Kingdom Of Style

Elvis Feathers!

Of course seeing Little Doe's winged creations has made me go hunting around Etsy to see if I could find an affordable version. I found something almost equally wonderful, but waaaay more strange!

Buffalo Blue Designs (formerly known as Buffalump), has created a feathered helmet/mohawk! It's a bit showgirl/Roman/punk - everything in one feathered helmet. And I realise it's so bizarre that I'm probably one of the few who'd like it, but I do like unusual things so that's no surprise I guess. I have no fear of looking like the "village idiot" (that comes from Hilda*)

I reckon this would look amazing with long hair hanging down from underneath it...like mine for example!

I think Elvis might have approved of this. Infact the more I look at it the more I see Elvis....Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing now. Still, I'd give it a go in the name of fun and  being silly.

Queen Michelle

*not on this blog thankfully

Sweeeeeet

I love online sales. Not for me as I can't buy anything, but for other people who can indulge themselves in a little treat ot two.

SuperSweet is having a sale with as much as 70% off. I have to say, this shop does give me a slight headache as it's so colouful and flashing - it's like the online shop equivalent of being at a rave in the early 90's. But that doesn't detract from that fact it does stock some great labels.

Allow me to pick out my personal favourites from the sale.

Ah yes, nothing sweeter than a good sale...

Queen Michelle

Little Doe Likes Mondays

Last week I was sent an email from one of my favourite online haunts I Don't Like Mondays telling me they had updated their Gallery section to include limited pieces by Little Doe.

I have blogged about Little Doe before, and their gorgeous feathered creations, so I was really curious to see what they'd create for the IDLM Gallery. I was pleased to see really ornate feathered pieces in the collection.

It's like a mini, more wearable version of Gareth Pugh's fantastical feathered creation.

I must also add that my Queenly head sure could use the Little Doe crown...

You need to email to get the price and you know what they say - if you have to ask the price you can't afford it. I'd say that's about correct. Maybe they'll make a more affordable crown for poor Monarchs??

Queen Michelle

A Look At Luz

Maya Luz is one talented 22 year old. This designer recieved her BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, graduating with Distinction in May 2009 and has already gone on to win awards as well being a contestant on Project Runway, Season 7. She has also interned with Hannah Marshall.

Her work seems exceptionally personal and the narrative is prevalent throughout her work.

The shapes she creates are, in many instances, exquisite, such as this stunning dress. I have little words for such a gorgeous piece of textural delight. So outstandingly beautiful I'd wear it every day!

This cape looks like something you might find under the sea. I'd happily drown in that.

She tackles the colour palette of red, black and white in a way I find very desireable indeed, especially since I've become more open to wearing red .

I don't need to explain why I love the shredded dress and the architectural coat presented in her show.

Her accessories are also edgy and beautiful, especially her 'ball and chain' bag.

Her collection, Fashist, is described:

Plucking, tweezing, slicing and cutting have become the conceptual springboard from which Maya has created a unique style that reflects her personal take on the prevalent attitudes surrounding the beauty standard. The raw edges of her garments reflect the cutting and biting character of the fashion victim, as well as her keen eye for the importance of line and form.

If that wasn't enough, Maya is also a writer and DJ! One very talented little lady.

Queen Michelle

And If You Peek Through This Keyhole...

No matter how hard I tried I could not get the password I was given to view the FIN Feline collection for ASOS. I tried and tried and nothing.

However the ever accomodating Susie did send me over some sneak previews images of ASOS' AW10 collection. Just few images tells me there's going to be lots to be excited about coming out of ASOS HQ.

I'm definitely thinking I need a hooded cape for autumn.

Don't say I'm not good to you...or a slight tease ;)

Queen Michelle

Only Oni

I've had a love affair with eclectic jewellery label Vice + Vanity since they formed in 2006 and have written about them many times. For those who don't know, V+V was formed by Vivi Lim and Aaron Kao who received no formal training in design.

Their latest collection, entitled ONI, is Vice + Vanity run wild! They describe their collection thus:

The native American name represents birth out of holy ground while in Japan, its the name of a devilish entity with sharp claws. This collection interpretes the tension of opposites - with leather clad diamond facets attempting to pop out of an entrapment of sharp serrated edges in an interlocking formation that is reminescent of industrial gears grinding away, with mindless mechanical obedience. There are scents of native aesthetics which have no belonging. However if they do, they belong to a dream trapped in a comedy of playfullness and oddity.

The mixture of references is what V+V are known for and this collection certainly doesn't disappoint me. There is assymetric detailing as well as the inclusion of beautiful feathers.

I love the collision of serated edges with the feathers, plastic collides beautifully with hair. Another V+V triumph!

Queen Michelle

Topshop Want List 2010

Yes it's that time of year again when the Topshop lookbook drops though the letterbox. I flicked through this last week making mental wishlists then going over everything I wanted and saying in my head "Won't go into production. Won't go into production. Won't go into production." like a hex on each garment I wanted.

It's split into 3 sections: The Outsiders, Dark Nouveau and Out of The Wild

It's where you find yourself just whining "I want!", like a spoilt child.

And now for the entirely selfish part: the collage of the things I want!!

You know my address Topshop, you know what to do.

Thank you very much indeed.

Queen Michelle

Good Olive

Bad olive - the food variety.

I received an email from the luverly Alex Donald saying "This is made for you!", naturally I clicked that link faster than I eat cake (and that's fast - I can snort an eclair in several seconds you know).

It was a link to a shop called The Olive Shoppe. Why have I not seen this?!! Simply stuffed with a glorious collection of vintage and some new designer like Audrey Cantwell for example, whom I'm already a huge fan of as you know.

When you start looking through the shop my only single complaint was the slight overstyling. There were moments where I wasn't sure what I was meant to be looking at, even moments where it was too much. But once I got past that I could see glorious individual pieces at very reasonable prices. Their shipping is only $20 outside of China, which is low, however most things would still reap a great deal of customs and VAT charges to ship to the likes of me. Boo.

All this doesn't stop me adding things to my cart though!

Sheer harem trousers? I'll take them!!!

Quilted corset style belt? In the cart

Leathuuuuur.

This jacket has the colours of my wonderful Hilary Laing dress and leggings I wore to the awards.

And lots of other sheeny, sheer, shiny and textured delights.

Visual feast over. I must lie down with a cup of tea now...

Queen michelle

Us And Les Garcons

On Saturday evening Queen Marie and I popped along to Les Garcon de Glasgow's streetstyle exhibition located inside Urban Outfitters.

It was a jolly little evening, we met lots of lovely people and there were photos being taken by everyone of everyone. At one point we couldn't stop laughing as five of us were stood in a circle taking photos of the people in the circle! It felt like a stand off in Reservoir Dogs before everyone started shooting!

Queen Marie wore her floral All Saints dress!! Hurrah, she got herself into it after the experience with the white one she wore to the awards. She wore it with black long sleeve t-shirt, black cords, Les Bijoux de Sophie Bea necklace and her new brown Pradas.

And since seeing pictures of us together seemed so alien to many of you, as you commented on our awards post, we took photos of us together just for you! Doesn't Queen Marie look insanely cute/cheeky here?!

It's funny because whenever we do have a photo of us taken together by someone else, I have to physically stop myself from either holding Queen Marie's hand or putting my arm through hers, which I do a lot when we take the photo ourselves. I think it weirds her out when I do and so we end up having a laugh at my propensity to do this.

See below:

I'm wearing Black Milk leggings, Carvela shoes, leather shorts, Topshop vest, Madam V sheer cover-up, LouLou Loves You feathered headpiece, A(r)mor body chain

So we headed off to the exhibition.

The space was healthily busy with lots of cool kids hovering around.

This girl has her photo in the exhibition and Jonathon said it was hard to convince her to have her photo taken...because didn't think she looked good! I pretty much stalked her most of the night trying to sneakily get a photo until I eventually just asked. She was just utterly gorgeous. I had serious hair envy too. My own hair is actually brown on top and black underneath but the brown is too close to black for it to be noticeable, so her hair had the contrast I want, although I wouldn't suit the red sadly.

The lovely Jonathan (left) with his friend

The Garcons together -  Daniel and Jonathan

We had a splendid little evening indeed. Thank you Les Garcons de Glasgow xx

Queen Michelle

make mine a mexican...

It does my heart good to read, that even in the depth of the recession, some people are brave enough to launch a new venture and succeed!

Cable and Cotton did just that!.  Launched in 2009, they sell the most wonderful wonderful strings of lights, you ever did see. The handmade cotton balls, which are just slightly smaller than a tennis ball, come in all kinds of lengths and all kinds of colours...

You can pick your own colour combination or choose from the preselected range.

My favourite is the Mexican. 20 lights £20, 35 lights £30

Although Oscar is pretty spiffy too!

I would happily hang them all over The Palace!!!!

Queen Marie

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