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

Valley of the Dolls

Wearing: J.W. Anderson X Topshop sweater, Asos faux fur scarf, Karen Walker sunglasses, DIY skirt and J.W. Anderson pearl heels.

Today's look was in part inspired by the picket fence at my boyfriend's holiday home and the vivid photography of Alex Prager. It's also a continuation of this moodboard I made at the end of last year. Tbh I just really wanted to wear pastel tones, a killer pair of shades and most of all double J.W. Anderson.

HOW AMAZING ARE MY SHOES GUYS?? (I know I say that every time I buy a new pair but cmon)

The heels are made from real mother of pearl and they're the perfect combination of leather and brushed suede. Anyway, Alex Prager creates stunning visual films and photographs featuring vivid blue skies and women with porcelain skin. 

1, 6- Alex Prager. 2 & 3- Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963). 4- Desiree by Alex Prager, 2008. 5- Bye Bye Birdie (1963). 7- Grease (1978). 8- Cindy Sherman's untitled film stills. 9- Despair by Alex Prager, 2010.

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.

Wild Flower

Wearing: Meadham Kirchhoff X Topshop sweater, Cue skirt, Shrimps fur clutch and Lipstik jelly sandals.

Orange used to be my favourite colour as a child but it's not something that I really wear on a daily basis. This problem is confounded by having to wear gross or grubby clothes when I am conducting lab work which is basically Monday- Friday at the moment. The real reason is that this skirt and sweater are just about the only orange things I have in my wardrobe. I'd like to change that, but first I have to have a huge wardrobe clean out (which is slowly happening you guys!). It's also been lots of fun to really look at everything in my wardrobe and challenge myself to wear pieces which don't get enough love. I've also been exploring make up a little bit more, but in very unconventional ways since I know next to nothing about how to cosmetics in general. While wearing body glitter as eye shadow proved to be slightly hazardous, the good thing about wearing highlighter on your face is that it comes off easily with water.

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.