Versace for H&M

Last night, Donatella Versace launched her eagerly anticipated collection for H&M in New York. Not one to do anything low-key, it was a glamourous celeb-filled affair with performances from Nicki Minaj and the toughest man to pin down in showbiz – Prince.

Love that Nicki Minaj has suddenly become fashion royalty having sat FROW next to Anna Wintour at NYFW and is now bffs with Donatella – I mean, are they actually holding hands in this picture?!

(Sources: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8877820/Versace-for-HandM-launches-in-New-York-with-a-little-help-from-Prince.html and http://www.popsugar.com.au/Versace-HM-Launch-Pictures-Blake-Lively-Jessica-Alba-Emma-Roberts-Chloe-Moretz-Abbie-Cornish-20336046)

The collection is everything you’d expect from the fashion house – colourful prints, opulent detail and figure hugging cuts. Versace certainly hasn’t toned down for the high street which can sometimes be the case with a designer collaboration. Instead, you literally can get the full Versace feel for a lot less. The pieces start at £19.99 for costume jewellery and run up to £199.99 for a man’s studded leather jacket.

At first glance, you might think the collection is too flamboyant for an everyday wardrobe but here are some tips on how to wear some of my favourite pieces from the collection:

The above leggings (£29.99) and trousers (£39.99) are very ‘Carrie’ (from SATC) – you can imagine her wearing them with skyscraper heels and a crop top. Let’s not get carried away though…I would recommend pairing these leggings with an over-sized, long-sleeved silk feel shirt – white for the leggings – black or white for the trousers.

If you are nervous about wearing something so tight-fitting just make sure the shirt is long enough to cover your bum and the top of your thighs. Pairing a loose oversized shape on top with a tight-fitting piece on bottom is figure-flattering.

If you’re feeling brave – pair the above ensemble with this gilet (£39.99)…

I love the buckle belt in the middle and also again the length here is elongating and flattering. I can see multiple ways of wearing this – perhaps with leather trousers for a rock chick look or wear with a poloneck and trousers.

Next on to the dresses and here is my selection:

This above dress at £79.99 is an absolute bargain. It is 100% wearable and a staple wardrobe piece that you will have for years to come. This dress is understated sexy but will create an amazing feminine silhouette. Versace have also created shoes for their H&M range and this dress would go perfect with these for £69.99:

The above leather dress at £179.99 is one of the key pieces from the collection. It’s a very beautiful cut that is classic and simple while there is still plenty of detail.

The above £79.99 silk dress is sure to be a sell-out with it’s body-con bustier detail and nipped in waist. I would recommend this dress if you have a more boyish body shape.

Here comes the colour…

This red dress at £79.99 is absolutely stunning! The print panels down the side are slimming and this would be a great dress for a special birthday or occassion.

The above £79.99 chinese print dress is a key item of the collection. This print features strongly and this is a daring piece to be worn with confidence.

If I could buy one item…this would be it. At £99.99, I think this dress is so unique and beautiful. I picture this on Kate Bosworth with very delicate accessories and her hair in a scraped back bun. I love how she always looks understated even when wearing extravagant pieces.

If all the above is still too flamboyant for you, there are also accessories to choose from that can add Versace magic to a more classic look.

These scarves are £24.99 and would look great worn over a blazer for work or play.

There is also some gorgeous costume jewellery such as this leather bracelet for £29.99.

Or there are chain handle bags like this one for £69.99. I am a sucker for studs so I chose this one from the lot…You can view the full collection here. Versace for H&M becomes available on the 17th November at 300 retailers and online.

My outfit today: Lace top: Primark, Faux Fur Gilet: H&M, Leather look trousers: Miss Selfridge, Boots: New Look, Chain: H&M

Let me know what you think of my selection and whether or not you are excited about the collection.

Sarah x

Upper East Side Kinda Girl

Can’t believe the luck we’ve been having with the weather – it’s so uplifting!! So great also to be getting some extra wear out of my summer clothes too seeing as the days of sunshine we had this year have been so limited!

This dress above is Topshop and I really have gotten loads of wear out of it – it’s so handy to just put on a dress and head out the door without too much thought.

This bag is from Dunnes Stores (an Irish department store) and it was a gift. I’m not too sure where I got the belt, I’m sure it was attached to a dress or something.

The shoes are from Primark – they have little flowers on the ankles – they are really pretty but like stilts to walk in.

The bracelet I have on in the top photo is from The Ivory Closet in Limerick, Ireland. I’m not sure what the brand is.

Anyway I feel like I am channeling an Upper East Side New York girl kind of look – it’s quite preppy and polished.

Thinking Leighton Meester’s character in Gossip Girl…Blair Waldorf. Here’s a little ‘inspiration’.

Also rocking the Upper East side NY look but in a much edgier way is my biggest style crush…Olivia Palermo. I love everything she wears … always sophisticated, nothing too over the top but she pushes the boat out with colour clashes and unusual accessories.

Let’s have a look at some recent outfits from the fashion weeks….*sigh*….

Miss Palermo is actually launching her own website – http://www.oliviapalermo.com – next week which is a style blog for all her fashion followers. It will feature a number of posts written by Olivia each week and also a monthly Editor’s letter. Most of the content however will be contributed by writers she has known since her days at Elle magazine. It will focus on upcoming designers, fashion d.i.y and reports from fashion events around the world.

In an interview with American site, FabSugar, Olivia had this to say about her style,ound the world.

“My personal style is classic … eclectic in a way, I love accessories and playing [with] color … and menswear. I love, love menswear. I have a little bit of tomboy in me.”

She sites Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn among her style icons. Olivia plans to launch her own fashion label in the future.

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On another note…I wanted to share this outfit with you that Kirsten Dunst wore to the premiere of Melancholia in London this week. This dress is something I would never buy (I’m sure I couldn’t afford it!) however this is stunning and elegant. It’s by Honor and is part of their Spring Summer 2012 collection. I love her hair and make-up, it’s so natural looking.

Until next time 🙂

Sarah xx

Model Behaviour

So today instead I bring you what our lovely Miss Patina models wore at the photoshoot…

Name: Christine Kearney

T-shirt: Bershka

Waistcoat: Primark

Shorts: River Island

Brogues: Primark

Bag: River Island

Bracelet: Pandora

Name: Natasha

Coat: Topshop

Shirt: Vintage

Jeans: Topshop

Boots: Topshop

Bag: Vintage

Bracelets: Handmade friendship bracelets

I totally love Natasha’s hair – would love to dip-dye mine but it’s too short.

Oh and I think Natasha might erm love Topshop!! 🙂

Such lovely girls (well Christine is my cousin so I might be a little biased!) and they did a really good job!

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Just saw this Chanel ad for the first time today although it came out in March.

It’s really beautiful and I’m also a recent big fan of Joss Stone so like that she’s singing in the ad.

G’night all xxx