Beth vs Barton

Celebs often dabble with fashion design, its as if they just awake one morning after a night out on the tiles (or red carpet) and daydream about possible fashion domination, 'hmm yes fashion designer has a certain ring to it, very appealing. Heck why not? After all young girls do admire my style, so I'm half way there!' at least I assume this is the contents that run through their head.
Often many a celeb simply crash and burn when experimenting with fashion design, and often before they've even pulled out their pens and pencils. The fierce and frank fashion industry are ready and awaiting to chew them up and spit them out, after of course shredding their collection to bits.
To be honest I too am one of those frank people, can you blame me? When I've various fashion qualifications and experience yet I cannot churn out my own collection and have it stocked in Topshop within a week or two.

However I do accept some celebs have done good with fashion and there are some who are natural fashion designers (though I do suspect many simply attach their name to the products, created by a design team made up of naive interns!).
As with everything you get the good and the bad; Beth Dittos plus size collection for highstreet Evans is hideous and embarrassing...

photo: Beth Ditto Evans Collection

Unflattering smurf blue jumpsuit anyone? Beth Ditto needn't have any concern about the evident fact she lacks a single fashion design bone in her body, because what do you know clothes horse Kate Moss is her new best pal. Hooray for old Kate! Here to save Evans day, Oops error I mean Beth, Beth Ditto is saving Evans. Not Kate, sorry I got confused there for a minute.
I wanted desperately to adore Ditto's designs as I do her beats, but they are drab. Its very disappointing her collection doesn't reflect her own personal bold, raw style what so ever!
photo: Beth Ditto in all her vibrant glory


photo: Beth, Karl & Kate


photo: Mischa Bartons bag collection

Like I mentioned, there are the good ones example, Mischa Barton.
Her bag collection for ASOS consists of all the deign elements Beth's threads lack. Barton's collection reflect her own personal funky sixties style and personality. Alot of thought has been applied to Mischa's designs (she must have some sharp interns?) she clearly has an eye for detail and has (unlike Beth) had huge involvement and influence in the whole long design process. Where as Beth perhaps has allowed Kate (me, me, me) Moss too much control, the result it appears forced and awkward. Mischa's admission into the fashion industry is by far her own and genuine. How can you tell? The clues are within the very structure and seams of their pieces.
Mischa Barton's choice of colours, textures (note; the tassels) and patterns are clearly inspired by her beloved fashion icons, once again assuming her icons are from the swinging sixties? Judging by the animal print and psychedelic floating floral prints and dazzling folk like embellishment.
Lets, fellow, fierce, frank fashion folk give credit where credit is due. To Mischa Barton OK yes she was once in the OC and has done little since, except pour her energy into this impressive and surprising bag collection.

As for Beth Ditto there is always the second time around, and besides I'm confident your collection for Evans will shift many a shocking jumpsuit, because your rock chic style is admired by many a hardcore Gossip fan. Please Beth can your next design attempt for Evans empower curvy girls and project your unique individual style.
Instead of playing it safe?

Beth Ditto for Evans out next month

Mary Are You Mad?

Oops it would seem this little daily fashion blog of mine has morphed into an three days a week fashion blog (not so daily) apologies this is not moi intention what so ever. Nor is it my intention to constantly create and pen drab dull as dishwater posts.
Que my list of excuses now...Firstly I've been running around (not good: I run similar to that of a duck) chasing little fashion designers who I want to involve with the yummyculture project. Then there's the designers I'm just selfishly desperate to stick up on prettyneons and give a few shout outs. Secondly I've been tied down with designing and all that comes with it sketching, cutting, embellishing etc, as if this wasn't enough. I woke up last night with one impressive illustration art piece idea (if I do say so myself!) so I've began throwing that into my 'must complete' task list.
Phew, so yes please do not tell me off or lecture me on this three days a week posting pattern. Almost forgot to mention the annoying fact, that is my PC which yep continues to behave badly, having her rebellious moments!

photo: Mary Portas & her budding fashion gang
On another very unrelated note...
Is anyone else addicted to Mary Queen Of Charity Shops? Hell I sure am, I was excited when this program was simply one small premature fashion rumor. Joy, the rumour has materialized, and I'm bloody obsessed!
As you may already be aware I'm already a self confessed charity shopaholic (note to self; must reveal my recent charity shop chic finds). Mary Portas is indeed God in my thrifting eyes, why has this revolution taking so very long to kick off? Would Seem its took that nasty recession to convince individuals to explore their local charity shop, well charity shops should be for life and not only during this credit crunch. There is so much more to charity shops than mangled Barbie dolls with missing limbs and novelty ties and socks. Charity shops are a place not only for Pennie pinching grannies and broke, bake beans loving students but for fashion conscious guys and 'gals. No?

Well Mary Portas ( Mary Poppins Portas, the woman responsible for creating Harvey Nichols into the power house of today, adored by the rich and famous) is on one serious (some might say slightly mad and over ambitious) fashion mission. Transforming the junk jumble jungle which is charity shops, into an attractive much desirable fashion haven. Making charity shopping a pleasant odour and stress free experience, with no discarded and broken Barbie dolls in sight.
Genius Mary may be, but is she really capable of changing peoples mind sets by banishing all preconceptions those two little words 'charity shop' instantly conjure up.
Will hardcore fashion fans be converted and prepared to swap their Selfridges for Saving The Children? Embracing vintage quirky finds, minus of course any snazzy fashion labels. Well my friends this I cannot give you the answer to, I suggest you tune into Mary Queen Of Charity Shops (BBC 2 Tuesdays 9pm) to find out how Mary's charity fashion crusade pans out.

And no, I'm not about to pen any Tv reviews any time soon!HA!

Creative Minds Think Alike

Oh how this creative creature (moi) is suffering from a) lack of sleep and b) bad case of creative block: nothing much is pouring from these pencils and pens of mine today. I'm afraid my scrapbook will have to starve this Saturday and deal with the harsh neglect (I aggressively shoved it into my desk draw) its receiving from me.
What with the inspiration escaping my veins and soul today, along with heavy eyelids (I've not slept through the whole entire night in what feels like forever. Soon as I shut my eyes I get ideas, so I stumble towards my desk in the vain hope of writing and sketching these blurry ideas down. Before I go and forget them.Often I have extreme cases when right there at 3:30am I'll turn my lamp on get all my equipment out, switch the late night rock show on and get on with the task in hand...beginning a new piece of work) I've spent hours making up my prettyneons labels, all from scratch! I'm a complete perfectionist (always at risk of over doing it) and began cutting up my material into a very specific size. Followed by hand writing the labels ( I know, I know buy a bloody label maker! I've tried and tested this: not too keen on the results the labels lacked soul. Labels should have soul, be special and be all lovely.After all they're pretty important!).
Hmmm yes anywhos, I've competed all the labels cut them, printed them, and hand stitched most of them to my designs.

Yesterday I met up with Yummy Culture dedicated 100% to highlighting creative creatures...or should that be creative cows( do have a snoop and all shall be explained) and their creative needs. Needless to say if your either an artist, fashion designer, musician anyone who is prone to creative block and struggling to get your creative dream and goal off the ground, and in the desperate need for exposure GO pay Yummyculture a visit!
yummyculture and prettyneons are collaborating together with one very, very, very exciting project sketched up for the near future (which will benefit and eventually involve all you highly creative guys and 'gals) one massive project in fact, that will certainly have a positive impact on the creative world.Yummyculture and I are busy as bees (or busy as cows?) working and developing on right this minute.

It makes perfect, perfect sense for us (prettyneons and yummyculture) to team up, because were both passionate about creativity, exploring, encouraging and exposing little creative creatures. With the aim of converting others (when I say others, I'm referring to those people lacking any sort of creative bone in their body. With no desire of listening or helping artists, designers, writers etc) to take creativity seriously. As so often creativity is mocked, snubbed and ignored ( and like my scrap book) shoved to one side.
Especially here in the UK, where there are endless creative based degree courses available. Only one slight catch, when finally you step out of university with that precious degree certificate (that your so very proud of, and which you've worked your ass off for since you were at high school trying to achieve those A* grades) the reality is there are no (or very few and very far between) opportunities to climb that golden, creative career ladder as once promised. Why? Well basically the very few creative ladders which are available, are of course prioritized for daughters of has been pop/rock star fathers. Penning pointless poor features in newspapers and fashion publications, all this before churning out a very average fashion designer collaboration and a spot of modeling.
Clap,clap.

Never mind all those hundreds and thousands of individuals who have slaved away and studied for years on end, putting a social life on hold. Wanting to party, 'live it up' but instead opt for completing that assignment/ project handing it in for the original and tight dead line ( no extensions granted). This is a pattern which continues for many, many years from college through to university. From the average age of sixteen to twenty three/ twenty four.During those tough years of hard grafting, you don't question or doubt your decision to continue with 'higher education'. There is very little time for doubt when meeting those vital deadlines, you convince yourself that all the talk and brainwashing on the 'endless possibilities which University can provide and give you a brighter future' from your ninth grade teacher at high school is fact.
I'll study, cry blood sweat and tears damn it,this will all be worth the effort one day.

Erm..not so it seems here in England.
Where sadly the amount of unemployed graduates rise and soar year after year, especially music graduates, journalist graduates, multi media graduates, fashion graduates-creative cleaver graduates. I suppose it doesn't help that there is this blatant gap in England, where we depressingly do not make or produce anything anymore. Hence why such a high volume of creative graduates are greeted, only by these false economy style jobs.

photo:google


I've been compiling an awful lot of research together the subject obviously being the above why are creative graduates falling at the way side?
I've been contacting graduates from as far back as three years ago (thanks for all your help guy's;) this was indeed a long and challenging process. I've also found creative graduates within my local area who have failed to find their ideal and degree related job. Their working in supermarkets,care homes and cold calling. Shockingly many more are down the jobcentre claiming jobseekers allowance. Because many have been turned down by supermarkets for being over qualified. Shops fear that if they employ a graduate they will become restless and wave goodbye: wasting their precious time.
Yes we will abandon Tescos (other supermarkets are available) soon as the career of our dreams appear, though a nine to five job at Tescos with minimum wage will do as a way of means until then. Plus it beats existing on jobseekers allowance, and would all in all cost the government far less.
Cant Brown and his trusty (cough, cough) gang do mathematics?

All this wasted creative talent must come to an end, no?
visit:http://yummyculture.blogspot.com/

Basket Case

I've been having just one of those days, well yesterday was also one of them days...hey hey tomorrow is just around the corner so all is not lost.
We all have our own very different methods of dealing with a god awful day (or day's). Whether it be heading to the gym and taking part in some fierce kickboxing, smoking cigs (Mmm now and then I wish I smoked) downing mugs of coffee, dancing your head off, comfort eating etc etc...
Me? How do I cope, and soften the blow of a bad day. Simple, I pretend to go fashion shopping. Casually popping in and out of pixiemarket (jeez I wish they would knock their prices down: even their sales make my eyeballs water) brownsfashion (yeah as if, I can't even purchase a sock from that place!).

Whilst being all delusional, filling up my basket only to chuck out all of its colourful contents when I arrive at the 'buy now' finish line. I must have the essentials with or rather by my side, important items such as the random following... cup of tea with two giant doses of honey ( sugar is disgusting, I cant tolerate the grain like texture against my teeth. Yes I'm a freak)
one giant pot of yogurt and banging background tunes, Hole it shall be.
After much backwards and fourth between one fashion webby to another, during my meaningless materialistic moment I decided to 'buy' (though not really) an adorable Kate Garey purse,freepeople super dangerous stud wedges, one rude Bernhard Willhelm orgy print dress (definitely not one to wear on a first date, could send out the wrong sort of message?) opening ceremony eyelit cardigan ( I've a fascination with frigging eyelets... Eyelit this eyelit that eye-eye)
Lanvin shoulder bag, and last but by no means least...Allsaints creepy like T-shirt the longer the better (being short they double up as dress: I'm a fashion cheat eh?).
I got a little bit carried away in my materialistic mayhem, loading my basket (only to of course empty it once again) full of pretty shit really, because I can!
Introducing the contents of my heavy basket...

allsaints

Bernhard Willhelm




truffleshuffle ( I just might buy this, for real)

freepeople


Lanvin


openingceremony



Kate Garey

Arts & Crafts

Larisa Katz shes re-introducing and injecting a much needed dose of arts and crafts into the very seams of fashion, making fashion once again a little more, or indeed much more authentic whilst also creating daring depth.
Once a painter and now turned designer Larisa Katz has not abandoned her strong artistic roots and methods of observing, making discoveries and creating outcomes from pure curiosity.With such a imaginative and spectacular outlook of the world and the worlds many marvelous wonders: such as the diversity of eastern and western cultures. Of which are evidently a strong influence and design reference point, fusing the two together perfectly.
Sometimes when designers decide to stitch together, so to speak contrasting cultures it is often too much of a blur. With the final result being an awkward and unbalanced blunder, relying on the too obvious elements of both eastern and western.
However Larisa fuses both eastern and western effortlessly,and avoids highlighting the same old same old of both the two cultures carefully pealing away the layers unafraid to explore a lot deeper.

Combining cultures is only really the basic foundations of Larisa's designs, putting to great use her portraiture skills to human form, producing visceral sculptured haute couture style dresses, constantly experimenting with an array of exciting fabrics and complex shapes. To construct not just beautiful couture style pieces, but to create classic, timeless, romantic and ethereal designs to treasure forever.
Once again it all comes down to those intricate art and crafts techniques that ripple through those origami-esque ruffles and sharp, strong yet soft shapes. Structures and textures that are light as air, delicate and dreamy.
To sum up Lardisa Katz creations in two short words: Meaningful style





credits photography Salvador Pozo
model Ellis
concept fashion Larisa Katz
makeup Dainora Dulcyte





visit: www.larisakatz.com

Candy Pins

This blogging once maybe twice a week is so annoying! My damn, damn, damn idiotic piece of shit aka computer is still on the blink and refusing to play ball. I've been (trying) to achieve my daily fix of flog- fashion-blog-browsing to no avail. Itching to leave my 'ickle comments which normally consist of the following descriptions 'lov'in it', 'super lov'in it', 'would you let me raid your wardrobe', 'too adorable'...what can I say? Except theres an awful lot of snazzy 'gals who have far more styling knowledge and way too cunning with their wardrobe outfits than moi. Who is lets say laid back in comparison, and abuses long tee's and slouchy cardie's much too often: heavily relying on accessories such as strands of necklaces, bracelets and chunky poke my eye out rings ( chunky rings are indeed an serious hazard, for me anyway's).
Oops I seem to of gone off on an unrelated ramble?
Hopefully judging my computers performance over the last two days, I shall be back to the odd spot of flog and posting shall return back to its dailyish, random fashion musing self sooney. Like this week with some luck!

Now, now how very fickle am I? More fickle then fashion itselft it would seem, how I've changed over the course of a week (noooo not a new hair cut, my hair remains defunct: long, frizzy, wavy bedhead complete with DIY fringe. Created beginning of this year in my kitchen, whilst waiting for my dinner to cook).
I've found myself (alarming as it is) flirting with trends.
Yes me and trends combined. Surely this experiment could only lead to one place? Utter disaster. I avoid fickle one trick pony trends and often, well always bypass the 'must haves' according to some fashion editor from some look like a member from girls aloud obsessed magazine. Shudder, who on earth desires that cardboard cut out doll style?
Am I ruffling up a few feathers here?
Moving swiftly on...

The relationship between changing trends and I is one huge contradiction, trends are obviously round about half of fashions DNA. Fashion consumes me and fascinates me, and part of that fascination there for and naturally includes the structure of trends. From the very early beginnings of trend influences to the very end when presented and in the spot light of many a shop window and splashed across glossy fashion pages. By which time another fashion trend is already being researched and carefully constructed all over the globe, in time for spring summer 2010 correction 2011.
As 2010 has already been dealt with, so I predict?
How can this be? I've such a passion and all consuming interest with trends yet, couldn't give a monkeys about sporting really any of them. Neither festival chic or that bloody worn out tribal trend! Mind you both have had their day.Alas, I suppose fashion will be fashion and go round and around: only each time slightly adapted to reflect the shift in popular culture, subculture and general mood of current social climate.

So how I have to ask myself, have I been sucked in like one mighty powerful Dyson hover by colored denim? There is something so very appealing about denim jeans turned candyfloss pink or lollipop yellow. Cupcake legs? Delicious! Heck how could I resist?
Note to self: must not bite and take a chunk out of my leg. For it is not actually a cupcake, but rather plain old flesh and bone 'duh.
Another note to self: Ignore Gap simply skip and erase their impressive range of bright denim jeans from my fashion absorbing, baffled brain.

Que the coloured denim which has me all in a fashion frenzy...

Splish & Splash Around

photo: Splish Splash beachwear

Beach wear can be awfully dull, predictable and clone like, with numerous swimwear and such appearing all to look exactly the same and very much identical. Fashion often neglects this area failing to focus on producing pretty and off the wall beachwear.
There is zero existence in variety, left with little choice except to opt for the same old, same old navy blue swimsuit or at a push striped with the highstreet seemingly oblivious to the poor lack of styles and prints available to us girls. When not sunbathing and splashing around at the beach we make an effort to look ever so snazzy, stylish, and more importantly individual, after all fashion is a form of self expression.This shouldn't stop being applied when at the beach. Only with highstreet, mundane and mass produced swimwear, self-expression proves too difficult and challenging. Defeated, left with no other back up plan, other than to slip into that damn striped swimsuit from last year. Or indeed skip that day trip to the sea side altogether, with fear of resembling some sort of swimsuit striped army; as every other girl sunbathing next door is also sporting the same not-so-newlook swimsuit. Wonderful, tidal wave just hit me now.

Do not cancel that summer holiday yet! As Splish Splash beachwear is here to save us all from a possible swimsuit nightmare, joy! Nowhere else and certainly not on the highstreet can you discover 1950's shaped swimwear with an impressive array of 1980's geometric futuristic space invasions, light bulbs and peach strawberry sorbet prints. Yep sorbet.
It continues to get better too, if you don't fancy strawberry sorbet or space invasions or you think yourself as a bit of an creative creature slash fashion designer. Get-a sketching and cutting out some sources of inspiration, select your desired garment shape then click send. With the help from some cleaver people your swimwear design dream can become reality!
Each piece is totally made to order and fear not if you weren't blessed with creative genes as there are plenty of prints to chose from.With each special splish splash design process from print straight through to the pattern cutting/ dressmaking made in England (yes England, rare huh?).

But who I hear you cry ( OK the truth is I'm the curious one here) is transforming shabby swimwear into bold bespoke bouncing beachwear?
Verity Lamb is the genius girl encouraging us all to be our glamorous and quirky selves down the seaside. Though Verity is one very busy person at the 'mo ( rocking Brighton fashion week) she still took the time to tell me a little about herself and Splish Splash...

What Kicked off your interest with fashion?

Well my interest in fashion grew from my love of imagery, as a young child I loved fonts, images I always collection newspapers, magazines etc, when I started my foundation art I pushed my drawing skills thought I would follow that fine art painting scene but when I discovered textiles I fell in love with so many process. When I started university at Brighton I new I wanted to combine print with textiles, when I started to create prints for garments and physically see my prints on garments that i designed it was love at first sight.

You've had some pretty impressive work experience, what with Eley Kishimoto on your CV. What was it like working behind the scenes at such an giant fashion label?

Eley Kishimoto was a good experience but very hard work, its a company that are still going strong after ten years, behind closed doors is very stressful and a real finical struggle regarding production, just showed me how important
it was to have a UK based production team. Wak Kishimoto (head designer) is amazing she so quite and sweet but such an amazing creative head on her she designs all prints and garments.



Did Eley Kishimoto so to speak, give you any handy fashion design tips?

Eley Kishimoto gave me a real understanding of the industry and how it worked, It made me realise that it is possible to be your own boss and create your own design univers. What was shocking was how many companies and shall I say high street stores ripped them of constantly, when this is some eyes is considered flattery I just look at it as ripping of pure talent to sell to the masses at a cheaper rate just puts so many companies out of business.

So when did you realise setting up your own label was the way forward, was it always on your fashion agenda? Or rather a happy accident, that just evolved?

I have always wanted to run my own business since a young age, even though I enjoyed some of my experiences in industry, I found the practices of most top end designers and high street companies very bad. The majority of the industry use students (free labour) to make and create their collection's, even if you studied for 4 years and have experience most companies expect you to work for free for a least 2 - 3 years before be considered to go on the books, which i feel is a terrible practice, all these talented graduates not been paid?

One of the main reason for setting up business was that i would be designing and creating, as you don't get that opportunity in most companies, also i hate being bossed about I am the boss.


The concept behind splish splash is quite unique, and genius. How did you come up with the idea to avoid mass production at all costs?

The idea of my company is to provided a bespoke service for modern day girl wanting a bit of individuality, fun & quality, than the repetition of the norm. Each garment has design consideration for the individual client. There still are high cost to my process, such as sizing and the materials I use.




Your designs are extremely eclectic 1950's meets 1980's why and what is it you adore about these two fashion decades?

I love the idyllic home life of the 1950's that everything is so perfect, I love the imagery colours, style of most 50's items, such as household objects and clothing. The 1980's was my childhood I love the prints colours, power dressing so many things, I love recreating looks with a modern mix.

Finally I've got to ask you this: say you could collaborate with any fashion designer in the world, who would you chose to pattern cut with!?

I love to collaborate with Barbara Hulnicki the Creator of BIBA she is a God to me and frankly her skills have never been meet to this day.

all photos from: Splish Splash beachwear



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