Prosecco Gate

It's come to the end of summer, we've already started to dig out our boots, winter coats and used that umbrella far too many times, but hey that's the great British weather. At least we have our summer memories right? Trips to the beach, wine in the garden you know the drill.  I'm pretty sure your summer as well as mine involved consuming copious amounts of Prosecco and if not then where have you been, what have you been doing?! Literally everywhere I've looked these past few months, homosapiens of all ages and genders have been drinking Prosecco. It's the talk of the town! I've seen it on trains in screw cap bottles, accompanying woo girls at tables donned with fireworks, in far too many Instagram stories and stacked on the shelves of Aldi in the largest bottles you have ever seen for only £23.00!! 

It now even comes in organic (yes, I've tried it) and reduced sugar versions, us British people have jumped on the Prosecco band waggon even to the point of sharing running out scare stories on Facebook!! 

 

Although this summer I've enjoyed a few glasses (bottles) of fizz myself I have to say it's not my friend when it comes to hangovers. I'm guessing there's a reason it's cheap - those bubbles seem to cause nausea, head aches and that hangover induced anxiety I often feel the day after! 

I've decided I'm changing to champagne. This year has involved a few reasons to celebrate, my upcoming wedding, turning 30, graduation and as such, I've become accustommed to champagne. Which delightfully doesn't leave me feeling like I want to face plant the sofa the next day (most of the time) but unfortunately pulls on the purse strings. But hey who says you can't enjoy a bottle of Veuve on the couch just because it's Friday!! It's cheaper from the supermarket and if all else fails, Aldi do a great version for £10!! 

Ph Credit : Pinterest

GIRLBOSS - "what follows is a loose retelling of true events.........real loose."

The opening credits to Girlboss reads "what follows is a loose retelling of true events......real loose." and this is certainly true, within the first 5 minutes you see Sophia Amoruso (founder of Nasty Gal)  or the actress playing her, Britt Robertson pushing her broken down car up a very steep hill in San Francisco. Seriously shes a petite 20-something, this would not be possible.

For those who are not aware of Girlboss the new Netflix Original Series, its based on the same titled book which follows the rise of Amoruso's multi-million dollar fashion empire, Nasty Gal. A brand that in 2016 filed for bankruptcy. Nasty Gal however still remains but under the British-owned BooHoo profile. The brand is not as it was originally know - its more fast fashion with a vintage look than original one off vintage pieces.

The 13 part series follows Sophia through the ups and downs of launching her online business selling vintage clothing. The series covers some random moments from Sophias life - including a fear of bridges to a hernia explosion. I've heard mixed reviews but I've binged watched all 13 episodes in 3 sittings. If you can ignore the cringe worthy acting, cheesy one liners and annoying attitude of the main character, Sophia, you will love it. 
Plus the fashion and music is amazing which is definitely a reason to watch. Think platform boots, extra wide flares and an amazing 1970's multi coloured calf skin biker jacket. 

ph credit - fashion magazine

What the f*** is everyone wearing at Coachella

Coachella is now behind us for another year (thank goodness) but after scrolling through various websites, my reaction was "what the f*** is everyone wearing?" 

RITA ORA was wearing white and blue checked cowboy boots, a metallic dress and a hat that resembles a shit white 90's Kangol version. I know it's each to their own and I always encourage anyone to wear whatever they want but there is a difference between creativity and fashion victim. 

Rhianna, a Coachella regular wore a diamante encrusted all in one. Probably not the most practical of outfits for the Californian weather but shock and awe is the key when dressing for this festival.  

Illustrator Joolee Loren depicted what the rest of the Coachella attending individuals wore and this illustration couldn't have been more fitting - hilarious. Fringing, suede, lace up sandals, chokers and my favourite, a groovy world view. Each of these sartorial items worn separately may be plausible but all together they look, in my opinion, damn ridiculous.

Ph credit:Vogue and Instagram

NYLON Magazine - Natural Beauty

These beautiful photographs were quickly spotted whilst flicking through a copy of this months Nylon magazine in the university library, hence the poor image quality. I love how the camera has caught the models natural beauty.

Ph credit - Nylon, Nov/Dec

Are we supposed to love all the shows at fashion week?

 

 

As fashion month comes to a close, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the shows that have filled our social media feeds for the last few weeks. 

I sometimes think we should love all the shows - so much time and effort goes into creating these amazing fashion pieces, don't they deserve the credit? Is it even okay to say you dislike or hate something, even if it's one of the hottest shows on the fashion month calendar?

After I witnessed (via the worldwide web) the Chanel SS17 show I have to admit I didn't love any of the pieces even though I really wanted to. I actually hate saying this, having learnt about the amazingly talented individuals (the 'petite mains') that work behind the scenes creating such exquisite designs. It feels very rude, which is unlike me - like every other English person I say sorry a million times in a day. But I just didn't enjoy it as much as other shows this season or even as much as previous Chanel shows. 

Some of the designs seemed a little dated and over done. Chanel is famous for it's tweed suiting but seeing today's pieces parade the catwalk AKA the Data Centre Chanel I felt as though I'd seen it all before. I understand that fashion houses need to represent themselves and reflect the handwriting and history behind the brand but maybe it could have been done with more modernity. The fabric and craftsmanship is amazing, I would never disrespect that but I just wasn't wowed. 

However, it wasn't all negative, there were some highlights - the letters CHANEL flashing from outside of the perfectly shaped clutch bags was creative and the robot shaped purse was very cute. I also loved the data centre theme, very futuristic and fun. The set up of every Chanel show is often discussed more than the actual clothes. Chanel has set a precedent for creating a mind blowing catwalk space and maybe that's all those who attend look forward to. Every season a different theme, airport, fairground or old school couture house. Man repeller mentioned 'When any other designer does this, the media shouts “Death to fashion!” But when Chanel is the perpetrator? Genius'

Maybe it's time to alert our attention back to the most important part of a fashion show - and that's the clothes!! 

Image source: The Telegraph

The Original Self Portrait (or Selfie)

Image Source | artyfactory.com

The self-portrait or what we call in the 21st century - the selfie.
We are all guilty of taking one, whether its to create a brand, a Facebook profile picture or just to reinvent ourselves we can't get enough of the selfie, I myself am guilty of one or two. But I have to say its sometimes a little embarrassing seeing my reflection in my iPhone screen but its a great way to create that perfect picture for the world to see, whether this be a true reflection or not.
 

What I have discovered this week is the original selfie artist, Frida Kahlo. She painted only self portraits but with depth and meaning, her portraits reflected different points in here life. Born on 6th July 1907 in New Mexico, Frida lived a some what eventful life. Physical trauma, heart ache and coping with a philanthropist husband Diego Rivera who she had a obsessive, tempestuous relationship with. Her first portrait was painted while bedridden for three months after a car accident, Self Portrait in A Velvet Dress (1926) (above image). Frida created a certain persona within her portraits, she understood how this illusion was perceived by individuals. The same is achieved today when uploading a selfie to instagram, we create an illusion of ourselves, an illusion of how we want to be seen. Frida went on to create many masterpieces including The Two Frida's (1939) this was a double self portrait whilst Frida was going through her divorce and What I Saw in the Water (1938). 

Sadly Frida passed on 13th July 1954 aged 47, this is said to have been almost certainly suicide by overdose. She left these words "I hope the exit is full and joyful - and I hope never to return - Frida". Ever since her death Frida's work has gathered momentum and thanks to today's self-portraitist world her work continues to gather more and more meaning.