Every couple of months, an excuse is made for a fresh start to be had with a purposeful disregard to fathom the cause of this mind set for want of a new spontaneous, uncaring outlook on the negative aspects of our lives.
I have spent the past week being pulled between the indisputably linked, yet contrasting tugs of backward and forward.
Backward in the way of a painful reminder that the unwanted parts of your past will never cease to follow you despite countless "fresh starts", but the much loved and treasured parts of your past and present can crumble unforgivably in seconds.
Forward in a sense of the university application process looming, and the all too realistic triangle of social hierarchy that is forming in front of my eyes as my group of friends begins to see people fall behind due to academic inadequacy.
Maybe emotional fresh starts are impossible, as each aspect of your personality is a reminder of your past.
For this reason, I have seen the best and most effective fresh starts to be found with the arrival of new seasons. A/W10 has been particularly comforting with its abolition of tacky frills and spills in favour of honest, flattering and timeless pieces. Prada travelled back in time to the era of the hour glass, and Chloe have accelerated forward towards the idea of the modern women with their capsule trouser collection. Phoebe Philo has moved Celine forward into modern minimalism and wearability, forcing the likes of Balmain to take a back seat. This season really does feel like the season of change, acceptance and honesty as fuller figured, more mature and ultimately more realistic models take to the runway. So after going backwards and forwards between the extremes of perfection, fashion has finally begun to steady itself in favour of truthfullness;
a medium in which I soon hope to find myself.
Thursday 26 August 2010
Monday 26 July 2010
"Oh dear I cannot tease you about that. What a shame for I dearly love to laugh."
Humour is a strange thing.
I was reminded of this fact on the tube the other night when an admittedly drunken man began to insult a boy sat in front of him for the comedic benefit of his friends, and it was one of the saddest sights I have witnessed in a long time. It got me thinking about the types of humour and its questionable intentions.
Political correctness has attempted to stamp out selfish humour at the expense of others but has in turn spouted out a whole new avenue of taking the piss, by taking the piss out of not being allowed to take the piss. If that makes sense...
Fashion has picked up on this to great effect, whether its styling to a stereotype or breaking down taboo barriers with high fashion, but the best sort of humour remains to be the kind created through light-heartiness and the act of not taking yourself too seriously. Lady GaGa and Katy Perry have kept the tabloids colourful with their brave and wonderful creations, Henry Holland perked up the fashion world for a few seasons with his cheeky slogans, while M.I.A and Agnes Deyn have taken mis-matching to a new level of fun. Even when designers are poking fun at popular culture or attempting to reinvent the worst fashion faux pas of all time, catwalks are always brought alive by the best accessory of all; a smile.
Of course, this comedic value is not purely for its consumers. It has been translated into a multi-million pound industry spanning the likes of fashion, films and writing. This fact highlights the sad but undeniable hypocrisy in humour; the desire to increase the apparent enjoyment of others is gained through the selfish need for attention.
The boy on the tube swapped carriages at the next stop.
I was reminded of this fact on the tube the other night when an admittedly drunken man began to insult a boy sat in front of him for the comedic benefit of his friends, and it was one of the saddest sights I have witnessed in a long time. It got me thinking about the types of humour and its questionable intentions.
Political correctness has attempted to stamp out selfish humour at the expense of others but has in turn spouted out a whole new avenue of taking the piss, by taking the piss out of not being allowed to take the piss. If that makes sense...
Fashion has picked up on this to great effect, whether its styling to a stereotype or breaking down taboo barriers with high fashion, but the best sort of humour remains to be the kind created through light-heartiness and the act of not taking yourself too seriously. Lady GaGa and Katy Perry have kept the tabloids colourful with their brave and wonderful creations, Henry Holland perked up the fashion world for a few seasons with his cheeky slogans, while M.I.A and Agnes Deyn have taken mis-matching to a new level of fun. Even when designers are poking fun at popular culture or attempting to reinvent the worst fashion faux pas of all time, catwalks are always brought alive by the best accessory of all; a smile.
Of course, this comedic value is not purely for its consumers. It has been translated into a multi-million pound industry spanning the likes of fashion, films and writing. This fact highlights the sad but undeniable hypocrisy in humour; the desire to increase the apparent enjoyment of others is gained through the selfish need for attention.
The boy on the tube swapped carriages at the next stop.
Sunday 20 June 2010
Best Fashion Films
A true fashion film should not only be an inspirational enjoyment, but also an accessible form of documenting the zeitgeist and lifestyle of a poignant era.
1. Factory Girl
1960's
A huge personal favourite of mine. Documenting the life of Edie Sedgwick, one of the very first New York socialites and her "mod" inspired glamour.
2. Control
1970's
Thoughtfully filmed in black and white, this film explores the life and death of Joy Division star Ian Curtis, and the post-punk, early grunge environment he was surrounded by.
3. Worried About The Boy
1980's
Set in the centre of London, this is the story of Boy George and how he was accepted into, and contributed to the "mod-revival" movement.
4. This is England
1980's
A film illustrating the "skin-head" subculture, beginnings of 90's grunge, and the relevance of image and belonging.
5. Sex and the City
1990-2000's
Although the films have become more of an advertising avenue and yes, admittedly the series was a million times better, it is hard to ignore the social documentation that this fashion phenomenon is achieving; one that we will surely look back on in years to come.
1. Factory Girl
1960's
A huge personal favourite of mine. Documenting the life of Edie Sedgwick, one of the very first New York socialites and her "mod" inspired glamour.
2. Control
1970's
Thoughtfully filmed in black and white, this film explores the life and death of Joy Division star Ian Curtis, and the post-punk, early grunge environment he was surrounded by.
3. Worried About The Boy
1980's
Set in the centre of London, this is the story of Boy George and how he was accepted into, and contributed to the "mod-revival" movement.
4. This is England
1980's
A film illustrating the "skin-head" subculture, beginnings of 90's grunge, and the relevance of image and belonging.
5. Sex and the City
1990-2000's
Although the films have become more of an advertising avenue and yes, admittedly the series was a million times better, it is hard to ignore the social documentation that this fashion phenomenon is achieving; one that we will surely look back on in years to come.
The Morning After The Night Before
Everything is better when it's slightly dishevelled; I think this is why I love "the-morning-after-the-night-before". Experiences are drowned in haziness and personal bubbles become less transparent, hence a lack of realisation for the need of effort. Which is a good thing, it brings the perfectionists down to my level. Faded t-shirts, limp hair, snagged tights and sunglasses for the faint-hearted.
I am probably low maintenance to a fault with my laziness resulting in messy "bed-head"(not from a bottle), an occassional lick of mascara and outfits thoughtfully hand-picked from the catastrophe of my bedroom floor.
I've met many people with an enviable ability to relax into this look with undoubtable style. But in terms of people with a little more prestige, model Daisy Lowe and performer Florence Welch are definitely ones to watch for inspiration. You cannot help but admire Florence's tendancy to juxtapose last nights make up with timelessly ornate pieces and Daisy's less is more approach to her complexion.
To conclude this rather lengthy post, a beautiful song, perfect for winding down the country lanes with a car full of great people individually contemplating the disjointed memories of the night before...
I am probably low maintenance to a fault with my laziness resulting in messy "bed-head"(not from a bottle), an occassional lick of mascara and outfits thoughtfully hand-picked from the catastrophe of my bedroom floor.
I've met many people with an enviable ability to relax into this look with undoubtable style. But in terms of people with a little more prestige, model Daisy Lowe and performer Florence Welch are definitely ones to watch for inspiration. You cannot help but admire Florence's tendancy to juxtapose last nights make up with timelessly ornate pieces and Daisy's less is more approach to her complexion.
To conclude this rather lengthy post, a beautiful song, perfect for winding down the country lanes with a car full of great people individually contemplating the disjointed memories of the night before...
Monday 7 June 2010
Gareth Pugh to replace McQueen?!
Slightly cold off the press I know, but while going through revision hell at the moment, I have sought solace in the soul saving 4oD, namely a 7 year old series “Fashion House”. A spawn of this program was Gareth Hughes, who in my eyes proved himself to be more of a vulgar attention-seeking sculptor than a fashion designer. I then discovered to my horror that a couple of indie mag features later, he has been named the favourite to keep the McQueen flame alight.
Admittedly, his recent work has evolved into the new “sky-high” fashion favoured by Lady GaGa and the such like, but this already strong and established sense of fashion image will surely backfire on the McQueen brand resulting in identity chaos?
….I stand in the hope of correction.
Admittedly, his recent work has evolved into the new “sky-high” fashion favoured by Lady GaGa and the such like, but this already strong and established sense of fashion image will surely backfire on the McQueen brand resulting in identity chaos?
….I stand in the hope of correction.
Sunday 6 June 2010
inconnue-(french adj.)-nameless, unknown.
After deciding to jump on the blogging band wagon, the next hurdle was choosing a name, a mean feat for my indecisive nature! Although the subject of many of my posts will undoubtably revolve around my passion for style and culture, I refused to give into the "fashionista" sterotype. So I turned to one of my closest friends, whose love of all things french came up with "Inconnue". So I decided to trust her. Shes called Amy Spencer and she can make beautiful music, you should really check her out...and thats an order!
http://www.myspace.com/amyspencermusic
After deciding to jump on the blogging band wagon, the next hurdle was choosing a name, a mean feat for my indecisive nature! Although the subject of many of my posts will undoubtably revolve around my passion for style and culture, I refused to give into the "fashionista" sterotype. So I turned to one of my closest friends, whose love of all things french came up with "Inconnue". So I decided to trust her. Shes called Amy Spencer and she can make beautiful music, you should really check her out...and thats an order!
http://www.myspace.com/amyspencermusic
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