LPA Styles It: MATCHESFASHION.COM Holiday

You most likely know this already from my over excited tweets, instagrams and snaps but I have literally not been able to wait to post this shoot! I spent the last week in stunning Soma Bay with Nik and Oz and while out there, aside from taking a billion *ahem* mildly obnoxious poolside pics, we also actually did work and teamed up with MATCHESFASHION.COM to shoot some of their insanely great holiday pieces in a few of the Egyptian peninsula’s mind blowingly beautiful locations. That’s a whole lot of adjectives I know but with pieces from Chloe, Zimmerman, Athena Procopiou and Isabel Marant to name but a few plus setting ranges from desert to beach, you can’t blame me really…

Sand & Sea

Is this or is this not, the most delicious “beach” dress that ever existed!? To be honest, I’d be inclined to call it one of the most delicious dresses full stop. From the delicate, floral print to the intricate broderie anglaise detailing and full swish-in-the-wine skirts, Zimmermann‘s confetti scallop floral print creation is one of those pieces that’s utterly enjoyable to wear. As for the Chloe Drew bag… I perhaps wouldn’t actually carry this on the beach (slash don’t own one) but a girl can dream, eh?

Wearing Zimmermann confetti scallop floral print cotton dress, £564, available here
Chloe Drew mini chain threaded shoulder bag, £1120, available here

Nautical

Good God I love nautical stuff. Sometimes it feels like my addiction to pattern clashing and offensively bright colours is at war with my weakness for stripes in white and blue. This is one of those outfits that is simultaneously cool, comfortable, easy to wear poolside and polished. The fact that the Thierry Colson top is basically designed to accommodate a hearty lunch in the prettiest way imaginable is totally an added bonus. It would also look super chic paired with pale summer skinny jeans for the city, am I right?

Thierry Colson Evita embroidered cotton top, £320, available here
Thierry Colson Macha cotton shorts, £179, available here
Eugenia Kim Courtney striped fedora, £245, available here
Sophie Anderson Alma woven cotton clutch, £308, available here

Print Party

Evidently I couldn’t resist the print for long! This wonderfully pattern clash-tastic combination is by an amazing Australian brand called Easton Pearson who launched a holiday collection in 2012. I am sure as hell glad they did! Due in part no doubt to a combination of climate and temperament, the Aussies just get holiday wear. This is the kind of combo that feels like you’re not wearing anything at all (a major bonus in the Egyptian sun) while keeping you non-naked and covered in glorious patterns. The bag is by the Muzungu Sisters and had me at “hello I’m shiny and covered in hand stitched pom poms.”

Easton Pearson Take Away contrast print silk swing top, £240, available here
Easton Pearson Take Away contrast print silk shorts, £165, available here
Muzungu Sisters Sicilian basket tote, £230, available here
Fendi square framed marbe print sunglasses, £229, available here

Terracotta

I utterly adore MATCHESFASHION.COM for so many reasons, not least because they are always introducing me to designers I’d never heard of before and instantly fall in love with. Juliet Dunn, the label behind this intricately embroidered sundress has in fact been around since the 1970’s which just shows what I know, right? Being able to just slip on an easy breezy kaftan like number and waft around not having to care whether your shirt is neatly tucked into your high waisted skirt (#fashiongirlproblems) is one of the things that make holidays awesome in my opinion. The fact that this dress also toes the boho line elegantly makes it a vaycay essential as far as I’m concerned.

Juliet Dunn embroidered cotton kaftan, £208, available here
Sophie Anderson Luz woven cotton tote, ££408, available here

Desert Storm

I am 100% certain that my feelings for this Athena Procopiou dress are not healthy. But then, look at the print! The cut! Those tassles! I defy anyone not to become hopelessly infatuated with it. Paired with equally tassle-y Isabel Marant earrings and a red lace Dolce & Gabbana clutch it is, in my opinion, the ultimate in hot weather glamour and there’s nothing I’d want to be sipping sun downers before dancing until dawn in.

Athena Procopiou Gypset floral print silk dress, £440, available here
Isabel Marant Mild tassel drop earrings, £110, available here
Dolce & Gabbana red lace pouch bag, £525, available here
Chloe Emilia squared frames sunglasses, £187, available here

I really, really hope you’ve enjoyed this shoot, we tried so hard to make it epic! Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Huge thanks to Soma Bay for providing the most stunning location, Oz for taking these amazing pictures, Nik for being incredibly patient while we spent the entire day doing this and of course, MATCHESFASHION.COM for providing the best holiday wardrobe on the planet.

Love Ella. X

Images by Oz Thakkar