Bloggamonsta.

Music played, and people sang

2012-01-28T11:45:00.000-08:00

1. 1. 2012

2012-01-28T11:42:00.001-08:00

The Sonic Manipulator

2012-01-21T12:53:00.001-08:00

I know this could be more interesting

2012-01-21T12:43:00.000-08:00

The Shrimp.

2012-01-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

Top Eleven. Twenty Eleven.

2012-01-01T16:56:00.000-08:00

So long 2011, it's been lovely.
1. Jay Z & Kanye West, Who gon stop me
2. Everything Everything, Final form
3. Beach house, Lover of mine
4. Foster the people, Pumped up kicks
5. Modest mouse, The good times are killing me.
6. Metronomy, The look
7. Broken bells, Ghost inside
8. Azealia Banks, 212
9. Cut Copy, Hearts on fire
10. Warpaint, Set your arms down
11. Lana Del Rey, Born to die

Ghetto Nancy.

2011-12-21T11:26:00.000-08:00

Sheep.

2011-12-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

Knitted Cab, off bricklane.

2011-11-23T04:43:00.001-08:00

Knitted bike, off bricklane.

2011-11-22T16:16:00.001-08:00

Somebody doesn't look too good..

2011-11-10T02:53:00.001-08:00

I Love To Fuck You!

2011-10-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is Bob's Job.

2011-10-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

"Bob's Book of Style Tips" will launch in November 2011. Stocking Filler!!

Graffiti Doorway off Bricklane. Rarrr.

2011-10-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

Thumper

2011-10-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Chanello!

2011-10-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Adam and Mick are gay.

2011-09-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggaworld. I'm back.

2011-09-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

I'm alive and well.

2011-05-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Blogsters!

While I'm away you can find me on http://stumblestonefox.tumblr.com/

A little photo journal of my time here in NY.

Mucho love and besos xx

Happy Thursday!

2011-03-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

Dancing my aran knit pants off with a moscow mule in one hand. LOVE TO ABOVE! x

Enjoy

2011-03-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to talk like I know about politics, because I'm a total amateur, but maybe I can be a spokesperson for people who aren't normally interested in politics.
-Bjork

Thump. Thump. Thump ThumpThumpThump!

2011-03-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

PJ does it again! Jenson just knows how to achieve the ultimate in chic/retro style, his presentations always have a quirky and innovative edge (to support the equally-so collection).
Love the surroundings for this photoshoot! Simple and lovely. x

I'll Have A Minitel Rose Please!

2011-03-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Love this video! And the band are a little gem discovered by my roomie babzer. 4c are Loving Magic Powder with a capital L.
- Definitely worth a listen. Or ten million. x

Hello Earth

2011-03-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

It's not important to me that people understand me.
- Kate Bush

Villainous New York.

2011-03-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

Outside McJ cafe, Prince Street.

Hearts for Heart.

2011-03-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

Mott St, Nolita.

Oh Nancy.

2011-03-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

(image from google)

Pamela Love A/W 11* Frank Tell

2011-02-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

NYC jewellery designer Pamela Love's A/W 2011 collection (presented with b.e.autifully delicate Frank Tell dresses) at Milk Studios was FAB! Super cool surroundings made up geometric shapes and a live band. Lalalove.

Humina humina humina...

2011-02-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

OMG I want the red oversized textured cardy/jacket. Please jump on a plane and fly over to me.
Mark Fast A/W 2011
(With thanks to style.com)

Givenchy HC

2011-02-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

Oh Givenchy how you've captured my Haute Couture lovin' heart! From trawling through the Spring/Summer 2011 style.com archives my Givenchy appreciation has grown as big as a chanel advertisement campaign (yes that's right).
So why just a feature on Givenchy HC? Simply because I feel out of all the designers who are keeping Haute Couture alive by dividing their ample workload between S/S and A/W ready-to-wear collections to delve into the intricate time consuming world of HC, Givenchy is the fashion house who've stayed true to the meaning of Haute Couture AND delivered an amazing collection. (Obviously just my opinion)
From the select amount of looks, inspiration (Japan, Robots, say no more..) and colour story, right down to the presentation (which is so important) it captured perfection. The setting is antique-like and simple; bare and architecturally strong to back the construction of the pieces and not too over-bearing or busy to take away from the delicate femininity of some of the fabrics. (Oh sheerness will you marry me?)
Theres a feeling of intimacy with the Givenchy collection, like you're lucky to be involved in the Givenchy experience. A feeling of exclusivity even, which is ultimately what Haute Couture is all about.
Dior, Gaultier, Valentino and the rest left me a little..eh. The shows didn't feel special, it looked like it could've been another ready to wear collection. I mean Chanel had 67 looks?! (I felt a little tired half-way through. Made myself a sandwich.)
For me, Givenchy S/S HC collection is more about quality rather than quantity.
The attention to detail is insane! Robot-inspired applique contrasted with layering, folds and endless hours of craftsmanship (one outfit taking 4,000 hours of sewing apparently) in a delicious soft colour palette (which to my delight had flashes of lime green and yellow) and then topped off with Philip Treacy millinery. Love!

Style.com described the up-close experience with the pieces "like examining works of art in a gallery" which I imagine is pretty spot-on.
(Images from style.com)

Eliot Ward-Fear (Long Over-Due)

2011-02-05T17:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday all! I'm enjoying the night on my bed with a bag of peanut m&m's.
(Does this girl actually live in Brooklyn, New York? Yes, yes I do.)
These images have been sitting on my desktop ready to post for the last month, but I really wanted to give it a proper write up, but write-ups need research and that's time I don't have at the moment with Fashion Week on the horizon.
But in a fabric stitched nutshell; Eliot Ward-Fear is an Aussie Designer, 22 years old (holy shit), and oh so fricken cool. Besides fashion he dabbles in elaborate accessory design (google Bryanboy at the prada show) and sky-high wedges (18cm to be exact). Also, another bit of interesting info.. His dad was a set designer for Mad Max, Alien and The Shining.. Coool!

The Spirit Of Clothing. A/W 2011

What made my heart skip a beat? Firstly, the colour story- I love the pinks and whites contrasted by the nude and camel brown tones. Then the panelling and tailoring (hello heart bum!) and lastly, and the most prominent love, is the mixture of different fabrics and textiles (as you can see I found some sneaky close-ups below.) He wanted to challenge himself with the construction side and decided to go the full hog and make everything himself, which is refreshing to hear.

"I liked the idea of literally showing transcendence, so I translated that into the spirit of the garment leaving itself, in the form of wavering shapes ‘leaving’ the dress: sliding down the sleeve or flying off the shoulder."

(First three images from dazeddigital, last two from frockwriter.blogspot.com)

Love, Grrr and Chipped Nails.

2011-01-30T19:02:00.000-08:00

Robo-leopard and Love ring purchased from Nolan on Prince St. Cheap and chic! And deliciously gaudy. Just the way I like it. x
($22 for Love, $20 for Robo-leopard)

Sheer Goodness..

2011-01-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

Sheer Appreciation Day Bloggatrons! Came across a fabulous sheer look in work last week, captured on the streets of Paris and thought it would be a nice idea to dedicate a post to the sheer loveliness (ahem) of this particular style. I don't sport the overall sheer look like some of these fabulous ladies are (Maybe after some more yoga classes. Possibly.) but acknowledging the coolness of it is just enough to get me inspired to be more adventurous when introducing sheer to my wardrobe.
Also, as you can tell from my last post the sixties is what I'm loving at the moment, this has brought me to an obsessive state of finding a 60s shift with sheer sleeves. I hear Williamsburg is the thrift'ing mecca of NY so once I have a little more time after fashion week I will investigate and purchase purchase purchase!
This is just a photo of a midi- length skirt I bought in Oxfam, London last year for three pounds. Chopped out the lining and voile! Sheer Genius. Ok I'll stop with the puns and appreciate the goodness..

Love the polka dot panel contrast. It makes the grungy Courtney Love look a little pretty. (Paris Fashion Week)

The same kind of vibe as the above pic; a little grungy, a little edgy, love the belt and necklaces, and her cute pulp fiction length bob is a delight. Also whoever said smoking isn't cool needs to look at this girl. Don't smoke kids. Unless you can look like her.

Dragged this image onto my desktop last week and now I can't remember who it belongs to! It's definitely from somebody's style blog, and oh how I love this dress. She looks like a little doll, and I absolutely love the understated tights paired with it. A delicate take as appose to the harder edge that the other looks have. Although it still has something gritty about it which is obviously down to the black underwear and nipples on show. Actually, Cocorosie's song Raphael comes to mind. I think that sums it up pretty well. Love!

2011-50

2011-01-13T20:57:00.000-08:00

Here's what I want 2011 to be like Bloggatrons. Yes, the sixties. Not everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine. Mine with a big digestive biccie dipped in. A shift dress here, a mini skirt there, an explosion of sixties simplicity mixed in with all the genius of Barberella costumes please. Paco Rabanne's futuristic hand at textiles and Mary Quant's pvc paddington bear jackets are a must. Peterpan collars, cloche hats (which I've been googling forever and can't get a proper image! Basically it's a glorified swimsuit hat with a closure around the face, a little like the photo below except less superhero/ criminal and more cute and quirky), wacky panelling, patterned tights, knee-high socks, this list goes on and on and on..
Yes this trend has been peaking through a lot over the last few years, but why get rid of a good thing? I'm a sucker for simple shapes and messy textures which can be incorporated faster than you can say Edie! Let's go the whole hog and resemble one of these lovely ladies..

But not forgetting a pinch, actually a handful, of Barbarella fabulousness. Is that a space helmut in her hand? Oh it is? I'll take it!

I mean, this picture further clarifies the point that todays fashion can be oh so boring. Theres too much conventional and safe. It would be a lie to state there only being two extremes of dress; y'know snoozefest sally (no offensive to the sally's, I just like the way it sounds) versus why is that girl wearing a condom as a necklace? But there are lots of nothing-styles (as well as nice ones too) among the safe and out-there choices. I just think the sixties is the right amount of retro, pretty and chic sewn into a panelled shift dress. Simple, easy and so foxy! I want her stockings.. And the futuristic setting.

The hat I mentioned above which is a little creepy looking, but cool all the same. When I find the image I'm looking for it's going straight into the side-bar gallery joining Edie, Kate, Bjork, Dinosaur and Nico the newbie. Yes, it's that good.

Top Ten. Twenty Ten. BAM!

2011-01-12T22:19:00.000-08:00

After too much thought and consideration I have come up with my top 10 (probably) most listened to and liked tracks of 2010 on my pod! I found this hard, it would've been easier to make a top 20 but I thought I'd keep it traditional. (Also I decided on my post title before any top ten was decided. Strong, eh? )

1. Cocteau Twins, Persephone / Loreli
2. Rihanna, Rude Boy
3. Wild Beasts, We still got the Taste Dancin' on Our Tongues
4. Ariel Pink, Round and Round
5. XX, Infinity
6. Yeasayer, Madder Red
7. Joy Division, She's Lost Control
8. Passion Pit, The Reeling
9. Cinematic Orchestra, That Home
10. Lady Gaga/ Beyonce, Telephone.

Just imagine a few Kate Bush gems in there among the tensies -it would be wrong not to mention dear Kate as she's always close to my ears.
xxx

Why?

2011-01-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Belated New Years! Things are becoming manic at the minute with fashion week approaching, exciting and hectic!
That's all for the moment.
Snogs and blogs xxx

Happy New Years from Jeremy and Me!

2010-12-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years Eve Bloggatrons!
What better way to celebrate than with Jeremy Scott's S/S 2011 collection inspired by New York City! Y'know since I'm here and he's here? And I'm a fashion loving minion and he's an NY designer... Hmmm yes. (I'm a little jet-lagged, and I've just had my first coffee in six months..)

K so why do I love this collection? Beside it being a pretty apt post for the day? I love Scott's simple and daring attitude towards fashion. It's really a collection that only Scott could get away with. And I don't mean that in a I-have-no-other-words-in-my-head-to-describe, boring kinda way (although I don't think I have much more) but you do have to have a real fuck you attitude to the industry when you create something out of shopping bags. It's such a risk, and not in a he's using rubbish bags as clothing kinda way (well yes that too) but more because it's not like it's done before? 70's/80's Punk, Judy Blame accessories and Sia's onstage costumes to name a few. And I'm pretty sure Gaga has worn something out of plastic. In fact I'd bet my macbook on it. At least with this plastic venture, he's brought NY in as his inspiration and the witty references to rent, loving NY and help wanted updates the fun of plastic as fashion.
As well as that Scott seems a bit shameless. He's blatantly followed the Gaga meat dress explosion (made out of parma ham) and although I'm looking it as done and an overblown fashion disaster, I'm still intrigued and I kinda like it because it's his.
He's got a very cool air about him and it's probably important to his brand to keep that personal side of the company up to scratch. People buy into the Jeremy Scott label not only for the quirky designs but also for the cool factor. And he definitely sees the importance of self branding, which he does, in all his blue steel glory. Decked out in his quirky designs, looking like somebody I'd like to party with, but probably wouldn't be able to keep up with. New York perfect!
Anyway I'm blabbing.
Here are the goods, thanks to dazeddigital.com. Fav piece being the Have A Nice Daybag dress.

Oh can't leave here without posting an image or two of Scott's teddy bear runners for Adidas. Oh hello.. And I thought nothing could out-do his wing sneakers? (Did she just say sneakers? Yes I did.)

(First image; mine mine, S/S11; Dazed Digital, Teddy bears; Google)

NY NYE 2011

2010-12-30T05:57:00.000-08:00

Back in NY Bloggatrons! Another New Year approaching is WEIRD. What's weirder is coming back to the aftermath of a blizzard, having to drag my bag through the mountains (literally mountains) of snow on Fulton street was hard and cold. Slushy puddles being the worst. But whatever! I'm back and no better way to feel..ahem.. ready to start.. the year than with a little Arcade Fire. See what I did there?! Hope so.
Heard this beauty on the new trailer for skins, needless to say it captured my Arcade-loving heart. Feels like a good anthem from the Funeral days, which is a compliment since I'm huge funeral fan. Never really fell in love with Neon Bible like I did with Funeral? I should've tried harder, but I got swept away by the goodness of MIA and In Rainbows.
Something tells me I'll be loving Arcade Fire, The Suburbs for 2011.. x

Crimbolicious x

2010-12-28T02:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Crimbo Bloggatrons!
First two xmas pressies belong to Bloggasis (teapot necklace is the king) and last three are mine mine mine!
My new favourite thing is my keyboard necklace. -Lalalalove.
Leaving frosty Ireland tomorrow and entering NY blizzard territory. Eek but kinda exciting!

Enjoy! x

So long NY, hello Ireland!

2010-12-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

Afternoon Bloggatrons!
I'm flying back to the Emerald Isle today for crimbo, can you believe it? I cannot. Bags are packed. Apartment cleaned. Ariel pink listened to. Now all we have to do is wait for some delish g+t's on british airways. Freebies please!
As you can tell it's just a quick post to show some NY love but I'll be back on the blogging wagon when I'm sitting still for longer than 20 minutes. So I'll leave you with a photo, yes another lazy post but I really like this one. Taken from the top floor of a production factory in the garment district. Gritty and grotty come to mind! My two favourite words.

Ooo I experienced my first NY snowfall after work last night and besides the sheer frostiness it was loverly. I've been told it'll be here when I get back and the fab'ness of it all will be a distant memory when you have to trudge to work in three feet of snow.. eek. Yay for now! Boo later.
x

With you, Sunday never ends.

2010-12-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

So how did I get to this video I hear you ask bloggatrons? Well let me tell you. I bought Nylon on Sunday because Mila Kunis is on the cover and who can resist reading about Mila Kunis? And in the mist of the big four page spread, there’s a one-line reference to her eight year ongoing relationship with Macaulay Culkin which had me staring at that one line for at least a minute thinking Reallly? Macaulay Culkin? Not in the “Why the fuck is she with him?” kinda way, more in the region of how have I never heard this before? So I decided to Wikipedia good ole Culkin and see what he’s been up to (Yes. I was eating dinner and I enjoy wikipedia’n random people – check out John Wayne Gacy. Weird! Discovery thanks to Sufjan Stevens.) Annnyway in the mist of all the movie stardom and family tiffs I came across this JAMMIN video for Sonic Youth that Culkin starred in. Not only is it a fantastic video, it is great song. Culkin looks quite stoned and rebellious. Wikipedia tells me he was 18 when the video was made and I love the grungey home-video 90's (1998 to be exact) feel to it. The up-close shot of Culkin licking his lips at the end is disturbingly cool. A lot of underlying hormones in this video. I like it!
Now if only today was a sunday, then the post would be complete.

November We Remember

2010-12-01T17:09:00.000-08:00

Bloggatrons it's the 1st of December! How mental is that? Seems like my time in NY is flying by me so fast, scary, please slow it down mr.clock .. Going back to Irlanda in two weeks for crimbo but luckily I'll be NY bound again for New Years, and the next 9 months after that. Yay! And phew.
Had a miracle day off today which was beyond jammy. It felt like a snowday (which I hear Ireland is having a lot of) but instead it was a wet wet wet day. Had plans to go to the Natural History Museum and start christmas shopping early, instead I watched Grey's Anatomy and washed clothes. No complaints. (And my clothes smell glorious.)
So since it was a lazy day, it's a lazy post of a few photos from walking the streets of NY and being snap happy!

Snogs and Blogs xxx

Ariel Pink/ Os Mutantes- Webster Hall, NY

2010-11-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Bloggatrons!
Here are a few photos from the Os Mutantes/ Ariel Pink gig the gang and I went to upon T.bag's recommendation, and wow was it good. Hats off to T.bag. I know the photos are a little eh.. but I quite like them! If you know the sound of either of these bands you might think they match up well to the music, well maybe it works more-so with the Ariel Pink photos than the Os Mutantes pics -I don't know what kind of image could portray the sound of Os Mutantes music? Perhaps some crashing giant teacups in a forest with a troll and an evil witch dancing together in harmony? Needless to say, the music was straaaaaange but in a really fantastic way! In one particular song they ended it with a drawn out chuckle, or maybe a full- bellied laugh/ chuckle? It was wonderful. On top of that, Os Mutantes is a brazilian band from 30 years ago so the lead singer is a very trendy oldie (appreciate the clothing bloggatrons).
Ariel Pink who were the support for the brazilian mutantes were fabulously psychedelic. Babz has not stopped bopping to the youtube clip below (which is actually a really good home-made video of the movie Perfect with Travolta and Curtis), I enjoy bopping with her.
I do think these photos really capture Ariel Pink! I tried every setting on my camera but nothing would come out any clearer, I took it as a sign from the psychedelic gods to stop trying. Or maybe I should take it as a sign to get a better camera? Possibly. K must hit the sack now as I'm working bright and early, enjoy the photos and youtube clip.
Snogs and Blogs xxx

Ariel Pink

Update; Really shouldn't have harped on so much about the photos, they really aren't all that good. But the video is grrreat bloggatrons so watch it! And please try and appreciate my mediocre photography.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

2010-11-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

After far too much food, mulled wine and regular wine I have 10 minutes to go until Thanksgiving is officially over. So Happy thanksgiving bloggatrons! And happy thursday to all non-americans. The day was spent having a responsible boozy dinner, being snap happy with my new polaroid camera (which was a freebie from work yay yay!) and listening to some 80s classics -Kate served us well for the meal preparation. Uncomfortably full and still v.mulled up so going to leave you with two photos!
-I thought they'd be nice for the day that's in it... Mucho love bloggatrons, many more posts to follow. xxx

The Villagers, Brooklyn.

2010-11-22T21:38:00.000-08:00

Falling behind on my blog posts bloggatrons! I'm trying to keep up with this New York pace of life but obviously failing on the blog-front, a longer more detailed post will be coming v.soon. Oooo possibly Thanksgiving day?!
Here are a few photos from the Villagers gig in the Knitting Factory on Metropolitan Av in Brooklyn. A little gathering compared to the jammed gig in the Roisin Dubh where I saw them supporting the the Wild Beasts (so good). Really really enjoyed their solo tour, the back-up band (which I'm wondering will become a regular fixture?) were incredible! And needless to say Conor the main villager was y'amazing. T.bag and Babz made fun of his simple lovely lyrics, which was not appreciated in the village. Do not fear, I put them in their place. I think they were jealous how he rhymed way and say and day. Whatever. However, we did all have a giggle at the bassists and his ridiculous over the top rocker moves, it was slightly cringey to say the least -It was like every string he plucked was slowly killing him?! I think he was just high. In which case maybe it is killing him...Ooh!

Hope you enjoy the photos! (This one is my fav)
Bloggamonsta xxx

Nolan Pics

2010-11-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Morning bloggatrons!
I'm a little fuzzy headed from the $ glasses of wine last night in a delish thai restaurant in St Mark's Place. -Don't think we were too interested in the name of the place unfortunately , it was more the $1 signs that stuck out. It was so yummy and ridiculously priced. For example; 3 main dishes, 6 glasses of wine, 3 chang beers and two desserts= $50.50. I had to ask t.bag this morning if infact that was true to memory, and it was. What a perfect start to a not-so-planned boozy night.
I'll post it if I find out the name because it is definitely worth a date-night! Date-night? Oh how very american of me.
Update; Lychee, 126 Saint Marks Pl.

So here are a few photos of work from Nolan jewellery at the Prince St market between Mercer and Mulberrry -really great market by the by, some markets are too jammed with stalls and don't have much in terms of quality pieces but Prince must have some sort of selection process because 90% is fab! Love the quirkiness of these pieces, I'd like a painted skull and a heavey duty bullet necklace please. The Nolan store is on 2 Prince which is definitely worth a look, such great pieces, kinda reminds me of the good ole days of Topshop (y'know smaller space, less mass mass production) - hats off to the buyer! Oh also great sample sales each week, the joys.

Day off today so it's adventure time! Babz and I are hitting a shop called Rainbow. It's kind of like Penny's/Primark but dare I say, it might be better. Put the Primark pump down...
Later bloggatrons xxx

James Coviello Mask/Hat Party

2010-11-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

A few photos of James Coviello's work at the hat/mask party/one year anniversary of the store! (I mean shop. shop shop shop shop.) Such a fab evening of hats, masks, nibbles and too many Manhattan's. Imagine drinking Manhattan's in Manhattan? Besides the fact they were dangerously laced in alcohol, it was a bit of a pivotal moment. Check out the workmanship/fun'ness of these.. I know, photos are a little grainy but at least flickr is back in action.

Apparently Coviello has made hats for the likes of Oscar De La Renta, Calvin Klein and Todd Oldham. Yowzas. My room-mate babz is now a Coviello worker, all thanks to her for the fun night and gorge pieces!
xxx

Hipsters, Hustlers and Handball Players.

2010-10-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Leon Levinstein exhibition at The Met is sooooo good. Based around NY streets from the 1950's-80's -Levinstein had street style photography down before any sort of Sartorialist or Face Hunter existed! Not a fashion photography exhibit, more of a look back in time and seeing how things have changed which is definitely refreshing. Love the way he works; quite dark and grungey, lots of unflattering angles, people out and about doing their every day things and hardly any posing (and if there is, no hands on the hips or awkward skinny poses). While he was a student he apparently became obsessed with photographing strangers; devoting nights and weekends to the streets; and ultimately continued to do so for the next thirty years of his life. Yowzas.

The photographs are taken from inner city NY to the outer boroughs with a broad spectrum of people; different nationalities, ages, colour etc. Here are a few of my favs;

I walk, I look, I see, I stop, I photograph.

(I think Johnny Borrell may have been sneaking around the Levinstein Archives! Oh Johnny get outta there.)

See what I mean about the no awkward posing? There is something so brilliant about this photo (and not just for the obvious reasons of the slightly rounder notso happy woman sitting in the sand with towel on her head) but she looks so content with herself. And relaxed? I don't know. It just makes me smile, and then think for a minute or two. About what I'm not sure.

Night bloggatrons!

Japan Fashion Now! Pow!

2010-10-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons!

So this is a long over-due post on the Japanese fashion exhibition that’s being held in FIT until January 8th. Went about three weeks ago with Babz and Libby and have been meaning to blog about it a lot earlier than now but at least it's better late than never! With my neighbour singing Lionel Ritchie’s All Night Long at the top of his lungs I can’t think of a more perfect time to blog. Oh New York you random place you! For those who don’t know (which I imagine is very few), FIT is a huge fashion school in New York, and I mean huge. I pass by it every morning on my way to work and it easily covers three-four blocks. -Oh to have a few hundred grand in the bank and I’d be on my way…sigh. It’s not a huge exhibition space but big enough to make you get a good sense of all the major Japanese designers that have turned Japan into a creative mecca.

The first section is the introductory gallery; a clean cut, laboratory style setting where work from Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo and Commes De Garcon (..haawww) displayed such acclaimed pieces like the rubber bodice by Rei Kawakubu and the deconstructed denim dress by Junya Wantanabe for Commes De Garcon- to name a few. While I browsed through the gallery, it was only a few hours later I thought -Jesus, that was surreal. I wrote my thesis on these designers!!

(Let's just have a moment and appreciate Yamamoto.)

The main gallery is more of a step into Japanese street style and sub-culture movements that have been made famous today by Gwen Stefani's harajuku girls and Katy Perry&Lady Gaga love of Hello Kitty. One side dedicated to the ultra-trend setting Japanese designers of today; Loved the menswear section of the main gallery! Tokyo is more risk-taking in the menswear stakes, hence a good place to be if you were a menswear designer. (Totally want the A/W 2010-11 Phenomen jacket all for myself.)

The other side of the space reflects on the subcultural movements in Harajuku and Shibuya who literally take fashion to another level. Treated like (an almost competitive?) form of dress-up within cultural groupings such as Lolita, Angelic Pretty, Baby etc. (One would be forgiven to mistake the outfits for the children costume section in Toys r Us) Needless to say all of this effort has not gone unnoticed in the western world, inspiring heavyweights like Jean Paul Gaultier and Marc Jacobs- just to name two.

One of my fav parts of the exhibition is by Jun Takahashi S/S collection; the skull manipulation in three pieces were constructed in such an elegant and sophisticated way. The 3D skull dress especially. It took me a minute to realise that in fact it was skulls, made in a silk patent I think? Another highlight is the googly eye dress -so ridiculously cool! Tongue-in-cheek fashion projected at the highest quality of construction and innovation. Yowzas. But I can't find a picture! eek.
Jun Takahashi S/S 2007

Annnyway it’s a definite recommendation! It won’t take you longer than an hour to have a proper look and appreciate the craftsmanship of these innovative designers on display. I, myself, found it really inspiring, just to see the fabrics up close, the construction of each piece and the fabric manipulation/embellishments of each look. –These are designers I would have referenced throughout college for their innate ability to capture innovation so effortlessly. Loved. A lot.

x
(All photos from google. Apologies for the size, flickr and I will be friends again soon.)

MET

2010-10-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

Hi bloggsters!

Just a quick post before I hit the sack. I'm alive. Just incase you think anything has happened to me on the mean streets of New York -which by the way are more polite and friendly that yee old Irlanda. So I've had a busy few days with my internship and general city life, which seems to fly by faster than you want it to. But I luckily had a long weekend of exhibitions the weekend before last; went to see Yoshitomo Nara; Nobody's Fool at the Asia Society Museum which made me feel like I was in a creche (and I mean that in the most flattering way), or maybe more back at school doodling? If only I was able to doodle like that. I'll give it a proper few lines when I'm more awake. Leon Levinstein's photography journal at the MET was another cracker, came acoss it casually on the New York bible, Time Out, and knew immediately that I'd love it. But again, I think they both deserve their individual posts, so I'm just going to post a few photos of the pieces I liked at the MET -not that you could possibly venture around the MET in one day, it is so huge! I got lost at least three times, I trusted a french woman to point me towards the Exit and ended up at the toilets. So annnyway.

El Anatsui, African Sculptor, a recycled wall hanging completely constructed of aluminium bottle tops flattened, perforated and connected together with wire. Absolutely love this piece!

A 3D eagle anyone? Just a tad dark and mysterious, but that's not my favourite apect of the Robert Rauchenberg painting/ installation. In fact I was standing there for a good three minutes looking at this piece and wondering why I was standing there? But it's a taxidermy eagle after all. Really, I so love the different use of media and the collage technique. I want the work to be cut up into pieces and made into a sketchbook (or just given to me for an hour or so to figure out how many layers or paint, oil, pencil, fabric, metal went into it ).

A close up of abstract artist Conrad Marca-Relli, The Battle. Another collage piece that caught my eye for inspiration reasons. Patchwork quilt anyone? I'll get started right now! Oil cloth, tinted canvas, enamel paint, and oil on canvas. Just lovely.

Here's a fun one, which will soon be taking a spot on my (jumbo-sized) fridge once I get to a print shop. Looks like Napolean was around in 1978. Except his name is Mark, not Napolean, and the artist is Chuck Close. I think Mark looks more like a Chuck though.

More posts to follow bloggatron's! No more excuses. Sorry about the smaller photos, apparently I've exceeded my limit on my flickr account, I didn't even know that was possible?
Snogsxxxx

P-P-P-Purchases

2010-10-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Here are a few little purchases I bought since I got here, nothing too splurge-ful but loving them all the same.

Polaroid camera bought a few doors down at a stoop sale for $6, hello bargain central! Granted I'm not sure if it works yet as I need to get film, but if this was bought in London you'd easily be paying 20-25 pounds just for the body of it. I love the old-school chunky shape, and the push-up flash is possibly the best piece of technology I have ever come across.

Real leather satchel, $8, bought at the granny market. This hasn't come off my arm for the past three weeks. Absolutely love it! Perfect storage for all my pens and penny's. The arm strap is detachable so if I'm feeling a little 60's; it'll be shift dress, faux fur, knee highs and satchel! Ya-haw.

Knuckle-duster (as babz calls it) $12 prince street market. I've had my eye on this since I got here but I've been trying to do that; "Go away and think about it" mantra, so I did and bought it a week later. Love it on it's own, I know you can do that bulky build-up with other pieces but I don't really have the patience; y'know like trying to find keys, fixing hair, sewing etc. I'm also after mysteriously ripping off half my nail the other day so who knows what kind of damage could be caused by an immensely bling'd-up hand. eek!
Hope you like!
xxx

Forget all the things that I took with me..

2010-10-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

Greetings bloggatrons!

So this week has been pretty hectic, I did a run through my cv and online portfolio on monday and tuesday -making sure it was all intact and looking glorious- e-mailed a few designers that I was interested in and scored an interview with a young and upcoming designer the following wednesday! Started work the next day in chelsea which by the way is V.fancy; already spotted Cynthia Nixon, Marilyn Manson and that extremely yummy r'n'b guy from gym class heros (not 100% sure it was infact him, but what the hell). Now I'm on the hunt for a paying job so I can actually support my glamourous NY lifestyle consisting of bagels, metro cards, underground gigs and v+t's. Oh and the best place for v+t's you ask? That would be Mars bar, a total dive! Literally. A minute walk from Spring St. exit, so cheap with the greatest juke box ever! Well granted it's our first dive bar jukebox experience, but I imagine it would be hard to beat (Bowie, Animals, MBV etc). However, the toilets are horrendous, Libster was brave enough to find the toilet flusher. -It really isn't a place where you want to touch anything. Can't believe I didn't take any proper photos of the place (let alone the toilets -seeing is believing), it's definitely one to record in the NYC archive!
This is from google; the daytime look..eh.. does nothing for the place.

On sunday Babz and I went see The Dust Busters, a fantastic southern band, in a venue called Jalopy, near carroll street I think? Lobster and I saw the violinist play on Shop St in Galway and were absolutely blown away by him. After a little youtube research, I found out he and his band were actually from Brooklyn and were regulars in Jalopy. What's even better; they not only perform in the tiny 40 seater theatre there, they also teach lessons and half of the venue is used by an instrument maker? (Not sure if that's the right word.) How tweedle di is that? I move all the way from Ireland to come across a band and a place that encapsulates Old Ireland. It was such a fantastic night, one might say Toe-Tapping Good! Maybe not.
The music is like a step back in time, not only with the musical instruments like the banjo, fiddle, harmonica, guitar but even their voices have that kind of scratchy off pitch sound. I'll definitely be going back.
Two photos so you can capture the atmosphere! And my bad photography.

Hiiting a local market near my street now, the granny one. Oh the joys!
Snogs and Blogs xxx

P.s. Can't stop listening to Groove Armada and Will young's History (hence the post title); so bad-ass. Most definitely recommend!

StyleBubble -Preen

2010-09-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

I shamelessly nabbed a photo of Susie just outside Preen's show at NY Fashion wk. -Being a huge fan of her blog I couldn't-not-ask her, I mean it's susie friggen stylebubble! She was very cool about it, kinda like "..eh?.. ok!" The hairball beside her must have been someone she was intending to photograph coz he was working on that "just out of bed look". Luckily I have that every day bloggatrons. The photo doesn't justify the ridiculousness of her shoes, and I mean that in a great way, I spotted them before I spotted her!

Preen, Spring/Summer 2011

2010-09-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Morning bloggatrons! Here are a few backstage images from the Preen show that took place on the sunday of fashion week. Such a fantastic morning setting up the runway (steaming a gazillion ribbons that fell from the ceiling- but oh so worth it) and dressing models. It was such a great jump in NY fashion week after literally leaving the terminal! Well, you know not actually after leaving the termnial but you know what mean. So the show was held in MILK studios in NY- a very cool and very big studio space, which after a quick google tells me that it is infact a communal space shared by a group of artists whos work "stands at the crossroads of the fashion, photography, art and media worlds."

The collection itself was really impressive. A bit more sophisticated than previous, but definitely holds it's edge -not an Amy Winehouse edge, but that's probably for the best. Preen, who for me definitely stand out for their structured pieces, held strong to their roots but introduced a more minimalist, feminine (even bohemian vibe?) running through some of their S/S 2011 looks. The colour palette was squeeky clean, lots of camel tones, pale blues, whiter whites contrasted with a few LB pieces. The tile print, featured in a few floaty numbers, was absolutely yummy! Understated but with maximum effect. However, I think my all-time favourite pieces were the pelmets (little waist belts) which worked perfectly with the printed mid-max skirts and dresses, hence the London edge is given! And so easily. The beading was another hightpoint for me, unfortunetly I have no photos of that though. Have a google and see for yourself! Style.com describe it as caviar beading, which sounds too fancy not to mention.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Kat the queen norwegian model who I was dressing, she was so nice and ridiculous cool. And beautiful. Can't believe she's only been modeling for six months. Best friends please!

Delicious tile print.

Ribbons and Runway.

Must run now, there are plenty of yard-sales to hit, lots of sewing machine and knitting machines to price! And, more importantly, lots of NY to see! It is ridiculously hot over here though, I can't understand it's september?! I hear the winter becomes brutally (a word a NYer used) cold so I should really enjoy it while I can. Wait up NEW YORK, I'm-a-comin!
Snogs and blogs xxx

Edun Spring/Summer 2011

2010-09-22T10:42:00.001-07:00

So it's been two weeks since I've arrived with my two other fashionistas in tow, and what a fantastic start it's been! We moved into our apartment, bought beds, discount stored it up for the essentials and then hit Ikea for a table and chairs and rugs to cover a very 1970's lino floor which is actually kinda growing on me. On sunday we got our hands on a huge futon for $50 which was so casually thrown (yes thrown) on top of a passer-bys jeep and brought back to our little humble abode. He even brought it to our door! We live on the fourth floor people. Faith is restored in mankind!
Between all the moving in, cleaning and getting our lives sorted we've dined in delicious places and hit a fantastic street market a couple of blocks from where we live in brooklyn and bought a b.e.autiful leather satchel for $8- real leather. And a polaroid camera for $6! I just love the casualness of it all, mothers and grandmothers trying to clear "stuff" out of their closet, "stuff" that makes me a little weak at my knees and gives me a slight heart-attack when I see that it's priced so cheaply.
All in all, so far, so great.
And now fashion photos from Edun!
What a fantastic job Sharon Wauchob has done transforming a once dowdy brand into a effortlessly edgy label, with a definite attitude. Everything from the collection, runway location to the I Blame Coco diplo remix worked oh so brilliantly. The fabric mix was delicious; ranging from silk prints, laddered knits, poplin shirts and knotted embroidery. (If I got my hands on the collection I would definitely mix menswear and womenswear together pronto, the silk print and laddered menswear knit would be a treat together) There were hints of fairtrade through the collection but nothing too in your face, the beaded/braided accessories were a nice touch and kinda swayed between delicate and urban. -Note hot male model with it flung carelessly over the knit? Hello! Also, how fab are the chunky wooden wedges? The gravel runway drew just enough attention to the shoes for me to rightly fall in love with them.
It's definitely not a trend-driven collection, there are a few show-stoppers but I mainly love the contemporary looks which focused on key shapes layered to perfection. And the mark fast'esq laddered jumpers were fab and slotted into the collection nicely. The whole undertone of the show definitely had a cool factor- the grafitti scrawled walls in the abandoned warehouse under a subway station only added to the atmosphere. K gotta run but enjoy pics!

Landed. Landed! Landed!!!

2010-09-11T04:47:00.000-07:00

Touchdown Bloggatrons!
Flew in late wednesday night after a long ear popping flight- Libster, Babz and I are now hotel residents for a few days while we apartment hunt... Which by the way is going much better than thought?! Security Deposit down on a fab place already eek!
Approval please Mr.Landlord.

Exciting weekend ahead; Edun fashion show today with babzer. Working backstage with Preen tomorrow. It's amazing what full stops can do to a sentence, isn't it? I think we need a little more of these guys !!!! NY FASHION WEEK!!!
Photos will be taken bloggatrons, even if I have to sneak into a dressing rail.

later bloggatronsxxx

New Yoik! New Yoik!

2010-09-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons!

My lack of posting is ridiculous! I can't apologise enough. I have reasons for my absence bloggatrons. First of all, my laptop crashed a month ago, which was beyond sad. The little guy got me through the long days and late nights at college, who knew a dodgy dvd bought in Thailand could end our three year relationship? Secondly, I've been working hard on my portfolio, taking photos of work, making it look presentable for interviews etc. Aswell as all that working hard to fund my visa to NY!

The adventure is starting tomorrow with babz and libster in tow, can't believe it's come around so fast. I will be updating my blog as much as I can, it may not be as much as I'd like but once I get a new laptop friend Bloggamonsta will be back on track! Must run now- more packing to do, more goodbyes to be said, Eek!

Oh Brooklyn Brooklyn take me in...
Snogs and blogs xxx

Supermarket Chic!

2010-07-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

Tatty Devine window display looover.. Check out the frosties box! Could it get any better? Nah ah. xxx

King

2010-07-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

A Bricklane gem. Kisses from Irlanda! xx

July please, I'm on my knees..

2010-07-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons!

Eek July postage doesn't look so good, I'll try and improve this by next week. It's been a hectic past two weeks, spent the weekend in London and had a glorious party with glorious people! So I've been thinking 'bout personal style posts for a while now and I thought I'd try and get myself into gear and shove a few out there! I'm a gal about comfort mostly but I like quirky pieces to kick it up a notch, whether that's brought about through accessories, jewellery, manipulating the clothes by knotting, layering, ripping etc.
Anywho... nothing fancy just walking up Columbia Rd with Bloggasis.

Cheap and Cheerful; Jumpsuit- Matalan, Sunglasses+ Oversized denim shirt(knotted, I'm a bit obsessed with knotting at the mo)- Pennys (aka Primark), Pumps- Peacocks, Battered geek glasses- Tatty Devine, Radio Bag- Pressie from Bloggasis's travels in Thailand, Belt stolen from mother.

Didn't buy anything crazy in LDN, as I always say it's money saving time. Eek, nearly crunch time. Did get some delish nail varnish on offer in Barry M though! Always good. Oh I'm actually wearing it in the photo above!

A more interesting post coming soon...
Snogs and blogs xxx

Aguilera? Not cool.

2010-07-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

Happy July Bloggatrons!

Cannot believe it's July already? Crazy! Purchased my visa on friday, so NY is in sight! Babz, Libster and I will be NY bound in September, yep so long Emerald Isle, hello big apple! Woah, lots of exclamation marks..one for the road? ! So lots and lots to organise before I go; like portfolio, cv, driving test (eek), money making plan (winning the lottery, selling hot water bottles to Igloo people, or socks to frogs etc) all in the name of fashion. And fun. And bagels.

So whats been going on in my head since my last post? Not much to be honest. I've just been sewing and eating nice food with lobster and his sister. But this morning I came across Christina Aguilera's new song and it's one of those videos where you question yourself and your morals, y'know like; Am I a prude? Am I becoming old and boring? Am I a feminist?? Am I becoming, dare I say it, uncool (ie. old/ boring)? But no. The video is just really bad. It's so obviously try-hard in every way; Slutty dresscode? check. Slutty dancing in a church? check. Girl on girl snogging? Check. Everything is a bit Pseudo-cool? Kinda like Lady Gaga and her try-hard Alejandro nun outfit (note; I really like the song, oh and her suspenders and nude underwear combo), but the cross print on her crotch? It's so evidently bad-ass, and not original. Hello Madonna circa 1980! But as I said I really like the Alejandro song.

Aguilera's song is barely mediocre, and her video is more like a porno -(this is why I question a little femininism, but I'm no bra-burner bloggatrons), no creative originality, it's like a bad eurovision entry. It's kinda like she decided lets just make it over the top sexy, do lots of racy things and I'll just crawl around in the latest fashion. And I get the whole leotard craze, it's empowering and sexy, and of course you need a bangin' body, -Beyonce and Gaga work it v.well. But there's something really cheap about Aguilera's attempt? Too many diamonds and the colour white; dresscode, background, hair. I think she could eat a sandwich too. I did love the plastic trench in the girl on girl scene though, but thats about all of it. Hopefully she'll get back to her Candyman roots or the Dirrty days! Or maybe the next song will be better. Or maybe her time has passed? Who knows. Anyhu! Rant is over. Here's one for the road from the queen of creativity and the person they ALL look to for inspiration. (This is from 1978 people)

Bloggamonsta xxx

Nerd Glasses Part 2

2010-06-27T13:58:00.001-07:00

Zooop! Zooop! Found my nerd glasses -Tom Ford Extravaganza. Oh hello lover...

For some reason, the model really reminds me of April from the Teenage Mutant Turtles? So I had a google and it's obviously the yellow jumpsuit.
I'd really love April's jumpsuit. And her microphone.

Soooo v.short post, I'll do better tomorrow! In the meantime enjoy the oldie but a goodie...

Bloggamonstaxxx

Nasir Mazhar

2010-06-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

Fashion East is possibly the coolest show on earth. I really mean it, well right now I mean it. Maybe there'll be something cooler in a month or a year. Actually I highly doubt it. Because Fashion East isn't just your regular seasonal collection. Yes, it is a fashion show, but it's like a haven for up and coming design talent. The thing I love about Fashion East is the range of designers that have been chosen to exhibit their work. I love it coz it's like tracking their progress, and in a way making it look quite possible for design grads like me to have a label if you really work hard enough? Cheesy line? Maybe. I really like the element of college about it, a few designers from all different backgrounds and experiences all together in one big show. Side by side (well not on catwalk, but backstage..) taking on the fashion world, trying to get recognition for the hours upon hours of hard work. And yep, they always seem to deliver. Fashion East know how to pick 'em! So much so that, you end up missing a gem of a designer because you're so focused on the other gem you're loving. Enter, Nasir Mazhar. While I was busy loving Holly Fulton and Michael Van Der Ham, I missed out on Mazhar. When you see his collection you'll be like "how could she possibly have missed out on that?" (theres alot of pink hair extensions) but I did and now it's time to appreciate!
Check out these doozies from Dazed Digital, no pink hair I'm afraid...

LOVE. Love. LoVe. LOVe. lOVe. LOVE! LOve To ABOVE.

In a nutshell; A former hair dresser that got bored of the limitations of hair and fascinated by the Rude Boys and Rude Girls in the EastEnd, a designer who wanted to incorporate more milliner techniques into hair and counts Lady Gaga as a fan. Remember her lamp shade head piece and the silver orbit around her head? Yep, well that's Mazhar! For those of you who don't know, have a google. For those of you who do, have permission to think I'm v.slow on the uptake!

Bloggamonstaxxx

Mackness Love

2010-06-23T03:48:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons!

So I splashed out on ID yesterday, it was a bit of an impulse buy which is pretty risky since ID can be hit or miss. Luckily for me and my purse though, it's quite good. I love reading little interview blurbs about new design talent, the likes of Heikki Salonen (who I'd like to have a fabric baby with) and Laura Mackness are two of designers featured, along with Michael Van Der Ham, David Koma, Louise Gray and plenty more.
Laura Mackness is a real eye catcher though, her designs connect humour and minimalism so brilliantly. Lots of hand drawn prints of eye lashes, hands, boobs, eyes which are placed in random areas onto the clean cut designs; eyelash kness, hands on boobs, eyes on boobs..you get the drift.

A former Peter Jenson intern, which isn't at all surprising, they absolutely share the same aesthetic of fundamental design and quirky detailing. I got a major Jenson feel from the printed belt on this jacket...

She is currently stocking her men/women collaboration for Swedish label Weekday, a more diffused line from her much loved CSM MA collection(above). And oh lord is it gorge! Jersey t's(Say no more,I'm sold), dresses, leggings with the same'ish colour story and funfunfun prints. Apparently the collection is now being stocked alongside Jenson's collaboration. Niceeeee. Heres a few images from the Weekday Lookbook. I don't think Love was mentioned enough in this post? I LOVE!

Also, how cool is her name?! She could be a superhero, y'know something like The Mackness ...

(Above images from Style.com and Google)

Maybe I will, GOSH!

2010-06-14T10:22:00.001-07:00

Hi bloggatrons!

So I got thinking about Nerd Glasses yesterday after a trip to Topman with t.bag, cancan and babz. A part of me really wants to embrace the trend that has been around for nearly a year, but then the other part feels like they've always been a bit try-hard? Yeah, yeah, yeah don't take fashion so seriously blah blah, buuut it would be so much easier to jump on board if I even remotely needed glasses on some level. To just put them on my face for such an obvious trend wouldn't make me feel so cool. So then I got thinking, I could reinvent myself when I move to NY! Yep I could be me, but me who struggles to see without her nerdy glasses? I think I'm onto something here, and so I've had a little look around. These two are from UO, I like the second pair alot.

I almost feel like buying them now! Cue relatives; "Bloggamonsta, I never knew you needed glasses?" To which Bloggamonsta replies "Oh yes I have been suffering for quite a while now. My optician even recommended I get the extra large ones." Ha! Nah... I'll wait till NY.

While we're on the subject of glasses, check out these beauties from UO women, Karen Walker's creation for UO which retails at £170 big ones. Eek. I think I'll wait for it to trickle down to highstreet. Karen Walker and Linda Farrow kinda share the same style aesthetic, don't they? The love is strong for both.

(Above images from Urbanoutfitter.co.uk)

Snogs, blogs xx
Bloggamonsta

Vintage Cheese

2010-06-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

Hi bloggatrons!

The Emerald Isle is once again wet wet wet. But warm. Nice walking weather, or jogging, if one was into that sort of thing. So after watching a snipet of the MTV movie awards last night; Will Ferrel (being unusually not v.funny) and Mark Wahlberg (being abnormally annoying), it got me thinking bout the Calvin ad- y'know the talk of the 90's with Marky Mark and Kate moss? Had a little youtube and found the masterpiece which can definitely be filed under Vintage! Maybe Vintage Cheese? Marky Mark is straddling the line between hot and cringe. The love is strong though, if there is ever an ad that encapsulates the 90s, it's this.. Enjoy!

C is for Crafty

2010-06-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Bloggatrons!

Just a short post with pics of my placematts I whipped up for bloggasis and bloggabro's girlfriend. Yep, I think if I could make a living selling placematts and other crafty sort (possibly out of the back of a caravan?) I'd be v.happy. Hope you like them! I find it quite relaxing, just like doodling on a page. Maybe Stoodling (stitch + doodle)? Nah. Must get into design now, procrastination has been lingering around here way too long. Be gone! Heres to a good day of work tomorrow.

Bloggamonsta xxx

I quite like the alphabet vibe going through my posts...

C for Cheap

2010-05-25T04:47:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons!

Happy sunny tuesday! It's been an absolute roaster in the Emerald Isle, so hot that I've gotten burnt (very strange for Ireland). I'm not complaining though, a small price to pay to be able to blog outside in t.shirt and shorts. Sooo, I bought a few cheapies in the last two weeks and I thought I'd showcase them! Nothing fancy. But they put a smile on face, and they curb any need of a shopping spree.

Firstly, sunglasses. From Pennys (aka Primark) €1.50 for each pair. The lalalove is strong.

I have been looking for a trench for the past few months. -I think the power of Burberry's advertising finally got to me so I put it on my wishlist. Came across this little gem in Debenhams for €59 which was a total steal! I love it because it makes me feel mature and sophisticated when paired with simple basics underneath and then when it's buttoned up and tied I feel like a detective. Don't think it gets better then that bloggatrons.

And lastly, a top I picked up yesterday after my driving lesson in Dunnes Stores for €12! (I guess Dunnes would kinda be like the Asda for UK and maybe..Wal-Mart for US but not as jumbosized) It's such a great place to ramble into and find pumps, t.s, little dresses etc for cheap. Love this for the simple comfy shape.

And I don't think this little detail could be any better! Yes, a little cheap looking, but quirky to the maximus. My life would not be complete without a Groove crest.

Hope you enjoy my fair bloggatrons!
Snogs & Blogs xxx

A piece of Neen please.

2010-05-18T03:39:00.000-07:00

Morning Bloggatrons!

I've come across an incredibly cool jewellery design duo- Anndra Neen. Two sisters from Mexico; Phoebe and Annette Stephens with their one year old spring chicken label. Their pieces range from bracelets to over the top neckpieces which carry a medieval/warrior feel. Yes I like. Hand crafted with mixed metals creating an idea of armor, which is enforced even more-so by the spiked cuffs. Eek I love! The following remind me of something you'd find on the sea-bed; debris from an old ship, corroded rock, sea urchins... Just lovely.

(Found these fantastic photos on www.ashadedviewonfashion.com)

Apparently everything is handmade at their studio in Mexico. I wonder what kind of part they play in the label? Do they create the jewellery aswell as design? If so respect. There is such an original edge to each piece, statement neckpieces have been around for a while but I think Anndra Neen takes the biscuit. There is such a timeless aspect to their work, the jewellery resembles something an archaeologist dug up from the past! If I had a piece I'd build my own glass box with a light and exhibit it in my kitchen. Lalalalalove...

(last image from google.com)

Bloggamonsta xxx

Real Estate

2010-05-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons!

Real Estate gig last Monday in Crawdaddy was fantastic! Such a cool bunch of guys, I really would've liked to have hung around afterwards to stalk them but it didn't happen unfortunetly. Hadn't listened to a full song on the album but I was assured by Lobster and Bloggabro that they'd be a good'n. They did build them up alot so I didn't know what to expect, I also kinda like to know the words of songs sometimes so that was an added factor against them, but there was no need to worry! Very easy listening. Too bad I can't say the same about the terrible support bands. Real Estate's music, sense of humour and style made up for it though! Got this pretty jammy photo afterwards.. check it out! (On the left) Louis Theroux's long lost son... Major compliment. (And on the right) I want that cardigan singer. Wish I got one with the bassist and hilarious drunk drummer but you can't have everything I suppose.
Enjoy!

It's hard to recommend a few songs because the album is so easy and chilled but these are a few of my favs; Pool Swimmers, Atlantic City (so nice) and Fake Blues. Oh and Green River.

Bloggamonsta xxx

FlashOn with Fashion!

2010-05-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hi bloggatrons,

I was flicking through Elle US yesterday and found such an interesting section on fashion solar power. Shiela Kennedy (sounds irish) an architect whos firm KVA MATx collaborated with 8 designers to shed light(ho!) on energy deprived areas throughout the world, quite a stylish and original way of doing so though; through the use of solar panels inserted into bags. I could only get my hands on one image from google which belongs to Loeffler Randall, but through that little research came alot more info! First of all here is Randall's...

Nice, eh? Not at all like a space suit but an actual wearable piece! (Solar panel doesn't really scream contemporary.) By placing this baby in the sun (it even works on cloudy days) it charges a battery that generates a light source and a USB port. Imagine a bag with an ipod charger? Perfect. The idea came about when Kennedy was travelling in a remote part of Mexico and was alarmed by the lack of electricity which left kids and adults without light to study or work when the sun went down. The big bag project has got well known designers supporting the cause; Tommy Hilfiger, Diane Von Furstenberg, Vena Cava, to name a few.

Apparently the work she does with non-profit organisations in Africa continues to help villages which suffer from energy poverty . That makes me happy. Fashion for the eco-concious, and for everyone's right to have the most basic and general need in everyday life, light.

Noon Style is another label which delves into the eco-friendly ways of fashion. A label made up of two textile designers who share a love of organic cotton, hemp, naturally dyed fabrics, chemical free leather and heavy hardware. They too have used solar panels in their designs but these two pieces have to be my fav. Each bag is a one-of-a-kind from individual tie-dying which gives it 100 extra cool points. I'll take them!

Quite an eco-friendly fashion post! Must do more.
Bloggamonsta xxx

(First image from Google, last two from www.noonstyle.com)

Stood like a tower higher and higher hello

2010-05-10T03:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Bloggatrons!

So this kind of scared me a little. Obviously I'm a big fan of MIA but after this shocktastic video I kinda felt a little sick to my stomach. You have to stick with the build up for at least three minutes until you understand what the video is all about. (I'm guessing a pretty corrupt american army.) Then when you're seven minutes in it really hits it hell for leather. I didn't even hear the song by the end?! Must listen again. A depressing but brilliantly executed song video. Not a good one to watch before bed. And steer clear of the The Boy in the Striped PJ's , jesus christ that will just bury you 'till friday.

As shallow as it sounds though I would loved to have seen MIA rocking it BUCKY DONE GUN style. But then again I guess this shows how much range she has, and it's also like two fingers at the marshmallow singers out there at the moment. Rihanna, Gaga etc (I love you all...) And you can't forget the not-so-serious but serious message of equality it's shouting out.

So here it is..

Bloggamonsta xxx

P.s. Going to a band called Real Estate tonight, V.excited!

Abraxas Rex, gimme some...

2010-05-08T04:26:00.001-07:00

Happy weekend Bloggatrons!
It would be an even happier one if this piece was sent to my door.

Paris Kain's hand painted Kimonos. Wish I had a better photo for you bloggsters. There is a cream and black splat one that makes me drool. (Not sure if he'd be too happy naming one of his delicious kimono's "black splat".)

Paris Kain is the man behind the super cool jewellery label Abraxas Rex and a contributor to Alexander Wang - some may remember the delightful ear cuffs.

Based in NY and taking from the website (http://www.abraxasrex.com/), the mantra behind the label seems v.spiritual, natural and slightly warrior-esque. There is a real depth and richness to the pieces. Almost an end of the world feel, I don't know if it's because theres a hint of punk? But it's more than that too, and I think the term "neo-punk" cheapens it a little. It's like we're 100 years into the future and theres a war of the worlds and jewellery is not only a style statement but also a weapon. Maybe a slight element of cyberpunk? Needless to say I love it! All!

Above two pieces; Albraxas Rex for Alexander Wang

(All images from Google)
Bloggamonsta xx

Cocteau Twins and wants.

2010-05-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons! It's a sunny sunday in Ireland! Infact it's been quite sunny for the last few weeks, I think global warming may be working to our advantage. Two weeks ago we even had a bush fire right near my house! Not at all amusing at the time but looking back it was quite an exciting night. *Note to self; must get out more.

So as my last two blogs indicated theres not much inspiring me on the fashion side of things at the moment. Looking back into the past is keeping me occupied, or of course scouring the streets (or better yet, the internet) for individual style, never lets a girl down. For the last few weeks though there has been one thing (or rather two) on my mind and that is gigs and festivals (Gigtivals? Ho!) Oh the pain of hearing about Electric Picnic tickets going on sale. I am a EP veteran with four years under my belt, I can't possibly stop there can I? With NY in sight it may have to stop with a full stop. And then of course theres the infamous Glastonbury, each year from January - March I make myself believe that this year is my year, I'm going! I've yet to go bloggatrons. Benicassim is another distant hope, the idea of being able to swap a rain jacket and wellies for a little sundress and flippys gives me a weird feeling in my belly. A good feeling. The list of wannabe festivals goes on and on and on.. Sonar, Primavera, V and Leeds..

And of course the clothing side of festivals.. oh the joy! And the rain:( But the big ideas are the most important when it comes to festival planning, even if it has to be covered up with a rain jacket.

I'll have this please.

This t.shirt with...

...these leggings..

..and I'll have these in a girl size thank you!

Since the summer festivals are looking hazy at the minute I've decided I'm going to jam a few budget gigs in, I know, hardly the most exciting plan when it's up against the above heavy weights BUT it could be marvellous! Cathy Davey, who I've seen twice, is always a jammy dodger. The Villagers, a definite showstopper. Marina and the Diamonds could be a possibility. Aswell as Real Estate who I've heard are v.good from a certain Lobster and Bloggabro. New Young Pony Club are also playing in May, which would be a nice blast from the past! But the big one, which takes the cheese, but seem to have no plans on touring are the Cocteau Twins. Introduced to me by lobster, which he obviously regretted (Persephone was played a gazillion times after discovery). With such a great alternative sound I guessed they were a experimental band from the 10sies, but like most good things they are a post punk, new wave band formed in the late 70's. After a little bit of research on the net and alot of listening to old material on youtube I feel like I've been living under a rock! How have I only come to know about them now? All that Cocteau Twin fun-time lost? I'll be making up for it now, that is for sure. An example of the goodness; Hope you enjoy!

(Above images from google)
Bloggamonsta x

Appreciating The Past, Debbie does..

2010-04-28T06:36:00.000-07:00

Long before Chloe thought doubling up on denim would be good, Blondie had it down to a t. or... jacket and jeans.

(Chloe S/S 10, Style.com)

Blondie and her Futuristic Grunge

Taking on the sporty trend without even knowing it.

Sequins and one shoulder..hello Balmain spring/summer 2009!

Bloggamonsta xxx

Appreciating the Past

2010-04-24T01:41:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggatrons!

I think I'm going to have to stop apologising for my lack of blogs because it looks like my 5 posts a month could be the limit for a while! I'm afraid at the moment I'm not feeling hugely inspired by anything to really blog about. Maybe it's because of the amount of time I'm spending on my own work. (*I'd like to take "amount of" out of that sentence please.) Don't get me wrong most photoshoots are fantastic and my favourite designers are called that for a reason but finding something hugely original in the 10sies is hard to come by. It got me thinking about the days when the designers ruled the roost and everything was in the name of fashion, was there more originality out there? Probably.

Now that youth culture and street style influence the fashion industry more than the hierarchy of designers itself, we have more wearability and updated versions of last seasons, which is great but I guess looking back to the 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s everything looked so new and fresh! Mary Quant and the mini skirt, Westwood with her punk roots, 1980's power dressing and 1990's Cobain Grunge. I wonder what the 00's will be remembered for? It's a mish mash decade. Britney Spears's midriff; hardly the most breakthrough fashion moment, Kate Moss's heroin chic'ish style (with pete doherty on her arm to give the heroin part proper meaning), Olsen's bag lady chic which I still love, paris hilton, nicole ritchie, I guess this was the decade of the celebrity? Apart from Spear's midriff, Kate moss and the olsen's style are each based on fashion from the past. I wonder have we reached our fashion quota? Is everything from now on reuse, recycle? I'm not complaining, I'd like to live in leggings forever.

Anyway time to appreciate fashion moments from the past!

1960's Mini Skirt

Edie Sedgewick, if only to have been best buddies with Edie... sniff

Sid Vicious, Punk

Bowis as Ziggy

Melanie Griffith, Power dresser in Working Girl.

Grunge

My so called Life, If only Jared Leto would stop putting eye liner on and return to his grunge roots.

Bloggamonsta xx

Camping and the Villagers

2010-04-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

Hello my fair bloggatrons!

So it's just a short one, I've been a serial procrastinator all morning and must start work ASAP! I blame it on the Gaurdian, it started me off on the wrong foot with it's fantastic feature on Ms.Jones, comfort set in and then the friggen Kardashians got me. Anyway two episodes later I'm blogging! Still slightly procrastinating but at least this way I'm getting inspired and keeping up to date with up and coming trends? Cough.

Love the eclectic styling of this photoshoot. And the model is FAB. Drooling over the Westwood piece in image three and hello camping bra! LOVE. Jill Sander piece is also b.e.a.utiful (Image 1). Another slight tribal, urban-warrior shoot with a deconstruction element, my favourite.

(Images are from Fashiongonerogue.com)

Oh before I go, I was flicking through the channels last night after watching Girl, Interrupted with m'ladies, and came across The Villagers on Jools Holland! Had an ole youtube today but only one song has been uploaded, I'm waiting eagerly for the rest. Check out this video from an Irish show based around young musicians, the dog howl is featured which is a yeehaw moment. (Although keep in mind when I saw them they were a five piece and the sound was alot better, y'know cos it's not coming from..eh.. a laptop.)

Hope you enjoy!

Bloggamonstaxxx

FabricFunsies

2010-04-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggsters,

I'm back from Landon Landon with 50 metres of fabrics and a bag of trims in tow. My purse feels alot lighter but I'm quite happy with my choices so it could be worse. Y'know like coming home and realising I hate everything? Yes that would be alot worse.
So it was a super short visit for Libster and I but as always the city treated us well. Goldhawke road (fabric street in london, great fabric at affordable prices) was walked for the majority of thursday and then Berwick St/ Oxford St was tackled on friday, then back on the plane to ye ole Emerald Isle on Friday evening. Every penny of my money was spent on fabric so unfortunetly I don't even have a key ring to photograph and post up, it took alot to walk through Oxford St and not venture in. I'm becoming responsible at last!
Here are a few samples from my fabrics which range from Jersey, Lace, Tulle, Dutchess Satin, Silk Twill and Chiffon;

The trims are from MacCulloch & Wallace;

Fell in love with the bronze circle buckle, aswell as my 5 buttons for £1.50.

Kleins;
Beads and rivets; a £1 a bag. I'd buy a bag of stones if it was priced at a £1. I do like these though, they'll be used for something I'm sure.

Although it was all go go go, we did squeeze in a delish vietnamese on thursday night on Kingsland rd with Rory, our fellow fashionisto, where we chatted over vino and then chatted some more in Dreambags Jaguar Shoes with our friend gin! It really couldn't have been better! Squishy couches, dimly lit rooms, music and snuggles; the beeswax. Wish I had more photos to upload for you guys, I'll do better next time.

(Dreambags Jaguar Shoes, Kingsland rd)

Bloggamonsta xxx

P.S. I saw Control for the first time last night with Lobster, now that is worth a blog! Maybe tomorrow...

Bloggamonsta xxx

Jerry Hall and Studio 54

2010-04-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons,

So it's just a short one. Last night I watched The Late Late show which is, for those of you who don't know, Ireland's answer to The Tonight Show except with less glamour and alot less budget. For those of you who do, don't make any hasty remarks until you've sat through a full show, it's good! Anyway, Jerry Hall was on chatting about her days in Studio 54 hanging with the likes of Warhol, Jagger, Grace Jones and it just got me thinking how much I would kill to go back there to experience Studio 54 at it's height! Unfortunetly I can't do that but I can photoshop my face into these images. Jerry Hall looks like such a fox!
How random is the last one though of her and blondie? Slightly.

(Images from Google)
Bloggamonsta xxx

Apologies!

2010-04-03T04:35:00.000-07:00

I've been a very bad blogger. Lack of attention for my bloggamonsta blog makes me sad and mad! This will change. It's just been a busy, but exciting, past few weeks. Aswell as teaching the kids and teens of Ireland how to sew and make dresses(I feel it's my duty), I also became a finalist in a national jewellery designer of the year competition which was random since it was only something I entered to dust off my portfolio! It was a really great experience, brilliant production (much bigger than I ever thought it would be) and it opened my eyes to an area I'd probably like to look into more. Anyhu I didn't win, but you know it's not the winning that matters it's the taking part blah blah blah. Ha! Just joking! Or am I? No really I am. Getting my pieces back next week so as soon as I have them I'll take photos and upload. Hopefully Bloggamom will collect them for me as I'll be in London with fair libster buying fabric. Yay!

Other than that, the other aspect thats taking up part of my life is a little fashion adventure me and my two ladies libster and babz like to call the "The Melting Pot." This consists of us three NY wannabe goobs working on our own seperate mini-collections, and getting together with a few other creative goobs to hold an exhibition in the big L(ahem, Limerick) at the end of May. A fashion adventure which we promised ourselves would be a chilled and fun experience of whatever tickled our fancy whether it's a full blown collection, accessories or bits of both. I'm going for the bits of both. *I at least thought "The Melting Pot" sounded semi-original until I typed it into google to find over a million other melting pots! I should've known stealing it off Jay-z would have repercussions.

We've set up a blog to track our progress and ideas and I'll post the address as soon as we actually have stuff up to look at. Hopefully that'll be soon my bloggsters! Libster has already wrote an award-winning introduction.

On the offhand, I had my first car bump on wednesday. It was pretty terrible, the embarrassment that is, the bump was not evident, infact it was more like a dirt scratch. It was in my local supermarket and I was wearing my leopard print jacket and a headscarf (hardly the most inconspicuos) and the few people that were around gave me that "sharp fingernails scratching a chalk board" look. I fucking hate that look! Anyway I survived, left my phone number and nobody called...yet, hopefully they won't. Ever.

Woah longer post than expected! Hope it wasn't too much of snoozefest my dear bloggatrons.

Love Bloggamonsta
xxx

We Still Got the Taste Dancing on our Tongues

2010-03-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Followers!

My life was moved in a pretty dramatic way last night! Yes I know, a powerful statement but it's true. The three banditeers(bloggabro took the place of lobster, sorry lobster) took on the villagers and the wild beasts- A FANTASTIC gig (Caps Lock never lies). T-bag even said it was in his Top 5 best gigs and he's quite hard to please. Bloggabro, who is quite the wild beast stalker, also enjoyed it v.much.

The villagers; a one-man band I've heard little about definitely started the bloggamonsta's night off to a good note. Pun-intended! A guy from Dublin, who reminded me of an elf and a little bit of alex turner. He heavily pronounced all his S's and C's, and did this amazing dog howl in one song. -A highlight for me. His voice was just incredible! The band and him were really tight, it was like they created a wall of sound, with the villager nearly being hit by the guitar a few times in the process.

Note: I don't particularly like using the word "tight", I think it belongs to people who can play instruments, and who know the proper meaning of "tight". For me, tight just means no obvious mistakes and...eh..sounding good.

Wild beasts came on not so long after and were equally as great! I've listened to the album on and off for the last few weeks but after seeing them live it's been on constant replay all day! A sign of how good the gig was I think. The delicous old-hollywood looking main singer with the high pitched voice (kinda reminded me of anthony and the johnsons) was b.e.a.utiful in every sense of the word. The guitartist(who was also jammin) had this elaborate quiff while the bass/singer had a chunky cable knit cardigan that I wanted to steal. I also wanted these;

(Old-Hollywood's shoes.)

And not to leave the drummer out, he was also v.good. Infacto Bloggabro and T.bag thoroughly enjoyed him and mentioned how the sound of the drums get slightly lost in the album production. I kinda understand what they're talking about but the music is still just so out there! The banditeers were chatting on the way home about how whoever discovered them must have thought they struck gold, such an original sound.

For those who would like to give them an ole listen but don't know where to start I would recommend; The Devils Crayon, Two Dancers part1, We Still Got the taste Dancing on our Tongues, Hooting and Howling and the faithful (and the one that got me interested in the first place) All the King's Men. Enjoy my blogsters!

With love, Bloggamonsta xxx

I Heart Cooperative Designs.

2010-03-24T03:24:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons!

It pains me to see only three posts for March. My blog looks so sad and neglected...sniff. But I'm back and I have lots of stuff to write about! Well not lots, but bits and pieces.

London Fashion Week came and went so quickly, I was a little out of breath. I didn't get to write about all the shows I wanted and thats all I wanted to do bloggatrons! But it would've been forced and I would've re-used words like "beautiful" and "textural" alot, so instead of showing everyone how small my vocabulary is I made a mental note of the ones I was going to come back to.
So this is where Co-operative Designs comes in! A label made up of two designers who met in CSM on a MA and what they have created since leaving has been nothing short of inspiring. The traditional use of knitwear and the modern twist they give it with their weird shapes, innovative patterns and a techno hit through colour seem to be the unofficial ethos of the label. S/S 2010 has a tribal feel, which echoes through a few of their earlier collections, but is by far the most obvious of them all. Maybe "tribal" isn't the right word? More urban warrior? Hmmm I think so.

You're limited in what you can do texturally with knit, but they take the obvious and reinvent it! And most importantly, the pieces are so wearable. What I would do for this pompom jumper from A/W 09.

I've only been following since spring/summer 2010 but I've been looking into their small but impressive archive ever since. My favourite collection has to be A/W 10, it's like they've found their comfort zone. The earlier collections have a fun youthful factor but I think A/W 10 is brilliantly executed and has a real high fashion feel of sophisticated edginess- Parisian love will be coming their way if not there already!

(Above images from www.cooperative-designs.com)

I <3 Cooperative Designs.

Bloggamonsta xxx

Foals, Spanish Sahara

2010-03-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Bloggatrons,

I'm sorry about the lack of posts lately. Busy Busy trying to get things done and organised, I'll hopefully be back to normal next week with pics and funny things to say (one can only hope). In the meantime enjoy this doozy; Foals first single off their second album- Total Life Forever. So lovely and chilled, bit of a head/ shoulder mover and v.different from anything on the Antidotes album. Love the video.
Do you have a song that you just wished everyday life would move in slow motion to? Well I have loads (not really sure what that says about me) but this is definitely added to the list!

Hope you enjoy followers!

Bloggamonsta xxx

Tokyo Hardcore, V Magazine

2010-03-08T03:49:00.001-08:00

Liu Wen, Tayo Okamoto and Ranya Mordanova photographed by Jonas Akerlund. Japanese Street Style inspired shoot. Love!

(Images from Fashiongonerogue.com)

Two Door Cinema Club Gig

2010-03-08T02:28:00.001-08:00

Bloggatrons!

It's been a few days, I apologise. To have Rihanna pop up as the first post to my blog for so long was never my intention. But I have to admit I have listened to that song a ridiculous amount of times so I can't be too snobby. T.bag and I had an ole natter about it on thursday and he thinks that she has more of a right to that look than MIA because of her Barbados roots? Maybe so, but if she put more of an original spin on it it wouldn't look so obviously ripped off. "Ouch Bloggamonsta that was cutting" says T.bag. "Oh I'm sorry" says Bloggamonsta.

So there was a little gigging on thursday night; lobster, t.bag and I (aka the three banditeers or bandits, I haven't decided yet) went to see the Two Door Cinema Club with a band called Kowalski supporting. It was a fun night of little bouncy tunes sang by young looking school boys. The place was packed and they said little quirky things like "Hi we're To Doir Cinama Cloub from Banggor" in there lovely Northern Irish accent.

Apparently, they're a band to look out for in 2010; signed to a french label called Kitsune Music which released bands like Bloc Party and The Foals. We kinda came to the conclusion that alot of money is being poured into them; the amount of guitar changes they had was mental for a little gig in the roisin, they had those little ear piece things and packs and t.bag thought they all looked quite styled to that no-stylist perfection. They were really tight as a band though and the guitarist(he reminds me of Father Dougal) was pretty amazing but they did sing over a backing track once or twice which was a little dissapointing for the monsta. The support band Kowalski were v.good. And the drummer was quite yummy. I have photos which I'll upload when I find my camera connection. In the meantime here's a few from google!

Two Door Cinema Club having sandwiches.

Kowalski

They're all working the outdoorsy look quite well!

Later bloggatrons! xxx

Boom Boom Boom!

2010-02-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

Oh bloggatrons I really didn't want to like this video! I'm a Rihanna fan, she had me at Disturbia, but this video is a a blatant rip off of my fair queen MIA except with more boobs... I do like it though. Alot. I hope my fellow MIA fan T.bag likes it too, maybe then I wouldn't feel so disloyal.

Giddy up! Giddy up! Found my new dance move.

Bloggamonsta xxx

Jessica Stam for Aldo Spring/Summer 2010 campaign

2010-02-27T09:10:00.000-08:00

(Images from www.fashiongonerogue.com)

Bloggamonsta xxx

John Rocha, Fall 2010

2010-02-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hooray Bloggatrons!

I finally found some pics that I could steal from the John Rocha show! It's been ridiculously hard- Style.com doesn't even stock his status and Vogue.co.uk wouldn't let me me copy any pics? Luckily I found some on POP and I totally agree with them; this was one of the most exciting shows at LFW. Strange me saying that since I don't follow Rocha hugely, I always respected him as a great designer but I guess I always thought of him as one for a certain older clientele? Well Bloggatrons this collection proved me wrong wrong wrong! The mix of fabric weights such as silk and wool, the textures which have a natural feel and a slight techno twist, the dainty headpieces and edgy styling of kneeless (not sure if thats a word?) tights and the colour palette of dark gothic contrasted against feminine nude nearly made my texture heart burst!

Stop. Looking. Mouth. Drooling.

Bloggamonsta xxx

28: 06: 42: 12

2010-02-22T12:27:00.000-08:00

Bloggatrons!

It's Donnie Darko time! I know it's a little weird to be thrown in the mix of LFW but I can't get this movie off my mind lately. Also, I came across a three year old blog dedicated to pictures from the movie Beetlejuice so I am most definitely allowed to indulge in my DARKo (Ho! Ho!) moment. I know what you're thinking; three years of pictures uploaded every day or so of Beetlejuice? Surely there can't be enough stills from the movie? You're right, there aren't.

Soooo Darko! I saw it for the first time two weeks ago with lobster- I know all the hardcore movie buffs are like What? But sadly it's true. I don't know how it happens, I still haven't fully sat through Lost in Translation, The Lord of the Rings(any of them) or Slumdog Millionaire and I have a feeling the same will be said about Avatar in a years time. I think the hype puts me off. And maybe the pressure of having to like the movie? Or maybe I'm just lazy? Either way it doesn't matter.
Donnie Darko was so good, it surpassed whatever expectations I had- which I think was none whatsoever. The characters were quirky with the likes of the overtly sexual Karen Pomeroy (Barrymore); "Sit beside the boy you think is the cutest" and Swayze aka the positive thinking cunningham; "Is that all the gusta you can musta?"!

Jake and Maggie G's characters; Donnie and Elizabeth were definitly my favs. Mainly because they were both uber-smart and hot. I loved Elizabeth's understatedly cool style and how she pronounced "Dukakis", and actually I loved the whole subject of "I'm voting for Dukakis." Donnie's rant on the asexual smurfs and how a gang bang scenario with a smurfette could never happen is a definite high point in the movie, along with his skeleton tracksuit! Without these two characters Darko movie would be at a loss without quotes like these;

Donnie: You are such a fuckass.
Elizabeth: Did you just call me a fuckass? You can go suck a fuck.
Donnie: Oh, please, tell me Elizabeth, how exactly does one suck a fuck?

Apparently it wasn't a box office hit which I kinda understand. Don't think it's your natural hollywood hit filled with beautiful people and an equally beautiful ending but thats what makes it so good. It's dark, brilliantly written (I will be stealing quotes from it for a very long time), the cast is filled with hollywood outcasts, Frank the rabbit is freaky but not hugely threatening at the same time and the ending will leave you sitting there like EH? How could it end like that? And THEN you'll be like; Well how could it not end like that? Oh the monsta is deep.

Enjoy!

This is Grandma Death, she walks back and forth to her mailbox waiting for a letter which never arrives. Her hair is pretty brilliant. Inspiration!

Bloggamonsta xxx

Vivienne Westwood, Red label Autumn/Winter 2010

2010-02-22T02:57:00.001-08:00

Just a few of my favourite looks from Vivienne Westwood A/W 2010 collection...

Westwood's charm of mixing and matching different pieces from different eras and cultures wins her another eclectic collection filled with tribal blankets, half turbans, oversize belts (that look like turbans), tartans and florals and it wouldn't be a westwood collection if it didn't have a message! This year it's; "Loyalty to Gaia" - love and respect to mother earth- printed across t's. She is another globally conscious designer (first McQueen, then Charles Anastese and apparently Todd lynn has jumped on board too?), predicting the population crumbling to 1 billion by 2100- eek. Well I'll be long gone by then. Oh maybe I'll be in heaven(or hell) draped in the finest Westwood clothing and smoking a pipe! One can only hope. -Mainly about the clothes, I don't care too much about the pipe.

Hope you enjoy!

Bloggamonsta xxx

(Above images from style.com)

David Koma, Autumn/Winter 2010- LFW

2010-02-21T06:50:00.000-08:00

So good! Especially love the gold and silver zippers swirled to create texture around the silhouette and the jagged edge which must have been quite a nightmare to sew. I want it all please!

(Above images thanks to Dazed Digital)

Bloggamonsta xxx

Mark Fast, Fall 2010- LFW

2010-02-21T03:39:00.000-08:00

Bloggatrons!

Mark Fast takes on LFW for the second time with his plus-size models in-tow. Lovely collection but I'm afraid it's nothing incredibly different from the last. The edge is there but it just seems a little repetitive? Obviously he knew he was on to a good-thing with the body-con knit dresses, which were hit-maximus last season, but it didn't seem like there was any progression. Maybe I'm being too critical? No, I don't think so. -It's definitely harder to fault designers you love than those you're not so interested in. There were great points to his collection; like the textured neckpiece which fell over the basic body-con d, the assymetrical light viscose knit which was worked over a bodysuit(I actually LOVE this look), the beautiful layered rose pink dress and of course who can fault the curvy plus-size models he used? YUMMY. The signature detail of open-stitch cobweb knit, which makes it feel a little repetitive for me, will draw any FastFan in(old or new), the end result is edgy and wearable, -I guess I just expected a little bit more.

Wow just after reading over my post and I sound like a bit of a Negative Ned! Sorry Bloggatrons!

Bloggamonsta xxx

LFW Countdown; 4 days..tick tock tick!

2010-02-15T05:15:00.001-08:00

Bloggamonsta xxx (aka The Queen of lists.)

Alexander Wang, Fall 2010

2010-02-14T14:46:00.000-08:00

Bloggatrons!

The fashion world is still moving without McQueen which is a little sad but thats fashion I guess. New York Fashion Week is upon us and I was really excited to see the review on the Alexander Wang show. I spent most of the day on the couch with a mother of a hangover thanks to T.bag and Bro but I feel alive again so I thought I'd share a few photos with you all.
I have to be honest, when I first saw the pictures on Style.com, I felt a little let down- Alexander Wang's Fall 2010 collection didn't really impress me all that much. I realise that I have high expectations since his last collections have crowned him the King of Contemporary Cool so when I logged onto style.com I was super excited, but the excitement was kinda met with; Eh? Yes there were great elements to the collection but I wasn't bouncing off my seat or anything. So I left style.com slightly sad and rambled onto NYLON for a look and low and behold there was a behind the scenes video of Wang's show and up-close shots of his collection! My faith was restored bloggsters! These pieces really have to be photographed up close; the detail of the reconstructed suit, fabric choices of ribbed knit, velvet, chenille- which is quite far away from the wang's signature T's, the backpack which crisscrossed at the front and the thigh high leg warmers (not my most fav but I'd say they'll be a grower) were lost in the runway photography at Style. I'm a happy monsta again bloggsters. I still can't say it beats Spring/Summer 2010 or Autumn/Winter 09 but thats ok. They were both incredibly good. Anyways I'm blabbing. Enjoy the photos, all thanks to NYLON the little gem!

Bloggamonsta xxx

Appreciating McQueen, 1969-2010

2010-02-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

Bloggatrons,

God. What do you say? It took me at least 40 minutes to write those three simple sentences for my post last night. Who knows how long it'll take to finish this post?! It is just incredibly shocking and awful. I spent a good 15 minutes on the phone to bloggasista just repeating the words "I cannot believe it" and "Oh My God", -we could've easily spent an hour on the line but we had to be sensible. I even felt a little weepy, obviously I never knew him personally but I admired him and his work, and you could say everything he sent down the runway was a huge part of him; it was like a sneaky look inside his creative mind which had no boundaries. It was quite a busy week (hence the lack of posts) so I was really looking forward to blogging about the countdown to LFW and then WHAM! the news arrived and it just didn't feel right blogging about fashion when McQueen, the King, is dead.

Sooooo this post is an ode to the beautiful and creative mind of McQueen! After diving into the Style.com archives and through the magazines stacked in my room I am ready to look back at my fav McQueen momentos in Fashion. "Ready" may not be the right word.. Maybe want? Yes, want. My five favourite moments from McQueen...

Five.

Fashion lovers cannot forget the hologram of Kate Moss closing the Fall 2006 show. An example of McQueen's fusion of technology and fashion, the collection in which he delved into his scottish roots for inspiration took a huge jump into the future with a dainty Moss working the runway technoStyle! It was Kate Moss, her blonde hair and pale arms trailing in a dream-like apparition of fragility and beauty that danced for a few seconds, then shrank and dematerialized into the ether.

Four.

McQueen designed and created Bjork's ensemble for the album cover of Homogenic. I don't see this dating in fashion Ever! 13 years old this year and the otherworldly image could still be sent down the runway with rave reviews. Bjork; When I went to Alexander McQueen, I explained to him the person who wrote these songs — someone who was put into an impossible situation, so impossible that she had to become a warrior, a warrior who had to fight not with weapons, but with love. This wasn't McQueen's only contribution to the album, he also directed her music video for Alarm Call which I know v.little about but I'm sure a certain T.bag could fill me in...

Three.

Who can forget Fall 2009? Holey Moley it's the stuff of nightmares, -creative nightmares that is. Ho Ho! A collection which recieved lukewarm reviews from the critics, but for a texture lover like me it was heaven, or hell! His way of manipulating fabrics will always inspire me.

Two.

This collection is undoubtedly one of my favourites from McQueen. Plato's Atlantis; even those words are beautiful! The digitally printed fabric which was treated to his always-perfect Savile Row tailoring, the disfigured shoes (which I blogged about not so long ago), the hair and make-up resulted in a runway filled with delicious looking sea-monsters. According to style.com, McQueen wanted to put across a message about the ecological state of the world; that humankind may have to prepare itself for an underwater future as the ice caps dissolve.

One.
Numero uno and for all the right reasons. No more words needed! Just watch.

Excellent? I think so bloggatrons.

It is just so unbelievable. While I was writing about my five favourite moments I almost forgot he is dead? Weird. His collections are just so alive with texture, colour, imagination, it's hard to believe that the man who was the driving force behind it all is gone. One thing that is for sure is McQueen's legacy will live on in the Fashion world, he will be remembered as an iconic designer that created an edge in London which rippled across the world. -He ultimately gave London fashion back it's cool when it was in a time of struggle. His collections from the past 15 years will continue to inspire the countless designers and everyday fashion lovers of the present, and the future.

Heres to you Mr. McQueen.

Bloggamonsta xxx

(Above images and quotes thanks to style.com and www.mtv.com)

Plato's Atlantis

2010-02-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

RIP Lee McQueen

May your legacy live on and continue to inspire.

A total genius.

Bloggamonsta x

Interview Magazine; Sasha Pivovarova shot by Craig McDean

2010-02-02T03:23:00.000-08:00

Came acroos this fantastic photoshoot on FashionGoneRogue- the holy grail; Sasha Pivovarova for the February edition of Interview magazine. How painfully cool is she? Very. Hope you like! I lalalove.

(Whole photoshoot can be found on www.fashiongonerogue.com)

Bloggamonsta xxx

Nat Finkelstein, From one Extreme to the Other, Idea Generation, Brick Lane.

2010-02-01T02:47:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post for my bloggatrons before I become a teacher for half a day!

I couldn't wait to post about this exhibition since it is a definite London highlight for me. A celebration of the life and work of Nat Finkelstein; a respected photojournalist of modern times which takes place in Idea Generation Gallery, Brick Lane. His photography is renowned for the intimate moments captured on camera of Warhol and the factory days, Sedgewick, Nico, the Velvet underground and the 1960s New York scene- Infacto if you google Edie or Warhol theres a big chance it is an image belonging to Finkelstein. However, his work doesn't quite stop at the factory days, his diverse portfolio captures the civil rights movement, anti-war protests of mid-60's america and then onto the exploration of 1980s and 1990s subcultures of New York.
The biggest part of the exhibition was dedicated to Warhol and the factory days which didn't disappoint the monsta at all! I am a major Factory Girl fan. Exhibition pictures include the likes of Andy, Bob Dylan, Edie, Lou Reed, Nico, Marcel Duchamp and Salvador Dali. And each image comes hand in hand with Finkelstein's refreshingly honest memory of the subject matter. He is most definitely honest! Which is always good.

"What attracted me to her? Is that a question? Long legs, tight ass. Face like an angel, fucked like a god, and I am more sinner than a saint."
-Nat Finkelstein on Edie Sedgwick.

"Was Andy a dark force in her universe? The black hole of perdition? Well, this was pre-Valerie, pre-fifty-thousand dollar portrait Andy. This was Andy-on-the-rise, and she was special. Andy gave his people the right to fuck up. Edie was soft. New York is tough. Edie, like many others, was disposable. Like a syringe with its content dispensed, she was thrown out. Thrown out and left for the bottom feeders, then for the pall bearers."
-Finkelstein on Andy/Edie relationship. (Above images thanks to google)

Wowsers, a longer post than expected. Must run now.
The exhibition is running till the 14th Feb and it's a definte go-to if you can!

Bloggamonsta xxx

P for Purchases.

2010-01-29T06:42:00.000-08:00

Here are a few purchases from londontown! I'm trying hard to save save save for NY so I put myself on a budget. I vowed I wouldn't buy any more clothes until NY, unless my house burnt down (or if I was robbed), so accessories it is! Don't take much notice to the sneaky t-shirt that found it's way into my suitcase. The little bitch.

Ok so starting off; got these three necklaces in Bik Bok on sale; 3 for £5. I haven't stopped wearing the pink donut! Weird since the donut and the bedazzled keyring were just hanger-on'ers since all I really wanted was Lucky5.

Spitalfields purchase. I'd like to live in a tent in Spitalfields if they'd let me. This is a printed VCR Broach; £3 Cute on my bag, cardie or t.shirt.

The next two purchases are from a duo called Typical Freaks (yummy looking boy and girl, intimadatingly cool styles and nice friendly faces), I had to be torn away from their stall. EVERYTHING is kick ass! My two budget buys don't even justify how great their stuff is... check out their website www.typicalfreaks.com
Clips; £1, Necklace; £5

This is the little guy that snuck into my bag and rightly so. Bought in Spitalfields and priced at £7. Lobster jumped on the Ttrain and got himself one with a choir print which I will be stealing v.soon and wearing as a dress! Two T's were bought at £13.

Lobsters;

Bloggasista's christmas gift to herself; bought before xmas. I just had to post a photo of this designer's work. The stall is still alive with headbands and statement necklaces; b.e.a.utiful, brilliantly made and comfortable. It's hard to get a comfy headband- you know one that doesn't cut off the blood supply! All her pieces are perfect for every occasion; whether it's a wedding, night out or a (stylish) walk. Most pieces were priced around the £10- £12 but well worth every penny. I'm regretting not buying one now. EEk. Found her stall in Brick Lane market on Saturday and Sunday Upmarket on Sunday, second floor.

And last but not least! £3; Bargain Bin. Rokit. Brick Lane. Hasn't come off my head! Meant for bloggabro's b.day...sorry!

Bloggamonsta xxx

Balletic, Photographed by Ben Toms, Styled by Katie Shillingford

2010-01-27T14:50:00.000-08:00

Just as I was about to sign off I rambled onto Dazed and Confused and found myself a beautifully shot photoshoot with fantastical textures in a nude palette. Love the grungey/raggamuffin/dead look, I'd like to be best friends with these cool cats.

Ben Toms and Katie Shillingford celebrates the raw edges and powdery textures of this spring.

Hope you enjoy! Signing off, Bloggamonsta xxx
(Images+above quote thanks to www.dazeddigital.com)