All credit goes to Kkgas Perales (like Kkgas Photography on facebook!) for these amazing photos.
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Check out Kkgas’ website! http://www.stocksy.com/kkgas
mac
Model for the day!
My friends, Oscar and Lauren, at Roar! had the idea to compose a ‘winter fashion shoot’ showcasing both casual and formal looks around King’s. Luckily, as part of King’s campus falls in Somerset House, we were able to (after some grovelling, mind!) shoot some photos against the Christmas tree and ice rink there as well!
Oscar had a photographer friend, KKgas Perales, who he had worked with before, who was helping us with the shoot and the guy was awesome. Everything from telling us that he dresses like a tourist so he can take shots anywhere without being questioned and that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission, to making us feel relaxed when posing; he was great. I personally prefer smiling over the moody pout but had to look ‘angry’ in some shots, so I’m fully prepared to look like an idiot in those shots but the day was so much fun.
Adding not being able to get out of bed at an early hour and function properly to the long list of why I could never be a model, I groggily arrived at the Strand campus, ready to be attacked by a hairbrush and makeup palette. Being the clueless sad excuse for a girl that I am when it comes to hair and makeup, I was glad to have girls who knew exactly what to do! Jacinta went all out with plum eyeshadow and a shimmery silvery layer on top and accentuated my eyes with eyeliner and mascara. Chloe redeemed herself from the ‘dry shampoo incident’ with Lauren with my pretty amazing topknot which stayed in place all day (that’s a pretty impressive feat) and then we all got into our outfits for the first shoot.
For the ‘casual’ shots, Cleo wore a black lycra bodysuit with an oversized grey mottled coat. Accessories-wise, she wore black cut-out ankle boots and a cosy faux fur hat. I wore black tights and an oversized neon-orange jumper from H&M, which I am in love with and plan to buy oh so soon. Paired with the jumper were some black suede knee-high boots from Primark (I couldn’t believe it when I realised that’s where they were from-at £18 they are an absolute bargain!) and wore…a scarf or two with it. That’s a complete understatement. I wore about six oversized scarves and snoods to give the outfit a layered look. It was hilarious putting them on and making sure my face didn’t get completely swallowed up but it looked really cool. I might not use quite that many, but layering several knitted scarves is something I want to do more often to make a simple outfit a little bit more exciting.
Oscar practically donated half his wardrobe of edgy vintage and charity shop finds to the shoot. For the first look, Oscar wore black skinny trousers, Timberland boots and a green Stanley Kane (a British designer who had offered clothes for the shoot) shirt. Toby also wore Stanley Kane; a green and navy sweatshirt with jeans and brown shoes.
For the formal look, Cleo and I had to change into dresses; her into an adorable tartan dress from Primark with a white split peter pan collar and me into a pink Jacquard satin swing slip dress from Topshop. Cleo accessorized with black tights and the same black ankle boots and added a fitted leather jacket on top, with a cream faux fur scarf around her shoulders. I kept with black tights too but changed into my black DNKY shoe boots for a more glamorous look. It was freezing so I was more than grateful for Oscar’s extremely oversized black fur coat. Cleo’s hair was in voluminous curls whilst mine was removed from topknot position and pushed to one side.
The boys smartened up too; Oscar in a burgandy shirt with a holly-print Christmas jumper on top. He wore black formal trousers, his trademark patent black shoes and a blue velvet blazer. Toby also wore a velvet blazer, but a green one, and paired with charcoal jeans “so tight he hadn’t worn jeans like them since he was 12”! He rocked a bit of a Louis Tomlinson and wore black smart shoes with no socks and showing all kinds of ankle.
The shoot was really fun as it was relaxed but still professional at the same time. One King’s student asked who we were (in passing) which was quite comical as we replied ‘same as you…King’s!’. We used Somerset House, King’s Strand Campus, the arches on the Terrace, the notorious Walkabout steps and underneath Waterloo Bridge as ‘locations’ as the photographer kept taking us for ‘a walk’ to move around, relax and find new lighting I suppose. I had to leave at this point but I think the others ventured off to Covent Garden for some more shots. It was a fun day and hopefully the photos look amazing.
Here are some ‘sneak peeks’ from Lauren’s phone but stay tuned for a later entry with the photos 🙂
Why pink is the new black!
Believe it or not, there was a phase several years back, when girls shied away from the colour pink, as it immediately linked you to the plastic doll every girl had in her life at one point. But now, Barbie is back in business; pink is the colour of the season.
It’s the hottest colour to have your coat in and is the perfect way to add a splash of colour to your outfit in the dreary winter weather. Why not stand out from the crowd in a hot pink mac or balance out a cosy chunky knit jumper by getting in a bright, sexy fuchsia? If you’re really not a daring pink girl, use your accessories; nothing looks more striking than a dark outfit brought to life by a pink handbag or pink scarf!
Personally I like wearing bright, loud and eclectic clothing but many people prefer a more conservative look. That’s not a problem at all! You have an entire range of nude pinks, baby pinks and coral pinks to choose from as well! It’s not about what shade you go for, it’s simply about adding that touch of happy colour to your life and ensuring that you don’t get lost in an outfit of greys, blacks and other dark tones.
Here is a selection of my favourites from the newly pink high street! Enjoy!
< At £16, this Topshop fluffy scard is the perfect and cosy way to brighten up an outfit, if you’re not a particularly pink lady 😉
< I LOVE coloured jeans and trousers and these jeggings from River Island are no exception. £35 is not bad for a decent and comfortable pair of jeans/jeggings and River Island’s always last you forever. Pair with a black leather jacket and black boots for instant cool.
< New Look are keen to show you that a) a jumper does not mean you have to lose shape to your outfit and b) knitwear is THE cosiest thing ever. This jumper is really cute and a bargain at under £20.
< If fuchsia and bright pink isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the softer tones and shades. Asos has won me over with this blush-pink ‘Dolly’ coat, with the adorable collar and pocket detail. The flared bottom is really flattering as well!
< I am a Dr. Martens girl through and through; they’re so comfortable and keep your feet warm and dry which is what we all need in the gorgeous English winter weather! They’re an investment as they’re brilliant all year round but at the moment they’re at even better bargain of £54.99 at Office!
< Make sure you’re the hit of the party in the only colour anyone is talking about. This more conservative nude-pink colour might be more to some people’s taste. At £9.49 from Missguided, I think this LPD (little pink dress) is anyone’s taste!
< Looking very similar to the Mulberry ‘Alexa’ in watermelon pink, this Boohoo satchel is only £16 -how good is that gonna feel dangling off your shoulder?!
Whether you’re braving it with the bold fuchsias and hot pinks or toning it down with rosier and nude shades, pink is going to be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe this season.
I need a new coat
Winter drawing near and the fact that I simply live in England means I need to invest in a new coat. My old staple one was a charcoal grey military coat from River Island and did me a good service for 4-5 years and as much as I adore my faux fur coat (also River Island), I need a practical everyday investment.
Here are my top picks from the high street; I believe in spending a decent amount of money so that you will get stylish, reliable and comfortable use out of your coat, but not so much that my new coat will be all I buy this winter. Wanting to steer away from military and faux fur coats, my beloved Topshop and River Island proved little use to me, but I found plenty of gorgeous picks elsewhere. In no particular order:
Drumroll…
1) First up, is Boohoo’s beautiful tobacco coloured belted cape, which is at a stylish save of £25. Whether you need a new coat or not, I would definitely purchase this absolute steal, as it will add chic class to any outfit.
2) Another beauty is this deep navy blue duffle coat with a fur collar to die for. I have always thought that duffle coats have an aura of adorable style to them and they definitely keep you oh so cosy! This particular one from Urban Outfitters has my mind drifting to a snowy day; the colours would look gorgeous against the crisp white snow. At £125, it’s a good deal more expensive than the previous Boohoo cape, but it would be money wisely spent.
3) My next choice is perhaps better suited for a rainy day, rather than a bitter cold one, but it is undeniable that every girl needs a stylish mac in her wardrobe. I have had my eye on this burgandy-wine coloured mac with pu sleeves for a while now and with a bit of luck, it has just been reduced from £89 to £50. Bargain. The colours are definitely Autumn 2013 and the pleated bottom and bow at the waist are just too cute.
4) I was really intrigued by this khaki textured parka coat, as the majority of khaki coats have the standard fur collar and hood. I love the unique texture and design of this coat and of course the colour is absolutely lush. The zips had a biker feel to the coat, but the relaxed structure of it keeps it from being too military-esque. Again, at £90 it may seem like a lot to pay, but for a good-quality coat, that is a decent price.
5) Zara are on point with their oversized trench boyfriend coat. This grey woolen wraparound lovely gives the aura of ‘working girl’ and has an androgynous feel to it. It looks sturdy and cosy and fashionable, which is all any girl wants out of a coat. From past experience, Zara’s coats last you a long time and never go out of style. It is priced at £89.99, so it is not extortionate and will definitely keep you warm this winter.
6) As a lover of tartan and bold, eclectic patterns, this Miss Selfridge biker coat was never going to slip past me. Slightly cheaper than the majority of the above, it is £79 and is perfect for those girls who live in their leather jackets. It is a great transition from jacket to coat, as the length and thickness will certainly protect you from the winter’s winds but it still resembles a jacket.
Of course there are many more stunning coats and jackets out there, but those are my ‘Top 6’. I was originally only going to do a ‘Top 5’ but I could not have that Miss Selfridge tartan biker coat miss the list!
The most important things to remember when buying a coat:
1) Don’t worry about sizing. The cold weather means you will most definitely be wearing a thick jumper underneath your coat, therefore there is no point trying on a coat in a shop with only a vest top on underneath and deeming it to be the right size. Coats are meant to be bigger than your usual dress size!
2) For most people, this will be your only coat. If you wish to spend a lot of money on it, it will be your only outerwear investment, so there is no point purchasing a design that you know you will only wear a few times. If you hate clashing prints and colours, stick to black or other neutral colours and if you worry about your body shape, the structured military coat tends to nip people in in the right places.
3) Read the fine print. If you’re someone who thrives on high-quality materials, then you do not want to be spending more than necessary to only find out that your coat is not completely cashmere, but only has a small percentage.
Enjoy!
mymode101 