Fashion takes many forms!

TODAY: I've purchased the amazing book, "Influence" written by the actresses, designers and style icons that are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

The fashionista's have already made quite a name for themselves with their quirky dress sense and new luxury clothing brand "The Row" which became available in 2006.

The book has in depth interviews with fashion designers, artists and photographers who have inspired MK&A and shaped who they are today. Influences include: Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin and Diane von Furstenberg ... I think i'm in love!

"Influence" is also visually stunning, with large glossy pictures and Polaroid snaps throughout, giving it a vintage scrapbook feel! Its a small insight into the Olsen twins very fashionable life taking form in an enriching literary voyage.

"This book you are holding in your hands is compromised of conversations my sister and I have had with artists, designers, photographers, writers and personalities who come from different backgrounds, industries, age groups and points of view. Its mt hope each one will remain a constantly evolving conversation that will continue to influence every project that I do- and perhaps by reading, you will be similarly affected." Ashley Olsen *

This book is just the start and successfully connects all the fabulous and influential people in the Olsen's lives. It inspires and reminds you that fashion takes place in many forms besides clothing!!!

What became of the likely lad?!?!

OK, so these days I see more and more boys making less and less effort in there appearance... or so it seems...

But who can blame them when their new fashion icon and shining beacon of all things cool resembles a shabby, unkempt and dishevelled..erm... tramp.

Case in point: Pete Doherty

I hate to tell you this, but he is an icon whether we choose to admit it or not. He is a talented musician and poet, however more renowned for his chaotic lifestyle choices (to put it politely!!) and his turbulent on/off relationship with fashion goddess Kate Moss.

However his shabby chic attire and personal style has became hugely influential within Britain and his beyond grunge look is attracting an impressive number of followers. The pork pie hat, the skinny jeans, the general unwashedness! It is apparent that this nonconformist possesses something that other people want a slice of and in emulating the Babyshambles singer they are that one step closer.

Music and fashion ,today goes hand in hand and the transitional line between fashion icon and musician is blurred and often crossed. The ex Mr Moss has jumped on the fashion bandwagon and has now put his name behind the popular Manchester label Gio Goi and was also chosen as the face of Cavalli men.







He does scrub up pretty well , although my mother would still have to insist he is no more than a British junkie who needs to be introduced to soap and water. This opinion, however, is not everyones. Designer for Dior Homme Hedi Slimane has spoke openly about how he finds Pete fascinating and takes great inspiration from his "thrown on" look. He often dresses his models in sharp and skinny suits, channeling the Doherty look and giving it a modern luxe feel.

Pete Doherty, fashion icon? Its defiantly a matter of opinion....

"Kate Moss and Pete Doherty perfectly embody everything that's contemporary and they're poetic, creative and wild. They go against mainstream and have an innate and fantastic sense of style." Roberto Cavalli

When has Roberto ever been wrong before?

The Model as the m u s e !

Do models influence fashion...?

Yesterday, when on the train travelling to London I was happily passing the time reading my favorite fashion bible.... a.k.a Vogue when I came across the article, "Role Models."

I was intrigued as I often think about which fashion icons influence us in our every day life but who actually steers the designers and dream makers of fashion? The idea of a fashion "muse" is not something that has only recently come to light. Designers have had muses for years and although now the term is used loosely and the definition slightly blurred, a muse should inspire, suggest and encourage in order to get the best possible work out of the designer.

The article was written by Amanda Harlech (previously a muse herself to John Galliano and now an established novelist) and explored the idea of models embodying fashion and therefore inspiring and channeling ultimately great ideas to other creative minds.




So designers seek inspiration from people too? The relationship between model and designer is something that fascinates me and Amanda Harlech, because of her undeniable fashion knowledge understands this perfectly.

"The model is the muse, but she is not simply the incarnation of a designers imagining. When she steps into the studio for her fitting, she brings something of herself to the collection, the way she moves, the way she interprets the designers vibe. Somehow, she can light up what fashion is all about to become and manage to keep on anticipating the next thing."

A muse, therefore I understand to be someone who possesses a great sense of personal style, a quiet confidence in their own identity and always one step ahead in the fashion stakes.

Some of the best models and actresses have went on to become a designers muse. Audrey Hepburn became the muse of Givency and is now an iconic figure and the epitome of elegance and grace... think Breakfast at Tiffany's esque!! She inspired and collaborated with Givency in designing all the costumes for her films, thus catapulting her into fashion royalty.

Contemporary fashion icons today such as Kate Moss, Stella Tenant and more recently Agyness Deyn have been the stimulation and motivation for many of Karl Lagerfelds latest creations. These muses, in the designers eye, embody their ideal woman onto which they can project there ideas, dreams and vision.

A muse: Overused, overatted word now used far too often in the media to describe a party loving socialite with more money than sense? (cough* Ms Hilton *cough!)

OR....

A man/woman who embodies fashion in every sense of the word and acts as a wall in which designers can bounce there ideas off in an electrifying and transfixing way??

*** Taking clothes into new territory and breaking down those boundaries ... all hail our 21st Century fashion muses!!!!! *** :)

Chav Chic....?

I was in Covent Garden today having lunch and participating in a bit of window shopping... I say the words "window shopping" through gritted teeth as it is not my most favourite pastime but the only activity my student purse strings will allow me to do these days! Boo hoo!

I was strolling around Urban Outfitters and taking in all the wondrous treasures I could NOT afford and especially lusting after many items from the new Luella Bartley collection (sigh) when a girl caught my eye. After closer inspection I noticed she was wearing a floral print dress with white trainers, a massive fashion faux pas in my eyes but it did remind me very much of pop star Lilly Allen circa 2006... and I highly suspect that the girl in question drew her inspiration from that very look!

Lilly Allen, when first invading the music scene was known, fashion wise, for two essential elements to her wardrobe: long flowing dresses and white leather trainers. Gone were the Girls Aloud esque sequined dresses and sky scraper heels and a new grungy look came into the fashion radar. Teaming pretty dresses with boyish footwear became the ensemble of choice and its fair to say this influenced UK fashion in a significant manner.

This girl in Urban Outfitters fitted the Allen bill perfectly, even the ghetto gold loop earrings wear hanging perfectly in place and lashings of gold chains and pendents hung from her neck.

For me however I find this look, for lack of a better word... ridiculous. It screams "try hard" and a little over rehearsed for my liking. For even Lilly Allen herself has now binned the chavy chic persona and in its place donned a more sophisticated, understated edgier look. Thus goodbye cheap gold jewellry and hello front row at Chanel! :)

I can only hope that the Lily carbon cut out also has a fashion epiphany tonight , casts out her fashion net and drastically changes her look. EK!

The moral of this story is as follows people: Trainers are only acceptable for the gym!

The new nonchalant dress code?

Last night; Some friends and I decided to go to the Purple Turtle bar in Camden for a few drinks. I always feel like i'm stepping into a different world when i'm in Camden. Its slightly edgier, more raw and dirtier than the rest of London. Its small dingy bars have live music most nights of the week and the people that occupy the bars possess a laid back, nonchalant feel which i love!

As I was sipping on a vodka and coke (apparently these establishments do NOT sell cosmo's and by looking at the man behind the bar I wouldn't dare ask!!) I noticed the people around me, particularly the girls all had a quirky cool approach to fashion. It was a "thrown together" i-haven't-even-tried-to-bother look which not only gave the whole place a laid back vibe, but also the effortlessness which only true fashionista's have!!

Looking at one group of girls in particular it was very apparent to me that they were channeling the look and vibe of former model, turned T4 presenter and fashion forward starlet ALEXA CHUNG. (& one of my personal style hero's may I add!)

Camden for me, is the epitome of quirky cool and everything Alexa so graciously stands for. The girls around me donned the Chungs usual staples; The boyfriend blazer, battered ankle boots, cute socks, mens brogues and checked shirts. This London street chic vibe infuses their entire wardrobe and gives out the message that these girls do not dress to please men but themselves. This free thinking approach to fashion has now been made popular through icons such as Alexa and her British elite; Peaches Geldoff, Kate Moss and Daisy Lowe but to name a few! And the beauty with this nonchalant look is that you can totally put your own stamp on the idea and no two people look the same. Its simply taking inspiration from the brave and fashion savvy and turning it into something that works for you.

And that ultimately is what F A S H I O N is all about.

"Anyone can be an Icon"

Yesterday a friend and I attended a London Fashion Weekend event taking place in the National History Museum in South Kensington. By the time we got there (running slightly late as per) an absurd amount of girls had already formed an orderly queue waiting for the doors to open at 5pm, clutching their tickets excitedly and discussing what was in store. 

It was apparent we had all been brought together through our love and admiration of clothes, designers and all things beautiful!

Once we were inside and seated, (front row may I add!) the Fashion show which donned the theme "Anyone can be an Icon" began. The catwalk used for this show was the same one used at London Fashion week... which meant many established and amazing designers creations had graced the stage only a week previous to this! How exciting!

The first scene named "American Idol" seen models strut down the runway and was dominated by acid wash denim, extravagant head pieces and a trashy rock edge. All very 80's Madonna-Lucky Star- esque!! With this in mind I attempted to look around the room (made difficult from the flashes of camera's capturing the looks in order to study and emulate.) It became apparent that the spirit of the 80's is defiantly upon us!! Girls around me wore ripped jeans, hair accessories and put a general fashion forward spin on this 1980's revival. This look had now moved full circle (as everything in fashion does!) and was now an important aspect of established designers spring/summer 09 collections.

I wondered how many budding fashionista's around me even realised that because of the New Romantic Movement and a defiant and unapologetic attitude towards fashion in the 80's, the look they were sporting was inspired by Madonna herself !!

"Coz everybody's living in a material world..."