Freebie Friday – Chelsea Girl

How awesome was April? Fab weather, bank holidays and the Royal Wedding! Being the first Friday of May (how did that happen?!), it’s FREEBIE Friday!

And this month it’s all about River Island‘s Retro Chelsea Girl label.

I first spotted the label at Westfield’s Big Fashion Wardrobe and since then I stumbled upon their pop-up shop at Selfridges.

   

             

Chelsea Girl was the first fashion boutique chain (established on Kings Road in 1965), which eventually became River Island in the 80s. It’s popularity peaked in the 70s and the collection really fits in with this season’s return to Seventies style. The collection is being trialled this Summer, but if sales are good Chelsea Girl may well be here to stay… so get shopping fellow-lovers-of-previous-era’s!

I love the entire collection and think it definitely deserves a look, if not about twenty purchases!! My current favourites include:

Ever so retro Brown Print Dress (£25), Cream Print Skinny Jeans (£35), Patchwork Skirt (£65) and Beige Crop Chelsea Girl T-shirt (£15). And HOW CUTE is the Mini Rucksack (£30)?!

This month the lovely people at River Island have given me a Grey Chelsea Girl T-shirt (it’s a size 12, but would look fab a little oversized on a 6/8/10 too!) and a Chelsea Girl cloth bag to giveaway.

I think I’d customise it, probably turn it into a cropped tee and wear it with my beige high-waisted suede shorts and red platform heels!

There are several ways to enter: comment on this post telling me how you would style the t-shirt if you won it, follow me and retweet my Freebie Friday tweet on Twitter and/or subscribe to my blog! Each one counts as a separate entry 🙂

Good luck, the winner will be announced next Friday!

Have a lovely weekend and do let me know if you make a visit to the shops!

LDNShopaholic xxx

Fashion Event – Big Fashion Wardrobe at Westfield London

On the weekend I went on a little shopping spree to Westfield London, and stumbled upon their ‘Big Fashion Wardrobe’.

Of course it’s every girls dream to have a walk-in wardrobe, but this took it to another level! Various shops including River Island, French Connection, NW3, Firetrap and Ted Baker had set up pop up shops resembling wardrobes with various themes and decor.

My personal favourite was Ted Baker which had a garden theme and their wardrobe had faux greenery attached as well as deck chairs!

My favourite collection was River Island’s Chelsea Girl. I literally wanted to buy EVERYTHING!

Funnily enough… Chelsea girl is a re-launch of the brand which became River Island. The website states ‘Chelsea Girl was a high street favourite of the 60s, 70s and 80s before evolving into River Island in 1988’. There was a great selection of print tops and little boxy shoulder bags.

I thought this print dress was so cute and could be dressed up with heels and a long length necklace or down with brogues and a skinny belt.

Other noteworthy wardrobes were Paul’s Boutique for the hot pink-ness and decor. French Connection followed the ‘era’ trend including this old school TV/piano combo and mannequin with slightly provocatively spread legs…?!

I’m still in love with French Connection’s Shelby’s Summer Maxi Dress which they also had on display… though I think the price tag is a little steep at £155!

They also had huge bag and shoe walls…. *swoon*

My favourite pair had to be these black wedge sandals by Marta Jonsson.

Westfield always seem to be having fantastic retail events (as well as having too many shops for even me!)… so check their website regularly or sign up to their newsletter to stay updated.

This week they’re launching the ‘Fashion for Relief’ Pop Up Shop endorsed by Naomi Campbell which will be open Tuesday 5th– Wednesday 13th April 2011. It will be selling designer outfits, raising money for The Prince’s Trust (I do love fashion related charity events!). I’m going to try to head over so will blog about it if I do!