Florence And The Machine - Viktor And Rolf

So at Reading festival last year, my mates dragged me to go see this girl. I have to admit i was very impressed. She's not the best looking 23 year old female singer, but she's got a great voice. And in her new music video for 'Hurricane Drunk' you see her sporting a dress from Viktor And Rolf's latest collect. These things aren't for sale, lucky girl. Interested to hear who the art director for this video is. So here's the dress in action.

Seen It Before

To re-inforce what i was saying about designers just doing outrageous prints and naked flesh. Here's a photo from Alexander McQueens Fall 2010 collection. He's just photoshopped horrible prints all over standard clothes. I don't really know what else to say. It's disgusting. And here's one from Vivienne Westwood doing her predictable boobs on show with Pamela Anderson. Her new collection is just as eye-catching as ever, but it's nothing new or exciting. I think they're both out of ideas.

Vicktor And Rolf Spring 2010

Okay, so my second favourite collection this season has got to be this from Dutch designers Viktor And Rolf. I think what really sets them aside from other larger named designers is that they're collections are actually suitable to be worn. I've chosen a few that really show this. Even their larger show off pieces are still so much more suitable for the real world than other designers, who just try to shock the audience with too much naked flesh and over the top prints (not pointing fingers at anyone *cough* Alexander McQueen.)

I really like the use of the angular lines on the blazer and the flairs along the shoulders and down the arms. The trousers are never too busy, so you don't loose the focus on the top half, whilst you can still see they have considered the whole outfit. And their final dresses that looked like they were floating after having pieces carved out were incredible. Really great design and engineering.

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010

I absolutely adore the Fall look created by Bottega Veneta. They have fully gone with the 50's Rockabilly look. Which is one of the main styles this year. The other being 60's 'Biba' influenced movements. But yeah... in this; the colours are simple, with strong contrasts. See the black suit with the bright red shirt and his white socks on show. Finished off with patent leather shoes and some Buddy Holly glasses, which have been a re-ocurring addition for the last 2 years. This is probably my favourite collection i've seen so far.

Tailored Trousers

So at work yesterday me and Carol started on a pair of trousers. Carol measure me up, then we drew out the pattern onto paper. You have to follow all these instructions from books written in old english, it's quite hard to follow, but once all the points are plotted out you can see the shape.

Then i cut them out and chalked around them onto the material making sure the lined up by rolling the two patterns across each other. After cutting the material we sewed the seems on the machine. We've gone for something a little different, leaving the front blank, we're going to fit the zip on the left side instead. So then i tried them on for a first fitting, to see where we needed to make changes. And like professional's, there where none. Spot on first time. So we're going to finnish those off next week, so i have myself a pair of Savile Row tailored trousers.

Also if you remember the last week i blogged some photos from photographer Marino Testino, Carol is currently fitting a pair of his jeans, so hopefully might get to meet him if i'm lucky.

V Magazine Size Issue

Today V Magazine released it's Size issue, with models from models.com these two shots are from one of photographers, who i've blogged before, Terry Richardson and are titled 'One Size Fits All'. The issue is split into five days. Featuring five photographers. Terry Richardson takes day 1. Solve Sundsbo day 2, Barrio Gotico day 3, Karl Largerfeld day 4 and Terry Tsiolis day5.

Each of the photographers have taken on a different name for their inspiration, working with seperate stylists, but i really think Terry Richardson's are the best.

Holly Fulton

Recently a friend of mine showed me this up and coming designer Holly Fulton. Her work is a homage to art deco and New York architecture. She uses strong black and white imagery to produce her "graphic yet sexy vibe". With vibrant use of yellow, orange and turquoise to really draw attention to her bold statements. Her dresses are finished off with a large necklace re-using the same art deco shapes. Be sure to keep an eye on this girl. I have a feeling she's onto something.

Mulberry Alexa Chung Bag

So luxury leather company Mulberry are releasing a re-vamped version of their Baywater Bag and naming it the Alexa, coming in at £695 and to be released on the 12th January. I think it's fair to say if she had'd already made a name for herself as a fashion icon, Alexa Chung definitely has now.

Prada Spring/Summer 2010

Japanese magazine Popeye's February issue has a photo-shoot styled by Tomoki Sukezane, one of Japan's leading stylists. It features pieces from names like: Givenchy, Lavin, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Dries Van Noten. I particularly like this piece by Prada. Again going for a layered look on the top half. Love the checked blazer teamed with the grey short shorts.

The Busy World Of Richard Scarry

Who can remember watching this tv show on saturday mornings or after school when they were a kid. My brother is convinced my sense of fashion comes from all the tv shows i used to watch growing up. What do you think, can you see a likeness, flat cap, denim jacket and 3 watches?

Lara Stone For Louis Vuitton

So Lara Stone is the new face of Louis Vuitton, i think these pictures are great. Also see if you can get Februarys Vogue Paris, Lara's the cover girl, and the only model used throughout the magazine!

Terry Richardson

He's the guy you wish you shot film like. Born in New York, grew up in Hollywood. Terry has shot the like's of Jay-Z to Leonardo DiCaprio and work with magazine; i-D, Vogue, GQ and Harper's Bazaar to name just a few. His photos are often humorous and fun, but can often have a darker side to them.

Patrick Stephan

I really like these two pieces from Patrick Stephan's Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

I like to see he's sticking with the layered slim fit look. The jacket will fit well with the 5o's rock and roll revival thing thats going on. Though i'd probably team it with my converse high tops, a classic you can't go wrong with. The bag is also a great addition, i've been looking for a while to find a suitable bag, think this ones a little on the big side though.

Woolrich Woolen Mills

The Woolrich Woolen Mills Spring/Summer 2010 look book brings us... more nautical themed clothing. Surprise Surprise. Can't go wrong with nautical in the summer.

Cheryl Cole Then And Now

"I was 15 when I lost my virginity, but I made my boyfriend wait three months,

so I am really proud of myself for that. The thought of being intimate with someone

you don't know really freaks me out. I think men should earn that intimacy."

I bet that blokes milking it for all it's worth now.

Let's all just think back to before she got famous.

One of the best transformations well, ever.

MAN UP

Spotted this geezer in a pair of shorts and boat shoes (no socks) on the central line at 9am this morning. Doesn't he know it's snowing outside? Or do we all need to man up? Sorry for the blurry photo.

Tailoring

So i'm training with Savile Row tailor Carol Alayne. She's recently started her own business called 'Tailoring For Women' despite the name she does also do mens tailoring. Just like today we were working on the trousers for choir 'The King Singers'. I was able to re-sew the seems to taper the trousers in at the knee and again at the bottom to stop them from looking so old-fashioned. I get to do a lot of work with 'The King Singers' as i also do a bit of graphic design work for them. But anyway. I wanted to show you a quick bow tie i made and Carol's christmas e-card we worked on together. I'll post more pictures of work we complete up on here.

For now please check out Carol's blog where you can see the finished LED mannequin...

www.tailoringforwomen.com

Harris Tweed Desert Boots

Back in September Clarks celebrated the anniversary of their 'Clarks Originals'. They where first made by Nathan Clark in a Burmese military art post, and soon became the footwear of choice for all off duty soldiers. They made 6 pairs, 3 for men and 3 for women. Here's the 1950's pair made with real Harris Tweed.

Casely-Hayford

Here's a quick look at their Spring Summer 2010 collection. I love the 'Afropunk' term and i love the new uptown look.

House Of Danger Kat

One day i was walking down Brick Lane when i spotted this curious hand made little fella.

So i thought i better check out where he was from. So i followed the link on his left ear and ended up here... www.dangerkat.com

turns out its a strange live art, dance fashion show thing of some sort i can't really explain.

"A multimedia, multi-sensory production featuring innovative and provocative dance, fashion, video, photography and live art by the House of Dangerkat.

Developed in Calgary, Stockholm, London and New York City, the 30 minute main stage show premiered in Manhattan and was expanded for Slammenberry Jam 5 Urban Arts Festival. With funding provided by the Canada Council for the Arts, ADDICTED grew to be more than a feature performance and included interactive dancers/models, a film, fashion, photo and live art exhibit followed by a hype dance party at the top of the Calgary Tower. Versatile and unique, this event is site specific and functions as an entire evening of progressive art and entertainment, or simply as an invigorating dance showcase depending on the client's wishes. Overall, ADDICTED promises to suspend reality and create an experience unlike any audience has ever seen!"

Or in other words this...

Lady Gaga And David LaChapelle

So Lady Gaga has hooked up with photographer David LaChapelle to produce 'The Book Of Gaga". The photos are scary and her music is repetitive and boring. But she's still strangely sexy. Answers on a postcard.

Another By Marino Testino

Another great piece by photographer Marino Testino, Lindsay Lohan this time round. Shot in 2007. Bit of background on Marino Testino: he was born in Peru in 1976, but is now based in London. He has made a name for himself as one of the greatest fashion photographers around working for magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and V. And working with numberous design houses; Gucci, Versace, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Estee Launder, Hugo Boss, Miu Miu and Michael Kors.

Wank Bank

Heres a shot from Burberry's Spring 2010 season, Christopher Bailer, Burberry's creative director, got photographer Mario Testino in to snap Emma Watson alongside some other up and coming english "talent". I just want to see her boobies.

Rat Milk

New York graffiti magazine by artist Overconsume. Fanzines are a bit 2009, like military wear and anal sex.

Aesop Croc by Patrick Moberg

Quirky artist Patrick Moberg updates his twitter daily with a celebrity caricature. His style is similar to a naive Tim Burton with the long gangly bodies, but featuring a lot more colour, and a lot less emo. Here's a funky take on rapper Aesop Rock or 'Croc'.
Also here's a sweet video featuring zombies and a short bit at the end by John Darnielle from Mountain Goats.

Vivienne Westwood vs. Harris Tweed

Recently i stole my dads old Harris Tweed flat cap, when looking closer at the label one day i thought... did Vivienne Westwood parody the logo on purpose or is it just a strange likeness.

Road Trips

Chronological order can bite me. Photo blogging is fashionable at the moment.
Here's a photo of my mates when we drove to this island off of Weymouth called Portland.
We camped in an old abandoned quarry with huge rock faces, caves and tunnels to explore.

Johnny Cupcakes

Here's my Johnny Cupcakes t-shirts that i've collected over the last few years. I've been fortunate enough to have been following this company since it started, collecting an original cupcake and crossbones logo t-shirt. Just by looking at the t-shirts, the quality of the print and garment you can see and feel how much the company has progressed in the last few years. Johnny Cupcakes was recently featured in the 500 fastest and biggest growing companies in the states. He's come a long way from selling t-shirts out his car boot while on tour with his band, to owning 3 flagship stores in; Hull, Boston and LA. I really like the individuality and care that goes into his products, from the labels inside to the packaging it comes in. He even prints little messages and notes inside some of the t-shirts. The top right two i got as a set, Blueberry Basher and Grand Slam Banana. These are obviously influenced by all the baseball t-shirts you can get easily in america. Each shirt even came with it's own baseball card with facts about each player! Thats what i mean about extra care and detail!
Every month Johnny chooses one of his favourite childhood films and rents a cinema and shows the original film real. He sells a collection of posters and t-shirts influenced by the films. Previous films have been; Ferris Bullers Day Off, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and more recently Hook. Which is also my favourite childhood movie. So that's where i picked up the t-shirt you see in the bottom right.
Johnny Cupcakes is only available in the states currently, but i have heard he is looking to open a store in London. For now you can order stuff online over at www.johnnycupcakes.com . His stuff is all really reasonable, but if you are shipping to the UK, postage is a lot. So do big orders. But i've also been caught out by import tax, meaning i had to pay another £60 on top. But don't let this put you off. I'll blog more about other Johnny Cupcakes items and packaging and stuff i've picked up later.