Has Nick Knight Dug His Own Grave?

There are many highly accredited photographers that many people are completely fascinated by. With social media and internet use at an all-time high there are countless platforms for photographers to share their work. An example is Nick Knight, British fashion photographer now founder of ShowStudio.com a website that expresses fashion news and articles through visual media. He is keeping up with trends more than most as he recently shot an entire Diesel campaign with just his iPhone and a few image manipulation apps. His prestigious career so far has included Vogue covers, inclusion in the Olympic closing ceremony 2012 and has been awarded an OBE. But a reasonably large question mark was planted over his name after the release of the recent Bound 2 video with Kanye West. With such a highly accredited photographer as the director of this music video people can only assume that a naked Kim Kardashian sat on a still motorbike in front a green screen has to be a joke. Knight has worked with Kanye West on a number of occasions but none of the past projects have caused quite as much controversy. If it was a media uproar they wanted then Knight has done his job.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBAtAM7vtgc

Check it out and you decide?

Girl Power

Something I have noticed about myself recently is that I tend to crush on female celebs more than I crush on males. Don't get me wrong... if David Beckham invited me over for dinner I wouldn't say no but I find something much more admirable about other women.

I am massively into girl power and how us ladies should stick together rather than work against each other. So when flicking through my Instagram this morning to see the majority of profiles I follow are female I realised how much time and respect I have for other girls out there for so many different things! Who doesn't crush on Rhianna's style? Who doesn't want a body like Beyoncé?

I have always had a massive girl crush on Caggie Dunlop from Made in Chelsea as soon as I saw her in series one. I love her style, her hair and mostly how laid back she is. Since she left the show I continued to stalk her and keep up to date with her projects in music and fashion. The launch of ISWAI (It Starts With An Idea) sent my Caggie appreciation through the roof as she uses this brand to help new designers get their work out there and their names recognised. She says "ISWAI is a fashion brand I created because I was frustrated by the pretences of the fashion world. I wanted to create a community that was open to everyone. All you need to be involved in ISWAI is a creative and positive mind."

So let's team up girls. You would be surprised how much better it feels to recognize each others talents!


Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria

Isabel Marant For H&M Has Arrived

 

Isabel Marant, Parisian fashion designer is set to launch her collection for H&M on November 14. Pictures of the collection have finally been realised and I must say, they do not disappoint. Marant is known for her success with fringed boots, wedged trainers and shaggy knits which are loved by many. So, staying true to her style the collection oozes bohemian chic with embellished jackets, printed trousers and slouchy boots with her signature fringe detailing.

Of course the best part is, it is affordable for everybody. Most designers wince at the thought of their collections becoming 'wearable' but that's what makes Isabel Marant and this collection so great.

After racking up a long list of successful designer collaborations with the likes of; Martin Margiela, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, Versace and many more and with faces such as David Beckham and Beyoncé for representation; the high street giant H&M is only showing signs of growing.

After the success of Karl Lagerfeld's collection for H&M in 2004 resulting in the stock selling out with one hour of realise we better get to our closest H&M as soon as possible on November 14 to give Isabel Marant's collection the appreciation it deserves.

Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria

Revival of Schiaparelli

Surely nobody can be upset about the revival of Schiaparelli. The announcement of Marco Zanini taking the role of creative director for the prêt-à-couture, the Parisian labels version of high-end ready-to-wear fills me with excitement.

The former creative director of Rochas says "The emotional link to this project is very strong for me and reflective of my admiration for the intelligent and innovative personality of Elsa Schiaparelli. Through her designs she was able to anticipate the trends of her time but with a relevance to daily living, approaching creativity from a different point of view. One which is still significant today. My wish is to revive the incredible aesthetic of this iconic Couture house".

After visiting the website I was reminded of how amazing Elsa Schiaparelli truly was in creating her surrealist, unconventional designs. The website is just as crazy as the brand as you are required to scroll UP where the reveal of new creative director is featured. Then, when clicking on the link to the full website we are provided with a video, in my eyes the video symbolises everything the brand stands for. It is a cartoon video (much in the illustrative style of the past fragrance advertisements) that involved a race between a group of women dressed in couture. There is reference to the signature lobster as a bracelet and just as the winner crosses the line she falls, she then stands up and takes the shoe that has slipped off her foot and places it on her head as a hat... it is so Schiaparelli!

The fashion house, owned by Diego Della Valle will stage a show during the Couture Fashion Week schedule for S/S14, planned for January 20 to January 23. They will be joined by other names such as Ralph & Russo and Serkan.

Elsa Schiaparelli, rival of Coco Chanel was appreciated for her ability to mix fashion and art in an extraordinary way and her unique approach to fashion for the times, inspiring many designers over the years right until today. Farida Khelfa, new face of the brand has shared her excitement to become an ambassador for such a creative fashion house. She comments 'It's with great enthusiasm and pride that I have decided to represent Elsa Schiaparelli'

With such big boots to fill and very high expectations for the newly revived house we can only hope that the new team can do it some justice and keep the bar at the standards set by Elsa Schiaparelli.






The famous 'Shoe-hat' created by Elsa Schiaparelli
and the signature Lobster dress below.






















Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria

Brand Scanner

Press Day Fun

After a mad dash across the bright lights of Picadilly Circus I finally arrived at the press day for Nicole Levy PR. With a full box of Krispy Crème donuts to choose from and the recent hyped up coconut water I began to browse the rails. Nicole Levy’s clients include London Lashes, Beach Riot, London loves LA and Dirty Pretty Things just to name a few.
 

I was a fan of the London loves LA collection, these items are a jersey, American style (clue is in the name) brand worn by cool kids such as Harry Styles and Ellie Goulding. With baggy Tees, basketball jerseys and American sport jackets this brand is in the now in terms of the laid back, cool, sporty look. All the popular kids in America are wearing this and so should we, and at such an affordable price I am happy to jump on the bandwagon.

If any of you lucky girls are jetting off somewhere exotic for Christmas then I definitely recommend Beach Riot. The luxury swimwear brand are literally bursting with colour with neon items all over the place. Celebrity fans include Ellie Goulding and the controversial Miley Cyrus. I suggest Beach Riot to the girls who are a little more daring than the polka dot bikini kind of girl. There were some incredible strapless items which I am definitely going to start saving for ready for my summer holidays. Ellie Goulding has been seen wearing one of the black, cut out swimming costumes at her show in Manchester so if you’re super daring these can be worn in an evening outfit.

Lashes of London, completely flipping it in relation to Beach Riot. This cutesy brand is super girly including playsuits, dresses and lots of pastel colour. Don’t get me wrong, the items are definitely in style but they are definitely sugar coated. You won’t find Miley Cyrus wearing this brand but current girl group Little Mix seem to love it. There is a few leather items which were definitely standing out especially the mix of black and white leather to create the perfect monochrome look. Best of all, its stocked in Topshop so it is available on our door step.

 

Ladies, this is the perfect Christmas gift... to yourself. I have a thing for underwear shopping so this brand is right up my street. With lace bodies and tiny thongs with matching bra and suspenders I could have bought it there and then. With a lot of black and neon colour with the occasional appearance of animal print there is something for everybody whether you’re a minimalist girl or you love to indulge in something bold and bright. Really, this is a treat for yourself more than anything.

Finally, Muther of All Things is a sporty swimwear brand with the added sex appeal. If you can’t surf yet you better book some lessons because this brand is enough to get you into it (even if it does mean flailing around in the sea for an hour or so) at least you will look good doing it. This is an Australian brand which oozes surfer chic with laser light prints across a range of dark colours. High necks in some costumes to keep you all ‘tucked in’ and some squared style bikinis.

Some great brands to check out here, there is something for everyone so keep your eyes peeled.

 

Yours Fashionably

Sarah Stoneley