Mr Selfridge: Get the Look

Hello ★

Something a little bit different from my normal Wednesday post today. Recently I have been really addicted to the new T.V series, Mr. Selfridge. I love all types of period dramas and secretly wish i could live in those eras with a stately home, fine jewels, corsets and Mr. Darcy galloping towards me on a white stallion. It that just me? 

The t.v series is set in 1910 and tells the story of a man, Harry Gordon Selfridge, with a mission to open a department store on Oxford street that changes the way people shop. He wanted women to experience the same trills as sex when shopping and also to gain a sense of empowerment. 

I love the costume design in the show but not too sure about the bird nest hairstyles featured on the two main shop assistants Doris and Kitty. My favourite outfits of the show have to be the dresses and elaborate hats worn by the wealthy ladies of Selfridges.

Around the time Selfridges opened, female independence was beginning to spread including the beginning of the suffragettes. The costumes designed by James Keast, who also worked on Titanic back in 1997, maintained the authenticity of the era with wonderful large brimmed hats, lavish furs, jewels and feathers. Make up was a rarity though.

Get the look: Lady Mae

(images: Itv)

Feather cape £65 Biba at House of Fraser / Dress £18 House of Fraser / Biba mini lace pillbox £80 House of Fraser / Necklace Aliexpress/ Handbag £35 A-wear / 

Have you been watching Mr. Selfridge? What to you think of it? 

Gem xx

Get the look: Skyfall Bond Girl

With the release of the 23rd instalment of the James Bond film franchise – Skyfall I was inspired to create a 'How to look' showcasing the glamour of Bond Girl style.
The new film brings us two bond girls:

•  Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny.  An MI6 field agent who works closely with Bond.

• Bérénice Marlohe as Sévérine. Who is James Bond's damsel in distress/ villianess.

Get Their Look!!

Miss Moneypenny is secretary to M, who is Bond's boss and head of the British Secret Service (MI6). Being a Top secret agent she needs to wear clothes that enable her to move quickly in dangerous situations. Her style is casual but sexy at the same time. Look to short light weight jackets, slim fitting trousers and flattering vests to match her look. Below is a short length leather mac from Burberry £3,420, Leather trousers from H&M £25, and military boots by Steve madden at Swell.com.

Eve Moneypenny- Skyfall by gemma-coy featuring leather jackets

severine- james bond skyfall by gemma-coy featuring a sheer lace dress

Severine is an associate of the villain Raoul Silva in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall. Her style is ultra-glamorous with lots of special Skyfall Swarovski jewellery designed by Stephen Webster. Her makeup includes gorgeous exotic smoky eyes and sultry red lips. The above look includes two stunning gowns that match her look. The left one is by Alexander Mcqueen at a heart breaking £12,145 available to buy at Net-a-porter.com. The right dress is a little more affordable at £120 from Mod Cloth. The metal and velvet shoes are Stella McCartney for £620 at Net-a-porter.

 

At the London premiere of the film, the two ladies ensured they stood out and wowed the crowds, making every girl wishing they looked like them. They really proved they deserve the 'Bond girl' title. I loved both gowns but my favourite has to be Naomie Harris' sheer black Marios Schwab gown with a gorgeous blue sequined body underneath. I love the elegant thin strap sandals she has teamed with it which softens the outfit, the minimal jewellery and fresh faced makeup. Absolutely gorgeous! I cannot think of anyone else who could wear this dress and look this great.

 The floor-length catwalk dress previewed at London Fashion Week and retailed for £2550. Marios Schwab did design a similar dress for Debenhams for £150 but unfortunately has now sold out. I have however found these similar dresses for you:

 

From left: Warehouse at Asos £38, American apparel at Asos

If you prefer Bérénice Marlohe's Red gown by Vivenne Westwood you may like these high street versions:
From left: Jane Norman at House of Fraser pleat bodice dress £48, Coast Breita bandeau dress £225.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's your favourite bond girl style, Eve or Severine?

Get the look: 1940s war time girl

I’ve been incredibly infatuated with 1940s fashion since seeing the film 'A league of their own' and 'Pearl Harbour'. I love the glamour, the tailored outfits, cute heels, red lipstick  and perfect locks.

The Fashion trends from the 1930s to the end of 1945 were mainly tailoring with attention to detail at the shoulder, with butterfly sleeves and banjo sleeves, and exaggerated shoulder pads for both men and women. The period also saw the first widespread use of man-made fibres, especially Rayon for dresses and viscose for linings and lingerie, and synthetic nylon stockings. These trends started off in the U.S.A and were brought over to Britain and Europe through trendsetters such as Edward VIII's companion Wallis Simpson and such Hollywood movie stars as Fred Astaire, Carole Lombard and Joan Crawford.

Get the look:

More Tea? by gemma-coy featuring a print dress

40s gal by gemma-coy featuring conair