Saturday Fashion News

ELLE rethinks the print/digital divide, creating a ‘360’ team that embraces all platforms across the business. BoF. Kimye prove the doubters wrong, scoring a 20% rise on last months edition of Vogue with their wedding cover. Fashionista.com. Kim Kardashian stuns in Lanvin at the Met Ball… get all the action in one place. ELLE. 7 of the best fashion/beauty collaborations right now. Coco’s Tea Party. If you do one thing today, vote for the ME Association in the Direct Debit competition to secure £2000’s for bio medical research into a disease with no effective treatment or cure. ME Association.

Fashion in 5 w/ Jo Marsden from M&S

(M&S Style Edit).

1. I chose a career in PR because….

When I was a teenager I always said I wanted to work in fashion or PR (I actually wrote this in my National Record of Achievement!)– as it turns out you can do both. I always liked the idea of being able to combine my love of writing, working with people and organising events. It seemed like the perfect mix of everything.

2. What I love most about my job is…..

The day-to-day variety. One minute I am looking for a venue for an event, the next I’m dealing with budgets and the next day I could be having breakfast with a member of press to discuss the latest collection. Doing the same thing day in, day out would drive me insane.

3. If I could start my career again I would….

Nothing really! I started working in fashion PR while I was still studying for my degree at uni, which I think has helped fast track my career slightly. Even decisions which seemed awful at the time have probably shaped the person I am today and benefitted me in some way – even if I couldn’t see it at the time.

4. Above all else I value….

Friendliness and respect. ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated’ is something my Mum taught me and I try to live by it. More people should!

5. This year is all about….

Finding my next permanent role. I am currently freelancing and would love to settle back down into a permanent position where I can really get my feet under the table and get stuck in.

A big thank you to Jo, I totally agree- a little kindness goes a long way! x

Cheap Tuesday

If you’re new to Fashion Follows Her I should probably point out this isn’t a blog focused on super scrimping and bargains, you may have made a wrong click somewhere south of The Frugality. Occasionally and mostly by accident, I stumble across a real steal that fits perfectly into the ‘more dash than cash’ category. My latest purchases fall squarely in that category- a new pair of shiny pink bow flats from M&S for the slightly ludicrous price of £3.99 down from £25’s.

Pictured with a mix and match bikini from Tesco’s F&F range which is surprising good quality and quite flattering. Ideal for splashing about in the pool trying to tone up my thighs and bum ready for summer (the chlorine eats bikini’s for breakfast, they barely last a season so it’s not worth spending silly money on swimwear). Have you found any great buys recently?

Super Sunday Fashion Round Up

– An unlikely but interesting collaboration, Giles Deacon teams up with Ann Summers. I can’t help but admire an inspired lingerie and illustration combo. Fashion Lollipop.

– Rita Ora talk lippy, statement brows & Rimmel. Style.com.

– Liberty London Girl has just launch a very glamorous competition to win a 5* luxury holiday to LA, New York & the British Virgin Islands in conjunction with Tumi. Make like Charlie and find that golden ticket….. LLG.

– Kate Moss X Topshop has landed- shop the collection before it sells out completely. Topshop.

– Alexander Wang X H&M…. say no more! H&M.

A week of colourful collaborations. Happy Bank Holiday.

Price Wars: Mulberry Down, Coach Up.

Two luxury brands with very similar identities, totally at odds on strategy, so which one has the right idea?

Mulberry announced earlier this month that following other luxury brands by rapidly  increasing prices as the brands popularity grew, has left them out in the cold with the British customer. While the Eastern European market in still buoyant in the luxury sector, it seems the loyal British customer has been priced out of the market- ironic as it was in the UK where Mulberry (carried by Sienna Miller, Kate Moss & Keira Knightley) initially found fame. A large proportion of customers sought out Mulberry for the unrivalled craftsmanship, quality and timeless design present in each handbag. Being on-trend was less important than owning a bag that works with everything in your wardrobe and doesn’t buckle at the first sign of wear. The product remained ‘right’ but the price was ‘wrong’. Acknowledging the error of judgement, Mulberry will be introducing a more affordable range (£495-£700) in June.

(Alexa Pickle Green tote £1,100)

On the other side of the pond Coach is also experiencing a downturn in profit. In a bid to step outside the shadow of its competitors, Coach plans to raise prices. Maybe the fact the luxury market is over-crowded isn’t a problem that can be easily solved by changing your competitor. Looking at why your competitors are succeeding would surely be a better solution? A brief look at Kate Spade’s fearless approach to design and quirky styling quickly provides the answer to why this brand is growing so swiftly. Michael Kors isn’t quite so radical in design but boy this brand has embraced social media in BIG way.

Hopefully Coach has studied the mistakes Mulberry made and has a fool-proof plan to convince loyal customers that the extra cost of owning one of their lovely handbags is truly worth it.

Olivia P: Splurge or Save?

Two years on and I’m still in love with Olivia P; her grace, style and beautiful manners… what’s not to love?!!

Here I’m stealing Olivia P’s style, looking at the way Olivia has teamed a stripe clutch with jeans and a sweater. A box clutch is usually reserved for formal outfits and show stopping evening wear, so seeing Olivia mix a formal clutch with casual jeans is great. I’ve selected a Lulu Guinness clutch and a ASOS clutch for those with more dash than cash (like me!).

Image from Olivia Palermo.

Fashion in 5 with Ceilidh Tucker from Harvey Nic’s

A quick beauty pit stop with Ceilidh Tucker from Harvey Nichols.

1. I chose a career in PR because….

Without communication, there is no product.

2. What I love most about my job is…..

I love being able to help launch and grow new brands, very rewarding to see them develop.

3. If I could start my career again I would….

Change nothing! Your path is your path for a reason.

4. Above all else I value….

Being a team, at work and at home.

5. This year is all about….

Taking control, doing it for yourself!

A big thank you Ceilidh.xx

Beauty Review: The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter

The thirteen year old girl who had her first introduction into the magical world of make-up in store at The Body Shop would be squealing with excitement right now. Fifteen years on and I’m still pretty impressed The Body Shop asked me to review one of their products. I’ve always had a soft spot for The Body Shop, as a teenager I could browse and try out products undisturbed, without being hassled by assistants who clearly knew I couldn’t afford to buy half the stuff I was testing out. As an adult I’ve come to appreciate the moral price we pay by purchasing products manufactured unethically. Shopping at The Body Shop you can forget checking the labels for place of origin or animal testing, your conscious is clear and you’re free to enjoy messing around with make-up.

So I didn’t need to check the label when a pot of Moringa Body Butter arrived, I could focus on testing out the product. Anyone who has tried The Body Shop body butter before will know, thick creamy moisturiser containing Fair Trade shea butter is standard across the whole range and this product is no exception. I did notice how quickly the body butter absorbed into my skin and was pleasantly surprised that the fragrant scent remained long after the product had disappeared into my skin. To me Moringa smells like a heady mix of honeysuckle and jasmine after a summer storm, quite delicious. This one might not be a product I’d use everyday over my entire body, as I have oily skin but I will be smoothing this lush body butter into all/any dry patches of skin to ensure I’m bikini ready for the summer- thank you The Body Shop for this lovely gift.

Brand Intro: Muubaa

When all the planets align and the fashion gods agree, a brand that you admire makes contact and wants to collaborate- it doesn’t happen often but when it does, it feels like fate. So let me introduce you to Muubaa– a fashion brand that works wonders with leather, crafting pieces that are fierce but feminine, bold but not brash.

Leather is an investment piece but Muubaa moves past seasonal trends to create edgy items that will live comfortably in your wardrobe for many years to come. My current dilemma is whether to go bold and bright or nude and natural?

Which do you prefer…. bold and bright or nude and neutral, I just can’t decide?

Warner Staycation: Not just for the oldies.

About an hour and a half down the road from Norfolk lies Thoresby Hall & Spa. The historic pile looks like Downton Abbey and is full of beautiful architecture and antiques. Add in an amazing spa, a courtyard with bespoke boutiques including my fave jewellers and I’m a happy camper.

Don’t be put off by the fact the hotel is run by Warners. Yes the average customer might be 60 years old but this means it’s quiet, no unwanted attention for women travelling alone or with friends and the spa attracts ladies who lunch, so you’ll be in good company. Plus no children, not even in the grounds (where I found this little fellow)!

Book your stay online here.