Right Now.
Perception of the 'now' is always something I've found a bit surreal. In a crowded place where hoards of people are passing, each experiences a wholly unique moment and conception of what is taking place. At the risk of straying into unfamiliar and potentially undesirable territory, I can't help but link this to what is taking place in Cairo right now. It's a place that is pretty close to my heart. I spent a bulky chunk of my childhood in the city and currently my parents live there. The people of Egypt call for a rally that will bring one million people into the city's Tahrir Square today and surely this moment exemplifies the stark contrast of how a single day can be perceived. President Hosni Mubarak's thirty year rule overshadows a whole generation's perception of Egypt, as many have never seen their country governed by any other man. It is without doubt that he loathes what is taking place on the streets today, as the people he has managed to squish under his shoe for so many years have pushed their way out. Many, unafraid for the first time to openly question their leader. This, I think, is a new conception of 'now' for the country and its people: one that will hopefully stay alive regardless of what government comes or stays in power.
In an effort to show what is taking place right now around the world Samsung have launched The Now Project on Facebook. You can upload photos, edit them with the software available on the page, and then link them to your current location. The images that receive the most votes will be displayed at the London Design Museum in March. Head over to The Now Project to enter. Images taken from The Now Project as sponsored by Samsung. Left images by Frances and Daniella. Right images my own.
a happy striped dance.
It was love at first sight. Prada's Spring/Summer '11 collection is an explosion of stripes, clashing colours, and absolute mania. From multi-coloured furs to geometric wiggle glasses, it's a wonka party on acid - especially as all the pieces are worn together in a shameless parade of all things bright. The banana printed shirts transport us to somewhere altogether different where the sun shines warm on our backs and big sunglasses shade our eyes from the rays. Top of my list are the platformed lace ups... but then, aren't they on everybody's? p.s. Dear Prada: more videos in the future please. You've brightened up my Wednesday.
vamped.
cheap & cheerful.
Am currently going slightly weak at the knees due to the awkward nature of this editorial. Perfectly encapsulating a somewhat ironic Swedish aesthetic. It doesn't take itself too seriously and reins in the power of unpredicted models. It has currently got me longing for everything in the Cheap Monday S/S 11 collection... and a wind machine. Because what's the use of a sheer skirt if you can't make it fly?
All images taken from the Cheap Monday site.
anticipated delirium.
The few days I spent in Zurich last week were awesome. I fluctuated between feeling delirious at the anticipation of moving and slight nausea at, again, the anticipation of moving. The city is beautiful. No doubt, it is going to be a struggle to not turn into a massive bowl of jelly. I inhaled warm pretzels by the dozen and ate cake at every possible occasion. Every road we went down had me thinking it would make the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot. Unfortunately, it was bitter cold and snowed everyday so my camera stayed predominately in my bag. Oh well, there will be plenty of time for that in the Spring...
[Wallpaper* City Guide: Zurich, Im Viadukt, Maison Blunt table and tiled floor, street view, cake, keys]
20% off everything in the shop.
Everything in the blog shop is 20% off from now until Sunday. The shop will be closed from Monday.
on being scammed.
Experience thus far points towards Swiss people having a high charm-factor score. The passport control officer even offered up visa advice while warmly welcoming us into the country... as opposed to the British who, I swear, assume you're a terrorist smuggling drugs up your bum regardless of how sweet you might be. Ran into a dodgy situation yesterday afternoon though when a 'letting agency' tried to score 500 SEK in cash off of us in exchange for... well, we're still trying to figure out what we were meant to get from the agreement. Catastrophe avoided though. We bolted out of that place and headed for the hills, where we had lattes, rode a tram, and gazed at the skyline (snow covered Alps included). Zurich is more beautiful and enticing than imagined it would be... now, if only we could find a place to live.
knuckleduster.
Just a quick little hello from Zurich. Just arrived and about to head out to check out flats. Every time I fly from terminal 5 at Heathrow I have to pop into Harrods to gaze at the insane Alexander McQueen knuckleduster clutches. Apparently, they are going to stop making them because they violate health and safety standards... I hope that's not true. Because as ridiculous as it might be, I seriously want one.
Raid my closet.
I've officially gone over to the dark side and opened a blog shop. Don't hate me. Way too many clothes have accumulated over the past five years of living in England and I need to unload some things before I move next month. So, here's your chance to raid my closet. The shop will only be open until Sunday the 23rd of January. It's currently stuffed full with nearly sixty items and I've still got loads more to upload (Acne, Lacoste, DKNY...). Plus, dresses, trousers, and shorts haven't made their full appearance yet. Yikes, I have spent way too much time with my mannequin Molly this weekend.
Hope you guys enjoy the shop! If you've got any thoughts on it feel free to let me know.
'...in the style of Isabel Marant.'
There we were, in the mock-shop, scampering for items to use in the style challenge. The goal? To take one key piece from Next's Spring/Summer collection and, well, style it. I was given this white oversized blazer which, on first inspection, I thought was going to be a piece of cake. Five outfit changes later and we've got a near tantrum on our hands as everybody else has finished, the rails were cleared of all pieces, and there I was... walking around with just ginormous floral palazzo pants and a white blazer on. I was considering hiding under the piles of discarded clothing that laid all over the place when I spotted, like a little diamond in the rough, a pair of black leather trousers. Scrunched up on the floor of the dressing room, I pulled them out, and desperately wiggled my way in. I had walked by them about 20 times but never thought they would go, thus proving first instincts are not always right.
Now, I'm trying to get hold of a pair to wear in real life. They aren't being sold online but apparently are already out in stores. The shoes also need to find their way into my life. I had them on for about an hour and completely forgot I had heels on. So comfortable, which I think is a small feat of genius - partly because reasonably priced heels often tend to be heinously uncomfy and partly because I am about as coordinated in heels as Bambi when he took his first step.
Wearing: White Linen Jacket, khaki top, leather trousers, Two Part Knot Sandals in pink, and Boxy top handle bag - all Next. Bracelets from Cos and borrowed from Shini. Pictures courtesy of Shini, Kit and Charley May.
p.s. the Blog Shop is officially now open. I'm going to be uploading more items over the course of today and this coming week. It is just a little experiment and will only be running until next Sunday. Find your way to the shop here or at the top on the far right page.
that Friday feeling.
Only intensified by it being mid-January, the lead up to moving at the end of next month has got me feeling a bit neither here nor there. In a surreal little spot of limbo that is echoed by the staggering of seasons. It's still cold outside, the magazines are filled with bright colours that call in the arrival of Spring, and next month we'll be inundated by Autumn/Winter shows that will inevitably send my little head spinning as it forces us to think even further into the future. For now though, it's one thing at a time and coffee on the roof in my favourite basics always seems a good way to start the day.
Wearing: Quiksilver gifted coat, borrowed black shearling gilet, American Apparel t-shirt, Urban Outfitters jeans, and Zara heels. Please note: this is the first time attempting self timer.
first class.
Operating on a measly thirty minutes of sleep, yesterday morning at St Pancreas I felt anything but the chirpy bird. Meeting time was 8am and, after the so called sleep over held at Shini's house, I felt shattered. Next isn't a store I normally shop in and I couldn't help but feel like pulling the blankets over my head and skipping the event all together. I am so glad I didn't.
[Photos: 1. Daniella, 2. flowers at Next headquarters, 3. Shini's multi-coloured nails, 4. pink drinks, 5. little preview of my styled outfit featuring a pair of leather trousers I must get my hands on, 6. Charlie, 7. Sandra's hand]
A big thanks to Next for hosting such a well run and fun event. Their new collection features some seriously gorgeous little pieces including lots of sheer white, strangely comfortable wooden platforms, and 70's inspired palazzo pants that would send any Marc Jacobs aficionado's heart racing. Also, thanks to Jenny from Jam for inviting me along to the event.
grey scale.
I am heart achingly obsessed with grey. It's not a conscious choice but I infallibly sway towards it. It's my go-to colour every season, regardless of what Elle's colour wheel might say. From the pile of tri-blend athletic grey American Apparel t-shirts in my drawer, to the Doe Minni Mouse pajama top I'm currently wearing, my favourite items are always grey. This cashmere cardigan is no exception. Oversized with a fitted sleeve, gingham elbow patches, and the softest cashmere? This is the most gorgeous cardigan I own and, since getting it, I've struggled to wear anything else.
Wearing: Cabbages and Roses Cardigan, American Apparel tri blend t-shirt, Urban Outfitters jeans, Zara heels, and Cos bracelets borrowed from Shini. Photos taken by Daniella.