J'taime Paris.

My venture to Paris didn't start off brilliantly, after encountering our first Parisian (sniffing Cocaine off the windowsill of the Eurostar station) we arrived at our hotel. Hotel Pointe Rivoli looked stunning on the website so when we arrived and toddled through the door labelled 'HOTEL' we were shocked to find a pokey little place, no lift, a seventy stair climb and a room that can only be described as the love child of Fawlty Towers and a dirty porno movie, PVC cushions and all. Solution; champagne and numerous bottles of red wine. 

Regardless of the dwellings the city was everything I expected; stylish, beautiful and full of character. Other than the usual tourist attractions, I visited the famous macaroon shop Laduree, the high fashion hang-out Colette and Les Arts Decoratifs to see Hussein Chalayan's exhibtion and my god it was amazing....

Hussein Chalayan, who this week was given an honour by the London College of Fashion is perhaps the pioneer of merging new technologies and classic lines all in the name of fashion. His exhibition was off-setting in that it had a disturbing aura which unnerved the audience, leaving them expecting the unexpected. Showcasing key pieces from his past season collections, the exposition displayed Chalayan's ready-to-wear clean lines and classic pieces as well his avant-garde couture pieces. The displays were breathtaking but for me the dark rooms where Chalayan's latest catwalk shows including  the transcending 'Transformer's' 2007 show and his short movies were shown was the highlight. Chalayan's work speaks for itself and exemplifies perfectly how structure, art, design and fashion can collaborate flawlessly. 

My oh my tie-dye.

I might be late on the upkeep, (full time job and jetting off to Paris has exhausted me) but last week The Telegraph reported that tie dye had been voted the worst fashion faux pas of the last century. As a pro tie-dye campaigner (not literally) I was a little shocked, does no one remember the skirt over trousers (which my fashion sources tell me is coming back, watch out for Marc Jacobs next season) or the neon string vest trend?
Maybe it was voted so, as it can be tricky to get it 'right'. Tie die looks best when it is not a D.I.Y creation that is formed of an array of colours on your old decorating T-shirt. If you want to 'do' tie-dye be prepared to spend a few extra pennies in order to get something that isn't going to look like one of Blue Peter's finest.  It is best worn 'Boho' and I tend to think that colour tie dyed with white is the classiest and most sophisticated way to wear the pattern.

So to sum up... heres how NOT to tie-dye...

And here is how to do it perfectly...

The Charlie Brooker of Southampton.

Take a look at my pal Tom's blog. His regular commentary and spectacular finds are beyond entertaining, all served with a side of wit.

http://goodtom.wordpress.com/

In dying need of...

Fringe? Check. Sequins? Check.

It's almost time to get lost in Paris and I have spent most of today ransacking my wardrobe looking for worthy ensembles. I have gone for versatile pieces; green jeans, black skinnies, sequin kimono, fringed cape, fringed jacket, leopard print snood, and of course a navy nautical striped dress. I think I shall have to leave the beret and garlic at home this time though, too many shoes to fit into my suitcase. 

The Conspirator

Directed by legend Robert Redford, starring renowned actor James McAvoy, The Conspirator claims to be a bit of a hit. However within the first thirty minutes I was bored stiff-less. The period piece where everyone looks like they are in one of those 'dress up' photo booths at Alton Towers failed to capture my attention to begin with.
Based on the aftermath of the shooting of President Abraham Lincoln, The Conspirator is the story of a mother who is accused of co-conspiring the murder of the American president. As the film got underway, it did become more interesting, finally focusing on a compelling story of a mother taking the blame for her son and in doing so risking her own life. McAvoy's performance was not entirely convincing but Robin Wright (Mary Surratt) and Evan Rachel Wood (Anna Surratt) played their part's tremendously.

It might have got off to a slow start but I would definitely recommend The Conspirator, it doesn't end how you expect and in doing so somewhat saves the film. Having said that I would expect much more from a Redford film and would not rush to see the film again, definitely a single viewing movie.

.Balmain.

Oh Glastonbury...

Last week I lost my Glastonbury virginity and had possibly the best five days of my life. Fashion stakes up, degree results released and the weekend ending with 'shaking what ya Mumma gave ya' to Queen B was possibly the best way to finish university, so expect a long post; fashion reports, music reviews and hilarious happenings. 

Musically... the bad, the good and the mind-blowing.

Top of the disappointing list was Cee-Lo Green. Performing on the West Holts stage after Chase & Status, we were hoping for a Grammy-esque rendition of Forget You, instead we were given a diva with no crowd pleasing capability at all. Cee-lo wore an eccentric red coat (which was on the verge of explicit wardrobe malfunction with every hip swing) with shoulder spikes that would make GaGa green with envy.    He sang songs that only the hard core of his fans would know and all in all his coat was more exciting than his entire set all together. 

The other disappointing set of the weekend was Plan B. Although he was appearing on the Pyramid stage (a appearance that every other artist seemed completely overwhelmed with) Strickland Banks seemed either completely nerve-stricken or just not bothered. Obviously he wanted to promote his new sound but my friends and I were yearning for a glimpse of 'Charmaine' or even 'End Credits.' Despite it being a glorious day, Plan B's set was boring and definitely the biggest disappointment of the weekend.

There are too many acts to mention that were good but the biggest/pleasant surprises of the festival were Tinie Tempah, Elbow, Mumford & sons, Paulo Nutini, Chase & Status and Don McLean. We watched Tinie from the grass at the back of the Pyramid stage, cider in hand dancing away in the sun and in contrast we saw C&S in the pouring rain decked out in our silver and animal print ponchos. Both experiences were sensational!

The mind-blowing of the weekend was definitely Coldplay and Beyonce...




Oh and the best discovery of the weekend was Faith SFX, an astounding beat boxer who supported Plan B. Have a gander, it's extraordinary... FAITH SFX MYSPACE

Fashionably it was, as ever, a floral headband, denim shorts and wellington affair apart from Sunday, renamed 'Sequin Sunday' in tribute to our Queen B. It seemed that Beyonce herself agreed. Bar Beyonce's gold sequin and pants combo, Shingai from the Noisettes' Dolce & Gabbana leotard was definitely a fashion delight. Bringing the fashion points home for the boys was, despite his disappointing performance, Plan B. In the heat he still sported his suited and booted look and this was perhaps the best bit of his performance! 

So after much face planting in the mud, booty shaking to Beyonce, crying to Coldplay and getting a 2.1 in my degree it was an amazing five days. Watch out 2013.