Maybe it’s because I’m from Africa or maybe it’s because I’m an earthy Taurus… but either way I just love animal prints.
How about zebra print for some cool, detached je ne se quois? Zebra to me is modern, stylish and classic. It’s a print which is fresh and cool as a cucumber.
Leopard print is sexy and exciting. It says dont mess with me! I know who I am and I get what I want. Leopard implies a certain dangerous mystery.
Snake skin shouts out that you’re a bold go-getter. Someone comfortable in themselves and ready to take on the world. Snake skin let’s everyone know who’s in charge!
Peacock is all about seduction, the exotic and intrigue. Peacock is regal and exclusive.
Feeling sexy? Tiger print tells me you’ve got the stamina to back it up. You’re not shy and are taking no prisoners!
Each print says something… it evokes mood and emotion at a glance. Perhaps there’s some evolutionary fascination instilled into us which brings these prints so vividly to life in our minds?
On the train home a few days ago I was reading an article in the Independent on the sale of premium women’s clothingwebsite Net-a-porter to luxury group Richemont. The story caught my eye for a number of reasons not withstanding the fact that the previous owner and founder of the company, Natalie Massenet, pocketed a reported £50m in the process.
I Googled Natalie Massenet when I got home and spent some time researching Net-a-porter. It is a wildly impressive tale: Natalie was a former stylist and fashion editor who noticed a gap in the market for getting designer goods straight from the catwalk to the woman at home or work. She took a leap of faith and started a small online company when it was probably quite unfashionable to do so (post e-commerce Bubble era). In 2000 her online store launched and has now grown into one of the largest online retailers in the world. It is most certainly the #1 premium fashion destination for discerning fashionistas with 2 million unique visitors every month.
I found 2 very interesting youtube videos on Natalie and Net-a-porter which I want to share.
Natalie, as you will see, is very elegant, charming, ambitious and intelligent. She has a very evident love of fashion and a fantastic eye for great design and this come across clearly in the interview she gives about how Net-a-porter started and also the design of the Net-a-porter head office in London.
So, I raise a proverbial cup to this wonderful specimen of a woman and wish her every success in the future.
Now only if they would do something similiar for menswear…
I like to shop. It’s not a crime. What I spend on shopping in terms of my budget is though.
Today for instance, I went to Spitalfields Market with my friend Jon for a browse and ended up buying 2 T shirts for £30. Okay, so £30 for 2 T Shirts is quite a bargain I hear you say… well consider that I recently moved and ended up throwing out about 10 T Shirts some of which I may have only ever worn once. The fact is I don’t need a lot of these things but they inject an adrenalin shot into the bloodstream which makes me giddy from the impulsiveness of it all. Let’s face it, I’m never going to stop shopping – but what I can do is shop more efficiently methinks.
I’d prefer to make my own clothes actually – hopefully this will be a feasible once I start my clothesmaking course next month. Then I can create one-off pieces just for myself at a fraction of the price I’d pay elsewhere. The sense of reward from making something for yourself is immeasurable! A couple of months ago I went and bought a £1.50 basic white T from Primark and then bought some black permanent markers and put my own design on it. I must have worn that short about 3 times a week – it’s now starting to come undone a bit (that’ll be the Primark quality then) but I couldn’t bare to throw it out. My point is that we appreciate these type of things more because we are more invested in them – they’re more meaningful because of the time, effort and thought that went into it. I could buy a top anywhere and be bored of it in weeks but when you make it yourself there is a stronger sense of ownership and pride.
So that’s my thought really; I want to invest in more meaningful things for myself. Not only is it probably going to be cheaper in the long run but also more rewarding too!
Okay, seriously, how amazing are these hairstyles?
They were created by a Japanese director and artist called Nagi Noda. Sadly, Nagi Noda passed away last year at the age of 35. What a terrible shame as she was clearly very talented. I understand that these sculptures are in fact made from real human hair extensions; painstakingly sewn, weaved and glued to achieve these wonderful looks. I guess it’s slightly impractical for corporate wear (ahem) but then again this is London and I’m sure there are some work places that would love a colleague strolling in sporting a fox terrier mullet -- although sadly not at my job!
