Japanese Fashion

With Christmas and New Year approaching nearer, our customers may be thinking about trying something different, whether gifts for friends and family or a style update as a resolution for 2015. In which case HOW recommends following the ever-evolving style trends of Japan. Japanese style is known for being cute, daring and individualistic – much like the products at HOW! It relies on a variety of themes such as Victoriana, kawaii and taking influence from anime. We think Japanese fashion is a perfect fit for HOW fans as it shirks the norm, makes a bold statement and sets the wearer apart from the crowd. Japanese fashion produced many movements such as Lolita and cosplay. We have posted some examples of Japanese and Tokyo fashion for our followers and we encourage you to follow the most interesting of global fashions

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                                (Street fashion photos taken from www.tokyofashion.com, product photos from www.cutejapanesefashion.com)

House of Wonderland loves Capes

From Little Red Riding Hood and Super heroes to Russian Princesses and film stars on the Red Carpet, many have donned a cape over the years. No item of clothing so perfectly combines sophistication, innocence and adventure. ‘I am sweet,’ says the cape ‘but I am also fearless.’

Capes – the cloaks of the intrepid adventurer, the ingénue and the starlet are back, and the team at HoW is thrilled.

What other coat lets you feel like Superman, Audrey Hepburn and a wide-eyed kid filled with wonder, all at the same time?

While power dressing may be in, the Cape has more super powers than the world’s biggest shoulder-pads, and it’s pretty too boot.

Here HoW chooses our favourite of this seasons capes, and the HoW pieces which would go with them beautifully.

For pure luxury we love this pure wool cape from Cooper andStollbrand, available on Asos and now reduced from £200 to £135. The low key comfort of this cape would be perfectly complimented by these Pink Heart Illustrated Diamond Stud Earrings from HoW. Pink and grey are a beautiful and classic combination, the sobriety of the one set off by the ‘don’t give a damn’ frivolity of the other.

A black cape, such as this beauty with its cosy tartan lining, is a classic – and can be worn anywhere from the glitziest night out to a sledging expedition where the looseness of the garment leaves your arms free as you tumble into the snow. Brighten up the night sky of your cape with this full moon necklace from HoW.

Finally, if you want to go all out fairy tale, you can buy this Little Red Riding Hood cape from SewCookCreation on Etsy for only £19.39. Toughen up this look with this Betty Page Rose Necklace from HoW, and you are set for a magical winter.

My top 5 HOW products for spreading Christmas cheer

With Christmas fast approaching we are working hard to spread Christmas cheer over the lead up to the big day.  Over the past week or so we have slowly been introducing some of our Christmas goodies. So here is my top 5 ideal for spreading that festive feeling...

5.  SET OF 8 POLAR BEAR CHRISTMAS CARDS (£7)

Spread the festive cheer with our pack of 8 Christmas bear cards.  These cards each come with a rustic craft envelope and are printed in the United Kingdom.  The cards are printed on 300gsm cardstock and come bundled in string.  Get yours here.

4.  MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS BEAR GIFT TAGS (£4.50)

Great for getting the kids involved this Christmas! Get your little Elf helpers to help you cut and decorate our gorgeous bear cards.  Each pack contains 25 tags which could also be used as Christmas tree decorations!

Find them here.


3.  SANTA TREATS MAT (£13.00)

Our special santa snacks mat is perfect for all ages this Christmas eve.  Made from a sturdy hardwood it truly is magical! With a special space for everything and a little checklist, this mat will last year after year.  It is completely washable and is made to order.  Order yours now.

2.  THIS STOCKING WAS FILLED BY ... BADGE (£2.50)

These are the perfect way to finish off the magic of your stocking and gifts this year.  Once the stockings are filled pin one of our Elf badges to it.  They are pretty much the equivalent of an Elf business card! These are sent at random by our magical unicorns.  Grab yours here.

1.  PERSONALIZED CHRISTMAS CHILDREN'S LETTER FROM SANTA CLAUS (£4)

And here is my top goodie for spreading Christmas cheer.  And what could be more magical than a personalized letter from the big man himself?  Each A4 letter can be either folded and placed in an envelope or rolled and tied up with string.  Quick, go get yours now.

Have a truly magical weekend

Tess

That Festive Feeling

At House of Wonderland we are excited for the festive season, the one time of year where a girl can make herself sparkle like the fairy on top of the Christmas tree. Low key fashion is for once shunned in favour of full of glamour.

Here House of Wonderland put together our ideal Christmas party outfit, chosen for the girl who wants to shine!

The Little black dress is the centre of any outfit, allowing your accessories, makeup and natural beauty to shine. HoW loves this Cosmic Sparkle Maxi Dress from French Connection, in sequin which are perfect for reflecting those glittering Christmas lights.

The plunging neckline makes this a great dress for wearing with a statement necklace, such as this striking Amethyst Gemstone Necklace from HoW. The darkness of the dress will bring to life the vibrant colour of the necklace, making a bold statement, suitable for a girl who’s ready to stop an entire room as they turn to look at her. In this dress you will look like a siren from a Hitchcock film, and you could even wear HoW’s earrings, with a Silhouette of the famous director, a subtle nod to the old school glamour to which you are paying homage.

Team with a Smokey eye, as seen in this tutorial by celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge,  and high heels  (HoW loves these Polka Dot ones also from French Connection) but remember to bring a pair of flat shoes in your bag, because life isn’t fun unless you can dance.

Talking of flat shoes HoW loves these Ruby Slip ons from Pretty Ballerina, as they remind us of the Wizard of Oz, a pair of shoes you can click together to take you home for Christmas. Continuing with the fairy tale theme, these would be beautiful worn with House of Wonderland’s  Black Silhouette Peter Pan and Wendy Earrings.

 The Romantics among you could float through a starlit city in this pale blue dress from Monsoon, teamed with these Love Tattoo Swallow Stud Earrings from HoW, bearing the word Love.

Bonfire Night

Last night, Guy Fawkes Night (or Bonfire Night) was celebrated. The most British of holidays, it is of course commemorating the revolutionary/rebellion gunpowder plot to blow up the House of Commons (and murder King James) on 5^th November 1605.

 Fawkes was caught guarding the gunpowder near Parliament and he and his co-conspirators were brought before the king and sentenced to death.

Guy Fawkes is celebrated in many different ways. The most common ways are to attend bonfires, light fireworks, and sometimes effigies of Fawkes (and others) are burned. It also has become common for protests to take place.

Other than London, naturally, the biggest celebrations are held in the Sussex town of Lewes. At Lewes, a large procession takes place involving the townspeople dressing up in various costumes, carrying burning crucifixes to symbolise 17 protestant martyrs burned in the town during the 16^th century, burning various effigies (often including politicians as well as the standard Guy Fawkes!) and the night ends with flaming torches being thrown to the ground, which people then leap over if they’re up to it!

HOW hopes all our supporters had an excellent Guy Fawkes Night.

Melissa