rarrrrrr....
'The Africa' printed trunk by We Are Handsome is strangely summarizing my mood at the moment. But, with that left to one side... how incredibly beautiful are these swimsuits? They are handmade and have already sold out across some of Australia's top boutiques. I was lucky enough to check them out with Jackie at the Robinson Pfeffer showroom earlier this week. While the trunks remind me a bit of something an Italian football player might rock while shmoozing on a yacht there is no denying that these are really beautiful creations. Check out their website to see a closer look at some of the incredible prints that inspired these pieces. Speaking of swimwear, these reminded me of how anxious I am to go on holiday. I've got two new swimsuits lined up for my trip to Sweden and I've never actually tried either of them on. The first one is this J.Crew beauty in navy... and the other is this Mouille one that I won in a giveaway. Am very excited about those arriving... and am just keeping my fingers crossed that they actually fit and look alright! Eeeek...
good morning beautiful...
Made the feeble attempt to wake up before 10am today. Alarm has been set for 7am literally every day for the last 3 weeks but I only ever manage to drag my self out of bed at around 9:30, I think it's an attempt to put off studying for as long as possible. But this morning I did it, I managed to get up before 8am... but still am not studying? Ah well, I suppose some things can't be changed. Anyway, Jill was kind enough to send over all these shots that she took of me at the V&A last Friday. Speaking of sleep, I had only gotten about 3 hours (I really am an 8 hours-at-least kind of gal) because I was trying to get those 5,000 word essays finished. They really were the bane of my existence, as you may have noticed if you read this blog regularly. It was sunny and I was determined to get out of my topshop sweats that I have been living in during this exam period. It was time to be a girl who had a nice life spending Fridays in the sun at a museum with lovely friends rather than a frantic, hunched back, grumpy, typing maniac. Clothes really can determine my mood... if I get it wrong (too hot/too cold/too short/too long/ too scratchy/too sheer...) then it just turns in to a bit of an off day. This was nothing like that though - it was just right. Floral dresses, raybans and converse? A triple threat that should be readily accessible in every girls wardrobe this summer I do believe.
I threw in a shot of the fabulous Polka Dot in her photographer alter ego mode just for fun. You may have seen some of these same shots posted on her blog already. We tried to do a little experiment where she sent me the pictures and we were meant to put up our favourites, without the other knowing which photos we chose, and then compare our taste in which we liked best. Jill wound up getting a little rushed to put the images up though and so just picked a couple at random. You can check out her post here. Also, thanks Shini for taking the lost shot of Jill who, at the time, was shooting me.
Wearing: Jill's vintage Rayban Wayfarers (I was totally gutted because I put my sunglass case in my bag without any sunglasses in it... very annoying), Urban Outfitters dress (that I got in the day after Christmas sale in the states for like $5), Topshop socks, Converse All Stars, Alexander McQueen bag.
astronomical...
Inspired by Native American totem poles and the night sky the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection by Tina Kalivas is absolutely mind blowing. The prints are some of the most stunning I have ever seen. They are entirely striking and utterly dreamlike. Not only that but the sharp cut and tailoring of the garments are impeccable. Many of the shapes are quite traditional and simple but it's the details that set it apart. The digital prints are contrasted with traditional embroidery while wools and silks are mixed with power mesh and black shiny plastic. It is completely unexpected yet in some ways pays homage to the creations of the late Alexander McQueen who Tina used to work for. This collection is a total stunner. You can check out her Spring/Summer collection on Asos where it is currently being stocked. Personally, I'd love to have one of her pieces, but for now I'm pretty content just staring into the print on the dress pictured above... it's pretty mesmerizing.
heavy metal...
The founders of Stolen Girlfriends Club seem to have developed a bit of a cult following. Three blokes from New Zealand with no design or fashion training, but rather a love for surfing, have managed to create a unique brand that the likes of Kate Bosworth, Peaches Geldfof, and the Cobra Snake covet. Luke Harwood, one of the founders, says 'We love the idea of doing things ourselves. Like just picking up a camera or making a film, there's something really nice about not being taught and not having your ideas or fundamentals shaped by influence or a teacher. As long as you have good intuition and vision for the final outcome, it doesn't matter how you get there and the technical imperfections actually add raw feeling and quality to a project, garment or brand.' As a girl who's studying for her masters in Political Theory but avidly obsessed with fashion, photography, and writing (with no formal training in any) that is a motto I can definitely get behind. I had seen their collection before, everyone has been going mental over their knit shorts from the Autumn 2010 range, but today was the first time I had seen their jewelry collection. I absolutely adore it. It looked positively magic hanging from white tree branches inside the Robinson Pfeffer Showroom that I visited today. Yes please, I would gladly wear them all. I especially like the key necklace with various locations...
At least this way a girl can dream about having homes in New York, London and Paris, right?
Featuring: Death Metal Bracelet, Key City Pendant, Safety Pin Pendant, End Has No End Pendant and Axe Ring.
The return of the overalls
Ever since I saw this photo taken by
back at London Fashion Week in March I've had the concept of overalls floating around in the back of my mind. Ralph Lauren showed the look as part of
his Spring/Summer 2010 collection
and let's face it, no one does Americana like Mr Lauren. This is the best version of denim overalls I've seen to date. Loose, worn, battered, mixed with girlish touches. I'd be seriously surprised if the girl pictured above hadn't seen this collection before getting dressed... both have on round retro hats, girly shirts buttoned up to the neck, loose workwear inspired overalls, and heels. It's totally adorable and is seriously working. Although the idea has been dancing around in my mind I hadn't seriously considering wearing a pair. Surely they harp back to the days of my youth a little too much (
anyone)? Anyway, that was all until I saw this
Urban Outfitters renewal denim dungaree dress.
I am absolutely, totally and completely in love. I never thought I could fall so hard for dungarees... but I think they would be heaven. Possibly my summer 2010 version of homemade denim cut offs? Ummm... I think so.
resort 2011 highs and lows...
My personal favourite of the 2011 Resort Collections was certainly Jason Wu's. The sleek aesthetic and the sheer wearability of every single piece that came floating down the runway set it head and shoulders above the others. With a mix of bold strips, summery tweeds and two-toned daffodil prints there was plenty to get excited about. The shapes were spot on. Lady like a-line shifts, swishy floor skimming evening dresses, streamlined shorts and full trousers. The proportions were quirky. Borrowing a bit from menswear at times (army jackets, oversized blazers and big trousers) but always done with a very feminine edge. There were soft colours mixed with bright oranges, watery blues and khakis. Pussycat bows, boater hats, and two-toned heels were the details to watch out for. There wasn't a combination that walked down the runway that I wouldn't wear in full. In my books this show was a serious stunner. I'd pair that outfit on the left with some chunky ankle booties, little socks, some retro sunnies and be good to go...
Hailed as being 'perfectly suited to the modern woman' I took Rachel Roy's collection to be a bit of a mess. Maybe it was just the frazzled hair and striped sheer pieces that threw me... because there definitely are some stunning pieces. But overall the whole thing channeled a bit more a schizophrenic vibe than a Michelle Obama one (who is apparently meant to be a fan). I love the massively oversized trousers, the colours, and the tailored dresses. But it just looks a bit all over the place: one part wigged out 70s hippie and one part sleek upper east side sequined socialite. It just doesn't go together to create a directional collection... rather, it just looks confused.
While we're on the topic of being confused, seriously what was Michael Kors thinking? No doubt there are some beautiful pieces - the man can do classic crisp white perfectly and his cashmere knits are to die for. But, who ever styled this collection should be shot. The models range from being so dramatically over-layered that they look like yeti-wannabes to teetering on the edge of resembling an exabitionist. Surely there is no other reason that you would wear this heinous square python printed coat (presumably with nothing underneath), paired with a massive floppy hat (to shield your face when the police come to find you), bare legs, and sandals unless, of course, you were planning on flashing somebody... she looks like a total bald nutter. Not only is none of it wearable but it looks awful. One of my least favourite things of all time are long boots (especially of the python print variety, hello! can you get any tackier?) worn with short summery dresses and bare legs. It looks so hideously cheap and slutty. Michael, seriously! You are meant to represent American style as a beacon of class. You've seriously let your girl down on this one. To top off the plethora of disconcerting combinations, monstrous layering followed skimpy cut-away python print (yes, there really was a lot of it) swimwear. Really just a bizarre combination that leaves you wondering what time of year it is and just what kind of resort he was planning for? I'm all about mixing things that traditionally don't go together... but you've taken it one step too far this time Mr. Kors.
Obviously this isn't representative of the whole of resort 2011, there were plenty of shows that I haven't mentioned plus more designers still have to show. Check out more of the outfits that came down the runway along with all the other collections at Style.com.
some old-school retro goodness...
While lounging in the grass at the V&A today I spotted this girl walking by... 'ohhh, I really like her style' I cooed to Jill and Shini. They were in the middle of a conversation and I kept interrupting them all day, saying really pointless things with heated enthusiasm like, 'I realized yesterday that Mr. Dot looks just like Lindsay Lohan's dad' and other ridiculous things. It was that kind of day. Only three hours sleep, deadlines, serious heat, burning legs... I was feeling a bit skitzy as it was my first normal human interaction taking place outside the library in about a week. Anyway though, the point is I really do like her style. It sort of encapsulates a whole range of things that I'm just really loving at the moment and all which point to a kind of old time goodness. Cambridge satchels, retro dresses (even though she said hers only came from primark - it has this perfectly vintage look to it), thick hair with heavy fringes, winged eyeliner, tortoise shell ray ban wayfarers, brogues with socks... it was just spot on. Totally and completely encompassing everything I am loving right now in fashion. Laid back, effortless, with a touch of retro-oldschool charm... just the sort of look that should be sported on a day when you just feel like kicking back in the sunshine and breaking some rules.
p.s. I have to give a shout out to Jill who is actually the one who wound up stopping this girl, whose name is Chloe, while we were at the V&A. While I did originally gush about how much I loved her look I was feeling slightly too brain dead to actually work up the energy to approach her. Jill said, 'If you love something set it free - if it comes back, its yours.' Insinuating that if the girl walked back by us then we could ask to shoot her (in the photographic sense of course). Anyway, then when Shini was shooting me right before I had to run off I looked over and there was Jill - with Chloe, who obviously had come back. So, thanks Jill.
truckin along...
currently riding on a low post-exam tide. am sure the euphoria would be pumping through my veins if only i didn't have 2 x 5,000 word essays due in tomorrow (don't worry, i promise, it's the last you will ever hear of these monstrous beasts). while i'd like to bestow some of my illustrious fashion-related thoughts onto you sweet little muffins the truth is my pillow is calling my name and i've got some hefty work in front of me tonight so i'll keep it short and sweet. here's a little peak inside my bag at the exam necessities that are keeping me upright and relatively sane: comfy shoes (converse), coffee (got given some free coupons for starbucks and now i am horribly hooked on their new cafe creme little wonder with an extra shot of espresso - that's right, it's 3.70 and an addiction i need to get over quickly), lots of black byros (nothing is worse than having your pen run out of ink mid-thought), ipod (because sometimes you just need to block out the incessant noise), feel good jewelry, books (lots and lots of books and notes - i'm a serious crammer up until the very last minute), excedrin (good for knocking nasty stress related headaches - the brands not important, just make sure it's got a kick), gum, sunglasses (no makeup + late nights + early mornings = not such a pretty face), water, and vogue. i treated myself to vogue today after my exam. i needed some non-academic light weight goodness to take my mind off what had just gone down. i've been a bit disappointed with vogue lately but i was actually seriously feeling it today... i pretty much read every word and felt inspired by the editorials (which was good because last months 'more dash than cash' scuba inspired spread kind of pissed me off). they even have a little pre-autumn section which has given me some ideas... will bring you more of my thoughts on this very important matter soon - but if you haven't checked the issue out yet i'd encourage you to do so.
p.s. what keeps you going through times of stress? any tips for me? i've got two weeks left to get through...
motivate me...
While frantically shuffling through hundreds of pages of text and essays I can't help but think that having one of these little beauties dangling around my wrist would help ground and centre me. Definitely needed, along with cheerful nail polish, to help see me through the impending exam period. Not quite sure which is my favourite. Maybe a triple threat of stacked up 'dream', 'peace', and 'imagine'?
p.s. 15 days and counting...
what's with the craze?
You know how those who can't afford proper Chanel are said to be the ones that buy the makeup? Diffusion lines are massive at the moment because they provide a more approachable way of buying into a brand without having to fork out thousands of pounds. Case in point: Yves Saint Laurent rings. They are insanely gorgeous. Big, chunky, raw, a statement-and-a-half, and utterly luxurious but without the outlandish price tag. They retail for $195 which, considering their bags are in the thousands, really isn't that bad. They've been popping up all over the place lately. Jackie was wearing the Arty Ovale ring in coral last time I saw her and coincidentally I happened to run into this girl on the same day rocking the Aco Stone ring in white. I seriously love it and, along with a Canon 550dslr, it has shot to the very top of my wish list. I would go for the Aco Stone ring in teal definitely... how beautiful would it look against my tanned fingers as they flipped through Vogue while I lie on a boat in Sweden rocking my new bikini?! Anyway, must send out a thank you to Jill who stopped this girl in Covent Garden as we walked past her last week. Her shirt came from somewhere in Brick Lane I believe and reminded me of this outfit I saw on Lily Allen at a concert last year. It's a real Chanel t-shirt that Lily's wearing and I was determined to make my own version after I saw it on her. My motivation to do that, and to get a YSL ring, has officially been reignited. It's funny how so many little things come together to start a wild craze...
utterly ridiculous...
Some of my favourite moments from Tuesday's tea party: the amazing company 'is it the Becks talking? or are you actually inviting us to Sweden?', 'there's a face on that cake!', the un-classy side of the table that drank bubbly and 2 for 1 becks and ate cheese 'this is ruddy well good', 'show me your stripes!', old men in the background of shots, kit's fantastical twirling cape, 'i want to hold your hand and take a photo of your ring' and then not even get the ring in focus, jackie's post tea psycho robotics, 'no, i'm pretty sure. you used to dance. i think you did ballet' 'i really didn't.' 'yah, you did. i think i read it somewhere' 'no, but i can do a back bend.'
Pictured: Jackie, Daniella, Kensington Palace Orangery, Kiki & Tobz, Shini, and Kit. Photo effect inspired by Kit's lomography.
p.s. thanks for all the very sweet and encouraging comments you've sent my way regarding my essay drama (see yesterdays post below)! i really appreciate it!
pride comes before the fall...
This past Tuesday, which was spent galavanting around Kensington Palace Gardens with some seriously lovely ladies, was absolute heaven. It felt like a dream. I ate gorgeous food, laughed a lot, and felt like I didn't have a care in the world. It wasn't a matter of pride really it was a matter of deep and effective compartmentalization.... essays? What essays? I was skipping on clouds that were suspended high above any sense of reality. Then Wednesday came (cue ominous music), Wednesday evening to be more specific. After a day spent working on my second 5,000 word essay that is due in next Friday (and having made little progress due to Tuesday withdrawal symptoms) I went to open my first 5,000 word essay, which was nearly finished, to find the document only had 2,000 words... 2,000 shockingly poor words. It was the essay of a week ago, not the essay I had been slaving over. Suffice it to say, a certain boy (who, don't worry, is still alive) accidentally saved over my nearly finished essay with an old copy and provided me with some serious set backs ('are you trying to sabotage me?!'). The details of it are boring. After a long tear session, many attempts at figuring out a way to revive it (all which failed) and some seriously puffy eyes later I came to grips with the fact that it was gone and moved on. This is why the next four days are going to be spent inside (not going to a Black Eyed Peas concert or punting in Oxford tomorrow like I had planned) with my head down. Wish me luck? I can't wait till this is over and I can go back to living with my head in the clouds like before I fell from grace.
Wearing: Rayban aviators, Dotinabox Necklace won on giveaway, Jigsaw Junior Cardigan, Jigsaw striped top and wooden wedges, Zara skirt, strand of turquoise worn as bracelet picked up in Egypt. Outfit photos taken by Polka dot.
shock me like an electric eel...
i brought along a little video camera to the jackie's birthday celebration on tuesday. this is my first try at video editing so let me know what you think. a big thank you to jill who helped me film and to all the girls who provided excellent material to shoot. you can find the links to all their blogs in the below post.
keep to the path...
Defy expectations. Break out of your comfort zone. Reestablish the terrain. Don't be complacent or without a voice. The London-Blogger get together today that was held in honor of Jackie's birthday reminded me that you needn't stick to the path. It's much more fun to shake things up a little. Whether that means meeting someone onliners for the first time or sitting right in the centre of the grass.
Attendees: Jackie of Platform Princess, Daniella of The F Blog, Jill of Street Style London, Shini of Park & Cube, Kit of Style Slicker, Lucy of Snippets of Shiny Thoughts, Tobi & Kiki of Style by Queens, Jennifer of Style East, Nicole from Power of Beauty, Not Just Medical, Fiona of Save Our Shoes (not pictured). I am always blown away by how incredible the people are behind some of my favourite blogs.... it was the first time meeting for some of them and they were happy to roll around in the grass, jump on command, and do back bends? Seriously wonderful. Big thanks to everyone that came. I had a wonderful time.