Tattoos have definitely become a 'thing' in recent years, 'it' boys and girls have been plastered all over the tabloids and internet every time they get a new inking. It has become so popular that celebrities have caused a trend with certain tattoo artists like Bang Bang NYC, known for inking Cara Delevingne, Rihanna, Adele and Thierry Henry. Tattoos are obviously not a new thing, but it has definitely sparked a lot of attention in the press in recent months. Especially with models being successful despite their inkings, when in previous years tattooed models were rejected from the runway frequently. Nowadays we have tattoo veterans and amateurs all over the runway: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Jourdan Dunn, Cara Delevingne, Erin Wasson and Freja Beha. Henry Holland even had tattooed sheer tights on his models for his SS/14 show and Marchesa also donned temporary tattoos on the models at their SS/14 show, similar to Chanel's temporary tattoo use in Lagerfeld's SS/10 show. Below I have listed a variety of female celebrities who have a variety of tattoos in a variety of sizes and places.
Paloma Faith has a flock of birds that are drawn up her back in a highly intricate and feminine pattern, proving that tattoos aren't just for hardcore rocker motorcyclists with tar stained beards. Faith's four birds wind up the length of her back and play
toward her eccentric character. I am not sure what the birds are, but
they're not the stereotypical swallows. If they are doves then there
could be a symbol of peace or if they are blackbirds then maybe the
tattoo means paradise or a good omen. However, I cannot be sure, and I
do not know an interview where she discusses the tattoo.
Model, Erin Wasson, has a delicate collection of tattoos on both of her arms. Of her tattoos, Erin has said, "I’m the girl who just thinks up something as I’m walk into a tattoo parlor and I’m getting it an hour later."
Rihanna's tattoos get practically two times the amount of Google searches as Kim Kardashian's bum! She has an array of tattoos, ranging from her famous star scatter down the back of her neck, to the intricate tribute to her Grandmother of the goddess Isis.
Angelina Jolie, has a vast collection of Asian inspired tattoos all over her body all of them having a personal meaning to her. However, the most personal and heartfelt of all is the tattoo she has on her left arm of the geographical coordinates of her six adopted and biological children as well as Brad Pitt's birth place.
Freja Beha Erichsen, the Danish model, has a variety of dainty quote word tattoos over her upper body and a pistol on the inside of her right upper arm. They are subject to a lot of "tattoo envy" on Tumblr, with captions on photos regularly being, "ugh, let me be her" and "omg i just love this tattoo".
Although not a contemporary tattoo pioneer, if Moss does it we do it, right? I mean after all Moss is boss, even Lucian Freud seems to think so as he designed the swallow tattoo on her lower back after telling her about being in the navy at about 19 years-old.
Lady Gaga has revealed her tattoos in her music videos before, and on stage multiple times. It is not until you really think about it that you realise she has so many, certainly over ten, but the specific number is unsure as her collection is always growing. My favourite tattoos of hers are the rose tattoo done by Kat Von D on her lower back and the anchor on her ribs.
Hope you enjoyed that mini exhibition of celebrity tattoos.
I
thought I had better write this before the boys (Matty Healy, George Daniel,
Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald) become big enough for the rest of the blogosphere
to be posting about them around the clock.
The
1975, you've heard of them, I know you have. Whether you know the name of the
band or not doesn't matter, I am sure you have listened to ‘Sex’, ‘The City’ or
their biggest track ‘Chocolate’ on the radio at one point or another in the
past year. If you still don't know what I am talking about, I suggest you type The
1975 into YouTube and check them out. Personally, I feel it is safe to say that
I have been a fan since they first released their debut EP Facedown back in
August 2012. The City quickly became a favourite of mine, with Facedown,
Antichrist and Woman all firmly in the second place spot when I formed my
initial list of favourites. This was before they continued to release a
further three EPs and their self-titled debut album, released on the 2nd
September 2013. For now my “favourites” list goes as follows (unordered because
I can’t choose the top spot between them): ‘You’, ‘Sex,’ ‘The City’, ‘Girls’,
Settle Down’, ‘Heart Out’, ‘M.O.N.E.Y.’, ‘So Far (It’s Alright)’,
‘Fallingforyou’, ‘She Way Out’ and ‘Me’.
Zane Lowe: The 1975 In Session & In The Studio
To
compare the sounds of their songs to other artists is difficult as the boys
have a wide range of influences from Otis Redding to Michael Jackson. As a
result of this they are a unique sounding band, making them highly popular in a
time where finding innovative musical sounds is relatively difficult these days
as I beleive nearly everything has been experimented with by now musically.
Their songs can be beautifully eerie song composed with a pretty trickling
piano playing (Facedown) and haunting vocals from Matty, with synth style
sounds echoing in the background. Whereas other songs have a strong drumbeat to
it (The City) that makes me play air-drums along with George.
In session with Zane Lowe // Radio 1
I
am in love with Healy's lyricism. They are an abyss of beautiful metaphors and
imagery, whilst remaining relatable, much like how Turner's (Arctic Monkeys)
songs are equally viewed as accessible. In their song 'The City' the opening line
is poetic and relatable, "Don't call it a fight when you know it's a
war", it makes me want to break into applause before the song finishes as
it is a line that latches onto your brain throughout the entirety of the song
and in the aftermath as well. My favourite aspect of The 1975’s songs is that
there is a lot of layering with their sounds, in ‘The City’ you first hear the
drums, then the more synthetic bass line combined with Matty’s vocals. Then the
guitar comes in half way through the first verse and the song just builds up to
the climatic chorus.
Photo: Ruth Kilpatrick
As
many people who listen to the charts know, the boys’ debut album that they
released on the 2nd September this year, reached the number one spot
in the UK charts. Paste magazine described the band as ‘equal parts ethereal
and synth pop’, which I completely agree with! I think there is definitely a
strong element of sublime ghostly characteristics in their music, which is
especially clear on the tracks 'Undo' on their 'Sex' EP and ‘Fallingforyou’
from the 'IV' EP. In comparison, ‘Heads.Cars.Bending.' is a cleverly composed song
with a synth sound throughout due to all of the layered elements. ‘Sex’,
‘Chocolate’, ‘The City’, ‘Girls’, and ‘Settle Down’ are amongst the more poppy
songs that have been sponged up by the young teens of the UK (and the US).
Needless to say they are a completely unique band with an individual style
taken from the many influences of the boys.
Matty
is definitely the more vocal one of the band and really wears his heart on his
sleeve, as an avid fan I love this about him. However, the translucency of social
media and displaying your personality in front of the world I can understand
why he is more restricted about what he says on his twitter account. One of the
most endearing features about Matty is how eloquent he speaks, articulating his
words in a way that is magical... to my ears anyway.
So
yes, as you can see I am a tremendous fan and each song is beautifully unique
and wonderful to listen to. How could you not fall in love with each of them…
the raw individual voice of Matty, the intense drumming from George, the catchy
riffs from guitarist Adam or the rich baselines from Ross, they create the
perfect alternative rock/synth pop band.
A
band that has been around for ten years and describes themselves as a
"band's band" has finally released their debut album and we are
certainly expecting at least a second. I hope if you didn't know these boys
before you are now inclined to listen to their music, as I personally find it
highly listenable and like a chameleon in the way each song is unique in their
sound and emotive language.
With the end of summer comes the torment of knowing that school, college, or university is looming. College graduates will be moving into their new university homes, returning uni students will be studying hard again, and school kids will be pressing their uniforms, well... their parents will be pressing their uniforms. So you've got your new notebook, pencils, and folders, and you've even found the time to re-heel your favourite winter boots. Yet, there's still one thing to worry about... what to wear! As a fashion lover who also hates to panic over what to wear on the first day back, I have taken the courtesy of planning some outfits for myself you.
Back to Black
All black for your first day back to learning is a look that normally says "playing it safe". However, this needn't be the case. Keep it chic with an over-sized tee or tee-style dress and a leather jacket. This shearling one is from Acne and probably out of your price range as a student, but a girl can dream. Shearling is always around so don't feel disheartened if you can't afford the £1,260 price tag. Just look to Topshop, River Island, or Zara... highstreet brands are bound to do their own version. Play up your outfit with a tartan scrunchie that can hold up a sleek ponytail, whilst also adding a pop of colour. Then add this furry friend for your beautifully sharpened pencils. This is actually a clutch from Etsy, but there's no reason why you can't transform it into a pencil case, and being slightly larger than your standard pencil case you can put your house/car keys in there, too. Quirky, chic and in a uniform colour... who said black was boring?
Prep at Heart
Stay cosy for the colder autumn mornings with an angora mix jumper, like this one from Topshop. The cropped style is great for high-waisted skirts or shorts, or even distressed low-slung boyfriend jeans. This pebble grey tone adds to the comfortable feel and would look great with any skin tone; fair, olive or dark. Team it with a Breton striped jersey skirt as a way of keeping the look soft without making it matchy-matchy. These H by Hudson boots are a great investment and could easily be your new go-to-shoe all year round, on the pricier side at £155 you would have to save up your Saturday job for them. A satchel and watch in slightly different tones of brown and texture also stops this look from looking over thought.
This is an otufit for those who like classical comfort.
Don't Feel Chills
If you want to get your last wears of a bralet in before winter really settles, first week back to school if the way to do it. This is an outfit solely for the brave hearted, as I can imagine this getting a few disapproving looks from teachers and hoes alike. If you're going to wear a bralet, keep it leather for chicness (white or black is good) and keep shoes and accessories in the same colour. This look can't be messy, otherwise it looks as though you've forgotten your top in a half asleep attempt at getting ready. You also need to be someone of an A-C cup size (maybe a small D), no way could I wear this out as I would look like I'd lost my way back to the brothel.
Wear distressed, washed out denim for added cool factor and a teddy fur coat, like this Topshop one, to keep you warm. You could even get away with wearing a low buttoned over-sized white shirt half tucked into your jeans if you think this could be a bit risqué for the classroom. These ankle-exposed buckle boots from Zara would be the finishing touch to your look, wear trainer socks to stop your poor heels from rubbing away, and to flash some flesh. Not that you haven't flashed enough already.
Pink Days
We all know that pink is hot for Autumn/Winter, a funny colour for winter, this will stop our wardrobes from being boring.As you can tell by now, the outfits I have done are simple, this is because I discard my usual bohemian summery attire when it comes to winter.
However, on the warmer September days (and maybe even a couple of the October days, at a push) both you and I can rock our kimonos together. Athena Procopiou makes this kimono wearable for everyone! It will add a little Bohemia to your outfit, and as I like to keep things clean for winter, everything else can be white (or black if you prefer). These little jogger style shorts are super cute and fresh and this gorgeous guipure bra is from Journelle, making it unavailable to me (it's also sold out). Although, it's still sweet and you can rock your own little bralet underneath a sheer-ish vest top which gets tucked into your shorts. Just a tip: make sure to pick a colour from your kimono to keep coordinated, I like to pick out a colour that is only part of a small detail as it can pick it up and creates a new dimension.
These accessories are simply in this set because I love them, and as a student the only thing I can realistically afford is the iPhone case or the training shoes. But I love them anyway and I got carried away finding coordinating items. Now, I normally go for yellow gold in terms of jewellery, but this stainless steel Amy watch by Marc Jacobs has a cool feel to it and catches the light nicely.
Accent
Finally, I styled a look that had an accent colour. I love it when you have a pop of colour in an outfit; even in "Back to Black" I added a tartan scrunchie. I just personally feel that all black or all white doesn't reflect my personality, the orange watch is by Asos, it's a fab sorbet shade and super affordable. Not only that... who doesn't need a watch for school? I don't have one and I wish I did, it would mean I could make my trains and my lessons as promptly as possible. Giant t-shirts show a lazy approach to dressing but by the end of the week, who cares? No one does a t-shirt-come-dress look like a Londoner, and this dress from Topshop proves it. You could also wear an old concert tee that is two sizes too big for you, if you don't like plain tops. Beanies add a bit of a tomboy edge, as does the leather backpack. Beanies and backpacks are everywhere now ever since tomboy became cool, so finding some you love is never far from reach. In terms of shoes, I would wear my forever faithful black Chelsea boots. If you don't like those, Converse, biker boots, Doc Martens, or Vans... in fact almost any shoe would look great with this as it's such a simple outfit.
I hope you've enjoyed my styling session. All details for these outfits can be found on my Polyvore, just click here to go directly to the collection, or here for an overview of my account.
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the
trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar
conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." ―
F. Scott Fitzgerald,
The Great Gatsby
Top left to right: Ashley; Mary-Kate (Met Gala, 2013)
Above left to right: Ashley; Mary-Kate (To Grandmother’s House We Go, 1992)
Double Trouble
The twins completely rock the world of fashion, they disregard whatever Vogue instructs people to wear and wear whatever they want. For years their street style has been a palette of blacks, greys and complimentary neutral colours. MK has often been described as a bag lady, being a firm favourite of the boho-hobo look, whilst Ashley has always had a slightly more glamorous Hollywood look. Both girls do androgynous well, although Mary-Kate is probably the twin whose known for these tomboy looks.
With a huge fashion following, these girls could rock any look and teen girls would run to the shops to try and recreate an Ashley or Mary-Kate street style look.
But it's those adorable kiddie stages when everyone fell for the Olsen twins, I mean who doesn't remember Full House and It Takes Two? Even if it meant you could only watch the replays on T.V. at ten-years-old because you weren't born until 1996 (like me).
Top: Rihanna's "Talk That Talk" album shoot
Middle and Above: Rocking the 90s denim look... street style; 90s celebrity overall fashion
Dungarees
Okay, so about two years ago the thought of wearing overalls made the vast majority trend setting bloggers go starry eyed with dizziness and give you a very severe look in the eye and say, "Why the f*** would I ever wear those? I'm not a throw back." They would then shudder at the memories of their parents forcing them into these denim beauties, swing their oversized Céline luggage bag back onto their forearm and strut away wearing limited edition pony hair Pigalle pumps.
Today, there's a different story. Acceptable in the 90s? Yes. Acceptable in 2010? Kinda. Acceptable in 2012? No way. Acceptable in 2013? Hell yes. But why? Is it because everyone who ever owned a pair threw them out to the charity shops because they were that hideous? Probably. Hence why almost every single vintage store is dripping with a multitude of blue hued denim pieces from their walls. Problem is with trends is that once they catch on and when the most fashionable of the fashion industry and pop culture wear them, it's hard not to turn your eye away with that same snooty look of distaste. Not only that but everyone had them in the 90s, meaning that they are easily available and can be found at dirt cheap prices, so you can nab a pair from £5.70 - £50.
Bindis
The ultimate accessory of the 90s, made popular by Gwen Stefani (the blue haired babe), is still popular now and this time round the girls who favour these Hindu forehead decorations include: Abbey Lee Kershaw (top, second) and Isabel Lucas (above).
Just be careful wearing these, because as cool as they are there have definitely been recent backlashes for celebrities who don them, even when they aren't Hindu.
Top to Bottom: Cher and Dionne (Clueless, 1995); Emma Watson (Teen Vogue, August 2013); Vogue UK's The Catwalk Edit (August, 2013)
Tartan Checks
Tartan is definitely making a comeback too as a solid A/W '13 trend. In Vogue UK's "The Catwalk Edit" they say that, 'last season's strict monochrome prints give way to softer, colour-drenched checks for autumn (...) squares have a witty, modern charm.' Sounds like Cher would be bringing out another tartan skirt suit if she could.
Top to Bottom: Kate Moss x Juergen Teller (Dazed and Confused, 1998); Kate x Juergen (Self Service, 2010)
Moss the Boss
Everyone's favourite model has been a style icon since the 90s, she was the original grunge girl, and has always known how to place her body in a photograph and the exact expression to use for the character she was modelling. Her rock star lifestyle has been lived up with her celebrity boyfriends from the iconic Johnny Depp to the hardcore drug addict 'The Libertines' frontman Pete Doherty and now her
husband the guitarist and singer/songwriter for
the indie rock duo The Kills, Jamie Hince.
Her grunge style emerged when she started dating Johnny and now whenever someone says "Kate Moss" and "street style" in one sentence I think of that famous outfit of hers: skinny jeans, battered boots, strappy vest (sans bra) and biker jacket clad Kate.
The ultimate 90's babe and forever fashion icon will always live on.
We love you, Kate.
(Click on this link to see the 1990 Corinne Day shoot that made Kate Moss the most covetable model ever)
Top to Bottom: Johnny and Winona (circa. 1990); Johnny and Kate (circa. 1995)
Johnny Depp
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny... you sure know how to make a girl's heart melt and then make it turn cold with envy for every girlfriend you've ever had. But whilst girls of the 90s felt jealousy radiating from the pores of their being at the sight of a new girl on Monsieur Depp's arm, there will always be the favourite Johnny girls of the 90s.
WINONA FOREVER
Winona met Johnny at the 'Great Balls of Fire!' premiere in June 1989; two months later they began dating. They got engaged for three years beginning in July 1990 and as a symbol of his love for her, Johnny D got a tattoo on his arm reading "Winona Forever," which he had altered to "Wino Forever" after their separation in mid 1993. Johnny couldn't get over Winona for ages, and I can imagine the feeling of major loss carried through with him to his relationship with Kate.
It was apparent that Winona's parents felt she was way too young to marry, Johnny was 27 when he asked Winona to marry her and Winona was a mere 19 years old.
This link will lead you to a page of quotes by Johnny and Winona as well as an insight to why they broke up. Here's one of the quotes that I read, one that I love:
"When I met Johnny, I was pure virgin. He changed that. He was my first
everything. My first real kiss. My first real boyfriend. My first
fiancé. The first guy I had sex with. So he'll always be in my heart.
Forever. Kind of funny that word." - Winona Ryder
LITTLE MISS MOSS
From 1994 to 1998, Kate Moss and Johnny Depp had a relationship. Just like practically every single girl Johnny ever dates, they were engaged for a couple of months, they broke up a few months later. This four-year relationship was never as big as Winona and Johnny's relationship, in terms of the fact that he didn't get Moss' name inked on his body and the fact that close friends of Johnny's also revealed they felt he never truly loved Kate, at least not like Winona. But it most definitely was a life defining relationship for Kate Moss and in Vanity Fair's December 2012 issue she said this:
“There’s nobody that’s ever really been able to take care of me. Johnny
did for a bit. I believed what he said,” Moss says. “Like if I said,
‘What do I do?,’ he’d tell me. And that’s what I missed when I left. I
really lost that gauge of somebody I could trust. Nightmare. Years and
years of crying. Oh, the tears!"
Top to Bottom: Heath Ledger; Julia Stiles; original movie trailer; poem movie clip
10 Things I Hate About You
The ultimate 90's movie that had every girl ever drooling over Heath Ledger and going "aww" for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' quickly became a cult classic for teen girls everywhere and I could certainly vouch for this. Look, I could go on and on about this movie, as it is definitely one of my favourites. However, I've written a lot and instead I will let you reflect on this little gem by watching the trailer and hearing the poem that made teen girls everywhere recite it in their bedrooms, imagining themselves saying it to their crushes.
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?"
- Juliet Capulet
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio. Not really a style God but most definitely a sex God. Girls love Leo, not only does his name resonate a name of a Greek God, but his acting skills are beyond compare. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993) and "The Basketball Diaries" (1995) were loved by everyone from film critics to brace-clad tween girls. However, it was WEGG that scored Leo with a nomination for an Academy Award as 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role'. Sadly he didn't win it, which left hardcore Leonardo fans extremely agitated, however this bitterness subsided when he was nominated for (and won) other awards for his acting in this 90s favourite.
His appearance in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of 'Romeo and Juliet' (1996) solidified him as a firm favourite for girls internationally and the rest... is... history.
Top to Bottom: Kurt Cobain images (1 to 3); Gif of Kurt's infamous quote; Courtney Love video; suicide note; death certificate
Kurt Cobain
Rock's ultimate idol was (and still is) one of the best songwriters
to have been produced by the music industry. Admit it, when you first heard Smells Like Teen Spirit it was probably because your parents played it,
as you weren't even born when the song first came out. I bet you even told them
to turn it off because it hurt your delicate ears. But the moment you hit the
teen age, it was (maybe still is) your anthem and dared to play it as loud as
you could without your Mum nagging you to keep it down.
Alongside Smells Like
Teen Spirit, there's also In Bloom described as Nevermind's "most
metallic [track], lurching through gnarly chord changes that are augmented by Dave
Grohl’s explosive drum fills."
Sliver is also a firm favourite,
alongside Lithium, Come As You Are, Heart Shaped Box, and Lake of
Fire.
However, Kurt's suicide left the underground scene in shock and his wife Courtney Love was openly angry about the death of her husband. She even said in Vanity Fair (November, 2011) that she would kill him if he came back.
I don't want to write too much about his death as I wasn't even born when he committed suicide, so instead I have posted the suicide note, the death certificate and a YouTube clip of Courtney reading out her husband's suicide note above.
And once you've finished reading/hearing it why not turn up your favourite Nirvana song and rock out for Kurt.
