Faux American Apparel meets Pin-up sexy girl

Wait, what's that you're saying Topshop? One of your new trends hitting the shop floors of all your stores across the UK (and probs everywhere else) right now is called, "Pretty Military"? Well, I am taking this as an opportunity to brag about how I was clued on to the military trend waaay before you Toppers! And it was even without the help from fashion forecasters like WGSN- so they should basically just give me a job, like, now?


 Ok, so the reason I chose to style a photoshoot I did in my last semester of third year at uni with military influence wasn't because I have some freakish fashion forecaster power within me but rather I have a bit of a geeky interest in all things war/ military. Luckily, a friend who also shares this passion (but on a massively higher level) hooked me up with some dated American military gear (means that shit is real, no replicas). So, whilst I had access to some very valuable and amazing artifacts I thought I would put it to good use. I also thought I would take the news of S/S 12 taking another crack at the recurrent military trend as a great excuse to post my photoshoot pictures and show off- I've been waiting for a window to do so for a while now.


So, let me give you a quick brief of the thought process behind my final outcome; we were asked to choose a company (any fashion brand/ company we wish) and swot up on their previous/ current ad-campaigns and clientele to decipher what kind of customer they are marketing towards and ways in which their ad-campaigns did so. We were then asked to create a distinctively different ad-campaign in order to "freshen up" their look as a brand and perhaps appeal to new customers (whilst keeping their current happy too). Basically, you could go one of two ways: you could go mental (or some would say obvious) and have a company like Prada swapping their models for reptiles with the most darling on-trend crocodile bags placed next to them (a brilliant "FUCK YOU" to peta which will have their current customers in giggles whilst appealing to a new customer base that weren't aware they had a sense of humour up til now) all being shot by a really shitty camera phone in the most un-chic of surroundings. Orrrrr, you could take elements of their established style and make a few tweeks that will have people talking whilst not pissing off the loyal fans. I chose the latter, although looking at my final images it doesn't look like I went all that crazy- I think I tried to reproduce American Apparels trademark "look" a tad too much. I made a list of what American Apparel are known for in their advertising; being super controversial, raunchy posing, natural/"real" girls are used over models, photography is amateur-esque, surroundings are kept simple, text used on top of images is extremely suggestive-and thought of ways in which I could bend this towards a theme (in particular, a military theme) as American Apparel have never done this. I therefore settled on the idea of a modern version of this WW2 ad-campaign by Parker Quink:

Instead of just writing a letter to your hunky army man, why not get yourself dolled-up, dig out your sexy underwear, practise your "come-hither" face, play around with his army uniform and set your camera to timer so you can attach a few photographs to the letter that will really cheer him up. Basically, be his personal pin-up girl. 


So yeah, I thought this sexy, amateur/ self shot look would work pretty well for American Apparel whilst getting to use genuine American army uniforms dated from WW2 and Vietnam (because I can!).


Here is les outcome:

Resort 2013: expanding my fashiony knowledge

Whilst catching up with what the fashion houses have to offer for their resort 2013 collections (you know, the one mostly without the catwalk- devoted to the high-fliers in life for their resort breaks yah?) on style.com, I thought I would mix it up a little and click on designers I'm not as familiar with * cough don't have a fuck who they are*-and expand my knowledge so I can be top fashion wanker extraordinaire. Here are my top picks!

BCBG Max Azria 

Ok- before you judge I had heard of Max Azria before -I just never really had a good look through his collections/ BCBG Max Azria collections before now- so calm down.

Anyway!

BCBG Max Azrias resort 2013 collection offers a refreshed take on colour blocking with softer, more pastel tones being teamed with flashes of fuschia and electric blue. The middle eastern style prints used throughout the collection look especially awesome on the leather, tailored jackets in my opinion and I love how the overall look of the collection is structured but in a very relaxed way. Like, everything has this very floaty/ summery/ hippy chick vibe to it but there is some great tailoring going on. 

Here's the link to the full collection: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2013RST-BCBG/

Chris Benz

It was the bows that won me over- LOOK at them- initially but then in closer inspection I actually really enjoyed this collection. The prints are not what I would normally be drawn to but they've been used really well. I like the play on proportion within the silhouette and the chunky paper bag part of the paper bag maxis.


View the full collection here: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2013RST-CBENZ/

Kelly Wearstler

This collection looks like someone's asked guests at an insanely cool party if they can take their picture for their fashion blog- it was me!-lies. Nah but honestly, it is such a cool collection and the "ready-to-wear" part of resort collections is totally applicable here. I feel as though I could grab any garment and style it with my own wardrobe pretty easily- I'm looking in particular at the rainbow disco blazer with the black horizontal lines (above, middle) as that will go WITH EVERYTHING. Shame it definitely costs a bomb. 


Here is the rest of the cool kid collection here: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2013RST-KWEARSTLER/

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung- where have you been all my life!? (apologies if you had only just got that annoying Rihanna song out your head) And this isn't even my favourite collection from him- check out his Spring 2012 ready-to-wear collection (http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012RTW-PGURUNG) It. Is. Amazing. But getting back to this little gem too, the nature-inspired geometric prints have managed to be used busily but the overall look is chic and not sickly at all (which can sometimes happen). He's even managed to highlight the prints with eye-popping colour and black and it still looks awesome. Another point worth talking about is the tailoring and construction of the garments in this collection; the dresses in particular- just look at the red and white floor-length ones (above) I need them in my life, like, right now. Also, the cool-as-fuck chick with the sunglasses in the short suit (top right)? I want to be her. 

Have a gander at the rest of the collection here: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2013RST-PGURUNG

Preen

The tailoring in this collection is INSANE. I know, I keep banging on about it but when someone does it right- it must be said. This collection is sort of office-chic-meets-sportswear-luxe with some really pretty and feminine dresses sprinkled on top. Love the geometric prints and the colour palette- the green works surprisingly well. 

Here is the link to the rest of the collection: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2013RST-PREEN/

Sea

Sea is a relatively new fashion brand that cuts the flamboyant bullshit (even though I love it, I'd rather buy something that is actually wearable on my budget) and delivers easy to wear but super stylish clothes. Even better news, is that unlike most designers found on style.com, fashionistas on a smaller wage can stop crying into their primarni knock-offs and actually afford to purchase an item from their collection. Well, it's no primark price-tag that's for sure but instead of £3000 upwards for a dress, you're maybe looking at anything from £150 to £500. The jacket (above, second from right) is totally worth saving the pennies for.


Here is the rest: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2013RST-SEA

Theyskens' Theory 

I have totes saved the best for last, so I hope you're actually still reading my ramblings as this brand is not one to be missed! If you put on anything from this collection you will instantly turn into one of the coolest people on the planet. Ever. See the way that model up there is walking? All down to the clothes, I met her, she is a massivo nerd with no rhythm. So maybe the price-tag is worth the social skills you will gain...? I'll keep telling myself that as I take loans out in order to purchase a few items. If you're perhaps reading this and thinking "meh, I don't think it's all she's making it up to be" then you need to take a closer look at this collection- it's all in the details. This collection not only has been designed well but the sourcing of the material is where it's at. I am so in love with that sort of velveteen fabric used on the jumpsuit (above, middle row, left) that catches the light to create warm, glowing tones. Also, I love sheer fabrics and the super see-through black stuff used to make the maxi skirt (above, top row, right) is incredible, as is the fabric used for the accompanying jumper. My favourite however, has to be the tie-dye silk skirt (above, middle row, second from right) that has been created in such a way that it looks like it has a jumper made out of the same material tied around it- SO cool. 

Here is the rest of the collection here: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/2013RST-TTHEORY/

Anyway, bit of a mammoth blog entry but I hope you discovered a few more awesome fashion brands that you hadn't heard of or looked at before. It's ok kids, we WILL be fashion wanker extraordinaires one day. 

x

Forgive me Jeffrey, for I have sinned!

So, as  many people know, I developed a slight obsession with Jeffrey Campbell a year or so ago when my eyes first gazed upon his glorious cosmic Litas:

I was going through (and slightly still am) a stage where anything with a hint of astronomy would cause my heart palpitations, made my pupils dilate and turn my sweat into glitter. Ok, perhaps I'm over exaggerating but cosmic print (especially on all things fashion) really did it for me and I vowed to own a pair of Jeffreys in my most coveted print. Alas it was not to be, as when I had the opportunity (and funding) to order a pair, my size had sold out and I had no idea when they would be re-stocked. So as some time passed (and said funding had disappeared *sob*) newer and even more exciting Litas had been created, aka the spike Lita:

They are SO GOOD. 

Anyway, I decided I would save up and treat myself to a pair (or two...) or wait until an occasion arose where I could perhaps ask for some help towards the Jeffrey fund. I mean really, as much as I ADORE all his many different wacky versions of the Lita (some examples pictured below) it is the Lita that I want. I want that chunky-heeled-platform-toed-ankle-boot-laced-up goodness of a shoe and if I at least have the distinctive Lita shape and style I will be very happy.

So, imagine my surprise when I popped into Garage shoes (a shop I rarely visit) a month or so back and found black, pink and American flag printed Litas staring back at me. Well, not Litas- Vectors- but who the hell were they kidding? Someone who has been living under a stone for the past year or so perhaps, as the Lita has blown up major style in that time frame. Even people I talk to who aren't crazy into fashion like me and my fellow fashion students have heard of, or have at least noticed, this distinct style of footwear creeping into high street stores-who have either began stocking them as concession or have straight-up ripped them off. But before I begin some rant about high street stores churning out "catwalk rip-offs" at lightning speed, I am going to own up to a slightly sinful act on my part. When I saw those Vectors staring up at me that day in Garage shoes, I did not let out a disgusted noise of disgust, I did instead shriek with excitement before grabbing the black style and running to the startled shop assistant, thrusting it at her and asking if she had them in a size 8. I know, I let team Jeffrey down. And I have to say, taking a closer look at my recent purchase- they ain't no Jeffreys. The cheap, fake leather body scuffs/ tears if you so much as blow on it and the chunky wooden heel is waaay too light to not be hollow. The tacky metallic lining also adds insult to injury. But hey, I got a bit carried away by the £35 price tag and the overwhelming urgency to add Lita-esque shoes to my wardrobe- I'M SORRY OK! I promise these knock-offs will not spell the end of my Jeffrey lust and, even though that could have been £35 towards the real deal, I'll put more focus into saving for my very own Jeffrey Campbell Vectors-sorry Litas!

Here are the afore mentioned sin shoes:

Iggy Azalea + Alejandra Hernandez = Visual Dream Team!

Whilst creeping about the interwebs drooling over my latest girl crush Iggy Azalea, I admired not only her phenomenal curves (her ass is so insane it gives Minaj a run for her money) but also her awesome style. At first I thought, "Hell maybe she dresses herself and is just ridiculously amazing!" but a few google searches later led me to the truth behind her immaculate style. Ladies and Gentleman, I introduce to you Miss Alejandra Hernandez! (pictured top)This LA based up-and-coming stylist graduated from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in California and not only dresses Iggy Azalea in super mean outfits but also has a few high profile campaigns under her belt with Palladium, Levi's and Puma. Nice!

 When asked where she turns for style inspiration when dressing Iggy she replies, 

"Dressing Iggy is so much fun because she is truly a visual artist so her and I draw inspiration from anything as random as old Elizabeth Taylor photos to photos from 90′s Versace dinners. Also, I always like to a display a presence through the clothing. I idolize women that are nothing less than boss bitches. So, I love to incorporate pieces that are strong and classic. I’m not into things that “characters” would wear, I want my girls to look powerful not funny." 

I've gathered some of my favourite images of her work with Iggy below for you to have a gander at *coughdroolover* and if you care to know more about this stylist I found a pretty sweet little interview with her from an awesome blog (http://ladiesblog.karmaloop.com/index.php/2012/01/chick-of-the-month-alejandra-hernandez/) on karmaloop.com!

These images are from V Magazine and were shot by photographer Bell Soto, who also shot Iggy Azaleas music video for "The Last Song" 

These are taken from Complex Magazine

These are taken from the video "My World"- I am in love with the vibrant colours and mixed print and textures used throughout the styling of this video. The overall look is when power dressing meets gangsta swag: which compliments the attitude of the music perfectly in my opinion! Check out the video yourself below.

This last lot of black and white images are taken from Iggy Azaleas music video "The Last Song" 

I am so freakin' in love with this video! It's slow rhythm combined with her seductive yet blase attitude that exudes from her movements and beautiful facial expressions puts me in mind of some luxury brands perfume ad. The styling also adds to this atmosphere beautifully with her fur, sparkle and immaculately groomed hair. Here's the video for what I'm waffling on about, so you can gaze at how pretty the whole thing is too!