Archive for December, 2009

Fashion: the right industry in which to work?

Of all the many hundreds of fashion blogs out there, I always wonder how many of those blogs’ bloggers have a direct link to l’industrie de Mode.

The answer, it seems, is probably a lot. Yet there are also probably a lot of bloggers in the same community who blog for the sake of pure label love, as opposed to work.

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed frolicking in fashion, and I’ve always enjoyed the art that is writing. Combining the two has resulted in my ambition for fashion journalism, yet I can’t help but be left with a few niggling doubts.

See, it’s all very nice blogging about those tried and tested outfit posts and slagging off those edgy, boxy, bubble-hemmed trends that never quite seemed to work, but is fashion journalism really like that? Isn’t fashion journalism more about agreeing with absolutely everything, then admitting the awfulness of those gut-wrenching trends some months later? Isn’t fashion journalism more about celebrity sycophancies and excessive portion control and serial dressing competitiveness, a la Devil Wears Prada?

See, one piece of advice that has stuck with me over the years is that working with what you love will inevitably result in hating that thing you love. Which could, inevitably, mean fashion. Could you imagine hating fashion? As I write this, nightmareish images of myself draped in mossy-coloured flannel tops and Grandma’s favourite floral patterns come creeping into my cerebal cortex. Hating fashion? Who me? What? Never.

So there’s a little piece of philosophy to see you through this snowy, snowy day. To work in fashion or not to work in fashion? What do you think? Do you currently work in any part of the fashion industry? If so, why? If not, why not?

So it’s not quite Christmas yet, but I can justify myself.

Number one – these glasses are Gucci. And nothing Gucci is going to stay under my tree for long.

Number two – before these babies, I was quite literally blind. So technically, it’s as if Santa bought me some new eyes for Christmas. Yeah!

Yup... all that money for a miniscule logo. So worth it.

Glasses tin from Octopus which I couldn't resist. If you don't think this is cute, you obviously have no heart.

Ta-da! I won't ever take these off. Ever.

Cute, no? What do you think?

(Scarf: Marks & Spencer, Dress: H+M, Cardigan, Sunglasses and Shoes: Primark)

So the other day I happened to accidentally stumble into Sandhurst’s very big and very impressive Marks & Sparks, and simply couldn’t resist this faux fur scarf despite my more-than-just-a-little-bit-embarrassing credit rating.

Don’t you just love it? I have to say, I really seem to be developing a fetish for all things fur lately. Faux fur, may I add, before PETA start chucking rubber maggots and red paint at me.

So lovely dear squishy readers, please do tell me what you think of this fabulous fur revival. I think I am very almost tempted to raid the January sales in the hope of grabbing me an absolutely furtastic coat bargain. That, or I might actually start to bother raiding the local thrift/charity stores.

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Who’s seen the abomination of outfits at the recent 2009 British Fashion Awards? I have to say, I was rather disappointed. Apart from Victoria Beckham’s fabulous zipped floor-length creation, I wasn’t terribly impressed by the very commonplace appearance of black, black and more black. I mean, fashion always states that you can never go wrong with a LBD (little black dress), but when everyone and their mum is wearing it to the BFAs… then it’s a bit much.

I was also very saddened to see Kate Moss’ pick for the evening. Either she got dressed out of a very limited suitcase or her status as Britain’s best dressed woman has started to get the better of her – either way, I disliked her outfit. Very much.

Image courtesy of Guardian.co.uk

Ok, so I like the sheer elements and the fact that she chose to team her LBD with this season’s absolute must-have: The Blazer. But literally, that is all I like about this look.
As for everything else? Excuse my language, but it all sucks. The spotted floor length gown, the unnecessary ruffles, the combination of floor length gown and grungey belt and sophisticated stilettos… nu-uh. Sorry Kate, but not even you can pull this off. Also, please don’t scrape your hair back like that again. You look like an alien.

So, that nicely arouses my suspicions that Kate is most probably living up to her “CoKate” alias again. That, or she’s just not able to pull off the random and unlikely assembles anymore. Stick to the waistcoats and denim shorts, Katie!

On a far less bitchy note, there are some great giveaways going on elsewhere in the community that is Fashion Blogging. Fashion Lolita is hosting a fantastic crockery giveaway with a china cup and plate to die for!

Fellow Brit Blogger KB is also hosting a fabulous giveaway to celebrate her 1st blogging anniversary (so don’t forget to say Happy Birthday to I Want You To Know It!) This time the giveaway is a pair of House of Holland alphabet tights – now who wouldn’t like that as a stocking filler?!

Oh, and finally, if you’re a US resident, you should really check out Amber’s Perricone giveaway, which sounds like an absolute miracle product if you ask me!

(Blazer and scarf: Dorothy Perkins / Tee: H+M / Jeans: Topshop / Bag: Matalan)

I always knew hoarding clothes was a good idea. I woke up to the refreshing realisation that I didn’t need the Zara blazer I had so desperately longed for these past few months. How could I have possibly forgotten this beauty for so many years? Honestly, I don’t think the poor thing has been touched since I had my first interview at 16. Does this count as a vintage piece yet?