Style HQ

It's VIP Week!

Yes, it's that time again: VIP Week, the week when we reward our most loyal and valued customers with a secret code to get 20% off.

As a blog reader, you can claim your 20% off (that's off EVERYTHING on site!) by entering DPVIPHQ at the checkout. Or just download this voucher to use in store.

And what better way to use your VIP discount than on a VIP look? We've got loads of red carpet worthy pieces that'll get you VIP style in an instant.

Here's how to get some of our favourite celeb looks from the last week:

Avril Lavigne

Black tiered dress - SAVE £20

Emma Willis

Fit and flare belted dress - SAVE £7

Gizzi Erskine

Coral swing mac - SAVE £10

Kate Bosworth

Orange button back dress - SAVE £7.60

Vanessa Hudgens

Seventies print jumpsuit - SAVE £11

Let us know what you'll be using your discount for in comments x

Maternity Wardrobe Wonders

Hi Mummies to be!

We have a couple of great things to show you this week and it is all about prints at the moment!

 
Firstly we have this great tunic shirt shape in the super modern floral print. It comes with a cami underneath so you don’t need to worry about it being too sheer, I think it will be a wardrobe favourite which will see you all through summer and beyond!

 
The other hardworking piece we have for you is our tile print tunic - great with leggings, or jeans if it is still too cold (Grr!) Again I think you can wear for all occasions to show it off as often as possible!  

We have some great new summer dresses coming in really soon and also our summer casual jersey in all of the hottest colours for right now - so hang tight and see you soon!  

Lou on Maternity

P.S. Until 27th February, get 20% off everything - including maternity - with code DPVIPHQ

New York Fashion Week

We're very excited that London Fashion Week kicks off today, but before we get to that, let's take a look back at some of our favourite shows from New York Fashion Week.

New York played host to a vast range of designers, from Oscar de la Renta to Betsey Johnson, and we've picked out the ones we think will have the biggest influence over what you wear in AW11.

Let's take a look:

Marc Jacobs

 
 
We saw a lot of structured 50s silhouettes at the Marc Jacobs show, with long sleeves and midi pencil skirts giving a demure, sophisticated air. But, there was still an element of playfulness with unusual fabrics and cartoonish polka dot faux fur trims.

Victoria Beckham

 
As a style icon herself, she knows what women look for in a dress. This collection was her most experimental so far, with unusual shapes and bold block colours. We also noted the fabulous handbags the models were carrying!

Rodarte

 

Rooted in the heritage of the American prairies, this collection brought arts and crafts to the New York catwalk, with patchwork and crochet featuring strongly. We can totally see ourselves trying to pull of a prairie dress this Autumn!

Calvin Klein

 

A typically minimalist collection, in black, white and grey, its beauty was in its simplicity. Every piece was a modern classic, with subtle reworkings of the shift dress, cigarette pant and cocoon coat.

Did you have a favourite show from NYFW? Let us know in comments x

As Seen On... Margherita Taylor

It's always lovely to see Margherita Taylor on TV as she's normally heard-but-not-seen on Capital FM, but it's even more lovely to see her in a DP dress.

 
She wore our poppy print shift dress to discuss the BRIT Awards with Holly and Phil on This Morning. We're not surprised, as it's one of our most popular dress on site at the moment - so popular we've got a few different version available, if you'd like to get the look:

 
Whis is your favourite? x

 

BRIT Awards 2011

The best of the British pop scene came together for the BRIT Awards last night, and while we were watching at home, DP's Jennie and Jodie went along with Company Magazine to catch the action live at the O2 arena. Here's what they had to say about it:

"The atmosphere last night was incredible, and it was easy to get caught up in the excitement of the awards.

Take That's performance was a great way to open the awards - we've been massive fans for years so it was so good to see the five of them performing together.

Rihanna totally stole the show, and looked red hot matching her Giles dress to her hair colour. It's a risky look, but we love her unique sense of style!

Adele stunned the whole arena into silence with her incredible vocals, and everyone went crazy for Tinie Tempah, who totally deserved his two awards.

James Corden was hilarious and a fab presenter who kept us in stitches between performances. The whole night was an awesome experience, we loved every minute of it!"

If you watched the show last night, let us know what your highlights were x

Behind the Scenes at the LOOK Show with Guest Blogger Jodie Nellist

Things are really hotting up and it's super busy in the office.

We have supermodel Petra Nemcova headlining the show, so she’s coming in for fittings with the rest of the models. The DP fittings are going really well, and with loads of lovely pearl and flower inspired jewellery coming in, the outfits are really coming together. The whole collection feels very tropical.

 

Pop sensation Sunday Girl will be performing her new single...

 

And our guest celebrity straight from the West Coast is .... wait for it.... Olivia Palermo...

 

The goody bags are being packed full of super covetable gifts. There’s an Anna Lou heart-shaped purse, fake tan and the famous Cheryl Cole stripey tights.

With so many exciting things going on I wish I was a guest myself!!

DP search for new design talent....

At the end of last year, we launched a nationwide competition to find an incredible new design talent - the next Pucci, as we like to think.

Open to all top UK fashion schools, we asked students to design a print and mini collection for high summer 2011 with the winner receiving £500 to spend with us, a months internship with our design team and their winning designs sold in store and online at dorothyperkins.com

And we're excited to say that the entries have arrived!

We will be shortlisting the entrants this week with a panel of influential industry insiders choosing the overall winner in March!

Over the next few weeks Style HQ will be introducing you to the super stylish judging panel and finalists. You will also have the opportunity to cast your fashion eye over the entries and give your vote to who you think is worthy to be crowned DP's print competition winner!......

Too excited!

Love is in the air at DP HQ

V-Day, as we're affectionately calling it, gives us a great excuse to get all dressed up (not that we need an excuse.....) But what the DP HQ gals be wearing?

We asked five of our most smitten colleagues to share their looks and top tips for this Valentines Day in our new feature DP Goes On A Date.

From the classic dinner date to the rock chick gig date or even a mystery blind date we have outfit inspiration for all occasions. Tell us your favourite outfit & what you’ll be wearing this Valentines?

With Love,

? 

 

Money can't buy you love

Valentines Day is fast approaching, and if you're bored of giving/receiving chocolates and roses like we are... get inspired by our tops picks from fashion land which won't break the bank. In fact, they won't even touch the bank! They're all free!

Marc Jacobs Love Taxis

 
Marc Jacobs have a fleet of romantically designed cabs, ready to lovingly whisk you off to whereever you want (within reason!) for free. If you live in Manchester, Birmingham, or London, next Monday 14th (Valentine's Day) look out for one, flag it down and ride for free!

Mulberry Love Blossoms

 
Can't afford an Alexa or Tilly this Valentines? Well neither can we.... but the lovely people at Mulberry have come up with a Valentines gift for free - the Love Blossom Digital Card. Simply choose your seed, send it with a message and your Valentine will see their seed blossom on 14th, in front of their very eyes ... magic!

Spring Highlights

For your colour palette inspiration this season, raid the stationery cupboard, because we'll all be wearing dresses inspired by our highlighter pens.

Neon pinks, vivid orange and electric blue were all over the catwalks, but how do you work it into your everyday wardrobe?

 

Firstly, be brave, and embrace a colour you might not normally try. Then the key is to contrast the colour with the fit or fabric.

Take your cues from Christopher Kane and play down the colour with ultra-prim, ladylike tailoring, low hemlines and scalloped lace effects. Or, like Jil Sander, keep the silhouette simple and loose, letting the colour speak for itself.

You could try a fuschia 50s prom dress, or an orange lace peter pan dress. Here are a few ideas:

The future's bright - are you ready to embrace it? x

Images courtesy of WGSN.