Age Of Consent

I've been obsessed with this US Vogue editorial ever since I saw a super low-res image on the August Issue's Fashion Spot thread a week or so ago - I've been eagerly waiting for the high-res scans to be uploaded, and they finally are. Kristen is absolutely stunning - the ultimate example of a handsome woman, and that long grey hair is so striking and elegant. The whole editorial basically sums up everything I'm obsessed with right now. Not only the timeless aesthetic, but the individual pieces that I've been coveting since they hit the runway; coats in camel and black - the latter with a dramatic length to it...

Deep, rich burgundy...

Camel, camel, camel! The split-elbowed Michael Kors coat, and the cinch waisted Dries Van Noten jacket. I love how it has a feminine, hourglass shape without veering into stiff, Dior territory...

Sharp black Celine coats and that linear, stark Calvin Klein dress...

US Vogue August 2010 "The Age Of Consent" 

Kristen McMenamy by David Sims and Tonne Goodman 

Source: The Fashion Spot

Epic Camel Post

So I'm still obsessed with camel - particularly coats. I've ranted and raved about these for a while now, so I wont do another long shpiel in this post, other than to tell you about the beautiful book I was pouring over at uni yesterday that was full of heavenly camel coats.  If you can get your hands on "Coats! Max Mara" then you really must, many images in this post are from it. Am I the only one still obsessed with camel? It's just so timeless, non-specific of gender, grown up yet fresh. Okay enough adjectives, I'll let you enjoy.

Max Mara FW 1993 & 1981

Ralph Lauren

Hanneli

Rolling Stones

So I don't overwhelm you with an onslaught of camel, click through for more.

Pilot Blues

Colour themed editorials are quite commonplace (black, red, pink) but for some reason no one does blue. And it's my favorite colour! Thank god for Pilot magazine. I adore this editorial from Karen Inderbitzen-Waller. Amazing layering and tones - perfectly combined with the beautiful dark hair of models Ella and Erica, and the tan hues of the background. And I love the girly dresses and knits in such a cool hue. The whole issue is definitely worth a read - it's a bit of a futuristic mindfuck in the best possible way!

Pilot #4 Erica & Ella by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller

Source: Andy @ Pilot

Mid Lengths

All those beautiful calf length skirts from the fall collections are hitting the magazine editorials now - Karlie in particular shows off their movement and shape - and seems to be dominating a lot of editorials at the moment. That's the beauty of garments with length and volume is that they actually do something in editorials. I can't wait for a free day so I can make myself one.

Chloe & Marc Jacobs

Prada

Vogue UK August 2010 "First Look" Karlie Kloss

Vogue China August 2010 "Secret Garden" Karlie Kloss

Sources: Fashion Gone Rogue, The Fashion Spot

Medailles du Style

I usually find jewellery editorials a bit contrived, precious and overly glamourous. French Vogue however always nails it. I adore how they have used jewels to evoke military medals - they've given very feminine jewellery a masculine, historical edge. love it.

Vogue Paris August 2010 "Medailles du Style" Malgosia Bela by Josh Olins 

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

Pop Doll

As if we don't need to salivate and obsess over Miu Miu and Christopher Kane's girly spring collections anymore, here is another editorial (this time from Jalouse) that I couldn't resist posting. Beautifully nostalgic, pretty and a little tattered around the edges - with more than one shot evoking Nabokov's Lolita.

Jalouse June 2010 "Pop Doll" Barbara Palvin by Paul Schmidt 

Source: The Fashion Spot

Stella McCartney Fall 10 Campaign

The Stella McCartney campaign for Fall is, as always quirky and playful. I love how the simple, refined and sober collection is contrasted with kooky illustrations and a sense of fun. Cute.

Stella McCartney Fall 10 Natalia Vodianova

Source: The Fashion Spot

Grayscale

There's something about black and white. Shades of grey, deep blacks, stark whites. Crisp, serious, traditional, modern. Whether it's an image or an outfit, it's totally timeless. And magnifies detail, shape and texture. It's like a clear, evocative lens through which to view the world.

Ralph Lauren

Bob Dylan

Clockwise: Jil Sander Anita cotton-blend poplin shirt, Chloe Wool and cashmere overcoat, Jil Sander, Cashmere blend pants, Miu Miu Cashmere and silk-blend cardigan, Jil Sander Elasticated leather ankle boots, Stella McCartney Wool-blend flannel coat

Rolling Stones

Left: Kristen McMenamy

Right: Vogue UK August 2010 "First Look" 

Brian Jones

Sources: The Fashion Spot, Net-A-Porter, Fashion Gone Rogue, Googe Image Search

Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Campaign

The Juergen Teller lensed Marc Jacobs Fall campaign is out - and I love it just as much as the collection itself. The endearingly prim and old-fashioned collection is complemented perfectly by the spare, worn setting  - evoking rural America. The campaign reminds me somewhat of a favorite film of mine, Terence Malick's Badlands. And boy do I love calf length skirts right now - I can't wait to have a spare minute to sew myself some.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Campaign 

Monika Jagaciak, Frida Gustavsson and Ann Kenny by Juergen Teller

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

Birthday Books

Sorry posting has been a bit thin on the ground this week. Inbetween multiple birthday dinners (O'Connell Street Bistro is heaven by the way - especially the chocolate fondent) and uni classes and work I have had a big essay to write. So unfortunately blogging has been neglected more than I would like - I have so much to post on! I'll definitely having some blog-days next week to get caught up.

The thing I love most about birthdays is I always get a stack of books. My family basically only gives eachother books for birthdays and Christmases - and has done since forever. Our bookshelves are bending and breaking, and the one in my bedroom is totally fool now. So piles of books and magazines are building up on my bedroom floor. This year I picked out a selection from Unity Books; including an amazing big book on American Menswear, Brett Easton-Ellis' new novel which is a sequal to the amazing Less Than Zero and Patti Smith's autobiography of her younger years - which I have been wanting for so so long. Her writing style is mindblowingly poetic and lyrical. It's truly a pleasure to read.

I also got given a couple of men fashion magazines I have been wanting - Vogue Homme International and Fantastic Man. I actually find these more interesting to read than womens magazines a lot of the time, less fluffy or appearance obsessed. And minimal body talk and pressure. Although I do love women's publications, these are a refreshing change. And the simplicity and tradition of mens fashion is constantly inspiring me. They are definitely worth looking at if you don't already. Fantastic Man is the brother publication to my beloved The Gentlewoman.

Christopher Kane Resort 11

I've been captivated by galactic images and prints ever since I was a child - I'd spend hours pouring of the glossy pages of books on outer space. It always seemed so magical - and the vastness and age was, and still is, almost incomprehensible. Fragile yet mighty at the same time. So naturally I adore the resort collection of Christopher Kane, which features countless digital prints of exotic nebula and delicate constellations. Kane also experiments with some new silhouettes - exploring the prim, fifties aesthetic - with long, full skirts and high necks. I love that such a futuristic print has been pared with a cut that is quite prim and traditional. I would wear any of this in a heartbeat!

Source: Style.com

Source: Style.com

Burgundy and a Birthday

As regular readers (and any friends and family of mine) will know, I've been on the hunt for a burgundy jersey for a while now - regularly moaning and complaining about the seeming impossibility of finding one. I nearly enlisted my mother to knit me one - although guilt kept my from purchasing wool. However I got very lucky when the lovely Emma Cruickshank from Public Library gave me a Vanishing Elephant jersey she found hiding away. My search is over. This thing is perfect - warm, cosy and most importantly pure burgundy coloured. Thanks Emma! It was perfect to keep me warm all day at uni today and it definitely brightened up my birthday (today, twenty-two, eek!) to have a lovely new piece of knitwear.

Vanishing Elephant jumper, Karen Walker necklace

Labelled

I've always been a sucker for an iconic logo tee. Anything that emanates Americana and athleticism - think loyalty, ego and pride in one's pack. They are a great foil to anything too "fashion" or serious and have an endearing sense of nostalgia. Flash a bit of skin and you have athletic, tomboyish sex appeal going for you. That's always going to be good.

Images from The Face, Ralph Lauren and Hedi Slimane

Source: The Fashion Spot

Film I Love: Out Of Africa

I always spend a good chunk of my holidays (which are now essentially over, unfortunately) catching up on all my dvd watching. Some new discoveries - I am very belated in discovering my love for The Darjeeling Limited - and some old favorites like Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr Ripley and, most beloved at the moment, Out Of Africa. I've always had a small obsession with colonial expats in the tropics, which I blame on part of my childhood being spent up in Papua New Guinea living that expat life. Telling the story of Danish author Karen Blixen (nom de plume Isak Dinesen) played by a stunning as always Meryl Streep and her arrival in Africa to marry a Swedish Baron. The film beautifully captures the waning years of colonial power and the growing independence of women so perfectly. Not to mention a ton of romantic tension with the perfectly cast Robert Redford.

Even more than I love the story however, I  adore the clothes. Nearly everything is linen and cotton in white or tan hues - artfully crushed rumpled at times. Karen looks best when wearing more androgynous outfits that reflect her growing independence and physicality in the harsh conditions - although she never looks anything less than elegant. Long skirts add a femininity yet never look out of place. And wrapped shawls and blankets that evoke the local tribes. The whole film is a constant style inspiration - and fits in surprisingly well with the current resurgence of a simpler way of dressing, and is brilliant fabric inspiration for the  upcoming warmer months.

More stills after the jump.

Grey, Earthy, Tactile.

You forget how homogenous fashion editorials are until your confronted with something that challenges the accepted notions of beauty, age and fashion. This editorial of the stunning Kristen McMenamy from Dazed And Confused does just that. Not only is she older and blessed with stunning long grey hair and a strong handsome face (kept starkly, beautifully natural), but the shots themselves are wild and earthy - with an arresting quality of rawness that is so refreshing.

Dazed & Confused August 2010 Kristen McMenamy by Tierney Gearon 

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

Tonal

When it comes to winter dressing, one of the best parts of it is that it gives you the opportunity to pair together different garments than you usually have the opportunity to - heavier, longer pieces that would usually act as a foil to something softer/lighter/delicate. And they can, if it pleases you, all be garments of length, volume and coverage. I'm talking about just the right combination of garments, not too many and not to little either, that harmonize with eachother and strengthen the impact each has. I love looks that play on tonal variations of the same family of hues - it's a very easy way to put a look together yet still looks quite striking, thought out and modern. Lay off the prints, incorporate subtle and tactile textures and focus and the effect of wearing block shapes - a solid dress or a long skirt - and playing with proportion and balance. I also love wearing sombre colours in winter - muddy browns, inky navys and slate grey. They just feel so appropriate when the wind is howling and your cheeks and nose are pink from the cold. Oh and do imagine all those looks with deliciously cosy woolen socks and tights, which are of course ubiquitous for winter.

Clockwise: Chloe Chunky Merino Wool Sweater, Marc Jacobs Crushed Velvet Maxi Skirt, Marni Leather Penny Loafers, Alexander Wang Diego suede studded bucket bag

I really love this look of a super super simple long-sleeved shift dress (with a hemline that is endearingly on the frumpy side) paired with a beautiful, masculine grey coat and mens brogues. It takes it away from the cliche of the petites robes noir (think heels and jewellery, elegant yet almost too iconic) and into a more refreshing, androgynous territory.

Clockwise: Rick Owens Merino Wool Scarf, Stella McCartney Wool-blend flannel coat, Church's Classic Burwood brogues, Calvin Klein Seductive Comfort Briefs, The Row Palming wool-blend mid-calf length dress

Image Source: Net-A-Porter

Winter Basics

My wardrobe seems to be semi-frequently updated with classic pieces like camel coats and timeless shirting or exciting pieces like cosy knitted hotpants and flimsy lace numbers. But there's one section I frequently neglect and am riddled with sartorial guilt over - and that's the state of my basics section. It's these staples that I always find myself wishing I had more of when I'm staring at my wardrobe in the morning with a pile of clothes on the floor and zero idea what to wear that day. I'm sure you all know the feeling well. It's not like I don't have some great basics, I do. On current rotation are some super comfortable loose tees from Country Road, a couple of ribbed wife beaters and a long, striped Glassons top bought a few sizes too big. But I still feel like there were some things missing. That feeling was thoroughly intensified when I popped into Superette the other week. I was immediately drawn to all the Flux and Bassike pieces - comfortable, loose, neutral and not only looking like you would live in them, but looked like they were already yours (think soft, worn in and radiating comfort).

For a while now I've had a strange desire for the simplest of jumpers - a grey marle sweatshirt. Warm, a great foil to prints and more intense pieces, and a little more laidback than knitwear. And I love anything that subtly references athletes and jocks.

Left to right: Bassike Lightweight Sweat, AS Colour Brush Crew, Kowtow Juggler Crew

Image by Katherine Lowe

Source: Katherine Is Awesome

Source: Turned Out

Bassike Summer 10/11 Lookbook

I also love loose, long sleeved tees. It's surprisingly hard to find ones that fit the bill, as for some reason there is more need than for short sleeved tees for the cotton on these to be perfectly slouchy-soft - so they hang and drape beautifully. 

Left to Right: Bassike Women's Thick Stripe Basic Top, Bassike Men's Slouchy Long Sleeve Pocket Tee

As much as I love my loose scoop neck tees, for a while now I've been wanted some slimmer fit, high neck versions. Partly because they look great with jewellery over them, look great under jackets and are brilliant for uni - trust me, bending over a table while patternmaking in a low neck tee is not the best - I don't want all the (albeit small number of) males at uni to see down down my top. When it comes to super basic tees I can't generally bring myself to go past super super classic shades like white, black and grey marle. So utilitarian and traditional. I'm not the biggest fan of logo and graphic tees to be honest, they have to be very spot on to get into my wardrobe. The perfect grey and white tee however, they have me at hello. And they are absolutely timeless - think Jane Birkin, James Dean and Marlon Brando. A well cut tshirt never dates.

Bassike Summer 10/11 Lookbook

Left to right: AS Colour Wafer Tee, Bassike Men's Crew Neck Tshirt

Jane Birkin

Left to right: Kowtow Basic Tee, Bassike Men's Slim Basic Short Sleeve Tshirt

Source: Turned Out

Image Sources: Louisa @ Superette, Kowtow, AS Colour, Turned Out, Bassike,