists so much.

...the artwork behind the campaign is truly inspirational and a wonderful insight into some truly untapped talent. Check out some more views on Vans Sky Gallery.

Turk + Taylor - Organic Fashion

Mark Lee Morris + Andrew Soernsen are Turk + Taylor, creators of stunning organic cotton t-shirts that are hand dyed. Friendly fashion never looked so good! Their quirky, satirical take on the graphic tee caught my interest when they were championed by Nylon magazine. Although overt matching isn't necessarily my thing, covert matching is; hence my inclusion of the t-shirt with a complimenting skirt lining. Check out Turk + Taylor's website for stockists and sales.

Luella - Graphic Genius

Talking about graphic tees...here are a few of my favourites by Luella. The Geek tee epitomises all that I am, essentially a major dweeb but unfortunately everywhere I have looked, this t-shirt is out of stock. I have no way of displaying my social status! Check them out on Luella's website and Net-a-Porter.

Bold but still Beautiful?

Is bold always beautiful? I love dramatic prints but are these a little too much? My fashion mantra is always, "it must be original" but even I am confused with these tees by Topshop Boutique. The Skeleton Shirt - a little too freaky and aren't skeleton's on the decline? The Big Square Shirt - medallion bling? I depends on how you would wear them both. Simple accessories, muted colours. Let me know what you think.

Should I love this dress...or can you be too patriotic?

Every time I see this Union Jack print dress by Paul Smith, I become more and more enchanted by it. It feels very wrong though...should I be enthralled by what is essentially a flag print dress? The only thing that prevents me buying it, the price tag. At £600 I'd prefer to make my own toga style dress but I cannot help the spell that this dress casts; each time I look at it, I love it more. Check out Paul Smith's website for more Union Jack inspired fashion and Sarah Coggles for this particular dress.

Brian Reyes...watch this space.

Ever since Rachel Bilson wore this dress to one of the premieres of The Last Kiss, I have been intrigued by the designer Brian Reyes. This dress is simple, yet eye-catching and truly original - especially with the contrasting coloured accessories. With the current weather in the U.K., extremely erratic, I've taken a look at his winter collection. Alongside his oversized, cosy, yet fashionable items, stands out a fitted take on this grey dress. To winter-it-up-a-bit, they've added the opaque tight, to make this a year round outfit. I adore the grey cap-sleeved coat, although loosely fitted, it has a definitive sense of form and shape. I shall be keeping my eye on Mr. Reyes, who has also been championed in this week's Grazia...global success beckons.

I am loving...Old Lady Fashion!

I'm not sure if I am revealing a weird side of myself here...but I love old-lady fashion! These items from vintage store, Sveet Couture, hark back to the 80's but could also be found in my gran's wardrobe. They have that nostalgic, comforting feel to them, with a worn, soft look. I can never think of my Gran as a style icon but as I flick back through old photographs, her inner style demon jumps out. Sveet Couture embraces the old-lady look, so go on...reveal the stylish granma in you!

Camper - Classy Ad Campaign

I am loving the new ad campaign by Camper shoes. The Spanish company has always intrigued me, as they have managed to combine function and fashion so effortlessly. Despite being a multinational brand, their stores have a boutique feel to them, which holds great appeal for their shoppers. I am loving these criptic ads - strange, seemingly unrelated products with an impact on the footwear, genius.

MADE - for the people by the people.

Fashion can be a very exploitative industry...particularly if you are an artist living in a third world nation. So Fair Trade fashion truly interests me - Made is an outlet for the sale of goods by Eastern Africans. All Made products are designed by influential designers, then sourced and created within disadvantaged communities across East Africa. They train local artisans in new skills, providing fair wages and support at every level. The jewellery is authentic and simply stunning - the best part...the ethos behind the company; that extra feel-good, fair-trade factor makes the jewellery so much more appealing.

I am loving All Saints boy tops...for myself!

These screen-printed boy t-shirts by All Saints, are simply fab. I am seriously considering purchasing one - at around £35 each, they're a little affordable piece of originality.

When fashion invades the home - Missoni

I've mentioned my love of ceramics before but Missoni Home have provided me with another point of interest - crockery! Missoni's Home range is an eclectic mix of their signature patterns, that can be full-on when put together (see above) but as individual pieces are truly delicious. Then below, it hits you - fashionable crockery. I adore Christian Lacroix's range for Le Petit Moulin and this Missoni range has equal visual appeal. Although very expensive, inevitably some would get smashed by me; a few select pieces would stand out beautifully on any shelf. We all have an eye for prettiness BUT is my sudden love of porcelain a sign of aging? Check out Missoni Home and Towels UK for more of these ranges.

See by Chloé - Perfect for summer

Summertime can be a fashionista's nightmare. It is sometimes very difficult to dress well. I had this nightmare this weekend - an afternoon spent in the garden + last minute dash out + plus freakish evening Mediterranean temps! I felt too hot and uncomfortable to wear anything the least bit clingy or fitted - in fact any item of clothing near my skin felt wrong. I end up going out in an old white, floaty gypsy skirt and my boyfriend's old t-shirt, with haystack hair. I looked a disaster. I felt a horrible compulsion to tell anyone that had the misfortune to lay eyes on me, "I'm just to hot to care!"

So my search this week is for comfortable summer fashion and See by Chloé definitely fits the bill. The bandeau dress - perfect, freed underarms seem so appealing! The look on the right, laid back and quirky. There is also their spin on summer evening chic, centre - the bell-sleeved dress is simply effortless. The main thing about each of these looks, they are wearable and affordable. See by Chloé, the solution to my summer nightmare!

Mawi - Coming soon to a Topshop near you.

Mawi's jewellery range has an antique look, that is a truly hard thing to capture in a new piece of jewellery. Their website is a delight, although it is difficult to peruse their jewellery range. Net-a-Porter and My Wardrobe, both stock Mawi and showcase the collection a little more simply. Topshop will soon be stocking Mawi but I'm sure their range will be far more affordable. Below are two of my favourite necklaces, the parasol and antique comb - I'm just a sucker for pretty, shiny things!

PAM - Perks and Mini - Complete Randomness, my favourite type of cool!

Perks and Mini are an Australian design duo that are the fashion embodiment of the word eclectic. Not only do they make amazing streetwear but they create original accessories, publish art books and curate museum exhibitions. Misha Hollenbach and Shauna Toohey's multi-faceted world draws me in like a cult. Psychedelia abounds, creating a comforting feel of teenage 90's rave nostalgia, comforting! I adore their badges above, the all-seeing-eye and quirky butterfly (oops that rhymes!) are essential pieces. Their art books cover a multitude of topics - bottom right, is a guide to the Australian graffiti movement of the 1980's..a genius topic! Their site is a strange one...but you can see more of their range at the Hanon-Shop. PAM, a real fashion trip. Thanks to Nylon magazine for introducing me to PAM.

The Magpie and the Wardrobe - Fripperies Galore!

The main reason behind this post, one amazing word ..."fripperie!" Any site that has a fripperies section, has to be amazing! The Magpie and the Wardrobe is a beautifully eclectic site. They sell jewellery, charms, t-shirts and stationery all with a rustic, English countryside feel. I adore the fact they sell fashionable fairies, as well as beautiful journals, alongside quirky jewels. Topshop will soon be stocking items from The Magpie and the Wardrobe but check out their website to see some of the delights on offer. Fripperies...

Ceramic Delight - Nicola Malkin.

Ceramics are somewhat of a fashion enigma...they are cool to the touch, smooth and beautiful, yet impractical and delicate as objects of fashion. I adore this creative spin by Nicola Malkin - oversized ceramic "ornaments" masquerading as quirky jewellery. I was intrigued when I read about her work in The Sunday Times, Style Section...and then was sent an email about her from Things of Random Coolness. Huge, decadent pearls (10 ft in length!), giant studded earrings and below a charm bracelet, with grapefruit sized charms! (See the gallery) There is also a cheeky side to Nicola's designs in the form of these nipple tassels below. They started as "the ultimate expression of feminity" and became beautiful adorning pieces, perfect for any dressing table (definitely not to be worn!). Nicola Malkin - a perfect fusion of interior design and fashion.

Le Train Bleu - Delicious Dresses

Those of you that read my blog regularly will know I have a soft spot for Le Train Bleu. This lovely e-store presents high-end, unique fashion alongside superb styling and original photography. This month, these lovely dresses have caught my eye...but I have started to question why. Often, I send for items I am seduced by online because of the styling rather than the stand alone attractiveness of the item itself. When I try it on at home and I do not look like a clone of the model online, I truly feel disappointed! So, I adore these dresses...but have I been seduced again by the image rather the items themselves? Check out the stunning dresses on Le Train Bleu and let me know what you think!

I'm loving...Wooden Jewellery.

I'm not sure if it's because the sun is shining but my fashion radar is moving towards the more natural of materials, wood in particular. For some reason, my wooden jewellery remains well hidden during the winter - it just doesn't seem appropriate. Right now there are lots of wooden beauties on offer. Above top left, is a great chain necklace from Topshop. Right, a wooden Gilbert Goat necklace by Haberdash House, from Hannah Zakari. The two closest items above are from French Connection - a chain-link bracelet and a fab plain but chunky bangle. So now the sun is out, get back to nature with some wooden accesories.

Hoss Inropia - Rustic Spanish Elegance.

I was first introduced to Hoss through their adorable jewellery range. I love chunky, multi-textured necklaces and Hoss provides them in abundance. On further investigation Hoss Intropia hides a multitude of design gems. Their website epitomises the Spanish rustic elegance that runs through their collection. The photography is stunning and the clothes equally appealing. The catwalk photos below show the range of styles on offer - from taloured perfection, to laid back summer chic. The only thing that seems slightly pretentious is their coining of the term "Intropia" - a combination of the words utopia and interior! It doesn't detract from the beautiful design though. Check out their website for worldwide stores and stockists.

High Street Vintage - Miss. Selfridge is looking pretty authentic.

I'm really glad to see that the High Street is starting to stock authentic looking vintage clothes. These items, by Miss. Selfridge, have a true 50's feel to them...the only downside, the price. The dress is £110 but the bag is a more affordable £40. I know authentic vintage can be very expensive but for some reason I expected the High Street equivalent to be a bit more High Street in price. I'm also constantly reminded that vintage, is often just another term for secondhand and I've managed to find some amazing "vintage" pieces in charity shops, for a greatly reduced price! Lets remember what the post is all about though...Miss. Selfridge have produced a great look here, that could never be mistaken for a simple High Street look.

Momomoogie - Just the name draws me in!

Momomoogie - what a cool name! Then, the design element jumps out at you. I adore Stella Im Hultberg's work, her portfolio is stunning. Her pieces transfer beautifully into everyday objects, especially these unique wallets below. Her drawings are simple, yet intricate at the same time. To read more about Stella, see her portfolio and buy some of her work, go to Momomoogie's site or Stella's own.