Beyond Rubies

Last night I had the pleasure and privilege of being the style adviser to these fabulous girls at Rubygirl UK's charity fundraising event 'Rubylicious'. 

Rubygirl UK helps girls and young women reach their potential and overcome hurdles that can influence their self esteem and self worth including confidence in their appearance.

The challenge for the girls last night was to design and create their own outfits from black bin liners and then to model them on the catwalk in front of an audience of 400. We had some incredible creations from puff ball skirts to capes. Each girl also had to come up with one word to describe how they felt about themselves. 

The bin liner idea was to get the girls thinking about to express their individuality and to show that looking and feeling good doesn't depend on having a big budget or being tied to unrealistic ideals.

Well done girls. You were amazing!
For further information about the work of Rubygirll UK go to www.rubygirluk.com

Customer Service

My drum roll for customer service this month goes to TK Maxx. The customer service team at its headquarters listened, were sympathetic and resolved the issue very fairly. Well done!

RIDING HIGH

Watching the beautifully turned out dressage riders and horses at the Olympics left me lusting for all things equine! Whilst I may not be able to afford one of the gorgeous horses I can certainly indulge in some horsey fashion.

Created by LaraineRF on polyvore.com

Ralph Lauren, of course, epitomises the equestrian look but the high street stores are hot to trot with riding jackets, jodhpurs, boots and accessories. If the jodhpur is not your trouser of choice go for a skinny denim or velvet jean.

Many of the autumn trends have an equine flavour including chunky knits. Try pairing one with skinny leather trousers or coated jeans to avoid looking as if you're wearing one of your Dad's sweaters!

via pinterest.com

IN THE NAVY

Navy blue is having something of a renaissance (see Natalie Portman in Christian Dior) but for me it has always been a keeper and one of the most versatile colours you can have in your wardrobe.

Softer than black but just as practical with size shrinking properties. It's a colour that suits everyone and can be partnered with so many other colours.

It can look sophisticated with black, crisp with white and glamourous with silver. Other combinations that work are vibrant pink, orange, green and turquoise. One of the key looks for Autumn, however, will be shading (dressing in different shades of one colour) and with so many shades of navy it's an easy trend to follow.

Created by LaraineRF on polyvore.com

SPOT ON

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has teamed up with Louis Vuitton and her signature spots can be seen on LV bags, accessories and a capsule ready-to-wear collection. A purchase from this range, available from Selfridges at the end of August, will tick your fashion and culture boxes. If, however, your budget doesn't stretch to Louis Vuitton you can still get a spot fix from high street retailers including this lovely dotty dress from Phase Eight at John Lewis.

via Pinterest.com

STYLE FOR ALL

I recently saw the advert for the Paralympics and was full of admiration for these athletes who, in the face of adversity, have risen to the challenge of being the best in their chosen sport. I also thought they looked great in their team outfits designed by Stella McCartney. I’m sure that just like able bodied athletes our parathletes wanted a kit that enabled them to perform at their best while looking good.

Whilst we can’t all be Olympians or Paralympians we all know that if we look good we feel good; our confidence increases and our self esteem is boosted. Team kits foster a sense of belonging and team spirit but clothing and fashion is also a great way of expressing our individuality. We should all be able to access that feel good factor irrespective of physique, size, age etc. Looking good is not the prerogative of the able bodied and I am dismayed that there are very few clothing ranges for people living with a disability, especially for young people who want to look stylish and fashionable. I have a few clients for whom it has been a real struggle to find clothes that they want to wear and that only underlines their disability.

This view was endorsed when I attended the opening of the new premises of Rapid Mobility in Stoke-on-Trent. Rapid offer an extensive range of mobility aids and resources but no clothing. Owner Terry Connop told me that she has been trying to source a range of clothing that meets the needs of the disabled and carers but is also stylish. Other organisations supporting the event also expressed the same frustration.

I would love to hear from any designer or manufacturer who think they have a solution to this problem. I would also appeal to any fashion student to contact me if they are interested in developing a line of clothing.

Super cool Robert Brassington, 16, of Newcastle-u-Lyme loves fashion but Mum Diane says, “shopping can be very frustrating and hard work and I often have to adapt clothes myself for Robert to wear.”

INSTANT WOWS

RIVER ISLAND COLLAR
via pinterest.com

These add on collars are an easy way to get the wow factor and will instantly change the look of a blouse or shirt. More style shortcuts to look out for this Autumn are belt on peplums. Genius!