Santorini Vibes and a Goddess Glow: Summer Style Inspiration!

{Santorini Vibes: shades of blue and pops of white, taking fashion inspo from the picturesque, hillside vista of Santorini, Greece.}

When a colour palette compels you to blog about it…

As a writer and blogger I find inspiration in everything. From nature, to a conversation, to trend forecasting in Fashion/Beauty etc – however when a colour palette inspires you to write an article on it you know you’re obsessed and you may as well give in and do it!

Santorini Vibes:

If I can’t go to Santorini, I’ll bring Santorini to me – taking inspiration from the islands colour palette in particular the white and blue hues associated with this Greek island!

Into the blue:

{Postcards from Santorini: The Santorini hillside vista that inspired this post.}

I can’t get enough of this colour palette…

I’m talking every shade of blue, paired with white for the ultimate holiday mindset. From washed out denim and cobalt to pastel and Santorini Blue (yeah I totally just made up that name) but you know the one, that blue that conjures up images of deep blue rooftops that majestically overlook an equally blue sea signifying a beaming beacon of relaxation, and an unequivocal Greek island experience of an island way of life of a by gone era. Coupled with white washed, glistening walls this colour palette simply screams summer and the blue and white sun soaked hillside, has immersed itself in my fashion subconscious and seen me dress in island blues on repeat!

Stripes, prints, block colours I’m loving it all – mixing and matching within the palette, block colours of white and blue with prints and stripes in the same hues – adding the odd pop of colours such as yellow, orange, nude, navy and tan to compliment the look.

The Goddess Glow:

These white and blue hues are off-set for me by a gleaming golden glow to the skin lending a bolder, crisper look with added “pop”, to any outfit! I get the ultimate grecian goddess golden/bronzed glow from a new release in the tanning world which I have been trialling lately!

I rarely sit in the sun in the summer months to “get a tan” and if I do you can bet your bottom dollar I’m smothered in Factor 50 because well you know, who needs the wrinkles? Especially nowadays, when self tanners have come such a long way!

The Tan of Choice:

I’ve been trialling *B BOLD Smart Mousse Tan for about 4 weeks and I have to say it never fails to give me major Mediterranean Island/Tropical vibes when I wear it. #vibes #thefeels

The colour pay-off with this tan is unreal. No really. From sunkissed glow to golden hue to a deeper bronzed tan, this tan is perfect to achieve any depth of tan you wish! It’s a one stop shop, making it perfect for travel – the high performance of the tan is a pleasant surprise and it is a welcome addition to the self-tanner market here in Ireland.

Look out for the FULL review on *B BOLD Smart Mousse Tan coming very soon!

All the usual suspects in fashion have variations on this summery palette and in an array of textures – such as Primark, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, Zara, H&M and Savida to name just a few.

There you have it, some summer style inspiration in the form of colours and textures in various hues of blue for a fashion colour palette that’ll take you through summer feeling like you’ve been to far away climbs even if you haven’t! My summer capsule wardrobe sorted.

Now all I need is an actual trip to Santorini…although it’ll probably be more like somewhere in the west of Ireland! I’m not complaining though, after all I’m channelling those Santorini vibes…

What is your favourite colour palette for summer? What inspires you when choosing pieces for your summer wardrobe? I’d love to know!

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
*Post contains PR sample – All views/opinions on the product are mine as always! .

FASHION NEWS: M&S skips Catwalk to Launch AW16 Clothing Collection!

High Street, High Stakes:

The Driving Force of a Forward Thinking approach to the Fashion World?

Fashion is entering a major transitional phase right now and following the lead from couture Fashion Houses including Tom Ford and Burberry, British high street chain Marks and Spencer have shaken off tradition in favour of current market trend: meeting the demands of consumer instant gratification. That said today saw the release of the M&S AW16 Collection – a full six months ahead of its usual release date.

What is behind this current trend to break with traditional seasonality of collections?

The reasoning behind such a move by a high street store is in tandem with the reasons and vision behind the aforementioned couture Fashion Houses who during February’s London Fashion Week, expressed their concerns and analytical decisions towards their business models. In short, it is a move to meet the instant gratification and satisfaction demanded by the consumer market.

I have previously covered this shift in how designers are shirking the conventional approach to catwalk shows and presentations in my Fashion Alert: Designers to Take Less Conventional Approach to Fashion Week Presentations? post recently – how the  digital and social media age, coupled with the rise in Influencer Marketing is dictating consumer demands and shifts, in how and when consumers want to purchase goods. Designers are now allocating budgets to Digital, as it is an area that is that is going to impact on business.

{The Big Easy Collection: an AW16 exclusive from British retail giant Marks and Spencer.}

Skipping Ahead: Shopping NEXT Season Now!

Defining seasonality in countries such as Ireland or the UK is often difficult, with weather patterns, particularly heat, differing drastically from other countries especially in the summer months – the beauty in the design of this twenty piece collection entitled the ‘Big Easy’ is that it incorporates, an array of hand-picked, exclusive pieces in neutral hues and soft prints, sleek silhouettes and minimal aesthetic that will fit right into your summer capsule wardrobe. These ideal pieces are perfect for those temperamental summer days and accompany key pieces and style staples for when it comes to the seasonal autumnal weather that the collection was designed to cater to.

*Look out for stand-out pieces such as: leather culottes, tunic style shirts and dresses, and fashionista fave the flat strappy, pointed toe shoe.

{White out: Another look from the Marks and Spencer AW16 exclusive from Marks and Spencer.}

You can shop the ‘Big Easy‘ collection now in- store or online – this instantaneous shoppable option from the fashion industry, looks set to become the next trending theme in Fashion commerce so best get used to it folks!

Thoughts?

What are your thoughts on this bold move by Marks and Spencer? As a retail/clothing consumer, are you excited to be able to shop a season ahead or do you prefer things the way they were – shoppable in season? I’d love to hear what you guys think!

Me?  From a consumer stand-point, I think if trans-seasonal collections like this one from M&S are released, where pieces can be easily incorporated into the current seasonal wardrobe, offering even more functionality then I say bring it on, because you know I’m getting the wear out of my key pieces!

From a business stand-point this shake up in the fashion world means major change for manufacturing and supply chains to traditional buyers and for retailers, actually facilitating purchases.

I hope you enjoyed this “Fashion News” style post and thanks for stopping by!

Gail. Xx
Images: © Marks and Spencer.

Source: Marks and Spencer and Daily Mail 
*Not sponsored.

FASHION FOCUS: The Rise of The Male Fashion Blogger – Male Fashion Blogs, & Style Influeners!

The Rise of the Male Fashion Blogger:

Male Fashion is making big waves in Ireland with MMA fighter Conor McGregor and the always impeccably turned out, Darren Kennedy, being style favourites (amongst so many others) and it continues to gain in popularity amongst on-line style influencers, giving rise to – The Male Fashion Blogger.

With Men’s Fashion gaining more traction and attention in the blogging world (thanks to the likes of influencers such as David Cashman and James Patrice) it is style influencers like the UK’s YouTube personality (daily vlogger) and GQ’s Best Dressed Man Jim Chapman that are really paving the way for the Male Fashion Blogger, on a bigger scale, as they come from the blogging world. Recently hanging out at LCM with the model David Gandy and a frequent fixture at the BURBERRY shows, Chapman’s style is a clean, modern take on the “classic English gent”, coated in 21st Century tailoring and finesse.

With this in mind, I decided to contact an acquaintance of mine from the recent Irish Blogger Conference and an up and coming Male Fashion Blogger. In doing so, I hope to capture something different on my blog by showcasing a Men’s Fashion Focus on a fellow blogger who’s fashion sense is instantly eye-catching, (especially on the streets of Dublin) and is a style I truly admire!

Meet:

Damien Broderick: Irish Male Fashion Blogger.

Respect and good manners go a long way.

My grandfather wore a suit every day of his life and I loved that.

From waistcoats and cardigans to pocket squares and trenches Damien’s style reminds me of classic country prep, with an edgy 21st Century twist on it, in the form of open collared shirts and tattoos, his style omits a confidence of self, complimented with a “modern gentlemen” appeal. He definitely gets the GlamForce Fashion Seal of Approval – You heard it here first…Damien Broderick truly is #onetowatch

Tailored, gentlemanly, a peacock is a word thrown about. I like to mix tones and fabrics so it’s like a peacock showing off his colours I guess.

Read on for the Interview!

The Interview:

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do in your spare time?

I’m Damien I’m almost 24 (shhhhhh) and I’m a men’s fashion blogger, I’ve studied photography and digital imaging, and also fitness. I like to eat out, and okay hurling in my spare time.

2. What prompted you to start blogging?

It was actually a few bloggers that told me I should do it seeing the following I was starting to generate on Instagram in particular. I had always read blog but never thought about doing it. Always a little apprehensive. But once you do the first it becomes a lot easier.

3. Who/What inspires you to blog?

Bloggers like I Am Galla and Mariano Di Viao are big inspirations, for me blogging about my style and men’s wear is education for men that buy a suit and don’t know how to dress it. Fashion is what you buy style is what you do with it. I also use my platforms to get my ideas on being a modern gentlemen across. Respect and good manners go a long way.

4. How would you describe your blogging style? 

Tailored, formal, smart.

5. Speaking of style, where does your style/fashion inspiration come from?

My grandfather wore a suit every day of his life and I loved that. I love suits it’s like a superheroes costume, you put a well for suit on it makes you feel like a somebody, you feel confident and powerful. My style evolved as I matured. As I got older and was taught a lot of life lessons by people I respected, my style started to match my personality. Also people like David Gandy, Johannes Huebl inspire me a lot, both on how they conduct themselves as men and how they dress.

6. How would you describe your personal style?

Tailored, gentlemanly, a peacock is a word thrown about. I like to mix tones and fabrics so it’s like a peacock showing off his colours I guess.

7. Favourite Designer?

I love Marcus Anthony, he’s a tailor from Bristol or Joshua Kane from London, but a big BIG designer I’d have to say Tom Ford, or D&G.

8. Being a girl I have to ask about shoes! Do you have a favourite shoe designer/shoe style?

I like a nice formal dress shoe. No square toes or super pointed that would take the eye out of a spider. Classic elegant, I also like Chelsea boots and loafers are an amazing summer shoe. Very Italian.

9. Fave High Street store?

I’d have to say either Topman or M&S, both have an amazing selection of formal wear that fits really well and is high quality.

10. Wardrobe staples?

White shirts and lots of them. A grey 3 piece suit that you can take apart and make 4/5 different looks with and a good quality pear of shoes.

11. Signature Scent?

Hugo boss, I started to wear it at 17 when I got it as a gift.

12. Tailoring?

If you’ve the money to get bespoke clothing. Do it. If not buy slim fit to for your chest and waist and get it altered. The fit is everything.

13. Key pieces for summer?

Loafers, tailored shorts, white navy and grey crew and v-neck t-shirts, a light blazer, and a pair of nice white trainers.

In saying that I only wear trainers working out same for shorts.

Okay back to blogging…

14. How do you manage time to run your blog efficiently?

I have set days that I’m going to put a post live. I’ll work on the post 2/3 days prior to ensure it’s done and ready to go live. I don’t have a 9-5 so I can really focus on my blogger and social media platforms.

15. Tell us some Bloggers you admire and why?

I admire I Am Galla, he was the first men’s wear blogger I ever came across. He started 6 years ago and has gone on to incredible thing. Also a good friend of mine, Joanne Larby (The Make-up Fairy) she’s amazing at what she does, so driven and passionate yet so lovely and down to earth. I’m proud to call her a friend.

16. What would you say is the biggest challenge about Fashion Blogging? 

Consistency, and fresh content.

17. Being bloggers we’re always seeking the latest Apps etc, so tell me what is your “can’t live without” App?

Instasize, Vasocam, are two important apps for me in terms of sharing good images to Instagram, of course Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook Periscope and Pinterest are all apps I couldn’t go without. And Google calendar is great for setting event reminders you can set it to remind you days before events it’s be in the notifications bar so you can’t miss it. And won’t forget. I input my life into that app.

18. How do you keep yourself motivated to keep blogging?

I’m a very goal driven person, I’ve set myself 12 months to find out exactly what career path I want to take and I know exactly what I need to do in order to find that out. Other bloggers & friends motivate me and inspire me, and when people I don’t know tell me they enjoy what I’m doing or their BF loves it, that really makes me smile and motivates me.

19. What is the biggest difference to your life post-blogging?

Em, people knowing who I am, because there are not many men doing it, if you’ve good contacts and get yourself out there people get to know you. Walking into a shop and someone says “oh I know you from Instagram you’re a blogger”, I think that’s the biggest thing.
Also my social circle has grown quite a bit. I’m really good close friends with people I didn’t even know 3 months ago, and attending events, getting your photo taken and meeting new people, some know you, some don’t. It’s all an experience and I’m loving it.

20. In the future where do you hope your blog will take you?

I want to work in the fashion industry obviously, what do I want to do? I’m not sure yet, editor, photo editor, stylist, influencer. I’m not sure exactly what yet, but I hope my blog takes me international, I’d love it to connect me with big brands, both high street and designer, I’d love it to take me to Fashion Week, especially LCM. We’ll see where it takes me. A lot of hard work and a little luck will pave the way. I’m excited to see where it takes me.

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I hope you found this post interesting and enjoyed this male take on Fashion Blogging and getting to know Damien Broderick,  I know I did, some great answers there, especially regarding him always admiring his Grandfather’s wearing of a suit! Exposure to great style from an early age has certainly rubbed off!

Be it style advice you can bring to the attention of your boyfriend/brother/friend or if you’re like me and just appreciate the beautiful, aesthetic of Men’s Fashion, this post has something for everyone and I hope you enjoyed reading it! Do you have a favourite Male Fashion Blogger and if so, who? I’d love to know!

As usual, I want to thank you so much for stopping by!

Gail. xx

Jim Chapman Images via: GQ & Burberry respectively.

Damien’s blog: Damien Broderick
Twitter: @BroderickDamien
Instagram: Damien Broderick.
Damien’s Facebook Page
Snapchat: Damien_b13