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.

Nika Zupanc’s answer to my eternally messy desk

Those who know me in a professional environment will be aware that ‘tidy desk, tidy mind’ is not my guiding principle. Even by @stephbranston‘s standards, it could use a bit of a clean up.

So when browsing this month’s Wallpaper* magazine, imagine my joy at seeing a perfect solution.

Nika Zupanc's 'Homework' desk. 'The proverbial messy desk just became a thing of the past.'

I love it – the stylish way the get rid of all those pesky papers. Use it flat, then lift up the flap to store all the paperwork on the concertina folds that acts as shelving. Then the whole thing folds away, paperwork intact like nothing was ever there. Luxe, tidy and a convenient place to hide away all those store card bills. Perfection.

Shame I’ll need to drop €6,000 to claim one. But if you are in the market for some expensive homework organising, drop by www.nikazupanc.com.

My Little Pony as you’ve never seen her before

For any of you who grew up in the 80′s – girls especially, or at least had a younger sister – you will be no stranger to the My Little Pony brand. A less natural looking animal you probably couldn’t conceive, but hours of fun. I LOVED them. Pink, purple, baby blue… hair you could plat, brush, cut (and sometimes that grew back)… with random cute hearts/rainbows/clouds printed on their haunch. As a six-year-old girl, what is not to love?

(And throw in a beauty stable/salon with clip on accessories – the envy of many a MLP fan – and you’d be lost for days).

Well, enter Finnish artist Mari Kasurinan, who has charmingly transformed the iconic toy into celebrity portraits. As the Telegraph featured last week, there is a whole collection of these little creations and they are so darned cute I felt I needed them on this blog too.

So, begging the permission of Ms. Kasurinan, I have picked out the best of the bunch below. I hope they fetch a fortune. As with their predecessors, each is unique and thus highly collectible. But once you have one, you just want them all.

Everyone always had a favourite, which is yours?

Marilyn Monroe (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Vivienne Westwood (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Lady Gaga (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

..another Gaga (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter) (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Michael Jackson (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Rorschach (Watchmen) (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Wonder Woman (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Mr Spock (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

Batman & Robin (c) Mari Kasurinan/Rex Features

JW’s Fabulous(ly British) T’s

Some sharp direct e-marketing from JW this morning. Aside from the fact the T’s themselves are pretty darn cute, playing on the Fabulously… tag within an array of rainbow shades, the presentation of the message is adorable.

I’ve seen a few creative pitch decks being put together in a similar fashion to the above lately, and execs seem to be taking their cue from fashion houses and graphic designers on whose labours of love the above format seems to be based. The standard Powerpoint text box is dead – laboriously photographing collections of Post-Its on a white board is the new way to express your creative ideas (and it is worth it).

As if a snapshot had been taken directly from the desk of a designer at JW HQ (staples still intact in the corner of the crumpled notepaper), there seems a desire to stamp authenticity on what could have become a standard e-mailout. The hand-drawn augmentation of the well-established ‘Fabulously British’ tag now synonymous with the brand, is a cheeky rebellious twist at once conveying both credibility and a brand personality not afraid to challenge convention. Rather reflective of their student audience I thought.

And one final thing – pretty brave for a fashion brand to launch a whole new range of T’sjust as the air turns crisp and people are starting to dig out scarves, layers and overcoats. But when you’re a JW staple, who cares about bucking the trend? Sling it over a Raubelin Henley with a scarf and a beanie and you’re good to go.