Anybody with a tumblr or Shoreditch postcode this summer will have seen the rise of the Skateboard as a fashion accessory. The rest of the fashion minions will be sure to catch on next summer. Gone are the days where skateboards are exclusive to, well, Skateboarders. Skateboarders, albeit it being a sport, generally tend to be a subculture who smoke a lot of weed, listen to a lot of hip-hop and get in your way when you're shopping. These are not traits you'd generally associate with fashionitas. Maybe it has a lot to do with the rise of street-style; essentially Skateboarding is to street culture what pilates is to high fashion die-hards. Maybe it's a spin off from the grunge trend; theres nothing that screams 'Kurt Cobain' more than a chipped skateboard and unwashed hair.
A lot of my closest male friends happen to be Skateboarders, and let me tell you, they couldn't care less about fashion: they think Chanel is something you have to cross to get to France. I think they would be offended that a skateboard could become a desired fashion accessory; years and years of practice and many painful injuries is what it takes to call yourself a Skateboarder, not a board stolen from your brother and a checked shirt tied around your waist.
One thing i know is that if i sport one next summer, i will fully be expected to be 'ollying' and 'kick flipping' at the local skatepark, not posing for a fashion blog. However, it would a fashion revolution if skateboards began to mix with Louboutins - just imagine Bill Cunninghams glee if he snapped Anna Wintour whizzing through Manhattan on a skateboard, bob flowing behind her, sunglasses in place.
“I like the fact that the face can be such a subtle subject and one brush stroke can be the difference in the feel of the entire piece. That gives me the ability to work in one subject matter and still find that I learn something new in every painting. I love to incorporate my love of design, fashion and architecture into my work. My nondescript surroundings help me to create a mood or a story that I am trying to relay through my painting. Seeing how the work evolves, the subtle and drastic differences, and looking forward to the future is what keeps me painting. I view a painting as a success when I take from it something new that follows me into my next work. It’s just learning to become a better painter.”
Lithuanian born Agne Konciute is definitely one to be watched. A model with strong, distinctive features and a cat-like prowl, Agne has walked for 35 shows this season. From Acne to Christian Dior, she has already built up quite a profile at the age of 16. Move over Cara Delevingne?
My favourite time of year is once again here, and i'm a very excited little girl. Tonight me and my housemates are dressing up as the Spice Girls... but dead (Spice Girls are dead!). I'm Baby Spice, so it's baby pink and glitter galore... I will upload photos later.
Anyway, i'm going to use this excuse for a post of all things vamp. Because Vampires love Halloween, obviously. Here are a few of my favourite halloween themed buys... happy viewing and happy halloween!
cut out heel boots Boohoo lace top, feather jacket, spider web leggings, netted cloche, nail varnish Topshop striped tshirt, velvet body, cape Rokit pumpkin earrings, lace draped top, moon knit, blood boots Asos
Fur is a subject that causes many a debate within the fashion world. Fur has been worn by the upper classes and aristocrats; it is seen as an indication of wealth and luxury.
In the turn of the 20th century, fur was highly desired by women as it symbolised status, wealth and glamour. Men would buy women their own furs as gifts, often spending copious amounts of money for mink and silver fox.
Noways, fur is seen as grey area in fashion. After years of protests against hunters and trappers, with campaigns such as 'I'd rather go naked then wear fur' featuring Naomi Campbell, there are a lot of very mixed opinions about the material. Is it any worse than eating meat or wearing leather? Is it inhumane and shallow? Or in this day and age, with the rise of organic fur farms, is wearing fur becoming more acceptable?
Fur was featured on many AW12 catwalks such as Kopenhagen, Mulberry, Fendi and Jason Wu. Today, over 4000 designers use real fur, compared to 45 in 1985. Although 'fur' coats are now mainly faux, real fur is more commonly being used for trimmings. In my opinion, fur still represents glamour, wealth and luxury but also edge. As long as it comes from an organic fur farm where the fur is from animals that have already been killed for meat or have had quality, free-range lives.
However, fur farming is still an big problem, particularly in Canada, where animals are kept in dirty, cramped cages, barely fed and killed slowly and painfully. Gassing is a popular method to kill mink. Minks are water-diving animals and can hold their breath for a long time, making it take longer to die. Foxes are sometimes skinned while conscious. These terrible aspects of the trade need to be stopped, and by supporting organic farms, faux fur and animal rights charities, you can help the quality of these poor animals lives without eliminating fur from the fashion world completely.
