Street-style: Manchester, Northern Quarter

Other than this horrid cold I've been battling with, get the violins out, I've been very busy! I'm constantly writing which is a plus, I've gotten back into the habit of reading everything in sight and have been making the effort to setting aside some time with my beloved magazines, like I used to.

I've really missed reading ELLE like I did religiously when I was 14, usually in RE class (I got an A in RE class I'll have you know). I think there was something about coming to the capital, doing the course I've worked so hard to get on and at one of the best fashion schools in the world that was a little too much to adapt to in one go. However now I've passed my first term and already into the second, I feel like I can truely appreciate where I am, my family who support me and how much effort I put in. Its nice to appreciate things to look forward to whats ahead, hardwork will never be underestimated even if its only to satisfy myself. What I'm trying to say it's important not to give up or get lazy and expect everything handed to me.

I'm really looking forward to making a scrap book of all the exhibitions I visit like my friend does, its a good way of reflecting on what you might of seen especially as deadlines get closer. Its comforting to know theres life outside of Word documents.

Fashion week is here hurray! I'll be glued to my Blackberry and online streams this seasons, maybe next season I'll be lucky enough to experience it in person.

In other news, I was snapped on Oxford Street the other day after a Monday at uni, rummaging in the well stocked library in between my lectures, seminars and workshops. It was a great experience as the week before I was back home for the weekend and in Manchester photographing people in the Northern Quarter for my street style essay. So it was interesting to be on the receiving side! The photos were taken by David Nyanzi for Asos magazine so it was a nice start to my week, even with the cold at the time!

Here are a few of my images I took in Manchester's Northern Quarter:

I took these photos in a mission to find a trend to research and write about for an assignment this term. I really like the way these people carry different looks and play with accessories.

Everyone I took photos of in Manchester were so friendly. It was so nice to spend my weekend in my home town city where I used to spend every weekend growing up. Spending my weekends hanging out on Urbis gardens listening to music, back combing my hair and generally up keeping my image through fashion as a teen mosher/scene kid is such a past time for me. 

So it's nice to still be able to come, hang out in town at the weekends in not only the coolest part of town, the Northern Quarter, but actually document the trends and Manchester's youth culture thats happening today. 

Its nice to be able to progress as an individual and still feel apart of it.

I'm near to the full pace of deadline mania so I'm going to keep calm, stay moderately sane, work hard and try to have fun with my work that I love.

ASOS Meets (The Drums and CSS!)





ASOS the well known etailer has paired up with the coolest musicians around for a series of videos 'ASOS Meets.' Where we get to find what inspires them, what their style is and who are their favourite bands. 

CSS feel clothing should make you feel empowered - especially on stage. Adriano Cintra always found himself wanting to stay in his school uniform all day, his style icon was David Bowie go figure, hes not alone only I used listen to Bowie whilst wearing my uniform, usually in Math class. Luísa Hanae Matsushita aka Lovefoxxx,  loves her make up, it's fun. Lovefoxxx also wants to be naked on stage most of the time. CSS are playing at Manchester Academy in August, I've wanted to seen them for so long!

Ahh the Drums! Johnny is so cute. 'Denim? I wear denim everyday...' As a band the Drums feel it matters what they wear, which is anything pattened in a polo's buttoned to the top style in mustard or beetroot tones paired with dusty jeans. What they wear affects the story of their music, it has to fit. Clothing and music are very important partners.

The Drums music and style are influenced from bands such as the Ramones and the beloved Smiths.

And get this, ASOS are offering 20% off denim when you enter the code: DRUMSDENIM

I feel like getting these myself. Link here!

I love how the ASOS videos have the handheld recording effect set in the crackling Nevada Desert home to Coachella (only the coolest festival in the world!)

Now listen to some of my favourite songs from these musicians, look for jeans and happy shopping!

P.s check out ASOS, their online magazine, July issue with Zoe Kravitz (who has to have the coolest rockstar dad on the planet) on the cover, theres also a cute video to watch of the shoot too!  

I really love how street fashion is going through a oh so sixties transitional stage and that music is a main influence where anything goes at a festival, shopping vintage is a hobby and clashing prints is an art form.

The Only Way is Essex







Yes I am a fan of The Only Way is Essex, on ITV2 Sundays and Wednesdays, it's great! It almost fools you into thinking being very brown and permently wearing false eyelashes is OK - well - it is if you live in Essex, apparently.

This is where I found out about the brand AQUA, whome of which I now adore. It was this dress that started it all. It can be bought on ASOS.com for £180, I really love the red one on Lydia but I think if I was to purchase it with the no money and no job I have, it would have to be the black. The red compliments her blonde here and 'sun kissed' skin.

If you're a fan of Lydia and the Only Way is Essex too, check out Lydias style blog here! The Runway Towards The Glamorous Spotlights is where Lydia can post where she gets all of her outfits from reducing the amount of requests on twitter! I think Lydia should post more often on twitter about this blog so she wouldn't get the tweets after each show as I found out from a friend.

The Only Way is Essex on twitter:

@OnlyWayIsEssex, @LydiaRoseBright,

@MissAmyChilds, @RealJamesArgent,

@JoeyEssex_, @JessWright_Lola,

@MarkWright_, @LaurenGoodger

@SamanthaFaiers, @LaurenPope,

@Kirk_Official