Juicy Colours

With the lovely weather and sunshine today, it feels like spring has arrived. Although it may not stay before we get more cold weather, it has definitely put me in a happy and spring like mood. Time to start thinking about my spring and summer clothes. This year bright juicy colours or neons are just about every where. These are the sorts of colours that cheer up your day and make you feel happy inside. Clothes in these colours make you feel warm inside and walk with a spring in your step.

Bright Orange Cowl Neck Top

Bright Yellow Cropped Swing Jacket

Pink Cardigan

Create a really eye catching look by adding clashing bright accessories or for those who prefer a slightly quiter look try teaming neutral clothes with bright handmade jewellery accessories.

'Sunny Meadows' Art Glass Choker

Leather Hibiscus Necklace Red

Dress for Success - Work Wear

How you dress for work is really important. First impressions count and if you get it right, you will present a professional and business like image that will help your career prospects. How you dress very much depends on your job and the environment in which you work. Just because you work in an office, it doesn't mean that you have to wear boring old black and grey suits to show that you mean business.

This wide legged jumpsuit is a great alternative to the trouser suit for trendy but tailored look.




This sleeveless ombre dress with itself striking cream and black colours is a great version of the classic office staple, the shift dress.

This Petite Long Sleeved Single Breasted Jacket will inject a bit of colour into the office. You are sure to get lots of compliments.

This striking floral print jacket is modern, stylish and flattering. It is a great way to brighten up a classic black pair of trousers and black vest top.

A classic handbag in a neutral colour is perfect for carrying your worldly possessions into work and some understated jewellery will finish the look perfectly.

Leather Handbag 'Ines' from Munique Fashions

Copper and Brass Sunset Earrings

The Best of London Fashion Week

London Fashion week has passed quickly by in a flurry of sartorial activity and much blog posting and commentary. London Fashion Week is loved by all in the industry for its nurturing of new up and coming talents and it's very quirky and very British collections. This London Fashion week has given us a huge amount look forward to for autumn and spring 08, from the structured silhouettes to the contrasting colours and variety of textures. Here are some of the highlights.

One of the most talked about labels of the moment Peter Pilotto is a combiantion of the pattern designing talent of Peter Pilotto and the amazing draping skills of Christopher De Vos. The pair have managed to create another outstanding collection of incredibly desirable clothes inspired by the big bang theory.

Erdem Moralioglu showed himself to be a master of colour with a collection filled with the most exquisite of prints and embroidery. His doll like dresses with bell shaped skirts were stunning but there were also some more grown up options in the form of long dresses and richley coloured marble effect trouser suits.

Charles Anastase presented a great collection with a hint of nostalgia teamed with Kurt Cobain grunge. The look was inspired by second hand clothes that were worn during his adolescence. Obviously he had an eye for a well cut and gorgeously put together outfit, even then. This was probably one of the most wearable looks of all for London Fashion Week.

Another of the high lights of London Fashion Week was the debut of Twenty 8 twelve, the label set up by the Miller sisters Savannah and Sienna. The label has become know for its trendy but classic wardrobe staples and chic separates.

Twenty8Twelve Pin Cropped Tuxedo Jacket

Twenty8twelve Black Monet Silk Dress

Pia Butterfly Print Dress

Ikram boutique and Michelle Obama

If you were wondering where Michelle Obama gets her fashion advise -well Ikram Goldman has been touted as the First Lady's main style advisor. Ikram is the owner of Ikram boutique in Chicago where she carries high-end American, European and Japanese labels as well as some vintage pieces.

It is such an interesting story looking at the rise of unknown fashion designers on the endorsement of Michelle Obama that we have decided to feature some of these designers in our upcoming blogs. Designers worn by Michelle Obama include Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, Thakoon Panichgul, Maria Pinto, Tracy Feith, Donna Ricco and Isabel Toledo.

Part of Michelle Obama's signature look includes the large and unique brooches she uses to accessorize her outfits. Have fun accessorizing your own outfits with these handcrafted unique brooches from Munique Fashions.


Orchid Brooch - This handcrafted leather brooch is carefully cut and handpainted in the vibrant colours of this actual species of orchid. This very life like brooch attaches with a pin at the back.


Amaryllis Brooch - This Handcrafted leather brooch is carefully cut and handpainted in the vibrant colours of this actual amaryllis flower. This brooch is available in gold, orange or brown.

Build five key looks with five key pieces

Choosing what to wear for work on a daily basis can become a chore. That said, it is always a good idea to plan what you are going to wear if you want to get it right and always be camera ready. Click here to see how you can build five new looks from five key pieces and sort yourself for the week.

And if vibrant spring and summer colours are more your style then here are a few pieces you can swap and exchange or mix and match to get the spring summer look.

This Per Una 3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Top with Necklace or Per Una Lightweight Knitted Stretch Top & Scarf will add some colour to your look this spring/summer 09.

Always a classic is this Autograph Weekend Argyle Jumper with Cashmere - an all year round wardrobe essential.

Tone it down a bit with this pale yellow sophiscated Autograph Santa Monica Long Sleeve Pussy Bow Top part of Autograph's Santa Monica Collection - a sophisticated and versatile range with an emphasis on luxury.

Finally this Autograph Santa Monica Sailor Style Trousers in 100% linen will go with any of these tops. Four tops, one linen trousers and that's your week almost sorted.

Organic Cotton - Guilt Free Shopping

If you have ever stopped to think about the impact of the cultivation of conventional cotton on the environment and the health of the workers growing it, chances are you may have felt a bit guilty about your latest fashion purchase. The cultivation of cotton uses more pesticides than any other crop. Organic cotton is the perfect alternative. It is grown without the use of any pesticides or chemicals. It is a both sustainable and ethical material and a great way to buy into the latest Eco fashion trend. But is it possible to buy organic cotton and still look gorgeous and stylish? We say 'yes', organic cotton is a great way to shop stylishly without guilt.

This organic cotton bib front dress is a great way to work understated style. It will look great with a pair of leggings.

This organic cotton Maria waistcoat will look great with a printed top and pencil skirt. An unusual and trendy style.

These organic cotton high waisted trousers are really on trend and a great wardrobe staple for every day wear.

For work or smarter occasions you can't go wrong with this organic cotton Ingrid Gilet French tailored jacket. A very elegant and flattering style for most shapes.

You can even get organic cotton trainers. These Volley Cotton Women's Trainers are made from organic cotton and wild amazonian rubber, perfect for Eco friendly leisure wear.

The Best of New York Fashion Week

Donna Karen wins the prize for stylishly simple and elegant clothes for fall 09. Her collection featured the perfect investment buys for a recession with flattering slim line skirts and tapered trousers, triangular jackets and flatteringly draped jersey.
























Marc Jacobs one of the most popular and sought after designers on the New York fashion circuit continued with a theme that has been around for a few seasons now - eighties. Bright yellows with blacks and greys, big shoulders and big hair made up a collections that was utterly desirable and wearable.

























Rodarte is back for autumn winter 09 with their distinct signature style of romantic/ rock chick with a twist. This show included some beautiful textures, crocheting and knits and a slashed effect as if someone had been let loose in the design room with a pair of very sharp scissors.

Whilst many designers revert to blacks and dark colours for autumn and winter, Matthew Williamson was having none of it. His collection feature a rainbow of colours cleverly worked into just the right styles and shapes to keep a feeling of toasty warmth for the colder weather. I especially liked the combination of turquoise trousers and zebra print boots

pictures from style.com

This Alpaca wool wrap is the perfect stylish and cosy cover up to go with almost any fashion or trend for autumn or winter.

Spring into fashion

Spring into fashion with this Pure Linen Sleeveless Belted Dress from Marks and Spencer's new portfolio range. This linen dress is part of Portfolio's Monaco trend - a luxurious range featuring smart tailoring and elegant dresses. Sophisticated prints and flashes of gold add glamour against a striking palette of black and cream. This linen dress is also available in black and can only be purchased online from Marks and Spencer

While the green appears to be more of a casual wear, this same linen dress in black looks very dressy and would look stunning with Munique's Onyx, Lava Stone and Prith Bracelet

Complete the look in green with Munique's Bali Girl bracelet in shiny and majestic copper and brass and Munique's dot centric earrings.

Onyx, Lava Stone and Prith Bracelet



Bali Girl bracelet

dot centric earrings

Jason Wu Spring 2009 Collection

Jason Wu's unveiling of his ready to wear spring 2009 collection was an absolute sell out with standing room only. Wu 29 has enjoyed overnight fame and recognition as Michelle Obama choose to wear his design - a one-shoulder organza-embroidered white chiffon gown at the inaugural ball. This Taiwanese born American Fashion Designer received even more attention when Michelle Obama appeared on the cover of vogue in yet another one of his creations.

Here are just a few of his creations from his spring 2009 ready to wear collection. Pictures from http://www.style.com/

For statement jewellery pieces to create your own catwalk look visit Munique Fashions at http://www.muniquefashions.com/

Be My Valentine

Why not point your Valentine in the direction of Munique Fashions for some romantic and heart felt gifts that will help him show you how much he loves you this Valentines day. Of course, if you don't know who your Valentine is yet a few strategically placed hints may well do the trick to get you a gorgeous gift from your mystery Valentine.

This Passionate Heart Necklace is the ideal gift for Valentines day and a symbol of his love. The necklace is made of Jasper polished into a lovely heart and threaded onto a leather string.

Say it with flowers with this Hibiscus necklace. A sensual hibiscus flower in provocative red and handcrafted in leather is a romantic gesture that can be worn for years to come.


This Silver heart necklace is a great and very trendy alternative to diamonds. It combines rock crystals and silver pieces in a chunky and contemporary neckpiece that glitters in the sun. The heart makes it a great symbol of love for a Valentine gift.
This 'Veil of the Incas' jewellery set is inspired by an ancient Inca Bridal veil. A very lovely Valentines gift and perhaps a sign of future marital bliss.

Pyjama Trousers

On the international catwalks, one of the hottest looks for spring is the PJ or Pyjama trousers. The bedroom chic look is all about relaxed style but also with an elegance that is perfect for going out wear and richly coloured satins fabrics that feel great day or night. The neat striped or polka dot patterns add a touch or retro to this trend and the loose fitting trousers are a flattering option for most bodyshapes. Unless you are very tall always opt for floor skimming loose fit trousers.

Louis Vuitton

Marni

Dolce & Gabbana

pictures from http://www.style.com/

But what sort of shoe can you wear with PJ trousers for the ultimate in understated chic without looking like you have a pair of old slippers on? I think a pair of flat but glamourous sandals are a great way to keep the look relaxed without going into all out slumber mode.

I love these handcrafted leather sandals from Munique Fashions. For the full range of handcrafted leather sandals visit Munique Fashions.

Leather Sandal Bitte Gold

Leather Sandal 'Cutaway' Gold