The enchanting world of Monki

One of the shopping highlights of my recent Stockholm trip was visiting the wonderland that is Monki world. H&M-owned Monki is one of Sweden's most exciting trend-led fashion exports, and recently opened it's first UK stand-alone store on Carnaby Street.

Having not yet had the pleasure of visiting the London shop, I was happy to experience the weird and wonderful concept store in its home city and came away suitably enchanted.

The 'Sea of Scallops' design of the outlet I visited boasted merry-go-rounds, mirrored surfaces reflecting the happy pink and yellow colour scheme and items hung at various heights by rope. A grown-up playroom complete with plush Monki characters to collect.

These 'yes', 'no' and 'maybe' hooks in the dressing rooms are just one example of the small details designed to put a smile on your face.

The all-singing-all-dancing brand also produces a rather awesome read, full of interviews with inspirational women, charming illustrations and insights into the intriguing world of Monki.

With an identity so strong, it's easy to see why the company is making such waves in global fashion at the minute, and I haven't even mentioned the clothes yet!

Combining the sleek, structured and simple designs characteristic of Scandinavian style with youthful colour pops and quirky prints, Monki brings something unique to the overcrowded fast-fashion market. And, like H&M, the price point is equally attractive.  I picked up this heart print dress for just £15 in the sale and I think my online Monki account will be seeing a whole lot of action this year...

Silent Sunday - pink wafer

Pink waffle knit - Topshop via charity shop
Black mini - Monki
Boots - vintage via car boot sale

January sales

So many great bargains to be had this year. While the Topshop sale was a disappointment, my new favourite brand Monki offered up some sleek and simple Scandinavian beauties at Primark prices. I even snapped up a Monki dress in my local charity shop for under a fiver!

Elsewhere, I unashamedly indulged in dresses, picking up a very cute book print sheer shirt dress with bow tie detail from the Urban Outfitters online sale, a great all year round midi dress, slashed from £175 to £50, and chunky cats eye shades for £20 in Whistles, as well as that Pearl Lowe for Peacocks bow dress - just £10.

What did you pick up in the sales?



Red poncho, striped boxy top and black mini skirt - both Monki



Whistles tiger feather midi dress and Pearl Lowe for Peacocks bow dress

New year, same me

'New year, new you' - possibly the most over-used message peddled by the media, retailers and any one trying to sell you anything in January. Well, I don't want a new me thanks - I'm pretty good as I am. So when it comes to fashion, in 2012 I am going to continue to:

[This is my serious clothes-swapping face]

Wear black skinny jeans, even though I ‘shouldn’t’. A stylist this year told me that skinny jeans on those with hour-glass figures can make carrots of legs, as we carry most of our weight on our thighs and hips - not the best look perhaps. Yet while I can appreciate that this may be technically true, they're just too versatile to give up. Topshop's Baxter jeans are a real time-saver when it comes to throwing simple outfits together in the morning.

Invest in discount designer pieces. As I've written about previously, I'm all about investing in designer bargains on members-only sites, at pre-loved designer sales and via good old eBay. Much more likely to hold their value and great outfit focal points, my favourite designer bargains of 2011 were a Mawi skull pendant (£40 - Cocosa), Luella silk top (£45 - Rag Trade Sale) and lace detail T-shirt (£15 - eBay) and Alice by Temperley black lace dress (£62 - Cocosa).

Stock up on staples. It seems I can never have enough basic black tops, black cardigans or tights, as well as the aforementioned black jeans with which to pair colour pop pieces. I've experimented with many different looks over the years but am now, in my late 20s, leaning towards the sleek and simple Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic - hence the Monki lust. Although that's not the say the bold print dresses won't be making their usual appearance in the summer.

Rummage through people's left-overs. I don't think my love of charity shops, car boot sales and flea markets will ever wane. The thrill of the find is somewhat addictive, always a good talking point, and, most importantly, you can pick up unique pieces that no one else will be wearing at bargain prices - how would that ever get tired?

Clothes swap. Even better - if you can imagine - than the above is clothes swapping. Free clothes, yes FREE! I resolve to acquire yet more free clothes next year, and the year after that, and... you get it. But it'll be hard to beat the Marc by Marc Jacobs sun dress I snapped up at Brighton's first vintage and retro swish.

What are you going to continue to do in the new year?

Photo by Anj Daskarolis

Monki magic

I'm falling ever more in love with Scandinavian design, and my latest crush is Swedish-born concept store Monki. The brand takes the simple silhouettes of the Scandinavian aesthetic and adds urban, girly and fantastical twists, resulting in easy-to-wear pieces imbued with a tongue-in-cheek sense of fun.


Prices range from 3 euro for socks to 130 euro for coats, with the majority of pieces on the international site under 50 euro. So affordable that my wish list for spring/summer is, for once, within the realms of financial reality. Peter pan collar top, camel coat, quirky tee, heart print dress and sheer cranberry shirt = £150 - throw in a black pleated mini and some cute accessories and you've got yourself a covetable capsule wardrobe.


Can't wait to raid the real-life stores in Stockholm next year!