astronomical...
Inspired by Native American totem poles and the night sky the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection by Tina Kalivas is absolutely mind blowing. The prints are some of the most stunning I have ever seen. They are entirely striking and utterly dreamlike. Not only that but the sharp cut and tailoring of the garments are impeccable. Many of the shapes are quite traditional and simple but it's the details that set it apart. The digital prints are contrasted with traditional embroidery while wools and silks are mixed with power mesh and black shiny plastic. It is completely unexpected yet in some ways pays homage to the creations of the late Alexander McQueen who Tina used to work for. This collection is a total stunner. You can check out her Spring/Summer collection on Asos where it is currently being stocked. Personally, I'd love to have one of her pieces, but for now I'm pretty content just staring into the print on the dress pictured above... it's pretty mesmerizing.
heavy metal...
The founders of Stolen Girlfriends Club seem to have developed a bit of a cult following. Three blokes from New Zealand with no design or fashion training, but rather a love for surfing, have managed to create a unique brand that the likes of Kate Bosworth, Peaches Geldfof, and the Cobra Snake covet. Luke Harwood, one of the founders, says 'We love the idea of doing things ourselves. Like just picking up a camera or making a film, there's something really nice about not being taught and not having your ideas or fundamentals shaped by influence or a teacher. As long as you have good intuition and vision for the final outcome, it doesn't matter how you get there and the technical imperfections actually add raw feeling and quality to a project, garment or brand.' As a girl who's studying for her masters in Political Theory but avidly obsessed with fashion, photography, and writing (with no formal training in any) that is a motto I can definitely get behind. I had seen their collection before, everyone has been going mental over their knit shorts from the Autumn 2010 range, but today was the first time I had seen their jewelry collection. I absolutely adore it. It looked positively magic hanging from white tree branches inside the Robinson Pfeffer Showroom that I visited today. Yes please, I would gladly wear them all. I especially like the key necklace with various locations...
At least this way a girl can dream about having homes in New York, London and Paris, right?
Featuring: Death Metal Bracelet, Key City Pendant, Safety Pin Pendant, End Has No End Pendant and Axe Ring.
resort 2011 highs and lows...
My personal favourite of the 2011 Resort Collections was certainly Jason Wu's. The sleek aesthetic and the sheer wearability of every single piece that came floating down the runway set it head and shoulders above the others. With a mix of bold strips, summery tweeds and two-toned daffodil prints there was plenty to get excited about. The shapes were spot on. Lady like a-line shifts, swishy floor skimming evening dresses, streamlined shorts and full trousers. The proportions were quirky. Borrowing a bit from menswear at times (army jackets, oversized blazers and big trousers) but always done with a very feminine edge. There were soft colours mixed with bright oranges, watery blues and khakis. Pussycat bows, boater hats, and two-toned heels were the details to watch out for. There wasn't a combination that walked down the runway that I wouldn't wear in full. In my books this show was a serious stunner. I'd pair that outfit on the left with some chunky ankle booties, little socks, some retro sunnies and be good to go...
Hailed as being 'perfectly suited to the modern woman' I took Rachel Roy's collection to be a bit of a mess. Maybe it was just the frazzled hair and striped sheer pieces that threw me... because there definitely are some stunning pieces. But overall the whole thing channeled a bit more a schizophrenic vibe than a Michelle Obama one (who is apparently meant to be a fan). I love the massively oversized trousers, the colours, and the tailored dresses. But it just looks a bit all over the place: one part wigged out 70s hippie and one part sleek upper east side sequined socialite. It just doesn't go together to create a directional collection... rather, it just looks confused.
While we're on the topic of being confused, seriously what was Michael Kors thinking? No doubt there are some beautiful pieces - the man can do classic crisp white perfectly and his cashmere knits are to die for. But, who ever styled this collection should be shot. The models range from being so dramatically over-layered that they look like yeti-wannabes to teetering on the edge of resembling an exabitionist. Surely there is no other reason that you would wear this heinous square python printed coat (presumably with nothing underneath), paired with a massive floppy hat (to shield your face when the police come to find you), bare legs, and sandals unless, of course, you were planning on flashing somebody... she looks like a total bald nutter. Not only is none of it wearable but it looks awful. One of my least favourite things of all time are long boots (especially of the python print variety, hello! can you get any tackier?) worn with short summery dresses and bare legs. It looks so hideously cheap and slutty. Michael, seriously! You are meant to represent American style as a beacon of class. You've seriously let your girl down on this one. To top off the plethora of disconcerting combinations, monstrous layering followed skimpy cut-away python print (yes, there really was a lot of it) swimwear. Really just a bizarre combination that leaves you wondering what time of year it is and just what kind of resort he was planning for? I'm all about mixing things that traditionally don't go together... but you've taken it one step too far this time Mr. Kors.
Obviously this isn't representative of the whole of resort 2011, there were plenty of shows that I haven't mentioned plus more designers still have to show. Check out more of the outfits that came down the runway along with all the other collections at Style.com.
some old-school retro goodness...
While lounging in the grass at the V&A today I spotted this girl walking by... 'ohhh, I really like her style' I cooed to Jill and Shini. They were in the middle of a conversation and I kept interrupting them all day, saying really pointless things with heated enthusiasm like, 'I realized yesterday that Mr. Dot looks just like Lindsay Lohan's dad' and other ridiculous things. It was that kind of day. Only three hours sleep, deadlines, serious heat, burning legs... I was feeling a bit skitzy as it was my first normal human interaction taking place outside the library in about a week. Anyway though, the point is I really do like her style. It sort of encapsulates a whole range of things that I'm just really loving at the moment and all which point to a kind of old time goodness. Cambridge satchels, retro dresses (even though she said hers only came from primark - it has this perfectly vintage look to it), thick hair with heavy fringes, winged eyeliner, tortoise shell ray ban wayfarers, brogues with socks... it was just spot on. Totally and completely encompassing everything I am loving right now in fashion. Laid back, effortless, with a touch of retro-oldschool charm... just the sort of look that should be sported on a day when you just feel like kicking back in the sunshine and breaking some rules.
p.s. I have to give a shout out to Jill who is actually the one who wound up stopping this girl, whose name is Chloe, while we were at the V&A. While I did originally gush about how much I loved her look I was feeling slightly too brain dead to actually work up the energy to approach her. Jill said, 'If you love something set it free - if it comes back, its yours.' Insinuating that if the girl walked back by us then we could ask to shoot her (in the photographic sense of course). Anyway, then when Shini was shooting me right before I had to run off I looked over and there was Jill - with Chloe, who obviously had come back. So, thanks Jill.
truckin along...
currently riding on a low post-exam tide. am sure the euphoria would be pumping through my veins if only i didn't have 2 x 5,000 word essays due in tomorrow (don't worry, i promise, it's the last you will ever hear of these monstrous beasts). while i'd like to bestow some of my illustrious fashion-related thoughts onto you sweet little muffins the truth is my pillow is calling my name and i've got some hefty work in front of me tonight so i'll keep it short and sweet. here's a little peak inside my bag at the exam necessities that are keeping me upright and relatively sane: comfy shoes (converse), coffee (got given some free coupons for starbucks and now i am horribly hooked on their new cafe creme little wonder with an extra shot of espresso - that's right, it's 3.70 and an addiction i need to get over quickly), lots of black byros (nothing is worse than having your pen run out of ink mid-thought), ipod (because sometimes you just need to block out the incessant noise), feel good jewelry, books (lots and lots of books and notes - i'm a serious crammer up until the very last minute), excedrin (good for knocking nasty stress related headaches - the brands not important, just make sure it's got a kick), gum, sunglasses (no makeup + late nights + early mornings = not such a pretty face), water, and vogue. i treated myself to vogue today after my exam. i needed some non-academic light weight goodness to take my mind off what had just gone down. i've been a bit disappointed with vogue lately but i was actually seriously feeling it today... i pretty much read every word and felt inspired by the editorials (which was good because last months 'more dash than cash' scuba inspired spread kind of pissed me off). they even have a little pre-autumn section which has given me some ideas... will bring you more of my thoughts on this very important matter soon - but if you haven't checked the issue out yet i'd encourage you to do so.
p.s. what keeps you going through times of stress? any tips for me? i've got two weeks left to get through...
motivate me...
While frantically shuffling through hundreds of pages of text and essays I can't help but think that having one of these little beauties dangling around my wrist would help ground and centre me. Definitely needed, along with cheerful nail polish, to help see me through the impending exam period. Not quite sure which is my favourite. Maybe a triple threat of stacked up 'dream', 'peace', and 'imagine'?
p.s. 15 days and counting...
what's with the craze?
You know how those who can't afford proper Chanel are said to be the ones that buy the makeup? Diffusion lines are massive at the moment because they provide a more approachable way of buying into a brand without having to fork out thousands of pounds. Case in point: Yves Saint Laurent rings. They are insanely gorgeous. Big, chunky, raw, a statement-and-a-half, and utterly luxurious but without the outlandish price tag. They retail for $195 which, considering their bags are in the thousands, really isn't that bad. They've been popping up all over the place lately. Jackie was wearing the Arty Ovale ring in coral last time I saw her and coincidentally I happened to run into this girl on the same day rocking the Aco Stone ring in white. I seriously love it and, along with a Canon 550dslr, it has shot to the very top of my wish list. I would go for the Aco Stone ring in teal definitely... how beautiful would it look against my tanned fingers as they flipped through Vogue while I lie on a boat in Sweden rocking my new bikini?! Anyway, must send out a thank you to Jill who stopped this girl in Covent Garden as we walked past her last week. Her shirt came from somewhere in Brick Lane I believe and reminded me of this outfit I saw on Lily Allen at a concert last year. It's a real Chanel t-shirt that Lily's wearing and I was determined to make my own version after I saw it on her. My motivation to do that, and to get a YSL ring, has officially been reignited. It's funny how so many little things come together to start a wild craze...
utterly ridiculous...
Some of my favourite moments from Tuesday's tea party: the amazing company 'is it the Becks talking? or are you actually inviting us to Sweden?', 'there's a face on that cake!', the un-classy side of the table that drank bubbly and 2 for 1 becks and ate cheese 'this is ruddy well good', 'show me your stripes!', old men in the background of shots, kit's fantastical twirling cape, 'i want to hold your hand and take a photo of your ring' and then not even get the ring in focus, jackie's post tea psycho robotics, 'no, i'm pretty sure. you used to dance. i think you did ballet' 'i really didn't.' 'yah, you did. i think i read it somewhere' 'no, but i can do a back bend.'
Pictured: Jackie, Daniella, Kensington Palace Orangery, Kiki & Tobz, Shini, and Kit. Photo effect inspired by Kit's lomography.
p.s. thanks for all the very sweet and encouraging comments you've sent my way regarding my essay drama (see yesterdays post below)! i really appreciate it!
pride comes before the fall...
This past Tuesday, which was spent galavanting around Kensington Palace Gardens with some seriously lovely ladies, was absolute heaven. It felt like a dream. I ate gorgeous food, laughed a lot, and felt like I didn't have a care in the world. It wasn't a matter of pride really it was a matter of deep and effective compartmentalization.... essays? What essays? I was skipping on clouds that were suspended high above any sense of reality. Then Wednesday came (cue ominous music), Wednesday evening to be more specific. After a day spent working on my second 5,000 word essay that is due in next Friday (and having made little progress due to Tuesday withdrawal symptoms) I went to open my first 5,000 word essay, which was nearly finished, to find the document only had 2,000 words... 2,000 shockingly poor words. It was the essay of a week ago, not the essay I had been slaving over. Suffice it to say, a certain boy (who, don't worry, is still alive) accidentally saved over my nearly finished essay with an old copy and provided me with some serious set backs ('are you trying to sabotage me?!'). The details of it are boring. After a long tear session, many attempts at figuring out a way to revive it (all which failed) and some seriously puffy eyes later I came to grips with the fact that it was gone and moved on. This is why the next four days are going to be spent inside (not going to a Black Eyed Peas concert or punting in Oxford tomorrow like I had planned) with my head down. Wish me luck? I can't wait till this is over and I can go back to living with my head in the clouds like before I fell from grace.
Wearing: Rayban aviators, Dotinabox Necklace won on giveaway, Jigsaw Junior Cardigan, Jigsaw striped top and wooden wedges, Zara skirt, strand of turquoise worn as bracelet picked up in Egypt. Outfit photos taken by Polka dot.
shock me like an electric eel...
i brought along a little video camera to the jackie's birthday celebration on tuesday. this is my first try at video editing so let me know what you think. a big thank you to jill who helped me film and to all the girls who provided excellent material to shoot. you can find the links to all their blogs in the below post.
keep to the path...
Defy expectations. Break out of your comfort zone. Reestablish the terrain. Don't be complacent or without a voice. The London-Blogger get together today that was held in honor of Jackie's birthday reminded me that you needn't stick to the path. It's much more fun to shake things up a little. Whether that means meeting someone onliners for the first time or sitting right in the centre of the grass.
Attendees: Jackie of Platform Princess, Daniella of The F Blog, Jill of Street Style London, Shini of Park & Cube, Kit of Style Slicker, Lucy of Snippets of Shiny Thoughts, Tobi & Kiki of Style by Queens, Jennifer of Style East, Nicole from Power of Beauty, Not Just Medical, Fiona of Save Our Shoes (not pictured). I am always blown away by how incredible the people are behind some of my favourite blogs.... it was the first time meeting for some of them and they were happy to roll around in the grass, jump on command, and do back bends? Seriously wonderful. Big thanks to everyone that came. I had a wonderful time.
you spin my head right round, right round...
i had a bit of an uncharacteristic shopping spree today - i'm a student you know, so the funds are certainly tight. but i had something to take back at topshop and exchange and then i had to pop over to zara because a certain someone informed me that a new version of the much obsessed over floral trousers were in stock. then, to top it all off, it was my last day as sunday manager at jigsaw and so, of course, i had to make use of my discount. all this combined into quite a hefty little purchase load. ah, the sight of new goodies really does set my heart a flutter.
a convert.
the whole celebrity designer collaboration extravaganza of recent years has largely gone over my head. i haven't really ever found it that appealing or bought anything from any of the various lines. but something about the new Kate Moss for Topshop collection has really struck a cord with me. mind you, i realize there are some dodgy issues surrounding the prices and the fabric quality... so maybe it's because the weather is finally warm and my skin finally has a bit of colour to it. but really all i want in my life is a little white dress and frankly any of these three would fit the bill perfectly.
its been a long time, long time, shouldn't have left you...
i feel like i've been absent for a while. probably a combination of having had a nasty cold that i couldn't seem to shake and being utterly preoccupied with university work. it's not a good mixture and it's enough to make anyone feel like they are starting to go mad. i'm not quite over the worst of it yet. june 16th marks the last exam of my academic career (seriously, i am not coming back for more after this) and up until then i'm afraid it's going to be a bit of a rocky road for me. please accept my sincerest apologies, i haven't been doing a great job of responding to e-mails or checking out everyone's blogs lately. if you haven't heard from me please don't think it was intentional i'm really just a bit all over the place at the moment. hence my spastic six hour stint at the park today as an act of rebellion that left me lobster coloured. every summer i underestimate the power of the english sun and overestimate how resilient my skin is. hopefully lesson learned? but, regardless, at least i've got my first batch of colour in for the season and no one will know i've actually been spending all my time in doors battling with justice... yah that's right, it's a painful process.
Wearing: Urban Outfitters burnout t-shirt, Madewell jacket, Gap shorts, Rayban aviators, Topshop sandals and bracelets.
p.s. you can check out a few more photos over at team inglis.
take me straight back...
Music and fashion tend to go hand-in-hand and this couldn't be any more true than in the case of the Los Angeles based group The Like. Their sixties nostalgic appearance harps back to the days of Edie Sedgwick but doesn't sit firmly in the decade thanks to their unique mix of retro one-offs picked up by one of the girls, Leena, who works at a local vintage shop. They've got a distinct image with a very modern edge. I love their music. I can't watch He's Not a Boy (below) without smiling. It makes me want to throw on a peter-pan collared mini dress, some thick liner, saddle shoes and get my groove on. Not only are these girls totally likable, talented, and stylish but they've got that extra factor (no, not the x-factor). These days success seems to be about taking some clues from the good old days of the renaissance - being a person of multifaceted talents. That is, being able to think outside the box of conventionality and blur the lines of tradition. These girls are definitely doing just that. They have played shows for Zach Posen and have had Gia Coppola produce one of their videos. While their already a big force on the LA scene (snapped by the Face Hunter last time he was in their neighborhood) they are dubbed to explode on the British front in the upcoming months with the launch of their new album Release Me that was produced by Mark Ronson. Watch this space - the combination of factors spells big things for these ladies.
