The LBD - Little BLUE Dress

Okay so everyone knows about the LBD (Little Black Dress), we know it's a "must have" and we  definitely agree (although one of us doesn't own one and survives quite well despite this) because it is suitable for all occasions - wedding, funeral or just a night out. However the version of the LBD that we are loving, especially as it's spring in South Africa, is the Little Blue Dress. It doesn't matter what shade of blue you have - navy, sky, royal - it is simply a statement colour that is sure to catch the eyes of everyone. Blue patterns, blue blocking or just plain blue, we love the different emotions that come with the different hues; Navy=sophisticated, Sky=playful/calming, Royal=fun/bold. Take our word for it; we all need a LB(blue)D in our closets.

The Reader's Digest

We're those people who love fashion magazines - even if we don't read all the articles - we just love the feeling of tearing the plastic covering off the latest Vogue and flipping through the thick, crisp pages. I recently got the Elle fall edition with 556 pages of fashion and the Elle 25! and all I can say is this; it's heaven in the form of paper. Here are a few of my favourite adverts aswell as the front and back covers.

Karl Largerfeld

One of fashion's greatest miracles happened when Karl Otto Lagerfeldt was born on the 10 September 1933 in Hamburg, Germany. He has been designing and photographing for top fashion names for almost his entire life and has been internationally famous since about 1982. So he's been famous for about 30 years...that's impressive. He is the essence of Chanel as one of their mainstream designers come photographers as well as designing for Fendi and various other brands. He also has done photo shoots for magazines such as Vogue. We are expecting a lot more from him and we know he will not disappoint.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

She was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it. Face of the 60s actress Audrey Hepburn has transformed many aspects of the fashion world. She's influenced every woman to have a  "little black dress" in their cupboard. Her famous dramatic lips with thick eye brows and neat slicked back hair gave a new meaning for being immaculate. One picture is brought to mind when "breakfast at Tiffany's" is brought up in discussion; her perfect tided up hair with a tiara, the simple black dress, with her long classic gloves holding a long cigarette is perfection in my eyes. I certainly will never forget this charismatic idol.

The Ruby Slippers

Christian Louboutin is simply elegant black stilettos with bold red soles or as my sister calls them; prostitute heels. This single human being has revolutionized the colour red saying "In 1992 I incorporated the red sole into the design of my shoes. This happened by accident as I felt that the shoes lacked energy so I applied red nail polish to the sole of a shoe. This was such a success that it became a permanent fixture." It's amazing how simple spur of the moment ideas can completely change someones credibility or trademark. Unfortunately when he took Yves Saint Laurent to court after they used red soles in one of their photoshoots the judge stated that no-one can own the rights to the use of a colour in fashion designing. This is deffinitely going to cause his red soles to lose their uniquness and instant recognition as Christian Louboutin's simple works of art. Well if he's as great a designer as we believe he is then this will only be a pothole in his never-ending road of fame.

Embrace The Fire

We all do crazy things to stand out and to be seen, but why is it that when a baby gets born with red hair (the rarest hair colour) we see it as a curse? Embrace the beauty and let it stun people. Stand out and be different, don't pay attention to what others think. Red hair gives a pure but dangerous appeal. I love red hair and cannot believe how narrow minded some people are when it comes to red heads. The most wanted hair colour in the modeling industry is red hair, because of its individuality and scarceness, red hair becomes a hidden gift.

Raising the Standard, Raising the Waistline

Unfortunately finding a high waisted bikini in South Africa is virtually impossible unless you want to pay a grand for it. Well we're not letting that get us down, writing about how much we love them doesn't cost us any money so we're doing it anyway. All we're saying is this; raise the waistline and you raise the standard. There's something so completely unique about a bikini with a high waist and a bra-like top with boning that we can't explain. Be a Betty Boop and go buy yourself one of these awesome pieces of clothing.

Be Stupid For Chris Buck

When diesel launched the "Be Stupid" campaign, which embraces the stupid things we do in life, everyone noticed the crazy, funny and charismatic adds. I personally cannot get enough of them! Using witty quotes in bright colours makes the adds different from the usual. We have the genius Chris Buck to thank for these playful pictures. Chris is the photographer who captured the frozen moments that tell a hilarious story. We all have to learn from these adds, to let loose and do stupid things you can look back on and laugh about.

Photographing the Artist

Whenever you're looking through a magazine the brands that stay in your memory are the ones with the artistic, out-there adverts. Two brands that deserve a mention are Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs; one using pictures with intensified colour and the other using ones that have been softened, both creating that vintage effect that we absolutely adore. Jeurgen Teller is the Marc Jacobs photographer we love but we love all the Tom Ford adverts no matter what the photographer. 

Colours of the Runway

The catwalk is burning up with all things bright and bold. Fashion has gone in a new direction and it is not all serious anymore. Bright colours have become a trade mark, weather there is a touch of colour in a scarf or colour in the entire outfit. I love colour and can't imagine how dull the world would be without it, so why not wear it? Bold patterned tights can make an outfit stunning. Every colour in the rainbow has its own personality and says something different, using colour in fashion has unlimited possibilities. Colour can be added in last minute tweaks, weather you through on a pair of colourful beads, a scarf, a watch or even colourful socks!

The Fashionable Tomboy

In our opinion if you have never been a tomboy for at least a week of your entire life, then you're missing out in ways you can't imagine; playing in the mud, punching your childhood 'boyfriend', or going bear chested wearing only shorts. Some of the most fun we've ever had was when we swopped our 'young-lady' principles for a day and adopted the 'I'm not even afraid of sharks' attitude that makes little men, boys. Although it's a far stretch from the same thing, fortunately there is still a way to express your inner masculinity. Menswear for women is one of the most ingenious fashion trends we've come across. If the thing that's stopping you from pulling this look off is your fear of looking unappealing to guys then you're not thinking straight; men can't resist a women who looks powerful and in control of her life. There's something about the look that makes it seem as if you couldn't care less what others think and that's what makes people stop and stare.

The Classic Farmer

Throughout history dungarees were clothes for hill-billies and jumpsuits were clothes for sportsmen or painters and builders. However when we entered the 1960s dungarees became items of fashion not mockery and jumpsuits made a women have a sexy, catwoman appeal. The beauty of these clothes is that they're as convenient as dresses; one item of clothing is needed (besides a tank top under dungarees) and there's the additional plus of having shorts, not a skirt, on your bottom half. We gladly embrace the playfulness of jumsuits and the casualness of dungarees and you should too.

Playing With Polka Dots

Polka Dots are commonly associated with childrens clothing but when portrayed in a subtle or more sophisticated way it can look like high fashion. It adds character to what you are wearing, and is perfect for a summers day. I love polka dotted accessories; scarfs, clutches, socks, shoes, gloves and even hats. Polka dots really work in the lining of blazers or jackets worn open. I love polka dots and i think its a great way to add something interesting and different to whatever you are wearing!

Ballet Couture

Soft, musky pinks and delicate details are some of the reasons we just can't get enough of ballet-inspired fashion. The ticket to looking insanely graceful comes absolutely free when wearing an item that has likeness to a ballerina. Unless you're trying to make your tutu look grunge and emo, you'll struggle to make it look trashy. Thin and delicate gauze dresses, skirts and even tops are simply to die for and always look like they've been made by top designers even if they've been bought from a cheap chain store. Don't be afraid to pull off a long ballet skirt-if you're confident you're going to own it. Love, love, love!