Why can't money buy...

Unlike my usual blog posts, I am posting a column I wrote for uni project. Let me know what you think.

Why can’t money buy...

The perfect man?

The novelty of being single is most certainly wearing off. Three years of not-so-great dates (sometimes even soul shattering) and more notches on my bed post than I care to admit. I’m starting to think it’s me –kidding, it’s never us ladies.

 

    

The month of September, as the bitter air bites my cheeks, I decide a boyfriend would be nice this winter (if all fails maybe a new addition to my Christmas list). I’m not talking about any average guy, I’m talking about the perfect man.  And I blame Disney for this. From childhood, the fairytale romance was implanted in our minds. Where handsome Prince Charming kisses the princess breaking the terrible spell and carries her off into the sunset. Translation. A 6ft2 gorgeous man, wines and dines us out of our normal lives and drives off into the sunset in a white Ferrari with 750 horse power.

I AM asking for that earth moving romance what Adele warbles on about. I am also expecting to re-live the scenes of The Notebook. I want real romance. When did it become acceptable for a first date to entail “chilling at mine with a bottle of (value) vodka?” – yes this really happened. I’m not wasting my time shaving my legs for that.

In a world where designer vaginas can be purchased when yours is old and saggy, a hundred ton metal bird can soar our skies and the cloning of Dolly the sheep (and even extinct animals) is possible, then why can’t I buy my perfect man?

I’m waiting for the day when Selfridges clears out old stock for it’s latest fad, more popular than the shoe gallery. THE MAN LAB. Lines of men in every shape, size and colour you can imagine. Different styles for every occasion. And when this one no longer meets my needs, I’ll purchase another or return my man within 14 days for a full refund. Now wouldn’t that be perfect?

I can see the rainbow

Splashes of orange, blue, yellow and pink were just some of the colours that spattered through-out Fred Butler's SS12 collection. Presented in the Portico room of Somerset house, four models strutted from backstage ten minutes apart to their spot -literally four considerably large coloured spots in each corner of the room, with an even larger one in the centre- for spectators to photograph. The music: A Patrick Wolfe sound installation. The drinks: A variety of Soda Stream mixed (Butler's sponsor) cocktails. Accessories had been assembled on the models which resembled magical sea creatures in magnificently bright colours. A magnificent collection perfect for SS12 was seen in Butler's first ever salon show and the compliments she received were truly deserved.

Myself and fashion journalist Isabella Eckett wearing Fred Butler's SS12 headbands

Crystals for Craig

Forget diamonds been a girls best friend, backstage at the Craig Lawrence SS12 show, the glittering of his crystal creations were enough to make any girl green with envy. I found myself  drooling over the handmade beauties like a hungry dog waiting for pedigree chum. The urge to try on these masterpieces was unbearable. 

Originally from Ipswich, the London-based designer was sponsored by Swarovski for his SS12 collection, therefore each garment had crystal flecks, grains and stones cleverly attached and entwined through the magical knitwear.

Lawrence's salon show held in the Portico rooms at Somerset house dazzled the audience including photographers from Vogue.co.uk, Suzie Menkes (editor of the international Herald Tribune) and Anna Trevelyan (stylist).

Naked at Blackall studios

Alice Dellal

Gathered in black in the downstairs of Shoreditch gallery, Blackall studios, waiting for the opening of Mari Sarai's NAKED exhibition. Ten interns, all assigned jobs, raring to go.

Covering the walls of the spacious white exhibition room was Sarai's intimate photography. A personal insight into moments of peoples lives you might otherwise never see. Confidence, arrogance and an expression of femininity come through in her work. Sarai's aim was to photograph nude women to capture their femininity and take away from the commercialism that's occured for models. Working with the likes of Janice Dickinson, Alice Dellal, Amy Winehouse, Daisy Lowe and Liam Gallagher, she's known in the industry for her unique and personal style of photography.

Guests included Calvin Klein model Aaron Frew, Annette Heart (who modelled in Mari Sarai's book NAKED) and close friends and followers of Sarai.

Annette Heart

One of my favourite pieces

Mari Sarai, me, fashion journalist Dean Montague

Why Winehouse?

Finding out through text on my way back from present shopping; "As if Amy winhouse was just found dead. Gutting xx". Shocking for a moment, upsetting, but also something that was inevitable due to her uncontrollable drug addiction. Rehab, friends or family couldn't stop her but what a waste of a great talent, someone who would have continued to be successful for years to come. Now just a legend and memory joining the 27 club. Someone who had been immensly passionate about singing and 60s music from the tender age of twelve: "I want people to hear my music and forget their troubles for 5 minutes" ironically died herself a very troubled individual.

Amy sung from her heart, every song was relevant to her and meant something. True talent grown from real passion. Her voice brilliantly unique. Her appearance a dark, sinister yet glamourously 50s look.

Personally I believe her addiction was fuelled from her relationship with Blake. On meeting Blake once in a previous job I found him to be strangely unaware of his surroundings, his friends arrogant and he appeared vacant and quiet.

Despite the fact that drugs seem to have become increasingly acceptable within certain scenes and industries I fail to see the appeal of taking illegal drugs. The consequences of an addiction is what I focus on and unless your life is truly awful and it's as an escape from a vile reality then I really don't see the need. I understand that people dabble in university and when they're young but even then it's not something that I feel the need to do because addiction is always a possibility. Amy's addiction has lead to a tragedy for her family, friends and fans. I feel now, that Amy amongst an endless list of other legends is an example that will hopefully make some people see what a minor drug dabbling can turn into.

R.I.P Amy x

King Galliano

After following the intense case of the John Galliano arrest and departure from Dior I have to admit I am completely devastated at the happenings. A man I have loved and adored for his talents for as long as I can remember, the genius and talent behind the vision of the late Christian Dior, a man who combines elegant romanticism with dark sexuality at a perfect balance. One of the world's most famous and best paid designers even linked to something of this nature seems ludicrous. So naturally, I took the news badly and thought, this cannot be true? To my disbelief it was, but why would a man of his status, with his intelligence and who has previously suffered from prejudice attacks himself say such a vile, awful thing? My only real answer to this; He was provoked to an extent where he said something awful he later deeply regrets but at the time his mind wasn't at its normal state. 


When the news broke, for me I took the stance which deemed as controversial and took a lot of stick for it. A lot of people agreed (sharing the same view that Franca Sozzani of Italian Vogue does) but also a lot did not, however to my surprise after a group discussion in a lecture last week the two tutors had the same opinion as myself. More specifically one tutor - ex fashion editor from ID magazine - was so very devastated by how the media have portrayed him. How she does not think he is in any way rascist or Anti-Semetic, and how she feels he was provoked at the time of high intoxication and was saying the worst possible things to get these people away from him. The discussion was an interesting insight into what the tutors thought about this terrible time for John Galliano. Despite nobody condoning his behaviour and of course how it is wrong on all levels, sympathy was felt for him all round and his talent was not overlooked. I do not for one minute agree with what he said and think what came out of his mouth was utterly awful but like my tutor, I also do not for one minute believe he is genuinely racist or Anti-Semitic and as a long time adorer of John Galliano my loyalty will not waive.


After his statement Wednesday 2nd March my belief that he was provoked stood. He voiced how in fact he was assaulted and harassed "when an individual tried to hit me with a chair having taken violent exception to my look and my clothing." (Link to full statement at end of post.)


Giorgio Armani told how he feels sorry for John Galliano. Following his autumn/winter 2011-12 show earlier today, the Italian designer told the Telegraph's Hilary Alexander, via an interpreter backstage, that he was sorry to hear what had happened to Galliano - acknowledging that it must be a difficult time for him - adding that he was sorry that Galliano had been videotaped without his knowledge - Vogue.co.uk. 


Franca Sozzani of Italian Vogue defended Galliano saying he "was clearly provoked, and filmed while obviously inebriated" she went on to suggest that the woman who taped his outburst may have done it for a financial gain.


Model, Jessica Stam even tweeted about her beloved friend - I believe every human being on this earth was created equal. I also don't turn my back on friends when they're in a dark place - Twitter.com.



Full statement online March 2nd 5.03pm - http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/110225-john-galliano-arrested-in-paris-for.aspx

Oh Josh Beech

DKNY A/W 11

Duckie Brown A/W 11

Josh Beech on doing runway: I get really fucking nervous. It’s weird because give me a mic or a guitar in a room of hundreds of people I am fine, but walking down a run way I shit myself lol. I think it’s because the designer has put their life into those clothes and if I fucked up I would be letting them down. It’s a lot of pressure lol!

Loving life?

Keno Weidner and Josh Beech

At the Burberry Prorsum A/W 11

Josh Beech on fashion week: I love the madness. I wish life was that crazy all the time. I love meeting new people and going to strange places you wouldn't normally go and in fashion week you get to do that.

Favourite Josh Beech Pic