CHAOS POINT

RESORT-WEAR PHOTOSHOOT

2012-01-25T16:44:00.000-08:00

I'm sooo happy! :)

Today was the photo-shoot for my Resort-wear dress which I've been wanting to do for absolutely aaaages! After a few difficulties and with the help of Jack and my brother Angus we finally made it into the college photography studio and managed to find a great model who was available at the same time!

I started the day out being very stressed and flustered and just generally moody..not really to sure why...but once we got started I was happy as larry!

An old school friend called Shiv modeled for us and her look went perfectly with my dress and the whole theme and feel we wanted for the shoot.

We were looking at the photography of Alex Prager and the styling from the current Prada campaign and editorials styled by Karen Langley and Katie Shillingford.

Here's the first picture that's all edited and finished.

More to come :)

Many thanks to Shiv, Jack and Angus!

...and no thanks to the unhelpful photography staff of Lincoln College!

See more of Jack's photography here.

MAN MEETS BEAST

2012-01-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

Woo! After not having checked up on my blog for a while, i'm very pleased to come back & find a few new followers!

Hi guys and thank you so much for reading/looking at my blog! :)

Anywho! A little update:

University application is sent!
I seem to have gone into an odd state of anticipaton & am finding it impossible to do work at the moment! All I do is sleep...i've no idea how i'm still tired! Hopefully it will pass soon...
My first interview came through today! UCA Epsom!
Working in retail sucks!
I go to Paris in less that 20 days!!

Having said that I was quite pleased with the few illustrations I managed to get done last week.

I also did a little photo shoot at the weekend that i'm pretty proud of!

I finally convinced my brother to get his lazy ass off the playstation and model for me.

I styled him up in a Paul Smith suit, crisp white shirt, McQueen tie and Raybans and got the chickens out in the garden! The theme or narrative I was going for was a modern man in the country, interacting with the natural world, something that ironically seems alien to so many today!

This first shot was edited by my brother. I really love how the chickens look, but unfortunately he went a bit OTT on the saturation resulting in a slightly God-like glow around his legs...! But it still works! I added text to try and make it look a bit editorial and to see what it would look like as a title page for a set of photos. I went for 'Man meets Beast' in a funny, ironic way once again, since a funny little harmless animal such as a chicken probably would ignite a sense of fear in an anti animal city dweller!

...also there appears to be a random black line at the top of this image...I'm not sure how that has come about but it has been corrected!

Above two of the shots that I edited myself and although they're nothing fancy, I'm really quite pleased considering I've only recently started teaching myself how to use photoshop. They obviously don't really match, but they're just experiments really.

For my university portfolio I think I am going to put together sketch book with photographer research and my own photography experiments such as these.

I've got so many shoot ideas at the moment! I really need to start noting them down!

Jack is home in a few days and have lots of shoots planned to do with him :)

So much to do...best get cracking!

ILLUSTRATION

2012-01-12T19:25:00.000-08:00

As usual I can't sleep.

This is probably greatly due to the fact that for the last three days I have stayed home from both college and work and pretty much purely spent my entire time in bed.

I don't even understand how I was tired enough to practically sleep all of today.

Maybe I really am ill on some level...

Anywho, after sleeping till 6pm, I decided to do something with my evening and set to work on some illustrations, purely for practice since it's been a life time since I've properly sat down and concentrated on drawing something.

It felt good to fully get into it again and create things i'm happy with and that are mostly finished. Especially since I have been so unproductive since Christmas. I just can't seem to get back into the swing of things....which is a gigantic ball ache since it's at such a crucial time, with university interviews and portfolio reviews looming.

Anywho...due to my inability to sleep, I felt like posting and sharing my work!

Admittedly, some of these are old, the ones on the right are what I did tonight.

A David Downton copy and Kate Moss on the cover or Dazed&Confused

Chanel Girl and Prada Candy advert

McQueen gown and Iris Apfel

Tonight I began concentrating on my pencil and sketch work but ended up digging out my water colours to add some quick and easy colour and black ink to make certain areas stand out more and add depth to features such as eyes.

For the Prada Candy image I added oil pastel on top of water colours to make the hair brighter. And for the Iris Apfel illustration, which I wanted to look quite funny and cartoon-ish, I used bold acrylic paint.

I'm pretty pleased with them all to be honest. It's been so long since I've actually drawn something i'm pleased with and haven't given up on after the first few minutes.

Hopefully I can keep this up and create a few nice pieces that could be included in my Uni portfolio.

NARELLA DORE

2012-01-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

I've just come across the designer Narella Dore and this lovely photoshoot of her clothing by Erika Rodin on Dazed & Confused's site.

There's something about the shoot thats really darling (I know that sounds pretentious but best way I could describe the vibe I get from it!)

I love the use of what I assume is dip dye extensions. The neat crimped waves combined with the tied back hair reminds me of Edwardian hairstyles, but brought back to the present with pink and blue ombre tips. The delapedated house combined with the natural light pouring through open windows and glasses and pots full of fresh flowers reflect the fresh femininity of the clothes.

Dore's clothing aesthetic is feminine, strong colourful and earthy, which is all reflected in the set design of this shoot. She takes her time while creating her work in order to reflect the true craftsmanship. For this collection she focuses on knits and crochet. I love how she said in an interview with Dazed, that she would want Joan of Arc modeling her clothes!

SPRING SUMMER CAMPAIGNS

2012-01-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

I'm very much liking the look of many of Spring Summer 2012's up and coming ad campaigns!

Here's a few of my favorites...

Mulberry - Featuring Lindsay Wixon & Frida Gustavsson - Photographed by Tim Walker

Dolce & Gabbana - Featuring Monica Bellucci & Bianca Balti


Givenchy - Featuring Gisele Bundchen


Prada - Featuring Elise Crombez & Natasha Poly - Photographed By Steven Meisel


Chanel - Featuring Joan Smalls& Saskia de Brauw - Photographed by Karl Lagerfeld

Louis Vuitton - Featuring Kati Nescher & Daria Stokous - Photographed by Steven Meisel

Undoubtedly the ones I love the most are those shot by Tim Walker and Steven Meisel!

Looking forward to stealing these from magazines to stick on my walls!

DAKOTA FANNING: ELLE COVER GIRL FEBRUARY 2012

2012-01-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

I just stumbled upon this on someone else's blog. Dakota Fanning is this February's cover girl for ELLE, the first to go on sale in 2012.

ELLE Subscribers Cover

I'm actually a little disappointed that I'll be receiving the subscribers version of the cover as I much prefer the newstand cover! ..This is probably greatly due to my love of Prada's SS'12 collection, particularly the amazing car print, since I recently also used a car print for my last project!

ELLE Newsstand Cover

Maybe I can do a swap with someone!

TOPSHOP SS12

2012-01-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

I used to be a serial shopper at Topshop...greatly due to the fact that it is the only affordable place to shop for teens and young women in Lincoln! However, over the last year my desire for their clothes has really plummeted. I think it is mostly due to my studies and really realising the qualities of fabrics and how clothes are made. To me there clothes now always seem to cost way more than they are worth. In a way this revelation, although saving me money, is incredibly frustrating as I now struggle to find clothes that are truly worth buying!!

However, i'm hoping my faith can be restored in Topshop as their Spring collection looks promising and pretty. They've incorporated lots of light sheer fabrics with futuristic silhouettes and kaleidoscopic prints with subtle sportswear. The sneak peak of their collection gives a firm nod to Prada, Celine, Givenchy and I'm even seeing a bit of Diane Von Furstenburg resort wear.

Lets just hope the prices are fair enough to tempt me..

ALWAYS A LADY

2011-12-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

I adore this shoot from Vogue Russia by Ben Toms. It've very much the sort of thing I had in mind for the shoot I want to do for my Resort wear car printed dress. The new face of Prada, model Meghan Collinson looks so good in cat eye shaped glasses, something I really want at the moment!! So really rather jealous..love how distinct her brow makes her look too.

For my own Resort wear shoot I had been planning on using cars obviously because of the print but also making it look as though the model was going on a journey, traveling for a holiday with old suitcases and what not. However, after seeing this I feel like creating something set in a much more domestic scene, very reflective of the lifestyle of 50's women - think Revolutionary Road.

This shoot has been styled by my new hero Katie Shillingford, with a mixture of the obvious Prada, Miu Miu, Jean Paul Gaultier and Dolce & Gabbana, Feel like I could add a bit of sparkle and sexiness with a hint of lingerie and jewellery.

Best get planning!!

SALES

2011-12-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

It's sale time!

Time to start plotting and planning what to spend my Christmas monies on!

Here's a few of my dream picks form the internet...

MyWardrobe.com sale

IRO

3.1 Philip Lim

Vivienne Westwood

Helmut Lang

ACNE

ASOS sale

TOPSHOP sale

NET-A-PORTER sale

Michael Kors


ACNE

Etoile Isabel Marant

McQ Alexander McQueen

ACNE

Miu Miu

CHRISTMAS

2011-12-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Hope everyone has had a lovely day and feels as fat as I do!

Eaten farrrr too much and desperately want to get to the gym and get myself fit and healthy and make a good start to the new year!

I got some lovely little presents including a super cute watch from my boyfriend that has a little cat on the face and a mouse as the second hand! Dad got me a beautiful Alex Monroe necklace and Mum an Anya Hindmarch bag!

Lucky me!

I shall have to post pictures soon and get back to regularly posting.

STEPHANIE BAECHLER

2011-12-18T05:35:00.000-08:00

Whilst browsing Trendland.com at college the other day I came across the work of Swiss artist Stephanie Baechler.

Inspired by curtains, plastic bags, wrapped objects, pleated fabrics and creased blankets, Baechler used the technique of hanging various pieces of fabric from a white wall, photographing them and then printing the resulting image onto fabric. She then cut and draped the printed fabric on a model to create garments with interesting an confusing surface decoration.

It's a really clever and effective technique. The fabric gives the illusion of having creases and pleats that aren't actually there. I'd definitely like to give this a try sometime! Hopefully I can find a way of incorporating it into a project.

For a better understanding of how it's done I recommend watching the video.

Fabric Project from Hochparterre.

ELECTRIC WORLD

2011-12-13T08:17:00.000-08:00

This shoot for Numero by Sebastian Kim and styled by editor Charles Varenne transformed the stunning Gertrud Hegelund into a hypnotic beauty! It features designes by Louis Vuitton, Moshino, Dolce & Gabbana and Georgio Armani. Makeup artists Maud Lacceppe painted lips bright blue while hair stylist Shay Ashual added an imaginative twist with sculptured hair.

STATEMENT NECKLACES

2011-12-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

Recently I've had great craving for statement jewellery and am eager to find the perfect statement necklace. It's something that can easily make the simplest of outfits. But it must be big, chunky and really eye catching.

The downside is that they can be quite pricey and I'm not used to spending very much on jewellery..

Here are a few I've scouted on Topshop's website.

£60

£70

£85

£100

I love the metallic blue/purple colour of the last beaded necklace! This one has been on the Topshop site for a long time (or has been brought back form a while ago!)...sure I posted about it sometime last year...and I'm still dreaming about it!

Let's hope some of these come down in price during the sales!

Fingers crossed!

SPOT THE DOT

2011-12-07T11:22:00.001-08:00

Loren Kemp by Andrew Woffinden
Wardrobe by Natasha Wray

For The Guardian Weekend

SPARKLE BUT NEVER FADE

2011-12-07T10:10:00.001-08:00

I've been a bit floaty recently, stuggling to really concentrate on anything...though I feel a little like I'm about to get back into the swing of things...

definitely ready for a holiday though!

My university application is all ready to go, just have to decide on my final choice!

Ravensbourne or Nottingham..

Tricky...HELP!

Anywho...after sleeping in till lunch today I awoke to find a little package of joy from Urban Outfitters!

I spotted my friend Christiane had brought this fab little dress from there but in a pale minty green and I couldn't resist being cheeky and getting one too!

Unfortunately they were out of the green :( So I decided black was the best next option!

As an excuse to practise and play around with Photoshop I've put together this little image of how I would style this little number up!

Dress: Sparkle & Fade at Urban Outfitters

Bralette: Urban Outfitters

Hat: H&M

Belt: Charity Shop

Cuff: Urban Outfitters

For the editing practise and because they make a nice feature, I'm going to try and do a few these styling ideas on a regular basis.

Determined to master Photoshop!

CHANEL NAILS

2011-12-04T15:49:00.001-08:00

Here are Chanel's new nail polish shades for Spring-Summer 2012, the one beauty product that is anticipated as much as the clothes themselves at Fashion Week!

The new seasons shades are named after the months April, May and June.

Naturally being born in April, I'm sure you can guess which one I favor!

Though I'm very much liking June too!

CHRISTMAS

2011-12-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

So I'm currently in the process of creating my Christmas list! Rather than testing how well people know me and being dissapointed by numerous gifts each year, I've realised it's much better to be direct and point them in the right direction. That way, everyone's happy!

Top of my list this year has to be a pair of Underground winkle-picker boots!

As seen in on Alexa Chung, they're just so cool!

I'm making sure my parents know exactly where to go for these an hopefully we shall meet under the tree on Christmas day my pretties!

V&A

2011-11-26T15:11:00.000-08:00

So i've been in London since Tuesday night and am due to go home tomorrow..well..I was meant to go home Wednesday night, but decided to extend my trip!
I came down to attend a few university open days but have seen a few exhibitions and browsed the shops too!

Really rather annoyed right now since over the last two evenings I've been putting together a huge post about what I've been getting up to over the last few days. Alas, being the idiot I am, I just managed to loose the whole post!! Fortunately I had half of it on copy & paste!

So the next few posts will be a little out of order ..and possibly a little half hearted since I have to type them again..moww!

So yesterday I was a bit lazy to begin with and stayed in bed much to long really...

But once I was up and going i went to the V&A museum for a bit of culture & learning!

First I had a wonder round the 'Power Of Making', an exhibition all about the breadth and depth of craft's presence in modern life. It featured objects that highlighted both age old skills and contemporary techniques, each demonstrating refined craftsmanship, meticulous control or ingenious application.

Being the fashion obsessive I am, obviously I focused on the pieces of clothing and accessories in the exhibit.

One piece that I really liked was a embroidered dress which incorporated beaded QR squares (quick response squares, that we see everywhere these days!) that could be scanned with smartphones and instantly linked to the designers website. Clever!

Another piece that I thought showed a lot of skill and is very relevant to my latest college project on experimental design, was a shirt Brownen Marshall. Rather than using traditional print techniques, Marshall used pattern cutting to create a heart pattern on this adaption of a traditional Albany collar shirt. Unfortunately you can't really see this detail in my photo and it's rather hard to explain...I'll certainly be googling Marshall after this though! Maybe I can find some better pictures to demonstrate his work.

I didn't realise quite how awful this photo was until now...oops!
But this was another piece that impressed me. This dress, named 'Widow', is made completely from dressmakers pins! It was created as a psychological representation of a widow. It is both invitingly sensual as well as literally stand offish. Amazing how the pins look like tinsel or even fur.

I also got a glance at a pair of McQueens amazing armadillo heels!
Unfortunately you're not allowed to try them on! Oh boo!

After a look at the Power of Making I sidled along to the Postmodernism exhibition. This was all about the philosophical movement that emerged as a reaction to modernism.

There was quite a lot to take in but it was very interesting, I seemed to be in there for hours!!
I didn't manage to get as many photos from this exhibition as they were a lot stricter on photography, but I managed to get one or two sneaky snaps!

Outfits of the avant garde performer Klaus Nomi

Cinzia Ruggeri's homage to Levi Strauss dress - A/W 1983-4

Punk Ballerina - Costumes designed by David Salle & Jeff Koons for Karole Armitage's dance company.

This exhibit featured designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garcons for their subverse instincts and use of enlarged or distorted silhouettes, mixing tribalism and punk with a panoply of global style references. Kawakubo aspired to proclaim beauty in the random and unfinished by using deconstructed monochrome garments, worn over sized, wrapped and layered.

It's definitely a movement I would like to look into in more depth and gain a better understanding of as it's something I have never really looked into.

I attempted to do some sketch book work while at the V&A but it's pretty shoddy! I'm not a fan of moving around & drawing! I like staying still so I can focus and really get into it!
Hopefully I can improve my quick sketches with time and practice though!

x

NIKKI PILKINGTON

2011-11-26T12:01:00.001-08:00

I can't remember where I found this illustrator but pictures of her work have been waiting patiently on my desktop to be posted!

Coming across more of her work on another blog reminded me!

Her work is very bright, playful and girly and although her drawings are very detailed, the rest of the illustrations tend to be very simple, with a dash of colour which is incredibly effective!

TANYA LING

2011-11-25T14:12:00.001-08:00

I came across these illustrations by Tanya Ling in Vogue's newsletter.

Ling studied Fashion Design and Textiles at Central St Martins and after graduating moved to Paris in 1989 to work as a designer for Dorothee Bis and then Christian Lacroix.

She then went on to set up a contemporary art project in London with her husband and produced her first exhibition of drawings in 1996 at Gavin Turk's Charing Cross Road studio. This lead to her first commission for British Vogue. Since then she has contributed to leading fashion publications all over the world.

Her work is very spontaneous and free.She uses a variety of mixed media inclusing ink, watercolour, pen and even nail varnish in some pieces.

ALEXAAA

2011-11-22T09:11:00.001-08:00

Alexa Chung

I wanna be her!...or just have her wardrobe.

RUSSIAN DOLLS

2011-11-22T09:04:00.001-08:00

Tim Walker

SUGAR-PLUM-FAIRY?

2011-11-21T18:39:00.001-08:00

Jason Schmidt - Vogue Russia - February 2011

SPOTS AND STRIPES

2011-11-21T18:29:00.001-08:00

Paolo Roversi - Italian Vogue - February 2011

LORETTA LUX

2011-11-21T18:18:00.001-08:00

Very much liking these rather creepy images by Loretta Lux.

Theres something quite Lolita-esque and haunting about them...

Very surreal!

She uses a combination of photography, digital manipulation and painting and usually features young children such as these pictured above.

KATIE SHILLINGFORD

2011-11-21T17:47:00.001-08:00

I think i've found a new role model in Dazed & Confused's Fashion Editor Katie Shillingford.

I realise I may be a bit slow discovering some of her work but oh well! It's still gorgeous!

She's worked with photographers including Matt Irwin, Rankin, Daniel Sennwald and William Selden. She's is good friends and works closely with avant garde designer Gareth Pugh who also designed her beautifully-quirky and Gothic bespoke dress for her wedding earlier this year.

Not only does she regularly style shoots and stories for Dazed & Confused but also works on shows and film projects.

Viktor & Rolf gowns for Dazed & Confused.

I know have a whole new view on wedding dresses - this is so cool!

Fast becoming a very big Gareth Pugh fan!

OOOOPSIES

2011-11-20T16:11:00.001-08:00

I'm so behind on posting! I was on a good roll last month but that has certainly away...

Well for now all major deadlines are handed in and hopefully I can get back to posting plenty!

I have sooo many images in my blog folder that I intended to post about..but now I don't remember why I have most of them!

A little update on me: Completely handed in two rather big projects on Monday after an all nighter doing work on Sunday night!! This included my Resort-wear piece for Agatha Boutique that I have previously posted about. Got my mark back on Friday... and to my disbelief, got a Distinction! No idea how I wrangled that one! Must've been the last minute sequins jazzing up my fabric book!! Very pleased obviously! Finished dress is above..though it's missing buttons.

As a reward to myself, I spent the weekend in Blackpool with Jack eating an ass load of carbs!! Bread, cheese, pizza, pasta, mash, cheese, bread, pringles, cheese, bread, cheese! All delicious though!

Just the weekend I needed to escape and chill after a stressful week before!

Have started a new project on experimental design which seems pretty cool and I think will be quite fun when we get making! At the moment i'm looking at deisgners such as Gareth Pugh, Viktor&Rolf, Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen and the Antwerp Six.

There's a few in there that I haven't really looked at before so it's pretty interesting!

All good stuff!

New posts on their way!

FANNINGS

2011-11-14T15:39:00.001-08:00

17 year old actress Dakota and 13 year old sister Elle pose for a stunning W magazine shoot.

Hard to believe Elle is only 13! Looks soooo much older!

MEOW

2011-11-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

The ultimate in cuteness!!

I ADORRRE these Charlotte Olympia cat ballet pumps and wedges!!

Christmas present purrlease?

I don't think there is any logical reason why I shouldn't have them....ignoring the price...GIMME!

And as always I just want to be Alexa Chung!

Oh Fudging hell!

STYLE INSPIRATION

2011-11-09T13:59:00.000-08:00

POPPY & CARA DELEVIGNE

Granddaughters of former English Heritage boss Sir Jocelyn Stevens, Poppy and Cara Delevigne are no stranger to the fashion front row! These two and their older sister Chloe had a pretty stylish up-bringing having Lily Allen and the Jagger children as playmates. The two sisters have both already established credible modelling careers with Poppy being made an ambassador of Chanel (surely the ultimate goal of any fashion obsessed girl!). Meanwhile young Cara regularly models for ASOS and is now the face of Burberry's Spring-Summer 2011 collection.

I can't think of a luckier set of sisters!

And to top it off...they look uber cool when they're not working too!

Jealous...

RESORT PROJECT

2011-11-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

Gaaah! Panic!

My finished garment for our Resort Wear project is due in Friday. I'm pretty sure I can get it done in time...will mean a full day in college tomorrow which is meant to be my day off though..

But i'm worried that it looks frumpy and shit!!

The collar i've made doesn't seem to fit...but I think that may be because i've made my button stand too big...

And i'm slightly confused about how I am meant to be doing the gathered skirt..My tutor told me how the other day..but I think he overlooked that it is meant to be elasticated at the waist...hmmmm!

I tried lying it out on the floor and pinning it onto myself to see what the finished thing would look like...here's the result...

Apologies for the awful photo, my phone froze while taking it and I was too annoyed to take another!

It will be shorter than this, at the moment it comes just below the knee which is too long and granny-ish. I want it to be above the knee so it looks quite cute and baby-doll.

I'm not 100% sure of the yellow fabric..I like how it stands out & contrasts to the print...but I think it's a bit tooo bright...mum says it looks a bit like overalls!

Eeeeeek! I was going for miu miu meets prada...instead i'm getting cleaner's uniform!

GAAAAAAAH!

Stress!!

Let's hope I survive the next few days..!

OOPS...

2011-11-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

So the other day I gave in and ordered a few bits and bobs from Whistles sale as it was free delivery!

Unfortunately I wasn't sure on the shorts and top i'd brought and felt that the two bangles i'd also got were still to expensive!

So yesterday on my day of I had a quick trip to Nottingham with my parents to return them. At first I was happy to be getting my money back and that I wouldn't have to feel guilty about spending....

However, I quickly re-spent the money as if was a 20% day at John Lewis and Mother convinced me to spend a small fortune!! But I did get some wondeeeerful things! Though I think i'll be keeping an eye out to see if they come down anymore and try to get some money back from them!

Sooo, here are yesterdays purchases...

First off were these high waisted leopard print cigarette trousers that i'd had my eye on for a while! Really love them though I think I need to hit the gym a bit to tone up my bum, thighs and waist for them to really look good!

I also got this little grey top with a leather peter-pan collar, as suggested by mum who had seen a shop assistant wearing it with the trousers. I'd seen this top a while ago and love the collar!

Then mum very kindly brought me this lovely coat with a leopard print faux fur collar!

I reeeeeally seem to love fur at the moment! I was really craving a fur piece for my wardrobe last month and fortunately came across two old Moschino pieces that mum had with fur trims! One if a big zip up jumper/jacket with a thick fur collar and the other is more of a tight long sleeved top/blouse with a smaller fur trim running round the neck and down the front.

Even though i'm wearing fur...i'm not 100% on how I feel about it..There is a lot of heritage and history behind it which I love and it's just so luxurious and beautiful! But you do feel a bad for the animals when you think about it....I think I draw the line at wearing anything with a face or claws....maybe that makes me a huge guilty coward though...hmmmm

I was also talked me into buying a little maroon and navy striped top but I couldn't find a picture of that on any site...though we all know what a striped top looks like!!

Pretty darn successful for only an hour and a half of shopping!!

CRAVINGS!

2011-10-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

I'm having such bad shopping withdrawals!

Since being in London over summer and earlier September and having spent sooooo much!

I've been lying low and avoiding the shops in order to save a few pennies!

But now I'm majorly craving a splurge!

There are so many things popping up that I want...

at this rate, at least I'll have a lot to put on my Christmas list!

Heres just a few bits and bobs that have caught my eye!

ZARA

ALL SAINTS

WHISTLES

CAT THAT GOT THE CREAM?

2011-10-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

MEOW

stylestalker

Anja Konstantinova shot by Darren McDonald

KNITTER KNATTER

2011-10-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

This little beaut has been popping up all over the place and i'm sold on it

...but I just don't know which colour to get?!

ASOS £40

...I'm never good with decisions..

HAIR MARE

2011-10-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

I really want one of these hair rings from H&M.

Need a trip to London pronto!

5 inch and up

SKINNY FLAVOURED

I also loved the hair at Thakoon's Spring-Summer catwalk show.

Woulf really like to experiment with this for a photoshoot.

They used coloured hair powder on top of loosely braided and heavily hair sprayed hair!

RESORT PROJECT

2011-10-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

PRAISE THE LORD!!

My fabric has arrived! Hallelujah!

I was soooo worried it wouldn't arrive in time!

Phewwwww

Thank you Dalston Mill!

WHAT'S ORANGE AND BOXY..?

2011-10-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

This awesome orange box bag from ASOS!

Came across it in their magazine.

Styled and modeled by blogger Sandra Haglestam.

Her blog 5 inch and up is definitely one to check out!

I think she's won me over with this bag! Looks like it's the perfect size for my beloved Mac Book Pro and Vogue & Elle's!

TRICK OR TREAT?

2011-10-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

I need inspiration for Halloween!

Here's what I've found so far...

Ashish Long Sleeve Sequin Top

£440 - ASOS

Lady Gaga

Born This Way Video

Vivienne Westwood Skeleton Necklace

£92 - ASOS

Bloody Nails

Skeleton Jewellery

Bones/Skeletong Tights

(Have wanted some of these for so long! Look so good with what she's wearing!)

Zombie Bride

Hmmmmm what to go as.....

Not long to decide!

COS

2011-10-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

My favorite pieces from COS...

Angora Jumper €49

Raw Edge Top €45

Silk Stretch T-shirt €35

Dotted Line Jumper €59

A-line Wool Skirt €69

Crossover Wool Coat €175

Printed Collar Shift Dress €69

Jersey Chambray Dress €41

Contrast Pleated Skirt €79

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LIVE WIRES

2011-10-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

So it's half term and the moment and my family have all gone to London to visit my older brother for the week, leaving me home alone to take care of all the animals..wonderful!

But Jack is home so we've been cooped up in the house together, only ever leaving for delicious meals at his mums!

In our boredom we were inspired to do some Tim Walker-esque photoshoots and so set to work putting together fun little sets, gathering bits and bobs from all over the house!

And here are the results...

We were a bit worried everything would come out a bit O.T.T but I think they work well :)!

Jack decided on just one shot from each shoot and I think he definitely chose the best!

I think one more shot with a different setting would make a nice sort of triptych!

Loved putting together the sets for these! So much fun!

You can view better and bigger versions of the final photos on Jack's website :)

RESORT PROJECT

2011-10-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

Eeeeee! After getting off to a good start fabric wise, deciding I would have a lovely little car printed cotton (very Prada SS12!) from Dalston Mill i've hit a glitch!

I ordered my fabric on Thursday I think and then brought a metre of matching yellow polycotton to use for the collar an cuffs of my dress. But got a call yesterday to say they couldn't find or didn't have any of the fabric I wanted in blue :(

However, they do have it in green! I know there's not really much between them, but I just preferred the blue!

Anywho...I have come to terms with the colour issues but am now worried that it won't be delivered in time for Monday when we return back to college!

If it doesn't..I think I shall have a rather angry tutor on my hands..

and I will end up being behind on my project and may not finish in time :/

Which would be incredibly frustrating since I caught up on all my pattern cutting work so well!

Oh fiddle-sticks!!!

WHERE ISN'T WALLY...

2011-10-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

I'm all for yellow and black stripes at the moment!

Just like where's Wally's enemy Odlaw!

River Island - ASOS

Topshop

START MANAZGINE

2011-10-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post about this for aaaaages now but just haven't had enough time!

So since I interned at Sheer Magazine, my boyfriends Jack, myself and our friend Jonny have set to work setting up our own magazine.

It was Jack's idea and he wanted to create an arts magazine that could act as a platform for talented students and young people.

So far we have launched online, but hope to go into print early in the new year.

From an article on Jaq Fryers illustration

The website and magazine are going to feature articles about students and written by students. We will mainly focus on art, fashion, photography and current affairs that are of interest and affect students throughout the country.

From an article about Marianne McGurk

We've already got lots of great stuff up online and have plenty more on the way so check it out!

And if you have any suggestions for articles or would like to submit work to be featured please contact us at Start Magazine!

PAUL X. JOHNSON

2011-10-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

I just came across this great illustrator on Trendland's Facebook.

He's a British artist who draws inspiration from classic 1940's movies and illustrations. Hi style is very simple and muted and he's great at expressing his characters emotions.

Veeer' cool!

TEA TIME TREATS

2011-10-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

The Berkley is a a luxurious 5 star hotel in Knightsbridge, London who do a gorgeously yummy looking fashion afternoon tea!

With delicious fashion inspired cakes and biscuits!

This collection of cakes is inspired by A/W collections from Miu Miu, Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Sonia Rykiel and Burberry!

The dedicated Berkley chefs attended the shows each season in order to get the trends, looks and colours as spot on as possible!

Key cakes in their collection include a Stella McCartney polka dot sponge cake, Dolce & Gabbana chocolate eclair sprinkled in stars, a classic Burberry trench coat and Sonia Rykiel stried almond cake!

Mouthwateringly pretty!!

If only it wasn't so pricey! its £36.50 per head or £46.50 with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne!

...hmmm maybe someone will treat me one day!

INSPIRE ME

2011-10-22T04:40:00.000-07:00

It's been absolutely ages since I last properly went on LookBook.nu but i'm feeling bored and uninspired by my wardrobe! So I have looked to good old LookBook for some inspiration and love these casual-cool looks!

I want more jumpers and a new stripey top or two...my favourite striped top that I've had for years has loads of holes in it! Booooo!

RESORT PROJECT

2011-10-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

More fabric ideas..

Looking at the beach and nautical theme..

RESORT PROJECT

2011-10-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Since starting back at college I have been working on a Resort-wear project. We have to design a Resort-wear outfit for a local designer boutique called Agatha

In order to do this we have had to research the store and Resort 2012 trends.

The store was recently voted one of the Britians best boutiques in British vogue an stocks labels such as Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Farhi by Nicola Farhi, Ted Baker, Armani Jeans, Ugg, Paul Smith and Barbour.

From what I gather the general age of the customer ranges from about 30 to 50 years. However, they also have an area called 'The Attic' which stocks labels aimed at younger customers in their late teens and twenties that are a little bit cheaper and of a younger style and cut.

Some of the designers and labels that I looked at in my research included Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Celine, Prada, Jasun Wu & Givenchy

Over the last two weeks i've been working on my final design, developing a pattern and toile and looking into possible fabrics.

I'm making a little dress similar to this. The top will be a little collared, short sleeved with a gathered skirt.
The toile looks pretty rubbish at the moment and I need to make quite a few changes...but hopefully it'll start to come together and look better.

Over the last week i've been desperately browsing the internet trying to fins a printed fabric I like! I'm thinking of making it from a light cotton...with a really bright and interesting print.
Here are a few prints i've found that I quite like..

I chose these because they fitted in with my Mablethorpe and holiday research. The birds and fruit I thought connote the exotic that you would usually associate with a Resort/Cruise holiday.

I've also been considering having my own fabric printed. I got my boyfriend jack to play around with an image I sent him and he came up with this which I quite like and am going to look into getting printed.

Potential Print Design

Original Image

He simply mirrored and repeated a picture of some bright pink flamingos I had sent his and added a stained glass overlay on Photoshop. When printed it will obviously give a striped effect...which i'm not sure I want so I may experiment with a few other images.

We have a fabric sourcing trip on Friday to Nottingham..though apparently there isn't much on offer there print-wise...so I may try to make a trip to London over half term to search for something a bit more exciting!

x

COAT ME!

2011-10-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

I want a new coat!!

I'm board of my black ones...these a rather niiiiice...

WHISTLES

PIA MINIMAL OVERCOAT £250

WHISTLES

GINNIE MAC £225

TOPSHOP

MANS WOOL MIX COAT £175

TOPSHOP

PREMIUM PU COLLAR BOYFRIEND £85

ASOS

CHECKED WOOL MAC £75

CATE PARR

2011-10-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

These watercolour illustrations by Cate Parr are gorgeous.

They're just so effortless and elegant and yet she captures so much character and an amazing sense of movement.

TATAA NAKAA

2011-10-08T14:11:00.000-07:00

TATA NAKA

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-10-07T17:04:00.000-07:00

Pretty at PREEN!

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-10-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

PHILLIP LIM

DISPLAY-PLAY

2011-10-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

Just a few fab displays I found on The Window Shopper

DOTTY SPOTTY

2011-10-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Topshop's London Fashion Week window display.

I love looking at window displays, would be cool to get some experience helping set up or make really creative ones like this or amazing ones like Selfridges and Liberty.

BUNNIES

2011-10-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

I've been taking a look through some of the blogs on Vogue.com and I love Katie Hillier's obsession with bunnies!!

Very cute!

STEVE JOBS

2011-10-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

R.I.P STEVE JOBS

What a legend!

i <3 Apple

FUSE

2011-10-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

So I have FINALLY started my new job at House of Fraser.

I'm working on a concession called fuse, which sells brands such as Closet.

I had to go to two days of training at the start of this week and my first day is tomorrow where I'll have a bit of training on my concession :)

I'm not that familiar with the brands I'm selling so wasn't sure on them at first, but they're quickly growing on me!

I'm a bit worried about having to try and convince people to start master and recognition cards...I hate trying to make people do things like that and generally bothering people while they're shopping!

But HOF really like to push for cards to be set up..so I suppose I'll have to man up and get used to it pronto!

Heres a few examples of the sorts of clothes we sell on my concession :)

Lots of bright colours, pleated skirts and body-con dresses.

Looking forward to having a browse and picking out my uniform!

SCARF?

2011-10-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Vivienne Westwood show hair...

Forget about scarves for winter!! Just use your hair! I like it!

It's probably easier to pull off on Viv's catwalk though...

Plus I think I need to grow my hair a few meters longer...maybe one day!

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-10-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

CHANEL

Chanel's Spring Summer 2012 collection was presented at the Grand Palais, Paris which was transformed into a stunning underwater world of coral, shells and seahorses.

Florence Welsh stood in a giant half shell like Botticelli's famous Venus where she performed throughout the catwalk.

The legendary Karl Lagerfeld was inspired by the processes of the sea and its ability to reshape forms over millions of years.

Lagerfeld said he wanted the collection to be light and in order to accomplish this, he used a lot of materials that were new to him and hard to define. The materials he chose made the collection shimmer like mother-of-pearl as the models floated down the catwalk. Furthering this theme pearls were strung around waists rather than belts and dotted through slicked back hair.

He was sure to include something recognisably Chanel in the form of tweed jackets, mille fueille pleats and dropped waists.

As usual he didn't fail to impress and provided fans with an ocean of beauty, as expected from the iconic brand!

x

WINTER WONDERS

2011-10-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

A few bits and bobs that I would love to be wearing this winter!

No doubt this list will grow dramatically over the next few weeks...!

CAMEL

2011-10-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

I know it's pretty last A/W but i'm really craving a nice camel coat after seeing a picture of a particularly nice one from H&M in last weeks Sunday Times Style paper (I shall post a picture when I can be bothered to scan it!)

It seems so much fresher than the usual black winter coat.

And of course I'm always looking for the perfect trench coat!

Something to aim for on my next shopping trip!

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-10-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

DOLCE & GABBANA

OH. WOW.

I think Mr Dolce and Gabbana's collection just shot straight to the top of my favorites list!

This collection was inspired by a Sicilian summer and features fruit and veg including juicy tomataoes, red onions, peppers, aubergines, eggplant and courgette prints on 1950's silhouettes!

Talk about getting you're five a day!

Even food themed earrings took the form of pasta and garlic cloves.

After a nutritious start, came a glittering desert!

Glamorous chandelier dresses encrusted in sparkle took to the catwalk and finished with a parade of bejeweled show girls!

Sooooo gorgeous and magical!

Show time...

The catwalk setting even looked dazzling, covered in red, blue and green fairly-lights and blasting out 'Hey Mambo, mambo Italiano'.

Sorry for the image overload but I found it hard to choose a select few!

STREET STYLE

2011-09-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

Some of my favourite street style shots from this months Fashion Weeks.

Photos by Tommy Ton for Style.com

HELLO KITTY AT LIBERTY

2011-09-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

So psyched for the Hello Kitty collection at Liberty!!

Hello Kitty Liberty prints on everything!

I'm tempted to use some of the specially designed fabrics for my college work...or just to frame and admire in my bedroom!

Here a few of the cute prints they've created below.

I'm also loving some of the little goodies and gift they now have in store too, such as this photo album and notebook!

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-09-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

PETER SOM

TUMBLR

2011-09-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

I gotsa Tumblr

Take a look!

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-09-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

New favorite for Spring Summer 2012!

JASON WU

WOO WU

2011-09-23T15:47:00.001-07:00

JASON WU

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-09-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

JULIEN MACDONALD

Photos from Style.com

CHAOS

2011-09-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

'You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star'

MANIMANIA

2011-09-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Abbey Lee Kershaw is stunning!

V Magazine

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

2011-09-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

DAVID KOMA

Photos from Style.com

Amazing colour, prints and cut-work from Koma!

Love how the patterns continue into the models hair.

POORLY KATE

2011-09-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is what my day has consisted of...so much for eating healthy and getting into shape eh?

I feel so run down, ill and disgusting, all I want is comfort food!

Fashion week really takes it out of you!

Delicious though!

Have to note that the coke is there purely to show of the Karl Largerfeld design and look pretty!...I don't drink coke!