Posts tagged “retro”

“Clothes for you to take life as a party” Diane von Fürstenberg #AW13 #NYFW

Posted on February 11, 2013

“They’re clothes for you to take life as a party.” Diane von Furstenberg, AW2013

The iconic Diane von Fürstenberg wrap dress remains a classic to this day; just fresh and bold as it when it debuted in the 1970s. Looking forward almost 40 years since 1976 feature in Vogue Patterns magazine, her elegant 1970′s ethos is a clear inspiration to her AW13 collection showcased as part of New York Fashion Week. Expectantly, the staple wrap dress made an appearance, but rather than the classic chain link pattern we are so familiar with, the DvF wrap dresses came in sienna suede or black with a leather lapel. The AW13 collection also featured coats with metallic flame licks, a purple croc jacket, shiny pink pants and a sprinkle of sequins could be seen from any row.

As described by Diane herself, this seasons collection are clothes for you to take life as a party.

-September/October 1976 issue of Vogue Patterns magazine -

-Backstage-

-Runway show-

Style talking with Markus Roberts Clarke- Alternative high fashion model @couscous85

Posted on October 30, 2012

I recently met funky fresh, dressed to impress high fashion model, Markus Roberts Clarke; singed to the commercial and alternative model agency Spirit Models. Markus, a man after my own heart, took me through his look and love for vintage, print and retro brands.

What’s with your love for London?

I just love the fashion, adore the people and the fact that I don’t feel judged by my appearance, overall, it’s the acceptance I get here.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Vivacious, bold and spontaneous

and your look?

It’s a fusion of vintage rock glamour and chic. But it ALL depends on how I feel on the day!

What’s your fashion must-have?

A good pair of skinny jeans, comfy cool loafers and my hair done at all times.

and fashion no-no?

I have no fashion no no’s. With me everything goes, and I believe we should be free to explore style boundaries!

What are your key pieces today, and where are they from

1) River Island- Light orange tribal print shirt £25 (link)

2) D&G- D&G Medicine Man DW0197 Watch £175 (link)

The Look, Issue #2 | Compiled by Afroblush for @CycleLoveHQ

Posted on October 24, 2012

You might remember my blog crush on Cycle Love which started having visited the screening of the ‘Bill Cunningham New York’ documentary at ‘Look Mum No Hands‘ based in Old Street London.

The Cycle Love blog is dedicated to all the stuff that makes cycling great, and celebrating the diversity of cycle culture — bikes *and* people.

In addition to hosting an array of conversations, tips, discussions and photographic inspiration; this blog is an aesthetic oasis in the midst of clutter heavy blogs. Needless to say, I wasn’t surprised to find out that James Greig, author and creator of Cycle Love is both a graphic designer and photographer.

“We want to change the way our readers think about cycling in London, whether that means finding a positive slant on biking in the rain, challenging the way that we think about urban transport, or refuting common wisdom about, say, helmets or traffic lights.” James Crieg,

To my surprise and excitement I was invited to compile the Cycle Love Issue #2 trend look book based on this seasons A/W trends. . Tweet Cycle Love at @CycleLoveHQ

Click here to check out the full spread

TRENDS

Forever leather:
Leather is a quintessential texture for this seasons trends, especially in the form of ankle boots. Also expect to see leather make an appearance as detailing either as pockets, collars, lapels, sleeves; and don’t forget accessories.

Deep red is the new black:
Oxblood red and burnt orange was prominent across London Fashion Week A/W12 and blends beautifully amongst autumns iconic amber and burgundy undertones. Look out for deep red stained jeans and chinos, and pair up with olive greens, teals and mustard yellows.

Backpacks are back:
Perfect for urban adventurers, this seasons backpacks come in toughened heritage fabrics and weather ready canvas. Navajo prints and tapestry finishes add a touch of the Beatnik, while thrown on, borrow-from-the-boys styling gives an androgynous lean.

Noisettes – Don’t Give Up (UK Version)

Posted on October 31, 2011

Style excellence with age : Seth Cohen – Advanced Style

Posted on October 18, 2011

As reiterated by the Guardian “street style is nothing new to the world of blogs”, but on this occasion Ari Seth Cohen’s Advanced Style blog, brought something old, and yet something new, uber trendy and super decadent to the street style and fashion blogging arena. He brought “Advanced Style”.

Advanced Style is a fresh, quirky and timeless fashion blog dedicated to capturing older women and men who grab his attention with their “sartorial excellence”. Looking through the pictures, it is evident; you’re looking at the pioneers of style, the grandfathers of funk and the women who do not only have swagger, but who ARE swagger.

Contemporary fashion culture thrives on post-modernity, we thoroughly enjoy seeing traditional or classical elements of history reintroduced with modern contexts or practices, and although it does well in recycling and showcasing the iconic style of past generations. Unfortunately, the original faces of that era are replaced with the young fresh faces of today, meaning many older fashionisters and fashion-misters get sidelined and excluded from the fashion world.

My point is that the Advanced Style blog is beautiful, it showcases some of the most stylish men and women, who unfortunately aren’t always given the limelight in a society that only drinks from the fountain of youth. Personally, I will certainly be taking a leaf out of the Advanced Style book, and whilst I am at it, I would rather have a well aged wine any day; the fountain of youth is way to over-rated anyway, and rarely does it quench ones thirst!

Buy the Advanced Style book from Amazon

Click on images to enlarge

Shine baby shine! South African textile company ‘Shine Shine’

Posted on October 13, 2011

South African textile company Shine Shine have amazing designs, by Heidi Chisholm and James Grey. Chisholm’s designs are in the style of traditional print, and remind me Ugandan kitenge prints. They are bold, with 60′s inspired pallet of ocre, fuscia, yellow, browns, and what I like to call ‘detergent’ blues and greens; in addition to Roman Catholic imagery. The prints scream African traditional cloth, but are also so modern quirky and inhabat some cheeky characters.

Chair by SAWA for their Pop Up shop in Paris

Melina Matsoukas: Total style inspiration

Posted on October 8, 2011

Melina Matsoukas is the director of some of the most impetuous music videos. Is it me or does everything she creates breath fire? I love it! Melina is of Greek, Jewish, Jamaican and Cuban decent, and her work has been described as “Chark full of bright colours or crisp black and white images, smooth spotlights, and tasteful video models”

In the SBTV interview Matsoukas says that expensive equipment is not necessary for a quality video and one should never think that way:

“A good video has the right visuals, a well conceptualised story and should be exciting and elicit reaction.”

Melina just finished filming in Ireland for Rihanna’s most recent video featuring Calvin Harris “We found love” (will post it when I finally get my hands on it).

My below are my three favourite music videos by Melina

1) Beyonce’s 50′s inspired “Why don’t you love me” (Props to B for doing her own makeup on this video, its fabulous). The inspiration for writing the song came from the time The Bama Boyz spent in London at the end of Knowles B-Day tour.

“One point in favor for the British metropolis” #LFW #StreetStyle

Posted on September 27, 2011

London has always authored style stories of classic elegance whether its on or off the runway.The City’s formula for local originality and taste is a mish mash of the cultures that live in it. The history, the music, ethnic diversity, the arts, and of course the weather!

As said by Vogue Italia “One point in favour for the British Metropolis!”

Click on an image to enlarge

100 years of style in East London

Posted on September 27, 2011

Just a little something I put together

Posted on August 26, 2011

Hopefully, tomorrow afternoon I can head down to Hobbycraft and get some earring button stud things, so I can start making my own Ankara button earrings. Until then, I have spent today trying to make the most of some African material I found lying around the house, so I accessorised my blue suede 60′s style shoes and make some matching buttons, still undecided which jacket they will go on though :-)

London Vintage Festival: in pictures

Posted on August 15, 2011

It was unfortunate I was unable to attend the Wayne Hemingway Vintage festival which came to the Southbank Centre in London, earlier this month. From all the reviews and great pictures, the festival brought style, crafts and some impressive dance moves to the capital. With stalls selling fashion, music and art from the 1920s onwards and a make-do-and-mend mentality, visitors browsed for bargains and wallowed in nostalgia. I would have loved to grab some vintage cat eye glasses…*sigh* maybe next year. Below are some pics courtesy of Guardian.co.uk.

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Wonderwall: photographed by Lynnette Astaire

Posted on August 7, 2011

Sudanese native Wendy (and cousin of supermodel Alek Wek), featuring fashion from Christian Louboutin, Sofia Vintage, Luxury Garage Sale, Missoni, Shelia Rashid and Anna Hovet.

PHOTOGRAPHED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CY BY LYNNETTE ASTAIRE IN CHICAGO, IL

MODEL: WENDY

STYLING: DESTINY LOVE JONES

MAKEUP: SONYA TISDEL

Charity shop chic #1

Posted on July 31, 2011

Charity shops are often popular with people who are frugal, says Wikipedia! But what does Wikipedia know?

I am not always particuarly sparing, prudent or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time or money. I wish I was though, I would be a lot richer than I am lol. But despite not being frugal, I do love a good charity shop.

Charity shops (known as thrift stores in the U.S) are often given a bad name, a place that the poverty stricken go to buy clothes and second hand household items. Well boo hoo those who still think like that! Charity shops are a great place to buy new and second hand items, many of which have never been used and all of which are all washed and ironed before they are sold. Furthermore, I think charity shops are a great place to find quirky, unusual and out of fashion items which, with good eye for fashion can be used to add a lot character to everyday garments, whilst being kind on the pockets.

I mean, where else are going to find an 80′s Chanel jacket (in good condition), a Millii Vanilli CD and some Urban Nude platforms IN YOUR SIZE, all for £20? (in British cockney accent) “IT’S A BARGGAIN MATE”

In fact, many vintage stores buy their items from charity shops, add a couple of zero’s on the price tag and call it ‘vintage’, so if you are prepared to spend a bit of time to hunt around. It’s worth being one step ahead a lot of these ‘vintage’ shops, which are not vintage at all, but just charity shops with fancy wallpaper.

Moving on… just as I know that the best H&M’s are in Westfield, Stratford and Uxbridge. I know charity shops are best for certain styles depending on location. My three favourite charity shops are:

1) Oxfam DIY (Camden) as seen below…

2) Cancer Research (Angel high street)

3) Barnardos (Northwood, West London)

Why charity shop chic?

Well from now on I will be uploading some of my best buys from charity shops across London and will be matching them with some designer and high street items I already have. I have even modeled a few, but not too many as I am not quite comfortable with the whole posing ‘look at me’ thing lol.

Let me know if you know any other great C-shops and I can add them to my list and check them to!

Blue 90′s Jacket (very Janet Jackson I think). From Unit 7 Collection and bought at OXFAM DIY (Camden) £5

I loved the military type detail on the sides…

*NEW* Black platforms from Barratts Shoes. Bought from Barnardos in Northwood. £8

This is how I wore darling bargains last weekend with a tribal strapless top from New Look, black leggings from H&M and blue glass earrings from Covent Garden

Floral dress from Debenhams, bought at SCOPE in West Ruislip for £6

*NEW* Suzie Smith designer handbag, bought from Barnados in Northwood for £13.99

I haven’t worn this outfit out yet, but I certainly plan to, the dress is a great length and very good fit. It’s my boyfriends favourite dress :-)

Lomography @Urbanoutfitters

Posted on July 28, 2011

I love these funkadelic cameras!

LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHYLOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHYLOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY
LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHYLOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY
LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHYLOMOGRAPHY LOMOGRAPHY

…SO, WHAT IS

The Lomographic Society International is a globally active organisation dedicated to experimental and creative snapshot photography. Boasting over 1 million members across the world, the concept of Lomography encompasses an interactive, vivid, blurred and crazy way of life.

By constantly expanding their selection of innovative cameras and photographic accessories, the brand promotes analog photography as a creative approach to communicate, absorb, and capture the world. Using Lomowalls (1000s of pictures mounted together) as a key communication format, Lomography creates huge community exhibitions around the world each year.

Optical motifs and swirling geometric compositions for A/W11

Posted on July 19, 2011

Diane Von Furstenburg (Vogue Italia)

As the end of July approaches I regret to say that I have hardly got round to wearing all my Spring/Summer outfits. The plan was to save my sun filled adventures for the winter, as I figured there is plenty to do in London, with all the parks and the picnics, right? …WRONG! …Have you seen the weather this month?

Well, being an optimist, I have used the not so great British summer as an excuse to get an early start on this years Autumn/Winter collections (A/W11).

This years A/W11 I eagerly await DYNAMITE PATTERNS, such as those showcased in Milan by Dian Von Fustenburg (above). I love the tribal bold colours with thick streaks of black and white. Dynamite patterns scheduled to hit UK high street retailers this autumn. A pioneer in the use of dynamite patterns in Missoni, which have confirmed its use for next season, in addition to Max Ariza and the pre-fall collection by Herve Leger.

In addition to dynamite patterns, expect to see ondine, optical motifs and swirling geometric compositions for A/W11.

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Posts tagged “retro”

Posted on February 11, 2013

-September/October 1976 issue of Vogue Patterns magazine -

-Backstage-

-Runway show-

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Posted on October 30, 2012

I recently met funky fresh, dressed to impress high fashion model, Markus Roberts Clarke; singed to the commercial and alternative model agency Spirit Models. Markus, a man after my own heart, took me through his look and love for vintage, print and retro brands.

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Posted on October 24, 2012

TRENDS

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Posted on October 31, 2011

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Posted on October 18, 2011

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Posted on October 13, 2011

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Posted on October 8, 2011

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Posted on September 27, 2011

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Posted on September 27, 2011

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Posted on August 26, 2011

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Posted on August 15, 2011

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Posted on August 7, 2011

Sudanese native Wendy (and cousin of supermodel Alek Wek), featuring fashion from Christian Louboutin, Sofia Vintage, Luxury Garage Sale, Missoni, Shelia Rashid and Anna Hovet.

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Posted on July 31, 2011

Charity shops are often popular with people who are frugal, says Wikipedia! But what does Wikipedia know?

Why charity shop chic?

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Posted on July 28, 2011

I love these funkadelic cameras!

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Posted on July 19, 2011

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