UNTITLED

Last night was a blur, full of Christmas shopping and holding of others so I'm afraid I haven't got much to say on that front. Tonight I go back to halls, being driven by a, hopefully, quiet taxi driver as I don't feel too chat worthy. I will take non-instagram photos soon, I promise.

(Yes you may hold me to that.)

Belle

x

ITCHING

15.11.13

I'm not going to lie to you, although I'm currently studying Fashion Promotion, I will always be an illustrator at heart. I try and mix the two as best as I can, which sometimes isn't as easy as you would imagine, so I'm trying to keep balance between coursework and slapping paint around on pages. Since my recent post I've decided to take the reins and get back on track, feeling as though I have been floating about in limbo. This year until now I've deserted the idea of pursuing some form of illustrative future, but seeing friends who are doing courses that really involve hands on art I've been itching to get back on the horse.

And what best to start off with an influence map (and a change of hair colour)?

1. tcktck's work has always been inspiring to me but lately with all these naked ladies, my weakness, I'm going to go scrabble for some life drawing blogs to refresh my anatomy skills once more.
2. I discovered Mark Lovejoy's work on tumblr a few months ago and it's been heavy on my mind since, these are photographs of pressed paints. Something I'd really like to try myself, perhaps to decorate my box (room)?
3. blairz (or blondelasanga on tumblr) is a fashion illustrator who found me on instagram, I love her messy yet stylistic images of women. It's something I can relate to in my own art, as I don't believe in being a perfectionist with keeping in between the lines.
4. To be quite honest, I think 6133's art speaks for itself.
5. I've been following 70% EtOH for quite some time, and it just keeps getting better. I yearn for a style like that I just don't believe I have the patience.
6. Sailor Moon, if you know me, has a space in my heart. And as soon as I re-watch/read it I'm scratching at my graphics tablet like no other, so I must do this soon.
7. The Last Unicorn's scenery and animation stokes me now, even though it was released in the 80's. Constantly taking inspiration and wisdom from this.

late nights and even later mornings

14-11-13

ZARA dress, ZARA oversized tartan scarf, VAGABOND DIOON boots, MONKI Lucy lace bra, TOPSHOP oversized boyfriend coat, URBAN DECAY lipstick in Revolution & TARTE.

I feel like this post's title accurately describes my lifestyle at the moment. Going out is like a ritual for us here in halls, we crave the oh-so-easy way of slipping on something special and drinking until you can hardly remember your own name in the morning. Dancing til 3AM and acting stupidly, all ending in some form of heartbreak; whether that be looking at your bank account in the morning or if that cute guy who ground up against you in the early hours, to thumping, almost penetrating music, never left his number. 

It's not glamorous, but it's not unattractive either.

I'm just a little tired of it, I want to wrap up in Zara's line of thick, wool scarves that stop at your ankle and chuck an even more oversized coat on top, then curl up on a bench and recollect thoughts whilst looking at the murky Thames. Maybe with a hot cuppa. 

I've tried to avoid oversized gear all summer but now, as Winter approaches, I stomp on that idea. I love oversized! Who doesn't want to wear a big hug? And if you're reading this saying 'not me, Belle, that's kind of odd' then... maybe you should sit yourself down and talk it out with yourself. 

But anyway, here's my wish list for this week November. I've been wearing so many different shades of red lipstick lately, I've pinpointed it down to oxblood and candy apple. One for a moody day and one for a 'let's try and get out of a mood' day. I've already bought the Monki bra and I love it. It's possibly the cutest damn thing to wear whenever you're feeling a little too oversized. Lyrics by DAUGHTER - Home.

I was drunk again, causing accidents.
Oh, you're not a friend,
you're nothing.

I think I should be a little more confident.
In myself,
In my skin.

Take me, take me, home.
Take me, take me, home.

'cause I dont' stand a chance in these four walls.
And he don't recognise me anymore.
Burned out flames should never re-ignite.
But I thought you might...

Take me, take me, home.
Take me, take me, home.

MIYAKE

9 - 11 - 13

If you're anything like me, a student from a small town without a pot to piss in, you'll know how I felt when I trekked off to visit Issey Miyake's stand alone store in Conduit Street, London. Now, I don't mean this in an offensive way, quite the opposite, I was humming with excitement, if not a little nervous, to finally be able to see these intriguingly beautiful garments on display. Only it was a little daunting. A thousand different questions run through your brain when you stand outside a building as open and grand as Miyake's is. With only a small door with the tiniest invite written above the handle (push), these thoughts are 'do I look like I'm allowed to walk in?', 'do you JUST walk in?', 'will they all be staring at me?' and as soon as I did lift a pointy plastic shoe (Monki) to step inside, those thoughts vanished.

 Everyone was polite and in their own little world, quite frankly. I explained my situation as delicately as I possibly could to the nice man in the black turtleneck, that I'm a student in Uni who's interested in doing a brand watch on Miyake and would I be able to take a few snaps? No, of course not, but you can from the outside, was his thoughtful reply. I wasn't surprised. But I was allowed to touch and feel the crafty clothes, all displayed in straight lines, rowing around the layout. Colour coded greens, blues, purples and deep pinks.  The pleats are really as miraculous as I've researched, you can stretch them and once you let go, they form back into their original place. If anything, this visit made me want to through my entire student loan at the assistants and run away with a bag from Miyake (seen displayed in images 5-6). 

I enjoyed the placement of the store, as it unsuspecting, yet spoke loudly standing on a corner, even next to scaffolding and roadworks either side of it I felt like I knew it was his store right away. The bold black 'ISSEY MIYAKE' was honest as it stood out against the open glass showcases. My only complaint is there didn't seem much of it, for a stand alone store. Due to the roadworks I couldn't gain access to the Please Pleats shop on Brooke Street, but I plan on doing so in the upcoming week. Although the Issey Miyake store stood next to brands like DIOR and DIESEL BLACK GOLD (a brand I hold dearly in my fashion promotion heart due it's influence on me), the road itself spoke more Miyake then anything. I think he chose his location well.

On my venture to visit the Japanese designer's wondrous creations, I stumbled upon Oxford Circus' Christmas displays, ready and waiting to be lit on the 12th. This is my favourite time in London, the point between Autumn and Winter, where Halloween has been kicked out into the cold to move aside for Santa and Winter wonderland. Christmas makes London seem smaller, perhaps because it brings everyone together. Maybe I'm just been daft and sentimental. 

No doubt.

Belle