Faded Spring

    Chie Mihara’s Vintage Love Affair

    Cast your mind back to 2002,  Prime Minister Tony Blair was in power, Sound Of The Underground became Girls Aloud's first single and the late Terry Pratchett wins the Prometheus Award for Discworld Novel 'Night Watch'. The political disray of Brexit was a mere speck in the future and the proliferation of social media was non-existent.  But amidst these prolific events was a new designer craving a shot at stardom: Chie Mihara. After becoming frustrated with designers inability to merge high quality design with comfort, Mihara sought to release a practical footwear collection, with a foothold in the fashion industry for real women. What about the mothers? Working Women? Active Women? The ... read more

    Twenty Four Fashion: Pantone 2016

    When Pantone announced not one but two colours would be awarded superstar status in 2016 the world went into meltdown. How dare they defy expectations and venture outside of supposed fashion constructs? But slowly by slowly they began to silence their critics and fashion feeds were awash with a delicious blend of Rose Quartz and Serenity shades, like one epic fashion smoothie. But colour-blocking is no new phenomenon, quite the contrary when we read the 60's fashion archives whose icons were infamous for their mod ( black and white) looks. But I digress, before pink and blue were considered acceptable shades to clash together I was pairing my two favourite colours together because I had a ... read more

    Perfect Eyebrows Part II

    After the success of the first treatment, my six week retouch was due and I could not wait to see myself one step closer to achieving the perfect eyebrows. Having been teased as a child because I had excessive facial hair, I became obsessed with making myself look more ‘European’ and eyebrows were one of the first hair issues I addressed. Having my eyebrows threaded since the age of 16 has changed the entire structure of my face and although I like having my face threaded (Note I like the results but not the process itself) I was after a semi-permanent procedure that could also address my gappy eyebrows. Because I usually fill in my eyebrows with powder and a thin slanted brush it can ... read more

    Dress Lilly Lookbook

    When it comes to formal wear, my wardrobe is brimming to the full, swamped with evening gowns, festive co-ords and all things sequin. You see from a very young age I was obsessed with dresses, how they made me feel like a Princess who didn't need her Prince to go to the ball. It was a magical world where it was always snowing and the best part was that trawling through the snow I didn't feel a thing. There was no icy wind on the nape of my neck nor was there howling banshees and the darkness to make me lose sight of happiness, I couldn't feel a thing. Of course in reality I am a big baby when it comes to the cold and while I like winter fashion, the cold is another dilemma altogether. That ... read more

    The History of Jewellery Part II

    Last week we discussed the impact of Art Nouveau and Minimalist wearable art on modern jewellery curation in the History of Jewellery Part I and in part II we examine the prevalence of gold and silver and its relevance or importance to modern jewellery retailers like Majique. Gold and silver, in particular gold is one of the greatest discoveries known to humankind; the greatest contribution to our societies economic, sociological and cultural progression, gold was the first widely known metal to our species. Unlike silver, bronze or rose-gold, gold is the purest metal allowing it to be deftly moulded into submission because it  is not found in 'ore bodies' that can be difficult to ... read more

    The History Of Jewellery Part I

    History has always been a contentious subject to write about, particularly when in many cases history books are always rewritten by the 'winners'. Accuracy in the eyes of historians is 'integral' to maintain authenticity yet in at least 80% of cases the facts have all been twisted by the scribes of our ancestors. That being said there are a few historical artifacts that we know and accept including religious iconography, building constructions and of course jewellery. When jewellery was created during the birth of mankind there was no pomp or ceremony but a need to distinguish ourselves from our fellow Neanderthals. Over time the jewellery become grander and precious metals were delegated to ... read more

    Pineapple Fever:Zaful

    I cling onto summer like a bird clings onto its chicks, wafting myself with tropical scents and deluding myself into thinking that the brisk foray of autumnal or winter wind is really just a disguise for cool beach like breezes, where palm trees sway and the children laugh in play. In this fantasy world there is no need to envelop yourself in layer after layer nor is your feet swathed in boots with the [faux] fur. Instead like a 'Midnight Summer Nights' dream there are the players and there are the audience but the question is which one am I? I am both the player and the spectator fawning over summers special delights but creating my own summer fantasy which largely consists of colourful ... read more

    23 Birthday Candles

    Here I am, another year older counting my non existent candles and watching the metaphorical flames burn out. Another year full of promise, another year to grow and learn. I used to love birthdays, getting presents and being treated like someone special but one year the magic faded. Growing up I was left by my mum at the age of 2 1/2 while my dad tried his best to make me feel like his special girl. He was never a bad dad, not even when he met the love of his life, the woman who abused me and who I was meant to call mum. My step mum was a manipulative, selfish woman who did everything in her power to make me feel worthless and unloved and in time even my own dad saw me as second best. I ... read more

    Unrequited Love

    I was always that girl, pining away in a corner wondering if the guy I loved would ever love me back in return. While friends easily flirted their way into guy’s affections I was awkward and found it hard to be around guys that I liked. I was that girl with a best friend who was dating the guy I liked, for a year I was trapped in someone else’s shadow and with every kiss that I saw my heart shrunk a little more. I was that girl who would write poems and stories, blessing each word with a memory of a lost love. I was always so shy growing up, choosing not to tell guys when I liked them because they were always the wrong guys, they were too popular, too perfect, too good looking for me. At ... read more

    Here We Go Again

    The last two months since I have moved to London had been both a 'dream' and a 'nightmare'. I fulfilled my dream of living in the mystical world of London where food, drink and company is just on your doorstep. Yet it became a nightmare too, I was drowning in London's intoxicating headiness and I didn't know which way to turn. I soon found that The Reality Of Living In London was not as clear cut as I once thought nor was it this magical place of opportunity that I expected it to be. But did I regret it? Not a chance; despite having to vacate my first London property less than two months into my stay in the 'big city' I realized that ultimately it was still my home and where I belonged. Last ... read more