Peter Pilotto's Spring/Summer Collection

The moment I saw Peter Pilotto's Spring/summer collection during Fashion week, I have been completely entranced by his unique and what I believe to be; his soon iconic style. Whilst browsing through Oxford circus today, I saw elements of Peter Pilatto's charismatic style imitated in almost all of the high-street brands, ranging from Topshop, Zahra and even New Look.

The bold and strong colouring integrated into a series's of tribal-like prints with the slim waistlines and the gorgeously shaped and situated prints not only look wonderfully unique and eye-catchingly beautiful, but it is seems unusual for such boldly statemented clothing; particularly in Pilotos brave choice of colouring and design ranging from landscapes of Fauna and Leaf print in Neon shades, to unexpectedly be able to accentuate a range of body shapes.

The spring summer collection is stated to of been inspired by a recent visit to Indonesia described by the designers to of been "an incredible journey that have us the opportunity to experience the awesome natural environment of Java; the lush Jungles; the tea, coffee, cacao, and clove plantations, and to see the volcanic craters and sulphuric plumes of smoke first hand." Which is seen accountable for the brilliant creation of their signature dresses.

As suggested by British Vogue, "Peter Pilotto is one of those labels that right now leads the new wave of fashion Lights."

I really do wish this incredibly talented designer all the best and well-deserved success. Most indefinitely one to watch in coming seasons.

Till next time
Julia x

Sophie Calles exhibition 'Blind'

"Green is beautiful. Because every time I like something, I'm told it's green. Grass is green, trees, leaves, nature too... I like to dress in Green" (Extract from 'Blind')

A few weeks ago, while browsing in the Whitechappel book shop, I came across one of Sophie Calle's many fantastic collections of work exhibited in a coffee table book, entitled 'Blind' that she collaborated in 1986. Although I wasn't fortunate enough to see 'Blind' in an exhibition, The publication was enough to completely en-captivate me into trance of sheer beauty and admiration for such an incredible group of inspirational people as well as further admiration for one of the most innovative and interesting photographers of my time; Sophie Calle.

Sophie Calle exhibited 3 different types of people who contracted their condition; people visually impaired from birth, people that lost there sight over a gradual process and people who became blind in a short period of time. The book consists off series of portrait photographs with a narrated description aside each one accompanied with a further picture of what they defined as beautiful.

Their responses to what their take on ‘beauty’ was, consisted of incredibly intricately detailed and touching responses and in addition to Sophia Calle’s powerful photography, it was enough to completely blow me away, and further question my own take on what beauty was.

I am not one to constantly conjure moralistic values from frequent occurrences in life, but Sophie Calle’s exhibition of ‘Blind’, enforced me to further support the well know statement that ‘Beauty’ is stronger ‘within’ rather then things that may appear to be ‘visually beautiful’. I am by no means undermining the existence of visual beauty however ‘Blind’ just distinguishes the fact that beauty can exist in all aspects of life; beyond our conceptions. Beauty is only a perception that can be seen in so many different perspectives.

"I saw my son in a dream. He was 10 years old. He was in pagamas. He looked at me and smiled. He walked towards me. I thought it was very beautiful." (Extract from 'Blind')

Here are a few other interesting articles that also discuss Sophie Calles exhibition 'Blind'

http://articles.latimes.com/1995-10-20/entertainment/ca-59024_1_sophie-calle

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/jun/14/tate-liverpool-colour-chart-exhibition

Julia x

Is fashion a competition or an attempt at an exhibition of of originality?

While being intrigued, looking for inspiration and influence with the ongoings of Fashion week, I started to think about what is considered as 'fashion', and what it takes to successfully become part of the ever growing fashion industry today that has such a huge and influential impact on so many of us.

 My view on the influence of fashion at present, is that there seems to be a consistency in the fashion industry of strict limitations that are seemingly enforced in order to achieve a desired outcome. A prime example of this would be the implementation and discussion of what is 'trending' or what is 'in' at that present moment in time.  Now, I say this with caution, as every designer is unique in his or her own way and I am by no means criticising curators of the fashion world, as for so many of them, I have such admiration and respect for, such as Karl Lagerfield, Mark Jacobs, Alexander MQueen ect. However my point is, is that I sometimes see followers of fashion losing there sense of individuality, and seemingly consuming a market followed by somewhat identical characters attempting to conform to what fashion represents at that particular time of year/ season.

Now every garment in its own right, possesses a sense of complete individuality, and what I find; is one of the sole purpose s in taking an interest on the ongoings of fashion, is not just the acknowledgement and admiration of beauty,  it is how we as consumers, can find a way to replicate aspects that we have favoured or what has been seen as popular and well received during the course of fashion week. A particular example of a trending element that has appeared in numerous collections such as Mary Katrantzou's, Proenza Schouler's, Erdem and Peter Pilotto's is the use of exotic, floral and ethnic prints that are the centre points of the garments exhibited. So what we then find, is that an array of what was seen as a design concept, that was originally intended to be seen as unique, has been transferred into all parts of not only high-fashion but also down to high-street brands such as Zara's new collection imitating the use of floral digital prints and array of garments in delicate pastel tones such as Calvin Klein collection.

So the thing I find myself questioning, is that are these design concepts an attempt at originality? (As who knows who came up with the original idea to implement it in the fist place) Or is it a competition in beauty on who can do it best through original and unique means?
Till next time

Julia x

Welcome

So recently I have been in search for a blog that contains, what for me, is some of the 5 best elements in life; music, art, fashion,  literature and film and although I’ve found some fantastic bloggers and web sights, they only seem to discuss single elements; such as just music or just film, hardly any of them seem to combine two or more topics of interest together. In someways I guess people prefer to stick to what they know best and are cautious about entering a foreign and different turf which is completely understandable.

A lot of people have suggested that all these topics combined that interest me are available in numerous magazines, and yes by all means they are, however as much as I love reading magazines, there’s something I find so intriguing and interesting about blogs and the interactive media that is so accessible to millions of people today disregarding of class, wealth or culture.  Blogs have a far broader selection of different perspectives, unique styles and concepts that they may not necessarily have the opportunity to express in publicised or broadcasted media.

This is my own perspective on my favourite things in life.

Enjoy
Julia x