A Simple Kurta

Whilst others seem content to strip down and sweat it out under the blazing sunshine, I always find taking the less travelled path, of covering myself up, the better option. Loose fitting and lightweight clothing really can make the difference, and it allows the summer heat to remain a wonderfully pleasant and enjoyable affair.

Indeed given the rather high temperatures today, at least by London standards, I opted for a somewhat more traditional summer outfit. Admittedly its bearing as traditional depends entirely on one's own interpretations and upbringing, however for me it is exactly that. Whilst in itself, not an outfit I would think of to be that post worthy, and indeed for me, akin to someone wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt, it is nevertheless not a common sight on the London streets. After all, it is always the very displacement of a style into another setting and interpretation that makes it interesting. As such, consider this more of as a casual everyday at home outfit.

I decided to wear a loose fitting, white cotton kurta, with some simple gold detailing. The simplicity of the top, yet still interesting design, lends it to a great versatility during the summer months, where one is usually left somewhat drier of outfit ideas due to the heat. The gold detailing helps to provide a nice point of visual interest to the top, especially when considering the cut of the neckline, whilst managing to remain a touch more casual than one would assume.

Indeed, although I have no issue in wearing patterned kurtas, by which the patterning is usually achieved via complex embroidery, or even colourful kurtas, plain white shall always be the easiest of summer wears. This kurta was actually tailor made for me in Pakistan last year, and the benefit of having a traditional fit, slightly loose and with a higher neckline, really does help make a difference in the way I feel when wearing the garment.

For my trousers, I went with a piece which although has recently become a love it or hate it trend item, is actually steeped deep in culture and history across the Asian subcontinent. The drop crotch cotton trousers allow for a loose and comfortable fit, yet the tapered legs make it far more practical in daily use. Rather than going with a full white outfit, I chose to subtly compliment the gold detailing of my kurta with the rich brown trousers.

I was however admittedly tempted to wear some looser shalwaar bottoms, or, find my way to the other end of the spectrum in choosing to don a pair of churidars. Shalwaar bottoms, usually referred to as paijamas, are similar to the trousers I chose to wore today, however the tapering of the leg tends to be in a straight diagonal, cut on the bias of the fabric, giving a very wide and easy fit. Indeed usually held up by drawstring, the bunching of fabric around the top of the trousers tends to be rather great. The most noticeable visual characteristic of the trousers is their dramatic draping.

Churidars on the other hand, often wore for more formal events, are closely cut skinny trousers. They are however equally light in fabric weight to the paijamas or the trousers I opted for today, being a fine and airy cotton. This allows them to be closely cut onto the leg, revealing the gentle contours, and yet remain highly comfortable. Indeed they are actually more so than the skinny jeans one finds today, due to the inherent breathability and light weight of the fabric. They also tend to be far longer than one's leg to allow considerable stacking of the fabric, giving them a highly unique look.

Currently playing: Provider (Zero 7 remix) - N.E.R.D

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300609

Hop, Skip, Jump.

Currently playing: Cleveland - Kid Cudi

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Part Six: Of Timeless Design

Anderson & Sheppard
Savile Row Tailors

Peuple du Vent
Hermès

White Cotton Shirt
Gieves & Hawke
Savile Row

Vintage Red Cross Watch

Vintage WW2 Pilot's Omega Watch

If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life what would it be?

I have actually often pondered the answer to this question. Admittedly not in the sense of being my only outfit, however more in terms of my potential general uniform. My father has always taught me the importance of looking presentable and smart at all times. Regardless of what I may choose to wear, he taught me to make sure I put thought and effort into my look. And indeed we as humans are primarily visual creatures, so the way in which we choose to present ourselves to the world is very important.

If I were to only wear one outfit, it would have to be an outfit that was presentable for both more formal events, as well as for events such as weekend luncheons with the family. I would say I have definitely been inspired by photography, film and illustrations of traditional menswear from the first half of the twentieth century. As such, I suppose the outfit would have to be a classic suit. A man will always feel his best in a well cut suit, and as such it is the perfect singular outfit.

Having been born and raised in London, no other tailoring compares, in my eyes, to the bespoke tailoring of Savile Row. If money were no object, I would book myself into one of the well established tailoring establishments on the Row, such as Anderson & Sheppard. I would be measured and fitted for a fine woolen, light grey, two-buttoned suit. I would ask for a slightly stronger shoulder, with a slim cut waist and trousers falling just onto my shoes. The suit would be finished with tortoiseshell buttons and subtle navy blue threading for an interesting visual detail. My initials would also be embroidered onto the tailor's label, hidden on the inside of the left breast pocket.

In order to allow for the expression of my more colourful tastes, I would ask for the suit jacket to be lined with red Peuple du Vent silk Hermès scarves. Having the surprise of the colourful lining, with the wonderful print only being shown in flashes when walking, or subtly displayed when I were seated with the my buttons undone, would allow for that extra special finish. The reds, blues and purples would compliment the light grey wool, and contrast nicely against the navy threading of the suit.

Under the suit I would wear a bespoke white cotton shirt, with a classic collar and single barrel cuff. I would again have my initials monogrammed onto the the bottom corner of the shirt's breast pocket, just to make it that little bit more individual. In order to keep the collar nicely positioned, rather than using collar stays, I would use a sterling silver collar pin, the holes for which would have been subtly cut into the collar.

To wear with the white shirt, I would opt for a knitted silk, square ended, navy blue tie. The tie would be worn with a smallish half Windsor knot, positioned upon the collar pin, and held together with a plain sterling silver tie bar. The navy tie would play nicely against the reds of the jacket lining, whilst also complimenting the navy threading of the suit. The knitted silk would allow for a more casual feel, whilst still maintaining a smart appearance. Indeed the more casual feel of the tie would work well against the fine wool fabric of the suit.

Given that the tie would be subtly complimenting the threading of the suit, I would not choose to match my tie to my pocket square. Rather I would use a plain white cotton pocket square, with white initials set in the corner, for my suit. It would usually be worn, simply folded and straight across, however for more formal events, a three peaked display, or singular point would work too.

For my trousers, rather than wearing buttoned suspenders, which risk being a tad too formal for many occasions where I would not be wearing a jacket, I would wear a woven canvas and brown leather belt. The leather fronting would allow me to look smart when wearing a jacket, however if I chose to take it off on the weekends or under the sun, the woven canvas would be on display, providing a more casual and easy finish.

To compliment the lining of my suit, I would wear red socks. The flash of unexpected colour would allow for that little bit more of visual intrigue and expression of creative thought. Although not as rich as a patterned sock, I would rather allow the suit lining to be the main area of visual depth and complexity. And indeed I would not want to have different patterns vying for attention in my outfit.

For my footwear, given that I would have a brown leather and woven canvas belt, I would also have to opt for brown leather shoes. For smarter events I would wear deep brown Cordovan lace up shoes, however for more casual affairs, I would opt for brown loafers. Keeping in line with the brown leather, I would also opt to wear a brown leather strapped watch. Rather than having gold which would compete with the tie bar and collar pin, I would wear a silver watch. And given that I have rather slim wrists, the watch face would be rather low key. Indeed I am also not really one to wear complex watches such as chronographs, and as such, a plain numerical face would be my choice. I would definitely opt for a more classic design, preferably a vintage watch with a rich and interesting history.

Indeed an outfit with a story to tell would be my aim, yet it would have to be one with potentially unlimited versatility. I would be able to look smart and presentable, yet have enough subtle detailing to provide for an interesting visual experience.

Are you as stylish in your dreams as you are in reality?

Style is not simply the visual expression of our minds, rather it is the character of our minds. As such I do not believe one could ever be more stylish, in the sense of having a better style, in their dreams. I think the difference between reality and imagining is that in our imaginings, our garments are always well fitted and finished. If money were no object, than one could indeed indulge in the benefit of having more choice in terms of fashion. However imagining and money does not make up for a lack of style to begin with.

We all imagine ourselves in beautifully cut and finished garments, however unfortunately the means for achieving those goals may not always be available. That is not to say that money creates style, or opportunity creates better style, but rather it allows for more choice and variety of potential expression.

I can only ever be as stylish as I allow myself to be.

Currently playing: Lucky ft. Colbie Caillat - Jason Mraz

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290609

Under lock and key.

Currently playing: Eyes On Me ft. Keri Hilson - Clipse

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Take Me To The Sea

A beautiful combination of bright colours, captured movements, gorgeous prints, blue water, and even bluer skies.

'Solo Dance'
Numéro (Tokyo) Magazine
July/August 2009
Model: Tanya Dziahileva
via Fashionising

As the heat slowly begins to climb, and the sun blazes on cheerfully, there could be nothing quite better than escaping the hot and stuffy city to fly away to white sand and blue surf. Well, a boy can dream...

P.S. Thank you all so very much for supporting and participating in my Around The World project, the involvement thus far has been far above and beyond what I had expected. I shall try to post the journal out to the first participant this coming week in order to get the project officially underway. I shall also try to get back to all of your wonderful comments as quickly as possible.

Currently playing: When You Were Young - The Killers

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280609

"It's all about the silk hood"

Congratulations to my older brother for graduating with his BA and MSci from Cambridge yesterday morning.

Currently playing: Entre dos aguas - Paco de Lucía

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A Little More Simple

I had a rather simple outfit on today and wore out, what I suppose one would call, an '80s Members Only jacket. Underneath my jacket I opted for a fine cotton, white t-shirt, with thin pale and navy blue stripes. For a contrast both in terms of colour and tone, I wore a pair of black jeans (apparently the 513s were a European exclusive, and I have actually yet to see them again in a Levis store). Playing upon the light blue of the jacket, I went for light purple socks, and finished my outfit off with some red plimsoles.

The jacket made me think of the resurgence of the 1980s in mainstream media the past few years, from music to fashion. Indeed many are even waiting for the inevitable return of '90s fashion once again, yet as ever with the resurgence of fashion trends, adapted and evolved for the contemporary market.

I began to think about the cyclical nature of fashion, yet more importantly, the idea of fashion trends. Previous to the twentieth century one notes general stylistic trends in fashion, from the style of ruff, to the number of layers in women's skirts. Whilst there may have also been momentary or geographical trends during these periods, we mainly recall the general stylistic trends, as opposed to specific fashion trends. The differentiation between a fashion trend and a stylistic trend is important when considering clothing and fashion as a concept. I have always thought of the previous centuries as having been documented in terms of their stylistic trends, whilst the twentieth century saw the documentation and memorisation of fashion trends.

There are a number of reasons for that change in the concept of fashion, the first of which would most likely have to be the advent and rise of mass production. Once clothing became available in standard sizes, in large quantities and at a cheaper price, they were able to turn into the widely affordable and accessible goods we know them as today. However what the twentieth century also saw was the start of the modern fashion show. This is perhaps fitting with the Spring 2010 shows underway currently, however one must not forget the humble beginnings of the shows. Displayed in a more intimate setting, clothing would be showcased as the latest of technologies and design. Media was not as it is today, and the word would spread slowly, yet decisively on these new fashions.

Fashion shows would however soon become the main attraction, and the only proper way for a designer to display their latest collection. In the contemporary market, the high number and frequency of shows manages to promote and create momentary and disposable trends. However, that market can not exist singularly via the shows. The 1950s saw a post war affluence in the US, along with the ostensibly new creation of the teenager. This would start the emergence of what is now one of, if not the, largest buying powers in the world - the youth.

Along with the youthful desire to always have the latest products and looks, expendable income allowed them to fulfil it. With the rise of cheap fashion however, it allowed a whole new style of shopping, which quite literally, anyone could partake in.

If one looks to times after the boom of Couture in the post war period, one notes the general fashion trends of the relevant decades. One can easily identify a '60s look, or a '70s look, yet decades previous to the twentieth century become clouded in the secrecy of time. Whilst one could argue that those fashion trends are by now too old to truly exist within social memory, I believe one can attribute it to the change, and to a certain extent, creation, of the fashion market as we know it today.

I can wear my jacket, and people will think it has a decidedly '80s feel, and that really does make me think both of whether we will ever see an outfit and think it has an 1880's feel, or whether I shall be able to note the major fashion or stylistic trends of this century so far only with the benefit of hindsight.

Currently playing: You Rock My World - Michael Jackson

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260609

The moving picture.

Thanks to the wonderful Miss J of Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy for passing the Honest Scrap award/tag my way. As part of the tag, I have to share 10 honest things about myself...

1. Although I am right handed, I have actually slowly taught myself to write and sketch with my left hand. It is not quite up to the standard I would like yet, however it is certainly passable.

2. I still enjoy browsing through, and indeed every so often even purchasing, teddy bears when I go shopping. The way we as children form a bond with stuffed toys is something I have always found to be rather magical.

3. I taught myself to do handstands again recently, and I must say, the world is quite fun to look at when you are upside down.

4. My favourite confectionery flavour has always been strawberry, however my favourite lollipop flavour comes down to either apple or cherry.

5. I am most definitely a morning person. Regardless of how late I may go to sleep, I can never bring myself to have a proper lie in. I also happen to enjoy waking up just before sunrise, it has to be one of the most beautiful times of the day. Indeed, even more so than sunset, as it is the lesser seen of the two.

6. When stirring my tea, I count the number of times I stir. I never really have a specific goal, as far as number of stirs go, however I have discovered I prefer ending on an even number. Not entirely sure as to what that means, but it makes me happier.

7. As a young child I was terrified of dogs. Although now I do not mind them, as a youngster I would cross the road when I saw a dog approaching.

8. I have a strange habit of keeping well designed shopping bags. Whilst I usually use shopping bags to line my bins, I can never bring myself to use a beautifully designed one in that manner. I actually have a box full of pretty shopping bags.

9. My mother always tells me that I had unusually large eyes when I was born, as I did when I was very young. Unfortunately they spend most of their time hidden behind glasses, without which anything further than a few feet slowly becomes blurry around the edges.

10. I am not really a fan of mints or chewing gum, however I always end up carrying some because you would be surprised at the number of people who ask if anyone has them.

Currently playing: Dumb It Down - Lupe Fiasco

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Vibskov Love

All pieces available via the v store.

Two words - "Yes Please!"

Currently playing: So Into You - Tamia

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250609 + Playlist

Barriers.

The wonderful Pink Bow recently tagged me to share a few songs from my playlist. So here are just a few songs I am listening to this summer...

Shine - Luther Vandross
God Moving Over The Face Of The Waters - Moby & UNKLE
Blonde On Blonde - Nada Surf
In A State ft. Graham Gouldman - UNKLE
One More Time - Machel Montano
Daydreamin' ft. Jill Scott - Lupe Fiasco
Angels - Augustana
Dark Blue - Jack's Mannequin
Open Your Eyes - Bobby Caldwell
When I See You - Fantasia

Currently playing: Gibberish - Ryan Leslie

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Part Five: Of Style

Where did you get your sense of style - is it genetic, or something learned?

My answer to this question relies solely on one's answer to the question - what is style? I therefore feel it prudent to first explore my own understanding of that word, before attempting to give any real answer. Indeed I have always felt that the meaning of the word style depends on the person who chooses to say it, and which context they choose to do so. For the most parts we use the word style, or the description of stylish, to simply imply good style. Yet I feel that this very specific implication removes one from being able to truly understand the word and its meaning.

We all have a style from the very moment we are born. Style evolves from the fact that we are all unique, and as such, it is not simply an aesthetically- or visually based concept. Rather I believe that it is something inherently far more metaphorically- or indeed existentially based.

Style is the way in which we choose to present ourselves to the world.

How can one present oneself well, if one does not first take the time to know oneself well? Having good style, is about feeling comfortable in who you are and therefore being comfortable in the fashion choices you make. Far too often people use clothing to provide an outer shell, allowing them an assumed identity to protect themselves from the world. It is used as a uniform with a pre-existing notion of character and personality, which is employed so that the wearer does not attract any real attention in asking who they truly are. One does not question the uniform of a simple suit, or the uniform of a grey tracksuit, for they carry a socially assumed implication of character.

If I do not feel comfortable in myself, I am not able to feel truly comfortable and confident in what I wear. Style may be but a momentary reflection of who we truly are, a mere glimpse at the depth of character which is hidden underneath. But it is also a window into the soul of a person. The way in which I choose to dress, the way in which I choose to conduct myself, the way in which I choose to write, the way in which I choose to relate to other people, the way in which I choose to phrase myself - these are all factors which make up our personal style.

What one needs to understand is that personal style, when applied in terms of fashion, is something which can never have a true constant. The very fact that we are living, means we can not simple take style as a standardised still concept. Our understanding of style is a contextual and relative one. We are ever evolving, changing, ageing, developing and growing. Style, like our very selves, is a fluid concept. How I choose to define myself today, is not the same way I chose to define myself ten years ago. Even the way I choose to define myself now, is not the same way I chose to define myself only a second ago.

Our understanding of style is unable to exist in the often expressed vacuum of time removed. That is not to say that one may not have a general style over a lifetime, however it is just that, a general trend. The very fact that who I am is constantly changing, not in the sense of the individual, but rather in the psychological, and indeed philosophical, sense means that my style must too be constantly evolving. The very fact that I may suddenly be inspired by a colour I see in front of me, will affect how I perceive the world, and as such affect how I perceive myself and what I believe my style to be.

Style does not only evolve by virtue of how we perceive the world, and our constantly evolving selves, but also due to our physical development. Our bodies change as we age, and thus so must our style. What suits my body now, may not suit my body in five or ten years time. One must adapt personal style so that it is manages to be relevant and contemporary, in keeping with how one's self develops. Even the smallest changes, such as how my skin tans in the summer can affect my choices, in that specific colours may not have quite the same meaning and feeling against me.

One can therefore see that style is as fluid a concept as the answer to the question of who I truly am. I am my style, and my style is me. It is the not simply the physical and materialistic extension of my self, but also how I perceive my self and how I relate to the world. Can that ever be something learned, or is it more a development of mind and self?

One can learn what colours compliment one's complexion, or what shapes and cuts compliment one's body. However one does not learn to have personal taste. It is both something we are born with, but also a combination of our memories, experiences and feelings. A newborn baby may have an inexplicable preference for a certain colour, despite only just having opened their eyes for the first time. One could attribute this immediate preference to the way in which that baby's eyes first perceive different colours or textures. How their brains interpret those messages and as such make a decision to reach out to and grow to like. However our likes and interests can not simply be defined as those scientific rationalisations, just as life can not truly be appreciated when thought of simply as a beating heart and brain activity. For does a heart transplant patient become the donor?

One can learn what flatters and what does not, and one can develop preferences to different choices. However it is not simply a collection of experiences and memories who make us who we are, and likewise style can not simply be seen as such, as something learned. Yet it is equally not purely genetic, just as our character and personalities can not simply be attributed to our genetic makeups. Our personal style is something we have from the moment we are born to the moment we die, however those two points are simply the start and end. Just like our lives pan out, so does the concept of our style. There may be general trends, but it is not a constant concept.

I am still learning what colours suit me, and am still learning what cuts and fits flatter me best. I like to experiment and push my own boundaries, not only to evolve my style, but also to learn more about myself. Fashion for me is often a process of self discovery. Trying to understand why I prefer a certain colour one moment, or why a certain garment seems to flatter me best, is part of the process of understanding my body. However it is also part of the process of exploring and understanding my identity, my character and my self.

Style and self are for me, essentially the same.

In terms of what or who I believe to have been the foremost influence on my personal style, that would have to be my father. My father is definitely a traditional gentleman and the way he taught and still teaches me to live and develop my self, has and always shall influence my fashion and style. He is the type of man who still bows when meeting ladies, and has never worn a pair of jeans in his life.

My father has been the greatest influence on my fashion, as he has always taught me the importance of being presentable. He taught me that presenting myself well does not only show self respect, but also respect for others. The way in which I choose to dress inevitably effects the way in which those around me will perceive me. If I do not dress in a presentable manner, it means that I do not care how those around me will perceive me. I show them a disrespect, however most of all, I show myself disrespect.

My father always maintains a presentable manner, even on the weekends. His uniform, if that is the word I may use, usually consists of a shirt, blazer, smart trousers with belt and leather shoes. Winter weather may also see the addition of a coat, sweater, woolen scarf and gentleman's hat. My father rarely buys clothing, and indeed the majority of his clothes are actually older than I am. He believes in buying classic pieces - wearing and caring for them for years to come. His style has always been smart and traditional.

The fact that my father has such a strong sense of style, and indeed a strong sense of character, are what I believe have helped me to become the person I am today. Although I may experiment far more in terms of my fashion, it is because I am still discovering myself and my own boundaries. Although his style has evolved as he has changed over the years, his general tastes have merely been adapted rather than radically shifting. I believe that is because he truly knows who he is and as such truly knows his own style. Although the path of self discovery never ends, he has a better idea of his path than I do. And it is due to that, that he has such a strong and defined sense of style. It is truly something that I admire, and thank him for teaching me and indeed influencing me with.


P.S. An extra special thanks to the wonderful Liz of It's Unbeweavable for allowing me to write a guest post for her blog - check it out here!

Currently playing: Decisions ft. Neyo - Brandy

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220609

Going Postal.

Currently playing: Televators - The Mars Volta

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A Fashionable Distress

Whilst the shredded t-shirt trend seems to have grown exponentially in popularity, I have never really been won over by its look. Although I admittedly experimented on an old white t-shirt of my own, it felt more like a costume than something I would actually wear. I appreciate the concept, and when styled correctly it can look very interesting, however my personal tastes for that specific technique lies in its employment for other garments.

My intrigue with the concept of distressed looks, in particular, the employment of distressed fabrics, has always been great regardless of contemporary fashion trends. I have always found the juxtaposition of using purposely aged/faded/worn fabrics in a decidedly more elegant fashion a very interesting art.

Fashion is by its very nature an inherently cyclical notion - that which was in fashion, will inevitably return in the future in a contemporary reimagining. That which was years, or even mere months, after seen as ludicrous will regain its mainstream favour. From the continual highs and lows of leopard print, to the return of acid wash, to the ever changing fit of denim jeans - fashion recycles and reuses trends and aesthetics.

There can never truly be an original idea, for our personal tastes and design aesthetics are shaped and formed by our experiences, memories and lives. Although the end product may be far removed from the source material, wherever that or they may lie, fashion will always draw from the past as a way of interpreting and reinterpreting the present, and indeed future.

However, this recycling lies not only in the form of design and concept, but also in the physical practicalities of fashion. Using traditional, or old if you will, fabrics in a new way, or distressed fabrics to create something new, follows much the same reasoning and thought processes. I am fascinated by the process due to my fascination with fashion as a whole, the constantly evolving, changing and living idea that it is.

My love for distressed and faded fabrics, preferably done by myself, as opposed to having been done in a factory, lies in the fact that I love clothing with a story to tell. All humans, regardless of age, race, sex, location, interests or personalities interact with fashion and clothing. We spend the majority of our lives clothed, and even in cases where clothing may not be so greatly used, at least beautified and adorned (for body art, and therefore fashion, has existed since the dawn of humanity). As such, all of our clothing has a story to tell, regardless of whether we wear a garment only for a day or a decade before retiring it.

Yet there has always been a specific type of distressed clothing that I do enjoy buying new. Indeed, the latest Fall 09 collection by Lina Österman fits that bill. The distressed looks presented by Österman provided a beautiful balance between fragility and strength, a balance that is often hard to achieve lest the looks fall short of either category. The looks were not so much distressed by virtue of their washes or fading, but rather by the more visually apparent methods of shredding and teased tears within the fabric.

Whilst I was still not won over by the shredded t-shirt looks, I was however fully intrigued by the employment of the technique with regards to the knitwear pieces. It was not a finish I had ever really thought about, and I must say I was rather taken by the effect. The first piece, in terms of shredding, that particularly took my fancy was the knitted long hooded cardigan. The very contained and carefully blocked teasing of the knitwear at the front of the garment, to effectively provide somewhat of a striped finish, was in my eyes, perfectly restrained in its efforts. As such, I was fascinated by the more stylised use of the technique, which I think looked fantastic.

However, it was not only the more stylised shredding that I found interesting, but also the shredded knitwear in the form of the washed sweater. Although it came off as far less deliberate, and more random in its shredding, with the uneven strands and indeed a large gape, I was still fascinated by the look. Whilst I enjoyed the idea of exposed skin providing a fragility, especially when opposed to the fact of the piece being warm knitwear, I was also intrigued by the idea of using the piece for layering. It would indeed provide a wonderful visual depth, and the possibilities for layering would certainly be an area I would love to see explored with the piece by those who chose to purchase it.

The idea of exposure was most apparent in the lace shirt piece. My fascination with lace shirts was first ignited by the Givenchy collection, and whilst the bright pink was not a look I would shy away from, I was certainly interested in seeing the other possibilities of such a piece. As such, I was particularly taken by the styling of the black lace shirt with the numerous metal chains and black trousers. The play between femininity and masculinity of the lace shirt, along with the play between strength and fragility with the styling of the chains alongside the exposure of the lace, was done with a beautiful care. I shall admit that given the opportunity and resources, it is a look I would love to try.

The collection as a whole was beautifully crafted with its use of distressed and torn fabrics. I enjoyed the fine balance employed by Österman between such factors as femininity and masculinity, or the more apparent play between strength and fragility. The collection truly did make me think about the idea of distressed looks, and indeed the concept of using torn and teased fabrics in a far more elegant manner. There was a wonderful juxtaposition of ideas and thoughts, which I must say I appreciated, if not simply from a fashion perspective, also from a conceptual standpoint.

Thank you all so very much for the number of comments on my last post, I truly was taken by surprise! I shall endeavour to visit each and every one of your wonderful blogs as soon as I possibly can.

Currently playing: I'm Good ft. Pharrell Williams - Clipse

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