A compendium of reasons to visit the afterlife.

There are more than a few days I lay. I just lay in my bedroom, the window open only just enough to allow a cold breeze sweep across the room, yet I stay still - aroused by the thoughts on my mind. Around 11:46pm all I can see are the silhouettes of trees swaying in front of traditional London street lamps. The perfect setting for the topic on my mind - death. A constant obsession for a taste lingers at the back of my head, sometimes taking a more dominant reign of my thoughts.

Very few people in this world are ecclectic and interesting enough, to appreciate the subtle presence of the afterlife. However one who did, was Lee Mcqueen. An obsessive for dark manner and spirit, this would reflect a lot in his designs, and particularly well. Skulls, contortion and deformation were all great centrepieces for quite a few of Alexander's collection and with such a dark aura, the. Though of Lee's death still gives me chills, everytime I see his last line of work.

Just after four years in from his death, and Sarah Burton does an amazing job transcending Lee's spirit season after season. The SS14 McQueen menswear collection embodies Lee's vision of a simple yet grand style, often with a dark Victorian edge. An all over monochromatic collection and one that focuses on fine details and dark prints. Black roses were embroidered over pin-stripped suits, whilst gothic lace covered full-length jackets occasionally revealing skulls amongst the gothic patterns. Alongside the beautiful tailoring and intricate print details, Sarah Burton injected a slight grungy feel to the collection with the addition of very fine, almost cobweb-like knitwear.

An appreciation of ethereal life...

Sitting here in a quiet yet unostentatious house - in the suburbs of London, I'm reminded of a sobering fact; every minute of every hour, people are too focused on their shallow and busy lives to truly appreciate the world around them. As the summers day descends into a ostensibly winters evening, the near un existent sound of raindrops keep my mind wandering away from the objective. In a seemingly heedless world - it is only now I start to appreciate the beauty of the world beyond my window.

Most people don't necessarily appreciate the beauty of the world, but rather the distortion. They tend to focus on metrical problems and not those, truthfully poisoning our minds. Today, playing homage to Polish designer Nika Danielska - we see not beauty, but pain. She specialises in a designing a unique range of body couture...

In a world of fake hope and pretentious lifestyles, Nika Danielska uses her designs to create a truly amazing perspective on life. Her series of work 'Caged' are best described as a Macabre of skeletal braces designed to contort and restrict the body from natural and human movement. Thus giving a fetish edge to design, however encrusted with diamonds, gold and silver also gives us the impression - this is for the upper class. An almost homage to Elizabeth Taylor and Judy Garland in terms of appearance. The collection in its entirety blurrs the lines between pain and couture with it's frightening demeanour. These spindly creations can be worn peeking out from underneath a jacket, or on top of a gorgeous gown, both ways making for some eye-popping fashion statements that are sure to be the talk of any gathering. These intricately wrought pieces are lavish enough to be worn instead of other accessories and jewels.

Giving a Tim Burton feel to the fashion world, Danielska is an expert in her field, if not the only one in her field. Needless to say, these haunting designs become slightly more chilling, as the sun sets over a long plain of luscious grass, and darkness falls across the chilling London skyline.

Oh, to be a fabulous royal.

   


When it comes to a female British HRH her image is everything, with fashion being at the forefront and centre of that. Since Queen Elizabeth I right through to our own Queen Lizzie, every appearance has been sordid by an array of very smart statement frocks.  Looking back at the beautiful Princess Diana, you of course see this trend relayed with her image being based at the heart of British fashion. This idea then transcends into our fabulous Princess - Kate Middleton. Of course by no margin of comparison between the two, she has embellished our hearts with her free reign of style and amazing eye for detail, modelling some of the best in British fashion.

In some aspects she looks like she has taken style tips from Marina Diamondis and stepped out from a castle. In others she could have just given Alan Sugar the slip back in his office.

Since her wedding to William back in 2012 - we have seen Mrs M wearing worldwide designers, with a particular emphasis on British fashion culture.  If course keeping in well order and wearing only conservative and traditional piece., she still manages to add a flare to her wardrobe we haven't seen in the royal family before or since Diana.

I always feel women should dress one of two ways to be impressive. Inspiration taken from a bloodied up, cocaine wridden, NY hooker is the first, as this is the second. A great combination of flat jackets and pencil skirts that manage to eventuate a figure without looking like a pair of curtains. Not forgetting her wardrobe of dream coats by some amazing top designers, that I'm sure a lot of us are in awe of.

A true British style icon, Kate Middletpn is certainly one to look out for in the future, that is if she divorces William - or Prince George comes out as gay. On that topic, I can surely imagine Buckingham palace bedazzled with cheap drinks on a Thursday. Needless to say, she is still a princess, and needs to dress like one, but just for once, be dating and show is a nipple?

Feet need sex appeal too

Shoes are a necessitie - fabulous shoes are a basic human right. More than we should, we all throw on a pair of trainers on the way to work or an old, squashed pair of kitten heels on a night out. Obviously excluding myself - many people commit this atrocious act.

Back in the 70's and 80's, hookers developed an eccentric style which added to their essential sex appeal, and in turn their profits. Well here's  a reality check. Prostitutes dress better than you. Designers have started to realise that and are creating a hybrid of this style and artistic mentions. Below are a few styles I sketched from well known designers, who really understand the aesthetic of women's feet.

Fashion needs Art to survive

To understand fashion, you have to understand a lot. Most importantly is the art of the human body. For this reason I have decided to combine my passion of Art and Fashion by doing a little research by getting into the 'feel' of the human form, and develop a visual aesthetic on a personal level. Here are three of my own interpretations.

A personal infusion of aesthetic.

A great British designer with a true sense of timeless, English style is often hard to come acros. However Margaret Howell not only proves that British style is still in its prime - she also seamlessly transitions her lines year on year, collection to collection.

After having my personal style compared to her vision of an ever graceful, stylish and just plain gorgeous English gentleman, I was of course feeling good about myself - so decided to do a little segment on her latest campaign, just to air my thoughts on her contemporary pieces.

1976 saw the true birth of the brand as Howell opened her first menswear store in London - followed by a store containing her complete collection in 1980. A true dark horse in the British fashion industry - Howell has seen ups and and downs in the game but always prevails victorious. Her minimalistic style; combining smart tailoring with casual knitwear and essentials was the must have look of the decade, even now men flock to her store in hope of grabbing an identity with the captivating style she so effortlessly churns out.

It has only been recently that the brand has started to adopt more trendy additions to current seasons. Obviously for me this isn't a positive, and as much as I love the brand and the image perceptive of that - I don't see a 70's gentleman walking around in a dock jacket. Hopefully the label doesn't fall into consumer righteousness and stoop to a high street level.

For now let's all appreciate and hope the style will forever remain, as a traditional empathy of the British industry.

Kendall Jenner - Runway queen or runaway child?

            

Arguably one of the talking points of this year - Kendall Jenner defying 'reality' family and going into a real career, as a runway model? Hard to believe if you don't follow the starlets roller coaster family onscreen, but believe it or not she's surprisingly good. Even I want to slap the bitch for looking that good. Although I can't complain, I've spent all day catching up on Desperate Housewives instead of exercising, starving myself and spending cool millions on looking good - trust me, it would be millions.

Those of you who have tuned into 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' will at some point know that Jenner has wanted to be a model for quite a while, dating back to the first season [Oct 2007] in fact, and she does deserve a round of applause. Be that for looking fabulous or just avoiding the road her older sister took, and releasing a sex tape to become famous, and if you read this Kim [highly unlikely! I know] yes! we all know it wasn't intended for public release...cough. Now enough with the bitching, and let's have a look at Kendall's 'influential' moments in fashion. Although she doesn't Denver that seat next to Anna Wintour, just yet anyway.

 

Hard to believe that only a few months ago, we all knew her as Kim Kardashians younger sister, and fast forward four weeks and she's turning her eldest sister green in the face. Making her New York fashion week debut - Jenner took to the runway on Feburary 14th to represent the FW14 Marc Jacobs collection. Sporting bleached eyebrows and a generic brown bob, Kendall looked a million miles away from her normal Hollywood look, although it does look super fabulous. I know which look I would choose!

Fast forward a couple of weeks and we see Jenner, yet again on the runway. This time with a completely different look in Paris, for Givenchy. Strutting alongside Saskia de Brauw and Joan Smalls - she yet again embellished bleached eyebrows with her usual hair scraped back and split to mirage a sleek, 90's pixie cut, which went very well with the FW14 collection. Especially this full length, reptile print bodice.

Agreeably a great career choice for the teenager, but will it last. Sadly for her - I think not, and true to my word I think the likes of Kendall Jenner represents an evolving society which focuses more on a body type rather than a look. Of course Kendall is beautiful, potentially far too good looking to be a model, so a comment like this isn't directed her way. However the fact she is most likely only a model due to her family's social status is. One thing is for sure - she sure looks a damn sight better than Kylie Jenner, remember that trashy show her sister did only a few years back? Well here is a reminder. [sensitive viewers please look away now].

Remember the good old days with models such as Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Helena Christensen and Karen Mulder? Perhaps it's time to bring back models with real sex appeal - Although the ideal of Cindy Crawford taking to the runway in 2014 is a potentially terrifying though - or has Halloween come early?