Blog entries posted during September 10
Thu 30 Sep 2010
Frassy's fashion masterclass
Fashion blogger Audrey Leighton, aka Frassy, has been featured in Vogue, Elle and Grazia, to name but a few fashion bibles, and is constantly snapped by the best street style photographers. Here she tells Lipsy what she'll be wearing in the new season and how she stamps her own unique style on every outfit she puts together.
What's hot
Comfy layering, the standard military-inspired boots and marl grey are the kind of staples that stay loyal to every autumn/winter season. But what's exciting is the surge of tempting new trends coming our way: crisp and clean styles are emerging as the must-have looks.
I'll be adapting Dizzee's mantra, "Fix Up, Look Sharp", by investing in these a/w trends:
The print: Think Blondie in New York circa 1960s - coloured lips and a fiery feline print. Invest in a leopard-print coat or on an oversized animal-print scarf - yum.
The colour: Who needs a Valentine in February with red - this season's hot-as-passion it-colour. I'm coveting a blood-red woolly bandeau dress to pair with slouchy leathers and vintage blazers.
The coat: Consider the overcoat. Oversized, deliciously baggy, the king of all coats and one you can lose your limbs in. As for colour, I'll be headed neutral-way; camel, taupe, sand or military green.
The socks: Ah, the poor sock, an often-neglected ensemble component. Pull them up, past kneesville, or all the way to thighland. The bigger, bulkier and woollier, the better.
Own your look
In fashion, it's important to own your look - have a unique take on a trend and an original twist on an outfit.
I almost always embellish my looks with the magic of accessorises. I usually wear something on my head, from hats (oh how I love hats) to headbands, a big backcombed bun or even just an extra-large feather to pin to my ponytail.
Finger bling is another trusty trick: Spice up those paws with a selection of rings. The beauty of rings is that, unlike other jewellery, you can never wear too many.
Nails have also become a big deal trend of late, and it looks like painted paws is a look that's here to stay. Channel Katy Perry and visualise your nails as miniature canvases. Be artistic; from polka dots, through decals, to the Minx nail craze.
Finally, let me introduce you to my best friend: the blazer - they go with everything! Snap up crazy-print styles plus a couple of classics (navy, black, cream) and wear them over any outfit - from a maxi to a mini to a band tee and shorts. Call me old-fashioned, but a little casual tailoring goes a long, long way outfit-wise.
My Lipsy Picks
My Lipsy trend tips for a/w? Grey, embellishment, drape-detail and asymmetric styles. I'm currently coveting these beauties:
Embellished maxi dress - Perfect with a blazer and oversized scarf for transitional season dressing.
Embellished shoulder drape dress - I’d pair this beauty with black towering platforms and a long silk kimono.
Embellished one-shoulder mesh dress - I am dying to wear a dress like this for my 21st birthday party, with an abundance of lavish cocktail rings and a pink bob wig.
Asymmetric jersey mini dress - With a black turban headband and smoky eye makeup, this would scream Catherine Baba - my all time fashion icon.
One-shoulder drape dress - Delicious colour, beautiful tailoring- I’d add one of my Moschino belts, a pair of ridiculously high heels & a dark blazer to create a Frassy-Lipsy ensemble.
For more from Frassy, visit her uber-cool blog www.befrassy.com.
Wed 29 Sep 2010
Shop the new Pixie collection now!
Following the success of her best-selling debut fashion ranges earlier this year, Pixie is back with her a/w collection, exclusive to Lipsy! "I'm having such great fun turning my style ideas into an actual fashion range so am really excited to be launching my second collection," Pixie says."This time I've taken style inspiration from some of my favourite style icons like Briget Bardot and Edie Sedgwick and what I love to wear out with my friends."
The 25-piece collection is again made up of two distinct ranges, this time 'Pixie Rocks' and 'Pixie Party'. And judging by the success of her s/s10 party dresses, you'll be pleased to know that there are loads more night-out pieces to choose from! In-keeping with this season's top catwalk styles, Pixie has kept the colour palette in her collection simple, with intricate detailing adding interest.
Pixie Rocks
Pixie Rocks is the perfect capsule wardrobe for those who love their look tough but trend-led: The studded biker and shaggy fur jacket will reinvent any outfit, and stud, lace and chain embellishments add edge to some party-perfect pieces. Our favourites from the range have to be the vintage-style sequin crop top, chain-detail halter and sexy black lace playsuit. There are some fab chiffon and lace day dresses too - just add rock-star style with knee-highs, layered accessories and statement jacket!
Pixie Party
Whilst still drawing heavily on the classic style achieved with simple black and white pieces, Pixie Party injects a few wilder pieces into the collection with a fierce animal print bandeau number and a bold asymmetrical graphic print dress. Delicate embellishments, lace detail and drape and ruched effect make for some stunning LBDs - and LWDs - and the neutral and nude prom dresses will be just perfect for those Christmas parties!
Pixie's love of all things vintage has also been translated into the cream faux fur jacket, which would glam-up any outfit.
Style insider picks
We caught up with those in the industry know at our Pixie Press Day to find out which pieces the fashion professionals are lusting over from the new range:
Lottie Rose, freelance fashion assistant: I love the nude feather-detail dress from Pixie Party and the jumpsuit and cropped sequin top from Pixie Rocks - I'd wear the top with high-waisted shorts.
Natasha Guiotto, fashion assistant, Cosmopoliton: The Pixie Rocks range is more my style - I really like the leather jacket and fringing details.
Tor Brierley, fashion blogger: I love the lace-up black bodycon dress and the fur jackets. It's really good quality faux fur.
Charlotte Pennington, fashion manager, Cosmopoliton: The cream and black shift dress is lovely. I'd wear it with leggings and heels.
Kat Perriam, clubbing editor @ ibizacalling.com: I love the Pixie Rocks range, especially the studded leather jacket which would be the perfect piece to add edge to a cute little dress.
Victoria Pindar, sales executive, Cosmopolitan: My favourite piece is the bandeau animal-print dress, which I'd wear with killer heels and a faux fur jacket.
Shop Pixie Lott's new a/w collection now.
Tue 28 Sep 2010
The new Pixie A/W collection has arrived!
Pixie Lott is back! It's time to get ready to party in style, because our favourite ever pop-star is collaborating with us at Lipsy for a second time. For Autumn/Winter 2010 the stylish singer has two ultra-wearable collections, to rock out in or party in!
Shop the Pixie Rocks collection now!
Shop the Pixie Party collection now!
Tue 28 Sep 2010
Lipsy magazine - The Fashion Issue
We use fashion magazines as our bibles, dictionaries and even self-help guides here at Lipsy HQ - we love 'em! So much so, in fact, that we created our own. And after the success of our debut s/s edition, we're back with the second installment - The Fashion Issue.
Get insider info on all our top a/w trends, as well as Pixie's new collection, and find out how to dress like a celeb with our guide to getting the A-List look - watch out Cheryl, Olivia and Katy!
And the celeb-fest doesn't stop there. The Fashion Issue also includes an exclusive interview with Pixie and Kelly Rowland and some fab photos of other fashion-forward celebs spotted in Lipsy.
The mag, which includes a 10% discount code for all readers, will go out with orders and is also available in-store and as an online digital edition. Oh, and did we mention, it's totally free! Love it.
Wed 22 Sep 2010
It's Pixie Lott week on Facebook!
To celebrate the launch of Pixie Lott's exclusive a/w10 collection for Lipsy, which launches 28 September, we're running a week full of Pixie-related competitions on our Facebook page!
Starting off the giveaway-frenzy, we're offering you the chance to
win one of three Pixie albums, signed by the songstress herself, on
Wednesday 22 September. Then on Thursday you could win an item of your
choice from the new Pixie collection - we can't wait for you to see it
-, on Friday we'll be giving away three pairs of tickets to meet Pixie
at our exclusive a/w collection launch party, and there are yet more
prizes up for grabs on Monday and Tuesday!
Check out the Lipsy Facebook page for
details of how to enter the daily competitions and keep checking back
to Lipsy.co.uk to be the first to snap up items from Pixie's gorgeous
new collection - trust us, you're going to love it!
.jpg "Pixie Lott Lipsy")
Wed 22 Sep 2010
Pixie previews her new collection in Broken Arrow video
Channelling the 1970's boho vibe highlighted as one of this season's
top trends, Pixie Lott rocks a shaggy fur jacket from her a/w10 Lipsy
collection in the video for new single 'Broken Arrow'.
Taking design direction from the likes of Chanel, D&G and
Burberry Prorsum, Pixie's fantasy fur jacket is bang on trend and a
real statement piece. We're expecting it to fly to the top of our
best-seller list, so make sure to snap yours up quickly when the collection launches on 28 September!
Pixie continues with the 70's theme throughout the video, going for
gorgeous Hollywood glamour in a wide-brimmed floppy hat, pearl-detailed
black swing jacket and her favourite - the vintage cream shift dress.
As usual she gets the accessorises just right with over-the-knee socks
- we certainly haven't seen the last of this trend - and her trademark
layered jewellery.
There's also plenty of romantic nudes and chiffons on show,
in-fitting with the heartfelt nature of the ballad as well as the
season's most-hyped styles.
And with natural, glowing make-up and glossy hair, Pixie looks as
though she's walked straight off the a/w10 catwalks and into the video
shoot - truly a girl with her finger on the fashion and beauty pulse!
Broken Arrow is out on 11 October, ahead of the release of the
re-packaged edition of Pixie's hit debut album 'Turn It Up (Louder)' -
can't wait for this! Oh, and our favourite pop princess has been
nominated in the Best Female Artist category for the 2010 BT Digital Music Awards, so don't forget to vote!
Wed 15 Sep 2010
Where to party - a between-season guide
Clubbing Editor of Ibiza Calling, Kat Perriam, previews the hottest club nights of the coming months and picks out the staple pieces that will see you through to the Christmas party season.
It's been a summer full of festivals and fun, but as autumn draws closer, you don't have to put away your party shoes just yet.
First on the clubbing agenda are the legendary closing parties for which Ibiza has become so famous. The last few weeks of September see the biggest and best clubs close their doors - but not before one last blow-out - attracting the glammest of partygoers and most dedicated of clubbers who fly from all over the world to be there.
If you're looking for a true taste of Iberian hedonism, then the party you can't afford to miss is the Amnesia Closing Party.
One of the first clubs on the Ibiza party scene back in the Seventies, Amnesia never fails to disappoint when it comes to their end-of-season fiesta. Held on the first weekend in October, this is one of the last closing parties on the calendar and is sure to be a night to remember.
Top tip - pop on your best dress and blag yourself into VIP: Amnesia has the best VIP area on the island, with amazing balconies overlooking both rooms; The perfect way to escape the crowds and party like a true celeb.
If you want to seriously glam it up, then the Pure Pacha season finale party is definitely for you. One of the coolest clubs on the island, Pacha Ibiza is where the Ibiza socialites hang out, and even on the quietest of nights you're sure to find a mixture of uber-cool locals and Iberian A-listers all there to party.
The only super-club to open all year round on the island, this is the perfect hot-spot to strut your stuff in your cutest outfit.
Back on home soil, The Warehouse Project - which runs every year underneath Piccadilly train station in Manchester - opens its doors on 23 September. Running for three months in the run-up to New Year celebrations, the DJ line-up reads like a who's who in the world of music, including acts like David Guetta and the super stylish MIA. The nights always sell out so make sure you pin point which nights you fancy and get your tickets pronto.
The end of summer might be in sight, but the sun is still shining on the party scene...
What to wear
Teetering on the brink of high summer and autumn, the changeable weather in September means that choosing what to wear is never easy. Thankfully, there have been some gorgeous trends on the catwalk that will take you through in style, and some simple layering and accessorising can turn your cute, summer staple into your must-have autumn trend.
I'll be investing in these gorgeous Lipsy items for the new season:
Nude colours are massive again this year, so compliment your beautiful end-of-summer glow with this gorgeous Lipsy Mesh Shoulder Ruched Dress.
If you want to have the wow factor, then the grape coloured one-shoulder corsage dress definitely has it. It´s nipped at the waist so it hugs in all the right places, and looks perfect teamed with either sky-scraping heels or with cute little pumps for when you really want a boogie.
The summer tan won´t last forever, so the Lipsy wash treggings are perfect for when you want to cover up your legs but still look super sexy. Team them with a figure-hugging vest top and the faux fur belted gilet and you´re ready to go.
Whilst you might not be ready just quite yet to invest in a good coat for winter, one of my favourite trends to come back this year is the aviator jacket. This look was all over the catwalks and Lipsy have got it just right with the fur collar aviator Jacket. Snap it up before they sell out!
Thu 09 Sep 2010
JLS, Olly Murs & The Wanted- a Lipsy girl's heaven!
On Tuesday night the stars came out to play at Movida nightclub for the Lipsy fragrance launch party. The celebrity bash included a live performance from gorgeous boy band The Wanted, who impressed the packed crowd with a lively performance of their No.1 hit 'All Time Low' and an exclusive preview of 2 new songs from their upcoming album. The Wanted boys dressed to impress on the night in stylish outfits by Next and looked as hot as ever! Ooooh we love!
As the party got into full-swing, JLS and Olly Murs hit the dance floor to celebrate Olly reaching number one with his debut single 'Please Don't Let Me Go', and Aston & Olly wowed fans with an impromptu body-popping dance-off! These guys definitely know how to party!
Other stars to join the party were sexy soap stars Tina O'Brien, Nikki Sanderson, Ali Bastian, Hayley Tammadon, Melissa Walton who all looked as gorgeous as ever in Lipsy!
We'd like to say a special thanks to Batiste Dry Shampoo and Barry M for providing fab products for our lovely Lipsy goodie bags and Love Hair Extensions, Malibu Rum and Next for being amazing party sponsors, and last but not least thanks to all those who attended the party and made it such a special night. We can't wait to see you at our next one!
Wed 08 Sep 2010
Lipsy Model Search - a star is born!
Our Finalists' Party at Movida nightclub last night was a star-studded affair with JLS, The Wanted, and Olly Murs, among the celeb guests who joined us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new fragrance - and the hotly anticipated announcement of the lucky Lipsy gal who'll be the gorgeous new face of our first-ever heavenly scent.
The champagne corks popped, hot new boy band The Wanted rocked the room with their latest hits and the lovely (and we have to say stunningly well-dressed and super glam) Lipsy girls who came along for the party danced and schmoozed while eagerly awaiting the news.
We're really excited and proud to announce to those of you who couldn't make this fantastic event that our new face of Lipsy - In the Spotlight is our stunning lass from Scotland EVELYN!
The uber lovely Evelyn Kazantzoglou from Edinburgh - ranked as a 'wildcard' - won the crown beating our five other gorgeous finalists, including Courtenay and Emina and hot favourites Louise, Kreura and Afrora to become the new face of Lipsy.
The chance to become a Lipsy model and front our Lipsy - In the Spotlight fragrance campaign, was she said a 'dream come true.'
With six such lovely gals in the final round of our search for a star, we have to confess that choosing the ultimate winner was a very tough decision.
The journey for our finalists has been emotional and challenging - the girls were really put to the test, posing for professional model shoots and strutting their stuff on the catwalk for our video. We were really impressed by their enthusiasm, dedication and sheer professionalism!
They all performed like stars but when it came to crunch time it was Evelyn's natural beauty and flair that caught the eyes of the our judges and won the day.
We'd like to thank all of you who voted in the competition - it was you, our brilliant Facebook fans who told us that we didn't need a celebrity for our campaign. And how right you were!
Evelyn has already already starred in the shoot for the Lipsy fragrance campaign - and we're thrilled with the results. She's a natural!
Fri 03 Sep 2010
Win a £250 Lipsy shopping spree everyday with Impulse!
We've teamed up with Impulse body spray to give you the chance to win a fabulous £250 Lipsy shopping spree every day. And don't worry if you don't win, because you'll receive 10% off your next Lipsy purchase just by entering!
We knew that we had to do something big after the success of the model search, and this competition is even easier to enter. All you need to do is buy a special Impulse promotional can, get your code, visit the Impulse Diaries Facebook page and enter your code in the 'Shopping Sprees' tab.
This will enter you into a daily prize draw to win £250 of Lipsy vouchers, and each code you input will bag you a 10% discount on your next www.lipsy.co.uk purchase, with one discount per purchase.
Impulse body sprays are the perfect every-day scents and fit so snugly into our handbags - hey, if they're good enough for Lipsy's famous fans The Saturdays, they're good enough for us!
So look out for the pink hearts on promotional cans of 'Into Glamour', 'Paris', 'London', 'New York' and 'Tease' and enter your special code at the Impulse Diaries Facebook page between 1st September and 26 October. You might just win a new outfit to go with your new scent - you'll get money off it at the very least!
Wed 01 Sep 2010
Dress like a celeb at the model search party
We're already planning our outfits for the model search finalist party at Movida, and with our favourite celebs - as well as the gorgeous contestants - on the guest list, the style stakes are sky-high! Take some tips from our celebrity friends to find a directional style that suits your party persona.
Pretty edgy - Kimberly Wyatt loves pretty pink party dresses with girly touches - think lace, frills and bow details - but her cropped hair adds edge and she toughens up her look with smoky eyes and statement accessories. Mix soft with hard by pairing the ruffle frill dress with lace with the Miss Sixty mirrored bag.
Party queen - Although relatively new to the party scene, pop star Esmee Denters already looked like a pro when she wore the jewelled bandeau dress to the party we threw for her earlier this year. Showing off her fab figure, the charcoal graphic print on mini dress is so on-trend, and the jewelled embellishments ooze showbiz style.
Boho wild-child - Animal print features heavily in Pixie Lott's wardrobe - we loved the oversized animal print dress she designed for us last season - but OTT raunch isn't her style, so she tones it down with feminine details, such as lace, and tough biker boots to create an eclectic boho look. Pre-order Pixie's favourite lace panel animal print shift dress now.
Sex goddess - Jennifer Metcalf always looks amazing in Lipsy party pieces. She smoulders in sexy body-con styles that hug her womanly curves and bold prints that demand attention. Embracing feminine 1950s glamour, she struck just the right balance between brash and beautiful by pairing the bow jersey corset with a black slinky maxi skirt and peep toes.
Wed 01 Sep 2010
Mollie King and R&B singer Effie shop at Lipsy
On a rare day off from promoting The Saturdays' new single Missing You, Mollie King popped by Lipsy HQ last week for a spot of retail therapy.
Rocking the nautical trend, with long-sleeved anchor-print striped tee, denim hotpants and white deck shoes, Mollie was out with her adorable puppy Alfie.
Stocking up on new season party dresses, she took the beaded detail one shoulder dress, studded bow detail bustier and metallic sweetheart dress. We have a feeling that Molly is a little partial to pink!
She also snapped up a few other new season essentials, including the fierce waterfall zipped front jacket and our gorgeous belted faux fur gilet, perfect for layering, and loved the ribbed bomber jacket so much that she wore it there and then.
And Mollie's wasn't the only famous face to grace our showroom store last week. New R&B singer Effie also popped by to pick up a dress, no doubt for one of the celeb parties she'll be invited to from now on.
The vibrant print and beaded embellishment make Effie's choice - the strapless sweetheart dress- a real special occasion piece. We can't wait to see her in it!
