Bananas About Backpacks

BACKPACK

The new IT Bag:

The handy accessories has now returned back into the fashion world, its not only practical but officially now seen as being cool. Conveniently slouched on your shoulder, this bag offers a whole new level of the laid back vibe. The backpacks usual place to be associated with, is on a hikers back or an eager  university student, but now its this seasons must have IT bag. 

With many designer brands and celebrities taking hold of the must-have bag, it has been said that its this season must needed accessory. We not talking any ordinary canvas backpack, we are talking luxurious leathers and detailed fastenings from high end brands. Much of September 2012 fashion week, saw the beginning of the backpacks popularity as it made its stylish way to the backs of many international fashion bloggers. 

This essential item would help in transforming and carrying your look through to next season, as the backpack is a Spring / Summer non-mover. I am a big fan of the chic backpack, it effortlessly adds a whole new level of style. Work your backpack with skirts, t-shirts, pants, blazers, shirts its versatile to be thrown on with any type of outfit or style you have. Prada created its first backpack in 1984, and since then has never changed its original style, its a classic available in many colours an always a great invest to have in your collection.


Heres a look at some of SKarman's top favourite backpacks. From Christian Louboutin to Chanel SKarman has researched her top 5. 

No matter the style of your backpack, make sure that you pick one that will instantly add a great boost to your outfit.-★

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Welcome to 2013!

Welcome to 2013!

A New Year Happy New Year to Your All !

This year be prepared to grab HOLD of what you want OUT of LIFE. 

Do not be afraid to CHALLENGE YOURSELF, life is too short to LIVE without KNOWING... get ready to EXPLORE!

MAKE it YOUR YEAR...MAKE IT HAPPEN! Sometimes LIVING to please YOURSELF is just as IMPORTANT as LIVING to please OTHERS.

This Year start with making a list of things YOU want TO DO, instead of making empty resolution... give yourself the self satisfaction of doing something FOR YOURSELF. 

Be prepared & set to take YOUR NEW YEAR into a WHOLE NEW DIRECTION... Be FOCUSED... Be COMMITTED... Be PASSIONATE...(*)

Wishing YOU all the BEST for 2013... Let the POWER within YOU make it a YEAR to REMEMBER...(*)

(*) HAVE A SENSATIONAL 2013! (*)

-★

TARTAN

TARTAN

My New Favourite Trend:

Its not all kilts and bagpipes when you think of Tartan, its more great wools and amazing stripped patterns. Creeping up on the runways from Alexander McQueen to Chanel's extravaganza that took place in the heart of Scotland. I am literally CRAZY over this trend. Its a local trend that has defiantly played out worldwide on top watched celebrities. The classic prints of Tartan is a non mover in many of the elites wardrobes, for this Autumn / Winter sees the return of Tartan hitting the runways and streets. 

Ever year Chanel's creative designer Karl Lagerfeld hosts Metiers d'Art Show with a new theme, in a new location and a whole new story behind the collection... this year Chanel took over Scotland. Set in a private location just outside of Edinburgh, Lagerfeld was sure to set an evening of Chanel's iconic substance dazzled in a dose of doomed romance, a fabulous combination.

Chanel's catwalk represented the finest in tweeds, knits, cardigans and also displayed dashes of Tartan. Creator of the brand Gabrielle Chanel, spent a lot of time in Scotland with her lover the Duke of Westminster, much . 

How to work your Tartan look

• Keep your palette to the colours used in the print, from Blacks to Greens and even white
• Keep your accessories to a minimum, try not to over power the tartan too much print and colour can look messy 

• Layer up with scarfs, boots and tights depending on your garment

• Do not be afraid to wear more than one item of Tartan, doubling up on the same print can be an affective fashion statement

Tartan is a classic, you can keep reinventing the ways in which you wear it. Its perfect for those wintery days adding the right amount of colour, never be afraid of too much print!-★

Suman Bajaj's Pocket Sari

Suman Bajaj's Pocket Sari

For the contemporary Indian Lady

Definition of a Sari: A strip of unstitched cloth, worn by females, ranging from four to nine yards in length that is draped over the body in various styles which is native to the Indian Subcontinent.

Designer Suman Bajaj just proves that its never too late to start making your dreams come true, after she started her designing career without any training. British born and educated Suman's past background was based in fashion styling and merchandising. She started her career designing for Delhi's high society, which later saw the success of a celebrity clientele. 

Her career later took off when she moved to India for 4 years, and was spotted by celebrity stylist to designer an exclusive look for a Bollywood red carpet look. Suman Bajaj has found that Fashion is everything she had embarked on in her passionate journey, creating clothes that make women feel sexy, glamourous and body conscious clothing that had a voice of its own. 

The classic Indian Sari is known for bringing intricate embroidery with bold and luxurious colours and prints, but never have we seen a Sari so conveniently designed. Suman Bajaj has introduced the very first Sari collection with a pocket. Indian fashion leaves the practicalities out when it comes to designing, designer do not consider the useful touches but instead set out to dazzle. Suman Bajaj contemporary take on a classic Sari shows breathtaking design development. 

Suman Bajaj's pocket Sari is conveniently perfect for the modern day desi girl, ideal for slipping your lipstick or mobile phone in, when out and about at events leaving you free to mingle. Progression on classic eastern designs is genius it allows another level of creativity and a whole new market of consumers to be opened. 

Giving her clients more than they thought they could have imagined, Suman Bajaj has said that "I like to surprise my clients by fulfilling an unrecognized requirement, and giving them something they only realised they needed once it was available." Her work has been recognized worldwide, offering her a market in the UK, Europe and Middle East. Much of Suman Bajaj's collection offers you timeless pieces which are suitable for any woman regardless her shape and size.-★

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Rita & Zia Geneva

Rita & Zia Geneva 

My Trip to Geneva revealed:

Last weekend on my visit to Geneva, I was able to explore the town where I came across a local brand Rita & Zia. After seeing the brand previously being featured on many Swiss based bloggers, I was pleased to come across the store on my travels. Located in the small and narrow bricked streets of Geneva's Old Town, the natural environment surrounding the store fits perfectly with what Rita & Zia offers to its customers. 

The collection offers the world exotic, luxurious and spiritual symbols all at the same time in every piece of jewellery. Creator Sandrine Barabinot's launched the brand in 2006, after previously having a background and knowledge of the fashion world. 

Sandrine Barabinot's luxurious bohemian pieces are each crafted to bring luck, happiness and protection, they are more than just a piece of jewellery. With various recognizable symbols charmed around a set of precious beads and stones, in deep and rich colours adding a earthy and ethnic feel to the bracelets and necklaces. 

I truly loved the affect that one beaded bracelet can bring any day or evening out. With the bohemian style there is also an essence of edgy rock'n'roll style with black matt beads, skulls and cut out rose gold cuffs and armer rings. 

Sandrine's idea was to design a bracelet or necklace which featured a very special symbol, which inspired her idea of free spirt and a state of mind. 

Throughout her collection you would be able to find Buddha faces, Cloves, Peace sign, Hasma hand, Om symbol and many others which remind us of freedom, peace and adventure. 

Immediately I had fallen in love with the concept and style of Rita & Zia, and as in all my travels I always love to collect a memorable bracelet from any country that I visit. Rita & Zia Geneva had me spoilt for choice. Its always good to go somewhere new and discover a whole new and local brand, Rita & Zia will definitely be on the top of my list when I am next in Geneva. With its international success and over 11 stores worldwide from Lebanon to the Netherlands, its without a doubt a brand to  keep your eyes out for.-★

SKarman was wearing:

-Fendi Beanie hat

-Zara leather and zip detail coat

-Prada red bag

-Zara velvet skull leggings

-Ugg brown leather boots

 Visit: www.rita-zia.com

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Chloe Jade Green

Chloe Jade Green

British business man's daughter makes her own mark:

Chloe Green is the daughter of successful business man Sir Philip Green, the man behind the empire of fashion company Arcadia Group. Her father hold the key to many of our fashionable highstreet favoruite store including Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Topman, Dorothy Perkins and many more. Constantly growing up surrounded by the fashion world, it was only a matter of time before his daughter Chloe made her mark on the industry. 

May 2012 set the launch of her brand 'CJG' and debuted her footwear collection. CJG has now extended its winter collection, with added accessories from silk scarves to jewellery. 

Much of her collection is based around Chloe Green's personal style which is sexy with an edge of Rock'n'Roll, perfectly balanced up with detailed studding and luxurious fabrics. The shoe collection features a personal CJG trade mark on every shoe which is a green sole... so the world can always understand who you are wearing!

The collection was previously exclusive to Topshop, but is now available in Selfridges and Online. -★

The British Fashion Awards 2012

The British Fashion Awards 2012 

Manolo Blahnik- Winner of this years Outstanding Achievement Award

The British Grammys of fashion. A night where the best of luxury fashion, come together in celebrating the achievement of their fellow competitors of the industry, from supermodels to designers... its a star-studded extravaganza. Set in the lavish London hotel The Savoy, the British fashion industry gather for one night of excitement, honor and dressed in their most stylish attire.

The designer of the year, is one of the biggest awards of the night, being a various amount of different award categories as well, which help to recognizes the brave new designers to the industry. Below is a full list of the winners of tonight's spectacular awards, lets just say Stella McCartney dominated!

BFA 2012 - The Winners

  

-Best Style Award : Alexa Chung

-Emerging Talent R-T-W : JW Anderson 

-Emerging Talent Accessories : Sophie Hulme

-Emerging Talent Menswear : Jonathan Saunders

-Red Carpet Award : Roksanda Ilinic 

-Accessory Designer : Nicholas Kirkwood 

-Designer Brand : Stella McCartney

-Isabella Blow award for Fashion Creator : Louis Wilson OBE 

-Britain's Model of the Year : Cara Delevingne 

-New Establishment Award : Erdem 

-Menswear Designer : Louis Vuitton's Kim Jones

-Designer of the Year : Stella McCartney

-BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion : Manolo Blahnik

Another award that is truly anticipated for the world to find out, and is usually released a couple of days before the evening affair, is the BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion award. Awarded to someone who has created a major impact of the industry and has continued to inspire the world of fashion. This years 2012 winner is the one and only king of footwear Manolo Blahnik. 

Manolo Blahnik is known to be 'holy man of heels', with every shoe he has created to represent an authentic hand-made artistic masterpiece of one of a kind perfection. Born on the Canary Island to a Spanish mother and a Czech father in 1943, he grew up on a banana plantation, he later moved to Paris to pursue his career of becoming a designer in 1968. 

After opening his first store in London in 1973, his shoes become the definition of luxury craftsmanship, which displayed innovative design. Manolo has previously won Accessory Designer of the Year by the BFA Council in 1990 and in 1999. Manolo Blahnik is known to giving the word such a creative and artistic approach to footwear, with his iconic and passionate sketches, it is really hard to miss a Manolo Blahnik masterpiece. 

"To be reconigsed for doing something I love is really wonderful" Manolo Blahnik.