Monday 22 October 2012

Melissa's Autumn Style Guide

After a weekend of playing 'Culture Vulture', visiting all the great exhibitions we told you about in our last blog, we managed to kill two birds with one stone! As predicted at these super trendy gallerys we came across many an arty fashionista working the Autumn/Winter trends and experimenting with new, cooler weather ensembles. The great thing about London is the variety of different styles and people out there trying different things, encorporating the catwalk trends with their own, unique sense of style. So walking about you are bound to gather some style inspo where ever you go!
Now those chilly mornings and dark evenings have set in, Melissa suggests a good organise each season so you know what you have in your wardrobe before you shop for the coming winter months. That way you wont end up splurging on pieces that dont go with anything you already have, or buying a brand new camel coat when you already have that one you loved from last year! Any items that no longer fit with your look - like that shoulder padded dress you bought circa 1992 that you think you may wear again....but definitely won't...Or those patent high knee boots you splurged on last winter during the 'dominatrix' trend...(oh how that lasted!!) - sell on ebay to fund your new wardrobe! We love the A Pair And A Spare for some great tips on how to clear out your wardrobe, Click Here to check it out for yourself.

Here's just a few of the trends which we noticed out there, and ones which us Odabash girls will be sure to try out this coming season. We hope this gives you some inspiration....let us know what you're loving for Autumn  by tweeting @melissaodabash #melissasautumnstyle!


A great alternative to black is this seasons hottest colour trend, dusty pink. Cosy mohair jumpers or printed pencil skirts are great for working this trend. Team with dark shades of brown and black for a luxe look.


As alway, 'Heritage' is a huge trend this season. We love how former Harpers Bazaar Russia Fashion Editor Miroslava Duma wears hers. We love how she's added the bowlers hat for extra effect! Alternatively, go for oversized chic like this trendy lady from Frieze Art Fair.


One of Melissa's staple pieces each winter is a faux fur gilet - channel Elle MacPherson's casual look with jeans and boots, or go for Olivia Palermo's Upper East Side chic with leather leggings and a cashmere jumper...cosy to the max!


Following on from this summers 'Super Trend' of printed trousers we're happy there is a way to rework them for winter with boots and a chic taylored coat. Dip into this seasons hottest 'camo' trend with a pair of army print skinny jeans. Just make sure you wear them tight to avoid 90's girl band combat pants sydrome circa 2001! 


Every woman should own a taylored camel coat, so if you don't have one already, invest now ladies! We promise it will keep your look updated each season from now until the end of time. Wear with a flash of pastel, jewels or brights to nail this seasons look or go for a more timeless look with bright whites and denim.


Brights are still in for Autumn, so don't throw away your summer colours just yet! Make the transition by teaming them with your camel coat (as above!) or some neutral, luxuriously tailored trousers. Rather than going head to toe colour as in summer, this Autumn its all about the contrast. We think animal print accessories really work with this too. See Olivia Palermo's zebra print Mulberry hangbag, and this fashionista's leopard print scarf....gorgeous!


As we hit winter it is tempting to just resort to a good old pair of jeans to cover up those pins, which is still a great option. However, we are loving these girls translation of the denim trend into a cute shirt dress or pinafore. Not only gorgeous but really practical especially for those super sunny, but chilly days when you can't decide if what to wear! We love the cuteness of Alexa Chung's dress here, team it with black opaques if too cold! Or if you have supermodel legs up to your armpits, work those thigh highs we told you to throw away earlier...but maybe not in the PVC!! Opt for a killer soft suede instead...just dont get caught in the rain!

Friday 19 October 2012

Culture Vultures.

After last week's Frieze Festival & Old Vic Tunnels exhibition launch party, we're still in an arty mood here at Odabash Towers! And this weekend, we're spoilt for choice in London, with some great exhibitions opening. We want to go to them all but think we might have to limit ourselves to one or two this weekend (and save the rest for a rainy day!) - here are our favourites...

Hollywood Costume at The V&A

Opening tomorrow, this retrospective offers a glimpse of the costumes worn in iconic films over the past hundred years. Audrey Hepburn's little black Givenchy number in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Kirsten Dunst's exquisite Marie-Antoinette gowns, Kate Hudson's enormous yellow sapphire necklace & yes, even a certain pair of ruby slippers...get prepared to do some serious swooning!

Anna Karenina & Marie Antoinette

How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days & Mary

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

Titanic & The Wizard of Oz


Breakfast at Tiffany's - as if you needed to be told!


Tim Walker at Somerset House

We are in love with Tim Walker's body of work - always whimsical, exciting & unlike anything you've ever seen before, he knows how to have fun with fashion like no one else. Expect an exhibition you won't forget in a hurry...







Rain Room at The Barbican

Whilst normally we wouldn't want to spend our weekends in the rain, we'll make an exception for this amazing new installation at The Barbican. Comprising of a room in which it is actually raining, you'll be shocked to realise you aren't getting wet...can they not do this with real rain? Please?! Definitely not to be missed, watch this video, courtesy of the BBC below:




Chanel's Little Black Jacket at The Saatchi Gallery

Yes, we know we already featured this one, but we just felt we needed to reiterate how much of a must-see it is. As if you needed any more convincing, check out even more photo's from the exhibition below...



Karl Darling! & Linda Evangelista

Kirsten Dunst (not just one but two exhibitions this week!) & Natalia Vodianova


Which exhibitions will you be going to? We'd love to hear - Tweet Melissa @melissaodabash & let us know.

Have a great weekend!





Wednesday 17 October 2012

Staying in is the New Going Out

We're half-way through October & when the nights are getting darker & the air is getting colder, it takes a really special night out to drag us from our warm houses & early nights - but we won't be going into hibernation just yet, not when staying in is the new going out - yes, we're going to plan a dinner party!

Dinner parties don't mean slaving away over your oven all day with little in the way of culinary expertise anymore - & of course, you definitely don't want to be stuck in the kitchen between courses when you could be the hostess with the mostest at the dinner table! We recommend cooking up a huge bowl of pasta, simply with oil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, feta & olives, a big salad & lots of warm crusty bread & getting everyone to get stuck in - minimal effort, maximum appreciation!

Decoration is also a key-factor for a successful dinner party & there are so many great blogs giving ideas on how to give your table that je ne sais quoi for little to no money - check out our favourites below:













Friday 12 October 2012

Chanel-oh!

Last night saw the launch of the much anticipated Chanel 'Little Black Jacket' exhibition at The Saatchi Gallery, & of course, Melissa was invited! Charting the progress of the quintessential & original trophy jacket from it's creation in the 1950's, Karl Lagerfeld dug deep into his little black book of contacts (we're guessing it isn't that little!) & rounded up a plethora of his A-lister friends & photographed them wearing the Chanel bouclé jacket their way.

From Kanye West to Alexa Chung, Georgia Jagger to Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sarah-Jessica Parker to the high-priestess of fashion herself, Anna Wintour, Karl has documented them, not only creating the iconic pieces for the last thirty years as creative director of Chanel, but also taking the actual pictures themselves - is there no end to this man's talents?

See below for a collection of our favourite images & make sure you head to The Saatchi & check it out - this is one exhibition not to be missed!

Kanye West proves the LBJ isn't just for the ladies!

Elizabeth Olsen - a style icon in her own right

Georgia May Jagger - Rock Royalty

The gorgeous Joan Smalls wearing hers somewhat unconventionally - we love!


Alexa mixes up grungy & chic as she does best.

SJP is crowned Queen of Chanel & Uma goes New Romantic


Definitely not just one for the girls, check out these handsome young men(!) in their Chanel


Karl & co-writer Carine Roitfeld discuss the project & show behind the scenes of the shoot

Its The Weekend - Melissa's Hair Tips!

We've had a long but very productive week here at Odabash Towers with lots or exciting new projects that we're working on, we feel like we deserve some party time.... Here are our favourite hair do's and inspiration for pampering yourself for your night on the tiles this weekend - will you go big and voluminous? Or straight and sleek? Or perhaps try an updo with a big bun or a playful twist? Get your hair tongs out girls and send us your pics of your weekend barnets! Have fun!

Rosie Huntington Whitely working sexy voluminous curls - Va Va Voom!

Gorgeous beach waves


Style Icon Kate Bosworth looking stunning with her sleek, face framing hair do

Backcomb your barnet to create extra volume a la Bridget Bardot!

Neat buns are a super easy way to glam up for a night out, purchase a 'hair donut' to wrap your hair around to creat this look.

Cute and playful twists are perfect for that hot date or a night with the girls to keep your hair off your neck



Melissa's Interior Inspiration - Flowers in Test Tubes

How cute is this idea for table settings? Test tube vases!