James Dean -The Most Beautiful Man to Have Lived?

Whilst researching my recent essay on the 1950's Great British Teddy Boys, I also looked into their descendants 'The Rockers' who were greatly inspired by the 1950's Hollywood movie-star fashions. I really really enjoyed researching this essay and I just want to point out how brilliant James Dean really was. Please watch 'Rebel Without A Cause' and you will see what I mean. The man created sexy and the look of the teenage boy . Plus you can't beat the jeans-with-rolled up-sleeved-tshirt-combo!!!

Kako Ueda

Kako Ueda is an artist from Tokyo who creates mesmerisingly intricate, lace-like art pieces from cut paper. It is evident form her work that the theme of organic forms runs throughout her work such as insects, animals and human bodies. The beautifully detailed work represents how these beings continue to influence and alter cultures. The work is enchanting and often feels for me slightly sinister with the use of shocking red  contrasted against blacks and whites alongside contrasting themes. 

I absolutely adore her work and wish she would exhibit in Britain so I can see it in person! I would love if the pieces could be made into lace and incorporated into a garment, but as you can see on they're own they are beautiful enough. 

'BIRD SPEAKS'

'SPINNING'

'RECIPROCAL PAIN- DETAIL'

'EROS AND THANATOS'

'EROS AND THANATOS- DETAIL' 

'CONTEMPLATION'

'TOTEM'

'BITURA'

'ALLURE'

'ALLURE- DETAIL'

'SPEAK FLOWER'

For more information/interviews from the artist : 

http://myartspace-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/art-space-talk-kako-ueda.html

http://www.kakoueda.com/

BRITISH TEDDY BOYS

I have been very busy over Christmas (apologise for being a boring blogger) writing an essay to 'Discuss the influence of the 'rock 'n' roll' musical movement on the Teddy boy fashions of the 1950's' . As a student studying womenswear design, I wanted to explore menswear history for a change. I have always been fond of the 'teddy boy' style. It was the first teenage look of rebellion and revolt, and to make me love it even more, it originated in areas around my home town! 

MY ESSAY COVER

The original Teddy Boy of the 1950s was typified by Edwardian styles reintroduced by Saville Row tailors after World War II. The Ted subculture rapidly spread across the UK. It soon became strongly associated with American Rock n Roll music that emerged during the period. It gave a voice and sound to the British Ted swing-dancing teens as well as heavily influencing their fashions. A youth culture boomed and shook the foundations of British and American society. Culture was undergoing revolution following the austerity of wartime.

IMAGE OF A TEDDY BOY

The look consisted of a long fingertip-kneelength drape jacket with velvet lapels and single breasted buttons down the front. this was accompanied by a stiff neck white collar underneath pushed up menacingly around the face. drainpipe trousers were turned up to expose brightly coloured socks which often signified a unity with  a gang.  brothel creeper shoes complete the look allowing them to perform the 'Creep' when listening to Rock n roll'. the DA hairstyle influenced by Elvis Presley, became the silhouette style of the teddy boy appearance.

TED'S PREFORMING 'THE CREEP'

ELIVS SINGING 'HOUND-DOG'

BILL HAYLEY AND THE COMETS

ELVIS' INFAMOUS 'DA' HAIRSTYLE. (FROM ROCK FAHSIONS BY J. SIMS)

The girls often chose to wear very similar outfits to the men, often wearing t-shirts underneath more tailored jackets and a scarf at the neck to unify yourself to your gang. The Teddy girls were some of the first women also to adopt jeans as casual wear for women.

TWO TEDDY GIRLS. PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN (http://kawaiimon.tumblr.com/post/15071302034/eleanorworm-im-gunna-bring-teddy-girls-back)

The trend was ground-breakingly shocking for its time and i'm so excited that its appeared on the catwalks for Winter 2011. It will not mean what it meant then to wear these fashions, but as a lover of the Teddy boys rebellious bravery, I can only relish in their beauty and admire the revolution it created for generations today!

 BOTTEGA VENETA-FUTURE TEDDY BOYS  (http://www.bottegaveneta.co.uk/default/stories)

BOTTEGA VENETA BROTHEL CREEPER STYLE SHOES.

Galaxy Nails!

I'm board on a Friday night so I decided to paint my nails in a Galaxy style! There's a load of tutorials on Youtube as the galactic-style print is currently a pretty popular trend across many realms of the fashion industry. Christopher Kane's Resort 2012 collection can pretty much be credited for the sudden interest in all things spacey, with universe-inspired prints covering leggings, dresses and T-shirts! And the great thing is that its easy to get creative and recreate this graphic your own garments, by spritsing bleach onto dark coloured fabrics, and perhaps getting adventurous with glitter and splattered paint. Im sure at some point I will give this a go. 

Anyways I was pretty happy with the results, so here's some pics….

MY AWKWARD CLAW

OOOOOOHHHHOOHOHOHHOH 

CHRISTOPHER KANE

CHRISTOPHER KANE

LIKEY

ALEXIS BITTAR

Alexis Bittar has been described as 'one of the greatest jewellery designers of the 21st century' - to be honest it really couldn't be more accurate. The designs celebrate opulence and have a very ornate look to them. They are just simply beaut.  If i wasn't surviving on a student income, I would wear every single piece, every single day. Revel in these beauties….

PAVE ACCENTED GOLD CROWNED LABRADORITE RING. I THINK I LOVE YOU.

GOLD OVAL LABRADORITE RING. 

DRUZY DROPLET GUNMETAL LABRADORITE & PYRITE CLIP EARRING.

CRYSTAL ENCRUSTED GUNMETAL IMI EMERALD FRINGED EARRING. PLEASE GET IN MY LIFE.

OTTO GOLD GEM ENCRUSTED CLIP EARRING

OTTO GOLD QUILT BRACELET

IRIS APFEL FOR MAC

My Blog has had  recent (dare I say it) glamorous make over, so therefore I wanted to post a blog in celebration on make up! see what I did there.


The Geriatric Starlet that is Iris Apfel is  collaborating (like many fabulous people before her such as Gareth Pugh and Daphne Guiness) with MAC Cosmetics ! 

The bold, and vibrant bird-inspired collection celebrate her quirky, eclectic style.  Eyelash curlers named Opulash and dramatic eyeshadows emulated her signature bouffant lashes. I completely agree with Iris that bold matt lipsticks are best and excitingly bright lipsticks named Party Parrot and Pink Pigeon cover the range.  


Ever since the Metropolitan Museum put on “Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection”- a display of her wildly unique  and eccentric wardrobe at the Costume Institute in 2005-  I have been obsessed with her style!  The woman is fabulous- Even at the age of 90 the woman is an inspiration- I hope I end up as a glamourous geriatric starlet like her!

'PINK PIGEON' LIPSTICK

THE COLLECTION

IRIS APFEL