Interning: Day 8/9

It’s been busy busy on the fashion desk over the last few days! A four day week is always good news in principle but the reality is doing five days worth of work in four days, particularly on a newspaper.

The shoot got postponed as predicted on Wednesday only for the weather to turn glorious and spring-like Thursday morning, typical! All the shoes arrived on Wednesday regardless and some of the gladiators called in were rather lovely, if I do say so myself. These beauts from KG, Nicole Farhi and Nine West in particular…


























I pitched an idea for the ‘Dressing Table’ feature that runs every weekend in The Independent Magazine and it’s going ahead. It will hopefully be in a few weeks time but prep starts early. It’s a beauty feature based around natural/organic products, all of which arrived yesterday – my desk is overflowing!! Writing starts on Tuesday so fingers crossed it all works out…

There have been lots of tasty treats this week getting us into the Easter spirit, from freebies to cupcakes! Happy Easter and happy bank holiday!!

Tara xoxo

P.s I saw Saturday’s mag yesterday and it’s looking good, the underwear as out-a-wear shoot is in there so check it out in tomorrows paper.

Thing's I'm loving...

For going out...



















For my holidays...



















For festival season...



















For the hell of it...

Interning: Day 6/7

Well it seems spring is over before it even started! The weather has been dire and it’s playing havoc with my SS10 wardrobe. Lace-up gladiator heels are no good when there’s a puddle around every corner!

In the office I’ve been searching for the very best maxi skirts (as seen on the catwalk) for an upcoming feature. They are set to be big for SS10 but think tightly fitted not Sienna’s boho style! Top Shop have some great plain versions online, as does L’Agence (available at Net-A-Porter) if you have a bit more cash to splash. Look out not this weekend but next.


I've also been calling in shoes for a shoot on Thursday - weather permitting! Converse, brogues and gladiator sandals. The models are in today for casting but the forecast isn't looking good so it may get pushed back to next week.

Monday: A simple denim day in Robin's jeans, my Zara stripy tee with detailed shoulders and black, buttoned, ankle boots. My jeans are from a great shop called Poison Angel on Brompton Road in South Ken, they have a great selection of denim from LA for boys and girls.

Tuesday: Black harem trousers from Zara (rolled up at the bottom) with a white vest and a Top Shop grey, linen, boyfriend fit blazer – this was a great sale find, £20 a few months back, it’s a great transitional piece.

Interning: Day 5 - that Friday feeling...

My Chanel sunnies were needed on Friday morning which was obviously a good omen, as I had a good end to the week.

On the fashion desk I went through the returns with Scarlett - there was a lot of fighting with parcel tap and plastic bags! It has to be said now minus the Gap, H&M, Banana Republic and New Look samples, and five/six bags of rubbish lighter, the fashion cupboard is at last looking a tad tidier. Gemma is a happy lady!

On Saturday The Independent Magazine featured an amazing, exclusive interview with Dolce & Gabbana (25 years in fashion) by fashion editor Susannah Frankle, accompanied by a stunning shoot styled by Gemma and photographed by Andrew Woffinden. (Pictured above)

I drove down to Bournemouth on Saturday to celebrate my Annie's 21st. However, as the clocks went forward Sunday, I lost an hours sleep while hung-over which made getting up this morning quite a struggle, or though a slightly less delicate affair that I had anticipated.

Friday: Went for my new grey Zara chiffon drape skirt which has a thick black waist band (see old post, SS buys for pic), a striped French Connection top and a Top Shop blazer with tights and new KG heels (birthday present from my friend Amy) which are very utilitarian - not! They have a buckle and caged detail and with my hair in a bun, circa a 1997 ice skating competition, the whole outfit was unintentionally, very sports luxe.

Tara xoxo

Rock 'n Rose - Spring Jewellery

Thanks to Twitter I discovered a great new jewellery designer this morning so I thought I'd share.

Rock 'n Roll, established by North East sister duo Jessica and Emily Jane Lathan in 2007, is an online fashion boutique specialising in classic, vintage, handmade jewellery.

The collection of contemporary accessories and head pieces reworks vintage treasures to create gorgeous and unique trinkets. Best of all the vintage nature means it is also very green and it doesn't cost the earth.

www.shop.rocknrose.co.uk

Here are a few of my favourites from the web site...

Interning: Day 3/4

Since my last intern blog post I have been helping call in handbag pictures and prices for the 10 best feature (out next Friday), which stylist Gemma Haywood is putting together – of course the Mulberry Alexa is in there (now back in stock on Net-A-Porter).

Yesterday there was a bit of a last minute scramble. The prices and stockist info from a recent shoot was misplaced and three of the pictures were going to press - a few last second phone calls to Christian Louboutin, Sophia Kokosalaki and Jean Paul Gautier were required.

Unfortunately, Jean Paul Gautier HQ is in Paris and my GCSE French just wasn’t up to scratch. Things weren’t helped by the fact that the slip dress, used as part of the ‘underwear as out-a-wear’ shoot, was not part of the SS10 catwalk collection i.e. no look number. This left poor me to explain what it looked like from the photo – I failed, miserably.

Working for BaxterStorey Ltd I am well adept in the art of receiving freebies but, because of the nature of the business, these are normally food or drink based. However, in the fashion department on a national newspaper it seems freebies come in the form of shoes and beauty products! Fashion assistant Harriet received a lovely pair of Vivienne Westwood heels yesterday and a cute pair of flats this morning, with an adjustable gold bracelet which winds round the ankle. As I type she has also just received a Marc by Marc, bow shaped knecklace watch – very jealous! I’ve also been sorting out the invites that come in daily!

Wednesday: I went for a watercolour print H&M dress in a mix of AW blues, with a wide black waist belt, black tights, black ankle boots from Primark (bargain) and a black cardigan from New Look which has a lace back to it. Lots of black, but the strong print called for it. As usual I wore my Michael Kors silver chronograph watch, which I live in, and a silver Links of London bracelet. (Must add, fell down the stairs in Paddington tube station. I just about managed to hang onto the railing but it was still highly embarrassing. Needless to say I changed into a pair of studded flats at lunch time, just in time for a trip to Urban Outfitters with fellow intern Scarlett.)

Thursday: Decided to have a casual Thursday, black River Island leggings, my flat, suede fringe boots in caramel and a plain black long-line vest under my new H&M Garden Collection anorak. Accessorised with chunky, gold and tribal print bangles.

www.gemmahaywardstylist.com

Tara xoxo

Versace SS10 lands at Net-A-Porter

Donatella describes it as ‘young, fresh and very wearable’. The Versace SS10 collection arrives at Net-A-Porter.com...




















Yesterday, a few select pieces from the Versace SS10 collection went live on luxe online store Net-A-Porter. It’s the first time the label has been made available online and just in time as this fresh, sexy and very feminine line reasserts Versace as a fashion heavyweight. From figure-hugging mini dresses to dramatic floor-skimming gowns, expect a modern take on early 90's Versace.

An exclusive interview with Donatella can also be found on the site and in the latest edition of the Net-a-porter magazine, out today. A great read, Donatella discusses difficult decisions made following the death of her brother Gianni in 1997 and why this is her favourite collection to date.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/flash/magazine/intl/issue_32/issue_32.pdf