TREND autumn/winter 2012: The New Florals - Tapestry

Since September is fast creeping up on us, I have decided to do a series on the trends thats I'm loving this Autumn and Winter starting with the new take on florals in the form of tapestry, from Dolce & Gabbanna and Balmain's takes on traditional needlepoint design to Carven's folk art inspired paisley patterns. For even more things tapestry inspired check out my new pinterest board.

image source: style.com , edited by me

Dolce & Gabbanna lead the way with this trend. Their collection is inspired by traditional Sicilian dress and the simple needlepoint flower designs on black and on white remind me of a Mary Poppins style carpet bag and provide a homely edge which complements the glamourous baroque style of their other pieces, which I will also be covering. My favourite pieces are the tiny playsuits and I love the chandelier-esque earrings too.

Valentino's ready to wear collection also took inspiration from folk costume but turning it elegant and classy with floral needlepoint designs so delicate they looked oriental. The couture collection also references the warm pinks of floral 18th century tapestry design.

Rag & Bone give an urban edge to their tapestry inspired pieces, the coats have patent leather and fur trimmings which are two other big trends for this AW. My favourite look is the co-ordinated bomber jacket with trousers in the tapestry pattern which juxtaposes traditional with modern to great effect.

Carven used paisley for their take on this trend. Flared hips were a nod towards to the continuing peplum trend and created gorgeous silhouettes. Guillame Henry was inspired by Hieronymus Bosch's Rennaisance painting 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' for his earthy autumn palette. Bosch's painting   has been a source of inspiration to many designers including the late Alexander Mcqueen. 

image sources: below , edited by me

number one: Flower tapestry skater dress by Nishe on Asos - I love the shape of this dress, I've got a few similar to this and they're so flattering. If you're not a dress kind of girl, they also do a gorgeous pair of tailored shirts in the same fabric. The colours are very similar to the Carven dress above - get the look for less!

number two: Tapestry motorcycle jacket on Free People - This is beautiful! The feminine colours and pattern work beautifully with the rugged style of the biker jacket.

number three:  I fell in love with these short cowboy boots from Topshop as soon as I saw them, I've been looking for a new pair of boots for winter and I love this shape. With this pattern on they are so kooky and cute. The co-ordinating blazer and skinny trouser combo creates a sharp androgynous silhouette which really shows off the striking pattern.

number four: 'Stitch' by Cath Kidston, I got this book for christmas and haven't used it yet, but it's full of traditional needlepoint designs.... very similar to those on the D&G catwalks which you can update your look with.

number five: These shorts from New Look are a lovely transitional piece to get you from summer through til winter. Slipper style shoes seem to be the most popular way of using the tapestry style and these from Blink at new look are my favourite pair from those I've seen.

image:  The Hunt of the Unicorn Tapestry, late 15th century tapestry

Let me know what your favourite trends from next season are and if you've seen any nice tapestry inspired pieces! Look out for the next post in this series :)

dulcie x

feather headdresses

Feather headdresses in all shapes and sizes were a bit of a trend this summer at festivals. I may have mentioned my little hobby of making feather headdresses before; this summer my plan was to make loads and sell them at festivals... I made a grand total of about three. But this one as modelled by  me and some of my friends this summer, proved to be very popular... so maybe next year I might actually get round to making and selling them! Here are some of my picks of the prettiest ones you can already buy online, enjoy :)

number one: Okay so this may not actually be the right size for any of you... but isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen!!! I really love the colours too and would love to make a grown-up version of this; baby headdress from love crush bowtique on Etsy.

number two: Simple understated feather headbands from the fantastic vintage store Rokit.

number three: Some examples of the beautiful intricate headdresses at Rouge Pony. Karin who makes these wonderful pieces of artwork is also a fantastic photographer, visit her personal style bog Wunderlust.

number three: The originally shaped 'Leia Headdress' from Aya Papaya on Etsy.

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think and what your favourite accessory of the summer was! 

dulcie x

HAIR! final performance & costumes

So I've been pretty busy over the past month and haven't updated you with much of it... bad blogger! But on Saturday my lovely mother bought me a new mac book pro for university (I'm leaving in two weeks.... aaaah!?!) so blogging and uploading pictures and things will be lots easier. 

I told you back in May that I was going to be involved in a local production of Hair the Musical helping with the costumes as well as being part of the chorus... I can't sing or dance or act... so I was obviously having a moment of madness! Well the whole thing is over now and I can say it was definitely an interesting experience! Possibly not one that I will be repeating but I did have a lot of fun for the most of it. 

I didn't make all of the costumes but I made most of them, my favourite being the male protagonist Berger's (directly below) played by Vinnie. Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures but this one shows the fringed waistcoat I made from scratch off well. My textiles teacher would be proud! I made up a pattern and everything. I also really enjoyed changing some normal jeans into flares with some funky purple and blue paisley fabric they looked really groooooovy! You can see me in a little tie dye dress from vintagestyle.me (who have just got loads of new pieces in) in the bottom picture, second blonde from the right. I created a pinterest board with all of my inspiration throughout this project and it have become a lovely mix of sixties and boho inspired festival style and beauty so please check it out.

p.s Hello lovely new followers! Please comment with your blogs so I can check them out and follow you back! x

postmodernism sketchbook

I've been promising to show you some of the work I did at college this year, as part of my postmodernism project, for ages! So here's a sneak peek at one of my research sketchbooks! You can see more posts about the 'appropriation' sketchbook in my art as fashion series. 

monthly music - august

This blog is by no means a music blog! But recently I've been wanting to try out different things; I like the lifestyle aspect of this blog and sharing with you a bit about me.... soooo I thought I'd do a monthly feature showing you what tunes I'm into this month... (not that it's ground breaking new music or anything!)

number one: Jessie Ware 'Running' (Disclosure Remix) This is beautiful and wonderful and chilled out and euphoric and great! I'm going to see Jessie at Thekla in Bristol in November and I'm super, super excited. This remix by Zed Bias of her new song 'Wildest Moments' is also actually possibly even more gorgeous.

number two: Paloma Faith 'Just Be' (Live on Jools Holland) I saw Paloma at Larmer Tree last week, which was my second time, the first being Glasto where she was wearing a nude sequin embellished catsuit and was attached to two HUGE helium balloons. To see some examples of her glamourous futuristic stage costumes have a look here. This year at Larmer Tree she was all out glam in a blue sequined number with a white fur wrap. I love the whole set, it was so energetic! With a full band and three fantastic 60s style backing singers with moves for every song, Paloma added the great mix of a belting soulful voice and a witty, tongue in cheek and very cockney repartee with the crowd. She sang a mix of tunes from her debut album as well as her new album and this song about how life isn't a fairytale and the reality of love actually made me cry a little bit. I love Paloma's voice and style and hope she continues to stay grounded and doesn't go down the pretentious and arrogant route some of her peers have.

number three: Nneka 'Shining Star' (Joe Goddard Remix) Obviously I loved the Chase and Status remix of Nneka's Heartbeat a few years ago (recently sampled on Rita Ora's RIP) and after hearing this on Radio One a few months ago I have fallen in love with her quirky, soulful vocals all over again.  Joe Goddard  (of Hot Chip and the 2 bears) lends a irresistibly catchy beat to the song in this remix. If you like this check out his remix of Delilah's Love You So and also the beautiful Gabriel (regardless of the music, the simple video for this is gorgeous too).

number four: Azealia Banks 'Liquorice' I love this. I love Azealia. I just generally love female rappers.  She is soooo fast... I tried so hard to learn 212 but it was never going to happen. The Wild West themed video, which was directed by Rankin, is amazing also. I would love to quote some of the lyrics from this but my Grandma reads my blog... 

Have you got any summer tunes you would recommend? I'd love to see some of your music blogs & tell me if you've got any festivals or gigs coming up! :)