Tuesday 23 November 2010

STUDENT PROTEST 24/11/10

There is another student protest regarding university fees and EMA dissolution tomorrow, in Liverpool, at the Guild of Students outside Mountford Hall at midday. Provided I feel somewhat healthier, I will be there. This time the protest is aiming to condemn the Liberal Democrats - which should have been done from the off. Nick Clegg has severely disappointed the country in his lack of backbone and complete U-turn on his original educational manifestos regarding university fees. Without his support, the proposal would not have gone through.

Disgusting.
I will be tweeting throughout. Do pay attention.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

STUDENT PROTEST 10/11/10

Today at 11.30am, hordes of students will be protesting against the forthcoming increases in university fees. The Guardian website is broadcasting live feeds of the protest and students are tweeting as the day goes on. Although the act hasn't been passed yet, I hope this protest brings awareness to the issue and contributes to the eventual decision by the government.

The government increased the number of students at university during the Labour years, which has now led to increased competition and an increase in educational spending. For some unfortunate reason the current government, ahem, the Conservatives, have decided this is a viable area to make cuts and increase fees to contribute towards Britain's extreme debt. If this is passed, it will create embarrassment for the Liberal Democrats (who have always been against fee increases) and, I believe, will result in a future of professional uncertainty.

As Jeevan Vasagar, the Guardian's education editor says 'the cuts are expected to hit the arts and humanities hardest' and it is truly an issue for anyone who hopes to enter either industry in the near future.

Read the full interview and keep up to speed with the progress of the protest at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2010/nov/10/demo-2010-student-protests-live

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the protest myself, but I will be following the events closely.

Tuesday 9 November 2010

BLOGGERS - 'INADEQUATE, PIMPLED, SINGLE'

An article on the prweek.com website has recently come to my attention. It concerns the demand, or lack thereof, in the opinion of Andrew Marr, of bloggers in the current promotional and public relation industries. Here is the link....

http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/1038899/Social-media-Know-Bloggers/

There are some interesting points made; about the five types of blogger in the current markets.....

1. Experts
2. Hobby bloggers
3. Mummy bloggers
4. Professional bloggers
5. Opinion bloggers

....and there are some insightful statistics concerning how much trust is placed in the information given by bloggers - to be honest, the figures are a little lower than I thought they would be!
I count myself amongst the 'opinion' tribe. I am by no means a fashion expert but I do have strong opinions about the industry and it's influence on society (or vice versa), which luckily cannot be deemed 'right' or 'wrong'. I got into blogging because I wanted to have my say and discuss important and relevant issues with people who are on the same wavelength, and my opinion of this issue is that bloggers and journalists fulfill very different roles in society.

Bloggers are allowed opinions, theories and ideas which people can relate to and embrace. They are also broadcasting in real-time and real-life. Journalists must generally remain impartial and informative. They pretend to know everything, whereas bloggers can admit they don't. Journalists don't connect with people on the same level as bloggers. The relationship is formal and distanced. Nevertheless, we need journalists, just as, in this developing digital world, we need us bloggers.

Monday 1 November 2010

BYE BYE CREATIVITY

I found out recently that the whole fashion department in Liverpool JMU has been, well, effectively deleted. And, as I am lead to believe, has the Geography and Politics departments. A worrying time for us all in the creative industries. It's a well-known secret that the Conservative government are not huge advocates of the arts - the dissolving of the British Arts Council hailed the slippery slope in my opinion - and these new revelations are indicating more is yet to come. Rumours that the Manchester and Salford fashion departments are at risk are also circulating. Only time will tell.

Thursday 21 October 2010

THE BALLET RUSSES - TREND REPORT

The A/W 2010 and S/S 2011 catwalks were full of garments inspired by the Ballet Russes, whether directly by ballet, as in the case of Marchesa and Alexis Mabille, or Russia - look to Erdem - or just 1920s society, see Jenny Packham. Whatever the influence, the exhibition in the V&A I introduced earlier has had a huge impact on fashion for the upcoming seasons.
If you wish to recreate this look on the high street, regard ruffles, lace and brocade as a must have. Don't shy away from 1920s inspired cuts such as dropped waists and wrapover coats and choose which direction you wish to take - flamboyant embellishment or simple silhouettes. Don't confuse the two.



Jenny Packham S/S 2011
David Koma S/S 2011


Alexis Mabille Haute Couture A/W 2010


Bora Aksu S/S 2011



Chanel Haute Couture A/W 2010

Wednesday 20 October 2010

THE BALLET RUSSES

The Victoria and Albert Museum are currently holding an exhibition entitled Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballet Russes: 1909 - 1929. A must see for everyone interested in 1920's society, fashions of the time, designer connections to the ballet, or even just ballet purely isolated as a dance form.

The Ballet Russes was pioneered by Sergei Diaghilev, a Russian creative director, artisan and socialite, who took traditional forms of ballet and developed it into a ground-breaking dance company which incorporated Orientalism, high fashion and radical choreography. For theatre, fashion and dance ever since, the Ballet Russes has had a lasting influence.

The biggest designers of the time; Coco Chanel, Paul Poiret and Leon Bakst, were heavily involved in the costume of the Ballet Russes, designing cutting-edge pieces that allowed the dancers freedom of movement whilst simultaneously conveying the story. The heavy Orientalist connotations, influenced by Diaghilev's upbringing, were featured in colour ways, bold patterns and silhouettes. The harem pant, jewelled colours and Art Nouveau patterns brought this theme together - which was aided and abetted by the influx of Japanese artwork throughout the 1920's and the discovery of Tutankhamun in 1922.

The Ballet Russes was a true fashion phenomenon, yet I have realised, not so widely acknowledged by contemporary fashion enthusiasts. Perhaps this is due to its brief life, engulfed by other major events of the 1920's. Although the Ballet Russes continues today, it has not had the impact in fashion that it initially had, however, hopefully the V&A exhibition will highlight the true importance and influence of such an exciting movement.



Wednesday 25 August 2010

'OUR VIV'

Here in Liverpool, people have the tendency to refer to Dame Vivienne Westwood as 'Our Viv'. Too familiar perhaps, but intended with the best of feeling. Vivienne Westwood is one of the very few designers who people easily identify with; as if one could have a cup of tea with her and it would be nothing out of the ordinary. As well as her legendary design aesthetics, it is her mentality that has captured the hearts of the nation - she is a true eccentric.

Opening between the 26th August and the 22nd September in Selfridges, London is an exhibition showcasing her amazing shoe designs. Of course everyone envisions the bondage trousers, the punk era and maybe even her dabble with New-Romanticism and Renaissance fashions, but only recently has a lot of attention been focused on the shoes of Vivienne Westwood. Ever since her affordable collaboration with Melissa, fashionistas have been going mad for her sweet-smelling shoes. I also truly think that Liverpool has an affinity with Westwood that goes above and beyond that of any other city...so it is my duty to let people know about this amazing exhibition and let them flock there in their droves.




Friday 6 August 2010

WATER AND OIL

Unless you have been holidaying on the Moon for the past three months, you won't have failed to have heard about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has caused untold damage to the environment, animals and the local communities. You also may have heard that recently Vogue Italia has published an editorial featuring model Kristen McMenamy draped over rocks and sand representing the fallen birds and dead fish, cleverly using a variety of feathered garments and dark accessories in a palette of grey and black.
The photographer is none other than Steven Meisel, who frequently champions political and/or social causes through his photography work (most notably in 2006, were he did an editorial exploring terrorism following the 9/11 attacks).
Here are some images of the editorial and of the tarred animals off the Gulf of Mexico....






The editorial has been savaged by most critics and Vogue has been unfairly blamed for using such an economical disaster as a way to sell issues and create a buzz. That may be your opinion but it is not mine. Yes, the fashion world is often accused of exploiting issues such as this, but the film industry and the literary world are no better. I believe that by transforming a human (albeit a model) into the position of vulnerability and sympathy, it enables other people to visualise the oil spill as a true disaster of enormous scale, and perhaps understand properly the effect such a thing can have on the environment. I think the issue has been handled carefully and sincerely, because, in all fairness the clothes are not showcased to the best of their ability, which brings me to consider the fact that that was not the ultimate goal of the editorial. Plus Meisel's input offers me some reassurance.

What do you think?







For updates on how BP are handling the oil spill, please visit www.bp.com and click the 'Gulf of Mexico response' tab at the top of the page.

Thursday 5 August 2010

ADVERT MADNESS

As I flicked through this months Vogue, I realised that two particular advertising campaigns made me stop and stare. This doesn't happen very often let me tell you (see Loewe, Burberry and Michael Kors for reasons why...) And so I decided they needed to be featured on here. In this economic climate, advertising is vital for those sales, and it needs to pack a punch.

The series of Dolce & Gabbana adverts featuring Madonna are both exciting, intriguing and individual. The concept is new and daring - begs the question of why Mr. D and Mr. G have never done it before! Ok, so I'm really not Madonna's biggest fan, but even I have to admit that she really works in this series of adverts, posing as the Italian bombshell in a traditional family. I enjoy the gritty realism of the images and the use of a variety of people which culminates in an effective family portrayal. In a way, Madonna does not automatically stand out as the star of the adverts. I am also a great fan of black and white images, as I'm sure you will grow to learn, so this aspect has a double thumbs up from me!




The Louis Vuitton adverts for the new season are just exquisite. Featuring Karen Elson, Natalia Vodianova and Christy Turlington, they cannot fail to impress. I just adore the composition, the subtle lighting and of course the beautiful garments. I think the models look somewhat like dolls; they just look perfect - perhaps too perfect? Well, it is Louis Vuitton so only the best will do. A classic, I feel.



Tuesday 3 August 2010

CORNWALL

I love the quaint English countryside. Truly inspiring.








Saturday 5 June 2010

THE JOY OF GRACE

Upon the arrival of my July issue of British Vogue, I was pleased to discover several pages dedicated to the genius of Grace Coddington.
Before the documentary 'The September Issue', creative director of Vogue, Grace Coddington, was a relative unknown to those outside the fashion bubble. Since the film's release in 2007 she has become an instant celebrity.
I have always been an admirer of Grace, warming to her British humour and wit, and she is one of my career idols. Coddington is the yin to Wintour's yang and gives us fashion students/interns/dreamers a sense of hope that 'being bitch' is not always necessary. Saying that, Coddington is a hard worker and a perfectionist and knows her stuff - she most certainly hasn't achieved her position and notoriety by chance.
I read the article with a sense of pride in this lady. Alongside Anna Wintour, she holds one of the most powerful positions in the fashion industry. She is one of those rather eccentric heroes of British fashion who I would class alongside Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes. Those women who have a sense of originality and purpose beyond any realm of constraint and contemplation.
Here are some of my favourite quotes from the article, given by some of Coddington's contemporaries and Coddington herself;

"Grace's vision is unique. Both her passion and dedication to fashion seem to grow every year, and her interpretation of it is always witty and fresh." MUCCIA PRADA

"I wish I was slim like Anna. But I'm not. I mean, I try. I recently started going to the gym, you know - I wake up in the morning, I ache all over. And black makes me look thinner. So, much to Anna's dismay, I wear black." GRACE CODDINGTON

"Grace is the most fearless and creative woman in fashion" KAREN ELSON

"She did all the firsts. She was the first person to use a model with no make-up....with freckles, or bird's nest hair. She was the first person to do a shoot like a documentary. The first person to shoot in China. And the USSR. Nobody else had done it." LUCINDA CHAMBERS

"Every girl loves her. She's the nice mom on set. And she's the only editor I've ever met who gets down on the floor and ties your shoes." COCO ROCHA

"Grace's judgement on fashion is unparalleled. And one thing I have learnt after many years of working with her is to trust her instincts implicitly. She's always right." ANNA WINTOUR

Thursday 27 May 2010

SEX AND THE CITY 2

First internship event - previewing SATC 2, not bad eh?!

After dressing models and the usual backstage fashion show chaos, we were invited to watch an exclusive preview of the film last night.

In two words - fashion extravanganza!

Despite the rather insipid storyline (sorry, but there it is), the £7 million wardrobe budget ensures no disappointment for the fashionista viewers. And I'll be honest, Samantha stole the show.

Unfortunately I can't post pictures from the event due to the camera ban - for obvious reasons. Instead, here are some of my favourite looks from the film...

(P.S. Is it wrong that I LOVED the Eighties flashback?!)



Studded dress by Julien MacDonald





Red dress by Phillipe Blond