Jump suit have been around since man decided to jump out of a plane( preferably with a parachute) so hence the name and utilitarian, adult onesy vibe. They remind us of the swanky aspect of the 70’s with soft fabric and platforms or alternatively bell bottomed with a centre parting for that ‘Biba’ feel still hitting the shops this autumn. Unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot you can do to prepare for the cold in this piece apart from add knits, tribal bodywarmers and uggs – because they are STIIL just too comfortable! Don’t despair because the look hasn’t had time yet to bloom so wear to your heart’s content and lay it down for next season.
Playsuits are the short variety, worn by children and those who long for the childhood fun had in them. They are fun and cute with a whole range of patterns and prints to enjoy – after all, who doesn’t feel nostalgia for sandcastles and sunshine? Surprisingly these do translate for winter well, with the addition of woolly tights and jumpers pulled over the top. For those more daring (and in warmer climes) long thigh boots or sock+brogue combo with layered knits create a more mischevious appeal with a glimpse of thigh. Furthermore some styles can be tucked into trousers or skirts beautifully for a smart day look that easily transforms into party time once they are removed! The only warning with this look is channel your inner child as this definitely isn’t the catsuit!
Most people don’t care about the difference or know them both as all-in-ones but as you can see here, there are crucial differences. So go out and impress with your working knowledge of a trend that is here to stay!

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Firstly, sorry for the frequent gaps I have been rather ill but am back on form to write about the current ‘RETRO’ wave that has been sweeping the UK in particular and shows no sign of abating! The look back to vintage began a few years ago but really took hold through the recession when the ‘make and mend’ aspect became appealing. Music has incorporated it from Katy Perry’s Thinking of You to Gramophonedzie. Tea Parlours have opened and the British sea side holiday has seen a significant rise in popularity. Hence the new fashion for high waisted bikinis and halter-neck swim suits, as sported by Taylor Swift in the Bahamas.
Reading mixed reviews on this I thought how perfect this trend is to equalize people, as every woman I know has body hang-ups that three tiny triangles of fabric do nothing to flatter! Now, especially for students who find their ‘fresher’s fifteen’ hard to shift for the summer or older women that feel too young for M&S swimsuits, there are fashionable alternatives that businesses are taking interest in promoting and experimenting with. Now there are cut-out and full body swimsuits to offer an inbetween that doesn’t compromise looking and feeling fantastic on the beach.
Not only that, but halter necks can support a full bust or boost a smaller one and be adjusted, which is grand for businesses and shoppers alike! Plus there are girly prints and ruffles along with more classic approaches too that can create a 40’s sex kitten or 60’s flirtatious girl but this trend guarantees femininity those of all shapes, something both the 80’s power suits and padded shoulders or 90’s girl power lost in translation.
May this trend continue and, if its anything like the maxi dress, hold onto your straw trilbies and floral chintz swimwear as it comes around again next summer!

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DESTINATION: NEW ZEALAND
As promised, so begins my fashion journey around the world. Initially each court would vary its costume but Paris developed into the centre for Haute Couture – although many feel New York and London are competing for the edge. The world is so shared that now we can ascribe stereotypes to nations and each country creates its own unique feel. To kick off this look at world fashions it seems reasonable to start with my friends down under and see what New Zealand Fashion Week has to offer!
New Zealand is an emerging industry, with lots of fresh talent and a definite penchant for black – aside from the sportswear and board shorts typical of a sun-loving, youthful population. It struck me that it seemed black, striking looks along the lines of Mango or 1990’s French Connection equaled ‘fashionable’ with lots of drapery and silver. I believe Zambesi, New Zealand’s answer to Gucci or Prada, were doing ‘Lady Gaga’ well before she hit the big screens!
This year stylist Cameron Putt was channeling this perpetuated belief in black = cutting edge. His designs were, good, giving us the grungy maxi dress, draped silhouettes and a colourful blue number. Yet it was just like clothes I had seen the last year. Matt Templeton brought something new to the catwalk with his doll-like outfits. These were a sweet break from the slightly older feel to evoke a time of playing by a beach in the late summer. This did catch my eye as lovely, marketable garments . . . that I had already seen in Topshop, Urban Outfitters and J. Crew.
It was Alison Jane Lewis that struck the balance between these two stylists to pull off looks inspired by the calls for a return to naivety and nostalgia. She used black to create effect with contrastingly bright make-up, playing with sheer fabrics and different textures to suggest an artful effortlessness that just worked. Admittedly some of it was almost ordinary, and New Zealand Fashion is still all about the vaguely wearable compared to Armadillo Shoes, but pulled together in a unique way. For those looking for a laid-back, urban chic you need look no further. And the best bit? You can actually wear what comes off this catwalk.

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Lady Gaga has taken the fashion, music and make-up world by storm with her level of fantastical creativity that fashionistas have been quick to jump on. Yet few think of how her exaggerated make-up can allow make-up professionals to have some fun and hence to recreate a brand new development from the popular winged liquid liner, à la Amy Winehouse, by adding playful brights. So, from a qualified make-up artist, here is how to get the best winged colour for your eyes to POP!
1) Make sure you have concealed any spots and added powder to get rid of shine so that you have a lovely clear base with a hint of blusher under the cheekbones.

2) Add either light layer or concealer, or I recommend a MAC paintpot in nude, over the whole eyelid up to the brows.


3) Pick your colour . . . for green or grey eyes golds, purples, bronze or even silver are best, for blues choose buttercup golds, green, turquoise, silver, terracotta or white. Brown eyes can get away with basically any colour but warmer tones are generally more flattering, especially on tanned skin – yellows, oranges, hot pink and even icy blue will look brilliant.

4) Pat it onto the eyelid with a brush, cotton bud or fingertip from inner to outer corner of the eye as if it were eyeliner. Keep building up the colour and if bits fall down onto your cheekbone, brush them off at the end. You want a strong colour that covers your eyelid without being very visible when you look at yourself directly in the mirror.

5) Bring the colour out in a sweep from your eyelid, almost following the direction of your lashes. If getting the symmetry for each eye is difficult, use your ears. Tilt the cotton bud to the same angle as the top of your ear and press against the lid, and then repeat on the other eye. Build up colour along that line as well as back into your eyelid, so it appears almost triangular at the outer corner.

6) Blend the top of the eyeshadow up along and up a little with a cotton bud.

7) Using either a pencil first for accuracy, or going straight into liquid, paint on a thin line from inner eye out, following the eyeshadow out. Try to keep the line smooth and consistent – some people like to pull their eyelid tight to get this even line. Keep eye closed until liner is dry. Then add a little more from beginning of the inner lashes out to the edge, keeping the line level. Try to make the ‘wing’ neat and pointed. Once you are happy with the thickness, you might see small patches of skin still visible along the lashes – particularly for paler lashes – so fill in with black pencil.

8) Add mascara on top lashes only for thick, chunky lashes that don’t disrupt the eyeliner; add more mascara to the central lashes. For full effect, add thick false lashes but make sure that they are well – placed so as not to drop below the eyeliner; place them slightly closer in then normal.

9) Finally add white pencil to lower eye line, powder face and add a bright lip gloss!

This look can be dramatic, especially on paler skin, or ethereal with translucent shades of green, grey or lilac but the key is practicing until you find the look you like. It works well as a nod to fashion without overkilling the Amy Winehouse big black liner. Yet don’t make it too busy with coloured eyeliner, use navy, expresso or aubergine with colours that won’t clash but compliment if you do decide not to wear black liner, for example, aubergine liner with green or gold eyeshadow. Take a look at the Swinging Sixtie’s looks from films such as An Education, A Single man or Austin Powers and mix it up for a thoroughly modern look that can work day to night!

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Now that most have seen the spring extravaganza that is Tim Burton recreating the classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’, no matter what your thoughts upon his interpretation, this vision will certainly grace the runways. ‘Alice in Wonderland’ allows perfect scope for designers from ‘little girl lost’ to ‘red-queen vamp’ via the phantasmic ‘Mad Hatter’. These make it a fabulous party theme, as even those not inclined to dress up can titivate a red or blue dress with a feathered headband, bows and lace to give it a fantastical twist. Even small nods to the extraordinary can be made with the release of O.P.I.’s nail colour range inspired by the film and Urban Decay’s (official make-up artists behind ‘Alice in Wonderland’) eye shadow palette of colours actually used on Alice. These looks don’t often translate well into daily life and nor are they meant to, so here are some tricks to channel your inner ‘Wonderland’.

Alice is the most popular character, and with the resurgence of pretty summer dresses and prints, this look is relatively easy. There is her signature light blue, but most pastel tones evoke her whimsical, naïve appearance. Search for full skirts, scooped necklines and billowing sleeves for a young, feminine effect, using the outer – as –underwear trend. Mix a peachy corset top with a full denim skater skirt with a cropped retro cardigan for a daytime look that hits this summer’s trends. Or wear a light blue shift with a kitschy headband and some lacy flats, or F-Troupe’s Mary-Janes’ nod to ‘Alice in Wonderland’. However Alice doesn’t have to be the ultimate little girl, after all the tale is about her personal growth, so channel ‘Alice all grown up’ in a faux-naïf, night-time style with deeper, richer blues, a hint of cleavage and formfitting outfits. Include doe-eyes and a half-up/half-down hair with a breath of red lipstick and you are good to go down the rabbit-hole.

The Red Queen is the ultimate Killer-Vamp-Bitch that channels your inner empress. Let her loose with red lipstick or red heart jewellery; use a transfer tattoo of the typical heart and arrow to channel Chanel’s range. Go full on with black and crimson bustiers, floor- length reds with onyx lace or a little ruby number. This is a definite statement that does not suit daylight but is sure to get a reaction – especially if you add a slit for a cheeky glimpse of leg. For the White Queen just go for whites, ivory and silvery lace.

The Mad Hatter works ironically for women but is an essentially male look. Think of Oscar Wilde and English eccentricity with waistcoats, top hats and brogues in a whole kaleidoscope of colour and patterns. Striped shirts with a paisley, velvet waistcoat in edible tones like mustard yellow or claret, cravats and top hats are a must – if you dare! This goes day to night with hardly a transition – perhaps the addition of jewels or gloves. It is often thought that for the Hatter, the shabbier the better, but it is entirely up to your personal choice.
For women this is tricky unless you can pull off androgynous – Chicago chic is far foxier.

Use these characters to follow your own mood for the day and escape from daily sensibilities. Try fun challenges like dressing your friends as the Red Queen or have an inspired ‘Alice in Wonderland’ picnic of your own, with themed cupcakes and tea! This summer is about having fun, going down the rabbit hole to find your own adventure. Just a word of warning, remember that the White Rabbit body suit should be restricted to fancy dress or photoshoots!

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Colour has been popular for a while, moving from techno neons to jewel-like turquoise, because it is not a hard look to pull off. I applaud this shift from the greys, brown and the infamous ‘LBD’ as far too many people wear darks and it brings a whole day down – have you noticed how incongruous dark suited businessmen look on a summer’s day? So many back out of buying a colourful choice because they labour under three major misapprehensions.

1) ‘Black is slimming.’ It is not. Put a solid black with a solid grey and the black will look heavier, a solid colour is exactly as flattering as black. Only good tailoring, drapery and clever highlighting will truly slim line a silhouette, without spanx, which are never a fun option in the summer heat.

2) ‘It will go with everything in your wardrobe.’ True, because if you follow this then everything else you own is probably black. In fact, Black is the most demanding colour to wear, as there is the pressure to jazz it up or you end up washed out and tired looking. Whereas a bold dress can be thrown on, look fabulous without extra effort – even in comfortable nude or black flats. It is in fact colour that, because it doesn’t go with everything in your wardrobe, is an outfit in itself. As long as you have a basic cardigan and inconspicuous flats or heels, you are good to go. Furthermore, a colourful skirt only needs a plain t-shirt; white for novices. A vibrant shirt can pick up colours in a patterned scarf or contrast a plain, dark pair of trousers gorgeously.

3) ‘I can’t pull off colour.’ Yes, it is a confidence issue and it takes certain aplomb to go all out. Yet this does not require an extraneous leap of faith. Colour will not suddenly transform you, but it will lift your, and those around you, moods. Try it: alternately wearing colour then black the next day to see if people notice and compliment you. It could be wearing a gaudy belt with matching lipstick; another key spring look, or wearing a statement bag in emerald green – even neon yellow earrings will start the spring revolution in your closet. It is as with everything in life, requiring practice and you are guaranteed to make mistakes - speaking from personal experience as a red head - but use these to build a palette with which to experiment and let your confidence grow!

Next time that voice of indecision pipes up when you pick up a daring skirt or dress focus on cut then get it in the colour that suits, instead of settling for black. Nevertheless,don’t forget it is also about finding a personal look that you are relaxed in. While it fits some to subtly juxtapose colours such as a peachy silk shirt with navy trousers, others can shrug into a fuschia jacket with a plain dress. Either way, wearing colour establishes your own unique identity in a playful, bright manner, enhancing your clothing potential whilst having fun. Just remember the one golden rule: sometimes colour can be too much, so always keep accessories simple if wearing colour. Plus, camel is the new black anyway this spring so ditch black to experiment with this season’s colours to get noticed at home and work

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Olivia is hard at work preparing some great fashion and beauty bits for you!

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