Tuesday 15 December 2009

Do my feet look smaller in these?


As I have mentioned before I have large feet. Brazilian designer Andrea Chaves can solve my problems with 'The Invisible Shoe'. As I write that I imagine it shimmering from small to large on screen like a 60's Sci Fi movie. The shoes seem to have a chaotic beauty about them. They are so sharp and angular but the reflection from the shoe soft and blurry almost. The shoes are like Frank Gehry creation for your feet. Ladies make sure you don't do a 'Britney' and leave the house without your underwear because everyone will be getting an eyeful!!!







My favourite shoes in her collection were these below called 'The Prism Shoe'. I like that they almost feel accidental, just a jumble of block that happened to form into a shoe. On my next day off you are going to find me with cheap Primark pumps, some glue and little squares of wood. If I don't post for a while the you will know that I now have wood blocks for hands.













Wednesday 9 December 2009

All I want for Christmas is roadkill?

London based designer Reid Peppard has produced ethically sourced rodent jewellery. The majority of the range is road kill. There is something disturbing yet fascinating about the collection. The rat that is now a purse looks like it is being tortured I actually find funny and sent me into a fit of giggles.
The designer wanted to challenge how we view animals we wear using animals we normally consider vermin. To be honest I would much rather wear mouse or pigeon that has died from natural causes than a rabbit that has been skinned alive.

"RP/ENCORE challenges our attitudes towards fur, leather and waste. In a world where leather is worn without question by most, and replaced by un-biodegradable plastics by the rest, it is ironic that the image of an animal preserved using taxidermy is still enough to cause widespread outrage and fist banging. It is for this reason I taxidermy the prolific, consequential vermin result of London’s excess. A member of the UK's Guild of Taxidermists, I use both traditional and alternative methods of taxidermy to preserve and embellish creatures that are widely thought disgusting and unnecessary. When they become sculptural headpieces, necklaces and cuff-links, the specimens cease to be waste and become objects to behold. RP/ENCORE makes use of the city’s leftovers."


If only all prom corsages looked like this!

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Beating Neurotica

I love a good artsy video! English label Neurotica's AW09 'There's no such place' is no exception. Using Bat for Lashes and with the bat theme I am left craving for more.

I really want all labels to do this I hate looking through pictures of flat lifeless clothes on boring websites. Designers are supposed to be creative so create already!



Below are some pics from there Spring Summer 10 lookbook. Lets home there is a frolicking in the meadow filmclip.




Friday 20 November 2009

THE heART OF SHOES

I almost died in an environmentally sustainable orgasim when i saw these shoes from Carmen Walsh. She says 'I was inspired by the shapes of cliffs and terraced farming on mountains; by the rich world of textures in coral reefs; by the change of color within the decay and erosion of the earth.The basic concept of life, the cycle of a seed growing into a plant whose fibers can be used to make natural fabrics, which in turn can be used to make sustainable footwear is beautiful and idealistic. The final goal is the reduction of impact upon that which I find inspiration - nature. What is born from nature returns to it in the end.'

She also goes on to say 'My shoes are made with vegetable tanned leather, walnut wood heels, fabrics including caucciu covered organic cotton, linen, raffia, hemp, bamboo and cork to support the forms. Fun ideas spring to mind with my collection, changing the seeds instead of shoes with the passing seasons. It is my hope that in their second life they will decay and grow as an art piece.'

And with millions of shoes going in to landfills everyday those are wise words




THE heART OF PAPER

Having large feet makes me slightly obsessed with shoes and paper ones are no exception. The paper manipulators at Le creative sweatshop have created these origami clodhoppers. If only there were wearable! Paper is a lot cheaper than leather.


Tuesday 17 November 2009

Home is where the heart is.

I've been living in L.A for a while now but i can’t forget the place i draw the most inspiration from. My River. I love the colors all around this place the sky, the water, the bush. If you look closely at these photos you can see so many colors and ideas for inspiration. I come to these photos all the time to spark my creativity and remind me of where i come from.

Monday 16 November 2009

Peony's and Thistle

I love the colours and the sunlight. Can't go past Columbia Road Flower Market!

Gaga almost creates crisis of Faith

There has been so many mixed reactions on Lady Gaga wearing Alexander McQueen's 'Armadillo' shoes in Bad Romance. Some think its fierce and many fashion devotee's tweeted at the time of the show to keep them away from Gaga. These shoes are works of art but did any one else think PREDICTABLE! I actually like the song and am really happy that I don't have to hear about her muffin or disco sticks ( such sophisticated genitalia allusions).

But Gaga you have gone too far this time. How dare you make me think that those shoes are predictable.


Just when hope was lost true fashion icon Daphne Guinness restores my faith. It's almost as if she has a black halo!

Friday 13 November 2009

Heart Break Luella R.I.P

Winner of Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards 2008 has become the latest victim of the Recession. After the closure of her Italian production company meant that she could not fulfil SS10 orders her distribution company had to withdraw its backing. So sad! The designer who described the look as 'the kind you can get drunk and fall over in' will be missed. On the bright side the online store has crazy reductions so what you can!
Hopefully like Christian Lacroix there will be a last minute saviour and we can all get our love heart dresses in time for next summer!


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Just a heartbeat away


With less than a month till release date of 'Where the Wild Things Are' I am finally letting myself get excited. Opening Ceremony have collaborated to give us something for the child inside. I have to say with winter closing in over here this onesie is more than tempting.
If that wasn't enough amazing NYC Jewellery designer Pamela Love has also created a limited collection inspired by the movie. A brand with a celebrity and indie rock following, whose main collection makes me hungry for chicken feet, could not have been a better choice!




Dazed and Confused mag has also paid homage with the December issue featuring these collaborations and an interview with Spike Jonze.
Check out the trailer it looks awesome!

Pamela Love headband for Opening Ceremony



Thursday 12 November 2009

My Hearts a flutter

I have been trying to ignore the rumour in case it wasn't true but it is now confirmed.
Jean Paul Gaultier is next Designer Collaboration for Target!!!!!! (A lot of exclamation marks i know). The range is to be released in stores and online March 7 and his inspiration will be American women and pop culture.Following on from Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui and soon Rodarte Target is a one stop designer shop.
Am i the only one hoping for a conical bra? It was already ressurected for SS10 but JP give the people what they want.

Heart of the Trench

Can't get enough of The Satoralist? Lucky for all us zealots Burberry's Creative Director Christopher Bailey commissioned Scott Schuman to travel the world of Trench. It's hard enough that you need to be in the right place at the right time looking fabulous (or homeless) now you need a trench! But don't despair you can submit your own portraits wearing your Burberry Trench.


Im off to trawl charity shops and hope that a blind old lady has priced a Burberry Trench for a fiver!
Peruse for yourself - Art of the Trench

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Dan's Heart




Hey,

I’m Dan an Aussie living in L.A, working in fashion and chasing a career in film.

My Heart Beats for


ACTING/film

It is my greatest pleasure. It has been part of my life since i was 10 and nothing i have experienced in life measures up the the feeling I have when I'm performing on the stage/screen or being part of the process. I have learnt so many life lessons through this art and it continues to feed my inspirations, style and ideas.

THE WILD.

I have lived on a river for over 20 years and can not see my self ever being away from the wilderness. It is where i go for clarity, peace and fun. A bush walk, a fresh water swim, a kayak, a snorkel or a conversation with friends lying on floaties drifting down the river is what keeps my heart beating. It is also a place i go to for inspiration. The environment impacts on my emotions and in turn impacts on my style. I look at all the cities around the world and it is so obvious how the environment impacts on the trends and fashion of the people who live in it.

The wild is a place i can go to in any part of the world, thats a comforting thought.

FOOD

I love food!!!!! all foods. Taste and texture the way it looks on a plate, the company around a dinner table, the vibe of the restaurant and the people watching all comes with food.

Sushi, Mexican and seafood are my favorite tastes and any restaurant with a hat or a star rating is one i will eat at.

STYLE

and fashion stand side by side. To be honest it wasn’t until i started working in the industry that i really understood the importance of style and Fashion. What you wear tells a story, it is the cover to a book. Sam and Liz are 2 of my great friends and have taught me a lot about the importance of fashion. It is ok for a man to care about the way he looks!!

To me style is an identity. if you have a sense of style you have a sense of self, Effortlessly sophisticated....



Look for where the red sun sinks into fields of gold and the healing water runs”

Monday 9 November 2009

Liz's Heart


Australian by birth certificate, New Yorker at heart I believe that luxury should not be left in the closet for special occasions, but worn even on the days you are slumming it!

 

The evolution of my fashion choices and sense of style truly has like me, grown into a woman.


In the beginning . . .

It was home made and op shop ensembles. Worth mentioning one of the most laughable collaborations, circa 1996. A home made pair of pink satin calottes, the bottoms edged with a squiggly strip of pink sequins (hand stitched) and sewn below the sequins a cuff of white fluffy balls. A t-shirt with a iron on fairy that was made up of various textures including a satin bodice and real tulle tutu skirt! A purple vinyl backpack with a large plastic winding key jutting out and some text about space invaders, to match my bag was my hair, yes purple hair, an abundance of glitterati on my face and the piece a résistance, a must have item for any dance party regular, my first ever indulgent purchase costing me $300 dollars at the age of sixteen, my designer glow in the dark red trainers… my Chipies; www.shoewawa.com/chipie-trainers.jpg

Also during these times there was an abundance of tie-dyeing going on, mainly silk nighties to be worn with faux fluffy coats and of course doc martens. In fact it took a house fire to snap me out of this grunge phase, and after all my clothes were burnt my mother armed with the insurance cheque saw the opportunity to redefine my sense of style… it was then I discovered brands.

Discovering Brands . . .

My initial discoveries were extremely humble and could all be found in David Jones. Morrisey, Marcs, Witchery and David Lawrence to name a few. I also spent a lot of my mother’s money in General Pants and relished buying a new pair of Lee jeans and anything Mooks. My sneaker obsession grew partly because I loved sneakers and needed a comfortable vessel with all of my dance partying and partly because by the time I was sixteen I already had a size eleven hoof (sorry Sammy your size tens can’t compete) Vans, DC Shoe Co USA, Etnies and of course Chipies littered my wardrobe.

Once I left school and became a working woman I had to finance my own wardrobe. Wearing a suit every day meant the only way to express my style was through accessories. Still to this day I can not go past the perfect handbag and perfect pair of sunnies. I believe you can be wearing rags as long as you have a designer tote and perfect pair of shades.

About two years ago a made a choice I call the ‘Bag Movement’ this was a promise to myself that I would only own designer bags a true tribute to discovering brands. So like trash, I threw away my mimcos and now have a beautiful bag family consisting of “Violetta” the purple miu miu, “Roberto” (Cavalli of course), Luella (the maiden purchase), “Birdy” by Marc Jacobs, Rachel Ruddick and Natalie Brilli. Little did I know this brash move was the beginning of a significant style shift within myself.

Out with the old in with the new....

Was it simply the perfect craftsmanship of my first ever designer handbag “Luella” that made me want such quality in everything I wore? Was it just an evolutionary leap in growing up and embracing my inner woman? Whatever it was the ‘Bag Movement’ begun a fashion momentum that hasn’t stopped. Out with the old, in with the new was my motto when tossing out nearly everything I owned and going on a designer spree.

I now have an abundance of designer threads jammed into my miniature closet! Each hanger has no less than three items on it and if you think summer and winter can reside together – forget it! Each season I have to pack up my babies and swap seasons to fit it all.

To be honest, it’s all about winter for me. I can cope with a few kaftans, my swimmers, a hat and thongs in summer. But winter is my indulgence. The perfect coat or cape, the soft supple feeling of cashmere on my skin, never ending gloves that travel well past your elbow lined with soft lambs wool, long leather boots from Italy, woollen dresses, hoods… it’s winter that is true fashion.

Unfortunately I am not blessed with the ability to sniff out a bargain, or shop vintage. I am a sucker for a boutique and a passionate fashion sales consultant who will do anything for a sale. I treasure a Pretty Woman shopping experience, you know when she is trying on shoes and they have ordered her pizza.. amazing! I nearly always pay full price unless I have an insider who can pass on a staff discount and will sacrifice toothpaste, lunch and soap to finance an outfit.

If you were to raid my closet right now some of the friends you would find are: Kirilly Johnston, Ginger & Smart, Paul & Joe, Becker Minty. Marc Jacobs, Camilla, Fleur Wood, Husk, Thurley, Alistair Trung and Camilla & Marc. I own a lot of Australian brands purely because you can not get any of the good stuff here when it comes to International brands, for them you need to go overseas!!

Me and my other loves … My Heart

So now you know my fashion passions and how far I have come, let me share with you some of the other great loves of my life.

Food: Cracking the perfect crème Brule, the perfect snapper and anything dessert. It’s sweet for me anytime and any place.

The Water: I could not live further that a short car trip from the sea. It is the sea that washes away the day and revives my spirit. The Mediterranean is one of the best seas I’ve swum in so far, with the best swim ever being the Isle of Capri 2006. I have no fear in unknown depths of water and relish a snorkel in unchartered seas.

Animals: I have adoration for all things living. I long to one day have my own monkey and wildcat. I have very vivid images of myself in a seaside mansion staring into the horizon with my Cheetah by my side. I am all about a good animal documentary on a Saturday night and love my son Chunk (British Shorthair) and my daughter Panda (fluffy moggy) very much.

Travel: Is another passion of mine and something I have done far too little. This is a direct result of favouring my foremost heart… the clothes. You see the money I may have used to travel worldwide, well put plainly… I am wearing it!

 

“fashions fade style is eternal” yvessaintlaurent

Saturday 31 October 2009

Outfits

This is from last weekend on my way to Bistrotheque. Jeans are from Roman Road, shoes and bag from Primark, NYPD tourist T-shirt, scarf stolen from my mum and jacket from Vintage store on Brick Lane.

Sam's Heart

I am an Australian living in London chasing an ever-elusive career in fashion. My love of fashion was a gradual fascination.

As a sapling I was a tomboy and into band tee’s and army refuse cargo pants (total teen in the 90’s). Then I discovered that I was a girl/woman and realised that loving floral, tulle and puffs was not against my religion and haven’t looked back. I love fashion that is unexpected, ball gowns with gumboots, and experimental (Margiela & Hussein Chalayan don’t even start me).

I love food oh my god do I love food! I can never have too much garlic or sticky toffee pudding. I constantly behave like a child and go through wanderlust and agoraphobia on a daily basis. I am obsessed with really crap reality shows and shoes. I have big feet and am constantly trying to fit my feet into shoes that are too small and always get lectured about how this affects my back bla bla bla. I can’t sleep all the way through the night with out having a snack at 3am. I feel really nervous about starting a blog and I don’t know why? Anyway I think ill end this stream of consciousness with a Carrie musing.

‘I like my money right where I can see it….hanging in my closet’