Secret Hipster

Hipster Fragments

2012-02-20T14:14:00.000-08:00

As morbid as well as unnecessarily melodramatic as it seems, I really do consider myself to be in a state of living death putting my body through its usual paces but with sub-standard sleep and rest. It's only a matter of time before I become a zombie and slave to caffeine, no longer able to survive on pure grit and moxy to get me through the day. Eventually I will feel terribly irritable as well as strained which is by no means something to celebrate or to look forward to; is it too much to ask for a decent night's sleep?

Last year the least of my worries was automobile related, but I now release that with heavier work commitments as well as my commenced enrollment into tertiary study and a university degree that being able to drive wouldn't be a bad idea. Next year I will also have to work restlessly in order to save for online travel as well as study opportunities but sometime after that I'll also have to buy myself a car down the tracks, a custom Rolls Royce in floral print is a cut above the modest living conditions of a student and as long as I have a working specimen of a car that doesn't need special care and attention I shall be quite content.

Today I spotted a girl wearing a silver pentagram pendant with a plain white dress and I feel perfectly comfortable in sharing that I was charmed by her simple grace and also longed for a piece of dark grunge inspired jewellery of my own. There won't be too many wonderful posts from me for a while which feature the atmosphere of dark magic as well as romanticism but on the bright side there may be more outfit posts as a sort of compromise. This wonderful holiday break between high school and university study to me will always be the Summer of Blogging and I wish it could have stretched on forever, but all good things must always come to an end.

Throughout the last months my hair has not changed in any wild and fantastic ways and remains much the same- I'm not surprised that I became complacent regarding my dreams of having dip dye or perhaps streaks in lilac but I am a little saddened by my lack of rebellion. Perhaps a featured streak underneath an ear for a feature braid can be the small part of my holding true to the punk inspired music that I listen to. In any case, I will probably never have the guts to go blond or dye my hair wildly but will waste away till I'm a little old lady and have grey hair wistfully wishing my youth back and spent in different ways. It sounds odd, but I actually wouldn't mind if I had a head full of grey hair if I wore young and eccentric clothing and people didn't bring it up to my face, it must be the influence of fashion haute couture shows that has me that way inclined.

The epitome of hipster animals if a fluffy feline and while I made to attempt to try and own a cat this Summer it may be something in my future when I leave the nest and fend for myself. It seems so strange to be already thinking of such serious plans for the future but as my teenage years slip farther and farther away from me it's only a matter of time before the nine to five grind crushes my soul and I have mortgage repayments and all the other joys of adulthood staring down at me like the barrel of a sawn off shotgun. A little fluffy cat to photograph would be like a small and furry haven all of its own to take shelter in while I adjust to this strange new life I had previously been content to admire while observing the behaviour of my parents.

Whether I leave home in one year or even five I think it would be a neat and kitsch idea if I were to decorate using perhaps a large paper chain but instead have material in it's place with stiff plastic as used in collar shirts. I would also be quite happy using fairy lights/ Chinese lanterns and slogans of letters to try and inspire me amongst this new and strange world of study. The long holiday has yielded my once scientifically charged brain into mush and slurry and I have to struggle to learn new buildings and areas in a strange world of 1960s architectural design. In short, it's a bit of a nightmare and a slap in the face really.

While it may seem an unusual aspiration for a teenager to hold, when my next pay comes through and I'm in a nostalgic mood and miss my grandmother I may just buy either a crochet or quilted throw for my bed. I quite like the assault of colours as well as regular polygons and shapes that are familiar but also in a strangely textured design. At this relaxed rate, I am unlikely to arm myself with the knowledge and art of creating such wonderful blankets for myself and since I do need the extra practice for umpiring why not give myself a reward to comfort my aching body with?

A tattoo seems to be a wonderful statement of youth as well as adulthood and while this paper crane is sweet and lovely in its design I can't say I would be willing to bare it forever under my skin unless I study in Japan, an option available through my university. I have all sorts of hopes and dreams for my international semester and how I will adopt a new culture and pick up bits and pieces of language- maybe even come back with a nose piercing and tattoo to hide from what would be my appalled and astounded mother.

Grunge Gypsy

2012-02-19T02:02:00.000-08:00

Wearing: Rubi Shoes black slippers, Country Road coral cardigan, Miss Shop tank top,Cotton On black skirt and vintage Givenchy Perfume Bottle Necklace.

The Miss Shop shirt with Aztec print was something my mother treated me to and only cost fifteen dollars! She bought it for me mainly because she wanted to but I'm sure for Orientation week coming up I'll be relying on it to keep cool while I trek around and study the buildings for my new campus and home for the next three years or so. It was fun to be able to put together an outfit that had two clashing colours and to muck around with my slipper shoes- I got them when I still had my precious staff discount and I were them all the time, they're from Rubi and whenever I need to go out I automatically reach for them.

The handsome bag you see tucked under my arm is something I picked up from Typo and the blue mass of fur is a Deadly Ponies Mr Lure key chain in Peacock which has since sold out. I'm actually really eager to wear this sort of outfit around my boyfriend although he's likely to tease me about the odd fluffy charm hanging from my bag. Summer is nearly over and it's only now that I've mastered how to look good while beating the heat at the same time- typical. At least I've found a gorgeous and cheap top to wear with my vintage Givenchy perfume bottle necklace; it's completely absence of any liquid at the moment but if I had the skill I could probably decant some elixir from another bottle to reapply when on the move and really channel a gorgeous and vintage glamor.

Charlotte Free for Wildfox 2012

2012-02-19T02:01:00.000-08:00

Wildfox seem to be favouring their models with wildly coloured hair as of late, their last collection featured Amanda Booth one of the more stunning models I've come across sporting lilac hair and a gorgeous deep tan. Now the 2012 collection is supported by Charlotte Free the most wonderful pink haired woman you will ever clap your eyes on. The images from their campaign are absolutely stunning mixing the best of black and white as well as normal digital stills which create such a great brooding atmosphere about the collection. I must admit, I am quite impressed with the direction of the brand from their Western influences of the last collection.

I'm normally not a fan of ponytails which feature a segment of hair wrapped around the hair tie but of course when done professionally for a model the outcome will be nothing less than perfect. The contrast of stark, cotton candy pink hair as well as the serene backdrop of the ocean really makes the bag and its minimalist design stand out. I may even be that way inclined to spring for one if my Penguin book bags should ever let me done for university or if I feel like embracing my inner skater girl that I have successfully suppressed for so many years now.

Being the half-hearted rebel that I am, I have attempted to avoid cross and crucifix motifs alike as religion creeps into modern fashion but the contrast of blue and pink is just to good to pass up! Of course this jumper looks wonderful on someone with pink hair and blue eyes, but it would be interesting to see how it would look worn by someone with more natural features. I haven't really found blue clothes to fit into my wardrobe as of yet and also it's a touchy subject to wear something with crosses as the main design when I myself am not a particularly religious person. Perhaps if I was that way inclined I would then jump at the opportunity to wear something with punk aesthetic as this jumper.

Images that have been thrown far and wide all over my Tumblr dashboard have been images of the wonderful Charlotte Free shown in this supermarket situation in rainbow shirt and her fully pink-haired glory. Recently there's been other photos thrown far and wide all over my Tumblr dashboard but the side profile which I had previously seen didn't register as Ms. Free. I should have guessed from the minimalist/ teenage fuelled designs of this shirt belonging to a Wildfox collection.

Wildfox don't have all the hustle and bustle of a runway collection and can perhaps be equated to other popular fashion companies such as Vans skate company but with a stronger emphasise on clothing for girls as well as clothing but I have to admit, with Charlotte Free in their corner and backing them I am keen to get another look at their 2012 collection. I'm still waiting for the Jeffrey Campbell X Wildfox shoes to be released but I am sure once they hit the shelves it will have been well worth the long wait and something that will sell out in a hurry.

Black Heels

2012-02-19T01:59:00.000-08:00

Considering I've been limping all over the house the past weekend my mind should really be more fixated on comfortable and stable footwear closer to the ground, but the mind of a fashion blogger always has very different expectations. I've got a pair of lovely black heels with a slightly thicker heel I've been waiting to show off for the last month but little occasions to metaphorically christen them. Even to me my reasons for thinking of formal footwear is a mystery, but if they can be made to work with a fluorescent yellow satchel then they therefore must be the most diverse and sexy style and colour of shoe available within the known universe.

There's also been a distinct lack of Charlotte Olympia kitty heels in all my familiar online haunts which has left me feeling a little sour. While spending a few hundred dollars on a pair of impractical heels is a bad idea for anyone with coordination problems, it's still a horrible feeling to have all the promising opportunities disappear on you. I am sure there will be plenty of other fantastic heels released in the coming weeks and months, truthfully I have never lusted over any shoes in my life more than these chic and sweet black kitty heels.

My latest discovery of online vintage treasures available with the click of a mouse has changed my mood drastically; I am now going to buy some black lipstick either this week or next week and a whole other realm of clothing has been opened up to me. There's not many heels to fight over but plenty of pairs of Pallazo pants as well as pleated skirt that could use with a modern touch. Perhaps this is the balance between the new and the old and how I'll combine them together to organise my outfits. The fanciest pair of shoes I've worn out aside from formal occasions is wedges for work so it may take some time before I ween myself on to wearing black heels as a habit for attending university.

Christian Louboutin featured some amazing studded shoes which ranged from high riding boots with rounded toes and embellished spikes to something a little sleeker and more seductive. If only it were possible to perform DIY studding along the heel of a shoe- then I would truly be happy raiding second hand shops and buying supplies online but for now I will just have to settle for combat boots spiked in such a manner. Maybe not as regal and sexy but at the end of the day, they still get the job done and attract many an attentive eye belonging to other fashion savvy women.

If only I had the proper tools such as a high performance and megapixel count camera as well as an unpirated version of Photoshop then I really could reach my fashion blogger potential and create mirror image photographs as shown above. What I love about this is the side profile of the black heels showing off their shapes as well as the thin silk shawl fluttering in the breeze with a print not too dissimilar of an intricate butterfly. The kind with circular patterns like eyeballs used to threaten off predators. There's also a certain dark and tough charm about the pose and weight of the heels that contrasts against the light weight cape.

I never did remember the brand of these skeletal high heels in black but I knew once Florence Welch wore them on stage and spiralled around like a demonic ballerina in a black draping dress that they were something special. I certainly wouldn't mind wearing them out of my work place and trying to ward off any unwanted criticism as well as social contact from undesirables. I don't know what it is about me, but I sometimes wear defensive pieces of clothing or accessories in order to protect myself and these shoes would certainly fit into that category, if only I were able to afford them. Wearing something as special as these heels would be reserved for occasions of the utmost importance or where paparazzi attention is guaranteed. Otherwise I would just be one of those boring people that never wears them and keeps them in sight as something to collect or a piece of artwork.

Jeffrey Campbell has released countless wave upon wave of black heel boots that have been a great success and sold out easily, but I'm not sure that these spiked heels quite cut it for me. Jeffrey Campbell boots have a unique strong structure and silhouette about them and while there are many wonderful and unique colours to choose from the spiked and golden heels aren't the best I've seen. I think I prefer a skinny stiletto heel to be spiked and given sass and seduction rather than a pair of boots of this size and shape.

Calla Fall 2012

2012-02-19T01:56:00.000-08:00

Calla, the fashion label created by designer Calla Haynes was full of mesmerising prints and colour when it made its splash on to the New York fashion scene, showcasing the Fall 2012 collection on February 10th. The whole collection was a feast for the eyes which featured digital prints of magnified and blown-up images marble in pink and purple strewn across classically designed pieces with body-conscious silhouettes. It's hard to believe that the Fall 2012 collection is the second of Calla considering there is maturity about the way the collection was presented and also a strong presence for fashion identity and referring back to the inspiration of the collection. The Fall 2012 collection from Calla takes inspiration from an imaginary woman who works as an interior designer which led to the key prints of the collection originating from wood grain and granite digitally altered and magnified which results in fantastically imaginative prints. As of late I have been utterly obsessed with digital prints and wonderful eccentric colours so I was immediately drawn to the towards the Calla collection like a bookworm to an ancient library.

Calla seems to have refined her tailoring techniques and for the Fall collection created a dense tweed with French house Malhia Kent which has given rise to some stunning patterned coats and matching bottoms. It's the ability to create warm and comfortable clothing in preparation for chillier weather without having compromised the core principles and aesthetic designs of the collection that has me most impressed. Some Autumn/ Winter collections focus on the design of their pieces and fail to deliver something that is pleasing to look at, but the Calla collection is absolutely brimming with eye-popping prints that will warm up even the most critical hearts of fashion bloggers.

Always the sucker for amazing and eccentric printed pants and matching jackets, it's ensembles like this that make me passionate to write about and shamelessly promote up and coming fashion labels. The flecks of black on a white background remind me so much of a finely sprinkled coat of a harlequin Great Dane and it's this process of digitally printing patterns on to clothes that makes me so thankful to be young in the twenty-first century. It gives me great pleasure and joy in watching all these developments with the printing and materials in the fashion world. The striking black and white printed coats and their matching pants and shorts are cleverly contrasted with different shades of blue from the collar and cuffs of the blouse underneath as well as the sweet rounded toe ballet shoes of the Calla collection. I suppose it's that sweetness that earned this young brand the title of "the Lindsey Wixson of up-and-coming designer brands: Cute as a button and sweet as pie, but check out that body."

Geometric patterns and clever chic designs have never been combined with as much artistic flair as they have for this Calla collection. This coat is something special when worn with the coloured and marble patterned dress in purple and the look of thick black lines is only heightened by the bangs of the model- something I hope was a conscious decision in order to bring out the best of this coat. The print is something more rare and eccentric than houndstooth but still uses the classic contrast of white and black, this clever coat in dense tweed is just another wardrobe staple you'll be clamouring to own in Winter and something that may even become your new best friend to make a fashionable statement.

Boldly structured pieces are largely reserved for Haute Couture fashion shows, so it's only natural that Ready-to-Wear combines the best of relaxed and casual design but with spectacular patterns and colours. Take this relaxed button shirt dress with gathered waist as a classic example of the playful nature of contemporary designers taking advantage of photographic prints. The dress shown above is a predominant peach colour, originally taken from digitally altered granite with flecks of blue strewn across it but the theatrical nature of the dress is really brought out with a good pair of matching tights. Such a small aspect of the presentation for this entire collection is the hosiery worn with each dress and the different moods they create from changing the overall look of the dress. I have a feeling that eclectic fashion bloggers that love to layer up in an eccentric fashion will adore the Calla 2012 Fall collection.

Classic silhouette design as well as a imaginative print all of its own making; it's dresses like this that warm my heart and make me glad the fashion industry is as competitive as it is diverse. I'm most comfortable in dresses of this structure with a relaxed sleeves and a cinched waist; they can be easily accommodate an evening coat and look amazing when dressed up with suitable evening accessories. I haven't yet tried to track down any prices for the dresses but I already know I won't be in the market for an evening dress for a while, not while there's a travel opportunity on the horizon. It's a shame really, there's many promising designs and wild dresses I would love to metaphorically sink my teeth into.

As more and more designers crop up on the New York fashion scene it's no wonder some of the frock designs are evolving and becoming more edgy. I have high praise for the sharp lines of this dress as well as the two speckled patterns used; the bodice and unusual tulip skirt have a sweeter and more light-hearted pink and blue tinge amongst the effect of tie-dye black bursts but the grey sleeves and high neck firmly emphasise this dress is a part of an Autumn/ Winter collection. The dress above has the vague structure of a ballerina's dress but also elements of a dark and chequered past as well as mystery evoked by the dishevelled look of the model. Perhaps it's a little too daring for someone as meek as myself to wear but I must admit that I do like the theatrics of the parted tulip skirt, the black insert in between as well as the two different lengths of hemline for this darling dress.

As of late I have been trawling through the department store racks for good duffel coats and coats for the Winter season but there hasn't been anything as wonderfully stylish as this Calla coat in dark blue. The different shades created by the speckled effect is something that I automatically respond to since that's partly why I want to colour a part of my hair a wild colour- the shadow and light bouncing off it makes it interesting. Fortunately this lovely coat already includes many different shades in the blue spectrum for someone to admire and when worn with simple grey tights I think the overall effect is quite powerful. Maybe since I'm in the market to add a little more blue to my wardrobe I should be scanning Net-a-Porter for any interesting developments...

Punk Platforms and Creepers

2012-02-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

One of the more favourable and fashion forward trends creeping into even the most prestigious of runway shoes is the humble platform brogue and to a lesser extent, a good pair of creepers. They're certainly nothing and have been around since the 90s but it appears they're platform heels, punk aesthetic and unusual colour combinations have won over a multitude of fashion bloggers across the world (myself uncluded). Although I do not own a pair of platform brogues, creepers or flatforms that doesn't mean I don't dream of owning any combination of the three.

Creepers can be worn casually with a pair of jeans, but one of my favourite stylings for the demonic shoes is with smart blazers, fashion blogger Susie Bubble of the Style Bubble has really opened my eyes to all the glorious possibilities. To match a textured, high-waisted skirt in pink with a pair of pure white creepers? It's unusual but also very satisfying to see such a casual, chic and eclectic take on how to style apair of creepers. It's reassuring to know that a pair of creepers aren't a large commitment piece in terms of pledging your allegiance to the punk style but can be used to add edge and attitude to a sweet outfit.

I've seen many platform heels added to a wide variety of shoes as of late but never before had I seen platforms added to hiking boots, most likely due to the impractical nature of the marriage. The craving and need to add platform heels to flats as well as brogues was something I had commonly encountered but I've never seen platform boots with such a vintage appeal and air about them. There's something so wholesome and wonderful about the striped carpet, patterened leggings and platforms shown in the photograph above and I wonder who leant their creative mind to the making of these gorgeous shoes.

Not exactly punk are they with the boater style and fringed laces; I just couldn't help included these little suckers since they reminded me so much of the platform sneakers from Moonspoon but more sensible and seaworthy. I'm in the market for a pair of really good, comfortable platform shoes with a little bit of versatility about them to wear with a range of outfits and for sass. Of course if I manage to find a crazy pair that are unique, one-of-a-kind and totally outrageous I'll probably but them as well and have to buy the rest of my clothes from a second hand shop, making for some wonderfully quirky and kooky outfits.

Taking fashion to new heights and in wild, bombastic colours and patterns you can see a pair of platform sneakers of this calibre belong in a street style photograph. I envision them attached to a teenage girl in a vintage lace dress, with studded leather jacket and maybe smeared black lipstick. Shoes like this should never be condemned to solitary confinement at the back of someone's closet, they deserve to roam free and be your new best friends exploring vintage shops and alley ways full of hidden and secretive delights.

It's hard to pick a firm favourite among so many wonderful pairs of creepers and platform punk shoes, but today's winner is this wonderful clashing print of fluorescent orange and blue. I don't necessarily need the added height but it can't hurt a girls' chances at get picked out amongst the crowd and they are sure to be a conversation starter. There's the traditional elements of a good pair of creepers- the double D shaped chains accomadating laces as well as the rounded toe but they're so wild and different I wish I new the creative genius who made these! Prada have been ruffling some feathers amongst stars of the fashion world and in their last hree collections have given rise to some wonderful and kooky pairs of platform brogues but I dare say these blue and orange beasts wouldn't fit in amongst their collection. If you know the identity of these shoes I would love to hear from you and glean from your wonderful databank of fashion knowledge.

If you can't afford a pair of wonderfully coloured creepers don't despair, there are plenty of other weird and wonderful alternatives available to you in terms of DIY reconstruction and extensions. For example following in the example of the photograph above, spikes and chains slung across the laces of your creepers will add instant punk aesthetic and may even repel surly romantic attempts. I take comfort and reassurance in the small fact that our image is our most powerful image and that it can convery a number of messages from the combination of clothes and accessories we choose to wear. Platform shoes can be used to gain height and superiority over others and creepers can either heighten a punk ensemble of ripped jeans, black shirt and anorak or toughen up a prissy looking dress.

The 90s gave birth to some wonderful stars including wild hair deying techniques, grunge music and some wonderful pairs of platform shoes. It's hard enough to find Dr Martens combat boots with a holographic sheen to them but to find something with such a platform sole and height? They look gorgeous in the soft focus lens of the camera as well as the light bouncing off the platform in a magical array of rainbow colours. Girls like me dream of finding treasure like this in second hand shops and paying bottom dollar for such a wonderful pair of statement shoes and it appears the lucky owner of these babies really struck vintage gold when they found these.

A close second for my favourite pair of creepers/ punk shoes is this gorgeous pair of clear perspex platform creepers complete with metallic spikes and studded to perfection. I'm continually impressed with the amount of detail and fine craftsmanship involved for fashion pieces and hpw they are made to be beautiful both inside and out. The reflective/ metallic sheen around the platform sole is very chic; you could almost get away with wearing a vintage dress cutaway at th front to really show off a pair of shoes as wonderful as this. At the moment I've got fashion week on the brain and all I can think of is to enter as many competitions as possible to attend as a VIP, as well as what I would wear to such an occasion.

Yellow has never really been my colour and is hard for a number of people to pull off, but with such a beautiful pair of platform creepers in magnificent fluorescent yellow how could anyone resist their charms? They could be worn with a fluorescnet yellow satchel from the Cambridge Satchel company or even with long pleated maxi skirts in florals and clashing denim shirts. There are so many wonderful avenues of opportunity for these shoes, I only wish I owned them myself so I could hold my head high and count myself as a fashionable force of nature.

The last pair of statement creeper that I'll comment on have all the glampor and clase of real gold but the true creepers structured and a noticeably smaller platform sole compared to its other predecessors. They're certainly not the most strange pair of creepers ever created but I think there is something rather unique and even classy about them with the metallic material contrasting against the black heel. I'm sure there are plenty of other weird and wonderful combinations of colours, prints and platform heights we can expect to see as this trend snowballs and gains momentum. It's only a matter of time before I cave as well and find myself a wonderful pair of punk shoes to grace my feet and maybe even accentuate my height. One can only hope I'll find the perfect pair to soothe my insatiable style apetite for these shoes and their punk radiance.

Landscape

2012-02-16T19:32:00.000-08:00

Wearing: Digital Print Landscape blouse and skirt from Ghosts and Flowers boutique, Kenji Heels.

I've been meaning to break out this jaw-dropping combination for a while but haven't felt up to being a show pony for the camera. Biding my time appears to have paid off since the skirt and top both look simply gorgeous but the skirt looks so much better in real life. It seems my camera can't quite capture the sheen as well as fine details of the mountains and panorama scene all over the hem of the blouse and skirt as well as sleeves.

I broke the bank to be able to but this ensemble and it appears that it has cost me- while I'm not a big girl my arms are very tight in the sleeves of the shirt and also the skirt is about three sizes too small. One of my many follies when buying online is that I convince myself that I can fit into clothes when I really can't and the measurements are all wrong but I'm still comforted by the fact I have a gorgeous matching outfit that is unique and one of a kind. Bit of a surprise to see that the gap between my legs makes them look a little skinnier than they actually are and the beautiful contrast between the bottom of my blouse and skirt together.

As soon as the coffee I had this morning kicked in my mind instantly reached for red lipstick to bring out a bit of sass buried deep within my sole and it worked, although I'm not sure my already red nails went well with this outfit and it's cool tableau of mountain scenery. I'm a sucker for sharp collars and stunning blouses with an unusual nature and technique about their structure, it's no wonder I fell in love with this outfit when I spotted it online and had to have it. Maybe once I reach my target wait it will be something I can proudly wear to fashion events and runway shows... if I ever stop eating chocolate bars and have more salad and celery that is.

Balmain Pre-Fall 2012

2012-02-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

My appetite and lust for printed patterns has been insatiable, but the Fall 2012 collections appear to be my salvation and have answered every prayer about patterned pants and chic blouses in imaginative and dream-like patterns. Although a poor student like me would never be able to afford an entire outfit from Balmain, I could aspire towards one of their cheaper pants and mix and match it with basic department store quality tops and blazers. I imagine the story behind this ensemble would be a successful and fashion forward business woman swanking into a bar and ordering the most gorgeous looking martini imaginable. Now I may not dream of that success but I could certainly try to fill the shoes of the fashion blogger at a runway festival event of collections and wearing clumsy thick glasses and amazing new collection pieces.

The entire 2012 Fall collection seems to regal and classy, the backdrop of a woman's boudoir in white really was a great choice since it shows off the colour of each ensemble so well.The vivid and intricate patterns of this particular outfit of the dress reminds me a lot of baroque period paintings and matches the band of the ornamental belt in gold. The whole ensemble is then finished nicely with a clean cut and over sized boyfriend jacket draped over the shoulders. While the material of the dress looks snug and form-fitting, the hemline which ends at mid-calf creates a unique structure that I quite like as well as modest charm. The dress isn't something I would be keen to incorporate into my own wardrobe but I do appreciate the artistic aesthetic of the dress and it's strong sculptural lines.

The most beautiful outfit of the collection in my humble opinion is this gorgeous blouse which features gold scrolling motifs and even more baroque/ artistic design. There's even a sweet rose framed at the centre of the piece just over the bust of the model to really enhance the romanticism of this statement blouse. I would usually have some sort of moral issue with a top worn as a dress, but would you just look at those gorgeous legs! They seem to go on and on for miles until they finally end at the most gorgeous pair of black ankle boots with generous gold thread. Something this wonderful and imaginative is sure to be a big hit amongst fashion editorialists and will probably make its way to a spread of about two pages at least among powered wigs and false moles.

I'm a sucker for statement pants, plain and simple. Where one person is content to have a good pair of denim jeans I'm looking for something that is playful as well as classy and eye-catching. I;m normally not a fan of wide-legged pants but I must admit they are growing on me and with the lattice print in black and white for these chic pants and their elegant scrolling it seems almost necessary to include extra fabric. What seems most important is having a strong stance to really show them off and also a minimalist jumper or top not to detract from the lovely silk bottoms. They're gorgeous and elegant and something I would maybe wear to a red carpet event (not that I readily get invited to many) but I still am searching for cheap vintage bargains on a few online stores and should really wean myself off these fashion house names for the time being until I save enough money for my holiday next year.

Mary Katrantzou X Topshop SS12

2012-02-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

My obsession with prints as well as eclectic magazine collages has been confronted with the imaginative collaboration between Mary Katrantzou and British fashion label Topshop in a marriage that can only be described as mind-numbingly colorful. In the past few weeks or so I had been looking to vintage pieces from the 1960s to feed my passion for prints as well as unusual clothing designs but it seems a more modern solution has come forth. The frenzied floral background for the photo shoot of the collection only heightens the floral passion as well as kooky patterns and there's just so much going on with each piece it's a bit hard to take in all at once. Thankfully Topshop landed in Melbourne last December so I can inspect the pieces for this exciting collection in their full glory.

It's hard to pick a favourite piece among all the designs, and I also wonder whether the patterns vary from individual sewn pieces, but I quite like the relaxed and slouchy top shown at the bottom. That's a bit more my style with a relaxed fit and I have been meaning to add a little more blue to my wardrobe.

If you want to wear something a little more casual but still floral and romantic there's comfortable shirt and also a matching leggings combination available but I think I would rather save my money for something more fancy. The mad floral print is something I admire for its unique quality but my day to day wear usually includes toned down outfits of white blouses and black jeans and maybe a cute pair of brogues. It will be interesting to see the rest of the pieces in the flesh when I take my first trip to the physical Topshop store when the Mary Katrantzou X Topshop SS12 collection becomes available.

Bodycon dresses aren't something that usually draw my eye, but the oriental ocean motif down the middle panel of the dress is something that has me completely captivated. There's so much blue and intricate design and wonderful crashing waves- the news of this collection was released on the 10th of February and you can receive email notification when it finally gets released. There's modern sophistication about this dress and I'm sure it would be a big hit when worn to a fashion event- for a more personal touch some thick geeky glasses could be used to add some quirk and style to such an eclectic piece.

Punk is Not Dead

2012-02-15T23:32:00.000-08:00

It seems almost unfair for someone as young as Tavi Gevinson to be able to produce an outfit that resonates as much punk and anarchism as a British skinhead in a fish and chip crisis, but I suppose that's to be expected for someone so keenly fashion aware and ahead of her time. Still, I can't help but feel a little jealous of her prowess for style and the way she easily matches the best of the vintage world with modern clothing. Mixing iconic and floral printed Dr Martens combat boots with Black Milk cathedral leggings? Pure genius and gold, you can easily see from this outfit post why she's hailed as a blogging prodigy and fashion icon without even having graduated from high school yet. This is a girl I would love to go thrift shopping with, while some people may be offended by the "Teenage Suicide T-shirt", it's worn so well with a ripped cardigan as well as black lipstick. Just more of the joys available to American and fashionable teen bloggers with pale complexion.

The camera for those of you that are curious and that way inclined, is a Lomography Diana Mini 2011 Valentine's Day special and I have to admit, I am very impressed with the pairing of the sweet plastic camera and this black and pink tie-dye shirt born in the midst of a grunge paint battle. A compulsory part of my high school exploration and academic adventure into art involved the tie-dye process and there's a lot more planning involved then you may think at a first glance. Let's just say the combination of the shirt, scraggly hair of the model, squinty smirk and cloud covered camera is something I believe to be top notch and a teenagers' dream. It pains me to think that I may have to leave all this glorious dark, gritty punk style behind me one day but I'll always have the memories of what it was like to be dressed in black and hate everything and everyone around me. Punk isn't necessarily dead, I think it's just a little more difficult to find and source these days.

Punk is not necessarily achieved by simply wearing a black shirt and some torn denim jeans (although it can't hurt). but it's also the subversive sweetness of a flower pushed through a nose piercing and fair maidens clad in tattoos while clutching bouquets held poetically towards their breasts. The world definitely seems to be rid of its sweetness and innocence I once believe existed when I was a kid, but now instead of my teddy bears I take refuge from the world in different things. I find the flickering and dancing flame of a candle to be therapeutic, a good music track from 'Against Me!' to be soothing and the wearing of denim shirts to be liberating. There's no way I'm even on the same wavelength of mean as a true punk but when I'm having a horrible day I tend to emotionally revert back to the angst-filled and angry little girl I once was and blast my music heavily. It's comforting to know the punk mindset is still there for me to fallback on but I can also achieve this while looking as serene as the moon child pictured above.

I was born with dark hair and to tan in the sun, but sometimes it feels a little unfair to be deprived of looking sickly and death pale. In recent months we've seen creepers and other platform punk shoes become popularised amongst modern youth culture as well as the use and abuse of hair dye and second hand shops being raided. I am loving every minute of this revolution of punk and its second coming, for something of this novel to be accepted into the most generic of clothing stores is something to be enjoyed and remembered. I urge you dear reader, search and buy yourselves a pair of creepers before they are considered uncool and canned by the major clothing stores or to even search around in charity stores for other peoples unwanted cast-offs. There you can find jeans to customise and rip as well as an oasis of leather jackets and black shirts that are sure to make even your black hearts skip a beat.

Black Milk clothing is a Melbourne based label that made its fortune on the print and design of Lycra and other synthetic materials, if you haven;t heard of them yet you've been living under a rock because they've given birth to some of the most fantastic grunge designs on the planet. My favourite within this punk genre is the Cathedral leggings worn by Tavi Gevinson of the Style Rookie and the first image of this post. There's been many other wonderful and spook-tacular quality pieces such as the skeleton swimming suits shown above and iconic images featured from 'The Shining' on tight fitting dresses. It's good to see a brand that began in Australia thrive so readily and rapidly, and the fact there's suggestions of darkness about their designs only amplifies my pride and trust in them.

Ah candles, once traditionally associated with religious purpose and members of the clergy, whenever I see their sleek wax shafts and tufts of wick all I can think of is the hot scalding stickiness of wax as well as the subversive and sometimes satanic purposes they seldom serve. It's wonderful the way a blogging site can bombard you with images and instantly change your outlook on something as simple as a candle, isn't it?

I think I would gladly trade all the moments of 'beauty in motion' in the world in order to fill it with the flicking of cotton candy pink hair attached to gorgeous girls. I'm not a smoker myself, but I do admit that the box of Marlboro cigarettes has a certain charm of its own along with the black and white speckled blouse. I wish I could dress like this everyday, and now without school uniforms cramping my style and inhibiting my creative side I'll realise my punk and vintage inspired dreams!

It seems Zac Posen in the Summer Spring collection of 2010 relied upon a trick passed down from the grunge rock legend Kurt Cobain for the presentation of their models. The trick? Using Kool-Aid as a form of temporary hair colourant which had wild and fantastic results. To see the presentation of the models was spell-binging and gorgeous- their hair was braided to form spiralling torrents in fantastic colours of pastel pink. 2010 was definitely a big year for hair colour being used in runway shows for a range of fashion labels. I should really find some archive edition of Vogue magazine to properly document the momentous era in which the world's fashion designers took cues from the 90s youth and grunge influence.

There are some who are baffled by the combination of tough combat boots or skate shoes worn with floating floral dresses; obviously the sceptics have never given much thought to the wicked contrast and tension it creates. To be flirty and toy with a boy's attention its not unusual to see a girl donning a dress with pleated or puffed skirt that will leave much to the imagination but in this modern world you must be fashionably brave as well as tough. Maybe some who follow in this quirky trend are true punks at heart and are unable to fully embrace femininity. I wear Dr Martens boots and dresses with the mindset to not let myself be victimised and show a spikier side of myself in the process.

The tell-tale signs of a punk/ anarchist would be the paint tainted hands after a long night of vandalism and spray-painted mayhem. I've never indulged in the guilty pleasure myself but I have wondered what it would be like to have that sort of control of lines as well as eye for creating font and street art. The model at the heart of this photograph is the real piece of art- her pupils look like they've been tainted with contact lenses or Photoshop which creates a wonderful contrast of spray painted purple as well as those rough and angular collar bones. Something else that's been creeping into popular culture aside from creepers and platform sneakers is being so skinny it's a health danger and having bones showing that could slash your bare skin.

Sky Ferreira has been one of my favourite grunge models and is usually depicted wearing many layers of black and materials such as leather or PVC vinyl to excite the sense. Even when photographed as she is above wearing a black shirt and fishnet stockings she seems to easily radiate a punk atmosphere. No matter what stage of her life you observe her in there's some sort of eyeliner or make up used to enlarge them and draw you in like an angler fish's lure. I personally prefer the sultry stare of a model over the lull and dangerous glowing body parts of a fish that lurks at the sea's bottom.

Punk and DIY has had a beautiful marriage together for a number of years and I think this photograph nicely demonstrates that wonderful partnership. I've only ever worn Dr Martens combat boots that end at the ankles and never any higher but I do admire these mid-calf boots tucked into a pair of black jeans. Studs can not only be attached to denim, there's also leather jackets you can thrift and find for a little bit of customisation and shoulders are a more favourable place to attach the sweet little metal studs. I'm quite comfortable with all my black skinny jeans as they are without feeling the need to stud them, perhaps if I were to raid second hand shops I would feel more inclined to recreate a solid pair of denim pants.

A bit crude an offensive, but I think the scratchy font and white message of 'You're a Dick' goes well with the soft focus photography of red roses. Or maybe I'm just being a tad pretentious. At least however decided to put this together had the decency to use correct punctuation and grammar for their punchy message. It seems that graffiti isn't limited to the walls of business buildings and alleyways anymore, even photographers must suffer the anguish of having their work desecrated.

I solemnly swear that one day, I too will own a jacket leather or denim that bears an ominous or offensive slogan. I like this one for it's sketchy font that can be easily created with some good embroidery thread and a skilled eye to make sure everything is in a straight line and evenly spaced out. I'm particularly impressed with the pairing of a bright red flannelet shirt underneath which makes the black of the vest seem even blacker and that's the way punk should be.

One aspect of modern youth culture that frustrates me is when Caucasian people get Chinese character tattoos and are totally ignorant of the language and culture. They just seem to think it's cool and educated to get a tattoo in a foreign language and imply they have some knowledge about that country. Well, in the spirit of seemingly pointless and annoying tattoos what could be better than a crudely drawn heart with a scripted ribbon baring the all important family motto of 'Whatever'. If only I were a true punk and had the guts to purchase ink and press it under my skin, maybe I would get something as outrageous as this on a wrist of mine or something.

This would be a perfectly sweet and lovable photograph considering the vintage sheer dress in white as well as bridal veil, but the cheap heart shaped sunglasses and dark lipstick tell a far different story. The defensive and posture in a stupor, as well as the simple use of accessories to an outfit have completely transformed it and given it a new and darker, edgier lease on life and its simply fantastic. Punk isn't simply what you wear and the colours you dye your hair, it's some other state of being and outlook on life that infects your personality, the way you appear and the way you smile.

A sweet memento and a real sign of commitment to a dear friend, living or departed would be an honorary tattoo and no matter how many times I see this image it still manages to take my breath away. You hear banter and talk of celebrities getting their wedding rings tattooed in their finger but there's something a little more sweeter and endearing about this portrait. It must be the portrait quality of this tattoo and the way light and shadow plays across it as well as the expressive quality of the dog's eyes. The punk movement is usually associated with the dregs of society that have fantastic wardrobes but arguably not much class; to be able to wear a tattoo like this with such pride and there being an emotional attachment I think punk got considerably cooler.

Show Pony

2012-02-15T23:28:00.000-08:00

Wearing: Miss Shop Pony Shirt, Miss Shop Velvet Bow Hair Barrette (worn as tie), Cotton On black skirt, Rubi Shoes black wedges.

Yesterday I spent the day shopping with my mother and she treated me to a few bits and pieces collected from around my local department store; now I had intended to wear this outfit with a black bowler hat but I couldn't find it anywhere. Looks like I'll need to clean my room and sort through what I have floating about but even without the hat I'm really pleased with this outfit and my new blouse. I was really impressed with the black silhouette horse print in that fashion of Miu Miu 2010 but the horse print is so much smaller than the silhouette birds from which it took inspiration. There's also even variation in the patterns of movement of the horses.

For someone who has hair that is naturally a dark brown/ black colour, a black velvet hair barrette will probably due little good for me but how could I resist the allure and sophistication of it? I'm a sucker for velvet and the bow size was so generous it was too good an opportunity to pass up. I also bought it for the sole purpose of wearing it to dress up this shirt and the result is something that I'm very proud of. The only thing that could make me happier and possibly improve this outfit would to be wear a Deadly Ponies silver necklace featuring their icon of conjoined horse twins but I may need to wait to save up for that.

It's hard to believe that yesterday I wanted to sell these gorgeous Rubi wedges that I bought for only twenty dollars, I had forgotten how much fun they are to wear with brightly coloured socks. I'm sure for Winter I'll be eager to try them out with patterned tights as well as socks and alluring shorts and skirts. My next trip to the American Apparel store in Chapel Street will be spent on stocking up on frilly and fancy coloured socks to wear with my wedges and I'm sure you can expect to see a lot more of them in my outfit posts.

Punk Hair

2012-02-15T02:36:00.000-08:00

As I looked around at the backs of many people's heads in the lecture theatre for my university course I noticed that all the hair colour were just varying shades of brown and was nearly bored to tears by it all. I suppose all the interesting people with a wilder streak are doing a Bachelor of Arts or perhaps have decided on working full time in a shop, slowly earning wages and also a handsome staff discount for themselves. While it looks like the students in my undergraduate course and faculty are missing some wonderful colours for hair, I can be thankful I live in a society in which we can order hair dye for all sorts of wonderful colours online and prepare our flowing manes in any which way we see fit whether that means with the generous application of green hair dye or choosing our favourite colour to dominate our appearance.

Although the contrast between white and black spiralling from the crown of the head looks a little cosmic and like the arms of a galaxy extending outwards, I am thankful that without taking the plunge of dyeing my hair I can live without the fear of regrowth and having to reapply hair dye. There is also a solution for those of us that want to dye out hair and not fuss over roots showing, which is dip dyeing and colouring the last few inches of hair but that seems rather outdated and not at all popular on the streets these days. A shame really, that's the last hair fad that I really did enjoy as of late.

My favourite of all the wild hairstyles and colours is soft lilac in a gorgeous and luxurious fishtail braid- I never learnt to braid in any style that was overly complicated but I wish I had the skilled hands to perform such a feat. I'm adamant that I love my natural hair colour and am very proud of my lovely long locks as well as the little care and maintenance for it but once in my life I would love to be extraordinary and have a wonderfully colourful haircut. I bet it's the sort of reckless thing I'd resort to after a bad breakup or even possibly as a mid-life crisis tactic. While other people may reach for the bottle and turn to substance abuse, instead I'll be reaching for bottles of hair dye and peroxide. How can I live my life and look back on all my accomplishments, knowing I never once had light purple hair?

For those of you interested, the shower cap is something from the Urban Outfitters home wares section I believe and I'm surprised at just how well it matches the lime green and dip dyed ends of this girl's hair. To be born with naturally blond hair and to have this colour sustained after being hormonally ravaged during puberty is a rare gift- I've known girls to dye their hair temporarily using food dye and if you were that way inclined you could easily perform such a feat on light coloured hair. Instead of being able to enjoy and shelter myself in the safety of blond hair I have a natural colour that more closely resembles black and would need to be pre-treated before dyeing.

Already featured on this blog but too good to resist a second time is this young and stunning girl, dressed entirely in black with creepers and a lace top. It's not fair that some people can look so sweet and endearing when wearing all black and I look like the grudge and scare people away to a small one metre radius away from me. It must be the pale skin, blue eyes as well as perfectly maintained eyebrows that sweeten the deal as well purple hair in soft curls.

I know for a fact that my own parents would have heart attacks and also probably consider themselves failures if I were to ever dye my hair green- it's probably for the best I don't have such wonderfully weird hair to maintain. The dark green as well as lighter shades go well with the floral wreath and its bright pink flower but the shades of blue and purple also compliment her subtle use of eyeshadow. I always love the confusing oppositions created when punk hair is worn with something pure like white lace and a floral headband, gold necklace and the pure image ruined yet again with the use of a black lip piercing.

I can sometimes get jealous of boys for such odd reasons, this time it's because they mainly have shorter hair than girls and could change their colour so much more easily than someone like me with hair that reaches down in a mermaid like fashion. While it isn't uncommon these days for women to be sporting short hair, I prefer to maintain my long locks as a sign of femininity as well as romanticism about myself. That wouldn't make dyeing it an unusual colour all at once an easy job but I can still wear a lovely crown of flowers just as well as the next king or queen of the fairies.

Charlotte Free, possibly the world's best model with pink hair working it while wearing a demure black and white polka dot blouse and thick gorgeous eyeliner. I'm normally content with my long dark hair and what my mother describes as, Japanese looks but now and then I crave the extraordinary and the new and exciting. I want the bold rush and amazing hair colour of a Vogue editorial from Japan and something that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. With pink hair, wearing pink lipstick would be a joy and eyeliner would be striking rather than intimidating. Oh the joys of having colourful hair that isn't a shade of washed out black, maybe one day I will acquaint myself with that magical realm.

Pamela Love Fall 2012

2012-02-15T02:35:00.000-08:00

The New York native Pamela Love has blown away any critiques of her jewellery range once again, with a noticeably different appeal about her collection. Presented on models with smudged eyeshadow across their face and tough, thick brown overalls the lovely ladies were presented as metal smiths themselves which helped to create a really strong and rooted background story about the collection. It's missing all the skulls and gore, as well as crystals that I've come to know and love about jewellery from Pamela Love, but I still admire it for its strong ethnic appeal and folk art interpretation.

The stand out pieces that are new and exciting in terms of the Pamela Love jewellery family are the large statement collar necklaces featuring large geometric shapes and inlaid turquoise pieces. What's wonderful about this large statement collar necklace shown above is that as the design narrows, two chains are used to secure the piece making it more of a bib necklace than a true metal collar. I've always been drawn to the suggestive and sexual nature of a collar necklace but had my doubts about the comfort of wearing one as well as putting it on for the evening bu with the simple use of chains and a necklace clasp, it appears Pamela Love has come to my salvation.

Although industrialism was at the heart of the runway show with an ominous boiler room pipe centre piece at the back of the stage, I can't help but notice that hammered pieces of copper jewellery with semi-precious stones is missing a grittiness in their own design. Instead I am reminded of the Mayan and Aztec influence and pyramids as well as the sound of pan flutes playing in the air- the gorgeous and intricate design of this necklace in its tiered design of multiple panels would certainly be something to be proud of it were a part of your wardrobe. I'm sure it would earn quite a lot of attention when worn in attendance at a fashion runway event with fashion bloggers abound and maybe a vintage shirt just to mix things up a bit.

I must admit that the minimalist and strong sense of creation about the collection really does create a lot of open space to present the earrings, necklaces and bracelets of the collection of the model. I can imagine the large collar necklaces being draped over a black shirt during the daytime with cut off denim shorts and at night worn with a dress featuring a sexy dart down the side to show off the legs. As much as I admire the new direction Pamela Love has taken and the understanding of her collector like habits for trinkets and pieces of silver I do wish there was a more religious and dark grunge aesthetic style about the pieces. Give me skulls and bird talons brushed in oxidised silver anyday.

Another Mayan/ Aztec/ tribal favourite when it comes to an approach with jewellery is the combination of turquoise and red stones in warrior like designs and shapes such as the daring and dangling conical earrings. I love the dedication and small puzzle like pieces of all of the necklaces, especially the dual tiered effect of these two necklaces to match the earrings. I would never be daring enough to try these pieces on for myself, I haven't been inspired by a lot of these necklaces in an artifact-like fashion but more vintage clothing and second hand recycling. I'm sure they could feature well in an editorial piece for models travelling around on sure footed donkeys and lead by Sherpas for Fall/ Winter collections in Peru.

Small hints of the Pamela Love I came to know, love and adore are apparent in the use of darkening around the turquoise stones of the collar necklace as well as the stunning ear cuffs shown right featuring dangling chains. I've been toying with the idea of getting an ear cuff myself since I don't want any more piercings but I don't think the Pamela Love range is quite what I'm after, you have to really love the tribal and Aztec pattern to commit to it so thoroughly. The silver and oxidised patterns on the long dangling panel earrings is really something though and for someone who has small lobes I could easily swing for a pair of those and a good pair of thick vintage glasses.

As if it wasn't enough to include impressive pieces of turquoise in the design of their statement necklaces for the Pamela Love Fall 2012 collection, there's even geometric designs of triangular and angular lines in the turquoise pieces themselves. These types of necklaces are the toast of the collection for me, but it would require someone with a long neck as well as beautiful stature to really wear the piece and have a fierce and determined look about them. The focus of the models to deliver a look and stare of cold and steely determination is really something that has evolved the Pamela Love collection and

I was surprised to see a runway show from the brand. I suppose when you work in a studio in New York there are big things expected of you and you need to deliver things in big and bold, exciting and ingenuitive ways. While this collection may not have been my favourite of all her collections so far, I have great faith in Pamela Love and her ability to deliver stunning jewellery in a creative manner as well as improving her designs to impress the masses of fashion hungry girls, such as myself.

Alexa Chung Obsessed

2012-02-15T02:33:00.000-08:00

With my affection for the micro-blogging site Tumblr waning I often forget how up to date it keeps me with my model muses, especially the lovely Alexa Chung. I'm a bit concerned that after her break up with Alex Turner, lead singer of the Artic Monkeys that she's become even skinnier but her outfits have all the sparkle and sophistication that she's been known for. Unlike many other fashion icons I know of, Alexa isn't afraid to recycle articles of clothing and wear them with other outfits and with a smile as bright as hers it's easy to see how she can get away with it s easily. If you aren't aware about my small obsession for the British TV presenter, model and DJ I can best express it as admiration for someone with Caucasian as well as Asian heritage to succeed in the eye of the media.

Never before have I been so easily influenced to follow in the style footsteps of a celebrity not well known for fashion blogging but it seems that Alexa has the wonderful effect about her- everything she touches seems to turn into fashion gold. Today while trailing through the major department stores I gravitated towards toggle coats as well as patterned dresses in soft cotton textures as well as a floral blazer. I walked away with a dress in patterned horse silhouette print but I'm lacking a patterned cardigan to wear over the top and truly follow in Ms. Chung's example. It seems a pity really but I'll never be able to have the grace and finesse as well as surprising ferocity Alexa is able to channel so easily through her piercing eyes.

Instagram and its culture doesn't readily draw me in- because of a simple application people taking photographs of their dinner automatically assume they've become a photographer but somehow Alexa has melted my cold and icy exterior to it and shown a fun side of herself in the process of sharing these digital snaps. The 1960s is an era I am admiring from afar, but who can resist the allure of large novelty prints, paisley and flowers when bathed in a pink light and with an exemplary British style icon sitting over the sheets?

Her attendance on runway and red carpet events has explored more ruffled hair, minimalist and naturalistic makeup as well as chic ivory outfits although I must admit, I do miss the days when Alexa would indulge in long painterly strokes of eyeliner. As of late her outfits have been looking real crisp and sharp in terms of their neutral colour, a contrast to when she wore a stunning pleated pink dress on the red carpet with her former musical boyfriend in tow with her. I'll always admire Alexa Chung for her style and the way she presents herself with such confidence and warmth but I actually prefer her older outfits and casual school boy style. The constant element to all of Alexa's outfits is how easily you can search around for similar pieces in second hand shops and replicate her style with varying success. They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery but no one on Earth could come anywhere near the standard of Alexa's clothing and style as well as imitating her sense of originality.

Chung shown indulging in self portrait shots in a well maintained mirror and a gorgeous pair of denim overalls with chic blouse in white with lace frills for contrast. This is the type of remarkable and innate light heartedness Alexa Chung radiates from all her street style photographs, professional photo shoots, self portraits using Apple applications as well as screen shots from her television appearances. It's this friendliness that has also launched her career across a range of mediums including music, television and fashion and gained acclaim for the Haute Couture master for Chanel, Mr. Karl Lagerfeld who has described Chung as "very talented and does it (all aspects of her media charged career) in a perfect way. She is beautiful and clever!" I've never been one to disagree with the Count of cool Karl Lagerfeld himself or any of his designs in his rich and colourful history with the world of fashion- so why would I start now?

I do miss the wonderful and luxuriant colour that I once so easily gleaned from her outfits, but who can't be impressed with her chameleon like coordination as well as subtle quirk about this outfit? Sometimes it's the finer details that can really add to an outfit- I love the white skeleton bag charm in this photograph used to update a handbag in beige that would be otherwise plain and boring and also the shiny metal stud detail on the collar of her dress. It seems Alexa went to extremes in order to coordinate her grey tights and dress but there's something very sweet about that effort as well as the thick heeled black platforms that remind me so much of a modern Geisha. The outfit is perfect and so is the girl who pulled it all together, I'm certain that since my obsession has gone so far it's only a matter of time before I'm scanning all British tabloid magazines for her image and making a crazy shrine in her honour on my wall. I was sadly deprived of such a mental stasis during high school and maybe my girl crush will finally evolve and manifest itself in something creepy but endearing.

In true school girl charm and spirit, I don't think there's many who would wear knee high socks in weight and black heels and look as stunning as Alexa looks right here. The black and white dress with ascot tie around the neck is all too familiar to me but it sadly isn't from Love by Susien Chong. I must admit, I had never thought of wearing the dress with a pea coat over the top and knee high socks but I doubt I would have as much effect on crowds and camera wielding maniacs as Alexa does. It must also be those gorgeous skinny legs of hers creating the allusion of a woman who still has the physique of a high school student.

Dean Quinn Fall 2012

2012-02-14T03:37:00.000-08:00

If only the Dean Quinn Fall collection for 2012 were by some magical occurence available last year, I would have jumped at the opportunity to buy one of these gorgeous and colourful cocktail gowns for my senior formal and done the tacky thing of buying my boyfriend a matching tie. What I love about the collection is that its entirely madd of dresses with class and such a strong structure about them in modern and bright colours. I'm sure that if I had been able to wear such a dress for my formal my mother wouldn't have bought it for me but it would have made quite the statement. I love the gorgeous contrast between the blue and pink as well as the two colours meeting in different places for the bodice of the dress and sleeves- the length is also modest, cut just above the knee with long sleeves. If I were planning on attending any formal occasions to get dressed up for these dresses would be the highest on my list for priority dresses to wear to fashion events and cause a stir.

A few years ago I bought a structured and tulip shaped dress from Ellery with strong and recogniseable outline as well as ornamental zippers on the sleeve and at the back of the dress. It certainly would have sparked the imagination of a few young men and I am pleased to see years later and from a different designer more cutting edge designs are being produced. In a burnt orange colour akin to the 1960s I quite like the roomy sleeves of the dress as well as gorgeous waistline but the darts created by zipper tags and loincloth like piece isn't a feature that has impressed me. It reminds me of uncouth cavemen and inventing the wheel rather than a fashion event- the darts would have been better placed alongside the legs avoiding the flimsy piece of material between the legs of the model. It's a gorgeous piece to admire from the top but I'm afraid at the bottom of the dress everything goes metaphroically pear-shaped.

Although the hemline of the dress is much like the predeceasor and burnt orange dress, in the nude tone it seems less intense and the zippers not as far agap. Also the dainty cap sleeves make this dress seem less harsh and aggresive in terms of the lines and design of this dress. With a classy pair of sheer tights and heels you really could swing this dress with a little more elegance and also a lovely tuxedo jacket. Although the zippers would restrict movement of the legs I daresay when wearing a dress as flashy as this you shouldn't be running around and trying to chase a taxi. To dress it down I think an Acne sweatshirt over the top and a lovely Cambridge Satchel Company satchel could easily work with this gorgeous dress.

If I had been the type of girl to start using fake tan during high school and mastered its technqiue without streaking and smearing the bronze and brown liquid, I'm sure it would make a lovely contrast with the baby pink of this dress and it's long sleeves. I have the lovely long brown hair to go with it- for once in my life I can be proud of my brown hair and brown eyes for if a girl with blond hair wore this dress she would look like a Barbie Doll. Instead of making me look childish it would darken my hair as well as skin tone.

There are many terrible jokes at the expense of pairing black and navy blue when worn together but the sharp contrast between the shapes and smooth lines looks like its come from a Visual Communcation Designs folder of some young and promising high schooler working their butt off day and night. I would love to wear something like this with an assymetrical ahircute and maybe even possibly, smokey eyeshadow unless it has become terriblt outdated. In which case I will opt for my signature liquid eyeliner and streaking comet tales in the corner of my eyes. There's such sophistication about this dress but the colour combination is absolutely superb and modern clashing the two tones together.

I think there's a lot of hype that should surround this type of structure dress- the long and gorgeous sleeves and high rounded neck as well as the perfect cut hemline. While it may be difficult to interpret the gorgeous and unusual stepped effect that echos the structure and armour of a lobster or other shelfish creature from some period in time occupied by the dinosaurs. That's not to undermine the unique and wonderful ingenuity of Dean Quinn and his team to breath life into what would have been an imaginative sketch in its embrionic stages and then evolved into this gorgeous piece with skilled hands and many hours of tireless work.

Gorgeous in bubble gum pink comes this empire dress in full length andlong sleeves as well. If I ever needed a dress to shock anyone and everyone who knows me, this would be it. No one really expects me to wear pink considering I wore Dr Martens to school on free dress days and had always loved my black skinny jeans but there's such an air of modern sophistication about this dress. While the colour does mean that its aimed at a younger target audience and age group, I can imagine some wonderful young blogger buying it and sporting a short pixie hair cut as well as the perfect little clutch. That's how a modern girl with class and elegance makes a statement these days, or in my imagination and fairy tale mindscape.

A dress I would have love to wear to a formal occasion is for thewow factor is this gorgeous orange dress with sexy and dangerous dart right over the left leg of the model. I've been told all my life I have good legs and for once it would be nice to put them to use and make all the boys jaws drop around me like flies. The black heel just visible from the dart is another allruing factor- while it may be difficult to pinpoint how it would look without trying it on I would love to own a dress with as much sexy sophistication as this.

Rachel Rutt for Shakuhachi

2012-02-13T23:29:00.000-08:00

Shakuhachi is a type of wooden Japanese flute, as well as an Australian fashion label that launched in 2000. Their google search has also garnered the sub title of "Shakuhachi- a clothing label garners a world wide following, perfectly combining elements of tender girlish charm and bohemian flare." Something else that is cause for celebration is that the label has now employed Rachel Rutt to show off their new California Dreaming collection which features strong structured dresses in fantastic colours which involve meticulous detail.

Rachel Rutt is one of my favourite models and is particularly inspiring because her heritage is much like mine; my mother is Malaysian and married an Australian man whereas Rachel Rutt's looks come from Singaporean and English heritage. I've always been a supporting of Australian fashion and tried to find great new brands breaking through and Shakuhachi's newest collection definitely has a lot of strength in terms of their bold designs for dresses as well as luxuriant fabrics and colours. The strong and bold lines as well as finely embroidered and puff panels for this dress are made all the more striking in the stark afternoon sun and worn on such a skinny and dainty frame.

I admit it's been far too long since I gave their online store a good scan and I love the variety of bold tops, skirts and dresses offered in the collection as well as Rachel Rutt starring as the prominent and indeed, only model for their new collection. There's a pink lace skirt in the same material as the dress above on the right that I may wait to buy until something second hand on eBay arises or a sale happens in the online store. With well-trained eyes and a keen eye for eclecticism I have confidence that the skirt would be worn with a number of tops and jumpers in order to create edgy and eccentric outfits.

Girlfriends

2012-02-13T23:27:00.001-08:00

As luck would have wit I'm alone (beau is sick) on Valentine's Day and although it really is nothing more than a day on a calender, I can't help but feel the conflict of emotions of abandoned feminist values and morals. Often I am quite happy to mill about the house on my own and don't need any company but perhaps with the raging hormones I feel weaker in myself than I normally would in principle. If my old literature teacher were able to tune into my emotions via some cosmic radio I'm sure she would give me the verbal lashing of a century, lecturing me about the uselessness of men and how you don't need them to be happy.

With the gentle progression of women's rights becoming equal to that of men, it's hard to define what a true feminist is these days. I suppose its someone who continues to work towards supporting women emotionally as well as opposing such demeaning and pornographic magazines such as Playboy.To sell your body is widely considered to be the lowest point in your life, although many people are content to make that their day job. Is feminism deterring others from resorting to 'demeaning' work or is it giving women the choice to act as they like, sit around in their underwear and read whatever magazines they like?

One firm belief I have always held on to in the cockles of my very heart is that no matter who you are, what you look like and where you come from; it should be your write to dress in the way you like. This is a concept that seems to have readily escaped my mother, someone who weeks ago decided to tell me what wedges were (as if I hadn't discovered them already eight years ago) and also doesn't let me wear my American Apparel skirt during the day. Well for an adult and someone who has always taken on responsibility I think it's unfair that I'm not allowed to express myself with fashion and style. What would have happened had Tavi Gevinson's parents forced her to stop her fashion blogging for Style Rookie? Her career wouldn't have ballooned into the runaway train that it currently is and she wouldn't be one of the most recognisable teen bloggers in the world.

As of late it seems my own girlfriends haven't been inviting me to the get together and with high school over and university exposing us to new people and new experiences, maybe this is the end of my journey with my group of friends. The thing about girls is that we're so busy competing with each other over the attention of boys is that we really fail to help each other out when we need it. Someone very wise once stated that the only thing standing in the way of women's rights and the progression of the modern feminist movement is women- how can we expect to receive the regard and not be met with contempt when young girls continually fight with each other as opposed to working towards a greater good? Too bad there isn't a feminist club at my university to join, I may not become a member but a five minute conversation could do wonders for my still politically developing brain.

Another unwelcome and current occurrence I personally encounter in my day-to-day routine is the cat calls and amorous look from other guys. It has its positives and negatives, as someone already in a relationship and to receive unwanted attention from other boys makes my skin crawl. I was shocked when driven home by my boyfriends older brother to hear him suggest people in the next car were trying to get a look at me. It made me feel like an animal in a zoo, not like a person with real feelings. For some girls and from the right kind of people receiving romantic attention would be something to lift their spirits but I always feel objectified and worried when it happens to me. Whatever happened to conducting yourself with chivalry and in a gentleman-like fashion?

Feminism is something that has brought me one joy in my life; in some countries women are disadvantaged and unable to study while I have always been able to study freely and will be starting tertiary orientation in the coming days. I can't wait till I feel the bump and grind of a full timetable and also spreading my legs and arms out after a long day of being chained to a desk once more. While I may not embrace many of the finer points of feminism, I can proudly say that I have always performed to the best of my abilities in terms of schoolwork and have sought to become the most intelligent and educated woman I can be.

Through studying Shakespearean text and in particular, Hamlet, I was shocked to learn that a woman could be deprived of her funeral rights if thought to have lost her virginity without marriage. I am thankful that people care less about a woman's sexual experiences but there's still this taboo subject about young girls finding their sexuality and exploring in this new side of themselves as opposed to boys. Movies from Hollywood have always portrayed young boys as being out of control and continually seeking to lose their virginity but there is very little discussion between girls during high school about these issues.

I would be more than happy to be able to sit and enjoy another woman's company and value a friendship of someone with similar interests- I've been lucky enough to be able to have a wonderful girlfriend in my corner to talk t about anything and I think that's one of the greatest things feminism can achieve in these modern days. It's not often that women talk to one another about relationships as well as life experiences so when this does happen it's important to have someone you can really trust to share the conversation with.

One of the great modern commodities of the computer age has been empowering normal, everyday people with the ability to express themselves in a way they sit using a combination of cameras and computers. This has been available to all but it seems that the fashion industry has in particular become booming with young girls and women such as myself keen to prove themselves in the realms of fashion and styling. I can't find the guts myself to do styling when anyone else is home but at least I have the bravado to put myself out their online and express my opinion- I think if blog accounts were only open to men I would either go insane or have a sex change. Possibly both, one resulting from the other which is not a nice thought really.

I've always wanted to be the arty type of girl who cut out images and stuck them onto something else, scanned it into her computer and then saved the hard copy in her scrapbook and become a part of this strange cult or something similar. The advertisements that have been catching my eye as of late involve gorgeous models dressed similarly in the same manner and moving around in groups as a singular unit. I suppose that reflects my own early alienation and vulnerability when it comes to any sort of platonic relationship.

These sorts of images make my heart ache- the group of girls that all look similar perched in front of a spooky little cliff-side shrine of flowers and candles out in the open. I won't have to deal with the close knit groups of high school and hanging out exclusively with people and I feel that I sort of messed up my opportunity to make situations like that work in my favour. My idyllic feminist world in which girlfriends all help each other out and jealousy doesn't exist is at an end and I realise that in the end I'm alone and no one really wants to hang out with me.

It's just a photo edit so everyone relax, Kate Moss doesn't currently have green hair. Although as a point of conversation it would be absolutely fine if she did have green hair because feminism embraces and empowers women giving them a choice to decide what they look like. However, I am concerned about this empowerment for bratty young girls who seem to abuse this modern age where they dress scantily clad with their ass hanging out of their skimpy denim shorts and have no idea about the art of 'leaving more to the imagination'. Did generations of feminists and bra burners survive the scorn of ignorant and masochistic men simply to hand over their rights to girls who regress the feminist movement and play dumb to please men? I think not...

Whether or not you have girlfriends to talk to on the phone when having a long and relaxing soak in the tub, I think there's no better feminine ritual to celebrate the end of the day then a soothing bath or shower. I wouldn't mind taking a long dip myself in the sheltered sanctuary of my tiled bathroom were it not for the fact that my family's bathtub had long ago been converted into a shelf for toilet paper, shampoo and conditioner. Yes it seems that somewhere down the line, my mother chose to forsake the cherished bathtub in the name of thrift and buying in bulk from the supermarket. Who am I kidding, my bathroom doesn't look anywhere near as tidy as this shady setting anyway...

Blue Hair

2012-02-13T23:27:00.000-08:00

What better way to commiserate a blue mood then to ponder about the mystery of blue hair and all the wild and rebellious nature of hair dye? Sometimes I wish I had grey or white hair so that colour would take to it better and now that fantasy has only been cemented in my imagination with the contrast of grey/ brown hair and bright blue dip dyed ends against an old blue sweatshirt. This first image of the post is my favourite of the entire post, simply for the grunge factor and minimalist appeal of black nails and a simple jumper worn over the top. Long flowing eyeliner doesn't go astray either and the manner in which the photographic flash bounces off the shiny blue hair is really something to behold- it's what you imagine the sky in the desert to look like on a day that could potentially melt your face from your skull.

Compared to the wonderful world of pink hair, it seems that blue hair has many more shades available and used by fashion hungry girls and for some it's not enough to have blue hair but their ends need to be in a soft purple tone too. As beautiful as the mass of her shown above is in its contained world of perfect curls you cant sustain a healthy head of hair in this colour with curling for long and it's only a matter of time before it becomes dry and tired. Unless of course it's a wig; in which case the hair will last forever and you should only worry about straightening it to fit your pretty little head.

I adore being able to dress in black socks and shoes as well as black jumpers with contrasting white crisp collars poking out, but when sporting dark hair that falls around the face it can look a bit artificial. What could be better than having brightly coloured and blue hair to offset all the boring and neutral tones of ones outfit and also emphasising a pale complexion? Well a unicorn would also be terribly fantastic but that may just be on the improbable and unachievable side of the scale compared to wicked style and hair the colour of a lagoon.

I know I've already featured this image once before on my blog but how can I resist leaving it out when conducting a special on blue hair? It's such an unusual and punk colour- apparently also the thing you can get suspended from high school for but since I am now off to university and other scholastic pursuits I am free to dye my hair any colour of my choosing and no one can really tell me off. I don't think I would be daring enough to wear a denim jacket with plastic black studs on the shoulders but its always nice to play pretend and think of what could be.

It's amazing what a packet of hair dye can do and change a person's look- while yellow isn't everyone's colour it looks great when contrasted against the blue dyed locks of this girl shown in profile and shrouded in her mass of hair. My favourite teen blogger Tavi Gevinson had a little fling with blue hair when her hair was a lot shorter- it slowly faded to a grey colour though without the maintenance and application of my blue hair dye to preserve the colour. That's at least one thing I can be thankful for when it comes to hair maintenance, I don't have to worry about roots or colour fading in unwanted shades.

In the true spirit of the grunge fuelled 90s, who wouldn't be impressed with blue hair and pink dip dye ends for good measure? While you may not get employed at a supermarket, there are some shops that cater for this sense of style and will readily employ you should you have the intelligence and appeal of a normal person. I suppose the hair is just an added bonus along with punk sense of style featuring cats and upside down crosses as so many people do wear these days.

Fashion Week Street Style Milan 2011

2012-02-13T23:26:00.000-08:00

Spotted on the streets of Milan and featured on the online publication of Oyster Magazine, there must have been a few fashion bloggers among these lucky ladies and I vow to one day join them and grace the streets of many nations hosting great fashion weeks- but I'll never get anywhere if I can't first get invited to the RAFW of my own country- and in order to do so I have to be more prominent in my outfit posts and as a blogging, personality it won't be enough to simply present great articles about collection released for runways as well as New Zealand brands but to think of style in every aspect and principle of life.

I admire each of these ladies so much for having such a strong sense of self as well as their amazing fashion sense you don't even need to have picture perfect hair to be spotted as a fashionable force of nature- it appears that a great pair of sunglasses to hide your poker-face would be welcome, as well as a gorgeous printed dress of any style, handbag and great heels are all that is needed. The ruffles in felt down the middle of this dress remind me so much of vintage Oscar De La Renta and the khaki colour goes well with the light brown/ blond hair teased out in a big way.

It's reassuring to see a mixture of styles- from the colourful and eccentric to the basics of black and white with gypsy jewellery added for affect, it seems that any style was well received when worn with confidence and a pose to strike for the cameras, and a great handbag to hold and set of heels never went astray. There's also a great many hairstyles accepted, from the long and dip dyed ends in a lighter hue to the short and cropped pixie hair do for those with the cheek bones willing enough each of these young women brings about so much of their own style to their photograph and clothing and I admire each and everyone of them for being able to do so.

My favourite photograph of the post features this saucy young miss with Oriental fan in hand, black Ray Bans, short cut haircut and other black accessories with wonderfully bright turquoise coloured floral motif on her dress. The appeal about her posture is that she's so casual and relaxed much like her roomy leather handbag and I love the definition and shape of her lips as well. The gold watch perched on the wrist and matching gold chains at the top of the black leather handbag were chosen well to go with each other- it's always interesting to see how minimalist some fashion bloggers and spotted girls for street style photos are in terms of jewellery- I suppose they save more money for outfits and clothing. I will always be one to liberally favour and apply jewellery of a high standard to my fingers and wrists however, it's just how I'm built to function.

I go absolutely ga ga over this particular structure of dress, with pleated skirt and fitted bodice like top. My affection for this dress is only magnified by the doily and white lace print featured all over and the way its styled with a pair of perspex heels. I don't think this dress has come from the Karen Walker collection but it is of that same ilk- being very prissy and tea party appropriate. A girl like me can only dream of finding something like this in a second hand shop for bottom dollar and pull it off when attending fashion events that call for pill box hats and maybe even vintage gloves.

I had already mentioned that I had a favourite photograph for this post, but did I neglect to mention my favourite outfit? At the moment my love for the Deadly Ponies collection Hurrichain is boiling over and there's also fur jackets on my mind too- it seems only natural that my favourite outfit combine these two elements as well as a sleek felt hat and gorgeous winning smile. I can only hope that I'll have as much style and grace should I ever fulfill my dreams of becoming a fashion blogger and photographed on the streets as having a wicked and delightful sense in fashion.

Hipster Sweater

2012-02-13T23:19:00.000-08:00

Wearing: Vintage Sweater and printed leggings, This is Make Believe Resin Rose Necklace.

I had been waiting to put together this particular outfit post since Christmas but living in Australia Summer was the wrong time to drop this small and knitted bombshell. For some strange reason my digital camera of twelve megapixels is creating this soft focus and dreamy romantic tincture instead of being clear cut and as distinct as I would like it to be. I figured while I had the red nails I may as well done the knitted sweater I've owned for ten years as well as the old and stretchy and poorly made leggings with an Aztec print.

The sweater is something I'll wear when going out on occasion if it's cold enough but the leggings are more of a casual sort of thing but they're irregular and poorly made by an amateur, they cost less than twenty dollars so I can't readily complain. I just thought it would be fun to mix the two items together although the white of the sweater and yellow of the printed leggings seem to readily clash with one another. I wonder who really dresses like this on a day to day bases, I don't mind the sweater and with denim shorts and perhaps I would be more keen on the leggings if they actually fit a normal and symmetrical person.

With limited time to play around with my favourite camera and tripod combination I ended up looking scared and wide-eyed sitting down in the middle of my hallway. I think that I have mastered the look of having my lips ajar and they do look rather sculptural but I should have scanned my floor before including the fallen pen on the left of this photograph before it was taken.

Dainty

2012-02-13T04:35:00.000-08:00

Slowly in just a few hours there will be the culmination of romantic tension as well as many advertisements bombarded to consumers in order to cheesy and floral trinkets, poesies and sonnets. My brain has been awash with all sorts of amorous ideas about architecture as well as structured clothing, bright and brilliant patterns and my favourite Yves Saint Laurent Art ring with pink stone. It's hard not to get wrapped up in the emotion of a holiday with gravity and retail appeal but I know I really shouldn't- I'm just lucky I've been collecting photographs of idyllic scenes and settings instead on my hard drive.

Being the most wonderful person I've met in my life, my beau has promised to deliver some roses to my tomorrow on St. Valentine's Day because it's to be expected and I asked in an indirect fashion. There's something softly spoken about the gesture of giving roses to a girl on this special day, February fourteenth as well as her birthday. I suppose I'm just rather lucky to have someone special in my life that cares about me and is willing to spend time with me.

As a passionate gesture for my boyfriend I wouldn't mind performing such a feat for my lovely beau in return- long have I been a fan of the photographic but never sought to bare all in such a manner. I may not have the delicate porcelain complexion but I have gorgeous dark brown hair that may lend it self well to the budding and white blossoms of Spring. Ah if only it were not for the improper use of such suggestive photographs of the Internet and the way they can destory a person's reputation...

One day I will have wonderful and dainty upholstered leather couches in the middle of magnificent sitting rooms dedicated to reading and the learned arts as well as creative endeavours. That is if I ever curve my love for shopping online and persuade myself to be frugal and make smarter financial decisions such as working more often and harder as well as selling the occasional lost treasure online for a bit of spare cash. I will lord over my spouse and choose the the furniture with little regard for what they have to say as well as create a studio space of at all available for fashion blogging complete with iPad and typing station... in my dreams.

I wish I could stop being such a dainty girl and get my hands dirty once more, scrape and bruise my knees in rough and tumble sports and once again explain my injuries with a mixture of pride and embarrassment. What could possibly look better than turning up to a fashion or runway even than having scabby or bruised knobbly knees? At the moment I'm also sporting a rather attractive band aid on my calf, acquired from a missing chunk of skin I assume to be hanging on to my razor blade. Even in my dull life of little activity I manage to do some serious harm to myself- I really shouldn't buy a plastic skateboard and try to take that up as well. It will only end in tears and more injuries but this time to my pretty face.

I already stare at my reflection enough as it is and it would be a horrible idea to acquire a vintage and silver framed wall mirror but one day I'll watch myself grow old in it's reflection and remember what it was like to be without the white hair, hair coming out of my ears as well as wrinkles. It's all about the gorgeous and ornamental baroque style frame even if I had to paint over it in a garish colour such as lilac or baby pink I think I would be content with it gracing my walls but still afraid of the whole thing collapsing on its own weight and acquiring another seven years of bad luck.

Dainty and yet modern with twenty-first century flair and grace comes matching shirts in wild and digital prints and matching but slightly garish blue lipstick. This look would be nothing without the soft wisps of fair hair and the pale complexion of the model dressed in such a manner, although styling is an important aspect of fashion once must also consider what you look like and how best to accentuate your own personal and individual personality.

Whenever my mother watches those period pieces based on old books such as 'Jane Eyre' and 'Pride and Prejudice' there are these fantastic buildings with well kept and groomed grounds surrounding them, lace dresses that reach the floor and tight bodices as well as spectacular interior decorating. I think I could be completely content and happy for an afternoon if I had a large pair of lace curtains to wrap myself in as well as small phonograph in the corner to dance around with and fantasise the entire day.

I've excepted that I don't need fair skin and blond hair to be dainty thanks to my hero and style icon Alexa Chung- she's one of the most graceful and skinniest things I've ever clapped eyes on but her Asian heritage reassures me too that you can be perfectly beautiful and reach your potential without having blue eyes and blond hair. Although with that said, a well groomed routine and vintage frill neck collars certainly don't go astray for maintaining a girls image in these areas though I can tell that much.

I hope one day to hold a kitty in my arms with the perfect little pink nose and masses of fur everywhere and have it follow me around- only then will I feel a sense of cosmic fulfillment and empowerment over refined and aristocratic creatures. Perhaps being dainty and empowered with chic flair isn't about the way you look but is rather a state of mind you can channel should you be ready mentally and with the right tools and knowledge.

Christian Cota Fall 2012

2012-02-13T03:57:00.000-08:00

Although Christian Cota is a brand I have not previously covered, I instantly fell in love with his Fall collection of 2012 for combining the elements of luxurious and decadent fur in amazing colours as well as ethnic patterns. It's a shame I'm a season late to applaud the European designer and his collection but since things in the Southern Hemisphere are cooling down maybe I could find an online stockist to shroud myself in fur shawls and keep myself warm for Winter? I love this melding of Aztec styles and Western structure as well as the exuberant style of boiler suits, dresses and tops in earthy tones as well as the sharp contrast of teal and turquoise.

There's a wonderful playfulness when using materials in these gorgeous patterns as well as the chic sophistication of the models. I love the middle parts as well as red lipstick which seems to compliment the colours of any of the collections pieces. The eclectic patterns as well as soft billowy structure lends itself well to the drapery and folded manner that fashion bloggers will so readily find a use for and patterns are my current muse at the moment.Whether the patterned tops are worn with glorious fur coats or simple black jeans, they both look absolutely fantastic and I would love to be able to feel the materials and admire them first hand for this collection.

Christian Cota has a lot to offer the fashion world in terms of surprising structure and quirk; it's not often you see an open panel at the back of a blouse as well as the melding of three different but equally fantastic and whimsical patterns all together. Those sea green pants are also something to die for- one sure fire way to win my over is with a great pair of statement pants in a fantastic colour. I love the elegant but sassy black heel boots with loose fitting material surrounding the ankles used throughout the presentation of the collection too- it's very Tomb Raider meets Peter Pan in a fantastic marriage of two beings exploring the wild and wilderness.

What's really lured me in with this Fall collection is the luxurious fur coats in so many wild and wonderful colours- I've been eagerly searching for these types of coats you see on a vintage online store but they always sell out due to their massive demand and popularity with other fashion hungry girls. I have some fantasy in mind that with the holiday escape to Canada next year I'm going to need a wonderful coat/ cape to chase away the cold so I'm already mildly preparing for such an event to rear its ugly head. There's also the small longing I've squashed deep down in my gut to own fur whether it be fake or real in order to play dress ups and enjoy myself as an eccentric teenage blogger.

Although fashion activists may readily argue such iconic slogans as 'Fur is Murder', I can't help but feel readily conflicted and confronted as a consumer and fashion lover when I see wonderful fur coats such as this striped piece, part of the Christian Cota Fall 2012 collection. The two contrasting hues of brown fur and the ferocious treacle and light brown tones and textures created by the two furs parallel to one another is a thing of beauty. It's like the wonderful and much loved Prada S/S11 collection all over again which featured fur stoles in striped pastel hues- except without the colour of a Willy Wonky nightmare there is instead a wonderful natural tone about the fur combined with these ethnic prints in warm colours echoing the soft falling leaves of Autumn.

It should be acknowledged that within this wonderful collection there are many beautiful and ingenuitive pieces of clothing but of all the outfits I think this may be one of my favourites for the bohemian chic and elegance achieved through tapestry like material as well as a spiralling fur cowl. Having educated myself about the wonderful scarves and accessories from the Etsy store of Yokoo Gibraan, I can appreciate the warmth a cowl can lend on a cold Winter's day and the floral motif for both jumper and pants is simply wonderful. Although my young and juvenile style has yet to be rooted in a particular trend or movement, on the days I do feel like a flower child I would like nothing more than to readily done a wonderful tapestry jumper with roses and the burnt red and flowing vine motifs of these pants from the Christian Cota. It is continuously wonderful to have my eyes opened to new aesthetic experiences as far as the clashing of two similar prints is concerned and to see different colours work so well together in a chic but grounded ensemble.

I can't contain myself from commenting on the wonderful fur pieces of the Christian Cota collection- there's just something so wonderfully reassuring about snuggling into fur and feeling the soft fibres brush against your skin while swanking around a store's floor or pushing past crowded racks at your local second hand shop. I love the contrast between the pumpkin coloured dress and it's long sleeves as well as the burnt red of the fur vest and their two hems meeting together with elegant sheer black tights. Although it seems unnecessary to have both, I think there's something really alluring and sexy when wearing a large puffed fur jacket as well as tights or even perhaps a scantily clad body underneath it. It suggests something wild and untamed like the Mongolians led by Genghis Khan out to destroy the world and wearing the skins of animals long slain... but in a refined and modern feminine manner.

There's probably too many theatrical elements about this fur trimmed coat; I think it would have better blended in amongst a haute

After having scanned my eyes over the best of the Christian Cota Fall 2012 collection I thought I had a real sense of identity about the structure as well as types of pieces produced; then the last three pieces completely destroy the illusion I that I thought I knew the designer but in the most splendid way. Combining the well-loved patterns and prints of the collection in an entirely new and exciting way were these three dresses featuring trailing and tumbling tulle and fabulous fabrics. The most well know bohemian chick on the scene would be one Isabella Lucas and I can easily imagine her gracing the red carpet in one of these dresses, their very her although I don't think as of yet she is a fan of Christian Cota. Instead his clientele include Katy Perry, Tina Fey as well as a host of other A-Lister celebrities. I think it's fair to say we can all expect great things from this designer and I can only hope that includes more bombastic and devilish prints used in ingenious ways.

Margaux Lonnberg

2012-02-12T20:43:00.000-08:00

It seems long ago in my searches for the perfect witch and spooky figure I came across Margaux Lonnberg, a figure resembling a skeleton and covered in fancy cursive tattoos as well as tumbling white hair and a permanent black and white filter surrounding her like a mystical aura. I suppose I was drawn to her for the lack of eyebrows and contrast of white hair and tan skin as well as delicate features and angular bones and joints sticking out. The casual and carefree attitude of white jersey shirts and worn out denim is made all the more distinct against her sun kissed skin as well as light coloured eyes.

It's images like this that can turn a young woman from healthy to skipping meals and smoking cigarettes as a good substitute sadly- although I complain about my legs now being skinny I can't imagine embracing someone as angular and unhealthy that they're collarbones become knife-like rather than smooth and supple. It's all about the appeal of the bike style as well as this warrior-like physique of survival but I can't help but think how dangerous it is for an individual to do this to their own body and act as a medium for advertisement signalling to others to follow in their path of dangerous dieting.

Weight issue aside, she still has a striking and gorgeous profile and I love the class behind her tattoos- she's what I envision a modern day charm caster to look like with haunted appeal of her eyes and the long white hair. Margaux's look is one totally owned by herself and there isn't one person I can think of in the fashion world that chooses to have striking white hair and tan skin, apart from the one-of-a-kind Karl Lagerfeld, creative director of Chanel's haute couture. It's not often that a person can look utterly enchanting without little presence from their eyebrows; in fact I dare say that many modern models rely on striking eyebrows to make their features more delicate and balance out their faces these days.

I love the dishevelled appeal about her and the messy uncombed hair- it seems my days of pulling off the look are long gone since the length of my hair is now naturally weighing me down and needs to be layered a bit more and given a good ruffle. No one could possibly pull off a black and white photo shoot better than Margaux Lonnberg with her iconic tan skin and platinum blond hair- the setting of doona cover, guitar in the corner and a bedroom the size of Harry Potter's cupboard under the stairs seems so cosy with her sitting at the centre.

Without the use of photo editing it seems that she's permanently surrounded by this atmosphere of black and white in her ever day style of long and loose white shirts and cut off denim that's either black or acid washed and ripped in all manner of ways. While I'm not particularly envious of this style per se, I am jealous that she's found a style and dress sense that so easily calls to her and fits her as well as a rooted way of living and going about life. I still seem so sporadic when it comes to clothing and style and I haven't settled into anything permanent yet, I guess it makes me nervous that I'll be one of those fashion challenged girls who wears what she likes without thinking of how things look together as a whole.

It would help to have a naturally beautiful and striking face to clear the path on the way to style and fashion nirvana but I suppose I really need to be aware of myself and my needs as well as what my life is becoming before I launch into a certain style and way of being. One day I'll be in love with vintage and the other I'll seek a stronger hipster appeal and then I'll be clamouring over the chic appeal of Alexa Chung. When will I finally find my voice? That's what I admire about Marguax Lonnberg, she has a strong sense of self and seems sort of haunted by her past but independent when portrayed in her photo shoots.

Spectrum

2012-02-12T20:02:00.000-08:00

Although there's many Autumn/ Winter collections for 2012 being released and minimalist design and colour, I can't help but dream about wonderful and colourful clothing as well as the effects of Aurora Borealis. My own clothing wardrobe is lacking in printed designs such as sweaters and cardigans as well as vintage blouses, of course I need to earn a bit of money first and sell my old clothes before I buy anymore as my boyfriend has so ceremoniously pointed out. I wouldn't mind having galaxy printed loose jersey shirts as well as pattened jeans/ torusers and a good pair of swanky brogues.

I've been trying to find the perfect pair of patterned jeans, I know Ksubi are often a great source of colourful and modern denim but I'm more eager to find something vintage anda bit more softly spoken. The horrible thing about trying to find great vintage trousers is that they're all in tiny sizes that I can't dream of fitting in- even the legs wouldn't accomodate my calves which have been sculpted after years of participating in sport. Another reason I wish I had skinny stick thin legs- there are so many wonderul printed jeans I can't fit in to but am able to afford. I live in a cruel and unusual realm of fashion. I think I've let a pair of these striped jeans pass my by at a good and reasonable price too- they were from Urban Outfitters and I've been looking for something with Beetlejuice flair for a while but also have been prioritising some purchases above others.

My love for unusual printed pants and leggings lead me ti buy a pair of Black Milk leggings which I threw back on eBay after only wearing them for two costume occasions and being much too timid to wear them out and about on the street. I'm much more comfortable it seems in buying things more versatille or at least jumpers with big and bright patterns. I wouldn't mind dressing the patterned leggings with black band shirts, but there's a lot more to exeperience when it comes to fashion and it appears that layering is the most popular among other fashion bloggers- something I myself am trying to incorporate into my own styling with difficulty.

Among my admiration for wild patterns and design in fashion I can't help but be drawn to the staple pieces as well such as denim shirts and jackets, a good leather jacket to be worn with a variety of patterned blouses and dresses in order to change things readily with my wardrobe. I've been able to find so many wonderful staple pieces but can't bring myself to finally buy them- I know I should be disciplined and save my money as well as sell more things online in order to save for overseas trips as well as expensive and label named pieces. It's a tricky balancing act when finances are concerned especially when such a wide spectrum of style and clothing is to be considered as well.

American model and singer Sky Ferreira showing off those gorgoues pouting lips of hers smeared in red lipstick with a patterned jumper. A sweatshirt with as many colours as well as patterns like this should be worn with denim cut-off shirts and tights underneath and simple canvas shoes for full and blossoming effect. I'm not sure I'll ever be that sort of teenage girl, I find myself much more drawn to the label brands and finely made things using precious metals and the occasional semi-precious stone. However it seems that the most popular fashion bloggers can create so many different and wild outfits by buying vintage pieces and having a keen eye for style. I'm too much of a fashion snob at the moment to live in such a way and rotate my wardrobe as readily as some of the big names such as Booke Kao and Tavi Gevinson.

I guess I'm a little more preoccupied with buying garments that are timeless and good quality as opposed to raiding op shops mindlessly for mediocre quality clothing that I can easily mix and match to best fit my own style- it's difficult to be able to bring new outfits and ideas when I've had much the same wardrobe for the past few years and don't readily feel inspired when observing other people's images. Instead I feel stuck in my own little realm and world where everything seems very much unchanged and the same. If Ionly I had the wild senseibility of a young teenager once again who didn't know that wearing a certain top with pants was wrong and was simply free to do as they pleased. Or if I had grown up to be an angst filled semi-anarchist with bindis as well as black lisptick at my disposal. Then maybe I would be less boring and wear more exciting outfits when going out with friends.

Something I had planned to get more intune with was film photography when I had sufficient funds to develop the six rolls of film sitting on my desk. What's worse is that there's about fifteen unused rolls sitting in a plastic sealer bag somewhere else in my study space and the number of half used rolls in various cameras around my room. At least a few of them will be moving on to better homes sometime this week when my eBay listings go through and I pick up another extra hundred dollars as an added bonus. The wonderful thing about film photography despite its expenses is all the wonderful surprised you get when observing the colours and tone of your photographs and light leaks. Digital photography while more accessible to the masses and cheaper will never have the unpredictable allure of its older counterpart.

It seems a waste to conduct self-portraint photographs in black and white unless you aim to focus on the looks of a person rather than their colouration and clothing. While my camera is lacking in a black and white setting, it would be nice to be able to explore that function of a camera in order to show prints of an ensemble of clothing if the colours don't fit well together- while it is a bit of a cheat it's something else to consider. I hadn't really considered texture and material of clothing to be such an important aspect until a few years ago but I feel I'm getting a better appreciation for it as time goes on.

As well as patterend pieces I've also had my eye on Mongolian lamb coats and bags to spice up my wardrobe but I should be considering how to carefully integrate pieces into my existing wardrobe rather than simply buying somehting because I like the way it looks- it seems that kind of rational will only carry you so far and you must also think about the types of clothing you wear as a whole for presentation rather than picking out the items of clothing you feel like wearing for a particular day. It seems that the world of fashion has evolved from so much more than keeping yourself warm and comfortable for the fashion bloggers who take it seriously and really enjoy being engulfed in this surreal world of style.

Since I now have acquired two delightful Yves Saint Laurent Arty rings as well as a brightly coloured satchel, all that is left for me to do is take photographs of myself with the two in hand and I can be a young and fashionable lady and trend setter for the massess... yeah I wish. If I had any sense I would create outfits as I sell my olf clothes or try and match as many potential outfits revolving around a single piece of clothing and then post them certain days and weeks apart from one another. It's also difficult to be a fashion blogger without anyone else to take photographs of yourself on the street and create this papparazii appeal about photographs hosted on your blog.

Jil Sander Navy Summer 2012

2012-02-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

It seems my love for well-structured pieces with sharp colours and admiration of Alexa Chung's hair has lead me to the Jil Sander Navy Summer 2012 collection- there's a distinct withdrawn nature about it for a Summer collection and features materials I'm more accustomed to associate with Autumn/ Winter collection. Like any good collection for the new season whether that be Summer or Winter (depending on location of label) there are thick and chunky brogues as well as the use of mid-calf socks a trend that is becoming more evident and popular with the presentation of models for collections.

Elements of the Autumn and Winter collection are also apparent in the strong structured pleated skirt I've come to know from other collections such as J.W. Anderson Pre-Fall as well as the new Kenzo collection. I just love the bold design of the dress, including the inverted 'T' shape darts for the pleats of the skirt and the perfect red hemline lending the piece well to be used as something for colour blocking. The use of matching beige platform brogues with their own small red rubber also cleverly mimics the pattern of the skirt. I love the way navy and black is used in this collection as two interchangeable shades of the same ilk.

As well as strong structured dresses and skirts with pleats and collars abound, there's large outdoor coats used as drapery pieces with a contrasting softer side to them- I love the way they cloak the stick-thin models. It was interesting to see different shades of red, brown and navy used with other muted and neutral tones but the collection was very simplistic and minimalist in its approach. That's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes down to buying good quality clothing for all occasions but without the warmth and comfort of padding in a coat, what use are they for the Summer season other than something to wear at night? However unfair I may be, the use of the coats in combination with soft leather bags and chunky platform lace-ups does add an air of sophistication about the outfits and they are beautifully put together.

I love the metallic sheen about this soft pink/ dusty grey material and there is a lovely strong structure about it from the bust down which creates pleats, but I can't help but think the collar and what appears to be a zipper down the middle lets down the structure and material. For something of this colour and with the capped sleeves I expected something more refined and evening to wear- not collars and a small little dart down the middle. I think I'd prefer the skirt of the dress as its own separate piece and maybe a better look at the collar, although all the models chosen have shoulder length hair it's never good to have that interfere with the detail of the dresses and pieces shown for the collection.

I'm still in love with pleats as well as collars in contrasting collars for shirts so naturally this ensemble is my favourite of the collection- the shoes as well as matching black socks create this ambiguity of when one piece ends and the other begins and the continuation of black from the collar and bag is clever but very subtle. I'm not often a big fan of vertical stripes involving white and black but there's something very chic and understated about the blouse shown above, it can lend itself well to a number of outfits and has great versatility about it. The skirt is one of the few pieces I would seek to buy online apart from the shoes and coats- I don't have a lot of pink in my wardrobe and this soft shade could be worn with a sheer blouse and some killer heels for a night out but also looks sweet enough to be worn during the day.

The dramatic use of a red coat with an entirely black ensemble? Wonderful- I love the small pouch at the waist of the model, for those travel savvy it would make a great keeper for your important documents or simply if your out shopping and want somewhere to hold your necessary plastic credit cards. You can be assured when buying from a label like Jil Sander some of the highest quality leather will be used for the small bag, and if my eyes don't deceive me is that a ribbed romper suit worn by the model? The all too familiar conflict when styling outfits for collection as opposed to showing them piece by piece is that the finer details and aspects of something worn under a large coat can be hidden under a coat at the centre of attention of the piece.

I love the small and barely noticeable discomfort of the model when wearing this school boy inspired ensemble, although tailored for a woman's body, Jil Sandler were clever enough to include a bulkier and wider collar, black tie with tie clip and charm and even tailored shorts. I also know the perfect little satchel from Olympia Le-Tan to include with the white collar style of these clothes offset by the lovable but very dorky red brogues with white laces. They remind me of bowling shoes but with a platform edge and they add a splash of colour to the otherwise bland and straight-forward outfit styled above.

Jil Sander is known for her minimalist design, neat and ribbon decorated hems and has been as described as delivering class with edge. As my taste matures and I seek more refined pieces and drawn back prints it's good to know a brand that focuses on chic refinement and simple design- I love the small black bow tie across the waist to soften the two striped bands along the hem. A vintage Chanel jacket wouldn't go astray with this ensemble either whether it's fake or not wouldn't really matter.

It seems that classic designs are finally growing on me with the black coat and patterned sheer skirt catching my eye with the dorky platforms in black- they just seem so comical in comparison to the skinny little pale legs of the model. Still, I love the pallet of colours and the square blocking print used on the skirt as well as the pleats; I can't get enough of pleated skirts and dresses and I'll probably wear them until they are well and truly out of style once more. I love the loose structure of both skirt and coat though, the tight and form-fitting has always been a personal nemesis of mine so I naturally favour the casual and flowing lines the fashion world is so eagerly addressing.

Get a load of that large big black bag, definitely not something you want to carry around when slumming but I quite like the large and rectangular structure in comparison to the small shoulder strap aesthetically. In the practical world this bag would never fly with me and I wouldn't dare look at it in a shop but the side profile shown with the draping coat and the smart platform shoes in black sort of brings it all together in this surreal world of spies and danger as well as travelling with few possessions.

The hero of this piece is the wet-look or "lame" and shiny metallic gold material of the skirt- can you imagine the type of havoc you could wreak at a formal occasion with the right camisole top and some vintage gloves? I don't own many fantastic looking tops in their own right but I'm sure Miu Miu or Prada will have a gorgeous shirt with Peter Pan Collar in magnificent detail to go with this skirt. It would be wonderful to be able to dress up like this everyday but my mother will scarcely let me wear my American Apparel skirt when I go out to the city with her. For someone as anti-social as myself, my dress sense or the clothes I long to wear really call for some amazing occasion of celebrating with friends.

My favourite of all the coats featured in the collection is the cheery red colour, able to breath life into a khaki and beige ensemble and brighten up anyone's gloomy day.
I'd love to see what young Alexa Chung would do with such a piece in her wardrobe which isn't that hard to imagine considering the short shoulder length hair of all the models used for this collection. Perhaps on my holiday to Canada next year I'll strike it lucky and buy a gorgeous coat from a brand name store for a wonderful price and get to swank around town with my mother and her friends.

Pink Hair

2012-02-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

After another bought of hormones and fanciful teenage daydreaming I am once again contemplating dyeing part of my hair pink from the outside influence of the micro-blogging website Tumblr bombarding me with all manner of wonderful photographs. I think the key difference between the girls pictured with pink hair and myself is that they are actually pretty whereas I am not, have always been a bit of a plain Jane and have never had the confidence to have a really bold and colourful haircut. I'm shy, my neutral face expression makes me look sad/ upset and the haircut would only end up wearing me but still, I can't help but admire the shimmery tones and shades when the pink hair catches the light as well as the way curls create eddies and crests for hair to bounce off.

Pink hair in Vogue, it happened and not only that but it looks simply gorgeous as well as artistic and luxuriant. Although it does look like a wig and the fringe is roughly cut in places, I like the theatrical nature of this piece as well as the strong structured shoulders and matching hair piece made of tweed and organic materials. It would be wonderful if people could have naturally pink hair, mother nature may not have devised that in her grand plan for camouflage but think how much more interesting and colourful the world could become.

Model Charlotte Free has been one of the great pioneers in terms of having pink hair- it's sort of her trademark look along with punk and grunge style. It seems that she's had many different shades of pink, from a dark magenta colour to this soft cotton candy shade. I suppose that's one thing to consider when getting ones hair dyed repeatedly- the colour will change when having to dye a lighter colour using peroxide and also when the dye fades you might have red hair turning to pink. That trick is something I'll be banking on when I try to dye my ends, start at a lovely red colour, let it fade naturally and then continually reapply pink hair dye to sustain that particular shade.

Pink hair is such a bold fashion statement in itself, but there's something alluring about the combination of cheap plastic jewellery as well as shirts with rainbows on them that makes the appeal of pink hair even more attractive. Even when wearing all black one would look quite colourful when sporting soft pink hair which is another positive aspect that is gravitating me mentally towards bottles of hair dye. Having dark hair and a natural affection for black jeans and jumpers doesn't work in my favour but having pink hair would make me look fashionable and bombastic as opposed to disgruntled and angered by the state of affairs of the world.

I love everything about this photographic, the silk jacket and its swallow motif in sky blue, the galaxy shirt in black as well as the messy, soaked pink hair. The use of red eyeshadow as well the shade of deep purple creates even more wonderful shades of that spectrum in the rainbow and the conscience decision for the hair to darken in colour at the ends is gorgeous as well. For some strange reason I've been adoring the pairing of pink and blue together- it must have been the Creatures of the Wind collection with lace insert that has me that way inclined. I love wearing black shirts and have been looking for silk jackets with amazing colours but maybe they would look even better if I had a purple/ pink hue about my hair, even if it was just at the ends and melded my natural hair colour with the fantasy colours more akin to My Little Pony figurines.

I'd love to be able to braid and intertwine colours together such as my own brown hair and lilac- since I would never be allowed to have half pink and half blue hair while living under the roof of my parents. The conflicting problem about having such wild and fantastic hair is that it needs to be kept in a certain way and to achieve such a bold effect it needs to be braided everyday- I doubt that it would look as good without being braided. Just as Cruella Deville has short hair that is half white and black it is always styled in the same manner in order to have the full effect and impact of a Disney villain, with something as bold as half pink and blue hair you need to think carefully about how to style it for maximum colourful impact.

This photography presents the main issue I have about dyeing hair- eventually it will become dry and brittle as well as extremely damaged, your dark roots will need to be continually attended to twice a week and it will have a rough unkept air about it. I'm getting a haircut myself soon with the dead ends chopped off as well as layers redone but only then will I access for myself whether I should make the brave decision to have pink/ purple streaks in my hair or to dip dye. Her outfit is simple and a little childish featuring a simple shirt with a rainbow as well as pastel blue shorts, but her skin is tan and you can already tell she's a size zero easily. The girls who have hair dyed in wonderful colours are either unbelievably attractive or very artistic and spend their time going out to clubs and I don't fit into either of those categories.

What inspired me again to think about dyeing hair was this image of a model for a vintage reseller store called Crux and Crow, I've been a fan of this particular store for a long time and their chosen model changes her hair quite often but this is certainly one of the brighter and more colourful haircuts she's chosen. I love the way the pink and purple streaks flow up from the ends of her hair and the soft brown hues at the crown of her head. Not many people can pull off having a high fringe but the addition of streaks there too also does well to create a grunge and punk aesthetic. My hair is much too long and without texture to pull off something as impressive as this but I couldn't mind having uneven and mismatched colours creeping in my hair as well. I'm in half a mind after my proper haircut to get the hair dye, print this photograph and ask a hairdresser to do something similar for myself.

I would never have the guts to dye my full head of hair pink and also accessorize in the matching colour. No, I would use it ax an excuse to wear lots of grunge pieces such as denim and black, the occasional use of studs and even a leather jacket to contrast my dark style with my lighthearted hair. As I keep selling more and more pieces on eBay and shrinking my wardrobe, I'm slowly allowing myself to buy some more pieces and become more like the person I always wanted to become all throughout high school. Whether that will entail pink and purple in my hair I really can't say at the moment, it depends on a few factors mainly including my relationships with people but for now my mind is still on the hair dye.

Olympia Le-Tan Pre-Fall 2012 Part 2

2012-02-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Just as I think the flow of previews of the new collection are coming to a stop, she just keeps the lovely little sneak previews coming. I had previously written a post collaborating the Pre-Fall pieces released on the Olympia Le-Tan Tumblr but since then there have been even more additions and I think it's only fair I admire and adore them as well. I've noticed the change within her online store and website so it's only a matter of time before her Pre-Fall 2012 will be released but then again for a born and bred Parisian maybe her Pre-Fall collection will probably come in the midst of my Southern Hemisphere Winter and closer to my birthday...

It's the purple/pink coloured book clutches with medieval embroidered detail and designs that I'm most eager to see, this being the second best of that specific genre I've created. They're all wonderful and I'm eager to get any of her collection at a good price but since her new collection holds such promise as well as mystery about it I'm willing to go with the flow at this point. With that said though, I've already let a few get away from me at 75% off and I will not let such an opportunity pass me by again.

There wonderful thing about viewing the minaudières created by Olympia Le-Tan with help from her sister Cleo made in their studio in Paris is that there's such a great variety of colours and techniques- the strength of their label is that they recreate designs from other artists and transport it into a different type of media. So sometimes the book covers are wordy as well as scrolled with embroidery thread and then there's the artistic and bold impressionist view of the human body show above. There's a great variety too of fonts and the way their blended in to the book cover design in order to attract readers, or in the case of this medium those eyeballing and ogling the Le-Tan collection.

This lovely cover has had the gracious honour of being my computer background for the last week or so and I think I was most appreciative of the fine speckled detail in black felt for the beast, as well as the large sewn title of Il Gattopardo. I find writing beautifully to be laborious enough but to be able to create felted letters or stitch the title of a book in another language must be extraordinarily difficult. Red was my favourite childhood colour and the shade used for this particular book cover and minaudière matches the detail of the eyes and mouth of the feline beast- beige and red is a favourite contrasting and classic pair for the Le-Tan range of clutches it seems.

Amongst all the finely threaded and embroidered details as well as meticulously cut pieces of felt ringlets for a leopard-like beast, it's nice to be able to also see a relatively plain book cover amongst the collection. 'La Storia' written by Elsa Morante and recreated by the skilled hands of Olympia Le-Tan and sister Cleo features well cut block letters in bright green felt on a bright blue background. One of my favourite things about watching the released of the book clutches is the variety of colour and also technique in creating each and every one of the minaudières by hand.

Admiring the finely stitched shapes as well as neat letters and multiple fonts makes me wish I had pursued my love of textiles and taken on further study in my final years of high school but I was already ambitious enough and juggling many projects. I remember carefully doing needlework in front of the television mindlessly toiling away but to create something of such fine detail shown above a cleanly kept studio space would be necessary. I'll never be crafty enough to produce something as elegant and seamless as the Olympia Le-Tan minaudières which are a thing of beauty but it's still fun to admire her handiwork and her collection releases.

Prissy

2012-02-11T02:38:00.000-08:00

All the emails I've been receiving from online stores and shopping centres alike about their Valentine's Day selection must be leaking into my brain, it's either that or my inner romantic is finally unleashing itself in a spectacular fashion-fulled frenzy. I've been enjoying a lot of pink as well as floral as of late to admire and the pink glass stone of my Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ring which I had intended to throw back on eBay but I'm such a softie I don't think I have the heart to do it. If I am lucky enough to receive roses on Valentine's Day then I'll have to do a photo shoot holding my bouquet as well as sporting the large stone over my knuckle.

It seems that when I think of those effortlessly feminine heroines of mine, they all involve tall skinny legs that go on for miles and are decorated with utterly adorable and kittenish flats. I know I should be pleased to work in a job where I get to exercise and run up and down rather than stand fixed in one stop but I would love to get rid of all the muscle in my legs and just have them skinny for once in my life.

While I've been working hard and slaving away on a hot whistle it's been nice to think about all the things I'll treat myself to when I save the money and also staring at my treasures recently bought that I need to compensate for. One day when I move out I'll get many scented candles as well as some healing crystals for decoration to put at the top of my desk or maybe in front of the window as a little mystique reminder of who I am and what I loved as a child. Although I study within the discipline of science I can't possibly turn my back on the folklore of magic and pixies I was raised on.

I always wanted and lusted after a pink tulle dress with gorgeous little sequined detail but alas my mother had other ideas and chose black instead. My Year 12 formal dress had a nice sequin and scalloped effect at the top but it was the pink counterpart I was really after. It doesn't matter how much black one wears, the amount of Vans and jeans worn day in and day out, a girl will always for one lingering moment long to be a pretty princess on the biggest formal and social occasion of her school life. Her wedding night is the crowning moment of all these dreams, although I dare say one can't wear a faintly pink dress on that day of days, in a sort of bargain and trade tiaras however, are acceptable.

I'm afraid that no one has flowers on the brain more than I do at the moment, in a few hours I'll get to chat online with my beau about our plans for Valentine's Day as well as speculate the colour of roses he'll be getting me. Although it would appear that I still have a long way to go until these flowery thoughts engulf me entire state of being and I'm nothing more than a gorgeous body in a frilly cocktail dress and a dainty floral arrangement. It's been a long time since I last received flowers so I'm a little excited to see what he'll pick out as well as shoot a little bit of playful photography inspired by the mood of the day.

If I could I would be surrounded by a garden of pink- the grass would betall and soaked with a tinge of orange and pink like a spectacular sunset and fed and watered on a diet of pink water. The contrast with the sky whether it be pitch black, sky blue or sullen and overcast would always brighten up the mood of the day and I would be without a male companion of any kind if I did live in such a manner. I guess I'll have to make do with natural pink things such as flowers and possibly even vintage My Little Pony figurines bought online as well.

I love the hidden potential of the pink tulle and it's sheeny sparkle in this photograph as well as the gorgeous girl holding it- given the right hands, creativity as well as a stable sewing machine and one could spin a dress that dreams built. I myself have always been better at wrapping myself in material and falling in love with my own reflection than making my daydreams and wishes a reality. Even with limited amount of a material a small pill box hat could be made in preparation for something such as large horse racing events or maybe just your local vintage club having a get-together.

I'd love to having creeping streaks of soft lilac and lavender in my hair, if I can't have dip dye (which has fallen out of Vogue I feel) then this effect of soft streaks and stronger colour at the bottom of the ends is quite becoming and contrasts a natural tone with pink and purple. I've been longing to have dip dye in my hair for a while and also been fighting myself on the matter since my experiences with hair dye have always been regrettable but maybe I could buy the dye myself, ask for peroxide and bring a photograph like this to instruct and coach the hairdresser on. There's still the small matter of upsetting my much beloved boyfriend if I were to do something as childish and outrageous as having purple and pink in my hair but realistically, when else will I get away with such a stunt?

To style the mannequins for a second hand shop would be a wondrous and most splendid thing considering all the possible outfits and avenues one can explore. The contrast of the Metallica shirt supporting their album 'Master of Puppets' as well as the washed out denim jacket, lace gathered skirt and doily collar at the neck is perfect. I want to personally congratulate the person who set up this outfit and give them a gold star and take them out to lunch as well discussing the dichotomy between hard rock and grunge as well as soft tea party motifs and Marie Antoinette.

I would love to live in a grand old house with creaky wooden stairs, spiral motifs and a second story but I think houses like this only exist in America in rich suburban areas. Curious that the placement of the flower has hidden the face of, what I assume to be the happily married couple- maybe a conscious decision to allow the viewer to live through this imaginary and fantasy world of grand designs. Although I do love to buy many beautiful pieces of jewellery and clothing, I can't help but think of saving for a gorgeous house- the ultimate statement of luxury and decadence really. Filling that house with beautiful items and clothes is secondary in my daydreams of adulthood.

Creatures of the Wind Summer/ Spring 2012

2012-02-10T18:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the influence of my own little fashion guru Tavi Gevinson of the Style Rookie, I was lucky to be exposed to the wonders of the Summer/ Spring collection for 2012 from 'Creatures of the Wind'. Unfortunately there's very little given information about this fashion label, as far as I know their earliest collection was from Spring/ Summer 2011 but there must have been an earlier beginning of toil and hardship as well as breaking into the world of fashion to become the shiny beacon of hope they've become today.

I quite like the simplistic presentation of the models- they all seem to be placed within the exact point in each frame of the photograph and share the same distinctive and heavy brows in comparison to their near and delicately featured faces. There's also the thin strapped shoes worn with socks in a variety of contrasting colours as well as lengths depending on the lengths of the skirts and dresses in question. I love the feminine pleated skirts and floral prints from this collection- there's something so wild and colourful about them but the structure is tame and very familiar.

I felt terribly unsettled by the fake tan and deep set features of this model shown above- although I'm in love with the lace see-through and pink combination as well as orange socks and green strappy shoes One can't help but think a more neutral and less angry expression from the model would have helped sell the image of the brand a little better. Still, I don't think that anything could really deter me from a dress combining pink and blue together with lace inserts and rose motifs. It's the dress I imagine the mother of Alice in Wonderland wearing for a tea party which sens her daughter into a psychotic episode/ comatose.

The difficult thing about the presentation of collections in such a manner is that it's hard to know when a dress and blouse combination is worn together or it's a singular dress- especially when a jacket is worn over the top. Still, I am intrigued by this pink lace skirt, the small blocked section of floral material and the white top half of the dress. I wouldn't mind having something like this hanging around my wardrobe should I ever be called upon for an interview with a fashion company about my blog and written articles.

I think this was the quirky image that caught my eye and attracted my attention to the small collection of images hosted on the Style Rookie- the dress and smock/ kaftan style from the 1960s is so familiar but the glasses and eye wear with inbuilt forehead is new and modern. The trailing threads at the bottom hemline of the dress seems ripped and fraying but it lends me the idea of buying something plain in the same structure and taking up the sleeves and hem for my own curious and sinister purposes. I feel I should point out that the glasses shown above are very similar to the main image shown in the background of the Creatures of the Wind home site- with slight variation on the lens colour and the use of plastic gems. It's all very psychedelic and groovy, isn't it?

Although I do at times disagree with the casting for the Creatures of the Wild Summer/ Spring 2012 collection I adore the styling of this outfit and would love to buy the jacket and dress combination this very day (if I had the money to throw around). The shade of pink used isn't exactly fluorescent but the hue goes so well with the floral tones of blue and pink sleeves, hemline as well as collar of the jacket. The grey socks and white strapped shoes give that air of sophistication to such a bright and eccentric ensemble. Now if only I had somewhere to wear them my life would be complete...

It must be the combination of that rose lace effect in blue over contrasting pink for this jacket that draws me into this jacket- normally I wouldn't be attracted to tartan prints unless there was red, black and taffeta involved but this jacket is as dapper as it is sweet and looks wonderful worn with a plain pleated skirt- easily found in any vintage shop in any Western country. They would look even better worn with a pair of thickset glasses to really hype up the dapper and hipster appeal of ones outfit.

Although the Creatures of the Wind collection is plain and minimalist in some of their clothing for this resort collection, it's the imaginative use of head wear as well as ornaments and colourful pieces that really catches my eye. I always find that a collection being limited to the same shades of colours and pallet bores me unless there's imaginative use of structure and variation for dresses, tops and skirts to keep my interest keen. I'm most impressed with the variety of pink as well as the contrasting looks that creatures of the Wind has created in their neat collection presentation.

I love photographic and printed patterns on silk, including the jackets from Limedrop famously worn by fashion blogger Susie Bubble of the Style Bubble, but I think in terms of colour as well as variety of pattern this silk jacket worn witha pink smock dress takes the cake. The clashing of blue floral as well as strong geometric black and white works surprisingly well when worn with another strong blocking colour such as the fuchsia pink shown above. The distinction between patterns for the sleeves and main body of the jacket also creates an interesting visual link of staircases and Escher amongst a sea of black and white lines.

Once again, Creatures of the Wind proves that you don't need to match two pieces together to create a dazzling outfit, much in the way my fashion hero Tavi as well as Brooke Kao and Susie Bubble disregard clashing patterns and colours. The shade of blue is so royal for the shirt and the structure lends itself well to being worn with the high waisted skirt that goes past the knee. There's midriff appeal and a waist visible but the lace insert skirt and contrast between lime green and aqua tones the look down and gives it a vintage appeal. The wild and kooky glasses also remind me of the youthful eclecticism Tavi Gevinson so readily brings about any of her online publications and projects.

Wild, modern and with a hint of The Matrix about it, I adore this jacket and blouse combination, it's like a breathe of fresh air tainted with electronics as well as professor Frankenstein. Black and bright green are simply made for each other but this chic and formal ensemble is such a surprise but I can't feel but be completely taken with the imagination and sinister nature of the two worn together. Sibling London released a collection featuring playful fluorescent green knitwear but there's the soft and feminine structure about this jacket as well as hints of yellow and green in amongst the uneven splotches that I just love.

The purple hemline peaking out from under the white dinner jacket shown above reminds me so much of the vintage kimono and Japanese textured jackets I've been hinting online for the past month or so and the pastel streaks of eyeliner and golden mask only emphasise that cultural influence in the design of this collection. I just wish there was an online store for Creatures of the Wind I could eyeball and stare longingly at to calculate how much I would need to work in order to find the perfect dress/ jacket from their collection. My only small and minute criticism about this mysterious label, that and the lack of information about the origins of this brand.

Longing to shy away from the sharp contrast of bright green and black? Seeking a flowing structure and loose witch-like appeal? Something I would love to one day wear is this tie-dye silk dress featuring moss coloured green and black and fluorescent green strappy heels to finish off the look. I'm sure an Olympia Le-Tan clutch is all that is needed to give the dress a runway appeal about it but with definitive grunge like appeal and an aesthetic of teenage angst. Despite all my heavy praise for other outfits and their well contrasting colours and patterns, this is my favourite outfit for the collection and I can't wait to hunt down a stockist available to help me let my fantasy dream of being a swamp witch a reality.

When the collection is finally launched on Net-a-Porter, you better watch out because I'll be aching to suss out the cheapest of the collection and maybe get myself a swish evening jacket. I really should be thinking of events such as masquerade galas to attend with friends and wild outfits to wear but it will be a while before I finally launch myself and become so sociable that I feel the need to impress everyone around me with amazing dress sense. Still, the kimono like marbling effect of purple and dark blue reminds me so much of oriental drawn clouds and it is rare enough as it is to find a pleasing patterned vintage kimono. Maybe I would be better off saving me pennies from something of this particular collection...

Orange

2012-02-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

Orange was my favourite colour when I was a little girl, not even in kindergarten and there's nothing more orange I can think of then the Prada Fur stoles of their 2011 resort collection. I longed to get my filthy hands on one of the imaginative, bright and colourful pieces that reminded me so much of the illustrations for Dr Suess' children's books but the opportunity slipped through my hands. I couldn't find them for sale online anywhere at the time though, there's very little solace found in that minute detail for me because somewhere in the closet of some luckier fashion blogger their hiding in a dry cleaners' bag and waiting to be worn by someone like me.

Orange isn't a colour I frequently wear as part of my everyday wardrobe but it is something I do enjoy looking at after enduring a rather sullen day full of proverbial pit-falls as well as unpleasant verbal exchanges.I certainly could swing for a nice floral blouse in orange, vintage and cheap found from Etsy but I have very little motivation to buy anything at the moment since I have a rather empty looking wallet- fortunately a few eBay listings are coming through and finishing on the weekend and I'll pick up about a hundred dollars in the next two days for work.

I've adored foxes for a while with their contrasting shades of grey, white and black and their orange fur but there is no way that I would wear a real fox fur stole. Online there are a few knitted creations of foxes in yarn to be worn as scarves that I certainly approve of but it is rather difficult to find vintage faux fur in fun colours and shades. I know a good website that sells great vintage pieces at massive spiked mark ups and margins but it seems their fur pieces sell out in seconds, even worse when they're in gorgeously outrageous colours such as blue and green and in faux fur too. There's a monkey fur jacket in deep green at the moment that looks beautiful but I would by wracked with guilt if I wore...

If you ever feel like you live in a dull world savaged by businessmen, grey buildings and the industrious revolution take a look at your local pet shop and try and find some cute little birds with sharp orange beaks that seem to be made of enamel and contrasting peach feathers. Birds are one of my least favourite animals, but even I am willing to acknowledge their cute and lovable nature when their large beady black eyes are shining out at you like that.

I can't imagine myself ever owning a brightly coloured Chanel handbag but I do love the contrast of a hot pink pleated skirt, tied up blouse and the bag all together. There's such a tropical nature about this photograph and the coordination is to die for- it seems that I still have a long way to go as far as styling and dress sense goes but at least I follow some of the best in order to be taught in the noble ways of the fashion blogger.

What better orange idol to follow then the lovely Florence Welch shown performing in one of her dazzling costumes the tassels of her dress thrown around as much as her lovely red hair. I only know of two women that are lovely and eccentric sporting red hair, the first being my favourite singer and the second being a dear friend of mine. Both have been blessed with the skinniest legs you have ever seen, a little unfair considering all the running about I do which has only yielded in strained muscles.

I've always wanted to get a great pair of coloured jeans or something in a bold pattern but never really though of what to style them with; the answer? Why a vintage rock shirt of course, I must be rubbing elbows with my brother a bit too much these days but the simple design of a black band shirt or a white raglan shirt is equally effective. Now if only I can afford to buy a few hundred dollar pair of jeans then we'll be in business any moment now...

There's something that always gets to me when I see a group of models dressed similarly together in the same shade, with the varying shades of lipstick. It's seems like the perfect cult phenomena with the neatly tied ribbons in their hair and the orange icy poles poised at their lips. I wished people like that existed in real life, and perhaps they do but I've just been looking in the wrong places all this time.

Forest

2012-02-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

Everything seems to artificial today and there's nothing green and luscious at all in my environment- needless to say it's driving my slightly paranoid and worried about the effects of urbanisation and the lack of trees and forests. I can't wait to talk off on my holiday to Canada next year, from my older brother's photographs and experience he indulged in doing mountain walks and absorbing in natural forest full of green leaves and wide trunked trees.

I suppose many days I'm quite happy not to leave the comfort of my home but today feels particularly lonely and absent of living creatures. I'm surrounded by things that are neither living nor dead- I'd love to instead feel the warmth of the sun and see luscious green grass and forest all around me. Maybe having a pet in my room such as a cat and something living and companionate would make me feel better about the little activity I participate in everyday. Next week is the start of many activities for orientation of university including scavengers hunts as well as an outdoor music festival. Finally then I'll stop feeling like a recluse and get some face-to-face interaction with new and exciting people.

I wonder exactly how many American footballers enjoy meeting in the clearings of forests, fully dressed in shoulder pads and the like. I have the opportunity to maybe create my own photographs in this style and image in the coming months if I'm lucky enough. On the weekend I will be fixing up applications and cover letters for volunteer positions- one includes acting as a promotional photographer in order to advertise the sporting groups and clubs at my new university. While it may be a task a little over the knowledge of a simple lowly first-year, I'm keen to at least apply for such an opportunity but sourcing my own models as well as props may be another problem in itself.

My mother says that I'll love the trees and large suspended bridges of Canada when we go- the views are amazing and I'd love to see the forest shrouded in a veil of heavy trees. I just have to ensure that I have the discipline to save my money and keep working as many available opportunities as I can despite the fact I'm not loving my job at the moment. I'm sure when I'm holding a Canon 50D or something similar with a few thousand dollars in hand for a long holiday next year it will all have been worthwhile.

On returning to Melbourne after a semester of study in Canada, my brother was quick to criticise the landscape I had always viewed as on occasion hilly. He despaired at the lack of mountains and the flatness of the ground (just as well he never went to California, flat city). My mother plans for us to visit Canada in Summer which will still be chillier than our Melbourne Winter and I'm keen so see some mysterious cloud and fog banks engulfing rugged mountain terrain and trees.

I heard many a wonderful story about whole groups of raccoons raiding garbage cans at night but in my three weeks in America not once did I see these creatures- a pity really considering how seemingly domesticated they've become due to the encroaching of man into animal territory. I guess I'm just a sucker for any animal with large expressive eyes, unusual fur markings and a twitching nose expressing an inquisitive nature and a soul hungry to learn more socially.

I have a distinct policy about crosses and avoiding them being drawn on my body and especially on my forehead in the place of a bindi but I do rather admire the floral wreath and loose, sheer shirt situation and field of tall grass. Just my luck that there's no fields or parks where no one bothers to go in my area- I wouldn't mind giving the tumble in the tall grass a go but there is no doubt in my mind that my hair would become a horrible tangled mess.

Ah Melbourne, although there is a wealth of activities within the city and revolving around Federation Square for young bored people such as myself- there's definitely a lack in the culture of nature walks as well as interesting environmental scenery. Once you've been enough times, Melbourne Zoo can also be a lonely trip and tiresome although the grounds are so large and there's always animals you never get to see after an entire circuit of trawling around the place.

I wonder what a cat would think of a long and romantic walk around a well kept park full of beautiful plants and a noticeable absence of mice and rats. I can't say that I know the feline personality quite well but in my experiences they are wriggling jelly beans smothered in fur and do not enjoy long periods of being held and carried around. Also- cat leashes and walking around one's neighbourhood with cat in tow is a laughable matter.

This year I am determined to make a visit to my city's Royal Botanical Garden as well as Royal Flower Show as a photographic aesthetic experience and something fun to do with my mother- should we not be feuding at that instance and point in time. I haven't been in years and it certainly would be nice to feel inspired and also a bit ashamed about the state of affairs for my own garden. The last thing I remember about the show I last attended was engraving things on smooth looking river stones.

Sometime in the future I do plan to take a bit of a trek around modern Japan as well as contrasting the life between village and big city.

Bad Romance

2012-02-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

Wearing: American Apparel Sheer Floral Blouse, Marc Jacobs Guitar Watch and Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ovale Rings.

At the moment I'm probably epitomising the worse spirit of Valentine's Day in which selfish girls buy themselves presents because their alone and single. I've spent nearly five hundred dollars on the two rings shown in the above photograph and spent ten dollars on a present for my boyfriend- worse person in the world? Most probably, but I would rather spend time with someone then give them a gift. I just want to have a date on Valentine's Day and a lovely little kiss on my forehead, cheek and lips.

Red lipstick as well as a floral shirt and minimal pants to maximise the look of my legs was something I had been wanting to try for a little while but I think I should stick to taking outfit posts while standing up in my hallway. Still- this is something a little different and a bit more flirty since Valentine's Day is coming up- I'm getting plenty of emails from shopping centres and stores about their products. A little more emphasise on making your partner feel good emotionally through physical contact should be at the centre of this 'holiday' I prefer think.

With a steadily growing social schedule I'll have many more occasions to wear my lovely new rings, as long as I don't have to pick up a pencil and write notes I should be fine. I know I said I was going to throw one of these rings back onto eBay and cut my losses but they're both so lovely how can I resist but keep them both? I've got a few more things to go onto eBay in the meantime and gain the money I spent but I think it was worth it to get two real Yves Saint Laurent rings in my hot little hands since I have been lusting after them for a few years now.