Back to Vintage

Well the official back to school/work year has started yet again and that means so have the vintage fairs all around the UK. Unfortunately I was unable to make it to FROCK ME! vintage fair on the 19th September in Chelsea but I am sure it was full of amazing gems and I hope to make my way over to either the next one on the 31st October or the following on the 5th December. I cannot wait!

However I was at another fantastic Frock Around the Clock last Sunday in The Holiday Inn in Belfast and there were plenty of sparkly things to satisfy any woman (or man)'s jewellery appetite. The next event on the 21st of November is sure to be the place to be to pick up those early Christmas presents.

To find out more about Frock Me! and Frock Around the Clock please find the links to their official websites under Vintage Fairs and Events down the right-hand side of this blog.

Pictures: A gorgeous ring and bracelet I picked up from Frock Around the Clock. The bracelet was bought from Jennifer Robinson Jewellery (www.Robinsongoldsmiths.com).

Smells Like....Houdini

Another style interview for all you music lovers out there, with lead singer Greg Webster (pictured centre) of the band Houdini. I strongly recommend you check out their sound if you havent already. After listening to their songs I am always taken back to my teenage days of listening to Nirvana which is no easy task. And personally I do not think there is anyone else out there at the moment who can create that sense of nostalgia and still have their own unique sound...so this blogger is putting her nose out and saying Houdini are definately a future band to watch out for.

Here is what Greg had to say in the interview.....

Name: Greg Webster

Occupation: Recording Engineer and Studio Manager

What would you say are your main passions in life?

Music, music, music, poetry, prose, recording music, gigs-playing and watching.

What made you first get involved in music?

hmm.. I remember getting some tiny casio keyboard when i was about 9 or something and starting to learn things by ear, and later at some point Nirvana and Sonic Youth and Soundgarden appeared at school. Well they didn't appear at school - THAT would've been amazing! but I mean they appeared in my school life and became the ultimate escape route from all the crap I guess. I think at that point I realised I'd love be able to do that for other people either through music or words or both.

How would you describe your sound?

By asking someone better than me at describing our sound to do it for me. We're pretty darn loud and noisy, that's a given.. and sometimes there's a melody in there when I can actually sing. we're some sorta 'alternative rock' I guess. I hate genres and all these sub-genres now. It's just sub sub sub the same old trash.. maybe we're post-classical-neo-rnb-grime-core meets the dead kennedys??

Would you say you have an interest in fashion?

Not in terms of I'm a follower of it but it intrigues the shit outta me. Totally different world to where I am at.

What do you think of vintage fashion?

I've always been in to retro clothing because it's just so much better than the shit on offer at whatever 'Top-River-Fried Chicken' places you get in the high street. I buy a new piece of clothing maybe once or twice a year and I'd most likely get it in a charity shop. And yeah it would most likely be something 'vintage' but I find vintage shops just rack up the prices for the same stuff generally.

If you had to pick a decade to live in which one would you pick and why?

I reckon the sixties for many different reasons. To be able to experience the social changes seems idealistic but in reality would probably be something quite different depending on what part you played in it all and how it affected your life and community etc. However I'd have loved to have seen some of the classic 60s bands live.. that would've been ace.

What would you say if anything influences you most when deciding what to wear? The weather and what's clean.

Any tips for readers on either style or music?

Love music. It's good for you.

And finally, What is on the cards next for Houdini?

We're busy recording a 4 song e.p. right now so I guess that'll be out before Christmas at some point, and just getting out there and playing live as much as we can really..

To find out more about Greg and Houdini check out there official website at www.houdiniband.co.uk

PICTURE CREDITS: Photo of Houdini taken by photographer Matt Bonner

Colour Pop-ing

Winter may be fast approaching but this doesn't mean your wardrobe has to be drab or that you have to stick to one colour palate. Recently I myself have been mixing it up with clashing my blacks and purples with my bright blues and oranges. It may feel wrong when you originally throw them together but if you like wearing certain items what should it matter if the colours clash?

Here in Northern Ireland where I live, fashion can be somewhat restrictive in the fact that you sometimes have to think about what you are wearing in case it would cause offence to others around you. I was made very aware of this when I went to school on non-uniform day as even then there were limits to what you could and could not wear. For example to this day I would not wear anything that had the Union Jack (despite being a past Spice Girl fan) or wear greens, oranges and creams all together because although I am not making a statement personally I could subconsciously be taken the wrong way.

I am sure in other places there are the same kind of restrictions but I think it is all a bit pants really, anyone should be allowed to wear what ever they want as long as it protects their modesty ( there are some things we should never see!).

What does everyone else think? Should we abide by the original colour rules? I would love to know what you think...

Picture: My take on colour-popping: I apologise for the state of me, I had just got soaked with rain and the wind was currently blowing in my eyes when the photo was taken.

Do You Know This Girl?

Louder Than Silence are currently searching for a woman who was at Goodwood Vintage Festival on the 14th August snapped wearing a dress by SIKA.
The person who can identify who this girl is and put them in touch with her can themselves win a SIKA dress, to find out more click on this link http://wearelouderthansilence.blogspot.com/2010/09/desperately-seeking-sika.html. If you know her please let me know as I am curious, she is definately a girl with style!

Fashion Revival

New Posts at http://www.fashionrevival.blogspot.com/. Please let me know what you think.

Photo: New orange suede stilettos - £5

Who Said You Were A Plain Jane?

As promised, here is an interview with another fabulous person, the wonderful United States-based blogger Alannah Scott (pictured). Not only does this girl have style, she is also like a fashion encyclopedia of knowledge and her blog is always one of the first I check out for inspiration. Taking images and videos from editorials, pop culture, and shopping outlets, Alannah combines all her inspirations and truly reflects who she is, without apologises. Truly someone to take note of, so with out further a do, here is Alannah in her own words....

Name: Alannah Scott
Age: 20 years old
Occupation: Fashion Design student/ Visual Artist

What are your main passions in life?
My passion in life is to inspire other people while still inspiring myself at the same time. My passion is to create beautiful things

How important is fashion and style to you?

Fashion and I have a very love and hate relationship…Fashion in itself is cruel, and can be bias but the design and presentation aspect when it comes to fashion is what I’m in love with the freedom to express yourself visually on your body is amazing. Style to me is not so important because everyone has their own unique style but I think its plays an very important role of how people view you.

What in fashion gets you excited?
Some of the things in fashion that get me excited are the detail and back story that designers put into their collections. Because anyone can assume what the designer’s inspiration was for the collection but to actually see a mood board and how designers think (which is rarely done) is amazing and inspirational in itself.
If you had to choose 3 fashion staples what would they be?
1. A Rick Owens leather jacket, a Chanel Black lamb XL jumbo flap bag (http://tinyurl.com/2893sbp), and a pair of YSL shoes…Its so hard to narrow it down to just 3!
Who are your favourite designers?
I have way too many favorite designers! Raf Simons for Jil Sander, Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Luella Bartley, The Mulleavy sisters for Rodarte, Miuccia Prada, Viktor & Rolf, Jeremy Scott, and Stefano Pilati…There are a lot of new designers out there that I should be mentioning but these are the main ones that I truly adore.
With the choice to pick anybody from any decade as a style icon who would you pick?
I would pick Andy Warhol. The genius himself
How would you describe your own style?
I would describe my style as Plain Jane (hence my blog name) I’m really into neutrals when it comes to colors; black, grays, white, tans, etc. I’m not a very stand out-ish type person. Right now I’m not really into loud prints and patterns but hey my style always changes so I’m always up for change.
Where would you say you get your style inspiration from?
I get my style inspiration from anywhere and almost anything but right now I mostly get style inspiration from old ad campaigns from the 40s-90s, like at the moment I’m really in love with old Prada and Jil Sander advertisements. I think they’re so classic and that’s the sort of style I’m into.
Do you think sometimes fashion can be restrictive in what is available to the general public?
Of course high-end fashion brands that I’ve noticed only carry certain items in certain places like in specific countries. I think it’s really sad. But now a days other budget friendly stores are knocking off high-end brands and making their own spin off of what we see on the runway and selling it for a wallet friendly cost.

Why and when did you first start to blog?
I started my blog PLANEE JANE in the summer of 2008 I basically started it because I wanted to have a place that I could store my inspiration of pictures, thoughts and ideas or whatever came to my mind. Back in 2008 blogs weren’t as exciting or as important as they are now but also I didn’t even really feel the need to share it with anyone but until one day when I thought to myself why not share the things that inspire me with other people? Present some things to my friends and also other readers that maybe they wouldn’t really be into… and from there it’s been history!
Would you recommend others to try it?
Yes I would recommend people to try blogging it’s a great way to vent and talk about the things you enjoy or network and share information. Although I do think that bloggers have killed true journalism in a way…I can go on and on about this but to make a long story short we’re living in the 21st century and technology has taken over! So there’s not much we can do!
What is next for Alannah and Planee Jane?
The next thing for me is to create a new personal blog! I’m so excited the new blog that I’m working on right now will involve more of my life and myself and more art, visual concepts, and my work. I’ve been working on the new blog for maybe a year and a half now because I want things to be perfect. I‘ve also been saving up for a high quality camera for quite some time now so hopefully 2011 I will be able debut the new site. As for Planee Jane, it will be a sweet transition into a new site my new site will be a more grown up version of PJ.
Finally, any fashion and style tips?

Style tips…hmm stay true to yourself (I know that sounds very cheesy) but through life we go through phases and our style changes as we change. But some people find themselves trying to be everything but like anyone else when really you’re a combination of everything else…stop taking things so seriously and literal and just have fun when it comes to dressing!

To find out more about Alannah Scott and Planne Jane please visit her blog http://www.planeejane.blogspot.com/ , you won't be disappointed!

Vintage Starts at Home

For those who say 'I cannot afford to buy vintage' remember

you might already own a few items or be close by them without even knowing.

That old musty colourful sweater you used to see your mum wear when you were little, now equals a vintage warm winter dress.

The spotty green long-skirt your granny hasn't worn for years, is now a lovely 50s inspired prom-dress with the help of some netting underneath.

Your dad's old checked work shirts now become the key piece in your country girl look.

Even your younger brother's old t-shirts now become retro crop-tops with Elmo and Kermit prints.
And the good thing is it never cost you a penny and you are free to try out your own creations on them as they are no longer of use to their original owner (though do ask permission first).

I encourage you to give it a go, you never know what you might find!

Photo: My own vintage home find: my dad's old Barbour jacket. Although a little big I love the way it hangs and think it goes great for grunging-up any girly outfit.

A Day of Doubt

We all have them; moments of self-doubt, where we look at ourselves in the mirror and ask can I pull this off, I'm I qualified, I'm I really what they want etc. Well I was/still having one of those days today.

It all started when I woke up and realised that the stress I have been going through lately with the aftermath of the recession was showing all over my face in large red blotchy spots. At the best of times I do not have perfect skin but today it is extra bad and I unfortunately do not own any concealer so if I have a bad case of acne, I just have to live with it.

I then decided as I had a few spare hours to myself I would take some photos, however they did not exactly turn out how I'd hoped when I uploaded them to my computer. The main focus of the photo was in complete darkness due to bad lighting; I do not have or believe in photoshop and really did not feel like trying to shoot them all over again so in the end it resulted in a very non-productive day.

Saying this today has really got me thinking...self-doubt is something I have struggled with most of my life but even more so over these past few months and I have realised it really isn't healthy. If I would have had the confidence to begin the day positively this morning maybe I wouldn't be in the situation I am in now; beating myself up over the stupid things I did not achieve.

Self-doubt is really only the failure of the challenges you have set yourself in your own head, not the failure of anything else. We have to remember each human being is unique and we have our own special gifts and looks. And maybe if we just stopped setting ourselves unrealistic goals for a moment then possibly the glimpses of self-doubt we have would be easier to deal with?

I would love to know how anyone else has squashed their own moments of self-doubt and if they have any positive tips for others. If you do just leave a comment after this post. And remember there is no need to fear; doubt is a universal problem and not just your own.

Photo: One of the photos taken today while I was testing the camera. Unfortunately I cannot erase the acne from my chin.