I visited Sketchbook Magazine's much discussed pop-up shop on Saturday in London's trendy Soho area. Since I printed out the wrong map to the location (of course), I had to ask around in various stores around the area (including one with a cute guy behind the counter "Hello you" *winks*) and after walking around like a headless chicken for 30 mins, I finally found my way to the shop on Newburgh Street.
I was a bit ruffled from the confusion but my spirits were quickly lifted when I stepped inside and I was engulfed by a wonderful mood of creativity and artistic expression. Covering the previously pristine whitewashed walls were gorgeous fashion illustrations in stylized marker-drawn picture frames as well as books, clothing, accessories and much more spilling out of every nook and cranny of the downstairs room.
A number of other fashion lovers soon arrived and we all took our seats for the upcoming event which was a lecture/discussion by prominent UK stylist, Rebekah Roy who took us through her journey of becoming a stylist which involved plenty of hard work, determination and even a few interesting career-propelling chance encounters with well-known fashion personalities. She was very warm and honest and eagerly dispensed a lot of helpful advice to the aspiring fashion stylists in the audience.
The Sketchbook Magazine Pop-Up Shop is located at 10 Newburgh Street, Carnaby, W1 and it will be hosting a variety of fashion and music-related workshops, lectures and other exciting activities from now until April 18, 2010.
For more information on the Sketchbook Pop-Up Shop, visit the Sketchbook Blog.
Another Soho area fashion attraction is the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) White Gold Pop-Up Shop which I chanced upon during my search for the Sketchbook Mag's event.
Inside the store was the uplifting sight of colourful furnishings, cool clothing and tasty cookies and cupcakes - a winning combination.
Two friendly volunteers happily welcomed me inside the store and explained EJF's mission and the purpose this pop-up shop.
The EJF's 'Pick Your Cotton Carefully' campaign features T-shirts designed by Giles Deacon, Betty Jackson, Christian Lacroix, Luella among others, and the tees were photographed on popular models including Devon Aoki, Coco Rocha, Lily Cole and Irina Lazareanu.
The eco-friendly shirts are designed around the theme of "childhood, lost innocence and hope" and they highlight EJF's newly released and highly anticipated report called "Slave Nation" on their campaign to end forced child labour in the world's 3rd largest cotton exporter, Uzbekistan.
It's difficult to imagine that the reality for an estimated 1 million children, some as young as 10 years old, are forced to work in Uzbekistan's cotton fields day after day and are subjected squalid living conditions, paid very little to nothing and contract dangerous, sometimes fatal, illnesses.
EJF aims to provide an alternative to these terrible labour conditions by using organic, fairtrade Continental cotton from Turkey and printed with organic certified inks. Additionally, the money raised from the sale of the 'Pick Your Cotton Carefully' tees goes towards EJF's work to eradicate forced child labour and the use of dangerous pesticides in cotton production.
The EJF 'Pick Your Cotton Carefully' T-Shirts can be bought for just £30 at the Pop-Up shop itself, in selected stores worldwide and also online at www.ejfoundation.org/shop. The shop also showcases chic clothing and accessories by other ethical fashion labels which are also available for sale.
Go check out EJF's Pop-Up Shop on Carnaby Street, Monday to Saturday from 10am – 7pm and on Sunday from 12pm – 6pm to pick up some stylish, exclusively designed clothing and support a great cause at the same time.
Head over to www.ejfoundation.org for more information on the Environmental Justice Foundation.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Pop down to these Pop-up Shops
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
What I Want Right Now - Ear Chain
photo courtesy bikerjewelry.com
photo courtesy wiregems.comI'm seriously considering getting a helix piercing just so I can wear an ear chain like the ones above. I really love the style but I'd probably prefer them with more/longer chains and in funkier colours. I already have my lobes pierced twice but the only thing I don't like about getting another piercing is the required maintenance afterwards.
I would love to find one that doesn't require another piercing like the one below which just hooks over the top over the ear but no such luck as yet. If any of you knows where I can find one or you make jewelry and you're willing to do a customized one for a reasonable price, please let me know!
photo courtesy youngfatandfabulous.comSaturday, March 27, 2010
Celebrity Style for less - Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham certainly knows how to travel in style as she arrived at London Heathrow Airport on March 23 in a chic, menswear-inspired ensemble.
The former Spice Girl and current fashion designer takes on the utilitarian trend in a sharp black blazer, olive green cuffed trousers and a heather grey tank top. She accessorized the look with nude platform heels, a statement gold men's watch, a gold ring and her trademark Aviator sunglasses.
photo courtesy justjared.com
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Cool Vintage Finds - Feline Fantasy
I love cats. Not in a weird, cliche "I want to live with them alone for the rest of my life" kind of way but I do have a definite affinity for them.
I also have a thing for the cat motif in fashion and I believe novelty feline prints and accessories are a really great way to add fun and quirkiness to Spring wardrobes.
The Miu Miu Spring 2010 runway was littered (bad pun intended) with cute, playful cats on clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry - you name it, cats were on it.
images courtesy style.comI scoured Etsy and Ebay to find some cute and stylish vintage cat pieces and came up with quite a few options below.
Meow Cute Sterling Silver Kitty RingPrice: US$5.50
Vintage Beaded Bag with Cats and RosesPrice: US$16.99
(N.B 7 days left in auction)
- Ailurophilia is the "love of cats".
- The nose pad of a cat is ridged in a pattern that is unique, just like the fingerprint of a human.
- The domestic cat is the only cat species able to hold its tail vertically while walking. All wild cats hold their tails horizontally or tucked between their legs while walking.
- Sir Isaac Newton, discoverer of the principles of gravity, also invented the cat door.
- A cat will amost never "meow" at another cat. This sound is reserved for humans.
- A group of kittens is called a "kindle" and a group of grown cats is called a "clowder".
Also, here's a Vogue fashion spread from 2008 which features cute Persian cats and model Karen Elson with hair, makeup and outfits inspired by the fantastic Grace Coddington.
photos courtesy mycatgoma.comMonday, March 15, 2010
Ever walked a pot-bellied pig while wearing Chanel?
No...me neither but I think mini pot-bellied pigs are so cute and I've always had a love for Chanel so I was inspired to combine the two in a new illustration (below).
N.B the Chanel outfit featured is from the SS10 collection.
Also, I attended Fashion Fusion Expo 2010 as a backstage dresser (photos to come soon) and below is an illustration inspired by a backstage photo taken of an outfit by London-based fashion stylist, Hannah J.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
London Fashion Weekend 2010
So, I went to London Fashion Weekend last weekend and since it was my second time attending a major London fashion event (the other was Clothes Show Live), I was excited to see what it was all about.
As you all may have realized by now, I do love a good shopping deal and the outfit I wore to the show was comprised of items I picked up from various places at bargain prices.
Below is what I wore to the show - a blue Jacques Vert blouse that I picked up at a car boot sale for 50p, a red Hobbs skirt that was on sale for £19, a black belt that came with a top I bought from New Look and an Aldo necklace that was on sale with a 'two for the price of one' offer (I also got the black and silver version).
(Please excuse the facial expression - I wasn't even a little ready for that photo and sadly, it was the best one of the bunch.)
Even though the designer label prices at London Fashion Weekend were heavily discounted, I had a hard time finding items that I liked, were my size and were in my budget range. However, I did manage to pick up this SS08 Luella T-shirt for £25 which I think is really adorable.
What I was looking forward to more than anything else was the catwalk presentation and with looks from designers such as Betty Jackson, Herve Leger, Jasper Conran and Twenty8Twelve, I was not disappointed.
The show was presented by fashion journalist and TV presenter Louise Roe and was a compilation of designer looks from the SS10 runways which reflect some of the biggest trends of the season. Below are a few videos I made of the runway shows.
The first trend to hit the runway was 'Candy Rock' - soft, pastel colours and light, airy fabrics and romantic silhouettes. Featured designers included Jasper Conran, Herve Leger and Jaeger.
The second trend was Swallows & Amazons - described as 'Arthur Ransome meets Tim Burton', this trend 'combines layered mismatched pieces of luxe and denim with classic nautical tailoring and gothic leather'. Featured designers included Twenty8Twelve, Eley Kishimoto and Vivienne Westwood.
The final trend covered was Vintage Glamour - elegant, timeless vintage pieces that would fit seamlessly in the modern fashion world. Featured designers included Ossie Clarke, Zandra Rhodes and Biba.
We also got the pleasure of viewing Betty Jackson's entire Spring/Summer 2010 collection which was feminine, flirty and perfect for the upcoming warm weather.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Fashion Fusion Expo 2010
Fashion Fusion Expo, a brand new London fashion event, will be held on March 12 & 13, 2010 at the Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London. This event will raise consumer awareness about fashion and sustainability with a theatrical line up of catwalk shows, expert hosted seminars and exclusive fashion shopping opportunities.
Stamo
This event will showcase the very best talents in sustainable fashion and accessories design from all around the world and it aims to attract 6000 visitors to show fashion can be both sustainable and stylish.
Nikolo BertokChristina Curry, model and presenter, is to introduce the Expo’s catwalk shows. Christina shares "I'm thrilled to be working with Fashion Fusion, and strongly believe in their mission to make the public more aware of sustainable fashion. I love quirky clothes from high street to vintage as much as the next girl but Fashion Fusion is opening up exciting new doors to ethnic prints, diverse styles, and the next wave of hot young designers at the same time as bringing the ethics of consumer fashion to the forefront!” Christina adds “Sustainable fashion needs to be the focus for the future and Fashion Fusion Expo 2010 will be the event to place it in the spotlight."
Choolips
With something for every taste and budget, the show offers a mixture of high street names, boutique brands, vintage inspirations, designer collections and individual labels for true fashion lovers. The fashion buying public will also get the chance to watch four exclusive catwalk shows each day, coupled with a great line up of expert seminars to learn more about the exciting world of sustainable fashion.
Juzi
Designers and exhibitors for Fashion Fusion Expo include:
Stamo - http://www.stamo.co.uk
Julia Smith - http://www.juliasmithfashion.co.uk
Juzi - http://www.juzionline.com
Trousers London - http://www.trouserslondon.co.uk
Choolips - http://www.choolips.com
NV London Calcutta - http://www.nvlondoncalcutta.com
Andaluss - http://andaluss.com
Nkya Designs - http://www.nkyadesigns.com
Side Effects - http://sideeffectsoflondon.co.uk
Asakeoge - http://www.asakeoge.com
Julia Smith
Opening times for Fashion Fusion Expo are 9am - 7pm each day and tickets are only £10 when ordered online at http://fashionfusionexpo.eventbrite.com, £8 for students and £15 at the door.
On March 13, there will also be an after party at Cafe de Paris, 3-4 Coventry Street, London.
Show your support for these up-and-coming designers by attending this fantastic event and also by passing this information on to any fellow fashion-lovers that may be interested in attending Fashion Fusion Expo.
For more information, visit http://www.fashionfusionexpo.co.uk.
