The Duchess of Cambridge's first solo Royal Engagment:

Catherine looked simply stunning last night at a private Charity Dinner last night.This was the Duchess's first solo engagement as Prince Charles had to suddenly represent the Royal Family in Riyadh following the death of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. However, Kate was 'happy' to step in, an by the looks of thing the evening went off without a hitch! Guests said that Kate was very charming and genuinely interested in the cause and spoke to every guest in attendance.

The Duchess stepped out of her usually conservative attire, in an unusually sexy vintage gown; wearing a breathtaking aqua  Amanda Wakeley gown, from her 2006 Collection. Her hair was pulled back in a half up, half down style, with her trademark tousling curls, and make up was simple with her must have black eyeliner.
Catherine is obviously taking much bolder fashion choices, and also stunned in a Red Beulah London 'Sarai' dress at the '100 women in hedge funds' event last month. Here is the full article with images.
So I look forward to seeing what daring looks the Duchess pulls off next, hopefully a beautiful beaded Dior creation. But I think this maybe a bit too far of a stretch.

What are your thoughts on this look? Too sexy, or is it a much needed step in the right direction?

Designer Profile: Karen Walker

Karen Walker is one of New Zealand's most in demand fashion brands, with it's anti 'it girl' inspirtation and unquie contast of femine and masculine,Walker's designs are nothing short of spectacular and can take you from a relaxing day in the sun to a cocktail evening in an instant. Karen recently did an interview about some of her favourtie things. Her recent collection in New York was again nothing short of spectacular. Below she gives us some tips about her must have accessories as well as some very stylish advice.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.


Attempting grown-up.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Not checking the full look in the mirror.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

If being stylish were as easy as being taught about it, then we’d all look like Jackie O and Juicy Couture wouldn’t exist.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Crêpe de Chine, tightly-packed heavy wool felt, and fine gauge cashmere.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

So many! The top of my list is clothing that doesn’t reflect the climate. It just looks silly.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

Paris.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Conservative.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

At the moment I’m really going for an elegant look.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Is never guaranteed.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

The old-fashioned ones: a good trench coat, a good clutch, a good scarf, and a good pair of sunglasses. Sorry, that’s four.

Q: A woman should always look like…

It’s a breeze.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

I check my iPhone for the weather and my schedule, and go from there.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

Having finite wardrobe space and having to get rid of so much I’d like to keep every six months.

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

Chipped nail polish doesn’t look cute on anyone older than 21. A smile does more for your face than Botox ever can. There’s no such thing as too many simple cashmere sweaters.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

If I love it, I buy it. I never go away to think about it.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Counterfeit.

Q: Which new designers do you follow/admire and why?

Eddie Borgo because he manages to combine luxury with wit.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met is…

Charlie Watts.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

I take the whole thing in, top to toe, in a millisecond.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

The thing I’d be most upset to lose is the very best Hermès scarf I bought. It has just the right print, colour and warn-in-ness.

Q: The one image that defines your approach to style…

I’m not sure about up until now, but the pin-up I’m working toward is old Diana Vreeland—especially that Horst photo of her in black shirt with big bangles and beads.

Q: Which designer/fashion house never fails to impress you?

Prada.

Q: One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…

You should pay close attention to everything.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

No.

Q: Established designers aside, who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Katie Hillier.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

It’s better to be over-dressed than under-dressed


For more detials on Karen and her collections got to http://www.karenwalker.com/

Channeling Kate Moss:

Today's look is inspired by style icon Kate Moss. This all white look is pure Kate, and will look very chic for spring. Pair these J Brand jeans, Moss's must have Kain top and Ben Aum necklace with a classic Mulberry Bayswater bag. So channel your inner Kate Moss and be bold and wear white this season!

Alexa Chung:

Alexa at the House of Hollland/Superga event on 19 October 2011

This cute outfit proves once again what a true style genius Alexa Chung is. I don't know if it’s just me (maybe it’s a real Brit thing) but who would have thought to pair a silk shirt under such a gorgeous dress? I think it’s simply to die for! This look is pure Alexa, and one of the reasons why she continues to impress us with her relaxed chic style.


So take a que from this fashion rebel and pair your shirts or skivvy with a cute cocktail dress, my prediction is that this look will be all the rage come Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Xx

LOVE

Rhianna - We Found Love Music Video

Loving Right Now:

Channeling Alexa Chung:

Super stylish It Girl Alexa Chung has an understated style that always screams cool. From music festivals to the Met red carpet and Paris Fashion Week Alexa always looks picture perfect with her relaxed style and 60's inspired looks. Always the style icon today we are channeling our inner Alexa Chung’s with the hottest trend for the catwalks – pastels! Pair Alexa’s must have Valentino flats, pink J Brand cords, Chanel bag, Stella glasses and Equipment shirt for a chic and understated look that is pure Alexa Chung. So grab some inspiration from Brittan’s coolest It Girl and add a touch of pastel to your pallet this season!

Backpacks:

Backpacks have become all the rage this season with the likes of the olsen twins, pixie geldof and rachel bilson all carrying them you know that they are the must have item for fall. Easy and accessible it is a clasic must have. Invest with The Row or cheap and cheerful with TopShop this is the new pratical arm candy. Happy Shopping!

Out with the old and in with the Backpack? The Suprise It bag this Season:

When The Row launched its bag collection in the spring we all knew it would be a raving success, but along with the too die for designs and luxurious materials came a hefty price tag. Much to our surprise the most expensive bag in the collection the 'Alligator Backpack' has been in such high demand that the designer duo could not keep up with its success. Two of the exclusive bags have already pre-sold at Barneys and they are waiting for more shipments for fall! The Olsen girls have been style mavens for what seems like a decade, and with every fashionista following their every stylish move it is no wonder that backpacks are the new hobo this season!

Catherine Middelton stuns in Red Beulah Dress

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the '100 women in Hedge Funds' Charity Gala last night and as per usual the fashion was nothing short of spectacular. The Duchess dazzled in a beautiful Red 'Sarai' Beulah London gown (currently retailing for 565 pounds). This was big step for the Duchess as she broke out of her usual pallets of beige and blues for this striking red number. Keep an eye out for the Duchess's upcoming looks as it is going to be a very fashionable social season!

The Size Zero debacle continues as Geldof becomes new role model for Anorexia:


 

As Paris Fashion Week draws to a close it is evident that one trend continues to dominate the catwalk each season: the phenomenon of size zero. It seems to me that no matter how many young starlets embrace their curves that thin will always be in.



Geldof looking gaunt at
Fashion's Night Out in
New York



As the stars line up for a front row view of Cynthia Rowley’s latest collection, it seems they too have got the skinny on this interminable trend. Peaches Geldof is fast becoming the latest poster girl for anorexia, as she displayed her newly thin frame at all the top shows, worrying onlookers about her plummeting weight. Geldof once a healthy size six has shot down to a tiny size zero in only a few short months. However, Peaches is just one of countless celebrities striving to achieve Hollywood’s ideal weight; and when steamed vegetables and lemon juice are the staple diet starvation does not seem too far a stretch to be on top of the Hollywood food chain – as Kate Moss says “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”.

However, what these stars do not realise is the immense pressure they place on young women to live up to this unrealistic ideal. Recent studies have shown that 50% of women spend up to 40 minutes or more getting ready in the morning and an astounding 80% worry about their weight more than cancer. You would think with the numerous promotions of pro-anorexia campaign’s we would realise the dangers of dieting and the physical and mental toll it takes on the body. However, this has just prompted women to become obsessed with their own vanity. Today women are so consumed by the unrealistic portals of beauty portrayed in the media that they have become obsessed with their own body image, counting every single calorie and exercising compulsively for two hours a day. But how far is too far?

It is no secret that we women have always been worried about our body image. However, never has it been this extreme. It seems that we as a nation have become so fixated on looking good that we now even go as far as to measure a person’s success by their outward appearance. How have we as a society who has so much knowledge about this deadly disease reached this point? And how have we let this deadly obsession be passed down to our children?

Our obsession with perfection originates from ‘Barbie’, innocent at first it may be but studies have shown the vast impact ‘Barbie’ has on young girls; with a majority of young girls suffering from anorexica aged 8 - 15. With her perfectly tousled blonde locks, sun kissed skin and four inch waist she is the epitome of perfection. From a young age they hook us in. ‘Barbie’ however, is just the beginning now they have a product for every age and it soon turns from ‘Bratz’ to ‘Project Runway’ and ‘Next Top Model’ following not too far behind.

With a line up like this it is easy to see how we have all been fooled into believing that beauty is only skin deep. However, the truth of the matter is, to live up to societies perception of ‘beauty’ is completely and utterly unfeasible. I don’t know about you, but I think there are only so many raw vegetables a girl can eat. We should embrace our curves; after all we are powerful, independent women and should not let something as silly as food dictate our lives. I am not saying that worrying about weight or looking good is a bad thing; let’s be honest we all loved to get dolled up for a girl’s night out and feel good about ourselves. However, it is to what extent we go in achieving this goal that will ultimately define us. After all isn’t it inner beauty that truly makes us beautiful?

Hanneli Inspiration:

How to Wear: Little Pink Jackets

Channel your inner Jackie O with a touch of houte cotoure with a devine pink jacket. This Guava Marzia pink jacket would look stunning on a little black dress or dress it down with a pair of Acne skinny jeans and trend of the moment chunky peach heels. Whatever your style you always need a little pink jacket. As Coco Chanel says: "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous"

God Save McQueen

Kate Middleton is fast becoming a fashion icon and has now become an ambassador for Alexander McQueen, now directed under Sarah Burton. Keep a look out for more fantastic Middleton/McQueen ensembles as the Duchess prepares for her latest engagements.

Welcome!

Welcome to all things Fashion, Art and Culture!

My name is Nathalie and I am the curator of this little blog called Nathalie's Style Files. My intentions for this blog arose from my passion for fashion and it's incredible history. From a young age I was always interested in fashion and from then on it just sort of grew into this great big love affair. I am currently studying Fashion and Communications at AUT in the hopes to pursue a career in Fashion Journalism.

Within the next few weeks we will scour through all of the top looks at the latest shows around the World, and journey to some of my favourite places like Melbourne, New York and San Francisco to give you the best tips on where to go, shop and eat. Tips on the latest trends, fads and classics will be posted weekly as well as segments about fashion's latest darlings to see what daring look they pull of next.

To me fashion is the purest form of art, one which you can express yourself on a daily basis, to create a world and story within your clothes and allow you the freedom to truly express yourself. It is at its core an expression, an art form but most importantly it is what you create it to be. In this blog we will experience what fashion truly is and bring out our inner fashionista’s.

Love

Nathalie

Xxx