Trick or Treat! Halloween fashion inspiration

I think by now we all know how much I love Halloween; horror films, pumpkin carving, ridiculously over the top makeup... it's my kind of holiday. However, if your idea of fun doesn't include trawling eBay to put together a DIY costume, or purchasing half a gallon of fake blood, then here is a high-end Halloween fashion fix especially for you.

What happens when one of the most creative fashion photographers of all time joins forces with the king of the macabre? Magic, that's what. The beautiful dark kind of magic that is perfect for this time of year. I'm taking a look back at a 2009 collaboration for US Harper's Bazaar by two of my favourite people – Tim Walker and Tim Burton.

From Gucci, Gaultier and Givenchy, to custom Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen, and even a Rodarte-clad Edward Scissor Hands, the results were beautiful. This is Tim Burton's vision, wrapped in couture and brought to life by the incredible props that are synonymous with Tim Walker's work.

If you are in need of further inspiration, I have put together a selection of high-end Halloween accessories. Even if you aren't one for costumes, you can't tell me those Charlotte Olympia shoes wouldn't brighten up a day at the office! That being said, I am leaving my McQueen safely at home on Saturday night and have put together my costume for under £5. I'm afraid I have learned this lesson the hard way – mixing drinks can be trouble, but mixing alcohol with couture is much worse.


Clockwise from left:
• Spiderweb body by Victoria's Secret
• Harness skull ring £235 by Alexander McQueen
• Lace skull box clutch £1395 by Alexander McQueen
• Kitty flats £365 by Charlotte Olympia
• Victorian jewelled skull ring £265 by Alexander McQueen
• Claw-print zipped pouch £80 by Undercover

You can read more of my ramblings on Tim Walker and why his work is so special here.
All Tim Burton images via Harper's Bazaar © Tim Walker

Once upon a time in the West...

Round Up Leather Sandals, £695

I love Charlotte Olympia for the same reason that I love Sophia Webster – she combines fashion and humour to produce accessories that make you smile and drool in equal measures (now there's a delightful image for you!). We all know that there's a fine line between fun and tacky, therefore I'm continually impressed that these ladies can incorporate flamingos and cats or pineapples and chili peppers into their work and not lose any of the glamour.

Today I want to share a few items from Charlotte Olympia's It Happened Out West SS15 and Down Mexico Way Resort collections. From cowboy heels to a chili pepper clutch, this woman really knows the way to my heart....

Chili Pandora Perspex Clutch, £825

Celebration Meredith Linen Sandals, £9925

Bandana Pandora Perspex Clutch, £695

Smokin' Perspex Shoulder Bag, £1,645

For lots more fabulous accessories, including piñata, taco and sugar skull bags, head over to www.net-a-porter.com

Top 5 Halloween treats!

Inspired by the Charlotte Olympia Halloween collection that I featured last week, I thought I'd put together a Halloween themed Top 5 featuring her beautiful bat print shoes. If you aren't one for a ridiculous head-to-toe Halloween costume (don't knock it 'til you've tried it...), you can still get into the festive spirit with some fabulous spider web lashes by Paperself or this stunning orange take on the classic Alexander McQueen skull scarf.

MAC even have a Halloween makeup collection by legendary special effects artist Rick Baker, featuring items such as this acrylic paint that lasts for 12 hours. Perfect for so many Halloween looks!

1. Alexander McQueen skull print scarf, £165 www.net-a-porter.com
2. Paperself small spider lashes, £10 www.paperselfstore.com
3. Charlotte Olympia desiree bat-print suede pumps, £545 www.net-a-porter.com
4. Chanel Ombre Essentielle soft touch eyeshadow in Black Star, £23 www.boots.com
5. Mac Acrylic Paint in basic red, £16 www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Bride makeup look by Rick Baker for MAC

The Halloween Collection by Charlotte Olympia

With Halloween just around the corner I couldn't resist sharing these fabulous shoes from Charlotte Olympia's Halloween Collection. It's a real challenge to make a pair of pumpkin themed shoes look stylish, but she has certainly succeeded. I think the gold trim and fluttering eyelashes might just be the key! This has to be the cutest footear I've seen since Marc Jacob's mouse flats...

Trick or Treat embroidered suede slippers, £495, Net-A-Porter

I must confess that I love Halloween, possibly more than Christmas. It's perfectly acceptable to dress in a ridiculous costume, consume far too many zombie cocktails, then snuggle up on the sofa and watch the The Nightmare Before Christmas whilst eating copious amounts of Halloween themed chocolate. And don't you think all of this would be made even better by the addition of a pair of pumpkin shoes? That's what I thought.

Bite Me Kitty embroidered velvet slippers, £495, Net-A-Porter

If cats are more your thing, then you might just fancy a pair of these little cuties, complete with sparkling red eyes and fangs. And as if all this Halloween themed footwear isn't making me smile enough, check out this perspex clutch! Thank you Charlotte, I'm officially in Halloween heaven.

Sucker for Pandora perspex clutch, £995, Net-A-Porter

All images ©www.net-a-porter.com