Fashion Eccentrics

Oh man, it's been awhile huh?! I feel terrible for not posting for so long, who knew blogger guilt could be so strong? Anyway it's taken longer than I expected but I'm finally home from University! That's it, finito! I can no longer all myself a student (boo!) but I am happy and super excited to begin the long slog that is the path to my dream career. Inbetween all the final assessment work and packing up to move home madness I still managed to keep writing for Running In Heels, and my latest article has gone up!

Fashion today thrives on theatricality and pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable (raw meat dress anyone?) so my article about fashion's greatest eccentrics is more than apt. Read about histories greatest influences and the eccentrics making their mark today to claim their stake in fashion's history books.



Anna Piaggi: one of fashion's original and greatest eccentrics

 Picture source

Black Velvet

Well look at me and all my posts consisting of my own crappy photographs! I'm on a roll! I really wish my camera was better because it hasn't done justice to how beautiful my most recent vintage find is; a vintage Jaeger matte black velvet cropped blazer with matching waistcoat! It's in incredible condition, and from the snug fit and style, and the yellowed old label, I'm pretty sure its from about the 1960's/70's. The blazer is collarless, it has rounded and slightly flared sleeves, and a fine line of stitching around the hems (which you can just make out in the pics), and the waistcoat is the same black velvet with a silky black satin back. I can imagine Kate Moss wearing this (she loves a good blazer/waistcoat combo) and I'm going to style it as she would with a white shirt, skinny jeans and a good pair of plain black flats.

All pictures my own

Outfit Post x The Beginning

So here's a picture of what I wore yesterday. I wanted to wear something light and breezy with bursts of colour and texture to lift my mood as it was a big day: the hand-in of my 3rd year Final Major Project Theory Dissertation i.e the big scary 10,000 word basterd! So that's finally over with now and I can begin the next project - finishing my styling unit, which starts tonight with a re-shoot in studio. I am definately going to miss being this creative all the time but if plans go ahead then hopefully I can keep doing this kinda thing forever!

Wearing: H&M Conscious Collection white linen suit, Primark white vest, Ray-Ban Wayfarers, vintage multicoloured tie-dye silk scarf, Topman purple silk tassled scarf, Principles bag (about 4 years old!) & Topshop cheetah print suede slippers

Sweet Charity

One of my favourite reasons for going home for the Easter holidays (you should all know by now that I'm a third year Fashion Journalism student, tsk tsk!), is the amazing line up of charity shops in my hometown Wokingham. There's 5 in the town centre consisting of Oxfam, Hospice Car, Sue Ryder and 2 that I forget the name of now! But the truth of the matter is that I am obsessed with hunting for clothes; I honestly get as much thrill out of vintage shopping in London as I do charity shopping in Wokingham or my term-time home of Southampton. I love it because aside from the fact that your money isnt just being added to the pile as with retail giants like H&M or Topshop, it's mostly because you just don't know what you'll find in store. High street chains are predictable and trend-driven most of the time, (although, don't get me wrong, I love a good find in Zara or Toppers) but with charity and vintage shops the stock is usually in constant rotation so there's always something new to be discovered! So without further ado, here's a few of my finds from the Easter hols, taken in my parents beautiful back garden;

Vibrant orange oversized jumper, not sure what I'm doing with it yet but inspiration will
strike soon and I'll be glad to have it!

 

Cream ribbed jumper; you can't see very well in this picture but this jumper is the
perfect snug fit ribbed cream jumper!

Cream ribbed knit jumper; yes this looks similar to the one above but it isnt!
This is a bigger fit and has more knitted design on the front

Grey wool blazer; this is an oversized blazer that I plan to tailor abit so its more fitted and
will become my new all purpose coat as my old Zara one is on its last legs!

Shanghai Tang navy silk trousers; these trousers were an amazing find
at only £5 and are a perfect slim fit and length



The whole gang; here's everthing I bought with the addition of the amazing pillow that I snagged for only £3!


All my own pictures; please credit if you'd like to use any of them (not that anyone would but hey!)

Official Obsessed

Officially obsessed with slippers; doesnt matter what colour or style, I'm there and ready to wear! I currently own two pairs; one cheetah print pair from Topshop and one black velvet pair from Zara, but it's never enough! The leopard print ones above will soon be spotted on Caroline of Carolines Mode and I can see the second pair on someone like Krystal Simpson from What Is Reality Anyway?. Both gorgeous chicks with killer style!

1st & 2nd pair via Lori's Shoes, 3rd via Topshop, 4th via Zara & 5th via American Apparel

I Love Lists

 

THE ESSENTIALS

Emmanuelle Alt, editor-in-chief, Vogue Paris

1. Boots
Vivienne Westwood black suede pirate buckle boots.
Martin Margiela beige suede Camarguaise boots for everyday wear.
2. Bags
Jimmy Choo black fringed bag.
Louis Vuitton Speedy bag by Sofia Coppola.
3. Coats
Rick Owens big fur coat.
Balmain jackets from any season.
4. T-shirts
Balmain from any season.
Uniqlo classic men’s t-shirt in the smallest size because it has a better fit.
Vintage because the cotton feels much softer.
5. Jeans
Topshop Baxter jeans.
J Brand flares or slim fit.
6. Sweaters
Prada classic cashmere sweater for its perfect fit.
Ralph Lauren classic cable-knit round neck sweater.
7. Underwear
Petit Bateau classic white cotton panties, I’ve worn them for years.
Stella McCartney days-of-the-week panties.
8. Cartier tank watch
Gold with black crocodile-leather strap.
9. Ray-Ban
Tortoiseshell aviator sunglasses.
10. Jewelry
I love Buccellati lace and diamonds.
11. iPad
My travel essential for playing games on the plane.
12. iPod
I love listening to music.
13. Books
I love to buy books at the airport, in any style depending on my mood.
14. Perfume
Prada Infusion de Fleur d’Oranger
15. High heels
Alaïa to wear to the shows.

Via Self Service Blog

The Coolest

This is exactly how I'd wear a white suit if I had one (which hopefully I will do soon if the fashion gods are smiling on me!). This one is from Zara and although I love it, I think I would like my 'perfect white suit' to be comprised of a single buttoned loose blazer with straight leg loose trousers, instead of the double-breasted tailored one above. Although I would DEFINATELY wear it with a denim shirt and Converse's, real casual like. And how great is her hair? Boho Jane Birkin methinks!

Picture via Garance Dore

RUSSSSSSSSSH

Abbey Lee and the band Our Mountain, featured in this April's Russh magazine. I wish more places stocked Russh because it's one of the best new magazines to come out in years! The picture collage was found on Spotding.com, a great blog founded by Fiona Jane; an amazingly stylish fashion entrepreneur! Check out her blog on the link above.

Minty Fresh

Wearing : H&M black cropped bra top, H&M mint green draped dress, charity shop black blazer, charity shop snakeskin print scarf, Zara black velvet slippers and silver necklace/earring/ring

All pictures my own

And Now for Something Totally Different...

Sometimes I have those days where nothing of any use gets done, but I find a s**t ton of AMAZING new blogs to fill up my time non-productively. Yesterday was one of those days and I must have added atleast 7/8 new blogs to my hit 'em up list, and one of the most outstanding has to be The Brick House.

Despite being an avid fashion groupie (I live it, breathe it, snuggle up to it, make it eggs the next day), I have always had a soft spot for lifestyle and interior design blogs. It allows me to live vicariously through (mostly american?!) people who have the lifestyle and means to afford an amazing home and live an amazing life, whether it's running a confectionary shop and living in a brownstone in Brooklyn, NY, like Sweet Fine Day (love this blog) or documenting the renovation of a mid century brick house in California, like The Brick House. This blog follows Morgan Satterfield shopping in thrift stores/flea markets/vintage shops in order to build the perfect home, while also documenting her travels and happenings to add a fun, personal touch. Naturally with these types of blogs it's all about the amazing visuals so i'll shut up and let the pics do the talking.

All pictures owned by and sourced from The Brick House

It's Like A Lion And A Tiger Mixed...Bred For Its Skills In Magic

I had been meaning to do a post on these two fabulous ladies and their personal style blogs for some time because both women have impeccable taste and always look glam in an effortless rock-star kinda way!

Liger is a 'one-stop shopping pilgrimage' for fans of edgy yet high profile designer clothes and accessories, set in the fashionable district of Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. It's founders Dororthy Hui, a respected stylist, and Hilary Tsui, an actress & style icon, wanted to create somewhere fun for women and men to shop the latest avant-garde collections by designers such as Camilla Skovgaard, Future Classics, KTZ, Bless, Pleasure Principle, Stephen Jones and many, many more. Here are some pictures of Dorothy and Hilary from their personal style blogs, which are WELL worth a visit and a long browse through the archives!

Dorothy Hui :

 

 

Tiffany Tsui :

 

Pictures sourced from Hilary & Dorothy's blogs

A Rose By Any Other Name...

Maybe its my inner voyeur that chemically rewards me with a rush of Serotonin everytime I visit Style Like U and Closet Visit, or maybe I just feel giddy and naughty for poking my nose into other people's homes, but whatever it is, I do love it!

Closet Visit is a website founded by LA based artist Jeana Sohn that documents her visits to friends and fellow Angeleno's homes and wardrobes. As you might guess, the site has a homely, breezly, sunshine-y feel to it and all photographs are carefully set up and curated to achieve an artistic but professional look. I wanted to post this Closet Visit because I think I'm in sartorial love with this woman, Shiva Rose, and her wardrobe and home! Oh to live the bohemian sun-drenched lifestyle. Visit the site to see more pics of Shiva and more of Jeana's amazingly stylish friends!

All pictures owned by & sourced from Closet Visit & Jeana Sohn

Tales of Endearment

Fashion consultant Natalie Joos blog Tales of Endearment is a beautifully curated explosion (i know, thats contradictory right?) of fashion inspiration and beauty. From taking road trips to flea markets with model friends, to working holidays at Miami's Art Basel festival and giving us sneaky peeks into her fabulous friends lives, Natalie is living the life many, many women want but happily captures it all for us to salivate over! What a nice woman!

The latest sneaky peak into her aparently endless list of cooler than cool friends is Michelle Harper. I noticed Michelle at last season's Paris fashion week when she was wearing the Yazbukey face hat and finger necklace and somehow still managed to look uber chic whilst posing and being rained on?! After a frantic internet search for this (unknown to me) style icon, I found this great article which shows off her fantastic NY apartment and wardrobe, and now Natalie's gone and done it again but even better! Go to Tales of Endearment to see the whole shebang and trust me, ITS ALL GOOD!

All pictures owned by Natalie Joos of Tales of Endearment