AQUA BY AQUA

After a small break away and an inspirational afternoon with 2 important friends, I found myself back on blogger and ready to share my ideas with the blogging stratosphere.

I recently went through a mild online splurge and started spending my hard earned pennies on all sorts of new garms. Aqua was one online destination lucky enough to benefit from this afternoon of sheer fashion madness. I found myself having a browse of their generous sale, from graphic tees, to over sized sweatpants, I was lost in a world of bold prints and strong graphics and although I admire their style, I wasn't sure it was for me. However, this idea was quickly quashed when I found myself in the realms of tailored trousers and colourful knits.

I debated about how much I was willing to spend and what I actually needed, and limited myself to only 'sensible staples' - whatever that means. I was instantly drawn to a crew neck sweater that I had seen before tossed on a friends floor and I remembered thinking about how I could ask to 'borrow' and never return it - we've all done it. It felt like fate and I had to have it for myself. This was instantly thrown in the basket and I was back to the virtual shop looking for something else to snap up. 

I next spotted some burgundy chinos and instantly thought about how much I obviously needed a pair in my life. This unfortunately didn't go any further than the idea in my head as I soon found they were permanently out of stock of my size - the woes of a sale. However, this setback lead me to a navy pair that had equal appeal and was luckily still available in my svelte size. I was mildly dubious about purchasing the trousers as I often find they are either too long, or too large around the waist. Although in this case I was prepared to take the risk and put them in basket and headed for the checkout.

As a few days past I was excited to hear a knock at the door and the delivery of a triangle stamped parcel. I instantly knew what was waiting on the other side of the plastic wrapper, and ripped it open with a small smile on my face. 

The trousers were my first stop and I instantly stripped and slipped on the navy dreams. They fit like a glove, and to my surprise fell just at the ankle. Perfect. I had wanted a pair of 'ankle' swingers for a while as I have recently developed a love of PDA (Personal Display of Ankle - Yes I did just made this up) Next I went for the jumper, heavy in weight and in-need of a sunglasses precaution, I chucked it on and headed for the mirror. This was met by mixed emotion, on the one hand it was visually stunning and I felt like I'd lighten up anyones day, but I was concerned by the mass of fabric and how it fell slightly below the waist line. Usually I fear this oversized style as it makes me look prepubescent but I was willing to overlook this mild issue and add it to the wardrobe. 

A successful trip to the virtual shopping mall and some new (un)necessary garments have been added to my fashion arsenal. A good investment I would say and whats money if its not being spent.  

It's good to be back! 

Crew Neck Sweater - Azure Blue - £22

Chinos - Navy - £30 

Check out Aqua here.

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'The Boys of London' by Justin Wu for co:lab (FTAPE.COM)

'The Boys of London' by Justin Wu for co:lab (FTAPE.COM) from F.TAPE on Vimeo.

NOWNESS.com presents "Iris" - An Exclusive Fashion Film

Re-Livivng the creativity 

Tee-fection

With the summer fast approaching Ive started to hunt out some new tees for the warmer months. Im not always a fan of a printed top as the market is full of over printed, over designed s**t if I'm honest. I like to look out for something created by hand or at least something not designed by a member of that boy band from the X Factor. 

I'm a fan of the rolled sleeve so always look for length in the arm; this enables plenty of rolling and showcases my non existent biceps. 

I recently purchased a rather beautiful piece from The Vintage Skeleton. The garm is titled Arms N' Gloves, a play on the iconic Chanel logo and our favourite family friendly mouse Micky. I had found it by luck and snapped it up as soon as. An item I am proud to own.

When looking for further purchases I came across Farr Child. A brand created by 3 creative minds. They design for creatives and live by the mantra 'Put your dreams in monition' I love the designs and have my eye on these two. I will own them come July.

Farr Child

The Vintage Skeleton

Dr. Martens First Love - Their back...

Versace for H&M

Getting use to the fact I won't be able to purchase any of these garms, due to an anorexic wallet.

This video more than makes up for it though....

Prodigious Paper Fashion

Kathryn Elyse Rodgers, better know as her abbreviated name Katie, is possibly one of the best illustrators I have ever come across. Period. 

Her work speaks volumes to me. Each piece has been created with precision, passion and what looks like a whole lot'a love. Her blog is a favourite of mine, and is a long standing member of my bookmark bar. 

I really enjoy looking at each piece in plenty of detail, taking in each stroke of the brush and curve of the pen. Her combination of both water colour and ink gives her images a fantastic depth, but still with an out-of-this-world feel. I have never seen illustrations that I feel deserve more merit.

I don't want to give to much away, I feel her own blog gives her work the justice it needs, and only an artist can truly exhaling the love and care that goes into a creation.

The images above are my favourites from a calendar I received last christmas. I look forward to the end of the month to see what new image I will be dreamily looking at when having mind blanks in my own work 

She is a true inspiration and her work makes me want to be a better illustrator. 

I salute you Paperfashion 

Check out her website: http://paperfashion.net/

Today I Am Wearing ....

For todays uniform:

So as winter hits the south coast, it was time to crack open the winter wear suitcase, and release the seasonal outwear from its summer slumber.

As its only october I decided to choose a relatively lightweight quilted style jacket. This bad boy may look thin, but with its 100% synthetic qualities, I'm usually well protected from the ever reliable chilly breeze.
This fine garment is from my old employer - Jack Wills - and I remember being quite forceful about purchasing it on the last day of the sale, after finding out it was the last one in the whole company.
+ The blue marl polo was brought while fighting the freeze in the Big Apple back in February. I found it amongst the racks and racks of discount wear in the famous Century 21. I had wanted this for a while and hadn't expected to find an American Apparel garm in such a store, I had even planned to visit the West Village store on Bleecker Street the following day.
+ My collection of black denim is ever increasing and I've found myself with a rather large selection of black jeans, all very similar in colour but all with a unique fit or wash, I couldn't be without any of them. This pair are not normally seen, and were purchased from Topman - probably with money I didn't have at the time.
+ My footwear originated from a rather strange place. After meeting a companion at the start of the summer, I was left with the generous task of selling his old All Saints uniform, with the promise of a free rummage before I put his old workwear on the likes of eBay. I found these rather nice black loafers. As we have recently seen the Micheal Jackson trial played out in the media, I teamed the loafers with white socks in a homage to the musical legend.

The whole look is a simple transition from picturesque sunsets and sandy toes, to autumn leaves and evenings closing in. Wrap up warm, its cold outside.

New Shoes

So with my 21st now behind me, and a fresh wad of money in my pocket, I decided to heads to the new Westfield shopping centre in Stratford. 

I have one thing to say about that place. Crowd control. The centre was buzzing with fresh faces all looking for what the centre had to offer. Something I wasn't so happy to find. With my belongings held close, and my walking speed reduced to zero, I shuffled my way from shop to shop. 

My first stop landed me at Pull and Bear. A shop I have only ever visited while at Stratford's sister centre, Westfield White City. The store reminded me of an All Saints/Zara hybrid. With earthy tones and urban causal wear, I thought the store was worth a look.

From the moment I stepped foot over the fresh hold my eyes were darting here, there, and everywhere. I was in love with what was on offer. 

With a pile of garments in my arms, I noticed these beauties high on a shelf. I had wanted a pair of brogue boots since there debut a few winters back. This pair called out to me from their high but not so mighty perch. I loved the light leather and simple design, not to OTT, but enough of a statement to ensure a bystanders wondering glance.

With a rummage through a selection of drawers I found my size and quickly headed - with array of apparel in hand - to the closest mirror. They fit! That was enough for me, and with my heat levels rising, I decided to head to the fitting room for the rest of the preview; if not just for a cool down.

I loved everything I tried, and slowly headed to the cash desk to pass over my birthday swiller, an act I didn't need to feel guilty about. 

With a stop off at a few more shops, and more parting with the cash, I soon realised that shopping had taken its toll, and I was ready to head home with a sandwich in one hand and an armful of shopping bags in the other. I quickly boarded the tube in prepare for the night to come. 

In retrospect, I was not prepared for what was to come. 

Oh My Kate Moss

Kate Moss for Rimmel Short Film from F.TAPE on Vimeo.

Kate Moss still looking amazing in her short video created to promote her new collection for Rimmel London. 

This is one video I most enjoyed. 

Today I Am Wearing ....

For todays uniform:

As I have neglected to continue with my personal style section of my blog, I thought today would be as good as any to start looking at my personal uniform.

With my imminent return to uni this coming Monday, I thought it was about time to think of some outfits I could wear over the autumn term.

With my recent post about DM's, I saw this as my opportunity to showcase them in a fall outfit.

I have chosen a bargain bin shirt from Abercrombie and Fitch, something that I hastily added to a pile I thought would make me money on eBay, but on later inspection seemed to have some potential.

+ My current favourite denim. A pair that I brought on a shopping spree and now have grown to love

+ To top the whole outfit off matte black boots, courtesy of Dr Martens.

With plenty of layers and the easy possibility to add my parka, this is definitely one for my wall.

The Kooples New Couples

The Kooples are a brand I have grown to be most fond of. I love there combination of both French and English heritage and there self proclaimed 'Chic Style'. 

The brand has recently selected a shiny new handful of a rather beautiful couples. All dressed in this seasons must have pieces from there seldom collection. The pairs all look perfectly suited and booted, and their clear love for each other is so obviously portrayed in this editorial, giving the clothes that extra bit of curb appeal, and the use of both a picture campaign and a rather personal filmed interview gives the brand a really relatable feel.

There recent addition of a gay and lesbian couple was an interesting surprise, and one that I was most fond of. I loved how they chose two perfectly looking couples that clearly didn't fit into any normal stereotype associated with us homosexuals. Something that is refreshing and a clear step away from the homoerotic advertising we so often see in the industry. 

The Kooples is a brand that knows style and knows what its customer likes. There designs are sleek and modern, but still pay homage to classic tailored styles that all style savvy couples will love. 

Lanvin Fall 2011 Campaign

What more could you need this winter than the new Lanvin campaign to shake off those winter blues. Amazing.

TeLOLgraph

This video of model Cato Van Ee is so interesting, I've watched it a number of times now and I love how her faces moves in reverse. The short film is the newest instalment in a series of films that the telegraph has commissioned about models.

I hadn't realised that the music had been reversed until reading the article, showing that when something works, you don't see its flaws.

Read the full article here: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8722182/Cato-Van-Ee-performs-make-up-magic.html