What am I wearing today?.....

So today was a very early morning start so me and my mother could finish the Christmas shopping. Since it was going to be a busy day, I of course opted to wear something that would be comfortable and easy to move in. I am quite lucky in the fact that my wardrobe mainly consists of skirts and dresses that are incredibly comfortable. 

This skirt is one of my favourite wardrobe pieces that I have ever bought. I loved it that much that I went and bought it in purple as well. Combined with my new super new cosy knit top that I recent purchased from H&M along with a hat, which is an accessory that I fee compliments every single Winter outfit. 

I hope everyone has managed to finish their Christmas shopping and can hopefully relax until Sunday! 

P.S - Alright, So I am not going to lie, but the skirt was bought in Miss Selfridge in the Spring/Summer season. However, it is far to adorable not to wear whenever I get the chance!

Hat - Primark

Top - H&M

Skirt - Miss Selfridge 

Bag - New Look

Peace and Love, RachelCouture xo 

End of term Fashion Show: "Noble Savage" Jacket and Skirt.

So as of Monday this week I have successfully completed and passed my 2 year HND: fashion Design with production & retail at Fife college! It's been an extremely tough two years but I have enjoyed every moment of the course, meeting fabulous new friends and realizing where I want to be in the fashion industry after I have finished my degree at university.

So as I have now completed my HND our Business class and the creative students of the course had an end of term Fashion show just last Thursday, where all of us students got to show of our designs that we had been working on for the last few months. 

My Jacket and Skirt creation was adapted from my Designing and producing fashion garments project that I had been working on since the start of my second year. I named my project/collection "Noble Savage" as my collection was influenced by the amazon Rainforest and the indigenous tribes that lived within the amazon that have been completely unconnected to modern civilization. One of the main influences was the book "Noble Savages: my life among two dangerous tribes the Yanomamo and the anthropologists" by Naopoleon A. Chagnon, who disproved the theory, after spending over 30 years with the yanomamo tribe, that indigenous tribes live in peace and also raised questions about our own humanity. The book itself is a fascinating read and for those who are not familiar with Napoleon and the controversies that surrounded his work, this book provides brilliant insight into his work with the Yanomamo tribe and also the controversy that surrounded his work.

To represent the "Natural" theme of the amazonian rain forest, I used a load of natural man made fabrics. As you can see from my Jacket and Skirt creation I my two main fabrics that I have used are Leather and Army print cotton. In Particular the leather was used to represent the oil spillage within the amazon and other rainforests, which is threatening all life force within these beautiful areas. 

Overall I was extremely proud of the way my design turned out and see it modeled in my Graduate fashion show was a brilliant ending to an extremely educating and fabulous two years that I spent at my college.

Coloured/Working Drawing

Final Jacket & Skirt Design  

Much love, Rachel Couture xoxo

Foxes: Style Icon & Artist of the moment

So I have been listening to the beautiful album "Glorious" by the super talented Foxes on repeat these last few weeks and I have to admit that I have become obsessed with this talented young lady and her sultry fashion sense and lyrics.

The first time I had heard foxes magnificent voice was on Fall Out boy's "one more yesterday" from their latest record "Save Rock and Roll" and from that moment I was instantly hooked by this new and enchanting voice. As a massive music enthusiast I am always looking for new artists that I can add to my playlist and Foxes was instantly added.

After first hearing her I came across the debut album "Glorious" and I was overcome by how talented and beautiful this album was. It's mash up of futuristic beats and lush melodies that highlight Foxes, real name Louisa Rose Allen, ethereal voice. "Glorious" was the kind of anthemic pop album that I had been waiting for, for a very long time.

Okay so not only am I in love with her music, I am also a massive fan of Foxes retro fashion style. It's always a plus in my book when an artist that I really love has a good sense of fashion and this is where Foxes again ticks all the right boxes for me. The blend of 60's femininity with a tomboyishness reflects her music, it's a complete mash up which shouldn't work, but in Foxes case, It works extremely well and reflects everything about her. Foxes fashion is like the effortless girl next door and she describes her fashion style as "A mix of vintage with high street"....A girl after my own fashion loving heart.

So if your a music and fashion enthusiast like me then I'd recommend that you check out Foxes, you truly won't be dissapointed. This is one lady who has a truly raw talent for what she does and her debut "Glorious" will be the soundtrack to my 2014 summer.

Urban Outfitters brings back 90's Grunge with revived Betsey Johnson dresses

So it's no secret that 90's grunge has been a massive trend for this Spring/Summer season and I for one have always been a massive fan of the grunge decade, so of course I was extremely ecstatic to hear that one of my favourite high street store's, Urban Outfitters, has replicated the much loved fashion decade with a collaboration with Betsey Johnson.

This collaboration between Urban Outfitters and Betsey Johnson is completely unlike anything that has been on the high street for a long time now. It's a mix match grunge awesomeness that has been crafted into eight exclusive styles for the collection Betsey Johnson Vintage for Urban outfitters. The dresses are mostly a sheer, floaty fabric with washed out floral prints and ruffles. Teamed with black bomber jackets, over sized shirts, biker boots & of course messy girly hair gives you the cool 90's kid look again

Now alright, I am technically a 90's kid. I mean I was born in 1993 but it doesn't really count because I always wanted to be a teenager in the 90's and with this new collection I will be able to relive the much missed fashion era which is extremely exciting for me, so of course I know where I will be heading next time I am in town!

I think the great thing about the new Betsey Johnson collection is is replica's of the fashion that you try to buy from ebay these days and can very rarely get your hands anymore. One thing I have to say is if you want to bring back the 90's, Urban Outfitters have gone down the right path with Betsey Johnson.

iMerchandise Fashion App

Hello lovelies!,

So are any of you a fashion buyer or interested in becoming a fashion buyer? Well if you answered yes, then well I just need to tell you about the new iMerchandise fashion app. Now I know that you guys are so busy with taking & making orders, making appointments etc and that you wish that the whole process was just so much more simpler. Well ladies let me introduce you to the new iMerchandise fashion app. It makes the wholesale process so much more easier and will be a great support for your business. Instead of all those hours spent with making those orders you can now go to your appointments and fashion shows completely stress free, as all you'll need is your fabulous handbag that will contain your purse, must have fashion accessory and of course, your phone. This app is completely hassle free and lets you take snapshots to create your own boards of the latest styles and trends that will allow you to place your order and share on social media.

It was just a few weeks ago when one of the iMerchandise team contacted me about this new app and even though I am not a fashion buyer, I must admit it's probably one of the only new apps that has really caught my eye and not to mention it is fast becoming the hottest thing to have right now as it has been featured on California Apparel news, lucky magazine, Iconic! TV fashion & entertainment. This new app is going to be a revolution for the fashion buying world, how wonderful will it be to now have a stress-free job where you can snap your own wishlist wherever you are, such as front row at the latest fashion catwalk or just scouting out new trends. Honestly, if you are in the fashion buying business, please invest in the iMerchandise fashion app and let yourself have that extra glass of wine at night while the new app deals with your complicated stuff.

Here's a little video that will tell you more about the iMerchandise app;

Camera Obscura photo shoot

Well what do you know, it's finally an update from me. I mean it has only been, what?, 6 months since I last wrote here. Ugghh well I must admit I am truly sorry, the past 6 months have been somewhat hectic and I have barely had the time do anything apart from work, work, work. It sucks when that happens, but it is all for my future career within the fashion industry so no matter how daunting it feels the studying and course work must be done and I know that it will all be worth it in the end. 

So on the subject of my studies I have recently applied to my chosen universities and of course I have to set up portfolios for them all, even more work I know, however for one portfolio I have to style my own photo shoot so I got in contact with my lecturers old students who was looking for some assistance on her new shoot that she was doing at the Camera Obscura in Edinburgh. As a massive fan of photography is was an absolute brilliant opportunity for me to see what  actually happens behind the camera and all the planning that takes place before the shoot actually happens. Not to mention the setting was brilliant and magical and the model, Rebecca Baillie was just an absolutely mesmerizing model. During the shoot Brianna, the photographer, was explaining how she wanted to grasp a futuristic effect with the idea of dopplegangers, which in my opinion has worked perfectly. 

I was so glad that I got to work with people who have gone on to become quite close acquaintances and have given me great advice when it comes to styling my own shoot. I can honestly say this was a brilliant opportunity and can't wait to be involved a lot more in the world of photography. 

Rachel's Jewelry Box

So summer is finally here. After a long and stressful time at college, studying frantically non stop for almost a year it is now time to relax and enjoy some few months of peace and having with your family and friends, do whatever you want. So that is what this post about my lovely fellow bloggers because I have really exciting news!. And that news is known as "Rachel's Jewelry Box".

So your probably all wondering, "what is that?". Well over the past couple of months, in between my studies,  I have been planning and creating a small jewelry business to pursue my creative ambitions. It happened one day when I was on my local hobby craft store and I decided that during the summer I wanted to do something valuable with my time and quite a few people I know have started small clothing or jewelry/accessories brands online that not only help make them earn a bit of money but also allows them to be able to further their careers.

I have to admit I have had great fun creating some bracelet designs. It's become really fun and I have to say that I am glad that I have taking the art of jewelry making up. I have tons of inspirations and influences for new designs and I am always making more every day.

"Rachel's Jewelry Box" has only really just started up yesterday but I am hoping that I manage to keep this business up and I do hope that their will be some interested buyers sometime very soon.

Currently for sale is my Vintage Floral Bracelet which was my first ever design which has already proved to be quite popular with some people that I know and also a few hand crafted beaded bracelets. The beaded bracelets are made with a stretchy wire so they fit almost every hand and don't wear down easily at all.

So I guess I just wanted to share my exciting news with you all and I would very much appreciate it if you all went and liked my facebook page, and if you have any inquiries about purchasing one of my bracelets or even have a design you would like me to create just let me know. I am always happy to make new designs for you guys!

Link to Rachel's Jewelry Box - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachels-Jewelry-Box/158744880980367?skip_nax_wizard=true

1920's fashion trend and The Great Gatsby Influence

"The Great Gatsby", starring Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio has only just debuted at the Cannes Film festival but already there is a huge buzz not just about the film but the absolutely splendid 1920's fashion that the film portrays. The iconic F.Scott Fitzgerald Novel has been given a make over by one of the most breathtaking directors, Baz Luhrmann, and has seen the 1920's fashion trend soar straight back into fashion.
The legendary 1920's jazz era was known for it's flamboyance and post war fun and to be quite frank, the 20's is definitely one of my favorite fashion era's along with the Great Gatsby novel itself.

I first read the iconic F.Scott Fitzgerald novel in my higher English class a few years back and as huge fan of books and the 20's fashion this particular novel stole my heart. The novel depicts the portrayal of a man known as Jay Gatsby who strives to meet the American dream with extravagant parties all in the hopes of impressing Daisy Buchanan whom he begins an affair with. The underlying tones of infidelity, social upheaval, idealism and also the idea of new money vs old old money is what brings the 20's to life in this novel.
Even though I am still yet to see the film, which will probably include me dragging my boyfriend by the ears to the cinema, I do hope that this recent film adaptation manages to capture all the essentials that has made F.Scott Fitzgerald's novel into a classic. Not to mention I am rather excited just to see the 20's fashion trend light up the big screen.
The 1920's fashion era is not only beautiful but the background of the Jazz era is rather interesting. It was an era that reflects the changes that began to take place in society and in my own opinion was the beginnings of the rebellious women. Forget your classic rebellious teenage female of today's day and age, women of the 1920's were and still are the original female rebellion and that showed through the changing fashions. Women moved away from the restricted corsets that dominated the Victorian Era and opted for dropped waist lines, cut their hair into a bob with finger curls, knee length dresses that would show of their legs whilst dancing and earned themselves a reputation with collectively being known as "Flappers".

So as I have not had the advantage of seeing Baz Luhrmann's "the Great Gatsby" I have heard about the debate of whether or not it will do Fitzgerald's novel any justice, seeing as the novel and Fitzgerald himself managed to flawlessly capture the the roaring twenties along with the emptiness the era provided for those who strive to meet the idea of the American Dream, however you cannot deny that The Great Gatsby remake has spun a 1920's fashion revival and seen the iconic and exciting trend hit the catwalks and the high streets.

Spring/summer fashion trend report.

So it would seem that winter is finally beginning to fade allowing spring/summer to finally blossom and hopefully bring nice weather along with it. However, where I am from that is highly unlikely. Especially with the weather we have been having recently. Uggh, I hate it when Winter decides to stay past it's due date, don't you? Well, I must admit the winter weather is not going to stop me checking out some of the latest spring/summer fashions and trends for this year and judging by the looks of things the colors alone will be enough to brighten up my mood along with the weather.

Monochrome Checks 
The Monochrome Trend has been on the rise for quite some time now, so it's not surprising that this black and white check trend is going to be a huge hit this spring/summer season. And with this trend the bigger and bolder the better.

Pastels
Ahh the ever faithful pastels. I don't quite think it would be spring/summer without these light hue's making an appearance. Quite frankly, I love pastel shades. Especially for this season, it makes me feel quite summery and girly and I don't think you can go wrong with this trend. Honestly, every spring/summer wardrobe should have pastel shades featured in there somewhere.

Stripes
Stripes have been on the rise for quite some time now. I seem to be seeing them an awful lot more this year than I ever have. From the runways right down to the high streets. The good thing with this trend is that they can be used in so many ways. Thick and skinny, horizontal or vertical as well as mixing up the colours. I can be certain that this will be a trend to watch this season.

Crop Tops 
Once a dreaded fashion piece for those of us who didn't feel toned enough and that amount of exposure used to leave us feeling embarrassed. Yes, it's true. The infamous crop top has popped up this spring/summer for another round. However, there is something you need to know about this particular trend. See the crop top has evolved along with the modern day times and is now more sophisticated and mature, thanks to some handy work by some high class fashion designers who have been featuring this trend on their catwalks. These new style of crop tops are designed to be paired with high waisted skirts and shorts for a more lady like approach allowing this more difficult trend to be a bit more approachable.

Chanel's punk rock princess: Alice Dellal

She's the model, drummer, muse and DJ tycoon heiress who has been bringing the punk rock spirit to the massive French Fashion house ever since Karl Lagerfeld hand picked her to be the face of of Chanel's "Boy's" bag range last year and since then she has gone on to become one of the brand's iconic women.
For this years Spring/summer 2013 campaign ms Dellal is seen posing with a white horse in an equestrian themed shoot on a stud farm, which is a homage to Coco Chanel's love of horseriding.
I am going to admit, I can personally see why there is such a hype about Alice. I love her ability to keep her punk rock signature look while combining the couture of of Chanel. She's got her own way of making some of the Chanel's pieces her own, which is what I think makes her the perfect ambassador for the french fashion brand. So what do you guys think of Chanel's very own punk rock princess?

From big screen to Fashion trends: The Host

Once the vampires dressed in gothic glam ruled the fashion runways last year to wave farewell to the hugely fantastic blockbuster Twilight saga, but now a new breed altogether is about to rule the fashion world!. Yes, Stephanie Meyer's, twilight author, "The Host" is about to hit the big screens this summer and I for one, believe it will be another massive blockbuster smash!. The Host is about a futuristic earth that is invaded by aliens, known as souls, who take over the human race. However one girls human soul refuses to cooperate with her alien host.
With the release of this new film, a new trend is about to take over this spring/summer and that is the space age style!. From Sparkling techno fabrics, clean cut lines and comic book sweatshirts, yes this trend preparing to launch any day!. Will you be apart of this futuristic new trend?

I honestly cannot wait for this movie!, so glad it got made into a movie because the novel is fantastic, I highly recommend it to anyone who has not read the novel yet!.  

new sounds, styles and inspirations......

hey Beautiful people. As you can see I have been MIA recently, I am rather sorry for that. My schedule at the moment has been so super busy and I am hardly getting any sleep or any time for myself at all. I think I am physically exhausted and I just needed a couple of days to bring back the old me again.....but enough of any of that because as usual I have been on the hint for new style icons and inspirations, and let me tell you, I have found it!. It just happened one day when I was in the mood for some music to help me relax ( I am such a music nerd and it relaxes me) and that's when I came across this amazing lady known as Rainy Milo.

Rainy's voice is so full of soul and soothing. I have been listening to her mixtape "Limey" and I am currently addicted to the song "Don't regret me". Her music is quite entrancing and chilling, this wonderful lady sings with such emotion that I can relate to some of the lyrics that she is singing. It's wonderful really.

But however if you think her Music was enough to make you fall in love, you should take a peek at her style. I am such a sucker for artists with really good fashion style and right now Rainy Milo is ticking all the boxes for me. She is quite playful grunge mixed with an urban rock vibe and I am seriously digging the look. It gives off a sort of fun attitude to go with the rather eclectic music that she creates.

Right now I must tell you to check this lady's music out. Because she is one lady who I think you won't be able to forget about in a hurry. In fact, I think we might just hear a little more of her in the near future and I sure hope we do!.