Bailey's Stardust

The 60’s Fashion Photographer and pop culture icon David Bailey is coming to London.  This year from the 6^th February – 1^st June 2014 Bailey will be exhibiting his works in the National Portrait Gallery.  This famous British fashion photographer has given us hundreds of iconic images and worked with so many of the fab and famous.  I for one will be along to view – I just love his work. 

  

// Jean Shrimpton, Bailey's muse

Looking as beautiful as ever

What I really love about David Bailey’s photography is that, whilst his images are so strong and powerful, he always brings a real beauty to his subjects.  I think his images are really strong and powerful whilst retaining a real beauty to his subjects.  What else can I say ….? 

// The Beatles 

Some of the many pop icons Bailey's photographed 

London Collections: Men, arriving January 2014

This year London will be kick starting new menswear collections from 6^th – 8^th January.  For the first time, the designer showrooms will be split between two venues (all mapped out on the official London Collections website.)  This showcase of British brands and businesses will once again provide a creative and cultural programme, highlighting the importance of Britain’s brands as well as featuring  new and upcoming trends and talents. Watch out for updates on the scheduled shows on here and the official site.

"The inaugural men's week was far more successful than any of us anticipated, and we have been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm for the project from designers, retailers, buyers and the press. LC: M has already contributed to the changing perception of menswear in this country, and our plans for the next week in January, and beyond, will hopefully build on this." - Dylan Jones, Editor GQ & Chair of the Menswear Committee.

Good news then for all of us – those working to bring something new to our wardrobes, men who enjoy looking good - and men and women who appreciate the view. 

  

The Month for Sprouting a Moustache

November is almost upon us and what does that mean… It means a growing number of furry faced men.  That’s right, Movember!!  This great campaign is to raise awareness and support for prostate and testicular cancer.  Movember is an independent charity and, since 2003, has had a huge impact on men’s health and gone global with its campaigns.  You can help raise money for this important charity by signing up on their official website or, at least encourage the men in your lives to get involved and ‘grow their own’ – the challenge is simple, start Movember with a clean shaven face and spend the rest of the month  nurturing the best, most wondrous, creative moustache you can.  At least make a better job of it than your mates!  And if you want some celebrity competition, this year Mr Men characters are joining in! (Really)

So what do you think?  Are you up for it? Anybody want to share their top tips for growing/caring for your facial hair? 

Throughout the month I will be getting out and about the streets of London to find the best ‘tashes.  So keep your eyes peeled for new postings throughout the month.  For now here’s some of my favourite moustaches pulled straight from the official Movember website.

Apologies for my absence

I would like to apologise to you lovely readers for my recent absence of a whole two months!  I’m afraid I have been jet setting in the south of France (well, I went on holiday there with my mates) and have since been getting back into the rhythm of uni coursework.  But fear not, I am back and shall be taking my blog a lot more seriously with more regular blog posts and a visual re-styling in the next few weeks – something a bit more me! I would very much love to hear your comments on my posts and the topics covered so please feel free to respond.  Equally if you are having problems commenting on the site (as I know blogger can be a bit uncooperative at times!) feel free to drop me an email any time at l.cooper@students.rave.ac.uk.  Happy blogging. 

Fit not Thin!

This weekend Daisy Lowe teamed up with The Sunday Times to launch their new ‘Fit not Thin’ campaign.  The message is that fit is the new thin, encouraging women to focus on building their strength rather than shedding the pounds.  Top personal trainer and ex-Olympic speed skater, Sarah Lindsay, told the Sunday Times she thinks “the message that fit is the new thin is brilliant, I applaud Daisy Lowe not bowing to pressure to be model skinny.  It’s extremely encouraging given the size zero look that has plagued the past decade”.  She goes on to say how she thinks the Olympics has had an influence on this view and that more and more of her customers are asking for guidance to tone up rather than just lose weight.

So how do we think the fashion industry will take to this idea?  I think it’s about time women’s attitude towards body shapes and sizes got a little healthier and focused on being fitter rather than trying to achieve unhealthy goals.  Hopefully this shift in attitude will influence the fashion industry when it comes to model casting, although I think this will take time.  We know a lot of people within fashion like their stick thin models as they believe this look retains an element of ‘exclusivity’ but working hard for a fit body seems much more aspirational than just starving oneself, wouldn’t you agree?  

Oxford Street partners LFW

This year Oxford Street is to launch a 17 day festival which will give shoppers the opportunity to mix with top designers and catwalk stars in the run up to LFW.  This collaboration comes as part of Oxford Street’s £25 million five-year re-branding programme to reaffirm its position as ‘the most powerful fashion destination in the world.’

Oxford Street is joining forces with the British Fashion Council to bring exciting pop up events.  These will include big names in the fashion industry making appearances in stores to offer high end makeovers, styling sessions and guidance talks for those interested in a career in the industry.  Stores such as Debenhams, Selfridges, Topshop, John Lewis, H&M and Gap are a few of the many to get involved!  This is a great idea to promote LFW and Oxford Street and I can’t wait to get my pointy elbows and marching boots to get to the front of the queues.  See you there…  

Leading Ladies from M&S

Marks and Spencer’s has had a lot of press coverage saying the company has been struggling this past decade, not meeting customer expectations.  They have been accused of losing their way and failing to respond to the needs of its customers. 

Officially launched September 3rd M&S are responding with a campaign called ‘Leading Ladies’.  New adverts feature a dozen successful women, considered at the top of their fields.  They include Nicola Adams, Darcey Bussell, Tracey Emin, Monica Ali, Dame Helen Mirren, Laura Mvula, Hellen Allen, Jasmine Whitbread, Katie Piper, Karen Elson Ellie Goulding and Grace Coddington and all ad’s have been shot by Annie Leibovitz.

The concept is that successful women or “Leading Ladies” will want to remain fashionable as they mature and M&S will help them do that.  “We wanted this campaign to signal a new and confident tone of voice,” said Patrick Bousquest-Chavanne, executive director of marketing and business developments at M&S

It will be interesting to see how women respond to the campaign and whether customers will return.  Speaking to my mum and nan on their thoughts behind the campaign they think that whilst some of the styles have gone adrift this is still a shop where they get good customer service and fair quality at a fair price.  Its somewhere they have always popped into and still regularly purchase basic items.  So if they can get their act together and tempt them with more stylish fashion choices, they’ll be picking up more that their regular tights, socks and food items.