Spring Summer 2013 Trends

Spring/Summer is finally here! Well should be as my heyfeaver flares up! And with the change of season comes AW13-14 in stores as we wear what is SS13. So time to review the trends this summer.

Sundance Film & Music Festival 2013

This is Sundance London 2nd year, I sadly missed last years due to work but this year I made it to watch a film called Metro Manila. Being Filipino made it more intriguing to see a story based in my home country, and with out telling you what it is about, I will say it's a heist movie on the struggles of a man and his family to try come out of the slums.

At the end there was a Q&A with the director Sean Ellis, a non Filipino, English director and cinematographer. There was the obvious questions the Filipino viewers would ask, not grasping the fact that his story was not a depiction of Philippines, but a universal story on choices of a struggling man. This tale could have been set in India, Brazil, or LA. Setting it in Manila made it personal for those from the home land taking its situation to heart.

I must commend the 1st time director for taking on a challenge as he doesn't speak tagalog. Making directing and editing a longer task, but a fruitful one as he concentrated and learnt the importance of body language. His cinematography on the stunning views makes one reminisce of holidays or peaceful days where you sit and watch the world go by on a roof or balcony at sunset and ponder about life or simply watch it go by.

I am proud to have taken a small part of Sundance. Its purpose to give a platform for independent movies and music. A voice for stories to get told that could have drowned in the commercial and political pressures. The group/institute has a diverse range of eco and cultural cultivating outlets supporting and nourishing the environment both people and nature. Its ethos not stopping with film and music but also branching into artisans of textile and print.

There is so much more to learn about Sundance since its start in 1981 with founder Robert Redford, so I will leave you with his words.

"You might find a new favourite film or music act, a new reason to love something that's already on your radar or a new cause to support. After all, while the conversation we generate here is important, ultimately, we hope you leave with an idea of how you can take action - in ways big or small"

Day Out: Brick Lane, Street Art, Pop Up Shops, Monikers

I had a nice weekend. Saturday portabello, Sunday Brick Lane. Walked around and had a bagel with besty from Kulaydoscope. Took pics of street art. Went past the pop up shops at box park. That also had singers showcasing that day. Ending with drinks at Monikers.

I read about Monikers in Time Out. Rated 4*. Personally the school and train theam looks great but the food, drinks, and service will not have us coming back. The drinks were so strong, and the signature English Patient, lives up to its name. I felt like I just tasted an old head teacher from St Trinians and ran my tounge through a vintage shop. When we arrived we asked if it was ok just to have drinks. Yet after being served by a nice guy the next one who took our orders kept pushing us to buy food. Another no no. The shrimps in a jar was so displeasing I'd rather drink the vintage drink I had to take out the taste!.

Day Out: Portabello Road & Lakwatsa

Portabello road famed for countless things from songs, carnival, the film Notting Hill, its film and music offices, spoted celebs buying in vintage shops, pubs, bars, huge houses near by, and its Saturday market.

I haven't been in a long time, as I work saturdays, but nothing has changed. The vibe is different from Camden market. You see many tourist and locals enjoying an almost carnival vibe with music playing by some stalls. But its old skool here. Some rnb jams, late swing and jazz. The clothes are hand made or vintage; and a palethera of food stalls. I came away empty handed but full belly.

Our last stop was Lakwatsa. Newly openned end of last year 2012, with rave reviews 5* tea house, even made the new york times, I over heard the nieghbouring table. I really liked the vibe inside. Comfortable, clean, efficient friendly staff, non over bearing music, clam, relaxed. The food was ok, of filipino (like myself) origin. Truthfully I wasnt going wow but for those who haven't had filipino food its a good place to start, specially if you have a sweet tooth.

I was more impressed with the venue then the food. It's a great little hang out stop for tea, or as us filipinos call it "merienda". Lakwatsa actually means to truent (bunk school) or to go out meandering. This is more like the place you would meet your friends hang out and truent too. Only thing is you might catch your teachers here too.

April calander & Terry de Havilland

As the weather is now fianlly getting out of winter, be it slowly, our April calander is also starting to hot up. With Dior at harrods now over, you still have time to catch ...

*David Bowie at the V&A, wich I am still due to see myself.

*Bianco at Camden Roundhouse, for some circ du soile.

*The Sundance Film & Music festival is at the  O2 for 4 days of independant film and music shows as well as forums. I am gutted to be missing the bands on film forum held on saturday.

* New Orlean food, Jambalaya at Jam Tree.. get some serious southern fried chicken!

* Terry de Havilland pop up temp shop.

I was reading his bio on the webisite, www.tdhcouture.com, I normally hate reading these things but his was a gripping read. Raised in a family that made shoes he learnt his trade from his father, and thier own family business.

With the up and downs of economy he is now finally ready to open his own store once again 35yrs later. The London flagship store will open this year and with a mens line on the way too. No doubt Terry de Havilland is destand to be a brand to die for. With big name clients already under his belt since the 70s and making couture shoes with client in mind, you could really own an original or a limited eddition. Fashion I find is forever revolving taking insperation from past designs and even vintage is never really vintage as it probably never really went out of fashion.

Check out his pop up store sat 20th.

If you're intersted on more events each month as they happen. I have posted them up on alter ego - vie styles fan page on face book. Keeps you up dated on events and as soon as a new blog post is up. Just hit "like"

Japan: Style, Fashion & Shopping

Part III

This was the part I was dreading to post. My style hunt was a bit of a disaster. I really wanted to look for things you can't get here in the UK. I wanted to find harajuku girls sitting on steps like the steps of gossip girl. I might have to go back and find a new map or guide of some sorts. That and have more time, or is my perception of Japanese style not the reality? 

Harajuku

Okay so I found the street. Saw the odd "harajuku" style girl. Not as many as I hoped. I was left disappointed :( I didn't feel any different to Camden. The street is like a narrow no cars paved Camden high street with stalls showing glasses, bright neon, futuristic, goth, narita, stripes, kitch, crepes, you name it they've got it.

 

Maybe I should have gone to the high end labels side of town, but I didn't see the point. I wanted street style not designers that are mostly European and over priced for my budget.

Shibuya

Shops, malls, book stores. Japan is tall. I mean look up as there are probably 3 shops or restaurants etc in 1 building different floor. 

Here I searched for fashion items, make up, and gifts.

109 mall is well known for being at the forefront of fashion. I've been trying to find a way to describe their malls and have been lost without pictures, so let me try... 

Its not like going into westfield where u have 1 huge building and inside are little shops. It's a building with stalls? Not like Harrods open counter stalls. It's not open air. More like shops with no doors?! 

I found every shop had almost the same item but a different version. That you would have to visit every shop just to see which one was the best. I bought me a fur lined parker. Funny thing was I ended up buying it back in Chiba, where I was staying. I checked almost every shop in 109. There was short ones, shearling lined, military, long ones, hood no hood, buttons, zips, all the same style jacket but with different bits and boobs I had to check each one.

I visited book shops looking for one with Japanese art for my tattoo clad now ex boyfriend. Now the tattoo books were on the top shelves like its naughty, and it didn't really contain the art that was authentic. So ended up trying to find historic art books. Which again most are in Japanese. I don't think he realised the hardship that was trying to find this book. Something that was a. In English b. Had lots of great art and c. Cultural.

¥100 (£1) shops

These shops to me was fab. Okay so it was cheap. But the things a tourist like me wanted where here. Little wooden carved out kimono dolls, paper lanterns, key rings, magnets, kids kites, origami paper, the 1toe socks for the wooden flip flops, bento pack lunch boxes, chop sticks. Not saying I bought all of that here, but you can if you wanted too.

Kyoto street shopping

This was fun on the small side roads of Kyoto. You will find your typical shops for tourist but don't expect to find typical I love Kyoto type artifacts. You can buy kimono's and candle holders and food. There is a lot of food! Typical sweets from this area are in abundance. You would think you can buy it back in Tokyo before you leave. Tell you now.. buy it in Kyoto! Next place you will find it is the airport where at this point it will be expensive.

On that note.. 

Kimono

Us westerners would want a kimono type bathrobe. This I searched the whole of Japan; ok over exaggerating but you get my drift. 

 

Kimonos are a traditional and still worn item for the Japanese. Bathrobes to them are our typical cotton, waffle, furry soft bathrobes. The other version we all think of is actually Chinese, with dragon design. So the one place I could find a Japanese print bathrobe was again the airport, and here it is not cheap. I think I spent over £50 - £100 on each.

Miscellaneous

Other things you can look out for are sock shops. They have lots of these, with different lengths, patterns and styles.

Pets clothes.. need I say more?

 

Toy capsule vending machines. I had to get some for the kids. Question was which one? You can find these machines with different toys inside almost anywhere for ¥100-¥300. They are like kinder egg toys dispensers.

Style

I feel like I haven't even touched on Japanese style with all the shopping I did.

So lets try sum it up. Japanese style I think is in around 5 groups. The out there goths, lolitas, and eccentric anime. The cute vintage dolls and romantic pastels. The plane suites of every day life. The traditional wear, which I'm not sure if it is for special occasions, as I see a few people walking around their business. Finally the hip hop retro 80s movement with the touch of geek. 

I wish I had more street style pictures for you. I guess I would just have to go back.

Day Out: Cambridge

It was my sisters bday and as much as it was freezing and late we still went out for a day trip to Cambridge. It's not far from London around an hour in the car depending on traffic.

It's not what I expected. I think I was expecting a big school a big church and a fat river. It was like going to watford with the shops and a market but with lots of churches or now colleges. Since each church/college has a different specialisation. What did amuse me was the anthropology building looked old and like the rest of the other buildings but its carvings were of lizards and a big elephant, as opposed to gargoyles or busts.

You can really feel a college vibe as you see book shops and clothes for clubs and graduation. My viestyles find was the satchel. Have you seen the satchel/google advert? With the leather company? I think I found it! I did find the satchels all over the place.

The thing I didn't expect though was the 1 way streets and lots of bicycles. I think everyone here rides a bike. The crime rate for steeling bikes must be rare as the owners don't seem to mind them parked outside. If we went earlier we should have taken a tour. So far I might have liked Canterbury more, but that's my opinion.

Mens Shoes: JT mirrors, Kicks & Haul

I have been neglecting my love for shoes and one thing I am good at is shopping and styling mens.

Before I forget I must mention these. Justin Timberlake was wearing the lace up version in his video mirrors, that was just released early this month. Now these shoes are like bling... and if your looking to buy them, good luck, as they are Christian Louboutin fall winter 2012. Non the less Loubi has a tendency to repeat a shoe but in a different material or colour so fingers crossed for you.

 

So mens shoes.... specifically trainers.

Here is my lattes find

In keeping with the Christian Louboutin style. Here is my high street version for you girls. Zara's ballerinas, I had to have them.