Wednesday 29 July 2009

Looking ahead to Autumn...

Maybe its the fact that the rain doesn't seem to have to stopped falling since that heatwave at the beginning of the month, and that right this second the skies are grey and the patter of rain can be heard on my window. Maybe its the fact that soon it will be August and the arrival of the "September" issues of our favourite fashion magazines will be hitting the shelves packed with the new season must have. Maybe its the fact that I just like Autumn and Winter for my family and friend's birthdays, of which there are plenty and of course that magical time of year- Christmas. Whatever it is, right now my mind has turned away from beaches and sunshine and summer clothes and is thinking of blazing fires sat with a hot chocolate, walks in the woods where the trees are ablaze with shades of copper, bronze and fiery reds and wearing cosy knitwear and comfy boots for stomping through puddles and kicking leaves strewn across my path. Each season has its good points, and I think this season wins over. Not that I'd turn my nose at a few weeks on a white sandy beach in the blazing sun or balmy evenings sat with a glass or two of wine over dinner!

Are you a summer person or a winter person? Which is your favourite season and why?

On a side note- I wish I could show you some of my favourite winter editorials, but thats not happening for a while. Does anyone know any good picture resources? I'm finding it very frustrating having ideas and not being able to show them visually...

Monday 27 July 2009

Emerging Designers: Trine Wackerhausen

As you may have gathered, I'm a big fan of new designers. I think that there is a point where you are at your most creative and thats usually before you have to create designs that are commercially viable because lets face it, you've gotta make money if you want to continue working. Anyway, my magazine habit lead me to discover the magazine Indie-The Independent Style Magazine which had an article on the Danish fashion designer Trine Wackerhausen and her label Wackerhaus. Her designs are just my thing, minimal but still with that hint of femininity. Incidentally, femininity and masculinity and its contrasts is something that Trine wants to concentrate more on in her collections, having been intrigued by both strength and masculinity. Within her designs, there is definately evidence of strong silhouettes with defined shoulders adding an edge to an otherwise simple outfit or flashes of shimmer on simple dresses. With 2 shows already at Copenhagen Fashion Week, I think we can expect to see more of Trine and I'm looking forward to it.

For more information on Trine Wackerhausen click here and here

Saturday 25 July 2009

Twitter Error

How cool is this picture that comes up when Twitter encounters an error? Its quite quirky and odd but I like it. There is another one that came up the other day which I liked. Anyway I've saved it and now I'm sharing it with you. If you want to add me on twitter go ahead. Its glitteringheels

Hope your having a good weekend. So far I've not got up to much...had an opticians appointment which wasn't too fun. It always makes my eyes water! Anyway, need to have my glasses updated as they haven't for years because I wear contacts more. Its so expensive *sob* I'd sooner spend the money on clothes or something fun. I may just pass up on the new glasses anyway haha! Happy weekend xx

Thursday 23 July 2009

Fashion Photography: Diana Koenigsberg

How fun are these photographs by Diana Koenigsberg? I was browsing Cyanatrendland and the bright colours of these images caught my eye. I like things that are pretty and vintagey, and I like things that are quirky but I also like photographs with a sense of humour. The playful nature of these photographs just stands out so much and I love that. Lets hear it for fun fashion!






Thanks to Cyanatrendland for the images. For more information on Diana Koenigsberg click here.

Tuesday 21 July 2009

My Picks For The Week

Thought I'd point you in the direction of some of my favourite posts of late...

Dress Design & Decor

Create

Pigtails & Blushing Cheeks

Design Scene

Aspiring Couture

Picked because they are funny, yummy (you'll know which one I mean!) or just because I love the pics, they are all fab! I also thought I'd share with you one of my new favourite etsy sellers, well two actually...I bought a set of postcards from alicebgardens and they are stunning. If you like all things slightly vintage pretty then this is the seller for you! Here are some of her photos...



The second seller is Tabitha Emma for her gorgeous quirky, slightly child like cute mix of purses, tea cosys and prints all decorated with images of drinking tea, owls and other similar woodland animals. There are some amazing things in this shop and I can see myself buying a few gifts. Here a few of the goodies she stocks in her shop :)



Hope your all having a good week and not getting too soaked...I wish summer would return! I've got a limited footwear at the moment as I'm away from home and its mostly entirely unsuitable. Gonna have to get something super cheap I think as the purse strings are bit tight right now. Any suggestions?

Sunday 19 July 2009

Maybelline Pure Liquid Mineral Foundation

I don't think I've mentioned cosmetics in my blog before, but I have found something so fab I wanted to share. Eversince Maybelline did away with my shade of foundation in their Wonderfinish range, I've been on the hunt for another decent foundation. What I liked about the Wonder Finish foundation was that it was light, gave good coverage and matched my skin tone perfectly, so that was the standard for my replacement. One thing I've found with a lot of foundations is that they tend to be cakey and with my not so brilliant skin I want something thats not thick. I ended up getting a maxfactor one which was ok but I probably wouldn't get it again. The tone was a touch orangey and it was quite thick and sticky.

Anyhoo, I was looking for a new foundation and discovered this Pure Liquid one and to be completely honest I just took a chance and didn't test it beforehand. I knew the shade would be good so I just went for it. Thankfully the chance paid off. It comes in a pump bottle which is a little bit different and it only pumps out a small amount but you really don't need much. Its so light, it barely feels like you're wearing makeup and gives you a nice healthy glow. The only thing is that it has got a bit of a shiny finish to it but that can be solved with some loose powder if you want a more matte look. Overall though, its a fantastic foundation and I think I have found my new favourite. Would recommend this completely. Its not too pricey either, got it in Boots for about £7 which is definately worth it.

I just wanted to take some time to thank you all. I've now got 20 followers, which is a drop in the ocean compared to some blogs I know. But I'm well chuffed :) Hopefully in time I'll be able to bring you some bigger and more interesting posts. I need to be reunited with my scanner so I can share some editorials from my favourite magazines and some of my own artwork. Anyway, thankyou ever so much for reading :)

I also have a bit of a request...If anyone would like to design me a new website header, I would be forever grateful. Just drop me a message on here or email me on glitteringheels@hotmail.com

Friday 17 July 2009

Primark Autumn/Winter 2009 and Hotel Missoni Edinburgh

A chance visit to the Marie Claire website, lead to a little sneak preview of the A/W collection for Primark. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised with the offerings, from what is often regarded as a fast fashion brand with pretty lousy clothes. However there are some diamonds in the rough, which will no doubt be snapped up faster than you could ever imagine. Camping outside primark's flagship store anyone?







Also have you checked out the new Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh yet? Looks amazing and the prices aren't too bad...I've earmarked it as a place to visit on a long list of places! The interior looks stunning!




Thanks to Edinburgh Architecture for the Hotel Missoni photos and Marie Claire UK for the Primark pictures

Thursday 16 July 2009

Edward Steichen

It seems that whenever inspiration fails you, all you need to do is look back. People often talk of things not being as good today as they were in the past. I don't know how true that is, maybe we are just inclined to put a rose-tinted perspective on the past and things in the past weren't necessarily better, just different. Nevertheless, it is interesting to look at how life, fashion par exemple was compared to now. Before popular culture invaded life in the sixties, people really seemed to know how to dress. Hollywood cinema of the thirties wasn't called the Golden Age for nothing, it was glamour in the true sense of the word and not the page 3 kind that exists now. Anna Wintour reckons fashion is about going forward, and in a sense she is right but that doesn't mean we can't take a little slice of the past with us and mix it up to create something contemporary.

Anyway, all this rambling does have a point. I came across the photographer Edward Steichen, a name I think I've come across before but actually really looked at recently (today!). He began his career in fashion photography in the early 1900's in Paris and became the photographer of Paul Poiret's collection. However he was more interested in fine art photography. It wasn't until the 1920's and a meeting with Frank Crowninshield, editor of Vanity Fair, and Conde Nast that he was offerered job as chief photographer for Vanity Fair and his career as fashion photographer restarted.

His photographs capture that whole glamourous side of life that is often associated with the twenties and thirties. He photographed a number of actresses at the time including Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford. Although clearly placed within their time I think they are as interesting and inspirational as ever...you can see his influence in fashion photography today, and I think setting the style of modern day Vanity Fair fashion editorials.



An example of his fine art photography





Thanks to Smithsonian for some of the images and information

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Fashionably Exhausted

How rubbish am I...3 days of full time working and I'm exhausted. I can barely think let alone type and right now the thought of cooking dinner is far too much effort. So apologies for a potential lapse in posts over the next few weeks. Hopefully I'll bring you something interesting, it may just not be too often. I'm having a serious case of inspiration block. Normal service should resume shortly....

Picture of a collage I did, taken on my phone so awful quality but this post needed brightening up...Bear with me :)

Monday 13 July 2009

Celtic Woman: Musical Random-ness

A bit of random-ness, but thought I'd share this with you...its haunting! Check out the rest of Celtic Woman's songs as they are just as beautiful.

Annie Leibovitz: Alice In Wonderland Editorial

Thanks to Lily at Through The Looking Glass for bringing my attention to this fabulous editorial by Annie Leibovitz based on Alice in Wonderland with a high fashion twist. You can find the full story here.







Sunday 12 July 2009

Lauren Barfoot: Textile Designer


Since starting this blog it has got me thinking about my own interests and you know, all the big designers are all well and good but there is plenty of lesser known talent out there. So I started to look into designers in my local area of Dorset, UK and came across Lauren, who studied Printed Textiles at Loughborough School of Art and Design. She has since worked with some big names such as Alexander McQueen as well as getting a few awards under her belt. She kindly agreed to an interview with me, so here it is!

* Tell me a bit about yourself and how you came into going into textile design?

I have always had an interest in textiles and fashion. I come from a very artistic family and I believe that their enthusiasm when I was younger has helped my passion for design. I first got into textile design when I started was at school- experimenting with mixed media embroidery and felting and really just ‘playing around ’ with ideas. At university I studied textile design where I specialized in print for fashion. I soon developed a sense for colour and pattern and really developed skills that have helped me build a good portfolio and collection of work.

* What are your influences?

I get inspired by a lot of things; usually I see something in a museum, historical artifacts appeal to me. I think its better to see objects first hand than from books or magazines. I did a project based on a beautiful garden in Marrakech, this incorporated flowers as well as elements of African textiles and patterns, and I was also inspired by a mixture of textures seen on my travels.


* What was your first ever project and how did that go?
My first ever textile project was about embellishment and I remember making a life sized cardboard dressing table and mirror that I embroidered with images of jewellery and attached beads. I like to collect and display vintage objects and I love my mother’s crazy 8o’s jewelley.


* How has your work and designs evolved since then?
My work has been much more directed at industry and more product based in the last few months, I have been working on turning my fabric prints into garments and accessories. I have improved the quality of my work and used technology (in particular computers) to make the work more professional.

* You've worked with some major designers such as Alexander McQueen and Zandra Rhodes, how did that come about?

I benefited enormously from working with such great designers and their design teams. I communicated via email and they set up interviews with me. It’s a great but challenging experience that’s beneficial to any devoted designer.

* What has been your favourite project so far?

My favourite project was my final degree collection that was about Paul Poiret, a French couturier in the early 1900’s. This concept had good depth to source my inspiration as it brought in elements of Orientalism, The Ballet Russe and fauvism.

* How was it being named a finalist in the Young Textile Designer of the Year competition?

It was exciting to know that my design was chosen over hundreds of other applicants, and I had a brilliant time at the awards on the Catwalk of the Clothes Show in London. This experience taught me a lot about commercial and high street fashion as it was to do with New Look, I would love to design one day for a more couture market.


* What advice would you offer to any designers trying to break into the industry?
Be friendly to everyone that likes your work and try to take up any opportunity that is offered to you no matter how small, you never know what it could lead to.

* What can we expect to see from you in the coming year?

I am currently exhibiting at New Designer in The Business design centre, in London (its WELL worth a visit if your interested in doing a textile degree). I’ve being offered some freelance print work for studios and I’m also doing freelance print and embroidery design for New Look. Most importantly i am starting a masters at the Royal College of art in sept so there is plenty for Lauren Barfoot designs to come!

• Finally...Sum yourself up in 3 words!

Friendly, hardworking and positive

You can visit Lauren's website and contact her with comments and questions at: Lauren@wessexbarn.co.uk. If your interested she will send out her CV :)


Friday 10 July 2009

Once Upon A Time...

A collection of images sourced from Getty, Sublime Magazine and photographer Eugenio Recuenco loosly based around fairytales...








Eugenio's photography is absolutely stunning, creating strong dramatic images with a hint of almost Tim Burton-esque darkness. These are a few of his fairytale based collection. I might feature more of his work on here in the future because it is so good.

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