204 Gloucester Rd

On Wednesday evening (15/06/11) after a mildly stressful day at the office Mr FF and I headed up Gloucester road for an 'evening with designers/artists at Charlie Boots'. Charlie is a Bristol based ethical fashion designer and now has a lovely unique shop on Gloucester road. She has a lovely mix of her own fashion and pieces from other artists. It had photography by Michael Reeves and Deborah Weinrab on the walls and the window display was by illustrator Kirk Stacey. Charlie informed me that she is interested in local artists using her window to display their work and create interesting and varied window displays. She is also keen to allow other ethical designers exhibit their work on her rails for limited periods to help raise awareness for other ethical fashion brands.

The shop was great and there was not only clothing and bags but jewellery, furniture, clocks made from vinyl and beautiful pottery. If you get the chance to pop up Gloucester road (a must do anyway as there are some wonderful vintagey shops) please do stop by Charlie Boots. She is also running workshops where you can learn to sew dresses, skirts, bags, cushions, underwear, purses or textile art with experienced and skilled tutors. To find out more about this service go to the 'news' section of her website.

Enjoy

Fashion Fantasist xx

My My Mulberry

I received the February issue of Vogue today and whilst flicking through my eye was caught by this beautiful advert for Mulberry.The whimsy in this photograph is unmistakeably Tim Walker. The colours are wonderful and I love the extra touches with the porcelain dogs and watering cans. When I came across this image it just filled me with joy. I think it is because Mulberry is an English brand and this is so quintessentially English and slightly eccentric imagery that really draws my interest.

Enjoy xx

Ice Sculpture

Bristol is so cold with the snow and ice look at this fountain. The water has frozen in motion and looks like an ice sculpture. For some reason it made me think of some of Tim Walker's work with muted tones and white hues.

Vogue Italia A Magic World

British Vogue The Snow Queen

Vogue Italia Lady Grey
(Photographs sourced Models.com)

Anyway I hope that you are all keeping warm. Have you seen this lighthouse that has been frozen? It looks beautiful!

Best Wishes
Fashion Fantasist xx

Star Signs

I have been meaning to blog about this sweet photoshoot that was in December Vogue. A star sign inspired edition. This beautiful photoshoot is by Tim Gutt and features zodiac symbols.

AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces

I love the muted pastel colours and odd imagery - the giant jumper, large shell and egg shell. I love the softness of Leo and the delicate flowers of Virgo.

My star sign Capricorn is beautiful whiteness and golden hues - What's your star sign?

You should definitely check out his website there are some beautiful works there.

Fashion Fantasist xx

Sara Bro-Jorgensen

Now you know me I am partial to a bit of trompe l'oeil and that is what initially drew me in to Sara Bro-Jorgensen's collection. A floaty black garment with a graphic image of a trench coat cinched at the waist.The collection is a mixture of black and white inspired by photography. Print and knit create layering and the silhouette is sleek, streamlined and modern. Soft layers of opaque and sheer fabric creates depth in a monotone colour palette - for example a sheer black and an opaque black will create different hues of the same colour.I really wanted to find out more so I contacted Sara so that she could explain her inspiration and aesthetic.What was your inspiration behind your collection?
The collection was inspired by a series of black and white photographs I took with an old plastic camera. It is about contrasts and photographic imagery as well as light and dreamy layers. Furthermore it's about developing and combining knitting techniques that goes from hand knit to graphic jacquard patterns.I've always been influenced by photography but lately it has mostly been about working a photograph into a garment and create a trompe-l'oeil effect to simplify reality but also to create more abstract graphic patterns inspired by photographs.How do you start designing a collection?
I always collect images that I find interesting and inspiring and usually I pick out a few that has a certain atmosphere to base the collection on and through collages, drawing and draping I transform them into a collection.What is your design aesthetic?
My aesthetic is very technique based and about combining many different techniques and fabrics but at the same time simple. It's dark has been described as goth but I think my love for working with good quality materials gives the garments a sense of luxuryAny ideas about your next collection?
It's going to be a about lots of layers and heavy knit, beads and graphic patterns(Black and White photography by Peter Ravnsborg - Model: Lina Bjørnø. Other photographs are from the RCA show found on Sara's website)

I look forward to her next collection. I think using photography in this way is so interesting.

Best Wishes
Fashion Fantasist xx

Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion

Bristol has been shortlisted as one of six UK cities as most stylish by leading fashion and celebrity website OSOYOU.com!!!!So all you fashion-ey folk get yourselves down to Cabot Circus tomorrow as the editorial team from OSOYOU.com will be looking out for and photographing the best street styles.

As well as the potential to be crowned the UK's most stylish city the individual with the best street style will win £500 of shopping vouchers and the latest Blackberry Torch.

Beth Wond from OSOYOU, who is organising the tour of the UK, commented, "Bristol has upped its game in the fashion stakes since the opening of Cabot Circus and we feel it now deserves a place on our shortlist of cities. We've heard that Bristol has a very individual and edgy style - we now want to see it for ourselves. We want Bristol's fashion crowd to come and show us how it's done Thursday!"Other cities nominated include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Edinburgh. So come on stylish Bristol boys and girls lets hit Cabot Circus tomorrow and show them how it's done - Bristol Style!

OSOYOU.com will be at Cabot Circus Thursday (14/10/10) 12:00-3:00pm.

Also make sure you vote for your favorite style star from October 18th on www.OSOYOU.com

To keep up to date with whats what at Cabot Circus check out their webpage or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Good luck!
Fashion Fantasist xx