Let's Shwop!

Marks and Spencer have launched their new campaign - Shwopping - this week which urges their customers to donate an unwanted piece of clothing every time they purchase a new one.

Recycling clothes is a big issue as 10 000 items of clothes are sent to a landfill every five minutes - one billion items over a year.

All items donated will be given to Oxfam who will either sell them in their shops, donate them overseas to countries in demand or recycle them into new materials.

Joanna Lumley has been announced as the face of this campaign and also the worldwide ambassador for Plan A - the eco and ethical programme which aims to make M&S the world's most sustainable retailer.

"We're asking people to open their hearts, their minds and their wardrobes. Remember we used to just throw away plastic bottles. Now we recycle them without even thinking about it. We need to do the same with clothing," said Joanna.

To take part, customers are asked to return unwanted clothes with any purchase at all M&S stores (except Simply Food stores) and can find out more by visiting their Facebook page.

Festival Fit and S**t #Coachella2012

The celebrities who were festival fashion fit at Coachella last weekend...

Dree Hemingway

R.H.W

Kate Bosworth

Not so festival fit...

Chanel Iman

Vanessa Hudgens

Lacoste vs Mulberry #Coachella2012

Both Lacoste and Mulberry hosted parties at Coachella last weekend, so its no surprise that there were a lot of celebrities adorning their collections.

Below are the best of the bunch - let me know which designer you think won the festival fash off!

Lacoste Lovers

Lea Michele

Diane Kruger

Lauren Conrad

Mulberry Muses

Emma Watson

Kate Bosworth

Lily Collins

Nike X Liberty

Nike trainers and Liberty London print designs are not two brands you would think could work together, but lo and behold they've proven us wrong.

We all knew that sports luxe was going to be a big trend this spring/summer with the London 2012 Olympics, but I'm glad to see something other than a bomber jacket representing the style.

As an avid fan of the liberty print and a closet hi top wearing 80s kid, I like the collection the two differing brands have created.

My personal favourite is the Blazer Trainer above, but the Hyperclave and Dunk Sky Hi are also interesting collaborations and are a modern twist on the 80s trainer trend.

Prices range from £75-95. To find out more visit the Liberty London website.

Coulda Woulda Shoulda #April

Coulda... been sporting a pair of Joe Browns Festival Floral Jeans for the bargain price of £29.95. What could be better for spring/summer than a pair of flowery jeans??

Woulda... bought this beautiful bronze parka jacket for £260 from Jaeger but not only is out of my price range, it is also linen and therefore useless as a raincoat. Not a sensible purchase in a month nicknamed 'April Showers'.

Shoulda... been sensible and just bought a brolly like this colourful example from Topshop, £20. I'd get my money's worth judging by the current 'drought' we have going on...

God Save McQueen

 

Our dear ol' Queen celebrates her 60th year on the throne this June and even the fashion world seems to have gone all soppy for Her Maj.

Here are a few items to make your wardrobe a little more royal - and quite possibly tacky.

Nothing says 'royal' quite like stamps, so this colourful Liberty London scarf will be great for this summer's festivities. Who wants a mug to remind you of the Jubilee when you can have this scarf? Though the mug may be slightly cheaper than the scarf's £150 price tag.

Liberty London have also teamed up with Alexander McQueen to create this Jubilee inspired scarf for £445.00. As a fan of the Queen, McQueen and wordplay, this scarf is a big hit for me. I love the fashionable take on the Union Jack and believe this will become a collector's piece.

Now I doubt anyone who reads my blog could afford the Alexander McQueen Britannia diamante skull clutch at a whopping £1295 but I had to include it for sheer beauty. I'll be on the look out for a high street knock out, rest assured!

If you want quintessential British then you, of course, think of Barbour. This Vintage International Wax Jacket from their Heritage Originals collection has a Union Jack lining to give this classic jacket a modern twist, £149.95.

This is one of the best Union Jack bags that I've found on the high street and is by the Frost French 'Floozie' range at Debenhams. They're ten a penny in the shops but this particular one is not only reasonably priced at £25, but also seems to have avoided the usual tackiness of the patriotic bags (the word 'Floozie' may not help though).

No wardrobe will be complete without the Jubilee Mini Top Hat from Accessorize, £35. You may look like a fool on the day, but at least you'll be an elegant one.

Give three-piece a chance!

In the ongoing war between the toffs of Savile Row and the American hoody makers, Abercrombie and Fitch, s**t just got serious.

If you haven't heard yet, the American sportswear chain want to open a store on Savile Row, a small street in London that has been home to bespoke tailoring (and ONLY this) for over 200 years.

Even I think its a ludicrous idea! Nothing compared to how The Chap magazine feels though...

"Whatever next – opening a branch of Superdrug on Harley Street? An Argos on Hatton Garden? Abercrombie & Fitch is the worst thing that could happen to Savile Row. Their store on Burlington Gardens already has a detrimental effect on the Row, with enormous queues of Continental teenagers cluttering up the pavements and making far too much noise, in their excitement to get their hands on a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Who needs a brain when you’ve got these?” aimed at pubescent girls."



However, Chaps magazine announced yesterday that they are organising a protest on Monday 23rd April against this decision.

Chap magazine readers, Savile Row shop owners and general suit wearers will march from 3 Savile Row at 9am and will arrive at the Abercrombie and Fitch store at Burlington Gardens for 10am, singing their own version of John Lennon's song - "Give three-piece a chance".

For those who want to attend there is a placard you can download from their website, or if you're too afraid to ruin the pleat in your tailored trousers you can simply sign a petition.

To find out more, visit their website here.

BoBelle London designs limited edition Jubilee clutch

Luxury accessory brand, BoBelle London, has designed a limited edition clutch in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this year. Only 60 of these crown shaped clutches will be available, ensuring that the bags will become a prized possession.

BoBelle London are known for their luxury hand crafted bags and this clutch will be no exception. Each Jubilee Clutch will carry an engraved message, will have a red satin lined interior and will be encrusted with Swarovski crystals. As well as all of this, each bag will be wrapped in its own pine gift box and will be individually numbered.

The clutch will be available online from June 1st and will be priced at £750.