Just because........

It's Friday and the weather is majorly depressing so thought I'd brighten up everyone's day/weekend with some colourful gorgeousness. ENJOY!!

From Street Art to Nail Art - INSA

I've wanted to do a post on Nails for a while as it's my new obsession and I'm LOVING where nail art is going at the moment but then I recently went to an amazing exhibition in East London by graffiti artist INSA and wanted to blog about that also......then what do you know - my daily twitter snooping sesh uncovered a cool rising nail artist called POP NAILS, who worked on an Insa inspired nail piece - fate or what? So, a couple of weeks ago renowned UK artist, INSA, unveiled a one night only installation at Londonnewcastle Project space called Self Reflection is greater than Self Projection.... Taking the form of a wallpapered room loaded with now iconic INSA imagery, it was an innovative, original and also completely surreal exhibition, based around the thought that the 'ideal of projected success is different from that of genuine happiness....'

Despite first glance, Insa's work is packed with a heavy dose of irony and really draws you into thinking about our societies ideals and measurements of success. Personally I was mesmerised by the INSA Bubble. As we see certain aspects of society delve into ever more sordid depths, it was interesting to see such images thrown into peoples faces and watch the reactions.....not everyone picked up on the irony of the piece unfortunately, as I noted one 'photographer' who's parting words - after a brief and not very inspiring conversation - were 'Right, I'm going to perv on some more girls' Nice. Moving swiftly on, here is some nail gorgeousness to end with..... designed by the talented Sabrina from POPNAILS. This design is an entry for the INSA X NAILPORN competition.... Loving it Show your support and vote on: www.insaland.com/blog/insa-x-nailporn-competition/

If it ain't Monday, it ain't Cheap!

A couple of weeks ago, I received an invitation from a dear friend asking if I would like to go to a launch party. Launch party's generally = free booze, good music and people watching (all things I adore) So obviously, I said yes. Glad I did as it turned out to be for Cheap Monday's brand spanking new stand alone store on Carnaby Street. Yes Please!

Definitely worth checking out. Great store design and cool threads. Winning combo for sure

High Street goes Ghetto Fab for SS12

As the weather gets ever-so-slightly warmer, it has me thinking of summer outfits. Usually I don't get too excited about my summer wardrobe but with some of the new SS12 trends I've seen on the high street, I am practically salivating at the prospect of how good my summer wardrobe is potentially going to be! Now I am a girl who is all about a gold hoop earring, prints, colours and mixing it all up, so imagine my joy at the new print clash trend...to be worn with none other than gold - ghetto fab - hoops!!! The high street hero for this trend appears to be none other than River Island, where the design team have clearly surpassed themselves and created one of the best high street collections I have ever seen(with a campaign shot by none other than the fabulous Ellen Von Unwerth). Eat your heart out Topshop - you have some fierce competition this season!

That's a wrap! R.I.P. 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR YOU GORGEOUS PEOPLE!!! Hope everyone had a fantastic festive period and is ready for the opportunities that come with a new year. 2011 was a pivotal year for me and as I look forward to what wonders 2012 will behold, it got me thinking about the ghosts of the year passed and the things I enjoyed seeing/being part of........ I appreciate that not everyone may know of the lovely and utterly gorgeous Lana Del Rey - yet. Winner of the 2011 Q Award for Next Best Thing, I have had the pleasure of working alongside Johnny Blueeyes on her styling team, putting together looks for her various appearance in both the UK and USA, along with her utterly gorgeous video 'Born to Die' If you don't know get to know!

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* SORAPOL S/S12 A beautiful and breathtaking debut collection by new young designer Sorapol, 'True Colours SS12, was shown to London's fashion finest. Creatively Directed by Daniel Lismore - the face of many of London's renowned fashion and art clubnights. 'True Colours' drew inspiration from exotic nature. A collection of contrasts and colours, it featured delicate hand beading, painting and crystals, each garment was a statement in it's own right. With make up by Illamasqua - the go to make up brand for haute creations - models were made into beautiful birds of paradise. The shoes, or rather works of art, created by Bryan Oknyansky, were so amazingly intricate, they had to be held aloft whilst the models worked the catwalk in bare feet - Love! www.sorapol.co.uk

Earlier on in the year, I was asked to style the cover of Zen magazine featuring Miss West Africa International. Dubbed one of the best queens in MWA history, she was an absolute dream to work with and it was inspiring to hear how hard she had worked with charities and local causes, to ensure that she made a difference during her reign.

Team Factory x TrashOn. A project that was created after 'Trashionista' Anisa Topan, met a man named Michael, a British garment manufacturer who, having shaped the fashion industry, working with many well known fashion brands, now finds his factory quiet as many brands take their business overseas. A motley crew of creatives were put together to create the promo images for the SHUTTUP tote bag. A bag created for the cause, which, if I may say so myself, is a 'proper' tote bag - strong, durable and guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows on your morning commute :) I loved every minute of this shoot and it felt really good to be working for a cause. Follow on in the good vibes and do your bit by using the link below and getting involved to buy a bag of your very own..... GO TEAM FACTORY!! www.trashon.co.uk

R.I.P 2011 - it's been good but 2012 is set to be better! X

Simone x Love-Emile

One gorgeously sunny day not so long ago, I had the pleasure of putting together a team of creatives to style a photoshoot for the amazingly talented Emile Carr, a dear friend of mine who I met years ago whilst completing my degree at LCF. A designer who has come through many evolutions Love-Emile is a grown up brand for the cosmopolitan London woman on the move, with designs that can be constructed and deconstructed into 3 looks per garment, it is design innovation at it's best. The aim of the day was to photograph Emile's newest pieces using the stunning backdrop, created by the outdoor space of his studio. The team set to work to make the collection come alive.......Hope you like the results as much as we do

Please see the link for further information on the brand and stockists www.love-emile.com