ATELIER 11 AT BROWNS- AW10

I recently met one of the designers from Atelier 11, and mumbled at him about how much I loved what they do while gawping at the AW10 Collection (below)- lots of laquered/ rubberised pieces that remind me of industrial parts of submarines or something. Atelier 11 is the creative station of Ludovic Calpaert and Flor Janssens who have a studio in Antwerp, and create Jewellery for loads of designer big cheeses like Victor & Rolf and Margiela.. anyway I was always like "why dont you sell in London..."
So after gushing this in my state of adoration, either Ludovic or Flor told me they have just sold to Brown's in London (I'm gessuing Focus..) so I'm going to have to totter down and dream the affordation (a word?). 

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- sorry about the lack of bloggage- my photoshop cracked up on this tinny old machine (grrr)

THE WIDOW HAT

DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA
Perhaps its just me but i really love that age-old advert for Scottish widow insurance (bear with me) with the super mysterious-looking woman wooshing around randomly in a cape- it was a seriously good look- so when i saw that Austrian mllinary designer Molly Yestadt had created a similar and equally dramatic headpeice-

Generally i think Austrian people have special magic in their genes-not on the von trap family legacy alone...

Austrian womenswear designer Anna Aichinger's 'Showreel Collection' for AW08/09 Collection
is full of BLACK tones and confidence.. again i am drawn to the twinkling sequin lightshow like a queen to drag, but somehow the seriousness of her collection makes it look so wearable i am thinking DAYWEAR for the mildly confident?

Pamela klaffke's DRESSING UP BOX

THE CLOSET IS MY PLAYGROUND

APPARENTLY I used to take my dressing up box quite seriously... when i was a kid (they tell me). It seemed like a huge bucket of gems at the time- someone's wedding dress and my mum's old tutu and some what would now be pretty-sought after vintage- though all that remains now are probably some hashed up barbie clothes i made out of them when Ariel the little mermaid needing some alternative outfits... anyway time to travel out of the dream pipe- or is it?
Pamela Klaffke uses lo-fi camera techniques to recapture that place of mind magic with the use of super-amazing props and outfits in her photography-a stylist and a creator of stories (fiction)
Perhaps i should start gathering up the remains of fly-tipping outside oxfam after all for funtimes on a sunday?

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are two pretty lttle nymph's who know how to get the SWAMPED YET STILL HOT look to perfection- and acheive dressing-up box chic. Their understanding of how to make this femeniine on slight bones is clear within the collection they have consulted on for 'Elizabeth and James'. I am excited to see more from them and although they started off only licencing ranges under their names as kids- they have been keeping their fingers warm in the fashion pie ever since and i would be surpised if they lend themselves & ideas more generously to the industry over time... the baloon shirt is a serious all-year rounder for those who like the clean-crisp grandaddy look!

Couture Shots Off The Street

I have been a follower of the indigenous sartorial style for quite some time now. It is in our country that many newly-weds show off a red and white bridal chudaa teamed with a well-fitted pair of jeans and a flattering tee. Tribal accessories complement western attires, and I once saw a bride, lehenga and all, with a Fifty Cent locket on a gold chain around her neck! I have come across Satya Paul saris teamed with a silver vest from fashion street, and a Versace blouse adding style to a patchwork skirt from Janpath.

I am not necessarily addicted to fashion. In fact, anything but. What I do love is observing it, especially on the streets. I love the influence fashion has on our daily lives. I love the way a well-worn chiffon kurti and the right perfume can wipe away the Monday morning blues. I like men and women dressed beautifully for the runway of life. I love the unique form fashion takes off the ramp. I love individual interpretations of designer lines which in turn are quixotic enough to end up as inspirations for a new design.

So I have decided to capture this face of fashion. This distinctive style of our fashionista on the street. This style that gives our fashion color, energy and an inimitable vitality that can only come from an everyday individual’s version of high fashion.

Shotcouture will take you on a journey through the streets of different cities across India. It will capture individual sense of style in all its quirky glory. It will bring a smile to your face, and will make you look around a little more to see what the people around you are wearing. It will, I hope, help you rediscover fashion as a personal statement of individuality and creativity.