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by The Backseat Stylers | June 5th, 2013 
No one does the novelty clutch quite like accessories designer Charlotte Olympia. Before we discovered her whimsical wares, we never would have considered paying top dollar for a python banana clutch - or the matching shoes, for that matter. And yet we find her cheeky designs utterly irresistible.
The latest? The ‘Take Pandora’ perspex clutch. From the Hollywoodland collection for Pre-Fall 2013, this fun clapperboard clutch is perfect for film and fashion fans alike. And there’s even a pair of film roll sandals to match. One of each, please!
Available at Net-a-porter for $995.
by The Backseat Stylers | April 24th, 2013 
London-based accessories designers Charlotte Olympia and Tom Binns have collaborated on a punk-inspired collection of shoes and bags, in honour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibition opening this May.
The limited edition line-up will feature punked up versions of Charlotte Olympia classics, including the Dolly Riot, Anarchy Kitty, and Punk Pandora. The offerings will be sold exclusively at Charlotte Olympia’s flagship stores in London and New York, as well as through charlotteolympia.com starting on May 2.
The last time Charlotte Olympia collaborated with another designer, it was Olympia Le-Tan and the result was S’s adorable Charlotte’s Web book clutch. I have the distinct feeling her CO collection is about to grow yet again.
 
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by The Backseat Stylers | April 4th, 2013 
If I read my horoscope today, I’m certain it would be predicting a fabulous new bag or shoe acquisition in my immediate future, and it would be right. Charlotte Olympia‘s just-launched Cosmic collection is irresistible to astrology and accessories fans alike, and I’m both.
“I’ve always had a thing for all things mystical,” says designer Charlotte Dellal. “I don’t live by astrology but I do love to know other people’s signs; I’m quite good at guessing.”
Dubbed “Birthday Shoes” and “Zodiac Pandora,” the line-up features 12 crystal-embellished loafer designs and 12 matching handpainted Perspex box clutches. Each star sign is represented, from a bull against a black setting for Taurus to a set of scales against a soft blue background for Libra (my sign!).
“I’m a Gemini and they’re supposed to be youthful and witty which is something I try to apply to my work—I enjoy a good giggle! However I much relate to the indecisiveness, and I’m often of two minds about something,” she says. “Usually I like my own sign best, but this collection makes it really hard to pick favorites.”
I’d have to agree. The entire line, which retails at USD$695 for the shoes and USD$995 for the clutches on Net-a-Porter and will be arriving at The Room at The Bay‘s online shop in May, is completely swoon-worthy. Will you be repping your horoscope sign with a new Charlotte Olympia accessory this spring? Take a gander at the gallery below for the complete collection.
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by The Backseat Stylers | January 31st, 2013 
Back in September, mere days before Fashion’s Night Out, news of a collaboration between accessories designers Charlotte Olympia and Olympia Le-Tan broke. The two had teamed up on a Charlotte’s Web-themed collection that included shoes and a clutch. Having been a huge fan of the book as a child, I knew I had to get my hands on the limited edition, hand-stitched book clutch.
This would turn out to be a feat easier said than done, since the mini collection was being sold exclusively at the Charlotte Olympia boutiques in New York and London. Yours truly was nowhere near either of those cities, though I refused to let that fact get in the way of me getting my hands on that clutch.
Because some shopping secrets are better left unshared, suffice to say that with a little determination and luck the mission was accomplished. The whimsical clutch arrived on my doorstep shortly after the collection launched, and I became the owner of #8 out of only 16 created. I daresay that Charlotte and Wilbur would be proud.
  
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | January 30th, 2013 
While Charlotte Olympia‘s kitty flats have been spotted on the likes of Anne Hathaway, Alexa Chung and even Lena Dunham, it’s the high-heeled version that have found a regular spot in my shoe rotation. My black velvet pair have served me well (see the evidence here and here); so much so, in fact, that I’ve got my eye on a second pair.
A bit of online window-shopping recently led to the discovery of the existence of navy velvet kitty pumps. The words “navy velvet” alone are enough to get my heart rate up, never mind the whimsical cat faces. Obviously, I need them too.
Feel the same way? They’re available at Net-a-porter for $695.
xx, S
Image Credit: Net-a-porter
by The Backseat Stylers | January 22nd, 2013 
A move to a new home and the launch of a new blog series, A Peek in the Backseat, have had me digging into the deepest, darkest corners of my closet of late. I’ve found all sorts of gems I’d forgotten about, including this 3.1 Phillip Lim peplum dress I purchased over three years ago.
I took it out for its inaugural spin recently and fell in love with the ladylike frock all over again. Here I thought I was all peplum’d out thanks to the biggest fashion trend of 2012, but it turns out I’ve always been partial to peplums, and always will be.
What wardrobe treasures have you rediscovered lately?
 
3.1 Phillip Lim dress / Charlotte Olympia x Olympia Le-Tan clutch / YSL shoes / MAKE UP FOR EVER makeup
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | November 28th, 2012 
By now it should be blatantly obvious to you that I’m a serious Charlotte Olympia addict, and I must confess that it’s an obsession that shows no signs of waning. In fact, a festive email heralding the upcoming release of an exclusive holiday collection from the UK-based accessories designer popped into my inbox yesterday and made me squeal.
Glitter kitty flats, ‘Jingle Bell Dolly’ pumps with detachable bells, the classic CO ‘Pandora’ clutch with a gilded ribbon clasp – I want it all! You hear me Santa and/or the Mister? All of it. But if I must settle on just one, finding the mistletoe-adorned ‘Kiss Me Dolly’ platform pumps under the tree would surely make my Christmas. (Not so subtle) hint, hint.
The holiday collection will be available exclusively at the Charlotte Olympia boutiques in New York and London, as well as on charlotteolympia.com and net-a-porter.com, beginning December 4. In Canada, The Room at The Bay will be stocking the two cheerful ‘Dolly’ styles. You’ll want to take note of that, Santa.
xx, S
Images courtesy of Charlotte Olympia
by The Backseat Stylers | October 10th, 2012 
On the morning this photo was taken, I was being hurried out the door by the Mister (a daily occurrence, actually) and had little time to think about what to wear. I threw on a floral printed blouse, the tweed pants I’ve been wearing embarrassingly often of late and my favourite velvet cat pumps, pondered for a split second whether flowers and cats go together, and then decided I was in too much of a rush to care.
It is, of course, on this day that George Pimentel decided he wanted to take my picture (a rare occurrence), with the resulting image ending up being included in FASHION Magazine‘s coverage of Ann Taylor’s launch event. There’s an important style lesson in that story there…I just haven’t figured out what it is yet. I’ll get back to you. In the meantime, hey look! I wore cat pumps and florals.
xx, S
Erdem blouse / Theory pants / Charlotte Olympia shoes / Balenciaga bag / Banana Republic necklace / YSL ring / MAKE UP FOR EVER makeup
Image Credit: George Pimentel
by The Backseat Stylers | September 8th, 2012 
Alexa Chung in Moschino
Fashion industry insiders and fans around the world celebrated the fourth edition of Fashion’s Night Out on September 6, and a few of our favourite celebrities joined in on the sartorial fun. In New York, Alexa Chung donned Moschino to host and DJ the brand’s FNO festivities, while Jennifer Hudson attended QVC’s event in whimsical Charlotte Olympia pumps and a little red dress from her line for the television shopping network.
On the other side of the pond, Cheryl Cole chose a lace and velvet peplum number for a FNO date with Giuseppe Zanotti, and actress Amber Anderson wore a white Jonathan Saunders frock to the Mulberry bash. Miranda Kerr took part in FNO festivities too, sporting a printed Erdem dress to a party for her skincare line in Australia. All around the globe, fashion was indeed enjoying a fabulous night out.
Jennifer Hudson in Charlotte Olympia
Miranda Kerr in Erdem
Cheryl Cole in Giuseppe Zanotti
Amber Anderson in Jonathan Saunders
xx, S
Images via Just Jared, Mulberry
by The Backseat Stylers | September 4th, 2012 
News of freshly-hatched collaborations arrive in my inbox weekly it seems, but I have never been as excited as I am for the one announced today: Charlotte Olympia x Olympia Le-Tan. Charlotte Olympia is my favourite shoe designer right now, hands down. Olympia Le-Tan currently has no presence in my closet, but I’ve been waiting patiently for the book clutch designer to choose a book cover that would have special meaning to me. It took teaming up with Charlotte Dellal, but it’s finally happened.
The two designers have created a limited edition mini collection inspired by my most beloved childhood book and one that I’ve been reading to my son of late, E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. In addition to an embroidered book clutch, Charlotte Olympia’s signature ‘Dolly’ shoe has been produced with Charlotte’s Web-themed inscriptions like ‘Terrific’ and ‘Radiant’ and dubbed the ‘Miracle Dolly’. My 6-year old self is overjoyed and, quite frankly, so is the slightly older present-day version.
The designs will be sold exclusively at the Charlotte Olympia boutiques in New York and London on Fashion’s Night Out on September 6, with 10% of the proceeds being donated to FNO’s official charity, Refuge. I won’t be anywhere near either of those cities, but I will find a way to get my hands on my very own Charlotte’s Web book clutch if it’s the last thing I do!
xx, S
Images via L’Officiel
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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