Duran Duran: Girl Panic!

A dream come true, the 1st time I watched this I was just so excited, every new shot made me jump I just couldn’t believe it. The glamour, the supermodels (iconic ones at that) and of course the amazing music. Such a beautiful film! I’m so pleased to be posting this on my blog. It has been more then a while since a music video has had be breathless and screaming for more and here it is!

J’adore

Pip Alexander x

Obsession. A Fashion Film.

So I have decided to create a project with my friend Vicki. Together we will create fashion films and series of photographs, all expressing an idea or mood. I hope you enjoy our first of the series called 'Obsession'.

J'adore

Pip Alexander + Vicki Myers x

Goldfrapp: Train

One of the sexiest tracks produced my Goldfrapp and a personal favourite!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Photograph and Quote: No. 10

"You can tell the state of civilization by the way people dress. If the people who fought two World Wars came back to 2010 and saw all of us running around in tracksuits, what would they think? It is just being sloppy. And it is not about the money, it is a mindset" - Daphne Guinness

Couple of days recap... last day in London :(

I practically have a library packed full of fantasies in my brain. And it's like I've just borrowed one for the last 5 weeks of my trip. England, France and Spain. Now it feels like my fantasy is due to be returned to the library. And the dream is now over. Back to reality.

But over the last couple of days alot of the other somewhat miniature fantasies have also been lived out. A visit to the Dover Street Market and the infamous SHOWstudio! A dream come true! But like I said to my friend, SHOWstudio just isn't the same without someone of importance there. It's like theatre, an empty stage without a star to perform. But still fabulous, I felt pretty honorable to be there. The concept for the Dover Street Market was a dream come true. I'd always dreamt of a destination similar to it.

And today was the last whole day in London. And it was spent going to a crafts market and the Museum of London, which had an unexpected surprise to it. FULL OF PHILIP TREACY HATS! :D You wouldn't be able to miss a piece as each hat was breath taking. It featured an Isabella Blow favourite, the ship hat (above). And below are a few other favourites.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

REVIEW: Christian Dior - RTW - Spring 2012

This post is in response to a request.

Dior really seems to be the hot topic of the moment, and releasing a collection during this impulse of talk I believe would be pretty stressful. There is talk of Marc Jacobs taking over as head designer of the house. And everyone seems to have different opinions on that, and their' own personal opinion on who should become head designer since John Galliano lost his position at Dior. For me I think there is a better fit for the position, I think they should look a little harder and find a more natural fit. I do love Jacobs a lot and his work and progress for Louis Vuitton has come very far. I just don't think his creative mind fits well with the branding of Dior.

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

But anyway back to the collection. Personally Bill Gaytten did a pretty good job with this Ready-To-Wear collection, a fantastic progression from the haute couture collection. A very pretty show indeed, delving into Christian Dior's origins for the house. Gaytten certainly gave us a modern minimilistic interpretation of Dior. And as pretty as it was I still think it's a lackluster approach. I think my beliefs really come from the fact of having such a defined knowledge of what Dior's aesthetic was. Galliano gave us stricking images, powerful women and a hell of a lot of theatrics. And Gaytten doesn't bring any of that. I think it also has to do with John's true love of history and the powerful women who where in it. John's collections where heavily influenced by his muses and were usually inspired or actually based on them. And each collection would have a story and each outfit would represent apart of it.

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

Even Galliano's selection of music would perfectly represent the story he was trying to tell, and the images and music would transport you into another time in history. His work was never trend driven where as from these two collections shown from Gaytten seems to show quite a few key trends of the moment.

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

I think the collection was definitely an improvement, and there was some beautifully made pieces just a little to simply for Dior for my liking. I just hope that if they are deciding to replace head designer Bill Gaytten that they choose someone who is a natural fit.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

First Photoshoot in London

I bought some new wedges the other day, so I thought it'd be nice to upload some photos that showcase both my new hat and shoes.

All photography by Vicki Myers

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

REVIEW: Gareth Pugh - RTW - Spring 2012

Monochromatically beautiful is the first thing that comes to mind. This seems a natural fit for Gareth,  an expression showcased in majority of his collections. 

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

Now I haven't done a review in a while but this collection was a breath of fresh air in my eyes. A collection that I could easily see fitting into my wardrobe because of it's fearlessness, monochromaticity, tight pants and the aerodynamic construction of the fitted armer and gliding graph cutout dresses. What I also enjoyed about the collection were the transformations from previous collections. Such as the new softer and fragile mutation of the air bag cushions from Spring 2007. But the most prominent collection that comes to mind is the medieval inspired Spring 2009 because of the the black and white coordination and medieval knight influence.

 

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

The show was great, just what Pugh had been hoping to do by incorporating Ruth Hogben's fashion filmic techniques and the theatrics of the catwalk show.

I don't think you could call them clothes as they were, as usual, completely architectural not only in the individual pieces but completely transforming the women and men in to what seemed like robotic warriors. The dramatic tribalistic music and the construction of the clothes gave the show a sort of futuristic jungle feel. 

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

In this new world that he and Ruth had created it seemed the women were the dominant species, wearing more armor then the men and in some cases wearing less then the men. Gareth always loves to create strong, powerful and sexy woman. He certainly achieved this in the Spring 2012 collection, for me I think he created the highest evolution of the Pugh woman. To the end the Pugh woman becomes the peak of it's evolution by breaking out of the black and white pallet and transforming into purple hues of beauty and in the presence of purple flames. Each of the Pugh empresses don a purple teardrop capsule headpiece that looks almost like a butterflies cocoon. Just like cocoons, the faces inside of them were only just visible. To me this brought up the theory of evolution. And it looks like there are plenty more evolutions of Gareth Pugh's work to come.

Courtesy of STYLE.COM 

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

A cup of coffee in one's hand and a hat perched on one's head.

Drinking a long black with the company of my friend Vicki and my hat


My new hat finally arrived in my hands! Eventually, Rosie Olivia created this magnificent hat that I told a cashier had "flown and perched upon my head". I'm in love with it, and I'm so glad of it. It's beautiful, it sure grabs some attention, as usual when it comes to my wardrobe. I'm sure my friend gets sick of it.

MMMMMMMM Starbucks I LOOOVEEE your Whoopie pie! You sure taste gooood

So a late post as usual, this is to cover the last few days.

The last few days have been spent collecting my hat from Rosie Olivia, exploring the many wonders of Oxford Street, Knightsbridge, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, getting drunk at the British Museum :/ and plenty of H&M and Topshop to go with it. Including Big Ben, LOOKING at Westminster Abbey (as the prices to enter where fucking ridiculous) and sitting by the River Thames eating ice cream in the horrible HOT weather, yes hot! And having to re-apply my black lipstick the entire day,

You can't see, but the accessory of the day was a whip that I carried the entire day.
Which according to my friend, scared the crap out of old people.


J'adore
Pip Alexander x

YO! I'm Thirsty!

Just a day of relaxing at home..

I love this picture of Leigh Bowery just casually relaxing on a sofa

Makes me smile, I completely agree with what was his way of thinking. A person who truly believes and appreciates glamour should want to put the same level of effort in appearance for when they're at home and when they're out at an event.

(Love how there a randomly placed miniature trampoline)

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

RED DRESS

Yesterday I met up with my friend Vicki at Heathrow Airport and since then we have been trekking the streets of London. My sister has been tour guide as of yesterday and has taken us to the top of Primrose hill, a visit to Brick Lane and the flowers market and a small trip to Hackney City Farm. The farm was cute and included chickens, pigs and a donkeys.

In one of the many markets visited I found a pretty intriguing ring which was the head of what seems to be a chinese dragon! It looks pretty magnificent but unfortunately is leaving a green mark on my finger, which can mean nothing more then a poorly made product. But none the less it looks beautiful for the time being.

After that a trip to a free exhibition called the 'Red Dress' which was held in a hall. The entrance was like walking through a passage way into a vampire's lair as it was completely black and no indication on where to go, just beams of red lights shining into your face. But as we reached the end of the hall there was what looked like a dark room for photography, just black with a red tinge of light. We were asked to take off our foot wear and just be in socks, and if we didn't have socks there were red socks we could put on for the meantime. As we continued we entered the hall, frilled white paper was surrounding it like curtains and a lot of red garments were for sale, felt slippers, boots and circular dress and scarves. As we walked down the stares we could see the red dress which filled up about half of the hall's space.

What a beautiful sight

It was pretty breathtaking, I could almost imagine myself slipping into it haha. On the other side of the hall were sowing machines and loads and loads of felt and needles, and various strings. It was a free event and everyone was encouraged to get there hands dirty and create something out of the red fabric. But it was a rule to make a heart out of the fabric so we could take a little bit of the love with us. People made all sorts of things; badges, scarfs, hats, headbands, bracelets, wraps, collars, pillows, masks and the list goes on. I made a scarf out of an off cut and add a few hearts at the bottom, my sister made a head piece and a scarf and vicki made a bracelet bow. It was a lot of fun, the time really flew by quickly.

I really enjoyed this free event, when ever there is one at home or on a trip I always enjoy taking part! It's a great way of coming together as a community and as humans and just taking the time out to enjoy life and enjoy fashion. I thinks it's a great way of showing that anybody can come along and not matter what skills you have you still have the ability to create something beautiful and different out of the same materials given to everyone else!

Back with more sooooooonnnn

(Getting my hat tomorrow, more details on their way)

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

HAAAATSSSS

It is truly extraordinary how much a hat can transform the wearer. In any case it seems to bring a hight to the beholder and that but it also brings a certain power too. A hat can also be transform them literally into another being, becoming uber-humanly. For me I think a hat is necessary for anybody who is really wanting to push outside of the human body and become another being.
I think shoes can also have a similar effect especially with a heel, it can change the pace and the way that you walk.

A few extreme examples of some of my favourite hats and the extremists who wear them:

Isabella Blow

Dita Von Teese

Lady Gaga

Róisín Murphy

Daphne Guinness

Grace Jones

Hopefully soon I'll be able to upload a picture of myself in a hat, as I will be making a purchase in London of an extremely gorgeous piece. So heads up within the next week or so!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Daphne Guinness At Home

Photograph and Quote: No. 9

This quote really applies to me right at the moment!

“Everyone has to make their own decisions. I still believe in that. You just have to be able to accept the consequences without complaining.” - Grace Jones

No internet. Bugger it.

So I didn't bother writing any posts in Paris as the wifi was a complete mess, and now on the island of Majorca there was no internet. But I have finally managed to grab some here in the reception! I really wish I could of wrote more in Paris as I don't really remember the daily events and don't have the time to write it all down. But Paris is a dream! Obviously the language barrier is the only problem. Saying 'merci' so many times it drills into your head! I'm now saying to people who can speak English ii's that far in my head!!!

But back to Paris, certainly a dream! Went to all the landmarks and buildings and the paris louvre! That was magnificent, but soooo exhausting! The Eiffel tower, well you know its massive but until you're at the top. That's only when you realise how fucking huge it is! The food was delicious and the wine was gorgeous! But may I just say that the best part was the last day in Paris. Where I accidentally found a store holding millions upon millions of french and worldwide magazines! Interview Magazine, i-D, V Magazine, Harper's Bazaar and of course VOGUE! :D This brought a great smile to my face! I spent about an hour just flicking through past issues... from 2007 to 1920! It was amazing! I would of purchased a copy of one of the 1920's ones but the figure wasn't too bad, but not my sort of money... :( But never mind I still had a joy flicking through them. And experiencing history within my finger tips. Trends coming and going and of course famously reoccurring!

Because of my unfortunate budget I ended up buying a 2007 copy of french vogue, only because it had some of my favourite collections including Gareth Pugh which I don't seem to have documented in any of my many vogues or fash mags. And along side Vogue a copy of 2007's V Magazine with cover girl Janet Jackson! Which had some particularly good articles and some fab photo shoots.

I know it may of seemed like I had squandered my chance at getting a possibly more memorable issue of any of the magazines but the 2007 September issue of Vogue was not to be seen. And to me these two magazines had some really great photos and some pretty revolutionary seasons of clothes.

Apart from that Paris was dream, but I must say the more I saw the more reality kicked in and the less of a dream it all became. I was going to visit Chanel and Dior and see some fabulous history and gorgeous clothes. But I thought I'd save a bit of dream till I next go!

I will be posting up some photos of Paris I just have to find some good ones :)

Then back in London after almost a week in Paris, it made London feel almost like a home. An old friend I had missed. and boy it was good to back! But only for a few days :( until it was tom to move on to the island of Majorca!!!

The heat is lovely for a change and swims in the pool are lovely and baking in the Spanish sun is lovely. But there really isn;t that much else to do besides eat and read. :/

All I can say is I'm looking forward more then ever to get back to London for the 2 weeks I'll be spending there! I'll be meeting up with my friend and it'll be FAHION FASHION FASHION. Nothing else but that on this blog! Back to it's old self! And tones of photos galore! Can't wait to get back to fashion blogging! It's what I miss the most.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Paris

Today I took the Eurostar and arrived in Paris! I was full of excitement and I'm glad to say it isn't a disappointment! Full of mystery and more then plenty to see and do! The day really started off by having lunch in a magnifique restaurant, I had pave de maigre which is salmon and various vegetables. It was just what I needed, after lunch it was time to roam the streets of Paris where we ended up visiting the Eustache and much like the Canterbury cathedral people were taking pictures of me in my beret and face net ensemble. So far so good and I can only see it getting better!

ARGHHH this damn internet is SOOOO slow!
And the photos that have been taken so far are having difficulties uploading because of it! Fucking internet is making it take a tres tres longuement!!!!!! Such along time that I will have to wait till tomorrow when I have more time!

And before I forget I found an large Isabella Blow book by Martina Rink which I intended in finding in London, so I grabbed it quick! And I found a copy of the film adaption of the TV series Ab Fab... "Absolument Fabuleux"!! Which I also was planning on finding here in Paris but didn't think I'd find it! And that was only 4 Euros!

Back with more very soon! (...with hopefully some bloody photos)

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Amanda Lepore: Turn Me Over

The blessed Amanda Lepore! Eat your heart out men!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Brief Recap

So just yesterday me and my Mum left Dover, we had a pleasant time. Dover is such a cute and humble place, I could say it's small enough to fit in my handbag... but my handbag isn't THAT big! (Wish it was, then I could fit my life in it and just travel like a gypsy) But yes Dover was lovely, met up with my Aunty and Uncle and was treated to a fuck load of chicken! The following day was taken up with a trip to Canterbury which was not short of op shops and a had a beautiful cathedral! The cathedral was beautiful, but tourists seemed to take more of a liking to me, as they took more pictures of me then the building it's self. The cathedral certainly made me think about life and what's after it. I found bargains in op shops especially a beautiful red scarf which soon turned out to be a throw.... :/ but that never stopped me from buying it and wrapping myself up in it. My style soon attracted to a couple who I became friendly with and ended up bumping into back in Dover. But alongside the throw, I also bought some second hand CDs, a bottle of the some Thierry Mugler Womanity perfume and the latest copy of Vogue. Which in any scenario is a necessary accessory and an extremely good read!

Wrapped up in red

Back in Dover, considering street drinking is illegal in my home country, it felt natural to buy a bottle of champers and drink it on the street and in the park. The next day was a relaxing day which included a very small walk where I picked and ate blackberries which were surprisingly delicious, followed by a tea for four in beautiful bone china teacups accompanied by a teapot in a cosy.

Blackberry picking

Tea for 4

 After a pleasant and quiet trip in Dover it was time to move on to Brighton!

I have really enjoyed my very short time here in Brighton. It was my first time meeting my Uncle and his wife and I'm so glad I have. They treated me and my mum to a fabulous night  of bar hopping where I got completely waisted and made a few friends at a gay bar where I received compliments galore! I unfortunately missed out on a Burlesque performance and Go Go dancer gig at a pub as I think they really just wanted to get me home... where I ended up drinking more! And today we did a touristy tradition of fish and chips, which I teamed up wit ha glass of Champagne! I really love it here in Brighton and am determined to come back very soon!

Leaving tonight for Paris!!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

CHANEL I Found You!

I found the gorgeous Chanel logo on many lampposts in London close to the Tate Britian. Of course it's not the exact logo, but it brought a smile to my face...

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Sooo far...

A lot has happened over the last few days and unfortunately I have been unable to access the internet! ARGH!!!! But anyway, whats happened so far on my journey... The last day that I posted I visited the Tate Modern, brilliant it was. It's so beautiful to see so many people interested in all areas and movements of art. And to see people taking time out of their own day to visit the gallery and sit on the floor and either analyse the work or even to copy it. And the people that did copy it were magnificent at it! 

Personal fave of mine, "Energy and Process" by Do Ho Su

... and a lovely portrait of Andy Warhol, both happen to be red

After that I bought copies of i-D magazine and V magazine, both to my luck were the exact issues I'd been wanting for sometime. Soon after the Tate was a visit to H&M, I was extremely excited and happy because since I landed in London I had been craving to spent MONEY!!! So finally I had! Then meeting up with my sister for a seafood club sandwich. The next day was spent at the Tate Britain, which similar to the Tate Modern I took tones of photos of favourite artworks and then after that onto Dover for 3 days and then on to Brighton and Paris! I really had a fabulous time in London and can't wait to go back for the second half of my holiday!!!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Just woke up.

Today will be my first proper day in London. I was going to start blogging yesterday, but I was waaaaayyyy to tired to do anything but watch and episode of "Three in the Bed". But now I'm awake and ready to go exploring and photo taking! 

My sister is a dear, people often say to me "I wish I had a sister like yours" and I can always understand why. I love my sister, and yesterday she took my mother and I to go and stay with her for a couple of days, she's already bought us things to make sure we're okay and is looking after us. She doesn't have to but she does because she's my sister, the sister that everyone wants ;). Thought I'd just give her a bit of a shout out as I think she deserves. <3
I'll be back with hopefully a few fabulous pictures I can post up, can't wait to go hit the big city! Just want to go shopping now! I have a few key accessories on my mind and I know just where to go!

J'adore
Pip Alexander x

Photograph and Quote: No. 8

"When people talk about the good old days, I say to people, 'It's not the days that are old, it's you that's old.' I hate the good old days. What is important is that today is good." — Karl Lagerfeld

Waiting in the Business Class Lounge

I have half an hour till boarding the plane! It's boring, but I'm glad I can keep myself busy with my blog,

One thing so far has bugged me, having to take off my beret and face net for the guard to check my identity, my mother thinks I'm crazy for getting myself in a fuss about it, but it was horrible, I looked like a fool taking it off (and by the look of everyone else's faces, they think I'm a fool for having it on).. but it pretty much destroyed the look!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

SHOWstudio Presents.... An oldie but a goodie

One of my many faves from the fashion film collection of SHOWstudio, I simply can't wait to visit the shop! Bellow is the short fashion film "Fantasia" shot my Nick Knight and edited my Ruth Hogben starring models Lily Donaldson and Jourdan Dunn, also featuring some Alexander Mcqueen designs.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Grace Jones: Pull Up To The Bumper

I have a firm belief that fashion and style should reflect one's music taste. And when it comes to fashionable music, along side Björk and Róisín Murphy, Grace Jones for me takes the cake.

Grace Jones wears Philip Treacy

I'm really getting in the mood of Ms. Jones as she's re-releasing her 2008 album 'Hurricane' with a bonus disk of Dub mixes! So even though I do love 'Corporate Cannibal', 'William's Blood' and 'Hurricane' (Just to name a few of my favourites... Even though I love the whole album) I thought it'd be best to put up a classic!

Be sure to buy the new release 'Hurricane / Dub' when it comes out on September the 5th!!!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Living in the Lap of Luxury

I have found several pictures of one of Isabella Blow's houses.

What I love about it, is it very much reflects her sense of style. And this proves she was true to it, and it very much was a reflection of her heart and mind. Her style shown through her house and wardrobe is nothing but honesty and this is the number one reason why I have a love and respect for this woman, I still find her fascinating as each day goes by.

Her vast collection of Philip Treacy hats can be seen throughout her house; hung on walls, perched on tables and propped up in her, as I imagine, LARGE wardrobe. 

When Blow was asked what does fashion mean to her, she simply says "My Life".

J'adore

Pip Alexander x