The first item I am going to start the Fashion Oscars (FOSCAR’s) with is the oversized snake cocktail ring from Miss Selfridges. This ring has been nominated for Best Lone Accessory and Best Statement Piece.
This little number makes a big statement and in my opinion should only be worn as a lone accessory because of its size. If worn with anything else the ring would drown all the other accessories i.e. bracelet or bangles.
It has a great vintage feel to it but with a modern twist with the bling and being the size it is. Definitely a conversation starter and so far I have received observations such as “God that’s a small ring, can hardly see it” (!) or “OMG your ring is huuuuge”, which is why it’s been nominated in its categories.
And now (drum roll) this ‘little’ number has won the FOSCAR for… Best Statement Piece.
Coming in fast behind my reptile friend is what I can only describe a ‘totem pole’ look ring from the Limited Edition range from New Look:
This ring has been nominated for the Most Unique Looking category. The wonderful thing about this ring is that it is disguised as something that would found in an upmarket boutique or niche market stall but in actual fact it’s from a humble high street chain.
This has delighted many an audience when I have told them where it is from and kudos to New Look for pushing their brand ahead of their competitors by reaching out to a new market but not alienating their existing one.
Thus I think it’s only fair to give a special award to New Look for New Audience Recognition and Best Updated Brand. Although the next piece is not in the running for an FOSCAR I just love the look of it and again it’s from our purse friendly high street chain. Again it looks like it should belong to a little boutique.
Not forgetting our Totem Pole friend who definitely deserves the Most Unique Looking FOSCAR.
Next high street beauty I brought with the matching necklace as one has to co-ordinate you know ;) but mainly because it had to go with a sari I have too. It’s got more then one colour which includes my favourite colour jade green in it.
Not only a beautiful set but a multi-talented piece as the colours means it goes with many an outfit! Accessories like this are great for going with certain outfits or to brighten or update a plain outfit. FOSCAR awarded to this TopShop piece for All Rounder Statement Piece.
Moving away from the high street chains whilst on my travels I have found the best things can come from shops that are not are not particularly big or have other chains. Just before I got married last year I was in Ilford, Essex when my Aunty and I were in a fabric shop where she decided to occupy her time and mine looking at the same fabrics in ten shades.
I left her to barter with the sales assistant while I stumbled upon a basement full of delight. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and handbags adorned this tiny space. It was here I saw this ring and knew that not many people would have seen it and it was not mass produced by some huge chain.
This ring deserves the One off Piece FOSCAR as I have not seen anything else like this anywhere yet or in a high street shop either.
Staying within the small shops category I found this quirky little number in my own home town and first thought it was a brooch or something that a tie is held with. To my delight I found it was a ring and have had many complements for it. This little number gets the Most Quirky FOSCAR.
The next two pieces I found in the British Heart Foundation charity shop and as every good fashionista knows (or should know) the best bargains could be found in your local charity shop. Although not second hand items these rings were designed by the BHF to sell in their shops. They are sweet and pretty numbers and as well as feeding my desire for cool accessories I also contributed to a charitable cause which I recommend every one should do.
These beaded beauties get the Best Bargain from a Charitable Organisation FOSCAR.
Last but certainly not least we have the ‘Liquid’ ring from what I can describe as the happiest shop in the world called Octopus. If you have not been to one of these shops its something you should definitely do, even if you do not end up buying anything. They have a few stores scattered round mainly in London but there is one in Reading, Coventry and Bath. (If there is any more please do feel free to comment and let me know).
Going to this shop is an experience in itself as the stuff in there is the wackiest, and most original I have seen so far in any shop. The things in this shop you would never ever think people make or wear but people definitely do the latter.
So back to my liquid ring purchase, I fell in love with the colour as it’s a bright vibrant green and size wise it’s a bit smaller then the other rings featured on here but the fact it’s not got the normal stone or gem inside it, is what makes this a great purchase.
I discovered this shop believe it or not watching Coronation Street. The character Fiz Brown had a handbag in the shape of a watering can (yes you read it right, a watering can) and over the next few episodes she was carrying various odd shaped bags such as a bag shaped like a car and a tea pot!
I fell into lust with the watering can handbag instantly so hunted high and low for it and eventually came to the Octopus shop. So one thing leads to another and I ended up buying the watering can shaped handbag. People think I am crazy and I do get looked at when out but so far have only heard positive comments about it. I think people appreciate that people like me have the confidence to buy things like this and be proud to wear them at the same time, even if they do not have the confidence to do so themselves.
So we have a couple of FOSCAR’s here. The first one goes to the Liquid ring below for being Most Wacky but Cool along with the watering can handbag. I’d also like to award a FOSCAR to Octopus for being the Most Innovative Shop out there so far.
The next blog continues on with the Neckaces and Bangles FOSCAR's.
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