The BAFTAs 2012 Red Carpet Illustrated

I love a bit of red carpet frock watching as much as the next fashion fan, but I get a bit sick of the same bunch of photos doing the rounds every year when awards season rolls round. So to try something a bit different, for the 2012 BAFTA Awards, which took place in London last night, I asked a group of  artists to choose their favourite red carpet look and create a fashion illustration. I’m thrilled with the results, I love how the illustrators have interpreted the actresses outfits so creatively. Here’s what they came up with.

Meryl Streep in Vivienne Westwood by Amber Grayson. Visit Amber’s website.

Meryl Streep took home the best actress BAFTA for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. She wore Vivienne Westwood, and with her reddish hair and this classic corseted number I think she actually looked quite like Dame Westwood herself, in a good way though.

Bonnie Wright in vintage by Naomi Austin. Visit Naomi’s Facebook page.

Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright looked quite dressed down in comparison to some of the other glammed up guests but I really like this navy vintage polka dot dress which she teamed with Prada accessories. And she gets points for sensibleness, keeping out the cold with those black tights – temperatures weren’t much above freezing in London last night.

Gillian Anderson in Sybil Connolly by Naomi Austin. Visit Naomi’s Facebook page.

Gillian Anderson, on the other hand, admitted she was totally freezing in her strapless gown. It’s a beauty though, by Irish designer Sybil Connolly.

Fearne Cotton in Moschino by Hilary Killam. Visit Hilary’s website.

Fearne Cotton took a quick turn on the red carpet before taking her place to interview the nominees. I’m a big fan of Moschino and I think this dress is pretty perfect for her – it’s glamorous enough for an awards event but it’s still got a hint of whimsy with the little black bow, and she’s well covered up which is sensible (is it weird that I’m so worried about these girls being cold? Maybe it’s cos they’re all so skinny, with no flesh to keep them warm!).

Miss Piggy in Louis Vuitton by Hilary Killam. Visit Hilary’s website.

The Muppet matriarch Miss Piggy was interviewing stars as they arrived on the red carpet but she managed to give them a run for their money fashion wise in her custom Louis Vuitton dress.

Tilda Swinton in Celine by Gareth A Hopkins. Visit Gareth’s website.

You can always expect something brilliant and unusual from Tilda Swinton at an awards do and she didn’t disappoint last night. Not quite as fiercely androgynous as usual, she went for a stark white Celine maxi skirt and crop top combination. Good work Swinton.

Michelle Williams in H&M by Lizzie Donegan. Visit Lizzie’s website.

Fashion folk on Twitter were getting very excited at the fact that there was going to be a high street brand on the red carpet. But Michelle Williams outdid plenty of other designer-clad A-listers in her dress from H&M Conscious, the Swedish retailer’s ethical range. Nothing sure what she carrying though – is it a book? Is it a bag? Maybe we’ll never know.

Gillian Anderson in Sybil Connolly by Jo Ley. Visit Jo’s website.

Gillian Anderson was a popular choice amongst the illustrators because Jo Ley also chose to illustrate the actress in her delicate Sybil Connolly dress with mille-feuille pleats. ‘I’m not surprised, everyone loves Scully,’ Jo said. I totally agree, she looked amazing.

Miss Selfridge’s golden treasures

Ever since myself and Katie attended the Miss Selfridge Christmas press day way back in July (yes, it WAS weird munching on mini mince pies in the Summertime) I have been eagerly awaiting the festive delights that the high-street chain planned to drop in December.

And if you are an avid reader of Style & Then Some, you may have noticed my uncontrollable urge for all things gold and shiny.  So, like a moth to a flame, it’s no wonder it was this sequined bad boy that has captured my heart and makes me whimper as I stroll past the flagship store each morning…

Priced at £99, it does seem somewhat of a steal when compared to the Vivienne Westwood on I have been crying over.  However, it isn’t just dresses Miss Selfridge seem to be nailing this season in the gold and shiny stakes.  This foiled jumper seems to be making a comeback from last Winter (remember the Whistles version?  This is much cheaper at £42)…

Whilst these bang-on trend wedges with accents of gold courtesy of some very shiny buckling would complement your metallic look perfectly.  I guarantee The Man Repeller herself would be a fan…

So for my fellow magpies, it looks like there is some serious treasure to be found in Miss Selfridge this party season!  And if you know anywhere else going a little gaga for gold, please do me a favour and let me know!

HIGHLIGHTS: Paris Ethical Fashion Show

I have returned home from the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris full of good intentions to save my pennies and spend them on a thought-through socially conscious wardrobe instead of indulging my usual habit of impulse buying. The problem is, when you start scratching the surface of what’s ‘ethical’ (i.e. doesn’t exploit people or the environment in the production line) and what’s not on the high street, the result is a bewildering array of pro and con arguments (mostly con) for each brand, and it can be tempting to give up the whole exercise of trying to shop your way to a better world. (See Vivienne Westwood’s thoughts on how fashion can change the world here.)

Perhaps the solution is to focus on the positives, rather than the negatives. As I discovered at the Ethical Fashion show, there are so many talented designers out there. Ethical shopping really doesn’t need to be a chore. Here are three of my favourite brands that I think could easily replace some of the big high street contenders in my own wardrobe.

L’Herbe Rouge

A standout French brand that is eco-chic at its best – a stylish replacement for your Topshop jeans, very American Apparel with its sexy and bright androgyny but better quality. (Seriously, I had a look at the seams and they are finished really well…) The online shop is currently under construction, but I was assured that it will it be up and running soon and also looks likely to be stocked in some London boutiques in the near future. L’Herbe Rouge does menswear as well as womenswear, and jeans start at around £99. www.lherberouge.com

Natural Wave

This German company makes beautiful, simple Gap style basics in organic fibres that are super soft and wearable. Order online at www.naturalwave.de Prices range from around £20-£35, so it ticks the affordable box as well.

Linda Mai Phung

Paris Ethical Fashion Show 2011 eco fashion ethical fashion best eco fashion brands

It was love at first sight. When founder of the Ethical Fashion Show, Isabelle Quéhé, wore Linda’s dress to present her with the Ethical Fashion Show prize, that irrational ‘It’s beautiful, I want it…’ syndrome kicked in. Luckily for me, it didn’t break the bank at £78. I can’t enthuse enough about this talented young designer – a mixture of Reiss and French Connection, her collection is made up of simple, flattering and stylish designs in bright colours and silks. Linda’s career is just taking off, but she hopes to have her online shop up and running with her Spring/Summer 2012 collection early next year. Watch this space, this is one talented designer… www.lindamaiphung.blogspot.com (My dress is the bright blue silk maxi dress!)

In photos: Selfridges Christmas preview

What do you mean you haven’t started your Christmas shopping yet? Don’t you realise there are only 155 shopping days left before 25th December? I know this because last Wednesday Helen and I went down to Selfridges, where the Christmas shopping is encouraged even at the height of Summer. On Wednesday, the Ultralounge (I’m not entirely sure what makes it more ultra than your average lounge) was transformed into an all-white winter wonderland complete with Christmas trees, fake snow scattered on the floor and Mariah Carey warbling ‘all I want for Christmas is yooooou’ in the background. It was all designed to get journalists and bloggers in the mood for the festive season because the Selfridges Christmas shop will be open by the end of July. Yep, you read that right, July – although the exact date is a closely guarded secret. Can’t wait to get started? Here are a few snaps of the sort of goodies you’ll be able to find there, and throughout Selfridges, in the run up to Christmas – from tiny Vivienne Westwood bears to a giant Dior bear in a box, plus possibly the coolest advent calendar I’ve ever seen.

Vivienne Westwood bear charm necklaces

Markus Lupfer pug jumper

Burberry Prorsum white double breasted 'Pattinson' coat

Roland Mouret white strapless dress

Issa white evening dress

Vivienne Westwood white evening dress

Dior bear in a box

The front of a luxury Lancome advent calendar...

...and all the Lancome goodies inside

Helen and I in the Selfridges white winter wonderland