#TRENDING

WHAT'S TRENDING??

OFF SHOULDER
A style which I LOVE but, I would have thought it was timeless. An off the shoulder garment in my opinion is a classic and could never be out dated maybe just seasonal whereas, others would agree it would be suited in the Spring/Summer like the trend reports, I particularly admire the style to be worn in the Autumn/Winter in deep rich colours. But maybe Balenciaga's recent SS15 show has persuaded my mind on my colour wheel....

1. TOPSHOP UNIQUE
2.BALENCIAGA

DENIM

Perhaps one of the trends which I've noticed a lot during the SS15 runway shows is denim. Oddly, a trend which I find may be the next big thing?? Sure denim on denim is a style which not all body types can carry but from what has been shown it turns out everyone can handle and rock this trend. From dresses to smocks to jumpsuits I believe that this denim trend will stick around for the long haul. 

1.CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE
2.KENZO
3.STELLA MCCARTNEY

NYC....

NYC

So, as a added bonus to my course I have the exciting and incredible experience of taking a trip to the fashion capital..NYC.

New York is one of the places, in my top 5 on my bucket list, to visit and I cannot believe my opportunity is here! Of course I am grateful to go but, I can't help but feel anxious and somewhat less expressive as the time is coming more near.

These feelings of, 'what if it isn't as it seems', 'have i got my hopes up'....

Of course, dropping out is a CRIME, and silly on my behalf but surely these feelings are normal from someone who has always dreamed of going to NYC...yes??

Well NYC is a week away...perhaps my constant busying with my work and going to work has defeated my excitement..well we shall see in a week!

2014-STYLE AWARDS

JAMIE CHUNG

I began to follow Jamie Chung on Instagram, as I saw some of her images appear on the 'popular' page of Instagram and from there began to follow her blog. I particularly liked her OOTD uploads as not only does she give details where he outfits are from, she also reviews them.

I admire the contrast in her style, how she differs from edgy to chic to casual. Here I have selected a few of my favourite looks.

look 1

look 2

look 3

look 4

CURRENT INTERESTS

Whilst on my lunch break I came across some styling looks which have caught my eye.

Loving this fashion styling in ELLE

Androgynous done right 

Mellow Yellow

DEJA CARA.

Little lunch time reading on my break and noticed a familiar face in ELLE.
Cara Delevingne is amazing in my eyes yet, spotting her campaigns almost became a, lonely,game called 'Spot the Cara'.

Though a talented model of this generation, maybe the fashion world could introduce a fresher/new face to challenge the industry?

Source:ELLE

Source:ELLE

Source:ELLE

Source:ELLE

ON REPLAY.

Speaking from my own opinion, I find the recent campaigns of Michael Kors to be boring and overplayed. I know, but everybody is entitled to their own opinion!

After glancing through countless magazines, newspapers and coming across the odd internet advertisements I noticed a constant and repetitive theme for Micheal Kors.

Their campaigns all seemed to have the same idea: a woman glancing into a distance, whilst a man looks with lust towards her....
A change in the campaign story should be done and perhaps the effect of the colour of the images, to me a 'Hollywood' look omits from its images.  

In ELLE

Pinterest Image

IDEASSS

MOOD BOARD

Again....

Whilst on my lunch break at work I came across some unusual and fascinating composition ideas I could use for my mood board or experiment myself in Photoshop and/or physically. Let the experimentation begin!

2 IN 1 

Clean imagery

Use of imagery for background

WHATS MY MOOD..BOARD?

For one of our modules we have to create 2 moodboards.
One on our own colour story and the other reflecting a colour a brand may use.

My colour was RED.
Before starting the course, I was a lost cause in Photoshop and I remember looking at my timetable and dreading the IT lessons. However, after a few sessions, look who is now comfortable in Photoshop?!.

Sure I am no digital Picasso and create master pieces (yet) but it's a slow yet sure progressive journey.

I created a few pages of what my final moodboard may look like. Like what I learnt in Matt's seminar's I experimented different compositions. Though I am still not sure which to select for my finalised image.

Here are a few I have (roughly) experimented.

BALMAIN SS15

OLIVIER ROUSTIENG

Balmain has won me over again. Not surprisingly as who is the creative director. I was apprehensive over this collection due to last years over use of the dogtooth print and standard pastel colour, which to me didn't reflect Balmain. 

However, I was relieved and amazed over this year's block and primary colours, salute to Balmain! 

I particularly admired the comeback of the androgynous look, in particular the crisp white batwing 2 piece suit. The square structure reflected the masculinity of the suit whereas the deep v and flared pant highlighted the feminine silhouette. 

I also find that this collection would be appealing to women of most figures due to its high waisted pencil skirts, vertical stripes and overall very fitted ensembles. 

I'll take one of each in every style, please and thank you :)

MY SPARE TIME

INTERESTS

What do I like to do in my spare time?

Is it about time I share what, other than do uni work, gym and go to work, what I do in my spare time.

Ever since I was 4 I have loved to draw I found it to be a different reality and used to create stories and adventures around my drawings. As I've grown up that tendency has stuck and I create scenarios around the essence of my drawing, not too weird I hope!

Here I have selected a few of my most recent drawings, shockingly these are dated from the beginning of the year so a new collection is most needed!

ALEXANDER WANG SS15

AW SS15

Similar to Balenciaga, Wang challenges the strucure and style from Balenziaga's SS15 show into his own personal collection. The verdict....can I place an order please?

LOOK 1

LOOK 2

LOOK 3

LOOK 4

GERMAN XMAS.

GUTEN-TAG

A little away from my normal post content but I wanted to share my recent trip to which I visited the German Market in Birmingham yesterday and definitely became enchanted, (enchanted?), with the christmas spirit.

From eating metre long, yes, hotdogs to experiencing alcoholic hot chocolate it was probably a Sunday well spent.

I particularly liked the little stands, decorated with lights they incorporated the christmas spirit and set the warm and joyful mood for the day.

To continue a great day and return to normal body temperature we also visited Brindley Place afterwards, and unwinded with, a few!, cocktails and beverages at this adorable bar called BANK. decorated with white lights on the inside you transformed into a calm and chilled mood.
A definite recommend if you're just about to hit the town for a celebration or wanting to share a great meal, they have their own closed off room for dining, it would not disappoint.

And to top off a great Sunday we ate at the best Thai in Birmingham, my own opinion, Thai Edge. From someone who has visited Thailand, my best trip EVER, I have become accustomed to what tasted cultural and what differs from its authenticity and Thai Edge make me reminisce of my dinners in Thailand. Definitely, worth a visit!

What I wore

BANK bar

Chin Chin Hot Chocolate

BALENCIAGA SS15

SS15

Could Mr Wang please politely gift me the whole collection of Balenciaga SS15? Thank you.
After being disappointed, I know I apologise, by the AW14 collection I was blown away by the incorporation of Balenciaga's traditional monochrome colour scheme along with a few soft pastel colours. I find this collection reflects Wang's personal style and has resorted back to what Balenciaga used to be, simple yet edgy. Here I have selected a few of my favourite looks:

TICK TOCK

LUNCHTIME READING

Whilst counting down the minutes until my lunchtime had ended I flicked through LOOK magazine and came across an interesting styling spread.

Styled by Arabella Greenhill I found this was a new and quirky way to promote wrist wear and I admired how LOOK has tried to steer away from common magazine styling and move into the styles of Grazia and InStyle.

My favourite image had to the first image on the left: The Chanel watches stacked in between waffles dripping in honey to me expressed the desire and lust of the watches, the waffles express lust and temptation.

FESTIVENESS

It's that time of year again.

No, it's not the coco cola advert or the annual John Lewis advert that puts me in the Christmas mood. It's the reveal of Christmas window displays, whether its a high street department store or the levels of Bergdorf Goodman and Harrods. I admire to see an array of different displays as, to me, I can see how/if any stores differ from each other.

There are some resemblance factors, their styles of a wintry wonderland but, each store has its own touch of uniqueness. Bergdorf Goodman resembles the imagination of a creative mastermind, bias much, where each year it's vital you examine and absorb the greatness of the art work.
 

Bergdorf blows me away

Silver Sensation 

Harrods theme of the year, 'Make Believe'. To me, it brings me back to my childhood, reminiscing my past toys and memories and even for a slight grinch, makes me feel warm and excited for Christmas to come! 

Barbie, is that you??

Harrods

MOODBOARD MOOD

RED.

Rebellious Red. Ruby Red. Russian Red.

The colour theme for my moodboard is RED.
Honestly, it was a spur of the moment decision but, I'm glad I chose the colour. Not only does it have an AMAZING array of imagery on Pinterest I like how you can interpret the colour into any moods and expressions.  Like: anger, desire, mischievous. It gives good direction into what my colour story/mood could be.

The composition of some images I look for also inspire and influence how I may intend to present my moodboard, I have been experimenting in Photoshop so, watch this space!!

Images from my Pinterest 

Louboutin

Moschino

SCATTER MY ASHES

FILM DAY.

We watched 'Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorfs' and the title itself made me even more excited for New York in January. The documentary was so informative and enthusiastic, I especially found the history of the store interesting. Not knowing the luxury department store also has its separate mens store across the street.

The store offers interviews and personal one on ones with up an coming designers to be sold in store and the one to impress in Linda Fargo, who often compare her to the Queen of Vogue Anna Wintour, they make a point in mentioning her warm personality and approachability. I admired how even if the designers did not get featured in store, Fargo still offered advice on how they could improve and offered encouragement to them.

Linda Fargo

Famed personal shopper Betty Halbreich

However, the most alluring part of the documentary was the dressing of the 2011 Christmas windows, the experience I am excited for when we visit New York. It followed David Hoey's process to bring his creative fantasies ideas to reality. I most enjoyed when the documentary took us into where the artists were busily sketching away ideas. I always love whenever the audience gets to see the process of a huge production as you see the creativity and intriguing ideas of the artists.

2011 Windows

This documentary is worth a watch, I even watched it twice. And if it doesn't give you the itch to spontaneously hope on a plane to New York I am not sure what will.