The Jungle is Massive!

The Jungle is Massive!

Continuing with the 13 for 2013 theme here's my next (yes, slightly delayed) trend! This year a strong theme creeping up in the high street is without a doubt 'jungle' inspired wear. With aztec patterns still a strong player there's also plenty of animalistic pieces along with african inspired prints.

This trend is all about the excess! Mix and clash different prints & patterns to stand out from the crowd... or if you're not quite feeling brave enough pick one key piece and team it with simple (yet colourful) accessories.

If you're like me and you already have a strong (not so colourful) style you could always opt for the accessories option! ...and trust me there are some amazing pieces out there!

Here's a few of my favourites...

Mango Statement Spike & Rope Necklace

£30

 3

River Island Eclectic Friendship Bracelet

£18

 

 

Topshop Spike Fang Ring

£7.50

 

 

 

 

ASOS Panther Crown Headband

£10

 

 

River Island Eclectic Dangle Earrings

£12

 

 

Topshop Sharks Tooth Rhinestone Collar

£16.50

 

Have fun getting your 'jungle fever' on!

 

much love

JodieRosanna

x

 

 



School Girl 'Bags' success with Manchester Fashion Week

School Girl 'Bags' success with Manchester Fashion Week

 

With Manchester Fashion week 2013 drawing ever closer I have some more exciting news...

 

This year MCRFW worked alongside Duo UK to hold a competition at Whalley Range High school in order to find the events official VIP bag design.

 

"We chose Whalley Range High School as it is a school that is right at the heart of Manchester. Their textiles department has recently been refurbished and a number of their pupils go on to design courses or aspire to work within the fashion industry. This year Manchester Fashion Week is all about creating a legacy for fashion in our city and we wanted to develop this from the grass roots." Kirsty Attwood

(head of fashion)

 

The 1500 talented school girls were given the brief of creating a design that epitomizes Manchester and reflects its edgy style. The standard was so high the judging panel of MCRFW ambassadors had to narrow it down to 10 final designs!

 

 

The winner was 14 year old Ocean Williams and her strong design stood out amongst the other 9 finalists...

 

 

 

The panel included Manchester designer and fashionista Nadine Merabi;

 

"It was such a hard decision for us to make. The girls had come up with some amazing ideas but we felt Ocean really made an impact and loved use of the Mancester skyline and striking colours."

 

Duo's Commercial Director, Anthony Brimelow, who also took part in the judging process thinks this has been a fantastic project to be involved in:

"As a business retail is one of our key sectors - we count leading brands such as ASOS, Boohoo.com and JD Williams among our customers so there's a natural affinity between us and many of the companies involved in Manchester Fashion Week. In fact we have worked with Boohoo.com, another ambassador of MCRFW from day one and supported them as their business has rapidly grown. 

 

In addition to this, we are a proud Manchester business and we're celebrating our 25th anniversary this year. The city has been good to us so the way Manchester Fashion Week is nuturing new talent and helping young businesses grow rapidly appeals to us."

 

The winning design will now be made into an actual bag by Manchester based leading packaging manufacturer Duo UK, who are main sponsors fo MCRFW 2013.

 

2013 marks the second year of Manchester Fashion Week and sees an increase in catwalk shows and exhibition space. 20% of the 30 catwalks will be donated to independant British Fashion designers creating a fantastic opportunity to showcase thier work and champion the new fashionistas of the future.

 

Don't forget MCRFW will take place between 22nd - 26th April 2013 at Manchester's National Football museum.

 

To check out the runner's up designs log on to www.mcrfashionweek.com

 

 

much love

JodieRosanna

x

 

 

p.s: let me know what you think of the new layout!

 

 



 

 

A Little Bit About Me... with #MCRFW

A Little Bit About Me... with #MCRFW

So, as part of being an inflencial blogger for #MCRFW 2013 I was asked to take part in an interview to be featured as a blogger star profile on their "yours fashionably" blog spot. Of course I was honoured to take part!

I must admit... at first I found it a little bizzare having to answer a series of questions that were soley about me; after all I'm so used to doing interviews the other way round!

Anyways... for anyone that wanted to know a little bit more about me; here it it:
 

Name: Jodie Rosanna Williamson

Age: 23

Occupation: model/stylist/blogger

Hometown: Leigh (nr Manchester)

Current Location: Leigh

Blog: http://astylistsdiary.blogspot.com
 

How did you get into blogging?After I finished studying Fashion Styling and Image Making at uni in summer last year I felt like I needed to stay as much in touch with fashion as I could; my blog is my way of keeping up to date with what’s going on in the world of fashion and letting others know at the same time. It’s the perfect way for me to display my work.

What can we expect when reading your blog?A witty and truthful account of what I love about fashion today. My blog is very much a diary for me; it allows me to keep an account of my journey in the world of fashion and share it with others.

Top 3 sites you follow and would recommend? 1) Style.com– my favourite site to find out what’s happening in the world of fashion as its happening!

2)Lookbook.nu - the perfect way to find hot new bloggers and see what people are wearing all over the world.

3) Tumblr.com– I love the idea of image sharing; it’s so inspiring and no matter what you want a picture of you are most likely to find it here.

What’s the best thing that has happened to you since you started blogging?Starting writing my blog is probably the best thing I did since finishing uni; it has given me the opportunity to work with some amazing people and style some awesome shoots. However, becoming an influential blogger for MCRFW has most definitely been one of the best high-lights; I’m so honoured to be working with the team and hopefully it’ll lead to some more exciting things in the future.

Who is your style crush? Gwen Stefani! I've always idolised her style and I love the way she always manages to look effortlessly cool. She's not afraid to try new things and most importantly she knows what suits her figure so you'll very rarely see her in anything unflattering.

Who is your favourite designer? Alexander Wang; I have one of his dresses in my wardrobe and it's my all-time favorite! I also really love his Diego Pebbled Leather Bucket Bag and it's right at the top of my shopping list for when I start making the big bucks!

Where do you shop? I always shop in Manchester; it has the perfect mix of vintage, high street and designer shops to get any look needed for your wardrobe. The catwalk to high street turn out is so quick these days that everyone can be on trend; no matter what their budget!

How would you describe your style in 5 words? My style changes all the time; it really depends on my mood and the music I’m listening to at that moment in time. At the moment I’d say it’s: feminine, figure-hugging, 90’s inspired, grunge.

Top 3 favourite pieces of clothing in your wardrobe right now and why? 1) I’ve just started up my own clothing range called ‘Pretty in Punk’;it’s a mixture of bleached and tie dyed clothes… I’ve kept one or two pieces for myself and my favourite has to be the ‘Cosmic’ Star Studded crop top!

2) I love classic pieces that never go out of style… at the moment I’m living in a pair of American Apparel washed out denim; high waisted shorts! …they just go with everything!

3) My final favourite piece has to be a camel, fur collar cardigan I bought in Lanzarote 2 years ago… the colours compliment my skin and hair so well and it’s so comfy and warm… it has the power to glam up any outfit whilst keeping a vintage/retro vibe.

What are your top 5 beauty products that live in your handbag and go everywhere with you?

- Vaseline Lip Balm

- Simple Moisturiser

- Max Factor false lash effect mascara

-Eyelure eyelash glue

-L'oreal true match foundation

What are your top beauty secrets?I always recommend using ‘Coconut Oil’ as a moisturiser… its 100% natural so it’s really good for the skin and it always leaves you feeling silky and smooth. (it’s great on the hair too).

For all blondes out there I’d recommend using FUDGE silver shampoo… it banishes any yellow tones and if you keep it on for a few extra minutes it’ll give your hair a subtle lilac tone.

Favourite make up brand and product at the moment? I’m really in love with TOPSHOP makeup at the moment; they have the best nail varnishes… the colours are always on trend and for £5 each they’re great quality!

Describe your everyday makeup look in three words? Natural, simple and bohemian.

What is your guilty pleasure? Eating double chocolate chip fudge cookies and watching Breaking Bad.

What 5 items can you never leave the house without?

-Blackberry

-Lip Balm

-Studded Purse

-Keys

-Mirror (you never know when you might need to touch up your makeup)

Favourite band/singer? Jeramiah Ferrari – a local Manchester reggae, rock/ska band. They’re amazing and everyone should check them out!

Who are you voting to win on XFactor right now? I’m not much of a fan of the XFactor; I’d rather spend my Saturday nights out watching live music! Unsigned bands definitely need more support these days.

Any advice you could give to upcoming bloggers? Be yourself; if any one’s going to read your blog it’ll be because you have a unique and natural style! Oh, and always include plenty of images; the more visual the post the more viewers you’ll get!

Best advice you have ever been given? Always be yourself and follow your dreams; as long as you stay true to yourself anything is possible!

What is your dream job? I’d love a job in fashion! My dream is to eventually have my own business selling my clothing brand and offering out my styling services. I’d love to work with bands; helping them find their own image/style.

Describe Manchester in 3 words? Cosmopolitan, trendy and fashion-forward (could only manage 4 words)

Describe Manchester fashion in 3 words? Street, bohemian and unique.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU:

Twitter: @jodierosanna

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jodie.r.williamson / www.facebook.com/prettyinpunkclothing

Tumblr: www.prettyinpunkclothing.tumblr.com

ASOS Marketplace: https://marketplace.asos.com/search?q=prettyinpunk&oss_ss=

__________________________

Be sure to check out the interview on the #MCRFW blog soon!
http://www.mcrfashionweek.com/yoursfashionably

much love

JodieRosanna

x

 



Bench Concept Store Launch

Bench Concept Store Launch

 

On Thursday 20th September I was very proudly invited to the Bench Concept Store Launch in Manchester's Nothern Quarter...

 

 

The new look store was buzzing with industry people as I arrived and the very first thing that caught my eye was the stunning new layout...

 

 

The store had a sort of urban, warehouse feel to it whilst at the same time creating an open and minimalist space. Amazing artwork by local artist Moot branded the walls with a modern day comic book feel and really gave the store a true 'self-made' personality. This new raw look really complimented the Bench AW '12 collection and it truly felt as though it was the rebirth of Bench!

 

However, it didn't just end there! A neon sighn reading 'Self Made' lead the way to an accessible downstairs space; something completely new to stores in Manchester today...

 

 

The once disused basement had been transformed into a buzzing space filled with people, artwork and even a bar & DJ. For me it truly was a whole new experience!

 

On tables in the centre of the room lay patterns from key pieces in the Bench AW '12 collection; a little insight into what exactly goes into creating each individual piece...

 

 

 

The idea behind creating this open space was that it would be open to the public daily; a space for Manchester creatives to use as a 'hub' to come up with new ideas and perhaps meet new people to collaborate with. With free Wi-Fi and a selection of large open tables this is the perfect place for creativity to blossom; for new undiscovered talent to be found!

...and I love it!

 

 

Don't forget to visit the store yourself at:

61-63 Church St

Northern Quarter

Manchester

M4 1PW

 

www.benchselfmade.com

 

much love

JodieRosanna

x

 

 



Talk that Talk

Talk that Talk

It was announced a few weeks ago that the one and only Rihanna will be designing a capsule collection for the great British High Street store River Island... and I am very excited! Set to hit the stores in Spring 2013 this new collection can't come quick enough for me...

"I've been wanting to design my own collection for some time," Rihanna said to Vogue. "River Island is the perfect partner for me to collaborate with and working with a British, family-run business also really appealed to me. I find London really inspiring and River Island loves to have fun with clothes. I'm looking forward to working with them and creating something really special."

I'm personally hoping her inspiration will come from her own personal style... a mix of sexy, urban pieces with a hint of real street grunge! Here's some of my fav Rihanna looks from 2012...

much love

JodieRosanna

x