Returning to my second home...

Hello all,

For those who have been around these parts since the beginning, you will remember my first ever post, which I wrote after going to the V&A and seeing the fashion collection which was so inspiring to me that I decided to write. That was back in 2010.

Now five years later I am a member of the V&A and today I went there after work for an explore of a place I consider my second home. I can't really explain why I love it so much, it is just a place of wonderment - like an old curiosity shop for those of us who love the arts. For example, today I stood in front of a Raphael and couldn't quite catch my breath at the beauty of it. And the same goes for the tiny diamond broach made to look like a basket of flowers in the jewellery room that is one of my favourite places in the whole museum.

And it is a special place. Earlier in the month I was also lucky enough to see Savage Beauty, on the last day of the exhibition and I was so happy to see the best curated selection of work from a man that inspires me so much and that fashion sorely misses. I will write about it in more detail soon, as I still can't believe that I got to see Lee's final collection with my own eyes. I really hope that it comes back to the UK sometime in the future and I can take my children, and they will learn why talent that shines that brightly, should be cherished and immortalised forever.

So if you visit London, go to the V&A, the bookshop is awesome, you can have cake in the gardens surrounded by one of the most stunning buildings in the city and you'll see things that take some believing.

And if I ever need some inspiration, I know I will find it in that palace of joy, and that really is why going back there is like going home...

Love,

Amber x

Print will never die...

Hey guys,

Some say that print is a dying medium and with e-books and gadgets, there will be no point in carrying around heavy books. However in fashion we are slightly different, yes magazines produce E versions however I love to buy the magazine myself, having it on my phone just doesn't seem the same.

My room is groaning from fashion magazines and I genuinely believe the artistry that goes into a magazine deserves someone to pick it up and treasure it, every shoot is a jewel. I also have a huge amount of books that inspire my fashion sense in a conventional and non-conventional way.

My collection of books about fashion directly is pictured below and there is a wide range of themes:

Firstly, I have two books on one of my idols Miss Marilyn Monroe and her influence on fashion. Marilyn was very good at dressing her figure and one of the books focuses on her relationship with William Travilla who custom made some of her most iconic dresses - both are particularly interesting and contain some very stunning and inspiring images. (details: Dressing Marilyn, Marilyn in Fashion)

I also have three style guides; one 'The Bombshell Manual of Style' which is a very fun guide I borrowed from my mums library and is just a laugh, the second is 'How To Dress For Success' which I bought on my return to the V&A at the start of this year and it is very helpful in organising the smart style that every woman needs to master, finally is Lauren Conrad's 'Style' which is my go to book for the wardrobe organisation and what to put with what - it's also very helpful for beauty which most how to books do but this one is particular good with the drawings represent the face with the make up on that look realistic and easy to do. (details: The Bombshell Manual of Style, How To Dress For Success, Style)  

As well as these I have a number of fun books such as the 'American Fashion Cookbook' which has designers favourite foods and some fun personal anecdotes; 'The Princess Diaries Guide to Life' which is a good book for anyone interested in being a princess, covering fashion to proper decorum in social settings such as dining and etiquette; 'Edie: Girl On Fire' is a book about the iconic Edie Sedgwick who was idolised by Andy Warhol with some stunning images and inspiration; my 'Little Dictionary of Fashion' by Christian Dior which I wrote about when I bought it, the book is so interesting as it offers a complete A-Z of everything you could ever need to wear; My Chanel Fine Jewellery Catalogue which is good if I want to be hypnotised by diamonds for a few hours and finally my two books written by Madonna about the 'English Roses' which have a beautiful illustrations and all the girls have a good style that I still love even now. (details: American Fashion Cookbook, Edie: Girl on Fire, The Princess Diaries Guide to Life, Little Dictionary of Fashion, English Roses - and Chanel catalogue you need to get in Chanel stores)

It's fair to say I have a lot of fashion books and I just bought another one, Vogue on Alexander McQueen and this books is beautifully written and I think it is one of the best books I have seen about him. When I finish reading it I will do a proper review. (details: Vogue on Alexander McQueen)

My main issue is that I have a very long queue of books (although I have read Frankenstein, Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Great Gatsby so far this year) but my plan is to spend all summer reading in the sun.

So I hope you enjoyed this new angle,
Message me your favourite books, I'm always looking for a new buy!

Luv,
LDN Teenage Fashionista xx♥

n.b. I have used Amazon for the details of these books as it lists ISBN and author clearly, but I bought these across a variety of stores, book shops are amazing and I have no affiliation with Amazon.

The little dictionary of fashion by Christian Dior: My bible

Hey guys,

I am not religious, but this little book I acquired while at the V&A Museum in London, has now become my Bible. Mr Dior wrote this book himself in 1954 and it is frankly amazing. The way he styles women is astonishing and in no way offensive or downgrading. In fact he almost lifts women up to their higher place as goddesses, instead of the lower class view of some people that put women down. He certainly wasn't one of the many who had those views and was an incredible designer of quality that simply not many could ever dream of... (apart from Coco Chanel but that's only my opinion)

In the book, it is a simple A-Z of all things women need to know on how to dress, right down to there cut and colour. I love his simplistic ideas and views, that would look so chic on anyone. For instance he says about Accessories:
"You must choose a colour that will match many clothes in your wardrobe. Unless you have a lot of money it is wiser to choose black, navy or brown for your accessories rather than a bright red or green. It is a question of care and taste."

He is an icon and I will treasure his book all my life! I hope you have been inspired because I assure you I have.

Love LDN TEENAGE FASHIONISTA xox

Ok first post scary stuff!

Hey guys,

I am an ordinary girl from London who has a big dream! I want to be a barrister in the future but right now i am loving the fashion culture that London gives me! With the BRITS blaring out from my TV and my cute Hamster chewing her tube behind me, this is what i call home, However, when i am out and about fashion is always on my mind. I buy at least 6 magazines a month and love reading about new fashions, but while at the V&A museum in London today i learnt that the vintage side of fashion is so much more inspiring and really affects the clothes i wear today!

In this blog i will talk about designer brands because they give us the trends but as i said, i am just an ordinary girl who has never spent more than £50 on one item of clothing!

I hope you enjoy learning about how i see fashion and learn something new!

Love you loads xox LDN TEEN FASHIONISTA xox