Yorkshire's fashionable past
Show at Yorkshire Fashion Week- Picture from fabfrocks.blogspot.com
When you think of Yorkshire what springs to mind? Yorkshire puddings, Black Sheep beer and Emmerdale?
I can more or less say that no one will associate us lovely Yorkshire folk with our fabulous fashion sense, but whilst it is a far cry from London, Paris and Milan, behind the rolling hills and idyllic landscapes, there are actually some fashions roots.
Christopher Bailey,Chief Creative Officer of Burberry was born in Halifax and in his Career has also worked for high end fashion labels such as Gucci and Donna Karen, he is now renowned worldwide for his contribution to the British fashion industry.
And Christopher isn’t the only claim to fame for Yorkshire as award winning actress and glamorous icon Dame Judi Dench was born in York. Now one of Britain’s best loved actresses, Judi went on to star in films such as the 2012′s Bond film Skyfall.
Celebrities aside, and looking out onto the fields of the dales, Yorkshire’s fashion past may be closer than you think- in the form of our four legged fluffy friends- Sheep!
At the turn of the industrial revolution Yorkshire was considered the wool epicentre of the world and now people come together once a year to celebrate Yorkshire’s famous woollen past, in the form of Yorkshire Wool Week.
Looking to the present day there are some stereotypes that people associate with Yorkshire style such as everyone living on a farm and flat caps and wellie- wearing being a daily thing. But beyond these ridiculous assumptions are signs that Yorkshire is making its mark on the British fashion industry.
Yorkshire Fashion Week, founded in 2009, took place in Huddersfield this June with shows from the regions up and coming designers. Yorkshire’s very own Christopher Bailey in a previous interview said ”I think Yorkshire Fashion Week is going to snowball, and I hope, become hugely successful.”
You may not realise it but Yorkshire’s Fashion industry is worth over £4 billion each year and employs 30,000 people across our county- perhaps we are more fashionable than people think!
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Is this the death of the little black dress?
The little black dress. Simple, versatile, elegant…
Exciting? Perhaps not.
Without a doubt the LBD is one of the most iconic designs in the history of fashion and no one can argue with the countless advantages including its ability to be dressed up or down, not to mention it’s priceless ability to slim; which is probably why it has been so popular for almost a century.
Made famous by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a little black dress was something that every woman had to have.
But despite the fact that this timeless wardrobe staple originated from the sketchbooks of non other than Coco Chanel herself who famously said: ”In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” – The fact remains that black is black – and Christmas is about colour.
As the party season fast approaches and and the high streets steadily become busier (amid a panic of early bird Christmas shoppers) the shops rails begin to burst with bold and beautiful party dresses influenced by the Autumn/Winter catwalks shows of London Fashion Week.
Designers such as Tommy Hilfiger and French Connection showcased dresses in shades of burnt orange, and crimson red perfect to warm up any chilly winter day – and the turquoises and deep purples at Lanvin were anything but plain. In a previous interview Vogue fashion editor Francesca Burns said: ”Historically purple was only worn by an elite few, but in autumn/winter 2012-13 it will be for everyone”
- Celebrities such as Halle Berry, Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway have all been known to wear bold rather than black; and in doing so stunning onlookers on the red carpet with their daring choices.
But these designs aren’t just for the Celebrities, now you can get your hands on one of these show stopping dresses perfect for any Christmas party. High street shops such as Topshop, Bank and Dorothy Perkins are brimming with geometric prints, clashing colours and embellishments, all ideal for the festive season. Choose a bold colour such as red or blue and accessorise with a belt, heels and bag of one colour and if wearing a print, make sure your jewellery is plain to prevent your outfit looking to busy.
Save your LBD for the more formal occasions and treat yourself this Christmas to a brightly coloured dress and stand out in the crowds – after all, bold is the new black!
A woman’s guide to winter weather dressing
Don’t let the rain put a dampner on your style
Despite the fact that Mother Nature seems to have bypassed autumn and skipped straight to winter, this is no excuse to wear a coat resembling a bin bag and wellies to work.And as tempting as it may be to assume all beauty maintenance is taking at least a 6 month vacation (resulting in leg hair to rival Bob Marley’s dreadlocks and tan blotchier than a Dalmatian’s fur) we need to think this through.
Firstly there ARE ways of arriving at work on a rainy day without looking like you’ve waded there via the river Thames- get a taxi! But seriously think practically. And no practical does not mean digging out them hideous Clarkes shoes that haven’t left your airing cupboard for the last 6 years- for good reason, I’m talking lush leather boots that will keep your feet dry and keep you looking stylish too.
In terms of clothing, take a tip from those who have a lot chillier climates than ours to deal with- polar bears! So invest in a good (faux) fur coat. Granted fur this isn’t going to keep you dry- that’s why god invented umbrellas! If you really MUST protect yourself on the wettest days get yourself a rain mac. Definitely not one of those that teachers used to wear on school trips and preferably one that doesn’t come in its own little drawstring bag! These tend to be more suited to a woodland nature trail than a bold entrance into the office.
If you really can’t detach yourself from them thermals- VVL’s (visible vest lines) are a big no no! And last year’s Christmas woolly socks don’t need to be protruding of them lovely boots either- just roll them down a bit!
Secondly winter is party season- meaning we should be looking better than ever. So abandon that plan to attend your work-do in a onsie in the cover up attempt of being ‘funny’ when actually you can’t remember where the hedge trimmers are for them unruly pins!
Hair, make up and tanning are all as important as they were on the beach this summer. Just because you’re not sipping sangria in the Costa del Sol it doesn’t mean you need to abandon your beauty regime.
Admittedly the icy temperatures can leave your hair looking like you’ve been electrocuted and your skin like Mary Berries best filo but instead of covering your head with a tea cosy and your skin with a boiler suit- get out the conditioner and moisturiser!
So now it’s down to you. Would you rather glide into work with dry feet, a cute coat, shiny locks and smooth skin… or float in on a piece of driftwood with a soggy matted mop looking like a teaching assistant from the 80′s? I know which I’d choose!
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My relationship with carbs
Who can resist a doughnut?!
It’s hard to find a woman who is completely happy with their body, whether it’s their flabby’ stomach or their ‘tree trunk’ thighs but the concept of cutting out carbs to achieve the dream body is far from alien to most women, who often turn to dramatic measures to achieve that dream figure.
A recent survey commissioned by Real Magazine has revealed that only 3% of women in the UK are completely happy with their bodies, with 73% thinking about their size and shape every day and an astonishing six in ten were actually depressed about their body image.
But rather than wallowing in self pity and cracking open another tub of Ben and Jerry’s (as tempting as it may be) some women are willing to do what ever it takes to shift them extra pounds.
From juice diets, to cabbage soup, low fat to low food (also known as starvation) women are on a desperate trail to find out a miracle way to lose the weight and in 1972, Dr Atkin seemed to have an answer to all these women’s prayers with a high protein, low carb diet that has swept across America and the UK.
Once I heard that this revolutionary diet had celeb followers such as Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, that was me sold, and I have battled with the dreaded ‘C’ word ever since.
After cutting out rice, potatoes, pasta, sugar- basically everything with taste, the effects of the diet could be seen straight away but the daily battle of what’s ‘allowed’ and what isn’t leaves you with a rather dismal choice of whether you fancy meat or meat, trust me the reality is – neither. In fact I was left feeling sick at the thought at anything that involved protein.
So bye to the butchers counter and hello to the bakery isle it is- the fact remains that i’d rather be fat and happy than thin and miserable.
Now tell us what you think by voting in our poll below!!
