Miu Miu

Quickly browsing on http://www.net-a-porter.com/, I decided to check out the Spring/Summer 2009 Miu Miu Collection. I have always loved Miuccia Prada's classical style and Miu Miu is one of my favourite designer collections.

Grey seems to be a key Spring/Summer colour for Miu Miu and I'm not complaining...it looks gorgeous on this leather bag, cardigan and shoes...
For now I have a chunky grey scarf...but I feel this won't suffice for much longer...!

These shoes are at the top of my wish list for Miu Miu, I adore the studded jewels and the shade of green is fantastic! If only...!

Reiss

By far one of my favourite places to shop in the high-street is Reiss. A recent copy of ELLE labelled the up market brand the best place to buy party dresses, and they weren't wrong! Last season, there were so many beautiful dresses for every type of event going - my favourites included the 'Ella Frill' dress and the 'Rachel' - both instant sell-outs!

I was able to secure the orange 'Rico' skirt on my uniform (they sold out in a matter of weeks!) and the 'Sophia' cream frill skirt in the sale - with the slinky olympia tops in purple, blue and cream!

Although when the Reiss brand was born, it was a menswear only store, the decision to design a womenswear collection in 2000 has not disapointed and has quickly matched up to the popularity of the menswear.

Reiss now has 95 stores worldwide, including 75 in the UK alone. (If you get a chance, pop into the Flagship on Barratt Street in London, or on Oxford Street - you will be in heaven!)
Not only popular with party wear, the women's tailoring for workwear will have every fashion-savvy successful woman dying for a Reiss suit - if it needs alterations the Reiss team are always more than happy to pin and send your suit for alterations!

I cannot wait to get back home for Easter, where I work p/t in the Reiss on East Street in Brighton to see the new collection.

Furter pictures of the new collection will follow, and check out http://www.reiss.co.uk/ to shop online or find your nearest store!

Spybaby Vintage

I am undeniably jealous of living outside of London for one particular reason - Vintage shopping!
Although Southampton has many charity shops and friends and I often walk to Shirley or Portswood to see what we can pick up, nothing can beat the huge choice and diversity of London's vintage and charity shops!

I always long for Camden Market, Portabello Market and probably my favourite; Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market!! My best friend lives in Aldgate East and she lives literally minutes from Brick Lane - so I always make sure I pop into Rokit or Absolute Vintage - my favourite...I enter vintage heaven! (It also won 'Best Vintage Shop' 2008 from InStyle magazine!)

But recently I happened to stumble upon possibly the cutest little vintage 'cave' hidden beneath a quaint bookshop/coffeeshop in Portswood - 'Peter Rhodes Bookshop'.
Once downstairs, you are taken aback by the wonders of Spybaby - albeit a small space, the intimacy is welcomed; you start to believe these clothes belong to you - you are in your personal vintage wardrobe!


There are about 4/6 long rails jam packed full of absolute hidden treasures - long sparkly 60s prom dresses, sharp tailored jacket, fur coats, trousers, paisley and patterned scarfs - oh and the shoes bags and jewellery are absolutely divine!


I decided to meet up with Catherine Wright, the owner and buyer of 'Spybaby Vintage' to ask her about the shop, her personal vintage style and her perks of the job!
Even in conversation she expresses how taken aback she was with how well the shop was recieved, "We've literally had girls come downstairs thinking there are more books, looking around, eyes growing wider with pure passion for what they are seeing!" Catherine even told me she'd had a few girls scream!

I can see why - if Southampton's lack of vintage was compared to the Sahara Desert, Spybaby is the gallon of ice cold water given to thirsty travellers. (Tad extreme but the shop is a jewel!) When I met with Catherine the shop was still undergoing some work, not everything had been priced and labelled and clothes and scarfs were still unwrapped, in piles on the floor, shoes were in boxes and some jewellery was yet to be put out.

She apologises for the mess but in honesty, I like it. I tell her it feels better that way, as when you find something you really love, you have searched for it!
Have a look at their blog http://spybabyvintage.blogspot.com/ and if you live in Southampton what are you waiting for...!!

Interview to follow.