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Once again, I've missed out on all the fun and frivolity of London Fashion Week on a technicality: living on the other side of the world in Melbourne. It's not all doom and gloom though, at least I got to see the presentation for Phiney Pet's glorious, 'let them eat cake' inspired Spring 2016 collection. Let them Eat Cake is unofficial, please don't quote me on that, but it's so fitting considering there were handpainted biscuits including jammie dodgers and a bonnet? Like an actual bonnet, you wear on your head. Remember when Dazed announced on Twitter that Bonnetcore was going to be the next trend? Ah, memories. So that CLEARLY did not happen (for better or worse) but there were a number of cute hats which disgruntled old people, namely my mother would be offended by, especially when worn by young people. It's amazing how a straw accessory can be improved upon when black flocked tulle and smart ribbon are employed with artistic flair. I still hate straw handbags though, always have and always will. Straw boaters are still utterly charming and make me wish I had the conviction to dress like I wear a school uniform everyday for the rest of my life.
What I did find surprising is that Phiney Pet teamed up with Teva. I've never really understood the appeal of Teva or Birkenstock (and the judgmental bitch in me usually labels those who wear them as basic) but I actually really liked these sandals. I couldn't find any close up photos of them on the Phiney Pet Facebook page, which is where I got these photos, but they were embellished with the ribbons which appeared on the pastel green tulle dress. I also really like the long leg, big clumpy shoe trend and like to wear the look as often as possible. More so in summer for obvious logistical reasons. So for a big nerd like myself, it's easy to imagine oneself hunching over old sandals and giving them a new lease on life after a trip to the craft store. That kind of DIY is made easier when one has easy access to a hot blue gun, but for those more invested in making handmade things last a long time, sewing sequins or buttons or whatever is also an option.
A lot of the visuals reminded me of vintage Disney as imagined by animator Mary Blair. A lot of that has to do with the imagery of small woodland creatures, a la Bambi or Snow White alongside kawaii birthday cakes. The hand-painted leather jackets, which I practically cried over they were so good also featured a similar mix of small baby animals in pastel colours and common items from the kitchen. In that way it was very much an amalgamation between nursery rhymes, Beauty and the Beast and The Great British Bake Off. For those who hate baked goods (do people like that exist?) there were a number of intricate floral pieces and tulle dresses which completely swallowed the bodies of the models. There was basically something for everyone, and for people like me, everything spoke to them on a spiritual level, but also facilitated the intellectualization of any and every piece. I have a lot of love and respect for this brand, so it makes me even happier that they've made their clothes commercially available. Unfortunately, my bank account isn't quite as happy.
Conceptually, Acne are one of my favourite brands. They have an obvious cult following around the world and exude 'cool' from every pore. Yet whenever I scour eBay looking for cheap second hand pieces I always feel uninspired when the clothes are removed from their fantastical environment of runway shows and ultra chic look books. There isn't really a concrete reason as to why I feel uninspired when viewing the same object, other than curating and executing an idea is the key to any brand or blogger's success. It's for this reason that Fall collections are probably my favourite- since there are so many ways of layering and styling each piece. Acne have always done an excellent job creating crazy new shoes which seem strangely futuristic in comparison to their classic woolen coats.
I'm obviously obsessed with the tongue in cheek 'Say No To Drugs' coat from this collection, but the tights and sneakers combinations is worth borrowing. Tbh I haven't bought a pair of chunky sneakers since I was in high school and styling them terribly but I'm kind of inspired now. Goodness knows I have to make the best of the next couple of months of mild weather before Summer starts and it's too hot to go outside. Another reason why I fawn over Fall collections but meet Resort/ Spring-Summer/ Cruise with some kind of dread and apprehension. For those with a 1960s mod fascination, Acne also made some slamming knee high boots with kooky concealed platform heel and silhouette. I wonder if these clothes are as dreamy in person as they appear under the intense studio lights.
*Images via Vogue.com
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.
What I did find surprising is that Phiney Pet teamed up with Teva. I've never really understood the appeal of Teva or Birkenstock (and the judgmental bitch in me usually labels those who wear them as basic) but I actually really liked these sandals. I couldn't find any close up photos of them on the Phiney Pet Facebook page, which is where I got these photos, but they were embellished with the ribbons which appeared on the pastel green tulle dress. I also really like the long leg, big clumpy shoe trend and like to wear the look as often as possible. More so in summer for obvious logistical reasons. So for a big nerd like myself, it's easy to imagine oneself hunching over old sandals and giving them a new lease on life after a trip to the craft store. That kind of DIY is made easier when one has easy access to a hot blue gun, but for those more invested in making handmade things last a long time, sewing sequins or buttons or whatever is also an option.
A lot of the visuals reminded me of vintage Disney as imagined by animator Mary Blair. A lot of that has to do with the imagery of small woodland creatures, a la Bambi or Snow White alongside kawaii birthday cakes. The hand-painted leather jackets, which I practically cried over they were so good also featured a similar mix of small baby animals in pastel colours and common items from the kitchen. In that way it was very much an amalgamation between nursery rhymes, Beauty and the Beast and The Great British Bake Off. For those who hate baked goods (do people like that exist?) there were a number of intricate floral pieces and tulle dresses which completely swallowed the bodies of the models. There was basically something for everyone, and for people like me, everything spoke to them on a spiritual level, but also facilitated the intellectualization of any and every piece. I have a lot of love and respect for this brand, so it makes me even happier that they've made their clothes commercially available. Unfortunately, my bank account isn't quite as happy.
