Beyonce's visual album

Recently i bought Beyonce's visual album. The album was released on the 13th of December unannounced, taking her fans by complete surprise! I can't say i have ever been a Beyonce fan. Sure, i've always loved listening to her hits on the radio, but never really looked further into her music to explore her albums. I didn't expect to purchase this album either, however i watched her videos about the production of the current album and was taken away by the creativity, nostalgic and personal visuals and empowering lyrics which were displayed in every song and video. I bought her album intrigued to watch these beautiful videos without having even listened to the album. I was immediately pleased with my purchase and inspired by Beyonce's lyrics and the effortless and artistic videos. 
What i love most about this album is that Beyonce tries to rebel against the idea of "perfectionism" through her lyrics and visuals creating a very authentic and original body of work. 

Aperlai

Aperlai's recent Fall/Winter 2013 collection skilfully incorporates thick, sharp lines that cross over to create frames for areas of bold, poppy colours. The collection cleverly uses the curves of the feet and varying line weights to compliment the famous art works of Piet Mondrain, which this beautiful geometric family of shoes is inspired by. 

The elegant use of textures, materials and cool winter colours such as green forest, deep violet and mustard create vibrancy reflecting pop art and masterful art pieces. Additionally, the "Geisha" heel introduced in this collection (shown in the image to the left) is an ode to cubism, which further compliments this seasons inspiration as well as Aperlai's signature style; characterised for it's graphic, asymmetrical and sophisticated designs using contrasts and pure lines to create elegance and a balance by balancing the relationship between lines and colours. 

When i came across this collection i instantly fell in love with the A-line chunky heel on the collection of suede ankle boots and platforms that came in an array of bold winter colours and each feature an intricate cut or shape around the foot. The designs are flawless, elegant, sophisticated and simply beautiful! I am excited to follow this designer and can't wait to see what she will produce in her future collections and designs. 

"The leg is beautiful, the walk becomes a signature" 

-Aperlai 

http://aperlaiparis.com/

Getting ready for Christmas with Charlotte Olympia

I still can not believe that it is already christmas time! This year has gone by so quickly with the stress and busyness of year 12! Thank god it is finally over! 

I have been trying to get into the christmas spirit by decorating the house and trying to dress in festive clothes. However, it is summer in Australia which makes it difficult to wear christmas knit jumpers. This year i have felt very un-christmassy as i have been so preoccupied with VCE and uni course offers. Therefore, it is hard to believe christmas is on wednesday. Don't get me wrong, i am excited as ever, but feel like i am not ready. Most years i would buy chocolate advent calendars and write wish lists eagerly awaiting those beautifully wrapped gifts that lie under the tree on christmas morning. I have also felt that as i am getting older now, christmas doesn't have that magical and whimsical flare that it had when i was younger. 

Furthermore, i have recently come across Charlotte Olympia's enchanting and playful Christmas inspired collection. The collection carries an array of festive clutches, ballet flats and pumps. The adorable designs definitely evoke nostalgic memories of my childhood and the mystery and magic it encompassed. Bellow are some of my favourite deigns from the collection.

 

RULDOPH CLUTCH

This playful and festive design is embodied with Sworovski crystals onto patent leather.

GLITTER KITTY SLIPPERS 

Gorgeous glitter covered kitty slippers with leather trimming and a super cute cat face design.

HOLLY PANDORA

This innovative design is made up of a clear perspex box clutch with a velvet purse insert. The clear clutch is garnished with enamel red berries and green leaves on the clasp creating holly.  

GINGER  PURSE
This patent leather purse embroidered with embellishments is my favourite piece in the collection. 

You can have a closer look at these christmas inspired designs here:

http://www.charlotteolympia.com

SOPHIA WEBSTER

Mollie black and lilac leather sandal

I have recently discovered the very quirky and colourful British shoe designer, Sophia Webster. Sophia Webster is a much talked about designer in the world of shoes as she is quickly emerging as a new and refreshing star. Although i have only just heard of her, she has been in the shoe business for a year now, and has already made a mark by teaming up with J.Crew to design the shoes for their spring 2014 collection! 

Sophia began her journey as a footwear designer at the Royal College of Arts MA women's wear course in England and then scored a much desired role as Nicholas Kirkwood's design assistant. Sophia states in her interview with Elle magazine, that she "learnt how the industry" works and cleverly adopted these new skills and knowledge into her own line.

Leilou baby blue, Fuschia polkadot and pastel lilac leather sandal

Her latest 2013 fall/winter collection, "I'm a Rainbow Too," uses an array of "mad bright pastel colours" inspired by her recent trip to Brazil. These fun and poppy shades of bright colours resemble closely to confectionary. She has additionally used bows, ribbons and even heels made of small balls which look like lollies. Sophia's super cute shoes are definitely going to be on my christmas wish list!

Sophia's story and rise to fame has definitely inspired me to follow my dreams of becoming a shoe designer in the near future. I love how Sophia's individual designs differ from the typical shoe products you would find in your local department store. Her designs are refreshing, fun and a point of difference in current fashion. 

Black and white polka dot pony wedge

"My shoes are for women who want to express their personality through their shoes and will appreciate and enjoy them"

-Sophia Webster

http://www.sophiawebster.co.uk

Life after high school (update)

For the past 3 and a half weeks i have been enjoying the long awaited freedom of life after high school. It has been a strange feeling to have no commitments to school during the holidays, no pre-reading or head start holiday homework. It continues to dawn on me time and time again that that chapter of my life is well and truly over now. However, the only question is: "what do i do now?" My holidays so far have consisted of a very much overrated and anti-climatic schoolies week celebration in Byron Bay, A LOT of shopping, reading and listening to my new favourite album "Nothing was the same" by Drake, which i can assure you is constantly on repeat. 

Naturally, i am a very focused and motivated person who always feels the need to be busy, you could even go as far to say that i am a workaholic! Therefore, i have found it rather difficult adjusting to the idea that i have another two months of holidays ahead of me before i start uni with absolutely nothing planned! This scares me in a way as i don't like wasting time and want to make use of this precious time that i have before it quickly becomes an intangible dream as a spend hour upon hour sewing garments and designing clothes. I have applied for a number of jobs as a casual in mainly retail stores with "Help wanted" signs in the windows, however have had no luck so far. I am thinking i will volunteer at the local opp shop to occupy my days, and i may even find quirky bits and pieces that could serve as a major source of inspiration in my designs. I have also thought of a back up plan if all else fails i may even resort to putting flyers in the neighbourhoods letter boxes for dog walking or babysitting. You can just imagine how desperate i am to get out there and start living (which only comes after earning a bit of pocket money)!

Aside from my desire to go on adventures and use my holiday time wisely, i have spent the last two weeks sitting through a number of interviews for different fashion design courses. As soon as i got home from schoolies i was in a mad rush to piece together a folio which would best display my artwork and skill set. I was apprehensive about the interviews especially because i couldn't prepare for any questions they could ask you simply because you don't know what they might ask you! Turns out i did something right in those interviews, aside from my nervous choking on words and fidgeting, i was offered a position to every course i applied to!! HOORAY I am so happy!! 

I always seem to doubt myself and was afraid i wouldn't be accepted anywhere, but clearly i was over thinking and got stuck in my thoughts too much, which is something i always seem to do! Anyway, i now have the very difficult task of choosing which uni i would like to go to, being spoilt for choice really isn't helpful! 

I hope i haven't rambled too much, i just thought i'd give a bit of an update of my life as i haven't blogged in a while. 

It's Just a Number!!

This morning i was awoken by the smooth and rather irritating sound of chiming waves. I slowly forced my arm out from under the bed covers and reached for my phone to turn off the noise which was interrupting my sleep. When i held the phone in my hand, eyes half open and half asleep i realised i had a text message, one that i was eagerly waiting for! I opened my phone to see the message, which to my half asleep self was a blurry mess of letters and numbers. After finally rubbing the sleep from my eyes i saw it, the number which defines my future! I don't want to announce my VCE score to the whole world, but i can say i did extremely well and am very happy. My score means i am well and truly accepted into all the courses that have offered me a position in their institutions. While i am content with the score i have achieved,  i would like to point out that it is only a number. A number that so many year 12 students get so worried about each year as they believe it is the be-all and end-all! This small number, which may seem significant now, will only be a flimsy memory in a years time (okay maybe not, but it won't be causing anyone any stress!). At the end of the day all that matters is that you know you did the best you could!