Fashion: Topshop Secret Store

The world has gone into floral overload. My last post celebrated the blossom trees of Oxfordshire, and this week we've had the opening of the Chelsea Flower Show and now, the launch of Topshop's Secret Store; a pop-up shop based in the London and New York flagship stores, where fashion is reinvented through the flowers. This Meadham Kirchoff and Wild at Heart collaboration features specially commissioned pieces by designers including Michael Van Der Ham and Unique archive pieces. It's only open for 2 weeks, so get down quick! I'm hoping to catch a glimpse when I'm in London for Graduate Fashion Week, but for now, here are some photos to whet your floral appetite.

Photos from Topshop.com

Inspiration: Daydream, I fell asleep and met the flowers.

When I was in Oxfordshire visiting my sister around a month ago, I took these photos of the blossom trees in her little village; everything I love about Spring. Also, the weekend I visited saw the annual Ducklington Fritillary show taking place. I love village events like this...tea and cakes in the village hall, Church members selling souvenir tea towels...just brilliant. Properly English.

© Alice Mary Barnes, 2011.

Inspiration: I whip my hair back and forth

Because sometimes, you just have to let go.

Beautiful photography by Marc Laroche 

Fashion: Mulberry Love

I love everything British and can't shout about luxury British/English brands enough, so naturally, I am a lover of Mulberry. Since Emma Hill took over as Creative Director, the brand has flourished and become the hot brand to wear or carry but without losing any of it's quinessential Britishness. So, you can imagine my sheer delight when I heard that Mulberry have released a publication celebrating their 40th Anniversary. I am a huge fan of luxury print publications (I even made my own and won a prestigious award for it!) and think enough can't be said for print over digital. When I heard the release date, I immediately put in my order and on Friday when I arrived home from work, a very special package had been delivered! The imagery is to die for, all taken by photographer Venetia Dearden and the design and attention to detail of the whole publication is just, well, exquisite.

The book came so beautifully wrapped and contained these fantastic little pink slips in between the layers of tissue paper - Wizard is definitely my favourite. It also came with an abundance of badges, stickers and a lovely, very personal, little notecard. 

On another Mulberry note, a few weeks ago I visited the designer outlet, Bicester Village, where I obviously had to pay a trip to the Mulberry store there. I was surprised at how much current season stock they had, and because I've been a good girl with money recently, I decided a treat was in order...

I can't describe how much I adore my oversized Alexa - it is just perfect! It was the last black oversized Alexa they had left in the Mulberry outlet, so I'm lucky to have gotten in there when I did!

All images © Alice Mary Barnes, 2011

Fashion: Joan Smalls for V Magazine #70

I've been obsessed with upcoming model Joan Smalls ever since I worked with her in London just over a year ago; so beautiful and down to earth. So naturally, I'm absolutely in love with this editorial for V Magazine #70, shot by Alasdair McLellan.

Images: fashiongonerogue.com