Jeffrey Campbell Gets All 90s Spice Girls On Lazy Oaf's Ass

Jeffrey Campbell is on a mission. The super cool American shoe designer was, until fairly recently, only stocked in the US, but now he's popping up all over the UK with the latest outlet being our laidback, fun fashion friends over at Lazy Oaf.

Seven exclusive styles including these fab Spice Girl inspired stack sole trainers just like the 1990s Buffalo platforms Sporty, Baby and Geri used to wear, and some signature spike designs with an urban edge and a sky high wedge. Get em while you can, I don't think these will be hanging around for long. www.lazyoaf.co.uk

Met Gala 2012 Fashion - Tiers, Trains and The Death of Pink Tresses

Last night New York's Metropolitan Museum played host fash pack plus a few randoms (James Cordon?? Apparently he's big on Broadway now) at the US Vogue-produced annual Costume Institute Benefit, aka the Met Ball, or as Vogue prefer, the Met Gala.

Called the 'East Coast Oscars', the Met Ball is a serious fashion occasion where the Red Carpet is EVERYTHING but more often than not this year's event, held in honour of Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiapparelli, previewing the forthcoming must see Met exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, drew gasps in more of a hot mess kind of way, with only a few notable exceptions.

I adore the tasselled, tiered, look of Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen (as usual), pictured spinning to show off the dress' movement, above, and Scarlett Johansson's heavily embellished golden off the shoulder Dolce & Gabbana gown was exquisite but - given the fuzziness of the livestream - I thought she'd already arrived when I saw blonde bombshell no. 2, Amber Heard, make her entrance in this dusky Zac Posen number.

As Twitter blew up over supercool supermodel Coco Roca working pink hair on the carpet I thought it was going to be so major, especially teamed with Liz Taylor's canary yellow vintage Givenchy trouser suit (complete with Liz-spilled wine stain, not yet removed) but ohhhhhh... what a shame Tulisa of all people got there first, and on Britain's Got Talent too. So not high fashion. I think this has officially killed off the pink tips trend for good.

Trains and feathered hems were everywhere and with varying degrees of success (I love you Beyonce so I'm not even going to go into it) - my favourite was Cate Blanchett in another McQueen creation (below) but this time in chic but camera-unfriendly black. How Rihanna got into her slinky, scoop back Tom Ford sheath dress made from one piece of crocodile skin is a mystery (she said it was stretchy - what sorcery is this, Mr. Ford?) but it was perfect for her - maybe she should give her stylist's number to Kristen Stewart? #justsayin

PS. The livestream from last night is still available to watch on the Met's website here - I totally recommend it, especially for the paparazzi and their hilarious shouts at people blocking their shots, "COULD YOU GO TEXT SOMEWHERE ELSE??" etc. and mistaking Florence Welch, Cate Blanchett and McQueen supremo Sarah Burton's group arrival for early 90s girl band, Wilson Phillips - "oh no, actually it's Rage Against the Machine". Brilliant.

All images above from www.nymag.com - check The Cut for a comprehensive collection of Met Gala 2012 red carpet fashions. Rihanna picture, below from www.justjared.com

More Awesome Creepers from Underground Shoes

Regular readers of this and/or my Huffington Post blog will know I'm a huge fan of brothel creepers (now seemingly rebranded as just 'creepers').  Triple sole, single sole, suede, leather, patent, plain, print, I love em all.  The best, without a doubt, are by Underground Shoes who have just launched these pale grey suede and pink neon patent creeper wedges, £195 above, exclusively for ASOS.com. Neon AND creepers? Why, Underground, you is really spoiling uz...   Their other ASOS.com exclusives include the floral ditsy prints with a single white sole (£95), and all grey suede single soles pictured below (£89).  You can also snap up the super cute leopard print singles in yellow suede with a black sole (£95) and a host of other styles too. LOVE <3

Click here to shop this awesome shoe trend.

BOY London 2012 Collection Selling Fast At Selfridges

Rihanna image courtesy of the Daily Mail website.

OK so after Rihanna worked a straight up original 80s BOY look on the Jonathan Ross Show the other week, everyone knows that BOY London is back.  The underground fashion label which was founded in 1977 became famous for its iconic logo print designs worn by every top popstar in the early 1980s, has been enjoying a resurgence with those early-adopting East London hipster kids for over a year now thanks to vintage eBay finds and capsule collections via the likes of Urban Outfitters.  Now though, the whole SS 2012 retro BOY London collection is available in the UK exclusively at Selfridges, both in store and online at www.selfridges.co.uk.  Here are some of my favourite bits but check the site for the whole collection - or at least what's left as it seems to be going FAST!

Corrie Nielsen at London Fashion Week AW12

Something's been bothering me since I watched former Fashion Fund winner Corrie Nielsen's Autumn / Winter 2012 show via Livestream this London Fashion Week.  No, it wasn't the undeniable echoes of Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood in her designs, nor the wonder at why an American might chose to really run with such a strong Scottish theme (turns out her family roots were originally in the Highlands and this was about exploring her heritage). No, it was the voluminous creation pictured above.  The sumptuous, cocoon-like coat which envelopes the wearer in a luxurious, silky cloud. Please don't think me facetious but doesn't it remind you of the bin bags clothes you used to make in front of Blue Peter in the 80s...?  Split, scrunch-to-ruffle, staple then stick. It got in my head, now I can't see past it... 

All images in this post courtesy of New York Magazine's CutBlog

Evening Biker Chic at AmFar Gala to Kick Off NYFW (and how SJP is style stalking me)

Not for the first time, SJP has been spotted working a trend I've written about previously - this time it was something from my HuffPostUK fashion and shopping blog, last time it was on my old blog.  I'm starting to think she might really be a fan... ;)

Image courtesy of the wonderful Red Carpet Fashion Awards blog - check it out at www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com

If you want to get Sarah Jessica Parker's gorgeous look from last night's AmFar gala that celebrated the start of New York Fashion Week, simply pair a great, classic biker jacket with your party gown and you're there.  Simples.  Check out my Huffington Post UK blog piece on pairing motorcycle jackets with eveningwear here..

And if you're after ideas as to classic biker jackets for Spring / Summer, check out my recent Huff post about Urbancode - the London label that specialises in leather city chic for  twenty-something at heart rock chicks.

LOVE: McQ Alexander McQueen's New Neon Bags

These literally couldn't be any more me if they had my name on...

McQ Amwell mini saddle bag in navy and neon pink leather with silver stud detailing, £370

McQ Stepney tote bag in black neoprene and fluoro orange leather, £355

McQ Amwell cross body bag in neon pink leather with silver stud detailing, £370

McQ Stepney tote in black neoprene and fluorescent pink leather, £355

Super cute silver razor blade zipper pull detail

Inside the Stepney bag - roomy and great lining!

Available from Selfridges and all other McQ Alexander McQueen stockists.

Sportmax Pastel Fade Heels & Matching Hair

I am so coveting these Tiffany blue/green coloured heels with the faded pastel heels from Sportmax that I saw in the Observer.  I'm not quite sure why but they make me want to lick them - maybe it's a subconscious ice cream type thing.  I'm really into fades at the moment from these heels to my hair which is currently an autumnal dark auburn fading through a variety of reds through to strawberry blonde ends that border on the colour of Fruit Salad Chewits, although I'm feeling one of these looks as my next hair move...  Check out Bleach London's site for more work-unfriendly hair dyespiration.

PASTEL PLIMSOLL LOVE FOR LACOSTE'S BARBADOS MID L!VES

How pretty are these ice cream coloured pastel pumps?!  I'm totally loving the bang on trend Lacoste Barbados Mid L!ve trainers for Women which are set to drop early next month, priced £60, and make the cutest alternative to the now ubiquitous summer plimsoll.  Keep an eye out for them at Lacoste's online store.

WHAT'S WITH ALL THE SKELETONS, PEOPLE?

New work from French illustrator and street artist, Monsieur Qui in Paris

New work from the amazing Portugese street artist, Vhils

Is this new street art inspired by Lady Gaga's buddy, the Canadian model, Rick Genest aka Zombie Boy?  (street art images courtesy of one of my favourite sites, Wooster Collective, Zombie Boy images courtesy of the wonderful Nicola Formichetti)

Or maybe it's all part of the 90's revival and it's actually inspired by Robbie Williams' 'Rock DJ' video :)

MARC BY MARC JACOBS REWORKS CLASSIC 90S TRAVEL FOX KICKS

I've no idea if it was deliberate or not but my fashion hero Marc Jacobs has concocted the most perfect Travel Fox tributes EVER.

Image courtesy of Style.com

These hidden-wedge soled colour blocked hi tops (above) were shown in his recent Spring Summer 2012 Marc by Marc Jacobs line show at New York Fashion Week.  Aren't they totally like a fashion forward update on the cult 1990s Travel Fox trainers sported by the likes of Neneh Cherry and that model who fronted Black Box but turned out to be miming? Knackered old Travel Fox pictured below or you can find fresher pics on Flickr here. What do you think?  

Read more about my take on the rest of the Marc by Marc Jacobs SS12 collection over on the HuffingtonPostUK.

A WINTER'S NAIL: TOPSHOP AUTUMN/WINTER HOLIDAY POLISH

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at TopShop make up's Christmas nail colours and thought you might like to see...  I love the muted, on-trend 1970's colours from the Smoke & Mirrors collection (above) with their gorgeous art deco, Empire State Building style packaging. 

And how stunning are these hard wearing metallics?  Such a great range of shades too which all come in the quirky signature TopShop polka dot bottles which are so fun.  

There are also a few more fashion shades added to their long-lasting, affordable nail varnish range - these are so new they don't have names yet but rest assured, they are hot hot hot!  Not long to wait now...

PIMP YOUR KICKS: SHOETURE SNEAKER BLING

Ever since I used to wear Grolsch tops on my Dr. Marten school shoes, I've loved a shoe accessory. Coupled with a trainer obsession, Shoeture was bound to be a smash hit fashion fit for me.

Shoeture is an urban American brand founded in California which produces a great range of slick accessories to customize your kicks. Matte and metallic hooks (as above), tangs (which criss cross with your own laces - see the diagram) come in a variety of finishes and colours including green, red, gold, silver and black as well as a nice line in custom pins and buckles - like this awesome 80's style boombox.

Shoeture's UK operation is headed up in London by the Hip Hop Education Company's Damien Anyasi who first came across the brand when he was hosting the UK hiphop dance championships back in June.

"One of the guest groups  - Poreotics, winners of America's best dance crew - were wearing the bars on their shoes. I noticed one of the judges, street dance legend, Shabba Doo, was also wearing a silver pair, so over a hot Nando's I asked him what they were.  And he told me. The following day I checked out the Shoeture website and discovered they didn't deliver to Europe, so I sent an email asking where I could get them from in London and if they had no distribution, would they like it. An hour later I discovered the EU website and ordered a pair of gold 'Hooks'. 3 hours later, while I was teaching, I got a phone call from Austria saying they'd been contacted by the parent company in the States and wanted to talk business.  It all happened in a day."

There are videos and diagrams on the site so don't panic about not having a clue how to fix your bling to your shoes - it's pretty simple.

The hardwear prices are really reasonable starting at £3.90 for a pin and UK shipping is around £7 per set of hooks, tangs etc. International shipping and prices are all available too and Damien is a super helpful, friendly guy so if you have any order queries or special requests, just get in touch.

Shoeture is currently working on UK stockists but for now you can buy online direct from www.shoeture.co.uk 

ONEPIECE JUMPSUITS - THE SUPER COOL SLANKET YOU CAN WEAR TO THE SHOPS

I have a new MUST HAVE and it's basically a giant babygro.

These roomy OnePiece onesies are the latest incarnation of the jumpsuit trend, successfully fusing urban fashion with function and supreme comfort.

Perfect for lounging around in or a quick hangover shop run, I cannot get enough of these rad unisex rompers.

You may recognise the Traditional Norwegian print jumpsuits (pink and purple examples shown here)  from Channel 4's excellent Dirty Sexy Things as all the models seem to wear them.

Justin Bieber has also been spotted in the Stars and Stripes flag version - but don't let that put you off.  One of those and a pair of the Jeremy Scott x ObyO Adidas American Flag winged trainers and that's next year's sweeeet Independence Day outfit sorted - how's that for forward planning?!

Made from regular or lightweight cotton jersey, they come in a range of designs and cost around £130-£140 each. Buy online direct from OnePiece.