A/W'13// PINK

With autumn drawing near, I thought it would be a good idea to select my favourite AW13 trends. Here's a few words on the colour that dominated the catwalks.

I’ve always associated the colour pink with spring or summer. For me it’s reminiscent of pink lemonade, ice lollies and blossom trees. Yet the pinks used in many collections for AW13 challenged my initial conceptions and prove pink to be fitting for next season too. There is, however, a prominent difference between S/S and A/W pinks. Rather than solid pastels or popping brights, next seasons collections offer dusty and warm tones, fully encapsulating an air of femininity.

 

SONIA RYKIEL FROM DAZED DIGITAL

Shows such as Miu Miu, Saint Laurent and Lanvin all featured the soft rose palatte whilst all managing to take a very different path on presenting the colour. Because of the changing temperature from autumn to winter, the designers are able to experiment with a large array of fabric, giving almost identical hues a completely different quality. The bubblegum PVC skirt from Roksanda Ilincic glistens and presents a sleek 50s party girl look, whilst Sonia Rykiel’s tailored wool/tweed jackets show that soft and sweet pink can also present a strong and chic look.

Hair Stencils

Dip dye is definitely a thing of the past, and has been for some time now. Maintaining an element of individuality is seemingly more difficult now, as trends can be mimicked without a second thought. 

It started out as a way of expressing yourself through fashion, but it was snatched by the masses in an attempt to appear more 'alt' and for a while tumblr was pretty much swamped with bottle blondes with coloured tips. The new sub-trend is one that won’t be copied easily. Hair stencils take time and perseverance to get right, not to mention money! I can't see a DIY hair stencil being too successful and have concluded that it's probably best to get it professionally done... I also feel that stencils may work better on shaved hair. Although it does look pretty cool on lengthy hair, it’s got to be pretty impractical simply because of the way hair falls!

 

Has anyone tried hair stencilling DIY or Professionally?
Do you think dip dye lost its touch of individuality?

Laura xx

LFW // DAY 5

Favourite runway show of Day 2

Ashish Spring / Summer 2013

I have to say, I was looking forward to seeing what Ashish had to offer us for SS/13. For next year, he's given us 90s (YES!). Although it's been concidered a hangover decade in fashion for a while, the 90s have been creeping back into fashion since about autumn last year. The catwalk displayed sequins, denim and CUTE scrunchies and the overall vibe seemingly relaxed - models were in soft off-shoulder dresses and slouchy sports pants. Ashish has once again created a collection consisting of glamourous yet chilled garments, all easily wearable in day to day life.

Laura xx

LFW // DAY 4

Favourite runway show of Day 2

Fred Butler Spring / Summer 2013

Butler plays with 'wearable sculpture' for his SS/13 show. The gold clad models showed off an obvious honey bee inspired collection, with hexagons taken from bee-hives forming the basis of his garments. Daisies were seen on the golden platformed heels, as were delicately constructed bees on the models nails. The collection was topped off (haha) with a honey bee wing influenced head dress, putting the finishing touch to the gorgeous golded girl look.

Laura xx

LFW // DAY 3

Favourite runway show of Day 3

Topshop Unique Spring/Summer 2013

Unique brought out a very sophisicated and demure collection for next spring/summer. The colour pallet included black, white, yellow and a few softer pastels for their blazer clad collection. Although presenting a somewhat mature collection, it did of course have that youthful Topshop edge -for starters, the models walked out to Vanessa by Grimes - but designwise, cut out pannels and transparent sections featured in the mini dresses. The Unique show can be streamed on the TOPSHOP website, along with other shows from LFW.

 

 @Laura_Blush

Blush+

 

 XX

LFW // DAY 2

Favourite runway show of Day 2

Holly Fulton Spring / Summer 2013 
Pastles. Not exactly a groundbreaking move for Spring/Summer, but it's working! Holly Fulton's collection featured her trademark digital printed patterns yet with a softer touch for S/S'13. The candyshop colourscheme and constant use of digitally printed roses brought to mind 50s suburbia, with sophisticated pencil skirts and rouged lips. This however was brought into modern day with transparent PVC bags and jackets, as well as seductive cut out dresses.

@Laura_Blush

Laura xx

LFW // DAY ONE

Favourite runway show of Day One

Caroline Charles Spring / Summer 2013
Caroline Charles' fusion of garish colours and floaty fabrics create a very tropical feminine look. Having worked with Mary Quant prior to setting up her own buisness, colour and pattern rife in the 1960s (and shape in the garments at the end of the show) are evident, yet these are modernised with the choice of sheer drapey fabrics. Charles self describes the collection as a "Riot of colour" with Latin American influences.

 

All images from the London Fashion Week website.

Laura xo

@Laura_Blush

Vogue's Fashion Night Out

For the past 4 years in early September, Vogue's Fashion Night Out (FNO) has been a key event on every Designer, Model and Fashionista's diary. FNO offers free events and discounts in participating highstreet and designer stores, celebrating fashion in general- often with a free mohito on the side!

FNO, with the exception of LFW, is THE time to show of your wardrobe with magazines, photographers and bloggers prowling the streets of London. However, one mistake I saw being made (and am guilty of myself) was seeing girls in high heels. If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to leave them at home as the girls in flats get the best deals- they can run faster and don't feel like crying after the hours of trapsing round! 

This year I went to Oxford Street to see what they had to offer. It wasn't nearly as busy as I imagined (until I got to Pull + Bear... free drinks) with only a 10 minute wait for the Red Lip tutorial and makeover in Forever 21. Topshop was arguabley the most generous, not only offering makeovers with Topshop and Barry M, a free nail bar and a raffel. They also hosted a performance from Delilah - a British singer songwriter who's voice you may recognise from a collab with Chase & Status.

Did you go to FNO?

Laura xx

Is This Fashion?

“Ooh, that’s a cool pattern” *takes a closer look* “ERGHH IT’S A PENIS!!” 

You probably all saw the new penis leggings by Bas Koster, they’ve been clogging up the blogosphere and are currently have a waiting list due to the fast sell out!   

That was my initial reaction; personally, I just found it a bit odd. Why on earth would you want to walk around with THAT on your legs?! It has to be said, you’ve got to have balls (sorry!) to wear them. I meant if someone points out the fact “you’ve got a cock on your leg” you have to be gutsy enough to say “yes, and your point is?”

Now maybe it’s my AS study of Carol Anne Duffy and the Suffragettes, and feminism is rubbing off on me a bit, but surely we’re just giving into the ridiculous philosophy of ‘Penis Envy’?  Or maybe, the leggings are celebrating women!! Think about how intimidating it’d be for a guy to look down and see you have more penis than him! Either way, they’re going to probe questions.

Another feminist fashion move that I don’t understand is Vice Magazines latest lookbooks...

It’s called There Will Be Blood (you can look at it here, but a warning, you might find the pictures pretty grim.)

I’m not going to say anything about it, apart from “?!?!?!?!?!?”

What do you make of these new moves in fashion?

Laura xx
Photo from Bas Koster website

Catwalk to Cover

I visited the Fashion and Textiles Museum a few months ago to see the Catwalk to Cover exhibition. It showcased photos from the FROW, items from the catwalk (including those Prada Creepers that I wrote about for Who's Jack !!!!) and street style shots.

If you're in London I'd definately reccomend you check it out, but be quick as the exhibition ends on Feb 25th.

Laura xx

@Laura_Blush

Navajo & Aztec

It's been a while!!! I've been so busy with 6th form that I haven't had time to update Blush & Zero since, dare I say it....SEPTEMBER! SORRY GUYS!

Will you forgive me if I share my current obsession with you?

NAVAJO & AZTEC INSPIRED PRINTS

Navajo Gilet

 Aztec Blanket

 Floral Aztec Leggings

 

Aztec Rucksack

It's nearly the Christmas holidays, so I'll be able to update you more frequently, anyone got Navajo or Aztec prints on their christmas lists?

Oh also, did these prints sway you into forgiving me?

@Laura_Blush 

xx

Dippy

Finished dip dye!

It faded after the first day, so it's currently baby pink which is quite nice! I'd recommend it, but one warning- IT'S ADDICTIVE! I kept adding more streaks!

So my last post spoke about results day, and I have to say, I'm very please with my GCSE results! I'm over the moon about English; I got and A in Language, and and A* in Literature :)

Reading Festival was also amazing, I'll be doing a post on that later on!

Has anyone else received GCSE or A Level results?

Laura xx

not strictly dip dye

RESULTS DAY TOMORROW ASDFHLKIUOIUNO!!!


But after that, I'm off to Reading Festival, so all's good!


As I'm off to a festival tomorrow, I thought I'd dye a few strand of hair pink, because, if you cant do it at a festival, where can ya do it?!

I'm waiting for it to dry at the moment, but when it is, I'll post some pictures :)


I used La Riche semi-permanent in Flamingo Pink


Laura xx

ORANGE

All my usual clothes are in the wash, so today I had to make do with something lying in the bottom of my wardrobe.

I wore a pair of jeans- I haven't worn jeans in about two years, and tbh I was surprised they still fit! I teamed the jeans with a 'Cure In Orange' band tee from my mums old stuff.

I didn't notice at the time, but I'm looking a bit orange too- this tan has chose to stick around a little longer *yay* !

The Cure- Boys Don't Cry

Oh, and I forgot to say...BLUSH AND ZERO NOW HAS 100 FOLLOWERS! THANKS SO MUCH GUYS, YOUR COMMENTS REALLY MAKE MY DAY :)

TWITTER

Laura xx

Smells Like Teen Spirit

If you're a fan of Urban Outfitters, it'll be no surprise to you that they have a Kurt Cobain collection for A/W- inspired by grungey nineties wool jumpers and checked shirts.

Nirvana have always been a big inspiration to me, even though I wasn't even born when they were a band! I've always loved grunge 90's fashion, and Dave Grohl is the reason I play drum kit!

 

URBAN OUTFITTERS- THE COBAIN COLLECTION 

Dipdyed, bleached, braided or messy hair is a must! As are flannel shirts, band tees, and plenty of string bracelts.

But for me, the key to getting 90's grunge style perfected is being able to wear something without caring about being judged. If you're confident with what you're wearing it'll show through, creating an effortlessly cool 90's look!

Nirvana- The Man Who Sold The Word (cover)

Laura xx