The Age of Fashion

Many people stereotype the word fashion. The belief that the industry is shallow, vain and insignificant couldn't be further from the truth. Fashion is a career, a hobby, a lifestyle; not forgetting the charitable work it is involved with. (Fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org.uk).

Countless times my dad has emphasised his opinion on fashion as a pointless and dull factor in life (although i think he might exaggerate this just to push my buttons!) He has always believed that clothes should simply be made well and last for years; he would say: "I'll buy a classic suit, a well-made pair of jeans and a few t-shirts that will last me five years! Trends exist just for stores to steal our wages each season." However, throughout his youth my dad went through a number of phases, including punk and mod. To this day he still owns a collection of ska buttons that he once pinned to the lappel of his black blazer, as a stylish teen.

The clothes he wore as a mod consisted of boot-cut black trousers, a black or coloured blazer and a white Fred Perry shirt. His hair resembled the 'flat-top' cut, made popular by the ska band Madness. Even now, my dad will dribble on about his favourite childhood memories of the great music and charismatic trends of the late 70s. So why has his his interests diluted and his disregard for the industry amplified?

This leads me to wonder..does the excitement of fashion disintegrate as the wrinkles appear and our youth is forgotten? Of course this concept is notably generalised; but for the majority of people past their 30th birthday, is it possible that the appetite for fashion has been flushed away with the baby nappies? Although I'm speaking from a young persons perspective i cant envision my life without my thrill and infatuation in fashion; i acknowledge that as we grow older our free time becomes rare, but however naive it may come across, i simply will try my utmost to maintain my devotion for style and never loose my adoration for fashion.

So bit by bit, i will attempt to nudge my dad back into desiring clothes and believing that the industry is far from insignificant. Why does our passion for fashion have to fade as we age? Screw that..I simply won't let it. I'm now off to chew on this subject with a bite of my marmite crumpet and a flick through April's Vogue :)

A friend for your feet!

Peering across the tantalizing beauties that sit among the ASOS shoe collection, my jealous eyes shoot from blue to green; as the wonderful view of these little feet friends glare back at me. My longing to purchase each mouth-watering pair is devastating; due to the solemn appearance of my bank balance, none of these gems will ever be in my life!

Countless shoes allured and almost persuaded me to dip further into my overdraft; but they thankfully failed. Until..from the corner of my eye i spotted an unusual looking pair. I knew immediately that i HAD to own these treasures. Their colourful appearance just simply enhanced my desperate need to purchase them! I couldn't help but fall in love with every aspect of these shoes; i adored the random array of flowers placed on the toe; the striking heel of blue glass; plus the ditsy floral pattern covering them. ASOS themselves called them an 'irregular choice'; but the fact that they're a very unconventional pair, only encouraged me to believe that that these sweet beauties must be mine! The only aspect that was holding me back was the £70 price tag. However, their charming perfection just took over my seemingly sensible attitude and i just thought..without a doubt, they're worth it!

I automatically logged onto my internet banking account and the depressing number that stared back at me was simply mortifying. Available balance £9.72 (fantastic). That bloody Lloyd had once again deprived me of my shopping needs! Those shoes were now without a home..and i am without my pretty feet friends!! So in an act of revenge i have decided to make my own replica..just for ornamental purposes, as i don't exactly have the art of shoe-making! I know that it will most likely end up like looking like it was made by a 6 year old, but nevertheless, if you cant buy it..create it :)

A moment on the lips..a muffin on the hips!

Although I'm an average size 8, the idea that the dreaded bikini months are rapidly approaching sends me into a wild flurry of anxiety! This may be down to my bingo wings and giant heiny choosing my figure as their current accommodation; their stubborn nature just has no hunger to flee. No matter how much i spend on the ghastly treadmill, the extra pounds of my, lets just say, 'curvy' behind simply refuses to disappear.

I believe every girl or woman will know the extreme aggravations with that small extra bit of fat that just sits above your waist..there are a number of nicknames for this irritating little sod. 'The tyre', 'The muffin top' 'The jelly belly'. Regardless of how slim we may be, from size 6 to 16, this determined little beast never fails to hover over our skinny jeans. So as the summer months crawl in and the clothes get thinner and shorter, the conundrum of the muffin top returns once again.

The ongoing female furry with weight is something that will loiter forever; however i feel that our obsession with the perfect figure is something that tickles the back of most women's minds every single day. But it never used to be such an issue; remember the Spice Girls in the 90s? Ginger Spice (Geri Halliwell) emphasised her curves in that infamous union jack dress; whilst Baby (Emma Bunton) showed off her healthy figure in their 'Wannabee' music video. These women were considered very much as eye candy for many men. However, since the 21st century fixation with perfection, why has size zero become sexy?

But regardless of the skinny debate surrounding the media; knowing that food plays an imperative part in the fluctuation of our clothes size, far from persuades me to quit my snack cupboard! The day i give up crumpets and peanut butter is the day i am put to my grave! So i guess ill have to learn to love my big ass and 'curvy' love handles..and if not, I'm sure a cheeky kaftan will do the trick...

Vodka Virgin to Vodka Victim..

I'm currently sitting in the alluring and delectable comfort that is my bed at uni (yes, sarcasm). But regardless of the springs poking into my bum, I'm actually in a strangely blissful mood.

Last night was the beloved Cook Flat's last night out before the Easter bunny breaks us up for a three week holiday; without fail..it was messy. The night began with the traditional routine that is the one and only Ring of Fire, a drinking game with a number of rules guaranteed to get you 'panineed'. As i normally attempt to demolish a few glasses of ASDA's £5 box of wine, i feel that my solo effort to finish off almost half a bottle of vodka was impressive. Bottoms up :) However, as the night progressed Cook Flat got rather emotional!

As our penultimate term comes to an end, the kings of banter, Alastair Horner and Andy Brint started us all off on two rounds of speeches. Although it was predominantly meant as a joke, i feel that locked away in the back of everyone's tipsy and blurry minds, held a moment of premature nostalgia regarding the memories of this incredible 1st year as young and bonkers freshers! After the fabulously cringe-worthy clinks of glasses, the antics continued as alcohol circulated around the room.

As always, in my slightly 'intoxicated' state of mind, when approximately 10.15 approaches i never forget to spend an essential 5 minutes in my room dancing to a few songs on my record player. The music that projects from the kitchen speakers is not exactly my cup of tea! So i feel i need a moment or two with my small but beloved record collection. The classics that usually tiptoe out of the crackly speakers include Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson or Buddy Holly; these musical legends never fail to send me off on a great night. However, last night as the vodka flowed, this part of my evening never quite happened! Still, as per usual, it was an eventful night.

Now camouflaged in my duvet, still maybe a tad 'merry', i can't help but think how insanely lucky i was to be thrown into a flat with a faultless crowd of flatmates. Hmm..reading this back later i can already feel myself gagging at the disgustingly corny tone of this blog..but I'm sure i can blame it on the leftover vodka still swirling around my brain! On a final note (at last I'm sure your thinking!) i just want to thank all of Lucia Foster Cook Block for a fantastic 1st year..bring on our last semester and just remember to 'down it fresher!!'

Because your Bum needs a Buddy...

Above are a few photos that i recently took of my friend Toni Ogle; she is wearing an unusual accessory that will hopefully make a delightful return!

After reading through a recent months issue of Vogue (February or March, i can't remember!), i discovered a feature regarding 2010's summer must-haves. And to my surprise i saw a shocker of an addition..The bumbag is back!

For my magazine design unit on my course, i have to research a new trend and create a two page spread about it. The Vogue fashion forecast regarding the revival of the bumbag inspired me to focus my spread on this legendary 80s accessory.

In previous years, the bumbag was pigeon holed into a stereotype regarding tourists and pensioners. It is simply a frumpy and ugly purse for OAP's on their SAGA cruises right? Wrong. Since researching this trend, i am intrigued and excited to discover that the king of fashion, Mark Jacobs has updated and transformed the bag into something 'cool' to purchase and be seen in. Lois Vuitton too has jumped on the bandwagon and now offers a more extravagant version of the bumbag; I also recently saw a photo of Rhianna sporting one in a subtle cream colour.

After the 90s, being seen wearing the infamous bumbag was social suicide! But with the help of fashion legends and celebrities joining in with the modern transformation, the bumbag will hopefully blossom into a necessity in your 2010 summer wardrobe.

Throughout my process of creating my magazine spread i feel that i have built connection and loving relationship with the trend, as if it is almost a living person! If anyone mentions to me that they would never be seen dead in a bumbag i get insulted and feel like i have to stand up for it..(No I'm not insane ha!) So i have decided to purchase my own little bum buddy. I will either be credited for my brave choice or mocked for my attempt to bring it back to life! Either way..watch this space :)

Flower Power

As the spring months approach, i can't help but tumble into the temptations of the fresh accessories sweeping the stores this season. I have always been a sucker for an over-sized ring, a woolen scarf or a quirky necklace; however, this time its the curse of the flower headband that's melting my bank account.

Studying fashion journalism at university always seemed a justified excuse for my obsession with shopping; i have to look presentable, I'm on a course surrounded by a swarm of delicious clothing. Therefore surely I'm allowed to spend my student loan in Topshop? Two semesters later..I'm already smothered with debt, but the only thing that crosses my mind is..three weeks till my next loan installment..Southampton town here i come!

The story of the flower headband is short but holds DEFINITE importance! (However pitiable that makes me sound!) Due to the fact that my hair resembles a birds nest kind of quality, i never believed that any hair accessory would tame the beast, so i steered clear of all things band-like. However, i recently approached a dusty pink number in Accessorize and the bond was formed..my fixation had begun.

The thing with the flower headband is that it transforms any outfit. A casual tee or plain dress is automatically uplifted by this modest little touch situated on my mess of frizz and curls. The stress caused by having 'nothing' in my wardrobe is relieved by the wonder of each flower-band. My love affair with this wonderful accessory may sound ridiculous, but another girls obsession with diamonds is my obsession with floral head-wear!