Fashion Dupes

If you've ever read a beauty blog, you'll probably know what is meant by a dupe. For those who aren't quite sure, we're referring to usually a high street, copy-cat product that is cheaper than its high end predecessor, such the £4 MUA Undressed palette, which is a well known dupe for the first £38 Urban Decay Naked palette. However despite it being covered endlessly in magazines, something that I've noticed to be missing from the blogging world is the discussion of fashion dupes, so this is what I'm going to write about for you all today!

First up is this a plain white top with a sequin and laser-cut collar from Primark. Many of you will probably recognise this from a few months back as I was raving about it going so well with my pink Topshop jumper (see more here), but it only occurred to me when I had the idea for this post a few months ago how much it looks like the collars featured on almost every look in the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Though this show was a while ago now, I am not one to throw something out just because it wasn't shown on catwalks this year; this collared top is so pretty and simple, and though it may not be S/S 2012 anymore, collars are certainly still in.

White collared top, Primark, £8

Next we have a far more recent Primark purchase, and one that I think is a dead ringer for one of last year's stunning Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2014 pieces. Worn by Cara Delevingne with a matching skirt, this little number both embodies the sheer trend through its crocheted fabric as well as catering to the current pink renaissance we're seeing this spring. 

Crochet pink t-shirt, Primark, £8

Pair that with one of New Look's Burberry inspired midi skirts and you're in full Burberry duping business. There are several options to be had here; New Look have created a gorgeous dupe of the stunning bejewelled skirt worn by Malaika Firth, but also a less daring and slightly more wearable option in the form of plain geo lace pencil skirts in various pastel colours, almost identical to the ones seen repeatedly in the first half of the S/S collection.

Embellished pencil skirt, New Look, £29.99; Pastel geo lace skirt, New Look, £24.99

Lastly, this is more of a dupe that reminds me of a high end piece as opposed to being an exact high street equivalent. Nevertheless, I think anyone with an eye for fashion that had seen Poppy Delevingne in this stunning Emilio Pucci dress at the V&A's 'The Glamour of Italian Fashion' opening would certainly make the connection. Though a completely different shape, the print and colours on this H&M dress are strikingly similar to the Pucci gown, and that is certainly reason enough for me to get on board with it.

Floral skater dress, H&M, £7.99

(Some photographs have been taken from the internet and belong to their rightful owners)

I hope you've all liked this and do let me know if you'd like me to do more of these dupe posts in the future. It's not something that I'd seen much of on fashion blogs and I thought some of you high end dreamers like me might enjoy it! I hope you all had a lovely Easter break and be sure to check back in the next few days for my Best Dressed of April and Monthly Favourites posts!

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'The Glamour of Italian Fashion' Exhibition and The 'Ferragamo: Footwear, Fashion and Film' Event

As some of you may know if you've been reading my blog for a while, I've previously been lucky enough to get some work experience with the Victoria & Albert Museum. Last time I worked at an event organised by Fashion & Cinema called 'Audrey Hepburn: The Creation of a Style Icon'. All the speakers were fascinating and if you want to read more about the event, you can check out my post on it here.

This time Fashion & Cinema were hosting an event at the same time as the V&A's 'The Glamour of Italian Fashion' exhibition, with speakers discussing the life and legacy of Italian shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo. The speakers (Dr Guiliana Peri of Royal Holloway University and Stefania Ricci, the director of the Ferragamo Museum in Florence) were so interesting, discussing not only Salvatore Ferragamo, but Italy's larger influence on the fashion world. I was lucky enough to just have to check attendees tickets and then I got to sit in on all of the talks! Ferragamo had an amazing life, making his first pair of shoes for his sister when he was just 9 years old, going on to make shoes for stars like Mary Pickford, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, and not to mention inventing the wedge.

As well as getting to work at and go to the Ferragamo event, I was also generously given a complimentary ticket to the Italian Fashion exhibition! Though no one was allowed to take photos inside, I've included press pictures of the main pieces that wowed me as I went through the exhibition, and I honestly cannot recommend going to see it enough. Seeing couture up close was just unreal, and having studied Italian Neorealism I found the historical side of the culture really interesting.

The exhibition is a celebration of all things Italian fashion, displaying tailoring and the rise of ready-to-wear, Italy's relationship with Hollywood, iconic film costumes and finally, outstanding pieces that hit the catwalk a mere 12 months ago. I really can't explain the overwhelming feeling of sheer awe that I felt upon walking into the final room and seeing couture gowns; the detailing was so exquisite and such a pure expression of art. As well as the truly stunning dresses which honestly took my breath away, the V&A had also got hold of various pairs of shoes, bags and jewels; namely the insanely sparkly Bulgari jewels owned by Elizabeth Taylor. I am not really a major diamonds person, but these pieces even made a magpie out of me. 

Dolce & Gabbana Ready-To-Wear A/W 2013-14; Giambattista Valli Couture A/W 2013-14;
Versace Couture A/W 2013-14; Valentino Couture A/W 2013-14

Dolce & Gabbana ankle boots, 2000



Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari Jewels

(Some photographs have been taken from the internet and belong to their rightful owners)

Have any of you been to the exhibition yet? As I said I really recommend it if you haven't been or are umming and ahhing over whether to go or not. It has all been put together beautifully and the pieces on display are amazing. The exhibition is on from April 5th until July 27th, and I just want to say a massive thank you to the V&A for having me once again! It is such an honour to have the chance to work there and to be a very small part of such a quintessentially British institution. I love you V&A!

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