SNAP Fashion

Snap was at: Rihanna for River Island

Celeb/fashion collaborations make me a bit queasy. Some celebrities have an amazing sense of personal style (or a kick-ass stylist) but that doesn’t necessarily make them great designers. So when I stepped foot into River Island last Saturday to check out the collection up close, having watched and written about the show, I’d planned on bringing you a comedy blog of someone with pretty much the opposite style to Rihanna, dressing up disastrously…that’s how much I love this blog.

But alas that was not to be. Admittedly I avoided the most extreme or ‘definitively Rihanna’ looks…you wouldn’t thank me for bearing my post-Christmas turkey-stuffed ‘abs’ in a crop top or pallid thigh in a slashed skirt for you…but I was surprised to find a couple of items that I really liked and changed up my style without looking like I was dressing up.

So I mixed a (standard) Breton tee with Rihanna’s grunge-inspired zip up skirt and really liked it. Did anyone else watch Styled to Rock? I’d love to know if Heidi, the winner, whose ‘thing’ was clothing with tied shirt details is involved in this collection.

The piece of the collection that I LOVE is the black dress. It’s a new twist on the tried and tested LBD, fits really well and the fabric is lovely. At £70 I think it’s rather pricey for a celeb-designed collection, but totally worth it. Here’s how I styled it in my  un-edgy way and a round-up of the sell-out items.

Which pieces are your favourites and how would you style them?

Rihanna – shopped!

Rihanna for River Island

Love it or hate it, River Island’s show with its Rihanna-designed collection (RiRi for RI?!) attracted as much attention as any of the cutting-edge designer shows – maybe more!

 The set was elaborate and the show late (50 minutes!) the music rude and loud and the collection VERY Rihanna. Anyone wanting to steal the starlet’s style will not be disappointed and it all fitted together really well. Anyone who can’t wait- try using www.SnapFashion.co.uk to steal the star’s style unofficially until the collection hits the high street!

The figure-hugging clothes were shown off on an exciting runway/room-like set with multiple models walking around and striking some fierce programmes. So here’s a bit of a collection run-down: LOTs of crop tops, spits to the thigh and almost a bit beyond, hooded jumpsuits, baseball caps, tangerine, zesty lemon, broad monochrome stripes, lots of figure-hugging jersey, sheer shirts, bleached cottons and florals.

Some of the looks will be brilliant for the beach (we loved the sheer floral maxi dress and bleached cotton separates) but I’m not quite sure how all of them translate into a high street collection, especially in the UK, which does not enjoy the totally tropical climate of Barbados!

Of course it is very rare that people wear head-to-toe catwalk looks out and about (unless you’re Anna Dello Russo – we salute you) and there were some easy things to copy from the collection- baseball hats, splits and hoop earrings) but I’m not sure who will embrace the knickers +thigh high boots+ crop top combos in say, Sunderland, or fishnet skirts and crop tops on Oxford Street. Perhaps some things are best left to Rihanna? I for one will be leaving the crop tops to others to master.

Models of the moment Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn were in the audience and hit The Box nightclub with Rihanna afterwards, according to reports in The Daily Mail.

Rihanna takes a bow

Anyone wanting to wear this collection will be running to the gym this morning! #SitUps!

A split Angelina Jolie would be proud of

Coherent collection + amazing set

Cara and Jourdan in the audience

Party time! And Cara’s wearing Riri for RI boots

Pics: Vogue and The Daily Mail.

The Ugg is dead: fashionable alternatives

The Ugg boot has been the trend that has refused to die a death in recent years…much to the irritation of fashion editors and most men. For over a decade we all went mad for the solid shearing-lined boots; road-worthy slippers.

While Uggs remain the uniform of Hollister-behoodied teens worn with leggings and mussed-up hair, (as well as freezing women in the snow) sales are *gasp* down 31% – a significant indicator that where boots are concerned other styles are more in favour. As The Guardian puts it: “While this [fall in sales] has been put down to mild weather, and prices of the boots rising, it’s a minor victory for fashion.” Isn’t that rather harsh?!

Uggs (pics: Fanpops.com)

Perhaps the Ugg fell prey to copycat overkill and bad press: men hate them, the ozzies ONLY wear them as slippers and A-list celebs shelved them, leaving renegades from TOWIE and talent show rejects to fly the Ugg flag. But looked how Burberry bounced back and reclaimed its classy check from fired soap stars and probably every builder in the UK.-n.b. we’re sure some builders have great sense of style.

Ugg is trying to perform a similar fashion miracle with the launch of new premium footwear designs. But if you’re stuck for uses for your old pair, do as The Guardian suggests and use them as cosy beds for weasels, insulation for frost-prone pipes that are roughly the same size as your shins, or as fashionista repellent.

But while a bit of fashion snobbery is nothing new, Uggs make for toasty toes. So what are the alternatives out there?

Why not try the handy ankle boot? They come flat or heeled to suit your style and Topshop currently have a cracking pair that look like Acne’s iconic pistol boot style.

For hipsters, there is the Chelsea boot. Available in black, berries and glittery options on the high street, it lends a retro edge to skinny jeans and fundamentally hides a chunky pair of socks to keep you warm.

Deena & Ozzy Ophelia studded chelsea boot £65 from Urban Outfitters

For shearing devotees, try a fleecy biker boot. Much like the beloved Ugg bikers have a practical round toe, sturdy sole and can come adorned with wooliness for extra warmth. Excellent work with a pleated skirt (think JW Anderson) and cosy jumper for Scandi cool or Daria-inspired look.

River Island ‘Sketch’ studded biker boot £75

The fashionista favourite du jour is the riding boot. Now there are plenty of sexy heeled versions around, for but every-day wear we suggest heading to Zara and investing in a practical leather pair…that you could probably ride a horse in…maybe. We hear you can sneak a pair of fleecy welly socks inside too but shhhhh don’t tell the fashion police!

Zara riding boot £89 – bargain!

Fierce and furry fashion coat monsters

We can think of nothing cosier and more fun than a bright furry coat to keep us warm this chilly January. Now we’re not talking Cruella Devillie’s REAL and exotic furs – tis not the season to skin live cute animals – but the fake and ethical variety looks pretty amazing.

Mulberry brought monsters to the AW12 catwalk referencing the wonderful Where The Wild Things Are and there are some great furry gilets on the high street. Why not team a shaggy coat with skinny jeans and a gothic-style scarf for Kate Moss style chic or throw on a bright furry coat over your party dress for a rock and roll take on glamour?

If you don’t fancy taking on this monster trend (or Sesame Street chic inspired by BluMarine), try a statement furry scarf or collar, which Peter Pilotto made us swoon over on their colourful catwalk. We loved Vogue’s December issue with its epic Pop Art feature, which included a fun take on fur coats.

If like us you’re slightly crazy for a zigzag furry coat by Mulberry but have spent all your money on Christmas presents why not give our app a whirl. Just download Snap Fashion from the iTunes App Store, take a photo of the expensive coat and our super technology will find you the real deal and/or look-a-likes to suit your budget in seconds. Go and give it a try- you can even track sale prices to make sure you get the best bargains around!

Big Bird was Blumarine’s furry inspiration, maybe?!

For a toned-down take on Blumarine, try Topshop’s striking £250 bomber jacket with bright orange undertones

If you don’t have a Mulberry furry gilet, hug a monster like Lindsey Wixson

Amazing patchwork coat from Chelsea Girl just £55

We adore this pink rock and roll furry jacket from Miss Selfridge – Just £65 and would look equally amazing with jeans and glitzy Christmas dress

We loved Vogue’s colourful furry feature from its ‘Pop’ December edition

Super furry scarfs at Peter Pilotto AW12

Slipper wish list

 The other day I was in the supermarket and a rather mad old man noted that we were wearing the same shoes. He was in ‘real’ slippers and I had a studded pair on. It seems that today’s trend for wearing slipper-style shoes (the NEW ballet pump) is particularly popular with OAPs. If you fancy taking sartorial tips from the over sixties, (or at least Hugh Hefner but hold the dressing gown) here are our favourite slipper pumps. (Just don’t wear them on frosty days your feet get chilly and they’re slippery suckers!)

Paisley velvet slippers, £35 from Next

Super beautiful Miu Miu slippers

Glittery studs from Kurt Geiger…and you might scoop a sales bargain!

Pretty leopard print slippers from Zara. £35

Ticking the trend boxes. Tartan with a twist, £25 at River Island

Trending: Neon jewels

Neon jewellery is my new kryptonite- especially is it comes in yellow or acid green. I’m been completely smitten with Tom Binns’ pieces for ages but now there are so many cheerful options across the high street that it seems rude not to indulge in some shiny neon fashion noms.

Wear with brights or pattern clashes for a full on ‘look at me, look at meeee!’ look. Or do as I do, a fashion moderate, and team with a snuggly grey jumper. It’s a cheap and chic way of updating your outfit.

Awesome Riri painted cuff £960 by Tom Binns from Net-a-Porter

H&M necklace £7.99

Tom Binns Riri painted Swarovski crystal and stone earrings £260

My fav: Multi coloured baguette stone drop earrings £12 from River Island

Fluro Peter Pan Necklace £30 from Topshop

Earrings from H&M £5.99

Pics: River Island, Topshop, H&M, Tom Binns at Net-a-Porter.

Shoes with rainbows

 On a grey London day sometimes you want to wear fun accessories but eye-popping neons are a little too much when everyone else has stuck to black. Which is why were are a little obsessed with holographic shoes which are muted grey/silver but have little slivers of  rainbows in them to brighten up our days. While we saw this idea all over the catwalks this season, the material has filtered through to the high street and River Island is killing it!

On the catwalk at Hussein Chalayan AW12 via Tumblr

Amazing silver high shine high tops just £50 from River Island

Achingly cool holographic PS11 from Proenza Schouler’s resort collection

Beautifully elegant shoe photo from Style Scrapbook

Collaboration alert! William Tempest for River Island

Hello exciting designer/high street collaboration.William Tempest has designed a lush 13 piece collection  for River Island as part of its ‘Design Forum’ that is the perfect mix of edgy sexy and cute.

Egyptian Mythology is the main inspiration but the pieces are versatile and will fit in nicely with the art deco, baroque and leather winter trends very nicely indeed. While River island has kindly released a first look teaser, the whole collection will debut in a short film at the London Fashion Week Fash/On film festival in September.

We’re excited about this one.

Hell yeah

Battle of the high street hotties: Lana del Rey + Rihanna

Brace yourself for stellar adverts for our fav highsteet stores. Land Del Rey is the new face of H&M, while Rihanna is designing a hot clothing collection for River Island.

Lana will film a commercial for H&M and record a song called Blue Velvet especially for the campaign, which so far shoes her in a fluffy pink sweater. Apparently the collection will be super feminine with a focus on knitwear and tweed…two of AW12’s key looks. The brand’s creative director reportedly told WWD that ‘the mood is very LA noir’ … yay!

Meanwhile, after a lot of speculation, Rihanna is officially designing her own capsule collection for River Island…but you’ll have to wait until Spring to get your hands on it. This is possibly a good thing as we bet some of the outfits will be slightly revealing and edgy…not handy in winter with goose pimples.

Rihanna told the press: “I’ve been wanting to design my own collection for some time. River Island is the perfect partner for me to collaborate with and working with a British, family run business also really appealed to me. I find London really inspiring and River Island loves to have fun with clothes. I’m looking forward to working with them and creating something really special.”

Rihanna at the River island HQ earlier this year

Pics: The Daily Mail.

Fashion tribute to the Jubilee boat parade

So right about now if you’re a Londoner, you are probably outside in the drizzle watching the boat pageant to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, slightly chilly beside the Thames…or cosy-ed up indoors watching it on the telly with a sticky bun or something equally British.

So to celebrate, check out these brilliant bateau-themed fashion items.

Boat print vest £7 from River Island

Perfect for messing about on the river: Denim Sailor Playsuit £35 from Topshop by Moto

Liquorish Scenic Boat Print Dress £32 from Asos

Super patriotic Sperry A/ O 2-Eye Boat Shoes £72 from Asos

French Connection Stripe Boat Print Top £25.50