For Strong Men Only.

Spring 2012 Menswear: 

So far there are two pin point collections I have found myself in love with;

Givenchy and Thom Brown. 

These collections were certainly a surprise, menswear collections don't usually attract or interest me as much as some of the womenswear collections.The thing is menswear of course is beautiful but they don't usually tend to be quite dramatic or provocative. These two words I adore. Which is why I find myself following womenswear more then anything. But these two collections shocked me enough to make me watch the runway shows over and over again and flicking through the catwalk images like nobody's business. I haven't written anything quite inspirational or passionate on my blog for a while now. But seeing these two collections brought a breath of fresh air to my mind about menswear.

Pushing so many boundaries in so many ways and I really think they took courageous steps for the future of menswear by breaking the mold and shedding the snake skin of how men have been stereotypically portrayed and how they are expected to dress. 

These collections are for men who are confident in who they as an individual.

GIVENCHY

A modern tropical mix of classics, sparkles and skirts.

THOM BROWNE

Inspiration from the 1920's and a modern take on vaudeville and flappers.

It took me quite a while to narrow it down to these 8 runway pictures from each of the collections  so you could get a good idea of both collections!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Prada Spring/Summer 2011 Video Campaign

Since it's release I still go back to see this amazing campaign. :)

<3

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Beyoncé: 4

So what drew me to Beyonce's new album was not only the beautiful music, but the fabulous album artwork! The music is really quite magnificent and thank god she didn't let us down! 

For a moment with her first release from the album; 'Run The World (Girls)' I was slightly disappointed. But the song grew on me, especially with the visually pleasing music video that accompanied it.

Run The World (Girls) - Photography by Greg Gex

But the album artwork!

The first thing that came to mind was VOGUE! Haha... The font, the underlaying of her name behind the photograph. And the way it was formatted just reminisces of a Vogue spread. It's fantastic because she has such status in the pop music industry and is seen in some respects as a fashion icon. 

End Of Time - Photography by Ellen Von Unwerth

Given this status it allows her to really do whatever she wants in the likes of mimicking a Vogue magazine layout and spread and completely getting away with it in the artistic form of an album booklet. She owns it. And I can't imagine any other pop artist pulling this off.

1 + 1 - Photography by Tony Duran

And the spectacular photography by fashion photographers: Tony Duran, Greg Gex and Ellen Von Unwerth. Using such well known fashion photographers for the album booklet really brings it to life. I think it also brings a lot as a visual element and perfectly intertwines with the audio element to the album.

I Was Here - Photography by Greg Gex

In this case I extremely suggest to go out and purchase this album in hard copy, especially the deluxe version!

This album is the perfect accessory for any Beyonce and Fashion lover!

I can't stop looking through it whilst listening to it, FABULEUX!

Party (Featuring Andre 3000) - Photography by Ellen Von Unwerth

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Pre Macaroon Friday

Next Friday I will going out to purchase my best friend's birthday present... whilst she is with me. Haha.

I cannot wait as it will also be the first official day for taking pictures of my outfits for the blog.

Our trip will also consist of a light lunch to the french patisserie, involving one of my favourite desserts; the Macaroon. 

Mmmmm... I'm craving one right now!

Heads up for this delightful day out on my blog!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Gwen Stefani: What You Waiting For?

John Galliano & Vivienne Westwood

The clothes in this video was and still is amazing.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

People I Like: Anna Dello Russo

This is a space for me to share and comment on the people who inspire me and make me love the industry and the eccentricities of it. These people make me dream it everyday just that little bit more and push me to work harder in order for my fantasy to become a reality. :)

Anna Dello Russo

In Roksanda Ilincic Summer 2009

In some ways I see her as the real life Carrie Bradshaw.

Anna Dello Russo is an Italian editor at large of Vogue Japan.
She has an apartment turned wardrobe in Milan where she stores her huge array of clothing, haute couture and a collection of over 4000 shoes.

Anna loves to dress up in different outfits for each show to please the bloggers who act like paparazzi.
Her style is a perfect expression of her inner beauty and mass Italian eccentricity

In Dolce & Gabbana Summer 2010 


What I love about her:

. Anna's aesthetic never changes, but is twisted and pulled to give it range

. She has fun with fashion

. Dello Russo isn't afraid of being the odd one out

. She loves wearing a lot of the collections straight off the catwalk and wearing so

. She doesn't believe in outfit repeats

. Last but not least, she loves a nice hat

Donning a Gareth Pugh headpiece for the 

Vogue Paris 90th Anniversary Masquerade Ball

This madness will never end!

In Prada Spring/Summer 2011

J'adore
Pip Alexander x

London: Blog Abroad

My trip to England in September is drawing closer and closer as everyday goes by. 

And not only will I be taking my style abroad in a suitcase, but also my blog!

By fashion illustrator Lauren Bishop

Can't wait for it all!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Photograph and Quote: No. 4

Grace Jones

"Models are there to look like mannequins, not like real people. Art and illusion are supposed to be fantasy."

Before and After: Anna Wintour

I've always had a huge amount of respect for Editor-in-Cheif of Vogue Magazine; Anna Wintour.

But if she, like everyone, has a had a stage in their life where they have dressed badly. Unexpectedly taking perfection off her list. 

Before (Love the necklace though)

After 

Made me giggle.
Love you Anna!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Kylie Minogue: Get Outta My Way (7th Heaven Extended Vocal)

Just remembered I'm seeing this chick next week...

A little excited!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Photograph and Quote: No. 3

Leigh Bowery

"I don't want to be remembered as a person with Aids, I want to be remembered as a person with ideas."

Designer Of the Week: Elsa Schiaparelli

This week I'm taking you back in time to the 1930's.

ELSA SCHIAPARELLI

Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli was a large influential figure in fashion between the two world wars. Schiaparelli's vision and creations still influence the style of popular figures and designers of today. Schiaparelli had a lot of 'firsts' in the industry, but is not as well known as her rival Coco Chanel because of the failure of her business. This is great pity as she brought a lot of change. She was the first designer to use brightly coloured zips and zips that were dyed to match the colour of the clothing. Also being the first to introduce different shapes, animals or insects to the form of a button. Schiaparelli was well known for her unusual prints of food or objects on to her garments, for example the 'Lobster Dress'.

Lobster Dress - 1937

Her innovative thinking, which was way before its time, was put into collaboration with another innovative thinker, the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Together they came up with her most outrageous work; the 'Skeleton Dress' and the 'Shoe Hat'. These are two of my favourites, especially the 'Shoe Hat' as I'm really starting to get quite a fetish for headwear.

Shoe Hat - 1937

Absolute favourite! I would consider 're-creating' one but I don't quite believe in re-creations as I think it's just another word for 'Knock Off'. However I did find a hat similar to Schiaparelli's in one of my favourite films; Brazil (1985), worn by the ever changing face of Mrs. Lowry.. 

Brazil (1985)

This just goes to show that although she isn't nearly as critically acclaimed as former rival Coco Chanel, she sure has and will influence the fashion industry in years to come.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Go figure.

So my blog says: "a post a day will keep the doctor away."

What a load of crap, I'm unwell.

Pretty much feel like this photograph right now...

Daphne Guinness for World Aids Day

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Róisín Murphy: Overpowered

Can never quite get enough of this song, this woman and this video! Genius.

(Murphy wears Gareth Pugh)

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Photograph and Quote: No. 2

Daphne Guinness

"... I just am what I am, then when people label me eccentric or different I'm kind of astonished because I sort of think this is completely normal. This is just how I am, it's how I've always been."

An Arabian Night

I'd love to go explore the Middle East, have for a long time. But instead I am dreaming about it and channeling it into my clothing.

Middle Eastern people and their' culture, traditions and dress inspire me a lot in some of my outfits. 

I think there's something so heavenly and unique about it all.

The picture bellow is me donning a sort of Cleopatra ensemble. Haha :)

I also have an array of other things from the Middle East like scarfs and hats, if I come up with a good picture of them I'll upload them too!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Dressing the Nude

So I have recently just had my hair cut... in other words shaved off. I used to have different variations of a fringe, it would change for each cut. It finally came down to the point where I was getting really sick of it! I have surprisingly come to a liking of my somewhat nudity on my head. It's as though a permanent accessory has been removed, giving me freedom to the more Avant-garde, outlandish looks. Meaning I can play around a hell of a lot more with my clothes.

 

Grace Jones

Philip Treacy

Hats are a fabulous accessory for shortly cut and shaved heads. 

I am taking inspiration from the late, great Isabella Blow who once said - "...Men love hats. They love it because it's something they have to take off in order to fuck you. Anyone can wear a hat." 

Now that taking time on my hair is no longer an issue, I still want to be able to put effort on top of my head. So here comes the great search and creation of extravagant headwear!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Björk: All Is Full Of Love

Beautiful & Way before its time.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Favourites from Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear 2011!

Here are a few of my favourites from the Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear collections of 2011.. it is pretty late of me to be posting this as we are now onto fall, but I had yet another look through the many collections and I really wanted to put up a few faves.

Alexander Mcqueen

Ann Demeulemeester

Comme des Garçons

Givenchy

Prada

Ralph Lauren

Rick Owens

Rodarte

Viktor & Rolf

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Fabuleux!

Theirry Mugler Spring/Summer 1992

Have always admired the work of Theirry Mugler. The earlier collections from the 80's and 90's are my favourites. The designs now aren't nearly as extreme as they used to be.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Narcisso Loco

Found this amazing fashion film by Blanche Alix / Xtron.

The use of lips on the face to create eyelids for visibility reminded me of the child eating Pale Man from the film 'Pan's Labyrinth'. The use of green screen in this short film is really quite impressive!

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Quick Tip: Timeless & Chic

Today I was looking at the current trends and it made me come to think; is there anything you can do to make a timeless 'look'? It all really came down to two colours; black and white. Unlike prints, these two classic block colours combined are great in the form of a crisp white shirt and a black blazer. Red lipstick is an option, great if you're going to dress it up to the next level, but the classic androgynous look by itself is fantastic for an effortless chic appearance.

Givenchy S/S 2011 - Accessories Ad Campaign 

Givenchy S/S 2011 - Accessories Ad Campaign

Or you can even go for a casual take by swapping the shirt with a t-shirt and rolling up the sleeves on the blazer to create a 'Boyfriend Blazer'.

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Photograph and Quote: No. 1

Isabella Blow

"If you’re beautiful you don’t need clothes. If you’re ugly like me, you’re like a house with no foundations; you need something to build you up."

Ladytron: Destroy Everything You Touch

Pretty much my life story...

J'adore

Pip Alexander x

Designer Of the Week: Gareth Pugh

'Designer Of the Week' is obviously a weekly post, where I randomly select a designer from my list of many favourites and showcase and comment on them. Along with a few of my favourite images of either them or their work and hopefully also a good video too. :)

GARETH PUGH

English designer Gareth Pugh wows the fashion world with his performance art/ready-to-wear which transforms the models into architectural superhuman beings. I love this about his work,what he creates always seems to make a simplistic yet audacious statement. 

Anja Rubik in Gareth Pugh - Spring Ready-to-Wear 2009


Gareth's work always stands out to me each year and I think this is mostly to do with the fact that he is different from the other 'alternative designers'. His firm belief in who he is and what he does is the reason why his aesthetic doesn't change each season and I believe this is why he can't be compared to any of the other alternative designers. He more or less undergoes transitions or evolutions from his previous collections. This shows that his collections are a true expression of self rather then of reference. As he is has only really had 5 years in the business, from what I can see so far, Pugh still has a lot ahead of him and I'm really looking forward to seeing the many collections and new evolutions yet to come.

From the Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection 

Film by Ruth Hogben

J'adore
Pip Alexander x