Gay fashion, or the lack of it!

Disclaimer: This post is aimed at a select group of individuals of males that should be ashamed to call themselves 'homosexuals' and grace the arms of another man, or men if you're into that sort of thing.

Right, I just want to start before I type with my tenacious talons I just want to put it out there and say that if any of this relates to you, then don't get offended. It's just my observations, and we are all entitled to our opinions, which can neither be proved or disproved.

I wanted to put into words my displeasure and disappointment when I see the disgraceful outfits worn by some of my brethren. I think it's wrong to focus on a specific sexuality, if there is one, and then criticise their fashion sense... but in this instance I will make an almighty exception. Here are my top three faggot fashion faux pas's:

The button-up casual tee.

First of my three most hated fashion miscarriages is the button-up tee, available in a very comprehensive range of very tasteful colour combinations. Why pick on such a harmless and generic piece of clothing I hear you say? Well, I protest. If you are going to purchase a basic white or staple colour tee, why would you opt for such a vile creation? To be honest, I often march into Topman and feel my inner arsonist compelling me to take a naked flame to the rail on which these hang. The tee featured above is only just the beginning, possibly the worst I have seen is a neon yellow with a light blue neckline. I was in a vegetated state for months afterwards.

The khaki combat trousers.

Well, most of us has been told, or forced to learn, that khaki was indeed one of the 'on-trend' colours for our passing autumn/winter. Granted, the earthy green tones look rather chic when engulfing a pair of slender fitted leather gloves or a fur lined duffel coat. It does not, however, complement a pair of tired, baggy and dirty combat trousers. To be fair, combat trousers are very fit for purpose, if you are a paint/decorator or you work with animals! Of course, these beautiful failures can also be accessorised with, an equally as fashion-forward, silver bike chain or even a few badges if you really want to embarrass yourself!

The rainbow flag accessories.

I have saved the best, or the worst to be more accurate, until last. I love being a gay, well, I love being able to express myself without being told to man up or live up to some stupid expectations. It's okay to show 'how proud you are' or being gay. Whoever invented the concept of the rainbow flag representing gay pride needs to answer for alot. Rainbow tongue bars, wrist bands, earrings, t-shirts, laces, hats, the list is endless. You have just spent the best part of an hour putting together an outfit you intend to pull a beautiful member of the same sex with, oh I know, let's put a load of neon colours, which don't match, with it! The result is truly horrific. DOWN WITH PRIDE.

Pro-Chav or Pro-Choice

I haven't done a blog in ages as I've been working on some other things which I hope will be very fruitful, very soon!

I've decided to stick to what I do best, ranting, moaning, trivialising, call it what you like but I'm somewhat of a distinction student at it! Today I have chosen to express my views on the fashion of a certain contemporary subculture; 'chavs', or 'chavettes' to be more specific. Sometimes I do say thanks to capital H.I.M and feel blessed I wasn't born a loose woman with aspirations of looking fake baked and vjazzled. Here is my low-down (or run-down) of my top 4 pet hates when it comes to people who look like they have just stepped off of the Jeremy Kyle tour bus;

1) The Fake Ugg Boot: Now, please note, I have stated the fake Ugg boot because in theory Uggs boots are very practical for when you are in below-freezing conditions and need to protect your tootsies from frostbite. Wearing them whilst going shopping with your similarly W.A.G wannabe mother? You barely get away with it. But to were something that looks like you have literally killed, gutted and skinned a walrus in the comfort of your own kitchen? A definite no no, I know they are comfortable but they are practical footwear for impractical terrain, not tailored fitted footwear. If you are still tempted to purchase a pair of these furry feet warmers I would warn against buying a pair from Shoe Zone or Priceless Shoes at all costs, even the cost of £2.50 that you are paying for them. I thought it was only pirates with peg-legs that walk at funny angles...

2) The All-in-One Sleep Suit: Calling all mature teenagers and adults? Are you an extra from a sci-fi or a warped Mother Care worker? No? You're not? Then why are you wearing something that looks like it designed to contain the criminally insane! I have seen so many girls, if you can describe them with a gender label, flaunting their taunt behinds through my local high street, wearing a 'onesie'? When did PJs stand for Proud Joke?! If I were a heterosexual male and I saw my female concubine wearing this just before we engaged in intercourse I probably would projectile vomit! Do you want that ladies?!

3) The Juicy Velour Tracksuit: Why, just why? Word of advice: Don't wear your 'expensive' gym clothes when you are around civilised members of society. If there are any?

4) Paul's Boutique: When did animal print EVER go with massive fuzzy pom poms and a patent stars? Evidently, if the bulk on the teenage population is to be believed, I could ask 'Paul's Boutique' for a definite answer. After searching their website, I can see nothing of substance apart from fashion that I have yet to see perched on the arm of scantily clad girls. I cannot express my hatred towards who ever put this atrocious mess of a company on the British High Street. From what I can see, the company aims to take classic, if not 'rinsed', accessories and clothing that have never really offended anyone in their poor little lives and transform them into abominations! I hear this all the time "I really like them!", "They are fun!", "They aren't all bad". Seriously, if you want to spend upwards of £50 on a bag do you really want to waste the money on something that will be considered a fashion faux pas in 2 years! Chuck them away and take a trip to your nearest shopping centre. The cheap faux leather is easily recycled I'm sure...

and finally, someone every girl should aspire to be, her message is so potent and evocative...

"THIS IS MY LIFE!"

I just want people to know that I feel fashion and clothing is a choice and respect anyone who picks something from a rail because they genuinely like it, but you will not get a shred of respect for dressing like a gypsy queen or strutting down the high street appearing as if you have just been for a long job on a hot day. It's not nice, I'm watching you and I'm judging you!

Quick Update

I just wanted to give a quick update; I am currently busy getting all my coursework and documentation finished for my current project and am also working on another on-line-based project so I have been unable to find time to blog any of my thoughts. I shall, however, be posting again at the weekend. 

I'll leave you with my favourite fashion-based ad of 2009!

Update; Espadrilles

I am forever going to be known as 'the espadrille boy' but I just wanted to do a quick update now that my new summer-specific footwear have arrived from the on-line fashion retailer, ASOS.

Here are the monstrosities after one wear, granted I do work down a coal mine and have particularly dodgy balance! I do like the general aesthetic but I think I would have a more comfortable fit if I wrapped a pillow case around my foot or better still wore a form of sock! I'd advise people to perhaps opt for a more expensive, higher quality style of espadrille such as TOMS. All that's left to do is to destroy these with a glue gun and a over-active imagination!

SEE Fashion Promo Project

As part of my current promotional project at college I have been experimenting with imagery, recycled garments and brand identity to produce numerous materials to publicise SEE Fashion. SEE fashion is an organisation set up to promote the reuse of recyclable materials and elements within the fashion industry and is currently working in conduction with my college, South Essex College. Here are a couple of early designs I have produced; a website and two advertisements intended for hand-out or magazine submission. As you can see, I have used the photographic images I obtained in a photo shoot earlier this month.

Advertisement #1

Advertisement #2

Website Design

Charlotte Graham

Another day, another blog. Have a few days off I think!

I wanted to blog some images that I captured in an early photo shoot I carried out for my portfolio. I, however, wanted to put the focus onto my friend and muse, Charlotte Graham. Whenever I have received a brief for a project at college the first thing that comes to my mind is 'How can I use Charlotte in some way?'. I love her combination of classic beauty and potent charisma. She photographs so well even without make-up which is evident in these photos from last summer;

If anyone fancies using Charlotte for anyway, preferably not anything perverse, I'd recommend getting in touch with her via Facebook or Twitter. She's an avid twitter-er. She's based in Kingston where she is studying creative writing and is currently a lot less freckly!

        

Last of The Great Pretenders?

Allow your attention to be given to the fact that I have used another Queen reference as a blog title; next I'll be ambling around my room with a thick moustache and tight leather skirt on singing about how I want to break free, but that's no reference to Queen...

For the last couple of weeks, and after viewing the reinvention of the Thierry Mugler brand by Nicola Formichetti, I have been the question; "What will happen to theatre in fashion?". The mundane and ordinary are two things we all both fear and savor. We are all a bit scared of blending-in and considering within society we are very small voices, we all like attention at our cores. On the other hand, we cling to routine, familiarities and labels in order for us to simplify and remain comfortable in our every day lives.

Gaga voguing on the runway for the Thierry Mugler A/W at Paris Fashion Week.

In my own opinion, there are two types of fashion designers and visionaries; those who aim to comfort and pleasure the world and those who aim to challenge and take their audience out of their comfort zone. To look back at Alexander McQueen's spring/summer collection of 2001 and absorb the disturbing yet innately satisfying content is in some ways a contrast to many of the catwalks and runways of this year's fashion weeks. This can be applied to other designers such as Thierry Mugler himself, arguably the pioneer of such extravagant and extreme fashion presentations, who understand that it's important to get the ideology of a collection across to his audience.

Throughout the 1990's and 2000's we have all been treated to catwalks that could easily be placed in the same arena and many experimental films or pieces of theatre. A mixture of striking couture, eery and elaborate props and scenery and the most gaunt, and sometimes violated, looking models you would see on a a runway. Some people may choose to describe theses shows, especially in the case of McQueen, as glamorised visions of a freak show or morbid fantasies played out to a hungry fashion press. But 'mundane and ordinary' are two words that you could struggle to apply to these 'happenings' and they have never failed to create buzz and hype about a particular collection or designer. In many cases, the garments speak for themselves.

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2001

I don't want to drift off topic and discuss Mugler's new Frankenstein-ish appearance that only Jocelyn Wildenstein could love! But with his disassociation from the Mugler brand, the death of the late great Lee McQueen and the recent shameful exit from Dior by John Galliano, I think it will very interesting to see if the next elites of fashion; Gareth Pugh, Formichetti or even the most recent creative director of Gucci, Frida Giannini, have much offer in the way of drama or theatre. Maybe the future of fashion is a fusion with other genres of pop culture; perhaps music or cinema? We shall wait intrepidly.

If you fancy having a look at McQueen's collections, and like looking at glossy, high resolution photos, I would recommend a book called 'Alexander McQueen: Genius of a Generation' by Kristin Knox. It retails at around £19.99 in places like Urban Outfitters but I got mine for about £12 off Amazon. Definitely worth the money! 

I think I'm going to do another blog on John Galliano for reasons that I will explain at the time. Who knew a cold could breed so much cyber-prose. I do hope I'm not boring anyone, and if I am, KMT!

All we hear is Lady, Oh, Gaga.

Firstly I would just like some recognition for my use of word play in the title of this blog, based on the Queen lyric. Well, I'm impressed anyway...

Just as 'The Exhibitionist Issue' of i'D magazine is about to hit our bookstores and newsstands here in the UK, I wanted to look at the cover star, the illustrious Stefanie Germonatta or Lady Gaga as she is more formally known. I must admit I always have a slight fear of declaring "I'm a fan of Gaga" because I think to many people, or just perhaps myself, a Gaga/Gay-ga fan is a highly strung, self-entitled 'diva' who literally worships the ground she walks on and fashions the couture she wears out of toilet roll holders and milk cartons. I want to state profusely this is not me, I am in fact just an admirer! Because let's face it, in the space of 2 years she has become a sensation, putting the Illuminati conspiracies and rumours of being an hermaphrodite aside, this young lady has known what she wants, to share the vietgeist, and how she will get it, through being omnificient, and has conquered her dreams!

I just wanted to share a few of my favourite magazine that have had her well-composed face brazened upon them; including, of course, her freckled visage on the cover of i'D:

i'D 'The Exhibitionist Issue' is published on 24th March and, with the furious hype created over the internet, I'd recommend camping outside your local WHSmith for a least a couple of days before, no particular reason why! Styled also by the multi-talented creative director of Thierry Mugler and member of the 'Haus of Gaga', Nicola Formichetti, the issue is definitely worth a browse if not a purchase. Come on, we've all done that before!

Shoot me now!

 

 

Designer//Me. Models//Me & Aaron Davey. MUA//Matthew Wells. 

Photographer//Thomas Burgess.

Some sample images taken from a recent photo shoot for the jackets I designed. The contrasting embellishment on the jackets is intended to represent the contrast between the masculine and the feminine, the natural and the man made. The images will be developed and incorporated into designs for promotional materials I am currently producing.

Move over Twiggy!

Espadrilles

I'm sitting here in the midst of my man flu epidemic and rather than comfort eating and staring at my twitter feed, I thought I would put some of my fever-based thoughts down in words. All I can think of is espadrilles!

Okay, well, what is there to say about espadrilles? I think back to the abuse I incurred upon others through my summer footwear last year! Whether it was the German-based blister blasters we know as Birkenstocks or what can only be described as the Trojan Twink effect, Gladiator sandals, last Summer wasn't my season of style! It didn't help that I shaved my hair and had a farmer's tan! Anyway, this year I am taking steps to improve my summer wardrobe and not resemble something like Crimewatch meets Queer Eye for the Straight Guy!

I think there is always a danger with espadrilles of looking like a 'lad on tour' with complementing Soul-Cal jeans and Bench graphic tee! This year especially, with the popularity of chinos on the British high street, it's essential to have footwear that can be worn with a rolled up trouser leg without giving your foot too many marks and blisters! I avoided them last year after my distress over the over-subscription of the Military boot and canvas tennis plimsolls but this year I am determined to make them work for me!

Whether you're a high street shopper, a ready-to-wear wannabe or a budding couture customiser, espadrilles are a perfect canvas for embellishment and can be teamed with so many Summer garments! Ranging from around £10-£30 on the high street they are a seasonal staple and have been released in a variety of colours and styles; lace up, boot style or original plimsoll, to suit whatever you want your look to be; Edward Cullen with a tan, Essex boy with pride or tribal lover!

I have purchased myself some from ASOS, for £10, I'll ready and waiting to customise these babies!