H A L L O W E E N

Styling, hair, makeup & photography by
Patrice Winn
Philippa Branton






Street Style

Experimenting with street style as part of our styling module.

Styling & photography by 
Patrice Marie Winn
Lindsey Isla Henderson
Charlotte Rosie Creighton
Location, Highbury.



London Fashion Week SS16

Fashion week started for me this year, with the Antipodium Fashion Week Launch party. Bloggers on the Instagram scene attended, Vice's Double Trouble girls and Jackmaster supplied the sounds, and from what I can remember, a bar bill for nearly £200 at a free bar, and a sore head as a reminder. But, it's been over a week since another fashion week has finished for now. And, it most definitely did not disappoint. Spring/Summer usually means one thing to me, lashings of colour and vibrant uses of textures.

Never one to ever disappoint, once a design assistant for Nicholas Kirkwood, Sophia Webster embodies the term colour when it comes to fashion. Her usually quirky sets are always a delight. This year, was no different. Using the ocean, and it's flora as themes, Webster portrays her aquatic vision in a mermaid laundrette. Literal splashes of pinks, blues, purples and metallics being used to make it come to life. Mermaids with and without their fishy tails, lounge about in large oyster shells, and on top of washing machines.

(Image credit - Olivia Palermo) 
(Image credit - The Upcoming
(Image credit - Olivia Palermo)
In keeping with the vibrant colours and metallics, Clio Peppiatt's sci-fi adventure is nothing short of eye-catching. Her collection reminds me of some cross between Tim Burtons 1996 Mars Attacks, and the work of Nadia Lee Cohen. Spaceship and planet motif's are dotted on the garments and fabrics range from Faux fur to leather. 

(Image credit - On/Off)
Another dazzling mentionable collection of the week undoubtably goes to Ashish. This anniversary show marks his 10th appearance at London Fashion Week. Ashish uses his recurrent show trait of using both genders to wear the garments. This trait is most noticeable with one of the male models wearing a slip dress with a naked female body printed on it. This sequinned stamped rainbow bedazzled the audience and with models on skateboards, you can really get a sense of how much fun this probably was to do.



Baby doll dresses were seen in a couple of shows. No one better who conveys the whimsical girly baby doll romantic fantasy then Molly Goddard. Her nostalgic collection featured tulle, tartan and check, and gives models with long dampened hair. Most wonderfully, the models stood in factory form making sandwiches. I do wonder what became of all the sandwiches after.

(Image credit - Chloé Le Drezen) 

Romantic fantasies were also furthered in Mary Benson's "Letters From The Darkest Corners of my Heart" collection. The Fashion East designer teamed with Morten Ussing as her design partner, and together, created a dramatic collection reeking of heartbreak, womanliness and love sickness. Chiffon and tulle textures combined with ribbon writing to convey this feeling. The use of red, black and pink really transmit the sense of passion. The surrealist inspired garments were worn by models with painted on tear drops, or Tatty Divine sunglasses featuring dangly crystal tear drops.

(Image credit - Chloé Le Drezen)
(Image credit - Serge Kerbel)

Another Fashion East designer, Caitlin Price, showcased her second show at fashion week. This South London girl really does do cool as fuck fashion. Sad that the return of her high rise thongs were not featured in this collection, block colours on this luxurious activewear did not fail to impress. Again, cool as fuck. Leave it at that.

(Image credit - Polyester)
(Image credit - ASOS)


The last in my pick of fashion week collections, is the sister brand of Maison Margiela. The gender neutral show of MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela saw clashing textures combined with contemporary fabrics to produce a sort of 70s glam rock display. Notable garments include a bum bag worn as a top, and thigh high sequin platforms. There is almost a impression that the outfits fabulously put together from the dress up box. Playful, youthful, innovative.





Selgascano Exhibition @ The Serpentine Pavillion

I'm not the best with children, I have the maternal behaviour of a rock. I'm the type of awkward person who reacts to a child pulling at the hem of your top, presumably wanting to play or something, and your basic instinct is to pat them on the head like a dog. But by some miracle last Friday, I managed a day out with two of them.

The Selgascano Exhibition at the Serpentine Pavillion in Hyde Park was the choice of destination. The pavilion was created by two trained architects and multi-award winning, José Selgas and Lucía Cano. This quirky designs boasts some amazing colours, and can be best seen in the bright light of day. It also keeps children entertained, with its various entrances and maze like walls.

The venue is there until late October. Do try and catch this spectacular design.

Selgascano - Serpentine Pavillion







The Photographers' Gallery: We Want More

Across two floors in The Photographers Gallery, go and immerse yourself in asking what is contemporary music photography? 

Curated by Diane Smyth, this summer exhibition examines the importance of photography and image making in 21st century music culture across advancing digital technologies, and the relationship between the photographer, the musicians and the fans.

In the fast-advancing field of music photography and image making, digital media can be thanked for the ever changing ways to create and share these. Some photographers are choosing to visually set themselves apart in the contemporary music scene. The exhibition, which supports the music industry, focuses on the dynamics of that. It includes both personal and commercial projects commissioned by the musicians, record labels or publications. These projects are displayed through the various platforms of magazine covers, videos with headphones provided, GIFs on iPads, framed and unframed works.

 The exhibitions varied content is shown across two floors. Firstly, through the performing artists. Where a rigid system once existed for photographers to adhere to certain publications demands, it is now musicians who seek to become involved and creatively collaborate with a photographer who can visually capture the essence of their music. Entering the room, you are greeted face on by four massive Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin’s portraits of Lady Gaga, shot for her two day ArtRave event in 2013. The portraits range from light and angelic to dark, and chilling. Four much smaller portraits by Ryan Enn Hughes are presented on four iPads of an inconspicuous Katy Perry. Each iPads GIF shows four different costumed characters shot on set of a music video which was based on a child's birthday party. Another example of this musician and photographer bond can be seen in Jason Evans’ dedication to shooting Thom Yorke and Radiohead publicity images from 2001 to 2008. Not only imagery for promotional purposes, Dan Wilton’s 2012 series Stop Eht captures the intimate moments offstage of American indie band The Bots on a small tour of Europe.

Secondly, taking you up a floor, the exhibition shifts perspective, and is shown through through the fans themselves. The intimate works are presented through prints of fans taking on their idols persona, seen in James Mollinson’s capturing of Lady Gaga fans outside a concert in 2011, which is part of his extreme fandom series The Disciples shot over three years. Similarly, Lorena Turner’s The Michael Jacksons, deliberately mimics the publics need to imitate the celebrity form. 

The intimate projects from Gareth McConnell colourfully distorted Ibiza images and Ewen Spencer’s raw UK Garage shots focuses on the crowd caught in the euphoric moments of the music, whilst Deirdre O’ Callaghan of Dazed and Confused snaps drummers engrossed in rehearsals.


An added bonus to the exhibition which finishes on September 20th, is DAZED’s contribution to the Eranda Studio on the Gallery’s third floor. Find a seat in one of the twelve reclining Natuzzi armchairs with foot rests, and enjoy some of the most stand out music videos projected on a screen, handpicked by eleven of the most impressive video directors today. These awe-inspiring music videos shown stir emotions and provoke thoughts, a perfect accompaniment to this visual pop culture feast.

~ Full article on Lurve Magazine available here.


Britannia, 2015

It's not something I have experienced, but I can only imagine how traumatic it is from hearing of personal stories. Being a woman with a uterus and who also has sex with the men are the only things I have that gives me an opinion on this. Growing up in a Catholic Ireland, it's refreshing to now live in the UK, where the view on the abortion is much less restrictive. It's saddening to think in a country like Africa, that the legalisation could prevent the suffering and the deaths of many women. It is a basic human right for a woman to feel safe. In 2013, 185,331 women made that decision in England and Wales reported the Department of Health.

Canada, France and certain parts of America where abortion is legal have restriction areas between the clinic and the protesters zone. It should be the same over here. A second London clinic is on the verge of closing because of protest activity. Women should not be subjected to these protesters aggressive tactics and vile harassment for using a clinics services. Ain't nobody want those negative Westboro-esque picket vibes.

The pregnant woman in this video explains perfectly why this type of harassment is wrong,

If a petition to legalise cannabis here in the UK can get 150,000 signatures and will now be debated in Parliament ... Imagine if the power of the signature could get just as many and could be debated in Parliament also? Please sign the open letter to Jeremy Hunt to protect patients and staff if you feel strongly enough. 

Nobody knows anybodies situation. 


Early Bird Catches the Worm

Last Sunday, I found myself still awake at 6am. This makes sense when you're at a house party, you are drinking some horrible whiskey concoction, and the conversation is flowing. Thank goodness for this putrid drink and the company as I probably would of slept through a magnificent sunrise sight.

50 hot air gallons lifted off from Shoreditch Park with the aim of creating awareness and money for the Lord Mayor's Appeal and causes. Lord Mayor Alderman Alan Yarrow said, the Regatta "aims to encourage and challenge people to give more and do more to secure the future for the next generation - whether by supplying more music, lifting children out of poverty, safeguarding the environment, or protecting and enabling access to art in all its forms."

Inspirational words, and breathtaking sights.


Was Laughing Gas London's Summer Seasonal Fad Drug of Choice?

A Home Office report claims that nitrous oxide is the second most popular recreational drug for 16-24 year olds in a national 2013/2014 crime survey.
The increased recreational use of the legal drug nitrous oxide this summer in London is undeniable. With most London festivals banning laughing gas on their grounds, particularly in east and south London, but in Finsbury Park, events like Wireless, and the FA cup weekend, saw it shift conspicuously from the streets of East to North. With Summer and it’s following festivities around the corner, will this summer be any different from the last?

Nitrous oxide which is intended for the use in catering to keep food remaining fresh, in engines power output, and in medical anaesthesia, has reappeared and been abused as a substance for a brief, and potentially lethal, high. The depressant drug carries dangers with it, and are completely disregarded. The independent government funded drugs advice service FRANK says it slows down your body’s responses, can potentially suffocate you, and leave you brain damaged. Mix these with alcohol or other recreational drugs, and you are most definitely putting yourself in a risky situation. A Home Office report from the University of London discovered between 2006-2012, 17 deaths have occurred from misuse. Victims claimed are, 17 year old Joseph Benett, 23 year old Daniel Watts, and most recently this February, 21 year old Jordan Guise. 

Outside a popular Dalston nightclub on a cold October Saturday night, I approach a young man. Before I introduce myself for a potential interview, I’ am greeted with that familiar whooshing sound in my ear of a balloon being filled with air. It’s followed with a pinging noise as a piece of metal hits the ground at my feet. “Ballooon miss?

A 23 year old anonymous Dalston male vendor, who knew Joseph Benett, says he has been trading the “unlucky” product for the past two years, offering his advice,”don’t do balloons if you don’t know how to use it”. But, what is being done to stop these deaths? Lawfully, not much. Worrying advice from a FRANK representative said “there is not enough advertising on the dangers of it because it is not the drug that carries the most harm”. 

This July, Hackney Council reported the Metropolitan Police confiscated 1,200 of the little canisters on a singular Saturday night in Shoreditch. Nobody was charged. Nitrous oxide is easily and legally purchased online, meaning there are no drug enforcement laws on it. Hackney Council has adopted a method to punish venders of the gas by unauthorised street trading laws, and imposing fines under the Local Authority Act. In comparison, a not so inspiring neighbouring borough, Islington, can only provide information on discarded canisters, and says it “takes littering very seriously”.




Knife Fever, Knife Fever

In the vast urban metropolis that we call London, it is what 8.6 million people currently call their home. With any major city, there is unavoidably always going to be a considerable amount of crime. Recently, there is one crime that stands out in particular, this is the increase of youth related knife crime. This year so far has already seen the fatal stabbings of 5 teenagers in London alone.


One local Islington man who has dealt with this tragic crime first hand is Michael Salas Aira. Feeling ill, and finishing work in a local restaurant on a late February evening in 2014, my guess would be that the then 20-year-old definitely did not foresee himself lying in a hospital bed in the Royal London Hospital attached to various machines. Now 21, and over a year later, I speak to him about the ordeal. He begins to explain the night in question. Hesitant at first, but continuously prompted by his then 16-year-old cousin to accompany him down to a party to assure him arriving safely, he eventually agreed. Upon arrival, he catches wind of the situation between 4 present party guests with an unfavourable relationship between them and his cousin, who are carrying a knife stolen from the property of the party. An argument develops, and in the midst of chaos defending his underage cousin, Michael becomes the victim to a brutal neck stabbing.


Lifting his head to show me his scar, he tells me despite his injuries, he doesn’t regret what he did that night. It was a natural reaction to protect someone he loved. Aside from not receiving his clothes worn on the night back from evidence yet, he expresses his only disappointment with the situation by telling me that the man charged with the stabbing received 24 months rehabilitation, a tag on his ankle, anger classes, and a curfew. “Essentially, a slap on the wrist, then he’s free to go, like nothing ever happened”. He sadly suggests that as much as a person can preach the dangers of knife crime, it will not make any difference. Emily Thornberry, local Labour MP for Islington, who previously spent many years as a criminal barrister, tells me that “what always struck me was the way so many young people caught up in knife crime simply lacked awareness of the power they had to take someone’s life away in a second – that they could change their own life, and end someone else’s, before they even knew it.


Michaels experience is one that reminds us how important life is. With newspaper stories about stabbings in the cities boroughs becoming so regular, it’s sad to think of it as a common occurrence. London authorities must really seize an initiative to combat the rising figures of this disturbing and horrifying crime. Mayor Boris Johnson said the figure of our “best big city on the planet” was predicted to reach 11m by 2050. It terrifies me to think, with a growing urban population divided by means of power and wealth, will this also probably mean a further increase in knife crime and culture.

To Me, From Me

Feeling happy with second semester results, I believed a little present to myself was in order. I recently purchased this beautiful Sterling Silver Wander ring with an onyx gem from Dreamer Jewellery.

Kat's accessories are adorable. Already eyeing up my next purchase, the Sterling Silver Moonstone Poison Box ring.

Check her stuff out!

http://dreamerjewellery.bigcartel.com


                                     




Socks And Sandals Are Cool Now

Along with retiring the winter coats in my last written blog, I think it's also time to put away the winter platform boots, it reached 15 degrees today.

The last thing I wanted to do today was run boring errands in this years first week of glorious summer weather. After a not entirely positive or good experience at the useless job centre trying to relocate my NI to get my shit together before the registering to vote deadline, it was a busy, hot Primark for socks. But everyone knows that you cannot just go into Primark for just-one-thing. It's just not humanely possible.

Worried about my warm feet, I decided a few days ago I needed some more summer shoes. I bought these little cuties for £10. They're similar to Birkenstock in style, but just as comfortable. My mother swore by Birkenstocks. They had the same style in a holographic silver. In Novermber last year, the Guardian and the Daily Mail wrote pieces on how socks and Birkenstocks were in style. The normcore trend is to thank for this. Normcore essentially being a hipster term for "dressing like a tourist". Time to give it a go.


Primark Sandals, £10












                                     

Shrimps // Sophia Webster // LFW // AW15

Another Friday night London Fashion Week show who is worthy of discussing is Hannah Weiland, aka, Shrimps, aka, you should probably know her anyway. She took the 70s into terrestrial territory. And rocked faux fur garments and accessories, with plaid skirts, and glittery skirt suits. 

The London born brand borrowed Sophia Webster's amazing skills and helped make the clutches and shoes. And since I've mentioned Ms Webster, her AW15 "Freak Like Me" collection on Sunday, is most definitely worth a mention too. Not just for the usual colour and vibrancy, but for the way those ladies could physically bend.

http://www.shrimps.co.uk
http://www.sophiawebster.com


Shrimps aw15
Shrimps aw15
Shrimps aw15
Shrimps aw15
Shrimps aw15
Sophia Webster aw15 
Sophia Webster aw15


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