The Marques Almeida Sample Sale is Making Me Really Nervous

A weekly roundup of anything fashion-related that's made us excited about having bodies that we can dress with clothes.

MARQUES ALMEIDA ARE POPPING UP IN HACKNEY THIS WEEKEND

There aren't often many new designers that are incredibly influential, affordable, wearable and nice. Marques Almeida tick all of those boxes, if you consider budgeting your meals for a month in order to buy a skirt affordable, but I genuinely do, so… *shakes hair*. From the eponymous white tractor sole shoes which you can actually walk in, to the frayed denim and camouflage of the last collection, Marques Almeida are settling in at the helm of London's new and most exciting fashion. Luckily for me – or us, I suppose, if you insist on coming – they're hosting a pop-up at 99 Morning Lane in Hackney until Sunday, where you can pick up pieces for up to 50 percent off. This has coincided neatly with my payday, which was yesterday. Unfortunately my ability to actually buy something from this sale means I'm currently glued to my desk, sweating, worrying about whether or not I'll make it in time for all the best bargains. I'm sorry, it's not my fault I was born this desperate and selfish.

CLAIRE BARROW X MATCHES MADE A GREAT VIDEO

Claire Barrow X Matches from LOVE on Vimeo.

Until this week I had a) no idea that Claire Barrow had designed a collection for Matches, b) no idea who Skinny Girl Diet were, and c) no desire to use a clutch bag as a dancing partner. Evidently, from watching the above video, these things have all changed. I am now planning to spend my weekend in a black "ensemble", endlessly re-applying red lipstick and backcombing my hair with one of those novelty-sized cans of hairspray you get in costume shops. It also helps that the song they've covered (Dusty Springfield, DUH) was one of my ex-boyfriend's favourites, and he used to play it all the time as he gazed into my eyes lovingly. Uh, pretty much winning all round with this one.

AGYNESS DEYN DESIGNED SOME MORE GREAT SHOES FOR DR MARTENS

I love Agyness Deyn and I obviously love Dr Martens because they're the only shoes you can actually "wear in" without falling apart. When we were offered the chance to interview Aggy in her hometown of Manchester about the latest collection, we leaped on a train immediately. We were very, very early for the interview. Like, a week early. It was worth it.

VICE: Hi Agyness! So where do you find your inspiration?
Agyness Deyn: I suppose when I am looking for it, I start to see it everywhere. Whatever you’re doing, even in the most bizarre places like if you go hiking and you see an old couple hiking and they’ve got matching colours on. I love old people.
Yeah. Street signs, kids hanging out. I think when you’re looking for it, it is there. What do you like about Dr Martens?
I like a shoe that I can do anything in. It’s not like “Oh, I can’t do this because I’m wearing these shoes,” or “I can’t run over there.” I like a shoe where I can be on the move and change what I’m doing quite easily. If you could see anyone in your shoes, who would it be?
Audrey Hepburn. Maybe that’s a bit obvious. I can see a bit of Jackie Kennedy in this collection. It’d be amazing on her.
Oh yeah! That’d be really good. You’ve adjusted your style over the years, but you've always stuck with Dr Martens. Are they a staple for you?
Definitely. I had my black bowl cut and went through a phase of wearing black jeans, black T-shirt, like The Horrors – but you can wear the boots with that whole thing, you know. Whether I’m being girly or gothic or androgynous or with a suit or whatever, it works well.

Yup, agreed. So are you doing another?
Yeah, we’ve already done it! It's crazy. Woohoo! Thanks AD, I think we're friends now.

Follow Bertie on Twitter: @bertiebrandes

Previously – I'm Dreaming of Versace's New Hotel