Alternative Fashion Week ~ Chantal Gibbs-Jones

"Twilight in the Feathered Wood" - The feathers, silk fabrics and resplendent headpieces in this beautiful collection create a Wonderland image in my mind. The creamy feathered gown has likeness to a wedding dress; the golden ensemble is elegant and extravagant.

Alternative Fashion Week ~ Faye de-Boorder

"Manx Idol" - This collection was inspired by YouTube performer Beckii Cruel, who gained international Internet fame by dancing to Japanese music. The predominant pattern of the collection is the blue and yellow tartan check.

The Bournemouth Rock: photo of the fortnight

One of my photographs from Bushy Park last summer has been selected as the photo of the fortnight in the The Bournemouth Rock newspaper. Up until now, it has only been my computer's desktop background, so I'm pretty pleased. (Click the photo to enlarge)

(The Bournemouth Rock is available for free around Bournemouth)

Today I'm wearing...

It's a little dressed up for university, but I rarely wear my terracotta blazer out and about. Though I see I need to iron out the sleeves somewhat - they appear to be getting creased. In any case, the main focus of the outfit is the contrast between the green of the jumper and the orange of the blazer. Like/dislike? Feel free to leave a comment.

Also, how did I do with the photo? Unlike a few lucky fashion bloggers, I don't have a photo-savvy friend or partner to snap me, so I have to make do with a tripod and ten second timer. The photograph was taken in Talbot Wood, near to the university.

DIVIDED BY H&M GREEN V-NECK JUMPER

ZARA TERRACOTTA VELOUR BLAZER

LEVI'S BLACK 511 SKINNY JEANS

TOPMAN BROWN LEATHER LACE-UP SHOES

RIVER ISLAND BROWN LEATHER SATCHEL

Alternative Fashion Week ~ Klue by Kelly Ann

"Dance with a Stranger" - A collection of 1950s-inspired, fashionable swimwear, crafted into modernistic designs and layered with a palette of summer blues and pastel orange.

Alternative Fashion Week ~ Jar and Jam

"Discover Under Cover" - A colourful collection with a predominantly yellow and black palette. The designers - Velina Pavlova, Lyubomira Naydenova, Nataliya Zhivkova and Sofia Rakova - have upcycled belts, hats, suspenders and umbrellas into new functions.

Alternative Fashion Week ~ Victoria Geaney

"Metamorphosis of Narcissus" - Clothing in this collection makes use of plastic, steel wire and electricity in the designs. Battery-powered light bulbs illuminate futuristic styled fashions, with pops of colour to add extra zing. Though on a more personal observation, doesn't the first outfit of this collection remind you of a certain Marvel superhero?

Brick Lane, London

Katherine lives on Redchurch Street, Shoreditch. She wears Jeffery Campbell
high heeled shoes, Wild Fox dress, and midnight blue Chanel jacket.

Photographed by i Newspaper

The following edition of the i newspaper was published Saturday 24th March, but since I read most of my news online, it was only through a friend a few days later did I find out I had been featured in the newspaper. Thankfully, the lovely people at The Independent were kind enough to send me a back copy.

I was snapped wearing Topman sunglasses and shirt, Zara blazer, vintage bow tie,
H&M skinny trousers, and boots from Shoe Zone. (Click above image to enlarge)

Alternative Fashion Week ~ Katie Hebditch & Hayley Kiley

"Sonic Wasteland" - Inspired by contemporary underground music, fusing sports and street fashion, with an eclectic array of geometric patterns and colours. My favourite aspect of this collection is the oversized zips designed into the men's tracksuit.

SJB fashion show

Whilst at home in Woking, I yesterday attended a fashion show at my former secondary school. The show - in which my sister was modelling (third photo) - was organised by two sixth form students, Letizia and Georgia, whose aim was to raise money for their trips to Malawi and Lourdes. Of course, the catwalk wasn't on the same scale of prestige as Prada, or as crazy as Kokon To Zai, but it was nonetheless entertaining and evident of hard work.

The catwalk featured colour, vintage, and grunge rock fashions, styled with clothes and accessories from vintage fairs, charity shops and student donations. Much to the glee of the audience, there was also a special appearance from the teachers dressed in onesies. Clothes and jewellery seen in the show were then later sold to raise even more money.

Alternative Fashion Week ~ City & Islington College

"City Dwellers" - Designed in collaboration with up-cycling womenswear company 'Thrifty Couture', using recycled suits, shirts and ties. Plenty of layers and patterned structures, reminiscent of city life.

On the street, Pokesdown

(as featured by Brief Magazine, Issue 1)

Twinks is a first-year fashion student at the Arts University College Bournemouth.
She wears Dune shoes, Topshop tights, Therapy dress, vintage jacket from Brighton,
vintage shawl from New York, and earrings from Spitalfields Market, London. Twinks
explained to me she enjoys wearing "colour, sparkles and silly things". These photos
were first published at www.briefmagazine.co.uk under the brief of 'random'.

On the street, Pokesdown

(as featured by Brief Magazine, Issue 1)

Vivien is an interior decorator from Boscombe. She did not tell me specifically what
she was wearing, but said she enjoys wearing zany outfits: "I dress eccentric because
I am eccentric, but I have really pushed the boat out today." The above photo
was first published at www.briefmagazine.co.uk under the brief of 'random'.

Oliver Twist, Boscombe

Geoff and Joanna are performers in the Milton Musical Society's upcoming production 
of 'Oliver!', which the pair were promoting in costume. The musical will be held at the
Regent Centre, Christchurch, from Wednesday 18th until Saturday 21st of this month.

Easter eggs

I'm an atheist, but there is still no escaping Easter. Commercialism dictates that today warrants the plentiful feasting of chocolate eggs, which - in all fairness - is not necessarily a bad thing. Personally, I love Easter simply for the fact that once it's all over, Cadbury Creme Eggs are seriously cheap.

In London, the theme of Easter eggs manifested itself into 'The Big Egg Hunt', in which various artists and designers crafted 200 unique eggs to be hidden across the city. The aim was to break the world record for the biggest Easter Egg hunt. All the eggs are now
on display in Covent Garden Piazza; a few of my favourites are pictured below...

What Alice Found: 1st birthday party

Nestled among a terrace of shops on the edge of Boscombe is 'What Alice Found' vintage boutique, which has today celebrated a whole year of trading. Nicki Grainger and Karen Ambler hosted a day-long party on the premises with cupcakes, sweets, ginger beer, and
a bounty of vintage attire.

New menswear from Ikkonik Vintage

Pop PR Press Day

Press days are a brilliant opportunity to see up close the new collections previously eyed on the catwalk. Pop PR's clientele include Francesca Marotta and Bernard Chandran, whose collections I photographed at London Fashion Week. In a way, it was almost like an exhibition, except with a dozen bowls of sweets and a Toni & Guy hair stylist.

Pop PR press day at The Future Gallery