Secrets of Sucess

After weeks of having little or no inspiration to write, read, draw, photograph or style I finally stumbled across something that sparked an interest;

It was a photo advertising photoshop as the best wrinkle cream there is with a photo of Madonna, half shopped, half not.

It got me to thinking.. What exactly makes success?

Well, I guess this depends on what your trying to sell. In Madonna's case it's sex so the need for her to be eternally youthful and attractive is important. No amount of face cream or surgery can stop that forever. In the case of photoshop it is selling the ability to be beautiful in an image without the dieting and perfect skin.

The way a product is advertised affects its success. This can be as simple as the font of writing or size...... I know this as a local builder advertises his business with the Disney font..... seriously!!! Who could take a business man seriously when he sells a service and promotes it with a children's movie font..... Don't think he'll be doing much work on my house unless it's all in fancy dress in which case I may reconsider for comedy value!

Madonna vs Sunny

We've all heard her songs and watched her videos and like many my opinion is split with the queen of pop... I adore her as an artist and admire her figure at such an age but Madonna has gone one further this time and is joining forces with the designers at D&G on a new sunglasses collection.
The collaboration known as MDG has no official release date, however it wouldn't be ridiculous to presume they will be released before the oncoming summer months. My only wish is that Madonna maintains some dignity and remains covered in the promotions.

LEEDS FESTIVAL

Like many students I will be spending my summer sleeping, dancing, shopping and going to festivals. For me it will be my second year at Leeds Fest and I aim to have a complete festival waredrobe by that point... my last minute dash round the shop last year didn't turn out so well.

so when it’s finally time to lie my weary head down I will be warm and dry. With this thought in mind I went searching.

Many of you may have seen the festival suits last year. You put them on and turned into a morph like image with no face.

I thought these were amazing and maintain this view but being female and not so much of an exhibitionist I wasn’t really comfortable wearing one. The guys we camped next too loved it though... "It’s like not wearing clothes and the girls love it and if you’re ugly it’s not like they can tell...."

So this year it was decided to attempt to find/make something similar for the more conservative girl. After searching "all in ones" and attracting sites for adult baby fetish-wear I thought maybe it was destined not to be... and then I stumbled across the Musuc bag

The Musuc bag is like an all in one sleeping bag. It doesn’t restrict movement like a standard sleeping bag and you’re very unlikely to fall down the stairs while inside it keeping warm. It has ties to keep every part of you warm and comes in a variety of colours my favourite being yellow.

The Musuc bag has been around since 2007 so I may possibly be classed as majorly behind the times however it is my aim to get the whole of Leeds fest in this bag! Just think how many landfills we won't need if we can walk away with our sleeping bags on!

Get Shopping: http://www.lippiselkbag.co.uk/about.cfm

brum brum

I am currently in the process of car hunting and you'll never guess what...... I Hate it!

I am not a car person. My last car was a beautiful little old man punto called Bert. He was white and had more miles than possible. And where did bert go? ... I killed him. I crashed poor bert through a hedge and down a ditch into a field full of cows while rushing to uni one extreamly wet day in October.

Since that day I've been a bus girl.... As you may guess - not fun! I think I have sat next to THE smelliest people ON THE PLANET. The worst part is being too polite to move away from them or getting squashed in when you do finially find an excuse.

My brother is on some kind of car fixing course at college and he said he'd help me hunt... The first car he found was a ford - it was older than me!! I said no and my brothers response "oh go on, I'll buy it off you when i get enough money." ... Hmm is he looking for my car or one he can have when I can't fix it?!

Sooo, on to mum and her boyf.... they tend to go into too much detail... I gave them a price range and that is all so they have a lot to work with.... however since my only responce is ever "ooh pretty colour" or "i need more doors" I think they've given up hope.

There must be plenty of people out there who know less than I do... How do they survive? I mean I know I sound simple but I've changed the battery and some revercing lights before... I can look after a car when I get one... Its more the getting of one.. 145cc? What is a CC? I did physics Alevel and I have no idea?!

World of cars = mystery!

I just want a little old man car.... full of character.... bit of a vetron so to speak...

Preston Fashion

Hello lovelys.

So last night I went out in Preston to Method for 'Where's Mavis', a rock and alternative night for all unsure. We got to the club (I say club its more like a house) at 12 and by 1 everyone I was with wanted to leave.

Me and my friend Nicola decided to rebel from our free ride home and stay out with nowhere to stay and no money for a ride home. Clever? You'd think not... I say life should be more like this!

We carried on drinking without a care in the world and had THE best night.

I know your all wondering where the fashion is in this post.... My point is that I had a really good night in Preston and don't think it gets the recognition it deserves as a City full of talented youths. I would go out in Preston over Manchester almost any night of the week. It's small enough that if you loose your friends you'll soon find others. Big enough that if you want to hide from people you can. Cheaper and Safer than Manc.. Clearly Manc is amazing but I don't think I'm the kind of girl that can hack going out to Manc every week.. It always seems the same.

Once again the fashion is missing.

So without any more waffling; PRESTON IS COOL. And it inspires me to do my best and be part of the life here. I see nothing in Manc that Preston could not offer for the world of fashion (although clearly we need more shops... but where doesn't?)..... I now propose the 2nd home of fashion moves... to Preston!

Hmmm, an election winning proposition I think.

Titanic

This most famous of films never fails to bring me to tears and while searching new art and films today I stumbled across some information.
In 2012 titanic is being remade IN 3D!!!
I am wondering what kind of impact this iconic film and piece of history will have on the ever changing and easily influence of the fashion world.


While I'm on the topic of films in 2012, hunky wolf man from twilight Taylor Lautner will be staring in Stretch Armstrong based on the action figure.

Ties

Ladys and Gents just to fill you in on where my thought process appeared from I will give you a bit of background.

I work in a bridal shop in kendal called MarriMe. I've only worked there since new year and it is fantastic. One day a week I catch a lift with the owner and her daughter and we make our way to the shop. It is full of blushing brides and the husbands to be trying to create the perfect day. I am mainly in charge in menswear.

Today it came to my attention that about 90% of the men have no idea about their chest or neck measurements with most wearing the wrong size and MORE than half can't fasten a tie.

I'm not sure whether this is just a lake district thing or not as I learnt how to do a tie in primary school but noone can do them anymore. Don't even get me started on cravats! You say 'tie it like you would a normal tie'...... do they?.... no! The fact it has two fat ends completely looses most normal males.

I was discussing this on the way home and I have decided that the world is in a sorry state! Ties are worn at most formal events... business functions, weddings, funerals. If noone is learning how to do them properly then I'm afraid this traditional piece of formal wear will soon die out.

Spring

So, finally the days are getting longer and we can start to enjoy the light of spring. This means, sun glasses, light jackets and the planning of holiday swimwear.

Swim suits have to be the vein of my fashion life! If you are shaped slightly out of the 'norm' I'm sure it is for you too!

Big boobs? - can't find a bikini top with support with the bottoms the right size?

Small boobs? - can't find a top to enhance what you have?

Chunky thighs? - can't find high leg bottoms?

Bit of a tummy? - can't find a swimsuit that doesn't make you look like your hiding away?

Don't worry lady's I feel your pain!

So....

This swim suit from brownsfashion.com is a beautiful colour but is ruched around the waist to show off/give the impression of curves and ruched under the bust to make the bust area look larger to the eye. Two birds - One stone!

(asos.com)

Black - the slimming colour. This swim suit is great if you have amazing legs but want to hide your stomach a little. It visually slims without making out it's doing so. I love the cut outs too! This is from brownsfashion.com also.

If it shape your needing try frills and layers. These are so very cute but defiantly don't wear them if you have a bottom like j lo

(asos.com)

Gifted with big boobs? Please support them! You and quite likely everyone around you will suffer if you don't! GET A BIKINI TOP THAT'S THE RIGHT SIZE!

(asos.com)

Finally if your lucky enough to be perfectly in proportion then go mad as you will look perfect in anything! We are all very jealous!

Enjoy the sun

x

Manchester Fashion Network

As promised here is my blog on the infamous Manchester Fashion Network;

On Tuesday I will be attending a Mudpie trend forecasting event held by... yes you've guessed... MFN. I'm hoping to once again step into dry bar and attempt to network and meet everyone there. Networking clearly being of importance in the cut throat fashion industry and also being harder to achieve with the safety of friends around.

It is common in today's industry that candidates must be approachable and confident with good manors. Now I know to a lot of people confidence comes naturally but to the few who suffer being shy, I say 'fake it!'. It's not as hard as it looks and even if your heart is going 500 beats a minute, as long as you control your voice no one will ever know! So like so many others I will be controlling the nerves of the unknown and attending this event. I hope it will open my eyes to the work of trend forecasting, and if not, at least I can look on the MFN website and gain inspiration from the street snaps!

Give the site a visit, you never know you might just find a blog of mine up there in the future.

Blogging

I went for a relaxed interview with Manchester fashion network yesterday to attempt to get some work experience. Although I'm very new to this blogging thing and actually have no idea how to follow people yet, I went and had a chat with Clare (who was doing the interviews). I hadn't taken any work with me and was really quite unprepared but we sat an had a chat anyway, nice relaxed an social.
Back to the main point though, I am a fashion and journalism student and am really getting into blogging. It is defiantly the way forward as you can view them from home, there free, there varied you can put character into them.... I consider mine to be my very own Bridget Jone's diary of all things music and fashion based. My journalism course doesn't have blogging as a module but I doubt its going to be long before it is. Much more interesting than the classic 'who, what, where, when and why' of general newspapers!
My next blog will be about ..... yes you've guessed it..... Manchester Fashion Network. Go on give them a google!

Vintage

I am a HUGE fan of vintage clothing. I however live in preston where the only vintage shop is oxfam which isnt too bad but it's tiny. Up in sheffield this weekend I went around the town and found THREE really good vintage shops. One was very new and all the clothes were all over the place like a jumble sale but everything was dirt cheap, it didn't even have it's own electricity! The second was a bit more up market and had alterated vintage. The clothes were amazing an I got a 'fur' coat for £25... bargin!
Vintage is making a huge come back and I am quite happy to travel for it! The vintage experience is more unique and makes the whole shopping experience something special. You never know what your going to end up with and if you go with an aim your more than likely gonna fail!
The thing that makes vintage so amazing is that no matter what you buy its very unlikely anyone will be wearing the same in exactly the same way. It gives more freedom for expression and allows everyone to be individual. Things that usually would look 'weird' and out of place are now the height of cool!
The guy in the shop was wearing 5 different layers all of different colours and styles with a hunting jacket over the top. weird? no! It looked amazing! Next time dont worry bloggers I will take a photo!
Peace out.

Inspiration

For my first assignment this year I had to research and style a group shoot. We were all given words that have never been used before in trend journals so all the work had to be our own.
My group got given the word "African Rockstar".

I loved this theme... we could go wild with the hair and make up, have very 'not bothered' rockstar poses and styled models..... My group however wanted to head very mainstream and bought clothes from topshop, river island and H&M.

Clearly these are well known and very good brand names... my question to the group however is ; Do you really think people will gain inspiration from an outfit that the topshop stylists have pratically hand fed you?

I dont know about you but I find an Inspirational photo with unual clothing, mad make up and the weirdest poses seen to man a much more appealing site.

Life is about the inspiration and knowledge you gain... open your mind to the weird and unknown and your life will be much more interesting!

London

I've just got back from london and for a small town sea side girl like myself it opened my eyes to the inspiration of dirty smog and take out food!

After a two and a half hour train journey through the country we got the tube to get some light shopping in. Of course with luggage you get a little in the way so it didnt last long.

The hotel, apparently a hilton although we saw no proof was OK. Bec arrived at about half four, so we grabbed some food at Nando's (another new experience for me!) then aquired some alcohol before heading back.

Two hours and a nose bleed later we set off to see the beautiful people that are Brand New at Wembley Arena. Bec's nose decided to start bleeding all over again on the way in so without getting bags checked we were rushed inside.

Now the source that was the slightly drunk friendly scotish guys who were stood behind us, said that Brand New are officially splitting up. Now this is possible as they have been together along time and there was non of the usual american chit chat but I am very hopeful this source is incorrect!

The lack of chit chat in my opinion made the gig better. They came on, did there bit (very well) and left. It disobeyed the general encore rule and was interesting and individual - fit the style well!

On the note of style anyone who has been to london before will understand what I mean when i say london is THE place for styles! Everyone had a different look and you could tell the locals a mile off and not because they weren't doing the gormless lost face I pulled on regular occasions!


Recently my style has changed dramatically from quite concervative to more unique and more me. This is due to a different uni and a broader understanding of fashion along with a recent ex boyfriend. Being in london made me feel at home as alot of people i saw had a similar weird twist on vintage retro fashion. Coming from what must be the smallest town in the world - where I look a little out of place and dated to going to London where people do what they want and are quite arty and expressive was a massive eye opener to how mad fashion can be. The inspiration and ideas were flying at me from all angles!

So after yet another of my rambles I will sum up the weekend...... London is amazing - I want to live/work there.......... Brand New - I will be very sad if that was the last time I see you/you guys were amazing (if you dont know who they are please find out!)

Peace <3

Crocs

I think almost everyone has a family member who wears them. I infact have a few! My 46 year old auntie and my two little cousins. Upon hearing of this fact I almost disowned them - crocs could be causing the breaking of family bonds in my opinion as they continue to fool people. This is bad enough for the young children being bought them by 'loving' parents, although being young has the advantage your so cute you can get away with murder. I however am more concerned with the population of middle aged people wearing them not just at home, BUT IN PUBLIC!!!! :o


I understand I am possibly ailenating a huge percentage of the population with this rant, but I wonder why anyone would want to wear shoes without socks (i am not a fan of the foot). The croc in my opinion is just a poor replacment for my childhood holiday friend the gelly shoe! However the difference is that jelly shoes were a purly holiday shoe - people knew wearing them around in the UK was a rediculous idea.


To make matters more serious for fellow croc haters they are doing so well they have specialised croc stores where you can decorate your crocs (similar to build a bear i think, just without the cute bear), BUT celebs are wearing them!


I have to admit that this is one craze I dont think i'll ever get my head around..... Children - ok your little, noone blames you. Adults - are you seriously wearing the same shoes chefs wear on the basis they can go through the dishwasher?


I feel it is a slippery slope and hope all you croc haters the best of luck in avoiding these HORRIBLE shoes.


x

Lady GaGa

I have to admit that i have a MASSIVE crush on this woman! She is completely herself and knows her own style. Having never had an interest in Madonna I can't say if the Ga is more or less inspirational as a whole, but she has had a huge effect on my life and my views on fashion in general. It is impossible to copy cat this style with out looking like a complete looser however drawing inspiration from her creates some amazing original outfits!

This being my first blog i thought it appropriate to dedicate to one of the most recent influences to high street fashion!