I Was Made To Love Magic

The recent Lula Loves story in la nouvelle issue of Lula - number ten of the bi-annual fashion magazine - appears to be a run down of all my favourite things of the moment; the Mulberry Alexa, Miranda July, Orla Kiely dresses, Henry Darger 'Vivian Girls' series, those Tabitha Simmons shoes - you name it. Lula has long since been my favourite magazine, providing just the right balance of feminine, ethereal beauty and high fashion. Lula's interviews have been described as feeling like late night chats with people you wish you knew. Perfection.

"It wasn’t like starting Lula was like ‘let’s make a magazine that’s pink.’”

Leith Clark, Lula's editor-in-chief (and my current girl crush!)

(Images from loverunway at The Fashion Spot)

Boys should make passes at girls who wear glasses

No wonder Alexa Chung is one of my style inspirations when she cites Jane Birkin, Julie Christie and Diane Keaton in Annie Hall as her influences. After all, sixties girls are just the best. I love her nonchalant, tomboy attitude that exudes wit and references everything from Enid Blyton’s Mallory Towers to Sam Haskins' Five Girls series.

I was therefore more than excited to hear about her up and coming collection for Madewell which debuted last night amongst a vast array of flowers, vintage suitcases and Pashley bicycles. All to the soundtrack of sixties girl band, The Shangri-Las - perfection. As you can well imagine, the collection was awash with a hip sixties pop chanteuse-meets-English school-girl vibe... the socks apparently were sourced from the school boy department at John Lewis! Key pieces included dark brown velvet shorts, teamed with the feminine blouses in muted colours and the princess coat based on Alexa's own that she picked up from the children's department at Harrods. The black velvet polka dot blouse looks a treat too!

(Images from WWD)

Through the looking glass

Just when I thought girly & playful fashion couldn't get much better than Orla Kiely's Autumn/Winter 2009 lookbook, I stumbled across the new collection which is just prettiness personified. Last season's floral, wooly tights were my winter staple, adding a touch of kooky to my usual uniform of demin smock dresses and brogues. I wish I'd bought two pairs - they're going threadbare! I have since been lusting after the ditsy clover print long sleeved dress from the main ad campaign styled by my dream girl, stylist and Lula editor Leith Clark, which has been stuck up on the inside door of my wardrobe for inspiration ever since I first ripped it out of Vogue!

What I love about this Spring/Summer collection and indeed all of Orla Kiely's past collections, is the use of dreamy prints and girlish ruffles juxtaposed with the simple yet oh so gorgeous browns, dull greys and navy blues.

And aren't the lace-ups/ankle socks to die for?

(Available soon to buy online at Orla Kiely. All image credits Orla Kiely S/S Lookbook)