Fashion School: Day 1

Today was Day 1 of my 1 week fashion course as part of the Summer Uni Program.

First thing in the morning i was bricking it, didn't know anyone or what it would be like. Somehow managed to get myself down to Hammersmith ad went in and saw loads of kids and totally froze up. Finally got into the class and things got better and better and we all got into the swing of things. I've decided to design a black lace, high-waisted skater skirt Haha! Gawd knows how I'm going to do that but fashion is unpredictable eh?! I might be the next Christopher Kane. I figured I could wear the skirt this winter and it's really in keeping with the whole A/W Gothic theme that's tearing p the runways at the moment. Anyway, we also learnt Chibori, a type of Tie-dye used often by the designer Issey Miyake, according to Anna Cocciadiferro http://www.cocciacostumier.co.uk, our teacher. She's spent ten years as a costume designer, specialising in alternative wear and she was wearing the most fabulous black dress! Our other teacher is called Tracey, she's a stylist and dressmaker and had the most beautiful big bangles on! AND she shaved half her head and her hair grew back so quickly so I've decided that i will take the plunge and as soon as i hit uni do that hairstyle i wanted! You only live once!! We also tried our hands at Batik although mine came out terribly, wax and I don't really get on ya know! Then, as you can see in the pictures, we all did these gorgeous moodboards detailing what we wanted to design in terms of Style, Texture, Colour, Pattern etc.

Phew! And it's only day 1!!

Come back tomorrow for moreeeeeee.

Love

xxx

ps I've decided to enter a BBC competition to be an assistant at London Fashion Week. All i have to do is style an eco-friendy/vintage outfit. Wish me luck!!

AA Fever!!

Despite the fact that most of their clothes would look so joke on me, my love affair with American Apparel refuses to wane. I go in there whenever i get the opportunity and just browse and browse and browse. I may try on a few things but i know deep down i won't buy it (some of the prices are blatant daylight robbery). Then i leave feeling a little bit more fulfilled in life and continue on my merry way. The idea of American Apparel is simply genius. It's just basics. It's like GAP on acid and I'm already addicted. There are no fancy frills with American apparel, just damn sexy clothes. Considering that most of their stuff is like second skin i must say not all is suitable for everyone but i guarantee you, you will find something for you, even if it's just a woven belt or a head band or a cardigan. At the moment I'm quite enamoured with their over sized rainbow t-shirt and metallic skater dresses.....one in every colour? Yes pleaseeeeee!
xxx

http://store.americanapparel.co.uk/
ps. And how raunchy are their ads??!! Loves it!

Pocahontas started it?

Headbands are a big deal this summer. They're an edgier alternative to the age old Alice band but unlike the alice band they only really work if u have medium to long hair so all you fashionistas will have to grow out your POBs if you want this to work. For a day look a plain band will do but for evening why not try a metallic or a woven plait. American Apparel do gorge metallic ones for only £4! Tres chic.

xxx

The MOST beautiful song!

In my opinion it's so easy to become disillusioned with the music industry nowadays because it's been churning out a lot, A LOT of rubbish. But every once in a while a song comes along that resonates with you and restores your faith in the industry and the power of music. This is mine. This sing, to me, is magical!
Enjoy!
xxx

ps i know im soppy :P

Heatherette!! WARNING!

Time for you guys to do your homework!!

Go away and swot up on THE design Duo Heatherette.

I'm planning a massive blog tribute to them but i want y'all to know at least a little bit about these two.

To me, they are what fashion is about. Fun and Sexy.

J'adore Richie Rich and Traver.

Here's a little taster.....

The Queen is a style icon!!!

Those who believe silk headscarves are synonymous
with old ladies, think again baby!

Headscarves are coming back in a big way. Think the Queen walking her corgis or traipsing around the grounds of Balmoral, yes, that's right, Queenie is a style icon :/! The new D&G F/W collection was said to have been inspired by HRH Queen Elizabeth II and when it was debuted in Milan fashionistas were a bit thrown....had they walked into a Dot Cotton convention or had the fashion duo gone mad?! I for one think this is a very cute trend for Summer. Obviously we don't need to tie our scarves EXACTLY like Queenie but it doesn't hurt to take inspiration from her! For the best silk scarves and the best variety go to Beyond Retro where they are £1.50 each. That's where i got mine! I prefer to tie mine Amy Winehouse style, with a big bow on top. It's cute and girly and just plain fun.

Happy Summer.

xxx

Lumberjack Attack!!

For some months now, i have been on the hunt for the perfect Lumberjack shirt, Clark Kent style. I've trawled everywhere from the mens section at Debenhams to a builders shop....yes for reals! What can i say? Desperate times call for desperate measures. But i found my dream shirt, well something quite similar in the most unlikely place...Primark!! As i browsed racks looking for something to wear that evening i came across it. A large black and white Lumberjack shirt...of course i bought and wore it. But now i have another dilemma. I think i need extra long black ruched leggings to wear with it. Help anyone? ;)

xxx

Style Icon!

'GOOGLE ME BABY, I'M HOT HOT!'

Some of you may know Teyana Taylor from MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen, others of you may know her as a singer and girl about town but i know Teyana as a fashion forward teen icon. Teyana is part of the old skool movement. She rides skateboards wear high-tops and wear gold rope chains. In short, she's a G! Her massive afro and idc attitude make her one to watch. Design duo Heatherette adore her and dress her at every opportunity. Her song Google Me is a straight up underground hit and the fact that she's signed to super cool Pharell Williams record label Star Trak means this girl has got one hell of a head start. Teyana Taylor, remember that name because she's going to be BIG!
xxx

CSS are B.A.C.K!

In 2006 CSS came, saw and conquered. Their music, with it's quirky mix of English and Portuguese and their cheeky lyrics, it's fair to say most of us were hooked. In the year of 2007 they played festivals across the country including Glastonbury and cemented their place in pop-land. But now they're back and better than ever. Their new album Donkey is already receiving rave reviews and upon laying my hands on the long awaited album i too can say that is it is everything we expect and more. It sounds a lot more grown up but they never lose their cheeky charm. My favourites include 'Reggae All Night' and 'Move', whether you're fan of CSS or not you can't deny that their music was made for dancing. Soundtrack of the Summer? I think so!
xxx
Here's a little taster, their song called 'I Fly'.

'Last night, I turned into a fly I got through your window and I landed in your
eye'

Simon Nessman is THE man!

It's very rarely that i notice male models simply due to the fact that they are there to compliment the female model and never overshadow her. But today as i flicked through an issue of Dazed and Confused i came across a spread which included the most beautiful man i think i have ever seen in my entire life. I got home and had to google him, Simon Nessman,
Height - 6' 2, Suit - 40, Waist - 31, Shoe - 12, Hair - Brown, Eyes - Lt.Brown, perfection!
http://www.simonnessman.com/





Here's a little video of him literally just posing, completely gratuitous ;)

xxx

Location: Camden

Just the mere thought of a leopard print cat-suit would strike fear into the hearts of any sane human being. But this girl makes it look easy. She was so sweet and bubbly, bouncing around a Camden vintage shop and i just had to snap her. She was looking for something to wear to Lovebox tonight. I hope she bought it because all eyes would most definitely be on her.

RAWR!

xxx

My Blazer Lust

My blazer lust is growing and growing and growing. I once thought i couldn't pull them off but it's simply a case of finding a cut and shape that suits your frame. Mine look massive and quite masculine on the hanger but they fit nicely. Next I'd like to get a shrunken blazer, Ben Sherman style. Blazers are a great alternative to a skimpy cardigan or a full-on jacket. They're a comfortable and stylish medium. Patterns are great too, for blazers try a stripy pattern, old-school. For me the blazers that will always reign supreme are the S/S 07 Balenciaga blazers. Worn with silk scarves, they look tres chic.
Have a butchers at my blue blazers. I got the velvet one today in Camden at a vintage sale, the matte one is my old school blazer so ahem....it could be vintage too....not really haha :P.
xxx

Ben Sherman:

Balenciaga:

The Brat-Pack:

My Velvet Blazer:

It's Vintage Dahling!

Today i fell in love, with a big, charming, beautiful......shop!
aka
Beyond Retro
Ohmywurrrdd!
In the past, the extent of my foray into the world of vintage were a few choice pieces from Portobello market but today my eyes were well and truly opened. When planning my weekend earlier on this week i decided to get myself some new clothes but for some reason the idea of going to war with all the tweenies in Topshop and H&M sale made my feel a bit nauseous. I wanted something more grown-up and timeless...alas, vintage! I googled the best vintage shops in London and over and over again Beyond Retro came up so today i took myself off to there and as i descended down the steps i knew i had arrived home. Clothes galore!! On my first time around the shop i was a bit overwhelmed and thought i didn't see anything i liked. Guys, always keep and open mind when shopping, especially in a vintage shop where everything is crammed in. Chances are most of the things there will not be to your taste. Not everything looks good on the hanger but you can guarantee most of the time it will look a 100% better on you. So on my second time round i took some dresses that looked interesting, not all to my taste, but interesting nonetheless and i tried them on. I have never been so pleasantly surprised in my life.
A couple of hours later i sauntered out of Beyond Retro with two dresses and two scarves in hand.
Mission Accomplished!
xxx

Bought:

Bought:

Steed Lord!

Dayum!
Steed Lord are ridiculous!
Their beats are so filthy and their lyrics are funny (although whether that's intentional or not remains to be seen). But I love them and how is it possible that in that picture every single one of them is wearing the hottest t-shirt ever?!! On their myspace they describe themselves as electro/crunk/house and i couldn't agree more. I defy you not to nod your head to the beat!
http://www.myspace.com/steedlord
xxx

It's Omahyra Time!

Now, i love models. I wanted to be one for years but as i grew up i gave up on that idea quick fast. So now i settle for just looking at them like everyone else. Now-a-days with all these homogeneous Eastern-European girls in the industry it's easy to feel that people are losing their individuality. Sometimes it's impossible to tell one model from the other and unless you are someones muse or pretty amazing at what you do, amazing enough to have to the prefix super-, then you can ensure that in terms of exposure, you won't get very far. Whilst i feel sorry for those wall flower models who fade into the background i feel it's right to celebrate those models who deliberately make sure they are know by anyone and everyone. The ones who don't stick to the rules, the total bad-ass rebel models who everyone loves to love and hate. The leader of this pack is the one and only Omahyra Mota. Omahyra is a Dominican model and actress who has established herself in the industry as a chic punk model. Omahyra has worked for everyone from Baby Phat to Alexander McQueen to the legendary Heatherette (you know Richie Rich and Travis are my boys!). They adore how fierce she is and her walk? Wow..can you say attitude?!!! But her talents don't stop at modelling. Oh no this girl acts too. And not in some dodgy straight -to- DVD movie. In X-Men: The Last Stand no doubt. She played Arclight, a mutant super villain. Sexy! Omahyra doesn't play by the rules in the slightest but breaking all the rules seems to be working. You know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Go Miss. Mota.

We Love You!

xxx

EXTRA EXTRA!! Read All About It

ASOS SALE!!
Ah sale, my favourite word!
Just the sound fills my head with ideas of great clothes at even greater prices and what could be better than an ASOS sale. For anyone worth their weight in clothes ASOS is a treasure trove! Filled with beautiful clothes from high street to designer quality, from shoes to clothes to bags to jewellery!! And for those internet shopping skeptics among you, ASOS is 100% safe. My friends and i have used it countless times and so far so good. Here are a few of my top picks from the sale. Get Shopping girlies!!

http://www.asos.com/Women/Sale/Cat/pgehtml.aspx?cid=3930
xxx