River Island Spring/Summer'12 Press Day.

Walking through the streets in London on Wednesday, I felt a cold breeze against my face. I snuggled up in my woolly hat and suede boots and passed numerous Christmas markets. The smell of pine cones and sugary pastries following me everywhere, along with the sounds of Christmas tingling in the background. Come to 20 Woodstock St and it's a whole other story. Welcome to River Islands Spring/Summer'12 Press Day; big beats, pick & mix, fruity drinks, palm trees and a whole lotta colour! I think the majority of us can safely say we all felt slightly out of place, dressed in our winter essentials! Spring/Summer is divided into 6 different collections all voicing individual needs for the River Island customer and all equally as gorgeous!
'MIAMI'  takes strong influences by Latin America prints teamed with an all time loved 50's silhouette. This collection was the first as you walked in the door and it is, quite literally sizzling! For me it totally holds that Versace look too, completely in your face! Some will look at this and find it makes them feel ill or if you are like me and don't mind a bit of OTT you'll find it totally fabulous. WARNING - Must be taken in small doses.
'SPRING BREAK'   lot's of snaps taken on this collection, it was simply ADORABLE! Totally girly and completely got the 90's 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' thing going, as a friend of mine pointed out! To my American readers, remember 'Lisa Frank' stationary? This has it down to a tee! I can't get enough of the matching crop top and jeans in the first picture. It makes me wanna whack it on, get myself down to a basketball court in NYC and start doing the 'dougie' to Kris Kross 'Jump'!
'PRAIRIE'  This look is gonna go down a treat at the festivals, be prepared to see Kate Moss rock up in cowboy boots and the studded fringe belt below, such a massive statement peice and trust me, you'll be seeing a whole lot more of studs this season! It's a sexy 70's revival look that's making me want to blast out some Fleetwood Mac and dance around with a daisy chain on my head... Peace y'all!
'ETHNIC'  is all about texture and color. Embroidery playing a huge part, with loose knitted jumpers in an array of colours in tribal/folk prints. It's a look that will also be hitting the festival scene, but its got more of an Coachella feel to it with the bold colours and hints of bling embellishment on the accessories. This collection is completely chanelling Nicole Richie!
 'PURIST' Androgynous dressing is what it's all about right now. 'Purist' offers clean silhouttes teamed with casual tailoring. Colour waves combining both metallics and pastels with digital prints, everything is just screaming the 90's and brings me right back to my childhood! Even the shoes have gone 'flatform', with a sportswear influence (we all loved an Adidas trackie and matching zip up set, back in the day right?!).  This collection is perfect for going from a day in the office to drinks in the evening with the girls. 


'SUGAR'  If you love sparkle, florals and have always dreamt of being a princess, this is the collection for you. It's completely sickly sweet with pink pastels in sheer fabrics, buttercup ruffles and applique florals on every garment. It's completely not me, but I couldn't help being drawn to it. It's utterly touchy feeling and for any teen Prom Queen, it holds probably her every desire for 'the perfect wardrobe'. There's a patterned pink/white suit in there that Cher from 'Clueless' would be parading around in no time...

Thank you River Island for inviting me down, I had a fab time and the collection is simply gorgeous. Also big thank you for my pick & mix, which provided me with my dinner on the way home! The decision of whether to start with a candy bracelet or flying saucer was a toughie! I have many more pictures which you can view on my Facebook page by clicking HERE !

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