Firstly, I think I am in LOVE...! Ash, wherever you are, will you marry me?
Secondly, Kanye West and his gang of toddler-numpties are so synthetic it makes me want to puke fur! And, as for his girlfriend - try hard much? This is the thing American's don't get, you can't buy style. You just can't.
I'm so fed up!? This is self inflicted. This is the last time I write about perez-worthy-celebrity. Promise.
A fat book! It is yet to be released but a copy can be pre-ordered from amazon. I am rather gutted, it would be more than an ideal read for the dissertation- but we shall all have to wait till 1st September 2009 for its release, sadly. I wonder if the fashion media will make such a huge palava about the book... that might blow the secret man's cover!!
It must be said that of Deconstructivism, fashion writers and journalists don't have a fucking clue what they are writing about. That they attempt to link it to Derridian Deconstruction theoretical suicide - and then everybody wonders why everybody else deems the industry superficial and uninformed. You can't say, dear Patricia Mears, that although "deconstruction in fashion is relatively new, numerous historical precedents exist, including the opulent silks deliberately woven with slits and slashed that were the rage in fashion during the sixteenth century German Renaissance". Unknowingly, Mears’s statement immediately reduces fashion’s interpretation of deconstruction as of being simply a trend. Derrida coined the term deconstruction in the 1960s. That sixteenth century “Western European courts had adopted this flashy new style” , (of slashed luxurious fabrics that were all the “rage”), is pure coincidence to the work of true deconstructivist fashion designers. I think one can attribute Mears’ statement as being symptomatic of a rushed reinterpretation and marginalisation of Derrida’s Deconstruction in order to fill the dark void of the excesses of the 1980s which filtered through into fashion design, and therefore an inward desire for the industry to be regarded with more seriousness. And these people are paid to educate...This dissertation business is obviously a rather frustrating at the best of times because I am trying to put fashion in good light here, but all these, people, these fashion "academics" appear to be more qualified to write for heat magazine than for, other, more important, 'stuff!'- in this instance anyway... In other news, I have a new love:
So clearly my current preoccupation doesn't come as a surprise. The new blog layout, Margiela's work as eyecandy, and now this video. I am quickly learning that Deconstructivism cannot be singularily defined. Dearest Derrida kind of turned the world upside down when he pioneered the theory, and it really is a bothersome exercise to truely understand what he was on about. Anyway my dissertation is yet to be titled- yet to be written. But 'Le Destroy'- What is Tailoring to Architecture? is playing on my mind... suggestions? Deconstruction in fashion and architecture does not seem to have been explored in one body of text, unless I have failed on the research side of things, but anyway it seem quite a mammoth task to bring this relationship to surface. Literally a four week challenge! I found this today though, and without sounding really naff it is rather thought provoking: a) Is deconstruction that easy to do? b) If not, is there a close affiliation with Derrida's philosophy or has this relationship been completely disregarded with relevant designers simply 'responding to our times'. And finally c) Can anyone take part- does one have to hold an intellectual predisposition to participate, or just be famous? More importantly how the fuck do I relate this back to architecture...
So the blog has a new look, and despite being a work in progess I'm happy with how things are looking. Life is a working progress so I have always believed in changes. You don't look the same all your life, or think the same, right?
It’s a year today since I last graced the virtual world of mine own bloggersphere and I can't say that much has changed. I had promised a regular feed the last time I disappeared, but I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that I am a different kind of human-be-ing. The kind who is always late, who may or may not show up, who leaves everything to the ninth hour, and who dips and dabbles in many a habit so that it loses its status as habit transforming like a thief in the night into mere distraction. I am chief procrastinator, and I have also realized that the opportunity to blog occurs only when I am days from deadlines. The hand in of my life is fast approaching, so I blog. Who knows how long I will be 'here' for, whatever the case I hope that it is a fruitful edit. Despite all of this I remain sincerely committed to soft*soap, I could have started a new blog- mentally I am in a different place, however soft*soap is steadfast and a record of things that have tickled me in the past. 'An Archive' -vomit here- (fellow students will comprehend). I am one with a contradicting personality- yes but that is the strength I behold-pimp! I will leave you with an interesting take on London Fashion Week à la jojo&malou. Its been dubbed as the ccredit-crunch runway alternative, but I think that its more than that. The strength rests its accessibility. Sent to editors of various publications via e-mail and available on their website for all to see, this could be a new found way of rapid impromptu/casual communication, and perhaps more regularly than the fashion week diarizes. (If London Fashion Week became more accessible, designers could be talking to the consumer, rather than the consumer lapping it all up s like the headless-moranic-addicted-to-glitter-monkey it has become, (we are all guilty). If the industry is so big, so important- then why shouldn't the consumer have their own moment of unbiased critique before heat magazine dictates to the masses what's 'hot', -again, vomit here-. Perhaps, were we blessed with a few more Margiela's in the industry this blurb could be even worth talking about...) Yelle offers a nice choice of soundtrack, very bouncy and isn't the video rather clever, engaging almost...
My current mind trip ♥ there's a lot more than what you think going on here ♥♥ it is truely special ♥♥♥ A personal belief of mine is that a woman's sexuality is sacred, once harnessed ♥♥♥♥ That Dita, she owns a harness...
I just, I really want it. I need it, actually. It's been updated for spring/summer 08, and its shiny with leather. So shiny, so clean, so 8 speed... Its my birthday soon...anyone??
I want to express my position as a whore, for mac. About how gorgeous mac is, how beautifully seamless her operation is, how a whisper of a movement over her smooth velvet mousepad can be as arousing as... well...mac on top!form. Anyway... my Osvaldo is dying. She shouldn't be dying, its just I've put her under enormous stress nearly everyday over the past year, which has been somewhat traumatic for her. Giulia gave her a boy's name and I’ve never looked back. Osvaldo has really been a victim of circumstance: from studio to studio she has suffered many a fall and is subsequently arthritic. She can barely smile without a groan. And despite her slight discoloration, She's still breathing: her belly button murmurs soft breaths of helplessness.
Now you could ask, why after only 3 years is her life slipping away? I mean Macs are made for design, for software that tears relentlessly through the soul... with a tortoise shell built to take any impact. She is meant to be robust, and yes I am rather clumsy but not so much that I'm guilty of homicide. Once you go black you can't go back? Well, once you buy into a Mac you are in there for life. By that I mean various components will need replacement, that doesn't come cheap, within two years of purchase- I am now on cable number three (kind of like a birthday candle for each year). Oh did I mention that most architectural practices have switched to PC, how ugly, because of lack of software compatibility...(fuck you AutoDesk)??? Despite these troublesome times, I would never look to windows...pah!
I still want another Mac. I need it- sorry Osvaldo but despite many happy times we shared together, your time is up. I know it and I don't care that I have been seduced by the shiny-shiny, by the pure minimalism, ease of functionality, the fact that it says my name, tells me my start up disk is nearly full and the time every half hour- in any voice-the fact that everything matches from i-pod, to headphones, laptop to speaker, that she glows like moonlight at night, the feint hummmm. Truly !le petit mort! -!
Zaha Hadid is coming to town! This is really interesting as it is her first built project in Hingerland. England. The East End is most best I say. There's no square like Hoxton hello Lara Bohinc! Interesting as designers in two very different fields, these successful women marking their teritory big style- boys beware. There is plenty of hope yet for our wonderous gender!
p.s. Is it just me or is Aggy Dean's (aka Laura Hollins-knew her name was wayyyyy to good to be true, but its ok, its in the family) personal style so strong that she looks hugely uncomfortable in mainstream shows? Please Miss Stephanie...your uptake on the matter...
Showstudio http://showstudio.com/ is top of my haunt list including email, weatherdotcom, myed, fb, blackberry synch... I'm a geek and Luella says its ok. Caring and sharing as I am, I though you will want to see this. Queue Miss Stephanie! Contributors like Nick Knight and Stefano Pilati are a part of a super amazing thing! I mean I need and want my shiny glossy monthlies but no joke, this is like THE daily newspaper for the intellectually fashion, film and design minded/inspired few. Someone refered to one of the YSL films you'll find there as gloryfied advertising. For many reasons I was happy to let it go, but now I'm curious as to how other people see it, especially those who are in the know from a less passive point of veiw and even more so if you are not oblivious to Hussien Chalayan and what he is to fashion.So have a browse and let the comments roll in. Big hearts. xoxo
So I haven't blogged in over 4 months now. Not to say that I haven't been inspired (because this summer was a great time for that), but that I haven't come across something worth mentioning. Ok that's a lie. I just fell out of habit, im not lazy, i'm not. I just...OH GOD!! I'M SO SORRY FOR THE NEGLET!!! To all my loyals...all three of you!!! A peace offering and a promise that I shall never disappear again... something I stumbled upon during an hour of procrastination. Had to share the love! I'm back, bitch...
There are some beautiful looking models on the scene just now-Jessica, Hye, Coco, Irina and Chanel but to name a few, all interesting with a coveted level of quirk not to mention knobbly knees - queue Chanel- imperfections making them so unique, although if I'm honest the Chanel knee issue needs to be addressed however all this later, but first Aggie Aggie Aggie! I love this girl because her lips are bigger than mine in a bottom heavy kind of way with coal thick eyebrows that make you wanna jump! Sounds clownish but this strange overt femininity works so well on her because she physically juxtaposes herself with her strong androgynous persona...imagine if her lips were paper thin...see? Gone would be all the appeal! And gosh what a name! Sounds like 'James Dean'- see what i just did there, names like these are for people who will never be forgotten! One thing I must say is that in most of her editorials she does have one look...I hate to say it but unless things are spiced up could she be soon be a blitz supermodel forgotten, despite her distinct look, feverish energy inducing lips and sumptuous pale skin, or is she an era model distinguished by one look, a Marilyn of the 21st century? Aggie is *London* and in ten years time she will be the face of the naughties in an era defining kind of way...
This song makes me tingle seriously its off a wicked album cardigans meets the yeah yeah yeahs and you can torrent from bittorrent so download it there it's super super amazing and commands a silent disco in the underground!! Metric - Monster Hospital
Ok so today is clearly a day for the video. High Contrast is currently my true favourite driving me crazy with 'If We Ever' which is absolute brilliance with all the right things happening at the right moment- I love love love love! Saw High Contrast live at Hospitality @ Explicit Bongo Club earlier this year with Logistics and it was immense! 'If We Ever' is my anthem in a summer defining sort of way and I will try and get a hold of it for you guys its trés difficult to just now. I have it on a mixtape bit lame really. Anyway enjoy this vid I think its cute and I'm sure you'll agree that Lincoln Barrett is fit, as fu*k!
Ten years ago I would have been 11? Thats 1997 therefore I was listenting to maybe Blackstreet? TLC? Bit of Foxy Brown- I don't think I was old enough to?! If I was cool, which I wasn't back then, I would have had this on a mixtape. On its release ten years ago this became instant vintage material, and even today its still sounding fressssssssh* ya get me!?
I chuckled when I stumbled upon this...the rights and graces these oh so beautiful women earned for themselves, not to mention the cancer...one should really should quit the habit huh..?
I have been in an odd state of mind recently, not really knowing whether I'm coming or going, not knowing what state I currently lay in- joy*sorrow*love*self pity*lust*anxiety*sublime satisfaction*hope*anger*relief*esteem- all of these crazy energies folding into a soufflé of emotion that I simply cannot define, nor control. I feel it in my dreams- they are intriguing but cruel with the uncertainty of reality when one awakes. It really does affect everyday toil, informing the attitude towards aims and goals and what, if any of these are achieved. It even targets the inner self whereby suddenly what I am, my perception of who I am is altered, through maybe a need or want to change, or pressure to do so. I am acutely aware that this sounds incredulously gay, and I'm sooooo not for pretentious bloggers who define themselves through blatant wants and needs, but 'like' sincerely, I saw this collection and what I am right this minute (it could change) finally made sense because of the dialogue created through the tailoring, the detail, lines and volume, the juxtaposition of colour palettes from fabric to eyeshadow, these details. We are what we wear- or what we aspire to wear, I strongly believe that. One easily relates! It holds a bold narrative, and if the above makes no sense at all then understand this- it holds a bold narrative. The show was like a poem, coming to life. It’s not trying recklessly to be different or to pop out because Comme Des Garçons bears no need to do so. It is truly poetic, I emphasise that, and unpredictable for an aw07 collection as it succeeds in harmonising so much energy, emotion, humor and romance; whipped like shiny enamel double cream...for a season otherwise cold, dull and grey...
Tape gear is what I like to call it. Its kitsch and cleverly incorporated into many a style piece, like these Marella Foschi's purses. Each item is a handmade one off which is so, so kind! You can choose from a range of colourful linings and zips to get the combination that suits your outfit for a reasonable $43 including postage... ...Customize an old cassette into a hot accessory to compliment your American Apparel wardrobe, by threading a shiny goldie lookin' chain through it, hanging off your neck with pride with that authentic Run DMC vibe...
When I get lazy out comes the hat, to cover a bad hair day, to cover roots, to cover frizz, or to avoid having to use a brush that day. Grand I say! But lately I've noticed a shift in pattern. When one is confronted with hat-in-shop these days one buys for structure and shape, colour and weight. Hat trends should no longer be limited to just the baker boy style. A recent trip to Armstrong’s Vintage Emporium in Edinburgh town (a regular haunt when one is skint and looking for a purchase perk) delivered 2 hats - a gorgeous burgundy 1930s borderline cloche style felt, and a wonderful jersey cream and mocha pleated turban style cap. Hats are great pieces for juxtaposition as well as to culminate multitude levels of expression so actually one does not become a trend, but a trendsetter. Visit your nearest vintage store for some key shapes and volumes, play with lace play with straw and bows don't be scared- juxtapose is the key word here. Don't worry about hygiene hats tend to be the cleanest things when shopping vintage. For some inspiration check out Marc Jacobs aw07 as well as Prada ss07! And one other thing...make sure your hair is as groomed as a horse on show because everyone will want to try it on!
