My summer 2014 outfits so far...

I admit, it has been quite some time since I blogged!  A key part of not blogging has been thinking about what the purpose of my blog is and why I should do it. Being 26, fashion blogging is starting to feel like a 'young person's game' so I need to go back to the drawing board and think about why I should blog. Merge this with a full time career in PR and living a hectic social life in London, blogging takes up quite a bit of time so I need to make sure it's worth investing in. But hey, it's a bit of fun and a way to meet new people and document what I wear for my kids to pore over and say 'why the hell did you wear that'.

 

I'm a prolific Instagrammer and the majority of my recent #ootd photos are from there. You can find me on emsgloriousgarments and of course, Twitter via @EmmaMartinRed. So here is my Summer 2014 outfits so far...enjoy!

Greece: H&M dress and Primark hat

Primark sunglasses and OLD ASOS headband - apt for Greece.

Boohoo trousers, Primark mesh top and flatforms

Vintage trousers, BANK platforms, ASOS headband and Franklin Tree crop top

PUG SCARF and Specsavers Red or Dead glasses

London Pride! Shop Floor Whore marabou headband, BANK shoes and ASOS dress

Arcade Fire at British Summer Time: Tikka headband and gems - all Ebay

Polo neck and culottes - ASOS and BANK shoes

River Island headband and Star Wars neoprene dress (hidden)

Lamoda headpiece

A few standard high street pieces in there, not to mention some new boutiques I've found through Pinterest and Instagram namely Shop Floor Whore and Lamoda. I also discovered Franklin Tree whilst shopping in the vintage markets in Brick Lane - a great indepedent label, I want everything in their collection so if you find yourself in East London on a Saturday go visit their stall. You are in for a treat.

I've still got Brighton Pride, Notting Hill Carnival, Bestival and Barcelona still to come so need to get some more gems before then!

Pom poms

Happy New Year bloggersphere! This year's goals include revamping this site, purchasing a DSLR camera and explore new parts of London by moving to another part of the city and throwing myself off the beaten track. Not to mention travel and see the world a bit more - Greece and Vietnam are already on the agenda and it's only 5th January. Any suggestions on these places welcome!

So on to a wee outfit post...

As any readers of my blog may know I am a huge hair accessory fiend and if I don't have a hairpiece on I try to overcompensate with my jewellery. At the moment I am loving this wee pom pom number (note, feel like a Mexican bride) from ASOS, so much so I went back and bought the whole range including the pom pom ears:

The dress is also ASOS and is a great throw and go outfit which can be glammed up or dressed down. I went for a smart casual (smasual) look for that day. This headband is limited edition but I've linked the one that isn't in case this one sells out. Apologies for the rather crap photos - really need to up my game in this department hence why I need that DSLR.

Hope you enjoy rocking the pom pom trend as much as I do!

Emma

Baroque is Back

Baroque has to be one of my favourite trends in the world. My wardrobe is filled to the brim with metallics, sequins and gold, and I've always been heavily influenced by the glitz and glamour style of Studio 54 back in the 70s. Which makes me very happy to see that the Baroque trend is set to dominate Autumn/Winter 2012 and the high street is getting stocked up to the brim with baroque inspired garments.  

It was upon coming across a photograph of singer Paloma Faith in this a-may-zing gold and black Baroque number which has inspired me to get out of my summer florals and back to my heavy metallics and vivid golds this Autumn...

Paloma Faith, vintage, August 2012

Having studied the Baroque art period at University, you can indeed take elements from this art form, and input these into your clothing pertaining you get the balance between old and modern right. You can do this either with a slick of plum or deep red lipstick or by adding sparkling, colourful clip on earrings.

Baroque stems from an art form which ran rampant in Italy during the 1600s. Sculptors and painters, such as Bernini and Cararvaggio, were pioneers of this art form as it suited the dramatic subject matter which they executed in their works. Essentially meaning "rough or imperfect pearl", baroque in today's culture evokes drama, colour of depth and in a sense, flamboyancey. Perfect for Autumn fashion.

See how you can translate the colours and forms seen in my two favourite Baroque painters Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens into your clothing below...

Caravaggio, "The Conversion on the Way to Damascus", 1601

Peter Paul Rubens, "The Four Continents", 1615

The rich tones and qualities of the Baroque era work really well for Autumn/Winter, and you can find a wealth of garments ideal for this style in vintage clothing stores and markets across the UK. Keep your eyes peeled for jacquard jackets and dresses, vintage oversized clip on earrings and chiffon fabrics to nail this trend on the head.

If you don't want to get your vintage in nor rake through piles of old clothing, ASOS currently have some brilliant items on their site all at relatively decent prices. See some of my favourite ways to achieve the Baroque look, images courtesy of ASOS, below...

ASOS Dolly Bird dress, £75

ASOS Mini skirt in Metallic Jacquard, £35

ASOS Premium Darling Drop Bug Earrings, £20

Now, I know we may still have a few weeks of summer left, yet for those who are already planning their autumn/winter wardrobes (like me) I hope you all embrace the Baroque trend as much as I will be!

Emma x

Fashion Spy

Why hello,

Hope you're all not too sodden in this weather. I had to experience this and four inch heels at my boyfriend's graduation ceremony in Glasgow this week - safe to say once the ceremony was over my Converse was back on, a sign of the inner Hoxtonite in me screaming to get out.

I know I posted a while ago about the AIU London Graduate Fashion Show I attended a few weeks ago at the world famous Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. Now I'm able to get the photographs up, and you can see a selection of my favourite outfits from the show below...

Key trends I noticed from the show was rigid tailoring, which seemed to take inspiration from the iconic Japanese kimono, military tweaks and a merging of strong screen print with reliable, sturdy textiles. Notable mention must also go the laser cut gold metallic leather dress with face mask, of course this would be a Glorious Garments favourite!

To top it off, fashion icon Zandra Rhodes presented the awards with renowned fashion stylist and PR Nick Ede - another fellow Scot may I add. We sure know how to create some fashionable people. Resplendent in purple and gold with pink hair, I hope to look half as good as this fashpiration at her age. A great wee show and thanks to Eden Cancan PR for inviting me along and good luck to all the graduates as they try to make it in the fashion industry!

Let's hope the weather perks up so we can all begin to enjoy the summer...

Emma x

OH! How could I forget to show you my amazing new lightning bolt earrings from ASOS for a bargain £8 in the sale. These have now sold out but you can get another fab copy for a bargainous £4. Trust me, the lightning bolt will be printed on many a tote bag and dress very, very soon....