Monday 29 July 2013

Through My Eyes...


                 

                 

                 


I know I'm a little late to be commenting on the goings on of the Couture shows but  was busy learning to be a Londoner and settling in and what have you, so please forgive my tardiness on posting on the subject. As regulars may know I am a huge fan of what Mr Raf Simons does as Dior, and the Fall 2013 Couture show he presented didn't disappoint in my opinion. 

Not only has he been using the opportunity to update the vision and aesthetic of the brand and bring his own style to the forefront of what Dior is currently offering but he also celebrates what Mr Dior was famous for, and celebrates many of the original house signatures. With this collection it was in the more classic silhouettes, the corsetry and gowns that you imagine the likes of modern day starlets Marion Cotillard and Diane Kruger wearing. But my main point is that you could also imagine the stars of yesteryear such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Natalie Wood wearing much of the looks that Simons created. 

But you'd be a fool for thinking Simons is a one trick/one shopper pony because that he ain't.. You need to understand that since his appointment last hear and first couture show in February, the haute couture sales at Dior increased by 38% and accounting for the fact tat the average dress can cost over a hundred grand and start off at about thirty or forty that is a massive increase. You see in recent years, thanks to interest from Russian oligarchs daughters, wives and girlfriends couture has become big business again and is selling better than it has in decades. It is still an industry steeped in secrets and private clientele but the young guard are splashing the cad, and the dreary, short hemlines and bold colour ways are only confirming this. And Raf is leader of the pack. 
A well as celebrating waspy waistlines, floor lengths fit for a princess ad silks and satins as heavy as a house, the Dior runway also included asymmetry on hemlines and shoulders, thigh high splits, sheer panelling and mid riff cut outs. Raf's use of edgy textures and fabrics are usually more at home with the avant-garde but it more than proved that he understands all kinds of women want a piece of the Atelier pie. Now someone cut me a slice... 

Thursday 25 July 2013

I got the doodlebug.....


                  

                  

One of the main reasons that I quit my job, got a new one, and bullied my dad in driving me and all my worldly possessions to London was to get my illustrations somewhere. So in the spirit of sorting my life out I've been hard at work. Hope you like the fruits of my labour so far...

xxx

Monday 22 July 2013

An open love letter to Anna...


                 

Oh Anna,

The oman they call Nuclear Wintour, how I love you. I have been admirer of this woman for many a year and most of the time I really don't know why, other than she is totally inspiring. I an age where us girls/women/ fanny packers are still nowhere near as equal as the men folk in terms of equal pay, work place sexism and running FTSE index companies Anna represents. With bells on. Whilst donning Prada.

She has been at the helm of US Vogue for over 20 years and she runs it like a business, and a well oiled machine. Brands clamour to advertise in the edition she edits, as well as some of the biggest models, photographers, stylists, make up artists and designers working on the shoots to give it the now famous aesthetic she has fought to create.
I love the fact that she IS the Met Gala and if rumours are to be believed the guests have to get their outfit choices pre-approved by her to avoid embarrassment and faux-pas. Oh and did I mention the tickets are beyond expensive and invites don't come easy. I would kill to go, it is a veritable cool-fest with the Olsen twins thrown in, and some of the most unbelievable couture enough to make any fashwan pervert piss their knickers. Heaven.

One of my fave things about Anna is her ability to remain totally aloof in the face of everything. She reportedly wears sunglasses to every show at fashion month because she likes to be able to hide whether she hates the show or not, but you are EXTREMELY lucky if she chooses to attend your show, and even luckier if she publicly comments. She is famously hard to please and known to be able to ruin a career with a negative opinion. And this is why I love her. She reeks of power, oh and Prada. Miuccia garms are rarely off her back, and Mrs Prada loves to whip up a bit of custom for her. Oh to be that scary.

And we all know the 'Devil Wears Prada' rumours...

In the era of women trying to break the glass ceiling, I think Anna is nothing but inspiring, she is proof you can be a woman and at the very top of your game. She ignores the circus that surrounds her and is fabulous without having to be edgy, without trying too hard or I guess caring. She has forged an iconic image that is recognisable to the point of being a brand, and doesn't let trends or opinion change this. That is the main reason why I admire her... she is strong, cooler than a cucumber and represents all that is great about a woman having a career. Plus if you watch her with her daughter Bee in  The September issue you will see she is a total pussycat really...

May Anna reign Queen Vogue forever!