No misstep for Agyness Dean

Agyness Dean is one of those people who always looks amazing - even with an eye patch following an incident with a mascara wand! In the March 2009 issue of British Vogue she looks breathtaking in this vivid silky gown and statement bangle. But I agree with ShinyStyle, what really makes this outfit is the shoes.

When Natalia at Bionda Castana first showed me these shoes I wanted them. They are just stunning and will liven any outfit from a plain dress to jeans. They are available in limited quantities at Brittique, the only place you can buy them in Europe. Pre-purchase yours now and you'll be wearing them in March.

The new issue of Fashion156.com

Pictures from Fashion156.com

Fashion156.com never fails to make me gasp with amazement everytime a new issue is published - every 156 hours no less! Guy and his team have done an incredible job promoting the best new British designers in the latest issue. Here we can see a sneak preview of the new AW08 collection from Hannah Marshall, Louise Amstrup and Gil Carvalho.

One of my favorite outfits of the season by Louise Amstrup was also featured on the hot list. This 40s inspired blouse really is hot!

Louise Amstrup picture by Mads Perch.

Ugly Shoes - are you guilty?

Source: New York Magazine

While catching up on the ever growing pile of The New York Magazine and New Yorker waiting patiently by my bed, I saw this very clever history of ugly shoes. So how many of these are you guilty of - or still guilty of?

*Clearly* I'm far too young for the Klompen Dansko and Earth Shoes, but my misdemeanor start at the Doc Martens - or the pretend ones I had. While going through my goth/hippy stage at about age 14 I longed for the real deal to match with my op-shop (charity shop for the non-Aussies) ground brushing shirts and ripped woolen jumpers. But the price tag exceeded my part-time casual McDonald's pay cheque. However, I have to disagree with the ugly tag here. I actually think they can look really nice. If I had some I'd like to wear them with a Peter Jensen white shirt dress, thick grey woollen, ribbed tights and the Tata-Naka chunky cardigan.

Another shoe I disagree with is Birkenstocks. How wonderful are they? I know my German in-laws cringe when I wear them but they are the most comfortable and practical shoe. They look nicer than a thong/flip flops and now come in so many different styles, even with crystals and designed by a certain supermodel if that's your thing.

Uggs I completely agree. They are UGLY! As an Aussie I really can't get it. I did own a pair while at boarding school because they were the best thing to walk from the dorm to the cafeteria of a cold morning. Then I also have a pair that I wore while travelling and snowboarding around Canada a couple of years ago. Perfect to wear in the car and quickly slip off into my snowboard boots.

As for Crocs, HIDEOUS! I don't care what you say. Only kiddies under 8 look cute in them after that they're just horrible. And seeing grown men wear them with shorts is too much. I also hear that they get rather smelly rather quickly...

I'm surprised Converse boots are not listed. While I love and live in mine, when you think about it, they're a very long narrow canvas shoe where the white gets really dirty and when worn with skinny jeans make people look like they're walking around with two canoes strapped to their feet. Attractive. But somehow they do work. Just to be safe though I only wear them with wider leg jeans.

More press for the "Kylie" boot

Ever since Kylie was spotted stepping out in the Gil Carvalho Ivy shoe boots the press has been all over them! They are now known as the Kylie boot.

We have completely sold out (except 1 size 7, 40) and are waiting on a new delivery. According to the Daily Mail you have a 60% chance of snapping up a pair. That's good enough odds for me so add your name to the list now so you don't miss out!

Warning - this is addictive!

Don't say I didn't warn you, but this site is incredibly addictive! Even if you don't have the budget to buy your perfect outfits, with Polyvore.com you can create them, find ideas for outfits and share them with others. All the Brittique.com collection has been loaded and I'd love to see the outfit ideas you come up with!

Kylie's shoe in The Times

Gil Carvalho's Ivy ankle boot will always be know to me as the "Kylie shoe" after Kylie's elegant size 3 foot stepped out in them recently.

Here they are featured in The Times Magazine today. I love mine and feel strong and sexy stepping out in them. Get your pair here.

Fetish photos

Before I met these guys, I dreaded photo shoots. They were long, dull and boring. Now I'm working with such a great team including makeup artist Lorenzo, photographer Sam, assistant Kelle and model Andriana.

Yesterday's shoot was the funniest ever! At the end Lorenzo begged me to let him style something for his portfolio.Sam mentioned that he had a cage and pulled out these boots (size 12!?!). Andriana was up for anything so Lorenzo brought out some fake eyelashes and the Camilla Staerk leather look skirt and bomber jacket. To everyone's surprise Sam pulled out his toy box! Wow did I learn some things! Thankfully he kept most of it hidden away. Here is an example of what happens when you let two gay men's imaginations run wild with a beautiful model and fetish gear!

Hmmm these pictures won't be appearing on the site...

Model Joy!

For some reason I absolutely detest photo shoots. From casting models, organising photographers, hair and makeup artists, stylists, studios and then the logistics of getting things there and then back panicking that the models are going to get makeup on clothing etc etc.

Last week I had a very funny, in hindsight, experience. I was testing with a new photographer and really wanted to have a couple of great models. So I organised castings and saw about 30 models the week before. I selected the amazing Claudia (who you can see a little of in the photo here) for the morning and then a Russian model for the afternoon.

Unfortunately due to diary conflicts I didn't get a chance to meet the Russian but her photos and model card were amazing and the photographer, Sam, makeup artist, Lorenzo, and I were really excited to be working with her - she was 5'11, size 8-10, blonde shortish hair with lovely clear skin.


So we had the shoot with Claudia in the morning which went really well. She was so professional to work with even in our little cold studio. Then the Russian arrived. As she walked in the door we could not hide the surprise from our faces. In walked a spotting, chubby, 5'7, girl who looked like she'd never modeled in her life. It was incredible.

Noticing our clear shock she immediately pulled out her portfolio trying to convince us that she was the same person. We decided that maybe the camera was kind to her. After Lorenzo trying his utmost for 90 minutes to transform this girl, Sam took a few shots and it was clear that she was anything but a model. And also, none of my lovely size 10 clothes fit her...

I had to be the meany and tell her that it wasn't working out. Then she was in tears telling me she would lose weight and I had to say it wasn't just the weight but the fact that she lied about everything wasting everyones time not to mention money. In the end Sam, Lorenzo and I had a good laugh about it. But it wasn't a laughing matter at the time.

Now I'm really looking forward to my next photo shoot...