the bubble...
It's no secret that bloggers are creating a bit of a stir within the fashion/media industry. They are thought, by some, to be infringing on a secretive and aloof world that has remained separate from 'normal people' for far too long. Anyone can start a blog - no matter what your experience or expertise. Regardless of how famous or fabulous you might be... you will start off with zero followers, you will wonder if anyone is reading, you will put yourself out there and hope that people will come back for more. Today there are bloggers who have tens of thousands of followers and hundreds of thousands of hits a day - there are those that are endorsed by major magazines and designer brands and there are those who photograph their newest finds from primark. Each is valid and each has a voice within this wonderful world of the blogosphere. The question remains though... where is all this going? What role do bloggers have within the fashion industry. Do they have a solid voice? Do they deserve one? Should they be sent free gifts and invited to sit front row at fashion week (like traditional magazine editors are)?
The Sketchbook Pop Up Shop held a discussion this past Wednesday on 'Print vs. Online' - what is the future for the book, the magazine, the blog... and how will they all manage to exist together? Is the answer coexistence (if so, how?) or domination (if so, who will win?). The panel consisted of Sandrine Maggiani of Stylesight, Adrian Shaughnessy, Susanna 'Susie Bubble' Lau and Becky Smith, founder of cult magazine Lula & Twin Magazine. (Susie and Becky are the thoughtful looking pair pictured above) They all agreed that print and online publications will need to find a balance and exist in tandem, neither can operate in isolation from the other, neither can remain in a bubble... but the unanswerable question is just how exactly this will work. I'll spare you all their thoughts on the matter and instead ask for yours... and while you piece them together here are some shots of the lady who helped jump-started the current blogging phenomena back in 2006... the one and only Susie of Style Bubble. Who just happens to be rocking some of the biggest spring/summer 2010 trends in, of course, her own very unique way.
don't hold back...
i noticed juan straight away at the sketchbook pop up shop
on wedensday. he was sitting in the front row at the stylesight
talk and he was pretty unmissable. the red skulls on his jumper stared back at me while i sat in the row behind him and i couldn't help but be captivated by all the quirky elements of his outfit. red skulls, plaid, cuffed jeans, purple socks and the funkiest lace up brogues i have ever seen.
so afterwards when i was standing around on my own gazing at the beautifully decorated walls of the sketchbook pop up shop and he sped past me to go outside i couldn't resist following him out and asking if i could snap his photo. it turns out studied political science during his undergraduate, went on to do a masters in journalism, worked for the united nations... and now is based in london as a trend-forecaster for stylesight. obviously i was totally mesmerized by this as i too did politics in my undergraduate, am now doing a masters in political theory, am planning some work experience with a think-tank... but at the same time have my finger firmly wedged in the fashion blogging pie. juan told me that i shouldn't hold back, that i didn't have to be all or nothing or fit into only one category. you can have it all, and you should pursue what interests you... even if you can't see how it is all directly related (yet). not only was juan's infectious smile instantly uplifting but his story was too.
reinvention...
At a talk that was held at the Sketchbook pop up shop on Thursday Sandrine Maggiani of Stylesight did some trend-forecasting. The umbrella theme she mentioned, which everything else fit into, was innovation. Recreating what you have already got, the things you hold dear, investing in good quality and sentimental pieces that you will want to hold onto forever and that you wouldn't trade for the world. Reinvention and renewal. These themes really stuck out to me. I recently sent off a few items to the tailor - things I love and haven't been able to get rid of, but just haven't been wearing because they don't suit me. I got them back and fell in love with the pieces all over again. A certain gap cardigan that I had chopped in half has been getting so many compliments (I literally have been wearing it straight for the last 2 days). It even got compared to a little Chanel jacket! Although, trust me, that is a serious stretch of the imagination. Anyway, all of that is just backdrop to explaining who this lovely girl is...
Serene Khan was sitting by the window cutting out little colourful leaves to decorate the window of Sketchbook. She was wearing this gorgeous vintage-y looking cardigan with multi-coloured buttons which she sewed on herself. She said they were all identical to the brown button at the bottom, which she didn't like at all, but decided to keep one to remember what it was like originally.
She was absolutely charming and asked to have her photo taken next to the leaves she had been attaching to the window display. Just another example of reinventing what would have otherwise been another empty white space, like an old cardigan left in the bottom drawer.
Have you reinvented anything lately?
Hurry while it lasts...
Hidden among a flurry of boutiques and restaurants sits this very permanent but very fleeting little gem. In conjunction with the release of the second issue of Sketchbook magazine, as well as adding to the celebration of Carnaby's 50 years of fashion and music, this dreamy little pop up shop offers much more than money can buy. In fact it transcends what money can buy. Launched as a third year university undergraduate project, the Sketchbook Pop Up Shop is a community driven project that does not charge a single pence for any of its events. Its a sort of haven for the artistic, creative, entrepreneurial, and imaginative types. Stop by for a scheduled workshop or discussion, to gaze at the visual feast of illustrations that cover the walls, or to mingle with the talented staff of Sketchbook magazine. Anyone and everyone is welcome and I highly recommend you check it out while you've got the chance.
The innovative and driven Rachel Menashy.
She only just contacted Sketchbook magazine back in November about creating a pop up shop for her third year university project. The magazine loved her idea and four months later her vision has become reality. If this collaboration isn't worthy of a distinction I honestly don't know what is.
The small space is covered in whimsical artwork that was all hand painted. The shop will only run for the next three weeks, after which all the walls will have to be painted back white - a slight travesty. All guests were offered brightly coloured Vitamin Water and Love Bakery cupcakes (mmm... red velvet is my favourite).
T-shirts illustrated by Lucia Emanuela Curzi.
Everything is personal and begs you to engage with it. Creativity oozes out of every inch of this place. There wasn't a wall that was left bare.
Jade Cummings 'Music & Fashion: VV Brown' Issue 2 - Kerry Lemon 'Twitter' Issue 2
Susan Keys '5 Colourful Women in Fashion' - Issue 2
Jack Teagle 'Danielle Scutt' - Issue 2
Window design by the adorable Serene Khan, who I will show you more of later (along with images from a talk that featured Susie Bubble as well as Becky Smith who created Lula magazine).
boom boom pow...
explosive outfits at LFW... i can't remember who these were designed by, anyone know? i think the man's jacket is pretty cool and if it were made in darker hues it could actually be pretty wearable (notice his shoes? their barely in shot, i didn't realize how funky they were when i spotted this pair, i was too focused on their outfits). don't think this is a trend that is going to be taking over the high street anytime soon though... although it is pretty funky. definitely unique and eye catching. these two grabbed everyone's attention.
update: oh my, just remembered the name of the brand it's Lu Flux and you can find more of their quirky and fantastical designs here. i have a few more photos of their collection to post coming up soon...
easing my way into spring....
all i want to wear are little dresses and bare legs. bare legs... england, will you please deliver warm enough weather for me to reveal my whiter-than-white pins to the weak british sunlight in hopes of getting some colour? why does the weather man tell me that it is going to be hovering barely above zero this week?! this unworthy 'spring' weather is making my outfit selection a rather gruesome process. for example, friday morning, i barely fell short of a mini-breakdown over my lacking wardrobe and inability to make it out the house on time (you know the routine: nothing to wear so running late & running late so it's even more difficult to find something to wear... result to lying in bed in a strop and refusing to get dressed which only aggravates the unstable mood more - i know! get it together jennifer, you are only getting dressed, you've done this almost 8,760 times in your life you really should be able to put an outfit together by now - yes, that means i am almost to the end of my 24th year). anyway when i eventually made it out of my flat friday morning, after the calm help of my desperately patient husband, and headed into london this is what i was wearing. an attempted nod to spring with the pop of colour on my feet - but as you can see my mood was unable to deal with anything too chirpy - it was a bit of a sour start to the day (hence the slightly puffy eyes and less than glowing complexion, apologies my loves, deciding to put a photo up on a day when i decide to burst into tears first thing probably isn't the most flattering of choices). i had to put these photos up though because they were taken by shini (pictured in the post below) and it's not everyday i get such beautifully taken photographs of myself to share. so, enjoy... this was my feeble attempt of easing my way into spring.
Mulberry Scarf
Madewell Jacket
Zara T-shirt
Urban Outfitters Leggings
like a sorbet popsicle...
shini of park&cube is without a doubt one of the most inspiring girls i know. her sense of style is totally unique and she manages to pair the most unexpected items together in a way that just works (shaming the predictability of a lot of magazine editorials). there are so many beautiful elements to her outfit: pop bright colours in orange and green, pastel shirt buttoned up to the very top and layered under a lace top, chunky ring, kate kanzier nude heels, the wang braid... in theory all those elements sound like they would clash, but in reality they gel together to create this outfit masterpiece. a serious lesson in how to get dressed.
to top it all off she is the most delightful and down to earth person. for example: yesterday we met up in covent garden (yes yes, for cupcakes) and shini showed up a bit late due to unpredictable london traffic. halfway through she realized that one of the people sitting with us was the fabulous and insanely talented vanessa jackman. her reaction was to turn bright red, cover her face with her hands and yelp, 'vanessa jackman?! your vanessa jackman! i didn't realize, i love your blog, i'm such a fan...' see, totally adorable and utterly down to earth.
the motherload....
totally unexpected. leather lane in london is the home to the most fabulous shoe paradise i have discovered this year. on a market street sits this beautiful little shop with blacked out windows. you would never know that inside resides a serious shoe mecca. from ballet flats, boots, brogues, loafers, killer heels, and handbags, this little shop is an absolute dream. but proceed with caution, the items are seriously addictive. they are so reasonably priced that it is so simple to persuade yourself that you need a plethora of styles and colours.
be warned: once you succumb to the power of kate kanzier you will never look back.
it's the motherload of all shoe shops... more colours and styles then you can comprehend.
'it's like a candy shop in here. i don't know where to look.'
the shop is immaculately turned out with bright fresh flowers, a clean space that clearly shows off the merchandise and cheery helpful staff that are quick to get you all the sizes you are after.
they've got enough statement heels to keep the wags happy. pick your colour... they come in every shade imaginable. heel heights are also negotiable, opt for a stacked kitten or a skyscraper if you dare.
platformed, animal print, and bright colours.
there is something for everybody. when we arrived the shop was nearly empty. there was one customer, a woman in her sixties, trying to decide whether to go for a red or black brogue. she asked jill and i our opinions. jill told her that when she looked at the red pair her whole face lit up, which it really did. she smiled, and went for the red pair. by the time we left you could hardly move, the place was absolutely crammed. teenagers all the way up to grandmas were shopping in this place. there is seriously something for everyone. whatever your taste and whatever your budget. it is a magical little shop stuffed full of the kinds of shoes that i see people wearing and assume must have either been extortionately expensive or a lucky vintage find. well, there is no longer a reason to be envious ladies... you can get it here. i can honestly say i have never had a pair of shoes that have gotten so many compliments. i bought my green luella brogues last week and every time i wear them i have people asking me where they are from. two of my friends want me to pick them up pairs next time i'm in london. but don't worry, if you don't live in the UK - they ship overseas.
if you are able to make it to the shop you can even pick up some flowers on your way out!
who says stripes aren't flattering?
a lot of people have a love-hate relationship with stripes. we love them because they are so darn cute and appealing, but hate them because we fear they'll make us look wider than wide. whatever your feelings it's impossible to deny that they are everywhere. the classic breton stripe has been incorporated into the most exclusive designer brands (givenchy), the lowest of high street shops (pick them up in primark by the bucket loads), and every sailor-themed movie you have, or will, ever see. i ran into emily in oxford yesterday. she is one of those girls that just happens to look immaculately turned out every day. even when she says 'oh, i'm having such a bad hair day' - i can't help but think i wish my hair looked like hers on a good day. but aside from her lovely blond locks (and that enviable thick wang-esque braid) she has a great sense of style. definitely classy with a bit of a twist. a lot of people would automatically shy away from a striped body-con skirt, but emily pulls it off perfectly. with the loose draped black cardi, whimsical print scarf, and cute little bow flats she brings it straight into day and gives it a grown-up vibe. well done emily. way to show stripes can be worn in a variety of ways and that they can indeed be flattering.
all items of clothing are from Reiss (where emily works). shoes from primark and gold necklace from a jewelers in greece.
in review... laid back or grown-up chic?
there are definitely different types of people at fashion week, different levels of extremes and outlandish behaviour. at one extreme are those who where inappropriate female body parts as headwear and barbie dolls as shoulder pads while at the other are the clueless pedestrians who have inadvertently stumbled into fashion week without realizing it. those who rock the latest 'it' accessories (hello alexa bag) versus those who just lug around a cloth carrier bag. sky high heels versus trainers. elaborate looks versus jeans and a t-shirt. they come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. of course, we wouldn't want it any other way either... that's what makes it interesting and all the more fun.
i noticed these two girls who both looked very normal and down to earth. they weren't trying to stand out and get their photo taken. not sure what they were doing, maybe the one above is a model? i'm not really sure, i didn't ask. but their style sort of represents for me, in review, the two competing ways that the relatively normal person can dress at fashion week. of course you can mix them together to suit yourself, but these two looks definitely stood out and were quite prevalent among the fashion pack. the girl above has a really sweet laid back style. i love the soft feminine skirt paired with the leather biker jacket. the massive red scarf adds the perfect pop of colour and the bottom studded bag gives a little nod to the wang-meister. very iconically model off duty.
a more grown up chic look with killer heels and a shaggy fur jacket. am loving her soft grey bucket bag (again, with little studs). they key to this look seems to be in the heels (the higher and more extravagant the better) and the fur (just make sure you have one). so which are you? would you pick the flats or the heels? the leather or the fur? personally, i think i'd go for a bit of both.
p.s. don't know if you've noticed but i'm currently sitting at 99 followers, will you help a girl out and follow me if you aren't already? thanks my loves.
playing dress up in shoe paradise...
nothing beats playing dress up... especially when you've got a massive shop full of toys to try on. i was slightly infatuated with this bright green little baby above, while jill placed her elfin green clad stems into every colour brogue you could imagine. thank you kate kanzier for being patient with us while we faffed around in your merchandise.
'it's like a circus in there...'
what they wore and what i saw in the first 10 minutes of stepping into somerset house on day 5 of LFW... clashing prints, brocade, plaid, red socks, pops of white, dual-toned print bags.
beauty trends: liquifed stark black brows, sharp and wide fringes, top buns, studded head bands (for boys).
double decker plaid, grandpa's cardi, white shirts buttoned up to the collar & the return of the jean jacket.
drastic juxtapositions of style - the light versus the dark side: ethereal in pink and purple paisley maxi dress, bright yellow socks, silvery blonde hair, fur neck warmer or avant garde in geometric black head gear, layers of black fabric, frills, pointed shoulders.
which are you? the angel or the demon?
jill photographs my partner in crime and fellow style crusader emerald while wearing a double whammy of leopard print. enough fur on site to drive peta off the deep end...
the 'personalities' of fashion week. both of these men are totally off the wall and visually are such a contrast to one another - although their out of this world fabulousness brings them together. who they are, what they do: that i don't know... but they sure get followed around by photographers! a bit like animals in a circus perhaps?
as always, if you recognize/know anyone in these photos please let me know who they are.
'my flesh coloured legs are grossly inadequate...'
liquified metal, lace, bare legs covered in geometric colour blocking, oversized contorted buns and sculptured drop shoulders all came flowing down the runway at Eun Jeong's Fall 2010 show. the collection was pretty mesmerizing. the models resembled post-apocalyptic ethereal beings who were covered in gorgeous draping and lush fabrics...
lace detailing was used on dresses and coats to create a more romantic vibe to the sculpted pieces made in thicker fabrics.
loved the chunky leather wedge brogues and the bright primary colours splattered on all the model's legs. some came in the form of ankle socks, others stopped just under the knee, while the rest went all the way up the legs... could this be the next trend in leg-wear that could compete with karl's tatoo clad pegs?
the only downer was the uncomfortable feeling that swept over me when a few models came down in t-shirts that were cut unfortunately too short. nobody wants to see crotches flashing at them covered in nothing but a nude coloured thong... not the highlight of the show. another girl had the top of her crinkled knickers sticking out the back of her trousers... some slight underwear issues.
back details: edwardian style tailoring and heavy embellishment.
chiffon layers bounced with movement.
Keisha Buchanan: former member of the Sugababes who looked way more classy than I would have expected. her dress was totally gorgeous and she sat up so straight and looked incredibly attentive throughout the entire show.
this photo makes me feel a bit dizzy when i look at the people in the background... yikes.
click here to see all the looks in a less blurry format. there are some beautiful pieces that i wasn't able to capture.
buttery bad girl...
you know those people that manage to look so well put together and classy yet maintain a very cool vibe at the same time? Hedvig is one such person. looking totally gorgeous with beautifully manicured nails (colour was a chanel-esque griege) and perfectly bouncy curls, she manages to balance those girly elements by incorporating tougher pieces into her look. her buttery cream leather jacket and bad-girl brenda bag bring her look bang up to date. am loving her doubled up scarves and that goreous...
