Recent Reads

Thought it was about time I blogged about the beautiful books I was lucky enough to receive from the Madre a while ago. Both had been on my wishlist radar for quite some time, so I was one excitable fashion student upon obtaining them. After having had a lecture from the great Colin McDowell today, the masterful fashion writer's book 'Fashion Today' is another I'm now  intent in reading. Both Colin's passion and grandiose were hugely inspiring to me, hence firmly iterating his god-like status  in my mind along with other fashion journalist icons (Suzy Menkes, Tim Blanks et al. )

The Opening Ceremony book was created in celebration of the ever-innovative store's tenth anniversary, and is equally as inspiring as the label's famous retail spaces. A glossy, hardbacked embodiment of O.C's signature kitsch-like cool, the book was contrived by the store's founders (and fairly recent creative directors of Kenzo) Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. Charting the remarkable abundance of Opening Ceremony collaborations, as well as guest snippets from the members of the brand's thriving community such as Rodarte and Alexander Wang, the book is an infinite inspiration source. 

American Vogue creative director Grace Coddington has long been an influence for me; like most fashion enthusiasts, The September Issue was a prominent provocation of this. With this in mind, I was extremely eager to read her memoirs. From the apt tangerine tones of the book's cover to Coddington's wittily candid sketches throughout, the flame-haired tastemaker's memoirs were a visual feast. Her humorous accounts of life at Vogue and her 'journey' preceding this were especially entertaining also; in short, a very readable and engaging must-read.

The Everything Post

So once again I have been a bit crap with posts- no excuse really, other than a severe lack of blog - savvy skills on my part. Due to this deplorable blogging behaviour I have decided to give a brief round-up of everything that has been of interest to me as of late in the world of fashion and surrounding areas; a hard task considering the infallibly rapid pace that fashion continues to move at, but i've tried... 

Film

I recently saw the adaptation of what was originally a coming-of-age novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Touching, heartening and nostalgic ( the film is set to a perfect soundtrack brimming with gems from the 70s and 90s), it is a must see for anyone who enjoys a a good tear-shed and moral enlightenment :)

So the much hyped Diana Vreeland: The Eye has to Travel documentary has finally landed on DVD, which I cannot wait to see. Featuring archived interviews with the original fashion empress herself, the documentary is expected to paint an appropriately charismatic and colourful portrait of  the late, great and extraordinarily stylish Mrs.Vreeland. 

                                                                                                                                                           Book

As if opening its first UK store wasn't enough, the ever-creative retailer Opening Ceremony have now released a book which i'm lusting after (early christmas prezzie mother?!). Full of contributions from the O.C founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon as well as their painfully cool circle- Terry Richardson, Alexander Wang, Chloe Sevingy and Spike Jonze to name a few- the book celebrates the stores tenth anniversary, and is sure to be an inspiring read. 

Shoot

If you've visited any hipsters tumblr as of late you'll have probably seen Wildfox's White Label intimates shoot; i've definitely jumped on the bandwagon and am just a little bit in love with the so-bad-its-good quirky 80s prints from the collection. Inspired by the concept of a 90s Juliet Capulet, the mix of grungey aesthetics and dreamy soft-pink lighting is well and truly on point.  

Music

Although the sixteen year old XXYYXX is another in a line of scarily young producers who have caused me to guiltily reminisce about how unproductive I was at that age, his self-titled album has been on repeat for me recently. Oh so perfect for a chilled night in, i'd say the album sits firmly in the James Blake-esque 'post-dubstep' category, featuring 90s r&b samples and lots of other electronic elements that are sadly far too technical for me. 

Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid m.A.A.d City is another album i've been loving, his angsty lyrics being great for pretending i'm an olympian at the gym. The EP's autobiographical elements and guest features from the likes of Mary J Blige and Drake ('Poetic Justice' - above) make it a must-listen.