SNEAK PEEK: TOPSHOP AW13

It seems to make perfect sense to be thinking about Winter clothes at the moment. Because it's so ruddy cold!

AW13 Press Shows are in full swing, with too many to even get to at the moment. So I thought I'd bring you a sneaky glimpse at what High Street legends Topshop will have in store (literally) for Autumn.

Heavy 60s and 90s influences are still apparent in this Topshop collection, following from their strong Summer presence. Check out the Christopher Kane-esque wedge heel Chelsea boot with neon elastic, just like the ones I swooned over back in April! Also I'm loving the update to the biker that I'm starting to see everywhere for next Season - fur-lined aviator styles. Let's call them the Hairy Biker...

So while bikinis are filling the rails in the shops, think warm thoughts with my edit of what I love from the first of the new Topshop collections hitting down in mid July...

Matte sequin sweat

Bird print skirt

Leather collar top

Neon detail Chelsea boots

Grey patent skirt

Fur-lined leather jacket

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WIBTW (What I Bought This Week): Insider Beauty Buys

Whilst I was away in Barbados for work, I was lucky enough to get my make-up done a couple of times by the very talented (and also VERY lovely) make-up artist Jose Bass. (Psst - he's the make-up guy Abbey Clancy tweeted about).

Jose hard at work on one of our Barbados shoots

Jose is well-known in the industry for his beautiful skin make-up, so I made the poor guy, at the end of a long day shooting, give me a make-up tutorial. 

I let Jose work his magic and have to say my skin looked amazing. And people noticed. A glow, not too heavy, but any annoying blemishes covered. Result!

So what was his trick?

Well I have quite dry skin so needed something moisturising, but I also get the odd blemish and blocked pores still (WHY?! I'm in my THIRTIES!) so need some coverage. Jose likes to keep things natural, so he used Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Mousturiser, which is now my new favourite beauty product, and then mixed with Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Foundation - but only where needed. The tinted moisturiser also has SPF 20 so great for the day.

Forget applying with fingers - Jose reckons the key to flawless skin is a great brush and the only one for me is Shu Uemura number 18 apparently - a goat hair brush that allows make-up to sit "just-so" on the skin without clogging pores and giving even cover. The brush is sold out in so many places I figure it must be good!

So when I got back the first this I did was go out and buy these 3 things and follow his tips. And I've had people notice my skin since. 

It adds up to buy it all, I admit, but you don't need to use much, particularly as the brush makes it go a long way.

Both the Laura Mercier and Estee Lauder come in at least 5 shades so this natural look can suit any skin tone, and I have to say if you have dry skin like me, don't want to feel caked on, but need a bit of coverage, this is the kit for you!

Thanks Jose!

My new skin kit

Fashion trip | And the winners were...

So I finally managed to get my two girls for the LOOK magazine trip to Barbados - the very beautiful Vera at Select and Lyza at Storm.

And unbeknownst to me, they are best friends! How nice! That meant they got to hang out for a couple of days together.

These girls have a great look but are also versatile which is perfect when you are away and shooting so many stories. Plus I have worked with them before so I knew how fab they both are.

Vera at a cafe one lunchtime. How cool?

Lyza doing an early morning fitting on my tropical balcony!

Barbados was mega hard work for everyone but rewarding. We achieved 6 very different stories, despite both heavy rain (non stop all day) and shine (sweaty, draining shine!).

The shoots will start to come out in a couple of weeks then through out Summer so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime here are just a few random behind the scenes snaps from all the team -some teasers of where/what we shot from the trip...

More to follow!

Fashion trip | Model Casting

So we are full steam ahead for the Barbados trip. Countdown = 6 days.

One of the last things to be sorted will be finalising models as it's hard to secure the girls until late in the day, depending on their other work options holding.  

I am currently casting girls inbetween running around showrooms selecting the clothes, and a million and one other things.

Casting girls for great editorial is one of my favourite parts of my job.

I need two fantastic girls for this trip, they will each do 3 stories so will need to be very versatile.

Yesterday I popped into M+P Model Agency in Soho to meet some of their girls. Here are just some of my favourite faces:

ANNA M

DAFNE

JOSEPHIN

JENNIFER

Still a few more to see then it will be decision time.

Look out for the girls that get selected when the shoots are published!

Fashion Trip | Barbados!

I'm off to Barbados!

For work!

Hurrah!

Bognor on a good day. Or Barbados?
(Picture © barbados.org)

These are the things that you work so hard for. Years as an assistant who no one talks to or cares about, a million Devil Wears Prada moments ("You're going to the Polo with your husband this weekend? How lovely. Yes of COURSE I can get him an outfit in half an hour!"), late nights, freelancing on desks where they don't bother to learn your name ("Fashion, where is your copy?"), working for peanuts... it all pays off when you get to do a trip like this.

So I'm off to Barbados in a last minute decision by the magazine I am working for to shoot 6 main fashion stories.

Usually a Fashion Editor would have about eight weeks to plan something like this. I have about one. Cue eye twitches and sitting bolt upright in the middle of the night, heart pounding. 

So prep is underway. Photographers have been found, flights booked, clothes are being sourced and locations scouted.

As much as it is exciting, it's equally stressful.

And the weather? My enemy at the moment. Let's just keep our fingers crossed!

So stay tuned to see how it all goes...

WIBTW (What I Bought This Week): Miu Miu splurge

Blogging is getting tricky at the moment. Apologies for my slackness. I am working long hours on the magazine so not doing a lot else and have very little time to blog.  Very little time to do anything in fact! But it's all for the greater good...

All this hard work deserves a treat. It was payday for me last week and I felt a splurge coming on, to make up for all the late nights at the office.

Where to go when you want to spoil yourself rotten? Why, Selfridges, of course! 3 hours later I find myself in the shoe hall...

I rarely buy designer as can't often afford it but this time I felt the need. Shoes and handbags, right? Investment pieces, RIGHT?

So check out these little Miu Miu beauties. Salmon pink patent loafers. Definitely a timeless classic. Although someone did point out "What about your last pair of 'timeless classic loafers'. Go out of date?' Fair point. But c'mon, look at their cute little faces...

What I REALLY wanted was these Christopher Kane Chelsea boots with neon elastic. They are me all over. Classic but with a slight lariy twist. But at over £600 pounds, it was definitely unrequited love.

Then, just when I thought I'd seen it all, Marc Jacobs pops up with these mousey numbers. Love them. But reminded myself am not twelve... But so cute!

So I ogled something a little more grown up in the form of these gorgeous suede Acne boots. Divine.

And what other delights did this week hold for me?

It was a beautiful weekend weather-wise. I managed to go for a run, do my ballet class at The Brockwell Lido which I so rarely have time to do, and spend time with the legend that is Blue the Horse. We had hours together in the sunshine. A few of my favourite things, for sure.

BEAUTY DUO OF THE DAY: Neon and nude from Bobbi Brown

A colleague at work got sent some new Bobbi Brown products this week and very kindly shared them with the team. I had a keen rummage and came away with a few products I fancied.

As it turns out I was holding the hottest beauty trend for SS13 in my mitts - neon and nude. Often a key look on the runways and in editorial (it was the beauty look for Giles catwalk show this season), this is actually one for us "normals" too.

I got the Creamy Matte Lip Colour (£18) in Passion Fruit (not yet available online) and Nail Polish in Roza (£11).

I've tried them today and have to say I love the products. I have only tried a few things by Bobbi Brown before but know a lot of people, particularly industry insiders, swear by her products.

The lipstick is totally juicy and moisturising and the nail varnish is one of the nicest nudes I have ever tried (it is hailed in Vogue this month). The colour is described as a "pink grey" and is just that. Very different to your usual grey or beiges.

So give the look a go.

Remember to keep lips matte and skin natural, without too much eye make up.

My new beauty buddies.

Backstage at Giles SS13. Pictures © Vogue.com