Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet

Primark’s Bee-autiful Transition Shoe

Stop everything Voyeurs, I’ve found the perfect shoe to get you through the transition between seasons, and it’s not a heel!  You know by now that I love heels, in fact I have a collection to rival Imelda Marcos and maybe even put her to shame.  I have boxes and boxes of shoes in the attic and garage and six shoe closets.  I know, pretty cool/crazy right?!  I bloody love a statement heel, anything a little out of the ordinary, you’ll never catch me in a plain old court shoe, even a Pigalle or a So Kate is too boring for me (soz Louboutin, still friends ok? – call me….)

I’m a big fan of a sneaker too, my sneaker collection is one that I’m proud of, I’ve built it up over the years and it’s made up of everything from Reebok classic high tops and essential Stan Smiths, to more obtuse pieces like Batman and Joker opposition Chuck Taylors and Chanel quilted high tops, I have some pretty amazing bespoke pieces that Nike crafted for me from their archive too.  It’s a pretty awesome collection if I do say so myself.  Anyway, we’re not here to talk about heels or sneakers….

So, the transition between Summer and fall is often a tricky one when it comes to footwear.  If you’re in the UK you’ve probably confined your sandals to the closet and looked longingly at them on occasion wondering if the rain will hold off long enough for you to showcase your new pedicure.  It probably didn’t.  But on the other hand, it’s way too soon for boots and tights. The shops are starting to look to FW17 and eek in the new trends as the last remnants of SS17 sit on the shelves contemplating their uber short life span.  What do you do when you’re at that in between stage?  A ballet flat? A sneaker? A loafer?  Any of these work, (if you said flip flop then log out, take your device back to the store and tell them you’re not fit to own it or have access to the internet.)  But there’s something way better out there, and it’s available right now!

I’ve found you the perfect transitional shoe that works with jeans, cigarette pants, dresses and skirts.  they come in two colours, teal green and boring black, they’re velvet AND they have embroidery.  With this many trends in just two shoes you’re expecting a hefty pricetag right?  Well get this Voyeurs, these little beauties are £8 from good old Primark who are coming up trumps with their Luxe range and new team of trend designers (more on that next time).  Check out these gems….

Bee-autiful right?!  These Bee-auties are on shelves in selected Primark stores right now and at £8 they won’t ‘sting’ you either!  Ok I’ll stop with the bee jokes now…  Seriously though, these shoes get a tick in the box for being on trend, they’re flat and so completely manageable, glam enough to wear for a night out and above all else, they’re actually comfortable.  One thing, as with all Primark flats, when you get them home from the store and you’ve checked they fit and you’re definitely keeping them, rub the front section of the soles with some Wet and Dry sand paper.  Primark flats are notoriously slippy and this helps to give them a little grip, you don’t have to go hell for leather with it, just rough them up a bit to take off the shiny coating.

Now, all that’s left to do is get to Primark, get these in your basket, then get them on your feet and wait for the admiring glances.  You’re welcome Voyeurs…

Pixie xo

 

Categories: The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Glitz & Glamour with Meridith Towne at Q Festival

Gateshead’s inaugural Q Festival is well underway, taking place in a traditional spiegeltent structure that’s been erected right in front of The Baltic on the Gateshead side of the Milennium bridge, perfectly positioned for some epic photographs of some of the best North East landmarks

The timetable for the festival is brimming with awesome and unusual activities for the whole family to enjoy and I was invited along to a fun fashion session called Glitz and Glamour with Costume Historian Meredith Towne.  Admittedly I didn’t know a lot about what to expect from the session or what it might entail, but as a fellow Fashion Historian, I was definitely intrigued.

 

I arrived ahead of schedule to get my first proper look at the spiegeltent and true to Deutsch tradition, it was a solid structure with mirrors all around the outside.  Guests were treated to a popup shop from vintage reseller Trendlistr and crafty goodies from The Crafthood.  One thing it’s worth telling you early on is that the light in the spiegeltent was geared up for a performance so not that great for taking photographs, hence the poor quality of my images.  Bloody bollocks.

Costume Historian and Dressmaker Meridith Towne took to the stage in a 1920’s style dressing gown with her hair pinned in low rolls and from the moment she first spoke I was riveted.  Speaking eloquently and confidently about fashion through the decades in a way that demonstrated not only the fashion that you would typically see, but also the circumstances and social and financial climates.

Towne’s collection of original vintage and hand made gowns is impressive to say the least.  Personally collected, found, and rescued, her vintage wardrobe includes beautiful original pieces such as Juliette caps, flapper dresses and original stilettos (by their intended and true definition).  Towne offers the audience a chance to get up close and personal with the collection at the interval answering questions and making tongue in cheek jokes about her charismatic “glamorous assistant” who doubles up as her mum.

We’re guided through each decade from the 1920’s to the 1970’s with precision, detail and even a little audience participation with Towne’s signature panache.  It’s hard to describe just how incredible this ‘show’ is because I don’t really know how to categorise it.  Somewhere between a talk, a history lesson, a performance and a play, it hits the spot when it comes to getting an insight into how fashion was used to express femininity throughout time and you definitely leave feeling like you learned something, albeit in a super fun way.

From the rebellion of the 1920’s to the end of rationing in 1947 and into the 50’s, Towne’s Glitz and Glamour show includes every major fashion trend synonymous with the decade it appeared in and even a few more.  As a speaker she’s fantastic, engaging from start to finish and very well informed, her ability to pull together a complete, era specific outfit is astounding and the part she plays when on stage only serves to add artistic flair and aids delivery superbly.

I was kindly gifted to tickets to the event because the organiser thought it was right up my street and she wasn’t wrong.  With a face value of £15 per ticket, if you’re a fan of fashion, whether vintage or modern, it’s well worth that and I’ll definitely be looking out for the next in Towne’s series of shows on vintage fashion.

Towne tours the U.K. With History Wardrobe delivering ‘shows’ on a range of topics within the vintage fashion genre including The Art of Power Dressing, 100 Years of Hats, Victorian Lady Cyclists, A History of Shapewear and lots more.  If she’s coming to a town near you then buy a ticket Voyeurs, I promise you you won’t be disappointed, this was one of the best events I’ve been to in a while.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Newcastle High School Fashion & Textiles Show 2017

There’s nothing I love more than spotting emerging design talent, particularly when it’s from the North East.  We’ve got some pretty impressive fashion alumni from Northumbria University making waves in the fashion industry right now but this time, I’m talking about a much younger set of students; the Textile students of Newcastle High School for Girls.

Students from the school in Jesmond are responsible for not only designing and manufacturing the pieces which feature in the Textiles department’s annual fashion show, they’re also charged with producing and staging the show themselves.  Everything from the music, lighting and choreography is masterminded by students from years 9 to 13 and it’s no easy task given the sheer volume of students taking the course.

“We are very proud of the creative talent we have here at Newcastle High and the Fashion and Textiles show is evidence of this. So much hard work and dedication goes into creating these collections and the girls put their hearts and souls into the whole creative process from design, production, choreography and staging.”  Alison Goldie, Head of Creative Arts, Newcastle High School for Girls

I was invited along to the evening show earlier this month and took my seat on the Frow in anticipation for what lay ahead….

In a show that opened with pieces inspired by the art of Piet Mondrian and the famous Mondrian dress by Yves Saint Laurent, year 9 students each showcased one sheath dress painted to reflect the style of the famous painter.  With dance based choreography, students modelled their own pieces before exiting the stage to applause.

The show continued with all four year 9 classes taking a segment of the show to interpret their theme, the punk theme stood out with it’s anarchic choreography and soundtrack.

The two year 11 pupils who showed showcase collections showed how the design skill matures and progresses as students move up to GCSE level at Newcastle High School for Girls.  Emilia Cooke produced a three piece capsule collection inspired by packaging and doilies which showcased her eye for design, and her innovative use of raw materials To translate household items into inspired fashion pieces.  Bodices fashioned out of clingfilm and sellotape and trains made from corrugated cardboard stood out in the collection.

“I have a real passion for textiles and hope to study it at A Level and beyond. In Year 9 when I created my first piece I came into the art studio every break, lunchtime and after school to get it finished. Last night I was in the studio until about 5.30pm with my younger sister who I’ve roped in to help me create all the origami flowers I’ll need. It was actually my 13-year-old sister, Francesca who first showed me how to make the flowers! It takes about one hour to create 20 flowers and I need hundreds! I also used three rolls of Sellotape to produce one of the corsets.”  Emilia Cooke, Year 11.

Lucy Baxter went for a softer, more fabric oriented approach in her capsule collection inspired by cabbages.  Soft, floaty pieces accented with screen printed purples and greens showcased her talent for taking the mundane and elevating it to something beautiful, striking and wearable.

“We are very fortunate to have an exceptionally well supported department equipped with unrivalled facilities including laser, screen and 3D printing which are all at the girls’ disposal when they are producing their collections. We are also uniquely placed to be able to offer three different arts based A Levels, Textiles, Fine Art and Graphics which provides tremendous breadth of learning and great creative cross overs for those studying one or more arts based A Levels.”  Alison Goldie, Head of Creative Arts, Newcastle High School for Girls.

Megan Fletcher, aged 17, closed the show with her four piece collection entitled Modern Renaissance featuring a glow in the dark exotic skeletons with full skirt  and shakespearean ruffles.  Fletcher has been offered one of just 25 places on the exclusive BA Hons Fashion Atelier degree course at University College of Arts, UCA in Rochester, the only course of its kind in the UK.

Inspired by Tim Burton movies and the current political climate, Fletcher’s collection focussed on the supernatural using 3D printing and thermo-chromic paint in a dramatic climax.

My favourite collection, entitled The Human Condition by student Hope Turnbull, featured a thought provoking five piece collection inspired by mental health issues and depression.  With clean lines accented by straitjacket-like features and buckles, simple pieces were printed to appear like pill packets emblazoned with quotes from patients struggling with mental ill health and anxiety.

Turnbull’s collection is heavily influenced by Agnes Richter, a 19th century German seamstress detained as a patient in an insane asylum.  Richter densely embroidered her straight jackets with words charting her thoughts and feelings at the time and Turnbull’s collection captures the poignancy of this beautifully.

After the show I learned that Turnbull wasn’t a Textiles student throughout her educational career at Newcastle High School for Girls and only opted to study the subject at year 12. With plans to go on to study Fine Art at University (she’s hoping for Central St Martins or University of the Arts London) I’m tipping this young designer as one to watch, my absolute favourite from the evening, I’m predicting big things for Hope Turnbull.

After watching the show, produced entirely by the students involved, I’ll be watching to see the next steps of some of the older students as they graduate high school and seek further education, it’s rare for talent to present so early and so uniquely in high school students but it looks a super though we have a couple of real gems right here in Newcastle

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Intu Eldon Square’s Walk-in Wardrobe Experience for SS17

Intu Eldon Square has had something of a makeover recently; from the subtle changes in lighting, right through to the brand new Grey’s Quarter which houses a whole host of new eateries including Tapas Revolution and The Alchemist.  There’s no denying that Newcastle’s shopping mall is looking slicker than ever.

But we’re not here to talk food, this time we’re looking at fashion, and in particular, how to take key trends for  SS17 and spin them on the high street.  If the thought of trend led dressing fills you with fear, then hang on in there Voyeurs, Intu Eldon Square have their Walk in Wardrobe experience with expert styling and beauty advice and dedicated workshops, to give you a helping hand towards Spring wardrobe success with Emma from Stylissimo as their secret weapon….

Venue: Mall space in front of Debenhams & New Look
When: Mar  24 – Apr 01

With a core collection of trends available to view in a handy wardrobe, you’ll be able to chat to a Stylist to determine the best trends and styles for your lifestyle and body shape.  Not only that, there will also be daily style talks, workshops and body mapping where you can find out exactly what body shape you are, and the clothing styles that flatter  and elongate your body.

Held daily at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, styling workshops will look at transitional pieces, key trends and styling tips – it’s literally never been easier to get free advice from a personal Stylist.

Got an event on the horizon and want to know how to look like you aced Fashion Week?  Then you’ll want to see the schedule:

24, 26, 28 and 30 March:

11am – Florals: You’ll be learning about the impact of print on your body shape, teaching you how to choose the right floral print for your shape and stature and most importantly how to style the trend to ensure you look amazing.

12pm – Swimwear Masterclass: You’ll learn all about the science behind swimwear, including how to choose the right style and shape to accentuate your assets and ensure that you feel confident and ready to go poolside.

1pm – Blush Flush: Millennial Pink is a key background trend this season, whether it’s blush nude or a deep fuchsia, Intu Eldon Square’s Stylist will teach you how to identify the right shade of pink to suit and enhance your skin tone and hair colour.

2pm – The Perfect Spring Capsule Wardrobe: You’ll be given help and advice on identifying those key seasonal pieces in order to build a selection of different looks for all occasions.

3pm – All Day Makeup: The arrival of Spring means wedding season and vacation planning are upon us.  You’ll have access to expert MUAs from all over the mall who’ll deliver workshops on how to create the perfect “5 Minute Face” as well as tips on how to ensure your makeup can stand the test of time, while remaining fresh and perfect.

25, 27, 29, 31 March:

11am – Big Spring Occasions: Weddings, christenings, a day at the races, whatever your occasion, help is on hand to help you create the perfect look from head to toe.  Already found the perfect outfit?  Bring it along for expert advice on matching (or clashing) footwear and accessories.

12pm – Perfect Day to Evening Makeup: After work cocktails?  Expert MUAs will teach you all the tricks you need up your sleeve to take your makeup look from boardroom to dance floor.

1pm– Personal Stylist Suite: A style specific Q&A workshop where you can pitch  your fashion woes and get expert advice on bringing your look up to date.

2pm – 80’s Redux: Think 80’s glam at max volume.  You’ll explore putting together the perfect party outfit with some killer trends on the high street.  You’ll learn about how to style molten metallics and high shine fabrics to your own body shape and skin tone.

3pm – The New Athleisure: Sports luxe, Athleisure, Activewear, call it what you want, the trend for luxury sports based separates is going nowhere and here you’ll look at how to incorporate those influences into your own Spring wardrobe.

1 April:  The final day of the Walk in Wardrobe experience.  The contents will be refreshed and the Stylist will be joined by a live model who’ll be showcasing the key trends and looks for Spring.

You’ll also have the opportunity to overhaul your beauty regime and look at key makeup trends for Spring 2017 influenced by the runway but toned down for everyday wear.  The Spring Beauty Pod will host a variety of beauty retailers who’ll be on hand to pimp your look.

– Friday 24: No7 Makeovers
– Saturday 25: Elemis Skincare Demonstrations
– Sunday 26: Urban Decay Makeovers
– Monday 27: Urban Decay Makeovers
– Tuesday 28: Liz Earle Skincare Demonstrations
– Wednesday 29: NYX Makeovers
– Thursday 30: Benefit Makeovers
– Friday 31: NARS Makeovers and GHD Hair Products
– Saturday 1: NYX Makeovers

I had an exclusive VIP preview (natch) of the Walk in Wardrobe experience at Eldon Square prior to its launch this weekend, and can vouch that it’s a great place to go before hitting the shops (the pink carpet helps too).  With a curated selection of key trends, all laid out by retailer, it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to tap into seasonal trends.  Emma from Stylissimo is a great soundboard for style advice, you can even bring along an outfit and she’ll show you how to style it up for maximum impact.

The Walk in Wardrobe is packed out with clothes, accessories, shoes and even home styling – there’s a rose gold pineapple in there from Accessorize which I bought immediately after my visit – in a roped off area that you can peruse at your leisure so it’s a must visit if you’re lacking inspiration.

Think of it as a curated version of the high street – the best SS17 trend conversion pieces have been selected and displayed taking all the hard work out of weekend shopping.  Take advantage of it whilst it’s there and hopefully you’ll learn something new; whether it’s how to dress for your body shape, how to create the perfect eyeliner flick or just what colour will compliment your skin tone.  If you’ve always fancied using a stylist, now’s your chance….

Pixie xo

Categories: The Fashion Closet

London Fashion Week FW17: Chanel Joan Elkayam presents La Sola Rosa

London Fashion Week is always exciting, it’s a hotbed for fresh talent and in terms of ‘The Big Four’, it’s the one we look to for micro trend inspiration.  It’s a great place for spotting emerging design talent and the FW17 season saw several designers make their debut, a few of whom stand out for all the right reasons.  Jessie Western showed their first runway collection this season to huge success and another young designer to break the mound is Chanel Joan Elkayam.

Elkayam has been on my radar for a little while now, she’s an interesting girl and I’ve followed her career to date with curiosity after she contacted me a couple of years back.  Elkayam has an impressive CV and a list of awards and accolades as long as the train on her finale gown.  Whenever I read about her, I’m always curious to find out more.  The reason I’m so interested in her is that she’s just 19 years old.  Yes Voyeurs you read that right, this is a fully fledged fashion designer who not only creates her own collections, but produces her own elaborate shows, all at the tender age of 19.

Elkayam is a Womenswear student studying at Central St. Martin’s, she’s been around on the tradeshow scene for a little while now but in 2016 the girl blew up in a big way.  Major players started to take notice, she was invited to show at Paris Fashion Week for FW16 and in doing so, became the youngest designer to show a couture collection during Fashion Month.  Since then, she’s shown at New York Fashion Week for SS17 and spoken at several conferences about women in business.  She may be just 19 years old but the girl is a powerhouse; at the 2016 New York Fashion Awards, Elkayam was awarded the ‘International Designer of the Year’ by industry professionals.

Her FW17 collection, La Sola Rosa was a story of Love and loss.  Inspired by poet Vera Brittain who was given a single red rose by her fiancé at the train station on their last day together during World War 1.  Elkayam sought to portray raw beauty, emotion, power and romantic sensuality though her collection and did this with drama and flair.

Guests took their seats and the lights were dimmed before the show began.  Models walked the runway with a strong Dolce Vita inspired beauty look reminiscent of Dolce & Gabbana’s Sicilian princesses, a timeless red lip and a single red rose to compliment Elkayam’s debut accessory line.  A largely monochrome palette with flashes of red and tapestry brocade, the collection showcased the female form using traditional shapes with a focus on the waist using leather waspies to cinch and create an hourglass shape.

When you’re watching a show with as many looks, comprising both a fashion collection and an accessories line, it’s hard to remember that Elkayam is still in her first year at Central St Martin’s.  Detailing throughout the collection is uniform and exquisite, her eye for detail is mature well beyond her years and whilst the shapes are simple, Elkayam clearly knows where her strengths lie.

Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing how Elkayam’s career progresses, with preparations already underway for SS18, I’ll be back on the frow in September so keep it here Voyeurs and remember the name Chanel Joan Elkayam, you’ll be hearing it a lot more….

Pixie xo