Wednesday, September 30, 2009

INA Men Store Opening...Prince Street, NYC

9/30/09

It's my favorite  designer consignment store—INA, and last night was the unveiling of its newly expanded men's store on Prince Street.  I went with my much-missed friend Glenn Belverio, who I haven't seen all summer long (he's been busy jet-setting all over Europe covering Fashion Weeks and being ridiculously fabulous...whatever).  The party also served as the setting for a new Bravo reality TV show (tentatively titled Kell on Earth) about Kelly Cutrone, founder of People's Revolution, who also represents INA.

Mister Lee...

...and his cool spiked wingtip shoes


 Bedecked in sequins (Jim Morrison would be proud)


 
 


Just Act Natural: Emily Bungert of People's Revolution greeted Glenn and I with a pretty smile and cameraman glued to her back (the reality of reality television)



Emily (right) breaks away from her shadow for a photo op
 

Glenn and I, back together again (yay)

Monday, September 28, 2009

Tutorial

So we had our tutoril today as a group to see how the project is going so far, and it is going ok!
Our main inspiration was Escapism, and Fantasy, and the idea that when times are hard people like to escape to another place or time. One of our main inspirations is Alice in Wonderland, as well as many other fantasy films.
It came up in tutorial that it may be better to look at more reference points than just film, such as literature and poetry. We came up with a few ideas on the styling of the presentation, as well as a few more ideas for the garment shapes and textiles We thought it would be quite interesting to look at styles which are purposely too big or too small and even look at garment details which are too big such as buttons and bows. We also thought it would be interesting to look at playin with the way garments can look aged. We came up with a list of inspiring words relating to our theme:
  • Fantasy
  • Escapism
  • Romantic
  • Sub Culture
  • Oversized
  • Pantomime
  • Styling
  • Theatrical
  • Theatrical Makeup
  • Hyper-real
  • Theatre
  • Over Worldly
  • Oversized
  • Imagination
  • Fairground
  • Surreal
  • Costumes

From this tutrial I feel that as a group we now feel that we know which direction we are going in with this porject and what to do next.

Fashion Intelligence

Fashion Intelligence

Ok so in a group I am to investigate what factors will inspire and influence fashion for Autmn/Winter 2010/11 or Spring/Summer 2011. We are to research some of the key external issues that we feel will affect how people buy fashion in the next couple of years and focus on how these will influence design. From this we are to develop a short ideas based presentation which will trigger and motivate someone to work with our information.

Alice In Wonderland

Annie Leibovits











I love these photographs by Annie Leibovits which she did for Vogue. I feel that they are a great source of inspiration for this project from the colours to the garment shapes to the styling.





Heavy Metal, High Fashion - BMX Bike


(photo via LITTER)

Of course this photo is strictly runway. Now For some real BMX girls and what they are actually wearing on a typical date night Friday, check out this post.

I admit I have my own heavy metal fixation...it comes in the form of these gorgeous vintage European chain guards over at Chic Cyclist.

***
Update on Interbike. Please go check out Cosmo aka LA Cycle Chic. Cosmo attended Interbike and filed a couple of reports here and here. Visit Cyclelicious to see some runway photos of the Momentum Urban Legend Fashion Show. Hopefully Momentum will have a 2009 video of the Fashion Show out soon.
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Tamas Olajos


More from Tamas Olajos!
I'm really loving her photography, especially these quirky images.
http://www.overtoner.com/

Tamas Olajos


Fashion Is Escapism

Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life.

Well I found this photograph whilst researching for my latest project, however I can't seem to find who the designer is or what collection it is from.
It's a great piece and I find it really interesting.

fairiesworld.com

A Twisted Fantasy


Friday, September 25, 2009

About Me



I often get asked questions about myself and my work so I thought I would try to answer some of them.

How old are you?
I am the oldest of four. Me - 32 (the opinionated one), Nic - 29 (the crazy one), John - 21 (the sensitive one) & James - 21 (the witty, clever one).James and John with our precious Mumsie on their 21st birthday. (above)

Where did you study?
Both Nic and I went to the same college. The College of West Anglia (formerly NORCAT)
We both studied a 2 year BTEC in Media Make-up and Hairdressing.
Apart from a summer job cooking doughnuts at Banham Zoo it is the only job I have ever done.
My Tutor was Louise Young, Yes thats right....the brush lady!

What makes you laugh?
Nothing makes me laugh like my family.
They are the single most important thing in my life.
My brothers and their girlfriends still live at home with my mum and her partner, Brian.
If we could, Danny and I would take the girls and move in too.
Mums house is full of love and laughter but its always bloody cold because she's tight with the central heating.

Where do you get your jewellery?
I have a healthy obsession with Jewellery, Hats, Shoes, Sunglasses and Bags.
Being a good size 14 and quite busty not every fashion suits me but accessories don't discriminate, they will always fit me no matter how much weight I put on or lose.
I get most of my jewellery from a shop called Soho Hip in Norwich but some of my favorite rings come from Hoxton Boutique in Old Street, London. I also love Vivienne Westwood earrings and Butler and Wilson for a bit of bling.

What motivates you?
I can't really say what motivates me without exposing aspects of my life that are incredibly private but suffice to say, what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.
I also think that everyone has something that they are really good at, Nic and I are really good at make-up which is just as well because we suck at most other things.

What inspires you?
Beautiful images.
I get inspired by films, shows, shoots and campaigns. I live and breathe Make-up. It is my hobby and my career which is a little tiny bit tragic.

Are you glass half empty or glass half full?
For years the glass was half empty but its been full since I was about 22.
I think it was a defense mechanism, If I thought everything would go wrong then it was a bonus if it turned out Ok.
I distinctly remember one of my best friends saying to me that she couldn't deal with my negativity and that stuck with me. From that moment I decided to change my thought process.
I really believe that positive people get more opportunities and make things happen for themselves.

Why did you start your YouTube channel?
I made my first tutorial in October 2008 when I was heavily pregnant and bored. My face was the only part of me that still looked ok.
I didn't know anything about YouTube. I didn't know about subscribers or hits or the partner program. I just did it to make myself feel better and to relieve the boredom.
I still make tutorials for myself. I cannot create a tutorial if I am not inspired by the look or don't like the subject.
That is not to say that I don't listen and value the people that subscribe, comment and message. It is great to be able to share our knowledge and receive such amazing feedback from so many of you.

Eliza asked 'Do your family and friends watch you on YouTube?'
Mum watches us religiously but thats about it for family. As far as my make-up artist friends go, I am sure that they have checked it out but I don't expect they have tuned in more than once.
To be honest, I haven't asked them but I am pretty sure that after shooting all day the last thing they would want to do is watch someone else put make-up on.

Lizz asked 'Do you ever go out bare faced?'
Yes, but I hate it. Anyone who has kids will understand that sometimes you have to be somewhere at a certain time and before you know it you have 5 minutes to get out the door and you've spent the whole morning reasoning with your daughter about the skirt she doesn't want to wear. When this happens, I just hope that I don't bump into anyone I know.

Kerry and 3ate4 asked 'How did you change your attitude from negative to positive?'
It was a spiral, things happened when I was growing up that made me expect the worst but I hadn't realised just how negative I was until my friend told me and I had to look at the situation from other peoples point of view.
Negativity affects the people around you just as much as yourself. I reassessed what was important to me and made a very conscious decision never to be a victim.
To me, negativity is fear, fear of failure, fear of the unknown... I will not live my life in fear, it will taint every success.
Ultimately, I am responsible for every choice I make, my own happiness and destiny.
I could blame others for my short comings but whats the point, I don't want to waste my life in bitterness and regret.
Hence, What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Wow...I should write a self help book!

Jools asked 'If you had to use just one cosmetics range what would it be and why?'
Hmmmm...tough one.
I think it would be Estee Lauder or Jemma Kidd.
I think that they are great all rounders.
For example, I love Chanel foundations but the colour (shadows, blush etc) bores me.
I love MAC colour but the majority of skin products are vile. (Just my opinion)




If you have any questions that you want answered leave them as a reply and I will add them to this post.

A day in the life...

James Lincoln is covering a Cosmopolitan fashion event presented by GMTVs Jeff Brazier.

Rachel Wood is having a much needed rest by the pool in Florida, having keyed 11 shows at London Fashion Week and moved house.

A day in the life...

I just asked some friends to MMS me a picture of what they are doing right now.
I guess its a bit like Twitter in pictures. As I get them I will post them.
Nicci Jackson is doing Alexandra Burke for Bliss Magazine in London. (above)

Nicola Chapman is doing the stock in the basement of the MAC Pro Store on Newburgh St, London. (Its all glamour)Katie Pettigrew is shooting a race campaign for Channel 4, featuring a lady dressed as a black Margaret Thatcher.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Couture Cards.



Need to buy a birthday card for a fashionista friend?
Look no further than Paperchase. They are stocking the stunning blank cards by fashion illustrator David Downton.
I got three different ones for my birthday!

Saint Kate.


It feels a bit strange to post about someones beauty and success as a model. After all she just looks good she isn't saving lives.

The truth is that we are affected by beautiful things everyday of our lives. We want to buy beautiful clothes, own beautiful homes and most of all we want to look beautiful because beautiful things are prized and celebrated.
Kate is one such treasure.
So what is it about Kate that makes her so especially beautiful and successful?
Is it the perfect distance between her eyes?
Her heart shaped face?
Her high cheek bones?
Or her Full lips?
For me, it is all these things and something else... she has grown up with me.

I loved her (and probably wanted to be her) when I first saw her (she was 16) in “the third summer of love” shot by Corinne Day for The Face magazine, which I subscribed to, thankfully my mum didn't realise it was wholly inappropriate for a 14 year old.
Eighties models were overly made up with big hair and perfect teeth, they all looked older than they were. Kate was young, fresh and real.

It seemed to me that a lot of models tried to mold themselves to fit into whichever trend was current, Kate could set trends.
I believe the reason Kate has achieved such lasting success is because she is beautiful but doesn't have a specific 'look'.

For example, Cindy had the sex bomb look, which didn't really cross over to high fashion.

Linda had an exotic, classy sexuality that wasn't right for Heroin chic or waif.

Naomi, has an attitude that means Naomi always appears as herself. She has become more of a personality than a muse.

Claudia is elegant and sensual but her deep-set eyes limit experimentation with make-up meaning that she always has a similar look.

But Kate shook off the waif label with ease and can be anything we want her to be. Her face is incredibly versatile and open. Any make-up will look amazing on her and she will carry it off with that Kate attitude and style. Gemma Ward has this chameleon quality too.
Kate's beauty is not theatening and although stunning there is something very girl next door about her too. Which brings me back to the fact that she always looks like Kate, not like she is trying to be someone else, look a certain way or sell us something.