Today, I'm wearing...

I am at my step-cousin's wedding in Christchurch today, and pictured below is the outfit I selected. I have chosen to wear my staple white shirt, due to its comfort and versatility, plus a vintage paisley tie I bought from Brighton at the beginning of this month.

I love opportunities to dress up, as I feel much more confident and happier when in smart attire. In addition, such occasions are usually spirited and tremendous fun, and I am sure the wedding today will not be an exception. The only downside to dressing up, however, is that body popping is somewhat difficult in slimline trousers!

SPITFIRE BABET SUNGLASSES / ZARA BLAZER / NEW LOOK SHIRT / VINTAGE TIE
ASOS SLIM TROUSERS / CLARKS LEATHER BROGUES / DEBENHAMS LEATHER BELT

(P.S. Please nominate www.unlimitedbyjk.com for "best new fashion blog" in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards. I'd love to be shortlisted! Nominations close at midnight.)

Poland Street, London

Spotted after the YMC menswear show, Severin wears Drykorn blazer, Weekday shirt,
Topman bow tie, and Spitfire sunglasses from ASOS. (You can see his full outfit at the
Fish Soho blog, for which I am contributing as guest street style photographer.)

Hanover Square, London

Gabrielle is from Nairn, Scotland, but was in London for a job interview at Achica
luxury lifestyle store for an assistant buyer position. She wears Topshop shoes
and skirt, Urban Outfitters shirt, and Miss Selfridge jacket.

On the street, Bristol

I couldn't ignore Rosie's gorgeous palette of plum nuances. She is an opera singer,
currently performing as first understudy to the role of Carlotta in 'The Phantom
of the Opera' at Bristol Hippodrome. She wears Topshop skirt and t-shirt, H&M
jumper, Marks and Spencer tights, Doc Marten shoes, and her bag is second-hand.

Brighton Fashion Week ~ Walterworks

Walterworks recycles materials from household items and garments to create an artistic collection, embodying the designer's views on wastefulness in society. Outfits are made from such things as gardening gloves, deflated balloons, cassette tape, and even bicycles. (Learn more at www.walterworks.co.uk)

Interview with Saskia Lawson

Youth and talent - one could argue the two go hand-in-hand for a promising career.
My interviewee has both. Yet for someone so young in a competitive industry such as photography, I wondered if her limited experience would be a hindrance to her efforts. Then again, we all have to start somewhere.

(Photo courtesy of Saskia Lawson - www.saskialawson.com)

Surrey-based fashion and portraiture photographer Saskia Lawson openly advertises her young age of 18. She sees it as a useful selling point for her business, which she started out in September last year.

"Because I'm quite young, a lot of people notice me," Saskia tells me. "People get drawn to you, because they think, 'Wow, she's really young,' and it kind of makes you more interesting. They look at your stuff and think, 'Ooh, she's actually quite good'."

The Royal Arcade, Boscombe

I spotted Ben Martin at the Boscombe Vintage Market. He is a multimedia journalism
graduate, now employed as a sub-editor for Imagine Publishing. He wears boat shoes
from Marks & Spencers, Topman jeans, Urban Outfitters t-shirt, Lush scarf, sunglasses
from the Boscombe market, and denim jacket stolen from an ex-girlfriend.

Haymarket, London

Rarely will you meet a young woman with narwhals on her tights. Kirstie is a digital
marketing apprentice, plus alternative fashion blogger at 'Petit Papillon De Nuit',
who I met at 'The Only Way Is Blogging' blogger meet in London. She wears UNIF
shoes tights by TejaJamilla, patticoat from Leg Avenue, M&S top, and vintage
scarf tied to a men's River Island satchel (the same as mine, coincidentally).

Ledbury Road, London

Victoria Bulmer (left) and Jane Bowler (right) are both designers. Victoria wears
Doc Marten shoes, Topshop t-shirt, flannel shirt borrowed from a friend, All Saints
coat, and hat from a Covent Garden hat shop. Jane wears Bertie shoes, shirt from a
car boot sale, bow and necklace from charity shops, and River Island coat.

Brighton Fashion Week ~ Shara Hayz

For its electric and psychedelic performance on the runway, the showcase from digital fashion designer Shara Hayz was my absolute favourite at Brighton Frocks. Her fashions are loud and colourful, with a plethora of metallics and jewels to create a lavish and outer-worldly collection, inspired by 1950s science fiction and ancient civilisations. This is the fashion of the future tribe. All rise The Annunaki. (Learn more at www.sharahayz.com)

London Collections ~ YMC S/S 13

Next year's collection from YMC (You Must Create) features floral pattern, a burst of leopard print, plus a palette of greens, burgundy and navy. If you haven't visited their boutique on Poland Street, I would recommend a look. I was especially in awe of their rucksacks and footwear. (Shop at www.youmustcreate.com)

Yu Fujiwara, London

Yu Fujiwara is a street style photographer at 8and2.blogspot.com. He wears
Converse shoes, D.S.Dundee jeans, Peter Jensen shirt and waistcoat,
Album jacket, Agnes B hat, and Leica M6 camera.

On the street, Bournemouth

(as seen at NYTimes.com)

Lalinta (left) and Pitcha (right) come from Thailand. They laughed that their
complementary outfit choices were entirely coincidental. Lalinta wears H&M blouse,
Zara bag, Emporio Armani sunglasses, and skirt from Thailand. Pitcha wears Jane
Shilton shoes, H&M skirt and sunglasses, top from Thailand, and Longchamp bag.

(The above street style photo was first published by NYTimes.com under
the topic of round sunglasses - click here to see the slideshow.)

Leanne vs. Motel Rocks

This was a casual shoot with my younger sister, Leanne, behind our house in Woking.
She has recently acquired a number of stylish garments, including these stripy skinny jeans from Motel Rocks (which I love, by the way). If she took photos herself, her keen eye for zany yet super-chic clothes and accessories could potentially be of envy of many personal style bloggers. There is no doubt you will see her on my blog again.

"CMYK"

"CMYK" 

Model: Charlotte Gay

Photographer: Joseph Kent 

Location: Bournemouth University 

Inspiration: Pop Art 

(If you have enquiries about collaborations or shoots, 

please do not hesitate to contact me.)

Brighton Fashion Week ~ Lucky Dame

I first saw this collection by Lucky Dame Couture at Alternative Fashion Week. The label explores latex rubber as material for garments, creating quirky yet provocative designs. My one query, however, is how one gets into the latex, since it looks extremely tight!

AUCB at Graduate Fashion Week: Part 2

The catwalk show...

---------- Sophia Rice ----------

AUCB at Graduate Fashion Week: Part 1

The exhibition stand...

Earls Court 2, London

Jimmy Q is a full-time model, professional skateboarder and tattoo artist, originally
from Los Angeles. He wears Wacko Maria suit from Japan, vintage coat from Montreal,
vintage shoes from LA, and vintage shirt from Camden. I love his dandy dress sense.

(Jimmy Q was also spotted by Fashionistable and The Nyanzi Report -
click the above links in red to see their photos.)

On the street, Brighton

Tamsin and Basil's quirky styles caught my eye in 'Beyond Retro'. Unsurprisingly,
everything they are wearing is vintage. I have much love for Basil's moustache too.

Bournemouth University Summer Ball 2012

Unlike last year's shindig, I was made an official photographer for Summer Ball 2012. Here are my favourite fancy dress costumes and moments from the day...

Colourful streak, Boscombe Vintage Market

Since 2011, I have noticed a keen trend for colourful hair. Miggy, however, says she
has been dyeing hers for years: "...every colour imaginable." She is presently
studying Applied Art & Design at Poole College, and will be showcasing her work
at an upcoming exhibition in London. Her headband is her own creation.

Brighton Fashion Week ~ Jenna El-komboz

This collection is inspired by North African women, incorporating influences from African body paint into its patterned pieces. Hot colours, embroidery and headscarves are equally key design features. (Learn more at: www.facebook.com/JennaElKomboz)

Pokesdown documentary [VIDEO]

Despite having lived in Bournemouth for a year already, I did not venture to nearby Pokesdown until September/October of last year. But since that first trip, I have come
to love the village for its vintage vibe, wonderful people, and - as I have said often - its genuine community spirit.

Roxanne Kapperud, Chair of the Pokesdown Community Forum, said those who visit Pokesdown "feel all the enthusiasm and the love that people have here for each other", and for me, this is entirely true. It is by far one of my favourite places in the world, and hence why this mini-documentary, filmed over the Jubilee weekend, is dedicated to the community that makes Bournemouth's Vintage Quarter so special.

Boscombe Vintage Market

Good friends Francesca and Malcolm were surprised that - as pensioners - they were
being photographed for a fashion blog. It's true that I don't snap many elderly people,
but I try to be diverse when I can. These two looked so smart in Boscombe's Royal
Arcade, that I could not let them go. Malcolm didn't know what brands he was
wearing, but Francesca wears Debenhams skirt, Wallis top, Clinique bag, and
necklace from the Boscombe Vintage Market - "...it has everything I like."

(More information: www.boscombevintagemarket.co.uk)

Safari jacket, Bournemouth

Ben's sharp style makes him look a lot older than reality - he is actually still in school!
He does, however, have a Saturday job at Pokesdown vintage shop 'Clobber', which is
evidently influential upon his fashion. Ben wears Vans shoes, Levi's jeans, jacket from
Clobber, Paul Smith tie, Ben Sherman shirt, Ray Ban sunglasses, and Coton Doux bag.

Jubilee cosplay, Pokesdown

Alex's seriously cool - albeit unorthodox - Jubilee style is inspired by cosplay.
She's rocking the Union Flag eye-shadow and manga styled red hair (actually a wig
- her hair is long and blonde!), which bring the Jubilee spirit to life. She is a student
at the Arts University College Bournemouth, where she will be transferring from
Computer Animation to Model Making in September.

Brighton Fashion Week ~ Frantic About Frances

This is the moment when Brighton Frocks pumped up the sexy. Imagine burlesque dancing, alluring models, enticing lingerie, flirty smiles - this was 'Frantic About Frances',
a lavish lingerie label inspired by vintage pin-up girls. Needless to say, the showcase was captivating. As a heterosexual man, I would certainly not deny a future girlfriend from wearing this brand. (Learn more at: www.franticaboutfrances.co.uk)

...wishing you a sexy Jubilee bank holiday.

Jubilee dress, Pokesdown

Debbie is the Youth Minister at St Mary's Church, Ferndown. She handmade this dress
herself, which she wore to yesterday's Jubilee party at 'Vintage Per Sempre'. She says
she wanted to wear something patriotic, but not so much as to look like Geri Halliwell.

Jubilee weekend

The flags are flying - it's The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I am afraid the only patriotic fashion I possess is a pair of Union Flag socks, but at least I have the right idea! I will be whipping out my camera at the Boscombe Vintage Market today, photographing the best Jubilee street style, so any Bournemouth fashionistas ought to pay a visit.

Tomorrow, I will be filming a mini-documentary in neighbouring Pokesdown at their Artisan Fayre, followed by a good few hours editing the footage overnight! Monday should offer small respite, with a garden party and barbecue at a friend's house, then Tuesday is the much anticipated BAMMJ Ball. Photos (and video) to feature soon.

In the meantime, I will be continuing with street style from Bournemouth, Brighton and London, plus catwalk photos from Brighton Fashion Week. And if you like what you see, could you please nominate me for "best new fashion blogger" in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards? I would be very grateful. (Click the pink box in the right-hand sidebar!)

What have you planned for the four-day Jubilee weekend?

Brighton Fashion Week ~ Celia Arias

Charged with theatrical glamour, 'Brighton Frocks' is the first catwalk for Brighton Fashion Week, showcasing the very best in costume and alternative fashions. The vanguard collection for this year's show came from Celia Arias - freelance stylist, costume designer and visual artist. Her beautifully surreal designs left me amazed.
(Learn more at: www.celiaarias.com)