Endings & Beginings

This is it, the final day of my journalism degree. Although the first day of my first year at Bournemouth University feels so long ago, the past three years have been a whirlwind. Each year, I have progressed in skill, knowledge, confidence, passion and ambition, and I hope this trend continues into the working world.

Unlimited by JK, while neither an assignment or obligation of my degree, has obviously played a huge role in my studies. It has acted as a compass in my career, it has influenced my coursework, and it has helped me attain so many goals I had never thought possible in September 2010. I must offer particular thanks to Liisa Rohumaa, who introduced me to the world of fashion blogs before I had even secured a place at Bournemouth University, and who has rooted for me since the beginning of the blog. It was only fitting that she assumed the position of my dissertation supervisor this year, and without her guidance, I would have been completely lost.

In commemoration of this final day, tonight is the long-anticipated BAMMJ Ball, which I have been arranging for my coursemates and lecturers during the past couple of months. Despite a few stressful moments, it has been a joy to organise, and I hope the evening goes smoothly for everybody, even if it is a bittersweet reminder that this chapter in our lives has come to an end. I shall miss my friends terribly.

But I do not want to be a pessimist. There awaits a new chapter in my life, one which I am admittedly unsure of, yet one which I am extremely excited for. The job hunt is ongoing, but I know where I want to be heading. In the very near future, I am looking for freelance work as a street style photographer during the Fashion Week season, and in the distant future, I aspire to be a multimedia content producer for a fashion and lifestyle magazine. I recently learnt a BAMMJ graduate from 2008 was appointed Acting Online News Editor for British Vogue, therefore there is hope for this graduate-to-be.

Journalist, photographer and blogger - I hope you will stay with me as I journey onwards. Though the rest of my life is no more than a bubble of potential and possibilities, I look forward to whatever may be around the corner. Thank you for standing by.

Ice cream, Vogue Festival

I have saved one of my favourite Vogue Festival photos for last. This gentleman shows
us how to look cool eating ice cream - with Jean Paul Gaultier and Ray Ban sunglasses.

Paisley & stripes, Vogue Festival

Mariana wears a Zara shirt and bag, Topshop boots and quilted top, Cassandra jacket, and her hat was purchased in Greece. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

Vogue Festival, London

Marcos is a sales assistant at Bershka, and a recent graduate from Spain. He wears a Karmakula shirt, Pull & Bear jumper, and sunglasses from Urban Outfitters.

Photo slideshow: Boscombe Vintage Market

Boscombe Vintage Market has survived an unnecessary kerfuffle with the proprietors of the Royal Arcade, the building in which the market is held. Arnewood Estates announced they could no longer accommodate the market, but representatives have negotiated an extended lease. If you live in the Bournemouth area, please show your support for your local vintage market at our next date: Saturday 1st June.

Rough Shutter

Rough Shutter is a clothing brand incorporating prints by freelance graphic designer and illustrator Adam Willis. You won't often see me wearing a t-shirt (I much prefer a garment with a collar), but I am rather fond of the artwork on this particular piece, a roughened interpretation of Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly from Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961). Adam will be releasing more illustrations soon.

Vogue Festival, London

Gina wears Topshop shoes, bustier and leather jacket, glasses from Boots Opticians,
and a vintage skirt from Beyond Retro. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

Southbank, London

Gallery assistant Jessica and comedian Joey were only passing by the Vogue Festival, nonetheless they had both dressed the part. Jessica wears a Topshop coat, vintage bag, and Massimo Dutti shoes. Joey wears a vintage hat, River Island shoes, and his coat is from 'Born Again Vintage' in Brighton. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

Vintage balloons, Vogue Festival

Natalie wears Topshop sunglasses and necklace, plus a vintage coat and shirt. I am in adoration of the hot air balloon print - the best garment I spotted at Vogue Festival.

Rissikat Oyebade, Vogue Festival

Rissikat is a presenter and model, who starred on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model last year. She wears Primark boots and jumper, New Look dress, and a Zara jacket.

Vogue Festival, London

Elisabetta is a visual merchandiser. She wears Chanel glasses, Marlow scarf, Zara
jacket, and her bag is handmade. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

Peach & green, Vogue Festival

Rachel, sales assistant for Mulberry, wears a Topshop hat, vintage scarf, American Apparel shirt, H&M coat and jumper, Mulberry bag and shoes, and Zara trousers.

Eva Glamazon, Vogue Festival

I thought I'd share my favourite street style photograph on my 21st birthday. I hope it illustrates how far I have come since shyly shooting my friends with a digital camera two and a half years ago. Eva, fashion blogger at 'Eva Glamazon', wears Emilio Pucci shoes, Francesco Biasia bag, Oasis skirt, Swagga & Soul jacket, and Ray Ban sunglasses.

Summer blogging

If you hadn't guessed, I am now in the final weeks of my degree. I have a dissertation to submit shortly, followed by a fortnight of converged news days, and because of this, I am unable to dedicate much time to producing fresh blog content. (Sorry!) But summer and sweet freedom are just around the corner, so you should expect plenty of exciting things from Unlimited by JK very soon.

 

Having recently acquired a small selection of new products, I am looking to shoot several new outfit posts, which shall hopefully include a Doctor Who inspired outfit, and styling my very first designer garment, courtesy of À La Disposition.

Still to come also are the Boscombe Vintage Market, Bournemouth blogger meet, Bristol blogger meet, Graduate Fashion Week, Bournemouth University Summer Ball, Brighton Fashion Week and London Collections: Men. Will you be attending any of these upcoming events? Please let me know!

In the meantime, I guess it is a game of patience. But when I am so close to completion, can you blame me for wanting to sprint to the finish line? I suppose I had better crack on with that dreaded dissertation.

Boscombe Vintage Market

Laura wears a second-hand dress, New Look belt, Office shoes, and a Topshop cardigan.

Fashionable friends, Vogue Festival

Jo and Hannah are sale assistants. Hannah (right) wears Primark boots, H&M jacket and jumper, and a New Look dress. Jo (left) wears vintage sunglasses, Klear Klutch clutch, and remarkably her coat was found in a bin. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

I Am Liberty, Vogue Festival

College student Liberty is in the midst of setting up her own style blog, 'I Am Liberty'.
She wears shoes and skirt from a Camden vintage shop, Topshop top, and a Zara shawl.

Zatchels satchel

It was inevitable. I, like hundreds of others, could not resist the Zatchels half-price flash sale, and consequently I ordered a beautiful leather satchel. This red model is a compact 13 inches wide, which is ample space for my street style equipment and a small packed lunch. I expect it will be a regular accessory at events to come. 

When the weather is not so miserable and I do not have a dissertation submission lurking over my shoulder, I will get into the swing of shooting outfit photos again. Although on this occasion, I reckon this sexy satchel may look better on Maddy than it would on me.

Boscombe Vintage Market

Ayla studies English at Bournemouth University. She wears ASOS shoes, skirt and coat from charity shops, belt from Beau Vintage (since closed), and vintage bag from Rokit.

Vogue Festival, London

Fee (left) wears a Pamb dress, H&M jacket, Inskin collar, and a Chanel bag. Christine (right) wears a Zara coat, Topshop shirt, Pure Collection jumper, Chanel bag, and her shoes and necklace are from Florence. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

Vogue Festival, London

Hayley wears Topshop sunglasses, shoes and bag from New Look, and a Zara dress.

Denim dungarees, Vogue Festival

Art student Lindsey wears Topshop shoes, Urban Outfitters bag, top from a charity
shop, and vintage dungarees from Rokit. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

Boscombe Vintage Market

I had never paused to think that builders may have a swankier side when off-duty, hence I was slightly surprised when Andrew said his occupation is a labourer. He wears Office shoes, Topshop jeans, Primark shirt, Gap coat, Jaxon hat, and his girlfriend's sunglasses.

Vogue Festival, London

Orion is a freelance researcher. He wears Nike Air Max trainers, Primark sunglasses, Vivienne Westwood shirt, H&M denim jacket, River Island coat, and Topman chinos.

Vogue Festival, London

Josephine studies English & German Literature at the University of Warwick, however she is also an aspiring fashion director. She wears Zara shoes, Louis Vuitton sunglasses, Topshop necklace, Urban Outfitters hat, bag from Debenhams, and her coat, top and jeans are from River Island. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)

Upgrade: Canon 6D

The Sony α 290L has served me well for two years. It was an affordable DSLR camera for dabbling in photography, but my aspiration for professionalism has since outgrown its limited capabilities, and therefore it was time for an upgrade.

The Canon 6D is my biggest investment yet, and you will be glad to hear I did not buy it just for blogging; I am establishing a career as a photo- and video journalist. The camera boasts full HD video, high ISO (for low-light conditions), and a 20.2 Megapixel full-frame sensor. I have additionally bought a 50mm f1.8 lens for my street style photography, plus a 24-105mm f4 lens for video and general photography.

Although the skill of the photographer is always more important than the quality of their equipment, this new DSLR will open up more doors for me, and I am very excited to see what I can produce. As of June, I will be available for freelance work.

Richard Anderson Ltd, Savile Row

13 Savile Row is the home and headquarters of Richard Anderson Ltd, bespoke tailors led by Richard Anderson, Brian Lishak and Clive Gilkes. Opening its doors in 2001, it was the first new tailoring House on The Row for fifty years. Nonetheless, Richard and his team aspired to provide the same distinguished quality and service one would expect from the street that gave the world the suit. 

“I started at the age of seventeen, in 1982, at Huntsman, and Brian had been working around Savile Row for forty years. So although we were a new company on The Row, we had great experience in the field. I didn’t feel intimidated at all, I felt very excited and invigorated at the prospect. And I felt it was time to have a new tailor on Savile Row, who could maintain the quality of the old Houses.” – Richard Anderson

Full bloom, Boscombe Vintage Market

Here is a vibrant example of DIY fashion. Debbie cut the sleeves back from her 1950s floral housecoat, from which the material was used to customise her high heel shoes.

Monochrome & neon pink, Vogue Festival

Elizabeth Renfrey, lifestyle editor for Student Journals, styles a monochromatic look with pops of neon in her jewellery and accessories. She wears H&M shoes and skirt, Topshop top, Zara jacket, and neon satchel by The Leather Satchel Co.

Jo Black Craze, Vogue Festival

Fashion designer Sola Cash is head-to-toe in his own label, 'Jo Black Craze'.

Vogue Festival, London

Keziah wears Urban Outfitters shoes, Topshop jeans and jacket, vintage sunglasses,
and Marc Jacobs handbag. (Featured at www.studentjournals.co.uk)