QUEEN CRUSH | SHARIN FOO

As I fast approach the big 30 I have found myself nostalgically listening to music from my past (way to go to make myself sound ancient) and a particularly pleasant recent rediscovery has been The Raveonettes.

Those stylish danes had my heart in knots from the very first moment I listened to Sune Rose Wagner and Safrin Rose (those names!). I was captivated by their kinda coordinated and deeply harmonised monochrome cool. Their 60's references and Velvet Underground and Blondie inspo was right up my alley.

Safrin Foo was and still is the queen of the fringe, the super straight peroxide bob and wins every cheekbone game. I was crushing on her so hard back then and not much has changed. She's bloody immaculate, just look!..

FASHION | FORWARD AW16

The fashion weeks have just been flying by in a blur and as the temperatures creeps (VERY) slowly up our gaze is on what we will be covering our bodies in after summer has been and gone.

Here are some pretty great collections to get us excited about the next chillier seasons...

New York

NYC  presented a slightly underwhelming fashion week tbh but there were  a few gems. Rebecca  Minkoff proved monochrome is still matter of fact and that floating into autumn will be awesome.

Launched by Central Saint Martin's alumnus Han Chong, Self-Portrait made us re-think hemlines and clashing patterns to keep it interesting during the darker months. All hail the continuation of the cropped trouser over boot combo.

London

I may now live in Paris but London still makes my fashion heart beat the fastest.

Peter Jensen made us shout 'I want' once again with popping primary colours and the perfect accessory - black Converse All Stars.

The pleating and prints at Fyodor Golan felt modern but also offered a dominance reminiscent of great masterpieces.

Mary Benson's attention grabbing late 90's punk-pop gig inspired ensembles were neon bright, baggy and sometimes stripy. All for feeling 15 again minus the acne and anxiety.

Images courtesy of We Are Village. 

RANDOM | THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY TODAY

On a sunny Tuesday when you're battling a deadline nice little things are like the golden ticket in a Wonka bar. So here are my golden tickets for today...

Despite the odd crazy heatwave sprinkled here and there like garish coloured sprinkles you can't help enjoy, we cannot deny it folks... Autumns here and it's getting chilly. This is a perfect time to get those needles and yarn out and, if like me, you find that you've forgotten a few trick over summer then these tutorials by Wool And The Gang are just the ticket (gedit?). These guys make knitting cooler than an ice bath in Alaska and they recently collaborated with Giles. I am also silly excited about the prospect of knitting with jersey. (There are more nice things on my tumblr btw)

                        

The release of the film IDA. Too beautiful and intense. Pawel Pawlikowski is a genius. It's showing as part of the BFI London Film Festival too. 

                        

Also new Michael Pitt film!

Now to add some colour to this rather grey mix, check out Hilary Sloane's stunning photography. Look!

     

     

This outfit at Paris fashion week is everything...

from Because I'm Addicted

                                

FASHION | LFW SS14 - QUOI ALEXANDER

Sometimes you stumble across a designer whose craftmanship leaves you stood mouth open eyes gawking in awe. Central St Martin's Quoi Alexander is one of these designers and his London Fashion Week debut was a total triumph.

Influenced by Xu Bin, an artist who in the 80's created scrolls in a language similar to chinese, Alexander's creativity seems to know no bounds and his focus on detail is unrelenting. His debut catwalk show left an electrifying buzz of excitement as it was hard not to be fixated by the woven armour he sent down the runway. For this new designer this is the start of something beautiful for sure.

                       

FASHION | BAND OF OUTSIDERS A/W 14

A simple aesthetic and vintage school vibe make this collection wearable but with a glamorous and boldly pulled together feel. It's slouchy wearable glamour I suppose. Each item's both a statement piece and a go to item for any savvy wardrobe. Pravo!

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FASHION | ORLA KIELY AW 14

I know that I am so late to this party that people are already so sloshed they're dancing to Embrace but it still has to be said that Orla Kiely's Autumn/Winter collection is superb. Ever since the show at London Fashion week back in February I've had a hankering to be dressed like I'm in a Wes Anderson film come autumn...

FASHION | BEARA BEARA

The bags you get at Beara Beara (available here) are and certainly look beautifully crafted. Crafted from robust cows-hide in Bolivia no less and by a skilled range of craftsmen. The embossing and tapestry is just some pretty stunning icing on a masterfully baked cake. In short: they're amazing. 

This label, launched in September 2011, is definitely a front runner when it comes to unique looking HIGH quality bags that will become everyday staples. They're also on a pretty accessible pricing scale when you consider the level of quality and the cost per wear you'll get from the leather.The added bonus is that purchasing these bags is a kind of show of support for craftmanship and quality, which is important in a time where things are being treated as increasingly disposable. 

I went to see a watch repairer the other day to get my 60's Timex wind fixed. He was like Mr Geppetto but from Pakistan rather than Italy and surrounded by cogs, bezels and crowns rather than puppets. His tiny workshop behind Shepherd's Bush market it enchanting but also made me sad to think how few and far between these skilled people are. Re-sole shoes, have a silver smith fix that necklace and buy and love items that are well crafted - that's my 2014 mantra and I'm kicking it off by purchasing one of these bags! 

I'll be sharing some more skilled crafts people's work over next twelve month's so keep your eye's peeled.

STYLE | ROGER LLOYD-PACK

RIP Trigger. I live in Peckham and regularly drink in the pub Only Fools and Horses writer Sulllivan used to frequent and it's made me even more enamoured by that great show and in particular the character Trigger. Roger Lloyd-Pack was a great actor and also an incredibly stylish chap. 

London Collections Mens took place last week and London Menswear is currently showing in Paris but chaps (and chapettes), for real style inspiration look to Roger...

A flamboyant lapel and clashing prints.




Rocking the accessories.



Great colour and great beard.





I think Miuccia Prada saw this pic...

 



A year later he inspired D&G...



Also other types of inspiration...

  RIP ROGER <3