The function of fashion
You might already be familiar with my Matthew Zorpas obsession, it began over two years ago...
During the SS11 shows it developed into a full-fledged love affair. Okay, that's a lie. It wasn't a love affair at all... but I did realize I wanted Matthew to be in my life forever. He's the kind of person you just can't get enough of. Charismatic and endearing, he makes you want to be a better person. The Liria Pristine & Jillian Carrozza neckpiece he wore that season still gives me goosebumps whenever I see it. Matthew loves supporting new designers and for the AW11 shows he stepped the experimentation level up a notch. My favorite look from that season though was definitely the simplest: a MariosAlexander jacket and waistcoat combination worn with a pair of black skinny jeans. Swoon. For SS12 I didn't have the chance to shoot all of Matthew's looks but one very incredible cloud print suit made it into my roundup of favorite boys from the streets of LFW.
Nowadays Matthew's teaching 'The Business of Luxury' module at Instituto Marangoni, preparing the wardrobe for a British film, and is working on a product design that's going to be launched by London Collections: Men in June. Not only that, he seems to have found his fashion stride. He's still wearing incredible pieces from new designers but now in a more understated way. Look quickly and it appears as though he's wearing something regular but on closer inspection it's clear that Matthew's outfits are anything but ordinary.
These are my two favorite looks that Matthew wore during LFW SS12. Yes, the colour combination probably has something to do with it. Literally, make anything in grey and I will fall head-over-heels for it. But I also love that both looks are tailored but still manage pack an unexpected fashion punch. Too often it's expected that in supporting new designers one must adhere to a certain type of aesthetic - to embrace the designs almost necessitates losing one's own personal sense of style. To wear bold pieces in an effortless way that's practical is really difficult to pull off.
Matthew manages to achieve this balance. He also wears pieces that challenge traditional conceptions of function. On the left, for example, he wears a cropped knit layered over a suit jacket - an unheard of sartorial choice (when was the last time you saw a businessman running for a taxi with a jumper worn over his suit?!). It looks incredible though and is actually really functional. With an overcoat you'd completely lose the suit but this knit offers a really awesome alternative to 'normal' outerwear. I need. one. in. my. life. Matthew's second outfit includes a pair of trousers with wide panels that hang vertically from the waist. Whenever he stood still it looked as though he was wearing a floor skimming skirt. In reality though it's way more practical - I'm thinking removable panels would make for the ultimate in multi-purpose dressing. Bizarrely that day we saw a look at Daks that had similar panels attached to the sides of a dress... holla, this is one silhouette watch.
Never one to shy away from making an entrance, Matthew also embraced a few bolder looks during the week as well. This head-to-toe printed suit with matching shirt was one of my favourites. The pattern channels a comic book kapow sort of electric vibe which I love. Embracing the light and fun side of fashion is what getting dressed should be about. Any item that makes you question how you view the clothes you wear, or that simply makes you happy, is definitely the sort of piece that should be embraced and celebrated.
BE HAPPY...
Sequins tend to create in me an unavoidable gag reflex.
I just can't help it - I really dislike the shiny little things. Except, of course, when it comes to Ashish's sequins. His are glorious creatures. They sneak on to prints that never expected to be covered in glitz, transforming the most basic shapes into must-have drool-worthy pieces. The tie-dye print dress is the one item I cannot get out of my head from the AW12 show. Somehow, it manages to bottle up everything I love about the '90s. Totally simple but oh-so covetable. If it were mine I'd wear it so often that people around me would get sick at the sight of it. On days when the dress is getting a rest, I'll wear the biker jacket and face jewelry combination pictured above. You know, for when I want to be low-key.
Oh yeah, oh yeah... face jewelry and tie-dye is wear it's at.
Lady in red
Red is so not my colour. That's what I thought, at least, before I wore this jacket. It's the embodiment of all things wonderful and wearable about fashion. Throw it on over anything and you instantly look mega chic.
Red is so not my colour.
That's what I thought, at least, before I wore this jacket. It's the embodiment of all things wonderful and wearable about fashion. Throw it on over anything and you instantly look mega chic - it is a miracle worker. I love that it has a sort of über glam Parisienne (Balmain-esque - with the exaggerated shoulders) flare but also packs a nitty-gritty punch. The imperfections are what make it so perfect. Frazzled edges and strips that look as though you've taken a razor blade to the fabric - so yummy. Destruction is hottt, especially when it's faux and comes in the form of Iro.
Wearing: Iro jacket (My Wardrobe), American Apparel tri-blend racerback tank, 7 for all Mankind skinny jeans, Lucy Folk bracelets (Pfeffer PR), Maison Scotch clutch (Sane), Muriee cashmere scarf, Versace sunglasses and Balenciaga boots.
Photos by Shini
HIPPITY HOP INTO SPRING...
Wahoo! March has been a very good month indeed. The flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Getting to leave the house without a coat has felt like an absolute dream. Applying sunscreen (oh, the luxury), drooling over the bright colors at the grocery store (mmm, strawberries) and highlighting my tanned feetsies by wearing brighter-than-bright pink toe-nail polish... ah, yes. Spring, your arrival is warmly welcomed. Please, never leave.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. xx
HEY PIN HEAD...
'Are you on Pinterest?'
Consider this the Instagram question of April... if no one has asked you yet, trust me, they will.
Everybody and (especially) their mom is on Pinterest. It exploded faster than your most recent ill-fated relationship. That's fast. Except, Pinterest isn't a cringe-inducing-stubble-faced memory we wish we could forget... it's only just taking off. Already 2 years old, it's no spring chicken - so why all the fuss about it now? Well, it's one of the fastest growing websites in history. Yeah, that's right... apparently, the site had 17 million unique visitors last month. That's a heckuva-lotta pinning. It's also a big enough number to make companies and designers start raising their eyebrows. Originally it was scoffed at for being a less-good version of Tumblr. Just another social media start-up that would fizzle out. It caters to old ladies and pretty fuzzy things... it will never catch on. Suddenly, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore and now everybody wants a piece of the pinboard pie.
Why am I talking about this? Because, I've been on Pinterest for almost a year and I'm so glad that other people are finally starting to join. I freaking love it. It's revolutionized the way I keep track of things I like online. You can pin photos from any website (I have noticed though that you can't pin on blogs you visit through Bloglovin... so just visit the site directly if you want to pin something). You can be as organized as you want with your boards. Create a hundred-thousand if you want - they can be about anything. I've dedicated an entire board to hot babes (i.e. fashion girls I know and love - not the Maxim sort of hot babe). You can break down your fashion inspiration into seasons, pull together all the yummy recipes you want to cook, make mood boards, plan the redecoration of your flat or brainstorm ideas of where you want to go on holiday. The possibilities are endless.
The best thing? It automatically links back to the website the photo was pinned from so you don't need to worry that you're stealing other people's work - in fact, it encourages people to visit the original source. Not only is this awesome in terms of online copyright protection it also makes your life so. much. easier. Gone are the days of searching through your browser's history to try to find that website where you saw that incredible thing.
Just pin it.
Now, don't forget: follow me here, leave a link so I can follow you back and if you need an invite to join then holler this way - I'll try to send one. Let. the. stalking. commence.
p.s. images from the Monday Issue, Film is Awesome Sauce, LN-CC, Anthropologie...
ON TEXTURE, ADAM AND CHARLIE...
Brace yourself, we're about to embark on a journey of epic time travel.
Flash back to Day 3 of LFW: it was early and I was tired. I'd just arrived at Somerset House and was in a bit of a daze. The sun was really bright and, of course, I had forgotten my sunglasses. Up comes a bloke who asks to take my photo. 'I just love your coat,' he says. 'The fabric is incredible. The sleeves look awesome - you don't tend to see this colour coat with leather very often.' Did he even, possibly, reach out and touch my shoulder? What can I say - the leather, it's irresistible. I can't remember. He'd made an impression though by pointing out exactly what I loved about the inky coloured coat from Charlie May's AW12 collection. I agreed, it was freaking awesome. Please.snap.away.sir.
Flash forward to the last day of LFW: it's pouring with rain and I'm standing under a black umbrella watching a men's show on the screen outside the BFC tent, waiting for Louisa to exit an exhibition. 'Would you mind if I took a photo of your sweater and clutch?' I look over. It's the same guy from a few days earlier. 'Yeah, of course.' Again, it seems to be the texture and colour that has lured him in... like a moth to flame.
We start talking: 'Are you American?' We both are. 'Are you on Twitter?' Of course. 'What's your name?' I ask. '@Le21ème,' he replies... 'Wait, as in Le 21ème Arrondissement blog!?'... 'You've heard of it?' So begins the time-tested conversation where I try to convey how much I freaking love his work only to have him continue to act shocked that I'd ever seen it. Ummm... yeah I'd seen it. It's only one of my favorite street style blogs ever.
Fast forward two weeks: we're now in Paris. It's fashion week. Outside every show I bump into my new friend, Adam. Like most people, Paris is the last leg of his mammoth fashion month adventure - it's the only thing standing in the way of going home to New York and his girlfriend. I find out he shoots for all sorts of snazzy publications and brands: Elle US, Grazia IT, Marie Claire and Vogue Russia - to name just a few.
Adam is also really nice. The sort of nice that makes you want to bundle him up into a little package and force him into being your best friend. He's got a heck-of-a-lotta ambition too but doesn't want to do anything that would suck the fun out of what he's doing. I can relate. Keep it light, keep it frothy... that's what I always like to say. The thing I love about Adam's blog, Le 21ème Arrondissement, is that he focuses on incredible details and unique off-the-radar people. Adam's aesthetic is seriously kick butt: it's fierce and often goes against the grain. Whenever I see his photos I feel a little challenged. He sees things differently and I like that... I never feel like I'm looking at 'just another street style blog.'
Alright, now flash forward five months- right past summer and all that jazz: it's September 2012 and you're starting to think about your fall wardrobe. Oh, you're into supporting new talent? You like embracing young British designers? You want something original and fresh that everyone else won't be wearing? A-ha! Behold, I have the answer to what you've been looking for: Charlie May.
Charlie's collection is stuffed full of wearable basics. There were a pair of wide legged super soft high-waisted cord trousers that have my name written all over them. Do you know when I last wore corduroy trousers?! It was a long freaking time ago. There are also amazing silk separates - long dresses and shirts with gorgeous flowing wrist details. Oooo, and the leather. I've already started saving up for one of Charlie's leather jackets. They. are. stunning. I love the colour palette, the simple silhouettes and the delicate unexpected details that make all the difference. Cue incessant swooning.
p.s. if you can't handle waiting until the autumn, Charlie's SS12 collection will be available on Bengt from May. Elbows at the ready.
First three photos taken by Adam. Look book images courtesy of Charlie May.
Wearining: Outfit 1 - DAGMAR Pre-Fall AW12 cardigan (Varg), American Apparel tri-blend T-shirt, LiLiFi leopard clutch, Muriee cashmere scarf. Outfit 2 - Charlie May AW12 coat and silk shirt, Tibi leather front top (My Wardrobe), Maison Scotch clutch, 7FAM jeans, and Balenciaga boots.
Bare that belly
I decided to rock this Patouf cropped top with a little white t-shirt underneath because I'm just not ready to embrace the midriff full on. I love this top, by the way. It's a little sci-fi crazy with its silver sheen and structured shape. I like that. It means I can pretend to be on the Starship Enterprise.
Looking out over Zurich...
Weeee! Spring is here.
Spring in Zurich is the best thing ever. It's sunny and warm. The trees and flowers are blooming. It's calm. You can't help but get a tan. After weeks and weeks of it being -15 degrees the shift in temperature is heavenly. Let's not talk about the weather though, let's talk midriffs. What do we think people? Are they best saved for the catwalk? Can they work on real streets with real people? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. The thing is, regardless of how razor-sharp your abs might be (and trust me, I know we all have abs that could cut glass) it takes a lot of confidence to rock a belly baring top. Depending on how cropped you go they can start to resemble a bra top and I'm just not sure how that will go down in the city. Maybe it's a look best saved for weekend breaks away... hmmm. What do you reckon?
I decided to rock this Patouf cropped top with a little white t-shirt underneath because I'm just not ready to embrace the midriff full on. I love this top, by the way. It's a little sci-fi crazy with its silver sheen and structured shape. I like that. It means I can pretend to be on the Starship Enterprise while I walk around town (much to my husband's distaste). I want to wear it with something seriously fierce (read: a patent black shiny high-waisted pencil skirt and some kick-butt heels) but jeans and Converse fit a bit more with my everyday needs... for now at least.
Wearing: Patouf Jade Top, Mih Paris Jeans, Mykita Joanie Sunglasses, Bottletop Luciana Clutch and Converse.
INBAR SPECTOR
London will always be my favorite place to attend fashion week. Not because it's the fanciest or the most perfectly managed, but because it gives new designers the opportunity to showcase their work alongside the already established greats. I couldn't help but feel that I was witnessing something magical at this show.
Most people cringe at the thought of going backstage before a show.
The atmosphere tends to be incredibly stressful - space is precious and people are on edge. Every person adds to the madness and there are already so many people (make up, hair, stylists, PRs, models, designers, photographers, assistants) that any extras run the risk of tipping the whole operation into chaos. Oh, the fear of accidentally bumping into someone's arm as they apply mascara.
When I showed up at Freemason's Hall to shoot backstage at the Inbar Spector show the atmosphere was completely different. Everything seemed to be perfectly organized. No one was yelling or pushing and people knew exactly what they needed to do - the dramatics were entirely removed from the operation. Inbar even had time to plop down and get her hair done. Fingers crossed that next season there's time for me to have mine done too...
It wasn't until the models started getting dressed that I realized just how amazing the show was going to be. Sure, you can tell that an outfit is awesome just from seeing it on a rail but it doesn't really come to life until you see it on someone.
It was the Lara Jensen face jewelry that made me really excited. There was such a buzz and secrecy about it backstage that when I finally slipped out to take my seat I just about exploded onto the person next to me with giddy joy. 'It's going to be so good.' - was all I managed to say.
London will always be my favorite place to attend fashion week. Not because it's the fanciest or the most perfectly managed, but because it gives new designers the opportunity to showcase their work alongside the already established greats. I couldn't help but feel that I was witnessing something magical at this show... especially with being backstage beforehand. Inbar is clearly destined for great things and her autumn/winter 12 collection is just the start. I recently discovered that her previous collections are available to buy online. The metal tattoo dresses start at £350 and, while I realize this isn't pocket change, it isn't completely outside the realm of possibility either. They might not be the sort of pieces you'd wear everyday but they would look amazing for a special occasion or any occasion where you want to knock-the-socks off of everyone that sees you.
While I’m all for fashion that people can afford, there is something wonderfully alluring about investing in clothes that double as art.
Massive thank you to Susie at Trace for inviting me backstage and to the show.
HAUNTED BY A DRESS...
It's Saturday morning and I have friends visiting from London. I'm lying in bed hoping they don't wake up.
Not because I don't like them, of course, but because I've got to get this off my chest. It's been over a month since the Inbar Spector show and yet the collection is still at the forefront of my mind. This dress in particular has started to become a bit of an obsession. Compare it to Inbar's other work and you might call it simple, even rudimentary. Regardless, it's the reincarnation of a childhood fantasy - a grown up version of the sugar-coated dress I always imagined I'd wear on my wedding day.
It's modest and refined but, at the same time, achingly alluring. The high neck and long sleeves lend a feeling of austerity and formality. The sheer fabric is painfully pretty. It's so intricate and lightweight that it looks as though the slightest breath would make it fall apart. The body, by contrast, is full and exaggerated. Layers upon layers are stacked to the point of concealing the wearer. Her figure is hidden but she retains confidence and charm.
This dichotomy between seduction and strength isn't a new one. It is, after all, what many men will credit as making a woman most appealing - she is beautiful and yet independent. This is at the heart of 'masculine' dressing and exactly why so many designers this season have blatantly mixed hard elements with soft ones. It draws on the multi-dimensional character that exists within every woman. Conflating seduction and strength by making clothes that appeal to both aspects of one's personality makes for clothes that are far more interesting than those that cater to just one side. This dress does exactly that, it is concealed and yet also revealing. It is bold but at the same time discreet. It isn't everyday you find a single item that symbolizes everything you love about fashion but this dress does just that for me.
Teacup Postcard
I will never get too old for the teacups or for Disney. On my first day of Kindergarten I insisted on wearing a Minnie Mouse costume to school, complete with matching ears. For some reason my parents thought this behavior was permissible. I'm glad they did.
I will never get too old for the teacups or for Disney. On my first day of Kindergarten I insisted on wearing a Minnie Mouse costume to school, complete with matching ears. For some reason my parents thought this behavior was permissible. I'm glad they did.
Massive thank you to Vienna International Hotels for inviting me along to Paris to help celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris.
Shini wears: floral top from Zara. I'm wearing: Riyka sweatshirt and Moxham taba bracelet.
PUT ON A GRIN AND START RIGHT IN...
Back in university I used to always think, 'when I graduate I'll start shopping at Whistles.'
When you're a student you think you'll have a bigger disposable income when you graduate... that you'll get a job where you'll need to look respectable. Oh, how reality fails to live up to our expectations - hah. Despite the fact that I can work most days in my pajamas, I still view Whistles as being aspirational. It might be a high street shop but something about it oozes luxury. I don't go shopping that often but, honestly, every time I've gone into Whistles I've found tons of beautiful pieces. Most notably: sweet little dresses, nice trousers, and bucket loads of covetable knits and T-shirts.
This afternoon I received the brand's pre-fall look book and my jaw sort of hit the floor a little. Whistles, have you had your eye on street style trends lately? The slouchy silky printed pajama style trousers and varsity-light baseball jacket are totally Jak & Jil worthy, no? Above are my four favorite looks. The styling is lovely and simple which I like a lot. In an ideal world, I'd be wearing the entire outfit on the bottom left tomorrow. But with Converse not heels... I don't do heels on flights (that's just silly). A leather top with a peplum also made an appearance. I know, right?! Do you even understand the obsession I've been having with peplums? It's die-hard.
Photos courtesy of Whistles
A letter to my fellow bloggers
I've thought a lot about what it means to be a blogger. There's an increasing amount of shame associated with having a blog, especially at industry events where there are real press and other people who actually deserve their invitations. I'd like to share my thoughts on this and find out how you feel.
Hi bloggers,
How's it going? I thought it might be a good idea for us to clear some things up. As I'm sure you already know, we have a bit of a bad rap in some circles - what, with all the front row stealing and endless piles of free stuff we get sent (cough). Since London Fashion Week, I've thought a lot about what it means to be a blogger. There's an increasing amount of shame associated with having a blog, especially at industry events where there are real press and other people who actually deserve their invitations. I'd like to share my thoughts on this and find out how you feel.
First, I just want to point out how dear I find the whole platform of blogging. As you know, I started this blog almost three years ago. It was a little shocking to start off with (wait, you still might find it shocking... but go on, click here, the original posts are even scarier) but I stuck with it. So delirious was I with my new-found platform of self-expression that I posted frequently and regularly despite the fact that no one was reading. Never in one-hundred-gazillion years did I ever think the blog would lead to anything. I didn't expect anyone to be interested and I didn't care if my Site Meter read '5'. The point was that I had a place where I could say what I thought and post what I wanted in whatever way I saw fit. Shoddy photos, who cares? Poor grammar, so what? No one was grading what I did and I didn't have to impress anyone.
Somewhere down the line that changed.
When I met other bloggers I felt a growing pressure: 'What camera do you use? Where are your jeans from? Are you going to that press day tomorrow?'
The further you fall into something the less you are able to see it for what it truly is. When you collaborate with a brand or get invited to an event you start to feel a degree of obligation. After all, you're just a blogger. You should be thankful to have even been contacted.
The crux of the problem between fashion bloggers and the industry is the disconnect between expectations. There is an anger and a judgement directed at the poor journalistic standards. But, most bloggers don't claim to be journalists. There are hard feelings when a blogger is seated in the front row (if she wears a big hat that blocks the view of those behind her - even worse). But, surely, if the PR seats that blogger in the front row then only they are the ones to blame? When at a show, it's a simple courtesy to try to be as unobtrusive to the people around you as possible. It isn't rocket science to politely ask someone if they wouldn't mind taking their hat off. If they refuse, spit in your face, and declare, 'It's fashion, darling', then you probably have a reason to be pissed off. But there's no point sitting around disgruntled and bitter if you didn't even attempt to amend the situation yourself.
There should be no shame in admitting to be a blogger. We shouldn't feel the need to pretend to be something we're not or be too embarrassed/angry to apply for a Blogger Pass at LFW. I really think that if we're honest with ourselves and with others the entire blogger/industry relationship would benefit greatly. Below are my thoughts/tips on how best to deal with the industry side of things:
1. Be honest about who you are and what you have to offer. Don't ever lie about this. People listen, they remember, and they talk. Don't ever say anything in an e-mail or to someone's face that you wouldn't happily have them repeat on Twitter for the entire world to hear. There is nothing wrong with giving information out about your blog stats. If it's helpful for a brand to know which countries most of your traffic comes from, then tell them. Whether you have 100,000 hits a day or ten, there shouldn't be any shame.
2. Consider which brands/PRs/designers you really want to work with. When I say 'work' I don't necessarily mean paid work - I mean a general working relationship. Your blog is precious. Only you get to decide what goes on it. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for not inserting the links they want in a post. If it feels wrong to you then it's wrong. There are people out there that will want to support you and collaborate with you on your conditions. Take the time to look for them and don't expect it to happen overnight.
3. Be informed when signing up to networks or placing ads on your site. You can tell when a link is an affiliate one - even if the URL name tries to hide it. I can honestly say that I have never received any compensation that was worthwhile from doing a sponsored post or slotting in a cheeky affiliate link. This is why, currently, my blog is entirely ad free. If you decide to enter into a 'cost per action' scheme then make sure you have a freaking butt load of traffic going through your site. Otherwise you'll be left wondering why you agreed to do it in the first place. Brands moved from pay-per-click to pay-per-buy for a reason... it's because they get a lot of exposure without having to pay you very much (or often anything).
4. Don't get bitter. Try not to compare yourself to other bloggers. Obviously, this can be difficult - we always see what people around us are doing and wonder how we measure up. You can't help but notice when a blogger has 1 million comments on every post, the newest Proenza Schouler bag and a Jag to pick them up at the airport when they arrive in Cannes. Stop it though. Stop comparing yourself. Trust me, it's not worth it.
5. Think about what you're doing and why. I really can't stress this enough. A lot of people are starting blogs because they want to work in the fashion industry. That's fine. Whether you're eleven, eighteen, or eighty-five you can use a blog to showcase your talent and present what you're passionate about. Do not start, or keep up, a blog because you think it will get you free stuff or get you into fashion shows. The reality is, these things are often not free and having a blog (no matter how 'big' it might be) doesn't guarantee that a designer or PR will want you at their show.
6. Be grateful for what you are given. Whether it's an e-mail with a look book attached, an invitation to a launch, a thank you for reviewing a product or a free stay at a luxury hotel. Remember to say 'thank you' and be kind. If you aren't interested in, say, what Rihanna wore to that party last night just respond and explain why it isn't relevant to your blog and ask to be taken off the mailing list.
7. Don't seek fame. I don't believe that having a blog should be, on any level, a quest for stardom.
8. Hold onto the magic. Blogging requires passion, motivation, inspiration and a lot of time. It is, at its core, intended to be personal. That's the only thing that distinguishes it from an online magazine and that's exactly what makes it a vital piece of media. You aren't getting paid to have a blog. Why should you be? It's your little slice of the web. So, if you aren't having fun with it, why bother?
These are just my thoughts and my take on blogging, if you disagree please let me know.
Hope you're well. xx
p.s. these photos were taken by Kit- they're nice, right?
p.s.s. so, do you like my outfit? It's my 'relaxed and chilled-out but at the same time hotttt' look. Umm, yes it is hot. I'm wearing a short black leather skirt - that's as sexy as I get - but with a long silk coat, a canvas bag, and manky Converse (not seen, but I promise they are there). It looks more disgruntled mess than hooker... which I like to think is a good thing. Incase you're interested: TBA coat, Maison Scotch jumper, 2nd Day skirt, Lucy Folk bracelets, Maria Nilsdotter ring, Bottletop Luciana clutch, and Versace sunglasses (stolen from Charlie).
HAPPY DAY: SUMMER IS COMING...
All this talk about autumn/winter dressing has almost made me forget that summer is just around the corner. SUMMER. Yeyyy. I LOVE summer. Stick me on a beach with nothing to do and no one to see and I will literally love you forever. Now, I know that this wave of summer weather hasn't hit all of you. England, your weather sucks, I'm sorry about that. But just roll with me for a minute. The weather in Zurich has been so beautiful this past week - like English high-summer weather. To celebrate, I've been transforming my balcony into a mini-office every afternoon. My 'office' equipment consists of one beach towel, my MacBook Air, a big glass of water and... oh yeah, a pair of sunglasses. My balcony is so equipped for tanning purposes that you can lie out totally naked without fear of anyone seeing - I'm not saying I do that, I'm just saying it's possible.
Anyway, let's talk about summer beauty. This is how I break it down: skin, nails, hair, eyes.
1. Skin: don't let it get dry or burnt. Simples. Carry a miniature sized bottle of sunscreen with you, it will make you really popular - especially if you hang out around really pale people that burn at the mere mention of clear skies. Mine is Boots brand. It's nothing fancy but it works. I also freaking love Banana Boat. I'm addicted to the Aloe After Sun lotion and the Aloe After Sun gel. They are the best.
2. Nails: take care of them. Remove your polish properly and use colors that will make you happy. Essie nail polish is the best I have come across. This is simply because the colors are awesome, it goes on easily, dries fast, and doesn't chip very quickly. That's all I'm looking for in my nail polish.
3. Hair: I don't know much about hair but I do know that I got this little sample bottle of UNITE 7 Seconds Leave in Conditioner last season at LFW and I've used it almost everyday since September. It's still not empty. How is that even possible? It detangles like a charm and I spray it in my hair when it's dry to give it a bit of added texture. This sounds strange but I swear it's actually the only hair product I use.
4. Eyes: cover those bad boys up. Don't buy crappy £2 glasses from Primark. You might think they look so cool for, like, 5 minutes but they don't protect your eyes, k? These white cat-eye ones are my Mykita... they're pretty snazzy, eh?
So commences our Beauty 101 class 'Summer Edition'. Feel free to weigh in on my regime and please tell me about any incredible products that I'm missing out on. I hate buying new beauty-related-things (as they are often crap) so would much appreciate your insightful tips...
p.s. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! xx
ENROLL ME IN THE MARNI ARMY...
Ooo, I always like a good bit of Marni. All the bold prints and easy-peasy-Japanesey dresses. Wait. Err... are these the right photos for this post?
Why yes, yes they are.
When I started flicking through the photos of the Marni AW12 collection I was a bit confused. This doesn't look like Marni, I kept thinking. But I like it, a lot. For starters the colour combos are unreal. They feel like the epitome of anti-winter. Opting for the obvious colour choice is so last season, you know. Why not work your airy-fairy spring shades in a way that works for chilly weather? The sherberty blue and orange look fresh for autumn but stay grounded by the tan, black and grey. I especially like the wearable trouser shapes with creased fronts, dropped waists, elegant sleeve lengths and the utility style belts that pull in the waists of pieces that would otherwise look quite bulky. Oh yeah, it's super wearable and I like it.
Before we take this any further can we please clear up one highly disturbing thing about this collection? The white tights. The last time that I wore white tights I was four - they were awesome and had tiny pink hearts all over them. Since then I have refused to put my legs into white tights. They look ridiculous on grown ups. That was, until now. Now they look smoking hot because Consuelo Castiglioni is a genius and has given them some sort of mod-infused futuristic Star Wars flight attendant vibe. That's right. I said it. Gimme some white tights.
What I loved most about the collection were the pieces that packed an edgier goth-light vibe. That sleeveless shiny leather trench on the far left, for example, is so beautiful. I might need to print out its picture and put it next to my bed... I love it that much. The architectural lines and silhouettes are also wonderful - they create a strong aesthetic without looking the least bit costumey. This is smart. Like most women, I want to nod knowingly towards the fact that curved sunken footballer shoulders are in, not actually look like my shoulders are wide enough to knock someone's eye out. The straight skirts are lush too. I am very into straight skirts. I want to wear them with loose T-shirts now and even looser jumpers in the winter.
Towards the end of the show the feeling changed as richer reds, gold and embellishment were thrown into the mix.
Oh, that embellishment...
It's texture on speed and feels like a million little flowers (or bugs?!) have exploded onto the surface of the fabric. I want to see it up close. I want to know what it would feel like to wear. I want... that little red structured bag. Yum. The whole thing had a very ancient Egypt vibe about it. I like to imagine that my sci-fi flight attendant models accidentally got thrown back in time to Cairo. After coming face-to-face with Cleopatra for the first time, they can't help but board their flight back to Zurich a little changed from the experience. It is at this pivotal moment in the show that the two cultures smack heads. Come on, you have to admit, there's something very Elizabeth Taylor circa 1963 about that look.
This new direction must be, on some level, a reaction to the madness of the H&M collaboration. If you can get the 'Marni look' on a budget at a mega-high-street-store then, surely, the only logical step forward is to mix-it-up and challenge what that look is all about.
Smart move. But the even smarter move is the Cher's closet feeling buy-it-in-advance step the brand is taking...
After all, why put off to tomorrow what you can spend money on today?
This touches on a long debated issue in the fashion world - why is there such a disconnect between 'seasons', what goes into magazines and what can actually be purchased. How often has a fashionista pulled her hair out because, after seeing that #totesamaze pair of shoes in Vogue, called up the producer only to discover... 'they aren't going into production.' Cue violent gnashing of teeth. With sites like Moda Operandi and now, Marni's itself, offering its most loyal customers the chance to buy items immediately after they show, this needn't be a problem. In an age where people are increasingly turning towards faster and faster fashion that's cheaper and cheaper it's important for brands (especially luxury ones) to only produce quantities that will sell. Staying on top of these advances in online sales and marketing is equally vital to a brands success.
More importantly though it gives you the chance to all pull together your resources to buy me those black and gold cross over ankle heels for my birthday - it's not until the end of April, don't worry, no rush on delivery is needed. I'm thinking 2 quid from each and every one of you should just about do it. Come on. They are only £440, that's practically the same price as a pair of boots from Acne and I swear I'd wear them every day. No? Okay. It was worth a shot...
All catwalk images from Style.com
p.s. if you've got a wad of cash in your pocket to burn on Marni AW12 hop over to the site this weekend. After Monday the pre-sale will be removed and you'll have to wait until the fall to get a stab at the action.
STICK IT ON ME...
Dear Louisa,
I like the way you dress. Most of the time your outfits are pretty basic but somehow you make them look totally fresh. You use colour, texture and small details to make a big impact. A chunky soft blue knit over a white button up shirt is nothing new but it looks incredible when paired with a black sleeveless biker jacket and a bold pink lip. The perfect finishing touch is obviously that covetable Moxham necklace (give it to me). Don't even get me started on how freaking amazing your DIY sticker clutch is (I want it). xx
p.s. do you think we could please have a sticker party so that I can make a bag to match yours?
Sticker covered clutch