Haim

Image source: thetimes.co.uk

A while back my boyfriend kept telling me to listen to a band called Haim cause he was sure I'd love them. With Josh's preferred taste for underground deep house and techno, I wasn't really convinced I'd agree. Regretably I was ignorant and didn't even listen to Haim until about a month ago and ever since I haven't been able to stop! If I'd have known Haim didn't fall into the deep house category, and instead are often compared to Fleetwood Mac for their soft-rock approach to music, with hints of nu-folk & r'n'b, I would have listen to them a lot earlier. I actually meant to write about these when I first heard 'Don't Save Me' but like most things in my life recently, my blog seemed to take a backseat for a while as my days were filled with only work and the gym. But as summer has finally made an appearance, the days seem longer; and so I've made a promise to myself to blog more frequently. Let's hope it lasts.

Edinburgh

Image source: booking.com

Josh and I have finally booked a little holiday this summer. It's not really abroad, unless you class Scotland as abroad - well it is a different country I suppose! Anyway, we are heading to Edinburgh for a long weekend in August. I've been wanting to visit Edinburgh for a little while now, especially as anyone who's ever been is always talking about how great it is. We're going at a good time as well as its the last day of the Fringe Festival while we're there, so the place is without doubt going to be buzzing with crowds and awesome street parties! Of course we will be visiting the giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo, and going on a whiskey tour to taste some of the most authentic Scottish spirit, not to mention the compulsory visit to Edinburgh Castle. We've booked ourselves into the boutique Malmaison Hotel (after a glowing recommendation) so will make sure to take lots of photos and update when we get back.

Teapot Vintage Fair

A few weeks ago I went along to the 'Teapot Vintage Fair' in Wokingham. My best friend Kerry is a personal trainer to one of the lady who runs it - actually we were supposed to go along to their first one back in November, but it just so happened that Kerry went into Labour and had her baby boy that day. The fair was pretty small but there were lots of cute things to browse - vintage jewellery/clothing, handmade cushion covers, candles, that sort of thing. The stall which was by far my favourite (and not surprising to my friends who know how much of a sweet tooth I have) was 'Kirsty's Fabulous Cupcakes'. Honestly, I know cupcakes can look amazing, but I don't usually rate the actual taste of them. I think too often they look much better than they are. Kirsty's cupcakes however looked and tasted incredible. There were loads to chose from; Crunchie, Creme Egg, Oreo, Rocky Road, Lemon Meringue, Mini Eggs... Oreo was the best though! Just look at it...

Hollyoaks Wardrobe Department

As you know from my previous post, I spent a week working in the costume department for Hollyoaks' studio. A friend of mine acted on the show and pointed me in the right direction for work experience. Like I said, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was excited none-the-less, as this is the first bit of work relevant to my degree that I have completed since travelling, apart from this blog of course.

There wasn't any of the glamour you might expect - it was freezing up in Liverpool and there was a lot of time spent standing outside for hours at a time. I did however spend almost the whole week on set assisting one of the costume supervisors. A lot of my job was to make sure the actors were given warm coats and hot water bottles in between takes, but I also had to check the continuity for all takes, ensuring accessories & clothing remained the same for each shot. Back in the costume department I sorted through each actor's wardrobe collecting bits ready for the next day, and 'de-rigged' the outfit's they'd left hanging in the dressing room. All in all, the experience was definitely valuable and has given me yet another possible career idea - whether that's a good thing or not, i'm not entirley sure; I seem to have a million 'possible' career ideas without an actual career...

Sorry, I've Been Slacking...

So it's been a while since I last blogged hasn't it? I was doing well keeping up-to-date and then it seemed like suddenly I had loads of things going on, so let me explain...

While I'm still working in an office close to home, trying to save a ton of money, I've been planning dream holidays and travelling trips. I was hoping to spend a couple of months driving through different states of America with Josh (who just to add, insists on trying some Man V Food-style eating contests along the way). America seemed like an almost certainty for a while but then the realism of having to both leave a job to then find another one when we return set in. So I think that may be on hold for the time being - but who knows what will happen in the future hey?! Other than that, a couple of my friends and I are thinking of spending 10 days in the South of France driving from nice, through Cannes, St Tropez and Montpellier and camping out etc. Oh and the latest on my mind is interrailing through Italy with Josh. Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples... I can only imagine too well how incredible this would be. Sadly this definitely won't be until next year though.

Aside from the travel planning, there have been other things keeping me busy. I spent all of last week up in Liverpool helping the costume department out at Hollyoaks studio. I wasn't really sure what to expect as not always during work experience placements are you given the opportunity to really get stuck in; but fortunately here I really was. I will dedicate a separate post to my time at Hollyoaks in my next entry.

Happy Easter

London Fashion Week A/W 13 - Mulberry

 

Image Source: vogue.co.uk

Mulberry is always the most anticipated show at LFW, partly because of their fabulous 'FROW' and partly because of the model pup that is sent down the runway each season. For autumn/winter 13, sophistication was given a contemporary feel with oversized puff sleeves, leather cape jackets and a pastel pink longline tailored jacket. Layering featured heavily along with proportion play when cropped trousers were teamed with above the knee dresses and skater skirts.

London Fashion Week A/W 13 - House of Holland

Image Source: vogue.co.uk

Psychedelic prints in vibrant colours of pink, teal and lime, made for a strong 70s inspired collection at House of Holland this season. Throughout the show the 70s theme was contrasted with the year of 1989 with stonewash denim, martini-glass prints, all over embroidered knitwear and boxy silhouettes. Another playful collection from Holland.

London Fashion Week A/W 13 - Burberry

Image Source: vogue.co.uk

So happy Chrstopher Bailey went own a wilder and sexier route for autumn/winter 13. Of course the signature trenches were there, however this year they were adorned with metal embellishment, fringing, and seen in neoprene fabrics with belted waists, giving the audience a more futuristic take on the staple garment. Pencil skirts were seen in metallic snakeskin, and sexy transluscent rubber - something Cara Delvigne models only too well, with a leopard print t-shirt and high-waisted heart print briefs - my favourite look from the collection. With a collection entitled "Trench kisses", it's only right that all over love heart prints featured on a number of garments, from the previously mentioned briefs, to bags, to skirts, to dresses and of course the trench coat.

Rihanna X River Island

I'm not a huge fan of Rihanna anymore or River Island for that matter, however I adore the 90s, so I'm in love with her collection inspired by the decade. Simple spaghetti strap dresses with thigh-high splits, black bralets worn as tops, a denim dungaree-style top with matching jeans - I want it all! Rihanna's own style obviously influenced the collection with high neck tops and maxi skirts, baseball jackets and of course mesh. Hoping I can get my hands on some of these products when the collection launches on March 5.

London Fashion Week A/W 13 - Issa

Well I'm a little bit in love with Issa's new collection. With a palette comprised of navy, mustard, brown and burnt orange, and with fringing, feathers and embroidery - the native American feel was impossible to miss. Not the mention the bhoemian style spotted on the hottest supermodel right now - Cara Delvigne, in the form of a sheer maxi in coffee brown and black tones.

New York Fashion Week A/W 13/14 - Rodarte

Image source: vogue.co.uk

During Rodarte's A/W 13/14 show we were taken through the Mulleavy sister's person story with a collection inspired by their home town Santa Cruz in California. Kate & Laura Mulleavy's collection showed gorgeous tie-dye prints, cut out swimsuits and contrasting sheer and matte panelling. Staple winter knitwear was seen in the form of a matching two piece jumper and skirt in a multi-colour pattern with crystal adornment and black fringing. 

New York Fashion Week A/W 13/14 - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Image source: vogue.co.uk

I am pretty much in love with all of Marc by Marc Jacob's collection this season. Rich satins. floral prints, lilac box tees, knee length skirts... Not to mention the deep V-neck sleeveless black dress worn over the striped button through shirt. Tartan blouses and colour block knitwear, I just want it all...

New York Fashion Week A/W 13/14 - Proenza Schouler

 Image source: vogue.co.uk

My love for Proenza Schouler really began whilst trawling through their past collections in my last job as runway assistant for MPDClick. I have to admit, I was a little later then others at getting on the "Schouler hype"but in recent years their collections at New York Fashion Week have quickly become one of the handful I am most excited to see. For autumn/winter 13/14 design duo Jack NcCollough and Laaro Hernadez have created a dominantly monochrome collection, which is refined in style through simple cuts and soft tailoring. Take a closer look however and you will see that texture has become a key element this year with perforated leather and laser cut lace all executed with the utmost detail. 

New York Fashion Week A/W 13/14 - 3.1 Phillip Lim

Image source: vogue.co.uk

'Biker' and 'grunge' are key themes for Phillip Lim's latest collection. With an abundance of leather in everything from pleated mini skirts, oversized sweaters and loose-fit trousers, in shades of buttery toffee, jet black and olive green - this collection is without a doubt my favourite show from NYFW so far. Multiple layering ensured practicality, while badges handmade by Lim adorned light wash denim jeans and a matching jacket - proving to be the standout piece from the entire collection. 

New York Fashion Week - Oscar de la Renta

Image source: vogue.co.uk

While most people may have expected an Oscar de la Renta collaboration with John Galliano for autumn/winter 13/14, the collection remained true to de la Renta's style through and through. With Galliano spending three weeks in de la Renta's workshop as part of his comeback to fashion, there were, unsurprisingly, subtle hints of Galliano's approach with heavy smoked eyes and cinched waists to name a few. Ultimately, however, de la Renta's signature style remained dominant with elegance, sophistication and class. 

Brand New Scientist

My very talented best friend Callum Bishop has set up a new blog. He's been designing alternative front covers of New Scientist magazine and they are all so amazing! Please please follow him, his illustration skills are too good to be ignored!

http://brandnewscientist.tumblr.com/

Gentleman of the Road

Finally something to look forward to this summer. After missing out on every festival last summer, I made a promise to myself I'd go to at least one this year, (although the wish list is growing - Bestival, V fest, Coachella, Glastonbury... ) Having watched Mumford & Sons a heap of times already, mostly in small pubs and stages before their worldwide success, I haven't really bothered to go see them at their most recent arena gigs. However when I saw that their stop over for this year's Gentleman of the Road tour is Lewes near Brighton, and has Vampire Weekend, The Vaccines and Johnny Flynn added to the line up I couldn't resist. Planning to make a weekend of it with Josh, hopefully the sun will be shining and we can spend all of Sunday on Brighton Beach...

Burberry Prorsum - Autumn/Winter 13/14

Image Source: stylediary1.blogspot.com & thefashiontag.wordpress.com

Animal print was key for Burberry Prorsum's show, with subtle elements on display in the form of collars and shoes, while other times it was impossible to miss with oversized coats featuring an all over leopard print. A traditional feel was given with duffle coats, trench coats, utility jackets and thin knits, in shades of camel, khaki and royal red. One of the standout pieces was no doubt a rubber coat in a bold purple hue, teamed with a purple and white love-heart print shirt, giving a very contemporary feel to smart wear.  

Dries Van Noten - Autumn/Winter 13/14

Image Source: labdailyblog.com

Dries Van Noten's latest runway show explores grungy/bohemian styles with oversized coats, chunky knits, studded leather and paisley prints. While the overall look was all a bit haphazard with clashing prints, knit vs tailoring and longline coats with ankle swinger trousers, it is this contrasting element that makes the show so great, creating the most effortless and easy to wear collection