B E S T I V A L countdown (part IV)

Hurrah, hurrah – I’ve saved the best for last. My pals and I are off to Bestival early to play with tigers, goats, lions and monkeys at a zoo on the Isle of Wight so this be my final entry before we lope. The zoo belongs to my friend’s lovably eccentric auntie. She makes the most delectable pine nut salads and the finest brandy cake – all without a sense of taste as she lost it when she was young. 

* Food drool*

Anyhow, everything about The Cure breeds sweet nostalgia. Love Cats was the theme tune to my first year at university and Just Like Heaven reminds me of my prepubescent sisters and I jumping around the living room when we were small enough to not hit our heads on the pearl lampshade.

So next Saturday is going to be a sweller than swell evening indeed because what isn't there to like about The Cure?

I. SIMPLY. CANNOT. WAIT. 

GET. ME. TO. THE. MUD

Must dash – off to buy a torch and some Simple baby wipes.

Twentysevennames A/W12

They may be half way around the world but the folk over at Twentysevennames have managed to shoot me directly in the retinas with their achingly cool collection.

Twentysevennames shattered all New Zealand Fashion Week conventions – eschewing the traditional runway show for their A/W12 collection and instead opting to show an exhibit of Guy Coombes’s campaign photos.

The chic camouflage and spin on classic striped and checked prints is phenomenally rad. <3

Rokit A/W 11'

Rokit’s authentic retro clothing is a goldmine of vintage treasures. With all the best clothing from eras like the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, through to the 60s, 70s and 90s – they accommodate any second-hand aficionado.

The unique London chain has just released their delectable A/W 11’ lookbook. Their English Heritage collection- in all its plaid, tweed and beaded glory- is charming enough to make prancing around all day in a damp, muddy field appealing.  Their feminine polka dot line is equally as covetable – with dainty collars and immaculate layering. And if anything tickles your fashionable fancy then head over here to shop - they even ship worldwide.

a weekend must

The raw realism of the late Corinne Day’s photography was unrivalled by any other fashion photography. Her iconic black and white shots of a teenage Kate before her rise to supermodel status are the most alluringly nostalgic of her shots. 

And now you can admire them – along with her finest work for the once cutting edge The Face magazine - at the Gimpel Fins gallery in Mayfair.

Adolescent Kate is not the only star to adorn the walls of the gallery. Lorraine Pascale, the model-turned-chef, also features along with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

 The exhibition runs for the next month, so make sure you pop by this wekend to take a peek at her legacy.

loved up with the lovely Lover

Yesterday Lover unveiled "The White Serpent" S/S12 Lookbook and it's got me thinking about which family member I could sell in exchange for one of those floaty chiffon dresses.

 

The Australian brand have catapulted to fashion notoriety after pulling the  sartorial heart strings of many celebrities. So it's no secret they’ve come a long way from their Bondi market stall roots. 

This collection debuted at Australian Fashion Week to mark the 10th Anniversary of the brand and it's utter perfection.

Designers Susien Chong and Nic Briand have wonderfully crafted simple contemporary femininity. I don’t dare try to pick a favourite piece as there is not one look in this collection that isn't gloriously blissful and spectacularly constructed. 

And if you wanted to know which family member I would trade in it would be my younger sister hands down. Cruel? Perhaps. But she's the only sister I have to contend with when stealing my t-shirts, blouses and dresses.  

B E S T I V A L countdown (part III)

The first time these guys captivated my eyes and ears was back in January 2007. The endearing Metronomy - along with their customised push light t-shirts - were supporting Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly at the now defunct London Astoria.

Since that snowy evening I have subsequently experienced their idiosyncratic performances and unfathomable dance routines at Underage, a Lily Allen and Friends recording and at Benicassim. Throughout the years their lineup has been revised several times – most recently including former Lightspeed Champion drummer Anna Prior and bassist Gbenga Adelekan. Despite these new artistic influences, this kooky bunch have remained true to their enchanting sounds that are so far removed from reality.

Next week at BESTIVAL is my fourth experience with the inimitable band and gee whizz what an experience that will irrefutably be.

With their third album The English Riviera being released earlier this year, I’m eagerly anticipating buoying along to the seaside melodies of The Look and the hypnotising Love Underline, as well as being charmed by a performance of The Bay.

Excitement aside, there’s a hideous rumour floating around on Wikipedia that the push lights have been replaced by pre-synced chest lamps and I can only pray to the stage Gods of St.Bestival that they’re as magical.

a superfluous splurge ?

 

"I love how your shoes are all just slight variations of each other" my pal Sophie said to me as we departed Sheffield University's journalism department for the final time in June. Yes her statement has a dash of credence but if it took three years for her to conclude this then my definitive shoe style surely isn't palpable - surely? 

I bought these simply chic black Chelsea boots this weekend from River Island. The elastic gusset detail, combined with the sensible two inch heel, makes for a comfortable wear. They are edgy and sure to be the staple of my autumn wardrobe. Unabashedly I’m not used to "wearing in" shoes as I usually source my footwear from eBay. So as I tip tap away I’m endeavoring to mould the exquisite booties to my feet by sitting cross legged on my rug and flexing my toes every four minutes. I cannot stop gazing at them.  

Spot the difference:  

These Pierre Hardy for Gap ankle boots have been loyal, dance proof “partying” shoes for years of dizzying frolics. Yes they're also black, yes they also have the elastic side and yes they also have the chunky heel. But why change a winning formula ?