SELF SERVICE #35

YAYYY, new Self Service, my absolute favourite publication. It feels so indulgent and sleek, with beautiful cropping of images and styling by one of my icons, Venetia Scott. If anybody spies this stocked in Nottingham please let me know, and I urge you to buy a copy.

METRONOMIX

Without a doubt my song of the summer was The Bay by Metronomy, I saw the band themselves play it at Glastonbury and Bestival whilst DJ's were dropping it all over the shop at Field Day. So when Erol Alkan, one of my favourite dj's tweeted about this tune I had to give it a listen...and true to form, it's perfect. I loved the original track but this Ewan Pearson remix might just become my new track crush.

Perfect tune for a night in with a cosy new jumper, obsessive Pinterest pinning and chocolate cake...which is exactly what my evening has involved.

BESTIVAL

As I was checking my email today I spied that I had recieved a message from one of my Festival Style gold medal holders....and would you believe, he enlightened me that i'd forgotten to upload the photo's i'd taken at Bestival, so here they are...

I've started to think about how to use all of these images now, here are a few sheets it's mocked up so far for the project which i've decided to call 'Festivalism'.

Thank You to everyone who took part! And look out for the final product some time soon!!

10

As part of the self promotion project at uni, we were all set the task of creating A visual portrait of our 10 Favourite Things, these 10 things had to fit under 10 of the 13 given categories. This project has also been carried out by a few people of note including Quentin Blake, Jack Penate and David Shrigley, you can read a little more about it 'ERE.

Anyway here's my attempt...I created my own font and worked by hand, tracing images in pen, before scanning my work in and finishing the final composition in Photoshop.

Whatcha think? ...lost alot of detail from trying to even out the depth of the black ink, so here's the original penwork...

PENTLAND

Over the summer I set to work on the Pentland Project, I wasn't instilled with desire for the project but got stuck into some research none the less. I choose to focus my project on Pentland brand Berghaus gleaming inspiration and know how from a second Pentland brand, Boxfresh. 

A trip to Designer Forum and some investigation on Stylesight really whet my appitite for the project and I actually got quite excited by my vision for a new more current Berghaus. I explored predicted Activewear Megatrends for A/W 2012 and S/S 2013 as well as looking at innovative visual merchandising from the likes of Karl D.D Willis and the amazing Richard Chai (check out his glacial pop-up store 'ERE). 

I looked further at fabric technology, particularly Puffer Trends, where I became fixated with abstract padding, deformation of shape and extravagant anatomical shapes. I aimed make Berghaus share the coolness and style led aestetic of Boxfresh, perhaps even supersede it though experimental fashion insights and exciting scientific fabric technologies as well as a key consideration for the consumer and the environments which Berghaus combats. 

The project was due to be presented as an exhibition so I decided to create a mood which summed up my vision rather than creating a fact driven display. Below are some of the images which will be displayed as part of my exhibition.

And some sounds which add to the mood, because music is important to this blog, and my way of thinking.

I'd really appreciate any feedback as I feel this is a project which I struggled with and took an abstract view at while completing the final outcome.

MILAN FASHION WEEK

And to Milan, the Italian leg of the Fashion Weeks and the week which I know the least about.

My third installement see some of Kreayshawn’s greats (and if you don’t know who she is you’d better click ‘ERE), the flawless Raf Simons at Jil Sander and the pairing of an orange Italian with one of the UK's fashion greats.

Dolce&Gabana

An unusual theme was taking hold at Milan Fashion Week, following on from Moschino’s offerings the previous evening (to check out the collection click ‘ERE), Dolce and Gabanana’s show commenced with a vivid red onion print. Yes that’s right, Red Onion. The theme of market stalls, and Italian flavours continued with bulbous tomatoes, purple cabbages and chilli prints, topped of with the Italian staple, Pasta, which was used to create necklaces. Of course Domenico and Stefano make it utterly delectable, with smatterings of lace, crocket, straw and acetate. The shapes where truly womanly but flirtatious, think Mad Men meets Katy Perry. Of course the show ended with a decadence of sparkle, a truely great show which also marks the end of Dolce and Gabana’s D&G line.

Gucci

He show notes stated inspiration from ‘Louise Brookes and Nancy Cunard in the images of Man Ray. The opulence of the era of hedonism.’, True roaring 1920’s glamour was certainly the key look on the mind of Frida Giannini for Spring Summer 2012, in great timing for the long awaited arrival of Baz Luhrmann’s remake of The Great Gatesby. 2012 may just be the year were the 1920’s make a big comeback. On to the collection, it’s sharp, seriously sharp. Great tailored pieces trimmed with gold and emerald green alongside ultra feminine flippy dropped waistline dresses. Again the catwalk saw delicate sheers and metallic opulence with truly beautiful beading and fringed art deco inspired dresses closing the show.

Jil Sander

One of my favourite collections of last season and Raf Simon has done it again for me this time. Another artsy offering, the show saw Bauhaus style gravelled blocks of colour on the floor, whist knitted tops featured Picasso faces. As far as pattern goes, more gingham and tartan was seen alongside paisley (which later appears at Stella McCartney). The fabrics show another take on transparency, with open weaved over dressed, fine linen and light catching gauze all featured. Gorgeous cuts and tailoring enveloped true Raf Simon’s style while the tiny bejewelled brooches seemed a little out of character.

No 21 (by Alessandro Dell’Acqua)

Just wearable excellence, pairing shards of silver with a casual blue shirt and beautiful azure blue beading with knitwear makes it all the more appealing to me. Similarly a white cotton tee layered under a stunning silver gown seems so fresh and adds a sense of youth. The loose cut of each piece is beautiful too, whilst I adore the smart offering of a beaded collar peeking from a pyjama style trouser two piece. A great statement comes in the form of the principle print of the collection, a naked woman shrouded by palm leaves, Alessandro Dell’Acque nails understated sex appeal and this print sums that up.

Prada

I took me a while to realise but I utterly adore Prada, once you look under the super sleek Italian surface to the more playful elements Prada has undeniable charm. This season, in place of the banana’s of last, see’s Cars as the theme. The Scalectrix vibe was completed with cartoon flames and leather appliqués while bra tops and dresses featured drag car prints. Of course Miuccia makes the unexpected motif wearable by pairing it with floral crochets and 3D textured, super feminine while pleated skirts and female form adoring shapes. There’s a certain Miami Beach muscle car feel about the whole collection which I love. 

Versus

A pairing of Christopher Kane and Donatella Versace, hosted in a basketball court, cue zipper details, sporty sheen fabrics and cheerleader inspiration. Pastels and piping added to the look, whilst daring cut outs made end the tailored piece evoke performance wear vibes. I adore the gathered details of the sheer dresses, their volume in totally reined in by the precision body conscious  seams which reveal the shoulder or highlight the waist and bust. Can’t help but feel that Britney Spears vibe again, last seen at Marc Jacobs.

Summarising the trends at MFW it's key to mention, Food, 1920's, Artists...this time Picasso, More Sporty Vibes, Miami Beach and ...Cars.