LISTEN UP

I've been attending fashion week for 3 seasons now, and I've been really lucky to have been invited to 16 shows for the S/S 11 season in London and Stockholm and to have seen lots of different and amazing designers in both cities.


This time last year, I got my first ever fashion show invitation from Jasper Garvida, and my GOD he has turned it out at every show he's done since. Every season, there is more press, there are more fans, the queues get longer, and Jasper gets better.


I recognized his attention to detail in the headpieces and pleating, and I even saw a crochet dress peeking out that reminded me of S/S 10. However, Jasper also moves his brand forward. This season was very polished, very sparkly, and his dresses and separates have serious red carpet and black tie potential.  He gets it SO right - all the pieces feel modern, whimsical, feminine and completely appropriate.


How does he do it....















[Now, WATCH UP (ha). Here's a clip from one of my favourite films, Underground. It's a sweeping, epic Yugoslavian film by Emir Kusturica that shows the two different lives of best friends as a result of World War II,and the life of the woman they both love.]

[photos from jaspergarvida.com]

STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE

Last night I committed a cardinal fashion sin. I wore my office khakis to a fashion event.


...I am so ashamed. I tried to rationalise it to myself: "I was in a hurry, there was no time." "I looked fine." "I am still a good person."


But I can't make excuses. During the day, I work for a fine wine brokerage, so the office dress code is pretty preppy and conservative - think Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren. I was actually scheduled to go to a wine tasting that day, and even when I don't have an event to go to, I have to dress to represent myself well. After work though, I'm usually doing other stuff that interests me, like going to fashion events, gigs and dance performances or helping at my local art gallery.


That leads me to the dilemma of the day -- how do you go from wine tasting to fashion show in one day? It definitely has to be something I can change into quickly with a minimum of fuss. I put the two outfits below together with that in mind - the accessories, leggings, even the shoes are exactly the same - the only thing that changes is the top (which you can easily shove into an oversized bag).


And so my friends... Never, ever again.

PS: Even though I wasn't properly dressed for the occasion, I LOVED the Jasper Garvida show, and I'll post pics of it soon. And judging by the crowd of press and fans there, a lot of other people loved it too. 

A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS

I loved attending the Zed Eye S/S 11 Show at La Geneve North's Saturday 'A La Mode' show for London Fashion Week. I have to say, I think was my favourite runway show to date, and that's saying a lot (mineral makeup and fishnets in the goody bag, well done Yolande)!


The collection is called Tribal Romance Revisited and is inspired by Nigeria (by the way, if you are wondering I am not Nigerian. I have however met lots of talented Nigerian fashionistas). I've seen several designers who aim to take traditional materials and modernise them using Western styling and techniques, but none that have worked as well as this collection, and none have looked so universal. I could see all kinds of women wearing these clothes.... including ME.


Lots of unconventional materials used here, like feathered epaulettes and belts, and spiky stilettos. Can't find my USB adaptor but when I do, I'll upload detail shots of everything. Anyhow, this is definitely worth a second look.

[This post's title is the title of a 2006 semi-autobiographical film by director Dito Montiel  about growing up in Astoria in the 80s. It's got so much honesty to it, it's one of my favourite movies. Reminds me of "This is England" which is another 2006 semi-autobiographical film about growing up in the 80s, but instead it's by director Shane Meadows and set in some English coastal town - and it's another of my favourite movies. Anyways, look above for the trailer to "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"]

[All images from zedeye.com]

VOTE FOR SANTA

Epice earrings and bracelet from Danish brand Black Lily Accessories, F/W 2010. Nice one!

[This posts's title was inspired by Russell from So You Think You Can Dance Season 6. He did a krumping solo dressed as Santa. Nice one.

Here's another solo by Stephen 'Twitch' Boss from SYTYCD season 4 that gives me the fever and the chills.  Twitch was inspired to do this solo by an Ernie Barnes painting called The Maestro,  which is above the solo video. Nice one!]

[photos from blacklily.dk & itsablackthang.com]

DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

How amazing is this rucksack from The Bridge?? Except it's £429 and I ain't crazy...

[image: leathergoodsonline.com]