one person's opinion #2

I went through a phase where I thought nostalgia was a bad thing.

- Dario Argento.

...That's because in most cases, it is.

Sure I'm guilty of looking back every now and again but the worst thing you can do is to dwell over it.

Since the term nostalgia itself means to want to go back to the past and often in a totally idealized form, you forget about all the bad things, clouding your judgement on something you shouldn't even give the time of day to be thinking about.

Things get left in the past for a reason, the people you've met, loved and lost, certain feelings you thought were solid that simply went away. When you go through so many transitions in life, if you had things stay the same, there's no future.

New people, new experiences, development as an individual, s'what it's all about now.

Fuck nostalgia. I'm not missing you.

sylvia ji

Situation: I'm all moved and settled in at my uni accommodation with nothing to do.

Solution: I draw.

While I was looking about for inspiration, my love for artist Sylvia Ji was rekindled. Her art is spiritual, haunting, provocative and beautiful. Most of her based on women and their sexuality, said to be symbolic reflections of herself, sometimes people she knows. She also bases some of her themes on the Day of the Dead, which is a Mexican American celebration that I have always been intrigued with.

Anyways, I'll been sketching up ideas for a new tattoo based on Sylvia's work, so I'll be having fun mixing things up a bit. Pictures will be put up soon.

to check out her work go to : http://www.sylviaji.com/

paris fashion week take 2

So, we go on with more from Paris fashion week, with Lutz up first, chosen for his range of slouchy layers and de constructed luxe jackets made of the most gorgeous fabrics and colours. A big chunky knit cardigan/jumper is definitely on the wish list this fall.

My favourite designer from Paris fashion week for sure, Moon Young Hee blew me away, if I could put my name to any of the collections at this fashion week it would be hers. Constructed layers, beautiful colour palette and jaw dropping draped coats/jackets, almost reminds me of clothing store All Saints style. I know I say it a lot but the first time I saw Moon Young Hee's work I straight away thought it was genuinely perfect. I will be without a doubt be looking out for her next collection.

And finally we have Quentin Veron, who, to say the least must of caught a few peoples eye with his considerably controversial fall collection. "I'd rather wear fur"...says it all really doesn't it? Think it's safe to say PETA wasn't happy with Veron's response to their numerous campaign posters headlining "I'd rather go naked than wear fur".

Now it's a given that over decades, fur has been considered one of the most glamorous things to wear and is a luxury, as a personal opinion, I do not agree with wearing real fur, but I accept obviously that others think differently, but it is one thing to wear fur and it's another to kind of exploit it? Can I say that?

But I did put Quentin's work in this entry because I somehow do like it, in terms of design...not concept. Yep this is the part where I sound like I'm completely contradicting myself. Ah well ey?

I guess I like it because it reminds me of Tim Burton and something Helena Bonham Carter would wear in one of his films, the lady's awesome.

More of fall's fashion weeks to come soon.

hands all over

Pre-ordering this baby right now, there's honestly isn't any other band I can't get enough of, I've been waiting for Maroon 5's new album for too long and I am too excited to say I'll be seeing them in February next year when they tour in the UK (about time guys!). My hands will need to be held back when Adam comes on stage, no lie, the man's a genius and a complete babe.

paris fashion week take 1

Bahh lovely Paris and what I would of give to be on the front row checking out Chanel's offering for Paris fashion week, Karl Lagerfeld really knew how to put on a show with the enormous spectacle of an iceberg making the stage a winter wonderland. And of course being able to see McQueen's final collection in the flesh would of been my life made, it's still unbelievable such a talent with obviously so much more to give has gone so soon.

I guess on lighter note we should start with a few of my chosen designers who took part of the beauty that is Paris fashion week...

So, we start with Fatima Lopes, I chose her firstly based on her shirt designs, I looove the dark blue with the dress seen in the second set of pictures. Her leather dress is also beautifully constructed, casual yet incredibly eye catching. In fact I found all her designs well constructed, so clean cut yet detailed too.

Next we have Gareth Pugh, of course being an appreciator of his work in the past, I had no objection to include his fall collection. Being known for his "out there", avant garde features to his designs, this season's collection consisted of chevrons of leather and chiffon, giving that hard edgy look, and softer dresses and garments frayed at the edges. In the rest of the collection, you can see pieces draped so intricately with chains and as this season shows the return of grunge and deconstruction I have to say I'm in love with the crocheted coat which can be seen in the second set of images. Impressed? I think so.

Lastly, in this part of my cover on Paris fashion week, we have Limi Feu, whose collection I would genuinely like to have magically appear in my wardrobe at uni, as a person who wears a lot of black this is the idea of heaven. And it just goes to show how you can use pretty much just one colour and still create such unique and awesome styles. Loving the long draped and pleated dresses and the oversized straight coat.

you can sleep when you're dead.

This would usually apply to me when I haven't come back from Creamfields completely drained of my energy, so a couple days of recuperation and a few dozen Ellen Degeneres Show YouTube clips has brought me back to life and back in the mind frame of blog prep.

Paris is next on my covering fashion weeks, I have to say the majority of designer's I've seen up to now are out after my own heart, namely Moon Young Hee and Limi Feu, be sure to check them out or keep an eye out when I feature them in my next entry.

Until then...

alexander wang fall 2010 campaign video

Perfection.

new york fashion week part deux

And so we continue with more from New York fashion week, the city in favour of realism and modernism, perfectly shown by the next three designers...

Michael Angel, glad I found this one, I personally like everything about this collection, it's modern, simple, edgy and what I look for in a designer in terms of their use in image and print. His line almost reminds me of the likes of collections by Peter Pilotto, Versace, Diane Von Furstenberg and the late McQueen himself.

Next we have Naeem Khan, I have to applaud the guy for his attention to detail with the amount of embellishment that's featured in his collection. His aim for the whole "love, sex and rock n roll" is down to a tee and although I'm more for a simpler jacket I actually kinda want his embellished/studded leather jacket. All in all, awesome designs and looking forward to seeing his Spring collection.

And finally we have Nicole Miller, I chose this designer for her dresses, especially the leather one and use of layering outfits. With it being Fall it's time to whip out the hats and chunky knit scarves, and obviously with the abundance of black I couldn't resist.

Next stop, Paris?

new york fashion week part 1

After spending the whole day editing a few photos (how? I do not know) I am finally done and ready to share.

So it occurred to me there isn't much coverage on maybe the not so acknowledged designers that took part in New York fashion week and more focus on the highlights, so I decided to look through what others had to bring.

The following designers I have picked out that kinda personally appealed to me...enjoy the visual satisfaction...

First up, Diesel, I love this season's styling, as the debut collection of new creative director Sophia Kokosalaki, she's really nailed it for me, the signature "rock n roll" style with a grungy feminine look.

With the mix of leather and sleek chiffon, the evening dresses turned out gorgeous, good use of denim and plaid and the male models are bad to look at either ;)

Next up, we have DKNY, I chose because of the colours and the simplicity, I guess this may be as minimal as I will get. The collection had great pieces to layer with however, as much as I like hats I wasn't too keen these ones, sorry!

Plus I think I have a growing obsession for heeled walker boots because I am quite literally in love with the killer pairs that were featured in the show, whether they're again by DKNY I'm not sure but someone has to tell me so I can praise them some more.

One of my favourites of the bunch, Max Azria beautiful use of geometric shapes and silhouettes that still flatter fabulously which helped create that bohemian look. As their goals were for this season for the pieces to really appeal and tend to customers, designers Max and Lubov Azria definitely achieved.

more to come...

break from blog prep

Props to Audrey Kitching and her blog on buzznet,

at first I didn't like the change in hair colour...somehow now I do.

Photoshoot for Vogue's US September issue can be seen below.

love filler

Just an entry to fill in while I set up the next blog which is actually taking longer than expected, looking at all designers at New York fashion week is taking its toll but I'm actually enjoying it too...anyways you should see all this in the next blog.

So, I'm trying to keep my eye out for this season's Love magazine, no luck so far, so till I can find an actual shop that's local which sells this magazine I've been eye balling the cover possibilities to pick out from, has to be Sienna Miller or Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and yes Rosie's cover is making me think of retracting the comment I made about preferring Megan Fox. Hm.

But yes, the last issue based on fashion icons and body conscience, photographers Mert & Marcus decided to shoot 8 models in their birthday suits (Natalia Vodianova's bod please?), this time, they have chosen a mix of actresses and models and had them portray a certain role...

Beauuutiful people right?

Coverage on some of Fall's 2010 New York fashion week designers coming soon.

how very.

Dear Diary: Heather told me she teaches people "real life." She said, real life sucks losers dry. You want to fuck with the eagles, you have to learn to fly. I said, so, you teach people how to spread their wings and fly? She said, yes. I said, you're beautiful.

Started collecting screen shots and considering making another blog purely film based...anyway, just a few of many shots of one of my favourite films, Heathers.

gaga for vanity fair

After a day in Birmingham, I stopped at a magazine shop while I was waiting for the train back home where Vanity Fair's September issue caught my eye, so I had a quick gand and figured I'd cover it for my next blog.

Everyone has an opinion on Lady Gaga, good or bad, I myself find her intriguing, there isn't many people/artists out there who are as different as her or who states her purpose is to encourage others to be themselves no matter how strange/outrageous they want to be.

Anyways, this photo shoot is awesome, I absolutely love her hair colour and her body is killer no doubt, also a number of amazing custom made couture has been used to style the lady herself including a transparent plastic Armani Privé dress which actually smokes up...incredible...have a look at the video below to check out Nick Knight's fashion film which covered the shoot.

daisy lowe

Pictures put up in honor of Miss Daisy Lowe...

One of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen, with awesome style and a figure I want as my own. Living the life as a fashion model and socialite, sitting front row at shows or behind the scenes and on the catwalk. Previously modelled for Thomas Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Vivienne Westwood, probably most known for her appearances on Dr. Martens' campaign ads and being a spokes model for Agent Provocateur. She has also modelled her mum's clothing line for Peacocks, not bad ey?

jean paul gaultier fall couture 2010

Another designer I always look forward to when a new season approaches...

The moment I set eyes on the collection I saw a classic 1940's vamp style coming through, I could imagine a modern day Joan Crawford wearing most of this.

Use of new patterns, cuts and leather have kept the collection present and contemporary not to mention the high styled hair and printed tights.

Also an appearance from Dita Von Teese can be seen modelling Gaultier's garments who I personally think is a perfect candidate for showing his work.

And of course I couldn't miss out these gorgeous shoes I spotted from the show...someone fancy giving me some sort of shoe allowance each month, please?