Focus Fashion Notes

Gingham is back, it did have a resurgence on the catwalks in Spring 2015 and is now on trend for 2016. This crisp, fresh looking fabric has been popular throughout the decades but more recently embraced by lovers of all things vintage. Art and craft workers favour it for up-cycling projects hand-made accessories and embellishments on aprons, bed linen, bunting, cushions, quilts, tablecloths and can be seen adorning homes, gardens, shops, festivals and summer fetes. There seems to be a difference of opinion as to where it originates but from the mid-eighteenth century it was being produced in the mills of Manchester. My ancestors had a cotton mill up North so it would be great to think they might well have manufactured Gingham there. As a Grammar School girl in Manchester our summer uniform dresses were made from Gingham. Each “House” had a different colour, normally blue, green, yellow and pink. I remember mine was Pink denoting the “House, Edgerton” I think, it was so long ago!

Get ready for a new adventure as the legendary ‘80s game, created for the NES, is brought to present day, as Vans join forces with Nintendo. Rumour has it the new collection has just landed at Schuh. Run, jump, skip and skate this summer in a pair of Vans Old Skool or a trusty Vans Slip. You may not be going to slip and slide your way through the Mushroom Kingdom but you can light up your summer wardrobe with some of your favourite 8-bit characters like Mario, Louigi, Princess Peach and more. Little gamers can enjoy the company of the loveable Mario Brothers and their friends too as the Vans Slip Nintendo gets downsized for kids. It’s a Win, Win! View the Collection of vibrant graphic-printed Vans X Nintendo . Check out the wide range of men's, women's, kids trainers and accessories  xxxXXxxx Just love those Pale Pink Nintendo Princess Peach Trainers

It's been an event full year. Thanks for visiting hope you drop by in 2016. Don't forget to feed the birds and wildlife over the festive season. Big Garden Birdwatch 2016 is from 30th-31st January Find out more/join The RSPB

Focus shifts from New York onto Britain's capital as the Fashion Week juggernaut powers into London. The shining light of the British High Street, Topshop, will be bringing their Unique catwalk collection to a brand new showspace in Westminster, with access-all-areas coverage online. Stay tuned for the show from 2.00pm this Sunday , plus insider reporting from all four fashion capitals throughout September. Unique girl will be leaving her country pile for a weekend under the dazzling lights of London. Think chunky knitwear, mellow yellow polos, country-fied tweed, leather and suede skirts and knee-high boots spliced with taffeta and velvet body cons". To celebrate the upcoming London Fashion Week SS16 show, TOPSHOP are offering Free Standard Delivery on ALL orders until Tuesday. If you can't make it to the big city, watch the show live fom your phone or cosy abode. You can also keep up to date with the Topshop Tour Guide to London Fashion Week YOU CAN JOIN THE C

London Fashion Week SS16 kicked off today and the great news for all you fashionistas is that if you can't make it to London you can watch the shows on  LIVE STREAM  TAP FOR LONDON FASHION WEEK SHOW SCHEDULES TAP TO WATCH LONDON FASHION WEEK LIVE

Award Season is underway we have already been treated to some showbiz razzmatazz with the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards and with that the fun of watching the Red Carpet hits or misses. We know by now that these awards are merely a for-runner to the 87th AcademyAwards, the Oscars when the true Glitterati are out in all their finery. The good news is that you don't have to be a member of the literary set or be in show business to ooze glamour like a celebrity, the Great British High Street and online stores have made it easy for us common folk to join the glitterati for parties and special occasions. Long immaculate gowns are always in vogue and except for a change in fabric or colour trend, sparkling embellishments and a tweek of traditional shaping a good gown is literally for good. Have you ever wondered what you might wear for a Red Carpet event? I have chosen my favourites from Kate Middleton’s favourite designer Jenny Packham and Phase Eight all available fro