The New Festival

Superwoman inspired from Puckoo Couture

Headpieces and Jewellry to complete the look

On Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the opening party of the Paradise pop-up shop at the Island in Bristol for two of the coolest local designers: Puckoo Couture and Ayasha (check out their fb pages here and here for more info). They listed their clothing as 'festival wear', but it was mostly leggings, bodysuits, oversized statement jewellry, that was more Burning Man than Woodstock. Is it finally happening? The hippy-dippy festival backlash from the new generation of cool kids? I started to suspect that all wasn't right within the festival camp as there were less of those fake daisy-chain headbands (not a fan, as you've guessed!) and more oversized feathers, jewels and spandex. All I can say is that the look is fresh, new and in keeping with the current 90's resurgence. Behold the look of summer 2013.

Upcoming!

Hi everyone!

Okay, I think I've said this a thousand times before, but SORRY for the lack of posts! I've been mega busy with various projects and been meaning to post just to give mini updates. Anywho, the new year is looming so what better way than to give a massive 6 monthly update condensed into one paragraph!

• I've produced two fashion shows in Bristol which went pretty well considering they were my first ones and I had no real idea what I was doing! I guess that's sometimes the best way to learn- jump in and work through the challenges. I've had some useful, yet harsh feedback, but sometimes you need blunt people to drive a point home. If you're planning a fashion show, I have a few tips to make sure it goes smoothly: 1) have a team. This is the single most important point. I tried to do the first fashion show on my own and ended up spreading myself SO thin! As a result, it was chaotic and not as well attended as I would've liked, but thankfully it pulled through 2)have a back-up plan: designers, models and volunteers will all pull out at the last minute, so have people you can count on as a reserve, so you're not left high and dry 3) don't neglect the press: good coverage for the show is even more important than the show itself and means that the next show you do will have a bit of a following- invite local press, bloggers and radio personalities if you can.
• As a result, I've decided to try my hand at styling, so have met a few photographers and hopefully will collaborate on a few ideas in the new year. I'll definitely post pics when the shoots are done and hopefully get feedback from you guys!
• I'm also going to submit ideas for editorials to local magazines, so watch this space if they get published!

That's pretty much all I've been up to and I've spent most of the xmas break preparing for shoots in the new year (collecting pictures, books and other reference material) and will be back hopefully a bit more regularly! Thanks for your support and for continuing to follow me! I promise I won't be too much of a stranger!

(Here are a selection of pictures from both shows :D)

Dree x

Boy's Club

I have a secret love for the Men's Shows (hot models, amazing tailoring- what's not to love?) , and so far, we've all been in for a treat. I love to see what the men in my life will look like next year and it seems that we'll be seeing a sea of navy blue, pops of colour and white before september 2013. Here are a few of my favourites so far.

Dree xx

ps: I've just started the six items challenge, and will do a post on that shortly! :)

Dior Homme SS13

Dior Homme SS13

Dior Homme SS13

Dior Homme SS13

Hermes SS13

Hermes SS13

Hermes SS13

Hermes SS13

Margiela SS13

Acne SS13

#VogueFest

I've finally managed to peel myself out of bed today after one of the busiest, tiring, fantastic days of the year! I went to the Vogue Festival (those of you following me on twitter will know from ALL my tweets!) and heard from some of the most established, successful and relevant figures in the fashion world today. I woke up inspired and more clear about my career path and met some lovely people along the way. Unfortunately, there was a few downsides. I thought the cost (seventy-five pounds per session and each session had 3-4 talks) was a bit steep and most of the people in attendance were students and young designers. Quite a few people commented that they missed talks simply due to the price. Also......no goody bag?Really? To give them credit, there were a few booths offering hair(colour and styling) and makeup (a smoky eye and red lip stand), but these were so crowded that it was difficult to even see what they were doing. That being said, I had a great time and plan to go again next year. Did any of you guys go, and if so, what did you think?

Dree xx

ps: the above photo was taken after some Chanel makeup artist intervention, accessories and airbrushing

Primada?

                            skirt: Primark, jumper:Topshop, shoes:Topshop, watch: Toy Watch

I know I've gone on in the past about highstreet, throwaway fashion and the poor quality, but I was astounded by this complete Prada knock-off skirt. I almost blushed when purchasing it, but comforted myself knowing that I saved eight-hundred pounds. Yes, it's an obvious knock-off, but so what? The quality of the skirt is pretty good for twelve quid (it's lined!) and surely it's smarter dollars and sense to invest in the cheaper version of an obvious 'It' item. So does it really harm fashion? Aren't I still a walking advertisement for the brand? There's no way I could afford to buy the original (it's a recession, people), but still managed to capture a bit of the brand. What do you guys think?

Dree xx

p: tomorrow I'm off to the Vogue Festival, so lots of pics to come! :)

Sports Wear

Every couple of seasons, a tricky trend emerges and the shops try their best to interpret it, magazines try their best to style it but it never quite takes off. I speak, of course, of the sportswear trend. I've been really wary and unsure how exactly to try it, and then it came to me in a flash! Grey jumper + neon shorts+ Toms= perfect summer sportswear look. For evening, anything with a racer back will do. Looser fabrics are always better, but keep your eyes open for neoprene, netted or sheer pieces. I did this look as my interpretation- the shorts you may remember from my 'In the changing room' post here- and these heels I rediscovered in the back of my closet.Hope you like it!

Dree xx

top: Urban Outfitters, bra(just seen) American Apparel, shorts:Topshop heels:Office, Sunglasses: Rayban

#FashionFail

Okay, this post might be (will be) a bit ranty, but I had to say something. Yesterday I was in London for business and I decided to pop to Oxford Street, in a bid to find a pair of plain, black skinny trousers.....Two hours and five shops later, I was nearly in tears. It wasn't that they were hard to find, but the fit and quality really let them down. Without exception, all the trousers I tried were 1) huge on the waist 2)tight on the hips and 3)weird around the crotch. Who are these trousers made for? I was feeling quite down about my obviously alien body when I took stock of the ladies around me. After a quick calculation (okay estimation), it seemed that about 80% of the women around me were not wearing trouser that fit OR flattered. The tell-tale signs of a ruched waistband,where the belt was too tight, the slight wince when sitting down or the trouser dance (ie pulling down the trousers when getting up to make them semi-comfortable again) were evident. Why aren't more of us saying something? Why do we have to buy these low quality versions at mid quality prices? Needless to say, I left empty handed. Do you have a nghtmare trouser story?

Dree xx