RESORT 2013 - OH YEAH, LET'S WEAR IT NOW...
Dear World, do you love the resort collections? I do. They're a peek into the future and a heads up on what to start wearing now. Yah, it's elitist and confusing but it's also grounded and totally aspirational. Why wear what's in the magazines now when you can start dressing like resort 13? The thing that's standing out most to me from the presentations are the proportions. Clever layering is being used to create a new silhouette. I like it, a lot.
I also like the colour palette. It's earthy and taupe. Taupe. That's right. Let your clothes be taupe - give your personality the chance to be colorful.
Above you'll find some of my favorite looks from some of my favorite designers. I loved the little cliche plastic bag at 10 Crosby and the magenta dress worn over a white shirt with sandals at Elizabeth & James. There are so many good looks. My favourites are the ones that feel a little awkward but are beautiful for their strangeness. There's a traveling foreign vibe trickling into the collections which I love. Personally I've always felt a bit like a global gypsy... just give me some gold hoops and a silk scarf to tie on my head and I'll read your fortune. Seriously.
Hope you love the resort collections as much as I do. Sending my love to you always and forever. xx
All images from style.com
Leather & Flares
Brown leather. White linen cropped top. Bell bottom jeans. If you asked me a month ago, I'd laugh in \ at the mere mention of these items. Surely they are outdated and totally uncool. Well, wide legs have started creeping into my life. It's scary but I'm having the desire to swap out my skinnies for trousers with a looser fit. Uh-oh.
Fashion is a strange thing.
Brown leather. White linen cropped top. Bell bottom jeans. If you asked me a month ago, I'd laugh in your face at the mere mention of these items. Surely they are outdated and totally uncool. Well, wide legs have started creeping into my life. It's scary but I've started having the desire to swap out my skinnies for trousers with a looser fit. Uh-oh. The tectonic plates of fashion are shifting... and I'm mildly scared. Errr... anyway. I love this white linen top. It has an elasticated waist and sits right at my belly button. Yeah, technically it's belly baring but if you wear it with something high-waisted it looks like an ordinary top. I like. I'm still uncertain how I feel about baring my belly... it just doesn't seem very lady like.
p.s. I'm mega addicted to my little collection of Tank Books. They are adora-bable and are operating as my go-to accessory... until I get a puppy.
Wearing: Paul & Joe Sister jacket, Koto Bolofo white linen top from Anthropologie, J Brand jeans, Moheda Toffeln clogs, Bottletop Luciana bag, Tank books Kafka edition and random friendship bracelet found at a market.
Photos by Fredrik
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS...
Hey there. It's the weekend. Yey.
I've spent my Saturday doing things that I love most. Lounging and shopping and planning and organizing. I bought a desk from Ikea (hooray). I finally have my own office space. Seriously, I'm so happy about this I cannot tell you. We're going to swap the top that we got for a bigger one. It's basically two easels with a plank of wood on top. So good. I got the idea from Ms Shini Park (thank you). I also lit this Happiness aromatherapy candle for the first time. I got it from Target when I was in the US at Christmas and was waiting for a slightly symbolic moment to light it. The formation of my 'office' seemed a fitting occasion. I'm super excited to relaunch a more work/organizational lifestyle now that I have officially taken on a role at HPR London as their in-house digital consultant (cracks open champagne). I'm so excited because I love Harriet (the founder) and I cannot wait to work with her alongside brands I adore like Paul and Joe, Kyle Hopkins and (wait for it...) Charlie May.
Okay that's all from me. Hope you're having an awesome weekend. xx
p.s. how cool was my Grandfather (bottom photo posing next to his car)? Love.
Featured: River Island wedges and sunglasses, Iconemesis iPhone case and Kafka Metamorphosis by Tank Books. Desk and chair from Ikea.
LET ME LIVE IN A FLOWER MARKET PLEASE...
Please can we arrange for me to live inside a flower market?
There is nothing I love more than being in London on a sunny Sunday. Why? Because I love Columbia Road Flower Market (so much). When I was last in town I spent an unusually warm day lazing about the market. It was so crowded but I loved every minute. I wore a double printed look from Aubin & Wills which I love. It's super soft and silky. Perfect for feeling easy and breezy but looking a bit put together.
p.s. yes, posing with a potted flower plant was essential (although highly cliche).
Wearing: Everard skirt and Willington vest with white Converse. Props: flowers and yellow SIGG bottle.
Massive thanks to the Cat for keeping me company and taking my outfit shot.
Why I finally got Instagram
Shhhhh...
I know what you're thinking ('I told you so'). Let's just call this one a draw and pretend like my feeble attempt to stick it to the Instagram gods never actually took place. I'm on it now, okay? Are you happy now? Follow me: @stylecrusader K? Alright. Let's all get back to our day now.
Love you all. Kissy kiss. xx
p.s. OBSESSED with a buttery brown leather Paul & Joe Sister leather jacket at the moment. #swoon
AT HOME WITH BENGT FASHION...
BENGT Fashion has been on my mind for the last few months. I was introduced to the brand by Sandra, who did some styling and photography work with them for their SS12 collection. They really landed hard on my radar though when I found out about Moxham. My love was officially solidified when they became the first online stockiest for Charlie May (happy face).
When I was in London I had the chance to visit their headquarters which just so happens to be inside the home of Eva Evers, the company's director. As much as I love the products and adored the cupcake breakfast, what really got my heart racing was nosing around her apartment. Dirty old shoes? Love them. Random kitsch kids toys? Even better. Her flat is functional and adorable and I found the mixture of high and low elements so inspiring. No doubt the design direction of the flat has been heavily influenced by her boyfriend Nick. All I know is that I left on a sugar high and with the idea of making my bathroom super hero themed. I love it when inspiration comes from the most unexpected places.
Hope you enjoy nosing around her flat as much as I did. xx
My favorite pieces available on BENGT at the moment are the Three Floor Sugar High Dress, Louise Amstrup Easy Print Pleat Skirt Dress, Emesha Block Colour Dress, and the Mona Chakora One Piece Swimsuit. I also love the Charlie May White Collar Tie Back Top and anything Moxham.
Visit BENGT Fashion for more information and product details.
KEEP IT LIGHT, KEEP IT FROTHY...
Keeping it light n' frothy with some photos I took today in Zurich with my new iPhone (#bootydance). Don't even get me started on how great it is. My life. has been transformed.. The case I'm getting is going to be the best part. But shhh, I'm keeping it a secret for now.
I'm not normally into doing interviews but when I received an e-mail from Karolina in Poland asking if I'd answer a few short questions I couldn't resist. I love that we have so much in common and that she clearly gets what my blog is about. Check out the interview below:
A mini-interview with yours truly
- You said starting a blog was kind of distraction for you - was the decision really spontaneous? Can you point out one particular moment when it was set: OK, I'm about to start a blog? I actually remember the exact moment when the idea came to me. I was sitting in the backyard of my sister's house in St Louis with my family and randomly blurted out, 'I'm going to start a blog.' It was sort of a joke and we all laughed about it. It was August 2009, the summer after I finished my undergraduate degree.
- Reading your blog and a short "about" paragraph I can see some similarity between us: I often search for distractions (during a degree in political theory also), I love beautiful things and I love to write. Starting a blog, however, is one of the things that are put in the "maybe later" drawer. Can you convince me in very few words that this idea is really worthy accomplishing? A blog gives you the platform to express yourself in whatever way you want - you don't need to be held back or restrained by anything. It will change you. The freedom that comes with blogging is what makes it worth accomplishing.
- Has your personal style changed since you are a well known blogger? No. To be honest I've never felt like I have a strong sense of personal style. Some people have a very distinct and memorable style. I don't think I have that. I just wear what I like and it's always pretty low key. My personal style is always evolving. Working with PR agencies and designers means that now I have access to products I never thought I'd even see in real life. There are temptations that come along with that and I always try to ask my-self before walking out the door... do I really like this? It's easy to get sucked into the feeling that you should follow the big trends or wear certain things but I try to avoid that.
- Are you really The Style Crusader? What, in style and fashion, are you fighting for? I love this question. The 'crusade' has changed and developed. There was a fighting element even in the first post I did which was titled 'Mission Statement'. As I say in that post from August 2009, I can't help but scrutinize the world around me. That's definitely still true today. Now, I think the 'crusade' is really just for authenticity and quality. Whether that's in the way you put together an outfit, a magazine's content, or the behavior of a major brand.
If you have any other burning questions for me (from what underwear I like to which philosophical doctrine I most adhere to) ask in the comments below. I hate answering the same question more than once, so we can use this as a gathering ground of enquiries. Good plan?
White Leather
Last week I got to spend the day with my love Charlie May in East London. We rode Boris Bikes, which I thought would be horrifying, but actually were so much fun. If you're in London get your booty onto one. You'll be glad you did.
It's the weekend and I'm itching to get outside.
So let's just keep this sweet and simple. Last week I got to spend the day with my love Charlie May in East London. We rode Boris Bikes, which I thought would be horrifying, but actually were so much fun. If you're in London get your booty onto one. You'll be glad you did. Just ride responsibly, ok? Make sure you look over your shoulder, signal, and all that good safety shizz.
By the way, how freaking awesome is the leather jacket? Charlie let me wear it only after I promised to run my entire house off the generated energy of a group of people cycling. Uhhh... sorry Charlie, I lied, I'm not going to do that.
p.s. watch out, I will run you down and I take no prisoners....
Photos by Charie May
Wearing: Charlie May AW12 jacket, Aubin & Wills shorts, American Apparel tri-blend tank top, Converse, Bottletop purse and clear/lace clutch by Kit Lee.
NAUGHTY LITTLE MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF...
Ooooo, how cute. Look, my nails are all covered in cute little characters. Awww, isn't that sweet? They even match my book.
Ahem. I have a penchant for anything immature and child like. Honestly, the more ridiculous the better. I'm currently planning a superhero themed bathroom (much to everyone's distaste)... I swear, it's going to be awesome. The main focal point will be a clear 'KAPOW' shower curtain (I just need to find a place to make it because actually no one stocks proper superhero bathroom stuff... it's all weird creatures I've never seen before).
Anyway, as you might know Meadham Kirchhoff is all the rage in London. After their 'cute as a button' ballerina x wild dancing girl show two seasons ago I was sold for life. As much as I'd like one of their adorable little kitty t-shirts and their big batting eyes cardigan*... I can't bring myself to spend that sort of money on a T-shrt and cardigan. But, I can handle 7 quid for a pair of Nail Rocks from Topshop. Don't believe what it says on the package though, they do not last 10 days and they aren't easy to put on. It took Shini and I about an hour to get them on... and afterwards they still looked a bit like a mentally deranged child had gone mental with her stickers. I didn't really care though because they are just SO FREAKING CUTE.
p.s. I still have two of the 'naughty' ones left over because someone refused to put them on me.... they will make an appearance though Mrs Park.
Photos by the most incredibly patient woman in the world.
* hello, have you SEEN my eyelashes? Was this cardi not MADE FOR ME?
HEART BALLOONS AND CAPOEIRA...
Mmmmm... [long pause]
That was me exhaling a gigantic breath of relief. London is wonderful but whenever I step off a plane at Zurich airport and head towards my bed I feel like I'm entering into some quasi-therapuetic post-psychotic dream. I'm pretty much in heaven because it's so chilled out here. I managed to score a couple new wardrobe staples while I was away so I'm feeling slightly less distraught over my less-than-capable wardrobe. In other news: today I chased down a red heart balloon, watched crazy capoeira boys in the park and thought that public toilets in Zurich came with complimentary showers and hair dryers. Apparently not, but there are little holes to dispose of your needles. How very thoughtful of you Eveline.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! xx
SUMMED UP IN ONE PHOTO...
This is me summed up in a single photo. Interpret it as you will. Burger courtesy of The Hunger.
xx
p.s. the River Island giveaway winners will be contacted today and announced on Twitter tonight.
LET'S GET UP IN DETAIL...
Last week I had the absolute pleasure of meeting up with In Detail to shoot a little story and talk jewelry. It was so fun as I went with Louisa who has the most outrageous collection of jewelry. Beanie, the creator of the site is such a total babe. She was so sleek and sophisticated with her tight pulled back ponytail and multiple ear cuffs. Harry, who shoots for the site (and designed it?!) is amazing too. We'd been e-mailing about making some changes to the layout of my blog (I'm USELESS when it comes to html) so it was awesome to finally meet in real life and discover they are as incredible as I'd hoped they would be. Plus, I discovered how amazing eggs royale are. I'm now obsessed.
How awesome is Louisa's pink Judy Blame safety pin necklace? I expected it to be crazy heavy but it's actually light as a feather. Yummy.
The full feature is now up on In Detail - featuring a short interview and lots of photos.
Massive thank you to Beanie and Harry for featuring me on the site! xx
Wearing: Paul & Joe sister jacket, Dagmar knit, Muriee scarf.
Black & White
Completely obsessed with this simple slouchy silk dress. Love the oversized arm holes and elongated back. Thank god I put on a pair of shorts underneath - the wind was acting like a nasty mother. Marilyn Monroe might be chic but no one needs to see my (heart print) pants.
Chilling in a window sill...
Hiiiii from London. Yes, I'm still here. I'm writing to you from the sofa of Charlie and Lexxie's house where I've been staying. Thankfully they haven't thrown me to the streets yet. The UK's bipolar weather patterns are starting to wear on me. Clear skies are a massive rarity. When they hit people go mental with excitement and sweaty men decide it's acceptable to walk around with their shirts off (eww). The weekend was awesome because it was el scorchio which meant I could go bare legged. Nothing makes me happier. Now it's freaking freezing again. Boo. The misery.
Completely obsessed with this simple slouchy silk dress. Love the oversized arm holes and elongated back. Thank god I put on a pair of shorts underneath - the wind was acting like a nasty mother. Marilyn Monroe might be chic but no one needs to see my (heart print) pants.
p.s. flowers are officially my favorite accessory for spring.
Wearing: Topshop Boutique dress, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, Converse and clutch by Style Slicker.
Photos by Kit Lee
DEAR JEFFREY CAMPBELL, YOU SUCK.
They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery... but surely that doesn't hold true when a California-based brand decides to replicate designer luxury shoes and sells them for a small fraction of the original price.
It's one thing when knock-offs are sold in China, or even on eBay, but Jeffrey Campbell is sold online, in small boutiques and in highly established mega stores like Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters. It's a global brand with a massive reach and substantial customer base. There is no denying that many of JC's products are direct and obvious imitations. Funny then that they've include in the description of each item: 'A Jeffrey Campbell original.' Clearly the bar for originality is at an all time low. Please tell me I'm not the only one that finds this revolting...
Ph./details: Susie Bubble in Simone Rocha vs Upend. Daphne Guinness in Natacha Marro vs Night Walk. Rumi Neely in Balenciaga vs Coltrane
p.s. LOVE the slightly surreal nature of each pair of these shoes.. I want to defy gravity like Daphne.
------------ UPDATE: 15/05/12 ------------
The reaction/comments* to this post got me thinking about inspiration generally and how the concept applies to the fashion world. Obviously there are a million things that could be discussed but let's try to stay focused on the issue of JC... a few immediate questions about the brand spring to mind. My rough online** search has led me to the following conclusions...
1. How does JC present themselves? What do their stockists say about them? '
'Shoes with vintage inspiration and runway trends...' (Nordstrom) seems to be the general gist.
2. What's the connection with Solestruck?
On Solestruck there are over 800 JC shoes. A lot are sold out but the images/product listings are still available - it's like a little archive of JC designs.*** Under the' 'About Jeffrey Campbell tab' it states:
'Based in LA and just starting its 11th year as a company, Jeffrey Campbell has not only become a favorite of Solestruck shoppers but of fashionistas globally. A large collection and our top selling brand on the site, JC combines vintage elements, runway trends and completely original concepts to produce a crowd pleasing array of boots, shoes, flats, platforms and wedges. Stay tuned to spring 2011 as Jeffrey will offer many new shapes, fabrications and concepts within his collection---all coming your way right here on solestruck.com. Oh and did we mention that team JC are like our best friends?'****
No way. I never would have guessed.
3. How does JC present themselves on their own website?
The site is pretty cool. It's engaging and has lot to offer customers - it's bright, it's punchy, it includes a blog and even a section called 'JC Girls'. Ooo, that's intriguing. There are 25 images that have all been sourced from LOOKBOOK.NU. Okay, how about the 'FAQ' part of the site? Quite succinct, it's the last three questions and their answers that I find most revealing.
4. What is their social media following like?
Facebook: 114K - Product/Services: '...truly America's Shoe Sweetheart...'
Twitter: 30,172 - 'GET IT GIRLL' seems to be one of their favorite expressions.
Summed up: JC and those affiliated with the site encourage the misguided belief that the designs sold are original and unique. The brand's online marketing strategy is targeted towards bloggers. It encourages them to engage with the brand and benefits from their influence - in terms of sales, legitimacy and influence. This is unacceptable.
* Natacha Marro retweeted the post. Vin and Omi got engaged on Twitter and left a comment. Within a few hours of the post going live it had over 60 likes (normally I get a small handful). My stats were going a bit mental but that wasn't represented in the comments - some people were commenting but not that many. Why not? Are people uninterested? Do they not care? Are they afraid to say how they feel? These were the thoughts running through my head.
** Online because I've never received any press information about the brand so, at this stage, what's available online is all I have to go by.
*** Which makes the site perfect for playing my all time favourite game: guess the original designer. The rules, you ask? Challenge whoever you can find (friends, partners, pet turtles...) to go through the archives and write down as many designer knock offs as you can spot. 1 point for each correct designer you can link to a pair of JC shoes - bonus points if you can name the collection it came from. Is it bad that I really want to hear how many you guys can get right?
**** 15/05/12 - bold bits added by me, duh.
What is "blogger style"?
It's no secret that I love a good blogger debate. This morning I was up unnaturally early (6am?! I blame it on the McDonalds at midnight) and saw that a post had gone up on Fashion Editor at Large entitled, Will You Wear the 'Blogger' Trend? What the freak-a-stink is the 'blogger' trend, I wondered. Thirty minutes later and I had left a semi-monumental comment roughly outlining my thoughts and reaction.
It's no secret that I love a good blogger debate. This morning I was up unnaturally early (6am?! I blame it on the McDonalds at midnight) and saw that a post had gone up on Fashion Editor at Large entitled, Will You Wear the 'Blogger' Trend?What the freak-a-stink is the 'blogger' trend, I wondered. Thirty minutes later and I had left a semi-monumental comment roughly outlining my thoughts and reaction. For the rest of the day I couldn't quite get the topic out of my head. Something about the concept just doesn't well with me. The 'blogger look' is described as: 'piled high with as many designer pieces - preferably borrowed from the catwalk collection - as is physically possible.'
'...now it's all about being high maintenance, blatant and unashamedly fashion mad.'
As I understand it, the idea presented in Melanie's post is that being a blogger isn't trendy enough in itself anymore. After all, just about everyone has a blog these days. Now if you want to be trendy you need to snatch up that 'blogger' look. This is all described alongside photos of Susie and Bryan. Anna dello Russo is referenced in relation to her upcoming collaboration with H&M. It's the more-is-more mentality. As far as I'm concerned though this isn't down to bloggers per say, rather, it's the result of a few key individuals and street style photography.
Take the 'arm party' megalopolis trend for example. As you likely already know, Man Repeller coined the term and it quickly became one of the trendiest looks to rock the blogosphere. Why shoot an empty vessel of a wrist when you can snap one covered in multicolored friendship bracelets, bright jewels, ropes and metal galore? Simply put, it's more visually appealing. Offset that wrist with some double clutch goodness (double clutching – that’s right), throw in some clashing prints, a Prada flaming heel, something furry and a stark geometric print and your good to go baby.
But, I'm not sure why this look is being coined 'blogger'. Street style photographers shoot show goers (editors, buyers, fashion personalities and yes - increasingly bloggers). The real meat of the blogging world aren't those people though. They can't afford designer clothes and statements pieces. By far most bloggers are real people who have normal lives and average budgets. I'm all for being unashamedly fashion mad but that needn't mean subscribing to a set look or copying what other bloggers are wearing. The beauty and worth in a 'blogger' look is in its individuality not in replicating the same thing on hundreds of blogs - that is already becoming too prevalent and it makes the content, and in effect the blogger, null and void.
Anything that exalts senseless excess and, at the same time, claims it to be 'blogger' in nature is missing the point of what blogging is about.
p.s. the story of these Versace sunglasses is now lost in the length of this post. They belong to Charlie and I love them. I love them on her, I love them on myself and I love them on Frances too. Three bloggers in the same sunglasses... oops, wasn't I preaching the merits of individuality?