Victoria Rowe 2013

Fluorescent yellow has always been a colour which has both transfixed and terrified me. Periodically fashion bloggers will employ it in contrast to their own monochrome wardrobe and in the blink of an eye the shade will fall out of favour and vanish in an instant. Unlike those dime a dozen fashion bloggers, Victoria Rowe has managed to employ this tricky shade in the most clever of ways- paired with the sassiness of a Disney Villain. That's the impression I was struck with and couldn't shake- the smouldering eyeshadow, slick black boots and the sensational leather jacket all screamed evildoer. It seems fitting that while the world eagerly awaits more trailers for the latest DC blockbuster, Suicide Squad (not sure how to feel about the title tbh), I trawl the Westminster archives for a designer who inspires such beauty and darkness. Purposefully threadbare sweaters and skirts shrouded the body in multiple layers and removed the usual sweet and honestly tacky connotations of fluorescent yellow. Instead of resenting what that peculiar shade of yellow represents amongst commercial practice I have something else to consider now.

*Images via Westminster Fashion

Lady Petrova Poetic Science

In the wake of Tim Hunt's awfully sexist comments (made in apparent jest) as well as sorry excuse for an apology/ fake apology I feel even more passionately about science. Contrary to popular belief scientists are not mindlessly slaving away at a task they don't care for. In fact, the best scientists and professionals I know are truly interested in science and discovery. It is this that motivates them, and it is this that motivates me to jump out of bed at 6am every morning and commence work as soon as possible. I've also come to the conclusion that if I were unable to successfully become an academic I would love to work in science communication and particularly encourage young girls and women towards this field. Lady Petrova's most recent collection, Poetic Science was based on Ada Lovelace who is attributed as the first computer programmer. But you've probably never heard of her unless you, yourself are a computer programmer. I know I certainly hadn't before catching wind of this spectacularly breath-taking collection but I can imagine why the achievements of a historical female scientist would be lessened in comparison to her male counterparts. Remember Ada Lovelace as a pioneer in her field, as well as amazingly gorgeous women who probably wore lovely tapestry capes, dresses and velvet.

*All images via Lady Petrova