Really dreamy blog, The Unicorn Diaries is like jumping into a beautifully designed story book.

Amazingly original work by Peter Callesen: giant floating castles. Has to be seen to be believed [here]

This is a really great project which does exactly what it says: one question posed to 50 people. Beautifully shot and wonderfully put together.

Hi, I’m Be. Pleased to be sharing some of my favourite style spots of the week. Stop by regually to see what i’ve found round and about

Much Love Be x

The Cornish family (and Van Gogh) sunflower race update. Can’t wait to see them when they get their bootiful sunny heads!

Oh..and look who is winning (AHEM..me!!)

Day 4 didn’t get covered by Ballad, no front row seats = no review

Day 5, I joined Debbie…10 mins after which she got called in for a (incredibly exciting) interview…so you’re stuck with me, and I can’t write how Debbie can about fashion…so i’m guna let the visual work its magic!

First up, Newham College “Spots and Stripes” inspired by organic forms. White, pale shirts confusingly followed by a contrasting burst of intense colour. Very impressive structure and form, and ranged wildly between the wearable and the non! Not that that is a bad thing…I like the pink hooded one at the back, I can see myself in that on the SG quest.

Laura Panter with “a collection that cries adolescent with womanly curves”… hmm. I loved a lot of it, thought the colours were lush and the structure lusher. It worked really well as a collection, and it was a mint contrast between smart wearable and totally bondage nuts.

Laura Fox presented her rural renaissance, a celebration of British heritage and craftsmanship. Hunting style meets home - made - pie and floral housewife kitchen. Tweed, pheasant feathers, chints and pearls. I sat up and took notice, the troosers were cut really nicely and a very wearable collection, if thats your thing. I think it will become mine

Kim Seoghee’s “Another 7th Day” I LOVED. shit loads of attitude, black, slouchy, sulky and skulky. The girls were cat-like felines, lots of layering, lots of scowling and the lads looked amazing. Black and Guyliner, you can’t go wrong with this collection.

Sarina Hosking’s “Beauty & The Beast”…Red Ridinghood is in love with The Beast. The Beast? When did Red meet The Beast? It started of very medieval with loads of traditional ruffles and layering…with a confused contradiction with Spanish-esque dresses and a load of sequins. It was cute, but not consistent and I was confused by the British Traditional v Spanish Senorita. It was the guy next to me’s fave though. Each to their own.

Astrid Amalie Juliussen’s collection was “soft and edgy with an edgy twist” I didn’t really get that from it, it had kinda a Mexican feel. Bold colours and loads of fabric.

Elizabeth Wilcox “Transform” was described to me by the compare as “Sports wear, with inspiration from Transformers and structured robotic shapes” I was ready to tune out right then and there, but I was pleasantly surprised. She should of told me about the neon! It had more of a Judy Jetson feel to it, which would of made me sit up and take notice, and not miss the 1st outfit! The Bob The Builder style outfit complete with tool belt was questionable however…

The Waltham Forest College collection was brilliant. They had a load of support from the crowd, which was nice, the choreography was superb and the outfits were cute cute cute. Made from…PATTERNED SOCKS…the collection was cheeky and rag doll-esque. Class.

Viveka Goyanes’ Urban Fashion “Brummella the Dandella” reminded me of the Jazz age, but also had a New York Smoking Room feel to it. The outfits could of fitted better, and it felt a bit confused, but a really interesting collection.

Cristiane Chaves “Cyberwitch” was inspired by Araki’s bondage polaroids. It was a really well made collection, the fabrics were perfect and hung beautifully. You could tell they were well made and if I were effortlessly chic and french, I would dress like this every day. The collection was vast, and so impressive for one designer.

Olivia Grogan’s work was a crowd pleaser and drew breaths, but it wasn’t really my cup of tea, I’ve seen it all before. It was lovely, but I like to see something a bit different. Inspired by Atlantis and rising sea levels, the inspiration was taken very literally. Bold and brave colours, I really liked the trousers though, couldn’t take my eyes off them. Can I have a pair please..?

Toni Ann Haines’ “Based On Love” was beautiful and original. Short but sweet, Gaga and VB would feel at home in this collection. Leather structure, corsets galore, figure hugging suspenders… It was a shame that everyone was discussing a particular model instead of the very talented, very innovative designer. I think we will se a lot more of Toni Ann Haines.

Wilfried Pletzinger’s collection was frikking fantastic. Recycling has never looked so good. Had it been introduced at sportswear, I would of caught up on my notes, but thankfully it wasn’t, it was so much more than that (…de ja vu? maybe i’m a sportswear fan!) I’ve never seen an umbro tracksuit look so beautiful! Brown, Orange and Yellow has always been a favorite combo of mine. Im not sure i’m quite ready for a 90s style shell suit flex, but bring on the 70s classic with a twist, and the 80s puffer. Im ready.

Imanni Da Silva was inspired by fetish and burlesque…I was looking forward to this…settled in for a good show, but Da Silva had gone down the trashy tranny route rather than the classy stripper. I was confused by the collection, but it remained consistent in its trashy attire. Keep an eye out for what I like to call “Butterfly Boob”

Chelsea College of Art & Design was a monster of a show! “Modern Folk” was a conglomeration of Gypsy folk and Ganesha and everything in-between. I was a bit pissed off by the models in this collection…until i figured that they were the designers, or their friends walking, and I quickly warmed to them. The group feeling on stage made me feel happy and nostalgic for Blackpool (…the uni days…) and their excitement and joy was contagious. A really good, really eclectic collection, I have my faves. Pastel with parasol and aztec print play suit with belt

Don’t worry, my fashion reviews aren’t going to become regular, Debbie will be back next week!

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Alternative Fashion Week – Day 3

Maggie Pinhorn began, as she has done each day with a few brief words that introduced Alternative Fashion Week, its sponsors and most importantly the young designers whose work was to be shown that day. The ‘Really Tight Corsettes’ were again providing music, which although lacking an American singer; piano and acoustic guitar (in my eyes the key ingredients to the perfect song) are obviously very talented musicians and a pleasure to listen to. Enough jabbering I believe I was there to admire (or at least look) at the work being sent down the runway

It was a promising start with what I think was 3 collections from students at Havering College. Avant-garde was its promise with inspiration drawn from the 18^th century; the final result were striking garments heavy on Vivienne Westwood’s signature draping technique. It felt very British, as in the pieces were classic but with that twist we seem to have become famed for. The menswear collection was just delicious, I promise you I’m not talking about the models; tweed suits with velvet trimmings, a pinch of yellow and a smattering of red – tres chic! There was also the way they all walked down the runway, the men were classically dressed and taking their place as dominant male by escorting the elegantly dresses ladies down the catwalk. Please do not mistake me for 50’s housewife but I do very much believe that men should open doors, walk on the side of the pavement next to the traffic and ultimately be a gentleman. This collection put men and women in the roles that are sometimes forgotten in modern living, it may be okay to wear your sweatpants to work but the act of formal dressing should never be forgotten.

Nicole Sawyers ‘Ringmasters Boutique’ collection should have been left to travel with the circus. Please note that just because All Saints gather their garments in order to increase the price tag 10 fold does not mean that is all you have to do in order to produce a ‘boutique’ clothing. Fortunately the sight of last seasons Christian Louboutain thigh high leather boots distracted me that is until she sent a New Look worthy striped strapless top out, all in all not a great collection.

On my notes for Mary Ratcliffe I’ve scribbled ‘patchwork loveliness’ and ‘delightfully disheveled’ that was all I could manage, I feared if I looked down for too long I would miss the detail on the next look. Yes, I admit I love, love, loved it! Sparkly ankle accessories, driftwood necklaces, bomber jackets with whimsical carton characters and animal bags of the stuffed variety. Oh and I have found a substitute for a certain Giles Deacon metallic dinosaur bag, (having grudgingly accepted that this item is never going to be mine), it comes in both bear and horse shapes although I think my plan will be to find the perfect stuffed metallic dino friend to customize as Mary did. She has made customizing something more than adding a patch here or a sequin there; she completely re works these clothes into something both fun and wearable without going over the top.

Have you seen the Sex in the City episode where Carrie makes her fashion show debut in those glittery panties and the um designer tells her to ‘trot back love’? Well that was obviously the same instructions given to girls walking in Adel Andic’s show, even that combined with thigh high PVC hooker boots couldn’t distract from the hideous brown shiny creations being paraded in front of me. It was so blugh and it just kept coming, more and more shiny creations, then a cute coat with fur collar and Voila – Fini!!

’m not really a trainer girl unless I’m running or no, that’s about it and I most certainly don’t want to wear clothing that resembles one – surely the shoes it’s self is enough? Gemma Wadsworth collection was seamlessly made, the garments were different enough to provide variation but obviously themed it’s just a shame that theme was the Adidas Tokyo trainer!

The London Printworks Trust showed a collection based on Breakfast at Tiffany’s (classic), The Matrix (long black cloaks), Beat Street (think fresh prince of Bel Air) and Marie Antoinette (extravagance) please don’t make me write anymore it was as freaky as it sounds. Apart from one of the girls wearing a Marie Ann wig creation I just don’t see how any of these influences well influenced the designers, that said it would not matter what the press release said if the items were fantastic, as you may have gathered they were not.

My first thoughts on ALQ UK Brand – Kill me know!!!! It looked like they had popped down to Zara and picked up a few chunky knit cardigans, teamed them with jeans and said ‘strut down the runway like you’re not in your own clothing’.

Amanda Wai Yin Ng draped and layered various black materials in order to create her ‘Frozen Illusion/Internal Torment’ collection. It was dull, like really boring and as far as I can remember she sent the same thing down the runway again and again. Oh and there was also a lack of attention to detail, tights were laddered, no crazy destroyed laddered but oopsey I snagged it laddered and the shoes had stickers on the bottom – ARGH!

Relief from boredom came in the form of Elisabeth Hamlyn’s knitwear, interestingly shaped pieces done in rich color and not a pom pom in sight! It was ask if Mark Fast had borrowed his grandmama’s knitting needles and gotton busy with deep reds, Persians blues, burnt oranges and jade greens. There was a stunning red gillet that looked as though it was made from rope, super intricately twisted together over a simple grey jumper.

Who would have thought latex could be pretty? Amy Day’s ‘Celestial Macabre’ collection was plastic fantastic; corsages in an array of pastel shades decorated both the hair and bodies of the alternative models. She also combined this more unusual material with cotton; silk and chiffon to create pieces that I hadn’t even thought were possible!

No, no, no you don’t mix pink cotton with multicolored knitwear; somebody should have mentioned this to Maartje de Man before he embarked on his ‘Imaginary Escape’ collection. Supposedly a credit crunch friendly holiday to South America, hum well if that’s what it’s like in the deepest south of the USA I will staying in London where the sun is shining and the boys are cute!

Apparently all you need to create a collection nowadays is ?!X and not only am I supposed to wear this phrase but it is supposed to inspire me to think positively about the future. Well it’s going to take more than a few symbols to convince me that everything is going to be okay, show me a paid job and I’ll maybe crack a smile! Personally ‘Think Act Vote’ did a poor attempt at a P Diddy ‘Vote or Die’ campaign and no adding tassels doesn’t make everything better.

Colchester School of Art and Design are no doubt a talented bunch, the beading detail on certain items was fantastic I would have loved to have had a closer look. Black trousers with zips, chains, dangly bits and anything else that can be attached waltzed down the runway next too tie dye shirts, if they hadn’t been covered by a jacket I may have got up and left right there and then!

Fortunately that was the last show of the day leaving me free to drink Frappacinos in the sunshine, until tomorrow – Au Revoir!!

“She could feel her entire body tremble as he pulled her close to him, so close she could taste his heartbeat. The smell of his skin surrounding and incensing her as his fingers hunted her naked body; slowly but defiantly finding their way between her thighs. His mouth on her neck and his body in her soul, her back arched and her body howled.”

Keep a look out for more of Blaubushka’s story on Ballad Of…xx

We headed down to Beyond The Valley with Be last night for the private view of Blandine Bardeau’s exhibition. It was beautiful, and so fun. The whole place was buzzing, we miss a good spinning top! Head down there to see the show and shop while you’re at it! We LOVE a Fluorescent Monkey - awww! And got inspiration for a new tattoo! What more can you ask for?

(*thank you to the guy behind the counter. the most loveliest guy in the whole wide world who was very kind to me when I spilt red wine :S)

There are no words to describe the beauty that is Jessie Craig. Here is just a selection of her photographs, get your ass on over to her place. Make sure you check out Dear Diary too.

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