Stella McCartney mirror print mimics

High street designers have taken inspiration from Stella's psychedelic Hawaiian floral mirror prints for their eagerly awaited spring/summer collections. The edgy trend offers the perfect way to wear florals without looking too girly. Add these pieces to your shopping list now.


Stella McCartney Spring 2012


Left to right - Warehouse dress, ASOS T-shirt, Warehouse top


Left to right - New Look T-shirt, Topshop shorts

High street doll

So, it's sale season again. When is it not sale season these days? In fact, buying things full price is so last season...

But while charity shops, car boot sales and eBay are my main shopping haunts, I do venture into the high-street stores on occasion. One has to know what all the cool kids are wearing, even if it's just to avoid it.

And there are some things that I find it very difficult to do second-hand - jeans being one of them. As jeans sizes vary so wildy, I can't buy them online, and by the time they've found their way to the land of rummage, they often look like a Jackson Pollock canvas, having been relegated to decorating garm along the way, or are bearing rips in places that I am now just too old to get away with.

So, I was happy to pick up some Seventies-style flares from the Topshop sale for a reasonable £20. A sensible purchase I felt - already worn twice.


The same can't be said for my other high-street sale bargain, however. But how could I say no to the perfect white patent, Pattie-Boyd-esque, 1960s dolly shoes for just £7? Thank you New Look. I will cherish these shoes. I might even wear them at some point.

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Check mate

Since Christopher Kane chose gingham as the material du jour in his spring/summer collection, high-street designers have also been looking to Brigitte Bardot's Lolita for style inspiration. Gingham sun-dresses have been popping up all over the shops, going down a more traditional route with light cotton checks, as opposed to Kane's boudoir-inspired chiffon, cut-out designs.


Track down original or hand-made fifties-style gingham dresses on ebay or etsy.com if you want one-offs, or check out Lipsy's sheer baby-doll to get Kane chic at cut-price. The dress has even won a fan in Laetitia over at top fashion blog Mademoiselle Robot .

New Look £28 Miss Selfridge £35
Dollyfrocks on etsy $79
My Frock Shop on ebay $34.99
Lipsy £50

Christopher Kane catwalk image: Style.com

One to watch: Shoe designer Gemma Jayne Hanley

At just 26, twenty years after she designed her first pair of shoes, Gemma Jayne Hanley's architectural designs have already been picked for exclusive London boutiques, snapped up in high-street chains and strutted down the catwalk at top designer shows. With all angles covered, she's well on her way to fashion-world domination.

When did your interest in shoe design start?

I have always wanted to design; it is how I naturally think I am constantly evolving and creating things. Shoes became the focus at around 12 when I discovered how amazing they could make you feel, when my grandmother bought me my first expensive ‘grown up’ heels.

How old were you when you designed your first pair of shoes?

About six, they were for my Barbie and fabulous: Does that count?

How did you get into shoe design as a career?

Shoe design was a natural progression for me as design has always been my strength and fashion my love. After focusing on Art, Product Design and Maths at A level, I continued on to an Art Foundation course. On which I was allowed the time to build up a knowledge base and portfolio which lead me to enroll on a BA at the footwear specialist college Cordwainers in London.
How much training and experience was required to get you to where you are today?

My BA was a four-year sandwich course, with one year in industry and I did three years post BA work experience.

Describe an average day when you're working on a collection.

Every day is different depending on which stage of the collection you are at. Today we are focusing on next season’s mood, so research, research, research. Last week I was in Italy picking the leathers. Next week I might be at the factory sorting the sample and in-between drawing the collection.

What inspires your shoe design?

Life - buildings, music, pop cultural, history.

What materials do you use to make your shoes?

This depends on the season but timeless favorites of mine are wood, natural looking materials juxtaposed harder more modern materials

Who have you designed shoes for?

I have designed for a range people, including Henry Holland, New Look and boutiques in East London.

What are you ambitions?

Career wise; to build 'Gemma Jayne Hanley' as a successful brand as well as consultant for other brands. Life wise; to live a long happy life full of laughter and adventures.

To you plan to branch out to design clothing or accessories in the future?

I am obsessed with clothing but do not have the knowledge to design it, although I would like to direct looks. I would love to designs accessories as well; I hope 'Gemma Jayne Hanley' will be an accessories/shoes company. Bags, small leather good, sunnies the lot.

Whose shoe design do you admire?

Pierre Hardy – I love modern architectural shoes.

What type of shoes do you wear on a daily basis?

Depends on the day, I am a fan of the flats but then you can never fake the confidence the heel gives you.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Too many – I am refuse to count.

Where do you go shoe shopping?

Anywhere and everywhere: I have £1 shoes from flee market and I have £500 shoes for Harvey Nicholas.

Do you have any tips for people who find it difficult and uncomfortable to wear high heels?

Wear them for an hour a night each night before you wear them out and about.

What tips would you offer budding shoe and fashion designers?

Watch, draw and learn.

Gemma Jayne Hanley is a Footwear Designer at Shubiz.

The white stuff

Forget the LBD, this season it's all about the LWD, or Little White Dress. As collections focus in on all things pretty, a short white sun dress is a must-have item for spring/summer, with designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Gucci among the many to show their take on the classic piece.

I'm of the persuasion that if you're going to do something, you may as well go all out, which is why Chanel's collection of ultra-feminine prairie-style LWDs are my favourite of the season. Lagerfeld's tongue-in-cheek 'roll in the hay' themed show framed the collection perfectly and showed us that we must accessorise the trend with wooden wedges and flowers in our hair.

Of course, few of us are lucky enough to be able to snap up a 'darling piece of Chanel', so here are three more affordable gems from the high-street.

Topshop, £45
New Look, £28
Lipsy, £50