Toilet Talk with Giles Deacon

Last night Sony launched a new TV, supposedly the thinnest yet? Well, anyway, they had a launch party last night and it was strange to say the least. Sony is a massive world domineering company yet they held the event in a battered Shoreditch warehouse and got Giles Deacon and Henry Holland to DJ? Looks like this is the trendy thing to do now! I'm not complaining, nice and close to home for me!

We grabbed a drink and I got roped into taking a photo of Giles for us bloggers in the group...I sidled up to the little DJ 'box'

Me: Can I take a photo for my blog?

Giles: For your bog?

Me: for my blog!

Giles; Your bog? I can't hear you

Me: No my blog, BLOG!

Fantastic.
Here it is anyway.






It was such a large building that the crowd did not fill it; the atmosphere was strange as a few brave figures danced in the smoky dark space. There was also a really interesting art installation. Three lights, red, green and blue on tripods casting strong beams at a white disc at the other end of the room. We talked to some guys outside who had set them up, and apparently it represents a pixel, the three colours combine to make white, and a TV is made up of millions of pixels. Last night I thought I understood this, now in the light of day its a little confusing?! I tried to take some photos of it (below) but they came out really bad!

Dark Dressing

I should go to sleep. Tomorrow I will be cursing my alarm and coaxing myself into just 5 more minutes.. but now Romey and Michelle's High School Reunion has come on, and I am thinking thinking thinking about something said to me recently.

I was tipsy at a party and wailing in woe to a male friend about the fact that I only seem to attract old over weight men when I go out. This is true. The oldest man in the joint is drawn to me with a magnet like attraction, its quite uncanny that it occurs with such frequency.

I was half-joking but my friend replied that as a young guy he would never talk to me, although I am ok looking I wear a lot of black and it makes me unapproachable and intimidating. 'If you were wearing jeans, nice a t-shirt and a blazer I would definitely talk to you'.

This had never occurred to me before. I consider outfits, but combinations from my wardrobe which is a hybrid of impulse buys that I have been attracted to. At the moment this is black clothes. I never set out to create a 'look' though I see that one has formed towards the dark and gothic. I guess I have been naive to how quickly and superficially first impressions are made..

I would never wear 'jeans, a nice t-shirt and a blazer' because I would not feel comfortable doing so. Jeans do not flatter me, t-shirts for the main part do not interest me. Also I feel that if fashion perceptions are as strong as my friend suggests, to dress in jeans would be misleading. A boy who liked me looking like that wouldn't actually like me. Who dresses for men anyway! You can't please everyone so you might as well please yourself.

BACK OFF

More Bread and Butter

My nights in Barcalona were spent chasing parties in cabs and accepting drinks and shots from kind folk with company credit cards. All very well, but when one has to get up in the morningand walk miles around a show and like talk to people with open eyes it is not that sensible.

I felt sleepy on Thursday, and didn't really come to life until I saw the A/W 09 Doc Marten collections. I really love a robust boot, I particuarly love Docs as they are heavy and clumpy which eases me into the illusion that my legs look thinner.

Lately they have really upped their game and are churning out patterns, patent, designer collobrations and even heels all modelled by various 'IT' girls. These tartens are very slick and I particularly like the black ones. I really like the new heel collection too. I already have some patent heeled Docs but the new ones are inspired by the brogue and have neatly pressed leather patterning. I have already decided I need the heeled brogue boots and black and white Mary Janes.





Finally we have the Yohji Yamamoto collaboration. They use fabric panelling over the toe which means they will weather and wear differently to the usual all leather boots. A touch of distress never hurt anyone!


Leaving the Docs alone we attempted the super massive Sportswear hall, 7 floors of sports and streetwear. Obviously this was not my favourite area but I was pleasantly suprised by the installation in the entrance. These skirts were designed by first year students of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Anntwerp and all all made of demin. When you think of the popularity of the denim skirt it is really interesting to see it turned into a conceptual piece. The students had created some amazingly couture pieces from humble denim.

Hola! Lovely Luggage

I am now Cava soaked in Barcelona where the sun is shining but the air is chilly; my ideal conditions. There is a need for a concealing coat yet no annoying damp to frizz my hair.

I have spent the day walking around the massive Bread and Butter. Five impressive halls filled with brands brands brands. We did denim and 'Premium' today, it was really interesting and I now realise the importance of forged relationships in the industry. I don't have much time to type (I think an insensible party on the beach has been suggested), however I would love to share the best picks of the day. Firstly, my premier pick is the pretty boy models serving coffee and wine in Tommy Hilfiger, combing beauty, alcohol and subservience is a recipe for satisfaction?

Next would be the Samsonite stand. My glossy red case now is dead to me after seeing their next seasons offers. Hot off the tail of their Giles collaboration they are joining with couture honeys Viktor and Rolf to create some seriously stylish suitcases. This one below has a vintage purse clasp opening and also comes in blue.


But I need this one... a classic square wheelie with a gorgeous patent bow. I don't know if I could ever bear to lay it upon that dirty carosuel to be battered by luggage handlers, but it is so nice to look at..



When I make my fortunte I will splash out on this Swarovski studded trunk. It is based upon a vintage case and hand studded in gorgeous sparkly goodeness. I seriously heart this, it is Paris Hilton but in a good way.


Oh yeh, and obviously I'd need this black crystal encrusted vanity case to go with it.


After lusting after luggage we vistied a stand very dear to my heart, my beloved French Connection. I LOVE this place and embarassingly realised that today I was actually wearing a FC dress and boots.. Next season looks very good indeed. This white dress below is actually made of butter soft leather with pretty laser cut detail. The grey jumper is on my wish list already with its black lace inserts around the neck. And even the red dress tickled my fancy; I never wear anything as bold yet the drapey flattering cut would tempt me to the rouge. I heart majorly.

Also they had a bar with complimentary ham and cheese. I had my fair share. Any friend of cheese is a friend of mine.


PS. Please excuse any typo's/spelling error. I do not have time to correct, my face needs a lot of make-up before we head out in approx 5 mins!

Packing Problems

I'm heading to Barcelona tomorrow for Bread and Butter. I am a little apprehensive as I shall be going as a buyer, and us copywriters don't usually have to talk all that much.. However, I love the city with its glorious Gothic architecture and a beach is always welcome.

This eve I have had the problem of packing; I am always of the mentality that I should bring everything to have a good pick of clothes when I'm out there. In reality my battered weekend case can fit a very limited selection. The sensible thing to do would be to decide on outfits prior to departure but this is all too stressful, I could never be that strategic. So as usual, a host of my favourite garments are nestled together in un-matching glory. I did try and put a few items in there that should be good staples:


Lace Topshop leggings, bit more interesting than tights, and hopefully Barcelona will be a more suitable climate to wear them that icy London.


Emma Cook T-shirt; comfy slouchy and my only real colourful item


Seychelle boots; really comfy yet reasonably heeled. I can usually walk for quite a while without whining in these.


The fury gilet. I though that I could wear this alone or layer it over a coat. I have no actual idea of the temperature in Barcelona at the moment... so layers are probably a good idea.


I can't remember what else is thrown in the case so that will be a surprise when I get to the hotel! I shall have my Mac with me so may have a chance to blog however it sounds like a busy time with working days and partying nights. If not I will return on Friday with a tale or two hopefully.

Going GaGa

Lady GaGa was first made known to me during last London Fashion Week. We were queuing to get into a shambles of a party, when a fancy black car pulled up. Out marched a scantily clad little person with bright blonde hair and massive eyelashes. Behind her was an entourage of about five men and women, they were all dressed in black and formed a triangle stance behind her. She pouted and they stood behind, with folded arms and cartoonish scowls on their faces. They posed like statues for about ten seconds for the paparazzi then ascended into the party.

Who IS that?! We all wondered. The answer, 'Lady GaGa'. I didn't know if it was a man or a woman ( calling yourself 'lady' anything is usually a sign you are anything but), I didn't know what she did or why she had a serious entourage when she was not famous in the UK. Neverless, I was impressed by her entrance, the most diva I had ever seen, and also admired the effort she put into creating her charater - even when my friend took this photo later in the party on her little Canon digi, her posse quickly moved in behind her to create a group pouty shot. In the words of Tyra Banks, 'fierce'.




Now I know that a. she is a woman and b. she is a super popstar! Her single 'Just Dance' is currently sitting at number one; its really catchy, and she appears to have written it herself, can sing live ect, so great, kudos to Gaga musically....

But then there is her style! I look forward to the rubbish free newspapers these days, because there is always a new picture of her pounding the streets of London in something crazy! There was the luminous lime leotard with nothing but a leather jacket, the nude knickers studded with gem stones, all in sub zero London temperatures! Then yesterday, when I thought it couldn't get any better, she made a bow out of hair?! Lady Gaga, I salute you for adding a little creativity and interest to the dull winter season!





I think that she is adding a much needed touch of 'star' to pop. Popmusic isn't about musicianship, its about showmanship; her fresh approach to style and diva attitude is creating a wonderful character that we can all wonder about, and most importantly look at! I want a spectacle, not 'real', 'nice' people who care about animals a la Leona Lewis. I look forward to Monday's free Metro with relish, what will she wear next?!

'Random' or is it?

The lovely Pretty Face has tagged me and I must revel 6 random things about myself. Just as she, I have been pondering the meaning of the question more than required. I have always hated the word 'random'; how can one ever possibly be random? If the thing you did or thought you had came from yourself then it is not random, it is simply the consequence of your experiences and the person you are. Once again I find myself over analytical of something that is simply an exercise of fun, so I shall simply shut up and list 6 things at random....

1. I never wear jeans. The once wardrobe stable has now been extinguished from my wardrobe. I think this is due to the terrible experience that is jeans shopping for girls with hips. The jeans in Topshop are more suited to boys and after copious near tear experiences in changing rooms I decided to call it quits.

2. More than one person has likened my appearance to Peaches Geldolf. This is random due to the fact I look nothing like her. At all. The funniest time was a charity worker yelling at me as I failed to stop 'PEACHES.........GELDOLF'. Sorry but a bubble hem coat, beret and long hair does not = Peaches

3. My Ikea wardrobe was constructed for me by a VERY popular street style blogger. He isn't exactly a DIY guy and needless to say there is a pole out of place that has made it terribly unstable. I was very grateful though, I couldn't even open the box.

4. I was in a volcanic erruption!!! I'm a total volcano geek and was overexcited to visted Montserrat whilst on a Caribbean holiday. It is still active and had a little erruption whilst we were there. We were within the ash cloud and it felt like it was raining soft sooty volcanic ash. It muddied our trainers and stained our t-shirts.


5. I only write in black ink

6. When I was very young my name was Lacey in the make believe games we played. My sister was Erica

I think now I am supposed to tag back, I choose

My fashion educator Jeannie, my beautiful blonde counterpart Christina and fellow quiet thinker Kevin Morosky

xxx

EDIT: The more I look at the photo of Peaches the more I worry that we do look a little alike...at least we did when she was in her brunette goth stage!!!

Au Revoir Ponystep

I am not a ‘look at me’ person, so I resent the nature of this post somewhat… but if you can’t be a little narcissistic on a Monday night when can you? I was reminded by a Facebook invite that the Ponystep night, brain child of Richard Mortimer, is moving to Paris. I clicked I would be attending the premier Paris party in Fashion Week but that was blatantly a lie, I wish!

Over my time in London some of the best nights have been in Hoxton sq on a Sunday, firstly in the legendary BoomBox and then predecessor Ponystep. There are many opportunities to make an exhibition of yourself in London but I only ever bothered for these nights. So here with the Monday blues I reminisce of the many looks created upon a cold Sunday eve….

This one started with a goth foundation, I had no plan but I did have pink eyeshadow and 'showgirl' lashes from my favourite stage make-up shop in Covent Garden


Crimpers for me, oversized geek glasses for Jeanie and the trusty pink eyeshadow for Christelle


My favourite plait! It's inspired by a Chloe show years ago and has become my savior to hide greasy hair. The chalky lipstick is Barry M, cheap and cheerful. Oh and feather lashes from Shu Uemura (love these so much I'm now on my second pair)


In the very early Boombox days B and I used to do twin looks, this one is probably my favourite. The idea came from a Kanye West video!


Another matching look, I got some jibes on the way home after this; when seperated from B it was just plain weird!


Perhaps I shall travel to Paris one weekend to continue the party, but perhaps the era has gone? It will be fondly remembered!

Ps. The beautifully airbrushed images are courtesy of the genius Dirty Dirty Dancing, my bestest source of misleadingly good profile photos!

Double Lace and Ice

Tonight London is ghoulishly errie; an icy mist cloud has settled over the city and flows up through the beam of the streetlights. I was freezing to death at the bus stop and took the opportunity to take a couple of photos. The full degree of the mist did not come out in them, you can hardly see ten meters in front of you tonight.




I was coming back from meeting my old university friend Alice for a delicious tapas; we are very different people but have remained friends for years. It is the difference between us that made the evening more surprising, because it turned out we had both bought the same top without realising, and both were wearing it today! Oh we must have looked a sight sitting there matching in the resturant!

The top is from Topshop, a marly white jumper with a pretty lace insert at the neck. 'It looks like you have a doily hanging around the neck' Alice wisely commented, it does, and I love it!! Alice likes the nautical and prefers browns, blues and cream where as I am all about the black so needless to say, we had each styled the top very differently but it is quite a universal piece and worked in both our outfits. Today I teamed it with shorts but it also looks nice layered under a black deep V-neck dress. I think everyone should get one of these charming jumpers for winter, its possibilities are endless!

Dame Edna for MAC

Help! I love MAC to death and don't ever want to hate it; it is my face's safety net, the London shops are firmly routed in my mind and I can never pass without dipping into some pots emerging with rainbow streaked hands. Their past collaborations have made me so superficially joyous, yet the latest leaves me slightly baffled?

The latest Limited collaboration see MAC teaming with Dame Edna! I read about this awhile ago and choose to ignore it, shaking my head in confused disbelief. I didn't want to question my beloved MAC it was best left alone...

But now I find this in my inbox:


...and I can ignore it no longer. What is going on and do I agree? The concept of doing ones make-up to look like a man in drag is not shocking to me. I love to drag up, abandoning the 'eyes or lips' rule and instead pile it all on, with extra eyelashes and garish colours. Man in drag? Ok. An old man in old woman drag?? Slightly different.

Ladyman acts such as Jeffree Star create literal art on the face. The blending on the lids, the poised symmetrical eyebrows and flawless make-up full skin are eternally impressive to me; but whats to covet about wrinkly blue eyeshadow and cupboard old lippie that Dame Edna prefers?

I have considered this and my answer is nothing. Perhaps this is not the point though. Perhaps it is more about the fun of painting on a face, maybe its about the process of the 'creation' of something false yet very real and the warm likeable personnality of everyones favourite Dame.
Or perhaps I am just over analysing like an English student.

But look at the packaging! I must confess I prefer this to any of previous collaborations, it gives Hello Kitty, Faffi and Alexander McQueen a run for their money with the quirky lilac and trademark red specs. I wouldn't say no to a Damely red lippie! Is it only me or would you be tempted to buy and drag it up old folk style?

Old Photographs

There is not much left in my old room at home in Wales, the surfaces and shelves are sadly bare. Most possessions are now with me in London but I noticed a white box labeled 'photos' on top of my wardrobe that I had forgotten about.

On looking through the contents I realised that I had also forgotten how I used to love photography. During my A levels I did a course in black and white photography with a borrowed 35m SLR camera. Working with real film is tricky and temperamental but there was no better feeling than seeing an image magically emerge from the tray of chemicals.

Here is the result of one such 'shoot'. I made my sister model in it and wear shiny dance leggings, admittedly the styling is... unusual! Please excuse the rubbish quality, I cannot work a scanner so took photos of the photos which has bleached the colour and left a big flash mark in each.