WE LOOK LIKE WE DO BECAUSE WE CAN NOW... Can't we?!

Firstly, Merry Festivities and all that jazz! Hope you're all ready to send 2011 in to the distant past with a bang tomorrow night...

Personally, I can not wait to see the back of this year, I'm not one for sharing my personal life especially over the Internet, however, this year I can honestly say has been quite a roller coaster. With plenty of ups and downs; right and wrong turns. BUT! That is what I hear makes us stronger in the long run. Hopefully 2012 will be more a case of learning from my mistakes instead of proceeding to make new ones.

But enough of the philosophical festive wishes.... FASHION IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT!

A word a lot of friends of mine refer to me as is 'Androgynous' I personally have never really understood why, however it gave me the inspiration for my next styling brief. And, funnily enough, the more research I have done the more I have begun to realise why the label is used so loosely around many individuals as well as myself.

One of my favourite models has always been Agyness Deyn, we have a few things in common for a start, for example, the very short hair, Manchester roots and more importantly a rare enjoyment of vintage music and the wearing of Doc.Martins.

Freja Beha Ericson is yet another super model I adore, her facial structure for a start is totally hypnotic yet quite striking for a girl to process!

It was girls like the above that lead me along the line to androgyny, Annie Lennox was the next pit stop, and can you blame me! What a unique and truly stunning woman who's style isn't just masculine, but completely timeless. (Very similar to Coco Chanel I would say, who was the founder and chief of all women finally being given the freedom and opportunity to release their inner male!)

But anyway, going off on a little tangent there, I chose androgyny because I feel it's something that is still finding difficulty being accepted into society, especially at the youthful age of 18. (Which for the record is my own age and I'll let you in to a little secret, I have battled with my looks all my life and still do today.) Everyone, in and outside of fashion is always fascinated by the possibility of the unknown outside earth, however, when it comes to the 'abnormal' within our own society, suddenly it becomes less appealing! A lot of people find it difficult to understand why a girl might cut all her hair off and wear nothing but drain-pipe's and loafers and a boy might decide to grow his hair longer than the neck line and insist on being totally clean shaven no matter how soft his features look. (NOTE! sexual preference have nothing to do with the topic, that is a social era!) And this is where the title of my blog comes in, Androgyny is something I am proud to be related to as it shows that even today with all our human rights and freedom of speech, being a little extraordinary isn't always acceptable. But who wants to be a nomad all their life?!

Look at the late Alexander McQueen, a man who's name flew to fame for knowing no boundaries. And we as fashion whore's, followers and trend-setters should embrace that!

I found while researching and also while growing up in a way, that even though it's 'cool' to be 'kooky' its not recommended if you want to lead an easy life.

Just because you don't look like the ordinary doesn't mean you shouldn't be accepted or seen as beautiful, it's about believing in who you are and if society and social standings don't appreciate that, then, pardon my french but FUCK THEM! Doing my research and looking into things more and more like I am doing threw my studies is really helping me appreciate not only myself but also what it means to value what you have and to accept things for the way they turn out, whether that means you're another Martin Cohn and have to deal with every tom, dick and harry thinking you're a woman everyday of your life, or someone like myself who is either snubbed at for looking just that little different and a little taller than most or just taken for a lesbian. (I have nothing against that what so ever, but when you're far from and mistaken for it all the time, it no offence ladies, gets a little tedious!)

I look forward to posting my final designs/photographs up here because it would be interesting to see how many of you appreciate the unusual for what it truly looks like in the flesh instead of the airbrushed facade we live with every other day...

(Just food for thought...)

My very own RED BALLOON...

My last blog post caused quite a stir and attracted a fair amount of attention! But, I'm standing by my word and saying that that my darlings is what fashion is all about, there is nothing wrong with a healthy debate and mixture of opinions in my eyes!

But, since I really spiced things up a bit earlier in the week I thought it would be nice to cool it down a little just before Christmas.

This shoot was inspired by the french film 'Le Ballon Rouge' made in 1956 and is possible one of the sweetest and most touching films I have ever seen, and one of my favourites is Edward Scissorhands so that is saying something! I was introduced to Le Ballon Rouge' as college, we were given it as our 'word' to then go on to create a styling shoot inspired by that and any other influences from the film.

I went on to use Sophia Coppola's Miss.Dior Cherie ad from 2008 as my main theme, the story is so nonchalant and sweet that it really appealed to me.

Both these films inspired my collection of photographs, however I didn't want to just replicate the film and Dior advert (however I loved the idea of using a red balloon, as well as a blonde like in Dior) my story is about a youthful relationship between a local beauty of no social standing and is ignored/neglected due to her unique personality; then there is the introduction of the local rich boy who is completely infatuated by her and desperately is seeking her attention. YES! It is a complete cliche and very corny, but that's what I wanted, very out of my comfort zone as I am a bit of a miss-fit when it comes to being romantic. I really enjoyed this project however was extremely nervous about actually taking and planning the shoot as it is something I have never done before, it would be interesting to see if anyone can see this in my photographs. (Remember I am the novis of all novis photographers so please be gentle with me...)

Thank you to my beautiful younger sister Alexandra and her good friend Jake for being my models for the days shoot.

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College is really intense at the moment, to be honest with you I am genuinely finding it hard to cope but as the old saying goes, a winner never quits!!! We have been looking in to styling in our new brief, have to admit I thought I would hate every moment of it as photography isn't something I am personally good at or interested in. However, surprisingly enough I am really enjoying it.

You probably can't really tell with my blog as I like to keep work and play separate, however as a person, I am not shy it is something I have never really been, especially when it comes to the topic of fashion, sex and the cosmopolitan way of life.  I think this is why I found the above Stylist Brett Bailey so appealing. 

He's Bold, New, Quite Erotic and very Confident when it comes to his work ethic. These photographs are from his story for LoveCat Magazine titled 'Stardust with Abbey Brothers'. I have used it for inspiration for my own story based around the explosion of a life style. (Photographs will be on here very soon!!!) 

What I love about this particular story is the way he portrays a glamorous Hollywood life style but in a very provocative way, the more uncut version of glamour. The sexual confidence the models have and the way they are dressed runs so many different options and ideas threw your mind and I think that's what inspired me for my own story, which hopefully when the photo's are complete you can see and experience yourself. I like Bailey, feel that you shouldn't hide away in the fashion world, whether you have a rather androgynous style like myself or a fetish for the fabulous it doesn't matter, it's about what you do with it and having the confidence to do almost anything. There should be no limits and that's probably one of the biggest things I have learnt from my styling brief due to looking at stylists like Bailey as well as many others. 

It's no longer about what you wear, it's about how you wear it.