Alex - Student - Queens Road

Name: Alex

Age: 19

Occupation:  History of Art Student at Bristol University

Height 5.9" + some

Where do you like to shop?

Winchester Charity shops, a little antiques market in Salisbury, sometimes H&M or Petit Bateau for useful things.

Do you have a favourite designer?

Luella. Her tailoring and beautiful detailing create such whimsical, charming pieces.

What is your inspiration when you dress?

Luella and me.

If I had a dog I'd call it...My dog is called Moriarty but I have ambitions to call my next dog K9.

Alex's fab Barbour jacket is from ebay, her skirt is from H&M, tights are from a little shop in Paris that she said 'looked like the wand shop from Harry Potter. Bag is from Wag.'

       Barbour have been in production since 1936, made famous by the series 'All Creatures Great and Small'. It looks even better when it's worn in, and it works. When it rains, summer or winter the wax coating on the coat keeps the owner warm and dry. It also looks super cool with layers of knits and autumn/wintry colours and statement boots. 

Alex's outfit for me, is the 'new Clifton' - the next generation of Bristol fashion - teaming traditional country iconic pieces with up to-date pieces like her maroon ankle boots and patterned tights. 

Of course, a note on Luella Bartley - sorry to hear that the fashion house ceased trading a few months back, but watching out with anticipation for her new venture hoping she'll return to LFW next year with some great pieces.

       Shot on my iphone.

Low fashion, high fashion, you call the shots. What do you think of what Alex is wearing?

Josephine - Student - University Road

Name Josephine

Age 19

Occupation Student

Height 5.3"

Where do you like to shop?

A mixture of second-hand and high street, although it is hard to find second-hand clothes in smaller sizes

Do you have a favourite designer?

No, I don't really follow designers, although I know the clothes I buy on the high street are influenced by them

What is your inspiration when you dress?

I like beautiful patterns and fabrics. I don't really know what my inspiration is. I'm from London so maybe other Londonders

If I had a dog I'd call it...Beewee.

Josephine is wearing cardigan, (fab carpet) bag and shoes from Portobello market, dress from a shop on Park street, blazer from a second-hand shop in Guatemala. 


We all remember Mary Poppins' magical infinite carpet bag - if you own one, you'll notice that the colours and the patterns change to match with what you are wearing. Originally made from oriental rugs, they made it a la mode in the 1800's when Queen Victoria started importing designs and fabrics from old Persia and the East - most notably the 'paisley' design which later made it's way into Laura Ashley curtains and Ibizan kaftans. 

       They are interesting items to own, I never tire of mine, because it always changes. You can fit a ridiculous amount of stuff into them and they go with anything. I wouldn't own one if you are always in a hurry to find things though - it's like a cavern in there! Carpet Bags make some beautiful authentic bags made from real carpet - you can check out their designs on http://www.carpetbags.co.uk/

       Shot on my iphone.

Low fashion, high fashion, you call the shots. What do you think of what Josephine is wearing?

Rachel - Photography student - Corn Street

Name Rachel

Age 21

Occupation Photography Student at UWE

Height 5.3"

Where do you like to shop?

Charity shops, jumble sales. I sometimes shop at Topshop, H&M and Motel.

Do you have a favourite designer?

Not really - I don't tend to wear designer clothes.

What is your inspiration when you dress?

I just like to wear something different and creative. I quite like the 80's look and looking at what people wear in old TV programmes. I also get inspiration from my Grandma's vintage clothes

If I had a dog I'd call it...Blacky. However I have a family dog and he is called Monty!

Rachel's clothes are from a variety of sources - Topshop, charity shops, vintage stalls and H&M. A lot of people that I come across in Bristol create wonderful compositions out of charity shops, local theatre wardrobe sales and their Mum's or Grandma's wardrobes, and it fascinates me to see the pieces that they pull together and where they come from. The vintage items hold so much history and precious memories that are captured in that one piece - be it a brooch or a headpiece. Rachel's floral headpiece reminds me of the graceful, elegant ladies of the late 30's and 40's -a feminine and colourful touch that intrigues and invites, like a sultry siren sitting in a Paris cafe, sipping her chocolat chaud.

Shot on my iphone.

Low fashion, high fashion, you call the shots. What do you think of what Charley is wearing?

The Bristol Fashion Observer rocks Grazia

This week Style Hunter from Grazia came to Bristol and they were mighty impressed with the fashion conscious Bristolians amongst you, so here are a view pics for you to see! (That's me below ;) You can also find out what we're wearing by clicking on this link http://tiny.cc/MFTPr

Photography by Phill Taylor www.philltaylor.com

Amber - College Student - Jacob's Wells Road

Name Amber

Age 16

Occupation Student

Height 5.4"

Where do you like to shop?

Beyond Retro in Shoreditch, London and Topshop. I'm just off to Topshop in Cabot Circus actually, to find some new thigh-high boots for A/W.

Do you have a favourite designer?

I love Vivienne Westwood for her manipulation of materials - they answer to her every whim. She drapes and creates wonderful pieces - and has the ability to make something fabulous out of oodles of fabric. The dress she was wearing on the Jonathan Ross show recently was a statement to her skill and imagination (See the pic on stylecovered at http://tiny.cc/VIV )

What is your inspiration when you dress?

Me.

If I had a dog I'd call it...Jesus. And he'd be a pug (There aren't enough pugs in the world to go round all of Bristol...! ED.)

Amber's look has a twist of Anglomania about it. Her favourite subject is Textiles - and you can see that she has a great eye for colour and composition. Her leotard is from American Apparel, skirt from Topshop, her jacket from Debenhams and her fab white boots are Dr Martens.

Shot on my iphone.

Low fashion, high fashion, you call the shots. What do you think of what Amber is wearing?

Charley B - Make-up artist - Barton Hill

Name Charley B

Age 22

Occupation Make-up artist

Height 5.11"

Where do you like to shop? 

BS8 in Bristol, Zara, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, ASOS, Motel and Vintage shops and little boutiques for accessories.

Do you have a favourite  designer?  

So many! I love Vivienne Westwood for her understanding of a woman's shape, Galliano for his imaginative and theatrical style, and Alexander McQueen for his 'no limits' thinking.

What is your inspiration when you dress?  

Someone once told me that you should dress for what you want in life. I want to be a top make-up artist doing all the shows, and designing looks for my favourite designers, so I always dress pretty smart, a lot of the time in black as that is a make up artists dress code! But with a slight edge with chunky jewellery and waisted belt - like I'm doing a photoshoot even when I'm just going to a cafe working on my laptop... I'm always in that mindset - working to be at the top of my game.

If I had a dog I'd call it...Something totally normal like Nigel or Carl 'cause I find stupid things like that totally hilarious.

Charley's delightful open neck dress is by Motel. Her belt, leggins and earrings are from Topshop, and her shoes are by Office. Charley wears her belt constantly. A good belt really does pull together an outfit - and jazzes up dresses and the blouse/trouser combo if you are staring blankly at your wardrobe wondering what an earth to wear. I realise we haven't had summer yet, but having just studied August's Harper's Bazaar, I'm excited to see that belts are still on the agenda for A/W.  From Jaeger, to Loewe, the belts are smaller, and more streamline, but nevertheless still there,clinching us in at the waist adding a little Parisian glamour. An ode to Alexander McQueen - check out his beautiful patent corset belt (on sale) from Net-a-porter  http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/24019 

Charley B is a very talented young make-up artist. I have had the pleasure of working with her on shoots, and she has a fantastic eye and a real gift for colour and design. Check out her latest work below.  She can be booked through Clare at Gingersnap. http://www.gingersnap.co.uk/card.asp?id=97

Shot on my iphone.

Low fashion, high fashion, you call the shots. What do you think of what Charley is wearing?

Animal prints never die

Name Niki Whittle

Age 29

Occupation Personal Style Consultant

Height 5.4" ish

Where do you like to shop? 

I have my favourites- Zara, H&M, All Saints & ASOS.  I like French Sole for pumps, Kurt Geiger for heels and Jesire for dresses.  Zara is great as they frequently add new lines.  I find that if you mix different brands, including the ones you'd never usually consider, you can often get a great combination. I love rummaging around vintage fairs and charity shops - it's places like these where you find little gems to add to your wardrobe. Accessories are the most important part of my wardrobe as they enable me to change the look of an outfit effortlessly. 

Do you have a favourite  designer?  

I like quite a mix; I love McQueen and Vivienne Westwood for their edginess. I love Marni's accessories and Chanel (what girl doesn't?!)

What is your inspiration when you dress?  

I like to think of my wardrobe as my dressing up box; I'll dress differently most days depending on how I feel - whether rock chic or chicky rock- generally music inspires me, and my two style icons; Courtney Love and Gwen Stefani.

If I had a dog I'd call it...I do! He's called Hendrix (after Jimi, not the gin :)

Niki's dress is from Urban Outfitters. She has customised her belt as she couldn't find the exact studded waist belt that she wanted.  Her bag is from Jaeger, sandals from Office, scarf from TK Maxx, leggins from Mango, and bangles from India and various vintage shops. This girl knows what she is doing -  animal skin print never dies! Gosh it's so morish - and adds a bit of zest to a black outfit. I'm a big fan of big, heavy bangles. The models at Aquilano e Rimondi's Ready-To-Wear Spring/Summer 2009  show were weighed down with bangle-upon-bangle on their dainty wrists- and the studded leather cuffs often seen in Camden market or on the wrists of thrash metal fans have been cropping up in high street shops. Pile 'em up I say.

Niki is a successful (and very busy!) Bristol-based personal style consultant, and can be contacted via her blog 'Hip Shapes and Bristol Fashion' http://www.nikiwhittle.com/page20.htm

Shot on my iphone.

Low fashion, high fashion, you call the shots. What do you think of what Niki is wearing?