ARE YOU HUNGRY?
The Hunger was launched in 2011 as a biannual magazine by English photographer Rankin.
I discovered it a year ago and I knew instinctively that it would become my new favourite magazine. Not least because its tag line is, 'for the culturally and visually hungry.' A statement, I'd like to think, we all are. The current issue is packed with 432 pages of explosive content. The magazine is divided into five categories: interview, art, fashion, beauty and documentary. My favourite, and what keeps me coming back to the magazine, is the interview section. It's full of Rankin's own photography and highlights some of pop cultures most up-and-coming faces as well as the more well established. The most recent issue features everyone from Iggy Azalea to Ant and Dec. It's unexpected and edgy. There are hardly any advertisements and it doesn't at all feel as though it's trying to sell you anything.
If you're looking for something to keep you company at the park or on a long flight get yourself a copy of The Hunger pronto. Unlike most fashion magazines, this baby will hold your attention for hours. It's the sort of piece you'll want to come back to time and time again. And, if you're like me you'll be incapable of ever throwing it away.
All images taken from The Hunger issue 4.
CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH MOXHAM...
How gorgeous is the new Moxham look book? I'm completely obsessed with the oversized hardware. Madeline, the founder, has really taken the brand to the next level with this collection. It's completely covetable. The Osiris and Anubis necklaces are my absolute favourites. I love how they combine chunky metal detailing with leather. They've both been added to my mental wish list.
Photos courtesy of Moxham
A LOOK INSIDE: VOGUE COLLECTIONS...
Holla chicas.
Whenever someone I know is coming back to Zurich from London I bestow upon them the monumental task of bringing me back bucket loads of magazines. English magazines are so overpriced here that I never buy them - so I relish the opportunity to get anyone I know to act as my donkey for them. This time my husband brought me back Vogue Collections. Have you seen it before? It's incredible. It's separated into the five categories: Paris, Milan, New York, London and accessories. Inside are just pages and pages full of looks from each fashion capital's shows. There isn't much text, just a little description of each show and there are also hardly any advertisements. Perfect for drooling over and an excellent alternative to browsing style.com. It comes in at a hefty 25quid but totally worth it if you want to have a tangible reminder of how drool-worthy all of last season's shows were.
CHARLIE MAY SS13...
During London Fashion Week one of the shows I was most looking forward to was Charlie Mays. This was the first season that Charlie put on a catwalk show and I was so excited to see her collection saunter down the runway. On the day I got to shoot some of the action backstage before the show. Everything was so organized and well run. You wouldn't at all expect that this was just Charlie's third season showing.
The SS13 collection is absolutely stunning. The first look that came down the catwalk was a top and trouser velvet combo in a shade of icy blue. It was my favourite look from the entire collection and I can just imagine myself wearing it now (perfection). There's also a nude coloured biker jacket, asymmetric shorts and classic white silk shirts that would be incredibly useful in anyone's wardrobe. Charlie's collections just keep getting better and better each season as she hones in what her design aesthetic is. I already can't wait to see what see what's in store for next season.
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME: IT'S BOURGEOIS...
Forget about grunge, if the Fall 2012 couture shows are anything to go by fashion is about to get fancy pants.
It doesn't matter that it's couture. Fashion is interesting because it works in mysterious ways. Inspiration is becoming ever more fluid. This means that something that shows on the catwalk today can be interpreted quickly by mega-powerful-all-reaching high street shops.
That's good for you and me because it's affordable...
Anyway, this isn't a philosophy class - let's talk about the clothes.
They are so pretty, right? We start with Armani Privé in the middle with its double model Frenchi looks. There's something distinctively 1920s-esque about this... for some reason it has me thinking of Great Gatsby and long cigarettes. You'd wear this sort of outfit to a weekend away at your summer-house, surely. On the left we've got Balmain with its power shoulders and easily recognizable signet belt. It's equally powerful but in a more 1980s sort of way. This woman is smart enough to have a high-powered job but God forbid she ever gets her fingers dirty. She's wearing a pale pink suit after all... there's no room for a messy McDonalds, this girl only eats oysters. Then, on the far right we have the beautiful Christian Dior. This woman is straight out of the 1950s only she accidentally ran into Madonna circa 1990. A cone bra plus a teeny tiny waist makes for an interesting and new silhouette. Raf Simons nailed it.
I love couture because, while it's highly aspirational and entirely out of reach, it also offers a clear vision of the direction fashion is moving. I'm jumping happily onto board this bourgeois boat. It's one part nonchalant and another part painfully perfect. I like that.
Images from style.com
* Update * As Michael correctly pointed out, the Balmain collection is not couture, it's Resort 2013. Sorry for the mistake. Live and learn suckas. Live. and. learn. Thanks for letting me know. Love you Duck.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS...
I have been attempting a closet clear out for over a year...
You might remember when it all started. It was a rather embarrassing situation. I've slowly been selling pieces and giving things to charity but I still feel like I have way more stuff than I need. Obviously it's an ongoing project but I hate that feeling of 'having nothing to wear'. You know it, you're standing in front of your wardrobe wondering where that one perfect T-shirt is that hangs just so. When you can't find it anywhere all hell breaks loose because 'it's the only thing that looks good right now.' I know I'm not alone in having these mini-emotional breakdowns... I've seen some of you getting ready to go out (evil eyes Charlie and Shini).
Anyway, things are changing. I'm pairing down.
I think I've been inspired by Ivania - she's the absolute queen of minimalism. As much as I love having loads of options I actually much prefer things to be simple. I've picked out a handful of items that make up pretty much what I've been wearing the last few weeks. They are as follows: a Paul & Joe Sister leather biker jacket, a Cabbages & Roses striped Breton top, skinny jeans from 7 for all Mankind, a white shirt from MiH and a cotton dress from Laura Ashley which used to be my moms (I had about 4 feet of fabric cut off the length). For accessories I've been sticking to a cotton floral tote I got at Banana Republic about five years ago, a pair of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses and an old baseball hat because, you know, they're so trendy. For shoes I've just been switching between my black and white Converse. That's it. That's what I've honestly been wearing. It doesn't make for very interesting outfit posts but it's real life.
My goal over the next few months is to start investing in key pieces to help expand this little mini-summer wardrobe. My goal is to only spend money on things that fit with the paired back attitude... so no spur of the moment crazy purchases. My goal is to have a working wardrobe that is easy to navigate and style. Let's see what happens. I've got my fingers crossed for my restraint.
ON STRUGGLING TO FIND INSPIRATION...
Please tell me I'm not the only one that feels in a bit of a funk.
Normally I have no lack of inspiration. In fact, the problem I face is that I'm inspired by too much. There is beauty everywhere - even in the most unlikely of places. Online there is inspiration catapulting around at a million miles a second. I think what I'm suffering from is over saturation.
Lately I don't want to be online. I'm sort of disenchanted with looking at blogs and scrolling through Pinterest. I want to sit outside with a beautiful magazine and flick through the pages with my fingers. I want to sit with people in real life and talk to them in person rather than on Twitter. I want to bake cookies. I want to be in the sun. I don't want to click and I don't want to re-pin. I don't want to sit in front of a computer screen. I want to devour a magazine, rip out the pages and tape them into a notebook. So that's what I've been doing...
This nostalgia is spreading like wildfire into all aspects of my life. I suddenly want to get a sewing machine so that I can make Jil Sander inspired clutch bags. I also want to get my hands on some old school looking running shoes. This pair by Converse are mega adorable. Anything with a late '80s/early '90s vibe is working for me right now... bring on the Spice Girls and resurrect the pog.
IT'S ALL ABOUT GIVENCHY...
Vampish red and black combos. Knee-high boots. Spaghetti straps and lots of leather. Givenchy's AW12 collection was one of my favourites. I love the mixture of colors. The combination of brown, black and red creates a sort of otherworldly feeling. The dark lips and eyes almost make it feel as though the models have climbed their way out of long lost graves... it's creepy but inviting.
I love the little strappy dress with nipped in waist and full skirt - it looks divine with the super long leather gloves. The new ad campaign has just surfaced - yumm. I'm big time mesmerized by the red leather pleated trousers. The shape is slightly jodhpur and it looks awesome with the matching boots. Also in love with the menswear knits and pleated skirts. I know a little Duck would certainly go gaga for them.
Catwalk images via Style.com and campaign via Karla Otto.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BACK...
Completely obsessed with the backs in Alexander Wang's Resort 2013 collection. I would gladly wear any of these outfits right freaking now. I love the shapes of the trousers, the side slit in this white dress and the general attitude. Wang, I love you.
p.s. I'm thinking my Balenciaga boots give off a similar vibe to these boots... yey.
Photos from style.com
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
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.
18 DAYS TIL SPRING...
This morning, on Twitter, I was reminded by Ivania that there are only eighteen days until spring. Wahooo! I've had my head so far dug into fashion month that I totally forgot warm weather is headed our way. I should be focusing on how I want to go about baring my legs this season rather than which colour Topshop Unique coat I want to purchase (army green or burgundy... that is the question).
So, I dug out these photos that I bizarrely snapped upon my descent into Zurich airport last friday. I don't normally photograph magazines... I promise.
I'm sure you're all already familiar with Elle Collections. You might have already seen it on Susie's blog or, if you're of the fashion hungry variety, you've probably already purchased it and coo'd your way through the pages. Well, even so... I'm giving my 2 cents here because my absolute favorite part was Chapter VII, entitled Top Shows, wherein the hottest fashion gurus pick their favorite shows and explain why they loved it so much. Awesome. So, here you get my even further filtered down version... my top picks of their top picks. Oh, how far the apple has fallen from the tree.
Kane is a hot hot hot commodity in London right now. He's got the midas touch. If I ever got to attend one of his shows I would probably die, right there, that's how awesome I think he is. While the collection as a whole was beautiful one of my favorite parts were the skirts. Not too short and not too long... I'd wear this baby with a slouchy white T-shirt and Converse by day and then move it straight into night with (well, you know how this whole thing works) heels and a leather jacket. I know it's not rocket science. Okk, moving on...
While we're on the topic of bottoms let's talk trousers because, surely, we can't survive all summer in skirts alone (especially not an English summer). Now, don't be alarmed, I won't be swapping out my skinnies for the 'newest trouser shape' (whatever that might be) but I do think these white Stella McCartney trousers are the stuff dreams are made from. All billowy fabric - it looks like waves are crashing around the models ankles (oooo, I do love a good beach parallel). Now, I realize most of us are not fortunate enough to live the sort of life where we can wear wide legged long white trousers (imagine the grease stains from your bike or the dirt on the tube - not wise) but regardless, these are good.
Mmmm, Jonathan Saunders. Honestly, I don't know that much about him but what I do know I like. From his SS12 collection I especially liked his knits. I feel these two exemplify exactly what is happening in the world of knitwear. Knits are unavoidable necessary evils in our lives... but they don't have to be boring or unflattering (or itchy and bobbly and scratchy and, well, knit-like). This is something I'm just starting to realize. I have ALWAYS hated knits, you see. For spring I want to wear them patterned and waffled in unexpected bright colors. Just like shown here.
Marc Jacobs. There's no escaping him. I don't care who you are or how little you know about fashion, unless you are literally living in the middle of Siberia and have never heard of the internet, you will have come across him in some form. Despite the magnanimous personality and larger-than-life brand, he's still pumping out freaking awesome collections. At first they might be a bit confusing and overwhelming but break it down and there are some kick butt pieces you can wear in real life. Favourites from SS12 include the straight skirts with ruffle detailing just above the knee (what are they even made from?! plastic? animal skin? I'm confused). Another thing to be noted are the sporty raglan style tops that were paired with fancier skirts... oh yeah, mix your high-and-low, it's the only way to go.
The PS1 has been haunting me since I first set eyes on it... it is my idea of the perfect satchel. Actually, any of the PS shoulder bags are my idea of bag heaven. If only I was the type-o lass who could fork out over a grand for a bag - one day I will (mwaahaha - husband, don't read this). Anyway, let's focus, the point is not bags... the point is this awesome dress and the kick butt print. I love it, a lot. It's definitely one of my favorite dresses from the season. I love the fitted bodice, contrast neck (I LOVE a contrast neck) and cross over slit detail. Oh yeah, oh yeah, this dress rocks. Proenza Schouler, I love you.
I blame Charlie and Lexxie for this. Before I met them I didn't know Haider Ackermann from Joe Blow... a year later, he's exploded and is everywhere. Well, not everywhere, but all the places you'd want to be. He's one of the Antwerp designers that's rocking the comfort boat and challenging what you thought you knew about what you want to wear.
This is definitely the least wearable designer from my favourites of SS12 but still, it's so good it can't be overlooked. I was struck most by the silver top on Abbey Lee. I like it. Don't worry Mom, you want spot me on a random website with half my boobie out but I was thinking this could easily be layered over, say, a grey tank top. Hottt. Or, if the length of Abbey's left strap was just raised a couple inches then it would be perfectly suitable for normal life - i.e. the life where it's not acceptable/desired to have your nipple show in public.
Let's round all this off with a bit of Peter Pilotto action. As you probably know prints are big news. All the editors are wearing printed trousers to the shows this season... smacks forehead. Undoubtedly this means that every glossy mag is/will be running features on how the newest trend is printed trousers... don't go out in anything but a pair of printed trousers, lest you want to be stoned, they'll say. That's not what I'm trying to convey here. Wear whatever trousers you want. If you feel good in them who cares if it's 'trendy'.
Ahem, what I was trying to say though was how Peter Pilotto has done the most incredible printed trousers and jackets... they are seriously out. of. this. world. Ooo, smack me. I just realized it's not a jacket at all. It's a gilet thing layered over a top. See, exactly, even more amazing than I originally realized... proving the awesomeness of Pilotto.
All images snapped from Elle Collections SS12.
Get your own copy for £7 at wherever good magazines are sold in your area.
SPOT THE FASHION SIMPSON...
When I was a kid I wasn't allowed to watch the Simpsons... now, I have almost every season on DVD. Of course I get why my parents didn't want me watching it, the characters can be pretty crass at times. What parent would want their kid mimicking the behavior of Bart Simpson:
'I'm calling for Mr. Hugh Jass'
But, there's no denying the Simpsons are iconic. They embody the slightly deranged though lovable nature held within all of us. There's nothing more fun than seeing a well known figure transformed into a member of the cast. When they're a fashion personality? Even better. Fingers crossed the producers take note and make an episode shot in Capital City during fashion week.
Illustrations by Alexsandro Palombo. Images c/o Vogue.
SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE...
Currently haunted by an unquenchable desire for metallic claws, wedge velcro sneakers, mood rings, and fluorescent plastic. Who would have thought? Too often, things are so wrong that they're right. These little babies are all at the very top of my wish list.
Photos from: le 21 Arrondissemnt, We the People, and Lee Oliveira. All street style sites I recently discovered and now can't get enough of.
THIS WEEK I LOVE...
1. Blocked denim via Cos and A Détacher. 2. Floral on floral on floral from ADAM. 3. Dreamy misty landscapes. 4. Washed out pink denim from MiH. 5. Acne accessories: the turquoise Alice shoe and clear frames. 6. Miu Miu gingham earrings. 7. Topshop's clear plastic purse. 8. Sandro.
9. One Minute by Dennis Swiatkowski - from the blog Get Your Plane Right On Time comes the incredibly succinct and effective video portrait. It's like street style but on a whole new level. The music is chilling and the characters are perfectly portrayed. Hop over and start watching.
Hope you're having a wonderful week. xx