My Shopping Soulmate: Alannah Hill

The Romantic Soul Cardi, Her Startling Beauty Skirt, Alpha Fem Heels, Dark Beauty Flower, Sunday Love Tights, The Last Chance Headband, Flicking My Hair Dress

Apart from the one-piece weather, the thing I miss most about living in Australia is the shopping. One store that captured my heart and fired my wildest fashion fantasies was the iconic Alannah Hill. The style is lavishly romantic with a vintage-inspired eye-for-detail. Think princess frocks, outrageously glamorous accessories and lashings of sex appeal. All the pieces have fabulously evocative names. How can you resist the “Shut Up And Kiss Me Top” or the “I Am Grace Kelly Skirt”? Yes, you bloody are, my darling.

Shopping in AH is like entering a girly dreamworld with a dressing up box in every corner. It’s a playground for adult women who love glitter as much as they love silk. The boutiques are heavenly boudoirs and I want to live in one. You know how some people have a place they go to relax and gather their thoughts? Like a quiet park or a tranquil lake? Alannah Hill is where I feel at peace.

Folie A Deux

I recently went to the launch of a gorgeous new vintage inspired collection called Folie A Deux. As well as oohing and ahing at all the beautiful dresses, the evening’s entertainment included a ballet solo, a fashion fairytale recital and some very snazzy cupcakes. After the soiree Katie and Halimah, the two fabulous women behind the label, sent me a selection of pieces to review. Here are my thoughts and my pouts.

The Squeeze

Every dress in this range tells a story and the story for this one is, “Hubba hubba.” The thick fabric gives the perfect balance of stretch and support so that everything goes in an out exactly where you want it to. I don’t usually wear dresses with buttons down the front because they have a tendency to burst open at embarrassing moments, like when I’m asking someone to stop staring at my breasts. But the nautical buttons on this baby are just for show. It actually fastens with a cunningly concealed zip at the back, eliminating the threat of the accidental flash. This is a size Medium and it fits like a very sexy glove.

Gwen

In contrast to the sculpted Squeeze is this looser, more laidback tea dress. I added the belt because I’m very attached to my waist but you could totally go beltless for a grungier look. This frock makes me feel like a saucy 1940s farmer’s wife with a glint in my eye and an udder in my hand. I love the tiny pearl buttons that go all the way up the neckline. In this one I sized up to a Large to accommodate my heaving bosom.

Mirror Mirror

Every detail of this classic shirtdress is strategically designed to be as flattering as possible. The buttons are another stylish hoax so there’s no unsightly gaping, the seams are perfectly aligned to echo and enhance the hourglass silhouette and the dark green tartan is wonderfully forgiving. I really appreciate the thought for the wearer that’s been put into this dress. Perfect for a heady dose of daytime glamour.

For more bewitching dresses visit www.folieadeuxlondon.com