Glastonbury 2013

Festival season has finally arrived and the first major festival to hit the scene is Glastonbury. This year they had another amazing line up including Gabrielle Aplin on the acoustic stage, The Rolling Stones making their Glastonbury debut and the Arctic Monkeys return to the pyramid stage after 6 long years.
And WOW, what a weekend!

The Acts & The Festival Fashion

Rita Ora (picture to the right) dazzled us with her strong voice and catchy tunes in this little red number. This dress / leotard was revealed after her red riding hood cloak was removed and I have to say immediately it reminded me of The Great Gatsby. The tassels yelled 1920's along with the luscious red lipstick BUT the leotard kept the outfit in date.
The 1920's look has been filling our fashion magazines recently and has definitely made an impact on this years summer night trend. Flapper dresses, vintage jewellery, cute T-bar sandals and silk robes have been flooding our shopping rails. I have to say I ADORE the look, especially being a lover of red lipstick and vintage jewellery.
Overall I think Rita has definitely chosen an outfit to remember!

Katherine Jenkins (picture to the left) has gone for 'my version' of a typical festival look. I believe a good pair of wellies are essential for a BRITISH festival - rain and mud are never a good mix. Katherine has taken the wellies trend and teamed them up with a floral shirt and a pair of denim shorts. This is another festival trick - wear wellies but keep that summery look. She has also partnered up her floral shirt with a flower hair accessories; a very popular item for the music festivals as it gives you that hippy feel!
If you look closely she is wearing a few bracelets stacking them with her music festival wristbands. This is my FAVOURITE trend and an absolute MUST this year! You can mix and match with this idea - chained, macramé, friendship bracelets and even bangles all on one wrist. You could even combine this trend with the summer colours this year - NEON! Neon is another brilliant idea for the music festivals especially if there are UV lights about; you will be glowing.

Arctic Monkeys (picture above) were the act I was personally looking forward to watching on my TV screen and GAWDDD didn't Alex Turner look mighty fine! Chopping his hair off into an Elvis quiff together with a suit and shirt has done him wonders. I have to admit though he still came across as self assured, even though he stated in an interview with NME before Glastonbury 2013, "Am I nervous? Yeah, a little bit." Looks like he didn't let his nerves get the better of him!

Well on that note I have to say once again the festival was AMAZING even when watching the highlights on the TV and I can't wait to see what the other music festivals do to compete!

COMPETITION TIME!

It's COMPETITION TIME over at Ashleigh's Recktro Accessories Facebook page -
https://www.facebook.com/AshleighsRecktroAccessories

You just have to like and share the competition post which is pinned to the top of the Facebook wall as well as follow the new Twitter page -
https://twitter.com/AshRecktroAcc

Doing 2 of these things means your name gets put into the hat 2 times but if you do ALL 3 it means your name gets put into the hat 3 TIMES! If you do already follow the Twitter page you will be automatically put into the hat.

This competition gives you the chance to win a Russian Doll Macramé Bracelet which will be made to measure your wrist and you even get to choose the cord colour :) so HURRY competition closes on Wednesday 5th June at 6pm and the WINNER will be announced that very night at 9pm!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE :)

 

@AshRecktroAcc

Finally don't forget Ashleigh's Recktro Accessories is now on Twitter so you can get regular updates and FUN tweets!

Met Ball 2013

The Costume Institute Ball 2013 has finally arrived! This annual occasion celebrates the opening of the Metropolitan Museum's fashion exhibit. The very special red carpet event is attended by many celebrities ready to dress to impress. The attendee's were asked to dress Punk this year, so I couldn't resist to check out this latest fashion trend walking the walk!

The 4 W's - Who Was Wearing What?

Sienna Miller (English Actress / Model / Fashion Designer)

Sienna embraced the on trend spike look (picture on the right). She mixed the elegant and punk chic by wearing a spike leather jacket over the top of her flowing white long dress. This brilliant idea makes the leather jacket wearable to a high profile event like the Met Ball.
She teamed the leather jacket up with a spiked hair accessory which I personally LOVE! The hair accessory has only got spikes half way which gives it that unique 'Recktro' look and gives Sienna the advantage of sweeping her hair to the side to give her more of a punk chic edge.

Recktro Rating: 

9/10

Olivia Wilde (American Actress)

Olivia attempted the punk bondage look (picture above). Even though the dress isn't the typical punk look, it still has an edge due to it being a bandeau dress. This style reminds me of the ripped t shirt punk era. She also wore stacked bracelets; a combination of chained and cord bracelets. I LOVE THIS!! This 'Recktro' edgy look is wearable anywhere from an event like the Met Ball to the beach.

Recktro Rating: 

7/10

Madonna (American Singer Songwriter)

Madonna took the theme in her stride by wearing many iconic punk styles (picture on the right). Spikes and studs were seen on her jacket and belt. This spike trend has now made it's own comeback this year and are seen on jewellery, bags, purses, jackets and many more items. All you 'Recktro' lovers will know I am mad on spike jewellery and I am now looking into making new items including this trend which I can't wait to share with you all soon! 

Madonna is also wearing the iconic punk tartan pattern jacket including chains which I LOVE as this gives her a unique punk look, as most of the other attendees wore punked dress/play suits.

I feel soon as she has embraced everything punk; she should have worn some heavy boots like Dr Martens. I think that this would have completed the outfit perfectly.

Recktro Rating:

6/10

This is just a glimpse of the Met Ball 2013 and which celebrities/outfits stood out to me.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Punk look which will be the trend of Summer 2013 :)

Celebrities SPOTTED!

Macramé / friendship bracelets have been around for years but just recently they have been seen on celebrities and now can be bought from all the designer and high street shops.
Jessie J (R&B / dance-pop artist) has been spotted wearing a crystal shamballa bracelet. This trend I believe has been the most popular. I think this is due to the fact that the bracelets can be worn to everything - from casual events to elegant balls.

Did you know?
Shamballa also known as shambhala is traditionally a mythical kingdom that Buddhist (Tibetan) believe in. It is supposed to mean enlightenment, peace and perfection. Today it is used for meditation purposes.

Shamballa bracelets are just like the skull macramé bracelets and aren't just for girls! Jay-Z (rapper / R&B artist) was pictured wearing this smoked shamballa bracelet for the Rolling Stones magazine. He has paired the bracelet up with his watch to give it that laid back feel.

 

Lauren Conrad (The Hills star / fashion designer / author) was snapped posing; showing off her stacked friendship bracelets. The combination of bright colours are perfect for summertime and the festival season - you could even match up the colours with your festival wristband!

Alessandra Ambrosio (model / Victoria's secret angel) was snapped at Coachella 2013 wearing stacked beaded macramé bracelets with a few beaded bracelets, silicone bracelets and bangles along with her festival wristbands. This idea is the perfect festival look and is definitely my personal favourite!
Alessandra is also wearing the new neon trend. Neons are the spring colours for this year and are another brilliant festival trend. She has even matched one of her beaded macramé bracelets with her neon shorts --
LOVE THIS !

Macramé

Macramé / friendship bracelets may be simple but they look extremely effective. You can stack them up on your wrist or even wear them as an anklet. An essential for the festival season and perfect to match up with your festival wristband. These bracelets have even been spotted on celebrities!
There are many patterns available including square knots, fish tail plaits and even ones that contain charms / beads.

The picture on the right is of the square knot pattern. I believe this pattern is the most common and the most popular due to it being a very a sturdy design. This pattern is most commonly used for shamballa bracelets.

Shamballa bracelets (picture on the right) really have stormed the high street. The square knot pattern makes the bracelet easy to wear around the house, but the sparkly shamballa beads give the design that glam look making the bracelet suitable to wear to an elegant ball.

The two pictures on the left (peace bracelets and skull bracelet) are brilliant examples of beaded macramé bracelets. Both bracelets use the square knot pattern and have had beads slotted on to the cord.

I feel these bracelets give the macramé design that rock edge along with the bright eye catching colours giving them that retro look. They are perfect for stacking with plain friendship bracelets and would be ideal to wear to a music festival.

The pictures on the right are two different examples of macramé bracelets that contain charms. Again both are created by using the square knot pattern as it is a sturdy design enabling the cord to take the weight of the charm. The fuchsia bracelet includes a cute Russian doll charm. I think this unique little treat is perfect for all ages as it is comfortable to wear and can be made with a charm of your choice.




The purple and blue bracelet includes a lovely bird connector. I think this is another design that would be fantastic to wear to a music festival.
Both these bracelet can be worn with other macramé / friendship style bracelets or even on their own.

On the left is a picture of the fish tail pattern. This pattern is very similar to a normal plait but instead of using 3 strings, you use 6 and the colours are more striking in the diagonal colour design. As well as the colours being more distinguished on a fishtail pattern, the design is more stable than a normal plait allowing charms to be connected onto the cord.

This Anchor bracelet (picture on the left) is a brilliant example of the fishtail pattern put into action. The turquoise, navy and white colours along with the anchor pendant carry out the nautical theme, perfect for your beach holiday. The bracelet is then finished off with end fasteners, a trigger catch and an extension chain making it perfect to fit a variety of wrist sizes.

The last picture (on the right) is of a 'name' macramé bracelet. This bracelet is made using the twisted square knot design which gives it that twirling look. I believe that you wouldn't have to have your own name on this design, you could have a loved one's name / names which would make an adorable gift.

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The BRIT Awards 2013

One of the biggest annual events is back! If you missed it then make sure you watch the replay or watch via the internet. If you think it's a waste of time then make sure you just watch Taylor Swift's, Justin Timberlake's, Mumford and Son's and One Direction's performances - ALL AMAZING!

The 4 W's - Who Was Wearing What?

Little Mix (Pop Group)

Little Mix's quirky style caught my attention this year (picture shown on the right). What really caught my eye were the 3 headbands worn by Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade. Perrie's (far left) flower headband was very unique tying in with the Hawaiian theme that will soon be hitting the high street in Spring/Summer. Jade's (far right) bow headband was also cute and retro catching the eye of all us 'Recktro' lovers.
I also noticed Jesy's (middle left) large black earrings which meant even though she was dressed elegantly, they gave her that rock chic look.

Ashley Roberts (Pussycat Doll / Runner Up in I'm a Celeb)

Ashley's style, even though it was plain and simple, stood out from the crowd (picture shown on the left). She kept to the gold and black colour scheme which gave it that rock edge. The chunky black bracelet and long gold earrings added a contemporary and elegant look but they also tied in with the rock edge she created.

Preeya Kalidas (Eastender's Actress)

Preeya's style was very similar to Ashley Robert's style but in a more 'out there' way (picture shown on the right). The dress in particular really stood out for me as the style was very retro/rockabilly but the wet look material created that rock edge. This dress would be any 'Recktro' lover's dream!
She accessorised with a chunky gold necklace which again is very similar to Ashley's style but I feel the necklace gave the look a more urban edge. Looking back at what I have said about this style, I feel Preeya has combined 3 different styles in one which makes it unusual and unique.

Thank you for reading. This is just a glimpse of the BRIT awards 2013 and the styles that caught my eye!

Hawaiian Jewellery

Hawaii

Hawaiian prints have been slowly making their way into the limelight - well they got there in the end! Vogue have placed Hawaiian prints in the top 15 trends of Spring / Summer 2013. Think birds, leaves, flowers, greens, blues and reds. Designers like Kenzo and Isabel Marant have all included this trend within their 2013 range.

Image above - Hawaiian trends in Vogue.

Hawaiian Jewellery Trends all include the typical features for example birds and leaves etc. I have started noticing products popping up in high street shops like Topshop and New Look. The Hawaiian jewellery I have seen tends to have a unique vintage look with a slight flash of colour along with a bird or leaf pendant.

I have tried to experiment with this look by creating a bracelet (see picture on right). I used peach freshwater pearls to create a flash of vintage colour and also to represent shells. I used a bird connector to join the pearls and chains together to give the bracelet it's unique flare.

I used a leaf pendant at the end of the extension chain (see picture on the right) to give it that added Hawaiian look.

I also tried to experiment with this look by creating some earrings (see picture on left). I used the bird connectors like on the bracelet to give the earrings that Hawaiian flare. I used purple Swarovski element xilions to give them their vibrant look.

So keep your eyes peeled for this unique look and WOW your friends with this latest trend!

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