BANG TIDY BANGS

Palladium x Major Lazer: Music Video

2013-11-27T22:24:00.001+00:00

Woah. Brand/artist collaborations are nothing of a novelty. In fact, they've become so normalised of late cluttering our streetwear blogs' every page that we're all too often numb to the effort or lack of that may have come from yet another 'exclusive' partnership.

No chance of that happening here though. Take an iconic boot brand (step up Palladium) and one of your favourite DJ collectives (Major Lazer, tick). Present a new track offering tasty tropical beats and high calibre guests in the form of Ms Dynamite and Laidback Luke (phew). Throw in a sh*tload of fluorescent paint, black light and some bangin' Palladium boots, and what have you got?

'Sweat' - an unmissable Palladium x Major Lazer hook-up, that is certifiably worthy of your attention. Hurrah! This Palladium x Major Lazer track is set to be a winter stormer, so grab some laces and a pair of Palladium's and get yourself ready for the most colourful party season yet.

Palladium boots available at Surfdome.

Eastpak Padded Pak'r goes Digital

2013-07-09T23:36:00.000+01:00

Woah. The Eastpak Padded Pak'r has long been my backpack essential. From my first black bag to the more pantone-inspired brights of recent times, the Pak'r has proved itself to be reliable and good bang for your buck time after time. My Eastpak's thus far have accompanied me to numerous festivals, weekends away and trips to the gym (not as many trips as there should've been mind!), without even wincing at the stress and strain I put it through. Pat on the back to the Pak'r.

If you follow me on Pinterest you'll know that digital prints and wild animals aren't shy in influencing my virtual style. So I was pretty damn stoked when Eastpak decided to take the Padded Pak'r to the next level via some very radical prints. From ethereal, dreamy landscapes to full blown corrie-style animal hydes, the Eastpak Padded Pak'r has seriously upped its pin-worthy points.

Check out my day in the sun with my fave Eastpak Padded Pak'r from Bagable.co.uk:

BILLABONG GIRLS SURF CAPSULE COLLECTION

2013-05-19T16:07:00.000+01:00

The Billabong Girls Surf Capsule is a true testament to how far women's surfing and surf fashion has come in the last few decades. Long gone are the days when broaching the water's edge required donning a boring black suit made of unflattering neoprene, which took 30 mins of tugging and hopping around in a public car park to put on.

While professional female surfers still have to deal with poorer contest waves and smaller prize packets than the men, the women's surfing industry has still moved on leaps and bounds. In 2011 Carissa Moore became the first woman to receive a wildcard entry into the Men's Triple Crown of Surfing. Alana Blanchard has one of the biggest social followings of any professional surfer (perhaps influenced by the size of her bikini bottoms)- whether this is for the right reasons it has undoubtedly raised the profile of the women's WCT and the surf brands she associates with. In 2012 Steph Gilmore took her fifth world title, proving to surf groms worldwide that you can be the best surfer in the world as well as being fun, feminine and fashionable.

Laura Enever showcases her Billabong Girls Capsule Collection wetsuits on instagram

With instagram bolstering the profile of many female surfers, fashion is starting to take centre stage. It is not just about performance in the water, this tide of fashionable, beautiful girls want to exercise their right to look and feel good while their doing it. As such we've seen the neoprene seal suits ditched it favour of more feminine cuts and a kaleidoscope of colours. And with high fashion houses such as Chanel, Diane Von Furstenburg and Cythia Rowley jumping on board too, women's surf fashion is making real waves.

While surf brands, designers and high street chains jumpon board the neoprene inspired sports-fashion trend,the Billabong Girls Surf Capsule collection leads the way this year with its flattering, retro cuts, comfortable stretchy neoprene and 80s-inspired neon-pops. Their campaign features all our favourite Billabong Girls, such as Courtney Conlogue (check out my interview with Courtney Conlogue), Justine Dupont and new signing Laura Enever.

Courtney Conlogue

Justine Dupont

Laura Enever

Having seen the girls test pilot the suits at last summer's Roxy Pro event, I was really stoked with all the careful time and effort that's gone into creating this fashionable surf collection. Proving fashion and functionality can work together, I won't be surprised to see them pop up across the fashion glossies this season.

Justine Dupont was wearing the Billabong Skinny Jane Wetsuit when I interviewed her in Biarritz last summer

Rivieras Shoes Present: A Tropical Bootleg

2013-04-29T15:09:00.002+01:00

Rivieras Shoes has been synonymous with deck-side luxury since the 50s,offering summer shoes in plain and rustic colours to the discerning coastal gentry. Classic quality and safe predictable styling laid the foundations of this shoes success.

Fast forward to summer 2013 and the iconic Spanish brand takes a leap of faith to bring it's iconic Riviera style bang up-to-date with the Lord collection. Presenting Rivieras with a rainbow twist, the Lord's Tropical Bootleg design has got me dreaming of lazy summer evenings and boho beach days.

Inspired by The Lord Zelco, this collection encapsulates everything I love about the spirit of summer, through it's woven, multicoloured threads and pops of jungle colours. Native dreams, tribal trance, ritual paints and voodoo chill - not a bad offering from a slip-on shoe.

From seaside styling to festival chic, these shoes will be take centre stage across my favourite summer outfits this season. Team with with frayed denim shorts, anklets, chunky aztec jewellery and oversized Komono sunnies for effortless summer perfection.

For more summer footwear inspiration visit Rivieras Shoes online.

Maison Kitsuné for SS13

2013-02-07T21:36:00.001+00:00

It’s not just the new musical offerings from Maison Kitsune then get me giddily blogging (Sake by Jupiter is still an absolute summer daze favourite) - their seasonal clothing collections are without doubt another reason for me to get me back on the Kitsuné train.

But when the Spring/Summer 2013 Lookbook landed in front of my eager eyes this morning it wasn't just appeasing - imagine next level air punches at seeing a summery offering that resonated with the ol' raison d'etre on every count.

Of course the clean cut, preppy lines that dictate so many of the Parisian label's collections are still evident, but this time expect a bold turn to West Coast CA for an upmarket style with a succinct serving of surfer attitude.

California cool, aka laid back confidence infused with a salty seaside breeze is precisely the note this collection hits, with retro and colourful overtones throughout. Fortunately it’s a sweet summer sound that I'm more than willing to listen to all season long.

Models: Chelsea Schuchman and Braydon Szafranski

Director: Andre Saraiva alias Mr A

Summer Street Style

2013-02-07T17:11:00.001+00:00

Slogans, slouchy, sneakers, skateboards - this is a collection of my favourite street wear pins this week. Embrace the spring-spiration, summer's on the way. Follow me on Pinterest at Amie Trewin.

Catching Up With CANDIDE THOVEX

2012-12-19T11:47:00.000+00:00

Surrounded by wooden panel walls, oil paintings and the woodfire glow of Covent Garden Hotel’s plush drawing room, I caught up with the world’s greatest skier Candide Thovex on behalf of Surfdome, ahead of the UK Premiere of his Quiksilver movie ‘Few Words’ to talk meeting bears and busting airs...

Hi Candide and welcome to London!

Thanks!

Is this your first time here?

No I've been a couple of times, but very happy to be here again.

What’s it like going to all the different premieres for 'Few Words'?

It’s a great thing – a great opportunity to move about from place to place. It’s a bit tiring sometimes, when they’re all in a row and there’s all the after parties and stuff but you know, it’s good and I can’t complain. The movie is a documentary on what I've been doing since I was a kid on skis and I've seen it many times so I just do my speech at the premiere and go backstage and don’t look at the movie. I just have a few beers and that’s it!

: Candide checking out the sights of London ahead of the UK Premiere of his film 'Few Words'

A lot of your other films were stunt projects but 'Few Words' is more of a documentary, do you feel it’s an accurate reflection of you?

Ah that’s a tough question. If a film is done well then yes, but I don’t even know myself. I guess I can always do better. I used to do my own movies in the past but this one is about me and I couldn't just do a movie about me! Instead there are some interviews with people that were with me at really important points in my life. At the end of the day it’s just art for me and watching something that talks about you all the time is just difficult, I've seen it once and that was enough for me!

Did you have much say in the editing process?

Not really, it's mostly the view from the director Matt Payne who has been studying my story and he tried to really explain it the best way possible

Filming every day for two seasons must have been quite intense?

It’s been intense for sure. There’s been some high times, some low times. The first year for instance we were in Canada for two months and only had 15 days of sun which was really difficult in terms of the light and getting the footage. Sowe were trying to make the best of it but it was not that easy because it depends on so many things such as the conditions and the weather and whether I feel good. Sometime syou do something and the shot is missed or there’s a problem with the camera or whatever. It’s not like you can do re-takes you know!

: Candide finds another pillow to bounce off

So you visited Canada and Europe to film the documentary?

Yep mostly Cananda and a bit of France, Switzerland and Austria.

Was there any particular location that you have really fond memories of?

Canada for me. The terrain is really amazing for my type of skiing. Pillow lines, big faces, jumps – everything is amazing.

I’d love to go there!

Yes, especially British Columbia, it’s amazing. But you have to use the helicopter to be able to reach all the spaces and be more productive.

You come face to face with a few wild animals in the documentary... what was that like!?

It was good! The wolf was not a white wolf, otherwise I would not be here today! There was a wolf centre and we got the guy to take the wolf into the forest because we wanted to make those shots and it was pretty impressive. I’ve never seen a wolf before or bears. The bears were wild though, they were everywhere just watching. It’s good because skiing for me is more about landscapes, nature and animals. Like I said we’d been using helicopters but it’s not something that we wanted to show in the movie

What moment sticks in your mind as being the scariest moment of the movie?

Two of the scariest moments were not filmed. First I was bitten by a wolf in Canada and then in Austria I fell in a waterfall. I was just in the waterfall for half an hour having a super cold shower under the river and I was holding onto barely nothing – if i was to fall i would go into the black hole under the ice and under a lot of snow so I would’ve drowned for sure...but eventually I got saved. That was pretty scary – one of the scariest moments of my life.

Wow you've definitely had a few touch and go experiences then – you broke your back badly a few years ago, how did that affect your skiing mentally and physically?

It took me a year and a half to really recover and start doing things again on skis. Mentally it affected me at the time yes, but now it’s all good. It’s not that you get more scared of things after that, you just calculate more. You learn how to step back when you have to, when there’s something that you don’t feel. Actually when I broke my back I wasn’t feeling it before I went to go, but I kept going and then I crashed. Now if I don’t feel it, I’ll step back and think ah I'll do that tomorrow, or go and do something else. So it’s not that you become more scared, you just learn how to listen to your body and to calculate more.

: Bringing a whole new meaning to 'moguls'

So how do you keep pushing yourself to achieve new tricks whilst not overstepping that line?

I think it’s the passion for it first. I think it’s normal that you keep pushing your own limits in sport and try to make yourself better.

What advice would you give to young skiers that want to improve their freestyle?

My advice would be to not focus on one thing. We have the chance to take on a sport where you can do half pipe freestyle and free ride and my advice is to do everything, because that’s what I've been doing personally and I think that every type of the sport is complimentary to one another. The free riding will help you for you half pipe skiing, the half pipe skiing will help your free riding .. A lot of kids today they just stick to jumps over and over, jump jump jump all day and they just do that. And then they’re off to the bar. But skiing is everything, it’s not just freestyle. I understand that some guys that are doing contests that are getting way more serious and they need to focus and train and stuff. But i think the way to progress is to use everything.

So what’s next on the cards for you?

I'm not sure yet, for the moment I'm really focused on the promotion of the video . There will be some new projects but nothing has been decided yet just because I want to get back on the skis first. The tour is good but there’s so much going on and the parties, so I just need to get back on skis and get fit again and feel good about it! My mind will be clear, and then I will make the right decision.

Awesome. Thank you Candide!

Thank you, enjoy the movie!

Huge thanks goes out to Candide and Quiksilver UK.

VANS Van Doren Collection for AW12

2012-09-26T14:25:00.003+01:00

CARHARTT AW12: Brand Book Launch Party

2012-09-19T16:28:00.001+01:00

The ultimate coffee table bible landed in the UK this month with with Carhartt launching their hugely renowned brand book for the AW12 season. I headed to the launch party in Shoreditch to check out the hype and get a sneak peak of the new collection...

Guests piled into the brand's flagship store to get their hands on the hefty brand book before general release (and to grab a beer or two...). Just like the wood and brick store, the rustic, autumnal quality of the brand book reflects the true nature and colour palette of the brand's AW collection, with standout pieces across outerwear, trousers, shirts and chunky knits. I also loved the way they styled the girls with the guys clothes, effortlessly androgynous as quality streetwear should be.

October Is For: ONE GWEN STEFANI

2012-09-12T21:00:00.002+01:00

My personal number one girl crush seems to be Autumn's flavour of the month too (ahem nothing to do with the return of No Doubt, I'm sure) with a mesmerising selection of cover shoots for some of the most prestigious glossies out.

Here's Gwen Stefani's impressive media haunts for this month, drool... DAMN we're glad she's back!

P.S. if you're yet to hear No Doubt's new single 'Push and Shove'(ft. Busy Signal and Major Lazer) check it now. You'll wake up singing it for days, and for all the right reasons (- fear not it's no Swagger Jagger).

Elle UK - October 2012

Marie Claire USA - October 2012

Harper's Bazaar UK - September 2012

L O V E

INTERVIEW: Courtney Conlogue

2012-08-03T17:36:00.001+01:00

I caught up with Billabong surf pro and superstar in the making Courtney Conlogue in France, ahead of her final world tour stop back home in CA. As well as being the lovliest girl on the tour she's also the most exciting rookie in the game when it comes to taking on the waves...

Courtney - you're currently lying 5th in the world tour rankings... what would it mean to you to get a podium spot on the tour?

To get to the podium at any spot on the world tour is special. I mean my first one this year at Dee Why (Beachley Classic – Australia) was monumental for me, just that whole experience. I didn’t know what that had felt like until getting there and you don’t know exactly what you’ll feel and how your mindset will be when you’re up there at the podium. I think for anyone who gets there then that moment is so special even if you’ve had it so many times, it’s always a new experience.

You're pretty good friends with the other girls on tour, what's it like competing against your mates?

It’s definitely different competing head-to-head with friends, but I think when you’re in the water you just have that mindset of competition and when you come back to the beach you’re friends again... it’s business in the water and fun on the beach! With our amateur and junior careers you kinda learn how to separate it. And it does get a little tough in those years but I feel like when it gets to this point it’s pretty easy, you put the jersey on, get in your zone and do the job and then you come in and you’re all laughing at the end and celebrating.

How do you prepare for the world tour?

I do a lot of cross-training and just a lot of physical conditioning so my body’s not something that holds me back when I get in the water. There’s also a lot of training in the water and just getting the water time. It’s just a mixture of everything and I thing everyone has their own little routine, but mines a little fitness, a little mental and just not overbearing too much stress into the water.

You used to be a dancer and a bit of a track and field star... but how other action sports like skating and snowboarding?

I used to do quite a bit of skateboarding but I was never insanely good at it so I can’t claim that I able to do crazy airs or any of that! I definitely love doing skateboarding but i’ve had a few crazy road rashes from downhill skating so I was just like you know what, it probably won’t be good if I injure myself skating and I was out of surfing because of it. So I still kinda skate around the neighborhood a bit but not as crazy as I used to.

Well water’s definitely a softer landing!

Yeah water’s a lot softer! I mean you have the reef breaks and the crazy conditions sometimes but most of the time it’s beach break stuff so you hit sand and it’s no big deal.

At your last event, the Roxy Pro in France, there was lots of lay days; what do you usually get up to on a lay day?

Normally I love to just cruise around where I am and if I’m in France there’s always somewhere you can go to, with the cool little villages and towns and trying the cheese and all the little pastries... I always feel like I end up eating so many little tapas everywhere and hor d’oeuvres! Today I went to Bayonne because my brother’s never been to France and he’s been studying it for three years so I thought I’d show him a little bit of France!

Look out for Courtney competing in The Nike US Open Of Surfing at her home break of Huntington Beach, California this weekend!

Batman X Lazy Oaf

2012-07-19T21:27:00.000+01:00

And so The Dark Knight Rises in East London as local brand Lazy Oaf launches a stunning Batman collection pour les mesdames et messieurs.

Available online and instore the range, in collaboration with DC Comics, features six menswear styles and nine pieces for women. Whilst the men's apparel is of a retro, tongue-in-cheek flavour the women's collection exudes rather a stunning, gothic twist on those infamous DC logos.

Particular love goes out to the women's sheer top, batwing blouse, leggings and body suit. They're fun and they're hawwt, so get involved before this much-hyped collection goes:

Life's a Beach at the Roxy Pro

2012-07-17T13:14:00.000+01:00

Last week I was pretty fortunate to be sent to France cover the penultimate stop of the Women's World Surfing Tour - The Roxy Pro... if you haven't seen my event round up check it out on the SD lifestyle blog!

Not only was I there with the team there to bring you the latest surf reports and event gossip, hang out with the pros, eat croissants, vin rouge and get my own feet wet (hard life!) - I was also out papping the most fashionable faces in Biarritz. So here they are!:

Name: Britta

Lives: East London, UK

Occupation: Fashion Ed at Cooler Magazine

We say: Britta looking cool as ever; particularly love her Element Valerie top - styled back to front!

Name: Celine

Lives: Saint-Raphael, France

Occupation: Student

We say: This student's tribal print shorts and headscarf caught the fashion radar straight away

Name: Nathalie

Lives: Biarritz, France

Occupation: Women's Marketing Coordinator at Billabong Europe

We say: Laid back beach styling at its best - I want those oversized sunnies

Name: Courtney Conlogue

Lives: Santa Ana, California

Occupation: Pro Billabong Surfer

We say: Court always looks effortlessly cool in and out of the water; loving the pink top/watch/nails combo... and that California tan!

Name: Helene

Lives: Paris

Occupation: Fashion Designer at Panetone

We say: Colourfully boho in mint green shorts that are perfect for this season. I love the fresh flower headress that she made herself - my festival inspiration!

Eluned Stephens: Summer Grunge

2012-06-07T12:09:00.000+01:00

Mystic, quirky and unashamedly cool - grunge takes on a whole new meaning for 2012.

With her lesson in how to style summer grunge, supreme stylist and friend Eluned Stephens (Surfdome stylist, ex Dazed and Confused) has just revealed her edgy take on this season's trend using brands Altamont, Afends and Firetrap, to culminate in a fusion of urban attitude with a slice of rock.

She makes this previously rebellious trend work for summer by adding shots of sparkle with studs, buckles and jewellery and lifts it’s traditionally dark colour palette using colour pops and different textures, such as lace, leather, denim, plaid and mesh.

While this trend is fierce don’t take it too seriously for 2012 - mix 90s punk with carefree surf/skate style and take an effortless lead from celebrities such as Alice Delall, Mary-Kate Olsen, Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof. Remember, less of the ‘S&M’ and more of the effortless ‘summer cool’!

Mouthwatering treats good enough to eat (well...almost)

2012-05-31T22:45:00.003+01:00

Tell me these don't play havoc with your sweet-toothed cravings...

Now would you believe me if I told you it's not edible? Not even an installation. It is in fact the delicious handiwork of Mary Ellen Johnson, an American Precision Realist oil painter renowned for her food paintings.

Johnson's hyper-reality instigates a truly powerful, sensual experience, particularly thanks to its almost tangible glossiness that oozes a real mouth watering sugary quality. More than just paintings; these one dimensional visual delicacies not only stir wonder with their qualities of realism but also create a common yearning and appreciation that transcends language barriers. Hungry yet..?

If you like this, then check out my feature on Jonathon Kambouris.

Time to disco

2012-04-03T17:59:00.001+01:00

I’m a Nixon watch fan at heart at always have been. Until I saw these the latest from Tokyo flash that is...Hmm. It’s like age-old debate with those comfortable, old and insanely shabby grey pants residing in your underwear drawer - you don't want them any more but you just can't let go. In this case though temptation may have just one, and perhaps it is time to man up and the ditch my trusty, grubby old 'playschool-esque' Nixon for what can only be described as the next gen of wrist bling.

Apparently no styles use the same method to tell the time, so it’s a pretty unique timepiece. Touch screen, LCD, binary code and a breathalyzer if you're lucky - the result is pretty sick if you like your Tron or your techno. I say ditch the Tuesday night soundsystem and take me to the disco.

http://tokyoflash.com

I Can Make You Ice-Cream...

2012-03-19T23:18:00.007+00:00

SS12 Collections from L-R: Preen, House Of Holland, Mulberry

Why have one just one when you can have them all?

Colour blocking was huge last season, and as brands deliver their spring collections we are seeing huge washes of pastels and candy colours. So when we previewed the designers Summer ’12 trends last year, it only made sense that they combined the two!

LOVE*** at Topshop

Pull-In Underwear

New Look

Possibly summer’s yummiest trend; one colour treat is just not enough. Whether it be stripes, squares, panels or pockets, pick ‘n’ mix colours with a palette sweet enough to rival the best of ice cream counters.

So head to the seaside, pull up a deck chair and treat yourself to a triple cone with extra sprinkles – here’s the cream of the high-street crop.

House Of Holland at ASOS

EASTPAK Artist Studio

2012-02-03T14:24:00.009+00:00

Last Wednesday I was invited to Shoreditch's notorious DreamBagsJaguarShoes venue for an exclusive viewing of Eastpak's Artists Studio; an event showcasing a series of collaborations between Eastpak and various renowned artists, DJs, musicians, comedians and personalities, all in aid of Designers Against Aids.

DreamBagsJaguarShoes

With over 130 international artists involved in this global project, this specific event exhibited some of their finest collabs with British creatives, including Johnny Marr of the Smiths, singer Marina Diamondis, artist Richie Culver, comedian Tom Deacon, designers Charlie Bowden and Julie Verhoeven and London blogstore CopsonStreet.

Henry Holland and Agyness Deyn check out the exhibition

Having started from scratch with a blank EASTPAK Padded Pak'r we were more than intrigued to see what the collaborators were going to come up with and here we have it! From studs and foils to time bombs and tie dyes they had it all going on - here are a few snaps I took of my favourites!

Richie Culver's 'marathon sheet' bags, inspired by the Olympic medal colours

Copson Street keeps it fun and tropical with their studded collection

Charlie Bowden exhibits his trademark humorous yet slightly subversive design approach with this time bomb creation

Julie Verhoeven's literal interpretation of the bag as an artist's palette

Amongst the table displays and hanging bags I also managed to make the most of the complimentary bar for a while (Jaguar Shoes certainly know how to make their cocktails!), eventually leaving Shoreditch inspired, slightly merry and with goody bag in tow:

Thank you for a great night Eastpak!

Bags will be going on sale from the 19th March, with prices starting between €50 and €250.

Check out the entire collection at http://artiststudio.eastpak.com.

All proceeds go to the Designers Against AIDS charity program; a non-profit program that strives to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS and promote prevention as the only cure for the disease.

Fashion's Olympic Charm

2012-01-18T01:01:00.004+00:00

January 1st arrived and we were immediately hit with the usual 'get off the sofa, go to the gym then pour yourself a cucumber juice' media frenzy. However, this time round their predictable post-festive fitness message came with a twist.

Harper's Baazar/Max Factor/Marie Claire
L-R Victoria Pendleton, Keri-Anne Payne, Jessica Ennis

Whether picking up a newspaper, glossy mag or flicking through TV channels we're not only faced with the annual post-festive detox regime - as we enter Britain's Olympic year our favourite athletes have started popping up all over the shop. And we're not just talking about sports drinks ads... our top Olympic athletes are now endorsed by the world's fashion and beauty arenas.

It's an exciting time within an industry that's so often criticised for being shallow and noxious. Forget Hollywood actresses or reality TV rejects, there's a new breed of cover stars in town, who are tenfold more worthy of such accolades. And with Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton and Keri-Anne Payne recently snapped up by beauty giants Proctor and Gamble (Jess to represent Olay, Victoria for Pantene's Sleek and Smooth Range and Keri-Anne for Max Factor Gold False Lash Effect), their advertising pulling power is set to bring them a long and worthy career way after they bring home the medals...

L-R: Jessica Ennis - Heptathlete; Victoria Pendleton - Cyclist; Keri-Anne Pane - Swimmer

From sporting stars to fashion icons - here's a favourite, brief snapshot of some recent coverage these golden girls have been getting:

JESSICA ENNIS

Jessica Ennis for UK Marie Claire

Jessica Ennis for Marie Claire

Jessica Ennis for UK Vogue

VICTORIA PENDLETON

Victoria Pendleton for Sunday Times Style Magazine

Victoria Pendleton for London Evening Standard

Victoria Pendleton for Harper's Bazaar

KERI ANNE PAYNE

Keri Anne Payne for Links of London

Keri Anne Payne for Max Factor (shot by Rankin)

Keri Anne Payne for Max Factor

Beautiful, talented and strong, these sort of inspirational role models make you proud to be British... bring on London 2012!

Brutus x Luke Dixon

2012-01-06T18:10:00.001+00:00

Luke Dixon breathes fashionable life into his striking graphic designs this season following an interesting collaboration with iconic menswear brand Brutus Trimfit.

The collab offers a series of limited edition tees, each featuring models from the latest Brutus Trimfit campaign.

Dixon's interpretation, finely-tuned detailing and original sketch and ink technique offers a real insight into the psyche of Brutus spirit.

With a unique ability to capture and redefine visual experiences, Dixon's enigmatic and distinguished approach is undoubtedly one to watch in the world of digital design for 2012.

Here are my favourite examples of Dixon's work to date, which consist of digital, woodcuts and screenprints. Simply mesmerising.

WEEKEND OFFENDER

2011-12-16T10:18:00.004+00:00

Weekend Offender stamped their mark on London town last week with a roadblock launch of their flagship store in Soho.

The proof of the pudding is always in the party, and this menswear brand sure made a tasty impression on all who came to play.

This might’ve been something to do with the free beer courtesy of Budweiser, delicious ribs and wings from Bodeans and electro beats to feast your ears on with no less than Ministry of Sound commanding the decks... either way this exclusive shop event soon overflowed into a winter street party, with hoards of London’s finest fashion eds, stylists, models and bloggers vying for a slice of the action.

As if the shop party wasn’t enough, at 9pm the guests (including 1Xtra favourite Mikill Pane, the beautiful Sunday Girl and pro skater and model Lucien Clarke), were swiftly moved round the corner with goody bags in tow ( and pretty darn good ones at that!) to Soho’s St. Moritz Club.

Well everyone loves an after party... somewhere between the understated glamour of an alpine chalet and the character of a Cornish pub, the dark, cavernous, underground of the St. Moritz proved its worth as a regular A-List haunt. And with the Bud still flowing along to performances from Mikill Pane and electro techno duo ‘Jo and Will Ask!, the party continued well into the early hours.

Born in the Welsh valleys less than two years ago, this latest store opening was a real landmark of how far the brand’s come in such a short time. Their latest collection exhibits real development in quality and maturity.

With limited editions and special collaborations as well as a free ‘short back and sides’ in-store with all purchases, now’s the time to check it.

Weekend Offender's Soho Store

Weekend Offender X Kingston Kustoms

http://www.weekendoffender.com/

FEATURED BANGS: BLEACH does Barbie

2011-12-12T21:55:00.005+00:00

Infamous for its uniquely bold and bright styling; BLEACH salon in Dalston, pioneer of the dip dye trend, has long had kooky stylists, city scenesters and meagre individuals (that's me) lusting after their distinctive creations.

So it's with a squeal of delight that I came across BLEACH's recent collaboration with none other than the girlie style icon herself - Barbie.

Eight of the iconic dolls have been given a no holds barred fashion and hair makeover by Alex Brownsell, co-founder of BLEACH, who drew inspiration from the release of Barbie Design Printables; a kit providing an array of colours and patterns that can be printed onto hair.

The idea behind the collab is not only to create your own truly personalized Barbie, but to experiment with hair creations that you may want to take to the salon. The kit comes with Barbie and adult sized clip-on hair extensions, allowing you to directly print the hair colours and designs you'd want for Barbie as well as yourself.

The kit, which retails at £29.99 including the doll, is available to buy from Tesco now. Ermm WANT (subtle Christmas hint).

A Tumblr frenzy of sorts is sure to ensue, but the meantime check out these candy-coloured creations and prepare to be boldly inspired..:

http://bleachxbarbie.tumblr.com/

Listening to... 'WHAT DID I DO' - Kele ft. Lucy Taylor

2011-10-29T15:26:00.012+01:00

In anticipation of Kele's 2nd EP 'The Hunter', which is released on Monday on Wichita Recordings, I'll mostly be donning my halloween get-up to this little number tonight - his first single to come from his pending EP.

If you've read my blog before you may or may not know that i'm a huge fan of Kele, so a new EP is all but damn good news as far as i'm concerned. And whilst there have been some controversial reviews of it's debut single by commentators and fans alike, for me the ex-Bloc Party frontman can still do no wrong.

Admittedly it's not exactly new but if you're yet too hear it, The latest single What Did I Do, which was officially released on 12 September, sees Lucy Taylor take the lead vocals for this single, with Kele bringing his sincerely smooth and compelling vocals soley to the chorus.

Directionally, the track bears undertones distinctly reminiscent of his critically acclaimed debut EP 'The Boxer', with vocals set over an electronic heartbeat and a fuzzy bass line, marked by a mellow injection of dubstep.

While there are similarities, the track is perhaps not as technically quirky or progressive as his previous solo offerings. But as a result it’s positively more accessible and, at the end of the day, if it still gives me goosebumps it's a job well done.

'The Hunter', released on Monday, is a seven-track EP that also sees Kele collaborate with artists including Sub Focus, Fred Falke and RAC.

Surfdome SS12 Sneak Peak!

2011-10-28T22:47:00.004+01:00

Last week I was lucky enough to preview a snippet of Surfdome's potential Spring/Summer 2012 offerings at Coffin On Cake PR's S/S '12 Press Day, held at the Vinyl Factory in Soho.

Being a mere week after Surfdome, the online department store, announced the launch of their FIVE HUNDREDTH brand, it was an exciting opportunity to for me to see firsthand what treats they had up their sleeves for next season.

Born out of a passion for surf, skate, wake and snowboarding, Surfdome is lauded as Europe's leading lifestyle department store, now stocking '500 of the world's best lifestyle, fashion, outdoor and sports brands'. As such, expectations were of course high. And even though their press day display was simply a taster of next year's collections (inevitable when you have 20,000 styles across 36 departments!), what I did get to see was really diverse, radiant and inspiring, especially at a time when we delve into the dark winter months.

What particularly impressed me about Surfdome is that not only do they house the obvious surf/skate big guns such as Roxy, Vans and Volcom, but they've also invested a lot of time in recruiting more niche, independent fashion brands, such as One Teaspoon, Afends (both from Oz) and Danish brand Nümph.

Surfdome categorized their trend preview into three themes based on location, the first being IBIZA TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT. This collection showcased party playsuits, bikinis and colours, through to more Bestival-inspired knits, tie-dye tees and denim shorts. Here are some of my key-piece snaps:

Cosmic Playsuit by Volcom

Zebra Bikini by Pistol Panties

Pink knit by Numph

Collection Two featured BRIGHTON TO BONDI. Plenty of seaside-inspiration, from deckchair stripes in candy -coloured pastels and 50s beach babe glamour, to surf girl string-bikinis and day-glow paisley prints.

Striped Dress by Animal

Pink bikini by Red or Dead

Floral holdall by Easpak

Bikini buyers guide

Being the biggest online retailer of bikinis and boardies, there was a key emphasis on their swimwear. With 846 bikini styles on offer, the store has produced a buyer’s guide, specialising in providing you with bikini styles according to your body shape. The specific mood board above featured some key pieces for the more 'rectangular' figure.

The final inspiration came from ST. TROPEZ TO ST. IVES. Think nautical, preppy and heritage tailoring with a laid-back luxe; standout features of this collection's key pieces included simple stripes, rope detailing and discreet leather branding.

Suede shoes by Gravis

Backpack from Hershel

To celebrate their 500-brand milestone, Surfdome are giving away a total of 500 prizes over a 20 day period (10 days left!) via their facebook page. Every day one lucky winner will get a bumper box packed with 25 prizes from a selection of Surfdome's awesome brands.

FEATURED BANGS: Francoise Hardy

2011-10-27T22:40:00.009+01:00

'BANG: A fringe of hair cut short and straight across the forehead. Often used in the plural’.

'BANGS: The practice of cutting horses' tails the same length was called "banging off," which led to this term for a woman's hairstyle'.

Whatever the linguistic origins, there are some personable icons of the 'bangs' that need little research, with their unabashed influence now steeped in popular culture.

With a musically influenced origin that dates back to the ninth century, to their controversial, rebellious resurgence in the 20s, Bangs are now most often associated with the rock n roll, rebellious girls of the 60s, whose fringed haircuts denoted their particularity of music, fashion and lifestyle.

From Marie Quant to Marianne Faithfull and Anita Pallenberg to Pattie Boyd, every girl has their favourite sixties heroine. However October's kudos goes to the très-chic Francoise Hardy, whose bangs, music and style have stood the test of time to make this French singer and actress a key purveyor of sixties cool. Thanks to her doll-like beauty, impeccable dress, relaxed bangs and laid-back attitude (and rock star husband of course!), she's the obvious choice for the first 'Featured Bangs'. Classic forever, love her!