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.

Term 2

So I've survived my first week back at uni and its actually been really good. Getting used to the tube in the morning, the mad dash walk and seeing 7am was a little difficult, I really felt it by the end of the week. This term we're studying cultural studies so its something different and I'm looking forward to learning more about it. 

In Shepherds Bush, sheppyb. The only thing, Noels face, that gets me through the morning tube and sheppyb in general.

We're going to be studying the feminism movements which I'm so excited about! There's lots of reading material to get through which will make for a nice change/ valid excuse for my anti-social tendencies.

A late night trek to M&M World was a perfect way of celebrating the end of week (it's open till midnight!) and an article written for one of my favourite websites (link soon) I'm happy its the weekend. 

I've been  really focused on making my room and flat really cosy so I've stuck lots of photos and things to make it all nice. 

Rachael had done this so we know whos in and whos out of our flat.

I also suggested we move the furniture around in the flat to make it more habitable so we can all sit together :-) We've stuck fairy lights and our fave glossy ads up on the wall, our pin board is yet to be decorated in its entirety. 

One of our fridges, guess which magnets mine, its not the Ann Summers one thats Rachaels, who works at Ann Summers.

Other than meeting the halls mouse this morning (disgusting) we spoke to plantman, across the courtyard from our windows. We've been waving at him all last term. Hes nice and his dads from Manchester, I also guessed right that he was studying Physics without any hint from his room or bedroom habits, which is so freaky but I'm feeling well smug about getting it right. 

My desk last term, the post it note madness. Its much more colourful and homely now :-)

Noel Gallagher and Peter Saville in a Face magazine feature on my wall, replacing what was the first term post it note madness. Peter actually very kindly rang me up and told me about one of his pieces I was writing about for one my my essays last term which is why his face is stuck on my wall, I'm not saying any more because I'm still in shock/awe.

This is a task in the 2nd term to take 10 photos of a familiar surrounding in a way you haven't looked at it before.

A snow globe I got for my Christmas secret Santa!

Heres some room/house inspiration taken from Oyster magazine.com. These are photos from inside Courtney Loves home, photos were taken for Janexo.

 

 

 

 

Feeling a little sick from the M&Ms.

Real blog post soon.

LCF BA Catwalk show

We've had the London College of Fashion 2011 MAs it's now time for the BA's with less than an hour till showtime. With models hand picked from the streets and talent blossoming from LCFs walls we're all waiting to see the designers ideas, efforts and creations come to life. At half 6 tune into the LCF website to catch the live viewing!

I love to look at the designers profiles before the shows and pick my favourites.

Angela Brandys - http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/AngelaBrandys

Angela Brandys designs are eye catching, textural and playful. Perhaps the ultimate definition or eclectic but somehow still elegant. I love these pieces. Especially the lilac coat, not to mention the models hair!

Yeashin Kim - http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/yeashin

From an influence of sea creatures Yeashin Kim has contrasted vibrant psychedelic colours, only Christopher Kane seemed to execute perfectly until now, with muted coral and seaweed tones. But it works, flawlessly. I really like the simple side pony. Dare I say it Jessie J? In the nicest, most fashionable way.

Ya-Chiao Rexy Sung - http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/yachiaosung

"Garments from the collection are aesthetically attractive, highly finished whilst creative and breaking the boundaries of sustainable fashion." - Rexy Sung

To me Ya-Chiao Rexy Sung did it for me the moment I saw that bag.You wouldn't believe the beautiful details are made up of safety pins and nails from the pavement.

I'm in love with these pants. I don't like to over use the word wearable, but these actually are. I love the palate the fabrics and the gold embellishments. It's so city chic it makes me want to go out and get a business job just so I can look absolutely fabulous holding my coffee. Though coffee can stay away from these outfits, and will have to actually get a job first.

I'm a sucker for a collar and these are lite enough to button up and pointy enough to take your eye out without an over use of the iron half an hour before you leave.

The embellished top is far from fussy, it's warrior women with minimal effort. Plus I've not yet seen a clutch I like that's boxy, beautiful and bold, I have now.

Good luck all and have a fantastic night!

Trip to London

 This is a female reindeer at Convent Garden that took a very nice liking to me!

As you can see the tiny pen, and there was two of them! It was surrounded by groping hands trying to cop a feel of the magnificent reindeer. There was a lady dressed in a Santa outfit handing out some moss like thing children we're trying to feed them. When I finally squeezed in this reindeer I photographed above walked right over and began eating the wax fruit/grass thats decorating the pen! I was scared not going to lie. Then I tried to pet her and my Leeds fest wristband got stuck round her antlers, I thought I was going to loose an arm!!!!! But this is how clever they are, she tugged, I panicked, she bowed her head to set it free, I was amazed. Then even though I didn't have any of the moss or eaten anything previously she wouldn't leave me, sniffing at me. So I took photos like the top image but every time I tried she kept kissing the camera! Then I asked and American guy who was rudely shoving the green thing at her, what it was and he said Moss. While I asked she licked me! Which was so cute and very wet.. I was fascinated because when other people tried to pet or feed her she sharply turned her head. I felt at ease even though there was so many people around it didn't feel like there was, it was so rewarding :) then she was sort of grunting at me like proper breathing in my face over and over so I imagine this was her saying hello, so I did some form of breathy squeal back :)

This is Drury Lane where me and my mum both had a bit of an epiphany and decided to re create the iconic Beatles image, sweeeeeeet

Some buildings on Drury Lane!

We we're in London this time for London College of Fashion open day talks on Fashion Journalism and Fashion PR. I have already applied to the Journalism course but the PR one looks more fitting. Even though I have applied to UCAS I am thinking of doing an Art Foundation to really allow myself to be creative for a year, in Manchester, the city I love, have a good progression and decide where I want to go, also re access my options. There are some big changes happening in the world of work and the economy I have a gut feeling there will be a variety of options to take in education. I am set on University life though especially in London. My mum and I have had plentiful trips to London this year, it was also my first time to visit London in 2010 too so it's been so exciting. I'd say we've been around five times and I think this was the last trip so far. We went as a whole family to see the sights and the rest were Uni visits to UCA, CSM and LCF. I have good feel of London now and find is so easy to navigate around!

We also visited a very old Patisserie Maison Bertaux in Soho to visit Noel Fieldings exhibition because, you know kinda loved him since I was 12! Met Tania the owner, who is the most wonderful women e v e r, drank so many cups of tea, and eaten far to many cakes. It was so cool, every time we go to London we make a visit, a nice home away from home vibe. Noels exhibit is on till the 5th of Jan next year 2011 so go go go! Photos soon :)

Tanias webby: http://www.hooliganartdealer.com/