50

In my house at uni, i live with 4 other fashion students, and although i am doing a 10,000 dissertation alongside my design module, the others opted to do a 5,000 dissertation alongside an additional module of Design Communications. One of the pieces of work they had to do early on was think of 50 words that inspire them or they feel represent them or they way they work, and the same with 50 images.

Even though i have enough work to do, when looking at one of their pieces of work, i thought it looked great and actually a brilliant exercise to do and a great little thing to keep after, so i decided to do it myself.

Even though we're all studying the same subject, we all have our own unique style and way of dressing that's very different, and you could definitely tell this by just looking at our choice of images.

Hannah's is the one on the left, Michaela's on the right, and mine in the middle.

(Hannah and Michaela both have brilliant blogs too, which I'll link below so you can check them out!)

I love how different they are and although being so different, i still like and find some of their images inspiring and think it's great to see what interests and inspires others.

Mine included Audrey Hepburn, animals, pastel stripes, Wonderwoman, magical lights and Florence Welch.

Hannah's had Korean popstars, architecture, Scandinavian influences and subtle colour.

Michaela's showed forests, baroque inspired pieces, tattoos and a darker feel.

Being different is one of the great things of  life and about humans and i would recommend to anyone to try this little exercise, because although 50 sounds like a lot at first, it doesn't take long until you find so many images you enjoy that you'll have to edit down!

Whose set of images do you prefer?  Who and what would you include in your images?

Michaela's Blog: http://michaelaclaricoates.blogspot.co.uk/
Hannah's Blog: http://hannahpodbury.blogspot.co.uk/

Hope you're all well.
Speak soon.
A.x

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

Throughout my 3rd and final year of university at the moment, i am doing my 10,000 word dissertation, and as ridiculous as it may sound, i am doing mine on Disney Princesses. I am looking into the design and appearance of them, but also have found it extremely interesting looking into gender and racial issues in the films also.

Recently though, some of the world's best designers have collaborated with Disney to create their own interpretations of the Disney Princess' gowns, which are now being shown in Harrod's windows for their Christmas display. As I'm talking about this in my dissertation, of course it was vital for me to go have a little look...ahem...and do some...research...

Joking aside though, they are absolutely stunning. Not only the dresses themselves, but the whole display. There is so much attention to detail, it is astonishing, with cute fairies fluttering about, the dwarfs beds snoozing under Snow White and a projection of a clock about to hit midnight shining on the pavement.

Some personal highlights for me were Mulan's colourful gown by Missoni, Rapunzel's (Jenny Packman) lustrous locks weaving through the fields of flowers, Snow White's (Oscar de la Renta) golden apple purse, Ariel's flowing, fiery hair (Marchesa), and Cinderella's (Versace) iconic shoe and pumpkin carriage.

But my ultimate favourite though, was Sleeping Beauty, whose dress was designed by Elie Saab, who is one my favourite designers ever. He creates pieces that just ooze out femininity and that sparkle with a glimmer, and being the complete girly girl i am, i just fan-girl at everything he creates. This dress was no exception, it was stunning, with flower upon flower adorned onto, not only that though, even the bed she was laying on and the mice and cobwebs surrounding her were thought out so carefully.

And her hair! How beautiful does it look with all those flowers dotted around caressing those curls!

It may only be a window display to some, but to me, it was like the world of fashion that i love and am on a journey on at the moment in hope to be a part of one day, and my childhood, joined forces and created a beautiful and breath-taking sight to see.

And if you still want some more Disney festive cheer, check out this animation Barneys New York has created in collaboration with Disney, including a few familiar faces.

Are you a Disney fan? Whose your favourite Princess?

Have you seen the Harrod's Christmas display? Which ones impressed you the most?

Hope you're well,
Speak soon,
A.x

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Hi all!

So the festive period is creeping up! I love Christmas, it's such a wonderful time of the year and for me is all about spending time with all the family :) Christmas shopping has been bought and i think I've been enjoying wrapping them up a bit too much, sometimes i think i enjoy giving gifts to others more than i do receiving...is that normal?! As nice as it is to recieve gifts, i love finding items that i think a certain person would like, and i love wrapping them up all nice with ribbons and the whole she-bang!

To get me even MORE into the festive spirit though, 2 of my housemates and i went along to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park in London, and if you haven't been before, i highly suggest you do if you love all things Christmas!

There was everything from creepy Santas and fake snow, to cute-as-a-button tree decorations and personalised cookies. There's all so much yummy food that you're stomach won't know what to do! I enjoyed a spicy german hotdog, a heart-warming cup of cocoa, and sinfully delicious churros drenched in dark chocolate.

If you go, i suggest you wrap up warm and the weather is getting evermore chilly!

While i was in London, i also finally got to go to the Hollywood Costume exhibition at the V&A, which i would say to anyone that if you get the chance you definitely should go! It was honestly one of the best exhibitions i have ever been to. It wasn't merely just costumes on models, it was a complete experience and there was something for everyone, there was elderly people there reminiscing back to the silent screen era, kids being amazed by Darth Vader's armour, guys wishing they were Spiderman, Batman and every superhero in between, and girly girls at heart swooning over Satine's costume from Moulin Rogue and Natalie Portman's tutu from Black Swan. Not only was it mind-blowing to know that these costumes were in some of the most iconic films and some of my all-time favourite movies, but the way it was all set out was phenomenal, with scripts and sketches whizzing about on projected tables, and images of the actors flickering with the costumes. There was interviews playing of costume designers and actors and there was so much background information about them also. At the end, the pieces that everyone was waiting for, Dorothy's gingham dress and ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz, and Marylin Monroe's iconic white dress. They were absolutely incredible to see in real life and to think that these talented and beautiful women of the past were once in these pieces. Unfortunately i have no images as photography wasn't permitted.

Have you been to the exhibition? What was your favourite parts?

And are you in the Christmas spirit?! Or is all the festivities a bit too much for you?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x