Castles Made Of Sand

I don't really believe in putting people onto a pedestal in the "hey, this is my style icon" sense. I don't like style icons because I never want to emulate other people's style. I believe style is something more than the clothes you wear... it's you! What you think, what you like, what you do, what your past/future involves and then, what you wear. There is a certain attitude which goes along with the way you choose to present yourself, which I think, cannot be recreated by someone else. Hence, my lack of faith in 'icons'.

However, that is not to say I don't notice what other people wear. I can't help it. It's I think, one of the reasons why I decided to pursue fashion as a career back when I was 10 (and stuck to it). I'm naturally, extremely fascinated by what other people wear. Not in the bitch-fest sense, but because of the reasons stated above - it's the first inclination someone might have understanding who you are. I'm not interested in slating someone because of what they wear, I'd much rather ask questions instead: Why did they choose to wear that? What message were they trying to communicate? What does it say about the zeitgeist? What does it say about who they are? and so forth.

In the words of Isabella Blow, (as printed in the front of Worn 10) "My style icon is anyone who makes a bloody effort"  So, in the spirit of that, I can still admire anyone (famous, unknown, strangers, friends) who makes an effort. Even if I wouldn't go as far as to iconise them. And why not celebrate those people whose style speaks to me, and tells me about them, as a person? That my friends, is why I like fashion. It has little to do with trends (though, I must admit, I am curious enough to watch them). It's even limited in how far it involves clothes/accessories. It has everything to do with people. And personality. And sometimes, creativity.

Anyway, I talk about that because here I am, celebrating the style of the legendary, Jimi Hendrix. Truthfully, there are already enough people who have talked about him without me needing to add commentary, let alone being able to. I discovered the music first (at about 13, when I took up the guitar for a while) & his style second - but hell, I still say some amazing style!

Of course, that is only my interpretation of fashion and style. It means different things to different people. And I wouldn't have it any other way. It interacts with people in unique ways, which, if you think about my interpretation, makes perfect sense. Style vs substance? Personally, I'm a believer in style and substance being entwined, not an 'either or' situation. What's your definition?

[Images: teaporn; the 1960s; love below sky]

A Non Hyper-Galactic Misadventure In Something That Is Quite Like Wearing Clothes Really

Well, this is quite something. Two posts in one weekend? I think I may need to lie down, never mind you dear readers. With the prospect of September & self-stitching looming, I thought I ought to become reacquainted with outfit photographs again. More to the point, feel comfortable taking them. Sometimes they just feel a little to vain or self-obsessed, y'know? And my dailywear is not in the slightest bit exciting.

Anyway, this is what I wore yesterday when I decided that I ought to get out the house for a bit and went round some charity shops and spent £1.50 on a roll cushion. Then I came home, watched a bit of Pirates of the Caribbean whilst knitting and then started reading The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's very funny, not always in a laugh out loud haha way, but in a really amused tickling sensation haha way. I'll probably discover I start phrasing things like Douglas Adams soon because the writing style is so infectious.

• Long sleeved striped t-shirt (hidden): h&m
• Maroon red mens wool jumper: charity shop (originally m&s)
• Turquoise patterned dress: laura lees for topshop
• Black tights: ?
• Low-top black converse: office (old & now very battered up)
• Purple heart pendant necklace: gift (from mother when I was 13)
• Turquoise ring (hidden): gem jewellery shop in devon
• Canvas bag: freebie from music festival

You are perhaps looking at this outfit and thinking, it's summer (in the UK) why is she wearing an autumnal outfit? It had been raining in the morning. And I was a little cold, but not cold enough for a coat or jacket. It brightened up quite a bit in the afternoon mind you, so the jumper came off later. Brits are always talking about the weather, right?!

Ah yes, this jumper is one of my recent charity shop finds. The ones I mentioned in the last post. It was a grand total of £3, which impressed my friend because apparently these jumpers are £50+ new in Marks & Spencer. That folks, is why it pays to look in the men's section too. Other than that, I felt like I jumped back to the 1990s in this outfit, even though it was not a conscious decision and does not involve any cliché plaid or floral print. Don't ask what my mind was thinking. Some of the time, I don't know myself.

Now, off to read another book in the Hitch Hiker's series. Or make a bizarre sounding reference to the book for the title of this post. Whichever comes first.

Fools Gold

I'm feeling a little too lazy to get my camera out (pathetic, I know) so you're getting crappy photobooth pictures today. Something exciting arrived in the post this morning:

Yup, Worn 10. Considering I only subscribed last week, that is a damn good turn around time. Someone is efficient in the Worn team! Also, well done postal services of the world - you more than made up for the last package being 3 months late and arriving in shredded packaging. This reminds me that I meant to do a follow up review to the issue 9 review, because I have since read issues 4-8 (the contents of aforementioned shredded package) and have a more rounded opinion. Although, I could sum it up like this: it's great, go buy it, consider it an investment for your (fashion conscious) brain.

Whilst I was at the photobooth activities, I thought I'd take some quick snaps of some recent finds:

The red/orange (the colour hasn't shown up exactly right here) loafer shoes were from COW vintage in Birmingham for £14. I rarely find something I like in there, so I thought these were worth it - although, I think they need some kind of shoe clip or something? The leopard print belt was from Oxfam for the oh so excessive (haha) price of £1.25. I really do love charity shops! I've found some pleasing clothes recently too, but I'll show you those when I get the camera out.

Anyway, please ignore how my hairstyle changes from the top to the bottom. I'm frustrated with the style atm & keep messing with it. Also, I'm trying my face sans glasses again, just as a change. All I have discovered is that I look frighteningly like my mother. Hmm...

Over & out.

P.S. The title of today's post has no specific relevance to the contents whatsoever. I have iTunes on shuffle & that Stone Roses track happened to play whilst I was typing a title. Now it's playing the Beatles.

Brain Powder

Whoopsee! I seem to have this habit of disappearing for days weeks on end. I think it's a case of being free means I hit a total brain block & can't think of anything worthwhile to do, let alone blog about. I will eventually get round to posting properly... promise.

A summary of my life: job hunting, cycling, tennis, charity shopping, more job hunting, spot of sewing/knitting, ear problems, friend visiting, music festival, cake baking for another friend's birthday, still no job, reading books, tidying up... and here we are.

Do you see how few fashion related things are actually in that? Well, after a much needed break from fashion-y things, I think it's time to get the ball rolling again... yes yes, with an inspiration post.

This gives me shirt envy. I reckon, with some tweaking, the Emily Burdastyle pattern could make a close approximation.

Leopard print & post box red seems like a happy combination.

Does anyone else see a similarity between these? A grown-up Angela Chase from Topshop? My brother reckons I just see My So-Called Life in everything because of the (minor) obsession I had last year... your thoughts?

What is says on the tin.

The style of celebrity-types doesn't often interest me, but, my god, Janelle Monáe, you win. Talk about someone who clearly has fun dressing. And her music is pretty damn good to boot.

I think it's safe to say that my head is in autumn now. Like most bloggers, right? Though, it's been grey all day today and looking at the weather forecast this week, it's supposed to rain, so maybe that's okay. Hopefully, the rainy days will transpire to be "let's do some projects!" days and I'll have things to err, show you soon enough.

Anyway, what/who/where has been inspiring you lately?


[Images: hudsalva; unknown source + kingdom of style; topshop aw10 (via style bubble) + google; fraulein; unknown source + vintage bobbin] ... and more inspiration dumping over at my tumblr naturally

The Past Few Months Of My Life...

It's all over. My foundation course that is. I feel a mix of being overjoyed and sad. As difficult as this year has been and despite my frustrations with/at college, I've met some wonderful people and will come to miss them. Our official grades come on Thursday when the examiner comes to visit, but the exhibition is up and my part is basically done. Being a curious beast myself, I enjoy looking at other people's work and therefore, figured I should suck it up and show you what I did for my final project.

Lapel detail. Even if you're not a sewing nut, can you at least admire my top-stitching? That gold thread was horrid to work with!

Where to begin? The final major project (FMP) title became "Brutally Individualistic", which acute WORN fans may notice was the title of their issue 9 Marchesa Luisa Casati piece. My pathway/original theme was "Eccentrics" and you guessed it, I looked at fashion/style eccentrics! I could waffle for ages trying to explain it, so here is the succinct version (though reading it again, it probably needs some tweaking) in the form of my supporting statement...

[Popping behind a cut because I rambled much longer than intended in this post!]

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Why Hello Gang!

And how are you on this fine day?

Yeah, I should probably stop relying on old flickr uploads to fill posts out...

Sorry it's been taking me so long to get back into blogging. I've not been here properly for so long that I don't quite know where to start. I suppose a semi news update might be a good place? Not that any of you (other than perhaps odd friends who read this thing) will really be all that interested, unless it's blog related. I'll pop this behind a cut then in case I ramble on...

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Isn't It Good, Norwegian Wood?

Doubtless you have all already seen Angie's latest collection on numerous other blogs, so I'll try to avoid boring you with too much waffle. I just felt I couldn't let it pass without saying something about this collection. Her autumn collection had some beautiful pieces, but perhaps was not fully to my colour sense (I'm in a bright lights faze guys, though I have literally just stumbled upon Jellybones and have an admiration for blacks/neutrals again...) whereas this... well... you all know my fondness for a good print!

If I had the wardrobe, I would surely feel occasionally compelled to go, a little OTT, on the print front; Angie however, presents an exquisite refinement when it comes to mixing pattern. It's bold, it's bright and it's patterned yes, but it's not a one-woman-come-a-chameleon look. The silhouettes are modern and signature Norwegian Wood (if you look at her previous collection, you'll see what I mean). I particularly like the small details though - the fringing on the sleeve of the shirt (which I may have to incorporate into a future project, for I suspect I will not have deep enough pockets for the original...), the cut-outs and the stand-out (what I presume is) bias bind. Obviously, I can't make judgements on quality etc having never handled the garments (though I suspect Susie or the Queens have mentioned their thoughts before), so at present, I can only sigh at my computer screen and post some witterings on this here blog. All in all, beautiful work from Angie.

[Images: Norwegian Wood Spring 2010, photographed by April Lea] - trying to be better at crediting sources