LFW Spring 2014 with New Look

Following the buzz and excitement of this seasons LFW the lovely ladies down at New Look contacted me and asked if I’d be interest in answering a few questions about my LFW experience. So for those of you who couldn’t make it down to LFW this year, here is a little insight in what LFW was like for me. 

How do you feel about the impact bloggers have had on London Fashion Week as well as fashion on the whole?

The growth of fashion bloggers in recent years has revolutionised the industry with fashion bloggers acting as the middle men between the brands and the people. Fashion has reached new levels of accessibility and availability on a global scale through the growth of social media and the increased awareness of the fashion bloggers voice. Through social media, bloggers open a window into fashion week, making everyone feel like a part of it even if they don't make it down to Somerset House.

What collection was your favourite?

So many of the shows were just so fantastic this season namely Ashish, Christopher Kane, and KTZ but the one show that stood out for me this season was Burberry. I attend the Burberry show every season as Christopher Bailey never fails to put on a show worth "stopping work to watch". The Spring 2013 collection was all about corsets and capes and was packed full of classic trench coats in metallic leathers and ombre cottons worn over bodysuits and tailored dresses in such intense colours they just screamed 'wear me wear me'.

What interests you most about blogging?

Blogging offers a platform which breaks down the traditional boundaries of fashion, enabling fellow bloggers and readers to mix with like minded people all over the world. What I love most about blogging is having the opportunity to showcase your own unique point of view on the words fastest growing form of media - social media.

Describe your personal style in 3 words.

My personal style is so hard to pinpoint in just 3 words, as it changes with my mood. Some days I dress like a total boy in vintage Levi's, plaid shirts and sneakers whereas others I'm in a head to toe sequined jumpsuit. So three words is very hard to pinpoint, but if I have to I guess I would have to go for sporadic, urban and sparkly. 

Who is your favourite British designer?

Ever since seeing his MA collection, Christopher Kane has been on the very top of my must watch list. His use of unique fabrics and oh so feminine silhouettes makes me adore each new season collection that little bit more. His smudged watercolour infused collection for Spring 2014 is undoubtedly going to be seen on FROW regulars as soon as his RTW collection hits stores early next year.

For LFW, do you believe heels are a must?

Yes it's true that heels do add that perfect finishing touch to an outfit but with all the running to and from shows, catching up with fellow bloggers and grabbing a coffee any opportunity - heels are not always the most practical. Fashion is no longer dictated by the height of yours heels which was so evident at LFW this year with the infamous Somerset House cobbles being flooded with sneakers, metallic flats and flatforms galore.

What are the favourite key trends for SS14?

After watching this seasons shows, so many trends were evident that we saw show after show some of which I cannot wait to get my hands on. The three favourite trends that stood out for me was of course the metallic fabrics; accessories, jackets and dresses all glistening down the catwalk in their glimmering glory. The next is of course the crop top; already adopted as a key street style trend this has now made its way into RTW making a flash of your midriff now acceptable in everyday wear. Lastly sheer fabrics used for layering; layering up different textures and different opacities of fabrics to completely transform a garment is what makes fashion so fantastic. Throwing a printed sheer blouse over a lace crop top creates a whole new look and certainly stood out as a number one trend at this seasons shows.

What did you enjoy the most about attending LFW?

Fashion week is such an exciting time for designers, buyers, bloggers and fashion folk alike. Mingling with fellow bloggers and fashion advocates on the cobbles is one of my absolute favourite parts of LFW, and bumping into familiar faces you see season to season is such a fantastic part of this fast pace industry.

Birthday Celebrations: Part 1

As most of you know I celebrated my birthday a couple of days ago and got absolutely spoilt rotten with an obscene amount of chocolate, presents and pampering. My best friend Roni, came round in the morning with a tub full of homemade chocolate chip cookies which I could not wait to sink my teeth into. As of March 12th I had gone without chocolate for 101 days, far too long for anyone to be without that gorgeous bean, but come b-day I was given chocolate left right and centre and to top it all off, my lovely Daddy sent me 36 Malteaser bunnies. Heaven!

It was odd being away from my family for my whole birthday but boy oh boy was my birthday package a treat. Bursting with M&S goodies amongst all the presents. I was a very happy little girl.

Roni and I went out for a huge birthday brunch at one of my favourite breakfast spots in Leeds, The Box in Headingley.

After which my lovely housemate and I, went for a little manicure sesh.

My housemates got me such gorgeous presents and this little macaroon jewellery box was by far my favourite. Emma searched far and wide to find it, and I absolutely love it! Isn't it the cutest!?

Roni & I were seriously getting out pout on. Reverting back to our 14 year old selves.

What I'm Wearing: ASOS Twist Back Body, New Look Necklace, Gap Jeans & Kurt Geiger Shoes.

Next stop, dinner at Viva Cuba. Recommended by Roni, this was certainly the best Tapas in the whole of Leeds! It's hard to find good Tapas outside of Spain, but this was the real deal. Perfect cocktails followed by unbelievable amounts of food. The girls and I were in our element.

Tortilla Chips with a selection of Cuban Salsas    

Champinones Al Ajillo  

Patatas Bravas

Chorizo al Vino

Jalapos

Paella de Marisco

Gambas Rebozada 

Calamares Fritos a la Romana  

Berenjenas Fritas con Ajo y Huevo picada 

Emma decided to have a rather generous piece of the Pollo Picante (Chicken breast fillet served with house piri piri sauce). Little did they mention that their "homemade" piri piri sauce was code for some seriously hot hot sauce. Poor Em is not one for spice, and decided to get her own back after all of us were in hysterics at her reaction and gave an even bigger serving to Hayley...

WATERRRRRR!!!

Dinner was absolutely great and despite leaving absolutely bursting at the seam (not a great idea to wear a body-con leotard...), we headed off to Call Lane for a tipple or two and a boogie in front of the live band at Norman's.

Thank you to my gorgeous girlies for making my birthday so special, had a wonderful day and can't wait to celebrate again later this month with my twinnie.

Also shock of all horrors, as of the 1st of July this year, google reader is disappearing off the face of the planet into cyber space with the likes of Tamagotchi's and Gameboys, so instead I guess were all meant to head on over to Bloglovin instead. If you have a bloglovin account click here to follow me, or follow me on Facebook (click here) and Twitter (click here). While your at it, feel free to jump on the instagram band waggon @georgiabenj for frequent updates of my somewhat sartorial life. 
All of my links are at the top of my home page so feel free to scroll back up and click, point and follow to your hearts content.

If I haven't asked enough of you already, pretty please can all of you loyal followers nominate me for the Company Style Blogger Awards for the 'Best Personal Style Blog -  Newcomer' (click here). 

Home in London for Easter and lots of new fashion antics to update you with so stay tuned.

Hope you've all had a great weekend!

Behind The Lens

My laptop had a slight rest yesterday and rather than adding to the ever increasing egotistical photos folders of myself, I switched roles and turned photographer/art director to shoot the trio of on campus looks with my lovely friend Lucy. Here's a sneaky peek of all the goings on behind the scenes, via my favourite social media feed instagram (follow me here @georgiabenj). 

Three gorgeous friends/models, one studio, and a whole lot of grey architecture later we completed 3 shoots in 3 hours with better outcomes then we ever though possible. Cat looked all legs eleven in her jail cell/strung out model inspired set, Anita oozed all things neon disco in her head to toe sequins (I seriously own more sequined items them a Vegas showgirl) and Jess was absolutely repping the double denim. Such a pleasure working with everyone and thanks to my amazing group for working so well together to produce such a great images, cannot wait for the final shoot set in London's Brick Lane now. Maybe I'll just have to spend a lot more time behind the lens...

Instagram Catchup

I absolutely love instagram. The one little app that gives you the ability to transform a photo into something that looks ridiculously amazing. I literally cannot get enough, and with over 5oo photo's, well I think that's pretty clear. 

I'm currently struggling massively while my laptop is with the Apple doctors giving it a new motherboard, battery, CD drive, you name it and its being changed. But hopefully when I've got it back it wont sound like a whirring hairdryer ALL THE TIME! I do feel like as though missing my left arm at the moment, yet my iPad and iPhone are doing a pretty good job keeping up with my blogging, browsing and all my pinning needs. 

This is my first big instagram catch up and a little insight to what me and my beloved iPhone get up to.

Daddy's birthday card (he's always dreamt of growing a Poirot like moustache - not looking forward to this years attempt in Movember).

My bestie Roni came round last night for dinner. Putting my chef hat on, I conjured up sesame seared tuna steak and roasted veggies. Absolutely delicious!

A night out to Halo with lovely Emma (Halo is a church turned club in Leeds. We went to a night called Midnight Mass, rather bizarre if you ask me, but we were absolutely loving the old school tunes blasting all night long).

A huge shark (cod) and curly fries for lunch.

My new rings from Topshop. The middle one is my new absolute fav, I've worn it every day since I got it. 

Desperate to find a real gold version. 

Afternoon Tea at Betty's.

Movie night. 

Complete with G&T's, blankets, crisps, oh and Meggy too.

A huuugggeee coffee in my new Cath Kidston mug to get me in the working mode.

Some of my models for my design project.

Loving the Autumn colours.

Always find them so inspiring.

Even caught a lucky fallen leaf in my bag.

And with the autumn leaves, come the Hunter wellies.

View of Leeds from my apartment. 

What seems like endless days spent in the studio working on my toiles.

A night out with my girls to Piccadilly Institute to celebrate Emily's birthday.

My new breakfast obsession. Dippy eggs.

(I really need to learn how to make hollandaise sauce)

Daddy's new favourite gadget.

New hair cut. I wish I could have it done every day like this. 

The absolute height of luxury. 

Mummy & I having a little spree in the new Victoria's Sectret. 

If you have an iPad, iPhone or any other Instagram worthy device you should go and download it now for endless hours of fun and procrastination. If you want to be friends on Instagram my username is georgiabenj (click here to follow me). 

Going home for the weekend and off to see Skyfall in Leicester Square tomorrow evening, you don't even know how excited I am!