During bi-annual fashion weeks, the Industry's eyes lock on to street style for the latest in styling, trends, and colours. Which subcultures are bubbling through? Which era is having a spot in the limelight? Fifties? Nineties? From articles in newspapers to street style photographers and fashion bloggers, we can't get enough of street style but is it as innocent and glamourous as it seems?

I'd like to begin by stating that I think street style is fascinating. I interned as a street style reporter for fashion forecasting company Stylesight capturing the chic, quirky and absurd at festivals, in fashionable neighbourhoods and at LFW itself. I loved it, but after taking a back seat for a couple of seasons now, I've noticed a phenomena building that I was blind to; I'm going to call it as Peacocking, although I don't think that's quite the correct word, it doesn't hold the entire meaning of what I am referring to. Suzy Menkes refers to the same concept as a 'circus' in a recent article, which you can read here, although I feel that might be a little harsh. The following quote from said article certainly got me thinking:

"There is a genuine difference between the stylish and the showoffs — and that is the current dilemma. If fashion is for everyone, is it fashion?"

The Stylish and the Show Offs. Menkes describes what I've seen outside every show I've been to (I was a photographer's runner for a few seasons, so was outside all of the big shows. Frightfully glamourous, it was not. It was cold, very cold.). The juxtaposition of a clutch of sultry chic women, dressed in monochrome speaking in low voices on their phones against a gaggle of flamboyantly dressed men and women strutting past the groups of photographers willing to be stopped and asked for a photograph.

In my humble opinion, regardless of the event people should always dress for themselves. Something timeless, stylish, something well loved or dressing around an unusual piece that makes the wearer feel inspired. Those of us dressing for others, or with the intention of being 'papped' end up walking around all day looking and feeling uncomfortable and being gawped at by the general public. This is because it all appears fake, and outfits end up looking anything but effortless.

Fashion lovers are all to much being force fed images of eccentrically dress folk, who they are led to believe are the elite of the Industry. There seems to be an unwritten rule that once papped in something, it is impossible be seen in it again. A huge waste of money and resources. What's worse if that through street style many are trying to recreate these environmentally unfriendly looks, and spreading this waste farther, not to mention breeding an attitude of throwaway fashion.

The Industry is making mannequins of these men and women by 'gifting' or 'lending' them outrageous items with the hope that the item will be worn to a show and thus being photograph repeatedly. Nothing wrong with that, if everyone was aware of who at fashion week has become a walking advert. It is vital to remember that businesses pay a lot of money to get advertising space in Vogue, for instance, but getting high price point products into an issue or on the website via street style in fashion week is free and so carries priceless promotional value. I don't think it is fair to promote this glamourous lifestyle to the masses when a vast majority of it is fake. Bloggers and Vloggers have disclaimers about sponsorship and gifting on their websites and profiles but this is never made clear via street style shots. Sadly it impossible to keep track of with the speed of it all.

Being aware of the commercial value of street style is important for the general public and fashion community. However, I also want to point out that street style does have a time and place. There are hundreds of beautiful images shot at fashion week giving a great insight into global trends, as well as similarities and differences across the fashion capitals of the world. It's definitely an art form and as a result many love putting these kinds of fashion relevant images onto blogs, tumblrs and moodboards for inspiration. No doubt this will continue for the foreseeable future because so many of these images truly are inspiring. 

What do you think, is fashion week becoming a circus or is this type of dressing true to a modern fashion society? Are you on the stylish side of the street or hoping not to be rejected by the photographers with the fashionistas?

A hot summer in the UK has been shocked many British people, and the wildlife has largely reacted to it too. Maybe it's because I've been outside more but I have been noticing lots more butterflies and bees. Bees are said to be on the decline in the UK due to disease, mites, poor beekeeping and a poor environment. Unfortunately this decline is very detrimental to us humans, as we rely on bees and other insects to ensure that plants, including fruit and vegetable vegetation are pollinated.




"One in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination at a time when a crisis is threatening the world's honey bees." - British Beekeepers Association

Obviously the story is much deeper than my brief description and is actually quite serious so I'd like to pass you on to these lovely people at Friends of the Earth, who know much more about it than I do and will probably explain things a bit more clearly. I've signed their petition to David Cameron put in place an action plan to grow awareness and ultimately help to save the bees. If you'd like to read more about that and then sign up please click here. There is also a lot more information available on the internet, but hopefully that's a good place to start.

The fashion industry has recently been embracing bees as a motif for clothing, jewellery and accessories. My personal favourites being the Alexander McQueen Spring 13 collection and Alex Monroe's Bee necklace.

The McQueen collection is mostly sold out now, but here's the show regardless and keep an eye on ebay for any of the collection!


British jewellery designer, Alex Monroe has gained popularity through his flora and fauna themed
jewellery. Most notably the Bumblebee necklace shown left. I am also lusting after this beautiful Hummingbird Necklace.

Image by Liberty London

His popularity has mean that lots of 'dupes' have been springing up across the high street including these below. I've bee(n) a sucker for Bumblebees as on jewellery for a while and purchased a very cute necklace from Forever 21 a few years ago...unfortunately they no longer stock him but here he is along with some other bee options!

My Forever21 Bee

Dogeared at Asos - now £36

Caroline Brook at notonthehighstreet.com - £49

When I grow up I'd like to be successful and rich enough to peruse Net-A-Porter, fill a wishlist and in a moment of indulgence buy it all. I mean, I'd obviously use my money for good causes too...but imagine doing good in Saint Laurent...

For those of you who don't know Net-A-Porter is an online premium fashion retailer, stocking every notable brand in Fashion's Little Black Book. If you're anything like me it can get seriously naughty, especially with their beautiful packaging and personalise service. You even get a members gift when you make your first order!

Unfortunately for the majority of us, we'll be putting pennies in the piggie bank for a while before being able to afford most items on the site. However, sign up to their newsletter for bites of fashion straight to your phone and  get inspired by their magazine The Edit. Not just for 'grown-ups'!

My advice, if you cant resist investing in your wardrobe make sure you set up a wish list on your account and add absolutely everything you aspire to own. For a start, its fun to have a list of things your lusting after, and it actually helps you spot great dupes across the more affordable brands. Ignore the price of everything, you never know what you might one day be able to afford. Plus, you can often be surprised by the quality of the lower priced product they have on N-A-P!

By having a wish list, N-A-P will automatically send you updates of when things on that lust list go into sale so you can snap up something divine when it falls into your price range. Their most recent sale just ended, however I managed to make my first order before closing time. A pair of Charles Philip Shanghai white leopard print satin loafers. They were £38 (including basic shipping) reduced from £110.

The quality of the loafers is lovely and the packaging is also beautiful. N-A-P also sent me a welcome gift of a measuring tape to assist in making sure I purchase the correct sizes when I have that day of indulgence!

The Net-A-Porter Group also own The Outnet and Mr. Porter; The Ounet is a more purse friendly version of N-A-P with slightly older product and Mr.Porter is designed for men with style. The Journal on Mr.Porter is one of the best online style guides for men, in my opinion and working in menswear, the content is something many brands aspire to have. More on that later, for now here's the new additions to my wardrobe and how I plan on wearing them.

 

How to Wear Loafers
Clockwise from top: Grey Knitted Jumper - Zara, Prisma Glow In The Dark Clutch - Alexander Wang, 

Loafers - Charles Philip Shanghai , Trio of Knuckle Rings - Asos (Masion Martin Margiela Dupe!), 

Covent Garden Ballet Nail Polish - Nails Inc, Yellow Slim Chinos - Zara

Net-A-Porter Welcome Gift

Measuring tape & size guide in cotton bag.

- L -

I have finished university now and would like to share some of my menswear editorial concepts and styling and also to announce that my portfolio and ways to contact me can be found at:

www.luciannesoley.co.uk

Below are samples of my editorial shoots with photographer Lulu McArdle, Make-up & Grooming by Sarah Elizabeth Abbot.

All images are copyright Lucianne Soley 2011. Please do not use them unless you have received permission to do so.

Style is a mysterious thing.

I for one know that I'm am lost for style. I feel like I'm constantly searching for my 'own' style of everything; photography, dressing, styling others, personality of design and creativity. I feel like I misplaced it and am getting clues about where it is all the time, yet I'm aimless in my search of discovering it. Hopefully it will just turn up.

Style is like an antique, the older it is, the more value it possesses. As one gets older and develops taste for certain things, less is more. I used to impulse buy everything, sales drew me in, cheap items wooed me, knock offs swayed me and imitations won me over time and time again. This was of everything from fashion to stationary, and was reflected in my lifestyle; scatterbrained and somewhat eccentric.

I still so that in doses, but I have managed to soothe the urge to buy incessantly and now find joy in good design and worth in the quality of workmanship. In terms of being a consumer, there is nothing I hold in higher regard than these. You could say I've grown up. I'd say I am growing up.

On the other hand, I feel like I can see everyone else's style, but not my own.

Older people are often the best at styling themselves too. They are at an advantage; they've had extra practice. The proof is often in the pudding, so for dessert try this blog, Advanced Style. Take notes while I leave you with my most favourite image of the moment: the colours, the styling and most of all the knowledge in the expression that he simple looks flawless.

image courtesy of The Sartorialist

I know this is an AW11 collection and we are coming up to September, however, I have just come across the beautiful design works of Tom Lipop


Mr Lipop AW11 full show from VAUXHALL FASHION SCOUT on Vimeo.


And here is what he has to say:

''Inspired by the long historical lineage of British fashion, Tom Lipop is an innovative and demiurgic designer looking to utilize his natural creativity and passion for contemporary design through the generation of his own Avant Guarde collections. His business partner Eser Aydemir, with an Msc in International Business Management, advocates Lipop London to further their distinctive style and ingenuity whilst foreseeing the business side of the company using marketing and management skills.

Lipop has created a very stylized handwriting using beautiful illustration, technical cutting, experimenting with new fabrics, and garment construction. Alongside this creativity and his prominent design work Lipop of London aspire to great designers such as the Heritage of Massimo Osti, The Individualism of Henrik Vibskov and the Technical Aesthetic of the more recent Aitor Throup; three designers who push the boundaries of fashion craft with successful, conceptual and aesthetically progressive garments.

Utilizing and constantly adapting skills Lipop has honed and developed over the last few years of experience within the textile trade, has lead us to feel confident in our contribution to the fashion industry; Toms completion of his challenging BA Hons degree in Fashion and Textiles (menswear) and his successful application to Sky One’s ‘Project Catwalk’ highlighting not only his high-level of design competence but also an ability and drive to push and excel himself within the industry. Indeed, in this latter experience for Sky One, Tom was recurrently placed under intense pressure to create innovative and original designs within short time periods, which not only successfully matched strict briefs, but also concurrently demonstrated his aptitude and dedication to the production of forward thinking and contemporary garments.
Indeed, Toms involvement in ‘Project Catwalk’ allowed him to fulfill design and pattern cutting roles at Griffin Laundry, House of Holland, Halfpenny London and Nathan Jenden, where he has been able to implement his skills and learn some new techniques.

Freelance fashion design was an integral aspect of Tom’s life allowing him to develop and evolve innovative structures not just for Lipop’s collection but to be able to create and put other peoples ideas to paper and of course onto the body, a skill they have actively delivered. Both have been challenging but greatly rewarding; a concept that is successful and fulfilling as well as driving Lipop London’s ambition and motivating them to succeed.
Lipop London Debuted their collection ‘Battle of the Sardines’ at Brighton Fashion Week 2009 and with the Upcoming arrival of Lipop’s New Collection showing as part of London Fashion Weeks Off Schedule Show ‘A la Mode’ and various installations around the UK. Lipop London are enthused for the future.''

There is a perfect balance of feminity and masculinity of the collection, I adore the blocked hues, berets, gorgeous hoods and cropped 3/4 length bottoms. Everything screams European sophistication to me. I'm in love.