Accessories - House of Ismay

I recently found a great new shop on Etsy so I thought I would share it with you! Its called House of Ismay and it manages to combine 2 of my favourite things - Books and Jewellery! Sarah the designer has made a great collection of animal shaped brooches and earrings based on characters/themes from books. Then used the pages of the book to cover the brooches. They really are beautiful and so whimsical! Plus at just £6-£8 each they are a bargain.

Here are my favourites:

To Kill a Mocking Bird

Of Mice and Men

Alice in Wonderland 

Wind in the Willows

Black Beauty

The Raven

Oh and these cute heart earrings with Pride and Prejudice on them!

Pride and Prejudice 

So if you were to have any book as a brooch what would you have? I love the white rabbit, Alice in Wonderland brooch the most I think. Although if I was able to have any brooch I think maybe a parrot umbrella for Mary Poppins, or a Mokingjay for The Hunger Games - seriously how cool would that be!

Christian Dior Fall 2012 Couture Collection

Ok so I don't usually do catwalk collection posts - or even touch that much on high fashion at all, but I just saw the Raf Simons debut collection for Christian Dior Fall 2012 and I really like it. Nearly all of it in fact, obviously with ever collection there were a few pieces I just didn't get, but this whole collection is so beautifully understated and well tailored I really would wear 80% of it myself, if I could afford it of course!

Considering its a Couture Collection it is very tame - its almost more ready-to-wear in my books but I really love that fact I suppose, you could literally take any piece and wear it. It almost feels a little more like Chanel rather than Dior in places though, which I'm not sure is actually a good thing. Lots of beautiful structured garments and almost androgynous suit tailoring, which is so perfectly executed!

Anyway I am in love with so much of it this is going to be a image heavy post. Here are all the outfits I really liked!

What do you guys think?

 How simple but beautiful is the above dress? I really would love to wear something that well tailored!

 Another stunning dress, the navy is a little cuter than plain black and it would be totally wearable to a formal even

 Such a cute look, pretty feminine colours and simple 50's style tailoring - again a cry to Chanel?

So ladies what do you think of Raf Simons first Dior collection? Has he done the label proud?

I actually like that he didn't go totally way out, Dior is a classic label and doesn't need to shock to impress people. I think he did a beautiful job and created some stunning garments

Would you wear this collection if money was no issue?

As I don't usually cover high fashion much, would you like me to cover more of the Fall 2012 collections in the future weeks? Id it something that interests you, or shall I stick with the things I usually cover? I'm interested in what you guys would like to see more of.

Versace for H&M

So today was the launch of the Versace for H&M collection, and yet again most people have been going made over the idea of a high end designer at a high street store at (slightly) more reasonable prices. Cardiff was no different as the St David's store was one of those chosen to host the collection.

I was part of a discussion last year of whether 'designer for high street' is really worth it and whether these types of collaborations actually end up devaluing the designer brand by allowing it to be accessible to all, rather than the brand we look up to and strive towards. In all honesty I don't particularly like Versace generally and this collection hasn't done much to change my mind. It's not that wearable really or on trend for this season and the prices aren't really close to that which you would expect to pay at H&M. Plus I am seriously dreading seeing certain types of girls trying to carry off the floral leggings (especially worn as trouser!!!) because they think they are cool and trendy!

Im not saying I don't like any of the collection, I love the leather dress (but £180 is a bit much!) The skirt with the roman-esque trim and their LBD's are really cute. But I'm not gonna go queue for 2 hours and push and shove through a throng of giggling teenagers who's parents are willing to buy anything and wannabe cookie cutter fashionistas who think just because it has a designer label its fashionable, it's not that special.

And like I said in the discussion last year (which was actually started because of the Rodart for Target collection in America) I actually do think 'designer for high street' devalues the high end brand a little, plus the quality of the garment you get will be that of the high street stores not the designer labels. I like the idea of a designer label being something special, something elite, is that not what makes it what it is? Versace wouldn't be a designer label if it always sold like this on the high street.

Ok so little rant over, what are your thought?

Are you gonna be queuing this morning? Have you already queued?

Do you think 'designer for high street' is a good idea or not?

Here is some of the lookbook for you to make up your own minds

I like these pieces

Love this dress, boots and bag

This dress is great for a night out

So, opinions?

Daisymay X

Preview - Anna Sui for Hush Puppies

I have fallen in love with the Anna Sui collection for Hush Puppies. This awesome little press preview dropped into my mail box last week and I have been swooning over them ever since!! They won't be released until next May (sadly!!) and will only be available from Hush Puppies stores and Hush puppies online, but I think I am going to start saving now!!

You all know I have a massive crush on brogues so when I saw the first 3 styles in the collection I was hooked.

I mean seriously how amazing are this first pair!! These are the ones I want! But I would really take any of them!

These will all be retailing for around £90

These are the others in the collection, some really cute fruity and fishy sandals!

These will range in price from around £75-£100

So ladies what do you think? Which pair will you be lusting over?

Daisymay X