The Armour

Armour is defined as something which offers the wearer protection and is therefore traditionally conceptualised as tough and unforgiving. It is heavy and all but smothers the person underneath, but what if it didn't have to be about hiding the person underneath? Alexander McQueen and more recently Bouchra Jarrar's couture shows have proven that feathers can be used in a similar way. For birds they offer protection from the elements but are also used in order to attract the opposite sex in flashy shows of display or camouflage to suit their surroundings. Many of the aforementioned designers have stuck to rich earthy tones when using their feathers simply allowing texture to reign supreme. Compared to the other couture this season, Susie Bubble noted that Jarrar's collection was a welcome reprieve from the spectacles of fashion week. This resounding approval only reinforces the idea that feathers frequent some of the more spectacular editorials. Indeed it is somewhat overwhelming to imagine where one would wear such an outfit but as always, fashion can be used as more of an escape.

1, 4, 5, 8- Bouchra Jarrar via Style Bubble. 2- Grace Bol by Simon Burstall for Hunger Magazine. 3- Giambattista Valli, Alexander McQueen. 6- Mia Wasikowska in Alexander McQueen's Ostrich Feather and Silk Dress 'Dual in the Sun'. 7- Lady Gaga in Alexander Mcqueen SS11. 9- Chanel, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent. 10 & 13- Bouchra Jarrar Couture Fall 2015 photographed by Kevin Tachman. 11- Feather Dress from the Alexander McQueen SS08. 12- Versace, Alexander McQueen. 14- Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen.

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

purity ring

White has always had many different associations for me, typically wedding dresses and smocks for baby's baptism. Occasionally wedding dresses which bear resemblance to something a baby wears to get baptised. Naturally I found it surprising that designers had such a level of detail when working with all white and was delighted with the spectrum of different textures. Pleats, embellishments, embroidery, laser cut... you name it, it has graced the catwalk in one form or another and that's just within the last five years. The characters who wear white are just as intriguing, whether they be beguiling doe eyed girls with sharp faces or the typical IT girl (be it fashion blogger or fictional figure in the form of an editorial). With the amount of guides instructing young twenty-something women on 'HOW TO WEAR WHITE THIS SUMMER' I had all but given up on seeing the shade as chic. But how wrong I was and you'll forgive me for losing faith if you were as annoyed by Cosmo or Seventeen magazine's lack of vision as well as anti-feminist sentiments. I have no interest in wearing something because it's trendy, rather, I see something new and exciting because it has transformative powers.

1- Tim Walker for US Vogue 2012, 2- Style Rookie, 3- Christian Dior Haute Couture SS15 Paris Fashion Week, 4- Chanel SS14 Couture. 5 & 6- Christian Dior Haute Couture SS14, 7- Karen Elson and Edie Campbell in Atlas the Lion by Tim Walker for Love #10. 8- Karla Spetic SS15, 9- Ulyana Sergeenko Haute Couture SS13, 10- Louis Vuitton SS12, 11- Tim Walker, 12- Mona Matsuoka photographed by Gen Kay. 13- Photography by Tim Walker, image courtesy of Rhea Thierstein. 14- Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). 15- WhiteNoise by SOMA magazine, Simone Rocha dress and trousers, Prada bra top.