MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF

Meadham Kirchhoff and Grayson Perry go hand-in-hand, don't you think? The bright colours, child-like connotations and the disregard for conformation. Fitting, then, my Meadham Kirchhoff x Topshop scores had their first wear to the Grayson Perry exhibition at the Manchester Gallery - an exhibition of the tapestries made while creating the TV programme about Britain's classes. No photos allowed sadly, but needless to say they are spectacular so well worth a visit.

The speed at which the pricier Meadham Kirchhoff pieces flew out prove something I've been thinking for a while now - that the British high street is so dull and homogeneous, shoppers are really looking for something unusual. The two pieces I picked were among the more wearable of the bunch, and whilst I still love them (mainly because of the MK label attached) I was really disappointed with the quality. The dress is totally see-through and static, and the tights came in a matte white box. I at least feel there should have been some snazzy MK packaging - shiny candy floss or slime would have been my ideas!

Right now I definitely have bigger fish to fry than how I look, but I feel like my hair, face, and body look so crappy right now (funnily enough, I'm really into my style. Swings and roundabouts and all that). Upon complaining about how bad I look in these photos, though, Chris reminded me of my dislike of blogs whose photos are almost editorial, without a glimmer of any imperfection in their lives. So I've decided to keep blogging through this and know that things will improve. Because, as Chris said, I "just look like someone who has had a rough couple of weeks". And he'd be quite right.

I'm wearing:

ASOS monster fluff cardigan

Meadham Kirchoff x Topshop slip dress & pentagram tights

Charity shop turtleneck

Topshop boots

Daisy Thomas bag

FASHION'S REALLY BIG NIGHT OUT

From what I remember Vogue Fashion's Night Out was pretty spectacular; from the incredible views and numerous bottles of champagne at the Valentino suite at the Radisson Blu (fun fact: the hotel used to be the Free Trade Hall, playing host to legendary music acts like Bob Dylan and Louis Armstrong) to being drunkenly lairy at Kate Phelan, to befriending Felix from the Maccabees and bullying him into charging my phone. Probably the most drunk I've been since I was a teenager.. no regrets though. It's not often in life you get chance to rub shoulders with (and ultimately be rude to) people you respect and admire.

So many photos for you to feast your eyes on, with many more that didn't make the cut due to being way blurry/shameful. This blog is going on hiatus for a little while, so enjoy and I will see you soon.

I'm wearing:

Minkpink blazer & bag

Urban Outfitters t-shirt

Ette bell bottoms

MAC Cyber lipstick

Photos featuring Maria, Lucy, Sheree, Penny, & Zabrina, plus some fashionable FNO-goers who caught my eye

NIGHTLIFE

So, did you guys hear that Fashion's Night Out is coming to Manchester this year? I'm so chuffed that not only does fashion exist outside of the capital, but Vogue chose my very own city to host it in this year. I had a pretty fashionable night out in Manchester with lovely ladies Robyn and Stephanie this week, so wht better way to accompany the FNO info than with these images? It was Robyn's first time in Manchester, so we showed her the nighttime delights of the Northern Quarter, including art gallery-cum-bar Common and Matt & Phred's jazz club. We're gonna be in a band, and these will totally be our promo shots.. Just gotta (re)learn to play music; we all confessed to play instruments in school but let it lapse in adulthood. Wah.

There really is so, so much happening on October 10th - so much so I couldn't feature everything - but you can view a map on the Vogue FNO mini-site. The main hub will be around Exchange Square, with Selfridges handing out gift cards to every visitor ranging from £1-£500 (I KNOW) and nail artist extraordinaire Sophy Robson is going to be in the Chanel boutique giving manicures. I still think about her dalmatian nails from Topshop Unique so that might just be my request.

Speaking of Topshop, their creative director Kate Phelan will be around for the evening to give a talk. I adore Kate's work, from Vogue to Topshop, and this is going to be one of the highlights for me; I'd love to know the ins and outs of her current position as it's a job title I dream of having myself one day.

Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson will be in Flannels for a meet 'n greet, House of Fraser are running the infamous Vogue cover shoot experience, Vogue Eats pop-up food stalls on King Street.. plus loads more, much of which hasn't even been confirmed yet. I'll be your correspondent for the live music and DJs (bands will be playing in LK Bennett and Mulberry. Maybe it'll be mine, Robyn & Steph's band!.. Not), and you can also check out Lily Kitten for information regarding Manchester designers on the evening; This Fashion is Mine for anything student-related; and Tweet for exclusive content in the run-up to the event.

I already feel this is slight information overload, so I'll let you digest this for now and I'll provide more information as and when I get it. One thing you can be sure of is that there will be plenty of free booze.. so see you there, glass in hand!

I'm wearing:

Vintage denim jacket (stolen off dad)

Love Label jumper c/o Very

Vintage tartan skirt

Miista May boots

Minkpink bag
Hair scrunchie made by Shannon!

Robyn is wearing a Topshop playsuit & Steph is wearing Dr Martens boots

ANSWER THE CALL

Sometimes, I just get The Calling: an enigmatic desire to go to the charity shops. Do you ever get that? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love poking round the chazzas any time, but sometimes I get pulled there by an unseen force, and usually there is something so special and precious waiting for me that it all somehow makes sense.

Take Wednesday, for example. I had the day off, and the evening before I started getting the urge to go charity shopping, specificially to South Manchester, despite being recommended some other locations. I first hit Chorlton, then Didsbury; I'd picked up a few nice things (patchouli incense, Me Without You, paisley fabric) but nothing that would really explain how I had been drawn out.

I left the penultimate shop on my circuit, wondering whether I could be bothered going to the last - it was across a busy road, after all - and something reminded me about the calling I'd felt. And of course.. in the last shop, there it was. Brand new with tags, Minkpink, burnout velvet blazer. For £7.50. Seven fifty! I felt like I was robbing the poor charity, but I didn't complain out loud; I just grabbed it and paid for it straight away, without trying it on or looking at anything else. To me the worst part is that it's the old Minkpink tag, and it's not a piece in my memory.. so it's been sat around in somebody's wardrobe for years, most likely. Sad!

In one fell swoop, I have the foundation block for my autumn/winter wardrobe for less than a tenner. What can I say? Just gotta answer the calling.




He always has to get involved, doesn't he?
PS. We've launched a YouTube channel at work and we made our first video yesterday when I wore this outfit. Check it out and recall that I am a Northerner who is too lazy to say her "t"s!

TO THE MOON AND STARS

When am I going to learn that the top-of-head ponytail is not going to happen for me? I need someone to sit me down and tell me, "Sarah, stop trying to make the top-of-head ponytail happen. It's not going to happen." Maybe it should be Regina George, where is she these days anyways?

At least I'm wearing my current best dress. Stars and moons from Evil Twin, a sale bargain from Urban Outfitters, though sold out there now sadly. I'm completely obsessing over this & next season Evil Twin - especially as my usual favourite, and ET's sister brand, Minkpink is looking kinda weak for autumn - I'm really excited about denim anoraks, oversized plaid and tinfoil-like fabric. Maybe if you look at the No Guts, No Glory lookbook you'll see where I got the top-of-head bun idea from.. alas, I am not cool, ice blonde Russian-Aussie Anja Konstantinova. Such is life.

I also wore this dress to graduate from my FdSc last week. I obviously took the whole occasion completely seriously (I get another graduation next year for my BSc anyway, winner) especially as inside the scroll it just said "your certificate will be posted to you as soon as possible". I mean.. is that normal? Is that what happens at graduations?! Seriously, I want to know. Glad to see the Manchester Town Hall stayed on theme with the star ceiling mural, though.

I'm wearing:

Evil Twin dress

DIY waistcoat

(patches from this eBay seller)

Office trainers

Delilah Dust, market & Urban Outfitters necklaces