House of Harlow 1960 (wishlist)

For those of you who are not familiar with House of Harlow 1960, let me introduce you.

The brand launched in 2009 with Nicole Richie as it's creative force. You'd be forgiven for thinking that here was yet another rich, famous fashionista who on a whim decided to create a fashion brand, but that's where you'd be wrong. Like Victoria Beckham and the Olsen twins (with The Row), Nicole had long established herself as a firm favourite on the best-dressed pages and with Designers alike before proving that she could be a natural force behind the driving seat of her very own fashion brand too.

Nicole's love and influence of costume dressing and finding inspiration in the exotic and bohemian has always shown through her personal style choices, and with House of Harlow 1960, her style stamp is all over her collections.

In particular I have fallen head over heels (pardon the pun) for HoH 1960's AW11 shoes. As a patriot of black and anything a bit scruffy or rocky, black killer heels and bondage straps (refer to any AW11 checklist) are naturally a thing that appeal to me. But so too are the leopard print heels which wouldn't usually be my first point of call but in small doses are quite fantastic. Certainly they are in this case; those leopard print platforms and wedges have the ability to take a casual lbd or skinny jeans and transform them into an outfit fit for the life of a Hollywood glamazon!

I have selected my most coveted AW11 shoes from the collection as well as a fabulous McQueen-esque bag and some select jewellery because they are just so unbelievably wonderful! Each item you can imagine Nicole wearing herself, and the collection as a whole is trend driven and considered, yet individual and sends a bold message: that Nicole Richie has come a long way since the days of the Simple Life and the proof is in the collection.

A McQueen Halloween

Even after the untimely passing of their namesake, Alexander McQueen continues to grow under the leadership of Sarah Burton and still has the ability to wow me. Here, a short film by Parisian director Babette Pauthier showcases their Fall/Winter scarf collection. The scarves flow and mutate in a mirrored symmetry, with skull print and sinister musical undertones sitting perfectly with the soft flow of silk and more delicate shapes. Who knew scarves could be so captivating?

Coincidently, I went as a skeleton for Halloween last night having painted a full skeleton onto my black catsuit from Halloweens past as Katwoman. Unfortunately I have no shots of the catsuit, but here's my skull!

Tula AW11

For a while there, there seemed to be a slight backlash against the 'It' bag. And perhaps rightly so midst a global recession. But brands this season seem to be taking a more nostalgic look back to the classics in order to provide us with 'It' bags which will last us year-in, year-out.

Still not got £2000 to throw away? Enter Tula, a British handbag company who make the most beautifully crafted handbags in classic styles and at affordable high street prices. With a heritage of over 35 years, their AW11 collection looks back in time and relives the classic functionality and lady like glamour of the 50’s and early 60’s. Think in-the-style-of icons (who are having a bit of a revival at the moment) such as Jackie Onassis and Grace Kelly.

Here's my pick of my favourites from their AW11 collection, which are all about quality and structured shapes in a gorgeous Autumnal colour palette:

Metallics have long been a favourite of mine given that I'm still a bit of a rock fan at heart so to see the glam 70s back in trend warms my heart. This'll go nicely with my leather leggings thank you!

Small cross body bags have had a huge resurgence recently on the arms of everyone from Alexa to la Moss. This one's a gorgeous colour and finished off in ostrich skin, another key trend for handbags in Autumn/Winter along with snake skin.

AW11 Lady Dior anyone? Loving the Alexander McQueen/Jimmy Choo/Mui Mui leopard print pony hair going around at the moment.

The pouch bag - So very glad it's back for AW11 as I have a couple that have been stored away in my wardrobe for some time.

Very classic Hermes. I'm in love with this lady-like look in edgy patent black!