Tag Archive: Denim

Feb 19 2015

Donna Ida: The Ultimate Denim Boutique

I’m a denim lover, I think my husband might say addict, and up until a few years ago I found it one of the most stressful shopping experiences, well until I discovered Donna Ida.

There is something about a wall of denim that excites me, the choices, the styles, the various hues of blue, but with all that excitement comes stress at all the options, and that is why shopping at Donna Ida really is a treat, the stress really is taken out of the equation. All the staff are so informed on all the different brands and styles, they can advise on what you would look good in, what’s on-trend, and they even encourage you to try something out of your comfort zone, which you will probably end up loving.

The best bit though, there is no judgement on size, I have come to understand by shopping at Donna Ida that you have to try on every pair of jeans, you won’t be the same size in every brand, it doesn’t mean you have put on weight if you find you are a size bigger, but I have to be honest it does feel good when you drop a few sizes.

I’ve already gushed about how much I love Donna Ida’s own line, IDA, I basically live in them, especially in my Foggy London Rizzo, which are just the most comfortable pair of skinny jeans I own, I am a big fan of high-waisted. But as well as her own incredible line, the boutique also stocks great jeans by J Brand, James Jeans, Frame Denim, and Paige, all favourites of mine.

Donna Ida isn’t just about denim, the store is basically a one-stop-shop of things to wear with your jeans, think statement tees, slogan sweatshirts, and cute blouses from the likes of Blackscore, Wildfox, Bella Freud and Joie, as well as arm candy from MeMe London, and sunglasses by Linda Farrow and 3.1 Phillip Lim. Oh, and there is also a little sweetie shop, it is one of my favourite bits of my visit picking out my favourite sweets.

This week I went in to check out the new IDA spring/summer 2015 collection, which FYI is as dreamy as always. You have new colours, including a moss green ‘Mash’ hue **the ones I am wearing above with the most amazing Blackscore sweater** in my favourite style, Rizzo, as well as a cool black pair, and there is a new grey shade ‘Greystone’ for the Ivy.

There a few new styles as well including the relaxed ‘Downtown Dazzler’, a slim boyfriend style skinny denim in a distressed white or a vintage blue wash, this is pure California dreaming. Other notable additions include the ankle swinging ‘Kitty’ that has been influenced by the 70s and the ‘Adelaide’, a high-rise and super wide leg design that I can’t wait to come in so I can try them on as I love a good flare.

As well as all the high-rise, I am so on #TeamHigh, Ida has introduced low and mid-rise jeans to the range, with Honor, a low rise skinny with a 7” rise nearly making me want to switch sides, these are perfect as they are cut slightly higher in the back for a comfortable fit and they come in the most gorgeous blue and just the right about of rips and abrasions.

Are you a fan of Donna Ida?

So which team are you? #TeamHigh or #TeamLow?

Well Donna Ida wants to know, running alongside the General Election is the Donna Ida Denim Election where you can vote for your favourite! The final results will be announced on May 7, 2015 with one lucky voter winning a £1,000 IDA wardrobe.

Donna Ida Chelsea, 106 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, London SW3 3AE

Tags: Dear Diary, Denim, Donna Ida, IDA, Ida by Donna IDa, Jeans, My Style, Shopping

1 comment

Sep 24 2014

LFW Apartment: Bethnals x Isko Denim

So I might have a little denim addiction, whether it’s jeans, skirts or shorts I can’t help but fill my wardrobe with more, and my latest addiction is a cool new brand Bethnals, founded by former Topshop buyer Melissa Clement.

Introduced to the fab new brand at the LFW Apartment, what really drew me in was the quality of the fabric, with the debut collection ‘London Uniform’ being produced in collaboration with fabric supplier Isko Denim. Not only is the denim dreamy, I love the vintage vibe of the washes, but I also love the concept that the brand is unisex, with three fits – skinny, straight and relaxed, to basically cater for everyone.

To showcase the brand, Bethnals set up a denim atelier inside The Apartment, we got to choose our favourite style, I went for the slim straight leg ‘Joey’, and then we got to customised them, from length to distressing, to personalisation, and even the colour of the button, which I loved, as no-one else is going to have a pair of ‘Joey’s’ in the soft rich indigo wash with DS **soon-to-be initials** embroidered on the pocket, with permanent turn-ups to make them into the perfect ankle grazers.

It was hard to choose just one style though, I really loved their ‘Pete’ skinny jeans, I think they looked cool in black with ripped and distressed patches, maybe they will have to be next denim investment!!!

Bethnals are definitely a brand to look for in the future and with prices starting from £75 they really are bridging that gap between high-street and designer denim. As they are new the website isn’t quite up-and-running yet, it launches on October 15, and they will also be launching in East London’s Bad Denim on October 9, and in November they will be hosting their own pop-up at Boxpark Shoreditch.

Tags: Bethnals, Bethnals x Isko, Dear Diary, Denim, Jeans, LFW, LFW Apartment, The Apartment

Leave comment

Oct 18 2013

Interview: Donna Ida Talks All Things Denim

Donna-ida-1

Last week I shared with you the behind-the-scenes snaps of my video interview with jeans Queen Donna Ida as she opened up her first pop-up boutique up North at McArthurGlen’s Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet – well finally the video has been edited and I’m so pleased with how it came out.

I chat with Donna about her denim must-haves, her denim icons, her favourite pieces from her own brand ‘Ida’, what trends to expect this autumn/winter, and her expert tips on how to find the perfect pair of jeans.

Donna’s pop-up at Cheshire Oaks is open until October 20, if you are in the Chester area make sure you check it out as the selection of jeans is incredible and there are some bargains to be had as well.

Donna-ida-3

[Pics/video: courtesy of McArthurGlen]

Tags: Art of Denim, Cheshire Oaks, Denim, Donna Ida, Fashion, Ida Donna Ida, Interview, McArthurGlen, Shopping, Video, Video Interview, Video Loving

12 comments

Oct 08 2013

Behind-the-Scenes: McArthurGlen’s The Art Of Denim With Donna Ida

Art-of-denim-9

This weekend I headed North to McArthurGlen’s Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet just outside Chester for the launch of its global #ArtOfDenim campaign, which of course is all about my favourite wardrobe staple – jeans!!!

As well as shopping, well it would have been rude not to, I was there to document the behind-the-scenes action of the Cheshire Oaks denim hub, check out the amazing Donna Ida pop-up, her first up North, as well as interview the jean queen herself.

Art-of-denim-10

It was an amazing weekend and I can’t wait for the video, yep I was a reporter for the day, but to give you a taste I got some pictures taken while I was interviewing Donna on everything from why Cheshire Oaks, why she loves denim so much, what her favourite pieces are from her Ida collection, and her advice on finding the perfect pair of jeans.

Donna was seriously lovely, I even got to hangout with her over lunch, and she really is the master at picking out incredible jeans – I bought three pairs while I was there and all were styles/washes that I would never have considered – I’m talking stripy and mint green!!! I promise all will feature in up-coming outfit posts.

Art-of-denim-12 Art-of-denim-11 Art-of-denim-14 Art-of-denim-8

Donna Ida’s pop-up and the Art of Denim event is only running until October 20 so get to Cheshire Oaks if you can as Donna has some incredible bargains – I picked up a pair of Ida jeans for £25. Plus if you spend over a £100 on denim at Cheshire Oaks you can get your new jeans monogrammed for free. I tried it out and got two pairs of mine done with DWS above the left pocket.

Art-of-denim-13 Art-of-denim-cheshireoaks-2 Art-of-denim-4 Art-of-denim-cheshireoaks-8 Art-of-denim-cheshireoaks-4 Art-of-denim-cheshireoaks-3 Art-of-denim-15

The Denim hub isn’t just at Cheshire Oaks – you can also find denim activities happening at all McArthurGlen outlets including York McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Swindon McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, and Bridgend Designer Outlet.

Tags: Cheshire Oaks, Denim, Donna Ida, Interview, Jeans, McArthurGlen, Shopping, The Art Of Denim

Leave comment

Aug 06 2013

Summer Fun: Lee Cooper Garden Party

I have been to numerous catwalk and fashion presentations over the years in unusual venues from abandoned theatres to NCP car parks, but never have I been to one at a garden party where the models just seemed to appear from the other side of a meadow, and the audience watch on from their deck chairs.

Well a couple of weeks ago I did just that, as I was invited by Lee Cooper to join their licensees from around the world to see the spring/summer 2014 collection, in the grand setting of The Grove in Hertfordshire.

As you would expect from a denim brand the whole event was very relaxed, and I am not just talking about watching the show from a deck chair, everywhere you looked there was something fun to do – from testing your strength, to throwing coconuts to playing crazy golf, as the inspiration for the SS14 collection was all to do with the traditional English fête, and I have to be honest I think all fashion shows should serve Pimms and lemonade.

The presentation of course was the highlight, from the gorgeous meadow setting to the fantastic seven-piece folk-rock collective Flight Brigade who provided the soundtrack to the models who just seemed to be a group of friends at a festival. The collection itself was laid-back and fun, with skinny and coloured jeans, a lot of graphic tees, printed tops and dresses, as well as casual shoes.

I am just so grateful that the British weather was in a good mood – as this was an event that needed blue skies and sun!!!

To see more of the collection head on over to my Facebook page where I have tons more pictures of the event.

Tags: Denim, Event, Garden Party, Lee Cooper, SS14

Leave comment

Apr 09 2013

Fit First Time: Finding The Perfect Pair Of Jeans With Jeanography

I often do style posts in jeans, they are my go-to piece of clothing in my wardrobe, I think I have a pair in ever style and colour from my favourite skinny blue jeans that I wear all the time to my shiny black jeans that are perfect for a night out, and my tiny flares that are just so comfortable. But even with all the choice in my wardrobe I am constantly searching for the next perfect pair, so when Jeanography approached me about trialling their new service ‘Fit First Time’ I jumped at the chance.

So basically the ‘Fit First Time’ does exactly what it says with a little help of course to find you your dream denim match and it is easy to do. First up, pick out a pair that fits your style, this in itself is hard as Jeanography have a great selection of designer denim styles from the likes of Hudson, MiH Jeans, and 7 For All Mankind, and then you can leave it to the Jeanography stylist to suggest an alternative or a size change, or if like me you aren’t sure which jeans best represent your style and want to try something new you can pick out three pairs to try out.

I didn’t know it until I reviewed my selections but I went for three pairs of Hudson Jeans. The first was a skinny pair with a twist, the Leeloo Regular Rise Super Skinny Crop, the twist being the black leather stripe down the leg, which I liked but sadly they were a little big. Then I tried out the Beth Regular Rise Baby Bootcut in Siouxsie, which gives you a whole lot of skinny with a little boot, again, I liked but I really felt they were more low rise than regular rise. My final pair, which were my wildcard pair, were the Bacara Regular Rise Crop Straight-Leg Cuffed in Vancouver, I chose because I am really having a boyfriend jeans moment and these beauties were a perfect fit, a great length and super soft, plus they also have some great detailing on the pockets – I really can’t wait to do a style post in these.

This is a great service, as well as getting expert advice, you also don’t have to pay a thing for 14 days, meaning you get time to try them on and then return the unwanted jeans using the free returns service. You only pay for the pair/s that you love. If you worry about buying jeans online this is a great way to test before you buy and I am sure with the help of the Jeanography stylists you will find your perfect pair.

Have you checked out the Jeanography site? Which three pairs of jeans would you like to try out?

Tags: Denim, Hudson Jeans, Jeanography, Jeans

1 comment

Dec 31 2011

Shop Her Style: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley In Paige

Who: British bombshell Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Where: Out and about in Los Angeles, California

Wearing: A pair of Paige High Rise Bell Canyon flared jeans in Breckenridge, with her go-to leopard print scarf, a dusky pink blazer, and a knitted jumper; teamed with a nude Mulberry Evelina leather satchel from the spring/summer 2012 collection, matching nude boots and finishing off her look are Burberry 3051 aviator sunglasses.

Verdict: I do love it when celebrities do dressing down so well and I am loving this shade of pink teamed with dark denim – it just looks so fresh. Add in the stylish leopard scarf and those hot sunnies and this is a great look from head-to-toe. Oh, and I can’t forget that gorgeous Mulberry satchel – love the colour, the shape and it works against the dark denim and pink.

Buy Her Style: Lets get back to the denim, which are gorgeous and are uber-flattering, not that she needs any help in that department. Paige jeans are one of my favourite denim brands and I have had my eye on these high-rise flared jeans for a while, mainly because they are made from light-weight slim fitting denim that is super comfortable, oh and I am a sucker for flares.

I could only find the Breckenridge shade on the Paige USA site for $199; but if you love the style but prefer a more casual distressed shade then you are in luck as Donna Ida has the Marine style in stock for £205.