VMAs 2014: Best and Worst

The MTV VMAs is notorious for housing some of the music industry's most crazy and wonderful costume designs, and this year was no exception. Despite having a clear contender for best dress, this year I found it difficult to choose between the worst - there were just so many! 

So before I reveal my VMAs style stealers, lets take a look at some of the artists who really should have thought twice before they left the house. 

Katy Perry:

Katy Perry is no stranger to elaborate costume, however her patch-worked double denim dress was a new one for the books - this fashion disaster should have stayed with Britney in 2001. 

Amber Rose:

Amber Rose may have wanted to show off her post-baby curves but this chained bra and g-string combo left nothing to the imagination. This outfit was more carnival than VMA - did anyone not tell her she could catch her death! 

Gwen Stefani:

As regretful as I am to admit it, Gwen's pink twin piece seemed like she'd just walked out of the local hair salon. Her victory rolls could not quite make up for this basic smock.

There also seemed to be a theme running throughout the event as many artists rocked leather and animal print:

Michelle Williams

Charlie XCX

 Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo

 Ariana Grande

 Nicki Minaj

Miley Cyrus

However, the evenings show stoppers were my latino princess, J.LO and Auzzie rapper,  Iggy Azalea. Both fashioning a metallic gown to show off their hour glass shapes, and truly bringing the class that this party needed. 

J.LO:

This stunning Charbel Zoe cut-out gown made it very hard to remember that she is just Jenny from the block. She accessorised with a Thalé Blanc clutch and Jimmy Choo's for glitter sophistication. At 45, this lady is definitely at the height of her fashion game. 

Iggy Azalea:

Despite leaving the VMAs emptied handed (after a staggering seven nominations), Iggy, in my eyes deserves the title of best dressed. This silver Versace gown was true hollywood glamour and complimented her tiny waist.

The artists has recently revealed on Instagram that she plans to launch a shoe collection with shoe connoisseur, Steve Madden. 

Tempest High Summer Fashion Event

It was a far cry from Worthy Farm and wellington boots at Glastonbury 2014, but this weekend I was asked to attend the Tempest High Summer Fashion Show held at the Mercure Holland Hotel and Spa. After being escorted to the Presidential suite, myself and fellow fashion bloggers, Sarah of Porcelina’s World and Liz of Bambi the Style Hunter were welcomed with a champagne reception and a steer of the evenings fashionistas. The evening set to showcase Tempest’s Summer collection and did so with a combination of catwalks, dance shows and a performance from West End star and current face of Tempest, Sophie Evans.

The evening also showcased the winners of Tempest’s ‘Real Women’ competition – 12 beautiful women from a small size 8, to a curvy size 14 who will feature in the brand’s High Summer Look Book. I was fortunate to be sat with real women Laura (25), Michelle (33) and Louise (39) who were great company for the evening and truly reflected the sexy confidence that the brand adheres to. Below is Laura in a Salmon one shoulder ruffle dress and Natalie (33) in a monochrome jumpsuit.

The collection itself, modelled by Miss Wales runner ups, is very sophisticated and perfect for that day to evening transition (which is always useful for summer when a post-work cocktail is inevitable). Cute collars and capped sleeves complimented the fitted dresses, adorned with touches of lace. Most dresses are available in alternative colours making it a versatile range. The dresses also range from a sexy knee-length to a cuter, shorter cut, with soft necklines or more plunging cuts. 

The ‘Billie’ seemed to be a firm favourite of the evening, and has been spotted on TOWIEs Chloe Sims in Marbs; however a personal favourite was the ‘GiGi’ dress – a white knee length with mesh cut-out. 

(Billie)

(GiGi)

There were also collections from local fashion brand Sexy Mac and bag designer, Luna Armani.

The night was a fantastic success and after a few pap-snaps we made our way to Tiger Tiger for the after party. Needless to say, the mornings hangover was far from fashionable...

(Sarah, Liz and myself)

(I wore; 

Dress: Zara

Earrings: Topshop

Shoes: River Island)

What isn't a "rip off" these days..

Urban Outfitters are at it again. Following their recentcontroversies; graphic designer, James Soares has now accused the hipster clothing range for copyright infringement. Soares took to Tumblr after discovering his print had been used for the design of miniskirt, and has since reached over 90,000 notes from supporters.

Urban Outfitters have removed the item from their website, with their usual apology and slap on the wrist. However, what extent can inspiration be considered a “rip off”.

Below is Soares’ original print:

Now compare this to the UO miniskirt, see the resemblance? 

It is unquestionable how similar the two prints are and Soares has every right to be annoyed. However, lets take a step back to the 20s and admire the work of late artist, Paul Klee:

Note a remarkable similarity between Soares' concept and that of Klee, nearly a century earlier. In contemporary culture, especially with the rise of the Internet, it is often difficult to be completely original. Each print, song, movie - even this post is a replica of something else. Whilst I agree there needs to be a line between appropriation and theft – how can you tell the difference between original  or remixed? Lawrence Lessig shares interesting thoughts on the topic of copyright law, if you’re interested his book, Remix: Making Art and Commerce thrive inthe Hybrid Economy is worth a read.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Homemade facials for under £1

There is probably nothing worse than turning up to a lecture puffy-eyed and channeling a Courtney Love style hangover, (post surgery). With bank accounts dwindling and priorities somewhat sidetracked it is often easier to neglect our morning routine to opt for that extra half an hour in bed.

Here are a few homemade facials to make sure you get through your uni life looking fresh faced with minimal cost and effort.

Facials:

You can find ingredients for a homemade facemask almost anyway. Take your kitchen cupboard for example – If it is good enough to put inside us, it is good enough for our skin. (Although I’d hold off smearing last nights Big Mac along your forehead..)

Cucumber and Yogurt Face Mask - This is the perfect mask to revive your skin

•    ½ cucumber

•    1 tablespoon of yogurt

Blend the ingredients in a blender, massage mixture onto skin, leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water

Egg Yolk, Honey, and Olive Oil Mask - This combination is perfect for dry skin types

•    1 egg yolk

•    1 tablespoon of warm honey

•    1 teaspoon of olive oil

Blend the ingredients in a bowl. Massage the mixture onto your skin, leave on for 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water

Orange Juice and Honey Mask - For a healthy glow

•    3 tablespoons of orange juice (no pulp)

•    ½ cup of warm honey

Blend the ingredients in a bowl, massage the mixture onto skin, leave on for 30 minutes, and rinse with warm water followed by cold water.

Salt, Lemon, and Sugar Scrub - To exfoliate and brighten your complexion

•    2 tablespoons of salt

•    Juice from half of a lemon

•    Add sugar until the mixture is solid but not dry

Blend the ingredients in a bowl and gently massage the mask into skin. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse with water

Belstaff AW 14

It would seem that chief creative director, Martin Cooper, had the recent UK storms in mind when he designed this latest collection for Belstaff. With this being Cooper’s final collection for the fashion house, he truly embraced a long careers worth of jacket knowledge into this collection.

The catwalk, which resembled a WWII bunker, was awash of Peacoats, blazers, bombers, trenches, parkas, and Belstaff’s classic Roadmaster jacket in this total immersion of military style.

The line has taken inspiration from youth culture of the ‘70s and ‘80s with a breath of rebellious spirit, using playful concepts of plaid and floral patterns and utility shades so typical of Belstaff’s moto heritage. Shearling, as always, played a key feature in the collection, appearing on the collars of long military jackets adorned with leather and quilting, and styled with gauntlets for oversized insulation.

The ready-to-wear line refers to a sense of effortlessness that comes with wearing good clothes – and when it comes to jackets, Belstaff are the best!

For more looks from the Belstaff collection see the link below:

Belstaff AW 14