Big love for Karla Deras

I first discovered Karla Deras' blog Karlas Closet whilst browsing through Bloglovin'

I find her style such a refreshing change from all of the mundane fashion blogs out there and got really excited about fashion again once i started reading her blog which is full of colour, inspiration boards and style. She mixes high and low fashion items in a way that makes every piece seem even more exquisite. A lover of vintage and in particular Shareen Vintage in LA (a place which i now HAVE to visit) she is not afraid to wear the same item more than once. 

Karla Deras is officially my new style crush.

Mixing up mens and womenswear, changing daily from smart casual to prom dress girly i love that she isn't afraid to wear and say whatever she wants, a confidence i admire.

And thats not all, her cute pixie crop gives me serious hair envy and makes me want to stop growing my hair, especially now that it is at THAT length, urgh! ...Decisions, decisions. 

At only 21 she has accomplished a lot already, getting recognised for her blogging skills all over the world isn't easy but after 3 years of outfit posts she's done it.

I wish i had the confidence she possesses to wear sky high platforms and a floral floaty number to pick up my weekly shop, unfortunately i don't have the budget or the LA sunshine that she has. So for now i will just have to dream...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this Kate Spade straw bag

"I love girls who dress up like they're going somewhere fancy!"

One of Karla's 'inspiration boards'

ph. all from Karlas Closet

P.s. follow her on twitter @karla_deras and apologies for the very picture heavy post.

xxx

Katie Hillier

My Grandmother has aways bought the Telegraph on a Saturday, after reading the magazine inside she then hands it on to us. I always find it a very interesting read for all sorts; culture, lifestyle, fashion and other different art forms. This week as i flicked to the 'Women's Hotlist - The names to watch for the new season' my attention was drawn to Katie Hillier.

After being named as one of the 50 most influential names in British fashion by ELLE magazine in its annual Fashion Power List in 2009, as well as winning Accessory Designer of the Year award at the British Fashion Awards in the same year, its clear she really knows her stuff.

I fell in love with her adorable animal charms that feature on her most recent work for luxury spanish house Loewe seen below. The bags come in two designs with a choice of three colours. With each different colours comes a different animal charm. Red: Snail, Pink: Mouse and blue is her infamous rabbit design.

Learning of Hillier's talents provoked me to research the brand further. The Hillier brand prides itself on its humble paper-clip designs and cute animal doodles. Currently designing jewellery under the brand name Hillier (click here to view their website) i fell even more in love with her bunny designs and cute heart shaped rings. Here are my faves...

18ct gold Bunny earrings with pave diamonds £495 

18ct yellow gold Glowing Heart ring with diamond and fluorescent ceramic £700

18ct yellow gold Bunny ring with pave diamonds £1,500

Sterling Silver Tortoise pendant £295

Sterling Silver Bumblebee pendant £295

18ct yellow gold Hedgehog pendant around £695

The Hillier website also features short animations of their collections, here is my favourite 'City Critters Carnival'


City Critters Carnival from Hillier London on Vimeo.

Enjoy x

A glorious Carlow wedding!

Although i promised to blog more my lack of absence has been due to a recent family trip to Dublin. Being half Irish means that we go to the emerald isle about twice a year, and its lovely every time. 

The reason for our visit this year was the same as the reason for our visit last year funnily enough. My cousin, Aedín was getting married to Tim, last year another cousin of mine Cara married Sheldon from London. I haven't seen Aedín for about 6 or 7 years maybe longer; i cant remember the last time i saw her as she now lives in America where Tim is from.

The ceremony was beautiful in Abbeyliex about an hour and a half from Dublin, we stayed in the beautiful Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Carlow the surroundings were simply beautiful as was the bride. 

I wasn't able to take many pictures as my camera decided to have a nap just as the proceedings started so i have stolen these pictures from my Aunty Oonagh so that i could share with you the glorious 5 day break we had.

Enjoy x

What I wore: 

Dress: Zara £15.99 (last minute sale bargain!)

Shoes: Asos wedges a couple of years old

Flower fascinator: H&M

Bag: New Look

Beads: Accessorize

The happy couple of last year Sheldon and Cara

The happy couple of this year Tim and Aedín

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

I promise to...

blog more.

Paloma Faith loves Lulu Guinness who loves Elsa Schiaparelli?

Elsa Schiaparelli showing her quirky side by wearing one of her own 'Shoe Hat' designs.

Elsa Schiaparelli's Lobster Dress.

Lulu Guinness' Elsa Schiaparelli inspired evening bag designs.

 Paloma faith - Not afraid to break the rules of fashion much like Elsa Schiaparelli.

My most recent report i did for university was about launching a brand into a new product area. I chose to do Lulu Guinness into Make-up. When i was researching her and the brand and its aesthetic i discovered that she was heavily influenced by Elsa Schiaparelli. An Italian surrealist designer who's biggest rival was Coco Chanel. She did not conform to the way that women dressed after World War II and i believe this is what resulted in her business failure in 1954.

Schiaparelli herself was influenced heavily by surrealist artists in particular Salvador Dali and Alberto Giacometti. Both of whom later worked in collaboration with Schiaparelli to produce some of her most famous work. In particular her infamous Lobster Dress (pictured created in collaboration with Dali's lobster motif).

The quirk and wit that both Schiaparelli and Guinness share is clearly evident however Lulu's designs are brought to the 21st century by using different materials like snakeskin, studs and swarovski's. (I wish i could own one of her lips clutch bags...a girl can dream). Lulu herself says:

"My style icon is Elsa Schiaparelli. When I discovered her, everything fell into place. I loved the way she collaborated with Dalí – she incorporated surrealism and visual wit into fashion, which made me realise that I could, too"

Both their designs intrigue me and exude glamour of the 1940's/50's. An era that i have become very fond of since doing the project. 

We were then asked to think of a music artist that would reflect our chosen brand i originally struggled then i found the perfect contender, Paloma Faith. 

She has now become somewhat of a style icon for me. Her eccentricity shines through in everything she wears her style is something that i haven't seen on the high street which makes her instantly appealing. The way that she marries clothes makes me smile and think she doesn't care what people think, and why should she? Her attitude to fashion somewhat resembles Schiaparelli's:  never be afraid to break the rules.

So answer me this...

Is there a 3 way love triangle emerging?

Jil Sander Navy Loves Patti Smith?

So after looking through Dazed and Confused February 2011 I came across Jil Sander's Navy collection. 

To be previewed in May, the brands spring/summer 2011 collection will be available to buy in Jil Sander boutiques and the brands online website in June.

Jil Sander Navy is said to incorporate "purity, simplicity and ease" said Alessandro Cremonesi, CEO of the Jil Sander Group. This ethic is clear when looking at the adverts i found in Dazed and Confused the models have "bed head" hair contrasting to their smart clothes that look like they could be worn to the office or to a casual event. 

However, the first thing that came to mind when i saw them was Patti Smith's Horses album cover pictured. The resemblance is definitely there. Although the clothes differ slightly the styling and look of the models is very similar.

See for yourselves and let me know what you think...

Does Jil Sander Navy love Patti Smith?

Who loves influence?

Welcome to Larlar Loves Fashion!

I am a 19 year old Fashion Communication and Promotion student studying at Nottingham Trent University. After a few recent lectures on the subject of influence and its affect on the fashion world i have decided to create a blog detailing anything i see that has been directly or indirectly influenced. I found the lectures very inspiring and immediately researched all the names i had heard in art, music and film. I will post as many blogs as i can, i already have a few lined up so keep checking back.