The new way to propose: Lavin's Marry Me

Marry Me - the new fragrance from Lavin is the Poodle's latest beauty lust item. Attending its launch event, in the discreet and beautiful Lavin showroom, surrounded by dainty silk wedding dresses - vintage style slips and chiffon creations 'perfect for any city weddings' (the PR's assured me) I knew that whatever I was about to smell was going to be floral, romantic with an urban twist.

Their latest fragrance creation, which launches this month is supposed to encapsulate the impulsive love rush emotion-explosion felt when you want to propose 'Marry me!' or rather, this is what those two words actually smell like - intriguing non?

Well, I was intrigued, and it turns out that Lavin's sparkling, feminine fragrance with it's initial top notes of Tunisian bitter orange, jasmine and rose do go some way in expressing that youthful exclaimation. And it's certainly a head turner - I was asked 3 times what I was wearing in one morning. The warm undertones of white cedar, amber and musk make offer a comforting finish - perhaps, that is what marriage offers too? Comfort with musk.

Nonetheless it is a fresh and uplifting fragrance which I spritz whenever I want to smell deliciously girly. The advert for the fragrance fulfils my Parisian ideals perfectly too - a young and gorgeous couple smiling white smiles together, in the Jardin du Luxembourg sharing a very French looking bicycle and looking very much in love. La vie est belle in Paris it's true. But heuresement in London we still have Lavin - praise be!

Th Poodle is sure that this launch will provoke rose and bitter orange scented marriage proposals left right and center, making it a difficult one for your man to buy if you just want the fragrance and aren't really looking for a ring... hmmm problematic - that could interfere with sales. We'll see!

Lavin - Marry Me, available at Harvey Nichols from September 11th for £32, but goes nationwide in October. Lovestruck ladies - forward him this post now!

www.lavin.com

The Edge of Fashion

So the Spring/Summer shows have been paraded and assessed and one thing is for sure, edges are the accessory of the season whether they are crocheted, lacy, streamlined, ruffled or frayed. The Poodle investigates the edge of fashion....

The tearaway trend is one that has really caught my eye; I’m in love with Prada’s raw edged haut couture. Freshly cut silk blouses and shorts are shot through with the creative chaos of creation, giving a new meaning to ready to wear. Subtle but savage with threads a trailing and jagged frayed lines, this is fashion barely born.

Take a look at this:

Sophisticated but sexy, chic but not too proper, Prada has captivated the imagination of the Poodle, and the best thing is that it is thoroughly re-creatable on a budget- I’m tempted to rip, snip, cut and tear into my wardrobe, trimming length and teasing threads loose to recreate the whimsical yet feral femininity of these 2010 collections. What a fabulous crunch friendly fashion. The Poodle approves.

With this tearaway trend ripping up the runway now is the time to hurl yourself into vintage shops, charity shops and get hunting for a silk camisole, a satin patterned shirt, some skimpy shorts, and take them home with you and let the scissors loose! It may be messy but without looking ‘too much’ as the French like to say sounding ever so Anglophone. I agree! Let fashion rip!


And if the frayed edge look isn’t for you, there is a multitude of other ways to wear your hem. Karl Lagerfeld and Dolce & Gabbana opted for crochet for a home spun chic that is more gorgeous than granny, Madonna looks fabulous in D&G’s crochet wrap dress in their ad campaign although the Poodle thinks they should have let her finish her pasta before taking the shot!

Who would have thought that Madge ate carbs?

Lace is still a big OUI from the fashion authorities and if anyone did it justice on the runway it was Chanel with their fragile lace layering in shades of pastel pink and sugar white.

Luckily RARE have this great lacy number for £80 which won’t break the bank but will give you a girly edge over the fashionista competition on your next night out!

Fuffles, ruffles, frou frous and flounce flirted with many a model at the Spring/Summer shows, but the designer who really got the ruffles right according to the Poodle’s exacting ruffle standards, was Lavin, who came up with this fabulous feminine but feisty dress:


Fortunately you can buy this Lavin inspired ‘One shouldered wired ruffle dress’ on Asos for £38.00. Bargain beautiful!



How do you like your edges? Let the Poodle know your thoughts!