BRANDLOVE: Erin Hawkes.

She’s just bagged the big one, Erin Hawkes was named the winner of the L'Oréal Professionnel Young Design Talent Award at the Central Saint Martins BA show last week, and is now hotly tipped as one of fashion’s future names to know.

Her collection managed to infuse influences from nuns in aprons to hip hop street gangsters, with an element of casual lumberjack in between, and still looking wearable and authentic, no easy feat for even the most talented designer. Taking inspiration from the bibs of Balenciaga and the everyday dress of normal people, Hawkes wanted to create an exaggeration of the way we dress, looking at unusual proportions, volume and silhouette.

She’s got some impressive experience behind her, having interned for the likes of Eley Kishimoto, Danielle Scutt and Louis Vuitton, so its no wonder she’s picked up some skills along the way. Watch out world.

Alice.

TRENDLOVE: Beetlejuice.

Trends in graphics and pattern always intrigue me as they always seem to make quite a statement. You can't pretend tartans or florals are subtle or that they're worn to help you blend into the background. I'm also a great lover of monochromes AND the film Beetlejuice so was naturally very excited when I first noticed a few black and white stripy pieces popping up online and in stores.

There's something very Tim Burtonesque modern-gothic about it all, and I like that. A lot a lot.

Take a gander and be inspired.

Had to throw some Jeffrey's in there. Obvs.

Alice.

BRANDLOVE: Natsumi Zama.

I recently discovered an awesome online magazine called FASHION156.com (check it out, its pretty damn cool). They're really focused on uncovering and promoting emerging talent and exposing the cutting edge in fashion and the creative industries, which is something I've always been really inspired and interested by. 

So whilst on their blog I discovered this amazing designer, Natsumi Zama. Taking inspiration from her Japanese roots, this London College of Fashion graduate uses structure and tailoring to explore the line between two-dimensional and three-dimensional designs. In this collection each of the designs is backed with a large expanse of fabric which creates a square when laid flat, and falls gracefully in cascades of folds and pleats when draped on the body.

[SOURCES: all fashion156]

What I really love about these designs is how when you look at each piece in 2D, it is hard to imagine it being worn in normal day-to-day life, appearing more like art than clothes, but as soon as you see the outfits on the model you see how truly accessible and easy to wear they really are. That is a line which I find extremely interesting and clever, and one that I wish I could get away with.

I hope you think they're as amazingly awesome as I do.

Alice.

PHOTOLOVE: Paolo Roversi for Vogue Italia February 2011.

So I know I post about Paolo Roversi way too often, but I just really, really like him.
I love that this editorial, "Dots/Stripes/Black/White" for the glorious Vogue Italia is much more graphic and less romantic than his usual images, but still with that wistfully blurred and hazy aesthetic that I love so much about Roversi's photography.
The monochromatic styling from Jacob K is truly awesome, using pieces from Jil Sander, Calvin Klein and Balenciaga to dramatically beautiful effect.
I'm a massive fan of spots and stripes anyway, as well as black and white. Oh, and Paolo Roversi, and also Jacob K. So basically, this editorial is my dream. I love, I love, I love.

[SOURCES: all fashiongonerogue]

I'm glad you loved it too.

Alice.

BERLINLOVE: I'm ready.

As I mentioned before, I am heading to Berlin - tomorrow! And I am crazy excited.

I can honestly say I've never been so ready and organised for a trip in my whole life.

I have actually planned outfits for each day, which is something i have NEVER done before (or even considered). But come on, its Berlin Fashion Week, and i do not want to be caught out with nothing to wear! Ive even been so fashion geeky as to make sure that each of the items I'm packing can be coordinated with alternative pieces in my suitcase just in case i fancy changing things up a little.. Ahhh yeeeeaaaaa.

Hopefully we will get a chance to experience some Berlin nightlife so here are some of my options for zee evenings, as well as a carefully selected assortment of my jewellery to accompany all of my outfits.

Now I should probably try and get a couple hours sleep before I head on down to hop on the coach at 2am.

I'm coming for you Berlin!

Alice.

TRENDLOVE: Pale and Interesting.

I always get excited when Spring's getting closer to coming around. I am definitely a giant fan of black, and so very much enjoy the dark tones of winter dressing, as well as the fun of monochromes. But anyone who knows me well will know I also have rather a penchant for cheeky pastels. I loves me a bit of "dodgy" mint green, absolutely love pastelly lilacs, and even rather enjoy a pale blue, pink or even yellow in the Spring. I think this may be when my girliest style comes out, so imagine my excitement when i saw these spreads in Vogue's February 2012 edition this month and their Spring/Summer 2012 Collections Edit. Oh the joy!

[apologies for the poor scanner quality]

I think it just makes a nice fresh change from the winter colour hibernation i suppose. This Spring i think i'm going to go for a more sports inspired, minimal pastel look. A little less pretty ditsy florals and a little more casually tailored luxe. I can match it to my (imaginary) pastel hair.

I know its only January and here in England we have pretty much another 3 months of darkness before even the first inclinations of sunshine, but there's no harm in planning, eh.

Alice.

ASOSFASHIONFINDER: Braving the Berlin Cold.

An outfit I put together for an Asos 'Restyle your Wardrobe' competition - taking a classic piece (the skinny jean here) and styling it with new pieces for the month ahead. As I am heading off to Berlin very soon (which I'm hiiiighly excited about btw), I couldn't help but go for a warm and hopefully chic look - this is what I would be wearing if I had endless pennies. (Unfortunately this outfit totals £1120.50, oh..).

"Classic muted tones, but a move away from the restrictions of monochrome. This look styles up your perfect fit skinnies,

 with other luxe basics."

That's me strap line up there.
Check out the details here, they're pretty spectacular.

Alice.