'Hollywood amuses me. Holier-than-thou for the public and unholier-than-the-devil in reality'

Grace Kelly

I recently went to the Grace Kelly exhibition in Victoria & Albert Museum and funnily enough, I was weirdly disappointed but in a positive way. If there is one thing that should be noticed about Grace Kelly is her odd success in making no statement a statement. While I was there I silently strolled around each dress, accessory and shoe that had been carefully placed in perfect lighting for each guest to see. However, what I was waiting for was something that stood out and caught my eye that made her undoubtedly a fashion legend but I failed to find this. This is what made me more interested in her fashion sense. Can not trying to stand out be the best way to do it?

Taken during a trip to Jamaica with her sister in 1955.

What made Grace Kelly's style and elegance so potent was probably also down to the fact that she NEVER WENT WRONG. I think it is safe to say, for every fashionista with an outstanding fashion sense and outrageous looks, there is a point where people can definitely say that they shouldn't of left their home that day. By keeping it classic and understated it was virtually impossible for her to be caught out looking less than wonderful. This was her big statement. The photos above are perfect example of her looking natural yet glamorous.

"The thing that made her stand out is what we call 'style'."McCall's magazine, 1955

As I got further down the the exhibition another thing struck me; she left everything to the imagination. While woman were revealing what they could without revealing everything, Grace liked her necklines high and the hems of her skirt to waver between her knee and her ankles. This is something I adored as the majority of my clothes do not touch my knee, not for any particular reason other than the fact that clothing stores (including vintage) have no made skirts collect dirt of the ground or resemble an oversized belt. I for one have not complained but my mum being the devoted Christian that she is has sent me to my room to change countless number of times.



The next time you dig into your wardrobe looking for that outfit that will turn heads when you walk into room why not do the later and bear in mind, Hollwood actress to Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly and how she managed to do this without having to think about that. I pose this question once more... Can not trying to stand out be the best way to do it?





Title is a qoute by: Grace Kelly herself

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.

BY SHAN S., TEXTILE ARTIST/ONLINE BOUTIQUE OWNER/CRAFT TEACHER/BLOGGER FROM OSAKA

On Saturday I went to revise for my up coming tests. Some how, after hours of revision and very tired brain cells, me and my friends managed to maneuver our way to the shopping centre. This was actually quite great because there is nothing like retail therapy (besides reading and art but those are different satisfactions that come under the same genre to me). On this spree we managed to end up in a designer shoe store and I managed to start a topic on how I dislike cloggs and how overrated they are. In my attempt to convince my friends to agree... I tried on a pair and that was the downfall to my debate. I couldn't find any that were hideous looking so I just tried on any - they looked rather similar to the ones in the picture above. To keep the story short, once a pair of cloggs like these are on your feet I guarantee you will be satisfied... there is actually a place were comfort and your feet looking spectacular meet (other than wedges) and cloggs are that equilibrium. Sometimes it is great to have a change of heart. :)

Title by James Dent

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."

I was thinking over last year and I still believe Louis Vuittons 2009 fall collection is something to remember, it is not 'extra-ordinary' but it is something that will never go out of date for me. The main reason I love it is because I don't usually find a whole catwalk collection that I wouldn't mind being my wardrobe - it is usually just a minute amount that I would take if I could but this is a collection I would put in a suitcase and run off with. I actually have an image of one of the dresses in this collection plastered against my collage of pages from magazines.



Title is a qoute from the television show The Wonder Years

The Ragged Priest

This is the image of the first vintage dress I have ever bought (on the model). It's from the 1950's and I bought it from an online store called 'The Ragged Priest'. You should really check it out! Not only is everything in the store vintage but everything is recycled including the packaging. And what made everything even sweeter was the little vintage postcard that came with it that I can either recycle or send back, when I have a few more, in exchange for something else... I think I might make a collage.

Item of the Week

Brogues


I have a great love for brogues; it's just one of those items that suit anyone and everyone.

BY JAYDE R., 17 YEAR OLD STUDENT FROM ESSEX

BY JOANNA LILLY F., 16 YEAR OLD STUDENT FROM WALES

Y CHLÖE W., 18 YEAR OLD FASHION STUDENT/ MAD MAN FROM THE WIRRAL PENINSULA

Marry And Be Faithful

Marianne Faithfull

Marianne Faithfull is without doubt one of the best rock muses of the late 1960's. From looking sweet to being a rock legend, her fashion and style will never go out of date. The main reason why I like her fashion is probably because I see more than just her clothes, she brought rock and prep into the same light and that is something I do with my clothes very often (well not to the standard of her).

Fashions fade, style is eternal.

In London it's just turning into spring. Atleast that is what science says is telling me however, the weather still seems to have bi-polar.


BY SHAE ACOPIAN D., 32 YEAR OLD PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENT FROM NYC

There is something I love so much about Shae's outfits and the picture in general. She seems to take simplicity and non conformity to a new level. She is clearly in love with vintage, and now so am I.

The other day my friend asked me a question, 'How could you buy vinatge, wouldn't you be scared the person before may have died in it?'

I looked at her puzzled, near speechless and looking for an answer. When I finally replied I came up with 'I guess that's just a risk people are willing to take!'.


Title is a qoute from Yves Saint Laurent(French fashion designer, b.1940)