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.

Coachella, how I long





Here are the very best of Coachella's festival styles to inspire and translate into our own festival wardrobes. If I had my way, I would dress like this everyday. But unfortunately I can't. It rains an awful lot and when it snows, it snows. We're thankful when it's sunny in the UK, like now, which is when we avoid the sun tan lotion in order to burn, I mean tan, and slap on the clubmasters.

Did anyone else manage to catch the Coachella live stream on youtube? I watched two of my favourite bands, The Drums and Two Door Cinema Club! I missed Duran Duran and Cut Copy though, gutted.

 I would like to go to Coachella one day - who wouldn't!

Whitney Port



A knot can really add texture to an outfit, or in Whitney's case a simple layered vest. I adore the pink, floral shorts as I have a similar pair I bought from Tesco, I know, for Leeds festival last year. I wore them all the time!



Whitney Port

Whitney definitely has festival wear nailed, I suppose it helps when you're from sunny LA. The whole Coachella boot as the main footwear is something I would love to try out this year, but I think I might just stick to my Hunters, you know, just in case. White is such a good summer staple it really connotes a boho feel. Whitney's also channeling the monochrome trend by pairing the white lace with black boots. She has the cutest sunglasses and 90's hair you ever did see. So happy I bought a gold chain for my reading glasses now!

Rhianna

Rhianna is wearing a cameo jacket at the night to shield her from the evening festival breezes. The black vest and stone wash denim works well with such a strong pattern.

Vanessa Hudgens

I'm loving Vanessa's rebellious streak as it's got to be hard attending the festival she usually goes too with her now ex - but still very hot - boyfriend, Zac Efron. Shes got a carefree, barefoot vibe going on with cute threading denim shorts and a tribal inspired embroidered vest. Theres fringing on the bag and a stiff cocktail in hand, I would have too.

Jamie Chung

Huzzah another boot look! (Note: the uber comfy floral shorts) Move aside wayfarer is all about the clubmasters! Whats a festival without a straw hat? If only my hair looked like that 2 days in.

Ke$ha

The third military boot look of this blog, I need to invest in a pair. I'm feeling an underground market pair so it doesn't matter once they're worn in. I'm seeing so much American patriotism on shorts and shirts, I think I will stick with our Union Jack flag in honour of Wills & Kate this season.

Images from ELLEUK.com

Viktor Vauthier

My new favourite Photographer Viktor Vauthier shoots Lazy Oafs SS11 Look Book and the incredible hipster bible Urban Outfitters magazine! Vauthier documents the style of today so we can look back in 20 or so years times and wonder why denim made such a come back and perhaps tusk at the fact we never brush our hair. Or that boys looks like girls, and girls resemble pixies rather than tomboys of the 90s.



Read more on him here........

Here are a few of my favourites Vauthier shot for UO Mag pulled from the UO site. Let these be your muses as to where to go from here in terms of street style. I'm uncovering the gem that is the UO Community, enjoy!


Vauthier uses old cameras from Olymus to Contax but all with a 35mm lens, sorry Picnik, these textures are the real deal. Dammit.

Creepers. Quite possibly the only shoe I'd buy tickets to watch burn. Now in leopard print.

Not being funny but I feel like going Greenpeace on Marlees ass. He actually stabbed that fish there and then, yeah we did it in the cave days but I can't help but think POOR FISH ):

So what do you think? Is it style? I think its controversial style, hold up! I say controversial because it's a mixture of all that was controversial because I see skater, androgyny with a pinch of mod, all references recognised as being controversial, rebelling against conformity. It's a mixture - thats the only way I can put my finger on it at the moment. It's a play off the SS10 denim, which personally I thought was dead, and the rucksack trend I remember topshop exploited so well, we're talking £40 per teeny tiny bag. Its good to see that styles are not being screwed up into the evolution bin never to be seen again, they're being recycled. Go recycling!

Check out Viktor Vauthiers blogspot here