Belle Elle Collections

There's something about a glossy Fashion magazine that genuinely does something to all the nerve endings down my spine, walking into a newsagents or supermarket and seeing them all stocked up high along the shelves makes me feel like anything is possible. They really are "shining beacons of hope" as Nigel quotes on my favourite film The Devil Wears Prada. 

And he is so right to say that, when I look through a fashion magazine whether that be VOGUE, ELLE, HARPERS BAZZARR or even just COMPANY I really do feel like I am part of the glamour and the expensive lifestyle that comes with the high fashion industry, not to mention my mind just explodes with excitement over all the beautiful ensembles and paragraphs of praise for all the new seasons collections. 

I think the most exciting 'new' thing for me, and say new in a very loose term, I just have not been purchasing and collecting as long as I have VOGUE. Elle Collections, it's possible one of the greatest inventions publications have come up with in my eyes. 

It is the perfect way to bring fashion week, new designers and trend forecasts into anyone's home. It's how I would describe wealth feels, when I hold this magazine and loose myself in its pages, anything feels possible, it really inspires me in so many ways. 

(And since my college summer homework is all about 'what inspires me', seems like a pretty good reason to enjoy my inspiration...Ideally attending the actual fashion shows would be better but I'll leave that in my dream world box not my reality one for now!) 

What I love about Elle Collections is that it puts as much enthusiasm into each and every designer, shoe and accessory and doesn't scrimp on attention to detail either. Quite often I find a lot of fashion publications concentrate to much on what not to wear, and who doesn't look good in something than what actually is beautiful, which in my opinion, when it comes to fashion, it is pretty impossible for any woman to not look breathtaking in couture or ready to wear.

Isn't that the whole point of quality? 

I'd recommend the magazine purely because it feels special in itself, yes it's not cheap, but lets be honest, apart from Primark nothing is cheap when it comes to fashion! 

I just love how it presents every leading designer of the season and give dialogue on the shows, the clothes and the people who make it happen. It's like the ultimate season journal. And it looks pretty too!!!!

Publications like this always make me feel better and boost my moral if I'm feeling a little deflated, which I wont hide from you, I have done over the past week or so but there is always a silver lining and light at the end of the tunnel, I have not yet reached the light but fashion is always, and will always be my silver lining to any situation. Except financial perhaps, that becomes a little awkward! 

But anyway, regardless, try the magazine out, try and find 'that' feeling about fashion that everyone should share! And if it's not for you, what's stopping you picking a different form of learning/reading material up next time you're getting your ciggies from the shop or carton of milk for breakfast cereal? Two perfect situations for reading, at breakfast or with a coffee and cigarette, both suit myself perfectly and on that note, I think it's time I went for mine. 

Enjoy.  

Androgyny Shoot planning.

You may remember from around late June time? or was it July... I am not entirely sure to be honest, either way, the month is irrelevant at this moment in time. I'm more bothered about the month on its way over, September is only days away and that is when the new college term starts! It's not even the new term that frightens me, it's the new college year! The LAST college year...

Anyway, moving on...

As I was saying...

June/July I completed my final garment, it was based around Androgyny and Vintage Vivienne Westwood with a message about feeding super skinny models to try and bring attention to the still increasing level of young adults and teenagers suffering eating disorders influenced by the fashion industry and media. 

In September I will be shooting my final garment how I planned to present it on the catwalk, well, how I would have in an ideal world anyway. 

With it being Androgynous I figured being original was the only way forward, so I wont be modelling my work on a dainty, beautiful and idealistic female model. But a male model, a tall, broad and unusually featured young male. 23 to be exact at 6ft2 with big blue eyes, a pout that would give Kiera Knightley and Kate Moss a run for their money and cheek bones that even Andrej Prejic would pay for... See where I'm going with the comparisons? They're all females, well, except Andrej but then again as a fellow Androgynous model he may as well be female. 

It was Andrej Prejic that inspired me in the very first place way back when as they say so it seemed ironic to end where we started off, with a man, that has features of both feminine and masculine that doesn't wander on to the trans side of life! I would like to make that quite clear yet again, cross dressing, transsexualism and Androgyny are all COMPLETELY DIFFERENT looks and can not be confused at this stage. 

Anyway, my head shots and experimentation's for the final shoot once back at college are as follow. Let me know what you think!

Nothing Gray about TOPSHOP

I've been a fan of the Punk Scott pretty much since she came on the fashion radar, now her compilation is set with TOPSHOP I must admit I am pretty over the moon!!! First Katrantzou and now her! 

Sadly I don't have the kind of lifestyle or bank account that enables me to shop at the top if you like but I do however really appreciate a good fashion collaboration.

I can't decide if its the acid bright infusions, punk style shirt, leather jackets or swing dresses that make my hairs stand on end but either way I'm excited!!! 

Gray really inspires me because she's just so unique and unusual, as a designer and a character.

Anyway.... the collection in pictures for all to enjoy is as follows!

 ~ This one is a personal favourite above, I can't decide if it's the combination of loose fabrics and high shine fabrics or the way it all just clashes together in all the right ways, either way, I WANT!

Frankly speaking I think...

I know it's a Sunday morning however, time for a little riddle. 

What do the following all have in common? 

Amy Whinehouse, Kate Moss, Pete Doherty, Marilyn Monroe and Kurt Cobain? 

Guessed yet?

Here's a clue, they're all statements in fashion or have made some form of iconic image that has been manipulated to create 'styles' in the fashion world. But that still is not the answer to my riddle. 

Give up?

Drugs.

All of the above are beautiful and talented in one way or another yet have either been corrupted or in worst cases killed by the most evil of things on the planet, I say this because it is so unpredictable, swimming in a sea of sharks is a predictable evil as you understand that in a split second you could become dinner. Drugs, a completely different form of evil.

You're probably wondering why on earth I am blogging about something as un-fashionable as Drugs but all will be revealed. It's a form of irony writing about drugs though in a way if you think about it, look at how many fashion symbols and style icons have been influenced or involved in the witchcraft that is so deadly; Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, massive super models that rose in the 1990's, Kate being the creator of 'Heroin Chic' THE look in fashion for the time...Not so chic in reality if you look at what it did to her, natural and unusual beauty ruined by illegal and legal sole destroying, skin decaying substances that wrecked her from the inside out, all for that short term 'high'. 

Pete Doherty, some would blame him for Kate's corruption, but personally I don't, it is very easy to be around someone her has a bad habit/addiction and not be lured into the world of unknown highs and colourful surroundings. Yes he drugs and yes it is wrong but he is one of the most unique and talented, intelligent musicians in the UK not to mention one of great style yet he again has been wasted and ruined by the worst of demons. America also, home of Hollywood and the talent that built its reputation, in movies and music. Marilyn Monroe, whom I wrote about recently, also lost in a world out of her own control as a way of escaping what was reality, fame and fortune; affairs and loneliness drove one the biggest beauties and icons into the ground (literally) from overdosing. Kurt Cobain, an icon in style and music committed suicide on April 8th 1994 after recently being dispatched from rehab for drug addiction, people ignore his wife, Courtney Loves warning and concern over suicidal behaviour from her husband after being released which in the end proved right, just goes to show that once you become attached to something it's too hard to let go, especially when it's all you know and a lifestyle.  

I think personally though, the one thing that hit me hardest when it comes to beauty, good style and pure talent being ruled and ruined by drugs is Amy Whinehouse. A woman that truly inspired me for a very long time musically and with fashion while I was growing up and it was heartbreaking to hear the papers chant and call her names, pushing her further into a world of mass destruction and pain, when really all the girl wanted and needed was HELP!

I've learnt recently, the hard way, that most of the time people that take drugs are often just insecure and/or crying out for help and have no one to turn to or no where to escape too so use substances to create that comfortable world that they can run away too when times get tough or uncomfortable.

My name is Georgi and my boyfriend is an addict, it makes him sound like a bad person I'm sure, he is a father of one, has the face and body of a male super model and a talented writer, painter, chef and a friend to anyone. For the last 10 years he has been dealing with an unhealthy Amphetamine and Speed addiction. As well as having habits in possibly every other substance you can possibly imagine, they've taken his life from ups and downs and all over the place, matches his personality at the moment to be honest. The problem with drugs is they consume you and control your brain to believe that there is only one way in life and that is the wrong way... Drugs way... The escape way. Truth is, that is far from the truth in reality. But drugs and substances are experts in converted reality into fantasy and before you know it you're trapped. 

Luckily my boyfriend is seeking help and is being admitted into rehab, but it isn't the first time, he's one of the lucky ones, and it is better late than never. It's hard and horrible to watch the person you love and adore be pulled apart by something so unnecessary. Amy wasn't as fortunate. I sometimes wonder if we hadn't had 'Heroin Chic', super models, musicians and celebrities dabbling in bad habits would there be less of an issue now, would the younger generation still find it as fun and exciting, cool even to try?

No one can answer that.

We can only learn from mistakes. 

And hopefully, and I truly hope this everyday now, people will begin to realise that they have so much more to give if they just try, no one wants to see even more talent wasted on such a painful situation to be in. 

Amy Whinehouse once said, "They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said no..." maybe if she'd gone, or someone had done what I did for my boyfriend and dragged her there the lyrics would have ended slightly differently, now we will never know her next chapter. 

The Magic That Was Marilyn

50 years is a long time for any girl to keep a beautiful reputation going. But in true iconic style, Ms.Monroe has quite literally done it with her eyes closed.

I will admit, when it comes to iconic females Marilyn Monroe was one I knew very little about, until my very own bombshell my baby sister boo became her biggest brit-girl fan.

She, like Marilyn, very blond, naturally beautiful, intelligent and always knows how and when to use her image when necessary. I remember the first film we watched together staring Ms.Monroe.... 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' 1953 directed by Howard Hawks co-staring Jane Russel. It was beautiful. The costumes, the characters; everything. 

It's so strange to believe that a woman so spell binding and enigmatic was only with us for a heartbeat. 

Yes she was a film star, icon, business woman and mistress to many a rich man, but what really was the obsession with Marilyn. 

My personal answer, she was a real woman. All be at as I have said already a very unusually beautiful one, she was real all the same. Her big Hollywood smile was what made 'the Hollywood smile' famous, the peroxide hair, captivating curves and cheeky 'girl next door' out look on life. I don't know many women who would not love to admit the only thing they wore to bed was Chanel No'5! 

In a way that's what made Marilyn Monroe so new and beautiful, she was iconic in her own way, yes she was another Hollywood wonder of the 20th Century but her looks and personality took it to new heights. 

Even after her death in 1962 she still continued to flood people's imaginations with inspiration and idea's, Andy Warhol for example, did the piece 'lips' inspired by that very smile. 

How many women of this day and age can we honestly depend on being the next icon due to such beauty and style without them being surgically enhanced or photoshopped an inch from their life! 

No words can describe such a beauty as Ms.Monroe, except in my eye's my sister. (But that may just be a little biased...)