Unique ss14
I know, we're approaching Christmas and it's freezing outside. Everyone is thinking about holiday parties and jumpers with snowmen on them but, if I'm honest, I've mentally moved over to spring already.
I feel like I've been drowning in a sea of photos of turtlenecks and chunky knits and I'm a little tired of it. So, for today I'm switching gears and diving headfirst into the wonder that was Topshop Unique's Spring 2014 show because it totally embodies warmth and sunshine - which is what I'm craving at the moment.
The models were all bare legged with loose wavy hair, making them look like they'd just stepped off the beach. There was hardly a heel insight, instead everyone donned flat white slides like the retro adidas ones (minus the stripes). The silhouette was baggy and oversized which I loved.
There were a few bold prints but in general the looks that stood out most were the ones that came in crisp whites and denim. There was a blue jacket with leather detailing which was to die for and a grey cross-back top which has already got me searching for my racerback bra. The thing I like about going to the Topshop show (besides the yummy nibbles and celebrity spotting) is that it's a show with pieces I can actually afford to buy.
At the top of my wish list is the cream poncho like top with embroidery and tassels. How sweet would it be worn with a pair of ripped up denim shorts and black Birkenstocks? Yes please, that's my summer uniform is sorted.
Photos by Jennifer Inglis
The Acne Hoodie
Regardless of how many things come in and out of fashion there are some items I will always love. It might not be that chic or exciting but I'm a sucker for a good hoodie.
When I came across this one from Acne my heart did a little happy flip. It comes in the perfect shade of melange grey (my absolute favourite), has a silk lined hood and extra long sleeves. Instead of buying trendy items, I'm trying to invest in good quality pieces that I'll wear over and over again. Spending 250 euros on a sweatshirt might seem a little nutso but I've gotten to the stage where I'd rather have a few pieces that I really love instead of a closet full of clothes I don't really like. I'm pretty sure if I had this little baby I'd be wearing it all the time. Cross your fingers with me that it goes on sale so that I can pick it up later this month in Stockholm.
How about you? What sort of pieces would you be willing to splash out on?
// GIVE THE GIFT OF ART //
Somethings never change. When I was a teenager I had a poster of Eminem on my wall. I was all about the adoration of rap superstars and it fit very nicely with my rebellious nature. Now, I've grown up a bit but my walls are still lined with images of rap's greatest.
Have you heard of the Tumblr 99 Problems? It's a brilliant collection of illustrations by Ali Graham that outlines the 99 problems of one un-named but very obvious rapper. The concept harks back to the 2004 song by Jay-Z and plays on the lyrics from his other songs as well as modern day issues. A lot of the problems are bizarre and surreal while others are simple annoyances you probably face everyday. Some feature other artists (almost all the ones with Kanye have already sold out) or deal with twerking, facebook and hashtags - you know, the true great problems of our age. When I saw the site I thought it was a hilarious idea and was so pleased when Graham decided to do a limited edition run of prints.
What I love about these is that I feel like they tap into the current zeitgeist. I grew up on rap and the concept of fame has always had a certain allure. These pictures feel very relevant to our generation. They deal with issues like social media, passport photos, Homeland, and Miley. I'm sure they aren't the sort of thing that everyone would appreciate but to me they are just perfect. That's why I purchased three and have them proudly hanging in my hallway. I can't afford to buy fancy expensive art but, at the same time, I feel like I've outgrown the stage of having posters on my wall. These feel like a nice intermediary.
If you're still looking for a Christmas present for a rap junkie on your list I can't recommend these enough. They cost just $19.99 and come numbered and signed by Graham. There are only 99 prints made of each problem and he has vowed not to produce any more prints once these have sold out. So, go on, give the gift of art and let someone you love hang one of these babies on their wall.
Check out the full shop here.
December 2013
Wait, so did you know that technically it's not winter yet? I don't know about you but in my world it sure as heck feels like I'm smack-dab in the middle of a full-blown apocalyptic winter.
As a result of the sub zero temperatures I've taken on some unusual behavior. To start, I spend most of the day permanently attached to a blanket and a hot water bottle. At night I survive on candlelight alone - it makes for the dreamiest of atmostpheres. I've made a vow to only wear my snowflake flannel pajamas and I avoid the outdoors like they are the plague. Part of the reason I hate being outside so much is because I've been refusing to wear socks... so my feet are always freezing. I think it's a habit that officially needs to stop. I've also taken to wasting inordinate amounts of time scrolling through the web for pictures that make my heart feel warm and fuzzy. Lately they've come in the form of abstract art, messy hair, gold details, fog, big knits, and clean interiors.
See below for a selection of faux-winter worthy inspiration. Click on the pictures to view large and scroll through for easy viewing.
Images from a selection on Pinterest.
Reinvention
For some strange reason, the other day, instead of putting my black Zara skirt on around my bottom I pulled it up to my chest. Ooo, I stared into the mirror and did a little twirl. It flared out with quite a cute little shape. Voila. I had just gained, without spending any money, a brand new top.
For some strange reason, the other day, instead of putting my black Zara skirt on around my bottom I pulled it up to my chest.
Ooo, I stared into the mirror and did a little twirl. It flared out with quite a cute little shape. Voila. I had just gained, without spending any money, a brand new top.
This weekend I paired it with some grey pinstripe trousers and wandered over to Winterthur to explore some back alleys. I'm not going to lie, I had a massive cardigan and a coat on for most of the time. But the shape of the top was kind of lost when I had on all those layers.
So I stripped down and my absurdity managed to go unnoticed except for the hoard of kids that rode by on their bicycles shouting in German, 'You must be freezing!' Yes, I was. But, thankfully I've got Photoshop and the ability to zap the red tones out of my skin so... if I didn't tell you, you'd never have known that I was actually frozen solid.
Wearing Zara skirt (as a top), trousers and shoes. Moxham clutch. Vintage earrings.
GIRLS IN SUITS
With the holidays fast approaching (Happy Thanksgiving!) I've started thinking a bit about party dressing.
This year my plan is to forego the little black dresses and instead opt for something more tailored. Enter the suit. Somehow I've managed to go my entire life without ever wearing a suit and I think that should change. I'd like a loose black one with wide legs and a long-lined blazer. It should be on the boyish side so that I can pair it with big chandelier earrings and dark vampy lips. Yes, that sounds like the perfect holiday getup.
The reason I have suits on my mind is because of these photos I took of Anjelica Lorenz back at London Fashion Week. I tend to shy away from prints and so I don't think I'd dare to wear this plaid Topshop combination but I think she pulls it off so well. I love that she's wearing a classic white shirt but toughens up the outfit with a slick biker jacket.
How about you? Have you ever worn a suit? Do you want to?
ASHISH ss14
There's a soft spot in my heart for anything Arab related. I grew up in the MIddle East at a time when American culture was on the rise and, without a doubt, Coca Cola symbolized this. There were often days when we couldn't buy cheese but we could always get our hands on a Coke - they were stocked in every shop, no matter how remote.
I'm partial to a bit of American branding and so I practically keeled over with joy when the first look from Ashish's SS14 collection came out. It featured a pair of sequined covered ripped jeans and a slouchy tank top emblazoned with the Coca Cola logo. Thankfully this wasn't just a one off, there were a handful of other pieces in the collection that bore the same symbol. My favourite of the lot was a raglan baseball style top with blue sleeves and a white body.
Multiculturalism was rife throughout the show. From the models that were cast to the unlikely styling. There were grey sweats, pinstripes and white shirts paired with jeans that were falling apart. Prints were in abundance with stripes, plaid and even leopard making an appearance. Arabic text was present on a slew of the garments. All the looks were topped off with heavy African inspired silver jewelry and black smoking slippers that were adorned with multicoloured rhinestones. It was an amalgamation of identities and it represented people from a host of different countries.
There was, undoubtedly, one stand out piece from the collection: the grocery store bags covered with sequins. Instead of classic branding they were morphed into tongue-in-cheek sayings. There was 'Disco' instead of Tesco and 'S&M' on a neon green bag that should have said M&S. A brilliant idea and definitely the bag I hope to be carrying next spring.
Photos by Jennifer Inglis
PINK COATS
Recently, I declared on Twitter that if one more person mentioned a pink coat I would throw up. It has to be one of the trendiest items of the season. It has popped up in countless magazine editorials and has featured heavily on the pages of many a fashion blog. But, I've finally come across one I like.
Recently, I declared on Twitter that if one more person mentioned a pink coat I would throw up. It has to be one of the trendiest items of the season. It has popped up in countless magazine editorials and has featured heavily on the pages of many a fashion blog. It's bold and daring and completely counter-intuitive. Pink is for spring, right, not winter.
But, that's sort of what makes it great. Getting dressed should be fun and nothing sucks more in the middle of winter than putting on a dull coat everyday. So enters the statement coat to save the day. Personally I prefer the plaid, pinstriped, and fluffy options... but for a moment I'm going to tip my hat in the direction of the pink coat because there is something wonderful about it. The fact that it makes absolutely no sense is exactly why it works.
Irina, from A Portable Package, wore hers at fashion week over a double denim ensemble. Perfectly nonchalant, she has popped her collar and pushed up her sleeves, and made the coat resemble a dressing gown. I like that it's a bit crumpled and disheveled. The red bag is unexpected and those plastic mules are heavenly.
So, just for today I'll admit I might have been wrong about the whole barfing thing. I'm joining the masses in admiration for the pink coat.
// MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF FOR TOPSHOP //
Few designers have the ability to transport their customers to another dimension. But when you enter the Meadham Kirchhoff world you step into a fantasy - a surreal candy coloured universe that's covered in bows and frosting.
I was hooked on the brand from the moment I saw their SS12 collection. The balloons, the dancers, the literal pastel coloured explosion that took place in front of me was theatrical and moving. The designers fuse humour with luxury and youth in a way that no one else is doing. How exciting then that they've decided to partner with the mothership of all high street stores and make a collection that's a bit more wallet friendly. This is their fourth collaboration with Topshop and it's one that will surely make a big impact. The pieces stay authentic to the brand's main line with patent rain coats and frills galore. Prices start at just four quid for a pair of socks and creep up to a hefty 750 for the Mongolian jacket.
As usual my favourite pieces from the range are the simpler ones. I love the little printed t-shirts, especially the pink one as it conjures up memories of my affiliation for My Little Pony. The animal print jumper has also caught my eye. In my ideal world though I'd be indulging in a bit of the striped fur action - it's pretty stinking dreamy. Keep your eyes peeled, this collection hits select shops on November 21st and shouldn't be missed.
Photos c/o Topshop.
Little Bags
It's embarrassing to admit this but, for the last few years my go-to bag of choice has been a free canvas tote I picked up from a press day. I'm not going to lie, it's gross. Old and faded, it's the antithesis to grown-up-chic.
It's not that I don't have any other bags. I've got a bunch of little clutches and an array of roomy leather totes. But they all feel a bit dated and they aren't at all what I want to carry. As it turns out, clutches suck because it's actually nice to use your hands every once in a while. Plus, all I really carry around are my keys, wallet and phone - which makes lugging around a massive bag pretty silly because all that empty space means items get lost.
As a result off all this disenchantment I've started a world-wide search for the perfect little everyday bag. The requirements are as follows: it should be small, have a long strap so that it can be worn across the body and be discreet in design.
There are a lot of options. The most lust-worthy is the Delvaux Madame Mini. This bag is heavenly and pretty much perfection incarnate. Alternatively, there is the Celine Classic Medium in Box Cassis - I've drooled over this beauty from afar many times. Both are the epitome of luxury and would no doubt be the sort of item I'd pass down to my future daughter (or son). Other options I've come across include the Louis Vuitton Vivienne (although I think the branding may be a bit too brash), the Givenchy Obsedia and the Saint Laurent Lulu. All are beautiful and timeless. Then again, there is always the obvious choice of a Chanel Boy Bag, but I'm afraid this one has become a bit too trendy for its own good.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that each of those aforementioned bags costs more than my monthly rent and that just seems a bit ridiculous, no? So, in the interest of having a roof over my head, I'm considering more realistic options. I've found two choices that stand out most to me. First is the Sophie Hulme Mini Envelope Bag. This is a pretty sweet option and I'm kind of loving the deep burgundy colour. There's also the Little Liffner LBB bag which looks pretty good and classic from the photos. I'm also drawn to these two options because they're made by small lesser known designers and I'm all for supporting new talent.
It's hard to know which the best one is though or which would slide most easily into my life. But one thing I know for certain, I'm hoping to find one under the Christmas tree with a big red bow tied around it.
What are your thoughts? Do you carry a little bag? Have you found the perfect one? Please, enlighten me with your wisdom.
turtlenecks
Yesterday I waged a day long war with a turtleneck.
As a result, I'm here today to give you some advice. If you decide to wear a turtleneck make sure the neck opening is loose enough to comfortably fit your head through. If it's not it will undoubtedly be too tight around your neck and you'll spend the entire day pulling and stretching the fabric in a feeble attempt to breathe. That's what I did yesterday and it sucked. So consider this a warning: wear turtlenecks with caution - they can be evil little monsters.
Charlie May ss14
Sportswear infused fabrics collided with super lux leathers and silks at Charlie May's Spring 2014 show.
There wasn't an outfit I didn't love but my favourite part was the impossibly simple v-neck shirt that was elegantly tucked into a pair of trousers - producing the most beautiful draping. I also loved the straight skirts with front slits and the short little fitted dress that looked like a wall with cracked paint. Legs were bare and all the looks were finished with white laceless flats, made as part of a collaboration with Hudson. These babies will undoubtedly be replacing my Converse in a couple of months when they're released.
Congratulations Charlie on another amazing season.
Photos by Jennifer Inglis
Charlie May ss14
I am big time obsessed with Pinterest. Besides blogs, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram... it provides a whole other realm of stalking capabilities. You can get an intimate look into people's worlds that you'd otherwise never get to see.
So happy was I, then, when I happened upon Charlie May's board of inspiration for her Spring 2014 collection earlier in the summer. It was still months until London Fashion Week when she'd show her new line but, there I was, in the comfort of my own home getting a peek into what she was thinking about.
The images struck a chord with me. Crashing waves, dripping paint, old Calvin Klein ads. Oversized knitwear, bare midriffs, concrete walls and the Spice Girls. Charlie's inspiration is varied and undoubtedly rooted in her childhood spent in Devon. I'll admit, I can waste a lot of time scrolling through Charlie's boards. They are a treasure trove of raw beauty and I thought they'd perfectly prelude a post on her spring collection that is coming up tomorrow. Go ahead and click on the photos below to make them big.
// OH ZARA, YOU MELT MY HEART //
You might already know that I have a serious love/hate relationship with Zara. With that said, it might seem strange that I check their website almost everyday. I know it's dumb but, I have a weird obsession.
I can't help it though, the site is just so good. And, I've got to tell you, it just got even better with the release of the November look book. It is positively yummy. The knit jumpsuit looks like the most comfortable thing in the entire world to wear and the checked coat looks achingly similar to a certain little Stella McCartney one. The light grey slouchy turtleneck is exactly what I've been dreaming of. Plus, if I wore the black parka paired with skinny jeans I would look exactly like Emmanuelle Alt does when she's warding off the street style photographers at the Tuileries.
I'm sure if I went into the store though I'd discover that the knits aren't quite as soft as they look in the photos. The coats probably don't have buttons (which drives me cray-cray) and nothing will drape quite as well as it does on the models.
As a result, Zara, I will continue to admire you from afar.
MEN IN SKIRTS
A man in a skirt can be a very good look. I'm not sure how a man comes to wear his first skirt though... is it a monumental life changing moment? A friend of mine wore a skirt on a trip to Antwerp once and I remember him telling me that people were literally scowling at him on the street. Surely some cities are more willing to embrace the look than others. All this to say, I pretty much love everything about this guys look.
Unfortunately I've only ever really seen it at Scottish weddings and fashion week. Why is it that a man wearing a skirt is still such a cliche in North America and Europe? Marc Jacobs comes to mind as one of the most notable men to have sported the skirt. But even so, most men aren't following suit.
Surely it isn't the easiest look to pull off or the simplest item to come by. You won't find skirts in the mens section of any high street shops, that's for sure. Even the LN-CC, which is one of the most progressive boutiques, doesn't stock any men's skirts. They do have one Ann Deeulemeester apron but it's already sold out.
A man in a skirt can be a very good look. I'm not sure how a man comes to wear his first skirt though... is it a monumental life changing moment? A friend of mine wore a skirt on a trip to Antwerp once and I remember him telling me that people were literally scowling at him on the street. Surely some cities are more willing to embrace the look than others. All this to say, I pretty much love everything about this guys look. The red leather biker jacket paired with the matching plaid jumper. The massively oversized black scarf. I'd wear this outfit head-to-toe. Minus the beard of course.
So where do you weigh in on the skirt issue? If you're a guy, would you wear one? If you're a girl, would you go for a guy that did or be happy if your man decided to wear one?
