Designspiration: Valentino to LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s

I love catwalk to sidewalk trends – in fact I’ve written about them severally on this blog before – largely because it gives us average Joe’s (or Joanne’s) the chance to buy into the luxurious and unattainable world of high-end design.

That said, trends are one thing, precise designs are quite another. Catwalk copycats are controversial at best – bare-faced thieves at worst. And as I work with emerging designers every day, it is tough seeing designs blatantly ripped off, as it is at that end of the industry that it can do the most damage. But any creative ‘borrowing’ – no matter how established the original designer – is questionable. Which is why one particular piece from Lauren Conrad’s latest collection for Kohl’s has rather split my loyalties.

Several months ago, I spied a to-die-for summer day dress on ShopStyle, courtesy of Red Valentino. It was a classic cut, high-necked but sleeveless, finely belted at the waist with a girly flare to the full skirt taking it almost to the knee. But it was the delicate print showering the piece with tiny scattered flowers that I fell for. Because it flew off the shelves (despite being polyester and still priced at over £500), ShopStyle no longer showcase the look, but behold:

Cute, no?

So imagine my delight, tempered with an eyebrow distinctly raised, when during this week’s LC stalking, I came across this little number – the LC Lauren Conrad Floral Ponte Dress, priced at a rather more affordable $60 (currently on sale at $42):

Fortunately for Ms. Conrad, the looks are distinctive enough for it not to be classed a knock-off – the style of dress alone is markedly different, and the black to white transition which makes the Red Valentino so adorable translates as solid black in LC’s version. But just take the top half of the print and compare the two…

As a dedicated LC fan, I’ll class this ‘designspiration’ and revel in the fact that I can save about £500* shopping at Kohl’s, swapping a polyester shift for a polyester tea dress.

*Well, I could if Kohl’s shipped to the UK. Sort it out, people.

Hunger Games fitness

Just stolen from Lauren Conrad’s Pinterest feed.

So bang on.

The Hunger Games: theatrical trailers

Having read all three books at a rate of knots over Christmas last year, I am getting somewhat over-excited for Jennifer Lawrence‘s turn as Katniss Everdeen. Fabulous news that the folks at Lionsgate have decided to open the movie on the same day in the UK as the US (March 23rd).

It remains to be seen whether the widespread talk of Twilight-level box office figures will pan out, but regardless, I will be heading to my local Picture House on opening weekend to contribute.

Disappointingly, given that the UK Premiere (14th March) is due to be held at the BFI IMAX in Waterloo, there are no current plans for the venue to screen the film publicly. A bizarre turn of events in my opinion – especially given that the (U.S.-driven) marketing collatoral is proclaiming ‘in theatres and IMAX from March 23rd’ – but there we are.

Until then, let these whet your appetite:

And if you haven’t yet picked up these engrossing page-turners from Suzanne Collins, get reading.

David Beckham gets his kit off for a different kind of Football

This post really needs no introduction. Other than to say H&M are likely to have the most-watched Super Bowl ad this year in terms of female demographics. By a LONG chalk.
 

Screw detox, eat cake: Gillian versus Nigella

As a lover of baking, baked goods and cheese, and a reluctant sporadic gym-user, I was delighted with this Facebook share today. Now I know the key is in the presentation and one is (supposedly) deserted in the jungle with no luxuries to her name, while the other appears to glammed up for some kind of red carpet do – and clearly the assets bestowed upon them by the divine differ hugely as well – but the juxtaposition is amusing nonetheless.

The moral of the story? Screw detox, eat cake.

I’ll have an R, an I and a P, please Bob

Very sad news today that beloved 80′s TV hero, Bob Holness, has died at the age of 83.

He was also an accomplished actor and broadcaster, but other children of the 80′s may remember best the soft toy mascots, the flashing hexagons and the infamous ‘Can I have a P please, Bob?’ which inexplicably was still hilarious, even on the seventeenth time of watching.

And what other TV show can claim a dance routine created solely for its theme tune?

R.I.P. Bob. Enjoy the memories:

p.s. who knew he was South African?

My favourite Friday thought

…from my guiding light in most areas of life, LC:

Glee does Fashion’s Night Out

Some inspired promotion from FOX in the US emerged this week. Our favourite Gleeksters are getting their fashion on for a promotional video ahead of the 8th September – the official date for the global Fashion’s Night Out extravaganza. And just 12 days later, the new season of Glee happens to air on the American network.

The skit (above) is too short for my liking (please let there be a full-length music video aired at some point, or at least additional break bumpers with out-takes), but some of the production stills give you an idea of the fun had on set.

Lea Michele looks a-mazing (in Balmain, natch), Heather Morris rocks the currently ubiquitous star print trend and David Bowie‘s Fashion is obviously right on the money.

Glee meets Vogue. Awesome. Inspired.

Dolce & Gabbana’s starry-eyed surprise

When I reached for my default monthly glossy at a newsagent’s last weekend, it wasn’t the alluring doe-eyed Lily Allen that caught my eye so much as what the former popstrel was wearing – enveloped as she was in an utterly divine combination of navy lace and white-star print fabric. Exhibit A:

Being a traditional type who reads a magazine front to back (and supplements first, always), I had yet to discover who devised this luxe creation – until I picked up the latest Grazia where I learned it was indeed the handiwork of D&G.

What Gods. The piece full length (below) is a very civilised below-knee length, devastatingly figure-hugging in all the right places, sleeves that comfortably fall beyond the wrist (always a love of mine) and playfully displaying just a hint of Americana (which, frankly is probably what really sold me).

It then transpired that the rest of their fall collection displayed more than a hint of astronomically inspired prints across pretty much every third look in the collection (my ultimate favourite being the fabulously floaty high-necked maxi – maximum fabric, maximum stars, maximum impact). Basically, if you stood still long enough in their studio last winter, you got showered with stars.

Of all the trends I have seen so far this summer, and now that we move swiftly into autumn (err, where was our British summer exactly?) this is by far my favourite.

So I set about picking out a few stars of the High Street just to see how one could acquire a decent handful of star-dust without paying D&G prices. Well, it turns out we’re spoilt for choice. Click to purchase any of the pieces pulled below.

Cream star print long line vest - River Island - £25

Star Print Bandeau Playsuit - TopShop - £26

Louche Julie Star Print Skirt - Joy - £20.30 (REDUCED from £29)

Jodie Star Print Jumpsuit - Boohoo.com - £20

Scatter Star Scarf - Oasis - £18

All over star print waterfall dress - Therapy at House of Fraser - £31.50 (REDUCED from £45)

All Over Star Tights - Miss Selfridge - £8.50

Shooting Star Wellington Boots - Cath Kidston - £38

Happy 30th Birthday MTV

(c) Frost Cupcake Factory/Flickr

I do love a bit of MTV. Long gone are the days where MTV was seen as Music Television – for me, it is now defined as the home of my beloved Hills and the channel that first introduced me to the fabulous Lauren Conrad, not to mention the hours (days?) spent wasted in front of endless episodes of MTV Cribs and My Super Sweet Sixteen at University.

(And then the ultimate MTV birth-child, The Hills’ Lauren Conrad does MTV Cribs:)

And these days, my MTV viewing is still going strong with Hellcats and Pretty Little Liars clogging up my Sky+ box, to the permanent chagrin of my long-suffering boyfriend.

So just a quick post today to wish the MTV folks a big happy birthday. Because believe it or not they are 30 today.

*Cupcake image from Frost Cupcake Factory on Flickr