Collard and Manson photoshoot Mood Board

Fan Death

Fan Death, Sisters of Transistors and heartbreak are three new bands def recommend you listen to!

or Just to look at for inspiration!

Ultimate Gloves

Have a look at these gloves on http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Glovedup-Gloves

If only i could afford them- Pierre Hardy!!

I am in love with this seasons collection of Pierre Hardy's shoe collection. Great fur Killer heels and shiny high tops- just hope they go down in price in the sales so i can actually manage to afford a pair!!!

Originality I thought was key!!!

Madonna has moved from Versace to LV. Claudia Schiffer has moved onto YSL from so many brands lost count. How many ways a celebrity can an individual be portrayed... think its time for some fresh faces to appear inside our glossies, and these brands to try something new!

Styling Head to toe!

Organising photoshoot for Thursday. Want to create style head to toe.. found these great images for hair pieces.

Admiring Parisian Street Style

15mins of fame. Love the fact that the best dressed list are not being filled with the high profile A-listers, being over styled with the help of a team of assistants. Style is what comes naturallay and Parisian Louise Ebel has is rising star of street style. Seen on varies sites- You have just got to admire Parisian street style... http://misspandorapandora.blogspot.com/

Refinary 29

www.refinery29.com- Take a look!!! X

Covert Candy- The new Ebay!!!

Recently recieved a message on facebook about an up and coming sight Covert Candy. A new Social Community that revoutionises the way you are able to get hold of your clothes. Best thing about it there is no cash involved. The site is a trading platform where you are able to sell clothes you dont want and earn credits.

Cant wait till its up and running- think its a brilliant idea!!!

www.covertcandy.co.uk

Jessy Galore - Anti Fur Phtoshoot

I sat in on a photoshoot carried out by Jessy Galore, second year photography. Her images are on the emphasis of anti fur.

Inspiration taken from Clothes Show Live!

I swore to myself that this would be definitely the last time i visit the clothes show! This was the first time in years i had not worked at the event, but thought would go and just check it out anyways. I did however come across a few very talented designers who were selling their own designs. Mindless mammals were selling great retro sweatshirts with hand printed designs. Most things i did like i felt were way over priced. Feel in love with some woollen socks with lace and button detailing, as well as a chain with a gun pendant- which i bought but later decided to give to my friend for his birthday. One stand had purchased a deers head from the royal theatre which i loved but unfortunately was not for sale!
Doing a photo shoot for a new boutique in Nottingham this Thursday and picked up a great top hat with net detailing for it, for a bargain £13!!!!!
My other purchases included-
Vinatge 1940's lace gloves
Vintage Pearl Chocker necklace
2 matalic cashmere (well so they said!) shawls.
Vinatge mahogany coloured jumper with 2 silver deer symbals.
Mindless mammels white sweatshirt
And best of all a large patent leather slouch handbag which i LOVE!!!!

Clothes Show Live- What makes the difference of a try hard and a well styled man???

Saturday could be said not to be the best day to visit, if your trying to avoid the crowds! But it was in the hope to get the best representation of visitors. To conduct my personal research I was scanning everywhere for male shoppers. Looking around it was clear for another year, it was predominantly female consumers present. The few men which I did come across and noted there style, were the ones working at the event itself. In all honestly they were most defiantly the most well and uniquely dressed guys outside the streets of Shoreditch. Their style did vary, which strongly differed from the uniform of Ugg boots and jeans worn by female shoppers everywhere! Their style did represent the style of the stall they worked, but they showed more uniqueness and style then female colleagues. From being there it did make me start to question can dandyism just be related to tailoring? Boombox and the Pharell phenomena was demonstrated by some, with a laid back approach to dressing. These guys showed to express more creativity and seem to be at a younger age range to other men. Designer of Mindless mammals and a guy promoting an up and coming London magazine were defiantly the best dressed of this trend, but both very different.
Was difficult to work out what sexuality of the magazine promoter. Wearing a silver glitter jacket and a Chanel chain made out of lego- was either flamboyant homosexual dressing or a guy who just extravert!
Tailoring was more evident among vintage stall holders who looked like they had taken inspiration from further back in history. They were far more conservative and formal in both customer service and posture.
Bolongaro Trevor stall had Stewart Trevor himself working, the founder of the up and coming brand- and founder of All saints. He demonstrated the most characteristics associated with dandyism. Highly knowledgeable in regard to clothing, and evidently concerned how he was portrayed. When photographed- asked for it to be re-taken numerous times- and even requested that I deleted them in front of him. Friends Clive and Junior working along side Trevor- both carried great style. Clive clashed a tailored suit jacket and jeans with shiny silver converse. Their poses demonstrated a strong masculine stance, but Juniors tucked in jeans were placed in Male Ugg’s!!- A far from femmine man claimed to wear them as his feet hurt! An in between of both styles was found in another guy working for an up and coming Parisian magazine MP, but with him to it was difficult to work out his sexuality. All men were to busy to conduct an interview but all were happy to give their details and talk about their style and way of dress.
Was really interesting that every guy photographed part from Stewart Trevor was Afro-Caribbean.
Male consumers which I did pass and not take note were extremely metrosexual, and were described by Lauren Reed my shopping partner for the day as ‘Try hard’s!’. But how can you describe a guy who has the uniform of low slung jeans and T-shirt as a try hard- and not give that label to a well groomed and turned out man?
The clothes show may not be the best place to find a vast amount of male shoppers. This was also clear from the fact when watching the Catwalk show presenters only spoke out ‘How you doing girls?!’ Its clear than just assumption that 98% of the audience were female but still? The event did get me thinking, part from two Clive and Junior the rest of the males photographed were from London. Was it that I was just on the look out for well dressed men that I didn’t notice the girls? Or was there just none truly out there? All the well styled men loved fashion and seemed to enjoy working with clothing, but this at times proved to establish their sexuality. Further research can move on and be looked into what makes a dandy-
Sexuality
Race
and based location.

One word Fur!

Its one of those few words you can just say and it brings controversy! Over recent weeks as the climate has dropped I have seen an increasing number of real fur coats being worn around uni!
But when it comes to Fur its difficult. Fur has been viewed for its practicality for warmth and sustainability as reasons behind it’s purpose. But with more animal rights campaigners, campaigning against the cruelty of animals, how come there has been an increasing level of real fur being worn? D&G, Fendi and Versace started the fur revolution in the 1990’s. But campaigns against fur has risen, with demonstrations on catwalk shows. A protester even appeared on Sex and the City against Samantha’s White fox fur coat, covering her in a splash of paint!

I wear vintage fur pieces that have been passed down from my grandmother. I view them with sentimental value and meaning. Does this make me a cynic? I classify myself as an ethical shopper but does this mean I go against the grain of ethical values?

Wound magazine recently wrote an article ‘A History of Men in Fur’s’, bringing light into historical issues into wearing fur. It may not be available on the high street but there is an escalating level of luxury brands using it from A/W 08 and A/W 09. Was interesting to see fur on the catwalk of Clothes show live 2008. From a distance it was difficult to see if it was real or faux. While there I also came across Furnatic, a stall selling faux fur to the highest standard I have ever seen. Was interesting that two shoppers passing commented, ‘I don’t understand the fact that if people don’t like fur and are against it then why buy something that looks just like it?.’ From hearing this it did make me wonder?

Graduate Fashion week has banned furs and it would be surprising if the commercial clothes show would allow it? I really don’t know the answer and I don’t think there is one. Is vintage fur ok to wear? In my eyes its more acceptable in the fact what if it was not worn what else would you do with it? I am fully against new fur- from insight from the media of its production. But those against fur wearers ask yourself do you wear suede or leather?- isn’t it the same thing???

Afternoon Tea and Cakes- brink back the 1940's!!

Last night we held a suprise Birthday Party for Boe (Chloe) a dear Friend of mine, and an up and coming fashion designer who has just interned at Jeremy Scott earlier this year. Little Rosie's tea cafe was the perfect location. Homemade apple cake, Cinnamon Tea- and a mountain of fairy cakes, it beated any night out at this panic stricken time of deadlines! Every Tuesday they are holding a Knitting club which I'm going to participate in next week!! I thought with the economic downturn resulting in the trend for sustainability, and 1940's lifestyle- of 'make do a mend' spend with care..... and afternoon tea and cakes!!.... think i would be ever saying this but i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Commerce and Innovation Fashion Show

Volunteered myself to dress at the Commerce and Innovation Fashion Show. The location was ideal but the space for back stage was unrealistic! The Catwalk was around the first floor of the old church then the floor below by the bar. Third year design showcased their second year work. Real mix of inspiration was used from Savile Row tailoring to

Space age and Futuristic. Dressing 3 models in 5 different collections was a bit of a nightmare! but i loved it especially the fact i was dressing one of my best friends and and up and coming model Abi White.

Planning visit to Unruly Salon!

Had my hair done the other day, really not impressed anymore of how much having to fork out each time i have my hair done!I always have to try somewhere knew each time, as they never get it just right! I'm finding they are all just dull boring- with the same interiors and clinically minimalist feel and over priced! I always end up having to plan what uni work I'm gonna take with me to stop me from getting board for hours on end, as i beg them to leave the toner on as long as possible to stop any trace of yellow in my hair.

Planning to be in London over Christmas and definitely booking a visit to the Unruly Salon on Portabella Road. Started up in 2005 they provide a late night service with a line up of dj's! Prices are not that bad either!!! - Lilly Allen is meant to be a regular, think i might end up being one to!

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Added to my Christmas Wish List!!!-True Love always.co.uk

I love a lie in on a sunday morning!- Jackie Beeke has created the most amazing bed covers! Graffiti artists and illustrators have come up with a range of designs. Im gonna try and design my own sheets over the Christmas Break- when i have a spare min!

ECHO Morgan- Most Inspiring setdesigner/illustrator by far!!

Morgan's work is amazing! never came across anything like it.. her work is just how i wish mine could be... well try's to be! Imaginative, intricate, breathtaking and delicate with great hidden meanings. Graduating from CSM she has gone on to design for China Vogue. Selfridegs, and Feathers and Koh Samuri websites... her work has truly inspired me!