Bad Luck

Wearing: Asos blouse, vintage crochet top from Tunnel Vision, MarinaFINI earrings, Target shorts and Dr Martens boots.

In an interview with Leandra Medine of Man Repeller, Iris Apfel agreed we don't live in a glamorous world anymore. As much as I'd hate to admit if she's right- they're both right. Now and then Leandra wears something both glorious and outlandish, such as a gold blazer with matching shorts and Balenciaga boots but even the blogging world's brightest star rarely dresses with the same panache. I've been thinking a lot lately, about accessories and their relevance in day to day life. Both Iris Apfel and Leandra frequent garish bangles and bracelets, with little method to their madness. Medine has coined the term "arm party" for the collection of shiny bangles and bracelets she wears on her wrists. And Apfel appears to prefer wearing elaborate jewellery in lieu of going to the gym, or as a kind of armor. I'm citing both these fabulous women in this outfit, which seems fitting given that this bracelet is a gift from yet another fabulous woman- my mom. 

Katie Jones Spring 2016

Katie Jones is a true revolutionary, proving that recycled and reclaimed materials can be just as beautiful, if not more. By marrying ethical consumerism with vibrant colors and motifs her visually striking approach is distinct from any of her contemporaries. For Spring 2016 she's knitted up another storm of color and texture, proving that her material of choice isn't just for Fall. Vibrant crop tops, crocheted mini skirts and drawstring bucket bags are just some of the items she's lovingly crafted which seem perfect for a day at the seaside. The collection looks it's best and brightest in front of a festive cactus, hot pink backdrop and studio lighting channeling Marina and the Diamond's latest album, Froots. In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if some inspiration was taken from the British songstress. The whole collection is a mashup of British iconography, best described as a mashup of pop stars and British celebrities from two different eras, the present-day and swinging 1960s. In a single phrase: Twiggy meets Froots. 

In case the reference wasn't obvious, the intense artificial lighting and vibrant colors is reminiscent of Marina and the Diamond's latest album cover, and the bold eyeliner was championed by the mod model Twiggy. Their sum is greater than their equal parts and when combined, has created something just as iconic, playful and innovative. Leather patches, crochet, plastic and yarn are used as a highly unusual canvas, upon which, Jones has created a landscape of festive clothing. Every season she reinvents the humble denim jacket, emblazoned with her own range of iconography in the form of stars, hearts and flowers. If you were lucky enough to attend this year's Port Elliot Festival, you might have even attended her workshop and incorporated some of these leather offcuts in a Katie Jones inspired DIY. This season is no exception, although baggy jumpers and the most amazing pair of custom jeans were also in the mix. Basically, those jeans are everything I want and more from a pair of pants.

If you've read my reviews of her work before, you'll know I'm a big fan of her work and modus operandi. Sidebar: If you're particularly interested in ethical design, I recommend keeping up with Katie Jones on twitter or instagram, or by checking out the hashtag, #WASTENOT. While some designers struggle to make it a part of their business model, or only achieve some form of tokenism in their approach, Katie Jones ensures it's an integral part of her identity as a designer. The techniques she employs only promotes this knack for reclaimed and recycled materials, but it's so interesting that a young and relatively new designers has taken on this approach with such fantastical results. She's also really grown her brand laterally this season, putting greater emphasis on accessories, such as the pom pom earrings, hair ribbons and custom crochet sandals, a collaboration with Juju footwear. It's only a matter of time before she's able to make her work a commercial success, and I for one cannot wait.

I'm feeling 22

Wearing: Vintage crochet tank from Tunnel Vision, vintage blouse, shorts and hat from Target, Chloe Sevigny X Opening Ceremony shoes and Zana Bayne harness. 

Another year, another year closer to reaching the cold embrace of death. Just kidding (but I'm actually not kidding). Today I turned 22 and I still have my original hair and teeth. I'd call that a win. It feels pretty corny to say "my God Margaret, look how much I've changed and BLOSSOMED INTO AN ADULT"- but I've felt more comfortable in my own skin these last few weeks and it's been rewarding to dress weird at uni once more. Partly because I get to dabble in creative processes, but I've gotten some pretty cool responses too from friends.

Surrender Dorothy

I'm well underway with thesis writing so I have next to no time for blogging, let alone brain power to string together cognitive thoughts. For now I'm pining over warmer weather and looking forward to wearing tank tops and summery dresses from the 70s. I think my style and what I want to consume is changing. I feel distant from the world of high fashion and more attracted to handmade and vintage stores more in my price range. Of course my attitude might change when I get a job but that feels like a lifetime away.

1- Sea of Shoes, 2- via WHITE LIGHTNING, 3- The Wizard of Oz (1939).

The Craft

Wearing: Romance Was Born dress, thrifted cardigan and J.W. Anderson shoes.

Today's outfit is equal parts craft techniques and more ethereal ~witchy vibes~. This dress is such a special piece and I always feel so potent and powerful when I wear it. Originally I was inspired by all things haberdashery but extended that metaphor to mother of pearl buttons and yarn for something warm. These are the last photos I took at Philip Island but hopefully I'll be back soon! It was so hard deciding what clothes to being and even though we were only visiting for three days I wanted to make the most of it. I can now see why packing for Fashion Week is such a big deal, and why weeks of deliberation are spent making these decisions. Packing these shoes probably took the most room, but each piece took up a considerable amount of space. In my defense, a winter wardrobe will need to have a little more weight and texture to it. I have every intention of channelling my inner witch next season, which means lots of long flowing dresses with some Stevie Nicks vibes. It's so hard not to feel influenced by the 70s inspiration that swept the runway last season, but as always I've interpreted using my own colour palette and aesthetic.

Sale season

As you might have realised by now, if you're like me and your inbox is getting clogged full of emails from Browns, Net a Porter and House of Holland that it's sale season. On my way to photograph the Gun Shy installation at Rose Chong on Gertrude Street I walked past the Alice Euphemia sale by chance. Alice Euphemia closed down their store in the Cathedral Arcade, near Flinders Street last year but the owner Karen was at the store and mentioned creating a website for sustainable fashion sometime soon. Since I had my camera with me I was able to subsequently photograph the different colours and textures of the clothing. I also bought a Maison Michel black plastic rain hat, which I have sought literally for years for $35. THIRTY-FIVE-FUCKING DOLLARS. I mean the thing used to retail for $330 which is of course overpriced but really it represents that period of time when fashion bloggers were first sitting in the front row and editors were irked by their presence.