Summer 2012 Hairstyle Ideas for On-the-Go Girls

Trying new looks can be a tricky thing, yet with the right tips you can surprise everyone with a roll-worthy appearance! This season, get creative and update your style with these quick summer 2012 hairstyles for on-the-go-girls! Simple and easy as saying 'fab 'do!'

Twists, knots, braids, messy ponys, just-rolled-out-of-bed locks, or ravishing accessories, it's your time to steal the spotlight this season trying some of the hottest and easiest summer 2012 hairstyle ideas for on-the-go-girls. Forget complicated styles and opt instead for simple ones. With just a few tricks and tips you can get attention-grabbing 'dos and recreate the looks spotted on the runways. You can keep your tresses loose and obtain a bed-head aspect (Givenchy) or dare the androgynous wet effect (Ohne Titel, Giambattista Valli) for maximum impact!

For an instant change, take a peek at Jill Stuart's side-swept 'do or at ADAM's refined waves! Add some bohemian sexiness and mystery with a tousled look making a deep side parting rolling one section in the back or pull back two pieces for a romantic result. You can also stand out with some rockabilly rolls as seen at Tracy Reese. Achieve the 'do at home gathering a hair section and wrapping it around a chopstick. Next, roll it upward until the entire roll is on the scalp. Secure with bobby pins. Easy as saying 'fab'!

Don't worry! You're not the only one facing a hectic lifestyle and busy schedules! Well, for those days when you just cannot find the time to style your hair, experts always come with smart solutions in order to solve your issues. Season after season, they bring newer versions of timeless 'dos that you can recreate at home with the minimum amount of effort. Such is the case of the already famous braid (Francesco Scognamiglio, ASHISH). Perfect for sunny summer days, a side braid looks so modern and feminine and it only takes two minutes to get it right.

Another 'do that never goes out of style is the high and tight chignon (Sophie Theallet, Stella McCartney). Elegant and chic, the chignon works great for casual looks as well as for special, formal occasions. Pull your hair back into a ponytail smoothing down any flyaways and wrap it into a chignon. For a clean, glamorous finish apply some hold hairspray.

Are you on the hunt for something more spectacular and innovative? Have a nosey at Marc by Marc Jacobs' ponytail-bun hybrid. You can create this apparently complicated 'do by yourself making a pony, folding it upward, securing it with a long barrette before flipping it back down toward the nape of the neck and securing it with a second clip.

Other uber-cool summer 2012 hairstyles for on-the-go-girls are the ones spotted at Missoni and 3.1 Phillip Lim. Still, the 'do that drew all our attention was the looped ponytail seen at Carolina Herrera. Start by making a center parting and pull your hair into a low ponytail. Then, loop the pony underneath the elastic band and leave some face-framing flyaways for a romantic vibe.

What is fun, colorful yet super-chic and bewitching and can change your look in seconds? A stylish hair accessory, of course! Every girl should have some interesting accessories in her wardrobe as these are the easiest and quickest ways to give a mega-boost to your appearance. Whether it's a lovely headband or a cheerful scarf, these are items that allow you to get a variety of creative looks. This season, you can update a simple bun with a precious headband as spotted at Louis Vuitton or add interest to your messy ponytail securing it with a scarf (Emilio Pucci).

Sometimes a scarf can bring that head-turning finish you need in order to make an entrance. Moreover, a scarf not just refreshes your look but it is also a great method to protect you against UV rays. Stay stylish in the sun and try the "woman in the desert" look as seen at Nicholas K. Or, you can go glam using chic hair cover-ups as the ones at Luca Luca. This season, be daring, complete your ensembles with a unique hair accessory and surprise everyone with a notice-me-now appearance.

Source and credit : becomegorgeous.com

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Susie

Ms Susie Lau, after the Louis Vuitton fashion train had pulled into the station, Paris, March 2012.

Rather oddly, after I decided to post these photos, I picked up the March copy of Nylon magazine (love Nylon!) and on page 138 there is a Factory Girl article by Dani Stahl about (insert excellent drum roll here) white anoraks! Dani travels to the Bebe studio in Century City and gets her very own white anorak made up by the production team. She says (page 138) "It's an excellent item, versatile, easy to pack - everyone should have an anorak. I like them so much I even love saying the word: "Anorak!" It rhymes with DJ Afrojack, which is never a bad thing (I'm really feeling house music these days)".

Hell yeah! I have no idea who DJ Afrojack is (clearly I live in a house music/dj black hole) but I am going to go right ahead and agree with everything Dani says! She ends with "The jacket is functional, but as you know, I'm more interested in the "fun" part than the, um, "-ctional" part. Like I said, fashion should be fun. And, right now, it should also be white and shaped like an anorak. Which, the way I see it, makes me right on trend" (page 140).

Recreate Susie's (and Dani's look) kind of:

Mason by Michelle Mason anorak

Topshop parachute anorak

Bebe hooded anorak

ASOS festival anorak (perfect for anyone heading to Coachella - you lucky things!It probably won't be rainy or cold, unlike festival season in the UK, but good to pack just in case)

Mulberry Alexa snake-y/scale-y bag (love this)

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Natalia and Charlotte

It has been such incredibly beautiful weather in the UK this past couple of weeks that I couldn't resist sharing these photographs of Natalia Alaverdian and Charlotte Dellal sporting sweet cherry looks before Sonia Rykiel.

How adorable are Natalia's cherry earrings especially with her red lips? For any of you crafty people out there, do you think you could make these out of Fimo? (the modelling clay you bake in the oven). I was big into making things out of Fimo in the 1980's*. If anyone has a go at it, let me know!

Otherwise get your Cherry Bomb on with these fun pieces inspired by Natalia and Charlotte:

Sonia Rykiel Fruits Defendus cherry print dress

ASOS bow skinny belt or Cacharel cherry red bow belt

Charlotte Olympia Masako Origami yellow and orange pumps

Johann Earl cherry and polka-dot print dress from ASOS

Miu Miu cherry glitter sandals (happy shoes...bringing the fruit bowl to your tootsies!)

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel cherry-print sweater

Carmex cherry flavoured lip balm (the cheapest way to get a little sweet cherry action ;)

*Mum, if you read this, do you still have any of my hideous extremely beautiful and creative pieces tucked away somewhere?!

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Aline

Aline Weber, just as the snow was tapering off after Lacoste, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Aline's look (kind of):

Alexander Wang Brenda bag (in black) or leopard print (purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)

New York and Paris Fashion Weeks AW 2012...Valentino Rockstud

Even though the Valentino Rockstud shoes have been around for a few seasons now, I can't get enough of them. Perhaps I like them even more now than when they first surfaced. I think it is partly because they are so versatile segueing easily from ladylike and elegant (like on Amanda Weiner, Senior Fashion Editor, Gotham magazine in the first photos) to slighty more edgy (on Ece Sukan, Editor-at-Large, Vogue Turkey). They look just as good with a pretty dress (remember when Giovanna wore that scalloped Valentino white dress?) as they do with jeans or trousers.

And I like them in every incarnation - ballerina flats, studded patent leather wedges, jelly flats or, probably my favourite, the ankle-wrap pump.

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Peony

Peony Lim, after Tory Burch, NYC, February 2012.

I love that Peony wore those glasses on the same morning that Jenna Lyons sent out models wearing her signature glasses at the J.Crew presentation. So fun (even if you don't have to actually wear glasses to see!).

Peony's beautiful snake-print dress (you can just make out the head of the snake on her sleeve)? It is from London-based brand Isolda. 

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Marina

Stylist Marina Munoz after Karen Walker, NYC, February 2012. 

I must have Tam o' Shanters (the traditional Scottish bonnet) on the brain as after I posted my Margaret Howell backstage photos last week, I came across these of Marina in NYC. Love the tartan beret and the way she has teamed it with the boxy, cropped jacket and black jeans. A lovely way to combine something very traditional with very modern pieces.

Recreate Marina's Look (kind of):

Gryphon sunshine yellow Happy jacket or girl. by Band of Outsiders yellow slub-cotton jacket







New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Vlada

Russian model Vlada Roslyakova, after Michael Kors, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Vlada's super-cute look (kind of):

AllSaints Marsden black leather jacket or Rick Owens contrast leather biker jacket

Backstage Fever Sequin bodycon skirt (from Free People) or Topshop pearl bead mini or AllSaints Eagle sequined and beaded mini  

Michael Kors Bedford bowling satchel

Can I have your Facebook Password?

Apparently this is becoming a trend for job candidates during interviews. It's a startling one. In my opinion, it's the direct equivalent of asking someone for their house keys.  

"Bassett, a New York City statistician, had just finished answering a few character questions when the interviewer turned to her computer to search for his Facebook page. But she couldn't see his private profile. She turned back and asked him to hand over his login information.Bassett refused and withdrew his application, saying he didn't want to work for a company that would seek such personal information. But as the job market steadily improves, other job candidates are confronting the same question from prospective employers, and some of them cannot afford to say no." Click here to read the rest of the article.

Another trend currently going on is the hiring company is asking candidates to send a friend request to the HR manager, or better yet, they have the candidate directly log onto their FB account during the interview so the interviewer can look at it in their presence.

I understand that the motive for some employers is to see the character of someone who they might be hiring. I also see some people handing over their passwords especially if they are really desperate for a job...like they're under duress. However, where does the line in the sand get drawn? 

Let's face it, most people have Facebook accounts. I'm  willing to bet that a great majority of Facebook users also have certain "friends" because they felt they "had to" accept (i.e. Aunt Betty's best friend sent a you friend request and you knew if you didn't "accept" Aunt Betty would be upset so you did...or it would have been rude to not have some of your co-workers on there, or even your spouses buddies...blah blah blah). I'm also willing to bet that some of these people are put on filters due to the reason that you didn't necessarily want them on your FB page but felt you had to in-order to save the peace. 

I have a friend on Facebook - we used to work together. She still works at the same place, and I've moved on. I genuinely like her, however I CRINGE whenever I read her status update messages as she's usually blasting something negative about her job or boss. I think...no, I KNOW she's the reason why confidentiality agreements are created in the workplace! So perhaps this is exactly what hiring companies are trying to find out, as this is a real concern with social media etc. 

What are your thoughts and views on this topic? I'm sure there are different angles that I haven't even looked at yet. Just out of curiosity, has anyone been asked for their passwords yet? If so, how did you handle it?

Marnie xo

London Fashion Week AW 2012...Overalls

In the last week I have read three separate articles where each person was asked what they would never wear/be caught dead in and the answer was......Overalls!

What's up with the overall-hate?! Is it the hangover trauma of having been forced to wear them in kindergarten? A proportion issue (long body, short legs? do you need long legs to pull this look off?)Or is that we like the idea of someone else wearing overalls but it isn't something we would wear ourselves?

I really like the way stylist and model Victoria Sekrier has styled her classic denim bib and brace overalls in the top photographs, especially the way she has left the bib hanging down. Kind of cool, no? I think this would only work if the overalls were really fitting (almost like jeans).....too baggy and your undies would be on display to the world!

Some denim overalls to try:

Mother Sweetheart stretch denim overalls  (these satisfy the slim leg, fitted waist criteria like Victoria's) or Gap 1969 denim overalls (more of a relaxed fit) or Textile Elizabeth and James denim overalls  (kind of skinny and relaxed all at once!)

 Or for something a little dressier, I absolutely love these dark blue Sonia by Sonia Rykiel overalls (which are really just trousers with detachable suspenders - complete with gorgeous bow). Perfect for day into night.

London Fashion Week AW 2012...Irina

Model, songwriter and musician, Irina Lazareanu, London, February 2012.

Have you seen the beautiful Aubin &Wills film starring Irina and Alex James? So beautiful (it looks very much like it was filmed on Super 8mm). You can find it here.

Recreate Irina's Look (kind of):

J Brand 901 waxed legging jeans or Rag & Bone/Jean The Legging Jean (in Shoreditch)

Charlotte Olympia metallic platform suede pump or a little higher, a little more gold, Charlotte Olympia mirror-platform slingback 

New York Fashion Week AW 2012

Love these two girls....I kept bumping into them together (and neglected to get their names).

Love the masculine suiting on the girl on the right and the cropped length of her trousers. And how happy and fun are her socks/tights?

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Justine

Justine Couvillion, Rag & Bone's West Coast Account Executive, before Rag & Bone, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Justine's Look (kind of):

Rag & Bone Sliver Tuxedo jacket (in lemon curry)

Rag & Bone Racine printed wide leg pants. The Geo print shorts are really cute as well and would look fabulous with the Sliver tuxedo jacket and a plain t-shirt for summer.

Proenza Schouler PS1 pouch (love the neon yellow and coral colours for spring/summer)

London Fashion Week AW 2012....Backstage at Margaret Howell

Backstage at Margaret Howell, London, Sunday 19 February 2012.

Low ponytails pulled effortlessly to one side under pom pom topped Tam o' Shanter's and low-riding beanies, freshly cut slices of crimson streaked blood orange and wedges of crisp winter apples, sleepy eyed models sipping welcome cups of freshly brewed coffee (show start time is 9am), boxes of brown and black preppy penny loafers, utilitarian canvas backpacks, refined twinsets, knee-length gently pleated skirts and mannish blazers (evoking images of the young Mitford sisters in the 1930's), heavy wool military-inspired coats.....and one Paddington Bear navy knee-length duffel coat, flushed rosy cheeks (a brisk walk in the country on a winter's day perhaps?), wool pants with front pockets and track-pant hems, tales of acting and photographs (we loved seeing you back on the runway this season Dorothea Barth Jorgensen).....These Are a Few of My Favourite Things from backstage at Margaret Howell AW 2012.