Sunday 23 December 2012

Sunday Wishlist #5

Sunday Wishlist #5


1. American Apparel - In general, I love AA. They make great basic items, and you can get most things in loads of different colours. In particular, I would love one of their pleated skirts, a 3D flower top, and a long petticoat. All three are great basics to have.

2. Burger & Friends Sweater - I adore Tina Turner, she's such a babe. So this sweater is great. I just know when I'm wearing it, I'll be walking around singing the song in my best Tina voice! I'm not a fan of the plain white, so I would dip dye the sleeves in black dye so that it fades from black to grey to white up the sleeve.

3. ASOS skinny leather trousers - As you may have noticed, I have been on the lookout for the perfect pair of leather trousers. This pair might just fit the bill...

4. ASOS Skater dress - This is such a great basic dress that can be dressed up or down. I like that it has 3/4 length sleeves too.

5. Denham V Neck Marl T-shirt - It's incredibly difficult to find a great basic t-shirt that is made from high quality fabric and has an excellent cut. H&M and Topshop do loads of different basic tops, but they are never quite right. This t-shirt is £45, but I have a feeling that it will look great on, and last much longer than a highstreet t-shirt.

6. Comme des Garcons sweater - This really is a dream item. I adore everything by Comme des Garcons. Hopefully one day I will be able to afford a few of their pieces.

7. Miista Kia pink - Aren't these just incredible?! I think they are great no matter what the season, and they will spice up any outfit.

Bemsy x

Saturday 22 December 2012

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? Proenza Schouler & Three Floor


Proenza Schouler's embroidered bird sweaters and jackets have been incredibly popular this season, fitting nicely into the oriental trend. I was, however, disappointed to find that the supposedly fashion-forward brand Three Floor had taken a little too much of PS's design and put it on their own jacket. So, out of the following four, three are PS and one is Three Floor, but which one?! (The answer is at the bottom of the post)







If you ask me, all four items look like they are from a PS collection. In fashion, it is inspiration, not imitation, that is the sincerest form of flattery. Copying the aesthetic of another person's design so closely is creatively lazy, and I would encourage everyone, where possible, to avoid buying such items and instead shop at brands that are more creatively innovative.

Bemsy x

The answer is...number three! Did you guess right?

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Doll Boutique rips off Givenchy

One of my favourite bloggers, Jessica Stein from Tuula, sporting a Givenchy Rottweiler Tee

By now, most people will have come across the Givenchy Rottweiler. Ricardo Tisci's Rottweiler first made an appearance in Givenchy's Menswear F/W '11 collection, before making its way into the Womenswear Pre-Fall 2012 RTW collection, this time in the form of a photo taken by Ralph. A. Clevenger. Bloggers the world over have been seen sporting a Rottweiler top, not to mention celebrities, from Liv Tyler to Kanye West. Tisci's idea has successfully bridged the gap between hip-hop and hollywood.

It will come as no surprise that the Rottweiler has been copied to death. A design this popular, and this easy to copy, is a dream for knock-off maestros. However, I was very surprised to find that a British brand, Doll Boutique, who recently premiered their own label on their website, decided to produce their own copy.
Givenchy Menswear Fall 2011


Givenchy Womenswear Pre-Fall 2012 RTW

Doll Boutique Bad Dog Jewel Sweatshirt

I hardly need to point out that Doll Boutique's offering is identical to Givenchy's Pre-Fall design in every way except for the fact that they have used a sweatshirt instead of a t-shirt. What perplexes me is that Doll Boutique had not updated their website for what seemed like several months while they were preparing their new collection. Surely the point of a new collection is to exercise your creative freedom to design whatever you want? Instead, their debut collection does not bode well for the future if all they can manage is a copy of a much-loved Givenchy design. 

There are legal questions at issue here which potentially interlink. First, the obvious knock off of the Givenchy design. While a design itself cannot be protected by law, Givenchy has edited Clevenger's photo, and therefore Givenchy may have copyright protection. Secondly, does Doll Boutique have Clevenger's permission to use his photo on their sweater? 

A friend pointed out that girls not interested in high fashion would not know that this sweater is a Givenchy knock off. However, Doll Boutique has long been known as one of only two retailers of Jeffrey Campbell shoes, and it could therefore be argued that their target market is in fact the fashion-savvy. This adds weight to the argument that they sell this sweater because they know that their customers will recognise it as Givenchy, rather than selling it because they think it's a cool design. 

I emailed both Givenchy and Clevenger last week, and although I have not received a response from either, I am not bothered, as Doll Boutique's sweater has now been listed as 'SOLD OUT'. Interesting, considering the rest of their new collection is still available...

I'm going to go ahead and call this a victory for Redhead Talkin'!

Bemsy x


Sunday 16 December 2012

Sunday Wishlist #4

Sunday Wishlist #4


1. Zara Pin Stud Hat - I bought a hat just like this from Zara with a gold chain around it, but I'm a sucker for studs so naturally I've fallen in love with this hat.

2. ASOS Sunglasses - So technically, these sunglasses are no longer on my wishlist as I bought them last weekend when ASOS had a 20% discount. And yes, they are perfect!

3. ASOS black collar and cream collar - I think these collars are great. They are perfect for jazzing up a t-shirt and jeans outfit, or for adding some bling to a simple dress.

4. Ted Baker dresses - Aren't they just adorable?

5. Zatchels x Hello Kitty - Perfection in the form of a bag!

6. H&M bra and knickers - I have fallen in love with this bra. It is just so sparkly and pretty! I'm going to have to try it on in a store though, because the biggest size online is a 34C which is most upsetting! They also have the bra in black and pink in bigger sizes, but they don't have the fun sparkly bits on them. Fingers crossed I can get in to a 34C!

Bemsy x

Friday 14 December 2012

Topshop's Lanvin lookalikes

Remember this post where I asked if you knew your Lanvin from your H&M? Well it seems that Lanvin's design is proving popular amongst fast-fashion retailers. This time it's Topshop who have taken a liking to the Lanvin beauties...

Lanvin polished leather boots

Topshop Palette Premium Met Boots

I think the Topshop boots are a little too similar to the Lanvin design, in fact, the only part they have not copied is the strap around the top of the boot. While most of the items at Topshop aren't exactly creatively innovative, it seems that their designers have been particularly lazy with this one.

Copying another brand's design is creatively lazy. Do you think fashion would be more exciting if, for example, Topshop just sold Topshop Unique?

Bemsy x


Monday 10 December 2012

Girl Crush #3 - Charlize Theron


Perhaps Charlize is an unexpected girl crush, but I recently discovered that when she isn't being dressed for the red carpet, she is an expert at dressing down in style.

Charlize proves that it is absolutely possible to look chic after a long-haul flight. I'm sure she has a pair of ballet pumps and a cosy sweater in her bag that she wore during the flight, but she stepped off the plane in style. It just goes to show, we can do it too!

The key is in the detail - biker style black jeans add interest, and studded pumps are so much more fun than plain black.

The perfect example of how to dress up a plaid shirt and jeans.

Charlize combines soft tones perfectly.

Denim on denim is not an easy trend to get right. Charlize shows us how it's done with dark blue jeans and a paler blue casual shirt. 

Such a great, casual outfit that has been jazzed up with a statement bag.




Girl Crush #3 - Charlize Theron



Charlize is the queen of casual chic. To get Charlize's style, invest in the perfect pair of leather trousers and a pair of heels that will take you from lunch to cocktails. Don't be afraid to dress up a casual outfit with a statement bag or with cute heels. Sometimes, it's better to keep things simple.

Do you like Charlize's style?

Bemsy x

Monday 3 December 2012

Sunday Wishlist #3

Sunday Wishlist 3



1. Russell & Bromley Loafers - Russell & Bromley's online shop launched recently, and I could not be happier. I own a few pairs of R&B shoes and boots already, and they are just incredible. They may be expensive, but they must be seen as an investment - they will literally last for years and years and look like new! The colour of these loafers is incredible, and they are perfect for winter as they aren't skimpy.

2. Pull & Bear Faux Fur Waistcoat  - I've only recently realised that I need a waistcoat like this. I think it will be perfect for jeans and a blouse, or with a long-sleeved dress.

3. Zara Pencil Skirt - Pencil skirts are so handy, and I think this one can be dressed up or down.

4. Boohoo Torn Tights - I love torn tights when I'm in a grungey mood, except when I rip my own tights, I always end up with a massive hole. I'm intrigued as to how long these tights will last before the holes merge in to one giant one!

5. Topshop Prickle Boots  - It was love at first sight. Could they be any more perfect?!

6. H&M Faux Leather Trousers - I would love a pair of leather trousers, but I feel it's necessary to try out a faux leather pair before splurging on a real pair.

7. Topshop Nails in Dark Knight  - I love the dark blue, and I love the glitter.

Bemsy x