Farewell, 2011

As we transcend from 2011 into the unknown of 2012 (fearing the supposed ending of the world and the general  uncertainty of what this new year entails), reflecting on the past year and it's ups, downs, and downright unforgettable (whether in a good way or a bad way) is, in most cases, the first activity when embracing the new year. I am no different and decided, as generic as it is, that I would compile a list of 2011's fashion highlights and heroes, the trends and people that rocked the ever-evolving world of fashion and captivated us throughout the year. Unfortunately I can't afford an extravagant ceremony to celebrate the following, or have gongs to distribute so hopefully a brief paragraph devoted to each shall suffice. And the winners are...

FACE OF THE YEAR - CHARLOTTE FREE

2011 has, without a doubt, been the year of the 18 year old beauty, Charlotte Free, an aspiring music and circus performer. Ms. Free was discovered in an arcade by an agent in 2010, and her modelling career has since gone from strength to strength, dominating Jeremy Scott, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel catwalks to name but a few. Her signature grunge style and candy-hued hair has really made her stand out in the fashion world, and continues to determine her success. She recently appeared in Topshop's F/W makeup collection and Uniqlo's S/S campaigns and has followed the likes of Kate Moss, Lindsey Wixon and fashion's other famous faces to bag her own shoot with Terry Richardson. All the best for 2012, Charlotte - not like you need it.

OUTFIT OF THE YEAR - KATE MIDDLETON'S WEDDING DRESS

AKA the most talked about outfit of the year. I must admit, as a proud Irish woman, the Royal family has never interested me but on April the 29th, I found myself parked in front of the television, eagerly anticipating the unveiling of The Dress. I'm pretty sure the collective sigh of awe expressed by every other member of the female, and probably male too, gender could have been heard in the next galaxy, quickly followed by worldwide envy. It really was the ultimate fairy tale dress, designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen (proving correct the bets by many people, including myself). The lace upper body, the classic shape and the not-too-long train paired with Kate's natural beauty and elegance was simply divine. The dress managed to confirm the fashion houses future success after the uncertainty following McQueen's suicide, and will inevitably influence many brides to come.

TREND OF THE YEAR - CREEPERS

An unlikely trend. Brothel creepers began to emerge following WW2 by George Cox, who's inspiration derived from the thick, crepe-soled boots worn by soldiers stationed in desert areas and went on to be favoured by Teddy Boys during the 50's. Their popularity surged once more during the 70's, and the the height and style of the sole became more extreme. More recently, they have been a very underground trend until this year where they became a predominant feature at fashion shows for Prada, Sonia Rykiel, Ashish and sported by the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Alice Dellal, Cher Lloyd and many others. Since I purchased my own pair of these unpretty "it" shoes, I have practically lived in them. Their raised soles add height to my otherwise tiny stature and slim unwanted, chunky legs.

TREND I'M BLOODY SICK OF - VARSITY JACKETS

Don't get me wrong, I find myself longing for the leather sleeved, oversized, clashing coloured jackets worn by stereotypical jocks in 80's movies (or the Mathletes in Mean Girls) but when these jackets are replaces by a watered-down version and worn by nearly every single teenager in Ireland, I think it's plain to see how easily they lose their appeal. The jacket worn by the character of Andrew Clark, the typical macho sports fanatic, in the Breakfast Club would be turning in it's grave if it ever had the displeasure of being acquainted with it's cheap successor - all over cotton and open to anyone, even those who don't actually play a sport which defeats the jacket's entire purpose. Following the bandanna trend of 2010 and the ongoing appeal in Adidas tracksuits, which I shall never succumb to or understand, the varisty jacket has become a staple in the wardrobe's of this country's youth, and stripping it of it's initial originality. I honestly hope to never see one again.

And that conclude's my pathetically slight list of what made this year, fashion wise, in my eyes. Other contenders include the current velvet craze, Lady GaGa's ever-constant fashion musings (we shall see in the coming months whether or not her prediction of the colour mint's popularity for spring is fruitful or not) and the love affair with ombred hair that captivated the female population. Here's to another year, full of surprises. Happy New Year, everyone.

This is Halloween

Halloween - the one night a year where black and orange are deemed acceptable to be worn together, where children can eat a year's worth of sugar in a couple of hours, without restraint, and where there is no point sitting down because your doorbell is going to be rung, thrice in a second, by eager little children in generic pumpkin, ghost or witch costumes.

As a child, Halloween is an innocent and exciting night. Dressed in a black bin bag (we all were) with a pumpkin bucket for hauling, the cold air of the end of October and the general atmosphere leaves a child in a giddy state - and that's before they dig into all the sweets. But when you get older, girls especially, tend to ditch the traditional, warty nosed witch in favour of something more "sexy". To quote Mean Girls: "Halloween is the one day a year where a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it". There is no such thing as dressing up as a pirate, or a witch, or a cat when it comes to adolescent girls. It's a "sexy" pirate, "sexy" witch or a "sexy" cat, although a domestic moggy is hardly erotic when you think about it - unless there's a cat fetish lurking around out there.
I'm not a big fan of the "art" of wearing your nicest lingerie and adding a pair of animal ears and calling it a costume. I'd be more likely to spend Halloween like this:

than this:

When it comes to Halloween, for me, I like even a small reference to something traditional, like in Donnie Darko - the addition of a hoodie makes the skeleton suit look so casual. My favourite representative of Hallow's Eve is the skeleton. It's the most iconic and an image that springs to most people's minds when they think of Halloween - also, it gives me a chance to dust off my Topman skeleton t shirt and live out my secret fantasy of being a goth. Now for some skele-spiration, and also some photos from Halloween 2 years ago with me and my friends.

And to wrap this long winded and a day overdue post, here's some photos of my sister after I tried my hand at doing Lady Gaga's Rick Genest (aka Rico the Zombie Boy) makeup. Finished it off with a high side pony tail, unfortunately couldn't dye it pink, and gave her a sheer shirt to wear and a black blazer.

Until next year...

Lady Gaga Out and About in London

This is slowly becoming a Lady Gaga Outfit Appreciation blog but you cannot deny, the woman is fabulous. Whether you love her, hate her or are a farmer in county Down who thinks she needs to put on more clothes, her style is a chameleon, ever-evolving to accompany new trends.

Tottering about London before her Jonathon Ross appearance, in those mint skyscraper boots (the texture and colour looking very much like the Chanel boots worn by Lindsay Wixon at Paris Fashion Week, see my previous post), the singer best known for her eclectic fashion donned a see through lace dress from Simone Rocha's 2012 SS collection, a Baby Spice-esque fur coat, kooky retro glasses and the cherry on top - a pastel green beehive.

This look captures the recurring trend of pastels seen in SS 2012 collections, like House of Holland, Chanel, Meadham Kirchhoff and others and typical Gaga, she's ahead of them all.
That's why the Lady is a tramp.

Gaga's Toned It Down

First of all, may I apologize for this seriously belated post? I've only just come back from what I can only call "hellidays" down in the countryside where I was deprived of internet and a general feeling of connection to the outside world.

After all Lady Gaga's notoriously outrageous get ups, from that meat dress to sky high McQueen Armadillos to the Lobster hairpiece, Gaga has continued to shock the media, her fans and the world. But the most shocking outfit of all has been the most simple of all since her Red and Blue days as Stefani Germanotta.

The singer was papped after a recording session in a Versace LBD with minimal accessories (a velvet clutch, a gold cuff and her red talon nails) and no sign of any horn inplants. In fact, there was no sign of anything particularly "Gagaesque".

Considering the fact of her ever-changing wardrobe since she was thrust into the limelight after the success of Just Dance around December 2008, seeing her in a simple, almost demure (for her) outfit has had the biggest impact yet. And it looks perfect on her - no need for any more steaks!

90's Vintage Versace Revival

Thanks to Lady Gaga, the jewel patterned clothing of Versace is having another heyday. Gaga has been seen out in many beautiful ensembles recently along with her turquoise hair style du jour.
The mainly primary coloured pattern has been copied for scarves mainly which Urban Outfitters and American Apparel both stock. I bought one from UO which is ten euro cheaper and the scarf is much bigger - i'm a cheapskate at heart.
Despite the terrible Irish summer weather, it's much too warm to wear it as a scarf so I fashion it as a big bow/bandanna on top of my head.
These designs are so pretty, but quite hard to wear so kudos to Gaga, as once again her brave style choices leave her ahead of the pack, daring head to toe of these silk creations.