Lookbook – LP33.3

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

Fashion lookbook | LP33.3 AW 2013 | Ashka

There’s something about Sydney based label LP33.3, something so refined, so polished, so sleek, yet so fresh. It’s the kind of clothes I want to wear when I have a good hair day and with a selection of LP33.3 pieces, I’m sure everyday would become a good hair day.

My favourite is the roll neck dress right at the top, I think I’ll have to order it. What’s your favourite?

3 Ways With – Printed Skirt

3 ways to wear a printed skirt | Ashka

I’m so happy to announce this brand new segment of the blog, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what type of content to bring to you. What I decided on is something relevant, useful, with a positive outlook on fashion and body image. My contributors and I love fashion, we pretty much live for fashion, but just like you, we don’t have an unlimited budget, we all have hang ups about our bodies and looks and we don’t always love having our photos taken. But fashion is fun, good clothes can transform your look, they make you stand taller and feel more confident, that is the true power of fashion and style. That is also what I want to show in this segment, to show you which on trend pieces to invest in and how to style them and transform them with things you probably already have in your wardrobe.

Are we ready? Let’s go!

I love prints! But not all prints are created equal, a small floral print is hard to get wrong, but bigger detailed printed garments from high street brands can often look flimsy and cheap, their fabrics are thinner and their print quality is average at the best. When you are looking for a kick ass printed skirt, what you pay for is what you get. Though it’s made from silk, the structure of this Dion Lee skirt gives it volume without bulk, the colours are so vibrant and the print quality is perfect, even when you hold it up to your nose.

3 ways to wear a printed skirt | Ashka

Details | black and gold earrings, pony tail hair band, Melissa high heels and Mulberry mini bayswater handbag | Ashka
| Nowhere by Elin Kling sweater | Dion Lee skirt | Melissa high heels | Mulberry small bayswater bag | ASOS earrings | Hello Parry ponytail hair band |

1 Way – Black out. It’s a statement skirt, so let it be a statement by giving it room to breath and pairing it with all black everything. A black top with some unique details is always flattering, simple black heels and black handbag are both must haves and worth investing in, as you’ll come back to these time and time again. Go easy on the jewellery too, pick a tone, gold or silver and stick with it. In this look, I went to gold as it matched the hardware on my shoes and bag. Ponytails are staging a major comeback, they are so quick and simple, but jazz them up with a metal ponytail hair clip or band and it just brings it to the level, so sleek! Ponytail also lets you show off earrings. I love big costume jewellery, but for something that I would only wear for a season or 2, I always go to high street, they aren’t something you’d pass down to your daughter, so pretty to wear nonetheless. Wearing white everything would work equally well in this case.

3 ways to wear a printed skirt | Ashka

Reds | Isabel Marant high heel pumps, vintage Celine handbag | Ashka
| Joe Button custom made shirt | Dion Lee skirt | Isabel Marant high heel pumps | Vintage Celine bag |

2 Way – Tonal range. This skirt is a pinky red, so work the rest of the outfit into the same tonal range, any shades of pinks and reds will work in perfect harmony with the skirt. My custom made Joe Button shirt is super cute and adds a girly touch with its contrast colour collar and sleeves. High heel pumps are something every girl should own at least 1 pair of, for something you’ll wear often, go for quality. These Isabel Marant pumps are beautiful, I’ve worn them so many times that if you go by cost per wear, they are pretty cheap. Plus, they make me feel sexy the instant I step into them! Celine is definitely an amazing brand, it’s flourished so much under Phoebe Philo and every girl wants a piece of it. My solution without spending the big bucks? Buy vintage! I found this gem on ebay, its exterior is a beautiful fine leather and is in great condition, however the inside lining is flaking and in need of some work, but for 1/10th the price of a new Celine bag, it’s a total bargain.

3 ways to wear a printed skirt | Ashka

All black | Vintage leather jacket, Melissa high heels and Daniel Wellington watch | Ashka
| Gap shirt | Dion Lee skirt | Vintage leather jacket | Melissa high heels | Daniel Wellington watch |

3 Way – Tough it up. Statement skirts in general are somewhat girls, that is unless you got studs coming out of yours. No studs? Then it’s girly. Get some instant street cred by throwing a tough biker leather jacket on top, I’ve also teamed the look with a crisp white shirt. It’s all the contrast in this outfit that I love most, the simple white shirt, the wow feminine skirt, the heels and the tomboy jacket, that is the perfect balance. Gap is great for basics and I always go there for t-shirts, shirts and work pants. Uniqlo is even better, but I’ll console myself with Gap until they open up on our shores. You girly girls out there, I see you shaking your head at the leather biker jacket, perhaps it’s not for everyone, but I’d say it is for most people. I found mine at Cream on Crown, a vintage store that always has a good selection of leather jackets in all sizes at awesome price points. The fact that it’s pre-loved is special and leather is something you age with, mine’s gotten buttery soft over time and it’s now just the best thing. I wear it over dresses, t-shirts, it almost goes with anything, so before you continue to shake your head, I urge you to and go try one on at the shops at least.

Do you have a printed skirt yet? How do you wear it?

Beauty Collab – Kit Gorman

Kit Gorman nail polish barely mauve | Ashka

Kit Gorman nail wraps | Ashka

Photos & Words: Xiaohan Shen

It’s pretty amazing when 2 great brands jump across their specialised fields to come together, collaborate and bring out a great range of products. It’s not easy to get right, but in this case, Kit and Gorman couldn’t have been a better fit. The collaboration range include a mini nail polish kit, 3 full size nail polish, 4 nail strips in super fun prints, makeup bag and leopard print socks.

I love the shade “Almost Mauve”, which I’m wearing in the photo, it’s an off white that’s not too harsh but still really fresh, so good for the remaining summer days. The Kit Gorman nail wraps are also fantastic, the designs are from current and forthcoming Gorman garments, so you could go crazy and be matchy matchy! If that sounds a little hectic, try using the nail wrap on 1 nail only for a pop of print. I’m happy to report the nail strips are very easy to use, the stickers come with a clear plastic upper which makes it so easy to help position them, these are definitely the easiest nail wraps I’ve ever used.

The Kit Gorman range is already in stores, so be sure to grab a few fun items before they are gone. They are also running an amazing comp with a $2000 prize over on their facebook page, I’m gonna go enter this one right now, hehe.