Fashion | Collaboration with Danubia Sousa

 

Ruffle body suit | www.rhona-anne.com | £45

I cant believe its been nearly 3 months since my last blog post! Since I started my new job in Fashion Merchandising, its gone so fast!
Anyway I wanted to share my recent collaboration with Brazilian fashion model Danubia Sousa. I've been wanting to gain some exposure for my brand and thought what better way than to collaborate with those in the fashion industry who have a much bigger following and who have their own sense of style. Its nice to see how others style my designs and also gets my name out there, which is proving to be very hard.
Danubia - who also modelled for me in my London Fashion Week show in 2014, chose to promote the ruffle body in Grey. She went on a recent trip to Portugal and I loved how she styled it with a simple pair of jeans and sandals.
Its such a beautiful body suit and although it might be better as a summer garment, it can be worn in so many ways - tucked into a skirt or flared trousers and then worn with a blazer on top or long chunky cardigan. Its simple to wear and comfy and I have had a lot of feedback from collaborating.
If you follow me a lot, you would have seen my other collaboration with Lauren Black, who is a big fashion blogger and promoted the same ruffle body in Black. She also styled it with jeans and got so many positive comments on Instagram.
Its exciting to see my designs on well known figures in the fashion industry and if you feel you can pull it off too and want to buy one, check out my online shop - www.rhona-anne.com.

        Danubia Sousa @danubiasousa in the Grey ruffle body | Portugal 2017.

 Lauren Black - @imlaurenblack  in the Black ruffle body | www.rhona-anne.com | £45

Fashion | Zante Lookbook

Outfit 1: Top: Topshop | Pencil Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look

Hey there! Sorry for the lack of posts recently but I have been busy seeing the world and enjoying the sun! A couple of weeks ago I travelled to the beautiful island of Zante in Greece, for a summer holiday and to celebrate my boyfriends upcoming 30th birthday. We stayed in a remote part called Kampi, which was out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by stunning greenery and mountains, so if you decide to visit there you definitely need a car to get around! In this area was the most stunning 5 star hotel called Mabely Grand Hotel. It was so glam and grand, with beautiful big staircases and a gorgeous lobby area as you came in, I just had to take photos wherever we went, as it was breath taking...

As you all know I love fashion and putting outfits together and absolutely love summer holidays, as I always feel I can dress up and wear what I want, without having to worry about covering up because of the weather! I wanted to share with you my holiday look book and how I put my outfits together.
Each night I wore something different and enjoyed wearing all my heels as I didn't have to walk far! I felt like a princess in every outfit and hope I inspire you all for your upcoming holiday looks!

Outfit 2 : Dress : River Island | Shoes : New Look

Outfit 3: Cami: New Look | Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look | Clutch: River Island

Outfit 4: Choker Style top: Missguided | Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look

Outfit 5: Powder blue dress: New Look | Shoes: New Look | Clutch: New Look |

Outfit 6: Lace top: Zara | Shimmer skirt: Topshop | Wedges: River Island | Box bag: Missguided

Outfit 7: Crop top: Missguided | Skirt: River Island | Wedges: River Island | Necklace: H&M

Outfit 8: Crop Top: Missguided | Pencil skirt: River Island | Wedges: River Island | Bag: Billybag London | Necklace: Accessorize

Outfit 9: Lace Top: Topshop | Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look | Necklace: H&M

Outfit 10: Choker: Zara | Top: Topshop | Shimmer skirt: Topshop | Clutch: River Island

Have you booked any holidays for the summer? Look out for my next post talking about all the top places we visited and where not to miss if your travelling to Zante!

Fashion | Setting up a business

It's taken me some time to pluck up the courage to write this post, so I thought I would share my story with you lovely followers about setting up a business and the struggles, my business being my own fashion brand - Rhona Anne - www.rhona-anne.com.

After completing my BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design, I graduated from Kingston University, London. It was the hardest three years of my life, stressful, demanding, challenging and I was constantly up against the likes of people who could never do no wrong, who could be the best of friends with the likes of Victoria Beckham, because it's who you know right? Not what you know?

I got through those three years though because I wanted to, I wanted nothing more than to get a degree and make a success out of my career, I went from an A grade in Art to a distinction in Fashion at college, to a BA Hons Degree and thought with those qualifications I could become a top designer for a top fashion brand/designer but I was wrong! After Uni I was even offered work experience but there was never anything at the end of it. I was so close, yet so far. Since then I've struggled to get my dream job. This frustrates me...a lot. As I'm sure a lot of graduates may feel the same, it still feels like your alone, like it was a whole waste of time.

So I decided that I wasn't going to give up and in 2014 I launched my own brand and made it personal to me. I wanted people to know me as my brand. It was a challenge to say the least!
I worked extremely hard to build it, I designed my own collection, pattern cut each design, toiled it up, I sourced my own production company, arranged endless meetings, designed and created my own website, had everything produced, set up social media, collaborated with bloggers and photographers on fashion shoots, had my designs featured in magazines, I even showcased at London Fashion Week, oh and I was a selected designer in the Midlands Fashion Awards and for the cosmopolitan show during Oxford Fashion Week but somehow it isn't enough... however, I feel if you are different, if you have something to offer someone, if your unique or talented in another way, even if there isn't a job at the end of it, never give up on your dreams, because its only you who can bring that to life. I didn't give up and I've achieved so much. You have to keep believing in yourself, one day Rhona Anne will be the next Dior, the next dream, the next designer someone looks up to. I think the quote is "Good things come to those who wait".
I'm proud of my business and sometimes I lose sight of that, I forget I've designed and built something from scratch and although it may take time, I will reach my goals.

To those who have knocked me down in life, who are you? what have you achieved? are you any better?
I may work in retail temporarily alongside working towards building my brand but I have a dream, I have a degree, I have qualifications, I've worked for Amanda Wakeley, I've travelled but most importantly I've worked so so hard and it WILL pay off in the end.
So please.....don't judge.

Oxford Fashion Week

London Fashion Week

 

 

 London Fashion Week

Girls just want to have fun photoshoot

Midlands Fashion Awards

 

 

 

Style | My Birthday weekend

 

Last weekend was my birthday weekend, well my actual birthday was on Monday (15th) but I decided to celebrate it across the 3 days as I had the weekend off and thought why not!?

On Saturday I went to London for the day with my boyfriend, and had the best day full of surprises.

We went early in the morning to avoid the rush and I couldn't resist a trip to Oxford Street for a spot of birthday shopping! (more to come). I must have bought something in every shop, as there is always so much choice in London.

After my shopping haul, my boyfriend surprised me with tickets to go inside The Tower of London. It was so beautiful, with various sections, learning about the history and also seeing the crown jewels. I loved it, as I love learning about history within the city and sightseeing.

We then headed to Chelsea to the famous little street featuring my favourite...pretty pastel coloured buildings. It reminded me of Notting Hill, which is where I visited last year. I adore the houses in London, as they are more town like and love how unique they are.

Around the corner, my boyfriend treated me to a hot chocolate and the cutest 'Chocolate heaven' cupcake on pretty pink cups and saucers..yes you've guessed it! Peggy Porschen café! This was my second visit and it felt so special to go on my birthday. Its just the most girliest and was the highlight of my day.

To end our day in London, my boyfriend surprised me again with an emirates cable car ride over the River Thames! it was so romantic and the best surprise. I loved every moment and definitely recommend a ride next time you're in the city, especially if you're visiting the O2.

 

 

Pink Suede Jacket : Zara | Lace Top: Zara | Jeans: Topshop | Trainers: Converse

 

Imitation Leather Top: Zara | Gingham Trousers: River Island | Shoes: New Look

 

On the Sunday I got to visit my cousin down in Somerset for a beautiful family catch up and birthday roast at The Railway Inn. I was surprised with a birthday dessert, as everyone who knows me well will know I LOVE dessert, especially if it includes chocolate!

 

On my birthday, I celebrated it with afternoon tea at Coombe Abbey Hotel with my mum. It was the most lovely setting, in the conservatory at the back of the hotel. We had scones, little sandwiches and different selections of cakes, with tea. It was lovely and took away the miserable rainy weather, which I didn't appreciate on my birthday! 

 

Black silk top: Zara | Snake print Skirt: River Island | Boots: River Island

             

To end the best weekend, my parents took me for dinner at Gusto. My favourite Italian restaurant of all time. To top it off I got a scoop of chocolate ice cream with a candle in it! Perfect.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!