First you get close then you get worried

Wearing: Turban Hats4Ladies (etsy), Miss Shop blouse, Target pants, Miu Miu clogs and Deadly Ponies bag. 

It's strange how my sense of style has changed within the last year, whilst many days I try to challenge myself staples are becoming more and more important. These simple black trousers (something Mum picked up for me) are plain but I'm really into the tailoring and tight cuffs. It's also nice to create an outfit around one piece but then revisit some of the pieces I already have in my wardrobe. Feeling like I have so many things to do but in such a short amount of time has really taken its toll- both on my health and how I manage stress. It comes as no surprise I haven't had much time to indulge in the creative process, aside from how I dress and apply my makeup for that day. Even then documenting each outfit and curating images on this blog has become harder and harder. I can't wait to sit down and fill all my empty notebooks with lots of lovely thoughts and writing, as well as create mountains of different collages and sketches! 

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.

Pilgrimage to Witch Mountain

I normally pride myself on my ability to look at fashion inspiration from around the world and synthesize it into something new, but perfection cannot be improved upon. And so, I humbly hope you enjoy this photo shoot styled by Shirley Kurata shot at Salvation Mountain. Two of my favourite things in the world artfully combined together and showcasing the best designer couture pieces with vintage treasures. The affect is simply too stunning for words.

Photography: JUCO
Styling: Shirley Kurata
Hair and makeup by David Tolls with Workgroup
Photo Assistant: Tom McKenzie
Stylist Assistant: Sue Choi
Model: Nora at Muse Management

Funny Face

Wearing: Meadham Kirchhoff X Topshop sweater, Target trousers and hat, Nicholas Kirkwood X Meadham Kirchhoff shoes.

Today's look was partly inspired by Grimes's recent interview with The FADER Magazine in which she simultaneously tackles criticisms and everyday sexism within the music industry while looking like a total badass. Another surprising influence was the style and ease of Yves Saint Laurent and what Hedi Slimane envisions for the future of the house. Truth be told YSL doesn't consistently challenge me or embody what I like about fashion, it represents a commercial venture which more or less profits from women's insecurities. Keeping all that in mind, I can appreciate the minimalism and attention to the cut and silhouette from YSL collections which is inherently used as fodder for the high street. Unlike my glittery pink, platform boudoir heels from Meadham Kirchhoff the special pieces from Saint Laurent are more likely to be the couture dresses or leather jacket which buyers will maintain for years and years. You will also notice that my hair is now PURPLE and not orange. The change is subtle enough so that it goes unnoticed by my colleagues in academia.

Melancholy

Wearing: Maison Michel rain hat, J.W. Anderson X Topshop sweater, Target skirt, thrifted heels and Deadly Ponies bag.

It's very unusual for me to wear an all black outfit on the blog, but I've tried to make it as interesting as possible in terms of texture and shape! I'm a happy little turd now that I finally have this Maison Michel rain hat, which I have coveted and searched the Internet for, for YEARS. I also recently acquired my dream bag from new Zealand brand Deadly Ponies which features these little fox tail charms, which are in fact made from sheep wool. I'm not a huge bag lady, unlike many other fashion bloggers who have mastered utilizing their accessories in cool and interesting ways but this piece just resonates with me. Both the bag and hat were first produced years ago and remind me of when fashion blogging was touted as the thing which would topple even the most influential fashion editors. Of course that hasn't happened and some fashion bloggers have been criticized as being too heavily commercial but it's the idealistic nature and design of each piece which I really admire.

Snug

Wearing: Cotton On beanie, Sweater from Disneyland, Vintage coat, Meadham Kirchhoff X Topshop skirt, American Apparel socks and Nike shoes.

We're well and truly in the middle of Winter now but I refuse to wear anything which will keep my legs warm and remain fiercely opposed to the notion of Melbourne CBD business culture. For those who are unaware there's this awful cliche about everyone wearing black in Winter which is awful because it's so true? Basically I wanted to challenge myself to dress in a way that contested these preconceived notions, but wear comfy clothes as well. I mean sure my makeup isn't threatening to melt off my face and I'm not sweating in front of an air conditioner but I still want to be relatively comfy. I realise that a glittery pink PVC skirt with pastel blue faux fur trim is not what everyone immediately thinks of when they think athleisure but I couldn't resist wearing Meadham Kirchhoff. It matched my vintage coat and wearing shades of blue and grey made me feel like I was the embodiment of a cloud which seemed fitting on this overcast day.