Diamonds?
Diamonds?
I never thought that I would be using the word 'nonchalant' to describe a bag!
So in a week where my naughty hound Amber chewed her way through a shoe, a boot, a silk covered gift box and a pair of Armani sunglasses I am one cross Queen!
She goes rifling through every space in the house for things to eat and no matter how well you try and hide them she sniffs them out and chews them!
However, I think my pain could be eased somewhat if these clunky, off-white, futuristic wedges from ASOS came my way.
Queen Michelle
Uber design agency The Designers Republic, creative heroes to millions of graphic designers the world over, purveyors of unique, fun and challenging design, anounced a few weeks ago that they were closing their doors after 23 years in business. A great loss for the creative industry.
The founder, Ian Anderson, stated that the closure was due several events taking place simultaniously; the loss of several clients, a terrifying tax bill, several pitches not being won and a major client who refused to pay their bill - all served to put the nail in the DR coffin.
It saddens me that agencies likes this, who made a difference to the way many people thought about design, are forced to close their doors when there are agencies out there who treat their staff badly, pay them poorly and churn out the same old crap yet remain open. The mind boggles.
So goodbye tDR. You will be missed. Although, like a pheonix from the ashes, I hope you will rise again and show the young 'uns how it's really done!
Queen Michelle
I am in desperate need of some new cool t-shirts. I used to wear obscure printed tees all the time, paired with demure skirts and high, high heels. It's a look I've loved for a long time. But good tees are hard to find. Lucky for us, well me at least, Lick My Legs have the very thing.
The designs are reminescent of those fabulous shirts Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren used to make for SEX on the Kings Road back in the 70's - bondage imagery, high contrast photos and, too a degree, deliciously obnoxious. I want, no, NEED one of these T-shirts.
Of course, loving the Lick My Boots one!
Queen Michelle
Nom*D's latest collection, entitled 'Insiders', is one which made me gasp when I saw it.
Short sleeved masculine blazers layered over delicate slips which have been infiltrated with zips and then tie dyed; waistcoats which are attached to skirts; band t-shirts; a stunning oversized biker style waistcoat in rayon; all loosely layered and generally a bit dishevelled.
The origins and history of each garment is dismembered and dissected yet still referenced, whether it's the dresses rendered in pinstripes normally seen in classic mens shirts or the structure of the blazers. And of course their signature interjection of pretty prints - all serve to make this one of the Nom*D's best collections in my opinion.
I'll have one of everything please!
Queen Michelle
When I was told that the latest issue of Fashion156 was going to be the Segmentation issue I jumped up for joy. It's all about panels, sections, texture - everything I love!
It was time to dig out some of my favourite pieces and get layering up in texture and shape. Of course, I could have played dress up all day long but stopped myself at 3 outfits!
Carvela boots; PVC paneled leggings from charity shop; Customised top; necklaces from charity shop; Bubble top worn as skirt from the Urban Collection; DIY belt
Topshop Unique shoes; Jean Pierre Braganza trousers; DIY bandage dress; M&S t-shirt
Topshop paneled leggings; Style Stalker dress; Carvela shoes; DIY peplum; DIY belt
Yup, the obsession with all things segmented and paneled continues and this F156 only serves to feed my addiction more.
Queen Michelle
Manbitching in my Palace has become a bit thin on the ground lately. Infact, not only have there been very few they have actually morphed into the new, more disturbing DadJoke. Coming thick and fast, my Prince is as shocked as me when they just tumble out of his mouth with no prior warning. Is this what happens when a man reaches his mid-forties? Even sans children there is a built-in mechanism that makes them sprout DadJokes? Is it a genetic thing?
But one ManBitch did slip out at the weekend. He was flicking through my Dirty Little Secret (aka Look magazine) and on the cover was Amy Winehouse.
"She's looking much better isn't she" he says.
"Yeah, she doesn't look like she's two syringes away from death now", I replied.
After a long silent pause, he came back with " Aye, I still widnae touch her wi yours!"
I hope this marks the return to his former ManBitching glory because we all know that where there are DadJokes...DadDancing is sure to follow!
Queen Michelle
I get asked quite frequently how bloggers feature in the fashion industry.
It's a very hard question to actually answer since there is no concrete evidence to suggest an answer either way. I always say that bloggers and their commentors are a good way for fashion bods to gauge what's creating a buzz at street level - after all, we represent the average customer. So in that respect, blogs are probably quite a helpful resource.
Although I sometimes wonder if it goes a little deeper.
Recently a reader alerted Susie Bubble to the more-than-coincidental styling of a pair of Margiela inspired ripped jeans, which Susie had worn over blue tights. And low and behold - the shop in question has the very same idea.
A while ago I too has a similar experience. I had made this really random skirt from thick elastic, black heavy satin and a big, blue zip. It was especially random because of the draping detail at the front. I didn't know what I was doing with that, I just thought it'd make interesting puffiness. Then about 6 months later, Fashion Fake commented that she'd gone into a shop in Melbourne and there was an exact replica of my skirt!
It made me laugh. I'm not at all precious about anything I make, but good god they might have least tried to make it slightly different!
So perhaps blogs are serving a bigger purpose than we think - namely, raiding our DIY's! That said, we can't complain because most of our DIY's are raided from designers. Oh well, what goes around comes around as they say.
Queen Michelle
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