life without love is like summer without a dress !

As I said in a previous post I had decided to venture in to the world of online shopping. For once the money would be coming my way instead of out of my bank account as I am selling some Clothes and Accessories I have purchased but never got round to wearing or believed other would like to own. I am happy to inform you all, I have been successful in selling several items in an attempt to raise money for my final year at university, seeing as clothes, models and make up won't pay for themselves. This post is to show you two gorgeous tea dresses which would be perfect for a day in the sun. 

Vintage inspired tea dress.

Blue with White bows.

Click Here to Buy !

Vintage tea dress

Navy Blue with Cream polka dots

Click Here to Buy !

this is a man's world ?

Now more so then ever, menswear has played a predominant role in fashion. With men becoming more aware and conscious about their appearance and what they wear. In their previous runway shows designers including YSL and Dolce & Gabbana showcased drop crotch trousers for men in an array of fabrics such as Denim. HIgh street stores such as Topman and All Saints have adopted this trend as well as low cut v-neck, teardrop t shirts, scarfs, and braces. Pop culture influences such as pop bands JLS and The Wanted, and television reality show Geordie Shore have lead to these trends having a surge of male followers who unlike the average woman are not phased by the fact that someone stood right next to them is wearing the exact same outfit. Did I miss something here ? Since when are men more conscious about what they wear then women. And since when and why did women become attracted to this new breed of "males" ? In my opinion a man who has a knowledge of fashion is a keeper, and every woman loves a good six pack. But the fashion choices some men are making today questions their masculinity.

Gerodie Shore's Gary in a low cut vest !

Geordie Shore's James in an even lower cut vest !

Drop croth chinos.

Luckily Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have put the masculinity back in menswear with their Spring 2012 collection. The influence for the collection was netting whether it be the net of an Italian fisherman or the net of an Italian footballer. Netting was apparent throughout the collection from jackets, to trousers to shoes. The collection consisted of silhouettes of casual, smart and sportswear in colours and tones of black and grey. 

Watch - Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012 Menswear Collection

The design duo did what they do best creating beautifully tailored and crafted suits. Which were made even more beautiful by Dolce & Gabbana model, David Gandy. Like my mum says there's nothing better then a man in a suit.

I'm thankful I can count on two gay Italian men who know how to dress men !

This link is dedicated to my mum - Watch !

Photographs from Style.com and MTV

Videos from YouTube

My Loves ! My Lusts !

So the Summer season should be upon us, although looking out of my window this statement is questionable. And my new summer wardrobe is slowly but surely building up. I'm dedicating this edition of My Loves ! My Lusts ! to my favourite items I've bought so far. I'm sure there will be more to come !

Cream Sheer Cape Top, from Yayer.

Floral Midi Skirt, from New Look.

Brown Pleated Midi Skirt, from Primark.

Tan Brown Suede Loafers, from asos.com.

Red Bow Jelly Shoes, from Miss Selfridge

Blue Silk Scarf, from TK Maxx

What key trends are you following this Summer ?

What have you bought for your own Summer wardrobe ?

let's play dress up in the library ?

With the new concept in place, the styling for the photo shoot had to be completed. I was personally more excited about this concept as it was more fashion based rather then costume. 

For the different looks for each model I drew inspiration from this seasons collections and from garments I owned myself.

This is dress is from my own wardrobe !

I took references from the Spring 2011 R-T-W Balmain collection !

The busy print of the dress reminded me of Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2011 R-T-W collection !

This sheer fabric shirt is from my own wardrobe !

I was inspired by Hannah Marshall's Spring 2011 R-T-W collection and her use of sheer fabrics for her garments.

We sourced this blazer jacket from the high street !

The jacket we sourced in reminiscent of 3.1 Phillip Lim's Spring 2011 R-T-W collection !

These wet look leggings are from my wardrobe ! 

For the male models look we took inspiration from the Spring 2011 R-T-W collection of Burberry Prorsum !

My Loves ! My Lusts !

It has been some time since I last posted My Loves ! My Lusts onto my blog, and truth be told I don't know why I stopped posting it as it was one of my favourite features on my heart on my fashion sleeve !

 However, after seeing a somewhat similar version on Fashion156.com's Daily Blog I decided to bring this feature back to life.

This photograph of model Patricia Schmidt graced the cover of Vogue Paris in the February 2007 edition. I decided to add this because i love how effective this photograph is with such little styling involved. I also added this photograph because it was shot by one of my favourite fashion photographers, Mario Testino.

This Disney inspired illustration was drawn by ulrich Schroder and featured in the April 2010 edition of Elle Spain. I love this illustration because I am a huge Disney fan and because I immediately spotted the character on the right hand page who (all fashionistas should know) clearly resembles Karl Lagerfeld.

With the wedding event of the year upon us, Vogue embraced all that is bridal with not one but three wedding inspired covers for this month's edition. Supermodels Lara Stone, Natalia Vodianova and Freja Beha Erichsen are on three seperate collectible covers. All aspects of the magazines from styling, layout, and haii and make up is elegant, simplistic, romantic with a fairytale feel.

This photograph is from Ellie Saab's Spring 2011 couture collection.

I love Ellie Saab's designs, especially his couture collections.

I lust for Ellie Saab to design a wedding dress for me.

I best start saving now ! 

I think I have mentioned Mojitos in several previous blog posts but that's because they're an important part of my life/ When I say it like that 1) I sound like an alcoholic and 2) I make it sound that mojitos are the equivalent of a boyfriend or child. I really do love Mojitos they remind me of great nights out and they remind me of being on holiday. The two best places I have had Mojitos are T.G.I Friday's where they also do a delicious Raspberry Mojito. My second but just as delicious mojito is from Camel Bar, Sharm El Sheikh, Eqypt. 

My next love is Fashion156.com ! This months 'Colour Issue' is packed full of amazing and inspiring fashion, style, photography and most importantly Colour. I love Fashion156.com because it is an amazing online magazine with fantastic editorial photography, high end fashion, a highly creative and informative Daily Blog,  reports from the latest catwalk collections, and up to date advice on on trend beauty and grooming tips.

My final love in this month's feature is ice lollies and more in particular my favourite which is a Fruit Pastille ice lolly. I love them because when I can have one outside without shivering or getting chills down my back, I know it's officially summertime !

geek est tres chic !

The word education has been projected onto the catwalk and onto the pages of our fashion magazines.

Designers have been able to transform our perception of what we class as a geek, turning the timid teenager who stayed in on his own, asked for extra homework and had no luck with girls into an on trend, well dressed  man with chiseled facial features and a strut of power and confidence. 

These photographs are from designer Etro's Spring 2010 Menswear collection. I really like the styling of these models and how a preppy/geek look has been made high end and fashionable. I would use elements of this collection to help me source garments and accessories and also to help inspire the looks of my models for my photographs such as the bow tie.

This photograph is from Jill Sander's 2011 Menswear Ad Campaign. This clearly shows a high end fashion and modern interpretation of the geek look. From this I have learnt that glasses are an important part of the look and I will consider this when sourcing the garments for the styling of this fashion shoot. Secondly, the sleek gelled back hair with a parting maybe a hair style to try on my chosen model.

the way of the dragon !

Through film, art, music, tv, food and drink, we learn about other countries cultures. By eating a meal, learning a language or visiting another country we gain an insight into that countries history and way of life. 

I am mostly fascinated by many aspects of the chinese culture.

Geisha are traditional female Japanese entertainers. The most literal translation of geisha into English would be "artist" or "performing artist". Historically, geisha often began the earliest stages of their training at a very young age, sometimes as early as at 3 or 5 years. 

Geisha always wear kimono. The colour, pattern and style of kimono is dependent on the season and the event the geisha is attending. In winter, geisha can be seen wearing a three-quarter length haori lined with hand painted silk over their kimono. A kimono can take from two to three years to complete due to painting and embroidering.

The chinese culture still has an impact and influence on our lives today, especially in the fashion world. 

Spring 2011 Ready-To-Wear collections demostrated the influence of orientalism

Here are images from the Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 Ready-To-Wear show where it is evident that Marc Jacobs has drawn inspiration from Chinese culture and fashion for his designs.

It may be of interest to know that many famous and emerging designers that we highly fond of are of chinese decent.

Jimmy Choo is a Malaysian of Chinese descent, Choo initially handcrafted his own shoes and bags. Choo’s shoes are known worldwide, and he has a celebrity clientele including Nicole Richie, Katie Holmes, and the late Princess Diana.

Anna Sui is an international fashion designer. She studied at NY's Parsons School of Design. She opened her first boutique in New York in 1995, later opening an additional stores in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Osaka. In addition to clothing, her lines now include shoes and cosmetics.

Derek Lam studied at the Parsons School of Design. After graduation, Lam worked under Michael Kors for 12 years. Lam’s clothes, like Kors’ reinvent American sportswear. He launvched his own line in 2003. Lam’s clothes have clean silhouettes in feminine fabrics. He also has a line of jewelry and shoes. He has many fashion design awards, including the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award.

Phillip Lim is noted for this feminine streamlined clothes and his attention to detail. He currently sells his clothes under the label 3.1 Phillip Lim. He launched his collection in 2004 and found immediate success. Lim says about his clothes "make them feel respectful, yet desirable all at the same time"

Vera Ellen Wang was born and raised in New York City and is of Chinese descent. Her parents were born in Shanghai, China, and came to the United States in the mid-1940s. Wang is a successful fashion designer best known for her wedding dresses. She started her career as a fashion editor for Vogue magazine. After failing to find a suitable wedding dress for her own wedding, she designed one herself. Later she opened her own bridal boutique, initially selling dresses from other designers but later own she launching her own line of wedding dresses. She got international exposure from the dresses she designed for skater Nancy Kerrigan, who wore them to the 1994 Olympics.