FASHION MONTH HIGHLIGHTS - LONDON

1. Bleach London's hair do's at Shrimps 
Hannah Weiland's latest furry offering was a galactic dream full of 70's references, faux fur trimmed booties and kitsch and cutesy doodles. But it was the hair, courtesy of Bleach London, that stole hearts with beauties such as Charlie Barker sporting glossy, bouncy locks. Complete of course, with matching eyebrows.

I'M EXPERIENCING DYSPNEA BECAUSE OF DYSPNEA

It's been announced that Nasty Gal is going to stock Dyspnea! For anyone unfamiliar with the brand, it's aussie based and favoured by cool girls from down under such as how two live or shelby a.k.a the sugar fawn. Kicked off by a trio of grads who started designing at the weekends for friends and friends of friends, the brand's created collections with names such as 'Reptilia' and 'Paralysis'. According to the girls at Dyspnea the 'the quintessential Dyspet is the lovechild of Rihanna and Noel Fielding, Beyonce and Russel Brand'.

Their internet presence is just as sparkling as the garments undoubtedly are IRL. For their Paris Teaser clip,Vanessa from the haute pursuit wears a glittering, pom pom lined two piece whilst A$AP Rocky's Fashion Killa plays in the background. Mega babe Newsha Syeh models fairy tale outfits outside a candy coloured bungalow for SS15 and the brand blog features long dreamy posts about the glam travels of the Dyspnea gals. Jealous AF.

As for the clothes, 'Dyspnea' is the noun for difficult or laboured breathing, and the pieces are if anything, breath-taking. Either that or you'll experience a full on fash-gasm. These are glittery crop tops and fluff-lined sheer sweaters unlike anything you've seen in your wildest dreams.... think the sugar plum fairy on acid. But in Paris, being totally chill. Because whilst the garms are full on flashy, they've still got a certain fiesty-feel, a kick that renders them 'cool'. Pretty much the kind of stuff any #GirlBoss would want to wear. Just with a huge helping of sugar, spice and all things nice.

all pics are from dyspnea's website

7 THINGS BEING DEAD BROKE MIGHT TEACH YOU

Random disclaimer - this has been written by an IRL student who has seen out almost a whole week with absolutely zilch in their account with no overdraft to help, and too much pride to borrow money from the folks.

1. Firstly, Charbonnel & Walker truffles aren't essential, nor necessary
Even if it is Valentines day and you fancy treating yourself. Even if you pick out all the best flavours and the check-out girl gift wraps them for you, you don't need to be so pathetically tragically single that you spend a tenner on what is essentially fancified calories for yourself. This also goes for any kind of wine, candles and flowers - the latter two are not needed when you're broke. The point is, if you can't afford basic food products or petrol for your car, things like chocolate or wine are best kept to Asda prices. Even though Asda don't sell pink champagne truffles or violet encrusted cremes.

2. There's always hope! Coins can be found in a variety of places
Car floors, ignored cupboard drawers and clutch bags you haven't used in a while; everything from 5ps to the holy grail of pocket change - the £2 coin (!!) - can be collected if you look hard enough. And don't underestimate their power. North of a pound can buy you a coffee or some cheese to liven up the pasta you've been eating for days. South of a pound can buy you all sorts - a slab of cake, a packet of biscuits, a couple of apples ......some chewing gum? No matter what happens, you're now set to appreciate these little gems forever more!

3. You'd better get over your FOMO pronto'
So as the law of life goes; when you're drowning in the dollar (or simply cheerfully afloat) you'll be at a loss as to what to spend it on. Yet when you're painfully poor, your fave shop will throw a 25% sale, your favourite band will chuck up a surprise gig in a town not far from you, all your friends will plan a big night out without you and the queen will invite you to tea. Worse still your #MCM will invite you to tea. Best to turn off your wi-fi, lock your phone away and board up your windows.

4. Now's the time for you to GSD (get shit done)
Due to the above reasons, you can't really leave the house unless it's for a solitary walk (one without cigarettes?) or to go to the gym (if that's your style?) so get set up with some coffee you stole off your housemate, your laptop, a long list of to-do's and get going. Never underestimate the true glee you'll feel from sending out e-mails from the comfort of your bed - you appear all professional and sassy, when really you're quite possibly wearing care bear pyjamas and crying inside.

5. Never will you ever be so shady with your mum
No one wants their mummies to know just how bad they are at life aye? When you have 10 pence to your name you'll find yourself constantly skirting around conversations which involve pretty much anything to do with socialising, eating and alas coming home for the weekend. You'll feel bad about lying, and dying to spurt out how you damn hungry you are. But you won't.

6. You'll find alternatives to what you once thought of as sworn essentials
So returning to the law of life; you will inevitably run out of toilet roll during your stint of poverty. Worst still all of your housemates will be out (presumably having a life and/ or spending money) so make-up wipes will come in handy for sure. Once you've run out of those, the ghastly kitchen roll. However if you actually happen to run out of tampons, you're on your own until your housemates get home. Better strap yourself to the toilet and hold tight.

7. Most important of all... 'Everything will be alright'
As long as your rent is paid and you've got access to drinking water, it's never ever going to be as bad as you're expecting. It might even be quite refreshing/relaxing/enlightening. There's so much time to watch all those movies you meant to watch, pack in some serious web surfing hours, tidy your room, organize the fridge. Plus, pay day will come soon enough and you'll have plenty of excuses to go splash all the cash in your favourite yet slightly pretentious bar in Shoreditch/ buy some boots on the spur/ treat yourself to some Charbonnel or Laduree.

this picture is from here

Q&A WITH ADRIANA DECO

Adriana Krawcewicz a.k.a Adriana Deco, fashion illustration grad from LCF, has quite literally drawn herself a life of freedom, colour and magic. Existing in the worlds of art, fashion and music, she merges her many talents together in a melting pot of fun experimentation and emotional expression. Her drawings, maximizing on line and colour certainly succeed in provoking that air of wonder and awe that all good illustration should. Her voice is smooth and soulful, her music inspired by the eighties pop scene. Upcoming for this multi-tasking media maverick is plenty; London Fashion Week coverage, her latest EP, a spot in Somer Flaherty's The Art of Fashion Illustration amongst many other projects, some secret. I met Miss Deco in Mess, next to the beautiful Saatchi Gallery where she'd been checking out Post Pop: East meets West, to chat about Barbarella, eighties pop culture and her man crush Nick Knight.

Continue for Q&A...

6 LCM AW15 HIGHLIGHTS

1. Agi & Sam's jumper of dreams 

This delightful saffron jumper from Agi & Sam's AW15 exploration of childhood, drawn from Agi's 4 year- old collection - 'Coolman Collection', and inspired directly by conversations with primary school kids. I'd buy this jumper for my (non-existent) boyfriend, but I'm sure it'd spend more time at my place than his.

2. Sibling's pink do's

When it comes to pink hair, most of us ladies have been there done that, but in a time of gender blurring beauty, it's time to pass the dye to the boys. Lads - follow Sibling's lead and comb a sugary shade through your hair to top off a macho outfit. Or like Sibling AW15, go the whole mile with bright pink knitwear. There's no better time than now.

3. Christopher Shannon's slogan of the season

Continuing on from last season's cigarette packets, Shannon's slogan jumpers comment playfully and satirically on the life of a young designer, or perhaps the hopelessness felt by the young as a whole. Another jumper to steal from the boyfriend, brother, (or anyone really!!)

NEW BAND CRUSH - PUBLIC ACCESS TV

When I first heard NY trio Public Access TV, which NME dubbed 'New York's Hottest Band',  I thought immediately of one of my favourite - and what in my basic knowledge, is the most underrated modern day guitar band ever - The Virgins. That upbeat, Manhattan type rock that sounds like a bunch of 20 something's completely drenched in coolness and apathy - something close to The Strokes on a sugar rush. I'm now sure, thanks to bands like The Orwells, Skaters and Drowners that this American-skateboarding-hot guy- sound (clearly I DON'T KNOW music terminology) is my preference when it comes to guitar bands. So yeah I was reading Wonderland's piece on the band, and the guitarist, Xan Aird is the same guy from The Virgins. HOW BLOODY EXCITING!!!!!!!!! After missing out on seeing The Virgins a year ago when they cancelled their random show at Camden's Dingwalls, hope has now been restored in my heart! Unfortunately, with a minimal social media presence and limited number of tracks on Youtube, we have no choice but to wait impatiently for an album or a London gig!

CAN GIRLY BE COOL?

After a year of being indoctrinated with 'normcore', and quite happily revelling in how chic minimal really is, I'm finding myself ache for something a bit more youthful and fun. Perhaps it's studying sixties fashion..... (the metallics, the candy colours, the glitter go-go boots!!) or my current obsession with all things fluff, but I'm craving the quirk and frivolity of dressing, dare I say it: girly. Shock horror yes, because quite frankly, dressing like a girl isn't particularly cool. And ashamedly, 'cool' is something I will always desire.

Rather than explain myself.... because well, it's Christmas and I'm lazy, I've put together my arguments FOR dressing girly next spring in the form of cool girls, designer SS15 collections and a polyvore set I spent HOURS creating.

CAN GIRLY BE COOL? by lily-cook featuring neon pink running shoes

GUY BOURDIN IMAGE MAKER AT SOMERSET HOUSE

The problem with 'quality culture'  is that you'll often find yourself waiting around for months for the next fix. I always feel that new exhibitions open up around the same time, just like bi-annuals are printed and shelved almost simultaneously. I'm not one to wait - I like to digest ASAP - so I usually end up feeling a a faint lull in inspiration. My last dose of 'quality culture' was around the time I started uni; Malevich at The Tate Modern, Tracey Emin at White Cube, Horst at The V&A, Garage, Love, Pop and AnOther, amongst many others. And then nothing. Now, I see new issues of my favourite magazines beginning to slowly appear on shelves, and at least 3 exciting exhibitions to look forward to: Allen Jones  RA, Women Fashion Power and Guy Bourdin: Image Maker. The latter's been ticked off my list first. 

BEST DRESSED : BFA's 2014

'There's no place like London'. Of course Edward Enninful, winner of the Isabella Blow award for Fashion Creator, you are right. Last night, the British Fashion Awards were held at the London Coliseum, in yet another dazzling party full of the Island's best dressed. 'I love British fashion, it's always new and innovative, original, creative....all the things that I love', said Rihanna, and Naomi Campbell claimed it to be 'Everything'.

This year, a key player in the fashion industry (last year it was Queen Menkes) received the Special Recognition Award for his lifetime career of catwalk photography - Chris Moore. A name less frequently mentioned alongside fashion photography as others; Avedon, Newton, Horst, Testino, yet a vital one. I believe that the Special Recognition Award does the most for it's recipient. Just look at how the already iconic Suzy has gone from strength to strength in this past year. For a name such as Chris Moore, less recognized on the surface level of fashion industry, it can only do wonders. It is so important that these characters who have dedicated the majority of their lives to the world of fashion are respected, valued and treasured more so than the winner of the British Style Award for example. Of course this year's winner Emma Watson was wholly deserving. Last year saw Alexa Chung pass her crown of three years down to Harry Styles..... ? But it's undeniable that Emma Watson's particular ratio of British class and quirk should receive such an award.

Harry Styles in Lanvin

THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOESN'T LOVE MARQUES ALMEIDA AS MUCH AS I DO

Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida's brand is one of the freshest, vibrant and most exciting to be born out of the independent fashion platform that is London. Alongside others; Simone Rocha, Ashley Williams and Ryan Lo. Marques Almeida in particular, holds an aesthetic which I empathize with. It's embodying youth; specifically that era at the turn of the century, that time in which I was too young to be that girl, but nevertheless frayed denim, shapeless leather and see through coloured chiffon was a thing, and a cool thing at that. Marques Almeida is my chance to live out that visual dream.

I waited impatiently to merely view the collection for Topshop. Newly independent and finding myself funding travel cards, super unleaded and my sushi (white wine) obession, I couldn't even dream of forking out north of £60 for a top. But I thought it was beautiful. My favourites were the lavender silk two piece, black leather blazer, long sleeved sheer silk tops, fluffy bags... pretty much, if I could've only worn Marques Almeida x Topshop until the new year I'd of been game. However this morning, to my surprise (and short lived ecstasy) Topshop e-mailed to tell me that the collection is now running with 30% off. I'm pretty sure if it was doing half as well as say..... Alexander Wang for H&M,  there'd be no need for such promotional sales. Quite clearly, the majority of girls who shop in Topshop aren't responding to the Marques Almeida vibe like I do. The only explanation for this near enough FAIL, is that these girls are too basic, too uneducated on high end designers, and sadly, Marques Almeida is too cool, too niche, for the high street. Take a look at the recent 'Wang effect' cast upon these simpletons. Because I'm baffled as to why any fan of Wang, or fashion for that matter, would buy into a collection which expresses little to no talent alike that embodied through his work for Balenciaga or his own label. I think the collection has commercialised and sensationalised his character as a brand, and where exclusivity, authenticity and integrity is concerned; this cannot be good.

Yet whilst Marques Almeida x Topshop has failed to enthral and engage consumers on a grand scale, their name remains untainted in my eyes. I'd rather be part of something lesser known or lesser loved, than something every other girl's slipped into.