Who's Skin Are You In? Peta's Fur-Free Ad Campaign for Fashion

Check out this peta vid called Who's Skin Are you In? If you think female fashion accessories are cool; take another look.

Fashion Accessories Gone Mad? Shrink Your Head!

Okay, i just had to post this! The weirdest fashion accessory ever? Quite possibly!

This fashion accessory will make your head smaller. Right....

We've obviously all sat there at one time in our life and thought "i wish my head was smaller", to which a Japanese company has heard our cries and decided to create this rather obscure invention which involves wearing a belt around our heads while we sleep. So, not only can you look extra attractive for your partner laying next to you, you can also be safe in the knowledge that your head is going to shrink.

Now, i know the Japanese are pretty much at the forefront of crazy and / or great inventions, but is this just taking it a bit too far? I mean, who would want one of these? Are we so image conscious these days that we are resorting to wearing belts around our heads when we sleep?

My view is, quite simply, that it is a fad that will have some people curious about how it works, but not many people buying. Fashion accessories in Japan are unique and individual, just like their fashions, but this is taking it to another extreme. Lets remember though, that the Japanese like everything to be petite, or even smaller, so focusing on something that reduces your size in any way is very much in fashion.

The Kogao Meiku Beruto — the “Small Face Make Belt” might prove to be a big seller, but i can't see there being the demand in the UK. It costs around £5, so its not exactly expensive, it just seems like a ludicrous idea. Of all the things i want smaller, i have never thought of my head as being one of them...

You can read more about this "fashion accessory" by clicking here

Moda in Pelle Shoes - The Height of Fashion!

I love Moda in Pelle shoes. I think the designs really set them apart from other shoe shops and they are popular with women who love to flaunt their style.

My favourite boots came from there, my El Dantes boots. Bought a few years ago, they were a big hit and are pretty hard to get hold of these days. They are denim with gold and white studs all over. On a night out, they always attract lots of attention and lots of jealous glances!

So why is Moda in Pelle such a big bit? I think its that they know how to cater for the girl looking for shoes just a little bit different. They are very 'on trend', as backed up the fact the latest must-have Moda in Pelle shoes have been featured in You magazine, with their crazy name! The 'Shoeboots' are a sort of cross between a short boot and a proper shoe and it would seem their are a lot of designer names picking up on this trend.

UKTV Style did a feature online of the six best 'Shoeboot' purchases and Bertie, Kurt Geiger and ASOS all featured. I still think Moda in Pelle shoes have the best selection of shoes for the fashion lover out there. And, what's more, you are always pretty close to a Moda in Pelle stockist. In Leeds, they have their own store, ans equally feature as a concession in some other stores, particularly department stores.

I like the Moda in Pelle shoe store in Bath, Somerset. It is quite small, but i think they have a really 'choice' selection of shoes, boots and every other footwear variation! Sometimes the smaller stores have the best stuff. Be sure to check them out!

Moda in Pelle shoes

Children's Jewellery for Girls - Agree / Disagree?

I was walking down the street the other day and i saw a baby that looked about a year old with its mother heading into the Early Learning Centre. I couldn't believe my eyes when i saw the child had pierced ears and a gold bracelet.

Is this considered acceptable these days? I have always held the belief that children's jewellery is tasteless on such young kids. I don't think its looks right at all. They have the rest of their lives to wear jewellery so i find it difficult to understand why some mothers feel it necessary to pierce their child's ears at a year old? I have never had my ears pierced but i don't disapprove of it on older girls, just not very young children. I just think children should retain their innocence for as long as possible these days. In our society today, children have to grow up so fast that their childhood is short-lived. Children's jewellery is just another way of making your child grow up far too fast.

Also, surely the bracelet is a bit dangerous? I mean, children are all 'feely touchy' and a bracelet on the wrist is just going to encourage them to put it in their mouth and then who knows what will happen. I just think it is far too risky to put jewellery on a child so young.

If you have any views, please share them below.

Eco-bags And The One That Everyone Wanted!

I'm sure you all remember the most popular eco-bag ever to grace the planet. That's right, it's the Anya Hindmarch 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' shopper. They sold out instantly and celebs such as Keira Knightly and and Lily Cole were seen parading around with it neatly nestled in the crook of their arms.

The response was phenomenal. They were trading hands on eBay for up to £200 and it was very difficult to get one. This was last year. So, i was wondering if the hype has calmed down on eBay now and you can now bag one of these beauties for anywhere near to the original cost which was £5.

Hmmm.

I thought as much - these bags are still sought after and people are bidding away on eBay for them. But i think there are quite a few fake ones on there too, i mean, its not going to be difficult to recreate a £5 bag, is it? If you still want one, be careful about what you buy.

So why the hype over this bag? We don't see people running into Tesco or Asda and buying up their 'eco-friendly' bags. I think what it comes down to is that this Anya Hindmarch eco bag was very stylish. It was simple, effective and was just that little bit quirky. I think Anya Hindmarch's design really brought the eco-friendly bag to the forefront of our minds and it prompted a lot of people to start taking notice. Although it was a cheap bag, it was not something you would find sitting in a supermarket at the end of the checkout. Hindmarch's bag managed to make the crossover from designer chic to cheap chic and it became an instant best-seller. When Harvey Nichols got them in store, customers were reportedly limited to purchasing only 2 each. A designer bag clearly doesn't have to cost the earth!

I would be curious to know just how many celebrities use the bag for eco purposes. They probably just see it as a great design by a designer name, but will they use it for picking up their shopping? Who knows. I just think the point of this bag has been lost a little bit and not everyone is going to replace their plastic bag that they inevitably pick up from the supermarket. I know from experience its hard to remember to take in your eco-friendly bag when going into a supermarket.

Also, has anyone noticed that TK Maxx are now charging for the use of their plastic bags? I think that's great and will hopefully encourage users to pick up one of their eco-friendly bags. The designs are actually really fab, so be quick!

Unique bags! Latest News

I just heard about the coolest new bags! They feature artwork by top designers such as Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney and are being created in aid of charity.

If you like your unique designs then these bags are going to be some serious arm candy for all you fashion lovers out there. The bags are designed to raise money for charitable projects worldwide and a small profit from each bag sold will be donated to the designer's charity of choice. Stella McCartney's designs are very unique and all proceeds go to 21st Century Leaders.

I really commend the celebrities and fashion designers that have got involved with the Whatever It Takes project and stand up for their views and principles. We all know the McCartney family are animal lovers and peace keepers, so it is no surprise that Stella has decided to get involved.

One surprise contribution might be that of Heidi Klum, but her stunning green canvas bag design is very stylish and it shows that celebrities from all walks of life are willing to get involved in this project.

Check them out here:

http://shop.whateverittakes.org/

Choices Choices :)

Fur Fashion Accessories - No Change

It has been ongoing for many years now, but the use of fur in fashion accessories is not one i advocate.

In the 1920s, it was common place to see wealthy ladies parading around with their fox stole around their neck or long winter fur coat, but these days, the general view of fur in fashion has taken a rather more ethical stance.

Many people are against the use of fur in fashion accessories, but still it continues. What i find so hard to understand is that we have such great replicas these days that there seems little need in buying any fur fashion accessories.

Prada and Fendi are two big designer names that use fur in many of their handbag designs. Personally, as soon as i see the fur addition to any bag, i think it ruins the design and seems like a stoneage approach to fashion accessories these days.





Of course, there are the activists that are helping to stamp out the use of fur. I heard one story about how Beyonce had advertised a dinner date with herself on eBay and the highest bidder was Peta who met up with her and proceeded to give her a barrage of abuse for advocating the use of fur fashion. What seems crazy to me is why did they spend all that money on the auction? That money is what we animal rights supporters donate to them so they can help stop animal cruelty and protect them; not spend it on meeting Beyonce.

However, at the same time, i do not agree with Beyonce wearing any sort of fur and i am aware of the horrific conditions the animals have to suffer in order to make one bag. Peta had the right idea; they just went about it in the wrong way.

Fur in fashion accessories will probably continue for some time, but i hope people will wake up to the facts and realise that some of those in the public eye who could make a difference, really aren't bothered.

Accessories For Everyone...

For stylish women who want stylish accessories, Monsoon's Accessorize is the perfect one-stop shop. The best thing about this store is how they merchandise their stock so effectively, so that all complementing colours are grouped together. It allows you to choose a bag that looks great with a necklace, bracelet etc, all in one tiny corner of the store. It's sometimes impossible to come out with just one item!

Accessories for girls come in all shapes and forms, but Accessorize allows the fashion-loving mother/daughter/child to choose an array of great items. This store has always had that very boho feel about it, and houses the sorts of items you can imagine the Sienna Miller's of this world adorning themselves in. It almost feels like it hails from the 1960s, with the Woodstock era transcending fashion into what it is today. It is chic, stylish and quite reasonably priced.

I went in to Monsoon last week and found myself heading straight towards the rear of the store where the Accessorize section is. I was instantly overwhelmed with all the vibrant colours and beautiful beaded bags on display, that i couldn't resist buying a few pieces.

Lily Cole was announced as the next model for Accessorize, taking the place of Claudia Schiffer. I think this really demonstrates the broad age range that this accessories brand caters for, with Lily Cole being the tender age of 20, and Claudia Schiffer aged 38.

Monsoon/Accessorize really know how to target the female market with their wide range of accessories for girls...of all ages!

Accessories For Girls - The Options

Recently, i found an article about Barbie makers Mattel bringing out a new range of accessories for girls. The designs are made up from the remnants of Barbie toys, which would otherwise end up in the bin. The accessories range is designed to help youngsters understand the importance of climate change and being ecologically friendly. It's called the "Bcause" collection, which seems like a pretty awful name to start with.

Okay, so i can see the thought process here; make the little ones aware of how important recycling is etc and hope that they will all grow up to be Tree Huggers. Personally though, i am a little bit sceptical. Is this not just a case of Mattel trying to make the money go further by using up old bits that clearly weren't good enough for the toys themselves, to then be used for an accessories for girls range?

Let's look at the range itself; it is very girly (surprise) and yet seemingly very boring. I have had my fair share of Barbie toys over the years and it was the "plastic-fantasticness" of them that i loved. The more little plastic accessories that came with the dolls; great! But i don't ever remember thinking "oh, what i really need is a handbag with a vague outline of a Barbie head on it".

The range doesn't even exploit the Barbie name, there is just a very bland design and nothing that i can think would appeal to a young girl. Am i right in thinking that girls want to see their heroine's name plastered over every item of merchandise possible? I certainly did. Without the name, it just looks generic and boring.

So, unfortunately, Mattel's "Go Green" concept of accessories for girls, leaves me feeling just a little bit uninterested...


If you liked this blog, please feel free to check out my other blogs: Branded Clothing Female Fashion Clothing Boutiques