Pink Roses on my Braces and Yellow ones in my Garden...

 Greetings Earthlings! So, though it has been a while since I last did one of these, here I am with another outfit post! I am, of course, thrilled to have reached the 240 follower mark - not long until I have a quarter of a thousand! (Yes, well, bit by bit, little by little)

Latest News... from Karl Lagerfeld: He will bring his Chanel Metiers d'Art show to Edinburgh (Scotland) this year - in a Secret Location on December 4th. Characterised by its dark gothic architecture and dramatic surrounding rocky hills, the city will serve as the perfect backdrop for the designer's grand event.

What else in News? Oh yes, Augustin Teboul has won the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 - she did on the 17th of October but I didn't have the time to inform you until now. Also, the Tim Walker Storyteller exhibition has opened at Somerset House until the 27th of January 2013 - I really, really want to go (From the 29th of November, there is also an exhibition of Valentino) Time to suggest it to my parents! In other Fashion-Related exhibitions, the Hollywood Costume exhibition at the Victoria and Albert is open until the 27th January 2013. A trip to London is completely in order methinks.

















By the way, what do you all think of the November Vogue Paris cover? I honestly love it. Some people have suggested it isn't high fashion and that it is laidback and lazy, but I rather like it, even if it is a look we've seen a million times. It's a chic and easy classic. Why fix that which is not broken?

 

So this is my jeans and cute white blouse ensemble, paired off with my new braces. This was what I wore yesterday (Sundays I generally spend the day in a Kaftan or Loose Shirt Dress) Look at the lovely pic of me with a sandwich, taken of me when I was unaware of what was going on. You might also notice the marks on my arm - no, I am not being abused. I burnt myself a couple of weeks ago thinking that, if I was very, very quick, I could take a metal dish out of the oven at 180 without using oven gloves. Well, I put my hands in, realised the dish was hot. Though, 'Ow. This is hot.'. Brought my hands up suddenly, they hit the grill at the top of the oven... and now I have two lovely battle scars. Yes, I know, I was being an idiot. I should not be allowed anywhere near an oven.

 

 

Random Statement of the Day: I love Red Lipstick... there is nothing quite like it. Classic and Chic.

 

By the way, what do you people think about my hair? I was thinking of cutting it into a loose bob, something I can mess up. I could get a perm and I've thought about it - but my mother objects to me touching my hair in any way and I don't know if it would work with my hair. Also, I've heard some horror stories about the outcomes of perms...

 

Thank you for reading! Please Comment and do Follow! Thank you and Good bye. :)

 

 

Silence in the Library!

Hello! Me again, and this time wearing a beautiful white blouse and eye-popping pink Yves Saint Laurent lipstick... not that you can really tell in the dismally poor Photos. 

This was originally going to be about my five favourite books. Full Stop. Then the voice of reason in my head (not that he is often at home) murmurs quietly, 'Is this not supposed to be a Fashion Blog?'
So, after a little thought, I came up with a better idea. My five favourite fashion-orientated books! The truth is: there are more of them in my life than I could have ever thought. Books about individual designers, Hats, Handbags, Shoes, Japanese Fashion (the one I can not find) Vintage Fashion with sub-categories including books on Art Deco, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s... bref, the list goes on - and it can only grow bigger! I am currently saving up for, among a very wide range of other things, an enormous book on Dior from 'Waterstones'. I am certain it will be worth the cost, considering that I am a huge fan of Dior.

Anywho, let us start the list, counting down to my all time favourite.

5) - Fifty Fashion Designers you should know.

First and foremost, this is not a collection of obscure or niche designers. In fact, it is basic beginner level with all the mainstream designers that everyone really should know, regardless of whether they are interested in fashion or not. These are the movers and shakers, those who created a new way of thinking and looking at Fashion... mostly rather obvious - such as Chanel, Dior, Armani and Versace - with some variety including the greats - Madeleine Vionnet (A favourite of mine) Elsa Schiaparelli (photo above, showing the famous lobster dress based on Salvador Dali's lobster phone) - and even the avant garde (Yohji Yamamoto and Hussein Chalayan) 

Bref, for a first insight into the world of fashion, accompanied by brightly coloured photos and a timeline going from the second half of the 19th century to the present day, you can do no wrong with this number.

Warning: The Book is slightly out of date, 2010, and harking back to happier times when John Galliano was not fired from Dior on anti-semitic charges  and Alexander McQueen had not commited suicide.

4) So, in joint fourth position, 'Manolo Blahnik drawings' and 'Vogue Covers: On Fashion's Front Page' Both of these books are simply rife with glorious images. In the case of the latter, starting with a Vogue Cover from 15th September 1916, it leads us on a whirlwind of colour and a myriad of eclectic designs to finish with a sleek Kate Moss for September 2006. Ninety years between these two Vogue covers and oh, how much life has changed. Not only fashion, but morals and what is socially acceptable, even what is considered beautiful. Included within the pages of this book, a treasure of a cover from early August 1917 depicting a woman in full winter gear spearing to death a polar bear (On a more serious note, I do not in any way support or defend the spearing to death of polar bears or any other animal)  The only reasonable criticism is the overly large amount of Kate Moss Covers; half the amount could have been used to prove the same point.                       In the case of the Manolo Blahnik book, I am afraid that the small size of the book, pocket-sized if anyone is interested, means that I was unable to take a photo of the inside of the book. I hasten to assure you that the book is well worth it, and that the drawings portrayed within are very vibrant and thought-provoking images of shoes.
 

3) Fashion Algebra de Anna Piaggi. This book by the legendary Anna Piaggi (flamboyant Italian fashion writer and style icon, having written for fashion magazines such as Italian Vogue and, in the 1980s, the avant-garde magazine Vanity) is 'The logic of Fantasy and the careful deciphering of all the essential elements of today's style.' and done to brilliant effect, touching on every aspect, every possibility of Fashion in an eclectic and wholly creative way brimming with mischevious wit and years of experience. Let me but assure you that each double page spread is a work of art (and those who have seen some of Anna Piaggi's double page spreads for Italian Vogue will have little trouble believing it)
No aspect has been left untouched and delving into the pages of this book, is like diving into an extravagant and beautiful dream. There is nothing more vibrant; more mind-opening than these pages upon pages of spellbinding designs. This book is a treasure... but I also borrowed it from my School Library.

 

2) 70s Style and Design

- Oh, the Horror of the 70s. The so-called terrible costumes that your parents were photographed in - pastel green jumpsuits with sequins and flares while their hair is curled into a wild submission. Oh yes, not everybody looks back on the clothing of the 70s without embarassment, and even disdain.

However, with the rise of retro, the 70s are experiencing a resurgence of cool, though some people may not believe it - surely going there once was bad enough?
 

 

I am not one of those people.

I have always liked the 70s. The colour, the madness, more freedom of sexuality. An era that united such defining trends as 1920/1930s Art  Deco and 1960s pop movements. An era that saw the rise of Ethnic designs, nudity to sell a large range of products - Levi's Jeans being an example - and a love of the natural.

 
Punk, Avant-Garde, neoclassical and, a favourite of mine, new romantic. Each aspect is explored in detail with quiet respect and sparkling wit.

Androgyny, freedom of sexuality and sexual ambiguity... the cult phenonemon that was 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and, another favourite of mine, David Bowie.... this book gives so much and even those who are not altogether interested in Fashion could not fail to find this book interesting. Some may be shocked, some may be amused, some may look at certain shoes within the book with a small sigh. Either way, it will not fail to make an impact, if only for the highly vivid images.

 

1) Swinging 60s Fashion Style.

    - 'From elegance to individualistic casual. The 1960s was a cataclysmic period in fashion history. The world underwent significant political and economic upheaval, and so did the world of fashion. Early 1960s fashion had inherited the elegance of the 1950s, where clothing was refined and somewhat conservative. By the middle of the decade, however, the flashy mods and the freedom-loving hippies had emerged and fashion moved in a more hip and cool direction. Fashion in the 1960s was a veritable treasure trove of styles.' - and there is no better book to demonstrate this. Perhaps the contents of the book are minimal if you are looking for facts and information, but the photos inside are bright, colourful and, in their multitude, offer a wide view of fashion in 1960s. From Swimming costumes to suits and hairstyles, every detail tells its own story.  The story of why the 60s is seen the way it is within the world of Fashion.

It is a book that inspires, that gives one a base when looking at the 60s. Starting from the front cover, so enveloped in bubblegum pinks and baby blues that one cannot fail to be reminded of a barbie, or at least of Katy Perry's California Gurls video, and all the way through, crossing tartans, furs and corals in all manner of guises.

A psychedelic mess but a truly enjoyable one, gripping you to each page as you float dream-like through a veritable Aladdin's cave of colours and delightfully Kitsch patterns.

Once again, thank you for reading. Follow me if you like. Comment.

 << A note on the clothes. The Blouse is a beautiful Laura Ashley piece adopted from my Mother (Go recycling!) The Black Scarf is one of those many accessories that I feel like I have had forever though, on second thoughts, have probably had less than a year. The Belt is a lovely light grey/cream affair with a little bow. The skirt is actually my school skirt. Though I was intending to wear a pencil skirt, stolen from a large black binbag of interesting clothes chez my grandmother's, I could not find it so instead opted for my school skirt. The Shoes are beautiful, bought for a third of the original price (£25 down from £75) and, if you would like to know where you can buy them online, you need only leave a comment and I will reply.

Geek Chic

 

I rush down the stairs with my sister, a very long wool scarf wrapped around my neck and a favourite manga in my hand. "Come on!" I coax her while simultaneously pulling up my knee-highs (lovely but, let's face it, wholly irritating) "I need these photos. Now."

Ignoring her grumblings about going to bed, the lack of light and the need to tidy her room, I lead her to the relatively well lit kitchen. True, I had been planning to take these photos in the Library, but at this late hour, the light in there was very poor. Eventually we manage to take a few photos and I can return to my room, less than satisfied but with enough material to not make this into a complete shambles.
 

Right. So this is about a look that has long been a favourite of mine, a look I have always had a soft spot for, Geek Chic. Characterised by the typical, heavy black-rimmed glasses which, for much of the press, seems to be the only defining feature. In my strange mind, there are then two directions that feminine geek chic goes in and it is as simple as 'trousers' and 'skirts'... of course, they are so absolutely interlinkable that it is possibly a waste of my time trying to explain how I separate the two... I will try anyway.

A) Trousers. Characterised by T-Shirts with geeky in-jokes, Jeans (often tight, since it makes the look that bit more alluring), trainers such as converses. More detailed jewellery - Mario Watch and Scrabble Necklaces. Bags more likely to be colourful rucksacks or large, practical shoulder bags, maybe with more in-jokes - I found a very nice one with a picture of a Robot.

B) Skirts. Characterised by above the knee skirts, knee-high socks, woolly jumpers, blouses, bow ties, braces (known in the USA as suspenders), plastic jewellery, bows... japanese schoolgirl vibes and, if you want, heels. Messenger Bags and cute accessories.

> Oh, if you are interested, these shoes are Irregular Choice, which is one of my two favourite online shoe brands.

Definition of the word Geek:

"A person with a devotion to something in a way that places him or her outside the mainstream. This could be due to the intensity, depth, or subject of their interest. This definition is very broad but because many of these interests have mainstream endorsement and acceptance, the inclusion of some genres as "geeky" is heavily debated. Persons have been labeled as or chosen to identify as more commonly physics geeks, mathematics geeks, engineering geeks, sci-fi geeks, computer geeks, various science geeks, movie and film geeks (cinephile), video game geeks, roleplay geeks, comic book geeks... and less commonly as theatre geeks, history geeks, music geeks, art geeks, philosophy geeks, literature geeks, historical reenactment geeks."
 

Bref, the list goes on - I am even thinking of becoming an official Fashion and Style Geek. Apparently, you can even be a Sports Geek, which is slightly at odds with the image I have of geeks in general.

 

Lastly, a warning. Be very careful, dare I even say 'do not', try geek chic if there is really nothing more to it, for you, than a fashion statement. That is called following the crowd and it is pretty irritating to proud geeks. After all, there is nothing more annoying than seeing someone wearing an in-joke t-shirt and immediately thinking they would be company, just to realise that they are only wearing it because they want to 'try' a little geek chic. If you are not sure whether you are a geek or not, try this: Imagine that you have gone to a large geek convention, and you are talking to other geeks about your interests. I would say "I am interested in Doctor Who and, although I would not go as far as to call myself an Anorak, Star Wars and books by Terry Pratchett."

- Anyhow, although I am not an obsessive of anything in particular and definitely not living a geek-orientated lifestyle, the truth is that I am so completely surrounded by them that there is no escaping it... there was never any escaping it.

<< A note on my outfit, excluding the amazing shoes which I have already mentioned... oh, and the glasses are prescription so that is not really an issue. There is a pencil keeping my hair in a bun (there are tutorials on Youtube if you wish to know how to do this) which  is very geek chic not to mention, very satisfying to know you are able to do and useful when they are no other hair accessories in the surrounding areas. The very long scarf around my neck was also supposed to be reminiscent of Doctor Who, though admittedly a Doctor I have not watched much (I am more of a David Tennant fan)

So, I know this post was not brilliant - I am completely blaming my lack of unofficial photographer, and the fact that I am writing this late, rather than any weakness on my part - but do keep reading, follow, comment and tell your friends. Thankyou. xox. :)