Guest Blogger Sian O'Donnell tells us about her Style Crush: Paloma Faith.

(Image courtesy of wkrq.com)

I adore this woman for three reasons: she loves Ashish. She rocks a pom pom like no other. She has amazing red hair (she’s basically an improved version of me). Paloma, I think I’m in love!
Seeing her perform at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2010 is when I first fell for her. Evolving in front of our eyes like a tropical bird, not only can this lady belt out a tune but she has enough chat, charisma and charm to keep you hooked from the start. (Her cover of Akon’s, ‘Sexy Chick’ was utterly hypnotising.) Yet it is her statement in fashion which speaks volumes. Without looking too try hard or contrived, Ms. Faith can pull off a look with the flick of a roller and as Louis Walsh would say, “Really make it her own”.

(Image courtesy of telegraph.co.uk)

Her background at Central Saint Martins, working in Agent Provocateur, as a burlesque performer and magicians assistant has helped channel her retro sound and look, yet with enough pure- bred Hackney vibe thrown in to not look like another ‘vintage’ Shoreditch t***.

From being a constant figure on the FROW at all major fashion weeks, performing at Bestival, appearing on political shows or being dressed head-to-toe in next season D&G, the jazz-husked singer and actress takes it all in her stride. Never appearing to take herself too seriously, she rocks a headpiece like no other, giving Anna Dello Russo a serious run for her money.

Her latest album may not be up there with, “Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful” but who really cares- I could spend all day perving over her photos on instagram and still have time for more. Infatuated? You bet.  

It's just, a little crush...

(Images courtesy of style.com) 

From all the daily requests you get on Facebook, it would be near impossible not to be aware of the phenomenon that is, Candy Crush!

Nope, thankfully not the game (seriously, get a life people) but the sweet-as-chocolate-boy hue that graced the AW13 catwalk. With the fashion pack moving on from candyfloss hair (when that bird from X Factor requested ‘pink’ to her hairdresser, you knew it was well and truly done) and has since moved on to become the colour of choice to wear.

We are talking sickly sweet, make the boys wink, PINK! Seen at Moschino Cheap & Chic, Miu Miu, Jonathan Saunders and Carven (that satin ruched number I need, no NEED) is all about femininity with a kick- smashing it,  full on, Chloe Moretz style. From tailored suits with punky-trimmed black and platform creepers, figure hugging and scowling, fluffy and fetish and witchy polka dot- it is the colour in which everyone can find a shade that suits.  

And if you can’t, well I’ll join the masses on the morning commute and crush some serious candy.

Shop CANDY at HOJ now! 

Prada, Prada, Prada!

Having immersed ourselves fully within LFW and all the incredible designers that have exploded onto the cobbles, in and around Somerset House to make London, yet again the most exciting of the fashion week’s… we nearly forgot about our favourite designer of ALL time- Prada!

Miuccia Prada you are the ultimate Fairy Godmother. Just when we let you slip from our mind for a millisecond, you deliver, in outstanding fashion.  The punchy, vibrant use of primary colour, the pop art imprinted onto fun fur coats, the embellishment, the sporty knitted tube socks, the ladylike handbags, the bejeweled bras over structured outerwear- it was a complete mouth to the floor moment. Milan was suddenly in the limelight again and it was all down to you. 

(images courtesy of style.com)

With the minimal-faced models strutting down the catwalk like a fierce Sicilian gang; nothing or no-one will be safe from the ultimate control they will have over the fashion world come SS14. Miuccia- sod the pumpkin and Prince, can I have that canary fur number and decorated emerald dress with the Twiggy-esque face sprawled across it. I promise (maybe) to have it back my midnight! 

SHOP graphic prints NOW at HOJ!

"He who dares Rodney, he who dares... "

It's hard to believe but it seems Del Boy really is the style icon of choice for this week’s hottest coats! Be it the original, understated champion, ‘The Sheepskin’, the furry and black ‘Panther’ or the print straight out of Trotters Independent Traders,‘The Faux Burbs’. He may be well known for his sovereign rings, flat cap, roll necks and cigars- which we agree, won’t exactly make it onto the catwalk, yet his choice of coats? Pffft, a completely different story!

Camel is the shade of the season; mix it with a hefty vintage and warm sheepskin, a honey-coated fur trim and a cropped suede number and you have yourself an absolute WINNER! The idea is take to take elements of our favourite South Londoner and tweak him into shape with faux fox fur stoles, chunky laced boots and a rich lippy to make it Nelson Mandela House-worthy. Well, Peckham is all the rage at the moment…

Shop the NEW SEASON coats NOW- Mange Tout!  

Introducing, Kane and the Camo.

(Images courtesy of style.com)

Gwen Stefani may have sung about clearing out Vivienne Westwood in a Galliano gown in 2004, but it’s safe to say in 2013, it is all about Christopher Kane.

If Christopher Bailey and his Burberry brigade are the hottest ticket in town when it comes to LFW (by ‘hot’ we mean Harry Styles and Suki-whatsherface…) then Christopher Kane is his younger, ballsier brother who is about to take the trench right of his back. Having been compared to Gianni Verace by Donatella (who he partnered with for Versus) his beautifully cut designs have enough guts and intrigue to keep the younger fashion pack happy and unconditionally supportive. With the Scot selling 51% of his stake in the brand to luxury holding company Kering, who also represent Stella McCartney, Gucci and Saint Laurent, simply means the world is now officially his pearly oyster

And this is why we love him. For AW13 Kane has single-handedly brought back the camo print in a BIG way. Forget the Destiny’s Child two-piece or All Saints’ combats of synthetic style from the 90’s – banish it from your mind- this time around it is about LUXE. Wear the print with a knitted sweater, a fur jacket and a pair of heels to bring the glam into cam. But if the print still brings back too many awful memories of dancing around your bedroom to the Vengaboys, then simply pick up the khaki hue and blend it in with metallics and denim. It really is the trend of the season. Trust.

Shop at House of Jam NOW. 

Marky Marc and the Tarty Bunch.

It's time to get your Jacobs on this season with an oversized tartan number that is literally, so hot right now. As seen on the catwalk at the Marc by Marc Jacobs AW13 show- the younger, fresher fusion clothing line from the American designer, it seems McTartan is back in a big way this Autumn. Be it a full-blown Westwood style suit, a tightly wrapped scarf over a leather bomber or this mohair beauty from HOJ- however you inject tartan into your everyday look is fine with us, just make sure you do. And at a smidgen of the designer price with that one-off, original vintage touch, it is time to form an orderly queue ladies. And if you can't do that- have a little jig instead. Just remember your undies. 

Shop TARTAN now! 

Remember when Madonna was cool?

Believe it or not, there was a time when Madonna didn't resemble Iggy Pop. In her 80's/early 90's hey day she was the symbol of lust; women wanted to be her while most men had her. The oozing of confidence, the dripping of sex appeal, the salivating whiff of empowerment and spread of deranged (have you not seen In Bed With Marilyn?) that made her the formidable status of liberation. Throw a battered leather jacket over and she could have ruled the world. Perhaps that was where it all went wrong- lose the leather, lose the mind.

Don’t miss out on this vintage beauty, you have been warned…

Shop NOW! 

I'll take your brain to another Dimension.....

By the time you read this, the HOJ posse will be in Croatia, or more precisely, DIMENSIONS festival, avin' it large in Pula. Clear seas, pumping music, stunning villa, beautiful views surrounding rolling hills, an incredible abandoned fort as a backdrop, love and laughter with friends (you get the picture) can only mean one thing- COLOUR! 

Before the nights draw in and the gloom covers us all in negativity and shivers, we need to grab every opportunity like it is our last to inject vitality into the end-of-summer-so-now-want-to-kill-ourself-wardrobe. Whether you have also booked a last minute holiday somewhere warm, ripply and Mediterranean, are off to Bestival or planning to adsorb the rays in your local park; there really is no excuse not to get your vibrant on. You can always add ribbed tights, a pea coat, fur stole and cashmere mittens over the tequila sunrise dress in winter to give Jack Frost a startle on an icy November morning- I think you can call that an investment?

 See you on other side! Now pass the calamari down will you...  

Shop HERE

Limber me up, Jack!

If you thought it was just men that were sexing up the lumberjack trend of late, then think again. Beards may be so hot right now (preferably on a man) but us ladies have all agreed; the check jacket is back!

If like me, one of your favourite musicals of all time is ‘Seven Brides For Seven Brothers’ (ask your Nan) you will understand that it takes a lot for the lumberjack style to be considered sexy. Forget the hefty build, ginger bush and dirty finger nails and go along the more luxury squared, open front jacket route in a range of vivid colours, check sizes and length that have recently exploded onto the House of Jam site. Denim, sheer and leather works perfect, as does contrasting with another check to give that mitchy-matchy, lovely jubbly, vintage take on Derek Lam.

And if you are still not convinced about the level of seduction that lumberjack chic can create, then follow these two God-like words; Ryan Gosling.