Ok, ok. I admit it. I think I'm turning into a goth. Halloween is over but I can't get the idea of lots of leather, studs and gorgeous black lace out of my head.
Lace back unitard, £20 both from ASOS.
and my new black boots, with some artfully ripped tights. Yeah!
Boyfriend clothes are not generally my cup of tea - well, unless we're talking massively oversized cardigans, but then that's more 'grandad clothes', really. But there is definitely something to be said for cosying up in something warm and snuggly and owned by someone you love. It's been so cold today that I would rather like a cuddle and a cardigan!
There is one item of 'boyfriend' clothing that I do have my eyes on, though. Lately I've been noticing a definite trend in men's knitwear: the shawl collar. It was all over the catwalks for Menswear Autumn/Winter 08/09 and was shown by lots of the big knitwear companies.
Left to right: Lacoste, Missoni, Shipley & Halmos.
And I love it! Worn on a boy, there's something very classic and grown up about it - and I admit that I like anything classic that can be roughed up and messed with a little. Don't think of it for fogies but think instead of how you can work against its traditional feel by clashing it with modern items.
And here's where to start with the shawl collar - my top seven steal-worthy cardigans for boys everywhere, in order from cheap to, well, not cheap.
Starting with a pocket money piece is this baby.
Shawl collar jersey knit from Topman, only £10 in the sale!
Shawl Collar Cable Cardigan by ASOS, £35.
Chunky Cable Knit Cardigan by Religion, £65.
Combining the shawl collar with grey AND cable knit... swoon.
Shawl collar pullover by Julian Red, $210 (approx. £136.)
I think I would stroke a man wearing this one.
Double breasted wool cardigan by Diesel, £140.
This is a Classic with a capital C, urging to be played with!
And now, for my favourite two: (what can I say? I have expensive taste!)
Shawl collar waffle knit cardigan by Velour (also in burgundy), £180.
I love the navy blue colour, as always. How could you not cuddle a man wearing this?
Cashmere mix Harbour Cardigan by Modern Amusement, £185 (also in grey.)
This one is really the jackpot. I couldn't pick which colour I liked better, so imaginary boyfriend of the future, please feel free to buy both so I can steal whichever one takes my whim that day. Thanks!
I'd also recommend checking out H&M and Zara, where I've seen other good shawl collar cardigans and pullovers lately, but the internet is notoriously poor for searching for those stores and I've given up. That's where I'll be soon though, getting my hands on my very own version!
It's Remembrance Day today.
Beautiful photo by Wakenthedead.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice on 11th November 1918, to signal the end of World War One. At 11am the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.
Please remember all our fallen heroes and donate if you can.
Today I was rather horrified to discover that the two most replusive monstrosities of modern fashion (I don't care if they are comfortable!) got together and had a rather unfortunate baby.
The website says "As cute as they are cozy!" I have to disagree on the cute part.
Sadly, what is seen can never be unseen. My eyes. MY EYESSSSSSSS!
As usual on a Sunday, here are my favourite seven outfits this week (one for each day, geddit?) from around the web!
A very happy chappy as seen on Facehunter.
I love how perfectly tailored to him that suit is.
Awesome (and hot, right?) boy on The Sartorialist.
I love that heart brooch!
Gorgeous and cosy. This lady from Styleclicker looks lovely.
Kasper, 18, student spotted by Copenhagen Street Style.
Simple, but perfect. I approve!
Signý, 21 years old, fashion design student, seen on Reykjavik Looks.
Love the leather dress and the pop of those red gloves!
Gorgeous harm-pants jumpsuit of wonder from The Sartorialist.
It's a hard shape to pull off, but she does it wonderfully.
Jan, as seen on Still in Berlin. I really love his Petar Petrov trousers.
And as a little shoe porn bonus, these insane wonders (also see on Still in Berlin.)
A change purse incorporated into the shoe? Genius!
Let me know which is your favourite look in the comments!
Originally from Leeds, Nathaniel the Stress is a 22 year old fashion designer who now lives in Hackney, London. And he has the worlds most amazing hair, obviously. Redheads forever!
After I stumbled upon his Myspace, I fell in love with his dresses. In all my favourite colours - purple, green, grey - Nathaniel drapes, pleats, folds and weaves the material into elegant but edgy showpieces.
I love the deep purple colour and the amazing over-sized hip pleats. I'm all about exaggerated hips!
His clothing can be bought from Aqua Couture online and at 172 Brick Lane, London.
Love the back bustle and the pockets (I'm a sucker for a pocket!) on this beautiful emerald gress dress. I do really wish this was mine...
Sadly, that's all his Myspace tells me, but check it out for more of his beautiful work!
Lately I've been noticing a bit more diversity in both fashion magazines and on the catwalk. It feels like the beautiful black ladies in the fashion industry are finally getting a chance to shine. And about time too!
Hot on the heels of Vogue Italia's all black issue (which I didn't manage to get my hands on, dammit) were the Fashion Weeks where Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn in particular rocked the catwalks.
Frida Giannini casted Chanel Iman for Gucci - which was the first time that Frida has used a black model in her show. That's six whole seasons of white faces. :(
Jourdann Dunn made history again by becoming the first black girl in five years to walk Versace. The last was Liya Kebede in Spring 2004, a shockingly long time ago.
She has also been nominated for Model of the Year in the British Fashion Awards, which will take place on November 25th. She's up against Agyness Deyn and Lily Donaldson, so it's tough competition, but I'll be rooting for her!
Speaking of Liya, she looks gorgeous in the new Lanvin campaign with Raquel Zimmermann.
And last but by no means least, Kinée Diouf looks really striking on the cover of Tank magazine's 10th anniversary edition, shot by Juergen Teller. I worked for Tank over the summer, so this issue was fueled a tiny bit by my general dogsbody work, haha!
Keep pushing through the boundaries, girls!
Mr. Obama’s election offers most non-Americans a sense that the imperial power capable of doing such good and such harm — a country that, they complain, preached justice but tortured its captives, launched a disastrous war in Iraq, turned its back on the environment and greedily dragged the world into economic chaos — saw the errors of its ways over the past eight years and shifted course.
Ethan Bronner for The New York Times.
I thought this shot from Arena Homme Plus was striking. Muscled, oily guys are exactly my cup of tea (gross!) but the images in this editorial are pretty amazing.
They are also rather erotic: I've picked the more uh, safe for work images but you can see the rest of the shoot here at The Fashion Spot.
One's Real Life is Often the Life That One Does Not Lead
Photographer : Steven Klein
Fashion Editor : Panos Yiapanis
Love this boys tattoos! So sexy.
Would like those silver leggings for myself verrrrry much.
Pictures from The Fashion Spot. Thanks!
I'm obsessed with gold studs. I like silver ones too, but there's something about the punk rockiness of the shape of the stud with the luxury vibe of the gold that just makes the perfect juxtaposition.
If I were a boy, I would DEFINITELY be rocking these amazing Nike gold studded shoes, £70, available online here from Urban Outfitters.
Actually, these are so awesome that I would wear them now, too. I haven't been a trainer girl since my youth as a tomboy, but I would ditch the high heels sometimes for these bad boys... if I could find them in women's sizes anywhere. Sigh.
I finally found some gold studs on Ebay though... I have some DIY in mind!
It snowed last Tuesday night in London. I started seeing Facebook status' change around the country -- Birmingham, Luton, Manchester -- all reporting snow. I foolishly thought "Ha! It'll never snow in London!" but sure enough, the ground in Hackney was soon white and all Christmas card like.
It was pretty, but it didn't last. In my freezing flat -- where we wear the fact that we haven't turned on our heating yet like a badge of honour -- I got into bed and started researching warm things. Coats. Tights. And boots!
My travelings round the internet has led me here to my Top Ten picks of boots to look beautiful on your cold toes this winter. These may not all be snow-appropriate, exactly, but since when have I ever dressed weather appropriately? (Clue: Never.)
Seychelles "Our Heroine" ankle boot. $80 (£48.50) from Solestruck.
There's something gloriously 40s about these babies. I love the colour and I love the big sturdy heel. I'm not the type of girl to ditch the heels when the weather turns bad, but it's nice to see that at least one shoe designer has my back (well, my ankles) when the pavements get slippery.
"Froling" boots in grey £90 ($143) from Aldo.
I find Aldo a bit hit and miss (and often, just a bit too pricey for me) but I love these fierce architechural wedges. They come in grey, black and purple -- best colours ever! -- but I chose the grey to show you because I think they'll be the most versatile and you already have some black boots, right? Right.
Oh. Yes. Perfectly on trend, easy on the wallet and exactly what I've had my one-track little mind focused on lately.
(I bought these online on Thursday. You don't hate me for waiting to post this until I'd bought them, do you? I mean, I had to be sure they'd be mine!)
Loving these Louboutin rip-offs. Fringe is everywhere at the moment but I'm not a fan of those minnetoka things, so this might be the way to get some more fringe in my wardrobe.
Ok, so these gorgeous vintage babies are now actually sold, but I think they're a work of art so I just had to tack them in on the end. The different coloured suede panals are attached by zips, so they could be over-the-knee boots, knee boots or ankle boots, depending on your every whim. AWESOME.
Sadly, I don't think I can justify buying myself any more boots this winte: well, unless I find perfect white skate style boots, of course. And you know, navy blue would be so handy...
Facebook let me know that it was the amazing Thalia Devine's birthday yesterday, which in turn reminded me that I had wanted to feature her as one of my Monday Muses.
Thalia is a party host, model, fashion designer and generally all-round amazing muse. I never get tired of looking at her amazing clubbing outfits because her originality and over-flowing creativity is outstanding.
Thalia's biography on the Barbarella's Club website reads:
Sex, NEON, wigs, contacts, fake eyelashes, cupcakes, cartoons, candy, lollipops, rollerdisco, champagne, polaroids, photobooth pics, dolls, barbies, pez, ring pops, diamonds, heels, fur, pink lipstick, green tea icecream, keychains, collections, hotels, creating, over the top everything, playin' dress up, being a part time tranny, being a muse, having my picture taken, givin'er, plastiksurgery.
...and I think you can tell from the pictures that it's true!
I think what I really love about Thalia (apart from her chameleon-like ability to look completely different every day!) is how fearless she is and completely unafraid she is to be herself. It says on her Myspace "Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself" and I can definitely feel that that's happening with her - and that is really inspiring.
I've just picked a few of my favourite (and a bit more work safe than some of them) images to show you, but there are plenty more if you want to see more of Thalia's creations! Check out Barbarella's Club or her Myspace for more images.
Thalia, Happy Belated Birthday! You're awesome.
These pictures from Burfitt's new lookbook are just so lovely. The clothing itself is gorgeous (especially the top in the picture below!) but the styling, setting and sepia-tones to these pictures take it to a whole new level.
The picture below is almost nightmarish, but I love the idea of a dark, gothic Alice wearing these pieces as she journeys through the looking glass!
Visit the website for the full lookbook.
For one of my projects at school I'm writing a feature on fashion illustration now, so you lucky guys and girls can expect lots of posts of the fruit of my labours, full of beautiful images of wonderful clothes. Nice, huh?
Today's talent is the amazing Sandra Suy. I love her strong, block colours for the clothes contrasting with the soft, faded pencil lines of the models themselves. The way she elegantly draws a hand trailing off into nothingness, or hair fading away towards the crown is so beautiful. She also gives her illustrations an added dimension by making them on gorgeously textured brown paper.
Below - Left: Balenciaga . Right: Pucci.
Below - Left: Chloe. Right: McQueen. I need to make another post on this amazing red-feathered dress, as it seems to be cropping up everywhere!
Below - Left: McQueen. Right: I don't recognise it. Help me out?
*EDIT* Thanks to Belle in the comments, who told me it's Comme Des Garcons!
Click to see more of her illustrations on Dripbook or Myspace.
I'm a handful & a handful of things: fashion blogger, social media PR girl, wannabe writer & LCF graduate.
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