Genny – S/S 2012 COLLECTION

“Everyone remembers Genny as a discreet and sophisticated luxury brand known for its top craftsmanship and artisanal heritage so this first collection respects the house’s tradition. It is designed for working women with multi-occasion agendas that need functional and elegant clothes,” says Gabriele Colangelo.

New life is breathed into the sartorial suit – a Genny staple –  thanks to new cuts on the jacket, made with plush men’s wear fabrics such as grisaille. They are paired with graphic blouses in cotton organdie, silk crepe de chine and muslins, featuring an ethnic-geometric motif.

Male and female, the two souls of the Genny world, come together with rigor and sensuality.
Innovative and exclusive materials developed by Colangelo include a silk and raffia blend that traces a zebra design and a trompe l’oeil print reminiscent of a Kilim carpet.

A dull gold jersey shell, instead, plays tribute to the silver mesh designed by Gianni Versace during his tenure at Genny from 1974 to the early Nineties.

Last but not least, Colangelo developed an ultra-light and summery version of Astrakhan fur with a zebra effect used for pencil skirts, coats, bags and shoes.

My favourite look is this royal blue tribal effect piece which moves away from the neutral tones of the rest of their pieces. The way the silk falls makes no secret of its luxuriousness and the double front; print and plain gives a nod to the colour blocking and prints that were everywhere at the shows this year.

LLLB

Summer isn’t over just yet!

If you haven’t given up on summer just yet here’s some inspiration to keep you going!

Nature designs such as birds are everywhere still, despite the A/W looks ruling the stores. Try this day bag and incorporate it into your usual weekend look.

Bright bold and eye-catching, these bangles make statement costume jewellery fun!

Wedges are my altogether favourite style of shoes, not just because I can walk in them whatever height, but because they look much more sleek and stylish than your average stiletto and go with anything if you get the colour right! This white pair are perfect for a staple summer wardrobe.

Do bright happy sandals make for a happy happy person? I think so! Keep your outfit plain and inject some colour from the floor and make what we have left of summer colourful!

LLLB

Dare To Wear Ditsy Trousers?

Only a few can get away with wearing these, the rest of us need a little guidance and a lot of height!

Tips:

Dark variations can look too drab for the summer season, so invest in a light coloured pair and a plain tank top to avoid overkill.

Figure out your look, whether it’s edgy – with biker boots and a structured top, girly with flower slides, or romantic with bold patterns and statement jewelery … whatever it is, stick to it.

If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t wear them, they’re obviously not the trend for you.

LLLB

Cardigans, Dresses and Tights Oh My!

Look Of The Day

What is it about the scruffy, some would call preppy look of uni students that make us all follow suit?  That look of tea dresses and grandma cardigans and pixie shoes?

Whatever the reason, the look oozes effortless weekend cool and takes little thought to put the outfit together. Take some inspiration from below…

Wear your tea dresses with…

Old style pixie shoes and tights or ankle socks.

LLLB

All You Need Is Love

” Too much of a good thing is wonderful”

Continuing the Battle of the Boutiques, here is another little gem I found!

Free Love Boutique was created by sisters, Joni and Katie Free, opening its doors in October 2005 on the beautiful island of Guernsey.

Each piece from every collection has been individually selected by the girls, who pride themselves on bringing new and exciting labels to Free Love for their valued and loyal customers to enjoy. So, whether it be that little black dress, gorgeous evening gown, sweet summer’s day frock, must-have clutch bag… or the, ‘can’t bear to walk away from’, dream pair of shoes… Free Love holds that something special just for you.

I’ve selected my favourites below!

 

This gorgeous crochet top and printed skirt are perfect for following the summer trend of pastels and feminine style. Show them off with a plain other half such as white trousers or a colour blocked tee and some ‘of the moment’ summer cork wedges.

Pair with: Tea and crumpets.

Darling Willa Top in Taupe £65, Darling Bridgette skirt in Spring Green £49.95.

As seen above, pair this colour block studded dress with a cropped jacket to add a rougher edge. Try a black biker jacket or brown suede style for a different take on the pretty dress.

Pair with: Vampy, kiss me now lips.

Almost Famous Spray Studded Dress in Orange £116.

With its floaty fabric and dainty ruffles, this LBD is the answer to your summer prayers. Light enough to keep cool and stylish enough to stay hot! Pair with bare legs and dainty heels.

Almost Famous Chiffon Pleated collar Dress in Black £122.

 

This large leopard print shoulder bag with patent trim and handles and gold buckle detail would work well with the above blue ruffle dress to add a hint of colour and pattern to a somewhat plain outfit.

Suzy Smith Iridessa Leopard Print Shoulder Bag £75.

This is my all time favourite item from Free Love due to its simplicity and expensive looking design, you can imagine A-Listers strutting the red carpet in it. The nude maxi encapsulates the feminine trend of summer perfectly with the draped fabric and sweetheart neckline.

Wear with: A single row of pearls or gold drop earings. Nothing more, nothing less.

Jarlo Yolanda Maxi Dress £85.

The nautical trend is still as present as ever and with this Henri Lloyd Elena Cardigan in Navy, £78 , you can follow it on through summer and Autumn too.

Wear with: wide legged jeans and a white ruffle top.

Don’t neglect what you think people wont see! Free Love’s ‘Haylie’ chiffon shoe boots in blush are stunning and will show of a great pedicure and glistening tan wonderfully. The peeptoes with sheer rouched upper, featuring a ruffle down the front, are ideal for updating a simple dress this summer, and are perfect for all the summer weddings people are having!

Chinese Laundry Haylie Chiffon Shoes in Blush £80

 

What The Press Are Saying

“Free Love is a must to visit. They stock fabulous dresses and shoes – in fact, I am wearing some right now!”
Dawn Porter, TV Presenter

“the boutique is awash with pieces to delight customers of all ages, shapes and budgets”
The Guernsey Press

“Joni and Katie travel over from Guernsey together to buy from us and are both very professional as well as being extremely charming. Their choices are always spot on.”
Ben Beeby, managing director of Noli

***

Free Love captures a girls dream wardrobe in a few items, from the sheer seduction of the peep toe boots to the elegantly draped maxi dress. Everyone needs a bit of free love in their life. Each item works so well with the next, I’m excited to see what the future holds for the Guernsey girls!

Visit them at

www.freeloveboutique.com

LLLB

Colour Me Pretty

Say ‘Hi’ to summer 2011 in Next’s latest collection of fashion lust-haves.

Everything starts with pure brilliant white – energized with pops of colour from delicate sherbert shades to eye-popping brights as typified by BEACH HUT; a theme dedicated to laid-back summertime chic.

 As fashion continues to fixate on the Seventies, jumpsuits are hot and Next have a truly splendid array of these key pieces…

Printed Strapless Jumpsuit, £32

Indian Style Printed Maxi Dress, £45

***

Want something bolder? Candy-bright shades, blocks colours and stripes can be seen on great tunics, tops and dresses. The same dazzling hues make attention-grabbing shoes, sandals and bags.

Pink Espadrille Heeled Sandals, £35

Orange T-Bar Sandals, £38

Yellow Platforms, £35

***

Don’t forget the accessories!

Oversized Sunglasses, £10

Hide behind oversized sunnies and feel like a celebrity this summer! The tortoiseshell style is trending this season with celebs such as Sienna Miller and Anne Hathaway following suit and with these prices you can afford to indulge in another!

Stripe Satchel, £28

Go nautical – Does this iconic trend ever die! It seems not. Pair this satchel with a plain top and platforms…not forgetting the celeb style sunglasses above!

NEXT is all you need!

LLLB

Guess The Store!

Straight off the catwalk and into Primark

I’m not a Primark girl but these pictures make me want to get down with a basket now and buy the whole collection! These high fashion looks are straight off the catwalk but at affordable prices. Trends that come and go sometimes are not worth spending your wage packet on if you’re only going to wear it once –  and that’s where ‘Primardi’ comes in. Check out these new pieces and let me see if I can change your mind too!

Lemon print sundress £9 in store now, Sunglasses £2 in store now

Striped maxi £23 in store now, Grosgrain wedge £14 in store April, Sunglasses £2 in store now

50’s skirt £16 in store now, Vest top £4 in store now, Sandals £18 in store May, sunglasses £2 in store now, Bangles (part of set) £2 in store now

LLLB

What A Colour

Dress up any day or night of the week with watercolours, the trend of Spring.

Vintage flowers designs in lightweight silk are key to looking fresh, cool and feminine when the weather starts to warms up. This dress from House Of Frasier captures the new watercolour trend and accessorizes perfectly without overpowering the look. The best thing about this new trend is that it suits almost all skin tones and hair colours due to the different colour combination and can be added in small amounts in your wardrobe at little cost!