BRICK MY LANE

moving on...

2010-03-13T13:46:00.002Z

this blog is over. I've moved on to a tumblr account - but not ALL of it is fashion-related, because my life does not evolve ONLY around clothes and shopping.

BUT if you still want to keep following me, head there -> glittah.tumblr.com

xx

The Brits Are Coming

2009-11-17T23:40:00.003Z

Our latest shoot. Brit-inspired (can you tell? :P). All clothes Beyond Retro, Topshop, and Major Tom Vintage. Images Robinson Barbosa, Model Tati @ Profile, Hair Tomoyuki, Make-up Laura James.

Parisian Moments

2009-11-16T18:18:00.003Z

One day i'll move to Paris. One day.

ps: the picture of the scary woman up there is from the Rodarte gallery/shop inside Colette. It was possibly the second biggest highlight of the trip (after eating crepe with cider here). They were right: those Rodarte dresses are light as feathers!

Ethical Fashion

2009-11-12T09:56:00.006Z

Yesterday I attended the Estethica press day, and I was pleasantly surprised. Although I was familiar with some of the designers exhibiting (Nin, from Goodone is a friend of mine, and a very talented one indeed!), I also met amazing people that I'm sure will change the face of ethical fashion sooner than we think.

Surely one of these people will be Elisalex Grunfeld de Castro, the lovely girl behind Nina Dolcetti shoes. I spotted the croc platforms she was wearing the minute I arrived, and couldn't take my eyes off them! They are all made to order in a small atelier in East London with re-used off-cut materials, and the ones I loved cost £150 (which are not bad at all for a designer item made especially for you).

Then I met Ada Zanditon, who I'm sure I've seen other bloggers talk about before - her graduate collection (first picture) was certainly impossible not to talk about! She set up her business after working with Gareth Pugh, and she has a great future ahead of her, I'm sure. Her dresses made of dyed linen in geometric patterns would be perfect for an avant-garde layered look .

And of course, my friend Nin, whose label Goodone is a pioneer and has paved the way for all the ethical fashion that's taking centre-stage in the industry now. I love her patchwork bodycon dresses, and particularly adore the leggings and this bodysuit.

Fly Away

2009-11-11T11:16:00.003Z

Because I'm still in a romantic, Parisian mood, this is the inspiration of the day: the enchanting installations of English artist Su Blackwell. Imagine wearing a dress that slowly disintegrates to become a cloud of butterflies? NO, imagine walking around an explosion of butterflies ...IN LONDON? Now that's pure fairy tale.

Je suis de retour

2009-11-10T10:11:00.002Z

I've disappeared, I know. It's just that I've been going through a sort of reconfiguration process, discarding some excess baggage - a spring-cleaning right in the middle of autumn.

Went to Paris on the weekend to celebrate the longest partnership of my life - almost a decade - and it was a great opportunity to switch off and look at things from a different perspective. Well, sort of.

But nothing like going offline for a while to feel truly connected with the world.

Fringes, Fringes, Fringes

2009-10-08T22:06:00.002+01:00

Here's a better view of today's outfit - just an excuse really to show the new fringe trim. This whole fringe thing is a bit of a belated love-affair, sprung from THAT ss09 Jil Sander fringe themed show.

*Dress vintage, cameo cardie just seen Prada, denim jacket thrifted and customised, tights boots

It seems that fringes aren't going anywhere, judging by these looks from ss10 Dolce&Gabbana show. I'm SO glad they've returned to their super feminine, Latin-inspired ways.

Which brings me to this amazing H&M fringed cardigan. When I spotted it while assisting a stylist on a shopping trip a few weeks ago, I HAD to have it. The fringes are made of little satin ribbons tied in little hole of the cardigan. It's a simple, but GENIUS idea, and only £29.99. I love how it reminds me of a monkey-fur coat, although the boyfriend says it looks like a huge cheerleader pom-pom, haha.

*Cardigan H&M, tee All Saints (boyfriend's), tights Basso & Brooke, shoes Topshop.

Blogging on the go

2009-10-08T13:19:00.001+01:00

Oh, how exciting. This is my first attempt at mobile posting, straight from my iPhone. I'm using the Blog Press Light application, that seems as easy as writing an email - except that typing on a touch screen keyboard while boarding the 149 bus is not the easiest thing in the world.

Anyway, today is sunny! It's a beautiful autumn day outside, and I decided to give my latest DIY project an outing: I've added a fringe trim to my loyal Topshop wedge booties. I'm quite fringe obsessed at the mo, so expect quite a few fringe-related posts soon.

The Longer Length + SHOWstudio

2009-10-02T22:38:00.005+01:00

i swear i want to be more of a committed blogger, i do. it's not for lack of what to write about (well, sometimes it is... i don't want to simply give in to posts like "i want THIS, i'm gonna BUY THAT" - it bores me to death), it's just that sometimes *London* gets in the way of my blogging habit. I swear to god, as soon as they launch wi-fi on the public transport and keyboards for iPhones (haha), the life of every London blogger is going to improve massively.

anyway. I've been thinking about longer skirts and dresses that end below the knee for a while - it's a length I really want to wear, but have always feared because 1) i'm a bit on the dwarf side at 5"1', 2) it's a bit too, uhm, "womanly" for my taste. But for the past few weeks I've been feeling immediate boredom at the sight of a mini-skirt, so I decided to give it a go - specially since I've realized I have a couple of pieces in my own wardrobe that have never got an outing.

First, this Mango tartan full-flare skirt that I acquired in a trip to Mallorca years ago. I don't know why (well, I do: it's the tartan) but to me this skirt suddenly has a bit of an *Anglomania* vibe, which is obviously awesome.

Then yesterday I tried the *longer lenght" again with this Paul Smith dress at the SHOWstudio exhbition at Sommerset House, Fashion Revolution, something I've missed during LFW, but was glad it's on till december. Got there around 5:30pm and luckily, there was hardly any visitors, which made for an extra enjoyable trip. Nick Knight's baby is all about fashion as an interactive and artistic experience, and I was hooked from the moment I stepped into the "mirror room."

The rest of the exhibition follows the rule of interactivity and displays some of the best moments of the project, including those infamous *bride* video with Lee Mcqueen and the make-up one with Gareth Pugh (below), an in-house studio where real shoots happen, a giant statue of three *merged* female figures where you can draw virtually on it, and the results of Design_download project, where people around the world could make their own version of famous catwalk pieces by designers like Galliano, Watanabe, and Margiela (i LOVE this cut-out strips version of the Margiela pattern).

I say, even if you're NOT a fashion fan, this is unmissable - and a lot of fun!

Scrap Woman

2009-09-29T11:52:00.002+01:00

It's impossible not to love the Rodarte sisters. They're so original and have so many interesting references (a collection based on a wounded woman in Death Valley? y-e-s), it takes my breath away every season. And looking through this pictures,you know what I think? That I certainly found another idea to put those scraps of fabric to use... :)

*images via Outsapop.

Basso and Brooke SS10

2009-09-25T23:24:00.003+01:00

I knew already when the time for LFW arrived, I wouldn't have much more than a minute to breathe, let alone catch-up on everything else that was happening in town (all I know about the others came via style.com, twitter, and... London Lite :P). Unfortunately, the show was on the last day, late afternoon, which meant a whole weekend of casting, packing, unpacking, sewing, deciding, panicking, laughing, and everything else that involves a major catwalk show. It's a very intense process, but one that it's ridiculously fun as well. I mean, how can you NOT have fun touching and handling high-fashion - pieces of art in fabric form?

And the clothes, this time, were SEEEEEXY. I'm not gonna start babbling a review here, as a) plenty of people have done it already (Jeff Koons, Herb Ritts, etc etc), and b) I'm, of course, biased. But personally, I must say: the prints were deliciously sinuous and fluid, emphasised by lots of body-con dresses, cleavage, bustiers, body-skimming drapery - clothes for women dressing for men, not other women, as it has been so common these days (I mean, who are WE kidding, right girls? :). Not only the 90s influence was there (think George Michael super-model videos), but definitely there was a Latin, hot-blooded vibe to this collection - all good in my books. Who says women can't be avant-garde and sexy at the same time?

I was lucky to try a few of the pieces before the craziness started, and we had a bit of a laugh - everything had to be pinned and shortened, as of course, I'm tres petite :)

Of course, this is definitely not the way to appreciate the collection, so for a better idea of what I'm talking about, you can see the images of the show here, and I'll leave you with some really fresh and fun backstage images posted by Dazed Digital (the BF also shot some great ones - will post later).

Tie me Up, Tie me Down

2009-09-17T16:34:00.005+01:00

This week things are a little crazy: there's LFW about to start (I'm working backstage with Basso & Brooke again), and a couple of shoots turned up in the middle - plus, I had to send my glasses away to get new lenses, and I'm struggling to see anything on screen beyond the blurred shapes of these words.

But yesterday I was running around Central London, and on my way home I was passing that temple of chicness that Liberty of London is - and remembered that last week Hermès had a pop-up shop inside with scarf-tying workshops. I was happy to find out they still have, and after your session with a stylist, you get your picture taken, and a free print!

I chose one in bright orange, one of my favourite colours, and left the stylist to do her job. I loved that she came up with a 70s turban-style knot! I have tons of vintage scarves at home, and never thought of wearing it like that (to be honest, with all the rock chick mood out there, printed scarves seemed to have been forgotten... it's about time to have them back!).

So if you're in London, there's another photo-styling session on the 20th, and in between some performances and workshops. Worth a go!

(apologies for the shitty pics... I definitely leaving Blackberries to go back to iPhones.)

2009-09-15T15:33:00.002+01:00

Well, while everyone else in blogland is covering NYFW, I'm just quietly watching it from the comfort of my desk chair. I don't want to be negative - anyway who the hell am I to give thumbs down to people with talent - but I'm glad I live in London at the moment. Thank god (and the creative energy of this city) I'm not yet afraid of taking risks, and I certainly don't worry about being perfectly tasteful.

Meanwhile, this is what's on auction at Major Tom this week, ending this Sunday, 8:30pm. LOTS of colour and prints, including that wonderful Escada silk shirt with liquid print, and a patchwork jacket. Everything cheap as cheerful chips. Go on, and bid.

B&W

2009-09-11T19:37:00.004+01:00

The weather in London is rather strange at the moment. Two days ago it was so hot and stuffy that I was obliged to go to the Post Office in a vest and skirt, no tights, cardie, nothing. I mean, it's nearly MID-September, I should be getting the leathers out. :P

But yesterday was quite pleasant. I don't know what's going on, but these days I can't really think beyond black & white - normally I'm more colourful than that, but I guess I might be just mourning the end of the summer... it should change next week, with LFW :)

(blazer Zara, vest AA, trousers Tripp NYC from 10 years ago ! shoes Demonia)

pointy shoulders and safety pins

2009-09-10T16:18:00.002+01:00

Some of my favourite looks at Major Tom this week! All ending Sunday, 8:30pm British Summer Time.

The ruffled neckpiece - part 2

2009-09-08T15:35:00.005+01:00

This is my second attempt at the Fabric Scrap Neckpiece. This version is all in black and gold, with more luxurious fabrics (silk, brocade... mesh? joking :P), and it was made for a shoot with this super glam London musician called Neave (check out his website - i'll post the images here afterwards).

This time I've added a gold chain and metal loops (from the hardware store). It came out with a sort of gothic/renaissance vibe - which again, was unintentional, but that's what experiments are for, inni't?

(dress Kate Moss for Topshop, H&M lace leggings, Vivienne Westwood pirate boots)

2009-09-04T23:38:00.004+01:00

don't even know if I'm actually allowed to post this pictures here, by I figured that since they've turned up on Facebook, I probably should be. A couple of weeks ago, the BF was commissioned by the boys at Basso & Brooke to shoot their collaboration with the NGO Shelter: 52 artists, including Vivienne Westwood, Rankin, Damien Hirst, among others, are to produce a card for a special set of cards which will be sold as part of Shelter's House of Cards campaign. B&B got the Queen of Hearts - and I was lucky enough to try the outfit on for testing. Talk about statement shoulders, people!

The final image - which I don't know exactly what it looks like, but I've seen the final stages - is absolutely amazing. Can't wait to see them out.

By the way, B&B also collaborated with British Elle for the amazing Underground posters celebrating the 25th anniversary of the LFW. Nothing like A LOT of colours to make your tube trip a little more cheerful! :D (i was going to say "trippy", but that would be too obvious) :P

2009-09-04T00:15:00.003+01:00

Keeping up with my interest in underwear as outerwear idea, this shoot with Lara Stone in the latest W magazine comes quite in handy. That's probably how I would wear it as well - in a laid-back sort of party in a country house with gorgeous friends around. I don't see that actually happening in the foreseeable future, but fashion is about dreaming, inn'it?

2009-09-01T13:16:00.003+01:00

god knows I don't like the woman. But to succeed in the world of fashion is bloody hard work, and Vic Beckham has been trying hard - so hard that she actually managed to produce a simple but brilliant little film that accompanies her new SS10 collection. Just the right touch of sarcasm in there. Very English.

Get Dirty

2009-08-31T22:51:00.005+01:00

The Boyfriend found this link and passed it to me. It's a work by artist Roland Tiangco. Love it.

I'm so HIGH

2009-08-29T15:32:00.005+01:00

It's been a week since I've fallen from a table while dancing in a pair of quite average-high platform shoes, and my ankle is still swollen and hurt. But it didn't make want less shoes that are high and high. I think for someone my size (5 foot), height is quite addictive. So obviously I was DYING to get my hands on the Ashish booties that landed on topshop.com two days ago... and are gone already. I tried the black ones at Oxford Circus anyway, with difficulty, and yes, I could barely walk in them and looked like a alien, but they were ... well, addictive.

But I forgot them the moment I found these here. Gabriella Marina Gonzalez, a St Martins graduate, made them for her (beeeautiful) collection called "Clothing for the Emotionally Disposessed" - or for people who come to London in search of fame and fabulousness and forget the emotional reasons behind their choice of art/work.

Geez. And here I was thinking my addiction to high shoes were pure aesthetics... Apparently, there's a whole psychological thing behind it :P

Covering Up... NOT.

2009-08-27T19:37:00.006+01:00

(Ok. The following rant has nothing to do with any of you, or any readers who don't speak portuguese, but I'm gonna do it anyway, just because this blog is mine, and I can do whatever I decide to do with it).

The past days I've been thinking how could I synchronize the posts I write for The Clash and the ones I write here. On top of having to do multiple translations that are time-consuming (and quite boring... ), the fact is that the rraurl blog does not ... BEHAVE like a blog. It's more like a column. Blogs are fast, and irreverent, and slightly messy and a bit on the uncompromising side. Now, a column has to be thought about. It's an extended commentary on researched and analysed issues and ideas. As much as I have all the freedom to write whatever the hell I want, rraurl is a MUSIC website full of MUSIC fans and people from the MUSIC industry, most of them MEN - which means my in-depth accounts on the importance of garments must bore them to death.

SO. This is possibly the last post I write for them that I will post here as well - unless it's something really exclusive.

Anyway, I've decided to dip into my lingerie drawer this week (imagine the happiness of those music industry geezers...) and see if I could dig something out to wear ...well, outside. I live in a neighbourhood that's relatively safe, but it's full of sleazy Polish builders whistling and saying things to any woman that pass them on the streets, so I tend not to wear anything that could be seen as... sexy. So, even though I've tried to create combinations that are not overtly sexy, I'd certainly only wear any of the following outfits if I could drive to whatever place I'd be going. No walking to the bus stop or catching London's public transport in this. How sad, I know. But the whole "I wear whatever the hell I want" takes some BALLS - especially if you're a 5 ft tall girl living in north London.

Links à la Mode : August 27th

2009-08-27T19:36:00.001+01:00

39th and Broadway: Are You a Fashion Sellout?
Brick My Lane: Interview with Fee Doran, aka Mrs Jones – the woman behind Oxfam DIY and that famous white catsuit.
Cake not Coke: Vanity Fair Setpember ‘09 Toujours Couture - A Stitch in Time.
Chicago Style: Interview with Monica Dimperio, of the Chicago street style blog The MidWasteland
Clutch 22: Exclusive scoop on Seattle indie greentrepreneurs – Sara Seumae of SPUN Clothing collaborates with Tara Smith of Revival Ink (plus a contest)
Denim Debutante: The reasons you should love Rich & Skinny denim, along with tips for the three best cuts and how to wear them
Dramatis Personae: Unveiling the feminine fashion stylings of independent designer Claire la Faye…
Dream Sequins: Shoptalk with Cherie of online vintage marketplace Shrimpton Couture, which collaborates with emerging designers
Fashion Pulse: Check out the new trend in leggings, by way of geometric prints and loads of grey!
Independent Fashion Bloggers : Dress UP for NYFW
Prom Mafia: Raid your boyfriend’s closet: How to turn his t-shirts into cute girly tunics
Retro Chick: What happens at a Burlesque Lesson?
Saved for Best: Girls on Film – A celebration and run down of the best-dressed films
Shop Fair: Top 5 obstacles fair trade and “green” fashion labels have to overcome to be more successful
Style on the Street: Three photoshoots inspiring trends for the next season
Style Symmetry: The Symmetry Seven with Rhiannon of Liebemarlene Vintage
Sweet Fuzz: Rustic Elegance - independent fashion designer Dace’s beautiful Fall line
The Coveted: Charlotte Russe Review – Mixing in Fast Fashion
The Demoiselles: Shopping for your body type is hard enough without a recession; shopping on the cheap is even harder

the newsletter

2009-08-25T17:00:00.002+01:00

I've decided to create a weekly newsletter for the shop, to update my regulars (and potentially future customers), but being the slow person I am, I still haven't managed to organise a subscription system for people to opt in and out. So, for now, the only way you or anyone else can sign-up to receive updates is by 1) buying something from the shop, and your email will be added to the list (which I think is the BEST option, haha) or 2) adding the shop to your favourites on Ebay (also a good one :P), or 3) sending an email to thais@majortomvintage.com with the subject "I'M IN!" :)

In any case, I'll be posting the images of the newsletter here anyway, so you can always check the blog.

maaaany thanks!

Interview: Mrs Jones

2009-08-24T22:24:00.003+01:00

I'm gonna come out and say it: fashion does bore me sometimes. When I read too many magazines, and fashion blogs, and see people's work, I have this sick feeling that, apart from a select few, everyone's doing the same thing and re-using the same ideas over and over without making any effort to challenge themselves.... and that sucks. I know I'm definitely not a very creative person, but I do like to think I'm constantly learning and challenging myself - and it's terrible to feel sometimes that there's not much to be inspired by out there.

But thank god I found Mrs Jones, aka Fee Doran, the woman responsible for Oxfam latest venture, Camden's DIY boutique. I've mentioned her before in this blog, when I was researching influentil stylists: she is a designer/stylist and creator of some of the most iconic ensembles in the world of pop music (I bet she is sick of being associated with the "white hooded catsuit," but it did made her famous), and her aparent lack of self-consciousness and endless creative energy seemed fascinating to me. Since she is also the author of a quote that changed my perspective in this scenario ("I hate fashion. I love clothes"), I've taken upon myself to ask her a few questions. It was quite difficult, seeing that now she is really busy taking Oxfam DIY to festivals (she has workshop tents - check her out if you're going to Bestival), but right after Glastonbury she sat down and replied to my email.

Here is the result.

(This interview was originally published at rraurl.com in portuguese)

Congratulations on your work with Oxfam DIY, it's absolutely inspiring! How has it been collaborating with them so far? How was Glastonbury?

I'ts been brilliant, tons of hard work but so worthwhile so you dont mind as much. In fact, I have to say they are the best clients I've ever worked with - though maybe that's because I normally work with popstars. It has been at lot of fun too, Oxfam really does rule, Glasto was the icing on the cake! So many amazing people who got involved in the whole DIY thing, amazing creations were flying out of the Oxfam tent, there was a brilliant buzz.

The celebrity world has been dominated by stylists who are more worried about 'getting it right' than being creative. You are among the few ones who remain truth to originality. Do you think a backlash will eventually happen?

I think it already is happening. The past few years we have been influenced by the likes of

Beckhams, gossip mags tearing all and sundry apart, high-gloss photo retouching bollocks,

properly the 80's influence on fashion. Whereas now there's definitely a 90's vibe happening, a lot more grungy than glossy. Also we are so saturated by high street, theres a definite revolt in the air, people want to look differen, or rather add their own slant to things, which is all good in my books.

I'm sure your inspiration comes from all kinds of sources, but do you actually have special things and tricks that kick-start your imagination? What's your starting point when you start working with an artist/ band?

My starting point is finding out how that person ticks, what gets them excited, whether it's a film, art, you name it. I normally get them to send me inspiration of some kind, just sitting and chatting to that person helps. You have to form a bit of a friendship to understand what they want and to get them to do what you want.

Do you ever think about designing a ready-to-wear line? Do you think fashion doesn't give you space for creativity the way music do?

I have done ready-to-wear in the past but nothing looked quite right - bit to0 small here and there, slightly the wrong colour, a bit tight on the volume front. Maybe that's just because I've never had the dosh to spend on great big factory orders. As soon as factories are mentioned it gives me a shudder, actually, though I would love my clothes to be available in shops rather than sad copies. I just can't deal with that side of it, I'm a dyslexic blonde artist from Essex after all.

One day very soon I shall have my own Mrs Jones shop and all will be welcome.

Yes, I have to admit the music industry does allow my creative juices to flow, I've been lucky enough to work on some pretty out there stuff, which often creates fashion rather than follow it. Plus a pop video is so much quicker than a fashion show, but in fact does the same job

without half the poncing around.

What's the difference to you between working with fashion designers/ non-music clients, and working with musicians?

Every one is so different , just depends upon the client - though music has better looking men so I guess it makes work slightly more enjoyable.

What's your favourite bands / artists? And which artist or band was your favourite to dress to this date?

Anything that's ballsy I suppose. Growing up I loved Blondie, Grace Jones, Roxy Music, Queen, Run DMC. I love so much music I find it hard to name a favourite, same with the bands and artists I work with. I love them for lots of different reasons, though of couse without Kylie trusting in me don't know what i'd be up to.

Who is your favourite(s) fashion designer(s), and why?

I hate this question only because I never know what anyone else does! I stay clear of fashion mags, unless I need images for moodboards. I like different bits I see, but I think my favourite is Jean-Paul Gaultier. I met him once when I left college. I had a little unit in Kensington Market, it was so small only one person could fit in at a time. Mr Gaultier spotted my brightly coloured little hole and entered. He bought a top off me and said he loved my designs

and that one day I'd be very famous. It was a fairy godmother moment."Tis a job" was going through my head, but my mouth was fixed in a smile position and I couldn't speak.

Are there any people working in the same field as you that you admire? Or find interesting/inspiring?

There are tons of people I find inspiring, lots who are now good friends. Tiff McGiniss is the most inspiring woman ever, her stuff is incredible, from music to visuals and graphics and I would love to see her stuff on fabric! Check her out, she goes under the name of Crazy Girl. Another is a guy called Andy Soup, a video director whom I've worked with. His stuff is so on it and always full of fun, I'm always inspired by his work. Another is Beardyman, I could watch him for hours and again, he is hilarious. Talent and humour are wonderful ingredients mixed together, and I think that's my inspiration.

Are there any artists you would love to dress?

Missey Elliot always comes to mind when I'm asked this. I think I would just love to see her sexed up in some heels. Eminem would be a good one, and there's no point saying Gwen Stefani though I would love to work with her. But she looks so incredible, there's nothing I could improve on. Maybe BeardyMan one day when he's got over his "styling" experience, which wasn't me I might add...

What you're up to now? Any new projects?

Oxfam is still going on, I have more festivals to do. The Killers are always needing something new - though you wouldn't believe the amout of times Brandon has worn his feather jacket. I've made so many different ones for him in the same vein. It's sweet, really, like a kid with a fave teddy.

Also had a call from Kanye West recently saying he would like to work with me, which is so exciting I nearly fell off my chair, so watch out for that one. And finally there's my dream, my Mrs Jones shop which is slowly becoming a reality. Lots of exciting good stuff on the horizon and I've never kissed ass once - feeling proud.

Major Tom in Japan

2009-08-23T21:43:00.003+01:00

as it is usual, this came out beginning of the month, but I've failed to post it here immediately. Japanese mag Jille - a sort of street fashion blog in print - made a spread about my friend and Major Tom model Aline's shopping choices. And she obviously mentioned Major Tom (in the second page below, last box) - although it came out as a "boutique by appointment" instead of an Ebay shop. It's kind of true though: I do sell pieces to private customers who don't want to go through the whole auction thing, and if they're in London, they can come to the studio, or I'll go to them (which I love, as working from home does get to me sometimes. That's why I party so much at the weekends: to see people!)

Links à la Mode : August 13th

2009-08-20T11:57:00.000+01:00

A Stylish New World

Edited by Jennine

39th and Broadway – Designer Interview; Delirius
A Typical Atypical – The wonderful Every Little Counts! With 15% off for readers!
Bobbins and Bombshells – Vintage Finds of the Week: Mad Men Secretary Accessories
Breakfast at Saks – Enter to win accessories from the eryn brinié Fall 2009 collection!
BRICK MY LANE – DIY: putting scraps of fabric to good use by turning it into a ruffled neckpiece
ClandestineChic – Interview: Patricia Valery of Evil Needles
Denimaniac – Wood Wood’s S/S 2010 collection – a bit of street, a dash of fash and a whole lotta style!
dramatis personae – Quality vs. Vegan/Environmentally Sustainable
Fabulous Finds Gal – “Gardens in Grey” By Fashion Photographer Julia Pogodina And An Inspiring Interview
Fashion Pulse Daily – What was Your Favorite Summer 2009 Trend?
Fasshonaburu – A review on the now purchase-able Under.Ligne, the diffusion line by Doo.Ri.
Fete a Fete – Dancing all night and your 5-inch stilettos killing you? Bring some Rollasole emergency ballet flats with you!
Independent Fashion Bloggers – NYFW SS10 Schedule + tips on getting in
Market Publique – Art Class: Vintage Abstract Prints
midnight feast – The Jean Genie
Retro Chick – Win – Reese Witherspoons first fragrance for Avon
Sterling Style – New York’s Rachel Antonoff Holiday 2010 Collection
Style Gourmand – Ag Kij of Net-a-Porter discusses Net-a-Porter’s new iPhone app and how technology and fashion co-mingle.
Style Mom – STYLEMOM holds it down for fashion bloggers as one of the only IFB members at Blogher 2009 in Chicago
Stylish Thought – Cats with Style: Boxing Kitten
THE COVETED – Mummy Dearest: Iris Van Herpen taking inspiration from the macabre
Unfunded – Vintage sequins, sparkles and sprinkles

Rip Her to Shreds

2009-08-16T23:25:00.004+01:00

I could've waited to do several posts with all these little DIYs i did in the past weeks, but i'm not very disciplined with this blog, so this is a 3-in-1 promotion :)

I'm very into the whole bad-girl, ripped-her-to-shreds look, influence probably of living in the dirty streets of east london :P And of course, influence from the several fashion blogs out there who are doing this very same projects. I think ripped jeans will always be the ultimate rock'n'roll symbol, along with leather jackets, and the Cheap Monday patchwork ones from the new Ann-Sophie Back collection are a great spin on it.

So based on it, I've put some scraps of vintage fabric on one of the legs, and the other i ripped using a seam-ripper. It took several hours, not an easy one this one.

and the cardigan... that's one a lot of bloggers did, and I HAD to do one myself. I'm wearing it back-to-front, as the back came out more succesful than the front.

and this is my version of the Topshop slashed vest. I love how it looks like ribs - "Horror Girls" indeed. I think it'd look better on a stretchy jersey tee, but this is just a primark one I stole from the Boyfriend.. I had to try it out on a cheap one :)

Pixie Geldof for UK Vogue

2009-08-15T00:01:00.003+01:00

Really like the Pixie Geldof editorial for UK Vogue. I like the idea of a pint-sized, generally average-looking tomboy looking stunningly model-like in the pages of a magazine that's quite straight-forward in favour of elfin-like eastern european blondes. Not to mention the clothes, of course. I must say I HATE this month's cover though. Kate Moss looks double her age.

Favourite Vintage Pieces at Major Tom

2009-08-12T23:42:00.003+01:00

I'm not the most organised person, but, as a "middle-of-the-year" resolution, I've decided I will be.

But that has nothing to do with this post, which is about my favourite, hard-to-part-with vintage pieces available now at Major Tom. I tend to sell the majority of my collection ridiculously cheap - in comparison to most physical vintage shops - so sometimes I wonder why some pieces are not flying out like hot cakes. I know size-wise, they are not the most forgiving, but some of them are medium and large.

Anyway, enough mumbling. These are my favourites, available to buy-it-nooooowwww (click on the pictures to see the listing).

Kamosho Slash Safety-Pin Jacket (super rock'n'roll, hey?)

Moschino Cheap & Chic Paper Clip Jacket

Michael Kors Crop Striped Shirt

70s Floral Jumpsuit

70s Reworked Floral Mini-dress

80s Printed Leggings

80s Brocade Kimono Blazer

Jungle by Kenzo Floral Crop Shirt (more like a bolero)

80s Striped Bolero with printed lining

Going pointy

2009-08-09T02:19:00.004+01:00

I gave in to those Balmain-style shoulder pads. Saw in Zara and couldn't resist: it's cut to perfection! And I loved the assymetrical lapel.

Fringes

2009-08-07T21:15:00.002+01:00

Just hit topshop.com this Jil Sander inspired beauty. Having big urges here to do something with fringes. Is probably my next project.

Full of Frills

2009-08-06T23:42:00.004+01:00

I don't really like to throw things away. Although I'm not one of those desperate hoarders, I always try and look at clothes as potential material for experiments and improvements, and I'm not afraid anymore to tear things apart and see if they work in a different way. If it doesn't, then, oh well.

I've been doing alterations for most of the vintage dresses I sell on my ebay shop for a year or so now, and I've accumulating quite a pile of scraps of fabrics that I couldn't bring myself to throw away. Some of them had great prints on them, even though some were just cheap polyester, and I knew I had to use them in some way.

For a few months I kept thinking about some kind of eccentric accessory that I could put the scraps to good use, and one day I came across this picture in Grazia. A detached ruffled neckpiece! Seemed like the perfect solution!

Problem was, on top of my lack of decent skills, the fabrics I chose to work with were not nearly delicate and flimsy like the chiffon used in the Felder & Felder version above, so my collar came out much "wavier," more like a clown neckpiece. Not at all understated - which is cool, but it'll probably be trickier to wear.

I'm thinking I'll be getting more wear out of it when the winter comes, as a sort of strange scarf.

It's definitely far from ideal, but I think i'll be testing this idea another time - maybe in black, with chains or even studs on it? We'll see.

Links à la Mode : The IFB Weekly Roundup

2009-08-06T20:55:00.000+01:00

Links à la Mode : July 30th

Breakfast at Saks – Aschobi: Sierra Leone Couture
Brick My Lane – Interview with Christian Joy, the genius behind the costumes worn by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
by Hillary – Deciding if you really need to dry clean that dress that says “dry clean”
Culturistas – The Culturistas find a ‘Lust vs Must’ profile of the Romper Trend!
Fashion Cents – Can you wear the romper trend? Fashion Cents helps you decide if and how to romp around
Fashion Hippo – Fashion Hippo is having a fantastic giveaway: Mary Frances “Mercury Rising” wristlet bag.
Fashion in my eyes – Interview: Fashion editor at 17
HiFashion – Tips for fashionable travellers
Idiosyncratic Style – A round up of 5 cool projects that are perfect for summer vacation, because they are light on supplies and low maintenance.
Independent Fashion Bloggers – Rhythm is Gonna Getcha: Maintaining Consistency in Your Blog
iStyle – The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Looking Fab: A real-life 5 minute make-up guide with unedited photos
Mademoiselle Robot – An interview with headwear designer Jennifer Loiselle about films, motherhood and independent designers.
Only Style Remains the Same – Offer an outfit idea to win a pair of Current/Elliott jeans from only style remains the same and chickdowntown.
Our Ocean – An insanely inspiring interview with Vivienne Westwood on Jonathan Ross
Pursed Lips – Lara Stone, size 4, heralded as bringing “curvy” back. But isn’t the bigger difference her C cup bra, and not her weight?
Rags to Reverie – A look at the Stella McCartney Fall 2009 ad campaign + a couple of deals from the eponymous label
reLYME – It’s Beka’s birthday, and in the spirit of birthday giving, reLYME is giving away SIX China Glaze nail lacquers from the Kicks collection!
Retro Chick – Can I wear it? Yes, I can! Retro Chick gives Harem Pants a try with surprising results.
Style Amor – Check out why I have given up buying a wedding gown from a traditional bridal boutique.
Sweet Fuzz – Score one of a kind fashion treasures at your local thrift store and check out the insanely cheap items I snapped up at mine.
The Coveted – Amsterdam Fashion Week bridges the gap between fashion students and industry at Lichting 2009
Unfunded – Unfunded collaborates with J. Money from Budgets are Sexy to learn what guys really think of the things we wear.

Finally.

2009-08-01T00:20:00.003+01:00

sorry. I just had to share this. Four years in the waiting (FOUR years), I finally found them on Ebay in the right colour and the right size. I had given up already, and when I won them, I was like "well, about time. yay." But they've arrived today, and they freakin' rock. I had decided to quit flat shoes for a while to wear only platforms in the city, but I think I'm gonna live in those for the rest of this year. And the next. Thank you.

The Harness

2009-07-27T13:03:00.004+01:00

Half of the blog world has done the harness outfit post, but I HAVEN'T yet, so I'm gonna do it, k? It's gonna be a waste of precious time if I don't. And I like them so much. Thank you for understanding. Cheers.

(blue dress Major Tom Vintage customised by my dear friend Ana, thrifted boots)

(the boyfriend's tye-dye vest, my mother's lace bolero)

Major Tom Vintage @ The Coveted

2009-07-27T12:53:00.003+01:00

just wanted to say thank you to Jenine for featuring my shop Major Tom Vintage in her awesome blog The Coveted! Cheers, my darling! xx

Interview: Christian Joy

2009-07-24T13:53:00.007+01:00

So here's the deal: recently i've been asked to write a fashion blog for this really big Brazilian music portal (http://rraurl.com - for portuguese readers only), and I've been spending quite a lot of my energy in producing content for them. And one of the most recent ideas came through after I did those little posts about influential stylists in this very blog. Using rraurl's fame as my backup, I've interviewed Christian Joy of the YYYs, Fee Doran aka Mrs Jones of Kylie + Killers fame and London based artist Alex Noble, all coming out this month on that blog.

But since those interviews were only coming out in portuguese, I thought it was a shame to deprive English readers of the (brief, but interesting) insights into these amazing stylists, so I decided to publish them here as well in full.

So here's the first one (unedited, so please don't pay attention to typos and mistakes), with Chris Joy, the SUPER creative genius that's changing the face of indie rock with Karen O's costumes. En-joy :)

-----------------------------------------------------

1) i read that your starting point was when you worked in a vintage
shop. but did you had any idea in mind about

costumes when you set out to make clothes for karen o?

i actually
worked in a boutique for the designer daryl k and that is where karen
and i met. i've never worked in a vintage store. i had started making
one of a kind pieces before karen and i met and she saw a prom dress i
had made and approached me about making something for one of the yyy's
shows. i guess i had thought about making costumes before but i never
figured i'd have an outlet for it. basically the whole thing kind of
happened by accident.

2) i absolutely love the pieces karen has been wearing in this recent
tour / and promos for the new album.
seeing as each piece is very different from each other, does each one
has a story/idea of their own, or are they part of one

major story (as in a collection)? what's your favourite piece?

thank
you! my favorite piece is actually two different pieces that she
hasn't worn yet. i think she plans to wear them at glastonbury, so
it's going to have to be a surprise. i basically came up with a theme
once i had heard the record. i was feeling really inspired by eastern
religions, all of the imagery and symbolism . the eye symbol was
something i was feeling really strongly about and oddly enough so was
the person who designed the giant eye for the stage. so the eye has
become a major part of the designs for karen. i wanted all of her
costumes to have a touch more of a psychedelic feel to them than the
ones in the past which have been more pop. i felt like i was drawing
from a lot of pop imagery for the past looks. i've also been creating
a lot more prints for her new costumes. that is something i really
enjoy. i feel like they create a lot of energy on stage.

3) i'm sure your inspiration comes from all kinds of sources, but do
you actually

have special things and tricks that kick-start your imagination?

i guess i'll try to read books or look at artwork but i feel like the
ideas really kind of come out of nowhere. i do a lot of laying in bed
in the morning and just thinking and trying to imagine different
costumes. i always feel most inspired by tribal costumes or folk
costumes. there are always a lot of energy to them. i usually start on
a pretty simple idea and then try to see how far i can expand on them.

4) i saw on your website that you designed a ready-to-wear line, but

decided to go back to costumes and art.
do you think fashion doesn't give you space for creativity the way
music and art do? do you think you'll design another collection in the

future?

i definitely didn't feel like i could be as creative with
making collections. i always had this feeling of "oh i could make this
so much better and exciting" i guess maybe i couldn't figure out how
to combine the two. i also just don't find the process enjoyable. i
like to spend time on the pieces i make. i love all of the detailing.
people are always asking me why i don't make collections that look
like more like the costumes, but it would be too expensive and most
people just wouldn't wear it even though they like to think they
might.

5) what's your favourite bands / artists?

well, i'm a total nerd, the
yyy's are my favorite band. i also love this new band called the magic
squares. it kind of depends what kind of mood i'm in. i always love a
little bit of synth pop. today i've listened to prince, brian eno and
new order, so maybe that gives you an idea.

6) who is your favourite(s) fashion designer(s), and why?

once again
this depends on my mood. right now i really love issey miyake the
most. i love the shape of his clothes. i have a couple of books of his
work and all of the photos of the models in the clothes are so unique.
maybe it's due to the fact that none of the photos are airbrushed and
you can truely see the models faces. also the way the models are able
to move in his clothing is really amazing. i like big bold shapes and
that is why i like his work so much. i've also been really inspired by
kansai yamamoto. he's pretty much a constant. i recently saw a show of
his work in philadelphia and i was really inspired by the colors he
used.

7) are there any people working in the same field as you that you

admire? or find interesting?

i really admire maria cornejo who designs
the label zero. i feel like her clothing is always so beautiful.. when
i go into her store and look at her work i always feel totally blown
away.

8) the pieces you make are really inspiring for people in fashion. do

you think designers borrow your ideas? have you
ever been invited - or been interested - in doing collaborations with

designers / fashion brands?

no i'd like to stay away from working with
other designers. i prefer to work on my own. i'm a bit selfish in that
way. i always feel like things get watered down when you start working
with too many people. there are too many opinions coming at you and
you're unable to create exactly what you want. the thing that makes my
relationship with karen o so unique is that i don't ever have anyone
telling me what i should make.

9) are there any artists you would love to dress?
i feel like i've already got the best one.

10) what are you up to now? any new projects?

mainly working on karen
o's new costumes for the tours. i 'm also working on new looks for the
klaxons. preparing to send some costumes to hong kong for an
exhibition in a store there called on pedder. i'll be showing 3 of
ko's old costumes as well as one new pieces along with 3 costumes from the solo show i recently did at the audio visual arts gallery here in nyc.

Vivienne Westwood has a Point

2009-07-17T15:18:00.005+01:00

Just found this in another blog, and I had to post it - Dame Vivienne Westwood at the Jonathan Ross show, telling people to buy less. I just realized I had never seen her speak, and she sounds like the sweetest grandma one could ever have! :)

Now about the environmental speech, the media criticizes and makes fun of her, but I think she has a point. Who am I to say that shopping is bad because I do love to buy lovely new things - but I get more than anxious at times when I realize that I've been spending more hours thinking about purchases than reading books, looking at art, or having great conversations. It annoys me when I browse around my favourite fashion blogs and all they talk about is what they bought and what they're going to buy - instead of focusing on what they used to do best, like doing their DIY projects, creative styling and taking inspiring pictures. Excessive consumerism is not gonna do anyone any favours - it's boring, it's dumb, and it's bad for the world.

So, dame Viv has a point - even if there's a little hypocrisy there, seeing her position in the fashion world. But indeed, buying less and buying only what you love and will keep for long is the way forward.

Now, as George Bush would say, watch this:

Time - He's waiting in the wings

2009-07-15T12:26:00.005+01:00

Surfing the web (do people still say that?) ramdonly, I came across a London-based brand called Customers Own Property, the brain-child of yet another Saint Martin's graduate, German designer Sabine Brauninger. Looking through her website, looks like she is no longer producing collections (her last was AW06/07) - a shame, because her playful approach to proportions and "relaxed" tailoring were quite rather appealing. Yet, one of her latest outcomes was a video collaboration for an exhibition by Nick Knight's SHOWstudio media project called Future Tense - "a global platform for an exciting new generation of fashion design to use the medium of moving image to express their creativity." (It came out last year, so obviously most fashion blogs must have covered it - but because this blog is no longer worried by immediacy and more into inspiraton, we post it anyway.)

Anyways, the brief said that fashion designers should give a "helping hand" into shaping the future - and I loved how Sabine covered it in a simple yet visionary way. It shows the same model in a blonde and brunette version dressing, undressing and exchanging a series of versatile, simple but slightly unconvetional garments.

This video led me to the check who else's done the same, and apparently most of the designers featured in the 100 New Fashion Designers book by Hywel Davies produced a video of their own vision. A few of them, probably too busy with fashion week schedules, didn't bother much and simply sexed-up footage of fittings and backstages - but some produced really beautiful, inspiring little films, like this one below by the Rodarte sisters, and a beautiful kaleidoscopic rendition by dutch designer Jantaminiau, in which models demonstrate the usefulness of skirts that turn into beautiful capes (to the sound of Bowie's "Time"). Who says fashion can't be art?

The Heatwave - part 1

2009-07-14T18:40:00.003+01:00

There's nothing like playing around in a (vintage) playsuit - whenever is warm enough to wear one. This is an afternoon the BF and I spent in the South Bank, checking the trees covered in Yayoi Kusama's polka-dots. This is a veeeery rare sort of day in each I'm brave enough to walk around the city with no tights or jackets/cardigans of any sort. I needed to register the moment :)

(ps: yes, this blog likes smoking - doesn't mean you should! =D)

Summer Time

2009-07-14T15:31:00.004+01:00

well, it's been a long time, hey? No, I haven't abandoned the blog - is just that I was involved with lots of cool stuff and whatever free time I had I wanted to enjoy the rare heatwave that arrived in London town (and obviously disappeared in no time).

But in between pic-nics in the park and BBQs in the backyard, I worked (and got some DIY projects ready), and I'll be posting the results here once they come out.

What just came out was this month's cover of Jungle Drums magazine - a Brazilian bilingual mag based in London - styled by me and shot by the Boyfriend. The brief was *Latin Summer*, and went for a look that resembled Frida Kahlo with a comtemporary twist. The initial result turned out more Japanese than Latin, so they've made a few changes.

The model is wearing a Basso & Brooke catsuit, Freedom @ Topshop jewelry and a head piece customised by moi.

Read the magazine in full here!

Boys Are Stupid

2009-06-18T17:52:00.005+01:00

(...continuing from previous post)

So I had a stupid argument with the Boyfriend and did exactly what was expected of me: went out and bought shoes. Such a girl.

It was not intentional. I just stormed off to Oxford Circus to see if I could fix my old Powerbook at the Apple store, and it just happens that TopShop is two blocks away. I said to myself : let's just have a look and see what they're up to (I was fuming by then when the Genius Bar people told me to come back when I have an appointment). Thing is, I always forget that when it comes to high-street, I can resist almost anything - but Topshop is my Achilles heel.

So I spotted these:

I don't like my feet and not being able to have a proper pedicure on a regular basis, I always feel self-conscious when I have to expose them. So for the summer, these boots are very much a welcome solution: heavy with a chilled-out feel, with cut-out details that cover pretty much everything apart from said Achilles heel. Let me add that they are the comfiest wedges I've worn since EVER, and they give this midget a few extra inches for added happiness.

And you know what made me want them more? The fact that they are quite plain in way, a sort of blank canvas for future customisation - that is, until I get tired of them, which will take a few seasons.

The same night, I made with my other half. But I think he should buy me shoes for making me spend. :)

The perfect t-shirt , the coolest shop

2009-06-18T11:10:00.005+01:00

I don't do much shopping these days. First because I don't actually have too much money to spare, and second, I confess, I feel guilty for having already too much stuff at home - and I know that with a bit of patience, creativity and minor skills with the sewing machine, I could give all that stuff a new lease of life. So for me these days, consumer satisfaction is a trip to the habberdashery and an afternoon putting my fabric scissors to work (which doesn't necessarily work every time).

However, I broke my shopping strike this week. For two (sort of)good reasons.

Last weekend I was supposed to meet a new friend, and she told me to meet her at a place called Bacon Street Project, just off Brick Lane. For whatever wrong circunstances, I had never heard of the place, and when I checked their website, it looked like the coolest shop in the whole of Brick Lane (and Brick Lane becoming such a hard-core shopping district, it's tough competition).

Run by two effortlessly beautiful girls, Elise and Livia, this place is like a French flea market meets hip Hoxton boutique meets Art College affair. Hell, it IS all of those things: on top of collecting and selling props, vintage furniture and other interesting bric-a-bracs they find (where else) in France, they also champion young, undiscovered fashion designers, and throw once-a-month themed parties in their basement gallery, where they also have exhibitions. Oh, and they have a café (next to the till).

All of that is enough to make an alternative fashionista's heart stop, but there's more: it's called Komana, their in-house ethical fashion brand. I didn't get a chance to explore all the collection, but I DID find the PERFECT t-shirt. Made of Bamboo and organic cotton, is ridiculously soft, cut in a way that fits deliciously well, and the prints are no-chalantly cool.

I went back the next day to buy one, and I haven't taken it off since. I didn't realise it until recently, but t-shirts are my work and play uniform - but it's so difficult to find ones that look and feel great, that when I do find one, I just have to have it.

Then, two days later I had an argument with the boyfriend and went shopping again. (continues on the next post).

*all images from Bacon Street project website.

2009-06-18T00:22:00.002+01:00

oopsy daisy! Forgot to post the amazing selection of blogs (including this one :) made by Mrs The Coveted last week - my head is all over the place these days... Anyway here you go!

By the way, lots of new ideas and upcoming DIYs/ outfit posts in the making. Will be back in the morning, promise I'm gonna be more regular now ;) xx

Links à la Mode : June 11th

39th and Broadway – What the end of an era of fashion excess means for the industry

Bobbins and Bombshells – Celebrating first anniversary with a beauty of a give away! The prize: Pin-Up Cosmetics!

BRICK MY LANE – How to give shoes a rock’n'roll edge using simple DIY ideas.

CUTEMESS – How Trevor the horse and an Australian Kangaroo Paw flower came to rest on a Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent dress.

Debutante Clothing – Interviews celebrity favorite vintage costume jewelry maven Carol Tanenbaum

Decline Designs – Defining Your Personal Style, Part Three: Using Your Inspiration

Dirty Dirty Laundry – KABLUEY! Check out my venture into the world of blue monochromatic fashion.

Fashion Grail – Love the way Chloe Sevigny perfectly combines the elegance of a scalloped Chloe blazer and cut off shorts.

Fashion Hippo – Three lucky readers will receive this tee as a prize. Loved by Kate Moss and many other celebrities. Ends June 18th.

Hong Kong Fashion Geek – Update your look for less – Resort 2010 looks for recessionistas

Independent Fashion Bloggers – Giveaway sites for freebie junkies.

MissRedLips – In Defense of Brooches

Pursed Lips Magazine – The CFDA Fashion Design Awards Promotes their Photoshoot, with None of the Women Nominees. Is something fishy?

Retro Chick – Mary Queen of Charity Shops – The Review

Style on the street – Alison Stephens, the new it model

Style Symmetry – Vintage Snakeskin Bracelet Giveaway!

Super Kawaii Mama – Meet Aleshia Brevard. A Vintage Style Icon you’ll never forget!

The Capitol Fashionista – Fashion Nostalgia: The Beautiful Covers of British Vogue

THE COVETED – The perfect giveaway for vintage lovers… win at Rice & Beans Vintage.

The Curvy Fashionista – The State of the Curvy Community Panel Discussion at Full Figure Fashion Week

the nerdlings – The photo shoot started off well. But words were spoken that shouldn’t have been spoken and everything else just descended into chaos.

DIY obsession: shoes

2009-06-07T22:28:00.004+01:00

Before I continue the series on the coolest stylists in the music/creative industry, I thought I could mention briefly how this whole thing of DIY-ing is about to climb to the top of my list of new obsessions (along with comics that have angry women as main characters, and horror films). Every time I look at my own shoes and clothes I think they can be improved/changed in some way - which is probably a result of working with vintage clothes that need to be mended, mixed with a constant eagerness to be creative in some way. There's something very satisfying about working on something you love already and making it cooler, with a touch of your own in it.

So I recently realised I love customising shoes. A couple of weeks ago me and The Boyfriend had a shoot with a band called The Raucous Jays, and it gave me the chance to play around with feathers and chains.

I started out with these New Look's high-heeled glads and sewed gold chains all around it.

Then, my favourites: feather boots. I wrapped a row of beautiful black feathers with an emerald sheen to it around Jemma's own boots trimmed in black sequins to give it a more rock'n'roll feel to it.

Now I want to customise ALL my shoes. I wonder what effect fake hair extensions would give to a pair of sandals....

Influential Stylists: Part 2

2009-06-03T17:26:00.004+01:00

Christian Joy

The second stylist on the list is American and has managed to cause an absolute uproar with one single client: Karen O, from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. A friend and long-time collaborator with the singer, there's no denying that Joy justifies her name with her absurd, colourful, other-wordly creations. Taking inspiration from David Bowie and Kansai Yamamoto, every costume she designs is a piece of art in itself (she in fact recently had an exhibition entitled The Visitors Must Be Amused, at Audio Visual Arts in New York), using all kinds of materials, from studs to pasta (!). No wonder The Klaxons also got impressed, and comissioned the lady to make their stage gear for the Brit awards last year.

A self-taught seamstress and pattern-maker, she ventured for a while into commercial design, but apparently, once you become an artist, must be difficult to stick to simple garments. She abandoned ready-to-wear last season and devotes herself full-time to her art.

In this video the lady gives a few more insights into her 'Designing Mind":

I'm absolutely in love with the "Zero" video costume - that leather jacket has 3000 studs, inserted one by one!!

2009-06-03T16:36:00.002+01:00

I forgot to mention it here, hopefully it's not too late! Major Tom Vintage, my Ebay shop, will be taking part at the Fashion Thursday at the Spread Eagle event tomorrow. Londoners, or whoever is in London and not busy tomorrow night, come and say hello, have a drink, do some bargain shopping... anything! xx

Influential Stylists: Part 1

2009-06-02T09:39:00.007+01:00

Last week The Boyfriend was comissioned to shoot a band (more on that soon) and I was asked to style and create pieces for the lead singer. The name of the band is about birds, so I decided to use feathers to make a sort of Indian head-piece, shoulder-pads and my favourites, these boots - which I twitted about last week. Turns out Jemma, the singer, liked it so much, she got them for herself to wear in a gig at Barfly, the iconic rock venue.

I liked the job so much it got me thinking about who else is doing the same thing out there. Flicking through my copies of i-Ds/Dazed&Confused/POP/etc (not on the internet!) I came across a few stylists/artists who made their names making one-off pieces for bands, shoots and shop windows - and they are as talented as any degree-bearer fashion designer.

So here's the first part of a series about the leaders and opinion-makers of the fashion pack that don't all come from the catwalk.

Fee Doran

Also known as Mrs Jones, she is the woman behind the iconic hooded jumpsuit that Kylie wore for the I Can't Get You Out of My Head Video, purple leather patchwork dungarees for the Scissor Sisters, Goldfrapp's 'Pony' tails, among other artists' influential costumes, including Duran Duran and The Killers. She started out after being discovered by the girlfriend of a Duran Duran band member in her Portobello stall - although back then she was already a well-known DJ. And she also worked with Giles, Matthew Williamson, as well as her own label Mrs Jones (which launched at Topshop in 2003, but I'm not sure it still out there).

"I hate that look of a girl group all wearing ripped denim skirts," she said in an interview. "There's no individualism—I'm inspired by Eighties artists like Grace Jones and Blondie. When I was growing up, I'd see them on TV and I would just be like, 'Wow.'"

She says she 'Love Clothes and Hates Fashion', and this month she will be in charge of the Oxfam DIY boutique in Camden, which will sell only customised versions of their discarded clothes. She will be holding DIY workshops in-store from 6th of June - in fact, here she teaches how to make a brilliant, very Stella McCartney jumpsuit out of a men's suit.

Styling discarded clothes for Oxfam

Pieces for shoots

Photographic Inspiration: Philip Lorca DiCorcia

2009-05-28T10:27:00.005+01:00

Another great photographic inspiration found through Sarfati's book was Philip Lorca diCorcia. Following the American suburban nostalgia tradition, DiCorcia produces beautiful images of the characters that compose his reality. I'm getting more and more interested in the power of lightining and the fantastic quality of twilight DiCorcia reveals to be a master when it comes to transform ordinary moments into magical depictions of real life. When the set is not carefully staged, he hides lights in the pavements of streets around the world that distinguishes his subject, ramdon people, from the rest of the scenery (as in his series Heads).

Photography Inspiration: Lise Sarfati

2009-05-26T00:53:00.003+01:00

NO, I haven't abandoned this blog (why the hell do I feel guilty because I'm not posting things here everyday? I don't know. Sucks though). I'm just taking my time to absorb things, and not let fashion play its magical trick on me - turning otherwise normal people into ADD-ridden consumerist psychos that move on to the next thing before they can even remember what they wanted 30 seconds ago (I'm a bit like that, but nothing compared to some twitterers who discuss which shoes/dress/hat/underwear they're going to buy ALL DAY LONG). No. Just because this is about clothes that everything HAS to be about clothes, okay?

So last night I was looking at my bookshelves for inspiration and I found something that The Boyfriend bought a few months ago and never had a chance to look at. It's a photography book by French photographer Lise Sarfati called Fashion Maga zine: Austin Texas. I was intrigued, because when I picked it up I though it was one of those arty super glossies being ironic in its title, but it was anything but.

I found that this is another one of Sarfati's American projects in which she travels to middle-America (in this case Austin, Texas) and captures her 'characters', young middle-class girls, in their suburban environment - all clad in Alaïa, Louboutin, Burberry, amongst other super brands. There's little about the images that resemble a true fashion editorial - they are more like staged, over stylised moments of this girls real lives.

I love the nostalgic mood of the pictures, and The Boyfriend said that he bought it because it reminded him of Gregory Crewdson, one of his idols.

Each "editorial" is divided by "adverts" - images of fashionable branded objects taken probably in Sarfati's subject's houses, and in between these adverts there are two great, intimate interviews ( more like conversations with the photographer) with two designers I really admire: Azzedine Alaïa and Rick Owens.

Brilliant inspiration.

Links à la Mode : May 21st

2009-05-24T20:33:00.003+01:00

wo-hoo! Brick My Lane selected, 3rd week in a row. Lots of great links there too, check out Clutch-22 getting a mainstream boutique to match online prices - a thing we all should learn in times of recession!

39thandbroadway.com - Bringing an End to Fashion Knock-offs– Finally!
A Typical Atypical - how to follow fashion with a vintage twist
Agent Dreamer - Designers I Heart: The Dark, Majestic Femme
Agent Lover - How to Throw a Swap Party
Awakened Aesthetic - An Instant Classic: Black & White
Breakfast at Saks - Erika Hendrix - An Urban Romance
BRICK MY LANE - Mrs Obama and fashion = respect
Clutch 22 - How to negotiate a price-match including a video experiment at Nordstrom.
Decline Designs - Defining Your Personal Style, Part One: the Concept
Dirty Laundry - How to Refine Your Self-Portraiture
dramatis personae - Developing Your Wardrobe Palette {part 4}
Felicia Sullivan - Step aside, Kerastase. Phyto is the new reigning queen of haircare
Hong Kong Fashion Geek - Fashion Geek’s tips to scoring big at warehouse sales.
Independent Fashion Bloggers - The New IFB is Here!
Krislyn Diaries - DIY: cool summertime do’s
Retro Chick - Do’s & Don’ts for the Perfect Wedding Guest Outfit
Style Symmetry - How to be a Guest at a Clothing Swap Party
THE COVETED - shu uemura is in the Pink
The Demoiselles - Fat or Thin… You’re Still Getting Old
The Recessionista’s Blog - Choosing a Swimsuit: Summer Style Tips
Work Chic - You still can still be a chic mom to be in the summer heat!

Hey Shortie!

2009-05-21T22:06:00.004+01:00

Damn, I think one of the stigmas of being blogger is having the apologies constantly at the ready - lack of posts is a serious issue, and I must start training myself to blog on the move (maybe I should get one of those USB modem things...)

Anyway! Before I forget, Major Tom's pieces are getting better and better - it's all about mini-dresses and super short playsuits now - and this week's auction ending Sunday is, pardon the modesty, freakin' FAB. Some of my favourite looks:

Brick my Lane selected for Links a La Mode again!

2009-05-17T21:13:00.002+01:00

Style Metamorphosis

Edited by STYLEMOM

The Fashion life cycle is ever evolving. Trends come and go faster than ever propelled by the information stream of online and social media. With each change comes a new perspective and new creative ideas flourish. Human survival demands that you must adapt and change with your environment in order to survive and this is also true of fashion.. Even old ideas sometimes are reinvented and come full circle creating an impact on the latest trends. This week’s links include everything from DIY and recycled style, to new discoveries and changes in the fashion industry, representing a testament to the constant evolution of fashion.

Links à la Mode : May 15th

Birdie at Bonne Vie is the cat’s meow clawing away at the bitchy & snark to open the door for positive girl power.
Capitol Girl spreads her wings with butterfly jewels
Dramatis Personae spins the color wheel of life’s fashion journey
Hong Kong Fashon Geek teaches you the ancient art of locking your love with your closet
Dirty Laundry spin dries into bat girl the DIY superhero
The Coveted shares DIY beauty secrets from around the world with Shalini Vadhera
Paint it Noir shows the artistic inspiration behind stunning jeweled creations
The Culturista shreds and threads the latest gospel of denim
Little Black Book puts it’s Fashionista star on Mischa Barton’s style revival
Ondo Lady has the fever for the latest fashion video epidemic plaguing the web
In Life and Fashion takes boho chic to a new level with designer Anna Sui
Style Symmetry shows off her joie de vivre as she reinvents flapper chic
Fashion Grail gives a frugally haute interpretation of Reese Witherspoon’s look
Fashion Matchmaker gives a costume critique of this years Met Gala
A Celebration of Curves travels back to Woodstock with a Summer of Love
Agent Dreamer discovers a retro chic eco-accessory on Etsy
Fete a Fete shows off Anne Hathaway’s sexy side with a Lancome give away
WorkChic shows the curvalicious ladies super fab scarf stylings
Brick My Lane straps on the shoulder pads and shows off her killer legs for her birthday
The Capitol Fashionista uses a small budget to make a big dazzling statement
Retro Chick shares 3 ways to wear structured shoulders.
STYLEMOM pontificates on the potential end of a fashion era for American Vogue Magazine
Independent Fashion Bloggers- How to run a successful and stylish blog giveaway

Mrs Obama and fashion = respect

2009-05-17T16:57:00.004+01:00

While this blog doesn't really talk about slebs and their papped outfits, we will make an exception today due to, well, exceptional circumstances. Mostly because A) Michelle Obama is not exactly a celebrity, but probably one of the most influential women in this planet, and B) her choice of garments mean so much more than simply setting trends - she is making history whenever she pulls something out of her closet.

And so it is that Mrs Obama this week chose to wear our very own London-based designers Basso & Brooke for the White House evening of poetry and music - if not the first "Brit" designers she wears since stepping to power (apparently she wore Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicolls earlier this year), certainly the first Brazilian (as half of the duo is).

Why is this important? Not simply because she is so notorious and has great taste, but because it proves once again that she is a woman of her own mind when it comes to fashion, refusing to compromise. Basso & Brooke are well-known for their avant-garde prints and pieces that are feminine but edgy, chic but unconventional - concepts we don't exactly associate with women in politics, specially first ladies, until Obama came into the picture. She knows her position does not immediately obliges her to clad herself in tweed suits, pastel colours, and names associated with classy, safe elegance such as Chanel and Dior. Very much on the contrary: it's because she is in her particular position that she knows she can make a difference - and of all the areas she is working on, fashion is probably the easiest one with the quickest impact.

She also refuses to be manipulated by fashion PR's and does not take freebies (although she does have fashion advisers). She bought that specific top from her "local" Chicago boutique Ikram , one of Basso & Brooke stockists. In fact, this top was actually a dress from the SS09 collection, which was customised into a top. Who would know the first lady is into DIY?

In a world of bland, media-hungry, PR controlled celebrities that use fashion to be in our faces all the time, it's nice to see a woman with this kind of exposure treating fashion the way it should be: an important feature to demonstrate your own unique view of things, but not as crucial as it should take over your whole personality and your other interests in life.

We heart Michelle Obama.

These ain't no add-ons

2009-05-16T12:13:00.005+01:00

Apologies for the lack of posts, but this thing of being self-employed does not make things any easier in terms of time management. It's work around the clock, which some times makes me nostalgic for that 9 to 5 routine that most people have...

Anyways.

In that same sample sale I found the Hannah Marshall dress, I also met Anderson Borba, the Brazilian half of duo Borba Margo, who create a lusty line of belts and handbags. He had brought a mix of past collections and some samples from his new one. What a treat. Lots of bold, graphic lines, fringes and satin ruffles, these were acessories made to stand out on their own, worn with nothing but minimalistic outfits in block colours.

Then he sat with me and showed the new AW09 collection on a laptop. As the English like to say, GOOD LORD. There are lots of rock'n'roll pieces, much tougher, with tassels, chains, leather peplums and belts that double up as corset/almost a skirt. It's even a shame to call these pieces "accessories", as they are certainly not simple add-ons to supplement an outfit. They are almost outfits on their own!

Can't wait for them to come out. I'm a converted devotee.

Major Tom Vintage: Auctions this week

2009-05-11T14:24:00.003+01:00

This week's new auctions at my Ebay shop. Favourite is the Salvatore Ferragamo gray blazer from the 80s (second picture), such a versatile, timeless piece. Wish I could keep it :) Visit the shop to see what's available !

The Chosen One: Hannah Marshall Armour Dress

2009-05-10T22:50:00.003+01:00

Things have been hectic. Since I came back from Thailand, I have had to deal with, among other things, bills, moving out, fraud, and general analysis of the near future. All very tiring and time-consuming, making my severely sparse attention-span reduce itself to blinks of an eye.

Why am I writing this again?

Oh, right.

So I haven't had much focus (or energy) to post here, even if there was an exceptionally special happening style-wise: two weekends ago I was invited to this soirée in an acquaintance's home that turned out to be a very exclusive Hannah Marshall and Borba Margo sample sale (Roisin Murphy made an appearance during my *time slot*). Imagine my excitement.

I absolutely adore Marshall and her bold use of black leather, shoulder pads, and pleated satin to produce her *future goth* ensembles, so seeing things up close and personal was an absolute privilege - not to say of meeting the woman herself. I remember seeing pictures of her and thinking she must be one scary Morticia-like diva, but she was nothing of the kind, far from it. She was sweet, approachable and had the most amusing laugh - how great a surprise is that?

Not as great as when I tried on what to me is the most iconic of her dresses, the one that press and blogland all over raved about , shooting her status as *promising star designer* up the roof: the armour dress.

There and then, I chose that mythical birthday present.

I remember seeing the picture of the dress and thinking those shoulder pads were made of some plastic material, or something, but it turns out they were quite ordinary spongy pads covered in leather. I was going to wear it for my co-hosted birthday party, another "get together" organised by five of us in a Soho Bar, but last minute I realised that by the time I squeezed myself past 200 people to get to the bar, I would have lost 7 shoulder pads.

It will have to make another rather special occasion. But until then, it's a shame not to show it to anyone, so I asked the Boyfriend to take some pictures. Doesn't it make for great visual impact?

Borba Margo was another great chance encounter, specially after I realised one half of the duo is Brazilian. But that deserves a post all on its own.

Links à la Mode : May 7th

2009-05-07T14:40:00.008+01:00

yay! Brick My Lane made the Independent Fashion Bloggers round-up of the best links of the week!

Summer Sundries and Indie Style

Edited by Debutante Clothing

Welcome to Links á la Mode! This week, bloggers are buzzing about summer musts such as Style With Anna’s list of swimsuit trends and Capitola Fashionistas round up of drool worthy sandals. But the edgy bloggers are bringing some fantastic interviews such as Super Kawaii Mama’s chat with colorful Amelia Arsenic and a very cool DIY studded belt by Brick My Lane. There’s something for everyone this week on Links á la Mode - enjoy!

There’s the full version of Links á la Mode here in the forums… there’s a lot of great posts there too.

Links à la Mode : May 7th

Super Kawaii Mama - A cracking interview with a very worthy girl crush - Amelia Arsenic!
Style Symmetry - Seven Questions with Susie of Style Bubble!
Solo Lisa - Canadian jewelry line DESIGN + CONQUER puts a bold, quirky spin on the meaning of geek chic
The Coveted - Win a $250 gift certificate for Avelle (formerly Bag, Borrow or Steal) luxury handbags!
Agent Dreamer - Hearts Idil Vice
Tickle the Blog - Make your existing make-up into summer beauty must-haves!
Ono Lady - Too cool for school, NYLON magazine have just recently celebrated their 10th anniversary
Dramatis Personae - Ashe Mischief Asks Herself “Why Develop Your Wardrobe’s Color Palette?”
fete a fete - Guerlain’s new summer Terracotta lip glosses, Fard Indien, and the new Rouge G lipstick!
The Capitola Fashionista - The 15 Must Have Sandals for this Summer
Style With Anna - The Hottest Swimwear and Bikini Trends for Spring/Summer 2009
A Few Goody Gumdrops - is giving away a Hana Elite Ceramic Flat Iron for Mother’s Day. Enter to Win!
Capitola Girl - So ready for summer on The Devil Wears Etsy
Two Thousand Things – Celebrity Walk-In Wardrobes and some pictures for reference
The Curvy Fashionista - A Curvy Fashionista declaring her fashionable existence in a straight world
The Fashion Grail - Get Miranda Kerr’s look for less!
Misslikey - my view on the night at Met’s
Fashion Pulse Daily - Khaki goes beyond its preppy stigma with the new Gap designer collaboration
Brick My Lane - DIY: how to make an “organic” spike Rock’n'Roll belt

DIY: "Organic" Spike Belt

2009-05-06T14:39:00.003+01:00

So the other day I had some spare time and the Boyfriend's aunt for company, and instead of sitting around drinking tea and gossiping, I decided to ask her to join me at the studio to do some DIY (while drinking tea and gossiping). I have boxes of haberdashery and general bits and bobs lying around in boxes for ages, and since this recession hit this country, I feel more and more compelled to create/adapt things to wear rather than just hit Oxford Street and go crazy.

So the first idea was this "organic" spike rock'n'roll belt. I found this little wood cones in a pub that apparently are used in barels of ale, and thought they would look cool as spikes.

I wanted to glue them to something, but as I chose a plain elastic belt, the spikes would fall on the first stretch. That's when I found those upholstery nails - they would hold the cone in place and the flat top on the inside would not hurt me when I wear the belt.

The initial idea was to cover them in fabric - I have loads of vintage floral ones - but as that got too complicated, Auntie said: "why don't you add another nail at the top?" So we did. And I decided to leave it at that for a while - i quite liked the mixture of wood and metal.

Celebrity Skin

2009-05-01T00:53:00.005+01:00

so yes, yours truly made into the now cool ASOS magazine. Did you know they publish a monthly mag? Me neither. These people are ON it. Click on THE Peaches to flick through the rest.

and the same day (it was sometime during LFW) I was also caught by the Style Clicker - in a much less flattering way though... oh well.

Sprousing around

2009-04-30T11:49:00.003+01:00

I got a Waterstones voucher for my birthday, and browsing the shop yesterday I felt very inclined to buy the Stephen Sprouse fashion tome. It's all very Gilbert & George, very 80s - very much what I'm into now..

Before I Forget

2009-04-30T00:10:00.002+01:00

Round up of favourites from hel-looks:

And favourite Coachella looks (from Style.com):

The Russians are coming (YES PLEASE)

2009-04-28T22:01:00.005+01:00

Having a little neck-piece obsession these days - which is funny because I have never been into stuff I can wrap around my neck other than a scarf. Truth is, I'm too much of dwarfian proportions to get away with massive adornments without looking like a petite Christmas tree.

But THEN, browsing around, I found the wonderful Russian designer Alena Akhmadullina, who, in her SS09 collection took neck pieces to a WHOLE new level. You know how editors love to tell us we should toughen up a pretty dress ("throw some biker boots there, love")? Well, Akhmadullina just showed an entirely different way to do just that. Shaped like clavicles, she paired her knitted body-armours around flimsy, floaty dresses, making it VERY rock'n'roll.

I was hooked. That is, until I saw her AW09/10 collection. Bloody hell, hair extensions never looked SO COOL. These outfits look like they could be in a Blade Runner/Neuromancer-style sort of film: sort of punk made pretty in a new way, an uniform for urban girls who need practical but contemporary, visionary, avant-garde garments. I don't know much about this lady yet other than she is from San Petersburg and shows in Paris (and that Style.com hasn't picked-up on her yet! hellow?), but, hell yeah, I'm an instant fan.

Fashion dilemma: ONE great birthday present

2009-04-27T18:08:00.003+01:00

Yesterday was my birthday, and since I'm still very much banned from shopping, the Boyfriend said he would allow me to choose one nice fashion present. Oh god, ONE !? Damn, being in London it's like throwing a child in the best toy store in the world, and telling her to choose the most special doll. I panicked a little, but I kind of like thinking that my next purchases are going to be really special and cherished - if reckless shopping never had the best of reputations, doing such thing these days is at best silly, at worst plain stupid.

So I decided to give the high street a miss and have a look at some of my favourite local boutiques.

One was STRUT, in Stoke Newington, which I've said before it's bloody awesome for second-hand designer and vintage - and which sadly, didn't have anything I liked in my size - and then it was off to No-One in Shoreditch.

I didn't know they had a store online, but it was a good thing I went there, because some of the labels available are not online yet. Like London - based KapowWow, a label that uses recycled textiles to make the coolest neckpieces. I very much wanted the grey one worn by the brunette model with the fringe, but maybe in a bright colour like red or electric pink. They also didn't have that specific piece in the shop but apparently you can email them and order one that suits your style.

And being a sucker for bright printed leggings (am I ever getting tired of it?), I was drooling over London-based designer David David version, which I couldn't find a picture online to post it, but were in the same bright, geometric print as worn by Ms Dellal here.

Then, looking over his AW 9/10 afterwards, I saw the birthday present with the biggest potential: a very Vivenne Westwood-esque circa Pirates printed spandex jumpsuit.

I know, I know. I asked myself the same question: can I pull off a SKIN-TIGHT bright jumpsuit now I became part of that age-box called *late-twenties*? Oh, what the heck. I won't know till I try it right?

After No-one, we headed to Brick Lane to try the markets, but it was far too nice and sunny - and crowded! - to actually bother about scouring the shops, so I gave in and thought I might as well wait for a rainy day and shop online. After all, a thoughtful shopper is a slow shopper.

Major Tom Auctions are back!

2009-04-24T13:05:00.006+01:00

And this week, my little ebay shop Major Tom Vintage comes back to life with 25 new auctions - there are 10 items online already (the other 15 will be from Sunday), all finishing the following Sunday, 3rd of May.

Here are my favourite picks (links for all the pieces coming soon):

YSL Blazer and Metallic Leggings

Valentino Blazer

Leopard Print Cropped Trousers

Batwing Dress

Sequined Jumper

Word Print Blazer

Lumberjack Shirt

Glitter Top and Dr Martens creepers

No Money, No Honey

2009-04-24T10:57:00.008+01:00

Obviously, if I hadn't banned myself to even look at my credit card, I would probably do the rounds online and take advantage of early sales that just started. This Mario Schwab for Topshop cut-out jersey dress is light, edgy and has the right amount of coverage for this "is it warm?is it cold?" London weather - although, being the midget I am, I would probably take the hem up (I still haven't learnt how to wear knee-lenght loose dresses and look cool like the cute Japanese girls I see shopping around Bond Street. They go against all the rules for petit people - and they also proudly wear flats). At 25 quid, it'll probably be sold out before I can say "vertically challenged".

Also, I really like those Bebaroque girls and their interesting take on tights, which blogland has been raving about for some time. A lot of online boutiques are selling them at the mo, and ASOS just slashed their price tag by half on this white ones with black floral print (although I still think that £35 for a pair of tights, even this ones with DIAMANTé, are a little bit hefty for my taste).

Then, looking around Etsy, I found this ruffled "origami" scarves, handmade by Melbry in Indianapolis, US. Having packed away my knitted scarves and put in storage (I refuse to aknowledge that it might still get really cold during spring) I still like to have something interesting to wrap around my neck during windy days. I love my vintage printed scarves, but these ones are a quick option to make an impact on those days when my fashion imagination is subsiding.

It's Sunny in London...

2009-04-23T16:17:00.007+01:00

...and we can finally get out of the house pretty wearing ONE layer. No coats, cardigans, long-sleeved anything. GREAT for everyone who actually NEEDS to get out of the house and go to work. But what if you work from home, like me now? Yeah. Pyjamas, pretty much.

But since I've put a ban on my shopping habits this month (my brithday month, oh the irony), I've decided to get more wear of what I already have, even if I'm working from home now. No pyjamas. Looking at my rails, I realised I have LOADS of pieces I've carrying around with me for who knows how many years, and I NEVER wear. Like this French Connection kimono-style top. Or the vintage striped dress. I must have them for at least 6 years, wearing maybe...twice a year? Insane. So, to prove I'll be exploring my wardrobe in more depth, I decided to post picture of an outfit a day at my flickr account - which will indeed force me to make an effort. We'll see how long it lasts.

Jungle Go Shopping

2009-04-22T13:49:00.006+01:00

Oh, I love when a fellow brazilian makes it big this side of the hemisphere!

I was thrilled to see that amazingly talented illustrator Vanessa da Silva got herself a deal with Topshop, and has now a capsule collection of t-shirts and dresses printed with her colourful and quirky drawings! It's all full of the tropical energy and fresh organic lines so characteristic of Brazil, with a relaxed street-style edge. Love the "jungle go shopping" theme, it's perfect for the summer.

My favourite is this jewell necklace print tee, very much what I like to wear to work - comfy with an edge.

I met Vanessa during the LFW rush and she is very much like her drawings - beautiful, all healthy colours and bright smiles. She totally deserves this success - so show the girl some love!

My two cents on the Race row in Brazil

2009-04-19T13:51:00.007+01:00

Then on the same day, as I arrived home, I got a phone call from a friend asking if I knew anyone who could go to BBC World Service to talk about the race issue happening in Brazil right now. I said no, I don't know, sorry. Then she said "Why don't you do it then?", and I said "Because I don't even know what the issue is about." She said "Go on, do a bit of research online, and you'll be fine", to which I said "Ok, then," completely forgetting the fact that I am absolutely terrified of speaking in public.

I had the grand space of 10 minutes to google the subject before the producer called me to say they were sending a cab to pick me up. I panicked, obviously, when I realised that the subject is indeed a complex one. Turns out that a Brazilian prosecutor wants to create quotas for black models during Sao Paulo fashion week, similar to the existing ones in state universities.

I arrived at the BBC HQ knowing nothing about the programme, if it'd be recorded or live, and who would be interviewing - until I looked at my accreditation. It said 'Newshour', live with Owen Bennett-Jones, a legend of journalism. For those who don't know, it's a show with in-depth analysis of current affairs, listened to by the world over.

In my head I had several points I wanted to make, and when it got to my turn, I blanked out almost completely and made a bit of a fool of myself.

But thank god for blogging - and here I take the chance to justify myself.

What I wanted to say was that I think quotas are a tricky, complicated way to enforce inclusion, most specially in the arts world (I do consider fashion design a form of art), specially in Brazil, a melting pot of diversity. What would happen to the other minorities not affected by the quota?
It'd probably turn against those chosen to be included in the catwalks by force, rather than by talent.

I might be naive, but I believe at least some designers create clothes without specifically thinking about the skin-colour of who is going to wear it (Alexandre Herchcovitch said quota or no quota, his work wouldn't be affected). These designers are constantly looking for talent, independent of race, so maybe not them, but casting agents should increase their efforts in adding more black models to their books.

Now those who say black models don't sell as well, it is also a matter of perspective. In a country like Brazil, in which the majority of the consumers of fashion are white mostly because of centuries of economic disparities, this might be unfortunately true (and who says it won't change in the future with the University quotas?). But what to say of America, where a much larger percentage of the black population has as much economic power as the next white? (see today's Guardian prasing Vogue for putting a black woman in its cover 3 months in a row).

As anyone who pays an atom of attention to fashion knows, this is an industry that thrives on change and mutation. Consumers are constantly "trained" to desire a certain lifestyle/image/idea - see the whole debate over that other controversial colour, *green.* Only a couple of years ago, buying recycled/ethical clothes had not an inch of coolness surrounding it. Now, at least in the UK, environmentally conscious fashion is a booming industry. People's point of view change as much as fashion if there are constant reminders being waved in their faces.

So if for now quotas look radical, the discussion is still absolutely valid, though, happening as it is already all over the world, creating waves of positive change (famously showed by Prada breaking its long "black holiday" by casting British model of the year Jourdan Dunn in the past two seasons). It brings attention to the inequalities of the industry, prompting major players to change their priorities.

Now, that's what I wanted to say in the radio. I'd put a link of the programme here (17/03/09 - around 42 min) and give you the chance to laugh at me, but I went to the World Service site and couldn't find it. If you find it, let me know. And if you think what I said here is a load of bollocks, please also let me know.

The Rankin Outfit

2009-04-18T09:55:00.005+01:00

There are times when nothing really happens around here, and then, out of the blue, BAM, they all come crashing down on you like a bloody snowball. Yesterday was one of those good avalanche days. And all because I took a leaf out of that Yes Man book (saw the film on the flight home), and, well, said yes when people asked.

So, ladies and gentleman, I'm taking part in the Rankin Live exhibition - the one where the man himself photographs 1,000 people as part of a project to document the faces of Britain.

I was a chance I casually jumped to two days ago when I was lazily browsing facebook. One of his assistants asked via his status for volunteers, and I said "whaddahell. I'll go". The email I got back said *dress to impress*, and as with everything else, I only thought about the outfit minutes before getting out the door (not saying this is a good thing. I don't like planning outfits ahead, and because of it, most of the time I make the most horrendous mistakes, if that exists at all). I chose, as usual, vintage leggings, my favourite Kurt Geiger boots and vintage hat, and an old Levi's top that I had no idea I had - but since London's chilly spring hasn't killed the last of a tan I brought from Thailand, I thought I might as well show it before it's gone.

I shouldn't have worried, because as you'll see in the next picture, the man himself wasn't too impressed with my choice of outfit, and chose to sit my in a chair and do a closeup.

So, the experience itself. The photoshoot took place in his studio/office, which is part of the whole Dazed & Confused / Another HQ. I was one of 30 other people who was being shot on the day, and showed up in batches of 5 every hour. I had done a bit of make-up and well, brushed my hair, but it was obviously not enough as I was sent straight to hair'n'make-up to fix the bad job I had done. They chose to hide my hair under the hat, which I thought was a wise decision, increased the eye-lashes, and off I went.

I had no idea what to expect from Rankin, as I had never seen him apart from a profile image of him hiding behind a camera, so I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed my boots made me tower over him (I'm 5'1. I never tower over anybody, even if I wear platforms). He had a cheeky, very lad-like sense of humour, making fun of my accent in between bad dirty jokes that made his team laugh nervously. I wasn't intimidated, but slightly taken aback - it might be just me, but I find a little strange people who use bullying tactics to put people at ease.

The guy is obviously good, though. He takes between 5 and 15 minutes with people, until he finds his models' best angles, and then lets everyone choose their favourite shot - although he does push you to choose his own favourite. In my case, he liked a closeup with my hair big and flying all over the place, claiming he made me look like the "Penelope Cruz of Brazil". Terrible.

So I chose this one:

This and 999 other images are going to be part of the Truman Brewery show in the summer in much bigger proportions than the small print I got - and the ironic thing, I'll probably be the ONLY Brazilian in it.

But that was just the first part of the day. Something else happened later on, but I'll continue on the post above.

A Holiday Wardrobe

2009-04-10T15:52:00.010+01:00

Alrighty! Been quite a while since I last posted anything here, but it all that Thai bright sun, blazing heat and crystal-clear sea blinding my senses, I could not think about clothes other than get them off of my skin.

So I spent a good 18 days in nothing more than a grey leopard print brazilian bikini I got as a present two Xmas ago, and a pair of silver Havaianas borrowed from one of the Australian girls (all my flip-flops snapped after a couple of days).

But on a couple of occasions I HAD to choose something to wear. One of them was a visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, where one must cover one's shoulders and legs. I didn't know that, but thank the Almighty Buddha that I took this vintage printed jumpsuit in my backpack. Can't look more tropical tourist than this, but hey, it was useful and comfy.

Then, the wedding, which was the main purpose of this trip. Remember the reference was SS09 Luella, all ruffles and nets around the face? Well, that's what I came up with:

This 80s dress has been hanging on one of Major Tom's rails for the past 6 months, and I couldn't part with it - nor find an occasion to wear it. I love the layered ruffles, the jewel colour, and the shoulder pads, which pretty much sum up *wedding-ness* (at least in the 80s). It served the purpose well, if it wasn't for the nearly unbearable heat and humidity - I felt like ripping the sleeves off at some point, and by the end of the night I ended up with a heat rash all over my legs. Oh well. It made for good pictures.

The rest of the journey I lived in not much more than denim shorts and vests, or playsuits (vintage and American Apparel), which get the problem of coordinating pieces out of the way. Not the most amazing options, but when the scenario is so overwhelmingly beautiful, why compete? :P

I'm going all MJ on you

2009-03-11T14:46:00.004Z

By the way: Just to make it official, I got tickets to see Michael Jackson at the O2 via pre-sale, and yes, I'm feeling VERY smug. I might even buy this Jean-Charles de Castelbajac dress to wear on the day of the gig (30th of July). Fan t-shirts are SO last decade - one must get under the idol's skin.

*image Vice UK

CTRL is COOL

2009-03-11T14:19:00.005Z

Found these guys while browsing Hel-looks (they're now linking when the people mention where they got their clothes from, which is awesome for unknown designers and shops). My passion for printed legwear seems to be slowly evolving to other parts of the body, and I catch myself wondering if I should start getting jumpers, coats and shoes with bright, graphic prints (I'm also paying a lot of attention to minimalistic design, but I wonder I can start wearing them once I'm a bit older... as I'm sure I won't be able to get away with street-style tracksuits in neon colours much longer).

Anyway, I digress. This streetwear label hails from that crazy cool land called Helsinki (I SO want to spend some time there. These people must use creativity to compensate for the lack of sunlight -they're amazing), and they make awesome printed leggings and oversize jumpers that look ridiculously comfy and cool. Judging by their lookbook, the collection seems to be unisex, which is a very welcome factor these days (I've been hoarding The Boyfriend's wardrobe for a while, even though he has a lot less clothes than I do - and he certainly CAN'T do the same, what with the height difference).

I'd very much wear their stuff to festivals and outdoor parties, specially that Boy from Mars jumper on top of a polka-dot culottes.

*click on the pictures to see higher res.

OhMyF****ngGod

2009-03-08T18:36:00.004Z

jesus. Found these Chloe Sevigny for AW09 Open Ceremony shoes while browsing randomly. There's like, NINE BUCKLES in it! The woman is a genius. Must get my hands on them.

Fashion dilemma: wedding in Thailand

2009-03-08T16:53:00.007Z

Yes. A friend of my is getting married in Thailand in a couple of weeks, and although I had about a year to think about what to wear, obviously I left everything for the last minute. Now, WHAT does one wear for a day wedding in a 5-star resort without melting the whole outfit in the 38˚ C climate? If it was a hippie-chic affair on the beach, I wouldn't be panicking - I would resort (no pun intended) to any flowery, floaty number, a straw hat and probably no shoes. But that's not the case.

So today I was looking through the SS09 collections for inspiration, I found that Luella quite fits the bill. There are several cute one-shouldered and bandeau dresses with enough frills and bows to compensate for the short hem, in colours that surely would look great with a tan.

This last orange one is my favourite - Net-a-porter has the grey version of it - but at a hefty £675, let's just say it's a little out of my price range.

A quick research around the high-street websites show that copycat versions of this Luella range either hasn't arrived yet, or they're not being sold online (I'm sure they're going to be copied left, right and centre, and if I had the patience to walk around Oxford Street, I would find them). The only one I found was this coral one at French Connection, which kind of has the vibe I'm looking for, although I'd like it much more if it had a bubble or ruffled skirt. It's not bad at £75, but skint as I am, I'll probably go vintage, DIY-ing the bows and roses.

The other great dilemma promptly solved by Ms Luella was the hairstyle. This look is fresh enough to wear under the Thai sun (the high braid and quiff gets the hair out of the neck and forehead, a welcome relief), and the net around the face is a great and fresh substitute for a hat, and super easy to DIY. Problem solved!

Shopping Heaven: STRUT, Stoke Newington

2009-03-04T09:53:00.007Z

When it comes to shopping for vintage/2nd hand in London, I bet most fashionistas know that Brick Lane is the destination in the East. But not many people can claim to have found proper designer stuff amongst the heaps of shops and markets and charities shop on a regular basis, let alone for an okay price (around the £100-less price mark). Well, I think I just found it. A knew boutique called Strut in Church Street, Stoke Newington. They're a mix of vintage shop + second-hand concession store + designer dress agency with middle-class prices on the lower end of the scale. It may as well be called Shopping Heaven.

On my last visit (I need to pass by them on my way to the gym... god, give me strenght), I spotted a Fendi bondage cut-out dress for £80, an Alaïa jacket for £150, Thierry Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, Dior Cahsmere, Hermés... Some amazing fringed coats from the 60s, and a Prada sneakskin platform that sadly didn't fit me. I haven't bought anything yet (the guilt is playing hard here), but the Boyfriend found some Yohji Yamamoto black plimsolls for £40 ... and then, on seeing a little damage on the sole, shamelessly haggled the price down and paid £25. That's my boy.

*images: www.yelp.co.uk

The 80s are full-on at Major Tom

2009-03-03T21:31:00.004Z

And here are the very 80's-club-era-inspired cool looks being auctioned on Major Tom's Ebay shop this week. We just thought we've haven't been doing "the london look" enough, and inspired by Mr Jacobs, we went all colourful and broad this week. Go for it.

Auctions ending this Sunday! (A bit of self-promotion)

2009-02-27T10:22:00.005Z

Quick round-up of the best auctions at Major Tom Vintage, ending this Sunday / 8pm GMT:

Claude Montana Blazer

Moschino Cheap & Chic Dress

Donna Karan Pyjama/Kimono Suit (this is definitely a favourite - or is it just me who thinks pyjamas are FASHION STATEMENTS?)

Yves Saint Laurent Cashmere cardie

MaxMara Blazer (amazing cut and buttons).

There are more auctions finishing at the same time, including colourful 80s leggings and jumpers, but we don't get designer pieces very often - so this is the chance to grab a bargain for a snip! :)

Make War, not Love

2009-02-26T23:56:00.005Z

My Powerbook died last weekend (sniff!) after a very long life spam of 5 years, so I'm kinda fighting over the remaining Mac in the house to do any updates blog-n-ebay-wise. I can still check facebook and twitter (did I tell you I'm on twitter now? SO BLOODY ADDICTIVE, that thing!), but anything to do with images, is a bit of a battle.

Anyway, last tuesday we went to check the MADE - UK show at The Hospital club, and we weren't able to see a thing: the models were running around the second floor lounge, Russell Brand's father was shouting and spitting our way into deafness, and Jack Osbourne's kept distracting me by ... walking past. I did manage to snap a goodie bag that had a beautiful mustard bracelet inside though (wearing it second picture from top to bottom).

Then, from there, to WAR magazine launch (re-launch?) party at Stringfellows' new-ish strip joint Angels. Pure debauchery, of course, which I'm sure was the editors' intention when decided to give free entrance and free champagne to a bunch of artsy-students on a school night. I managed to spill a tray of drinks all over one of the waitresses' lingerie while trying to avoid a kick in the head by a spectacled dude spinning on a pole. The magazine's name apparently takes a cheeky ride on the fame of recent Fashion tome of the moment LOVE (as it's opposite... get it?), albeit in a much smaller scale (no big names advertising as yet). A mix of Vice magazine (with less scatology and more fashion), Dazed & Confused (although less avant-garde), and maybe i-D (with more music features), it's a nice little magazine that could go very forward - they even had access to Chanel's couture backstage show.

Oh, and they like bloggers. \o/

Missing out

2009-02-24T11:49:00.010Z

So last night I missed out on both F.M.S. party and the IFB Dress Up Soirée (gutted! see 3 posts below) because of ... safety. How very São Paulo. How very NYC in the early 90s. I live in a relatively safe neighbourhood, full of jewish families and their countless children, but the other night coming home I was followed by a street gang - which NEVER happened before, and I lived in much rougher areas - and was lucky to be rescued by my neighbour, who drives like a F1 racer. So having no one to come down to the parties with me, no driver's license, and no spare money to pay for cab rides, the Boyfriend forbade me to jump on the 149.

What the deuce is going on with London? Should I start assembling a Blade Runner wardrobe and practising somersaults a la Daryl Hannah?

Anyway.

Still, I've managed to stop by The Hospice to see Maria's Grachvogel AW09 show. The order of the day was "feminine and chic but comfortable pieces", which to me translated as "ladies-who-lunch-having-a-70s-themed-tea-party". Or something like it. Lots of ruffles and silk and peonies, and although the collection was a little too conservative for my taste, I could find some use for this fab ruffled jumpsuit (it IS a jumpsuit).

Then, on my way home I stumbled upon Drury Lane's Oxfam - must be faith - and being the thrifting sucker I am (that doesn't sound right, but you get the picture), I went IN. And came OUT £17 poorer, but with these FAB Westwood-esque platform T-bar Mary-Janes, a black wool poncho-meets-cardigan-meets-sofa-throw and a fabulously tacky pink harem pants embroidered with Hawaiian dancers. It kind of compensated for missing out on the parties - I just need to find another ones to wear all this.

There's lots of other things going on still, and I feel a little guilty for not dragging my ever-expanding bottom to such places, but energy here is running low. I'll come back tomorrow, folks.

2009-02-23T10:04:00.005Z

AND: here's an edited video version of the runway show from Elle UK, which has the beginning of the soundtrack (SO emotional), but doesn't show the 2nd and 3rd songs: orchestra-renderings of Guns'n'Roses Sweet Child of Mine and Britney Spears' Toxic (love it). Oh well. (Can't make the bloody video fit into the posts' column either - but I think at least the clothes are pretty visible).

The show

2009-02-22T22:44:00.005Z

I thought I would've been able to be more active over here the past days - but working for B&B (for Basso & Brooke, not Bed & Breakfast) meant no time for eating/sleeping/scratching-one's-bum or blogging for that matter. But it was absolutely worth it. We worked in a very small but very friendly and passionate team (not in that sense, you silly). The boys are every bit the design wizards they're now so famous for, the clothes were stunning in a very grown-up way, the show was as smooth as it could be (I had seen the looks from so many angles so many times that by the time we were backstage I had memorized every single stitch - some poor dressers looked slightly scared when I came over to their allocated rails).

I'm not sure the boys were worried about it, but I kept thinking that the collection looked so gorgeously bright, so expensive-looking, SO RICH (it channels Louis XIV, for god's sake), that journalists would immediately label it wrong for the moment - surely this is not the most recessionista-chic collection?

Or is it?

The wrong in the picture inevitably was me (as usual). In a interview for Grazia, Chris brilliantly summarized it all: "You've got your jewellery your belt your top your skirt - all included in one dress." - which was interpreted as "Now, if that isn't creative credit crunch dressing, we don't know what is!" Hah!

In sum, I feel it was one of the best experiences I have ever had (hopefully not the last): you don't expect to meet so many nice people in this kind of environment, and I have nothing but compliments and admiration for everyone that got involved (or showed up briefly).

So here is some of the moments (*all pictures by Robinson Barbosa).

the rails
"No, that's not real fur, it's a print, darling"

You become a bloody cobbler, if needed to. Damn big footed models.

Stephen Jones (who made the head pieces... I know, right?!) and Chris Brooke

"Can anyone hand me a ladder, please?"

Bruno Joinha

"So, what's your star sign, Stephen?" Ana & Julia: all my gratitude

And my favourite looks:

In the next few days...

2009-02-18T12:16:00.006Z

So, London FW is around the corner, and there's loads of cool stuff going on this side of the pond - which will be all over the press, so no need for me to say anything of the big fishes.

As for me, this is the first Fashion week I'm being actually active. From tomorrow I'll be working backstage for these guys: hail the MASTERS OF PRINT! I'm like, over the moon with excitement! Still don't know any details (and even if I knew, I can't really tell you before the show, which is this Saturday.) Nonetheless, I will probably keep posting bits and bobs in the next few days (if anyone is actually reading this blog, heh.)

*Basso & Brooke S/S09

Then, Friday night there's the Young British Designers: Mapping Future Fashion Private View at the V&A, (sorry, facebook link only), which is curated by LCF MA students, and which will feature the guys above, and another one of my favourite, Ashish, among others.

Monday I'll be attending the Maria Grachvogel show at The Hospital members club (or "The Hospice" as the staff likes to call it), which promises to be interesting, as she is making a comeback after a 5-year break from the catwalk.

The same night there's the Fashion.Music.Style magazine 2nd issue launch party at Soho club Punk (which comes in handy, as I wanted to see what all the fuss is about that club, with all the Geldofs and Moss of this world stumbling out of their doors completely off their faces... must be fun).

And, of course, there's the Independent Fashion Bloggers Dress Up Soireé (which, sadly, I'm not a member yet due to my novice status... :( ) at the Last days of Decadence in Shoreditch. Should be super fun, with freebies for best dressed blogger and other things. It's also on Monday, which will be a total stretch.

RSVP to mellerobot@gmail.com by February 20th

Phew!

Marc Jacobs, move to London, babe.

2009-02-18T11:12:00.005Z

Thank god for Marc Jacobs, inn'it? When everyone else is doing recession-chic, he goes there and BAM! throw a bunch of bright, colourful party outfits at us. He told editors that he was thinking about a time in New York (the 80's - yes!) when people loved to dress-up and party and it doesn't happen anymore. IT DOESN'T?! Hellow! Maybe not in New York, because here in London, club kids are having a BALL in their closets, thankyouverymuch. Maybe you should move up here darlin' - Paris must be dull to you at mo...

Oh, one more thing: THANK YOU, MJ, for bringing back the monster shoulders. I still have here at the studio a bunch of 80's jackets that have totally OTT shoulders, and I was a little disheartened to have to shrink them...now, maybe I should wait another 6 months when the entire high-street will be copying them, and then I'll be RICH (cue evil laugh here: MWAHAHAHAHAWWW)... or not.

*images style.com

New York Fashion Week is rock'n'rolling

2009-02-15T12:02:00.007Z

I say! New York Fashion week is rocking right now, and to echo Carrie Bradshaw in that infamous episode that she falls spectacularly while walking down the catwalk : ME LIKEY. From what I've seen (no, I'm not there - god BLESS style.com), everyone seems to be doing tough, rock'n'roll, smoking-sexy numbers - albeit with typical New York slickness - and all very wearable. It goes without saying that is plain-old black will be the colour du jour come autumn, which, even though I'm still in mid-winter and nearly SCREAMING for some floating, colourful, uni-layered freedom , I'll be welcoming it with gusto by the end of the year.

SO. My favourites.

New York prodigious Alexander Wang, a favourite with every rock-chick (specially Brits) kept his trademark simple-but-effective lines, swapping jersey for leather and a bit of tailoring. Less sporty (although there was an awful lot of cycling shorts.. are they gonna come back?) and more sophisticated, but all still VERY sexy. (I, for once, a-d-o-r-e it. Cut-out leggings, you shall be mine.)

Then, the celebrity-consanguineous Charlotte Ronson, tartan and floral prints aside, also showed some sturdyness with - again - lots of leather, panelled cut-out leggings (oh, yes), and that corset on top of a flimsy dress . Skinny silhouettes will very much appeal to a gal's inner groupies, which, again, I a-p-p-r-o-v-e.

More leather, this time mixed with lots of lace, mesh, and uhm, skin, appeared at Staerk's runway, giving a whiff of 80's Madonna with high-waisted skirts, and lingerie on show.

And, to finish off, Rag&Bone was all Japanese references, with a robust edge (and a little homage to Balmain with that one-shoulder bandage dress). Less sexy, more street-wise and chic, this is resilient fashion to brave tough weather.

*all original images Style.com

Zipper leggings

2009-02-12T14:09:00.000Z

The other day on my way home, I decided to get off the bus in Dalston to check out the legendarily wholesale haberdashery shop next to the awesome Oxfam (which name now I forget, and have no time to google). I've been meaning to go there for ages, but with their slightly abandoned look and shop-windows protected by iron grids, I always think they're shut. Turns out they are open on a daily basis until about 4pm, and they do have a nice (but pricey) selection of trimmings and buttons, and some fabric (which I didn't look very closely).

I came away with these pair of long yellow zippers.

I already have a thing for zippers, and since I spotted these AA leggings, I've been fantasizing about inserting zippers in all the bland leggings lying around in the studio. It's just the right amount of va-va-voom for a snip of the price of the AA ones (£39 and going up - god, hate what the recession is doing to the pound) and for someone's as unskilled as I am when it comes to *inserting things*, shouldn't be that difficult, ra-eeght?
Wrong!
It turns out inserting long zippers in stretchy fabrics requires - there's no other way to say this - practice. So mine turned out like this:

The zipper undulated in a strange but even way, making this little bumps that look like ... an alligator's tail?

Amusingly, it also resembled a lot the Ikea mirror I found on the street last year, which always did my head in for being too thin and wavy to fit my entire person in it.

Anyway, haven't formed my opinion yet on whether these wavy/bumpy leggings will see the light of day anytime soon...

I BELIEVE IN JESUS

2009-02-10T22:16:00.000Z

Goddamnit, Madonna. Only you could find salvation in Brazil. She found JESUS (as in Jesus Luz, a Brazilian god, oops, model) - which reminds me that my homeland is ONE blessed country :)

So that's what all the fuss was about...W magazine is definitely on my shopping list this month.

*image via TheImagist.com

He did it again.

2009-02-10T16:37:00.000Z

Christopher James, from the infamous We Know What You Did Last Night, captured us again (love that word, as if we've been hiding. Heh.), at the party mentioned two posts ago.

Interestingly enough, he always shows up at my drunkest moments.

At least they are better than this one at Trailer Trash, a moment when nothing really made sense anymore. Horrendous.