Happy Birthday Malcolm McLaren! The guy had his faults but he still stands as one of the most influential music and fashion innovators this country has ever seen. He brought punk, hip-hop, vogueing and world music to mass culture, as well as the utter gem that is Something’s Jumpin’ In Your Shirt (*sound ON!*) and the classic Double Dutch video (I’m desperate for an Ebonettes tee)…
“[Sontag’s 1989 book] ‘AIDS and Its Metaphors’ was such an important work. It shoved us along in our grudging recognition and understanding of H.I.V. and the isolation it brings. It is numbing how that virus has tricked, mutated and infiltrated. We always feared it would become a pandemic, yet who in 1987 could have predicted the desolation and devastation it would reap in Africa?” Martin Margiela, T Magazine, 2005
It’s 25 years since Martin Margiela designed his cult AIDS T-shirt, a crudely stencilled screen printed tee with an important message. “There is more action to be done to fight AIDS than wear this T-shirt but it’s a good start”, is a classic example of the power of fashion in social commentary. (more…)
Ten years ago I would have been all over the Sacai x Nike trainer collab (a kind of double-everything monster trainer with a retro vibe). Today? Not so much. I’m well over super-statement trainers and prefer a Nike Air Max shape or a utilitarian gym shoe like a Converse Jack Purcell. (Currently seeking a JP in white – why so elusive, Converse?)
However, I’m feeling the return of the luxe tan trainer, an understated gender-neutral number that kicks the post-ironic, hypebeast trainer roundly in the butt. Do you remember when Hermès did its first trainer? It was in 1998 and part of Martin Margiela’s first collection for the house. A rich conker brown affair, Hermès was the first luxury brand to design a trainer made entirely of leather and thus the ‘Quick’ caused quite the stir. (more…)
I’ve just done a KonMari fragrance sweep and given a load of hardly-used perfumes to my sister and her friends. Her favourite? An Urban Outfitters eau de parfum called Citron Glacé. I feel her joy; I’ve also kept my Urban Outfitters Macaron Rosé, a light burnt caramel gourmand that was a steal at £15 for 30ml. (I think they might be out of stock or discontinued).
Last week, Jane at British Beauty Blogger posted some pictures of a new high street fragrance line (above) with very chic packaging reminiscent of last year’s Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel bottles. We had to guess the brand and I was thinking along the lines of & Other Stories. (more…)
