Thursday, 20 October 2011

LFW - Corrie Nielsen S/S 12



Corrie Nielsen Spring 2012



Chosen by John Galliano as the winner of Fashion Fringe 2010, Corrie Nielsen's, second season was a show-stopper of carefully crafted pieces of Japanese inspired aesthetics, which has catapulted her into a worldwide phenomenon; and this is only her second season at LFW.

LFW - Paul Costelloe S/S 12

The wait was over, fashion week had finally arrived in London and what an instalment. Overwhelmed with excitement for next years' rendition of what we will be wearing or attempting to wear, London Fashion Week went off with a bang. 

Paul Costello opened fashion week with a 1960's inspired collection of minimalism, swinging jackets  and hem lines and his signature tailored suits. Retaining the theme of the sixties and slim silhouettes from his autumn/winter looks, according to the man himself, this collection can be described as a presentation of the strong female silhouette.

A frolic of frills, baby doll dresses were styled with sky high platform heels and socks to represent the playful nature of dolls in their playhouses. Distinct features of high collared neck lines, sumptuous ruffles and puff sleeves were bound to catch the eye at any show. A soft colour palette of summer whites to peaches and creams and pistachio greens laced with paisley prints dazzled the runaway with the new romanticism of vintage Parisian chic. 











A fusion of his eclectic sense of style from the designer, the revival of the swinging sixties was in full swing and provided a fresh modern twist for the new generation. 





Thursday, 15 September 2011

Shoulder Proof

Flicking through my wardrobe looking to have a fashion show of my own, something I often do when I am bored with nothing real important to do and to discover whether or not I have put on any excess weight, it just suddenly came to me the number of dresses with shoulder pads in, whether they were bought that way or I DIY'ed them. I don't know what it is about shoulder pads, but since their revival for spring/summer 2009, I have become obsessed.


Christopher Decarnin of Balmain Spring/Fall 2009

Anyone over 40 (not to say I am within that age bracket, but I do have distinctive memories of my mum's wardrobe hence why I can comment so clearly on such matter, trust me - I wouldn't lie) will remember the shoulder pads of the 1980's Dynasty-cult that paved the way of fame and fortune for Joan Collins, Princess Diana (rest her soul) and the infamous Margaret Thatcher; more for her style rather than her political view point.





A symbolism of 80's fashion and a measure for power dressing for women, I have taken to customising dresses, tops and even jackets - wherever they can be inserted; they are tacked or sewn in. To what seems to be a signature look for me at the moment because my style tends to change according to the hairstyle I am wearing, not only have I embraced a sense of liberation since the removal of my hair two years ago in a crazy and drastic move for change, but I have embraced the measure of 'power' using fashion as the tool to express it. As superficial as it may sound, especially when there are more trivial matters affecting the lives of many in this country and the world, fashion is powerful. 


Coincidentally, my thoughts were imprinted in this weeks edition of The Stylist magazine, one of three exclusive covers and their biggest issue to date, the impoverished trend for this autumn/winter 2011 being the 'fetish' and transforming it into an empowering topic for women to dominate and assert their personality, the use of bondage and black PVC leather, exudes this season's trend by using a powerful woman to empower us [women], and what better way to do that than with the support of a supreme beauty, Alek Wek. 


The cover of the The Stylist magazine (issue 93), Alek Wek
She affirms the true meaning of 'born this way' as oppose to societal ideals to what is internationally acceptable. Her inspirational words, "We should embrace each other, we should inspire each other and we should empower each other." A message that will take us leaps and bounds, if we continue to embody femininity with fashion as our power tool, we will continue to 'raise the banner' to the very heart of our existence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            



Tuesday, 6 September 2011

I AM...





Do you know who this man is? 



This is Satoshi Kanazawa, University Lecturer of Psychology at London School of Economics, who was slammed by critics for his controversial and racially charged article published on his Psychology Today blog spouting ideals that "black women are less attractive than other women". Outraged, and offended, that an academic is free to voice such ideals, in what is now a 'multi-cultural society'; but whose ignorance is justified in the name of 'science'. It seems we live in a society where, if there is a scientific explanation, then it is true.

I AM PROUD, I AM BLACK, I AM A WOMAN; I AM A PROUD BLACK WOMAN. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". If you don't believe me, take a look and you will see exactly what I mean.


Dorothea Towles



Alek Wek



Tyra Banks 

Naomi Campbell 





Lauryn Hill 




Jill Scott





Mary J Blige 





Angela Bassett 





Gabrielle Union




Queen Latifah 

Maya Angelou


To name but a few...


Sunday, 22 May 2011

Fashion Illustrations

Not only do I put pen to paper, but from time to time, I also put pencil to paper. Through careful discussions with other illustrators, I have found my own style of fashion illustration. To reflect upon my research into pear-shaped women and their poor representation within the industry, my models are voluptuous. Inspired by shape, I share a few of my designs. 









Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Fashionology



As much as I love every aspect of fashion, in recent years, it has become the hot topic, and the most important tool, for overcoming barriers of confidence and building self-esteem, but is it? There seems to be a false sense of security, which its failure to recognise beauty extends not just in the tools of promotion, but culturally too. 


The media albeit TV, glossy magazines or film all contribute to setting standards of unattainable beauty rather than promoting what is naturally out of our control, therefore placing unnecessary pressures on women, and men, to meet those standards. The media can also be held responsible for the multi billion pound industry driven by the cravings of the ‘big fat man’ on top of his throne!

The infectious nature of ‘celebrity culture’ (whatever that means) has seen a society crave for instant recognition for doing very little as an outlet for self-gratification and glorification, without the most important ingredient for hard work of blood, sweat and tears. The cult of celebrities and the grandeur designers of our time have, and do play, an integral part in the marketing of fashion commodities, publicised to a consumer constituency much wider than the elites of the fashion capitals of the world.

 The ‘social aspect of fashion’ has become big business; in particular, the issue of body imaging, which is worthwhile exploring, with an open and honest thought. It is likely that more and more young girls and women develop anxiety about the way they look, and will make tremendous effort to achieve it. Or are we already passed that point? 

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Look into my eyes...




What do you see?...

"Red and yellow, and pink and green, orange and purple and blue, I can [see] a rainbow, [see] a rainbow, [see] a rainbow too."

Bold lips were not the only talking point this season, but the colour above your eyes. If you are just as playful with your 'pout', then why not take inspiration from Christian Dior, and 'smile with your eyes,' or as Tyra Banks would say, 'smize!'


Christian Dior S/S 11


Christain Dior S/S 11




What is great about this look, is that you can wear both, and get away with it. You can wear your eyes as bright as you like, with a flawless canvass, but you can also compliment the look with bold lips too, and still rock! I salute you Dior




Maybelline New York 2011 Limited Edition Calender, July




Spring/Summer 11 is fierce!!!