Little Break, Big Difference: Paris

Last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to join a select group of UK bloggers on an all expenses paid trip to Paris! I know, amazing huh...I had my reservations, but when the taxi promptly arrived on the morning of our trip all doubts were dashed (either that or I was still bleary-eyed from the 4.30am start, and didn't really care where this taxi was taking me!).

Here we all are, looking rather stylish in the glaring Parisian sun. Do you recognise anyone? The wonderful bloggers on the trip included Frassy, Kit from StyleSlicker, Selina from Flying Saucer, Vanessa Jackman, Amna from DiscoNap, DisneyRollerGirl and Claire from YoungShields, to name but a few.

Colette was the first stop-off, and I was planning on taking some amazingly inspirational photos for both the blog and work, however after almost getting wrestled to the ground by a pack of hungry sales assistants, I decided it was better to leave my camera in the bag! This shop is brilliant (although not quite as good as London's own 'concept store', Dover Street Market) and I finally managed to get up close and personal with some shit-hot Gareth Pugh tailoring. Perfection I tell thee.

We had a beautiful three course meal in a swanky restaurant called B4 (which happened to be situated in the gay area of Paris, with rather handsome waiters!), and a presentation from the beautiful Marion Cointot. She presented to us her first collection, and allowed me to get an insight into just how you go about creating (and getting produced) that all important first collection. Her dresses are beautifully wearable and well made, with brilliant research to back her up - I'll look forward to seeing her succeed.

Unfortunately our lunch was typically French, and lasted almost 2 1/2 hours. I was loving the conversation and the flowing champagne, however this meant that our guided tour of the Madeleine Vionnet exhibition at Les Arts Decoratifs was cut drastically short. This is a truly stunning exhibition from an equally amazing talent. We were assured that this is a one-off exhibition that will not be seen again for another 20 years, so it is definitely well worth a visit. Rather shamefully though, when presented with the option to stay and ponder the delights of Vionnet, or continue onto a champagne 'tasting' boat cruise I chose to hit the booze. I shall be making an extra special effort to go back to Paris (and take full advantage of the 59pound return from Eurostar) and return to this exhibition before it closes at the end of January 2010.

As I mentioned the rest of the afternoon was spent cruising the river Seine, champagne in one hand, cigarette in the other, with not a care in the world. It was such an amazing day, and I would like to thank the team at We are Social for organising the trip, and to Eurostar for paying!

You can see more photos from the trip HERE. Also, visi tHERE for more information on the 59pounds return Eurostar ticket.

Fashion and film

The fashion world seems to be going crazy for film. Designers as diverse as Alice Temperley and Gareth Pugh are using the evolving platform as a way to reach a mass international audience, without the costs attached to putting on a catwalk show. Online magazines and websites such as SHOWstudio and Fashion156 are also exploring the medium, giving their readers a more intimate and in depth look at the world we all know as fashion. Video film are definitely the way forward for fashion editorial and catwalk but also to indulge our ever increasing and almost voyeuristic desire to know anything and everything.

I was explaining to some friends yesterday how I haven't yet jumped on the twitter bandwagon, and I have been even worse with the YouTube phenomena. However, over recent months I've noticed some extremely credible fashion/art films and documentaries popping up, so today I have taken the plunge and signed up (YouTube for the time being...perhaps Twitter will follow later?). Saying that I have also noticed another platform called Vimeo, is this better...worse...only for user added content? Help, I need some guidance here guys! Please point me in the right direction, whether it be with films to watch or the best platform to do so.

I have one more video for you, which was actually the catalyst for my signing up - a beautiful video called The Veil by Junya Watanabe. A hauntingly mysterious film, it tells the story of a woman we assume to be mourning the loss of her long dead child. Morbidly elegant this film has truly captured my interest in film and has set me off on an exploratory journey through the Internet jungle, to see what diamonds I can uncover.

Danielle Watt

Hey guys...it's certainly been a busy few days, both blog and non-blog related, but I'll tell you about them once I've planned how best to post about it (geeky I know, but all will become clear). I also start my NEW JOB on Monday morning, so cross everything you've got for me!

The Internet never fails to baffle me. The source of so much incredible talent and amazing information is right here at our fingers-tips - a Google search last week pointed me in the direction of an illustration student (I seem to be developing quite a hankering for beautiful illustrations of late), Danielle Watt.

It's taken Danielle a year or so to figure out which direction to go in with her work, after studying a fine-art course in Southampton and has spent the past year doing illustration work for bands, apparel lines, tattoo parlours and small businesses. Having now had a taste of the working world she has chosen to enhance her skills and continue her studies by begining a degree in animation and illustration at Kingston University.

She's a sweetheart, and quote (in my opinion) embodies her work aesthetic, style and personality: "Coming from a fine art background, I have always been taught that your work should "mean" something or change the world in some way, but im pretty content with letting others into my world for now. I'll save the world changing work for when I have gained morelife experience - for now I just hope that my illustrations can make people laugh or smile."

Yesterday was the 40th anniversary (as if you didn't know) of man 'landing' on the moon. To show some kind of rememberance I am posting these absolutely f**king stunning APOD images from NASA. Thanks Tavi!

Cedric Rivrain: Illustrator Extraordinaire

As a rule, I don't like to 'steal' posts from another blogger. When I take time out to visit blogs I like to read new stories and discover new designers and gems, rather than re-reading the same information and seeing the same imagery on every blog. However, this is going to be the second time this week I have effectively stolen content from fashion156. This illustrators work is so completely stunning that I could not just let it pass me, or you, by.

I have to draw clothes for my day-to-day job, but on a technical rather than artistic level, so I know how difficult it can be to get garments to look exactly how you want them to on paper. I very rarely draw the woman that the clothes are being worn by, so faces and hands are the notoriously alien area that I try to avoid at all costs. It is here that I introduce you to Cedric Rivrain. Fashion Illustrator extraordinaire, and a true talent at capturing the beauty of a model and her garment, armed with a simple lead pencil and a few colours to match.

I would love to sit down with Cedric and get some good advice about how he creates such beautiful drawings, and have a chat about his techniques. A tip I will definitely be trying out for myself though is his use of coloured/textured papers and white colouring pencil for highlighting areas. It works really well, and when mixed with using abstract colours on the skin it creates a wonderfully dramatic illustration. All of the above combined with his innovative 'face plasters', to me, is almost perfection.

Amy Thompson: the future of fashion

Amy Thompson is another of this years hot graduates, completing her MA in Fashion Bodywear from DeMontfort University this summer. Unfortunately she doesn't have an online portfolio, or a website, however thankfully for us fashion lovers, she contacted fashion156 earlier in the month to showcase her latest collection. And boy am I glad she did. She has an amazingly innovative use of translucent polypropylene, which she moulds around the contours of the body to create armour. The colours, prints and styling of these images all drive me crazy!

The earability of these garments is obviously rather dubious, but I reckon stylists all over the country will go crazy yfor Amy's designs. She can be contacted at aj_thompson@live.co.uk.

Who knew the subect of vomitting could be photographed so beautifully? The colours in these images are astounding. (source)

Coco Before Chanel: the trailer

"Audrey Tautou plays the legendary "Coco" Chanel in an enthralling exploration of her early life before she rose to worldwide fame as the most celebrated fashion designer of the 20th Century. We meet the young Gabrielle Chanel, illegitimate daughter of a traveling salesman who learns to sew in a Catholic orphanage before following her singing ambitions lead her to a cabaret club. It is here where Chanel earns the nickname Coco and also where she catches the eye of several high society gentlemen who would ignite her passion and become instrumental in the development of her remarkable career."

This is the one film I want to see this year, and there is only a couple of weeks to wait now for it's release! So informative and beautifully shot...the anticipation is killing me, and you I'm sure. So, watch this trailer to whet your appetite.

Roksanda Ilincic: Resort 2010

I love the resort collection from Roksanda Illinic for 2010. She seems to have watered down some of her ideas for this season, but it is by far my favourite. The colours are perfectly muted, the shapes are sophisticated and the drapery is absolutely delicious.

"I was inspired by the idea of transforming cocktail and evening dresses into something more approachable in terms of fabric," said Roksanda Ilincic. To that end, the designer's coolly glamorous cruise lineup included structured shift dresses crafted from linen, one with layers of ruffles and another dress made from contrasting panels of silk and organza in shades of dove gray, pale peach and black. - from WWD via Serbia-In.

(source)

Men in skirts?!

Oh Pur-lease! This is too far...

Notice the way the magazine uses the most masculine men they can find, to try to butch-up these 'skirts'? Hideous.

(source)

Metal work: Annabelle Baldero Lacuna

DIY metal work has been all over the blogosphere for some time now, and is set to be a huge trend on the high-street for A/W10. I've seen studding, sequins, chain mail and many more connotations however Annabelle Baldero Lacuna is using an everyday object to adorn her garments - the household keyring! It works to great effect, especially featured around the lapels of a jacket and dangling from a capped sleeve. I'm not so keen on the amount Lacuna uses, however this could work perfectly for a cheap DIY for A/W.

EDIT: Annabelle has kindly sent me her lookbook and inspirations:

I have created a women's collection called "One in a millions" which consists of 10 outfits. In my collection I mix well known elements like tribal tattoos and metal rings to a new look. Elements which are in general perceived as being tacky and tasteless fascinate me (like the tribal tattoos). I tried to give them a more desirable and a new look- so for example I knitted two dresses with a tribal tattoo relief-like pattern, which is very subtle, I lasercut necklaces, belts and earrings in the same shape and I took the accessorizing with rings to new level and let the gold and silver rings go all over the body. My collection consists of wool/cashmere, leather, fur, metal rings and non-woven materials as well.

I like to play with the idea with what is perceived as being good taste/bad taste- it is a challenge for me to turn tacky perceived elements into something new and wait for the reactions of the looker. To see if the looker is surprised by the new context and maybe even likes it- or not. I want the viewer to take a second look to understand what he/she is seeing. In my opinion there is no such thing as bad taste- it depends in which context you see it and I personally do not like the easy way.

The dress is for sale!!!

OK, the dress is for sale. PLEASE visit here for more details. If you are seriously interested and want to know more information about sizing etc, i can be contacted on inspirethestarling@googlemail.com.

Dean Quinn

I recently came across the work of Dean Quinn, some of you may have seen these beautifully crafted pieces already on Queen Michelle's blog, but they are so inspiring I had to post them myself. As a designer, formal wear (shirts especially) is a bit of a difficult area for me. I'm very strong on dresses, but when it comes to designing cutting-edge work wear I can struggle. Quinn's monochromatic work with bugle beads and tailoring is exceptional, adding a linear quality to the garment...almost like a futuristic Chanel...and oh-so inspiring. He is a graduate of Central Saint Martins, and claims influences from 80s sci-fi film, Bladerunner.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I'll have all of the white shirts...x2.

Grey Gardens

I have joined the long list of professionals who are out of work, and signed on at the job centre this morning. I couldn't help but ear-wig on some of the conversations taking place, whilst being made to wait (again!) I was surprised at the number of creative people from the art world applying for job seekers allowance. I followed a one-armed drunk lady in the most hideously tight vest-thing into the centre (honestly), but when I got inside the people were actually quite pleasant. I shouldn't be surprised with the current economic climate, but I've definitely learnt to not judge!

Anyway, as one job dies another is born...I HAVE A NEW JOB. It's not due to start for another month, however it's a very exciting opportunity and it will be a promotion from my old position. I won't say too much yet as I don't want to jinx things, but bring it on!!!

Whilst out and about this morning, casually strolling around Shoreditch and Hoxton, I popped into my favourite book shop on Rivington Street - Artworlds. Not only does it stock a brilliant selection of books, it also has a hugely extensive selection of fashion magazines; titles which you won't be able to find at Borders.

Until now I have not had an opinion about magazines printing their issues with multiple covers - I have no interest in collecting each cover, I simply chose the one I like the best. Today though I got caught out and bought 125 magazine, even though when I got home I realised I had the same magazine but with the alternative cover. Doh! More fool me I guess, but really publishers- what is the point?

125 features a beautiful editorial inspired by the hotly anticipated remake of the 1975 documentary Grey Gardens. If anyone knows when the film is released in the UK, please tell me as I cannot find the info anywhere online.

'Some women can conjure elegance and panache with very little, turning the most mundane of items into couture. Whether that takesp place in an African township or a tumbledown New York mansion isn't important, the vision is.'