FASHION FLUSH

hello, move to my new pad.

2009-12-21T04:00:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone, hope you're all good.
I've moved onto pastures new, please visit me @
WWW.OUESTLAMODE.BLOGSPOT.COM
I'm working on returning all of your comments
<33333333333

mood board

2009-06-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

I'm back, at least for a while as i've missed all you're comments. I've just been so terribly busy! But so much to tell you all, including about my internship at a local style magazine and the prospect of a modelling job- woo! Hope you are all well!
- mollyx

messy handwriting

2009-03-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

fashion at war

2009-03-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

Im currently writing my history essay, and was inspired by this Vogue Italia shoot by Steven Meisel. Remember a couple of posts ago i wrote about how i like an editorial to be intresting? These fit the bill to absolute perfection; i adore any aspect of fashion that relates to politics or history.

Wish me luck, i can see myself staying up till the early hours of tomorrow debating the reasons for Hitler bombing cities of England. The sacrifices i make for schoolwork...

chains, bolts and screws

2009-03-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

I was shopping with my cousin last year and had a 'stand still and stare at an outfit' moment. Ye olde Cambridge, where i live, is hardly a fashion mecca, so when these occasions occur, i like to remember the moment. The girl, young with blonde curly hair, was dressed in a simple shirt, high waisted tweed shorts, tights, oxfords, and a pile of chains around her neck. But it is the chains alone that have stuck in my head.

Without realising, i think i have a deep love for chains. From my days as a 'chav' (please, dont ask!), and from my love of all things adrodgynous, i see chains as sexy, raw and industrial. Three words that probably shouldn't be put together, but in the sake of chains, somehow work! Piled on around necks or wrists, they de-tract overtly feminine florals or ruffles, and add personality and style.

So whilst browsing for a post topic, i instantly fell in love with Von Kottwitz's 'Industrial' collection. Compiled of bolt bracelets and long strands of chunky chains, the designer and former 'StyleSight' editor has come up trumps. Better yet, each peice is unique in being both eyecatching and personal to the wearer. There truly is nothing like stainless steal to get my heart racing...

for lottie

2009-03-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

To carry out my new revolutionary idea to be posting everyday, from now on you should be recieving more outfit post from fashion flush. Don't get me wrong, there will still be an abundance of long winded rants about my fashion tastes, but these will be padded out with the occasional outfit post. This first one is for Lottie, whom i love dearly and didn't want to dissapoint!

(excuse the hair, it desperately needs highlights...)

{ top h&m . shorts diy . shoes cant remember . necklace tammy }

These shorts are an experiment. I decided i would hack into them and bleach them (hench the dark patches) within an inch of their lives in the name of fashion and alexander wang. Like?

eye candy from KAREN

2009-03-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

There is something so alluring about independant magazines. The 'alien' feel of the content and the new, unheard of talent give a feeling of the unknown, and a fresh take on fashion compared to the typical English magazine. This is exactly why i spend hours at a time flicking through 'free' (well, to read and then replace) fashion magazines in the upstairs of Borders. Infact, this habit has become so bad that I probably have spent more on fruit juice and tea than i have on the magazines just so i can sit down in the cafe and read them...

To me, the articles count for alot. The editors letter usually helps to build my opinion. But the editorials are the pinnacle. A well compiled section of editorials that are neither similar nor too different whilst being intresting and showcasing the clothing always gives a magazine a 'thumbs up' from me. And 'Karen' magazine is no exception.

Apparently, "One of the best-kept art secrets in Britain", Karen magazine must not be a secret anymore. LOOK at these editorials. I think it has the certain je ne sais quoi, non?
It's intresting to look at, its beautiful in places, and in others so ugly its pretty.
I'll definately be picking it up in Borders...

{ Animalia by Sarra Fluer Abou-el-haj }

{ Tin City By Sonny }

{ Raven By Richard Freeman }

{ couture couture by GL WOOD }

{ Spell Bound By Michele Aboud }

honey, im home

2009-03-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, i am back! Exams are over, and the results are shortly to be in. Thankyou to all those that left 'good luck' comments, although i haven't replied to them all yet, i really do appreciate it!

Aswell as my exams, i've been dealing with a tricky love situation that hasn't ended well. I think it's silly for people to say that you can't 'love' when your 15, which i do agree to on some levels, but when you do really like a good friend, and it doesn't end out well, it hurts!

Obviously my dear Pok and Nick, were able to give advice that has put things into perspective (and not to mention made me smile!)

"The best cure for the heartbreak is KEEPING yourself busy and indulge yourself in fashion"

Which is exactly what i'm going to do. I've fallen out of love with boys (well, to some extent anyway...) and further into love with fashion.

I'll be properly posting tomorrow, just wanted to let you all know that i'm alive!

the break

2009-03-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

(foto_decadent)

I've got exams all next week of which i'm not entirely prepared for. So i'm going to be taking a short break for a week, just to catch up on the necessary coursework. I'll still be commenting you back though, so keep reading and i'll talk to you all on monday!

itsy bitsy post

2009-02-26T10:48:00.001-08:00

I have a new camera. So yes, this does mean more outfit posts, just as soon as i get round to it.

I've also been tagged by the stylish In Vogue, with a tag that seems alot of fun!

1. Post a picture of the bag, purse, handbag, pocketbook [whatever you call it] that you are carrying. Now, don't you even think about going back there to your closet and getting your very favorite one or that cute little vintage clutch that you carried the last time you went out...I want to see the purse that you carried today!

- Technically this is a lie seeing as i carried my art folder today, but this is the bag I used last. Its from H&M, is snakeskin and is a shoulder back that doubles as a clutch.

2. Tell us how much it cost. Oh my, I know what you are thinking - a proper lady would never discuss matters of money, darling. Well, yes, but today we are gonna break that rule and tell. Yes, tell how much it cost. We won't judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. And if there is a story that goes along with this purse, tell it.

- Easy Peasy. It was £14.99. I bought it after posting about how i don't like the idea of small bags. So i thought i'd try it out, and now i guess i'm converted.

The bloggettes that i am tagging are: She said, Demi, Lottie, Couture Carrie, ♥ fashion chalet, *Deline, dapper kid, trish, becca., Kay and LoveMore.

I've also recieved awards from the gorgeous Lottie, Demi, and The Style Extraordinaire. Thankyou! I'm tagging whoever chooses to comment. You all deserve it!

grunging over london

2009-02-23T10:49:00.000-08:00

London Fashion was primarily known as major contributors to the Punk and Grunge trend in the 1970/80s. Main players such as Vivienne Westwood empowered teens and young adults to dress in a way that was 'anti-fashion', and 'anti-glamour', pushing the boundries of what the fashion world considered fashionable. With such bands as the Ramones and The New York Dolls influencing the youth, women were encouraged to dress in a way that was adrogynous and similar to their male peers. The best thing about this look was that it was accessable; shops such as SEX were stocking cheap, Punk/Grunge inspired layers, such as slogan t-shirts, doc martins, leather jackets and tight jeans for cheap prices. This era was about rebellion, and was a landmark point for the rising independance of young British citizens.

With the beginning of London Fashion Week, we can see that this look is still apparent in the time of the recession. With lack of funding for most of the youth (i.e- me!), we can see more and more reliance on the 'anti-fashion' trend to express ourselves in what has now become 'fashionable'. Leather jackets and lace up boots are key items that contribute to this look, aswell as oversized layers and skinny jeans.

TOPSHOP UNIQUE- Slouchy layers, leather Jackets and Doc Marten style boots.

SINHA-STANIC- Doc Martens, Leather Moto Jackets, Slogans

CHARLES ANASTASE- Leather Moto Jackets, Doc Martens, Tight trousers, Slogans

knitting club

2009-02-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

So i'm a huge fan of knits. These topshop unique a/w 09 beauties certainly qualify.

(topshop blog)

I'm looking forward to seeing this collection, the grey trenches look as if they will be just on the side right of grunge-glamour.

The lovely Demi gave me an award, i'll post it up as soon as i've caught up on some sleep.

"It’s a bit like Andy Warhol’s Factory"

2009-02-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

Last week, the lovely people over at Underlining Colours emailed me. Of course i was glad on two levels; one because i love emails in general and the other because i discovered a whole new source of inspiration. The site, run by London Art students covers areas of Fashion, Art and Graphics, which results in quarterly updates of 'projects'. These cover work from students and established designers and artists. The team choose a 'muse' each quarter to base the issue on, whether it be an artist, fashion designer, or photographer, making it ever easier to discover the future stars of the industry, and for young designers to showcase their work.

(Nick Heikkinen's Photography, current issue)

Since discovering the website, i have fallen in love with its inspiring images and photos, aswell as its young 'vibe' and layout. In this episode, the 'Power' Issue, which covers the idea of girl power and fashion, there is some marvelous work from Photographer and Stylist 'Nick Heikkenin', in which my darling House Of Holland Wedges are featured; some beautiful graphics from the lovely Pok U Chan, and some stunning architectual photography from Daniele Longo. I decided to ask Pok U Chan and Nick Heikkinen, two of the contributors a bit more about what Underlining Colours is about...

First of all, talk me through exactly what Underlining Colours is.

Underlining Colours is an online magazine/gallery which was started by agroup of artists, all graduates from University of Arts London (CentralSaint Martins and LCF). Because of the interdisciplinary background of theartists - the works on the website are of a diverse range of media –photography, fashion, graphics and animation. It’s a bit like Andy Warhol’s Factory except that we don’t really work underneath the same roof and we are London based and we have that London edge on our website. We update the site quarterly and the starting point for each issue is the muse.

(pok u chan, current issue)

What do/ or did you guys wish to achieve through the website?

HAVE FUN when doing it. All the people contributing to the site are so amazingly talented so have to say: name and fame for everybody! (laughing)

How do you think the fact that you are graduates helps put a differentspin to the site?
Well Pok U Chan is a very recent graduate - last summer, all the rest graduated a year before her or so. Think it’s just different kind of energy and approach. We have a fresh look on things, and we are always living on the pulse. We understand how hard it is to get your first break in the industry and many of the contributors to the website have just started establishing themselves and being self funded and all that puts you out of your comfort zone.

Aswell as Fashion, you include art and illustration to your website. What are your views on the connections between art and fashion?Like many of fashion designers, fashion photographers, stylists etc we definitely get inspired by different artists from different eras as well when doing the fashionshoots. For the upcoming menswear issue (out early March) we were inspired by Titian and Botticelli and the colours in Miami. In general for us it’s extremely important that different forms of art get shown on the website alongside with fashion.

Finally, What sort of person do you look for when choosing your 'muses' for the issues?

It can be something unusual about this person that makes him/her beautiful, likes scars can be beautiful and define you. It’s also thefeeling around that person, kind of aura I guess. Many of our muses tellus very personal stories how they have got through hardships in their lives or how they are coming into terms who they are and that inspire us.When we first started the whole website we were inspired by Diane Arbusand Nobuyoshi Araki and how they worked with their muses. For the upcoming issue we chose four different guys and a couple of them are probably a bit different what you’d normally expect to see on the website, but then again, we don’t want to be predictable.:)

We can expect good things both from the website, and the graduate contributors...

You can visit the website here
Or the Myspace/Blog here

changing opinions

2009-02-16T03:01:00.000-08:00

I promised myself i wouldn't stay up all night viewing New York fashion Week, but yes, i have sinned, and have now seen all of the collections, read the reviews, and am now too tired to even get out of bed. But whats becoming apparent is how my opinions have changed towards some designers, even the ones that are new. I've been told that i'm opinionated and i know that i'm quite stubborn at times, but when i'm finding that designers i had hated last season or that i didn't like the sound of to be more than satisfactory, i know that something is changing.

Par Example, the Barbie show gave me shudders as i pictured a frivolous affair laden with pink and small fluffy poodles. When infact, it actually looked like alot of fun, and some of the clothing was far more wearable, far more exciting and dare i say far more fashionable than i had imagined.

The makeup was quite extroadinary too, reminds me of Dior Couture from last year...

A second collection that has caught my usually unforgiving fashion eye is Victoria Beckham. When i read the description for the collection (timeless, things women will want to wear etc etc) it all sounded a bit predictable. Which i suppose it is, but the small twists like the Herve Leger shoulders make it more modern, and more 'VB'. It reflects Victoria's style well, which i suppose is what collection are meant to do in the first place.

The final collection i was suprised to like was Miss Sixty. When it's previous collections come to mind i picture jeans and then the rest just meges into chav territory. So i usually don't even bother viewing the collection as i never expect anything more. But this time, although the majority is quite plainly of the norm, i found myself quite entranced by two of the outfits. The trashy pop look is reborn and revolutionised through the use of exaggerated puff sleves and tailored waists...

all images: the fashion spot

topshop triumphs yet again

2009-02-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

It's becoming almost generic to worship topshop in the blogosphere. But hey, i'm a fan and proud, and this is why:

TOPSHOP £65

I've always had a thing for white shoes. Perhaps the snow is going to my head...

*Only a short one today, lots of writing to do for schoolwork, will be back as normal tomorrow*

setting the scene.

2009-02-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, it's not something i notice when watching collections, and i'm sure this applies for some of you from time to time. I think when it comes down to it, i'm focusing most on every detail of the clothes and/or model to notice anything else. What i'm talking about is the scenery and backdrop of a fashion show, and i don't think it recieves enough credit from the fashion industry.

For the press/buyers visiting the collections, a good scenery and setting will be the first and most important impression made on the collection. Nearly always, the viewers of a collections will be required to wait short periods of time before the show begins, and so it is clear how important the scenery can be. If used cleverly, it will give away the themes or 'moods' of a collection and in my eyes, the more innovative and OTT the better.

For example, in the Chanel Couture 09 show, the delicate flowers 'growing' up the sides of the stone staircase can clearly be compared with the sharp and pristine white tailoring, and is continued with the paper headpeices.

(picture source: dazed digital)

The same could be applied for Alexander Mcqueen S/S 08, who's LCD pegusus on black background helped portray further the idea of classic shapes taken on with more modern aspects in the collection, and continues the mythical theme through feather prints and details on the clothing.

(picture source: google searches)

Another example is S/S 08 Viktor and Rolf's use of a blown up picture of a girl, with models entering through the mouth. This related to the paired down feel of the collection compared with their former designs, and showed that good designers don't have to speak loud to be noticed, relating to the idea of the mouth.

(picture source: google searches)

So perhaps, when we begin to watch this years run of London Fashion Week (or New York/Paris/Milan for all you bloggettes from across the pond), we should look closer at what the scenery can tell us about the collection, aswell as just the clothes.

berlin, anyone?

2009-02-07T07:41:00.001-08:00

Have any of you been following Berlin Fashion week? I wish i had been, some of the collections on Fashion Spot are really innovative, and now i'm kind of ashamed to say that i thought of it as a low key- low creativity type event. I've been particually captured by these head peices by Scherer González, a label created all the way back in 2004. Although the clothing isn't amazing, and in some places a little ugly, i can only imagine the work put into creating the headpeices the models are wearing (and how difficult it was to change outfits backstage without ruining them!).

I think perhaps i'm becoming a little hat/headpeice crazy...

(picture source, the fashion spot)

Of course if i find head shots, i'll put them up so you can see them in more detail.

I've been featured on All That Glitters, and its so sweet what she put about me:
"Molly! She is only fifteen but woah, serious brains on this girl! Her posts are fabulous, she loves Chanel as much as I do and has an actual letter from Vogue."

Thankyou thankyou thankyou! You can see it here.

And i've been given an award by the lovely Kay (who i've just found out lives in the same area as me!), which has of course made my day, and now I have to link other lovely bloggers to carry the award torch.

Im going to choose:

Lottie from the pelican and me for her amazing cheap but chic look and for generally being amazing and writing me beautiful novels

Demi from fashionably early for her lovely photography and lace cardigan, and for calling people 'honey' (i love that!)

Deline from lady croissant for her general inspiration and for truly reading every one of my posts

Lets Get Sandy from all that glitters for being lovely and having very inspirational posts

Dapper Kid from dapper kid for his outstanding photography and enjoyable essays :)

and of course fashion chalet for commenting over 100 bloggers per post, and still having enough time to put together lovely posts.

And of course to everyone else on my links list, i love you guys *sobs*

*oh and to anyone wondering about the vivienne interview, hopefully it will be posted soon!*

new look for new look?

2009-02-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if many of you have heard of it, but I think im just destined to always having an undivided opinion on major high street chain New Look. When i was a wee 12-13 year old, New Look gave me affordable highlighter-toned jumpers and t-shirts and Hello-Kitty print T-shirts and bags. It was during my era of chav-iness that i would rather just forget and bury somewhere deep at the bottom of the ocean. Situated in the local chav-land of the Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire, Stevenage, it has fallen deeper and deeper into my 'no-go' pile of shopping destinations, and well, i'm almost too scared to walk underneath the lurid 'New Look' banner!

But now, look at the new spring collection! The low-market prices have stayed indifferent, and yet the upper-market-mango-meets-topshop-esque look has been ignited. Is this the start of a new look New Look?

2009-02-03T07:58:00.001-08:00

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im not an accessory whore. but i do love pearls.

2009-02-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

It could be said that i am infactuated with pearls. And whoever says it would be completely correct. I'm not in any respects an accesory whore, but i do adore my 3 strands of pearl necklaces, and lets just say they've seen a good 2 years of wear and tear.

It all dates back to my grandma wearing a small strand around her neck, and of course me being the only girl in the family, i inherited it, and used it to dress up with at age 3. (i didn't know they were real pearls obviously...) Since then, i've been pearl crazy. You could say this is WHY i'm crazy over monsier Lagerfelds work with chanel, as he restored its classic-pearls-and-monochrome in a more modern way. And now, i have three strands of pearls. And what i really want now is to go Luella-crazy over some and create a statement peace, but i'll save that for another post!

So you can imagine my excitement when finding an alternate pearl-style necklace in Xuan-Thu-Ngyen, a label that boasts being "a mixture of modern and geometric pleated shapes with delicate and fragile accents like hand-made embroideries and other intricate details". Although the majority of her clothing is pretty basic and un-exciting (with the exception of the gorgeous concertina skirt, which of course has got me plotting diy-style posts), her intricately covered pearl style necklaces have got me pouring over the website. The dutch brand led by the designer of the same name creates beads covered with natural materials such as silk or cotton that look as if they are part of the clothing themselves.

Below is Xuan's couture 08/09 show, you can see what i mean about the clothing, but some of the accessories very nearly have made me contemplate blowing my whole savings on pearls and beads...

*

2009-02-02T04:12:00.000-08:00

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the best kind of mail is vogue mail

2009-01-31T11:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this post is essentially going to be short but sweet, mainly for the fact that i've got a hot date with 2 litres of hot chocolate (possibly...), my Shakespeare essay, and a whole half-page of corrections for me to er.. correct! So I'm sorry, i've really failed on my couture fascination-posts as of late.

However, today when i was having my annual spring clean, i found something that may be of interest to you. It has been my biggest dream to become a fashion journalist since i was about 11, and the dream still hasn't vanished now that i'm an adolescent of 15 years. (I blame 13 going on 30 and an addiction to Vogue!)

So this time last year i sent a letter to Vogue asking for any advice regarding becoming a fashion journalist. Looking back, it was a lengthy letter (3 pages to be precise), and probably not the best written (i spelt interesting wrong at least 7 times), the advice back was in less words than i had envisaged as a 14-year-old, but it's from VOGUE. And that in itself makes it pretty special.

And i found it today, and was just as pleased to tear back the Conde Nast envelope and pour over the few words...

"Dear Miss Taylor,

Thankyou for your recent letter with regards to advice on a career in fashion.

Most of our staff have varied academic backgrounds and therefore it is difficult to advise you on the best career path to take. Some of our staff have done specific fashion courses; others have not, but have more general degrees, and many have worked their way up from a secretarial position. Being realistic, all our staff have degrees, whatever job they come to do: in journalism, in fashion, in art- or in more broadly based general degrees for support staff, etc.

I hope this information helps you- good luck!

Yours sincerely,

ROSE CHADWYCK-HEALEY

Personnel Manager

"

Never be afraid to ask!

i want lots of clothes and f* loads of diamonds

2009-01-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

It's officially Couture day number 3, and i couldn't resist posting two outfits from ] Jean Paul Gaultier. It's so theatrical and eccentric, that at first viewing on The Fashion Spot (By the way does anyone hand out invitations? It's getting hard for me to find the information i want without the log-in!) i fell in love, and the link fell straight into my favourites pile. The sheer (almost cage-like) wedding dress is pure fashion magic, and the feathered shoulders are just the right couture twist on the exaggerated shoulder trends of the rtw collections. Seems like the couturier's have heard my blogging plea for innovation!
______________________________________________________________

pictures, the fashion spot
______________________________________________________________
And now i'm going to be really irritating and change the entire theme of the post to my recent tags. From my gorgeous blogging BFFL, Lottie, I've been tagged the 16 questions about me post, and well, here it is, the definitive fashion guide to Moi!

I'm a cheap skate. I buy all my clothes either in the sale or i use one of my many discount cards to get money off.

As i've ranted on about in the past, i have a fear of bright colours. I like to dress subtly, just focusing on nice fabric or textures...

I only own about 4 pairs of shoes. One pair of super low heels, one pair of lace pumps, one pair of converse and one pair of over the knee boots. And all you bloggers with your amazing shoes give me serious withdrawal symptoms!

I find the fashion on the Hills and The City inspiring. Its that laid back LA look, okay?

I am obsessed with organising magazines. I've started a fashion inspiration folder like the lovely Jamie and i'm infatuated with it...

I keep my Vogues and Elles in seperate piles on my bookcase all in monthly order...

I have a small fortunes worth of fashion books. And yet i haven't read almost a half of them yet!

I find Chanel always inspiring, even if the collections are usually very repetitive. Its the pearls-on-black look!

I even plan my outfits when i do P.E in school. Silver converse and topshop cycling shorts anyone?

I've never watched Sex and the City. But i did adore the film.

I don't really have a 'trademark' style. And i don't really want one yet. I'm having too much fun experimenting!

I love adrodgyny. I've got a very boyish figure so it seems to suit me...

I've wanted to be fashion editor of Vogue since i was 11. And i still do.

I have 3 coats, and i alternate the days that i wear each one.

I'm attracted to things that are so tacky that they are amazing. Snakeskin heart shaped bag with chain strap = Yes Please!

I only really watch London fashion week. With the exception of Couture and a bit here and there of Paris.

___________________________________________________________

And then i've been given the 'Fabulous Blogger Award' from amazing bloggettes closeup, and also from the amazing international ♫ Vii ♫. This is so sweet of you guys, thankyou!

This goes out to everyone that commented my last post, you guys made my day!

the first of the couture

2009-01-27T09:26:00.000-08:00

The deed was completed last night with the Gareth Roberts scenario, i called, got incredibly nervous and probably sounded completely obnoxious whilst trying to hide the fact i had butterflies in my stomach. And it was only a phone call. Dear me, I must be the most socially awkward person in all invention...

But, good news is, i had the chance to submit my questions, and his PR said he'd get back to me hopefully by the end of the week. So, the questions you wanted will be coming soon.

I can't wait!
_________________________________________________________

After reading 'Plan your Edtitorial Calender' on independant fashion bloggers, i decided to start book-marking the major fashion weeks/events onto my laptop calender. So when i signed in yesterday to be greeted by 'PARIS COUTURE DAY ONE', of course, i headed straight to Style.com.

Other than London and Paris ready to wear, Paris Couture week is the only set of fashion shows that i follow religiously. As a poor-still-in-full-time-education-fashionista, and therefore unable to purchase ANY of designer garments, I find that even the ready to wear items have to be revoloutionary to catch my eye. And as the couture collections are even more exclusive, you could say i have a high expectation of the select designers showing this year.

The couture collections are always handmade and show extroadinary tailoring, of which i am always infatuated with. It was invented by Charles F Worth, who originally hailed from over here in the grey lands of England, but made his mark on the fashion industry in France as a couturier. Charles created luxuary one of a kind peices that were tailor made for his rich clients, of which were shown on 'live portfolios' (and completely lust-worthy). Other designers that followed in his footsteps were are: personal hero, Chanel, but also Balenciaga, Lanvin, Dior, and independant Couture houses such as Yves Saint Laurent. This then lead to Ready-to-wear collections and other branding methods, and helped establish the rtw fashion weeks. With the current reccesion, the Couture collections are now mostly used to boost esteem of a label, which makes my expectations sky high- i want innovations, and i want it now!

So, due to my love of Couture, there will most probably be a few posts covering the couture week, mainly because i love viewing the shows. But hopefully we can all enjoy a week of Couture-based banter.

Here are the first delights from one of the Couture Legends: Dior. This is exactly what i want when i say 'revolutionary'. I DO want exaggerated 50's style skirts, i DO want hugh tulip-hips, I DO want huge floppy hats, I REALLY want the small ruffle detailing. I even want the simpler line of white dresses, decorated with elaborate blue flowers, bows or rosettes. But what i want the most is reaction to the reccession. Keep us dreaming Couturiers, i know Dior has.

"There's a credit crunch, not a creative crunch. Of course, everyone is being more careful with their discretionary purchases. I am. But it's our job to make people dream, and to provide the value in quality, cut, and imagination." - Christian Dior

Oh, and thankyou for the awards, i'll be awarding them to other blogettes next week!

questions for gareth roberts

2009-01-25T13:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, so no, i haven't got any pictures, videos or voice clips from the Gareth Roberts/Vivienne Westwood Red Label/Arts event i attended on Saturday. BUT, it was a very inspiring talk (he attended central st. martins, which automatically makes him a personal hero), and he was incredibly sweet, and answered all of my questions, of which, embarrassingly for my friend, there were many. He talked about the entire design process, how artwork inspires his work, about what fashion means to him, which was all very intresting, and was kind of a kid-in-a-sweet store scenario for me. Unfortunately, as soon as the museum attendant saw me with the camera, she informed me that we WEREN'T allowed to use cameras in the gallery which was a major dissapointment.

(image, backstage at VWRL, dazed digital)

However, after the show, me and my friend went over to talk to him, and i mentioned how i had wanted to post about the talk on my blog, and he very kindly gave me the number of his PR so i could call and interview him! Which, of course, has put me in fashion exhilaration mode for the whole of today.

So my question is:
Do you have anything you would like me to ask him?
I plan on calling monday/tuesday so please comment or email asap.

Oh, and thankyou so much for your sweet comments on my last post- really made my day :)

adrogyny takes fashion to a whole new level

2009-01-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

The 'boy meets girl' look has been apparent since the early 40's, and fashion hasn't since chosen to fade far from it's infatuation with androgyny and sexual ambiguity.

Adrogyny began in the mid 19th century, following outrage that the miners 'pit brow lassies' wore trousers underneath their skirts. This was a scandal to the Victorian Society as it was part of the era in which girls were corseted to enhance the feminity of their figures. In the 40's fashion was simplified to keep in tact with the busier lives of women post war. The dissipation of high couture in Paris, and the introduction of rationing meant that beautiful clothes were slightly harder to come across, and the increase of working rights for women ensured that clothes had to be practical. Up untill the 1960's, women wearing trousers was prohibited in public places and schools, for being too 'overtly masculine'. In 1965, André Courrèges featured trousers and tailoring in his womenswear line, being the first occasion in which long trousers were considered as a fashion item. Since then with the rise of punk in the 1970's, women were persevering an entirely new take on masculinity. The rise of materials such as leather aswell as adrogynous layering built strong connections with adrogyny, forcing our opinion of sexual ambiguity to develop from dislike and disregard into acceptance.

With the history part over, in fashion we can see that adrogyny is still evident in the ready to wear runways. In the recent collections, we can see some clear correlations between the womenswear and menswear.

LES HOMMES A/W 09 ALEXANDER WANG S/S 09- HOLEY T-SHIRTS

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN A/W 09 CHANEL S/S 09- POCKET CHAINS

ETRO A/W 09 CACHAREL S/S 09 - AUTUMNAL SHADE JACKETS

LES HOMMES A/W 09 YSL S/S 09- BLACK SHEER SHIRTS

What do you all think of adrogyny? I think that it's fantastic that designers are embracing both sides of human creation and always playing on our ideals of masculine and feminine. There are always some parts of us that correlates between both genders so why not portray this through fashion?

"bling is dead"?

2009-01-19T12:49:00.000-08:00

Don't you love the iGoogle homepage? I must have 5 different widgets that let me keep up with the fashion world without clogging up my inbox. My particular favourites are the Fashion Spot thread alert, and the Telegraph Fashion update.

So when a post titled "bling is dead" arrived on the Telegraph widget today, and reading the description, I discovered the quote was from no one less than bling lord KARL LAGERFELD. I had a giggle to myself, much to the confusion of my mother, who was in the same room, and wondering what on earth it was that was making me laugh out loud during a particually sad scene in Hollyoaks (an english soap for all the lovely continental bloggers).

(picture source: google search for k lagerfeld)

However, contradicting Karl's usual fashion-foot-in-mouth media quotes, he has taken some rather insightful descisions related to the recent reccession. Karl has stipulated that to play his part in the economic crisis he shall 'spring clean' the chanel label. The chanel big-boy, and designer for Fendi and his own label 'Karl' confessed to the telegraph that:

"Bling is over. Red carpetry covered with rhine-stones is out. I call it 'the new modesty'.",

Although he may be the worst example in all creation for accessory overload (not forgetting that Chanel's trademark pearls are incredibly expensive!), i'm suprised to admit that I kind of agree with what he had to say. Karl seems to believe that reccesion will be a 'good thing' for the fashion industry, which is true as it means only the most innovative and unique labels will triumph, forcing the more laid-back labels to improve thier own collections and re-invent brands in order to keep up sales. Which means the fashion community should look forward to bigger and better collections come A/W 09.

Well, I must say Karl, you've done me proud. And for that, i have compiled a Chanel-esque outfit just for you.

(black lbd, topshop, tights tesco, pearls various, belt, primark)

sorry for the bad quality- i will hopefully buy a better camera soon!

"I see it like a healthy thing, a horrible but healthy thing. It's a medical treatment of the world, I see it like this."

You can read the whole article here

fashionable event

2009-01-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

i'm sorry i've been a little slack on commeting/posting, i'm halfway through my art course which is consuming most of my free time when i'm not at school. But luckily having enough time to do it this weekend i've been able to finish it all, so all should be normal next week.

Anyway, back to the post. Luckily, being an art student does have its perks, and one of them is attending the 'Verve' event at my local art gallery (details can be found on the fitzwilliam cambridge website). It's something i've planned on attending for a while now, mostly to be able to add content to my art portfolio, but also because it is generally a good social event for young artists. There are numerous art talks/workshops/guided tours related to the museum, and performing at 6.15 are bands such as Why Whiskey Why?, Mat Lloyd and Tom Anderson aswell as the headline act that is tbc.

But what i'm REALLY excited about (and what has got me ringing its praises to the blogosphere) is the fact that designer Gareth Roberts is giving a half-hour speech about the fashion industry. Roberts is currently a designer for Vivienne Westwood Red Label, which i find incredibly exciting, as i am a fan of the labels simpler approach to Vivienne's eccentric style.

pictures style.com s/s 09 vivienne westwood red label

What stood out to me with the Spring/Summer collection was how all the key shapes and styles of the Vivienne Westwood label were there, and yet the prints and colours were simpler and more wearable. I'll try to take as many pictures as possible, and i've emailed to ask whether videos will be allowed (they sometimes get a little upset about the use of the latter), but if i can retain my blogging prowess and not gush too much about how i love vivienne/the label/fashion, i will try to compile a decent post about the event.

Oh, and have any of you been watching the 'style on trial' series via BBCiplayer? The presenting is quite terrible, but the actual content is rather intresting. I watched the 40's fashion last night, and found it very informative...

hussein's hats

2009-01-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

As soon as the word 'hat' appears in conversation i always have the same flashback to when i was 8 and bought a beige cord baker-boy hat which i wore (not kidding), with a purple sparkly top with draped sleeves and a denim skirt *shudder*. And since then i've been a little afraid of embracing hats of any sort. I love the androgynous look of a chic bowler pieced with simple layers such as a sheer blouse and leggings, but i only ever love it on other people, but never myself.

So when i was flicking through the catwalk supplement supplied with Febuary's Vogue (don't you just love them? They are perfect aid for shopping selectively for the season) i was rather surprised when i found myself intrigued about a luminous yellow headpeice by Hussein Chalayan (are you proud i'm getting over my colour phobia?!).

Hussein is a designer that has impressed me for two seasons (as it was during my infactuation of black-on-black dressing, and A/W 08 was quite simply my style rolled into one), and these hats really are something quite special to look at. His "car crash" theme (latex cocktail dresses that seemed to be "frozen in aerodynamic motion", models walking on revolving plate etc, etc) carried through to the hats. I imagine they are meant to be puffs of coloured exhaust fumes, almost photographically caught whilst suspended in air and re-created through hatwear. Anyway, they are simply beautiful, and so cleverly engineered that they almost look like delicate origami sculptures. Can you not see the white one worn at a wedding by a fashionable bride?

pictures, style.com

celebrity

2009-01-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

I must admit that i'm a little dissapointed in English Vogue.

As a reader of the prestigious magazine i must say i am usually proud of Alexandra Schulmans descisions, as the whole image of Vogue usually ends up embodying the fresh and eccentric style that is associated with London and England. It usually contains interviews with the freshest designers, and free-lance articles informing the public of the latest trends, and how to wear them. It USUALLY contains beautiful and classic editorials taken by the likes of Tim Walker (my future fiance), Patrick Demarchelier, and Tom Craig.

Usually, I find its only comparison in the Vogue family of that of France and Nippon. But, alas, good things never last. I could just about tolerate the whole Victoria Beckham cover story, but THIS is too much for me to handle:

The magazine features Cheryl Cole as the cover, accompanyed with a 9 page interview by Christa D'Souza, and photographs of her by Regan Cameron. I agree that the pictures are gorgeous, and she looks incredible, but i dont think i'm ready for Vogue to follow the celebrity parade such as Elle and Harpers.

Buying this, and reading the interview, it got me wondering why we are so infactuated with celebrity fashion. The most popular Celebrities in the media are usually over-airbrushed and over-styled. The faces of Britains popular magazines should be real people who aren't afraid to wear things and do things that don't fit the pattern of 'cookie-cutter' celebrities that are ever popular. For example, would you not rather see emerging models such as Daisy Lowe, or Alice Dellal gracing the cover? In the recent Vogue video based around the current issue, Schulman says that it is "a fascinating interview with someone who hasn’t talked about themselves publicly very much.”. Without sounding too 14 going on 40 , i know i'd much rather see girls like these on the cover...

photos, london, facehunter

Sorry for going all contriversal on you guys! I promise next post will be a lighter subject :)
Comments back, as always are coming...

its wonderman

2009-01-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

I've seen a few bloggers post about the esteemed ITS awards that were published in the January 09 issue of i-D. However, none that i have seen have posted about the incredibly talented Valentim Manuel Estevao Quaresma, and accessory designer from Portugal, and winner of the accessory ITS, the only award for jewellers worldwide, which i think is a bit of a large accolade to withhold!

Valentims collection by his own name consists of recycled materials, which really appealed to me (not because i'm particually eco-friendly, but because i like a good old diy project). Dubbed as 'showing the perfect balance of agnostic features' by Isobel Simoes Marques, he mixes common items with his jewellery degree expertise to create items that look as if they were created by nature. Many of the body pieces make the wearer look as if they have been mythically enhanced, with spider-like and spine back pieces and ornaments that distort our ideal image of 'jewellery perfection' that labels like H.Samuels play around with.

Some of the items he's created are really beautiful, and while they aren't exactly 'ready to wear', they would definitely look incredible in editorial features. One of the collections that particularly caught my eye was the winter 06 collection (one of his collections prior to winning the ITS award). It consists of recycled head pieces and chain-mail type neck and arm pieces, that are very reminiscent of a medieval soldier's armour, non?

Perhaps not items to wear to work, but definitely something pretty to look at.

website

Made out of metal coins and medallions.

Comments back are coming- bear with me!

red is the new black?

2009-01-06T10:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's fair to say that i'm a little afraid of colour. 98% of my wardrobe is black, grey or white, and the extra 2% i dont wear. I'm not sure what it is but i can't seem to cope with wearing bold colours as i don't like to 'stand out' in that way. I'd rather be subtly well dressed with nice fabrics and cuts, not just the girl with the yellow top. Wearing black is classic, simple, and is very chanel and ysl, which i would say is never a bad thing.

style sightings

Don't get me wrong, i don't NOT wear colour. Coloured tights i can deal with, aswell as bags and shoes. I can cope with maroon, navy and mauve. I have my comfort zone colours and i like to stick to them.

So, if you're one of those people that look at pictures and then read, your probably feeling a bit confused. Because below is my new red trench from H&M. Yes, its bright, bold, and very 'stand-out'. And i LOVE it. I think i've accepted a new colour into my palette, and the suprising thing is i wear it far more than my black coats. Perhaps this is part of a whole new era for my style?

coat h&m, belt topshop, tights tesco

fabric flying everywhere...

2009-01-04T07:39:00.000-08:00

Did any of you watch SHOWstudio's Political Fashion Videos that were released around july? Well, if you didn't i strongly reccomend that you do because for me, many of the videos provided a wider view to the fashion world that i hadn't realised was there before. One of the ones that particually stood out for me was Sølve Sundsbø and Joachim Norvik's interpretation of fashion. It is called 'Black Metal', and to begin with it just seemed like a video of a rock band playing (which essentially, it pretty much is), but once you read deeper into context (which i think is what most of the videos willed you to do), you realise the link between rock and roll (which, thanks to my dad, i grew up with) and fashion. Rock is all about saying, doing and wearing what you believe and what connects with you, which is exactly what fashion should be about.

Since watching the video, i've been keeping my eye out for london based photographer Sundsbø who directed, edited and created the concept for the video along with Norvick. It turns out he's a regular photographer at dazed, i-D, vogue nippon and a personal favourite, Numero. His photos are always very powerful and graphic, and always contain an alternative view on fashion.

So it's no suprise that i've fallen in love with this editorial he shot for Issue 28 of V magazine. I particually love the way the clothes seem to overpower the model, and how it looks as if she's underwater.

They also remind me of Georgia O'keefe's flower artwork? Perhaps its the fluidity of the fabrics...

Does this last picture not remind you of a chinese fighting fish?

Thankyou all for your kind comments, i'll be adding up the links tonight :)

will we ever accept the small bag invasion?

2009-01-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Since the rise of the "it-bag" it seems we've all gone big bag crazy. The whole world now seems to want and need to bring everything but the kitchen sink around everyday, and the gigantic 'it' bags fit the bill perfectly (*yes red mulberry bag 07 of my dreams, i mean you!*), but it seems of late fashion is trying to convert us to the tiny-clutch-pointlessly-small side, and i'm wondering whether most of us will ever be truly able to give big bags up.

Autumn/Winter 08 has shown a huge amount of tiny bags donning the model hands of the catwalks, some so small they practically can't even be classed as purses.

micheal kors, marc jacobs, marni a/w 08 style

What could you fit in these? A lipstick? A few coins? A pen?

Don't get me wrong as a young, un-employed (well... i don't need a bag for my *ahem* 'employment') girl, i should be more than satisfied with the small, lightweight and attractive offerings from three of my favourite accesory labels. They're light weight- no shooting back pain, they force you to cut down on baggage- helps you keep organised, they're adorable- a major cause of my bag obsession. But somehow, i can't make myself like them.

I could say i don't know why this is, but since i emptied out my bag after a shopping trip, i can kind of see why...

From left to right: ipod, i-D, empty water bottle, glasses, purse, bank book, lip balm, hairbands hairclip, necklace, mirror, change, train tickets and boots card, giant hairclip, vaseline, foundation, cheeky chimp moisture wipes, phone, change purse, random reciepts, mints, nail polish.

I can feel the inklings of a try-a-small-bag for a day experiment coming on...

happy happy new years!

2009-01-01T06:49:00.000-08:00

my neighbours fireworks

Suprisingly this year i had a wonderful new years eve. Usually i find it a bit too much of a 'hoo-haa' (incredibly drunk parents watching london fireworks on telly, fireworks going horribly, horribly wrong etc) but this year i decided to keep it low key and invite a few friends round for a sophisticated 'gathering'. Well, thats what it was meant to be, what really happened was us posting mortifying videos on youtube (all evidence HAS been removed!). Which was fun in a silly, giggily way, which i think we all enjoy from time to time...

Anyway, i wish you all a happy 2009. Suprisingly i haven't got any resolutions this year (i never stick to the lose weight, eat less jargon) so, my new years resolution could be to save up for this Alexander McQueen A/W coat, which i think i am in love with.

But somehow i dont think my job in the local shop would cover it. Its $1,324.00 in. the. sale.
Wish me luck!

Molly x

la fille et ses mères obi

2008-12-31T04:13:00.000-08:00

I commented on someone's blog a few days ago saying how sad it was that i can't fit into any of my mother's intensive shoe collection anymore, and that it has really put me off rifling through her wardrobe, as i thought nothing else in her wardrobe could satisfy my fashion needs. Alas, how wrong I could be as sitting under her bed (along with my scarf... grr) was this obi belt:

belt, mum's from lowie

Gorgeous, non? Its quilted, black and leather and pretty much whats put a bounce in my step this morning. And it looks great over pretty much everything in my wardrobe (yes, i am sad enough to spend a whole morning trying it over everything...).

Oh, i feel so Gucci...

Gucci s/s rtw 09 style.com

dress topshop, belt mums from lowie, tights both from primark, shoes dp.

As from today, it has been permenantly re-located into my wardrobe. Mum doesn't know yet.. but im hoping she won't mind *fingers crossed!*.

Have a good new years everyone,

M x

oh and santa, i know its not christmas anymore, but can i have a new camera pretty please? thanks.

hartmann nordenholz and the slouch factor

2008-12-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

I've loved the Austrian label Hartmann Nordenholz ever since i first saw this dress in my book 'Young European Fashion Designers' (Which you all MUST get- some of the pictures are really lovely), and on a random search on google (believe me, i do alot of these random searches!) i found their website. It turns out that one half of the design duo behind the label studied under Helmut Lang which i think is an accolade in itself non?

Anyways, it turns out their spring/summer collection is even nicer than the dress that i had originally fallen in love with. It now has what the dress had not, not only does it have hartmann modern tailoring touches but now it has the bagginess that i find appealing...

Ok, I must admit, i love slouchy clothes (my friends call it my garments that just don't fit right...)and as you will most probably get to realise that i am always complaining that something needs to be looser/baggier, and i will often buy something bigger and sew it up so it's tighter in the places i want, but still has the all important 'slouch factor'. But what HN has to offer is really more than satisfactory to all of my baggy needs...

My favourite peice from the collection has to be the top below, the detailing is almost skeletal.

Pictures from www.hartmannnordenholz.com 'Konstrukt' S/S 09

intro for the new girl

2008-12-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hello blogging world!
As you can probably tell this is a new blog and although i am not entirely a noob to the blogosphere, it has been a while and i've decided to start completely afresh.

My name is Molly, and to put it plainly, i have a strange compulsive disorder when it comes to fashion. Although it may not be a large part of my life at the moment as i am still enjoying the pleasure (not) of education, it is something i really enjoy. I'm english, so to all the american bloggettes, i am sorry but you will have to put up with my english-isms that i do use quite alot! As for my style, i'm very much eclectic. I'll be the girl that you'll see looking a bit like a homeless person some of the time, but we can all laugh at my fashion plunders later! I'm very much a bag person, and i have alot of fashion peeves which i will probably bore you all with in pretty much every post.

And so (drumroll) i present to you my new blog, Fashion Flush in which i hope to publish my thoughts and wisdom(?) of fashion aswell as my personal style pictures which i will hopefully have up later this week!

Seeing as i'm still new to the blogosphere, i really would appreciate it if any of you could add me to your links, and of course i'll add you to my own very dismal list.

I hope that this will be the start of a very beautiful relationship, and that you will enjoy my daily ramblings,

Molly x