Trend Report: Welcome to the sixties!

Designers have been diving into the archives this season as there is a trend which can practically be recognised in all the shows – the 60’s. There is no denial that from the hair to the shoes, the swinging sixties is a huge influence on the spring summer 2013 fashions. Waving the flag for the 60’s has to be Louis Vuitton.

Their fashion show consisted of four huge escalators which carried models onto a yellow and white chequered floor.  And just like the ark they came in twos! Fashions twins took to the runway with coordinating outfits sporting the iconic sixties beehive. Louis Vuitton went all out on the graphic prints. The combination of the prints and the bright colours creates the iconic sixties statement.

The sixties was an era where people wanted freedom. Everyone became a little more care free. When Mary Quant came on the scene everything changed. She was a pioneer for revolutionary fashion with the introduction of the mini skirt. It was her biggest success and nowadays what she is most recognised for. There are a few Louis Vuitton looks which have this short hem matched with black and white checks which is truly sixties.

You can’t think of the sixties without thinking about flower power. Moschino have embraced flower power with some breath-taking results. It’s not about decorative detailed flowers, it’s about bold patterns in bright colours which create a statement. A personal favourite being a white shift dress covered with white and orange daises paired with a matching orange handbag and orange shoes – real sixties style.

Marc Jacobs has brought a new taste of elegance to the trend. The collection was in a monochrome scheme. The loud patterns are heavily featured but the simplicity makes the looks feel effortless.

This is a trend which should definitely be looked forward to. It’s a trend which you can’t take too seriously. Its eccentric, exciting and a bit out there which is what every girl should be. So have fun!

Robyn and Connie

xo

Our Top 5 Fashion Reads

Hi guys!

Here's a quick guide to what we think are the best top 5 fashion books out there. 



1. The teen vogue handbook- An insiders guide to careers in fashion by Teen vogue

We have nicknamed this book 'The Bible' and when Connie got it for her birthday she recommended me to get one as soon as possible. The "Teen Vogue Handbook" is a dream book, filled with tips on the stylish life from the top people in the industry'. There are hugely famous people interviewed (Marc Jacobs, Bruce Weber, Patrick DeMarchelier) alongside assistants and others who are just getting started which gives some great advice in how to start of in the fashion industry on the right path. It is a must buy for anyone wanting to go into the fashion! We hope to one day write something similar with our own tips that we have learnt along the way. Buy Here!

2. Fashion- The ultimate book of costume and style

This book has 3,000 years of fashion history in one stylish visual guide. It also features on famous trend-setters, fashion icons and designers from Jackie Onassis to Alexander McQueen bringing the world of fashion to life. This book is guaranteed to add style to your bookshelf; with its luxurious textured fabric jacket and spine, it's the season's must-have for anyone with a passion for fashion. This is your own personal fashion show through history. Buy Here! 

                                       

 3. Vintage Fashion - by Emma Baxter-Wright, Karen Clarkson, Sarah Kennedy & Kate Mulvey

We love vintage fashion! I have never really enjoyed history but I adore fashion history. This book travels beautifully through the decades accompanied with stunning photography. Anyone taking A-level textiles like us, this would be great for that. It has loads of information which can be easily absorbed; it is the easiest revision ever! I have it by my bedside table and when i fancy reading it you can open it on any page and learn something new. Buy Here!

4. How to prepare for a career in Fashion - Stephanie Finnan

This book was a Christmas present from my lovely Granny! It goes through all the different jobs in the fashion industry but what makes this book so great is that it has a section on what you can do now. We are both doing A-levels 5-days a week and both work every Saturday so it doesn’t leave us much time for big projects. This book has lots of good ideas on little things you can do to get you prepared for you future career. It is done by the Fashions Careers Clinic who also have a great website which has more information on careers which I would recommend you checking out if you are interested in fashion. Buy Here!

5. The Trend Forecaster's Handbook - Martin Raymond

This book was actually recommended to me in a university interview. The lady said that all the professionals still refer to it because it is so good. I found it in the book shop at the Victoria and Albert museum. It’s all about trend forecasting. I am very interested in trends which is why it was recommended to me because it covers all the basics and the process of trend forecasting. There was so much which I didn't know and I never realised how important it was in everything we do, not just the fashion industry. This book definitely opened my eyes! Buy Here!

Happy reading!

Robyn and Connie
xo

Trend Report: White on White...

This season your wardrobes need cleansing and purifying back to basics however this trend is not as simple as you may think. Simple silhouettes are lavishly embellished. Jewellery is being kept to a minimum purely because it is not needed.

Honestly, this is an idea which slightly scares me. I know that I’m not alone when I say that I never feel fully dressed without a tonne of different accessories. It is like a safety net. I see it as a way of making an outfit completely my own. I find it difficult to rely on single garments because I feel as if I don’t stand out and I am wearing the clothes in exactly the same way as everyone else would were it. I am relying on the garments rather than my own style. However, I found a way in which I can avoid this: Layering.

Layering is what I love to do in the colder months where I can layer up the knits and jackets to create a warm, dynamic look. But this year the trend has continued through to spring and summer. Light lace and gauzy fabrics are being used to make looks more dynamic. Therefore creating a more wearable outfit.

A fear with white fabrics is the see-through quality which can instantly knock your confidence. Are people admiring my outfit or my underwear? Added layers not only make the outfit less revealing but they make a more intriguing texture.

Texture is important consideration in this trend. It is not a crisp and clean white trend which we have seen in previous seasons. Unusual crochet patterns, brocade and broderie add an interesting edge to the clearly feminine edge. Textured shoes create a refreshing contrast to the femininity. Graphic designs and sculptural shapes which scream power and control are a must-have.

Believe or not you can transcend this idea into your autumn/winter wardrobe by adding monochrome accessories, in particular – black. It will add another dimension but still managing to keep it classic.

‘White on white’ is a trend which is trickier to get right than people may believe. It’s all about balance between femininity and edge. Its fresh, pure and youthful and definitely a stand out trend which will allows your confidence to surge.

Robyn and Connie

xo

 

We are now open for business!

We are very proud to announce that this week we launched our Etsy shop!

We have added our 6 piece skater skirt collection. It was a big moment for us as we have being talking about it for a  long time and its finally ready!

We have already had lots of great feedback which we are so grateful for, please feel free to let us know what you think.

We ship worldwide so anyone can get there hands on one.

This is the link to the site, please have a look!:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RandCfashions?ref=top_trail

We have lots more ideas that should be coming soon, which we cant wait for you to hear about!

Robyn and Connie
xo

Our Very First Glossybox - Detox...

So this week we got our first ever Glossybox! We heard about this around a year ago and we had considered getting it but we never could fully justify it until we had the blog and we thought we could share it with you guys.

We were very lucky as we received the box 1 day after it was dispatched, making it a lovely suprise when connie got home from work!

This months box has the theme 'Detox'

The first item we got was a Jason - Lips Bee Healthier.

Neither of us had heard of this brand before however, we are both big fans of lip balms. We like that its in a tube which makes it easier and less messy to apply. The product seems to be very natural and organic which is good and the first time we tried it we definetely liked the taste! It will be interesting to see how it stands up against this freezing weather we are having at the moment.

The second thing we got was the Duck Island Limited - Body Lotion.

This is another brand we hadn't really heard of. It is in mandarin and bergamot which is very zesty and smells great. Not sure if it will be to much in a lotion but it is a good size sample so i look forward to finding out.

The third product we got was the Elemis Fresh Skin - Skin glow facial exfoliator.

We had actually heard of this brand!! This was a type of scrub which in the past we have found work well for us but sometimes they can be too strong and cause break outs. Hopefully this should leave our skin bright and feeling fresh. As well, a very good sample size which we were very pleased about.

The fourth product we got was a Monu - Aromatic Mask.

Who doesnt love a good face mask? Classic young women relaxing session with a magazine and candles. It is a good size sample so we should be able to get one mask each out of it which will something fun to do when we are hanging out. It also says its warming which is very intriguing and were definetely looking forward to seeing what thats like.

The last thing we got was the Premae Skincare - Balance Rescue Face Tonique.

Neither of us use toner reguarly. Connie has the simple toner but Robyn doesnt use it. So this will be good to see if it actually makes any difference. It isnt strongly scented which is ok because i dont think it really matters in a toner. But as with the rest of the products we are very happy with the size!

The beauty extra was this cute sleep mask!

We both were drawn to this when we looked in the box and the little bow just makes it cuter!

So our first glossybox experience was very exciting to say the least and we loved finding out about brands we had never heard of before. I dont think we will be getting it every month but you will most likely be seeing more glossybox posts in the future.

If we have inspired you to get your own glossybox, heres the link to there site:
http://www.glossybox.co.uk/

Let us know what you think!

Robyn and Connie xo

Trend report: Green...

A big trend for 2013 is going green!

Its all about those deep, rich greens this year! Emerald greens, bottle greens are covering the red carpet. From dark, and mysterious to murky, muddy greens and lush, leaf greens, its time to take inspiration from nature and the unspoilt landscapes. 

So... add a bit of colour in your life and go green!

Robyn and connie

xo

7 Reasons why we love... Mr Armani!

In the September 2012 issue of ELLE there was an incredible article by Rebecca Lothorpe. In all honesty, we both love fashion magazines however, its more for the pictures and we tend to skip through most of the bulky writing but, for some reason we were both drawn to this article. Lowthorpe had got a interview with Armani, of which she was flown out to Bejing to do. She captures him as a legend in the fashion world and he is now one of our biggest icons!

Here's why...

1. A class above the rest: Giorgio Armani is the type of person who will not only expect but offer the best! For the interview he sent Rebecca to the London store on Sloane Street and got her a full Armani outfit just for the short interview. He flew her out to Bejing in business class and I'm sure there was something about armani chocolates! All these little details aren't necessary but add class and elegance to make and average experience incredible.

2. Ignores the critics: Armani was the one putting us in designer jeans. The critics told him 'It won't work' 'It will bring Armani down'. But of course it did. Just goes to show that you need to believe in yourself and if people try to criticise you, they may not be right!

3. Entrepreneur or Designer?: To him these are one and the same. He is obsessed with his brand and creating his 'unique business model'. He shows you the importance of the balance. You need a good mix to be able to understand how to be successful.

4. Great pieces: As a designer he has some really gorgeous pieces. We love how they are all so flattering and elegant. They make you look beautiful and most importantly feel beautiful. This is what true fashion should do and it definitely influenced us when creating our own collection.

5. Sacrifice: Mr Armani puts everything into his work. He says he has sacrificed his life. His determination and dedication is definitely something to be admired. This makes us very greatful for each other, as we can motivate each other to work hard, and our determination is to succeed not only for ourselves but for each other.

6. No pan faces: At an Armani show you will expect to see his models strutting down the catwalks with smiles on their faces, sometimes linking arms but, most importantly happy. He doesn't believe in the stiff pan faces of other designers and this is a fantastic concept.

7. He never quits!: When asked if he had ever considered retiring he simply said 'No, quitting, No'. This shows the type of man he is... a true inspiration!

Needless to say we are in ore of him and we have set our own Armani target.

The day we own an Armani bag = the day we see ourselves as successful!

Robyn and Connie

xo