the sun is out!

It seems that when the sun shines, everyone embraces it fully, with the knowledge that it probably won't last for too long. In my uni library, I've seen girls in lovely tribal jumpsuits (not easy to pull off, but pretty brave), far too clingy boob tubes and cute summer dresses. Unfortunately, I'm not one for getting much flesh out - I'm far too self-conscious, although I'm trying to be more experimental! - so I haven't yet joined the sunshine crowd. Anywhow, I'm mid-revising at the moment so I haven't been able to spend too much time thinking about fashion (apart from as a means of major procrastination) but I'm seriously loving the summer vibes - it gives me an excuse to shop for a whole new wardrobe!

Monochrome pieces for summer!

I have a slight obsession with black and whenever I'm stuck for something to wear, black ALWAYS works. It's quintissentially chic and yes people may say it's boring but I've found that just by adding a few statement accessories, your outfit can be transformed from city chic into something far more playful. Too many times, I've attempted to dress in 'crazy' colours but I've found I feel far more comfortable when my outfit contains a smidgen of black...


which is why, the new monochromatic trend for summer is absolutely perfect. It's wearable and summery at the same time. I really really want the outfit I've compiled together below (with all garments from Karen Millen). I usually think KM is a bit too WAG-trying-to-be-classy for me, but I really like the playful yellow accessories and the combination of the chic and the slightly tacky but fun accessories and printed skirt. Maybe I'll save my pennies, or just wait for the sale - one of the benefits of having worked there previously is that I have a few contacts whoo!

Alternative music = alternative fashion?

I've been really getting into 90's grunge at the moment. I've always been more partial to rock music but never really consciously expressed my music taste through my fashion choices, apart from a phase I went through where I wouldn't take off my 'Muse' T-shirt because I thought I was so hardcore. I suppose I wear an awful lot of black which people used to associate with being a 'goth'. I've definitely always been interested in the darker side of things. But rock music's not all about doom and gloom.

A fashion icon like Courtney Love, for example, went through her whole babydoll dresses, messed-up hair and big boots look for a while which really caught on because it was different to the stereotypical rock chick look of studs and leather. Someone like Shirley Manson is a huge fan of stripes (aren't most rock chicks?) and her ankle boots.

Even presenters or 'it-girls' have adopted similar styles to try and show their inclination for the alternative music scene. Take Alexa Chung... fashion sweetheart. Most of her looks are a fabulous mix of quirky naughty schoolgirl items and oversized grungy knits. The fact she's dating the singer of Arctic Monkeys only adds to the cool factor and has cemented her and her fashion sense as inherently 'cool'. Just take a look at Kate Moss and the millions of girls who view her as a style icon. I would probably describe her look as definitely rock-inspired with elements of boho thrown in the mix. It definitely works and stores like Topshop have become absolute giants on the High Street by capitalising on the 'cool' factor, adopting this rock and roll edge to their fashion. Let's just say, I can't walk around London without seeing this inspired look, from the studs to the leather trousers.

This, however, does not work when people who do not have any knowledge of the alternative scene think that by dressing a certain way and wearing a 'Bob Marley' T-shirt, they can automatically become stylish. It's not very difficult to point out the people who are doing it completely for the image and to me, there's nothing more cringeworthy than that.

I want to be a flapper!

I was so excited to go to Jasper Garvida’s catwalk show at LFW on Saturday. As his former PR, I was ecstatic to see the new lookbooks with my press releases –all the hard work seemed to pay off!! I have, however, realised how fake the fashion industry can be and the ease with which certain narcissistic people can forget your efforts after a few weeks have gone by but, anyway – now’s not the time for a personal rant at the injustice of humanity!….. I’ll leave that for my actual diary.

Although I’ve obviously seen his collection, presenting it to potential retailers and whatnot, I was still amazed by the beauty and class of it all. The muted colours and the elegant 1920s style were hypnotising – combining all this with one of my favourite songs ever, ‘Dummy’ by Portishead and I was pretty much in fashion heaven!!



The dramatic makeup of the models enhanced the Art Deco feel even further and I was practically drooling over their funky Charlie Chaplinesque hats (sponsored by Newurban Hats via moi !!) which were pinned onto the side of their head. Long curls, strikingly pale skin and heavily contoured cheekbones gave the show a very Florence and the Machine feel. I thought Florence would suit the Garvida look very well and look especially gorgeous in the long dramatic green and black satin gown. It cuts a very sharp silhouette, mixing heavy tailoring with femininity which is a bit how Florence seems to come across in her performances. To see his former collections and learn a bit about Jasper, who is a lovely lovely individual, check out his website at www.jaspergarvida.com which has his past collections as well.

Sorry Jasper's beautiful collection seems to be somewhat obstructed by the people in the front row, but I hope you can make out the art deco theme and the beautiful sillhouettes of his garments. You can click on the images to see them in more detail.



Gorgeous and thoroughly inspirational. I am definitely investing in some art deco inspired pieces in the not-too-distant future :)

The past offers a plethora of fashion inspiration

I have been researching fashion through the ages for my internship and have been discovering the joys of rediscovering old trends, especially 80’s fashion. Even though we laugh, many of the trends are sources of HUGE influence on today’s catwalk. The resurgence in all things from the 80’s has been hugely popular, from the exaggerated shoulder pads to the chunky knits, evoking ‘geek chic’. This geek chic look is sometimes matched with thick black-rimmed spectacles just to enhance the aesthetic effect. I, for one, think that this ends up looking rather contrived – like you’ve just raided a wardrobe from the 80’s for a tacky fancy dress party. To achieve the look effectively, you need to make sure you have the right amount of vintage and contemporary items to give it a quirky – not dated – feel.

My research has also reinvigorated my love for all things 60’s. I am currently obsessed with shift dresses – patterned or plain – and let’s face it, the mini is NEVER going out of style. I love the clean forms and shapes of Mod fashion a la the adorable Twiggy but I also adore the groupie-chic look as encapsulated by Marianne Faithfull. Long, shaggy hair with a blunt fringe, heavy kohled eyes and a shaggy faux fur coat = instant rock and roll glamour.


To be honest, though, I do admire rockers that experiment with their fashion like Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Agh, how I’d love to be in a rock band.

Gothic

I want these vampy Chanel lipsticks desperately. They have a sort of gothic feel about them and would look fabulous with some clean cat-flicked liquid eyeliner so that they remain the main focus of the face. I'm thinking a lace black dress, a net fascinator and a slick of Obscure Chanel Allure (the middle deep blue colour). That's definitely something I'll be saving up for.

Accessorize have some really beautiful fascinators at the moment that won't burn a hole in your pocket. I'd probably go for something like this quirky mini top hat fascinator, which is an affordable £26. I think it has a playful cabaret feel and would add such a dramatic element to your outfit.

inspiration

I'm hoping this blog can be a place for me to document everything that inspires me, mainly relating to art, fashion and anything that interests me really. I figure if I have a place where I can keep going back to things that really excite me, I'll be able to be inspired far more often than I am. I must remember to keep my camera in my pocket and take photos of everything I find beautiful or just plain interesting.

Today I explored the area of Chiswick High Road for the first time ever. It's a pretty affluent area of London with lots of cute little boutiques littered in between your standard WHSmiths and Cafe Nero etc. For my first day, my mentor asked me to go and research the charity shops and remark on a list of points like pricing, donations, presentation of the shop.

In the first store, I met Paula who's the manager of the Cancer Research UK Retro and Vintage shop. She's this wonderfully eccentric red-headed Dutch woman who has a real flair for everything a bit quirky. I found myself becoming so enthralled and frantically flicking through all the vintage gems crowded onto the rails. Garments ranged from glamorous fur coats which I have dreamed of for far too long; however, there weren't any in my size. I did, however, take the opportunity to buy a beautiful suede coat with a subtle leopard print design that is reminiscent of the late 60s/ early 70s. It conjures up the rock and roll glamour of the time and I can really imagine someone like Marianne Faithfull wearing it with a minidress back in her prime.

I also managed to find a proper vintage 80's chunky jumper at a fraction of the price of the Topshop copies that everyone seems to be coveting nowadays. There are some really unique dresses that would be great for parties and as Paula says, we shouldn't just reserve beautiful clothes for 'special occasions' but instead 'treat everyday as a party.' I think I'll definitely be taking that idea on board ;p

I was so impressed with the selection in the shop and I'll definitely be going again - it's like a little cave of treasures and if I had a limitless budget, I would have quite easily walked out the shop with everything!