Fashion156 Daily Blog TakeOver

 

So a while back I entered into a competition to take over Fashion156’s blog for the week. I’m a very unlucky person so I thought the chances of me getting considered were probably 1 in a billion, but ever the hapless dreamer I thought, “awk sure, what nat!”

Well, turns out I made the final 7. Crazy, eh. So I guess this is my plea to you to help me actually win the thing. Much like most social media competitions at the moment the winner is decided by a glorified popularity contest. I’m not that popular a person….so I need all the help I can get.

You can see the other finalists and my concept (I’m number 4. *cough* Vote 4 *cough*) on the Fashion156 website and on the Fashion156 Facebook page.

 The concept which receives the most likes and comments BOTH on Fashion156 and on our Facebook will secure the opportunity to take over the blog.

So please do get liking, commenting, sharing etc if you’d like to see my concept win the competition. Thanks guys!

 

 

Paris Couture Week A/W

The fashion pack are descending upon Paris this week for the Paris Couture A/W shows.
Some of the heavy hitters that have presented so far include Versace, Chanel, Dior and Giambattista Valli.

Here are some of our favourite looks from the shows.

Chanel
Classic tweed mixed with new textures and a strong focus on layering. Not sure of the cowboy hats that gracing the models perfect heads. I hope that trend dies a quick death.

Versace

Let’s face it, Versace do sex, and they do it well. This collection was no different – more sexy leathers, sequins, shines. Nothing new, just sticking to what they know best.

Giambattista Valli

My absolute favourite of the week so far has to be Giambattista Valli. This collection is just perfection!

Dior
I found Dior’s collection rather disappointing. I was expecting a lot more from them and although there was some beautiful pieces it was definitely a low point of the week so far for me.

Iris Van Herpen

I had to include Iris Van Herpen. Her collection just embodies the true meaning of couture. I love how experimental and different her pieces are – truly pieces of art. Just check out those shoes!

Some of the famous faces and looks spotted at Paris Couture Week

Fashion? Art? Or something more sinister?

It seems the advert from Lebanese luxury bags, belts, and accessories designer Johnny Farah that went viral last week has sparked a debate amongst the fashion crowd.

The image which depicts a man strangling a woman with a belt in the name of ‘fashion’ ( I use the word fashion loosely here as I have no idea why someone would run a fashion campaign with the models wearing such terrible clothes, that could arguably be the most offensive thing about the whole ad to be fair) has been seen to the majority as disturbing and offensive. It has reignited the debate into the violent exploitation of women in fashion campaigns and advertising.

Many of the photographers and fashion houses behind these images have argued that the images are “art” and therefore they have an artistic licence, a right to freedom of expression; they want to push boundaries, get people talking and be ‘out there’. Now I’m all for art. Having studied it and at one stage planning to set out on a career as an artist I completely understand the right to artistic freedom, to not be bound by rules and having an artistic licence. But some of these images did get me thinking…

Art? Fashion? Or something more sinister?

$686

It seems Marc Jacobs is once again having the last laugh…all the way to the bank.

A couple of days ago the fashion designers Paris store was once again targeted in a graffiti attack by artist, Kidult. In 2011, Kidult targeted Jacob’s SoHo store in New York spray painting ‘ART’on the exterior. The designer responded by taking a picture of the graffiti and printing it on t-shirts – which he sold for $686 (which Kidult is obviously referencing in his latest attack).

Once again, Marc Jacobs, ever the capitalist, turned it into a money making situation. Instead of calling the police, the brand tweeted; “‘Come by Paris Collection for the opening night installation of the new @therealkidult. We proudly support the arts.” And once again the price tag on the latest t-shirt was, you guessed it, $686.

But Kidult surely knows what he’s doing and knows that this will make his name widely known. Kidult has also targeted the fashion stores belonging to Céline, Agnès B, Christian Louboutin, Hermès and Yves Saint Laurent. He claims his work is anti-consumerism. But it seems Jacobs (who is also a enthusiastic art collector) is turning him into a fashion darling…Jacobs definitely is having the last laugh then.

Shine Bright Like A Diamond

One of the biggest trends for S/S 13 is the trend for metallic’s. From metallic finishes to iridescent fabrics, it’s all about opulence! Look to the catwalks of Burberry, Jonathan Saunders and Christian Dior who went all out for this trend.

And it seems the A-listers are all over this trend. Last night marked the annual return of the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York which many refer to as the ‘Oscars’ of the Fashion World.
Here were some of our metallic inspired stand outs from the night:

I am completely in LOVE with this Marc Jacobs dress worn by Nicole Richie. Major swoon!

We also had to include Alexa Chung from yesterday’s L’Oreal Colour Awards in this gold Bella Freud number – so cute!

So shine bright girls and rock that metallic trend!

Diary of an Intern

Recently I managed to secure some intern experience with the British institution that is Marks & Sparks ( Marks and Spencers to you non-UK folk).
It was an interesting time to be working with them as it was to be a make-or-break week for them. The company has recently welcomed style director, Belinda Earl, on-board to try and revive it’s flailing reputation as a fashion destination. It was during this week that the A/W press show would happen where the fruits of her labour would be judged. And judged it was; almost overwhelmingly positively. But more of that later!

Firstly, the dread set in! What does one wear on a fashion internship?
True to form it consisted of all my staples – black, leather, black…although I did try and add in the odd splash of colour… it is summer now after all.

Friday’s Outfit:

Strap Back Slip Dress from TopShop

Shaggy Jacket/Cardigan from Silence & Noise

Trilby Tweed Heel from Clarks (the comfiest heels I have ever worn! And my mother would be so proud with the heel size!)

The internship consisted (as most do) of me running around on errands for the rest of the team. It seemed I had landed a pretty stressful week to be interning as their were a few high profile meetings coming up for the team I was working with in relation to their Oct/Nov and Dec/Jan 2013 collections. There was a lot of running about the building, collecting samples from seamstresses, chasing samples at the pattern room, running to haberdasheries, labelling, more labelling, ironing, more ironing, some more labelling…along with photographing pieces, fittings with models and of course, photocopying (it’s not all glamorous you know).

The highlight of the week (apart from their canteen…seriously, I could talk about the food for days) was being able to attend the A/W 2013 Press Show at Malborough House. I headed down with a couple of the designers from the Limited Team to have a look. The press had gone wild for the show during the week so we were really eager to see how it had all come together.

The highlight from the show was definitely the ‘Modern Elegance’ collection which could give my favourite, Zara, a run for their money. “We are raising the bar in terms of taste, style and quality,” Earl said. Beautifully tailored, sleek styles with a fashion edge, it was far removed from the ‘frumpy’ image that M&S clothes have been landed with of late. My favourite from this range was the white, asymmetrical coat – perfection.

The Best of British

(In love with this suit and the styling on it. Swoon!)

Other highlights from the show:

All in all it was a great experience and really gave me an insight into the ins and outs of working within the fashion industry. Although I’m not sure if fashion buying is my calling per se it confirmed to me that I do want to be within the creative fashion industry in some way.

I’d also like to thank Julie and Rachel once again.

Print – A/W 13 Runway

Continuing their in-depth look at trends from the AW13 runways, Fashion156 are dissecting the print trend.

With digital versions having taken storm over recent years, we want to explore the other avenues that print has to offer. Digital print originally developed in London and has since then being hijacked by the high street, because of this designers have had to develop the trend further, in order to bring print to new and fresh levels. Designers have been drawing away from the digital and progressing into alternate forms of print. Fashion156 have picked up on this progression and we have made print our theme this week to explore further. The catwalks this season demonstrated that many designers have altered their silhouettes to break-up the traditional prints, some have experimented with paint strokes and typography and some have kept it simplistic – this new print trend is not just about pattern, but about styling and production. At Claire Barrow, John Galliano, Claire Barrow, Gareth Pugh, Maison Martin Margiel, Shaun Samson, Tsumori Chisato, McQ, Vivienne Westwood and Sonia Rykiel we saw both delicate and bold brush strokes imprinted on a medley of fabrics giving the impression of painting and stencilling.

Read more: http://www.fashion156.com/daily-blog/#ixzz2TrjRBr

Extracurricular activities

You may have noticed I’ve been a bit quieter on the blogging front this past months.
It seems there just is not enough hours in the day to fit everything in these days; from work, to friends, socialising and doing side projects…or ‘extracurricular activities’ if you will…to enhance the C.V.

Apart from this blog I’ve also been contributing as a fashion writer with Amor Magazine. You can check them out here: http://amormagazine.co.uk/ (@amormagazine)

I’ve also been doing the blogging and social media activity for The Future Vintage ( TFV ).
They’re a great, unique creative bureau that discovers and promotes fresh talent within the world of fashion and creative arts. Their range of services includes PR, Consultancy, Brand promotion, Event management, Online Presence and Publishing. I really love what they are doing and stand for so working for them is a dream.

You can check them out here: http://thefuturevintage.co.uk/ (@_TFV_ // @TFVmagazine)

Last, but by no means least, I’ve just received an email from Fashion156.com offering me to come on-board in a ‘Fashion Ambassador’ role. What does that mean you may ask? Don’t worry, I had to ask them too.
Fashion156.com – The magazine that showcases and supports new emerging talent and places it alongside the established. Basically being a ‘Fashion Ambassador’ is all about getting people aware of their great work, content and what they’re up to!

You can check them out here: http://www.fashion156.com/issue/the-london-fashion-week-aw13-review-issue-2/#6 (@fashion156)

They have amazing coverage of everything from Accessories, Architecture, Beauty, Couture, Photography, Designers, Music and so much more!

INTRODUCING FASHION156CREATIVE TALENT – PAULINA OTYLIE SURYS/ 20.08.12

Read more: http://www.fashion156.com/daily-blog/introducing-fashion156creative-talent-paulina-otylie-surys/#ixzz2S80Ga0nW

So stay tuned for more great content coming to you through the blog from Fashion156.com!

Miuccia Prada for The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan is set to be one of summer’s blockbusters. The movie which cost over $100 million to create is the film adaptation of the novel written by F.Scott Fitzgearld and set in the roaring twenties.

Despite the glamour associated with the roaring twenties, costume designer Miuccia Prada said designing the was, “not about glamour.” Miuccia Prada adapted 40 dresses from the Prada and Miu Miu archives to create the stunning wardrobe for Daisy Buchanan as played by Carey Mulligan.

“When I read the book, it was psychological. It was not about glamour for me. It was a real study of personality, very internalised,” she said. “It was meant to be about light. It became about money, because Luhrmann wanted to show her as the most beautiful and rich woman on earth.”

“The reality is that from 1920, I could find a photo or a fashion illustration that would support almost any choice that we’ve made in the film,” said Martin, co-designer. “But we are not making a documentary. We are trying to express a story in a way in which Fitzgerald’s visceral modernity is able to transgress the plane of the screen.”

Flower Power

Ahhh summer time… the smell of freshly cut grass, bbq’s and if you’re anything like me…portaloos. Yes summer for me means festival time. So far we have tickets for Field Day, The Great Escape, Longtitude and the Gentleman of the Road tour… and a maybe few more depending on line-up announcements.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to attend Coachella (damn my bank account) but I have been loving all the style photo’s that have been flooding the blogosphere as they are providing me with so much festival fashion ideas.

Currently I’m trying to get my hands on a floral crown. Floral crowns are an undeniably good festival look, evoking hippy vipes and they also act as a great hair cover-up if you’ve been camping and haven’t braved the showers.