Getting Real with Marks and Spencer?

There is a constant debate about sizing in women's wear and there is a difference in actual sizing between different stores.  A size 8 in River Island may have different measurements than a size 8 at Marks and Spencer.  Also another hot debate that constantly crops up is when brands use impossibly beautiful slender models to market their clothes.  Previously, Marks and Spencer used such "celebrities" such as Twiggy, Mylene Klass, Danni Minogue and Lisa Snowden to model their clothes.  However, in my honest opinion, it was not necessarily a success.  Marks and Spencer is a stalwart of the high street with a strong traditional client base.  Having celebrities market their clothes is an important choice.  The right celebrity being the "face" of the right product can be a perfect marriage...look at Natalie Portman and Dior?  However the celebrities that M&S chose were not necessarily connecting to their core market.  Too pretty to be approachable yet not glamourous enough to promote a fantasy luxe.  Look at Boden employing the impossibly beautiful supermodel mum Helena Christensen as their face?

Helene Christensen as the typical Boden woman?

 It just doesn't quite work.  Brands such as Marks and Spencer and Boden are selling a lifestyle which people can relate to and realistically aspire to.  Looking like a supermodel is unfortunately not reachable for most of us.  Therefore I do celebrate recent attempts to use "real" women to front campaigns.  Look at Dove? Lumps, bumps and glorious curves!  Yeah!

Dove's Real Beauty Campaign

Going back to my original topic of Marks and Spencer, they have recently cast aside using model celebrities to promote their main lines of clothing and are trying to use "real" women.

"Real" Women wearing Marks and Spencer

Hmmm...not sure how real-sized they are being here as most seem to be model proportions?

More Curves and less leggy proportions please!!

 I applaud their attempts especially having more "real" women to promote their new shape wear range.  I use the term "real" loosely as they are still all impossibly beautiful and statuesque and there is not a sign of any lumps and bumps.  I am not sure if it is due to the wonders of the shape wear or whether Mr. Airbrush has been used.  

Marks and Spencer new Shape Wear Campaign

However, it is nice to see shape wear being worn by models who are not stick thin and have shapely curves.  It gives me a better idea of how the shape wear could work for me.  I do wish there was a Chinese model, but also it would be nice to have someone who was a little bit shorter modelling!  But that is me just being picky.  Overall, I am pleased to see Marks and Spencer using realistically sized models for  their new shape wear.  When you see a beautiful toned, thin model wearing "control" pants, you cannot really see how it is supposed to work for you?  Those models do not necessarily need it and the shape wear look like normal underwear....ok may be not as skimpy and pretty as Victoria's Secret but it does not really show you the "strengths" of shape wear so to speak.  You need a fuller figured model to show it off and to celebrate the product.  So nice job Marks and Spencer! 

Keep up the good work...my only note would be that a Chinese representative would be nice..hey M&S, if you ever need a curvy, short, Chinese model....give me a call.

Check out the new stuff from Marks and Spencer at www.marksandspencer.com.

OOOOO....Marks and Spencer have revamped their Per Una range...

Ok, anyone who knows me, knows that I have had a wee obsession with Marks and Spencer since I was a wee girl (I could post horrid pictures of my youth wearing a M&S shirt which my MUM still wears...but I won't).  However, I have been a tiny bit disappointed by its scatter gun approach in recent collections.  I used to usually find a few nice pieces from the Autograph and Limited Collections but never really anything from the Per Una range.  To be honest, I always thought it was a bit mumsy with its over designed frills and chintzy embellishments.  The skirts were either too long or were at that strange midi length with some sort of gypsy type ruffle at the bottom.  Also there were some garish patterns and the range was extremely over priced for the average M&S customer in my humble opinion.

Imagine my surprise when M&S have announced that Amber Valletta (model and actress currently famous for starring in the US TV drama Revenge) is currently working with M&S on their Per Una range and fronting their campaign.  This follows the recent Autograph campaigns with Rosie Hungtington-Whitely and Ryan Reynolds.  Having a look at some of the key pieces, I was extremely impressed.  They seemed to have gone back to elegant work wear pieces which could be suitable for a range of professional women.  Younger ladies can wear it with some more "fashion forward" items whereas more mature ladies might not feel too intimidated and can avoid the issues of "mutton dressed as lamb" syndrome.

Here are some of my favourites:

Camel Coat (Great basic piece)

Gothic Paisley Dress

(Good work to evening dress with the added pop of

colour and a great graphic/laser cut style print)

Black Lace Jacket

 (Apparently Amber's favourite...)

Grey Wool Coat

(Channeling the cocoon style trend)

Red Textured Dress

(Nice twist on a little black dress with the red texture)

Textured Chain Jacket

(My favourite piece so far as it has the right amount of opulence and versatility)

The pictures so far have really got me excited about Marks and Spencer again.  I am hoping that they live up to the hype.  The question for me would be whether the quality would live up to the pictures?  Sometimes when you see a piece online, you think "Wow!  Yes!" and then you see it in the store and the material and finishings are cheap and horrid.

So I guess, watch this space.  The jury is still out on this...

Wishing it was Autumn already...

Yes, I am one of the few people in HK who really looks forward to HK Autumn/Winter.  Looking forward to wearing long sleeved tops, jeans and jackets.  Snuggly, light knits and tweed/corduroy skirts/trousers.  Loved Kate Bosworth's cute owl knit and skirt combo when she attended a recent Burberry show...

Who doesn't love a man with sparkly shoes?

Ok this might be a little bit of old news but going on with my trend of eclectic boy crushes (Fassbender, MGG etc.) I wanted to write about one of my favourite Brit actors at the moment.  Bennedict Cumberbatch (even his name is fantastic but he must have got a lot of stick for it at Harrow) rose to fame predominantly through the hit modernization of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.  Cumberbatch played the titular Sherlock. Unconventionally attractive, he has a long gangly frame, horsey features and curly ginger hair (unless it is dyed for his Sherlock role).  However, he has made the GQ Magazine's top 50 best dressed  men list.  He knows the power of a well cut suit but my favourite part of his wardrobe is that he has sported a lovely pair of glitter shoes at quite a few events.  Now, who can resist a man who is comfortable enough within himself to add a little sparkle to his wardrobe?  It is not bling like the rappers such as Kanye West but I think it adds a little bit of whimsy to what might be a very severe suited look.  Good show Bennedict!

Quirky and then some....the Mr. Nice Guy: Matthew Gray Gubler

Matthew Gray Gubler is one of my current boy crushes at the moment (if you listen to my friends, I have VERY eclectic taste in men!)  For those who do not know of MGG, then you have missed out on Criminal Minds where he plays the awkward genius that is Dr. Spencer Reid.  I love MGG because within his everyday wardrobe as well as his influence with his onscreen wardrobe, he truly expresses a quirky, slightly macabre yet fun way of dressing.  Eccentric might be the best word to describe MGG's wardrobe.  He kind of reminds me of Jarvis Cocker in his hey day but instead we have MGG who is happy, smiley and bouncing around like a puppy especially when he sees baby birds in his back garden!  Ok, here are some of the Gubler's fashion tips:

Odd socks


Apparently in real life and on screen, MGG insists on wearing odd socks otherwise it brings him bad luck.

Wearing a mixture of vintage, preppy, designer and his own design!!

MGG is an artist and has created some T shirts of his own designs which sell out quickly on his website.  Check out his website....it is so much fun!!  He likes his flannel suits and dotty professor looks but also smartens up nicely when he needs too!

Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds Look

Can you really tell the difference?

Anyway, what ever look he sports, he still remains his own person and his own spirit.  Such individuality and genuine joy for what he does is something we should all aspire to!

The Various Faces of Matthew Gray Gubler (Pictures courtesy of his facebook page)