So basically I was one of the excited/sad/desperate* few to queue up at the Bullring, Birmingham for the launch of the Versace x H&M collection. I had to get on the bus from Stourbridge, just outside of Birmingham for 5:09am just be in the city centre for 6 where I joined about 30 excitable fashion people (fashionistas sounds like such a desperate and cliche term). I must say, it was worth it....

http://www.birminghammail.net/multimedia/news/images/2011/11/18/early-birds-bag-versace-styles-in-birmingham-97319-29799407/


After my (little?) splurge in H&M (it was surreal dropping those kind of dollars in my favourite basics store) a man took my photo infront of the Bull (Birminghams icon metal statue thing), which I initially thought was for a fashion blog or something to document the hysteria around the collection.
That was until the man in my local Tesco announced he saw me in the paper and recognised my glasses....


What did people buy from the collection then? Almost a week on are there any buyers remorse situations coming in? I mean the shoulder pads floral dress doesn't really scream practical and classic or even Christmas party dress does it...

*delete as appropriate

What do people blog about?

What do people like to read about?
Why do people follow certain blogs?
What tone and style of language is the most effective?

I am going to read, read, read, watch Simpsons, read and probably get back to you with the most interesting post ever. Or at least a solution or some sort equation that equals interesting and engaging posts....

Laura

I am really really really....

totally struggling with the whole dissertation thing. I have an idea. I think it's a good idea and would definitely 'take away the pain' of my target market (in the words of my marketing God and super enthusiastic lecturer). But how do I put it into words and talk about competition if it not even I can describe it coherently. How many people get annoyed when that must-have dress/shoes/coat as seen on your friend/blogger/Alexa Chung sells out and you have to check every store to try and get hold of it before eventually paying over the odds for it on eBay?

However, today has been quite inspiring. My wardrobes (plural) have split out into the rest of my apartment recently and a photographer friend, Ursula Roxy, suggested I try styling a shoot with her. Everyone with an online presence or a million of hypes on lookbook.nu call themselves stylists so I was apprehensive. So I took some clothes along, mostly charity shop one offs and totally vintage cool pieces (or any item under a fiver as they are known to me) and dressed the model! For me it was inspiring and really made me look at how I dress as I am so lazy with jeans and whatever standard Topshop tee I find in the drawer. Original.

Sneaky pic ey.

Off to really get down to business (plan). I hate business and plans and anything to do with business plans right now.

The internet.

So basically having a blog during my studies (Fashion Retail Management at BCU btw) is of paramount importance. But I hate being present on the internet, y'know what I mean? I have met numerous bloggers in and around Birmingham (the one time I met Fritha from Fish Tank Fashion in Superdrug in the Bullring and after the awkwardness of a stranger coming to talk to her it was really lovely and I love her blog even more) but now with the ever looming idea of graduating and having something to show for it I am going back to openly blogging.

We had a lecture the other day from a blogger/social media extraordinare/internet lover and he said his main DON'T of being on the World Wide Web was: DON'T be a dick.

Sound advice though don't you think?

For now, here is my favourite thing the internet has ever brought me.

Black Milk Clothing

J'taime The Kooples

I am actually in love with The Kooples.
The Parisian lable is so effortlessly cool without being 'oh what an idiot who thinks he/she's obviously too cool to even smile and shops at COS and wears Topshop tapered legs' Ok this might actually be me sometimes (I got this a ma az i ng white basic tee with a pleated neckline the other day from COS) but you know what I mean.

The Kooples create basics. The pieces will be still in your wardrobe in 5 years and live through many trends along the way.
The brand is based on the whole idea of 'couples' and have recently opened standalone stores in London including one on Carnaby Street. The Kings Road store is apparently set out like a boutique of mens and womens together, no real separation. This is definitely what I feel from the brand with it's tailored womenswear and slim fit mens trousers.
I am off to watch the  videos now as I wait for online shopping to go live..... I daren't go to Selfridges Oxford Street anytime soon as with my staff card I'll be in dangerous territory...



I wish that I was Gemma & Robert! J'taime!

I hate Professional Development

So I am producing a mahara page for a Professional Development module at uni... and I thought the Human Resource Management essay was bad.


I need to sell myself. Do you find it hard to say how amazing you are and how the reader should totally just employ you right this second? You might be super ambitious but what makes you different from the million other ambitious students aspiring to be the next Gossip Girl? (is that even right? I've never watched it as I'm more of an Eastenders girl myself) Well basically I am struggling to make my e-portfolio look anything other than average? I wouldn't be too bothered if it wasn't one of the actual deliverables for the module.

How can someone stand out from a dull university set online page? Isn't this the reason why fashion blogs have developed so much? Everyone wants to work in fashion. Everyone can write a blog. 

I wonder what the fashion blog equivalent is in the world of marine biology or maths?


In actual interesting news my international friend Popo managed to get a Lanvin hearts H&M t-shirt from the Regent Street store. Old news now I know... but I've a new reason for wanting to be an XS.

Hello..... Tom Ford!

OMG

After totally bitchin' on my Lanvin disaster look!
 Science of Style

Thanks Amelia (via Twitter)


Please let this be totally real....