"Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known." - Oscar Wilde

Friday, June 10, 2011

Frank Ocean Mixtape Download

Since I posted that She video I might as well as give you a link to download Frank Ocean's mixtape Nostalgia, ULTRA.  It's really good R&B with a little twist, you have to listen to it! Plus it's free guys.

This is one of his best songs on the mixtape, Swim Good.





Tyler The Creator, She ft. Frank Ocean.



Actually in love with Tyler the Creator and OFWGKTA, I know he's strange and gives of a misogynistic vibe but I just like the oddness. I don't know if it's all an act (his mannerisms and persona)  but his album is actually pretty good, I had to buy it. It's so different from all the stuff that's out there currently, it's not some mainstream pop bulls**t. This is one of favourite tracks off it, Tyler directed the video himself and it's a pretty good watch. Ooh and I love Frank Ocean too.

Thursday, June 09, 2011

DR MARTENS!

HEHE so my sexy first pair of Doc's arrived today, I'm so stoked, not even joking you. I've been wanting them for about a year now and my dad always took the piss of how they were "industrial work-wear", but if I'm honest I really don't care. I ordered them two days ago and they were supposed to arrive yesterday but they did'nt *sad face*, so the wait was actually excrutiating...but they are here now so it's all good. Sooo I put them on and I was just like :O they look horrible and clunky but as the minutes went past and the outfit changes went on I was falling more and more in love with them, they look great and are versatile. I know they are a bit of a marmite item (love or hate) but they are tomboy cool with an edge...which is part of me I guess.




I'll post some pictures of me with them on soooon. 

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

London Fashion Week - NEWGEN

I was just looking up on the London Fashion Week website, maaan I wish I was there *weeps silently*.

Weeping over, I was just searching for something interesting and new and I came across this scheme they have called NEWGEN (short for New Generation) which helps out up and coming British designers financially and mentors them as well. The new designers then showcase their designs on the runway at LFW (London Fashion Week). The scheme started out in 1993 and has been sponsored by Topshop *swoon* since 2001. I think this is an extremely helpful scheme and I'm not a designer myself but I can imagine that breaking into the fashion world is very hard and for someone to offer such support like the British Fashion Council are doing is amazing. 

This gives the new designers such a break and offers them gallons of contacts of which I'm assuming can be very helpful at the start-up and in the long run.

I've had a look at the majority of the designers and here are a few which grabbed my attention:

Designer Name: Holly Fulton



Designer Name: David Koma



    Designer Name: Felicity Brown

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Blackface in Fashion

French Vogue, Lara Stone-Dutch Model

Okaaay so I was doing some research for my art project which is to do with racism and I came across something called 'Blackface', 'Blackface' in fashion normally involves white models painted black. Some people perceive this as the designers being racist because in the past 'Blackface' was a theatrical make-up used in minstrel shows (old American entertainment shows) by the white folk to mock African Americans and their culture. They started practising it around 1830, through painting their faces black, donning props associated with black people and reddening and widening their lip outlines the white people in the minstrel shows would 'entertain' the crowds.

Old Minstrel Ad.

I'm not too sure about this American Apparel Ad though, It's a bit too reminiscent of the minstrel show days 

'Blackface' as a means of racism and entertainment isn't as 'popular' these days but as I was saying it's still controversial. When designers use it in fashion shows or magazine articles  people always question their means: are they being subtly racist or expressing a form of art?

It's been used a lot recently by the likes of 'America's Next Top Model', 'Victor & Rolf', 'American Apparel' and more.




ANTM 



I personally think that there is nothing wrong with painting people whatever their original colour is in black when it concerns fashion because it's vastly different to what it was back in the minstrel days,when used in fashion the model doesn't have exaggerated lips or accessories that are stereotypically associated with black people. When used in fashion it's blending cultures together and making people more aware of the fact that there is nothing wrong with being diverse and it's something that should be celebrated and not mocked.

The little boy is cute thought :D

It's a tough subject I guess and each to his own opinion but I hope I've educated you or at least given you a glimpse on the subject.