Friday 16 May 2014

OOTD: Vogue Fashion Night Out






Huzzah! Yet again I commence another blog post attempting to excuse some kind of lengthy absence. Although at least this time, it's of a self-imposed nature, rather than being due to being busy. I started this blog in an attempt to chronicle what I wear, however, since I'm a bit of a perfectionist, this just results in me feeling like I need to photograph anything interesting I wear, or that I 'can't' re-wear entire outfits that I've already worn. Which is of course, an unsustainable model. Maybe when I'm 41, and I've had another 20 years to accumulate blazers and business shirts from Salvo's and Vinnies.

But of course, I don't blog just to chronicle my outfits - a large part of it comes down to the styling aspect, or the wish to convey a certain mood, a certain character (which is of course, half the joy of dressing). There's also the photographic aspect - I've always enjoyed messing around with a camera, and I have thousands of ridiculous photographs to prove it*. Photography takes a lot of patience, especially self-portraiture - it only takes one small thing to ruin, or diminish a photo. Funnily enough, most of my more awkward photos are because my limbs are in a silly place. But then, I feel like an absolute idiot trying to look all fancy and editorial-like when I photograph myself, or when someone else photographs me - I just can't help but feel conceited, or self-absorbed. Of course, everyone, especially anyone raised in an individualistic society, is self-absorbed to some extent, but I can't help but feel as though this feeling of self-absorption is mainly due to poor self-image, and the ridiculous standard of beauty presented to us by the media at large. And that's another reason why I blog - to write - and yet, I really do so little of that. Fashion is a fairly fascinating industry to dissect, and it's something I regularly do, but I don't bother to write it all down. 

So in many ways, this self-imposed hiatus has been good - for one, I've failed to photograph so many outfits now there is no feasible way I could ever catch up :P It also has given me time to think, especially in terms of why I actually want to blog, as opposed to why I feel obligated to. A small difference in perspective, but realistically, the feeling of obligation can ruin about anything. Also, instagram for example, allows me to quickly record my more 'interesting' outfits, although my Mum is constantly asking me why I'm taking another photo of my feet. 

Now I've gotten all philosophical about blogging and such (as one does)........first set of images taken with my DSLR! I have a whole bunch I need to sort through and edit (i.e. fix lighting issues), which shall arrive when they arrive. And also the last set from USYD style 2013 :) I've enjoyed messing around with my camera thus far, although I really need to invest in a remote so I can get adventurous and not stand next to trees or in front of walls so auto-focus works right. Always an exciting prospect :P 

As usual, see this on LOOKBOOK here and CHICTOPIA here :) I'm going to go through comments and such in the next few weeks, since I tend to be terrible at replying sometimes and let them pile up. Sorry about that, it's a ridiculous cycle of procrastination.


  *I just checked and apparently it's up to 23, 392 files in my 'Camera' folder. I also have a whole bunch of analogue photographs stashed everywhere from my early days with disposable and basic film cameras. I think the worst part here is that I'm not surprised I've surpassed 20 000 photographs, and almost expected it to be higher. At least it should be entertaining to organise......

Thursday 27 February 2014

Five Ways to Survive Fashion Week

Or in other words, how to channel my immense wish to currently be in Paris towards something productive. It's probably a good thing my passports are out of date so I don't just accidently buy tickets to Europe or something. Oh well, I only own one coat that's actually Europe-weather-appropriate anyway. 

 Image credits clockwise from top left:  Le 21ème, Phil Oh, Tommy Ton, Le 21ème, Tommy Ton, Street Peeper and Street Peeper.

 1. Firstly, as it's winter in the northern hemisphere, layering up is a necessity. Thus; learning the art of gallavanting around with a coat draped over one's shoulders is just as essential. Whilst this may give you the edge of je ne sais quoi via nonchalant nonsense; it also allows you to show off all those layers lingering beneath your coat. Functionality wise, it acts to protect you from the cold wind whilst preventing overheating. And lord knows you don't want to carry the damn thing inside the shows.....







Image credits clockwise from top left: Zu Shoes, Wittner Shoes, Wittner Shoes, and Wittner again :P, Jeffrey Campbell, Jeffrey Campbell and UNIF.

 2. It's time to dig deep within your closet, and pull out every pair of shoes you own that confer any sort of vertical advantage sans stilleto heel. Thank god flatforms and platforms of every shape and size are invariably in every second or third season. Even an inch of platform brings you out of the snow and (somewhat) closer to being able to make eye contact with those blessed of limb.






 Image credits clockwise from top left: American Apparal (red and coral), Ameican Apparal Striped (grey and red), Happy Socks Heart, Happy Socks Big Dot, Happy Socks Hawaii, Bonds Sheer Purple, Bonds Sheer Red, Bonds Cable Pink.


3.  Since sandals of every platformed and flatformed reincarnation have been appearing lately, and the age old faux pas of wearing socks with sandals is suddenley sartorially relevent, your favourite pair is now winter appropriate. Yes, I know I live in Australia, and as such I have never really experienced 'cold', but seriosuly, just chuck on a second pair, and play with them until one pokes out above the other. Bonus points for coordinating coloured socks to your ensemble, but otherwise, monochrome provides a chic and modern take. Just make sure your shoes have enough platform to prevent wet socks...no one likes wet socks.


 Image credits clockwise from top left: Everpurse, Hustlebag, Phorce.

4. Whilst it is too late to get anything shipped to Fashion Week, if you're desperate to maintain your phones charge all day long without having to loiter near a valuable power point, it pays to invest for next season. Hustlebag and Everpurse provide a stylish and practical way to charge your phone (althought only Hustlebag is currently available at this time). Hustlebag also ships to London, if you're super desperate (and optimistic about the Commenwealth's postal system and it's ability to forward on mail to Paris). And for those with more hefty charging needs, keep your eye on the soon to be released Phorce - a briefcase, messenger bag and backpack all in one that charges up to three usb powered devices, with the capability to charge laptops and Macbooks. And it comes in red....





  Image credits clockwise from top left: Albion Street, Harlem, The Signature, Rome in a Day, Centro, and , Uptown all from Get Me to New York.

5.Whilst there is no guarantee that purchasing enough of these scarves will get you to New York, there is no denying that you probably won't care as much with one of their New York themed scarves. They also have a plethora of non-big-apple themed scarves for those who are more obsessed with beautifully printed silk scarves. They're also reasonably priced...somehow I remembered them as being four times the price, so now I almost feel like a 4 for 1 sale  is on almost...thankfully my spending money online capabilities are severely (and willingly, for the sake of self control) limited.


A note on my choice of brands and products:

I tried to use Australian brands wherever possible, because I'm a patriot in that way. I also tried to use smaller businesses wherever possible, because I'm a big fan of supporting small businesses - especially when it comes down to fashion (unless you can afford to buy all the Dior, Celine, Miu Miu and Saint Laurent you want...then I won't stop you). Either I personally love the brands products (Wittner shoes, check how much I wear them on my instagram, same with ZU shoes), or I support the brands values and philosophy's, and would like to buy their products (e.g. Hustlebag, Phorce and Everpurse, Get Me to New York, etc). In terms of American Apparal, I really dislike their extreme overreliance on oversexualisation and sexual objectification in their advertisements, but I'm a big fan of how they manufacture their goods - in the US, for a fair wage, and in a working environment they are continually trying to improve.

No person or brand asked me to promote their products, company, name or image for this post, and all selections have been made based off personal choice and wherever Google happened to direct me.



Friday 7 February 2014

I've been feeling old, I've been feeling cold, You're the heat that I know






And here we are, at the last set of outfit pictures before we cross over into DSLR territory. How exciting :D In other news, my first youtube video is now online. I feel pretty nervous and all, but I'm also pretty excited, and I think this will be good for me in terms of confidence and learning to speak a bit clearer (slower with reduced reliance on filling space with umm and like :P). I originally planned to do a tutorial on styling a white button up shirt, but I couldn't manage the introduction without supreme awkwardness, so I thought I'd break my youtubeginity by making a '50 facts about me' video, which was surprisingly pretty easy to do. I blame my immense ability to blab on and on about myself. I hope you like the thumbnail I chose - since I neglected to actually take a photo for the thumbnail (silly me), the best I could get was me smiling like an eight year old :P

Otherwise, I wore this back in August to uni one day. Hence the photo's in front of a big sandstone building :P I should really return to usyd for outfit photos this month before the undergraduate's arrive in smarch.... realistically, I'm only comfortably letting so many people judge me and my tripod.  

As I mentioned last time I posted an outfit with this skirt, I was happy to stumble across it - my sister has a dress made of the same fabric, but I can't wear it because it strangles me....yeah, I'm not willing to sacrifice the feeling of not being strangled for fashion :P And yes, I own this same coat in blue and I'd be happy to own it in every colour if it didn't involve resewing all the buttons upon purchase (whilst the rest of it is fairly well made, the buttons are in no way properly attached). Actually, when you think about it, I've had plenty of cheap clothing that would have been great if they sewed the buttons on properly.... 



Lace Blouse - Stella McCartney for Target (Also see here, here and here :P)
Cherry Blossom Skirt - Paper Heart 
White Coat - Miracle 
Belt from my Mumma :)
Studded Loafers - Wittner Shoes
Assorted Jewellery that I either bought forever ago, inherited, or was given

As per usual, you can find this on LOOKBOOK and CHICTOPIA.

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Have you no idea that you're in deep? I dreamt about you nearly every night this week






Firstly, I'm entering the lovenailtree x LOOKBOOK competition, so if you're here, please make my day and go over there and read my little bit of prose (from a piece of writing I'm hoping to continue), and hype my look (you just need facebook). I've always loved writing; so the connection of my two creative outlets (writing and fashion) is really enticing to me - basically, the brand is going to 'bring five stories to life' in a special collection.


Sticking to song lyrics for post titles, because I have always sucked at naming things. See: my photographic musings as a 14 year old. (Here, I should have linked you to my deviant art or something, but why would I put you through that? I'm not that mean....). Thank you Triple J for directing me towards songs to play on repeat....and congratulations to Lorde for getting three songs in the top 15, and finagling number 2. And then going on to win two grammy's. Can you tell I like Lorde?

I think I look like an eight year old in the second picture (which is basically why I included it). Otherwise, I can't help but adore the appeal of this blazer and black button up shirt together. I'll have to wear it with the white pants I finally own. Which are thankfully denim, and (non-chlorine) bleach friendly, for when I inevitably stain them (somehow). But otherwise, these fuchsia shorts are the perfect colour to pair with navy, and I've recently fallen in love with navy :P I've also recently bought far too much clothing. So many pants - I wish I had them last year, when I had labs all the time. Oh well :P Now I just have to wait until the temperature drops...oh, out of season sale shopping. 

In other news, I've basically finished editing my first video, so that will be live with my next outfit post. How exciting :P I hope you all had a great Australia Day Long Weekend - it was great to relax, and for once, it must have been nice to go to Big Day Out (Not being about 35-40°C).

See this on LOOKBOOK here and CHICTOPIA too. And keep up to my more daily happenings on INSTAGRAM (which I spend too much time on).

Sunday 19 January 2014

University of Sydney Style - Week 3

I'm sorry for the absolutely massive delay in posting these - especially to those I've photographed. After this, I have enough photos for one more post, so that should be up in the next couple of weeks. I have everyones names written down alongside what degree they were pursuing, but it's been so long and I'm not sure if I've gotten it right - and I'm also missing the name of the first beautiful lady - so let me know if you know her name (or if that's you :P) - it ended up being backspaced at some point, because her degree is still there (and in future, I know to take better notes. You think labs would have taught me this by now).

Now, the future of USYD style - if you've been reading my blog, you may have heard that I'm taking this year off from studying - so obviously, I won't be at USYD daily. However, I'll most likely end up visiting my friends doing med and honours on campus, and if I do, I'll bring my fancy new DSLR along (it's not that fancy, but it's a big step up from a point and shoot, so that's good enough for me). 

In the meantime however, I'd like to keep USYD Style going - even if I'm not taking the photos myself. So, if you're interested in photographing students around campus, and doing a bit of a write up for each person (it doesn't need to follow any particular format  - you can describe what you liked, or you can interview the person, I don't mind), send me an email at usydstyle@gmail.com, or contact me on the facebook page. I set up a USYD style specific blogspot a while ago, so it would be posted there, as well as on the facebook page. I'm not advertising for a single or permanent position currently, more on a per-post basis. Just send me an email beforehand, and I'll let you know a few more specifics about what I'm looking for photo-wise. If you're interested in continuing after a few posts, I'll consider a more permanent position. And oh look, I bolded things, so you could get to the point quickly :P





This lovely lady studies Arts, specifically French, English and Gender Studies.  A very feminine look reminiscent of the pin-up era, despite the demure nature. The dash of red lipstick and red flowers perfectly accent an otherwise dark colour palette.




Natasha, studying Media and Communications, has struck just the right balance of structure and ease for a monochrome look.


 
Sebastian is studying Arts/Science, with a major in film and performance. I ended up seeing him a few weeks after this in theatresports, and he was pretty hilarious. 

Because, as I've said before, with guys it just comes down to outwear and shoes for an easy and laidback, but still stylish look. Although that principle realistically isn't gender specific...see blazers and heels. (That demonstrated my point much more than I expected....)





Georgia is currently studying arts, specifically Psychology. I absolutely adore the vibrancy in this outfit, it's one of those outfits where your eye is drawn to each part gradually to create an eclectic whole. If you get what I mean... I'm kind of wishing I could just 3D print her cardigan right now.





Caroline studies Science/Arts, majoring in Marine Biology and Modern Greek Language. I fell in love with all the texture in this outfit - I love the romantic and innocent feeling created by a soft pink palette, alongside the contrast provided by the bag and the boots, preventing it from being overtly feminine and sweet. I adore Caroline's bag, which she picked up in Morocco - the textured detail was just exquisite in person.

That's it for now - thank you for reading, and for waiting since August for these to appear. I hope 2013 treated you all well, and you're all ready and excited for whatever endeavours you have planned for the nest year. 

Remember to email me at usydstyle@gmail.com if you're interested in taking some photos for USYD style :)

Friday 17 January 2014

Lace and Printed Paisley











Oh look, pictures of me floating in the air like an idiot. Just what you needed to see :P That and me attempting to eat a handbag my mum 'lent' me a few years ago.

So rather than naming things date-wise, I've been attempting descriptive titles. You can probably see why I usually just rely on song lyrics... Anyhoo. First post of the year and all that. Welcome to 2014 - I hope you all enjoyed your holiday period, and are refreshed (enough). It was really great to actually relax, and spend some time with family and friends. And of course, eat a lot of good food :P Because honestly, the whole point of Christmas is family and food. At least in my opinion :P 

I recently spent some time messing around with my camera filming myself, so expect a video from me at some point in the impending future - head over to my new (empty :P) youtube channel and subscribe if you'd like to see that as soon as it happens. I'll be doing fashion tutorials and discussions of issues, or something along that line. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to see :)

On another note, my sister and I are currently in the process of starting our own business selling handmade jewellery, so stay tuned to hear more about that :) 

You can see this on LOOKBOOK and CHICTOPIA too, if you'd like me to check out your personal style :)
 

Blazer - Target (borrowed from my sister, Clare)
Lace Blouse - Tokito
Lace Bustier - Kmart (what up)
Black Jeans - Levi's
Shoes - Wittner
Belt - La Franche

Friday 13 December 2013

Within the Mirror


















And these will be the last outfit photo's taken with the Sony point and shoot I starting using in 2010. Oh thank god. When it comes down to it, a camera is a camera, and I'm not going to complain as long as I have a camera, and a tripod. I've been playing around with photography since I was 14 or though, so I recently took the plunge, and put a bit of money in so I get could a DSLR for my birthday. I ended up getting a Canon 600D, I'm fairly happy - it's amazing how satisfying it is to take photographs which a proper camera, which is mechanical (i.e. the single lens reflex, as well as the focus and zoom on the lens). Now to begin experimentation.

Speaking of, if anyone knows how to manually focus with a self-timer, let me know. I have a dress making mannequin, so I could set that up and focus on it, but that severely restricts my ability to go places. Also, I'd have to get it out of the way each time, and I imagine that will end with bodily harm to myself and/or mannequin. I'm also assuming I'll have an easier time getting myself in focus relative to the background once I figure out aperture. Any tips would be appreciated :) 

I have about six posts left before we cross-over to DSLR territory, so I'll let you know :) 

Again with the feelings of 'my hair is so short here' even though it has hardly gotten that much longer. Although I can tie it up now :3 

See this on LOOKBOOK here and CHICTOPIA also.