A Friday Précis: 3 Things To Know

Taking a break from forcing my CV upon every publication I can find a valid email address for, here is a few snippets from the week gone by.

1. Terry O'Neill only takes pictures of people he fancies

Image: Terry O'Neill

So this week, The Telegraph published a Q&A with one of the greatest photographer’s of our time, Terry O’Neill, and trust me he has a few choice words on some of our most beloved leading ladies. With Terry Richardson staying away long enough to let the original Terry say his piece, in the interview O'Neill talks about being underwhelmed by those we so aspire to be , from Kate Moss to Kate Middleton. Their faces are sure to shift serious numbers on the publication front whilst the latest pair of shoes they’re spotted in sell out in minutes but according to O’Neill, they’re nothing special.

After first assuring us that he has slept with some of the most beautiful women in existence  (naturally) before this generation, claiming ''I’ve seen, slept with and photographed more beautiful women than you’ve had hot dinners’’, he moves on Britain’s sweetheart, Kate. Who he couldn;t give a shit about. In fact he goes a step further in saying he wouldn't photograph her because he actually doesn't "fancy her” due to her being too thin. Once finished hanging her out to dry, there’s another Kate he feels he needs to berate before he continue. Next in the firing line, Moss:

"The supermodels were the last great girls, and Kate Moss only just scraped in under the wire...I never rated her – Kate only endured because she was associated with those supermodels."

For someone who ‘scraped in under the wire’, she has certainly proved her worth over the years bouncing back from public scandal and never leaving the top 10 model earners.

The Kates aside, he happens to have only positive things to say about a woman who many women can only muster negativity: Angelina Jolie.

If you happen to have a spare minute, the interview is well worth a read with O’Neill speaking in depth about his own personal changes as well as his sexual exploits with beautiful women. 

2. Vivienne Westwood's Jubilee Collection

Keeping with the slightly tenuous royal theme, Vivienne Westwood has launched a new collection in celebration of the Royal Jubilee. If anyone was to do this, it had to be the alternative Queen of British style.

3. Pumped Up Kicks: My Faux Marant

With Sportwear Lux placing itself firmly in the limelight for SS12, I’ve been lusting after a pair of Isabel Marant  wedge trainers for some time now. However, I don’t earn even a fraction of what I need to in order to afford a pair. This is where the 'Flattery or Fraud' front runners, River Island, stepped in to take the strain off my heart and saved me hundred of pounds. For £40, I'm in love with the concealed wedge heel that gives an extra few inches whilst remained as comfortable as flats. They're not the Marant's I so crave but for now, they'll do nicely.

Until the next...

C. x

A Friday Précis: 3 Things To Know

Despite being Wednesday’s child myself and supposedly full of woe, I have decided to embrace Friday in order to post a cocktail of the week’s events. Inspired by the lovely Who’s Jack and their daily round up, I will be picking ‘3 things to know’ from the week gone by in a bid to encourage myself to touch base and because I like lists. A lot. 

It’s a thought in progress so who knows what I’m going to dub newsworthy but to start with here are three things to know this week.

1. Kate Bosworth covers Company Magazine May 2012

Photos David Mushegain 

A 'New Look' Company magazine featuring an old look Kate Bosworth. Perhaps this was destined to grace the cover of another publication seeing as this hair first debuted in August last year. Either way, my loving feelings on the dip dye had subsided greatly until the colour splash got in involved. Ombre hair was everywhere, the cautious highstreet approach to the starker contrast dip, that frankly left me dying (get it?) for something new. Step in the Fanning sisters with their pink ends and Kate with her blue (and my friend Zoe with green – trust me, it works.) However, I can see the dip dye being replaced come AW12 with a simple coloured streak as seen on models at Dans laVie.

Hair aside, why didn’t Company opt for the yellow suit shot? It’s bloody lovely. And with grunge making a very strong comeback, this is a great way to introduce it with just the right twist of Spring.

On a side note, size whatevs? No. Just no.

2. The Eleven Objects Pineapple Collar

This offering from Eleven Objects is bizarre and exactly the sort of thing I want in my life. Specialising in collars (if you hadn’t already guessed), Eleven Objects is ticking the boxes for the impending Hawaiian boom whereby young girls will be ripping the shirts off the overweight funny man’s back. Well, it might at least look that way to some but I’m all for the Stella McCartney prints and the ASOS x It’s Nice That shirts. Loud and garish, just as it should be.

3. A Velvet Memorial

 

And thirdly, and completely unrelated, this is one of the most touching things I have ever  had the pleasure of viewing. I spend a lot of time in London where people are extremely distant and detached and something like this just wouldn't happen anywhere other than the countryside. I’m still not entirely sure who Philip is but I understand he’s a local man and I never did meet Velvet, but I honestly shed a tear and the fact he wanted those who did know her to say a fond farewell.  This came through my letterbox this morning.

Rest in peace, the only dog I've ever heard of eating squirrels.

Until...

C. x

She Bangs The Drums: Tribal Shoot for Noctis Magazine

Now I've felt unprepared for shoots before but when you're looking at sheer floral camis and thinking 'this'll do' for the male model, you know you've reached new heights of disorganisation. However, when you're assisting a stylist as lovely as Faye, who gets the makeup artist to paint your face for Team Stripes, you just know it's going to work out. With so few options for a last minute shoot, it really pushes you to be creative with the little materials you have. Necklaces turn into tribal cuffs whilst sheer and feminine vests somehow turn into the perfect accompaniment to that pale linen suit jacket.

It was tough, but little did I know at the time that it was a real excuse to get involved. Never before has my creative input been so appreciated, encouraged and credited. Having been sent to Beyond Retro on Brick Lane for a press appointment to pick out anything I wanted to use, it was all hands on deck. A quick trip to D S Dundee in Shoreditch for a quick whiskey with a photographer who actually took my portrait at LFW (London is a small world) and picking up bits and pieces from H by Hudson and Agi & Sam, it was a scramble to meet the tribal objective.

Now, the real tribal feathers and sand approach was already covered - we had to tackle tailoring. A subtle nod in the tribal direction whilst maintaining a combination of sleek high end and quirkly colour blocking. Easy enough right? Well, after teething problems such as Jelis the male model refusing the female tops and Olga being too athletic a build for some of the pieces (sample size hell.), we pulled it off and finished the day with a bottle of Rose. Because, trust me, it was needed.

The Final Shot : my styling of the green vintage Mac.

Weeks of preparation and research swapped in favour of 3 days is a challenge to say the least.

Check out Noctis Magazine Issue III in its entirety here. It's rather good.

C. x

Springtime in London

 It’s been a while. 

It seems to be that after throwing myself into the seasonal frenzy of trend reports and the latest platform shoe, I have had no choice but to buckle down behind the scenes and remember that we’re still dealing with an SS12 world despite the AW12 forecast. So, to update, my time since LFW has been spent enjoying the English Spring, with all its promise of pastels and candies falling short (as per) to deliver sporadic bursts of sunshine followed by rain and an Easter chocolate depression. As if, realistically, we really expected anything else. 

Regardless of this, I’ve still found time to busy myself on and off set. Fashionably late with my updates, I’ve been assisting with shooting for Noctis Magazine and the up-and-coming May issue of Who’s Jack. Away from one camera to another, there has been many an event to inspire from Medieval shindigs to Zombie Balls – and that is where I’m going to start. 

I am proud to hold friendships with eccentric young ladies who get up in the early hours of the morning to travel to trader’s markets all in the name of authenticity. After all, what banquet would be complete without a suckling pig?  Unfortunately, as much as I adore a night of costume, my previous status as a vegetarian left me staring at said pig in horror and placed me firmly in the dessert camp grilling figs.

Me attempting sultry, with a feather.

 The beautiful Adrien and Ciara. 

Effort holds so much value at an event such a this. When someone pours their heart, soul and need for sleep into a night, there is such a reward in seeing friendly faces applauding what have have achieved. Even Tim's tinfoil creation was a triumph in it's own little way whilst the girl's opted to raid their mother's wardrobes for vintage furs or, in my case, vintage Laura Ashley. A special mention must go to whoever really made the effort and decided to crack out an aged spirit and left many a head reeling the next day.  

Next up? A B-Movie Ball of course.

 

I have an unusual social life.

C. 

London Fashion Week: The Stereotypes

With London FashionWeek commencing in just a couple of days time, I will once again be part of the Who’s Jack fashion team down at the front line. However, we will not be alone. From the high-end editors to the fashion victims,  here is a rundown of the LFW stereotypes most likely to be encountered. As a disclaimer, I will add that this is just a bit of fun and is parodied on amusing people and events I, or team members, have encounted.

#1: The Big Wig

Characteristically clad in a pencil skirt and leaving the faintest whiff of Chanel No.5 and fear in their wake , behold and beware: The Big Wigs. Ever wondered who those stern and visibly unimpressed faces in the front row belong to? Wonder no longer for these are the media sovereigns that could make or break your entire journalistic career in the time it takes them to tweet “Fabulously chic bow detailing @ThakoonNY”. N.B.  Avoid all eye contact.

#2: The Off-Duty Model

Whilst you’re still wiping the sleep from your eyes outside the entrance to the 9am show,  take a moment to acknowledge the small crowd of over eager photographers forming on the otherside. Once acknowledged, then proceed to weep at the sight of the Off Duty Model. Sporting a casual ensemble of leather leggings and slouchy knitwear, it can often be a distressing spot at such an early hours. Though these people may be unnervingly effortless in appearance, try  to resist the urge to run home and claw at your face. Instead, revel in the knowledge that their lovely beachy blonde hair may be cut off and dyed orange tomorrow for the sake of their art. Small comforts.

#3: The Blogger

 

Sometimes immediately distinguishable by the business cards falling from their back pockets, if you don’t always recognise a blogger they’ll make damn sure that you know their Google Analytics figures within 13 seconds. These days, some bloggers are (deservedly) as known as the brands and figures they report back on. However, at Fashion Week, merely stepping foot in Somerset House gives other bloggers the idea that they are the queens of all media and that being made to stand at the rookies entrance in the rain is, quite frankly, an outrage. Don’t feel too bad for the poor dears though. Later on, as if by magic, you will also discover they somehow managed to smuggle a business card about your person without you even noticing. Sneaky, sneaky blogger.

#4: The Newbie

Bottom of the fashion food chain and the heaviest of fashion week drinkers, I hold a fond place for the newbie. Speaking from experience, the newbie is the individual that smiles in photographs and actually accepts the free absinthe shots at 11am in the Esthetica Exhibition.  Undeniably the most friendly and grateful for an actual seat, the Newbies are also the magpies of Fashion Week. First in line for the cheese and crackers, you can trust the Newbie to be the first to spot a free computer or piece of sushi. Whether they be the budding photographer lugging their equipment with them every step of the way or the just-starting-out journo, don’t, under any condition, underestimate the newbie. After all, you never know who they’re going to turn into in a couple of years time.

#5: The Gemini Twins

Pale, blonde and dressed entirely in black, they are the enigma of the week. Despite being London’s answer to the Fanning sisters, nobody knows who they are or where they came from. Are they twins? Are they related at all? Are they even...real?

#6: The Photographer's Wet Dream

 

 

The easiest of the stereotypes by far: the street style photo seekers. Whether it’s the stuffed black birds on their head that grabs your attention or the fact that they’re strutting around in a ball gown and walking 6 small Pomeranians, there is little you can do to avoid them. Whilst it can be said that men dressed as African Queens make the photographer’s job that little bit easier, other than that they usually serve no real purpose. Never spotted in the press area, it tends to suggest their day is dedicated to parading the square in bin bag hot pants and Lucite platforms as opposed to doing any real work.  Every day is a photo opportunity for these people and after a few hours, it really does get very tiring attempting to find actual style amongst the throngs of weknowwhatyoudidlastnight.com outtakes.

#7: Alexa Chung/ Olivia Palermo/ Kanye West

Apparently in possession of Bernard’s watch, this formidable FROW trio are somehow at every show on and off schedule.  Whilst people obsess over the maxi skirt Olivia is wearing and the width of Alexa’s arms, watch out for Kanye in particular.  He has been known to stare whilst you eat fererro rochers and, as a result, make you feel very uncomfortable...

I'll be posting every day from Friday to Thursday as well as on the Who's Jack website.  Fingers crossed for no twisted ankles on the cobbles.

Until Then..

C. x

Putting A Guard Up: Big Name, Little Reward

For a while now I have been surrendering myself to the lowly realms of unpaid internships. Now, as much as people argue the case for abolishing what is essentially free labour, the concept of the free fashion (or near enough any creative or media related) skivvy isn't going anywhere. Unfair? Perhaps. But the idea and "reasoning" for many outlets and companies, particularly the larger and more competitive, behind the concept of the unpaid internship is that this is a way for you to demonstrate your passion and undying enthusiasm for the product, brand or trade so to speak. So here I am, once again offering myself up the media Gods for mundane jobs and non existent wages all in the name of proving my worth.

Well... in theory.

In sum, I have been hankering after a newspaper to add to my CV list of media conquests having already now experienced working life in glossy, PR and online. Therefore, I'm pretty pleased to be writing this post from The Guardian HQ. A paper founded in 1821 and known for its impressive international multimedia presence, surely this is the place to be tested; to be put through my paces so I can acquire the skills and experience necessary to succeed within this hilariously cut-throat industry and impress my future employers? I don't hold much hope other than on paper. The name in itself may well impress but as to whether I'm learning anything that goes beyond my own common sense is somewhat doubtful. However, that is not to say I'm not enjoying myself and by environment alone I can cement my ambitions on this being the career for me.

Yesterday, my first day, involved two tasks. My first task involved the weekend papers, a keen eye and a pair of scissors. Nothing life changing but a required task I had no objection in undertaking. For the afternoon's festivities, I locked myself in a messy cupboard, whacked on a combination of Bruce Springsteen's greatest hits and mundane pop and got on with bagging and addressing marvelously expensive things. And then putting them on my head. Day over. Today? Even less productive thus far with the agenda including 15 minutes sorting post and 10 minutes flicking through and filing some look books. Then "just go on the computer for a bit" which, in layman's terms, equates to 2 and half hours. This is not out of the ordinary for many but for me, I've never experienced such a laid back attitude especially in comparison to my last placement at Fashion156 where, in those long and intense hours, I was trained up to a high level in all things essential. In hindsight, I very much did a job without getting any wages. A little mean perhaps but then again, I took something away from it and left in the knowledge that I was "a perfect representative for the company". My role was fashion assistant and writer, not intern, and to this day I still receive enquiries, lookbooks and CVs from people I previously connected with. As hellish as that internship was at (most) times, it was a "no pain, no gain" situation. Here, there is definitely no pain but my prospects of gain seem minimal.

However, after I've eaten my salmon ands couscous (I can at least act the part) I'm going to force this place into giving me work if only to save myself the £178 worth of clothing sitting in my online basket. Research, perhaps? A few more returns, even? G'wan - this labour is free afterall.

Hello Victoria Beckham sunglassess...

My fashion cupboard hideway.

Until I'm made to do something...
C. x

Black, White and Karl all over: Karl Lagerfeld for NET-A-PORTER Launch

As I write this, the man brandishing a ponytail even more iconic than Peter Stringfellow's is gracing the streets of Paris for a live appearance at the now twitter-infamous cube for the launch of 'Karl', the 'affordable' collection by Karl Lagerfeld. I, on the other hand, am firmly based in my bedroom in the countryside and have opted (/had no other choice but) to take a more digital approach to the array of covetable classics with a directional twist.

Now, I won't lie - I'm a fan of the garish. But saying that, Karl's expected monochrome ensembles are classically cool. From LBDs to biker vests and embellished collars that would not look out of place on the icon himself. In a word the collection is, quite simply, Karl. Sleek, simple yet effortless strong; it is a collection that embodies that man who created it, even quite literally as his silouette adorns totes, canvas shoppers and even a PVC sleeved sweater.

As my staple 'bin bag' leggings suggest, I'm a big fan of the black and shiny so PVC sleeves and hooded tops combined with faux leather trousers are a big win with me. However, with some items heavily featuring silver and black sequins, has Net-A-Porter missed a trick by releasing the debut as the party season comes to a close?

As a whole, the collection is brilliantly self involved and that's probably why most people will scramble over themselves to get a piece. There are very few people who can get away with purposefully selling racer vests and tshirts with their own image on it without simply screaming egomaniac. Yet here he is, Karl Lagerfeld, posing and dancing across the torsos of  the masses clearly not giving a shit about any of that. He's an icon -the public know it and, most of all, so does he.

Thoughts?
Until the next.
C. x

Spaceships and Champagne: An Interview with Andrew Majtenyi

It’s hard to believe that London Fashion Week was almost a month ago. It seems just a few days ago that I was hot footing it down Oxford Street for a private reception for Andrew Majtenyi’s SS12 collection and now, with Paris soon to be finding its place in our memory banks, it seemed like a fitting time to keep the dream and week alive and recall a conversation I had with Andrew himself on the 20th September.

Unlike most fashion designers who start with a simple hand drawn sketch, Andrew Majtenyi launches the design process with bolts of fabric and a myriad of unique inspirations surfacing from personal experience to historical events. Not exactly convential, there is definitely a strong element  of original artistic flare that undoubtedly ensures that his designs are anything but ordinary. Having based his AW11 collection, “By The Book” on a trip to the British Library, it’s clear to see that a lot of research and love goes into his collections and that this designer, in a brilliant way, can be inspired by anything and everything. 

As we joined the event upstairs in Orwell House, a glass of champagne upon arrival puts us in the mood to enjoy the ensembles that his three models are stylishly exhibiting. Inspired by the Medieval trial of Katherina  Hetzeldorfer in 1477, especially in images of the jurors and art of the period, his influence is unusual to say the least. From the richness of the colours and textures and the sombre moods on the faces of the subjects that Andrew came across have inspired a rather grown up collection of classically elegant dresses in white silk and crimson  juxtaposed with structured zip front jackets in silver.
With his suitcase packed and waiting round the back,  Andrew was heading off to Paris in less than an hour yet this didn’t stop him having time for a little chat with me. And blimey, what a chat it was!

Growing up in the middle east (“It’s a long story”) , Majtenyi has also designed for film and television working on numerous productions including The Sentinel starring Michael Douglas and Eva Longoria, and Cheaper by the Dozen starring Steve Martin. Over the years, Majtenyi learned about filmmaking, a skill he now uses to write and direct the film shorts that open his catwalk shows, stills of which were on rotate around the room.  Astounding friendly and energetic, Andrew tells us about his recent recovery from a 3 month bout of food poisoning following some dodgy mayonnaise on a street- vendor hot dog  and provides a zealous interpretation of that fateful event:

“Bah! Have some of that you stoopid forreeeiggnnerrr!”, he exclaims, imitating the dreaded vendor, before blowing a raspberry to really bring the ridiculous scene to life. This man is clearly imaginative in both the design process and everyday life. With his garments possessing prints specifically designed for the collection, with references to art and architecture including castle towers and gothic spires, one has to wonder if he will be drawing on this particular experience and be creating a series of two pieces and miniskirts covered in images of hotdogs and condiments.

 Image courtesy of Vogue

“I’m currently building a spaceship”, he continues.

A zany character he may be, but this spaceship has its purpose. “It’s for a show” he explains. His creativity knows no bounds! How exactly a spaceship fits in with the trial of Hetzeldorfer I’m not sure so perhaps he disclosed a little taster for next season.

As he leaves us to mingle, the models switch outfits revealing some more youthful attire including 60s style shift dresses (the orange and purple print had me staring in envy)  whilst a medieval burgundy cross adorned a silver mini with a beautifully made matching cape. Dashing off to make his flight, Majtenyi kisses each model goodbye before making his excuses with us and offering us a business card. Amongst the crowds of bloggers, models, pr agencies and people who had a strange air of needless self importance, it was clear that I wasn't going to encounter a nicer and more engaging designer no matter how hard I tried.

However, as I look back at such a strong and vibrant Fashion Week, I can now look forward to my latest venture. Having been promoted to online media writer at Who's Jack magazine, I will be updating on a regular basis whilst also commencing as a full time intern at Fashion156.com. Wish me luck!