Saturday – Belle Sauvage at the Old Sorting Office, New Oxford Street

This AW11 collection was a cooler, slightly darker twist on Belle Sauvage’s previous range. The popular digital prints were still there, but with a quieter colour palette and mesh inserts and trains. The silhouettes were still very body-con and my only criticism would the fact that they chose to close the show with an unhealthily thin model. I think a more shapely girl might have shown their designs in a more attractive way. This aside, the collection was successful in capturing a strong, confident mood and I would happily wear any item that went down the runway (except perhaps the oversized hat - might be tricky in everyday situations!).

My Sugarland

Last night I went along to a personal styling event at brilliant shop My Sugarland. Based in St Johns Street, My Sugarland is a much-publicised, award-winning boutique that has been featured in Vogue and, as I discovered, it is popular for extremely good reason. Stunning vintage beaded dresses hang alongside pieces by contemporary designers such as Belle Sauvage, Laura Lees and Olivia Rubin in a setting that truly transports you to a feminine fairyland. Be warned: if you are at all like me then you will ‘need’ everything immediately upon entering.

This was a special event and skin experts Dermalogica (www.dermalogica.com) were on hand to offer face mapping advice in one wonderfully decorated corner as make-up consultancy Blush (www.blush.uk.com), wielded their brushes and beauty-inducing products at the other.

My Sugarland is run by top stylist Zoe Lem and we were fortunate enough to benefit from her wisdom and refreshingly straightforward fashion advice. In a styling workshop, we were taught the finer points of dressing for your body shape and, unlike many, Zoe believes in only three: hourglass, pear and straight up-and-down. In addition to helping us learn about creating a flattering silhouette, Zoe also guided us to find colours that would really suit. Luckily, we were given a cohesive ‘Personal Styling Handbook’ to take away with us at the end of the session so we could remember all the useful tips.

If you would like Zoe’s advice on a pressing fashion matter then her website (www.mysugarland.co.uk) features a ‘Style Advice’ section. Information about upcoming events can also be found here.

Now that my body suspicions have been confirmed by an expert (I am definitely an hourglass!), I am off to buy some high-waisted pencil skirts, wide-legged trousers and plenty of gorgeous belts!

One of my favourites: a digitally printed dress by Belle Sauvage

Detail

A fab display

Yummy cakes and even yummier porcelain jewellery

Loved this Jasper Garvida dress-can't decide which colour suits you? Simple, wear them all!

Lovely antique lace dresses

Who wouldn't want to wear this ruffled headpiece? The style equivalent to the icing on the cake.

Ignore me lurking in the background, instead please focus on the beauty of this dress; a size 8 though, damnit

What a cool styling idea - lots of brooches in place of a belt

Lovely old photographs for inspiration

I wouldn't wear it but isn't it pretty?

Fab illustration on the wall

Embroidered leather skulls (I think by Laura Lee?)

Hehe feathered pants

Pretty greeting cards - if you're poor like me then you can still take a little piece of Sugarland home

Playing cards - the obsession continues...

This cushion was a delight

Zoe offers inspirational style advice