BRAND IN FOCUS // VANS x DAVID BOWIE

THE Vans x David Bowie Collaboration HAS LAUNCHED

Vans sneakers are classic. David Bowie? Also classic. Finally, after several sneak previews, the VANS x BOWIE celebration collection has launched today!

Vans pays homage to the icon’s legacy with an Off The Wall collection of footwear and apparel. Drawing inspiration from some of Bowie’s most influential works, this collaboration celebrates a joint force between Vans and “the man who fell to earth”- two entities who for decades have championed the different and the strange, leaving a lasting impression on generations of misfits.

For the sneaker fans, there are all the greatest Vans hits, all of which modelled after a Bowie album—like Ziggy Stardust Sk8-Hi’s or Aladdin Sane Old-Skools My personal favourite!) And if you’re not in the market for footwear, there are tees and hats in the mix, too. The full range consists of 6 pairs of trainers, along with Bowie-branded t-shirts and baseball caps.

Shoe sizes appear to range from UK size 2.5 through to UK 12. Clothing sizes start at XS through to XXL.

House of Vans has also released details of a special night of Bowie’s music, art and fashion planned for London’s House Of Vans on 11th April – if I could be there, I would be, with all of the bells on!

A statement on the House Of Vans event reads: “From Bowie-themed photo opportunities and face painting workshops to live music performances, the venue will be alight with the spirit of Bowie. Let’s Dance DJs, DJ Scarlett and Atlantic Soul Orchestra, plus Wall To Wall Bowie and the Blues Kitchen’s in-house band will provide the music and perform some of Bowie’s greatest hits.”

Tickets are free, with those interested asked to register at the House Of Vans website 

Check out some images of the new range below. Which are your favourite? If only they came in Kids sizing – we’d be all over this range!

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‘Aladdin Sane’ Old Skool – £75.00
CLICK TO BUY
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‘Hunky Dory’ Slip-On – £65.00
CLICK HERE TO BUY
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‘Ziggy Stardust’ Sk8-Hi Platform – £90.00
CLICK TO BUY

 

 

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‘Blackstar’ Slip-On – £60.00
CLICK HERE TO BUY

 

 

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‘Space Oddity’ Era – £65.00
CLICK HERE TO BUY
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‘Bowie’ Sk8-Hi – £80.00
CLICK HERE TO BUY
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‘Serious Moonlight’ Trucker Hat – £28.00
CLICK TO BUY
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‘Aladdin Sane’ T-Shirt – £28.00
CLICK TO BUY
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‘Ziggy Stardust’ T-Shirt – £28.00
CLICK TO BUY

 

 

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‘Aladdin Sane’ Jockey Hat – £28.00
CLICK TO BUY

 

 

 

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For clarity, this is not a sponsored or paid post – but does contain Affiliate links to VANS.com (UK site). I only promote items that I genuinely like however, so be safe in the knowledge that I’m in love with this brand collaboration.

WHAT I WORE // THE TOPSHOP “CHEETA” DRESS

TOPSHOP // CHEETA CHUCK ON DRESS // £39.00
TOPSHOP // CHEETA CHUCK ON DRESS // £39.00

Thought I’d do a wee post on this here very dress. It’s one of my favourites at the moment, and I know a lot of you loved it too. The TOPSHOP insiders heard you loved it so much and have just re-stocked so here is the link to >>> SHOP

Why do I love this dress? Well, I’d say I’m a ‘mid-size’ woman, not helped by my 5 foot nothing stature. (So its more like maxi dress, than midi on me). I’d say this is my favourite shape to wear – dare I say it even elongates me? But the very BEST thing about this dress? No, not the print, no not the lace finish… it’s got POCKETS!🤸‍♀️ This dress is also on the cheaper side for Topshop, at £39.00. 

Just gotta hope Topshop keep this shape going with new prints, I’d definitely buy them all! 

OUTFIT DEETS

DRESS // TOPSHOP – Cheeta Chuck-on Midi Dress
SHOES // MONKI – Fluffy Sliders
LIPS // MAC – Ruby Woo
iPHONE COVER // Love Island (!)

Peace & love
C

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SHOP SIMILAR LOOKS

MONKI TIGER PRINT DRESS
MONKI // TIGER PRINT MIDI DRESS //
£35.00
MONKI LEODOT MIDI DRESS
MONKI // LEODOT MIDI DRESS //
£25.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONKI // FLUFFY SLIDERS // £30.00
MONKI // FLUFFY SLIDERS //
£30.00
MAC - RUBY WOO - LIPSTICK
MAC // RUBY WOO //
£17.50

 

 

&Other Stories x TOMS // One for One® collaboration

&OtherStories have joined forces with TOMS, best known for its One for One® giving. Together they have created earthy ready-to-wear garments that resonate with the beauty of Californian living. The collaboration also boasts updated designs of the classic slip-in shoe and new endearingly ethereal leather sandals.

Shop this wonderful collection online and instore now : for looks that give back.

The TOMS® Story

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS®, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One™.

Realising this movement could serve other basic needs, TOMS® Eyewear was launched. With every pair purchased, TOMS® will help give sight to a person in need. One for One™.

“I was so overwhelmed by the spirit of the South American people, especially those who had so little, and I was instantly struck with the desire — the responsibility — to do more.”
—Blake Mycoskie

In the spirit of collaboration and giving, & Other Stories is a proud supporter of Magic Bus and its Women’s Scholarship Fund to support English language classes for young women in India.


Our favourite items from this beautiful collection are also available in the Never Knowingly Concise SHOP here.

 

THE EDIT: Something For The Weekend | 03/06.

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I’m going to be curating a weekly ‘Top 8’, ahead of the weekend, looking mostly at online shops. This week I’ve looked at the New Arrivals of some of my favourite online shops. All products are available currently on the UK sites and are priced in GBP. It’s been a real mixed bag weather-wise, so this week’s Edit reflects that!

This week’s online shopping Edit:

1: HELMUT LANG: Oversized Cashmere Coat – £955.

2: MARKUS LUPFER: Embellished Sweatshirt – £250.

3: ASOS: Pintuck Blouse with tie detail – £36.

4: SAINT LAURENT: Leopard Lunchbox Bag – £1095.

5: ANNINA VOGEL: Horsehoe Necklace, 9ct Gold – £250.

6: TOPSHOP: Ruffled Peplum Top – £40.

7: TOPSHOP: Topshop Boutique Boyfriend Jean – £55.

8: TOPSHOP: FANG Flatform Sandal – £49.

#MoMSFTW 

MM.

Kids’ Footwear | New Balance Trainers / Sneakers / Sneaks.

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A few years ago we lived and worked in East London. We saw a lot of trends, styles, brands, come and go. But it was practically overnight that I spotted guys wearing NEW BALANCE trainers; and I’m not gonna lie, I was like “how are they even making a come back?!”. As a kid, New Balance were always a trainer that I saw as being fit for purpose, like for playing Tennis in or something else sporty!

A few more weeks went by, seeing more and more colours of sneaks popping up; and then I saw a pair of Bordeaux Red (my favourite wine no less) New Balance 574’s in the window of Albam, Spitalfields. I fell in love. I wanted them for myself, even though they were Men’s. I knew right then that my opinion on New Balance had been overturned, forever. And rightly so.

Fast forward 5 years and my almost 4 year old is loving life in his very own pair of All-Black 574’s.

For those who don’t perhaps know, Eli was born with several medical conditions – Talipes, Torticollis and Hypermobility. From before he was even born, Eli endured some pretty intense tests, scans, physio and corrective treatments (Ponseti method). He came out the other side meeting the milestones that all his pals met, at the same age (and some he hit even sooner than anticipated!). While, on the outset Eli looks ‘fixed’, you can’t help but notice just how clumsy he can be, how off-balance he can be and how crazily flexible he can be! He’s super-active and he never did learn to *just* walk – he quite literally got up one day and RAN. Eli also doesn’t sleep well – never has – since being a newborn. We sometimes excuse his lack of sleep with, “he just doesn’t want to miss out”, “he’s being a typical toddler”. But the older he’s getting, the more convinced we are that it could well be his conditions waking him and giving him jip. He’s commented recently on his feet and knee’s being sore. We were told that it’s likely he could grow up with Migraines and will get early onset Arthritis due to the flexibility of his joints. (We have his next check-up with his consultant in June).

When Eli did start running walking we struggled to find suitable footwear that supported him fully, that would aid against relapse and would keep him upright. With this all in mind, I wanted to highlight how good these trainers are for his feet; and his balance (no pun intended). They’re a great fit for him, just narrow enough. They tie quite tightly, with no rubbing at any points. They keep him more sturdy than any other footwear he has, yet they’re really lightweight. They’ve worn exceptionally well and actually still look brand new. Eli has commented that they’re “my comfy adventure shoes”. And I think that says it all! He’s really happy with them – he runs like the wind in them – and looks pretty cool too.

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I ordered Eli’s 574’s from OFFICE and had them delivered within the week to Berlin. They have a massive range of Kids’ New Balance styles, in loads of wicked colours. There are also velcro versions for smaller feet… or for feet that love untying those shoe laces! You can shop the full range online here.

 

MM.

 

& Other Stories | Recycling is EASY.

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&Other Stories is one of my favourite places to shop in store, browse online and take general inspiration. I love their forward-thinking, on a not so expensive level that doesn’t make your pursestrings tight. I was browsing online the other day, looking for more shoes, of course, and came across the recycling scheme that Stories are currently involved with. I thought it was bloody great, so wanted to share! They’re recycling both used & Other Stories Beauty packaging and Textiles (from any brand).

See full details below on how you can get involved in-store; you will also receive a 10% off voucher as a thank you!

 

 

 

RECYCLING WITH US IS EASY

We want to reduce the environmental footprint in the fashion world, and recycling is a big part of that. We try to find solutions for it in every part of our process and have, since our launch in 2013, established an in-store recycling program for our beauty packaging. Starting in 2015, our stores in Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States offer in-store textile recycling too. To make the most of this exciting task, we cooperate with experts within this field, and rely on you to recycle with us.

BEAUTY RECYCLING:

We have an overall sustainable approach within our beauty range, using standard packaging and keeping the paper use to a minimum by printing all necessary information on the inside of the boxes instead of on a separate folder. To recycle & Other Stories’ beauty packaging, bring back the empty containers from our colour cosmetics, bath & body and skin care ranges to any one of our stores.

This is how it works:

1. Simply return one, or more, of our empty beauty containers to one of our stores, and get one voucher with a 10% recycling treat as a thank you. Please note that your voucher can be used once and is valid for three months.

2. The packaging is sorted according to material directly in the store and then passed on to the nearest recycling station.

Recycling with us is easy

TEXTILE RECYCLING:

Bring any textiles from any brand (old socks and tired towels are welcome too), to any of our stores in Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States and wish them luck in their new life as insulation material for the construction materials industry, geofleece, carpet underlay, and rear shelves in cars, stuffed toys, shoe insoles, among many, many other things.

This is how it works:

1. Simply fill a bag with any textiles (all brands are welcome!) and bring it to your closest store, and get one voucher with a 10% recycling treat as a thank you. Please note that your voucher can be used once and is valid for three months.

2. Your bags are then collected from the store by our recycling partners. They have the infrastructural solutions in place to sort the items ensuring that the different materials are handled in the best possible way. Each piece (no matter its age or condition) is a valuable source of raw material – a treasure ready to embark on its second chapter. By recycling with us you create a circle that keeps all these raw materials from being produced again from scratch.

3. All textiles are passed on for their next best use via our recycling partner and are sorted into the following categories:

• Recycling – everything that is not suitable for producing new garments is converted into recycled fibres and non-woven fabric.
• Rewear – garments that are still wearable move on as second-hand clothing.
• Reuse – textiles that can’t be worn anymore are turned into special products, such as cleaning cloths.
• Upcycling – when the product is turned into another product of higher, or equal, quality.

Read more about our partner I:CO and their process on
www.ico-spirit.com

We are recycling-ready, hope you are too!

 

 

 

 

What Eli Wears | Little Bird by Jools.

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You’re likely to see a lot of posts about Little Bird by Jools Oliver on my blog – ones like these: Brand in Focus and Proper Boy’s Shoes.

I actually adore Little Bird at Mothercare. As mentioned, several times, we look like we live in the 70’s, so Little Bird ensures we all match!

This is one of my favourite little outfits that Eli is currently sporting: ’74 Blue Tee, Green Terry Towelling Shorts (I KNOW!) and Navy Buckle Shoes.

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All styles available from Mothercare.com

MM.

 

Proper Boys’ Shoes | Little Bird by Jools.

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As most people know, my obsession with Little Bird by Jools Oliver is ever-growing. I literally ADORE all of the clothing; boys and girls clothes! (I may only have a boy, but I can still look at the girls clothes, can’t I?! Faaaaar too cute!) Our house looks like it’s straight from the 70’s and now my little boy does too – and I absa-bloody-loutely love it!

One of my favourite Little Bird recent purchases are these buckle shoes – or ‘proper boy shoes’ as I tenderly refer to them. Quintessential boy’s shoes. Classic boy’s shoes.

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Click here to purchase >> Little Bird by Jools Oliver for Mothercare, Navy Buckle Shoes – £15.00.

As with any shoe purchase for Eli, I need to make sure that the shoe is comfortable, fits well and need to see Eli walking in them – so I can assess that they will support his feet and ankles due to his Talipes. These shoes are just perfect. They’re padded inside and are leather, so will naturally mould to Eli’s foot shape over time. Eli has run rings round me wearing these shoes, so I know he definitely has happy feet when he’s got them on!

This shoe style does come in a stunning red colourway too – which I’m tempted to also buy, despite the floral sole!

MM.

BRAND IN FOCUS | SAINT LAURENT.

That’s right, SAINT LAURENT.

Saint Laurent Creative Director, Hedi Slimane, decided to drop the ‘Yves’ ahead of the ready-to-wear collection during Fashion Week last year. A bold move, that of course did not come without criticism. A spokeswoman for Slimane said “he was drawing inspiration from 1966, when the ready-to-wear line was launched as Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. The name changed again after Saint Laurent retired. He produced the label’s last haute couture collection in 2002, and died in 2008. The founder himself may have approved, as he enjoyed making radical changes: he became the first couturier to diversify into ready-to-wear, pioneered the trouser suit and introduced the first black models to Paris catwalks.”

I was confused when I first saw ‘SAINT LAURENT’. I steered clear. But now I am well and truly obsessed. The re-brand has been magnificent. I want it ALL.

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SAINT LAURENT – Gold Vermeil Bapteme I.D. Bracelet, £260.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Polka Dot Silk Blouse, £605.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Medium Bucket Bag, £1265.00 | Click here to purchase from Selfridges.com
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SAINT LAURENT – Rock Suede Chelsea Boots, £695.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Zip Jersey Sweater, £395.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Slit Detail Leather Pants, £3, 395.00 | Available from Net-a-Porter.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Paris Suede Court Shoes, £390.00 | Click to purchase at Selfridges.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Sac Du Jour, £1560.00 | Click to purchase at Selfridges.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Classic Babylone Art Deco Ring, £395.00 | Available from SaintLaurent.com

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SAINT LAURENT – Leather Card Holder, £110.00 | Available from Net-a-Porter.com