Met Gala 2013: PUNK

As someone who used to pierce her own ears with safety pins at school lunch time and torture her poor mother with Buzzcocks on repeat, it's safe to say I was fairly excited about this year's punk theme for the Met Gala. While I wasn't expecting much from the attendees by way of legitimate punk ensembles (see: Kim Kardashian, Anna Wintour et al) I did let my own imagination run away with me. My invitation obviously got lost in the post but had I attended I like to think I would have worn one of these gorgeous looks:

Givenchy AW13 look 48 (quirky hair et al, natch)

Jonathan Saunders AW13 looks 7, 16, 40 - what says punk better than vinyl corsetry? (I'm a bit obsessed and may have ordered a pair of the black vinyl high-waisted trousers from this collection..)

Roksanda Ilincic AW13 looks 9 and 29 - if we're really getting into fantasy land I would have worn this pale pink PVC coat on the left with the pink top and pink PVC embroidered skirt on the right. Too much you say? It's a PVC punk dream! (in reality I have bought that coat and I'm counting down the days until it's mine!! Are you noticing a theme?)

In reality on the red carpet there were three types of outfits last night: those who looked nice but not even remotely punk, those who looked like they were attending a tacky fancy dress party, and those who did it well (of which there were few). I totally respect the people (namecheck: Anna) who opted to dress well and not touch the risky punk theme - this is a $25,000 a head event after all, how many of these people are really punks? Far worse were the *cough* Madonnas of this world who looked like they were wearing a cheap Halloween costume.

I've rounded up a few of the better punk ones below:

 

Ok so I'm doubly biased here but how good does Daisy Bevan look in Roksanda Ilincic?! Embroidered PVC punk perfection

Carine Roitfeld in Givenchy. The ultimate

Sienna Miller in Burberry. One of my favourite looks of the night, but only because it's what I wish I'd worn

Cara Delevingne also in Burberry. Love her faux undercut french braid

Chloe Sevigny serving up MAJOR punk attitude in Proenza Schouler and a turban

I don't care for the Topshop dress but this hair is EVERYTHING. Punk? I don't know. But it is different. I love it. Kind of Sofia Coppola's interpretation of Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette, dancing to Siouxsie and the Banshees Hong Kong Garden in the ball room

Lily Cole in Vivienne Westwood. Good grungy hair too

Anja Rubik in red leather and chainmail Anthony Vaccarello

Miley Cyrus in mesh Marc Jacobs. Shame about the Billy Idol 'do

Elle Fanning in Rodarte. Cool, out there, different = punk

Dree Hemingway in Stella McCartney. Slightly boring

Mary-Kate Olsen in vintage Chanel. She has the eccentricity and the attitude down for sure

I'm on the fence about this Valentino gown on Anne Hathaway (it reads a bit cat woman to me - and not in a good, Michelle Pfeiffer kinda way) but props to her for trying

Bona fide punk legends, Blondie! 

And the pretty punks:

SJP got it spot on in Giles and a Philip Treacy fauxhawk 

The infallible Lauren Santo Domingo in Dolce and Gabbana

Leelee Sobieski in Dior couture. I love the simplicity and the subtlety of those gorgeous sleeves and her slicked back hair. She's always one of my red carpet favourites.

The gorgeous Alison Williams in perfectly punk-y Altuzarra

Carey Mulligan in Balenciaga. A how to in punk chic. Nice safety pin

K-Bos just for being so damn hot in Balmain

Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood

Aubrey Plaza (of Parks and Recreation) in be-caped Marios Schwab

Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte 

Constance Jablonski in bondage style Wes Gordon

Gisele, very close to a wardrobe malfunction in shorter than short Anthony Vaccarello

Alexa Chung in Erdem

Rooney Mara in Givenchy, with Ricardo Tisci

Not even remotely punk but I love me some Sofia Coppola. Chic incarnate (seen here in Louis Vuitton with Marc Jacobs)

Special mention goes to Kim K for trying. I don't really have anything against this Givenchy outfit, I mean it's not hugely flattering on her, but THE GLOVES. Dear god, why the gloves?!

Things I'm obsessing over this week..

With the recent couture shows and the unveiling of Pre-Fall collections I'm beginning to feel that itch for key pieces to freshen up my wardrobe and give it a bit of life. I'm not sure if this helps or hinders my attempt to stop spending but I've been scouring my favourite online boutiques to round up all the things I'm currently obsessing over in one place for you.

Most of my wishlist feeds directly into my ongoing obsessions with great knitwear, printed trousers and more recently, the art of layering. I mean who doesn't need a chunky white Stella McCartney jumper or Acne trousers printed with dollars? These are staples, nay, necessities surely..

While I usually try to refrain from buying into seasonal trends lately I am overwhelmingly drawn to any and all coloured fur and/or holographic surfaces - and anyone who knows me (and my favourite Margiela camel toe boots) knows I love a quirky accessory!

*My pick of the week* I know I can't technically justify purchasing this most expensive and pointless Fendi fox fur keychain but a girl can't choose who which inanimate object she falls in love with, right?! I dream of attaching it to my PS11. Someone hide my card!

1. Acne trousers £320 
2. 10 Crosby Derek Lam top £270 
3. Acne bag £300 
4. Stella McCartney jumper £436 
5. Maison Michel hat at Motilo.com £485 
6. Fendi fox fur key chain £192 
7. Stella McCartney holographic ipad sleeve £145 
8. Aint Laurent sweatshirt £100 

Girlcrush: Solange

My latest girlcrush is the reinvention of Solange Knowles. Sorry, B.

Style-wise she's been quite hit and miss for me over the years but recently she has been absolutely killing it. Just look how hot (below). The hair, the clashing prints of the green suit, the moves! Oh the moves! I can't get enough of this.



The younger Knowles sister has become a star of the NY fashion circuit since her style makeover in 2010, see some of her finer moments at various fashion week events below.

Sale Shopping Wishlist.. and some current season too

In the spirit of sticking to arguably my most necessary new year's resolution, and retaining the ability to pay my rent, I have cut myself off from further spending. But that doesn't stop a girl from looking does it?! Here are a few of the absolute STEALS I've spotted online, get in quick before I change my mind!


1. Jil Sander shoes 2. JW Anderson jumper 3. Carven dress 4. Roksanda Ilincic for Matches charity top 5. Margiela boyfriend jeans 6. Stella McCartney coat 7. Altuzarra jumper 8. Marc Jacobs heels 9. Proenza Schouler jacket


Of course, like any self-respecting fashion girl with a shopping habit, browsing the sales always results in my losing my way and inevitably lusting after/ obsessing over current $ea$on pieces too. Currently on my hit list..

1. Tibi sweater 2. J Brand boyfriend jeans 3. Charlotte Olympia heels 4. Rodarte t-shirt 5. Stella McCartney bra

Srsly tho can someone come and block all of these sites from my laptop? Thnx

Rollin' with the Hermes homies

I think it's important to not take fashion too seriously and be able to poke fun at ourselves from time to time (see: P'Trique).

Anything that allows me to make a witty pun about a major French fashion house AND reminisce about Clueless at the same time definitely ticks all my boxes, so I was pleasantly tickled to discover this dope sweater. Compare and contrast (and sing along with Brittany Murphy) for yourselves below.

Mini-trend anyone? If I could stand Celine Dion - or name more than one of her songs - I would totally be into this t-shirt too..

Sweatshirt, Brian Lichtenberg. T-shirt, REASON. 

New Year's Resolution #2: in which I stop $pending

Ok it's time to 'fess up re sample sales! Yes ladies it's that time of year again and I hit them. Hard.

While I was left disappointed and empty-handed at Christopher Kane (Balenciaga rumours or no, £600 for a white origami shirt is madness!) I fared somewhat better at Nicholas Kirkwood, Roksanda Ilincic AND Lulu & Co. Much to my husband's dismay.

Long live AW12 and beyond!

In classic Lara style, as George Craig would say, I also hit the online Boxing Day sales pretty hard from the comfort of my own bed. The only downside to which is waiting for delivery/ having no money for food come January..

I think it's time to admit I have a problem.


Shoes, Nicholas Kirkwood. Turban, Roksanda Ilincic (image from Resort 2012 lookbook). Shearling jacket, Lulu & Co. Trousers, J Crew. Boots, Maison Martin Margiela.

Rest of outfit worn with jacket: T-shirt, COS. Jeans, Topshop. Dress, Preen (old sample sale buy!). Shoes, Christopher Kane (old sample sale buy!). Is my life strung together by sample sales? ;)