Breakthrough brand of the year goes to Acne!

Since Acne's debut at London Fashion Week this year, all I'm hearing about is Acne. The name choice certainly hasn't effected this brands reputation and what was once synonymous with teenage skin break outs is now "you know Acne" "Yeah the fashion brand."

So in this blog I thought I would look at the rise of this great Swedish Brand, that fourteen years on is now an IT brand.

The start of this brand wasn't a conventional beginning into fashion, Jonny Johanssan, one of the owners who established the company in 1997 said " we didn't want to participate in fashion in the first place." So it's crazy to see what they've done with the company so many years on. The direction into fashion came when they designed a conference table, which made it into a spread in Wallpaper magazine which lead them to think, what else can we design?

And they filled a niche in the Market with unisex jeans. Since then the jeans have consistently improved, collection after collection selling over 300,000 pairs a year. With there current collection they are challenging very much the skinny jeans still. My pic for summer would be the Flex Snake SS11 in a lightly stonewashed dark grey with snake print pattern. They are retailing at £240.00 but for great fitting, stylish jeans you can never pay too much.

But what Acne's recent popularity is attributed to, has to be it's sleek tailoring,sexy shoes and wonderful accessories. There pieces this season are simple, yet incredibly chic and with such beautiful tailoring the clothing doesn't need to be over styled to look amazing.

Take for instance this beautiful Tarot Tencel SS11 long jersey tank in coral. Coral is one of the colours essential for the Summer and this dress is simple, elegance at it's best.

Retailing at £100 I think it's a bargain!

That's the thing with Acne unlike competitors like Philip Lim and Twenty8Twelve it's affordable luxury fashion, which lets face it in this economic times of uncertainty is fantastic for fashion lovers wanting quality pieces without the massive price tags.

I'm so excited to watch Acne this year, I think the best from them is yet to come.

Ollie and Nic's Apple Bag

On my lunch break on Friday I spotted in the Carnaby Street shop window of the Ollie and Nic store the most beautiful summer bag, the Apple Bag. To say I got excited when I saw it is an understatement. This basket weave bag is perfect in the summer weather matched with floaty white dresses and simple sandals for a great day look. Also the bag can be held with a carry strap or across the body, the versatility of this will certainly allow you to match it with more outfits.

Apple Bag £40.00

Can't wait for summer to wear my new bag, when the eventual gloom of the season comes to an end expect a photo of me rocking this bag.

Leave your comments letting me know what you think of the bag!

My love for Topshop

This Spring/Summer 2011 collection at Topshop is amazing, with all the trends going on this season there is certainly something for everyone. When I went to Topshop it literally took all my restraint not to buy the entire Ladieswear collection. I'm telling you Topshop has never been so good. And for my love for Topshop this season I'm dedicating this blog to my top five pieces to buy.

Firstly challenging the 60's/70's look this summer, particularly for the festival period, Glastonbury and V Festival this Black Fringed Playsuit is an absolute must. I'm loving this playsuit, the fringing is really retro and with a tan this will look amazing with some wellies.

The Playsuit is priced as £35.00

A great affordable dress that screams 1970's classic chic has to be the Bella Dress by Motel ** for Topshop. The collar on this dress definitely makes the dress and with the polka dot pattern you'll be able to wear it for seasons to come.

The dress is £48.00

I'm loving the sheer tops that have made a comeback, and for the summer this Cream Scallop Button Shirt is fantastic. Matched with chinos or harem pants this top is incredibly versatile.

This top is a steal at £24.00

With all the girly tea dresses still around and the re-introduction of lace and sheer knee length skirts the leather jacket is a great way of rocking up any outfit. Not to mention with British summers a jacket is a must, so why not the Black Cropped Pu Biker Jacket?

This gorgeous jacket is priced at £55.00

Being 5ft 10 I can't tell you how happy I am that wedges are back. Not only do the ridiculously high heels that have been present through the last couple of seasons kill my feet and make me walk like a duck they also make me a giant. And although the high heel trend doesn't seem to be dying down any time soon the fact that I will be able to walk now without falling on my arse pleases me greatly.

This Wizard Black Suede Wedges are priced at £70.00

Just to note also that unlike other bloggers I haven't been paid to advertise Topshop, I just really like this season's collection and thought it was worth a shout out.

Let me know what you guys think....