How Florence Became a Fashion Machine

Since (or, for the gig going set, predating) the release of 'The Machine's inaugural single Kiss With a Fist  Florence Welch been the a style idol for the frenetic indie set. Her Geek-Chic look of matching brogues with stick skinny legs and charity shop jumpers was hip before the hipsters decided it so.

However things move fast in Fashionland and it wasn't long before Florence's willowy-meets-kooky looks were seized upon by magazine editors and designers alike. Florence began popping up at fashion parties. She started wearing shoes! High heeled ones which made her appear 7 foot tall! And we all know that the fashion pack adore an amazonian woman with fabulous hair, we should have seen it coming really. Then the photo op's. Oh look Flo in fresh from the presentation Givency Haute Couture. Here's Flo with NBF and Chanel Muse Blake Lively. Flo and Ricardo. Flo with Stephano. 

And then the ultimate. Florence practically hugging, HUGGING Karl Lagerfeld. 

That's it she's in. Cue fabulous Vogue Japan cover; shot,

 naturellement, by Kaiser Karl himself.

And c'est tout  Florence Welch is officially a Fashion Superstar. Try it at home kids, you too could hug Karl if you are just kooky and tall enough.

She Speaks

Kate Moss rarely gives interviews for print, never mind to camera. The Love must have gone to her head because here she is talking ribbons and romance with US Vogue in the weeks preceding her fabulous wedding to Jamie Hince.

Something to add to the guestlist

Fashion events and FROWS have been rife with "arm parties" for some time now. Ethnic, friendship, string and metallic the bracelet stack is a serious statement and everyone wants theirs to stand out. 

Enter Lulu Frost for J-Crew:

These colour-saturated resin lovlies are a step up from scraps of fabric and rubber and will keep your favourite fetish from looking stale as we move towards the grown-up feel of the new season. Punches of colour are everywhere this winter and as a seasonal bridge the block colour accessory works to ease you into daunting new territory. The art deco inspired embellishments prevent any unwanted 80's acrylic connotations. Party on!

Lulu Frost for J-Crew available online from £40-124 click to buy

Ok then if you insist

IN RAPTURE FOR THE LOEWE FLAMENCO

Apparently, according to the flamenco tradition, good dancers are seized by a supernatural inspiration called "duende". This force manifests itself in the focused performance of a song or dance in which expression and expressiveness are so great that the artists, reach a form of rapture.

I can't vouch that the Loewe designers were seized by something supernatural when they designed the Flamenco but I am definitely in raptures. 

The richness of colour, sensible size and discreetly embossed logo stay true to the Loewe stealth wealth model.

The jaunty tassels and extendable strap that allow the bag to be worn cross body or slung over-shoulder add a lighthearted nonchalance to this luxury carry-all. 

The use of a discreetly placed, embossed logo and minimal hardware reinforces the mass move away from the showy "IT-bag", at least for the western customer. A reflection on the fact that the luxury shopper in Europe and the US are still embarrassed about showing off their spending in ostentatious gold plated locks and links and catches?

Or just fashion's knee-jerk rejection of what had become a universal trend?

Whatever the inspiration for the Flamenco it is a long time since a luxury bag has grabbed my attention in this way. A true beauty perfect proportions and the adjustable strap as well as the "wear it everywhere" (even nude on a silk couch according to the print ad) means the Fkamenco has truly shimmied it's way onto my lust list. 

STAY CREATIVE

FRONT DESK

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

The Woman you want to be

Motivation backstage at DVF AW11

My favourite photo from the 2011 Grammy's so far:

Gaga-Monster and little monster Willow

I love how real she looks playing with 10year old Willow whilst sporting shoulder horns.


Ps. I've been whipping my hair back and forth on the treadmill at the gym for quite some time now, I get some funny looks but it's really very motivating.

photo credit Nicola Formichetti Blog

Inner Sanctums

Chanel

The aura of mystery that shrouds the world of Haute Couture usually means that it operates in a parallel universe to the general population. The much lauded but not terribly revealing documentary "The Secret World of Couture" aside there have been few opportunities to catch a glimpse inside this world populated by incredibly rich and notoriously private patrons and the artists and craftspeople who create their to-measure habiliments. Jacqueline Hassink, a New York based Dutch Conceptual artist has achieved rare access to this world and is documenting part of it in a photographic series exploring private and public space and corporate identity. Hassink, originally a sculptor, has created a series of photographs of the private fitting rooms of the worlds most famous couture houses which is the subject of an exhibition to be staged during London Fashion Week and soon to be published book. These images of the opulent spaces in which the worlds wealthiest fashion fans make their final decisions on which hand crafted work of art to order is an exploration of the complexity of space. The artist says

"Fitting rooms are of great importance to brands... I was fascinated by the complex compositions that were possible because of the mirrors. Haute couture fitting rooms are much larger than regular fitting rooms. After entering these spaces, I would spend some time walking around looking at different angles to shoot. As I walked through the spaces, the mirrors would show me reflections of different sections of the room. Only in certain areas of the room you will find these extraordinary complex compositions of space like the ones visible in the images taken at Jean-Louis Scherrer and Emanuel Ungaro. I have photographed fitting rooms that are hard for the viewer to grasp."

Christian Dior

Christian Lacroix

Giorgio Armani

Givenchy

Jean Paul Gaultier

Each of the rooms has the feeling of luxurious craftsmanship that one associates with couture, and reflects the sensibilities of the couture house that it represents. However there is also a classical feeling to the spaces reminding us that couture is rooted in tradition, a tradition of excellence and exclusivity. One not to be missed the exhibition Jacqueline Hassink, Haute Couture Fitting Rooms runs from February 22nd, during London Fashion Week, at NL – The Dutch Cultural Pop-Up Space in London, 40/42 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7ET

References and images courtesy of AnOther Magazine. Read a full interview with Jacqueline Hassink here: Fashion in Pictures - Haute couture fitting rooms | AnOther

http://www.jacquelinehassink.com

London Days

My photographer friend Alison Wallis and I enjoying ice cream on a 2degree London afternoon. Alison and I have collaborated on some jobs, she is a fantastic product photographer who also does some lovely portraits. Look at her website www.alisonwallisphotography.com for examples of her work and see if you can pick out your chaton in the portraits section (no I'm not one of the artistic nudes).
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Amy Leonard on LOOKBOOK.nu

Amy Leonard on LOOKBOOK.nu: "Become a fan and "hype" Amy's looks on LOOKBOOK.nu."

Eau de Gaga

According to the Fashionista blog Lady Gaga’s first fragrance will smell “of blood and semen.” They don't specify it it will be her own though.

Even Barbie Has Loub's